[Lalaith]

I wouldn't mind the Sam/Frodo thing as much, actually, if it *were* a bit more homoerotic. But I don't think it is. I think the relationship is an army-type one, based on the English class system. Officers in the British army at the time would have had 'batsmen' who looked after their needs. The batsmen were of lower rank, obviously, and from lower social classes to the 'posh' officers. They were often very devoted, and I think Tolkien is presenting us with a highly sentimentalised version of this kind of set-up.

I'm surprised by so many people objecting to Aragorn's Anduril issue! It's one of the few times he pulls rank, I agree, but he shows so few flaws in general that it's good to see he isn't perfect...