Legolas of Mirkwood
| Legolas | |
|---|---|
| Sinda | |
| File:Jenny Dolfen - Legolas2.jpg | |
| Biographical Information | |
| Other names | Greenleaf (translation of his name) |
| Titles | Prince of Mirkwood, member of the Fellowship of the Ring |
| Birth | Unknown; c. Third Age 2400* |
| Death | Went west Fourth Age 120 (aged 600-800?*) |
| Family | |
| Parentage | Thranduil ? |
| Spouse | None |
| Physical Description | |
| Gender | Male |
| Hair color | Presumably dark; traditionally/possibly blond* |
Legolas (S. for Greenleaf) was a Sindarin prince of the Silvan realm of Mirkwood, the only recorded son of King Thranduil. He became famous because of his membership in the Fellowship of the Ring, in which he served as one of their most valuable assets because of his superior sight, hearing, lightness of foot, and unrivaled archery. Despite this, however, he played only a minor role in The Lord of the Rings, and the least is known about him, perhaps, than all other members of the company.
History
Early History
In The Fall of Gondolin, there is found a mention to a Legolas Greenleaf, who guided the exiles forth from the destruction to safety. However, much doubt has been cast as to whether these two were one and the same (see Legolas disputes).
Legolas was alive during the Battle of Five Armies, and it is possible, even probable, that he took place in
Fellowship of the Ring
His first real mention was at the Council of Elrond, as a messenger from his father Thranduil. He was dressed in green and brown, and his eyes were keen. His message was specifically to Gandalf – namely, that Gollum had escaped. Aragorn immediately wondered out loud how Thranduil’s people could permit this. Legolas was quick to state that it was not through lack of watchfulness; if anything, from over-kindness, and related the details to the council. He spoke little for the rest of the council, if at all, but later volunteered (or was chosen by Elrond) to participate in the Quest of the Ring as the only elven member of the Fellowship of the Ring. His capabilities would be welcomed, and would be his primary claim to fame for the rest of his life.
For the early part of the quest they went in single file, with Legolas at the back. Later, however, we appear to find him at the head of the company as they entered Hollin, for The Lord of the Rings states “Gimli… had come up with Legolas, and was gazing out before him…”. Though all in the Company could feel the wholesomeness of the country, only Legolas could here the stones lament the lost presence of the Elves, and his words were poignant.
As they ascended Caradhras, Legolas could walk on top of the snow, whereas the others were forced to trudge. He also attempted (unsuccessfully) to light a fire. The storm troubled him least of all the company, and it is written “he alone of the Company remained still light of heart”. After they were determined to retreat, Boromir and Aragorn tried to push a path through the snow to get out, while Legolas danced lightly on top, passing them easily. He soon spotted the way out for the rest of the company, and a bit of sarcasm edged his speech at Boromir’s words that they (the “strongest”) must seek a way out, when he said “There is the greatest wind-drift of all just beyond the turn, and there our Strong Men were almost buried”. The paragraphs in this section suggest the attributes of youth and unquenchable gaiety.
Perhaps a bit grumpy with the irrepressibility of the elf, Boromir during the vote as to whether or not they should pass through Moria, asked “What do Legolas and the little folk say?” Legolas voted against the passage with Boromir, but was overruled, especially when Warg voices were heard. During their defense against these beasts, Legolas did more than perhaps all the rest of the company except Gandalf, shooting numerous wargs. Legolas collected his arrows unharmed (except for one) after the fight.
Legolas played only the minorest of parts in Moria. Though it is said that he had eyes that could see well in the dark, strangely, he seems not to possess this quality in the caves. For it is written that Frodo (due to his Morgul-knife wound) could see better than any of the company in the dark, except perhaps Gandalf. Legolas had to drag Gimli from the Chamber of Mazarbul when the dwarf almost refused to go. Legolas was the first of the Company to recognize Durin's Bane as a balrog, or at least the first to express his dismay at the fact.
Legolas was most enthusiastic about coming to Lothlórien, describing it to the rest of the Company, and mourning the fact that it was winter and they could not witness it in the pinnacle of its glory. As they rested by the Nimrodel, Legolas told them tales of Lothlórien, and sang the Song of Nimrodel to them. Upon hearing the other Elves of Lórien, Legolas listened and responded in their own tongue. When Samwise queried as to what they were saying, Legolas slyly responded that they said he breathed so loud they could shoot him in the dark, horrifying Samwise until Legolas added that they need not fear them.
Legolas was called up to meet with the Galadhrim, with Frodo only (Sam following, as always). The Galadhrim had heard him singing and knew he came from Mirkwood. They would readily accept all of the fellowship, save Gimli, because of his race and the grievances between his and theirs. Legolas was forced to answer for the company, with the reminder to keep an eye on "that dwarf". Legolas was forced by the others to go blindfolded into Lórien, especially at the urging of Gimli, who hated the thought of going such. Indeed, he declared he would submit himself to this restraint only if "Legolas here shares my blindness". In the end, Legolas had no choice but to submit.
Legolas would not translate the Elven lamentations for Gandalf, saying that he had neither the skill nor the heart. During their time in Lórien, however (with the influence of the Lady Galadriel working its magic on the dwarf), he became fast friends with Gimli, a friendship never broken. He was one of those of the Company that could handle boats, and so was assigned to one with the dwarf. He received a bow and quiver such as the Galadhrim used.
After ambushed by orc-archers on the Anduin, quickly leaped out onto dry ground and searched for a mark to shoot at. As a dread fell on the Company, Legolas invoked the name of Elbereth Gilthoniel, and shot the descending Fell beast from the sky, a masterful shot in the dark.
The Three Hunters
When ambushed on Amon Hen, Legolas shot many orcs until his arrows ran out, then used his knife. Upon the breaking of the Fellowship, he sang a lament for Boromir, who had fallen, with Aragorn, taking the part of the South Wind which came from the Sea. Legolas was of great aid to Aragorn in the days following, as he helped to track the Uruk-hai across Rohan. His eyes could see many leagues, and for a while he could see their quarry far ahead of them.
Legolas stood by his friend Gimli when confronted by the haughty Éomer, threatening him with death if he attempted to harm the dwarf. He let Gimli ride behind him on the way to Fangorn. Under its eaves, Legolas noticed how the tree beneath which they sat seemed glad of the fire. He was reluctant to enter Fangorn, having no knowledge about it save for the stories of the Onodrim, and that it was very old. Though the night was very dark, he was also the first to notice the absence of the horses. Later he asserted to Aragorn that the beasts sounded joyful, confirming Aragorn’s own opinion.
Upon entering Fangorn itself, Legolas declared that he almost felt young again beside those trees. He commented that in earlier days he could have been happy there. Gimli snorted, saying “I dare say you could. You are a Wood-elf, anyway, though Elves of any kind are strange folk.” Legolas would later reverse this declaration at the Hornburg. When the Three Hunters met with the apparition of an old man, whom they believed to be Saruman, despite Gimli’s round encouragement Legolas did not shoot him, feeling moral objections to this. The old man declared “Put away that bow, Master Elf.” Legolas dropped his bow, but later picked it up again, and was about to shoot when it was seen that beneath the old man’s robes there was white. Yet he recognized that it was Gandalf just in time, and shot his arrow high in the air to be consumed by fire. Gandalf coolly added “Well met, I say to you again, Legolas!”
With the Rohirrim
Legolas was a leader in the conversation with Gandalf, being the first to ask about Merry
