[amyrlis]

I believe that Aragorn played the role as the natural "leader" of the Fellowship due to the on-coming Age of Men. Legolas, as a current prince, may have "out-ranked" him, but the days of the elves were dwindling. If the quest succeeded, elves would fade, and consequently, men would rise up to take their place as the stewards of Middle-Earth. It would not have been right for an elf to lead the Fellowship. It had become Man's responsibility to see that Middle-Earth did not fall to Sauron. Aragorn may have seemed bossy, but in my opinion, he was feeling his way out as a leader, and he was thoughtful & just. It would not have been an easy task, deciding between fulfilling the quest or making for Gondor.