Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Rings of Power Season 2, Episode 4, "Eldest."
The rings of power Season 2, episode 4 introduces the mysterious Lord of the Rings character, Tom Bombadil, and this brings him face to face with the stranger. After the stranger is absorbed by a tree, it is Tom Bombadil who rescues him - and then brings Daniel Wyman's character back to his home. While the stranger is bathing in Bombadil's residence, he hears a woman's voice singing along with his new companion. however, Bombadil denies his existence, deflecting the stranger's questions as to whether there is anyone else present.
Those unfamiliar with Tom Bombadil and JRR Tolkien's books may be scratching their heads during this scene, but there is a reasonable explanation for what the stranger is hearing. The rings of power Season 2, Episode 4 even reveals the identity of the voice while Bombadil sings with her. He refers to her Goldberry during this sceneAnd Tolkien fans will recognize the name.
The female voice the stranger hears belongs to Goldberry, Tom Bombadil's wife
She is a river spirit who appears in the Fellowship of the Ring book
Goldberry is Tom Bombadil's wifewhich appears in The Fellowship of the Ring book (although she and Bombadil were excluded from Peter Jackson's movies), as well as other Tolkien works. She is described as a river spirit of the Whitwindle, and she boasts of flowing blonde hair and a love of singing. The Adventures of Tom Bombadil and Other Verses from the Red Book Explains how Bombadil met her, and Goldberry initially tries to pull him into the river. However, he demands that she let him go, then returns and chooses to marry her.
Bombadil meets Goldberry before the third age of Middle-earth, so The rings of power Is the ideal project to adapt their relationship.
This seems to be who Bombadil is talking to The rings of power Season 2, Episode 4And it makes sense given their history together. Bombadil meets Goldberry before the third age of Middle-earth, so The rings of power Is the ideal project to adapt their relationship. It's unclear if we'll actually see Goldberry in the Amazon series, as the alien can't find anyone physically present when he confronts Bombadil. There are several reasons why Wyman's character can't see Goldberry in "Eldest."
Why the stranger can't see Goldberry in the rings of power
Her nature may allow her to leave a physical form
Since Goldberry is a spirit in Tolkien's study, It is possible that she does not need to take a physical form to be present in The rings of power Season 2. There are even theories that Goldberry is a Maya, which would almost certainly give her the ability to leave a physical presence. This would also explain why the stranger could hear you. He's also a Maya, so he might be able to see you in ways a normal person wouldn't. That would explain why Bombadil feels comfortable singing around him, especially if he doesn't realize who the stranger is.
The other potential reason why the stranger can't see Goldberry is because she really isn't there. As she is a spirit of the river, It is possible that she remains in the Whitewindle. She and Tom are extraordinary beings in Tolkien's story, so the two of them may be able to communicate with one another from afar. The stranger may have overheard the interaction in The rings of power Season 2, Episode 4 without realizing she is not physically in the house with them. Hopefully, we'll learn more about Goldberry and where she is in future installments.