[Gurthang]

I've got it! The final answer.

Bombadil is Beren!

Let's look at the facts.

1. Beren and Luthien dissappeared after the destruction of Beleriand. | Nobody knows where Tom or Goldberry came from.

2. Tom is immune to the Ring's power. | Beren died, and then came back to life... making him immortal and unaffected by the Ring.

3. Goldberry is the River-woman's daughter. | Melian, Luthien's mother, was a lover of trees who lived in caves alongside the River Esgalduin.

4. Tom commands trees. | Melian passed her knowledge of tree-lore on to Luthien, who passed it to Beren/Tom.

5. Tom sings about meeting Goldberry by a pond while she was singing. | All of us know that Beren happened upon Luthien and was enchanted by her song.

6. Tom could see Frodo when he put the Ring on. | This goes along with Beren dying. Since he died, he was part of the spirit world. When he was brought back, he was actually in both worlds. When Frodo slipped on the Ring and entered the spirit realm, Tom was there and could see him.

I should note that Beren being one handed could mar my theory. But I must ask you... does it ever say that Tom has two hands?

Tom is Beren and Beren is Tom. The End.


P.S. Hmmm. This could make a serious topic one day. *chuckles maniacly*