I am with you on that one Prog. Ewwww, *shudders*

Problem with theory: Hobbits are smaller than dwarves. Wouldn't a dwelf (dwarf-elf) be about 5 feet tall?

Tolkien cannon: Elves have always considered dwarves to be "unlovely" calling them the naugrim or "stunted people". Elves and dwarves are probably very biologically different, since Dwarves were given shape by Aule and Elves by Eluvatar. Elves do not appear to have sexual relations as often or as carelessly as humans. There have never been any illegitimate elves in ME, so why would there be illegitimate half-elves? Marriages between elves and humans were considered highly irregular, so I cant imagine their laws allowing a marriage to a Naugrim. I am sure that Tolkien describes the hobbits as a separate race, but they were not included in any early histories because they kept themselves seperate from other races, pursuing peaceful activities, much as they did at the time of theWotR.

Elf and Dwart intermarriages? Tolkien would be horrified... I can picture him turning over in his grave, and Christopher having some kind of attack.

This is an interesting discussion, however. I hope some others have some comments!

Prior to their meeting in Fangorn, the Ents had no knowledge of their existence. Tom Bombadil, who if put to it, could probably remember their moving into his neighborhood, but he wouldn't have been curious enough to enquire from whence they came. For any earlier history of the hobbits, such as their origins, one would need to consult Elrond, or better yet Gandalf who made a study of these diminutive creatures. And I doubt if he could tell much more about their earlier history, other than what has probably come down from him, through to Bilbo and Frodo, into The Red Book, and thus to us. I have written below what I gleaned from this source (ROTK, Appendix B).

Regardless of how Ilúvatar called the first hobbits into being, they first lived in the Wilderland between the Anduin and the Greenwood (later to be called Mirkwood when Sauron moved to Dol Guldur). As was said above the Harfoots entered Eriador in 1050 TA. Then about 150 years later the Fallohides entered; the Stoors came over the Redhorn Pa*s and moved to the Angle, or to Dunland. After about another 150 years, the Periannath migrated westward with many settling in Bree. In 1601 TA (Year 1 SR) many Periannath migrated from Bree to the land beyond the Baranduin, which they called The Shire; about thirty years later they were joined by Stoors coming up from Dunland. About 860 years later the Stoor Déagol, whose family hadn't migrated across the Misty Mountains, found the One Ring and was murdered by Sméagol. And 480 years after that Gandalf and Thorin and company show up on Bilbo's doorstep in 2941 TA (1340 SR). A more fuller history of these early movements can be found on the third through sixth pages of Professor Tolkien's Prologue to The Fellowship of the Ring.

I very much doubt if the hobbits are the product of any inter-species breeding, rather that they are a separate species created by Ilúvatar way-back-when. And for reasons of his own, he made three distinct families of them: the Harfoots (smaller and shorter, friendly with Dwarves); the Stoors (broader, friendly with men); and the Fallowhides (bolder, from which their aristocracy formed, and friendly with Elves).

I dunno, I quite like the idea....

Stoorish Hobbits can grow beards

Sort of like rustic English pygmies? Maybe more modern agrarian Picts without their blue dye?

I dunno, a lot of them remind me of the inbred freaks we have down here in Devon, some of them are really very short...

What else can I say.... ?

Short is beautiful? Well there is life after all then...

AAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHH! 'kin Ewoks!

okay. where did the hairy feet come from? how come none of the elves, even the oldest ones have mentioned this (as far as my knowledge) and even gandalf doesn't state this. gandalf dedicated his life to the hobbits, wouldn't he say something about the elf/dwarf crossing to any of the hobbits. maybe there wasn't even a history of hobbits. maybe they were just, well, made. i admit i haven't thought this through as well as i could have, but i can already spot holes in your theory.

Hybrid Dwarf-Hobbit, disgusting thought. No wonder Tolkien didn't think of it.

Ha! Speciests, all of you!

What's wrong with a dwabbit? Short, grumpy & hairy doesn't necessarily mean ugly you know!


But I must admit that Ewoks are disgusting. Argh!

I always figured it referred to their height: half a man's height. It could also be half an Elf''s height, but I guess it really doesn't matter which.

Tigiel, I was wondering if anyone would catch that. lol. It is a pretty interesting character.

[Edited on 23/8/2002 by MelliotSandybanks]

Allyssa has written a short story about an Orc foundling being taken home by a pair of Elves. You can read it in the Writers Guild under The Demons Within or The Chat Room Story. We all thought it had possibilities for a novel, or a series even.

kewl, that should be interresting. i will check it out later. and have matthew read it
i am sure he will love it

Must read it then. When I ever find the time...