The Lord of the Rings is full of mysteries, but one of the least explored may be what Gandalf and Tom Bombadil were actually talking about toward the end of the book. Peter Jackson’s Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movies famously cut Tom Bombadil, despite adding in random cameos from minor characters like Radagast. So, moviegoers who aren’t long-term fans may not know that Gandalf paid one of Lord of the Rings’ most mysterious characters a visit after the War of the Ring ended. However, readers may wonder about this.

While Ian McKellen’s Gandalf was memorably characterized as a faithfully kind and humorous Wizard, Rings of Power’s Tom Bombadil offered a looser interpretation of the text. The Lord of the Rings movies may have cut Tom, but Amazon Prime Video’s Second Age Lord of the Rings TV show invented a Rhûn storyline for Tom, played by Rory Kinnear. Meanwhile, Daniel Weyman represents the show’s version of Gandalf. Through it all, it can be hard to imagine what Tom and Gandalf had to talk about after the War of the Ring, but the book gives clues.

10

Gandalf Was Able To Simply Visit A Friend For The First Time In A While

Gandalf And Tom Bombadil Could Have Been Close In Lord Of The Rings

As one of Lord of the Rings’ oldest characters, Gandalf was probably looking for a friend that he could chat to, to a certain extent. The Fellowship were all busy managing through the aftermath of the War of the Ring, with Aragorn claiming the throne of Gondor and Arnor, reuniting the kingdom. Gandalf got to experience significant peacetime for the first time since the Watchful Peace.

After the War of the Ring, the Fellowship members were left adrift, trying to make sense of what had just happened. For Gandalf to seek out an old friend would make sense. It really isn’t clear exactly how well Gandalf and Tom Bombadil knew each other. Gandalf knew that Tom had seldom been traveling, but did not state that he hadn’t. This suggested that Gandalf had been aware of Tom’s movements for a while, and may have been keen for a fun catch-up with no imminent danger looming.

9

Tom Bombadil May Have Been The Only Being In Middle-earth Gandalf Could Truly Relate To

Tom Bombadil And Gandalf Had Some Things In Common

Gandalf may have visited Tom Bombadil after the War of the Ring for some empathy. On the subject of Gandalf and Tom Bombadil simply being friends, and of this being what drove Gandalf to seek his company, Tom may have been a rare gem in Middle-earth. As far as Gandalf was concerned, Tom Bombadil may have been one of the few alive who could really understand him.

Gandalf was one of Lord of the Rings’ five Istari – five of the oldest beings on the continent. Meanwhile, Tom was “Eldest,” said to have been around since before Morgoth or the Valar even arrived in the universe. Tom Bombadil could have spoken with Gandalf about things that scarcely any other being around could have. It’s possible Gandalf was looking for some well-deserved understanding, sympathy, and verbal trips down memory lane.

8

Tom Could Help Gandalf Adapt To Life After The War Of The Ring

Tom Was Gathering Moss But Gandalf Was A Rolling Stone

Gandalf may have been looking to Tom for guidance, in a weird sort of way. Gandalf had a key and direct part in ending the War of the Ring and saving Middle-earth’s free citizens from Lord of the Rings’ Sauron. Whereas, Tom Bombadil sat the war out. So, one may have thought that it would be Tom Bombadil looking to Gandalf for tips. However, Tom Bombadil had something Gandalf didn’t.

Tom Bombadil had set up shop in the Old Forest with Goldberry and made himself something of a permanent home, despite his meandering ways and the sprawling expanse of his realm. Gandalf, on the other hand, was known as “the Grey Pilgrim.” Tom Bombadil was “a moss-gatherer“ according to Gandalf, which alluded to his stability, whereas Gandalf was like a rolling stone. With the war over, perhaps it was time to learn from Tom and become more stable.

7

Gandalf Wondered If He Would Be Happier If He Was More Like Tom

Tom Bombadil Was A Role Model For Gandalf, In A Way

If Gandalf had time to talk to Tom, he may have been able to ᴀssess his own path better. With the War of the Ring over, and everyone seeking their new lifestyle, Gandalf may have seen Tom Bombadil as a role model. In order to fit into a new way of living whereby no one had to constantly plot war, Gandalf might have sought inspiration from Tom. Tom Bombadil was a renowned pacifist.

Gandalf didn’t seem like a warlike being, the way Lord of the Rings’ villain Morgoth, or even the Vala Tulkas, seemed to be. However, he was sent to Middle-earth to oppose Sauron. Gandalf may have found it hard to adjust to life after war, as many veterans do when most of their recent years have been spent fighting. Gandalf may have detected a sense of lasting peace emanating from the Old Forest’s master and tried to capture some of that for himself.

6

The Lord Of The Rings Suggests Gandalf Tried To Tell Tom Bombadil About The War Of The Ring (But Tom Didn’t Care)

Gandalf May See Tom Bombadil As An Important Future Ally

Perhaps Gandalf’s long talk with Tom Bombadil was about the War of the Ring, the biggest conflict of the Third Age. Since the end of the war, a key Fellowship member like Gandalf would have certainly concerned himself with tying up some loose ends. With Tom Bombadil one of the most powerful characters in The Lord of the Rings, it stands to reason that Gandalf would want to debrief him on the War, giving him the facts.

Across The Lord of the Rings’ timeline, Tom Bombadil’s refusal to address the War of the Ring is noted many times. Whether or not Tom Bombadil would have had any interest in discussing its outcome isn’t certain, but he did have a level of interest vested in Sauron’s defeat. He did, after all, arm the Hobbits in the book, although the movies didn’t show this. Gandalf may have looked to Tom as a natural ally, so debriefing him could have ᴀssisted in any future trouble.

5

Gandalf Was Connecting With Middle-earth To Understand What He’d Just Helped Save

Gandalf Was Seeking To Understand Middle-earth More Before He Left It

Gandalf had just finished saving Middle-earth at the end of The Lord of the Rings book and movie, with a little help from Frodo, of course. However, having spent so long fighting Sauron, he may have felt disconnected from what the whole realm was really up to. Although a traveler by nature, Gandalf had spent the longest time negotiating between the different parties vying for power in Middle-earth.

It may have appeared time to Gandalf to check in with the rest of the continent, and the kinds of people that had just been saved. With Gondor and Arnor reunited and Elves and Dwarves on friendly terms again, it remained to be seen what the people really felt about what decisions had been made, and how Middle-earth planned to process and rebuild recent events. In visiting Tom Bombadil, Gandalf could have been checking the temperature of things at a crucial time. As usual, he could have desired to keep things on track and going in the right direction.

4

Gandalf Wanted To Say Goodbye To Tom Before Sailing West

Gandalf Was Headed West And Might Not See Tom Bombadil Again

Gandalf would have known for a while that he was headed West, and may have been intent on saying goodbye to Tom Bombadil before he left. Gandalf clearly loved Middle-earth deeply, but evidence supports a rather obvious foregone conclusion – he probably couldn’t wait to go back to Valinor. This place had been his home after the Timeless Halls for many scarcely countable years.

Regardless of his desire, Gandalf may have been called back to Valinor by Lord of the Rings’ 15 Valar. It was his responsibility to report back on his mission to oppose Sauron. If Gandalf and Tom had been friends – and it wasn’t certain that they had been – it is only right that he say goodbye. In heading back to Valinor across the Straight Road, Gandalf may never have been able to get back to Middle-earth again.

3

Gandalf May Have Asked Tom Bombadil To Travel To The Undying Lands

Gandalf May Have Wanted Tom Bombadil To Come West With Him

Gandalf may have paid Tom Bombadil a visit after The War of the Ring to invite him back with him to Valinor. Gandalf was a Maia, one of the ancient Ainur who had dwelled in Valinor since its inception. As such, he was as welcome there as the Elves. While mortals were not allowed in, Tom Bombadil and Goldberry were clearly no average mortals. With the Elves all leaving, Gandalf may have felt the need to offer Tom and his family pᴀssage, especially considering Tom’s service to the Fellowship, including defending them from Barrow-wights.

Although Middle-earth was now safe after Sauron’s defeat, it’s possible that there was simply much less to preside over for Tom, and Gandalf wanted to recognize this. With the Age of Elves ending and the Age of Men dawning, it’s possible that ancient beings like Tom were losing their position in Middle-earth. Radagast likely remained to look after birds and beasts, so perhaps Tom would have liked to enjoy the undying light of the Blessed Realm, and see some old friends. It’s likely he knew people there, considering his age.

2

Tom Bombadil May Have Been More Than He Seemed In Lord Of The Rings

Perhaps Gandalf Was Conspiring With A Power Greater Than Tom Bombadil

Tom Bombadil may have been far more than just an old man with special powers. The debate as to Tom Bombadil’s true idenтιтy rages nearly a century after the publication of The Lord of the Rings, and if he was more than he seemed, Gandalf could have had particular need to talk to him. One theory goes that Tom Bombadil is actually the God of Middle-earth, presiding over the Valar and every other being.

If anyone in the universe were to know about this, there’s as good a chance of it being Gandalf as one of the Valar. Gandalf had a special position in God’s plan for Middle-earth, essentially orchestrating the movements of the Fellowship of the Ring. If Tom Bombadil was Middle-earth’s God – Eru Ilúvatar – all along, then it stands to reason he and Gandalf would be due for a chat after the War.

1

It Made Sense For The Hobbits To Handle The Scouring Of The Shire Without Gandalf

Gandalf May Have Been Better Far Away From The Shire During Its Scouring

Gandalf was far away from the Shire during its scouring, and this may have been for the best. While he was away on his trip talking to Tom Bombadil, at some point, the events that led toward the Shire’s misfortune were occurring. This temporal clash meant that Gandalf left the rescuing of the Shire all to the Hobbits. From a narrative perspective, this makes sense, as Gandalf’s presence would have tipped the scales.

The Hobbits had to prove their resilience and strength in the Scouring of the Shire, making for the perfect ending to the perfect book. This left them finalized as worthy candidates for positions of power alongside Aragorn. Merry, Pippin, and Sam became Counsellors of the North Kingdom, putting the Shire on the map. They developed key leadership skills in the Scouring of the Shire. Perhaps, somewhere deep down inside, Gandalf knew this in The Lord of the Rings.