age of legolas

[mordor136]

i've been able to find the age of everyone at their death or passing into the west by finding their birth and death date in the lotr appendix. NOWHERE can i find legolas in any of tolkiens works. could anyone tell me his age?

[Mayla Took]

You know, I am sure that there are many people here that can tell you his exact age. But if I am not misstaken I think he is 4 thousand and somthing. Just a quick question also, did Legolas travel to Gray Havens along with Frodo?

[mordor136]

no in the lotr appendix after elessar died he and gimli passed over the sea. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[Mayla Took]

Oooh! I see! Well thank you very much. See! I learn somthing everday! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[Mhoram]

No one can tell you his exact age, it isn't known. All that can be said is that it is likely though not certain that he was born in the First Age. His father was born in the first age and Elves tend to have children around age 100, as we are told. I'm currently working on an essay on the subject. The Second Age lasted 3441 years and the Third Lasted 3021 (Not 1541 as I accidently said earlier, darn Shire reckoning). So if Legolas WAS born in the First Age, he would be ATLEAST 6452. The last 600 years of the First Age were spent in war and we are told that Elves have less or no children at all during war if they can help it, so you could tack on that 600 if you want, bringing the total to 7052 and still be on the safe side in my opinion. But, afterall, it is only an educated guess.

[ April 06, 2002: Message edited by: Mhoram ]

[Elrian]

The third age lasted 1541.

I hope you'll post your essay when it's done Mhoram, I too think Legolas was born in the first age. Wasn't the Third age 3021 years though?

[Voronwe]

Just out of interest, where does it say Legolas' father was born in the first age? Can it be deduced from The Hobbit?

Well, I think that Thranduil was born in First Age. He came from Doriath after it's destruction and Morgoth's fall, and founded his own kingdom, right?

But I don't believe that Legolas was born in First Age, too. What I'm thinking, is that he was born in the end of the Second age or in the first centuries of the Third Age. That's my opinion.

[Aralaithiel]

I was always under the impression that Legolas was born in the first part of the Third Age, after Thranduil and his father Oropher were at the Last Alliance. If you would like to read about Thranduil and his realm, I suggest reading Unfinished Tales. Lots of good info in there, but it doesn't say when Legolas was born. [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]

[Ivorwen]

I read in this interview with Orlando Bloom that Legolas was 2,900 something years old, I don't really remember. But of course, he isn't entirely reliable.

[Ancalime]

Just a note that according to the "Lord of the Rings Official Movie Guide," in their interview of Orlando Bloom, he says Legolas is 2,931 years old. I have no idea how they arrive at that number, and, as Ivorwen posted above, I don't know how reliable he is. [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

[VanimaEdhel]

Yes, Orlando Bloom (and the rest of the cast) did say that Legolas was 2931 years of age, but I seem to remember that, because there is not reference to his age in the books, they made up an age. In a timeline I printed out online that decided to include Legolas's birthyear that was created in the movie, and it said that Legolas was born in the year 87 of the 3rd age. It then has a footnote which reads that, as I said, Tolkien never indicated an age for Legolas, so one was created for the film.

So, I guess that means that Legolas Greenleaf is as old as we desire him to be, because there is no set age. I have decided to go by the age given in the movie, personally, because that is all I have to go on.

And yes: Legolas did depart over the sea with Gimli soon after the death of King Elessar (and he did not go with Frodo in the end of the book). It addresses that in the appendices, and sites a year too.

[Ivorwen]

"Lord of the Rings: Official Movie Guide," yes, that was where i read it. Thanks Ancalime [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[Mhoram]

Wasn't the Third age 3021 years though?

I am SO sorry, I put down the date in shire reckoning *turns red* Yes, the Third Age was 3021, as you so accurately noted [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] I'll edit my post to correct for that.

Voronwe: In the Tale of Years of ROTK, in the second paragraph under The Second Age

In the beginning of this age many of the High Elves still remained. Most of these dwelt in Lindon west of the Ered Luin; but before the building of the Barad-dur many of the Sindar passed eastward, and some established realms in the forests far away, where their people were mostly Silvan Elves. Thranduil, king in the north of Greenwood the Great, was one of these.

On the next page the building of Barad-Dur is said to have begun in SA 1000. So before 1000 SA Thranduil has moved to Greenwood(Mirkwood) and set up a kingdom (I don't know what to make of his father Oropher yet, i'll get back to you.) So, just by that evidence I think it's safe to say Thranduil was born in the FA at some point. There very well may be more and better evidence to that and if I find it, i'll post.

[Mhoram]

To futher elaborate. I'd say my guess of 7k and change is probally along the lines of the oldest Legolas could be could be. However, I am certain that a convincing case could be made to put Legolas as the same one we read of in the Fall of Gondolin, but that just goes to show that Legolas could be just about any age. I do, however wish to add a couple more notes for the discussion.

We know that Thranduil was alive early in the second age, and very likely in the first. I offer that Elrond was born late in the First Age but didn't have his first children until early in the Third Age.

And lastly, in regards to Legolas' age:

'It is old, very old,' said the Elf. 'So old that almost I feel young again, as I have not felt since I journeyed with you children. -Legolas speaking of Fangorn Forest

[Glim Iceholder]

Elrond was born late in the First Age but didn't have his first children until early in the Third Age.

Thats exactly what I was going to say. The fact is we don't know how old Legolas is. I personally think he was born sometimes in the Third Age. But thats just my opinion.

I think Legolas is 2,931 years old, but thats what Orlando Bloom said. He's no Tolkien expert, but still i love him!! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[Ruthwen]

*Nods* I think I agree with Narquelie. It's as good an age as any.

[VanimaEdhel]

Haha: yes, I love Mr. Bloom too: we can take his word for it! LOL [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img] .

It's as good an age as any.

Yes: it is almost good that he did not include age (annoying to me, until I thought about how it was so completely irrelevant to the story), for then we can manipulate it to make it fit our fanfics (selfish reason, I know, but...haha...we all have the defence "but Tolkien doesn't SAY!") and even that it allows discussions such as these to circulate, in which we can reveal the nature of people and their beliefs (no matter how basic or complex the topic is). We learn about each other, our emotions, our fighting style (in some cases), our beliefs, our dreams.

Haha: I am fourteen: these types of thoughts go on in my head all the time.

[Daegwenn]

I think I asked the same question a while ago, and there were many different answers that I got. When finally I found a wonderful essay on the ages of a few of the characters that are often debated and aren't really known, Legolas was on the top of the agenda.

It isn't really known how old he is and in the books, he can come off as either very young or old for an elf. There are lots of mixed messages. The script writers probably gave him the age 2,931 years because it is neither here nor there. I think they just rolled dice to come up with that number IMHO.

I have read where he is around 400 when the fellowship starts, to the extreme end of the spectrum where he was born in the first age and had a hand in the war of the ring(and many others), being one of the lords under the command of Thranduil that rode under the banner of Mirkwood. That's where the myth about his brothers come in. It isn't officially said that he has got brothers or sisters, but many Legolas fans like to think so.

I think that of all the characters that are featured in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Legolas is the most vague one. You don't know who his mother is, you don't know if he has brothers or sisters, and you have no clue what role he plays in the hierarchy of Mirkwood, only that he is the Prince. And a really good archer.

If I can find the address to that essay, I will post it promptly.

~~Daegwenn

[Ivorwen]

I think that it would be better if they never mentioned his age. Maybe Tolkien left it like that for a reason. But I agree with Narquelie, Ruthwen and VanimaEdhel in saying that it is the only age we have and we should be happy for it [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[Daegwenn]

Here is the article

But some people are rather particular. They want to know the ages of certain characters in order to compare them to others, to make things make sense. I know I do. Looking something like this over annoys me--as little and as meaningless as it is to others.

~~Daegwenn

[ April 07, 2002: Message edited by: Daegwenn ]

[mordor136]

it keeps the people who are easily entertained occupied. though i see what you mean.

[Daegwenn]

What's that supposed to mean, Mordor 136?

[ April 08, 2002: Message edited by: Daegwenn ]

[mordor136]

nothing but some people can do meaningless think with enjoyment

[Birdland]

I've always leaned towards Legolas being a child of the third age; he just give me the impression of being a "younger" elf.

I do find it peculiar that Tolkien didn't give him an age or some background. I know that LOTR was revised in the 60s, mostly due to questions from readers, and that Tolkien expanded the appendices and added to the geneologies.

Can't believe that back then people weren't asking this same question, so why didn't Tolkien address it? Apparently Christopher Tolkien found no references to it in all of Tolkien's notes and drafts, either.

Most peculiar: J.R.R. can make up names of 2nd-cousins-once-removed for the hobbits, but he can't give an age or a mother's name to one of his main characters?

[Mhoram]

No, no, Christopher knows. It will be answered in HoME XIII. In HoME XII we will finally be told who Tom Bombadil really was, the Balrog wings problem will be explained, we'll find out what happened to the Entwives, the confusion about Glorifindel and Legolas in the Fall of Gondolin will be clairified, and much more! I can't wait!

[Birdland]

Yes Mhoram, Christopher will explain it all, including "Drogo and Primula - Accident or Murder?"

Then he will hire George Anderson to channel Dad, and through automatic writing we will finally have "Frodo, the Undying Years".

It'll all be real good Mhoram...real good! (Birdie backs slooowly away...)

[Mhoram]

*drools*

[Aralaithiel]

*commences drooling after reading those juicy tidbits from Mhoram & Birdland [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]*

Mhoram, I am totally interested in your essay! I look forward to perusing it when it is ready for inquiring minds! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[Mhoram]

Well, it ended up becoming the first post of the thread "Laws and Customs of the Eldar" problem, here in Books II. It's related but not specific to Legolas.

[Raefindel]

A Somewhat related question: I believe I read somewhere that the Legolas in questin is not the only Legolas Tolkien ever wrote about. Is the another Legolas? I believe I heard he re-used the name.

[mordor136]

IMG]gandalf2.jpg[/IMG]thank everyone for posting

[Mhoram]

Yes, there was a Legolas Greenleaf in the early version of the story of Gondolin. There was also an elf named Gimli. These were later abandoned and it is unclear but unlikely that these two Legolas' were ever intended to be the same.

[Raefindel]

Thank You, Mhoram. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]