Part 8/9:
The discussion concludes with the acknowledgment that even if Tom Bombadil were to accept the Ring and manage to preserve it temporarily, his power would not be sufficient against the sustained wrath of Sauron. Gandalf encapsulates the overarching thought by labeling Tom as a "risky guardian." His whimsical nature and detachment from the hardships that the rest of Middle-earth faces ultimately render him ill-suited for such a grave responsibility.