Thranduil

2012-02-06T07:23:01Z

Divadnorrab: /* The Quest for Erebor */

{{sindar infobox
| image=[[Image:Anke Eissmann - Thranduil.jpg|250px]]
| name=Thranduil
| othernames="Elvenking"
| titles=King of the [[Woodland Realm]]
| position=
| realm=[[Woodland Realm]]
| affiliation=
| language=[[Silvan Elvish|Silvan]]
| birth=[[First Age]]{{fact}}
| birthlocation=
| rule={{SA|3434}} onwards
| death=
| deathlocation=
| age=
| house=
| parentage=[[Oropher]]
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=[[Legolas]]
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=Golden<ref name=H8>{{H|8}}</ref>
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}{{pronounce|Sindarin - Thranduil.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
<center>{{quote|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]]}}</center>
'''Thranduil''', the '''Elvenking''', was a [[Sindar|Sinda]] and King of the [[Silvan Elves]] in the [[Woodland Realm]]. Thranduil was son of [[Oropher]] and father of [[Legolas]].

== History ==
=== Early History ===
[[Image:Alan_Lee_-_%27%27Well%2C_here_is_Mirkwood%21%27%27_said_Gandalf.jpg|thumb|200px|''Mirkwood'' by [[Alan Lee]]]]
Thranduil was one of many Sindar who travelled eastward from [[Lindon]] at the beginning of the [[Second Age]]. He eventually ended up in [[Mirkwood|Greenwood the Great]], where Silvan Elves of [[Nandorin]] descent lived. His father 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.

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 ===
[[Image:Anna Lee - Thranduil and Legolas.jpg|right|thumb|200px|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]].

====The Quest for Erebor====
:''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|200px|''The Battle of Five Armies'' by Capucine Mazille]]
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.
[[Image:Alan Lee - December (1999 Calendar).jpg|thumb|190px|''Thorin's Burial'' by [[Alan Lee]]|left]]
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.

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.

==== The Hunt for Gollum====

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>

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, and both Legolas and Gimli most likely grew up hearing disparaging tales involving the other's father. Nonetheless, both end up on a quest together, and develop an unprecedented friendship between Elf and Dwarf.

====War of the Ring====
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>.

=== [[Fourth Age]] ===

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 ==

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.

== 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.

== Etymology ==
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 ==
[[Image:Thranduil from Rankin-Bass' The Hobbit.jpg|thumb|right|The "Elvenking" as portrayed in [[The Hobbit (1977 film)]]]]
'''1968: ''[[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Hobbit]]'':'''
:[[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)|Sierra's The Hobbit]]'':'''
: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]].

'''2012-2013: ''[[The Hobbit films]]'':'''
: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>

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Thranduil|Images of Thranduil]]

{{references}}
* {{H|8}}
* {{H|9}}
* {{H|14}}
* {{H|15}}
* {{H|16}}
* {{H|17}}
* {{H|18}}
* {{H|19}}
* {{UT|6}}

[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Silvan Elvish names]]
[[Category:Sindar]]
[[Category:Rulers of Middle-earth]]
[[de:Thranduil]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/elfes/teleri/sindar/thranduil]]
[[fi:Thranduil]]

Doors of Durin

2012-02-06T07:19:32Z

Divadnorrab: /* Appearance */

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Password Into Moria.jpg|thumb|''Password Into Moria'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]{{qtlisten|Annon edhellen, edro hi ammen.|Gate of the Elves, open now for me|[[Gandalf]]|Gandalf - Annon edhellen, edro hi ammen.ogg}}

The '''Doors of Durin''', also known as the '''West-gate''' or '''West-door of Moria''', were built into the [[Walls of Moria]] in the dark cliffs of the [[Celebdil|Silvertine]], and formed the western entrance to the great [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] city of [[Khazad-dûm]].

==Construction==
The Doors were constructed in cooperation with the artificers of the [[Elves|Elven]] Kingdom of [[Hollin]], sometime between {{SA|750}} and {{SA|1500|n}}.<ref name="SA">{{App|SA}}</ref> The two greatest craftsmen of the [[Second Age]], the [[Noldor|Elf]]-lord [[Celebrimbor]] and the [[Dwarves|dwarf]] [[Narvi]], built the Doors in order to aid the two people meet and cooperate, since Hollin was on the west side of the Silvetine.<ref name="Dark">{{FR|II4}}</ref>

These were the days before [[Sauron]]'s dominion in [[Middle-earth]], and the friendship between Elven and Dwarven kingdoms was a rare and special event. During this peaceful time the Doors stood open, allowing unfettered trade, but during the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]] (in {{SA|1697}}) the Doors were sealed shut.<ref name="SA"/> When Khazad-dûm was abandoned in {{TA|1981}}<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref> the way of opening the Doors was forgotten.

==Appearance==
[[Image:J.R.R._Tolkien_-_Doors_of_Durin.jpg|left|thumb|150px|''The Doors of Durin'' by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] (as printed in ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', Book II, Ch. 4 - [[A Journey in the Dark]]).]]

They were fashioned as flush doors, the jambs invisible to the eye, and matched so perfectly with the mountain rock that when closed the Doors could not be seen. The slabs were made by Narvi out of a grey material stronger than stone, and inlaid by Celebrimbor with ''[[ithildin]]'', which could only be seen in starlight and moonlight. When visible, the fine silver-like inlay showed a hammer and anvil (the emblems of [[Durin]]), a crown and seven stars, two trees surmounted by crescent moons, and a single star (the emblem of the [[House of Feanor]]). The inscription on the [[Wikipedia:Archivolt|archivolt]] read:

<blockquote>''"Ennyn Durin Aran Moria. Pedo Mellon a Minno. Im Narvi hain echant. Celebrimbor o Eregion teithant i thiw hin."''</blockquote>

<blockquote>"The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter. I, Narvi, made them. Celebrimbor of Hollin drew these signs."</blockquote>

The inscription was a riddle. The answer was a password that would cause the Doors to swing open. [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry Brandybuck]] unknowingly gave Gandalf the answer by asking, "What does it mean by ''speak, friend, and enter''?" When Gandalf realized that "''[[Mellon]]''", which means "friend" in [[Sindarin]], would open the door he sprang up, laughed, and spoke the word. Shortly thereafter, the [[Watcher in the Water]] attacked the [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]] and shut the Doors behind them.<ref name="Dark"/>

==An Inconsistency==
The name ''[[Moria]]'' means "Black Chasm" and was a derogatory description of the place which the Dwarves did not like, and was given ''after'' [[Durin's Bane]] took over the city in the [[Third Age]]. It is therefore a mystery why that name appears on an inscription made in the Second Age, and made in consent with the Dwarves.
{{references}}
[[Category:Doors and Gates]]
[[Category:Moria]]

[[de:Türen von Durin]]

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Thranduil

Doors of Durin