Legolas - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Keeper of Dol Guldur · 08-28-2006, 12:39 AM

Hi.

It's been a while.

Almost a year actually, since I last logged onto The Barrow Downs.

But I'm back, and with that I've got a short list of evidence pointing toward something I've been thinking about for like five years now, but which I only ever thought about when reading LOTR, which I haven't done in some time.

I'm of the opinion that Legolas is in fact the drunken warden from the Hobbit - OR the elf who came downstairs and got drunk with him.

I'll list why I think this.

1. Legolas expressed keen interest in Saruman's wine when Merry & Pippin were offering provender from the store house. You'd have to be pretty into wine to ... skip your king's big dinner party and get drunk in a stock room near the jail cells. (Sure, the argument can be made that many of the Mirkwood elves were fond of wine, rather than beer).

2. Legolas was in charge of prisoners in the halls of the Elf King in Mirkwood. Need proof? He personally recounted feeling pity for Gollum being locked in a cell, and letting Gollum out for walks and letting Gollum climb the tree to the Council of Elrond.

3. More proof? Gloin's mad comment about "you were not so kind to US" was aimed specifically at Legolas. He didn't say "your King showed less kindness to us". Familiarity? Oh heck yes. Even if Legolas wasn't the warden himself, if he was the other guy, the warden's friend ... he may still have been one of the elves who locked the 13 Dwarves up.

4. More proof after that? As the elf in error, Gollum escaped on his watch, hence he felt personally obligated to go break the news to Gandalf himself.

So anyway, my theory has evidence to back it up ... and though it's hard to specifically tie Legolas down as the very warden Bilbo completely played for a fool, it's got good support. And if you buy into it ... it definitely adds another slant to the already interesting elf prince.

Thanks.

Anguirel · 08-29-2006, 03:23 AM

I remember reading a fan-fic inspired by this theory.

Keeper, I don't think our careers have overlapped in the past, but I know of you-unliving legend...

I rather like this idea, partly because it seems to be part of a body of evidence pointing to Legolas's relative lowliness; the way in which he is very much not a "Prince of Mirkwood". Perhaps he's a youngest son...

The Mouth of Sauron · 08-30-2006, 04:52 PM

Nice theory but I'm not sure Thranduil's son would be employed as a Jailer .

I am the Mouth of Sauron .

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 08-31-2006, 08:15 AM

It might be hard to see the King's son as performing such tasks, but then perhaps Thranduil was keen to install an ethic of hard and proper work in his son. Parents have to ensure their children do chores.

I like the idea.

Feanor of the Peredhil · 08-31-2006, 08:28 AM

On a related note...

Rune Son of Bjarne · 08-31-2006, 06:50 PM

Intresting, but I don't buy it.

1. there is the argument the keeper brings up him self. The whole reasoning about " you are intrested in wine, there for it must be you who got drunk and let the prisonors escape a long time ago" just seem extremly shaky. Nothing I would base a theory on.

2. You got a point. . . but it is not bullet proof.

3. You werent nice to us. . . That sounds more like he is reffering to the people of the woodland realm. I have talked like that to people from other contries several time. It does not have to be Familiarity. I could say what happened the last time you played us. Refering to the time when Denmark beat England 4-1 in Football, but that does not mean that I played for Denmark and the guy I am talking to played for England.

4. Again, you got a point. I must admit I don't remember this part that well, I will have to re read it.

I think you make some points, but mostly I think it is very shaky arguments.

08-28-2006, 12:39 AM	#1
Keeper of Dol Guldur Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: 315, CNY Boys and girls. Posts: 405	Legolas Hi. It's been a while. Almost a year actually, since I last logged onto The Barrow Downs. But I'm back, and with that I've got a short list of evidence pointing toward something I've been thinking about for like five years now, but which I only ever thought about when reading LOTR, which I haven't done in some time. I'm of the opinion that Legolas is in fact the drunken warden from the Hobbit - OR the elf who came downstairs and got drunk with him. I'll list why I think this. 1. Legolas expressed keen interest in Saruman's wine when Merry & Pippin were offering provender from the store house. You'd have to be pretty into wine to ... skip your king's big dinner party and get drunk in a stock room near the jail cells. (Sure, the argument can be made that many of the Mirkwood elves were fond of wine, rather than beer). 2. Legolas was in charge of prisoners in the halls of the Elf King in Mirkwood. Need proof? He personally recounted feeling pity for Gollum being locked in a cell, and letting Gollum out for walks and letting Gollum climb the tree to the Council of Elrond. 3. More proof? Gloin's mad comment about "you were not so kind to US" was aimed specifically at Legolas. He didn't say "your King showed less kindness to us". Familiarity? Oh heck yes. Even if Legolas wasn't the warden himself, if he was the other guy, the warden's friend ... he may still have been one of the elves who locked the 13 Dwarves up. 4. More proof after that? As the elf in error, Gollum escaped on his watch, hence he felt personally obligated to go break the news to Gandalf himself. So anyway, my theory has evidence to back it up ... and though it's hard to specifically tie Legolas down as the very warden Bilbo completely played for a fool, it's got good support. And if you buy into it ... it definitely adds another slant to the already interesting elf prince. Thanks. __________________ "I come from yonder...Have you seen Baggins? Baggins has left, he is coming. He is not far away. I wish to find him. If he passes will you tell me? I will come back with gold." - Khamul the Easterling

08-29-2006, 03:23 AM	#2
Anguirel Byronic Brand Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The 1590s Posts: 2,778	I remember reading a fan-fic inspired by this theory. Keeper, I don't think our careers have overlapped in the past, but I know of you-unliving legend... I rather like this idea, partly because it seems to be part of a body of evidence pointing to Legolas's relative lowliness; the way in which he is very much not a "Prince of Mirkwood". Perhaps he's a youngest son... __________________ Among the friendly dead, being bad at games did not seem to matter -Il Lupo Fenriso

08-30-2006, 04:52 PM	#3
The Mouth of Sauron Wight Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Barad-Dur Posts: 196	Nice theory but I'm not sure Thranduil's son would be employed as a Jailer . I am the Mouth of Sauron . Last edited by The Mouth of Sauron; 09-01-2006 at 06:11 PM.

08-31-2006, 08:15 AM	#4
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	It might be hard to see the King's son as performing such tasks, but then perhaps Thranduil was keen to install an ethic of hard and proper work in his son. Parents have to ensure their children do chores. I like the idea. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

08-31-2006, 08:28 AM	#5
Feanor of the Peredhil La Belle Dame sans Merci Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: perpetual uncertainty Posts: 5,517	On a related note... __________________ peace