The Few, the Proud, the Elf-Friends!

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

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.)

[Lalaith]

I must say that this always slightly rankled with me.

In the First Age, it was really, really difficult to qualify as an Elf-Friend. You had to fight against Morgoth shoulder-to-shoulder with the Firstborn, most of your family probably died, you might get given a bit of land by the Eldar but by Iluvatar you had to defend it until its soil was sodden with your life's blood...
....in the third age, all it took was a camping trip.

[Lastande Took]

I'm in with those who have two types of Elf-friends. There's probably something especially 'good' or 'Elvish' about a person that Elves (and a few others, I won't speculate who) can identify, even though we can only tell that person (hereafter called 'A') is 'different' or not notice anything at all. The title Elf-friend is given to A when/if an Elf recognizes it. I don't think A is necessarily born an Elf-friend; the trait can develop.

That brings me to the second class. The term Elf-friend could be given to someone ('B') who doesn't have Elf-friendishness (?) but does something to deserve the title. True Elf-friendishness, or something very like it, might grow through extended contact with Elves or developing Elvish behavior traits. (I'm thinking of Frodo's order to show mercy to Saruman after the Battle of Bywater as an example of Elvish traits, even though Frodo already was an Elf-friend.)

[Rumil]

On a frankly silly note-

'Hmmm! it smells like elves!' thought Bilbo

[morwen edhelwen]

I agree. I think myself that an Elf-friend is someone recognised by Elves as having a special "status" that other mortals do not- for example, a long-time ally ( Hùrin, Tùrin, Tuor etc) someone who is literally a 'friend to Elves" like Bilbo or Frodo.