Original idea of Mim

[Khamul]

I have been wondering about the original theory of Mim found in Book of Lost Tales 2. He seems to be much more powerful, and he also was known as "Mim the Father-less." Could this mean that Tolkien originally planned him Mim to be one of the 7 Fathers of the Dwarves? I personally think so, but I guess with two Dwarves named, he would be obliged to name the rest. (Probably the same as in the Names of the Nazgúl)

(Book of Lost Tales 2) Moreover his greed was mightily kindled, so that after pondering much he set a guard that he might trust to watch his treasury, and the captain of these was Mim the Dwarf.

He is also much more powerful in BOLT 2.
(Book of Lost Tales 2) Then said that Dwarf, and his name was Mim: "O Urin, little did I think to see thee, a lord of Men, with such a rabble. Hearken now to the words of Mim the fatherless and depart, touching not this gold no more than were it vemomous fires. For has not Glorund lain long years upon it, and the evils of the drakes of Melko is on it, and no good can it bring to Man or Elf, but I, only I can ward it, Mim the Dwarf, and by many a spell, have I bound it to myself. Then Urin wavered, but his men were wroth at that, so he bid them seize it all, and Mim stood by and watched, and he broke forth into terrible and evil curses. Thereat did Urin smite him, saying:"We came but to take what was not thine----now for thy evil words we will take what is thine as well, even thy life."

But Mim dying said unto Urin: "Now Elves and Men shall regret this deed, and because of the death of Mim the dwarf shall death follow this gold so long as it remain on Earth, and a like fate shall part and portion share with the whole.

Can anyone explain this dramatic change in the roles of Mim?

[Ciryaher]

Well, JRR may simply have changed his mind about it. Take Treebeard for instance. He began as a wicked and devious character that couldn't be trusted, and he became one of the key players in the War of the Ring. I think Tolkien simply changes the characters as he sees fit, until he likes what he has.

[BelDain]

People seem so amazed at the changes that Tolkien's characters went through before the final product. Events reworked and so forth. I think this is probably just what any good author does though. People don't just sit down one day and write a fully fleshed out story, world and characters. There is development.

HoME just stands out as a novelty because not very many authors have their writing notes and studies compiled and published. That would be cool if they did though.

[Khamul]

I think you dont understand my question. Do you think that Tolkien planned Mim to be one of the 7 Fathers of the Dwarves?

[BelDain]

How do we even know it's the same character at all? Maybe it was just a name that he decided to end up using elsewhere.