The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Bilbo Baggins was born 22 September III 2890, and Frodo on the same date in III 2968; they both passed over the Sea 29 September III 3021
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Meaning
An alternative term for 'Hobbit', referring to the fact that Halflings were only half Man-high
Title of

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  • Updated 13 October 2013
  • This entry is complete

The Halfling

A title of the Ring-finder and the Ring-bearer

"For Isildur's Bane shall waken,
And the Halfling forth shall stand.
"
From Faramir's dream
The Fellowship of the Ring II 2
The Council of Elrond
Balbo
Baggins

Berylla
Boffin

Mungo
Baggins

Laura
Grubb

Pansy
Baggins

Ponto
Baggins

Largo
Baggins

Tanta
Hornblower

Lily
Baggins

Bungo
Baggins

Belladonna
Took

Belba
Baggins

Longo
Baggins

Linda
Baggins

Bingo
Baggins

Fosco
Baggins

Ruby
Bolger

Bilbo
Baggins

Dora
Baggins

Drogo
Baggins

Primula
Brandybuck

Dudo
Baggins

Frodo
Baggins

The two Hobbits named 'the Halfling': Bilbo Baggins of Bag End and his (first and second) cousin and adopted heir Frodo Baggins.

A title that may apply to either Bilbo or Frodo Baggins, or perhaps to both. At the Council of Elrond, Boromir recounted the words of the prophetic dream that had sent him northward, including a reference to the Halfling. In the context of the Council, these words point strongly toward Frodo, who would indeed stand forward and accept the role of Ring-bearer.

It's also possible to see the Halfling here as a reference to Bilbo. If the Ring 'wakened' in any sense, it was when he discovered it, and he too stood forward at the Council of Elrond. What's more, a reference in The Hunt for the Ring (in Unfinished Tales) explicitly speaks of '...the finding of Gollum's Ring by the Halfling...', which is a clear reference to Bilbo. Perhaps we're intended to take the title ambiguously, applying to both Bilbo and Frodo and the different ways they were each entwined within the history of the Ring.


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Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 13 October 2013
  • This entry is complete

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