The curious incident of the Harfoots in the Second Age

My apologies for the nerdy title, but “The Harfoots were not mentioned by Tolkien in the Second Age” seems to be a recurring refrain among the critics of The Rings of Power. The choice to introduce the Harfoots and, later on in season 2, the Stoors, seems to have stirred up quite the controversy in certain circles. I am here to plead the case of the proto-hobbits, because they are not just random additions to the show – they have their place and their purpose both within the story and outside it as well.

That the Harfoots are never mentioned in the Second Age is easy enough to explain. As a migratory population, the Harfoots would not have bothered too much with written records. As for others mentioning them – well, even in the Third Age, a lot of people had not heard of Hobbits and do not really bother with them. Why not safely assume that something similar was going on with their ancestors, who also possessed a heightened ability to keep themselves hidden and a notorious reluctance to mingle?

The Harfoots – and the Stoors – are not simply the outliers of the story, there for the sake of “fan service”. Although, I wish to plead the case for “fan service” in this instance and call it a good choice. Tolkien’s First and Second Age mythology is a marvel among marvels, of course, and works such as The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales and The History of Middle-Earth not only showcase his complex, unbelievable imagination, they have also revolutionized the fantasy genre forever. Yet Tolkien wouldn’t be Tolkien without his Hobbits. This is how we first meet him, young, inexperienced readers stumbling into Middle-earth without knowing what we are getting ourselves into. The Hobbits are our liaison in Middle-earth, a friendly face among all those intimidating Elven lords and ladies and heroes of ages past. The Harfoots of Rings of Power remind all of us that this is Tolkien’s world. And, in Tolkien’s world, the small are just as relevant, just as wanted, as the great.

Nori and Largo, giving us one of the most heartwarming parent-child relationship in the show. Image credit: Amazon Prime/Rings of Power

In both season 1 and 2, the Harfoots and the Stoors offer a counterbalance to the darkness that is gradually swallowing up the rest of Middle-earth. In episode 7 of the first season, we are taken away from the scenes of death and fire in the burning Southlands, to be reacquainted with Poppy, singing a cheerful song. It feels like a moment when we can catch our breath and take stock of what happened. In episode 6 of season 2, as we struggle with the injustice taking place in broken Númenor and the horror of Celebrimbor’s looming madness, we find a moment of solace with Nori and Poppy, loyal and true to each other and to their cause. After the angst and dread of the season 2 finale, Poppy’s monologue not only sums up perfectly where each of the characters are and what they might be feeling, but also offers us a ray of hope, signaling the possibility for new beginnings amid all the chaos. Nori and Poppy leading the Stoors away from their destroyed village to what might become a better life is a clear proof of Galadriel’s final words in season 2: The sun yet shines.

Nori and Poppy's friendship providing a counterbalance to the dark events of Rings of Power. Image credit: Amazon Prime/Rings of Power

Of course, Nori and her people have a purpose beyond that of keeping the viewers comfortable and providing a counterbalance to the darkness of the Second Age. Through the Harfoots and Stoors storyline, we see many of Tolkien’s themes explored. Nori’s decision to help the Stranger because, in her opinion, it feels like he is her responsibility, brings about the much discussed concepts of fate and choices and how someone’s fate is often determined by the choices they make. The themes of friendship and family are obvious in the Harfoot storyline. The theme of home and of the need to cling to some sort of roots is eloquently illustrated in the speech of Gundabale the Stoor. And through it all, we have the connection to nature that is so important for the Hobbits and so important in Tolkien’s works in general.

Gundabale's speech illustrates important themes from Tolkien's work. Image credit: Amazon Prime/Rings of Power

The proto-hobbits might not have a crucial part to play in the storyline, or, at least, not a visible one. I certainly do not want to see Nori taking stabs at Sauron next to Elendil and Gil-galad, and I am reasonably sure the showrunners have no plans to place her there, either. The purpose of the Harfoots is to remind readers what is at stake. Nori and her people represent the innocents, the ones that need to be protected, the way of life that needs to be guarded.

Besides, the Harfoots also serve as reminders that their descendants will be the ones ultimately shaping the future of Middle-earth – and Sauron’s final defeat. I should add the Stoors to this as well, since Gollum has as much of a part to play in the destruction of the One Ring as do Frodo and Sam. And speaking of connections to the Third Age – we already know that Aragorn was much like Elendil, and we enjoy seeing Elendil on screen and noticing the similarities. Why not have a potential ancestor for Frodo or Sam that could share their traits and explain where they get their bravery or wisdom or loyalty? Perhaps Nori is to Frodo what Elendil is to Aragorn – and, in this way, she has more than claimed her part in the story.

Love them or hate them (and I, for one, love them a lot), the Harfoots have a point and a place in the story. Through them, we see Tolkien in all his complexity, not just as a maker of large-scale myths, but also as a storyteller concerned with the “little folk”, the unlikely heroes, the overlooked, the seemingly helpless and innocent. “Courage is found in unlikely places”, so Gildor says in The Lord of the Rings. And Elrond adds that “small hands” often perform deeds that can change the world, while “the great” are busy somewhere else. I think those “small hands” deserve their place among the greats – and the Harfoots deserve their own story.