Evolution

In the earlier posts Tolkien shows up and is an observer who turns into a counsellor to Gandalf and Bilbo... What if instead Tolkien is Gandalf, or more correctly takes over as Gandalf who has not been seen for years.  Maybe the meet later maybe they don't the wonderful thing about writing the story is I get to have it present itself to me and then I share it with you the reader.
Between the book which I have to admit to reading many, many times and the movie, most people know how the story goes of Gandalf hoodwinking Bilbo into going on the journey.  He at least re-awoke Bilbo's longing for and sense of adventure...

What if it were different?  What if Tolkien appears out of thin air outside of Bag End on that spring morning and it is Bilbo who convinces Tolkien he is Gandalf the wizard whom he has not seen since his childhood... After all if you are a hobbit and gray haired man appears before you out of thin air it would be safe to assume he was a wizard.

Maybe it would have gone something more like this.

Poof! Tolkien appears and is bewildered at Bilbo's doorstep.

Bilbo - Hullo! What's this now?  Who are you?
Tolkien - Who am I you say.  Who are you?
Bilbo - Why I'm Bilbo Baggins of course everyone around these parts knows who I am.
Tolkien - I beg your pardon.. Yes of course you are Bilbo and I am... I am...
Bilbo - Goodness gracious me why you are Gandalf the old wandering wizard aren't you?
Tolkien - I'm I'm Gandalf?
Bilbo - Well of course you are.  Care for a pipe of tobacco and some tea?
Tolkien - Beg your pardon?
Bilbo - Well yes you've asked for it twice and as you are not a wandering button salesman you shall have my pardon.  Now about this pipe of tobacco will you join me and have some?
Tolkien - Yes all right he said.  Tolkien was quite confused and needed to gather his wits.

at the same time down the hill the dwarf Thorin Oakenshield saw the flash of Tolkien's arrival and thought so it is true then.  The old wizard is alive and may have the key my father left in his keeping. I must gather the others.

From there Tolkien now Gandalf is involved in the quest to retake the mountain from the dragon all the while knowing nothing of the land he is in.  He listens intently and says little...
So the story of the Hobbit can be merely a retelling of his first time in Middle Earth with out mention of him or his roll...

I am not sure which plot line I will pursue... Tolkien as Gandalf or Tolkien as the mysterious visitor who Bilbo names Jar Tulkeen.  It will all reveal itself as I write and plot the story.  I do want to get back to Oxford and the Eagle and Child pub soon too but I feel I need to answer the riddle of Tolkien's roll in the Hobbit first as it will determine much of the future part of the story.  One idea is that CS Lewis sees Tolkien's Middle Earth first hand and that Tolkien goes to Narnia as well.  Lots to be sorted out.  For now I will write each day and see where this takes me.

Carl