[DaughterofVana]

(to above) Aye, that's it! I always thought that the seeing-stones looked like fishbowls.

On pets... it's hard to think about what pet would be appropriate for an elf (or other LOTR character) without personal taste coming into it. I have the feeling that people who chose spaniels, or huskies, or whatever really favored those breeds to begin with, and so, when faced with a choice (what dog would an elf have?) they would of course pick their favorite. I'll try and be objective about this.

The dog in the Silmarillion was a large wolfhound, and so I think elves would favor this breed because it would help with defense and hunting. Smaller dogs were bred to be lap-dogs and used for amusement (thus the name "toy" dogs). Even though someone probably said it as a joke, I'm not too quick to put off the option of a poodle--if it's a large one, that is, and not a toy. They were used in hunting waterfowl, I think.

Though I'm partial to cats, I can't see a good elvish hunter or a rider of Rohan walking around with a feline on his shoulder. Perhaps one haunts the study, catching mice for her master and sitting atop books and scrolls; or one inhabits the stables, keeping the mice away from the feed. An elven-lady would have a pretty that she could comb and that would warm her lap on cold nights.

I can picture the elves as being falconers. Perhaps one would have an owl. Though I don't think it would be in a cage--I can't see an elf putting a live animal in a cage, especially a bird.

Hm. Musings. Fun. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

-'Vana