What colour is Legolas` hair? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Fordim Hedgethistle · 07-03-2004, 01:50 PM

I've been so intrigued by this thread that I undertook some careful research of my own. I found (much to my delight and surprise) this brief reference to a very little-known manuscript that Prof Tolkien gives us in one of his unpublished letters:

"I have been working sporadically upon a sequel to LotR that tells of the wanderings and searchings of Legolas' bunny, who went in search of his master soon after Leg. departed for the Council of Elrond. I have tentatively entitled it The Rabbit: Hare and Back Again"

I can only wonder why Christopher Tolkien has supressed this manuscript. . . I suspect that it is woefully uncanonical.

piosenniel · 07-03-2004, 02:19 PM

The Shire Mods recently bought the rights from the Tolkien Estate to this little scenario on eBay. (Paid dearly for it I might add! Both Child and I have had to forego the stand-ups of Legolas and Boromir we were bidding on . . . sigh . . . another time, my dear Sean!)

Hare and Back Again is even now being developed into an exciting RPG.

Check the Green Dragon for announcements of the Discussion Thread taking on players.

~*~ Pio

Lady Snickerdoodle · 07-04-2004, 09:43 AM

With regards to the hare in question, I wish to state my opinion on the matter. Taking into account that Legolas was a well-raised prince and the chosen representative of Mirkwood, one might conjecture that being the thoughtful diplomat he was, his hare would have been rainbow-colored so as not to offend anyone in particular.

Feanor of the Peredhil · 07-04-2004, 10:40 AM

Rainbow hare hair doth the thoughtful diplomat make, but Snick, being a "representative from Mirkwood," Leggy represents not only the people, but the creatures, and would he represent them in a way that is different to their natural appearance? Because of his thoughfulness, I am quite sure that Legolas would want his hare to be chosen of the hares, by the hares, and for the hares. And the hares would quite obviously choose a representative that is similar to them (can't, for example, choose a diplomatic hare that kills knights with is big pointy teeth!). My conclusion: Legolas's hare must be black... or at least very dark brown.

Fea

dancing spawn of ungoliant · 07-04-2004, 11:07 AM

Oh, that sounds very democratic! Unless there is some noble hare family and all the descendants in that line are logical candidates for elf princes's pets

Lady Snickerdoodle · 07-04-2004, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Oh, that sounds very democratic! Unless there is some noble hare family and all the descendants in that line are logical candidates for elf princes's pets

primogeniture!!!!! *runs off screaming, "IT'S ALL A CONSPIRACY!!!"*

Feanor of the Peredhil · 07-04-2004, 05:32 PM

Quote:

some noble hare family and all the descendants in that line are logical candidates

What with the rate of hare reproduction, that is one LARGE number of candidates. I prefer to think princeling hares are fairly elected by their peers. That way the job of representation is given to the best man... er, hare... regardless of birth right.

Fea

Mad Baggins · 07-04-2004, 06:03 PM

But would Legolas want his choice of colour to be governed by the hares of Mirkwood? Most likely, he would choose it himself. I still believe that, purple being the favourite, his hare would be lavender. Elves do not allow themselves to be governed by foreign forces; they govern themselves and therefore govern the colour of their hares. I found a passage in the Tale of Years that may help determine when Legolas obtained and changed the colour of this hare:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

April

6 A messenger hare from Rivendell reaches Mirkwood bearing the news about the Council; Legolas keeps it and is forced to journey to the council as punishment by Thranduil.

12 Gandalf reaches Hobbiton.

15 Legolas takes his hare in secret and changes the colour of its fur; the colour remains unrecorded in this account.

07-03-2004, 01:50 PM	#1
Fordim Hedgethistle Gibbering Gibbet Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Beyond cloud nine Posts: 1,844	Rarest of finds! I've been so intrigued by this thread that I undertook some careful research of my own. I found (much to my delight and surprise) this brief reference to a very little-known manuscript that Prof Tolkien gives us in one of his unpublished letters: "I have been working sporadically upon a sequel to LotR that tells of the wanderings and searchings of Legolas' bunny, who went in search of his master soon after Leg. departed for the Council of Elrond. I have tentatively entitled it The Rabbit: Hare and Back Again" I can only wonder why Christopher Tolkien has supressed this manuscript. . . I suspect that it is woefully uncanonical.

07-03-2004, 02:19 PM	#2
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	The Shire Mods recently bought the rights from the Tolkien Estate to this little scenario on eBay. (Paid dearly for it I might add! Both Child and I have had to forego the stand-ups of Legolas and Boromir we were bidding on . . . sigh . . . another time, my dear Sean!) Hare and Back Again is even now being developed into an exciting RPG. Check the Green Dragon for announcements of the Discussion Thread taking on players. ~*~ Pio __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.

07-04-2004, 09:43 AM	#3
Lady Snickerdoodle Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: in the cookie jar Posts: 256	With regards to the hare in question, I wish to state my opinion on the matter. Taking into account that Legolas was a well-raised prince and the chosen representative of Mirkwood, one might conjecture that being the thoughtful diplomat he was, his hare would have been rainbow-colored so as not to offend anyone in particular. __________________ "Let me handle this, I'm British." ~hitchhikers guide

07-04-2004, 10:40 AM	#4
Feanor of the Peredhil La Belle Dame sans Merci Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: perpetual uncertainty Posts: 5,517	Rainbow hare hair doth the thoughtful diplomat make, but Snick, being a "representative from Mirkwood," Leggy represents not only the people, but the creatures, and would he represent them in a way that is different to their natural appearance? Because of his thoughfulness, I am quite sure that Legolas would want his hare to be chosen of the hares, by the hares, and for the hares. And the hares would quite obviously choose a representative that is similar to them (can't, for example, choose a diplomatic hare that kills knights with is big pointy teeth!). My conclusion: Legolas's hare must be black... or at least very dark brown. Fea __________________ peace

07-04-2004, 11:07 AM	#5
dancing spawn of ungoliant Mischievous Candle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: So near to Russia, so far from Japan, quite a long way from Cairo, lots of miles from Vietnam. Posts: 1,234	Oh, that sounds very democratic! Unless there is some noble hare family and all the descendants in that line are logical candidates for elf princes's pets __________________ Fenris Wolf

07-04-2004, 06:03 PM	#8
Mad Baggins Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: A place where after thunder golden showers come falling like a rain of flowers. Posts: 371	But would Legolas want his choice of colour to be governed by the hares of Mirkwood? Most likely, he would choose it himself. I still believe that, purple being the favourite, his hare would be lavender. Elves do not allow themselves to be governed by foreign forces; they govern themselves and therefore govern the colour of their hares. I found a passage in the Tale of Years that may help determine when Legolas obtained and changed the colour of this hare: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- April 6 A messenger hare from Rivendell reaches Mirkwood bearing the news about the Council; Legolas keeps it and is forced to journey to the council as punishment by Thranduil. 12 Gandalf reaches Hobbiton. 15 Legolas takes his hare in secret and changes the colour of its fur; the colour remains unrecorded in this account. __________________ I like buying snacks from a vending machine because food is better when it falls. Sometimes at the grocery, I'll drop a candy bar so that it will achieve its maximum flavor potential. Last edited by Mad Baggins; 07-04-2004 at 06:07 PM.