enigmas invite inquiry. The word enigma comes into English in the 16th century via Latin, but originally from Greek. It means to “speak allusively,” from αινος, for “fable.” I’m sure Tolkien knew this, and I’m sure that he knew what happens when people stumble upon enigmatic things—they stop and wonder about them, particularly noble-minded people. As Solomon said, “It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out” (Prov. 25:2).
