Saw this poem and thought of this thread. I'll skip the first stanza for space and copyright reasons.
Heritage
By James Still
…I cannot leave. I cannot go away.
Being of these hills, being one with the fox
Stealing into the shadows, one with the new-born foal,
The lumbering ox drawing green beech logs to mill,
One with the destined feet of man climbing and descending
And one with death rising to bloom again, I cannot go.
Being of these hills, I cannot pass beyond. (sic italized)
This can be applied to the elves in a way. Because the elves had been so close to nature while living in Middle-earth, they became too attached to leave. Then because they could not leave, they became even closer to nature (oh the victious cycle!), and therefore became a "rustic folk."
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