[3], The New Zealand screenwriter and film producer Philippa Boyens, a co-writer of the screenplay for The Hobbit, noted that Tolkien only revealed further detailed information about the character, including his name and backstory, in the book's sequel. Thorin refuses, recounting Thranduil's refusal to aid the Dwarves in the attack by Smaug on the Lonely Mountain. Oropher and Thranduil's backstory were never incorporated in more "canonical" narratives, and the drafts exploring them were published in the Unfinished Tales. When Thorin reveals that he and his 13 companions are traveling to try to reclaim Erebor, Thranduil suddenly poses that they strike up an alliance, because he wishes to claim back the white gems of Lasgalen, a very rare and beautiful set of jewels that were crafted into a necklace on his behest, many years prior. [11], In an article published by Tor.com as part of a bi-weekly series titled "Exploring the People of Middle-earth", Megan N. Fontenot found it surprising that in The Fellowship of the Ring, none of the attendees at the Council of Elrond pays much attention to Legolas' status as Thranduil's heir. In the Battle of Dagorlad, Oropher was slain in the first assault upon Mordor, "rushing forward at the head of his most doughty warriors before Gil-galad had given the signal for the advance. The Hobbit: Why Was Thranduil So Cut Off From The Rest Of The World? He estimated, on the basis of the standard words that Tolkien uses for military forces, and the need for the forces to be superior to Thranduil's, that the Witch-king used a "legion" of around 10,000 orcs for the initial reconnaissance, and an "army" of 2 or 3 legions of orcs, for the main attack. One night, during the visit of Thranduil in Lothlrien after his coronation as the King of Mirkwood, Calathiel met him in the great lake under the main trees. Though he was not seen afterwards, it was safe to assume that after the funerals and burials, he departed for Mirkwood. Thranduil | Before and after the Hobbit : r/tolkienfans - Reddit MORE: How The Lesser Sons Saved Middle Earth. "Silvan" is a kind of Elf in the same way "Irish" is a kind of human; it's an essentially geopolitical distinction, but it's more than just "We who happen to live in Ireland", But then what's the distinction you're making between Thranduil and his wife? [note 2], Thranduil's birth date and early life are not recorded. [8], When Bilbo and Gandalf bade farewell, Bilbo gave Thranduil a necklace of silver and pearls. [9], Thranduil is one of the playable heroes in The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II (2006) real-time strategy game, joining Elrond, Arwen, Glorfindel, and the Dwarves in destroying Dol Guldur in the final battle of the good storyline, and falling to the Goblins mustered by the Mouth of Sauron in the alternate evil storyline. At this time also, Thranduil renamed Mirkwood Eryn Lasgalen, the Wood of Greenleaves.[9]. Which was the first Sci-Fi story to predict obnoxious "robo calls"? Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. He was of Sindarin descent. However, Azog realized that the armies could not fight on two fronts, and sent the rest of his army to Dale to cut them off. [5], After the death of the dragon Smaug, Thranduil supported Bard the Bowman's claim of a share of the treasure the Dwarves recovered from the Lonely Mountain, since Bard was a descendant of Lord Girion of Dale, and the treasure of that town had been taken by Smaug to the Lonely Mountain.