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Old 11-25-2002, 02:28 AM   #4
Gandalf_theGrey
Visionary Spirit
 
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 633
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Sting

Regarding Frodo's matter-of-fact acceptance of the existence of Elves, Birdland,

I would venture that Frodo was less awestruck than Samwise for the following reasons:

1) Bilbo was Frodo's immediate family. Thus when Bilbo spoke of the Elves met during his adventures this first-hand account made an intimate impact on Frodo. Far different than the sort of well-intentioned admonitions about the preference of cabbages to the Fair Folk that the Gaffer would offer to Sam on the same topic.

2) Despite all Sam's talk about wanting to see Elves, it was actually Frodo who was the greater Elf-seeker, to the point of being called an Elf-friend. Studying their language played a part.

Another thing to keep in mind is that in Frodo's day, the long-abandoned Elf Towers were still visible from Undertowers, and perhaps even visible as far away as Michel Delving on a clear day. Hence, even if one did not see Elves personally, there was ample proof of their historical existence.

Gandalf the Grey
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