Well, this idea is not actually an alternative identity, but I was thinking that Tom is Middle-earth's version of Patch Adams! Always singing and laughing, wearing silly clothing, running ridiculous errands (picking flowers instead of something practical and/or nourishing) and helping the hobbits when they were in difficulties. We are not told if he has a red nose, but I wouldn't be surprised a bit if he wore one occasionally! An early incarnation, perhaps?
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'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth.. .'
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