SirDennisC
Half-elven
Feb 22 2013, 2:43am
Views: 875
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It's so nice to see you here.
I can understand using "comfortably" in that line, strictly based on context. As well, given the second half of the phrase it would create resonance, an effect we've seen elsewhere in the text (see here and related discussion). However, given Tolkien's gloss and a little further research "comfort" does appear to miss the author's mark. Still, translators are accorded license, often to our (the reader's) benefit I think.
As you say, the root word "hol" seems interchangeable with "health" and "whole" -- certainly Tolkien thought so, and Morris before him. Here is what the Online Etymology Dictionary has to say about the Modern English word whole:
"Old English hal "entire, unhurt, healthy," from Proto-Germanic *khailaz "undamaged" (cf. Old Saxon hel, Old Norse heill, Old Frisian hal, Middle Dutch hiel, Dutch heel, Old High German, German heil "salvation, welfare"), from PIE *koilas (cf. Old Church Slavonic celu "whole, complete;" see health). The spelling with wh- developed early 15c. The sense in whole number is from early 14c."
Here is the listing for health, which I rather like:
'Old English hælþ "wholeness, a being whole, sound or well," from Proto-Germanic *hailitho, from PIE *kailo- "whole, uninjured, of good omen" (cf. Old English hal "hale, whole;" Old Norse heill "healthy;" Old English halig, Old Norse helge "holy, sacred;" Old English hælan "to heal"). Of physical health in Middle English, but also "prosperity, happiness, welfare; preservation, safety."'
Edit: Links fixed 
(This post was edited by SirDennisC on Feb 22 2013, 2:49am)
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