"At length they came to the Prince Imrahil, and Legolas looked at him and bowed low; for he saw that here indeed was one who had elven-blood in his veins. 'Hail, lord!' he said. 'It is long since the people of Nimrodel left the woodlands of Lorien, and yet still one may see that not all sailed from Amroth's haven west over water.'
   'So it is said in the lore of my land,' said the Prince; 'yet never has one of the fair folk been seen there for years beyond count. And I marvel to see one here now in the midst of sorrow and war. What do you seek?'"

  I remember there being a long discussion in the RR about Dol Amroth's ancestry. Were there any Elves in his family tree? Tolkien seems to indicate that this is so. Besides the phrase "elven-blood in his veins," Dol Amroth confirms that the lore of his community speaks of an Elvish population (and Tolkien obviously regards such lore as the repository of half-forgotten (but nonetheless true) history) and Legolas instinctively sees the Prince as kin. But considering that, in Tolkien's Middle-Earth, the union of Man and Elf is so important that it can found empires and raise the dead, how come we haven't heard of Dol Amroth's ancestors before now?

   Could there be a second interpretation of Dol Amroth's Elvishness? An Elvish nature appears to be more of a choice than a hereditary trait in Tolkien's universe. People who are wise, noble and pure display signs of Elvishness. Aragorn, in Appendix A of "Return of the King," is described as looking like "an Elf-lord from the Isles of the West." Frodo is named "Elf-friend" by Gildor. Perhaps Dol Amroth's Elvishness is not a physical trait so much as a spiritual one which indicates his nobility.

   1) Is Dol Amroth truly the descendent of Elvish ancesters? If so, how come Beren and Luthien have stolen all the thunder? (UUTs, anyone?) If not, is Dol Amroth's Elvishness a reflection of his nature?

   "'I am one of the Nine Companions who set out with Mithrandir from Imladris,' said Legolas; 'and with this Dwarf, my friend, I came with the Lord Aragorn. But now we wish to see our friends, Meriadoc and Peregrin, who are in your keeping, we are told.'
   'You will find them in the Houses of Healing, and I will lead you thither,' said Imrahil.
   'It will be enough if you send one to guide us, lord,' said Legolas. 'For Aragorn sends this message to you. He does not wish to enter the City again at this time. Yet there is need for the captains to hold council at once, and he prays that you and Eomer of Rohan will come down to his tents, as soon as may be. Mithrandir is already there.'
   'We will come,' said Imrahil; and they parted with courteous words."

   Legolas is being a good diplomat here. he states firmly that he and Gimli are allies of Aragorn. There are no snippy inquiries as to why the son of Thranduil (a Prince himself!) has not been invited to the council. Legolas is presenting himself as a demure soldier and good friend. He wants to ensure a smooth transfer of power in Gondor.

   Legolas' calm attitude and Aragorn's marked reticence to reside in the city show a sensible political attitude. People tend to hunger for a strong leader during times of war, but there are always dissenting voices. Remember the Kinstrife.

   2) Is there any real threat of civil war in Gondor? How do Aragorn's cautious tactics compare to (one of) the overall themes of "Power corrupts" in "Lord of the Rings"?