Legolas

As a member of the Fellowship of the Ring, his agility and marksmanship made him a valuable member of the Fellowship.

Legolas was a Sinda Elf who was an important member of the Fellowship of the Ring and played a pivotal role in the War of the Ring. Skilled with knives and bow, he contested with the Dwarf Gimli in a feat of arms and bravery during the Battle of Helm’s Deep.

Early Life

Legolas was a Sindarin Elf of the Woodland realm of Greenwood the Great, later known as Mirkwood, as Sauron’s evil began to spread from Dol Guldur. He was the son of Thranduil, the king of the Elves of Northern Mirkwood. His grandfather, King Oropher, had led a remnant of the Sindarin Elves over the Iron Mountains toward the end of the First Age after the series of events that led to the destruction of Doriath, including the murder of King Thingol by Dwarves. They had initially settled on Amon Lac and built a fortress there.

Although Tolkien wrote little about his early years, Legolas would have been born sometime in the early millennia of the Third Age. While musing about the building of the great hall of Meduseld in Rohan, he said that 500 years had passed since it was built, and he considered it to be only a little time. Armed with a Silvan bow and a long white knife, Legolas was a mighty Elf who was trained in woodcraft. Tolkien also described him as “having the tremendous vitality of Elvish bodies.” It was likely he had also been engaged in many battles with Sauron’s forces from Dol Guldur.

Fellowship of the Ring

Legolas Greenleaf was sent to the House of Elf Lord Elrond in Rivendell as a messenger from his father to report the escape of the creature Gollum who had been captured by Aragorn and Gandalf and had been left under the care of the Mirkwood Elves. When the Council of Elrond chose the Companions of the Ring to accompany the Hobbit Frodo Baggins in his quest to Mordor to destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom, Legolas volunteered. In the early part of the Quest, Legolas acted as a rear guard because of his keen eyesight and quick reflexes. 

As the Fellowship struggled through the deep snow up the slope of Caradhras, Legolas easily walked on top of the snow with his light shoes and agile limbs, leaving little imprint on the snow. He also scouted ahead for the Fellowship and reported his suspicions that the snowstorm was conjured by a powerful sorcerer to bar their way to the Pass of Caradhras. When the Fellowship decided to pass through the Mines of Moria, Legolas voiced his reluctance by stating that he did not wish to pass through the dark mines. He also proved his bravery by defending the Fellowship from the Wargs, killing several of them with his arrows.

At first, there was an enmity between Legolas and the Dwarf Gimli, chiefly stemming from the ancient quarrel between Elves and Dwarves for the murder of King Thingol of Doriath, and the more recent imprisonment of Gimli’s father by King Thranduil during the Quest of Erebor.

The Fellowship arrived at the West Gate of Moria to find the Doors of Durin shut. The puzzle of the Doors confounded Gandalf because the password had been lost since Durin’s Bane devastated the Dwarven kingdom. He had once exited through the Doors during his search for King Thrain centuries earlier, but he had not learned the password on his journey. Meriadoc Brandybuck unwittingly gave Gandalf the answer by asking, “What does it mean to speak, friend, and enter?” When Gandalf realized that the correct translation was “Say friend and enter,” he laughed and said “Mellon,” which meant “friend” in Sindarin, and the Doors opened.

Shortly after Gandalf had opened the Doors, the Watcher in the Water, one of the ancient creatures made by Morgoth during the War of the Jewels, attacked the Fellowship and shut the Doors behind them. During the Orc attack at the Chamber of Mazarbul, Legolas shot down several Orcs and Goblins as the Fellowship escaped through the East door. Gandalf tried defending the door against the coming terror of Durin’s Bane, but the roof of the chamber collapsed. As Durin’s Bane approached Legolas recognized it as a Balrog, one of the ancient fire demons of Morgoth, and this filled him with fear. The evil Vala Morgoth had devastated the Elvish kingdoms of the First Age with bands of Balrogs, and Elves had developed a primal fear of them.  

After Gandalf was dragged into the chasm by the Balrog, Aragorn led the Fellowship out of the mines through the East gate, then they traveled towards the borders of the Golden Woods of Lórien. Although he grieved that he could not witness the full summer glory of the Mellorn trees, being near the Woods lifted Legolas’s spirit because he had heard many stories about it, and none of the Silvan Elves of Mirkwood had walked in the Golden Woods for thousands of years. As the Fellowship waded across the enchanted waters of the Nimrodel River, they felt their tiredness and weariness drain from their bodies.

As they laid down on the banks of the river, Legolas sang to them part of the Lay of Nimrodel, an Elf maiden who had fallen in love with Prince Amroth of Lórien but she lost him when he drowned in the bay of Belfalas, and also told them stories of the Golden Woods still remembered by the Mirkwood Elves. When the group headed into the trees to make camp for the night, they were surprised by a band of the Galadhrim who had surrounded them. They had heard his Elven song and had recognized him as an Elf. The Galadhrim hidden in the canopies of the trees briefly questioned him and he cautiously replied.

Legolas was called to meet with the Elves of Lothlórien and Frodo accompanied him, with Sam never far behind. The Galadhrim, having received news from the sons of Elrond regarding the Fellowship’s quest, readily accepted all members of the company, but were hesitant with Gimli, whose presence was reluctantly tolerated. The Elves of Lothlórien were especially wary of Dwarves. Legolas was tasked with representing the Fellowship, with the reminder to keep a watchful eye on “that Dwarf.”

The following morning, as the Elves guided the company across the river Celebrant on their way to Caras Galadhon, the city of the Galadhrim, they informed Gimli that he would need to be blindfolded. This caused Gimli to react with indignation and refusal. Aragorn proposed that everyone should wear blindfolds, and Gimli agreed on the condition that Legolas also wear one. Legolas, though initially outraged, had no choice but to accept this. In the end, the entire company was blindfolded as they were led further into Lothlórien.

In the enchanting realm of Lothlórien, the Elves sang a song of lament for Gandalf, their language a mystery to the members of the Fellowship except Legolas. When the others asked for the meaning of the songs, he refused to translate them, explaining that he lacked both the skill and the heart to do so. During their stay in Lothlórien, however, under the soothing influence of Lady Galadriel, an unexpected friendship blossomed between Legolas and Gimli, a bond that would remain unbroken. As the company left the Golden Woods, the lady Galadriel gave Legolas and the others Elvish cloaks and brooches. She also gave Legolas a long stout bow of the Galadhrim and a quiver of arrows.

Legolas, skilled in the art of navigating boats, was among those entrusted with the task of guiding one as the Fellowship prepared to depart Lothlórien, rowing his shared boat with Gimli as they went down the Anduin.

Not long after the Company left the safety of the Golden Woods, they found themselves ambushed by Orc archers along the banks of the Anduin. In a swift and graceful leap, Legolas disembarked onto the dry ground, bow in hand, his keen eyes scouring the darkness for any sign of their attackers. From Frodo’s position sitting in the boat, Legolas appeared like a figure crowned with white stars, standing tall upon the riverbank. Abruptly, a south wind scattered the clouds, and an unsettling foreboding descended upon the Company.

Legolas raised his gaze to the darkened sky and shouted “Elbereth Gilthoniel!”, drawing strength from the name of Varda, the Lady of the Stars. With unwavering resolve, he confronted the terror riding high on the winds. As the great shadow drew near, he bent the mighty bow of Lothlórien and skillfully brought down one of the descending Fell beasts, a feat that would be remembered as one of his most masterful deeds.

The Fellowship praised Legolas for this incredible feat, with Gimli expressing his admiration and respect above all.

The Adventures of The Three Hunters

During the ambush on Amon Hen, Legolas proved his exceptional archery skills by swiftly killing many Orcs with his arrows. He continued to fend off their attackers until his quiver ran empty, at which point he resorted to his knife for close combat. After the fall of Boromir, which led to the breaking of the Fellowship, Legolas joined Aragorn in singing a lament, taking on the role of the South Wind, which was said to come from the Sea.

After Aragorn decided that the group should go after the band of Orcs who had kidnapped Merry and Pippin instead of following Frodo, who had left for Mordor with the Ring, the Three Hunters began their famed pursuit. In the days that followed, Legolas became an invaluable asset to Aragorn as they tracked the Uruk-hai across Rohan. His keen eyesight allowed him to see vast distances, and for a time, he could see their targets leagues ahead of them.

When they were confronted by the Riders of Rohan led by Éomer, Legolas stood by Gimli, with whom he had become fast friends, and defied the haughty Marchwarden, threatening him with death if he were to harm the Dwarf. Éomer, eventually realizing their noble intentions, provided them with horses to help their journey. Legolas was granted Arod, a spirited horse, which he managed with Elvish grace. After mounting Arod, the horse became gentle beneath him. During their pursuit of Merry and Pippin, Legolas lets Gimli ride behind him.

Arriving near the smoldering remains of the Orcs burnt by the Riders, they meticulously searched the battlefield for signs of the missing Hobbits. As night approached, and their search yielded no results, they made camp under the forest’s protective canopy. Legolas observed how the tree above them seemed to respond warmly to the fire they lit, extending its limbs and leaves toward the heat. Despite the darkness of the night, Legolas was the first to notice that the horses were gone, but he knew they were safe from harm because he could feel their joy.

Upon their entrance into Fangorn Forest, Legolas expressed a sense of youthfulness amidst the ancient trees, for the ancient forest had been standing since the Years of the Lamps, and the Valar had walked there in its youth. He remarked he would have been happy and content to live in the forest in the Elder Days. Gimli, in his usual gruff manner, scoffed at this sentiment.

During their encounter with an apparition they believed to be Saruman, Legolas, despite Gimli’s encouragement, hesitated to use his bow. The old man beneath the robes ultimately revealed himself to be Gandalf, and Legolas, recognizing his true identity just in time, fired an arrow high into the air, where it was consumed by fire.

Legolas and the Rohirrim 

After the excitement of seeing Gandalf alive, Legolas was the first to ask him about the whereabouts of the Hobbits and how he escaped from the chasm. Gandalf told them about his defeat of the Balrog, and Eru taking his spirit and then returning him to his body more powerful than ever before. He then delivered to Legolas a message from Lady Galadriel warning him to beware of the sea lest he develops a hunger for the sea and the Undying Lands and lose the ability to find peace in the forests. 

In Rohan, Legolas’ far-seeing eyes were immensely useful to the Hunters as he helped them spy on Isengard and the city of Edoras from far away. After Gandalf restored King Theoden, Legolas was gifted a shining mail coat. Standing on the grim walls of the fortress of Helm’s Deep, Legolas noted his dislike for the place. Gimli comforted him with gentle words, and he told the Dwarf that he was glad to have him standing by his side. 

As the Battle of Helm’s Deep raged, Gimli and Legolas continued to fight side by side, and engaged in a friendly rivalry, each trying to outdo the other in feats of bravery and skill. They often exchange banter and jests, turning the grim battlefield into a backdrop for their lighthearted competition, including an Orc-slaying contest that Gimli won, slaying forty-three Orcs to Legolas’ forty-two.

Aragorn Unveiled

When he proclaimed that he intended to take the path through Dimholt, the Paths of the Dead, to the riverside city of Pelagir, which was under siege by the Corsairs of Umber, Legolas and Gimli went with him. He also brought Eladan and Elrohir, the sons of Elrond, and the Grey Company, a group of Dúnedain Rangers from the North.

The dead soon began to follow them as they entered the Dimholt, greatly distressing Gimli and the Men of the Grey Company, but the Elves held no fear for Men’s spirits. When they emerged at the Stone of Erech on the southern side of the White Mountains, Legolas was struck in the heart when he heard the cries of gulls which caused him to hunger for the sea, fulfilling the prophetic warning of Galadriel given to him by Gandalf in Fangorn Forest. Standing by the Stone of Erech as Aragorn led the Dead Men against the Corsairs, Legolas saw a vision of a mighty warlord he would have been had he claimed Sauron’s One Ring.

Legolas and the rest of their company crewed the captured ships of the Corsairs as they sailed up the great river Anduin for Gondor, where he fought side by side with them in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.

The Battle of the Black Gate 

After Gandalf and Aragorn decided that the forces of the West should ride to Mordor and challenge Sauron to give Frodo the chance to travel through the blasted land unchallenged, Legolas rode to the Battle of the Black Gate beside his friends. He witnessed the fall of Barad-dûr and the final defeat of Sauron at the destruction of the One Ring. 

After the War of the Ring, Legolas remained in Minas Tirith for a time and witnessed the coronation of Aragorn and his wedding to Arwen. After this, he traveled with Gimli to Rohan to visit the Glittering Caves.

A few years later, Legolas settled in Ithilien with a portion of the Elves of Lórien and Greenwood, where they spent many years healing the land from the effects of the millennia of war with Sauron.

When Aragorn died in the year 120 of the Fourth Age, Legolas left Middle-earth and sailed over the Sea to the Undying Lands, taking his great friend Gimli.

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