Legolas
Legolas is a male literary character who features in Middle-earth.
Contents |
Biography
Legolas was the male Elven son of Thranduil who was the King of the Woodland Realm of Northern Mirkwood on Middle-earth.
He later attended the Council of Elrond in Rivendell where he acted on behalf of his father to discuss Gollum's escape from their guard. the great meeting held by the Elf lord Elrond, as a messenger from his father to discuss the escape of Gollum. When the council was choosing the "Nine Walkers" to pit against the "Nine Riders," Legolas volunteered to represent the Elves, and to become one of the members of the Fellowship that would set out to destroy the One Ring.
For the early part of the quest, the nine companions walked single file, Gandalf leading, Legolas, with his keen eyes, providing the rearguard. When the Company came to Hollin, Legolas was very deeply moved: the wholesome air yet spoke of the Elves that dwelt there long ago, and his sharp ears heard the very stones crying out for grief at their departure and memory of their ways. As they ascended Caradhras, Legolas in his light shoes could walk on top of the snow, whereas the others were forced to trudge and wade their way forward. But snow or no snow, nothing could dampen his buoyant Elven spirit, and he joked lightly with Gandalf even at the darkest moments. He scouted ahead and behind the company, dancing over the snow with great ease, and brought news that the storm was, as they had been fearing, put out to stop them by some Power greater than they. When this report arrived, Gandalf reluctantly decided to abandon the idea of crossing by the Redhorn Gate. Legolas stayed close by the Hobbits on the dangerous descent. At the bottom of the mountain, the company took a vote as to whether or not to attempt passing through Moria. Legolas was silent until asked his opinion, and then said simply and seemingly reluctantly, "I do not wish to go to Moria." His loyalty and respectful deference to the decisions of the two leaders, Aragorn and Gandalf, extended even to following them through darkness and unknown horror; of all the Company, he was arguably the most loyal to leadership. When the voices of the Wargs were heard and the attack began, Legolas did perhaps more than anyone save Gandalf, shooting numerous Wargs and even collecting his spent arrows to fire again, retrieving them, like a responsible bowman, after the fight ended. The Fellowship reached the West Gate of Moria, and were halted by the doors fast shut. At last gaining entrance, the Company, following Gandalf's staff, began their march through Moria, a pit so profoundly dark that even Legolas' eyes could see nothing. He served his turn, like the others, in lookout duty through the night on the march. When they came to the Chamber of Mazarbul and were brought to battle by the Orcs, Legolas dispatched at least two before following the others out the east door, having to drag Gimli away from Balin's tomb. When Durin's Bane made its frightful appearance, Legolas was the first to recognize it as a Balrog, and it is the only recorded time he was ever truly afraid: a Balrog held far more terror for an Elf than for any other, for only they remembered where the Demons of Fire had come from and whom they had first served.
Once the company reach the Woods of Lothlórien, Galadriel and Celeborn inquire about Gandalf. Only Legolas is able to tell them about the loss, bitterly lamenting their needless trip through Moria. But Galadriel deems that none of Gandalf's deeds were needless, even if the trip through Moria resulted in his demise. The Elven lady later gives gifts to the Fellowship. Legolas receives a new bow of the Galadhrim, which he subsequently uses for the rest of his journey. While travelling down the river, Gimli laments how sorry he is to have left Lothlórien and the beauty of Galadriel. Legolas inquires as to what her gift was for him, to which Gimli confesses "I asked for one hair from her golden head. She gave me three". Legolas is amused, at which point their attitudes begin to soften. During their trip down the river, Legolas's far sight alerts him to the presence of the Uruk-hai scouts bearing down on them. At Parth Galen, Legolas urges Aragorn to lead them away immediately, as he can sense the Uruk-hai approaching. The Elf is called to action once more as the company is soon attacked. He arrives in time to see Boromir's final moments before he succumbs to his wounds. After they send Boromir's body along the river in one of the boats, Legolas prepares to follow Frodo and Sam, but seeing Aragorn hesitate he realises that the Ranger doesn't intend to follow them. Aragorn deems that they must rescue Merry and Pippin from the Uruk-hai. While disappointed at first, the Elf sees hope in that the Fellowship still hold true. Therefore he eagerly joins Aragorn and Gimli in hunting down the Uruks.
The three hunters pursued the Uruks into the plains of Rohan. From afar, Legolas can see that the Uruks are now headed directly for Isengard. The trio soon encounter the riders of Rohan, who are hostile at first given that they are now at open war with Saruman. When Éomer is scornful towards Gimli, Legolas aims his bow at Éomer's face and says "You would die before your stroke fell!" Aragorn quickly diffuses the situation and after the cooling of words, Éomer lets them go and gives them two horses to help them find their friends. Legolas and the others discover that the Uruks have been destroyed and burned by the Rohirrim. At first they believe the Hobbits were caught in the massacre, but Aragorn discovers Hobbit tracks leading away from the battle and into Fangorn Forest. In the shade of the trees, Legolas is intrigued by the forest, yet he is also wary as he knows that the trees are alive. He soon senses that someone is stalking them, so he warns Aragorn, "The White Wizard approaches...". The trio turn against the stranger, but the Wizard overpowers them. He even knocks away Legolas' arrow at point blank range. The Wizard reveals himself to be Gandalf, having destroyed the Balrog and being resurrected by the great powers. Legolas is overwhelmed to see his return. Gandalf tells them that the Hobbits are safe and that they must aid Rohan. At Edoras, Legolas and the others are forced to disarm before seeing the King, although Gandalf manages to get his staff through. The possessed Théoden is under the control of Gríma Wormtongue, servant of Saruman and the fallen wizard possesses the king's mind. Théoden and Wormtongue set their thugs on the group and Legolas, Gimli and Aragorn fight them off while Gandalf walks towards the king, using his staff he frees him from the spell, revealing himself to Saruman as the new white wizard. Against the wishes of Gandalf and Aragorn, Théoden believes it would be best to take refuge in the stronghold of Helm's Deep. On the way to Helm's Deep, the company are attacked by Warg-riders. Legolas quickly aids Gamling in slaying the two scouts before the rest of the riders show up. Legolas shoots down several Wargs and riders as they approach over the hills and then mounts up onto Arod as the Rohirrim ride up from behind him. In the midst of the fighting, Aragorn is dragged off a cliff and into the river below. Legolas and Gimli interrogate the dying Sharku, where the Elf recovers the Evenstar. Legolas believes that Aragorn has perished and is disconsolate, but Théoden urges them to come to Helm's Deep. Legolas and Gimli have no choice to but to continue.
When Aragorn recovers and arrives at Helm's Deep later on, Legolas greets him and returns the the Evenstar to him. Aragorn reveals that he has seen ten thousand Uruk-hai marching towards Helm's Deep, prompting the King to order the defense of the fortress. But Legolas and Gimli are doubtful that they can hold out against such sheer numbers. Legolas in particular despairs that they will all die, prompting Aragorn to say "Then I shall die as one of them!". The Elf later reconciles with Aragorn before the battle. Legolas then hears a horn blowing and immediately recognizes it as an Elvish call. Haldir and an army of Lothlórien Elves arrive to aid the King, sent by Galadriel and Elrond. On the Deeping Wall of the Hornburg, Legolas joins his kin with Gimli, although the Dwarf grumbles about not being tall enough to see over the rampart. When the Uruk-hai arrive and start uttering war cries, Gimli frantically asks what is going on. Legolas offers either a description or a large box for Gimli to stand on, to which the Dwarf laughs. The siege begins and Legolas told the Elves and Men to aim at the Uruk's necks and underarms where their armor is weak. Uruks began climbing up on siege ladders and Legolas and Gimli begin killing them on the wall. Legolas also spots an Uruk berserker with a bomb and attempts to shoot him down, but the Uruk simply hurls himself into the hole in the wall. The Deeping Wall is blasted to pieces, although Legolas survives unharmed. He rides down the stairs on an Uruk shield while shooting arrows at the same time. Eventually however Legolas and the others are forced to retreat. When the Uruks begin to throw up more siege ladders, the Elf manages to buy some time by shooting the ropes, causing one of them to topple over and flatten the Uruks. The Uruks then break into the fortress, so Legolas and the others withdraw into the keep. They continue to barely hold out through the night and as the sun of the following morning rises Aragorn urges Théoden to ride out one last time. Legolas joins them and together they mow down the Uruk-hai outside on the bridge. Legolas also witnesses the return of Gandalf with an army of horsemen led by Éomer. The Battle of Helm's Deep ends and the remaining Orcs flee back to Isengard where Treebeard and the Ents have attacked and destroyed them.
Afterwards, he came to stay for the coronation of Aragorn II Elessar and his marriage to Arwen.
Overview
Personality and attributes
His name when translated into English meant 'Greenleaf'.
Similar to all Elves, he had great respect and appreciation for nature.
Originally, he and the dwarf Gimli did not get along with one another due to the ancient quarrel between Elves and Dwarves.
Powers and abilities
Legolas was one of the Sindar race of Elves.
As an elf, Legolas had all the typical traits of his people that he honed for use. He was able to walk silently through grass and snow whilst leaving only the barest of footprints behind allowing him to remain undetected. His eyes were sharper than that of Men, seeing through great distances and in the dark. He could even sleep while walking, which contributed to allowing him to travel 45 leagues in less than four days with Aragorn and Gimli. He tamed unruly horses with only a few words, without needing reins or saddles.
He was a master archer, unmatched by any other during his time, capable of shooting adversaries from afar, and on occasion kill more than one with a single arrow, as shown when he nailed two orcs through the throat in Moria. His skill with a bow was even more formidable due to his keen eyesight. At the Battle of the Hornburg, he also proved skilled at knife-fighting in close quarters.
Legolas famously used an Elven bow, as well as a long, white knife. He would prefer to pierce his enemies from afar, but his dagger was sometimes used for close combat. At Lothlórien, he was given the long-bow of the Galadhrim which was longer and stouter than those of the fashioned in Mirkwood.
Notes
- Legolas was created by J. R. R. Tolkien where he featured in the setting of the Middle-earth universe.
In other media
Films
- In The Lord of the Rings, Legolas appeared in the live-action film adaptation where he was portrayed by actor Orlando Bloom.
- In The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, Legolas appeared in the live-action film prequel where he was once again portrayed by actor Orlando Bloom. It was shown that he was attracted to fellow Elven warrior Tauriel who helped protect their kingdom.
Video games
Appearances
- The Lord of the Rings: (1954)
External Links
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