re: LOTR: Return of the King ending...

I’ve come to the conclusion that Bombadil was an Ainur, the same class of being as were the Valar and Morgoth, and thus a literal god on earth in terms of power. The Silmarillion tells us that there were many more Ainur than just those that took an interest in Arda after its creation and came down to become the Valar, and Bombadil must have been one of those. Obviously he had interest in Arda, since he made his home there, but apparently he didn’t have any interest in its creation or governance (which is in line with the character as we know him). This would explain why he called himself “Eldest.” He was part of the song of creation.

Sauron, for all his might, was only an extremely powerful Maia, and thus Bombadil would be far more powerful than he, which is demonstrated when Bombadil puts on the Ring and it has absolutely no effect on him.

EDIT: I just read the linked article which suggests Bombadil is an ancient evil who helps the Hobbits out of selfish ambition. I enjoyed his theory, but I find it unconvincing. Bombadil as presented to us has no ambition of any kind whatsoever other than to enjoy and commune with nature. When it comes to Elves, Men, Hobbits, Orcs, Dwarves, etc., he is not evil but ambivalent. Evil trees and other nature spirits flourish in his domain because he doesn’t fear them or drive them out, and they in turn keep everyone else away from his home. Same for the Barrow-Wights. They exist in Bombadil’s realm because he takes no interest in them or their treasures and so simply leaves them be.