"It's just not possible," Estel said, "to skim a stone that many times."

Elrohir grinned. "Try it and see."

Estel did and, as predicted, he only managed to skip the stone over the water three times before it sank.

Elladan followed and his stone did twice that. He stared at the river. "I've done better."

"It is possible," Elrohir said, "but you have to believe."

Estel tried again, with no improvement.

"And practice," Elladan added.

"I will practice, then, and prove to you it is impossible for us mere mortals to do what you do."

"I look forward to it."

~*~*~*~

"It's just not possible to skim a stone that many times," Merry complained.

Aragorn grinned. "Try it and see."

Merry did but, despite many attempts back in the Shire, his stone only skipped three times.

Pippin tried to show off but could only manage four. "I've done better," he sighed.

"It is possible," Aragorn said, "but you have to believe."

Merry had another go but his stone sunk after two skips.

"And practice," Aragorn added.

"I will practice, then, and prove to you it is impossible for us mere mortals to do what you do."

"I look forward to it."