Thursday, December 10, 2015

Thranduil: King of the Woodland Realm


   A while back, I wrote a post about Legolas, a character from the Lord of the Rings, created by J.R.R.Tolkien. I got so many viewers reading it, that I thought that maybe I should write a post about his father, Thranduil.
  Thranduil was introduced in the second Hobbit movie, "The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug", and then in "The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies". Not much of him is known, so I thought that I should give y'all a little bit more about him.


   As everyone has known, Thranduil is the father of Legolas Greenleaf.
    I like how Peter Jackson created Thranduil to look like Legolas, indicating that they are related:
1. Blue eyes
2. White/blond hair
3. Of course the pointed ears
4. The same eyebrow shape
5. Their face shape is almost identical as well
   (I remember seeing a picture of Thranduil for the first time, and I literally thought it was Legolas, only older. )

   Thranduil's name means, 'Halls of Star-Shadow' (thrond = hall, du = shadow, il =from el = star)
It probably is mostly Silvan, which is a group of Elven race that the Greenwood Elves are from. The Silvan Elves, (in ancient tongue, Tawarwaith, meaning 'The Forest People) were ruled by Thingol. Some people believe (including I) that Thranduil is related to Thingol.


   Oropher ( probably meaning 'mountain') is the father of Thranduil, and grandfather of Legolas. He was the Silvan ruler of the Greenwood Elves, later known as Mirkwood Elves. He was respected, and well-loved. He led the Mirkwood Elves in the battle of the Last Alliance and was slain.
   Thranduil then was crowned king.


   Nowhere in Tolkien's writing is Thranduil's wife mentioned. She is mentioned in the movie "The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies", by Legolas and Thranduil. But besides that, she is created by fan-art, and beautiful names by each fan.
   I gave her the name Nenlas ('water leaf'). I wanted to add las ('leaf') to her name, as a remembrance for Legolas.


   In the book "The Hobbit", Thranduil is known as the Woodland king, his actual name not being mentioned. (Though, later in the Lord of the Rings, The Woodland King's name was mentioned, Thranduil). The Woodland King was not as cruel as Thranduil in the movie...he even gave his prisoners food. (In the movie, not once do you see food in the Dwarves cells.)
    Later on in the book, the Woodland King aided the Dwarves in their fight for Erebor with kindness. It looks like the Woodland King was a lot kinder then Thranduil. Thranduil of course is different in the movie.

   Some people, including myself, believe his rude behavior comes from the pain that he has held in all his life. The loss of his father as a younger elfling, and the death of his wife. That's a HUGE thing for Elves in Tolkien's books. Descriptions of Elves in Tolkien's Middle-earth history talk about how Elves die. One of them is immense pain, mostly of grief.
   I also think that it is probably from fear. He has been through a lot, since the death of his father. The return of The Necromancer (Sauron), and his dwelling, known as Dol Goldur.
  Also, Thranduil would have been informed of the strange sightings at Dul Goldur.
 (I wonder if this is the way for Thranduil to keep his pain in:)


   I have been very curious about this scar. It appears in one moment, and the next, it's gone!!! It might make since that it shows what happened in his earlier life...somehow. (Maybe he got attacked by a dragon. He did say, (in the movie), that he had seen the fire from the north, and felt its punishment)


   The warrior-heart that Thranduil owns is one of his qualities. He cares for his people, and nothing will stop him to keep his people safe.
   In the movie, you can tell by the expressions on his face of how much he grieves for each Elf's death he sees. The warrior spirit passes on to his son, Legolas.



   One reason why Thranduil aided the Dwarves, (in the movie) was the hope that he would retrieve the necklace that he had designed for his wife. As his line goes, "There are things in that mountain that I too desire. Gems, white gems, as pure as crystal starlight." He is indicating the White Jewels of Lasgalen. These jewels are hard to find, and finding at least a few would be fit for a king...or queen. Thranduil designed this necklace when his wife was still alive. He wanted it made as a special gift for her, to show his love.


   He asked King Thror, Thorin's grandfather, to make the necklace for him. Thror accepted the job, and had it quickly made.
   At that time, it looked like the Elves and Dwarves were great friends. the necklace was soon finished, and was beautiful. It was so beautiful, that Thror decided to keep it for himself.
   Soon after, Thranduil's wife died. He had nothing to remember her. that probably explains why he did not aid the Dwarves when they were attacked by the Orcs.


   Of course I had a feeling that he never got it back. But he stills has her in his mind and heart as his only memory. He also has Legolas as a memory. He probably has her nose, or character.

                     
   This story reminds me a lot of Thingol's story in "The Silmarillion". Thingol as well, wanted a beautiful necklace, but only for himself, as he didn't want to part with the Silmaril he had possession of. He asked the Dwarves to fashion a necklace, and insert the Silmaril into it, so that he may always wear it.
   They did, but in the end, they named it "The Nauglamir", and slew Thingol.
   I wonder in PJ used that for the Thranduil/necklace idea.


   After that, in the movie, Thranduil sent Legolas to find Aragorn, known back before as Strider. I'm not sure how Thranduil knew about Aragorn, probably from Elrond, since they knew each other.   Legolas was also sent to Rivendell later on, to join the Council of Elrond. He was sent by Thranduil also.

   After the War of the Ring, the Elves left Middle-earth, and never returned. In Tolkien's writings, while the war went on, Thranduil, with the help of Galadriel and Celeborn, overthrew Dol Goldur, and returned peace to Mirkwood. Thranduil stayed in Mirkwood, and named it Eryn Lasgalen, with the help of Celeborn.


   Lee Pace did an amazing job in re-creating Thranduil in the Hobbit movies. He made a true Elf King out of Thranduil.
   I enjoyed the costumes that he wore, but two of my personal favorites are:


   This is the robe that he wears when you first meet him. I fell in love with the style, and the long train. I also LOVED the crown that they created for Thranduil in the movie. It goes with his attitude, and the kingdom in which he rules in.
  (For a harvest party that I went to, I created this robe, and a cardboard crown. I did the whole thing, including the brooch and rings. Now, I am doing a Steampunk Thranduil, based off of a drawing that I did. The crown is NOT going to be made of cardboard this time.) :)


   This one also is another one of my favorites.
   I liked the shorter, silver robe. It's made of the same material, and style, only shorter. I have a feeling it was made that way to show off his awesome boots. I loved the long, red open robe that he wore over it. A simple robe then his silver one, but it still held the long train that he likes. It looked more comfortable then the silver one, and he's not wearing a crown also. His hair just falls simply over his shoulders. I noticed that he also is wearing his brooch and rings too.


   Well, there you go. Lord Thranduil i Mirkwood. 
   If you guys enjoyed this, please leave a comment below, and if you want to learn more about any other Hobbit or Lord of the Rings characters, or any character that you like, put that in your comment as well.
   Namariea!









5 comments:

  1. I like your words. But as far as i know Thranduil never left to Valino but stays with his kin in Arda. That's what i heard. Pls correct me if i'm wrong!

    Lg Skully

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  2. I think you may be right. I read a fan fact today that said he and Celeborn combined their two kingdoms after the Third Age, and they both didn't leave, well, at least Thranduil, as far as I know too!

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  3. Love the name Nenlas. It's going into my personal head canon. :)

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  4. Love the name Nenlas. It's going into my head canon :)

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  5. Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the post! Please do come and visit back soon!

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