: That's not power.... The Nazgul were not afraid of Gandalf, thus also proving that he does not compare to the others... such as Glorfindel for one. Bombadill's power is evident in the way that he could control whatever the problem is. Be it old Man Willow, or a wright. The fact is, that nothing can destroy Bombadill, till all MiddleEarth is taken over. Why has Bombadill's dominion grown smaller? Because others have taken over the responsibilities etc. He no longer controls much of MiddleEarth, because other powers are taking over, such as Lorien, Rivendell, and of course Sauron.

: Bombadill has diminished because others have taken over.....

: The allusion to Gaia is merely my way of conveying my meaning. I was not saying that Bombadill = Gaia, but there can be allusions drawn.

: Why would it take all of Sauron's power to overcome Bombadill? Why would he be the last to fall? I doubt that any Maia could withstand Sauron in that way, and certainly not within MiddleEarth while Sauron had the ring. No, Bombadill's power is far stronger.

: As we cannot put a name to Bombadill's race, we have to extrapolate, and by no means am I saying that I must be right, or anything.

: The flame imperrishible argument is a load of rubbish. Not everything on MiddleEarth has to be connected to the flame, and if Bombadill embodies the spirit of Arda, why can he not BE the
: flame? Woulda been an interesting plot twist if Bombadill was the flame, and Sauron enslaved him, thus capturing MiddleEarth...

:
: Gandalf

Guys, I find this a very interesting debate, but I wonder if you aren't reading a little too much into the whole thing. Personally, I like the idea of of Tom being the first of the Ainur to enter Arda, though the argument could carry on ad infinitum.

That Tom was a powerfull being is without question, but to try to determine weather he is more or less powerfull then Gandalf is impossible, because there is nothing to use for comparison.

The Istari were forbidden to bring their full power to bear and use direct force to accomplish their ends. Thus, as the appeared, they were dimished somewhat from their true being. This is born out by the fact that Gandalf returned with greater power after his fight with the Balrog. Certainly the Valar could not themselves alter, in any essential way, the being of annother Ainu, whom Eru had made.

Tom (weather Maia, or some other powerfull spirit) was under no such obligation. In light of this, he never really gave any really great displays of power. the old forest was his chosen home in Arda, even as Lorien was Irmo's. Thus, it is only fitting, that he would have a degree of controll over the happenings there. Nor, being a Maia still able to assume any form of his desire, is it suprising that he could tarvel the length and bredth of his realm in short order. Even the command he exercised over the barrow wights causes no puzzelment. It is simply a great spirit driving spirits of far lesser metal before him. There is no way to say weather Olorin, in his full glory, would not have been able to do it just as effectivly.

Even his aparent resistance to the temptation of the Ring, can not really be used as a benchmark for his power. It could have been that he had truely had all he wanted, and there was no such hunger in him for the ring to awake. Or, it could simply have been that that power of the Ring could not affect the Ainur. Gandalf was afraid of the temptation of the Ring, because of his need. It's power could have assured him victory in the war he had been waging for over a thousand years. Tom had no real ouside motivation for wanting the ring. he certainly knew enough about it to know that it would never have helped him rebuild his once great forest.

Actually, although I find it a facinating question to ponder, I think that, all things considered, it doesn't matter. Tom is a wonderfull, colorfull part of Tolkien's world, no matter on which level you chose to see him. In fact I think what Goldberry said is, in the end, all the explanation necessary. He is simply Tom.

Turgon