Aw, even if the encounter was somehow manufactured, I hope they became real friends in the end. That's my headcanon, anyway. I liked the worldbuilding of terms like Leaf Ear and thought the descriptions were vivid, too.
They did. In the extended version Ellowin realizes that he genuinely likes Grog, and it's not manipulation if the friendship is real. I'd like to see the guys go on a road trip with more dialogue next time <LOL>.
