Okay, in that case, that's metaphysical for me, so I am fine with it in my book.
As for Gollum touching Elven ropes etc., that's a bit different thing for me than Elf-Friendishness (if you read my definition of it, you'll probably understand why), that's "elven magic" present in these objects, or a "trace" of it - trace of the fact that it's been made or shaped or influenced by the Elves.
I am still and all the time bearing in my mind somewhere in the back Tolkien's definition of Elves as the inhabitants of Faërie. The Smith of Wotton Major is, for me, an example of something like Elf-Friend (and all those Star-bearers are, consequently) explained in a bit different, un-Middle-Earthish cathegory: in the sense that he is able to access and accept things which exist in the Secondary reality and which the other, "common" people don't. The difference is that Middle-Earth itself IS a Secondary reality, therefore the Elves there are real, and the Elf-friends can also have far closer relationship to them, provided that they meet them. The Smith, although in many aspects ordinary, is treated differently by the Elves (if only in the sense that he is allowed the access to where the others are not allowed), and there is a reason to this which all the Elves acknowledge - it is plain obvious to them. The ordinary villagers (sic
), however, do not seem to perceive anything specific about him. This is, I think, a really good example of an Elf-Friend in a similar sense as we see it e.g. in Frodo's case.
(I acknowledge that what I just said probably requires people to have read more things from Tolkien, namely the abovementioned story and On Fairy-Stories, to be understandable (or at least I hope it will be understandable after reading that
). But I assume that many members are familiar with it and to those who are not, I can only suggest that becoming able to understand my post is a good excuse to read those, because they are just brilliant.)