I'm sorry, I haven't had the time to pay much attention to flist and I missed the announcement in Middle-Earth News. Went and read your excellent essay now. I think it makes a lot of valid points - I only wish it had been longer!! :)

And I must say I have always been a bit disappointed by Sam's response in CU to Frodo's description of what happened. Oh well.

Anyway, I hope finding something else to post doesn't cause too much inconvenience. :(