42 and friends 

in the hitch hiker's guide, a proposed "question" to the answer to life the universe and everything (42) was "how many roads must a man walk down".

what if "the answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind" is the same sort of idea as the door to moria in lord of the rings:

"say the password, friend, and you shall enter"

and the answer IS "my friend".

then, is "my friend" (mellon in elvish) the answer blowing in the wind,

to "how many roads must a man walk down",

and the same as 42? then, is 42 my friend?

is 42 blowing in the wind?

is my friend named 42 flying?

what if timshel, considered important in east of eden, is a part of the question?

the question timshel mellon?

in other words, how many friends mayest I have?

at least that works with the answer.