Part 7/9:
The potential scenarios unfold—if Sauron discovers the location of the One Ring with Tom, he would inevitably march forth, overpowering Tom's dominion over the Old Forest. Glorfindel warns that it would be a matter of time before Sauron’s forces, emboldened by their dark lord, descend upon Bombadil, compromising the sanctuary he provides.
Moreover, the dynamics of power in Middle-earth are complex, with Saruman’s ambitions complicating the matter even further. If he scents an opportunity to seize the One Ring, he may well redirect his forces towards the Old Forest, ultimately circumventing any defenses Tom could muster. In such a scenario, Bombadil's ability to safeguard the realm would prove inadequate against the full might of Mordor.