Part 2/9:
Tom Bombadil is depicted as a whimsical and enigmatic character living in the Old Forest, near the Shire. With his distinctive yellow boots and seemingly ageless demeanor, he is often portrayed as a guardian of the natural world. In "The Fellowship of the Ring," he first encounters Frodo, Sam, and Pippin when they are ensnared by the Old Man Willow. With a cheerful song, he saves the hobbits from the tree's malevolent grasp and takes them to his home, where they enjoy his tales and learn about the history of Middle-earth.