What next? The August 1939 Notes

One of my favorite aspects of The History of Middle-earth series is different sketches of notes Tolkien wrote as he thought about where his stories were leading. It's fun to see the germ of an idea, a lost story never begun, ideas that lead to more ideas. Chapter 22 of The Return of the Shadow is chock full of such notes. Definitively dated 1939 Christopher Tolkien pulled together some dozen notes, projections, and questions that his father put together. The sequel to The Hobbit was stalled out in Rivendell at this point; precisely as Gloin and Bingo/Frodo were finishing their conversation at the feast in Elrond's house. I will highlight bits from each of these notes as we look toward what's next?

1. The first note entertains a complete restructure of the entire story. Essentially Bilbo is the hero throughout and it's his adventure (there's also a note about Gollum getting a new ring in Mordor).
2. This note returns to the original storyline with the emphasis that Frodo should be more comedic. Bilbo had two favorite nephews: Peregrin Boffin and Frodo. Peregrin, the elder, is lost. The Ring passes to Frodo and becomes restless disappearing at the party. "Trotter turns out to be Peregrin, who had been to Mordor" (p. 371, The Return of the Shadow). 
3. Note three starts with some tinkering with hobbit names and then some plot alterations. The most important alteration is the decision that neither Bilbo nor Gandalf know much about Bilbo's magic Ring when the old hobbit departs. There is also some changes about Frodo's departure which effect the identity of Trotter--perhaps now not a hobbit but an associate of Gandalf's. Lastly, the Odo saga seems to be definitively cut here.
4. The fourth note is actually little snippets of conversation between Bilbo and Frodo that give an intimate look at their relationship (not seen until Rivendell in FOTR; but clearly before Bilbo leaves in these pieces). Frodo surprises Bilbo in his knowledge of the magic Ring. To Bilbo's mock indignation Frodo reveals he had a rapid glance at Bilbo's memoirs (The Hobbit): "'My book!' said Bilbo. 'Good heavens above. Is nothing safe!' 'Not too safe,' said Frodo. 'But I only got one rapid glance.'" (p. 378, The Return of the Shadow). Some interesting stuff here. 
5. Christopher Tolkien gives no direct notes but stated that his father was projecting what could come next after Rivendell: chiefly that a Dragon should come and attack the Shire. 
6. Next come some brief narrative sketches: "Island in sea. Take Frodo there in the end. Radagast? Battle is raging far off between armies of Elves and Men v[erses the] Lord. Adventures...Stone-Men" (p. 379, The Return of the Shadow). Clearly Tolkien had a vision to where his story was going though the details are absent. Christopher Tolkien noted that this is the first germ of the people of Gondor (Stone-land). 
7. Connected to the last note (not chronologically rather material) comes a more detailed sketch of the ending of the story. Key elements: Bingo (Frodo) cannot throw the Ring away. "At that moment Gollum - who had seemed to reform and had guided them by secret ways through Mordor - comes up and treacherously tries to take the Ring. They wrestle and  Gollum takes Ring and falls into Crack" (p. 380, The Return of the Shadow). Another note suggests all is not right in the Shire upon the return; Tolkien played with the idea of Hobbits making swords and the four farthings warring against each other. Once again we see the Professor had a vision. And it's something to see, 12 or so years before the ending would be written there was an idea that Gollum would play a crucial role and the Shire would undergo hardship. 
8. This note is on the reverse side of 7 and is a quote of Bilbo after the Ring was destroyed. It seems there was a thought that Bilbo would die in Rivendell; essentially Bilbo is saying Elrond will keep their memoirs after Hobbits have gone away. I love the end quote however: "'Well, Bingo, my lad, you and I were very small creatures, but we've played our part. We've played our part. An odd fate we have shared, to be sure" (p. 381, The Return of the Shadow). 
9. The next note offers more narrative sketches. Some highlights include: Going South; snowstorms in the Red Pass, adventures with Giant Tree Beard, Land of Ond, now Gollum is armed with a magic ring given by the Lord, the Eye searching for Frodo, eruption of the Fiery Mountain and destruction of the Tower. 
10. This note hints at Frodo's adventure with Tree Beard. Apparently the Ring bearer was separated from his friends and encounter the Giant in his giant Garden: "It was only then when Frodo looked closer that he saw that what he had taken for smooth tree-stems were the stalks of gigantic flowers..." (p. 384, The Return of the Shadow). Beyond there is a picture of the manuscript in Tolkien's finest manuscript with Elvish script giving the context of the piece. It's a sight to see!
11. The last note is a bit of narrative that begins to explore the curious case of Peregrin Boffin. Bilbo's young nephew who took great interest in stories of wolves and forests and ultimately disappeared. Bilbo received most of the blame and Gandalf the rest. Eventually all young hobbits were kept away from Bilbo save one Frodo. Peregrin, as you may remember, is to be revealed as the ranger Trotter in the story thus far. 

And with the end of these notes comes the beginning of World War II.