Wizards and Hobbits

The next section of The Treason of Isengard shows Tolkien's efforts to expand on the Hamilcar Bolger capture. And while this story would not come to be it did yield some very important developments.

A bit of narrative was to be introduced into the Many Meetings chapter when Frodo wakes up in Rivendell. To his surprise one of the hobbits waiting for him was Hamilcar Bolger who had opted to stay at Crickhollow. Inquiring about his presence the story is told of how the Black Riders raided Crickhollow and captured him but Gandalf came in the nick of time and pursued the Riders saving Hamilcar: "'He did not know whether is was relieved or disgusted when he found out it was only poor old Ham Bolger. I was too crushed to mind at the time: he bowled the Rider that was carrying me clean over; but I feel rather hurt now'" (p. 68-69, The Treason of Isengard).

Afterward realizing the Riders had thought they had caught Baggins Gandalf took Hamilcar and hoped to draw the enemies off of the real Baggins' trail. But news traveled too quickly and the Black Riders quickly were after Frodo. From there the time schemes match-up for both Gandalf and Frodo's travels to Rivendell (and explains the odd boot and hobbit prints Trotter found at Weathertop).

Not long after a sketch of a new plot twist emerged. And this was a major breakthrough. A new Wizard appears: Sarumund. "Sarumund betrays him - having fallen and gone over to Sauron: (either) he tells Gandalf false news of the Black Riders, and they pursue him to the top of a mountain; there he is left standing alone with a guard (wolves, orcs, etc. all about) while they ride off with mocking laugh; (or else) he is handed over to a giant Fangorn (Treebeard) who imprisons him?" (p. 71, The Treason of Isengard).

While the final details are not in place this is an excellent example of how Tolkien's first thoughts provided remarkable direction and clarity for his writing. From the beginning of putting his name on paper Saruman was to be a fallen wizard who betrays Gandalf. Remarkable. We also see that Treebeard has not left Tolkien's imagination - albeit he is still a rather evil character.

At this point there are various revisions concerning the Hamilcar, Gandalf, and Sarumund stories. Alternate versions included Hamilcar's rescue or his slipping out to Crickhollow before the Ringwraiths attacked. The Eagles enter the story now, rescuing Gandalf from his captivity. Radagast has not yet appeared but is close.

More revisions to previous writings happened around this time to. The confusing business of multiple secret letters from Gandalf seems to have been set aside at this time. One letter, now dated from the summer which Butterbur forgot to send on, that is independently and unknowingly confirmed by Trotter when he recites the poem (All that is gold does not glitter) about himself.