Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Rings of Power season 2, episode 4, “Eldest.”
The Rings of Powerseason 2, episode 4 introduces themysteriousLord of the Ringscharacter, Tom Bombadil, and it brings him face to face with the Stranger. After the Stranger is absorbed by a tree, it’s Tom Bombadil who saves him — and he brings Daniel Weyman’s character back to his home afterward. While the Stranger is bathing in Bombadil’s abode, he hears a woman’s voice singing alongside his new companion. However,Bombadil denies its existence, deflecting the Stranger’s questions about whether there’s someone else present.
Those unfamiliar with Tom Bombadil andJ.R.R. Tolkien’s booksmay be scratching their heads during this scene, but there’s a reasonable explanation for what the Stranger hears.The Rings of Powerseason 2, episode 4even reveals the voice’s identity while Bombadil is singing with her.He refers to her Goldberry during this scene, and Tolkien fans will recognize the name.
The Female Voice The Stranger Hears Belongs To Goldberry, Tom Bombadil’s Wife
She’s A River-Spirit Who Appears In The Fellowship Of The Ring Book
Goldberry is Tom Bombadil’s wife, who appears inThe Fellowship of the Ringbook (though she and Bombadil areexcluded from Peter Jackson’s movies), as well as other Tolkien works.She’s described as a river-spirit from the Withywindle, and she boasts flowing blonde hair and a penchant for singing.The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, and Other Verses from the Red Bookexplains how Bombadil meets her, and Goldberry initially attempts to pull him into the river. However, he demands that she let him go, then returns and chooses to marry her.
Bombadil meets Goldberry before the Third Age of Middle-earth, soThe Rings of Poweris the ideal project to adapt their relationship.
This appears to be who Bombadil is speaking to inThe Rings of Powerseason 2, episode 4, and it makes sense given their history together. Bombadil meets Goldberry before the Third Age of Middle-earth, soThe Rings of Poweris the ideal project to adapt their relationship. It’s unclear if we’ll actually see Goldberry in the Amazon series, as the Stranger doesn’t find anyone physically present when he confronts Bombadil. There are a couple reasons Weyman’s character might not be able to see Goldberry in “Eldest.”
Why The Stranger Can’t See Goldberry In The Rings Of Power
Her Nature May Allow Her To Forgo A Physical Form
Since Goldberry is a spirit in Tolkien’s lore,it’s possible she doesn’t need to take on a physical form to be present inThe Rings of Powerseason 2. There are even theories that Goldberry is a Maia, which would almost certainly grant her the ability to forgo a physical presence. This would also explain why the Stranger can hear her. He also appears to be a Maia, so he might be able to perceive her in ways an ordinary human wouldn’t. That would explain why Bombadil feels comfortable singing around him, especially if he doesn’t realize what the Stranger is.
The other potential reason the Stranger can’t see Goldberry is because she really isn’t there. As she’s a spirit of the river,it’s possible she remains in the Withywindle. She and Tom are extraordinary beings in Tolkien’s lore, so the two of them might be able to communicate with one another from afar. The Stranger could have overheard this interaction inThe Rings of Powerseason 2, episode 4 without realizing she’s not physically in the house with them. Hopefully, we’ll learn more about Goldberry and where she is in future installments.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Cast
Set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power explores the forging of the iconic rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, and the epic events leading up to the stories in J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novels. The series chronicles the creation of legendary characters and the historic alliances and rivalries that shape the fate of Middle-earth.
