Queries and Alterations

These are the sections that excite me the most in the History of Middle-earth Series. As Tolkien pauses to reflect on where his stories are going. Christopher Tolkien notes his father took an extended break on The Hobbit sequel at the point of Bingo's conversation with Gloin. He also noted that when his father went back to writing Bingo would not appear again; replaced by our well known Frodo. A series of jumbled notes that Tolkien titled Queries and Alterations shows what he was thinking about with his new story at this time:

• Tolkien was rethinking the appearance of Big People bringing party supplies to the Shire. Perhaps it was felt they would tell Bingo all the news from Dale and there would be no need for the conversation with Gloin. Which is too bad since I liked the bit about all the Inns running dry because of Men. I think it could be adequately added back in as it's Bilbo's party and Frodo doesn't leave for another 17 years requiring an refresher on the happenings in the East. 
• Tolkien was rethinking the number of hobbits on the journey; he was thinking too many. And there's this gem: "Also Bingo Bolger-Baggins a bad name. Let Bingo = Frodo…" (p. 221, The Return of the Shadow). Ultimately Tolkien decided he was too used to Bingo but when he did get back to writing Frodo won!
• Gandalf is now against Bingo telling anyone he is leaving
• Lots of questions about what happened to Bilbo's armor and Sting--particularly the armor since he did not have it at Weathertop (Lost in the Barrow? Too heavy and left? Stolen at Bree?)
• "Bree-folk are not to be hobbits" (p. 223, The Return of the Shadow). 
• Queries about the nature of rangers. It seems Tolkien was leaning toward it was better if they were not hobbits. But who was Trotter? It seems Professor Tolkien was opting for all or nothing: either Trotter was a hobbit, well known, or not a hobbit at all. He toyed with the idea of Trotter being Bilbo (but that contradicts The Hobbit's happily ever after); he then thought about making Trotter Bingo's first cousin (Fosco Took) with reference to Bilbo's line at the beginning of The Hobbit about Gandalf's reputation for taking young hobbits off into mad adventures.
• Tolkien decides Bingo uses the Ring entirely too much in the first draftings. 
• Gandalf's uneasiness is heightened; he does not approve of Bingo's disappearing joke at the party. 
• Gandalf needs to hurry because he is known by the Dark Lord and hopes to draw riders away from Bingo.
• Queries about Elves and their history with the Necromancer-rings.
• Rivendell projections (where the story is going): Bilbo is seen, shadows in the South, the Lord of Dale is being suspected of being corrupted, fate of Balin, Ori, and Óin.
• Perhaps the missing dwarves left to colonize but they would need a ring to start their hoard--did they reach out to Bilbo about his? This would have been an interesting development if pursued. 
• Bilbo's ring is proven to be the one missing Ring; not necessarily the one Ruling Ring
• But when ruminating on this Ring and why the Dark Lord desired it so Tolkien wrote: "Because if he had it he could see where all the others were, and would be the master of their masters…" (p. 227, The Return of the Shadow). As Christopher Tolkien notes the emergence of the Ruling Ring is now complete. 
• Tolkien thought about simplifying the story--it's Bilbo who disappears at the party and Bingo decides to follow him some years later (that's a bit simplified be me as well). 
• One last fun little note: "Bilbo carries off 'memoirs' to Rivendell" (p. 229, The Return of the Shadow).