This started as an idle sketch and turned into something else.

Old Man Willow waits by the side of the river, gaurding Goldberrys waterlilies, awaiting the arrival of Tom Bombadil.

The question I kept asking myself while I painted is "Will he ever come?"

I read the LOTR books every year in the autumn, it's like a ritual. I always hate when the story draws to a close, and that is reflected in this painting. All our favourite beloved characters have left Middle earth, they've travelled to the havens. We are left behind to mourn the passing of an age. I wonder if Old Man Willow survived the transition, I wonder if Tom ever showed up again. Even the sun has lost it's power here.

The story is complete as it is, but greedy me wishes for more.