Legolas

In J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Legolas Greenleaf is a Sindarin Elf who becomes a part of the Fellowship of the Ring. With his keen eyesight, sensitive hearing, and excellent bowmanship, Legolas is a valuable resource to the other eight members of the Fellowship. Tolkien himself states, however, that Legolas accomplishes the least of the nine members of the Fellowship.

Role in the story

Legolas is Prince of Mirkwood, the son of King Thranduil, descendants from the royal line of Sindarin elves. Legolas is considered young by Elven standards, but is at least five centuries old. He is introduced in the first part of The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, at the council of Elrond, where he comes as a messenger from his father to discuss the escape of Gollum. Elrond picks Legolas to become one of the members of the Fellowship that sets out to destroy the One Ring.

Related Topics:
Mirkwood - Thranduil - Sindarin - The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Elrond - Gollum - One Ring

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Within the Fellowship, Legolas and the dwarf, Gimli, clash because of the ancient quarrel between Elves and Dwarves after the destruction of Doriath, and also because Legolas's father Thranduil once imprisoned Gimli's father Glóin (as described in The Hobbit). They become friends, however, when they enter Lothlórien and Gimli greets the Lady of the Golden Wood with gentle words. In the Battle of the Hornburg, he and Gimli engage in Orc-slaying contests (Gimli wins by one, but the real result is mutual respect).

Related Topics:
Dwarf - Gimli - Doriath - Thranduil - Glóin - The Hobbit - Lothlórien - Lady of the Golden Wood - Battle of the Hornburg - Orc

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After the destruction of the One Ring and of Sauron, the two go off travelling together through Fangorn Forest. Eventually, Legolas comes to Ithilien with some of his people, with his father's leave, to live out his remaining time in Middle-earth helping to restore the devastated forests of that war-ravaged land. After the death of King Elessar, Legolas leaves Middle-earth to go over the Sea and Gimli's love for his friend (and the desire to see Galadriel once again) prompts him to go with Legolas— the first and only Dwarf to do so.

Related Topics:
Sauron - Fangorn Forest - Ithilien - Middle-earth - King Elessar - Galadriel

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