Oooh! Thank you for giving me a great reason to revisit this story, which is one of my absolute favourites from your pen... eh, keyboard. I loved seeing him being so noble in the first part, and so afraid of his own reactions; the cold bath and counting to ten. And his gentleness. And, the fact that he had to show his ears before people took him for an elf. Loved the matron's language, too. I was very happy to see this finished in a good way for all... the Aegnor/Andreth angle made me *sniff* happily. I'll consider this my New Year's gift :-D