Did J.R.R. Tolkien Ever Write a Third Hobbit Book? What Would It Have Contained?

J.R.R. Tolkien, the renowned author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, is well-known for his detailed and intricate stories set in the world of Middle-earth. Yet, many have wondered if he ever considered writing a third book in the Hobbit series. Was there any sequel that Tolkien ever began, and if so, what might it have contained?

No Third Hobbit Book Was Written

According to historical records, J.R.R. Tolkien did not write a third book in the Hobbit series. While his publisher did ask for a sequel following the success of The Hobbit, Tolkien himself was not particularly interested in continuing the story. He had enormous problems coming up with a plot that would fit the established tone and conclusion of his work. The ending of The Hobbit, where Bilbo ends up living happily ever after, made it difficult for Tolkien to envision further adventures for the character.

Tolkien's Unfinished Stories

Although no third Hobbit book was written, Tolkien did begin to work on several other unfinished stories and tales. In fact, he started a fourth age tale set in the period following the events of The Lord of the Rings. This work, tentatively titled The New Shadow, would have focused on Eldarion, the son of Aragorn, as the central character. However, Tolkien only managed to write a few pages before abandoning the project. He found the story too dark and dull, lacking the magic and fantastical elements that brought life to his earlier works.

Theories and Speculations

Tolkien's interest in creating longer stories from earlier tales is well-documented. He had several ideas for potential sequels to both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. For The Hobbit, he considered having Bilbo run out of money and set off on a new adventure to acquire more. Another idea was to have Bilbo find a wife or leave his home for a new life, much like what Frodo experienced when he moved to Rivendell in The Lord of the Rings. However, Tolkien struggled to develop these ideas into coherent stories that would continue the narrative arc of his earlier works.

Alternative Stories

In addition to the stories he left unfinished, Tolkien also toyed with the idea of "Dagor Dagorath," a prophetic tale of the return of Morgoth and the discovery of the Silmarilli. However, beyond a prophecy from Mandos, there was not much developed in this idea. Tolkien's reluctance to write a third Hobbit book stemmed from his desire to maintain the magic and fantastical elements that were central to his works, as evident in the abandonment of The New Shadow.

Conclusion

While J.R.R. Tolkien did not write a third Hobbit book, he did leave behind several unfinished stories and concepts. These include The New Shadow and the idea of "Dagor Dagorath." Although many of his plans never came to fruition, Tolkien's creative mind continued to explore the rich tapestry of Middle-earth, even in the later stages of his career. The absence of a third Hobbit book is, in fact, a testament to the completeness and satisfying conclusion of the Hobbit series, as Tolkien saw fit to end Bilbo's story happily ever after.