The Ents, and a couple of other things.

[Mat_Heathertoes]

The Ents were created by the thought of Yavanna, made into reality by Eru.

Behold! When the Children awake, then the thought of Yavanna will awake also, and it will summon spirits from afar, and they will go among the kelvar and the olvar, and some will dwell therein and be held in reverence, and their just anger be feared.

"Of Aulë and Yavanna" - Chapter 2 - The Silmarillion

The 'children' refers to the Children of Eru, in this case: the elves and the kelvar and olvar are the fauna and flora of Middle-Earth. So it appears that the Elves and Ents awoke at around the same time perhaps the Ents a while earlier but it is not specifically mentioned.

I think Tom Bombadil does too. At least Tom sais he has lived a long time

This Tom Bombadil debate trundles on it seems ... Tom is an enigma within the story and according to Tolkien himself, intentionally so. Many theories are propounded on what Tom is, his age and what he represents. My personal theory is that he doesn't really represent anything. Tom is just a 'guest-star' character that Tolkien is particularly fond of for his love of the land and the ecology of the countryside and he wanted to put him within the bounds of this greater tale.

The Glamdring question ... well I always refer to the wise words of Gildor Inglorion quote when pondering the Istari ..

'Do not meddle in the affairs of Wizards. for they (and their swords) are subtle and quick to anger ...'

Regarding the movie. I can't remember the particular quotes off the top of my pate but i do recall in the book that Gandalf has no intention of going anywhere near the Gap of Rohan and Aragorn is set against the trip through Moria. Only Boromir, in his limited wisdom, thinks the Gap is an alternative.

[ February 27, 2002: Message edited by: Mat_Heathertoes ]