[JenB]

Tolkien denied that the events in LotR were based on any 'real' occurences, almost as vehemently as he denied any trace of allegory. From the Foreword: "The real wear does not resemble the legendary war in its process or its conclusion....I cordially dislike allegory in all its manifestations"

If LotR really has any sources, outside Tolkien's own imaginations, it would be North-legends. This strain is particularly apparent in Tolkien's elf-legends; I recently read Kalevala and kept wondering if Tolkien had not written this story too!

[Countyline]

Isn't this a wonderful poem?

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And wither then? I cannot say.
- JRR Tolkien

We're already off to a new adventure. I relish the idea and the fun ahead.

Add me to your list, please, if you please.

[Romestamo]

Tolkien disliked allegory, but he was not above allusions and inside jokes. Many names and occurences in his works are obscure references that only students Norse and English legends understand (Gandalf, for instance, is the name of a dwarf in a Danish legend. Another example would be Gandalf's passing reference of being referred to as Incanus in the South. Incanus is lating for Greybeard.).

[Monkey Face]

In going through our family's genealogy during the last year, I've found a lot of "Norse" words, phrases and names that could have been part of Tolkein's overall story...and I say, "Good for him!"