Bombadil as Aule?

[Lord of Angmar]

Osse, debate me if you will, but I cannot conceive of Tom Bombadil being an incarnation of Aule. In fact, if I may make so bold, I find the notion rather ridiculous. Granted, I have not read your essay (which I searched for and could not find on the Google browser), but I feel there are a number of key points which dissuade me from this logic.

First and foremost is that Aule, of all the Valar, was probably least in touch with the natural world. In the chapter of the Silmarillion entitled Aule and Yavanna, it is made clear that Aule does not feel any special rapport with trees or beasts, and the Dwarves that he created are ever at odds with the natural world, chopping down trees and, as Gimli said, fearing forests. They almost certainly feel this lack of connection with nature because of their creator, who was a Vala of subtle craft and loved rock and gems more than he ever did trees and rivers. Having said this, I will now state that these traits are exactly the opposite of Tom Bombadil, who has a special way with his forest and all of the life therein. He cares nothing for crafts and works of the hand, which is shown when, in the House of Tom Bombadil in the Fellowship of the Ring, the Ring has no effect on him and it does not seem to concern him at all.

Secondly, Bombadil is said to be the first entity in Arda. It is never stated that Aule was the first of the Valar to descend into Ea, therefore this cannot be assumed.

It can also be noted that the Valar are never wont to leave Valinor, save Ulmo only, and even his power over the waters of Mortal Lands was waning by the Third Age. Why then would Aule leave his halls and the beloved works of his hand to live in an old wood in Middle-earth, forsaking his crafts to live a life among the willows and flowers of the Old Forest? It would be quite a change in personality, and changing their personalities is one thing I have never known the Valar to do in Tolkien's works.

At the Council in Imaldris, Elrond states that, should the Ring be given to Bombadil, he would forget about it, and if Sauron found out about where it lay hid then Bombadil would not have the power to turn him back. Surely a Maiar, no matter how powerful, would be no match for one of the Valar? How then could Sauron hope to assail Aule with success, no matter how many minions he sent? It is simply illogical.

For these reasons I am inclined to disagree with you, Osse, that Tom Bombadil was in fact Aule. If you wish to request quotes to back any of the above points, I will be obliged to give them to you, but I think those who are well-acquainted with all of Tolkien's works will agree with me.

In my own humble opinion, Tom Bombadil is the essence of Arda, the embodiment of the natural world who was created by Illuvatar at the beginning of Ea, not necessarily as a guardian, but as a living representative of the natural world. Much like the natural world, Bombadil is not moved by the deeds of the Children of Illuvatar, in this case the War of the Ring. He would only heed such matters, I think, if they effected his abode and his lifestyle, much as the natural world (think of the Ents and Fangorn Forest) only takes heed when it is deeply effected by the doings of the outside world.

I don't think Tolkien ever meant for us to know the true origin of Bombadil, but these are just my thoughts on what he may or may not actually be.