Thranduil: Difference between revisions

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{{sindar infobox
{{sindar infobox
|image=[[File:Anke Eißmann - Thranduil.jpg|250px]]
|image=[[File:Lourdes Velez - King Thranduil.jpg|250px]]
|name=Thranduil
|name=Thranduil
|othernames="Elvenking"
|othernames="Elvenking"
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== History ==
== History ==
=== Early History ===
=== Early History ===
 
At the end of the [[First Age]] many Sindar stayed at [[Lindon]], and at the beginning of the [[Second Age]] they travelled eastward. Thranduil and his father, [[Oropher]], eventually ended up in [[Mirkwood|Greenwood the Great]], where Silvan Elves of [[Nandor]] descent lived. Oropher was taken by them as lord and founded the [[Woodland Realm]] with the capital at [[Amon Lanc]].
In the [[First Age]] Thranduil was a Sinda, subject to King [[Thingol]]. At the end of that Age he was one of many Sindar who stayed at [[Lindon]], but at the beginning of the [[Second Age]] they travelled eastward. Thranduil and his father, [[Oropher]], eventually ended up in [[Mirkwood|Greenwood the Great]], where Silvan Elves of [[Nandor]] descent lived. Oropher was taken by them as lord and founded the [[Woodland Realm]] with the capital at [[Amon Lanc]].


The few Sindar who had come with Oropher and Thranduil were soon merged with the Silvan Elves, adopting their language and taking names of Silvan form and style.
The few Sindar who had come with Oropher and Thranduil were soon merged with the Silvan Elves, adopting their language and taking names of Silvan form and style.
 
[[Image:Anna Lee - Thranduil and Legolas.jpg|left|thumb|[[Anna Lee]] - ''Thranduil and Legolas'']]
In {{SA|3434}} Thranduil followed his father, and some thirty thousand lightly armed Elves in the [[War of the Last Alliance]]. In the [[Battle of Dagorlad]] Oropher was slain with the greater part of his people but his son survived. After the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]] in {{SA|3441}} when Sauron was defeated, Thranduil led the remainder of his people north back to the Woodland Realm, where he was crowned king.
In {{SA|3434}} Thranduil followed his father, and some thirty thousand lightly armed Elves in the [[War of the Last Alliance]]. In the [[Battle of Dagorlad]] Oropher was slain with the greater part of his people but his son survived. After the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]] in {{SA|3441}} when Sauron was defeated, Thranduil led the remainder of his people north back to the Woodland Realm, where he was crowned king.


=== Third Age ===
=== Third Age ===
[[Image:Anna Lee - Thranduil and Legolas.jpg|left|thumb|Thranduil and young [[Legolas]] by [[Anna Lee]]]]
With the return of [[Sauron]] around {{TA|1050}} southern Greenwood became dangerous and was renamed Mirkwood. Creatures like great spiders came to dwell in Mirkwood and Thranduil's folk retreated to the northeastern corner of Mirkwood, where they fortified themselves near the [[Forest River]] and established the [[Elvenking's Halls]].
With the return of [[Sauron]] around {{TA|1050}} southern Greenwood became dangerous and was renamed Mirkwood. Creatures like great spiders came to dwell in Mirkwood and Thranduil's folk retreated to the northeastern corner of Mirkwood, where they fortified themselves near the [[Forest River]].
[[File:David T. Wenzel - Mirkwood elves.jpg|thumb|David T. Wenzel - ''Mirkwood elves'']]
 
One day in {{TA|2941}} Thranduil and some of his folk were feasting in the woods when they were repeatedly disturbed by [[Thorin and Company|a party]] of [[Dwarves]]. After the third disturbance the Elves captured them. [[Thorin]] their leader, was brought before Thranduil but did not reveal the reason for their journey through Mirkwood. However Thranduil's prisoners escaped with the help of a [[Hobbit]], [[Bilbo Baggins]], who escaped captivity by using his magic [[The One Ring|ring]].
====The Quest for Erebor====
[[Image:Alan_Lee_-_%27%27Well%2C_here_is_Mirkwood%21%27%27_said_Gandalf.jpg|thumb|''Mirkwood'' by [[Alan Lee]]]]
:''See also: [[The Hobbit#Synopsis|The Quest for Erebor]]''
One day in {{TA|2941}} Thranduil and some of his folk were feasting in the woods when they were repeatedly disturbed by a party of [[Dwarves]] and a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] called [[Bilbo Baggins]]. After the third disturbance the Elves captured the leader of the Dwarves, [[Thorin]], and a short time later also his companions. Thorin was brought before Thranduil but did not reveal the reason for their journey through Mirkwood. So the Elves took his sword [[Orcrist]] and imprisoned him separated from his companions. But Bilbo Baggins, who escaped captivity by using his magic [[The One Ring|ring]], was able to help his friends to escape in barrels on the [[Forest River]].
[[Image:Alan Lee - Barrels out of Bond.jpg|thumb|200px|''Barrels out of Bond'' by [[Alan Lee]]|left]]
 
After the Dwarves' escape Thranduil sent out messengers, who soon told him about the death of the [[Dragons|Dragon]] [[Smaug]], who had brutalized the Grey Elves for years. He knew about the treasures, which Smaug had hoarded, and so he set out towards the [[Lonely Mountain]] with a company of Elves with spears and bows. On the way they met messengers from [[Bard]] in [[Lake-town]] who was seeking aid for his destroyed town. After the Elves had given food to the Lake-men and had helped them to build shelters against the oncoming winter, both Thranduil and Bard led their forces towards the Lonely Mountain. They were very surprised when they found out that Thorin and his company had survived Smaugs attacks, had taken possession of the Lonely Mountain and its treasures and that Thorin Oakenshield had claimed the title [[King under the Mountain]]. 
 
Bard demanded a part of the treasure for [[Dale]] and Lake-town, which Smaug had destroyed, as well as for himself because he had shot the dragon. When Thorin refused to give away parts of the treasure, Thranduil and Bard sieged the mountain and Thorin sent for aid from his cousin [[Dáin Ironfoot|Dáin II Ironfoot]]. After a few days Dain's host approached and fight seemed unavoidable. But in the night Bilbo brought the [[Arkenstone]], a great jewel that Thorin valued above all, to Bard and Thranduil in order to make Thorin open to negotiations. Thranduil was favourably impressed by Bilbo and urged him to remain in order to avoid Thorin's wrath.
 
The next morning Bard and Thranduil entered into negotiations with Thorin, who erupted in anger when he learned that Bard and Thranduil possessed the Arkenstone. But he agreed to pay one-fourteenth share of the treasure in exchange for the stone. The next day Dain arrived with his forces and although Thranduil was reluctant to start a war over gold, the dwarves proceeded to attack.  


[[Image:Capucine Mazille - The Battle of Five Armies.jpg|thumb|''The Battle of Five Armies'' by Capucine Mazille]]
===Battle of Five Armies===
At the last moment, when the battle was almost joined between the two sides Gandalf intervened and revealed that while they were bickering amongst themselves, the [[Orcs]] of the [[Misty Mountains]] and [[Grey Mountains]] under [[Bolg]] were using the opportunity to march against them. They had been incited by Gandalf's earlier slaying of the [[Great Goblin]], but had now mobilized for a full-scale attack after hearing news of the death of the Dragon and the now relatively unguarded treasure hoard. The three commanders agreed that the Orcs were the enemies of all and previous grievances between them were put on hold in face of the greater threat. So the [[Battle of Five Armies]] began.
After the Dwarves' escape Thranduil sent out messengers, who soon told him about the death of the [[Dragons|Dragon]] [[Smaug]], who had brutalized the Elves for years. He knew about the treasures Smaug had hoarded and set out towards the [[Lonely Mountain]] with a company of Elves. On the way they met messengers from [[Bard]] in [[Lake-town]] who was seeking aid for his destroyed town. Both Thranduil and Bard led their forces towards the Lonely Mountain and were very surprised when they found out that the Dwarves not only survived Smaug's attacks, but had taken possession of the Mountain and its treasures; the [[King under the Mountain]] had returned.
[[Image:Alan Lee - Calendar 1999 - December.jpg|thumb|''Thorin's Burial'' by [[Alan Lee]]|left]]
[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Arkenstone.jpg|thumb|left|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''The Arkenstone'']]
Thranduil's host was positioned on the southern side of the Mountain, and they were the first to charge. Many Elves were slain and things looked grim when the [[Eagles]] arrived on the battlefield. They turned the tide and the battle was won. Thorin had been mortally wounded on the field, and his nephews [[Fíli]] and [[Kíli]] died defending him as he lay on the ground. Thorin died soon after the battle, after meeting Bilbo one last time. Thranduil laid [[Orcrist]] on Thorin's tomb, where it was said to glow in warning when foes approached.
As Thorin refused to give away parts of the treasure for [[Dale]] and Lake-town, Thranduil and Bard sieged the mountain. After a few days, a Dwarvish host led by [[Dáin Ironfoot|Dáin II Ironfoot]] approached to support Thorin. But in the night Bilbo came before Thranduil and Bard bringing the [[Arkenstone]], a great jewel that Thorin valued above all, in order to make Thorin open to negotiations. Thranduil was favourably impressed by Bilbo and urged him to remain in order to avoid Thorin's wrath. The next morning Bard and Thranduil entered into negotiations with an angered Thorin, who agreed to pay 1/14 share of the treasure in exchange for the stone. Thranduil was reluctant to start a war over gold, but the next day the forces of Dain arrived and the dwarves proceeded to attack.  


The victors divided the treasure and Bard took Bilbo's fourteenth share of the gold and silver in return for the Arkenstone, whereupon he shared his reward with the Master of Lake-town and gave Thranduil the emeralds of Girion. Bilbo, despite having forfeited his share, was offered a rich reward but refused to take more than two small chests of gold and silver. When Bilbo and Gandalf bid farewell to Thranduil Bilbo gave him a necklace of silver and pearls. Thranduil gave the [[Hobbits|hobbit]] the title "[[Elf-friend]]" and returned with the remainder of his host to his realm in Mirkwood.
[[Image:Capucine Mazille - The Battle of Five Armies.jpg|thumb|Capucine Mazille - ''The Battle of Five Armies'']]
At that moment, the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]] and [[Grey Mountains]] under [[Bolg]] were using the opportunity to march after the hoard. The three commanders agreed that the Orcs were the enemies of all. So the [[Battle of Five Armies]] began. Thranduil's host was positioned on the southern side of the Mountain, and they were the first to charge. Many Elves were slain and things looked grim when the [[Eagles]] arrived on the battlefield. They turned the tide and the battle was won.
[[Image:Alan Lee - Calendar 1999 - December.jpg|thumb|[[Alan Lee]] - ''Thorin's Burial''|left]]
Thorin died soon after the battle. Thranduil laid [[Orcrist]] on Thorin's tomb, where it was said to glow in warning when foes approached.


==== The Hunt for Gollum====
The victors divided the treasure and Bard gave Thranduil the emeralds of [[Girion]]. When Bilbo and [[Gandalf]] bid farewell to Thranduil Bilbo gave him a necklace of silver and pearls. Thranduil gave the [[Hobbits|hobbit]] the title "[[Elf-friend]]" and returned with the remainder of his host to his realm in Mirkwood.


On [[21 March|March 21]], {{TA|3018}} [[Aragorn]] delivered [[Gollum]] as a prisoner to Thranduil. He was guarded day and night, but the Elves pitied him and allowed him to climb a tree that stood alone. When one night in June of 3018, Gollum refused to come down, the Elves were attacked by Orcs and Gollum could escape in the confusion. Thranduil sent his son [[Legolas]] to Rivendell to inform [[Elrond]], and in the [[Council of Elrond]] Legolas was selected as one of the nine members of the [[Fellowship of the Ring|Company of the Ring]].<ref>{{FR|II2}}</ref>
=== War of the Ring===


Another member of the Company of the Ring was the Dwarf [[Gimli]], the son of [[Glóin]] of Thorin's band. The gradually established friendship between both helps to reconcile Thranduil's people and the Dwarves. It is amusing to note that one of the Dwarves imprisoned by Thranduil was [[Glóin son of Gróin|Glóin]], Gimli's father. Nonetheless, both end up on a quest together, and develop an unprecedented friendship between Elf and Dwarf.
On [[21 March|March 21]], {{TA|3018}} [[Aragorn]] and [[Gandalf]] delivered [[Gollum]] as a prisoner to Thranduil but in June he escaped. Thranduil sent his son [[Legolas]] to Rivendell to inform [[Elrond]], and in the [[Council of Elrond]] Legolas was selected as one of the nine members of the [[Fellowship of the Ring|Company of the Ring]].<ref>{{FR|II2}}</ref> Another member of the Company  was the Dwarf [[Gimli]], the son of [[Glóin]] of Thorin's band who were imprisoned by Thranduil. The unprecedented friendship between Elf and Dwarf helped to reconcile Thranduil's people and the Dwarves.


====War of the Ring====
On [[15 March|March 15]], {{TA|3019}}, an army of [[Sauron]] from [[Dol Guldur]] attacked Mirkwood. There was a long [[Battle Under Trees]] and the woods were set on fire but in the end Thranduil defeated the invaders. On [[6 April|April 6]], Thranduil met [[Celeborn]] in the midst of Mirkwood. The forces of the [[Lord and Lady]] of [[Lórien]] stormed Dol Guldur and threw down its walls.
On [[15 March|March 15]], {{TA|3019}}, an army of [[Sauron]] from [[Dol Guldur]], tasked with destroying the Woodland Realm, attacked Mirkwood. There was a [[Rhovanion Campaign (WotR)|long battle under the trees]] and the woods were set on fire. But in the end Thranduil defeated the invaders. On [[6 April|April 6]], Thranduil met [[Celeborn]], the Lord of Lórien, in the midst of Mirkwood. Celeborn's forces had crossed the [[Anduin]] and had stormed Dol Guldur. [[Galadriel]], the Lady of Lórien, had come after them, throwing down the walls of Dol Guldur and laying bare its pits. Thranduil had cleared all the orcs and foul beings from North Mirkwood, so that the forest was cleansed and Sauron's empire in the North was destroyed.


Because the Shadow over Mirkwood was lifted, Thranduil and Celeborn renamed it [[Eryn Lasgalen]], the Wood of Greenleaves. They divided it up, so that Thranduil received the northern part as far as the Mountains, and Celeborn took the southern part below the [[Narrows]], naming it [[East Lórien]]. The wide forest in-between was given to the [[Beornings]] and the [[Woodmen]]<ref name="AppB">{{App|B}}</ref>.
Thranduil had cleared all the orcs and foul beings from North Mirkwood, so that the forest was cleansed and Sauron's forces in the North were destroyed. Because the [[Shadow]] over Mirkwood was lifted, Thranduil received the northern part of the [[Eryn Lasgalen]] (as Mirkwood was now called) as far as the Mountains.<ref name="AppB">{{App|B}}</ref>


=== [[Fourth Age]] ===
=== [[Fourth Age]] ===
Thranduil's ultimate fate is unknown; he probably passed over the [[Belegaer|Sea]] to [[Valinor]] eventually.


After the destruction of [[Dol Guldur]] and the cleansing of Mirkwood, Thranduil and the Wood-Elves remained untroubled for many years.
Legolas and the Wood-Elves later worked together with Gimli and the Dwarves to rebuild and improve [[Minas Tirith]], capital city of [[Gondor]], the realm of their mutual friend King [[Aragorn|Aragorn Elessar]]<ref name="AppB"/>.
Thranduil's ultimate fate is unknown; he probably passed over the [[Belegaer|Sea]] to [[Valinor]] eventually.
[[Image:Marya Filatova - Thranduil.jpg|right|thumb|200px|''Thranduil'' by [[Marya Filatova]]]]
== Personality ==
== Personality ==
 
[[Image:Marya Filatova - Thranduil.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[Marya Filatova]] - ''Thranduil'']]
Thranduil lived in attunement with nature, wearing a crown of flowers, or autumn berries, according to the season, and his banner was, naturally enough, green in colour. He loved the forest though it was dark and dangerous in many parts and enjoyed hunting and feasting among the trees with his people.
Thranduil lived in attunement with nature, wearing a crown of flowers, or autumn berries, according to the season, and his banner was, naturally enough, green in colour. He loved the forest though it was dark and dangerous in many parts and enjoyed hunting and feasting among the trees with his people. He was also distrustful of strangers, being mostly unconcerned with affairs of the world beyond Mirkwood unless a common enemy was shared. 
 
== Dwelling ==


Thranduil had his halls underground, partly in memory (it was said) of the mighty but long-lost [[Menegroth]] of [[Doriath]]. They lay near the Forest River behind great gates.
Thranduil had his halls underground, partly in memory (it was said) of the mighty but long-lost [[Menegroth]] of [[Doriath]]. They lay near the Forest River behind great gates.
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The name '''Thranduil''' means "Vigorous spring" in [[Sindarin]], from ''[[tharan]]'' "vigorous" and ''[[tuil]]'' "spring". Though the name is said to be of [[Silvan Elvish|Silvan]] origin, Tolkien's notes on ''tharan'' state it was used only in Sindarin.<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 187</ref>
The name '''Thranduil''' means "Vigorous spring" in [[Sindarin]], from ''[[tharan]]'' "vigorous" and ''[[tuil]]'' "spring". Though the name is said to be of [[Silvan Elvish|Silvan]] origin, Tolkien's notes on ''tharan'' state it was used only in Sindarin.<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 187</ref>


== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:The Hobbit (1977 film) - Thranduil.jpg|thumb|right|The "Elvenking" as portrayed in [[The Hobbit (1977 film)]]]]
{{Gallery
'''1968: ''[[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Hobbit]]'':'''
|title=Thranduil in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:The Hobbit (1977 film) - Thranduil.jpg|The "Elvenking" in [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]
|File:The Hobbit (2003 video game) - Thranduil.jpg|Thranduil in [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Battle for Middle-earth II - Thranduil.jpg|Thranduil in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]''
|File:The Hobbit - The Desolation of Smaug - Thranduil.jpg|Thranduil in [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]
}}
'''1968: [[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1968 radio series)]]:'''
:[[Leonard Fenton]] provided the voice of Thranduil.
:[[Leonard Fenton]] provided the voice of Thranduil.


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:Thranduil is voiced by [[Otto Preminger]] with a (heavy) German accent. For some reason in the movie the Elves of Mirkwood are portrayed as squat and ugly, as opposed to the noble elves of Rivendell.  
:Thranduil is voiced by [[Otto Preminger]] with a (heavy) German accent. For some reason in the movie the Elves of Mirkwood are portrayed as squat and ugly, as opposed to the noble elves of Rivendell.  


'''2003: ''[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|Sierra's The Hobbit]]'':'''
'''2003: [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]:'''
:Thranduil is referred to as "Elvenking Thranduil", using both his title from ''The Hobbit'' and his name from ''The Lord of the Rings'', to accommodate players who have only read ''The Hobbit''. Thranduil first appears in the level "Barrels Out of Bond", in which he can be overheard speaking about the [[White Council]] and their attack on [[Dol Guldur]]. He returns as a conversation partner in the last level, "The Clouds Burst", in which he and Gandalf ask the player, in the persona of Bilbo, to deliver a message to Bard. No voice actor is specified for this part.
:Thranduil is referred to as "Elvenking Thranduil", using both his title from ''The Hobbit'' and his name from ''The Lord of the Rings'', to accommodate players who have only read ''The Hobbit''. Thranduil first appears in the level "Barrels Out of Bond", in which he can be overheard speaking about the [[White Council]] and their attack on [[Dol Guldur]]. He returns as a conversation partner in the last level, "The Clouds Burst", in which he and Gandalf ask the player, in the persona of Bilbo, to deliver a message to Bard. No voice actor is specified for this part.


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:Thranduil is a hero for the Elven faction. In the good campaign, he shows up after the [[Battle of Dale]], and participates in the Siege of [[Dol Guldur]].
:Thranduil is a hero for the Elven faction. In the good campaign, he shows up after the [[Battle of Dale]], and participates in the Siege of [[Dol Guldur]].


'''2012-2013: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]:'''  
'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]:'''  
:Thranduil will to be played by [[Lee Pace]].<ref name="PJCasting">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150239464391558|articlename=Casting news!|dated=30-April-2011|website=[http://www.facebook.com/ Facebook]|accessed=23-Dec-2011}}</ref>
:Thranduil is played by [[Lee Pace]].<ref name="PJCasting">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150239464391558|articlename=Casting news!|dated=30-April-2011|website=[http://www.facebook.com/ Facebook]|accessed=23-Dec-2011}}</ref>


== See Also ==
'''2012: ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'':'''
:Thranduil is seen in the prologue with an army outside of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]], seemingly ready to help following the [[Sack of Erebor]]. However, he decides not to help and turns away.
 
==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Thranduil|Images of Thranduil]]
* [[:Category:Images of Thranduil|Images of Thranduil]]
==External links==
*[http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/09/15/79209-thranduil-the-fisher-king-and-oberon-why-it-matters/ Thranduil, The Fisher King and Oberon; Why It Matters] by Marthe
*[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2013/09/27/was-the-elvenking-of-the-hobbit-supposed-to-be-thingol-greycloak/ Was the Elvenking of ''The Hobbit'' Supposed to be Thingol Greycloak?] by [[Michael Martinez]]


{{references}}
{{references}}

Revision as of 16:27, 25 April 2014

Template:Countdown

Thranduil
Sinda
Lourdes Velez - King Thranduil.jpg
Biographical Information
Other names"Elvenking"
TitlesKing of the Woodland Realm
LanguageSilvan
BirthFirst Age[source?]
RuleS.A. 3434 onwards
Family
ParentageOropher
ChildrenLegolas
Physical Description
GenderMale
Hair colorGolden[1]
GalleryImages of Thranduil
"In a great hall with pillars hewn out of the living stone sat the Elvenking on a chair of carven wood. On his head was a crown of berries and red leaves, for the autumn was come again. In the spring he wore a crown of woodland flowers. In his hand he held a carven staff of oak."
The Hobbit, Barrels Out of Bond

Thranduil, the Elvenking, was a Sinda and King of the Silvan Elves of Mirkwood in the Woodland Realm. Thranduil was son of Oropher and father of Legolas.

History

Early History

At the end of the First Age many Sindar stayed at Lindon, and at the beginning of the Second Age they travelled eastward. Thranduil and his father, Oropher, eventually ended up in Greenwood the Great, where Silvan Elves of Nandor descent lived. Oropher was taken by them as lord and founded the Woodland Realm with the capital at Amon Lanc.

The few Sindar who had come with Oropher and Thranduil were soon merged with the Silvan Elves, adopting their language and taking names of Silvan form and style.

Anna Lee - Thranduil and Legolas

In S.A. 3434 Thranduil followed his father, and some thirty thousand lightly armed Elves in the War of the Last Alliance. In the Battle of Dagorlad Oropher was slain with the greater part of his people but his son survived. After the Siege of Barad-dûr in S.A. 3441 when Sauron was defeated, Thranduil led the remainder of his people north back to the Woodland Realm, where he was crowned king.

Third Age

With the return of Sauron around T.A. 1050 southern Greenwood became dangerous and was renamed Mirkwood. Creatures like great spiders came to dwell in Mirkwood and Thranduil's folk retreated to the northeastern corner of Mirkwood, where they fortified themselves near the Forest River and established the Elvenking's Halls.

David T. Wenzel - Mirkwood elves

One day in T.A. 2941 Thranduil and some of his folk were feasting in the woods when they were repeatedly disturbed by a party of Dwarves. After the third disturbance the Elves captured them. Thorin their leader, was brought before Thranduil but did not reveal the reason for their journey through Mirkwood. However Thranduil's prisoners escaped with the help of a Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, who escaped captivity by using his magic ring.

Battle of Five Armies

After the Dwarves' escape Thranduil sent out messengers, who soon told him about the death of the Dragon Smaug, who had brutalized the Elves for years. He knew about the treasures Smaug had hoarded and set out towards the Lonely Mountain with a company of Elves. On the way they met messengers from Bard in Lake-town who was seeking aid for his destroyed town. Both Thranduil and Bard led their forces towards the Lonely Mountain and were very surprised when they found out that the Dwarves not only survived Smaug's attacks, but had taken possession of the Mountain and its treasures; the King under the Mountain had returned.

Ted Nasmith - The Arkenstone

As Thorin refused to give away parts of the treasure for Dale and Lake-town, Thranduil and Bard sieged the mountain. After a few days, a Dwarvish host led by Dáin II Ironfoot approached to support Thorin. But in the night Bilbo came before Thranduil and Bard bringing the Arkenstone, a great jewel that Thorin valued above all, in order to make Thorin open to negotiations. Thranduil was favourably impressed by Bilbo and urged him to remain in order to avoid Thorin's wrath. The next morning Bard and Thranduil entered into negotiations with an angered Thorin, who agreed to pay 1/14 share of the treasure in exchange for the stone. Thranduil was reluctant to start a war over gold, but the next day the forces of Dain arrived and the dwarves proceeded to attack.

Capucine Mazille - The Battle of Five Armies

At that moment, the Orcs of the Misty Mountains and Grey Mountains under Bolg were using the opportunity to march after the hoard. The three commanders agreed that the Orcs were the enemies of all. So the Battle of Five Armies began. Thranduil's host was positioned on the southern side of the Mountain, and they were the first to charge. Many Elves were slain and things looked grim when the Eagles arrived on the battlefield. They turned the tide and the battle was won.

Thorin died soon after the battle. Thranduil laid Orcrist on Thorin's tomb, where it was said to glow in warning when foes approached.

The victors divided the treasure and Bard gave Thranduil the emeralds of Girion. When Bilbo and Gandalf bid farewell to Thranduil Bilbo gave him a necklace of silver and pearls. Thranduil gave the hobbit the title "Elf-friend" and returned with the remainder of his host to his realm in Mirkwood.

War of the Ring

On March 21, T.A. 3018 Aragorn and Gandalf delivered Gollum as a prisoner to Thranduil but in June he escaped. Thranduil sent his son Legolas to Rivendell to inform Elrond, and in the Council of Elrond Legolas was selected as one of the nine members of the Company of the Ring.[2] Another member of the Company was the Dwarf Gimli, the son of Glóin of Thorin's band who were imprisoned by Thranduil. The unprecedented friendship between Elf and Dwarf helped to reconcile Thranduil's people and the Dwarves.

On March 15, T.A. 3019, an army of Sauron from Dol Guldur attacked Mirkwood. There was a long Battle Under Trees and the woods were set on fire but in the end Thranduil defeated the invaders. On April 6, Thranduil met Celeborn in the midst of Mirkwood. The forces of the Lord and Lady of Lórien stormed Dol Guldur and threw down its walls.

Thranduil had cleared all the orcs and foul beings from North Mirkwood, so that the forest was cleansed and Sauron's forces in the North were destroyed. Because the Shadow over Mirkwood was lifted, Thranduil received the northern part of the Eryn Lasgalen (as Mirkwood was now called) as far as the Mountains.[3]

Fourth Age

Thranduil's ultimate fate is unknown; he probably passed over the Sea to Valinor eventually.

Personality

Marya Filatova - Thranduil

Thranduil lived in attunement with nature, wearing a crown of flowers, or autumn berries, according to the season, and his banner was, naturally enough, green in colour. He loved the forest though it was dark and dangerous in many parts and enjoyed hunting and feasting among the trees with his people. He was also distrustful of strangers, being mostly unconcerned with affairs of the world beyond Mirkwood unless a common enemy was shared.

Thranduil had his halls underground, partly in memory (it was said) of the mighty but long-lost Menegroth of Doriath. They lay near the Forest River behind great gates.

Etymology

The name Thranduil means "Vigorous spring" in Sindarin, from tharan "vigorous" and tuil "spring". Though the name is said to be of Silvan origin, Tolkien's notes on tharan state it was used only in Sindarin.[4]

Portrayal in adaptations

Thranduil in adaptations
The "Elvenking" in The Hobbit (1977 film)  
Thranduil in The Hobbit (film series)  

1968: The Hobbit (1968 radio series):

Leonard Fenton provided the voice of Thranduil.

1977: The Hobbit (1977 film):

Thranduil is voiced by Otto Preminger with a (heavy) German accent. For some reason in the movie the Elves of Mirkwood are portrayed as squat and ugly, as opposed to the noble elves of Rivendell.

2003: The Hobbit (2003 video game):

Thranduil is referred to as "Elvenking Thranduil", using both his title from The Hobbit and his name from The Lord of the Rings, to accommodate players who have only read The Hobbit. Thranduil first appears in the level "Barrels Out of Bond", in which he can be overheard speaking about the White Council and their attack on Dol Guldur. He returns as a conversation partner in the last level, "The Clouds Burst", in which he and Gandalf ask the player, in the persona of Bilbo, to deliver a message to Bard. No voice actor is specified for this part.

2006: The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II:

Thranduil is a hero for the Elven faction. In the good campaign, he shows up after the Battle of Dale, and participates in the Siege of Dol Guldur.

2012-14: The Hobbit (film series):

Thranduil is played by Lee Pace.[5]

2012: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey:

Thranduil is seen in the prologue with an army outside of Erebor, seemingly ready to help following the Sack of Erebor. However, he decides not to help and turns away.

See also

External links

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Flies and Spiders"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Council of Elrond"
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B: The Tale of Years (Chronology of the Westlands)
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), p. 187
  5. Peter Jackson, "Casting news!" dated 30 April 2011, Facebook (accessed 23 December 2011)