Sometimes I think that Tolkien set out to write one book and when he introduces Aragorn, the book changes in spite of his intention. I've had plays do that. I set out to write one play and when a character is introduced, the whole play changes.
Of course, I'm not Tolkien and it is my opinion... but the book changes so radically at Bree, it is just something I wonder. In the book he first set out to write Bombadil and Goldberry were great characters. In the book he ended up with they don't serve any purpose and contrasted against the other characters seem to be shallow and silly.
Though (and it only serves notice on his genius), he never forgets them and brings up Bombadil at the Council of Elrond and at the end of the book.