Did Legolas have any brothers or sisters? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 08-04-2006, 10:40 AM

I presume that Legolas had a guard with him in Rivendell, though. Sneaking through the forests, accompanied by a few hardy Elves? It wouldn't be bizarre to send your only child to the Council, especially if Thranduil guessed the importance of the Gollum situation, and what it might lead to.

Boromir88 · 08-06-2006, 11:08 PM

And of course personally, I don't think Legolas had any siblings of any sort at all. I just don't think it's a simple 'no, not possible' type answer. Just trying to get us all to expand our minds more, and something that isn't ever told or said, doesn't necessarily mean it's not a possibility.

Or, Thranduil could figure that he's going to sit back in his cave for the rest of his life and just say in Mirkwood, therefor there's no point in having an heir...(which he seems to do at this point in LOTR)?

But, Legolas was rather young for an Elf, and this wouldn't seem something of dire need especially with Dol Guldur active and breathing down Thranduil's neck. Now, Boromir, heir and eldest of Denethor's was sent to Rivendell, but he forced his way until daddy said 'ok,' was getting answers to a puzzling riddle, and also there was always Faramir.

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 08-07-2006, 08:36 AM

Or maybe Thranduil secretly feared that Legolas would usurp his throne, and so sent him to his likely death.

Think about what we know of the Mirkwood realm. Thranduil was very greedy. He wanted a lot of the riches from the Lonely Mountain despite having no decent claim on it. He was very prepared to sacrifice a lot of his fighters for a share of the spoils.

His rule was, to be blunt, a bit farcical. He held Bilbo and the Dwarves as prisoners in his domain. Gee, nice judge of character, old man. What's more, he was careless with them: assigning the task of supervising the prisoners to a few inebriated lackeys. The role of governer had obviously turned into a joke for the Elven-King.

What could cause such avarice, paranoia, carelessness, and incompetence? The appearance of the Necromancer? Or the problem of his brilliant and handsome son, ripe for Kingship?

You decide.

zifnab · 08-07-2006, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boromir88

I just don't think it's a simple 'no, not possible' type answer. Just trying to get us all to expand our minds more, and something that isn't ever told or said, doesn't necessarily mean it's not a possibility.

If you bring back a 'Can Balrogs Fly (coulda, whoulda, shoulda)' thread.....

Bêthberry · 08-07-2006, 03:15 PM

How many children did elves typically have? I always thought that Elrond was one of the more prolific ones, with three (granted two are twins). Is that pretty much the upper limit for elves? Was one more common?

After all, parenting for a millenium would be a very effective impetus to planned parenthood I would think.

Boromir88 · 08-07-2006, 03:41 PM

Well, Feanor had 7, Finarfin had 5, and Fingolfin had 3 as well. Elrond also had a brother. However, Thingol's line seems to be consistant with 1 or 2.

The Half-elven seem to be the most reproductive, probably hoping that at least one of their kids would stay to their Elven heritage.

zifnab · 08-07-2006, 06:28 PM

!throw The Silmarillion Bêthberry

How could you forget Feanor?

I would 'assume' that Elves cherish their family tree, relishing their heritage (always an exception of course). And most would not hold back in relating this fact to non-knowing others. Since Legolas and Thranduil never made mention of another child/sibling it was either not easily relatable to the story, not important enough to further the plot, not thought of at the time by the Prof, or simply just didn't happen.

Quote:

Eomer of the Rohirrim - Or maybe Thranduil secretly feared that Legolas would usurp his throne, and so sent him to his likely death.

Since the Elves were leaving, why would he have thought that?

Bêthberry · 08-08-2006, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boromir88

Well, Feanor had 7, Finarfin had 5, and Fingolfin had 3 as well. Elrond also had a brother. However, Thingol's line seems to be consistant with 1 or 2.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zifnab

!throw The Silmarillion Bêthberry

How could you forget Feanor?

Gentlemen, gentlemen, gentleman. Although this topic might be a bit soft for your chromosome type, I was assuming we were considering the final stages of the Third Age, wherein the elves were beginning to dwindle and shrink from sight. Under such conditions, their generation would decline from its initial heights with the peak of Feanor, whose prodigious performance was therefore neither relevant nor reproducible.

MatthewM · 08-08-2006, 08:33 AM

How about that for growing pains?

08-04-2006, 10:40 AM	#1
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	I presume that Legolas had a guard with him in Rivendell, though. Sneaking through the forests, accompanied by a few hardy Elves? It wouldn't be bizarre to send your only child to the Council, especially if Thranduil guessed the importance of the Gollum situation, and what it might lead to. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

08-06-2006, 11:08 PM	#2
Boromir88 Laconic Loreman Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 7,521	And of course personally, I don't think Legolas had any siblings of any sort at all. I just don't think it's a simple 'no, not possible' type answer. Just trying to get us all to expand our minds more, and something that isn't ever told or said, doesn't necessarily mean it's not a possibility. Or, Thranduil could figure that he's going to sit back in his cave for the rest of his life and just say in Mirkwood, therefor there's no point in having an heir...(which he seems to do at this point in LOTR)? But, Legolas was rather young for an Elf, and this wouldn't seem something of dire need especially with Dol Guldur active and breathing down Thranduil's neck. Now, Boromir, heir and eldest of Denethor's was sent to Rivendell, but he forced his way until daddy said 'ok,' was getting answers to a puzzling riddle, and also there was always Faramir. __________________ Fenris Penguin

08-07-2006, 08:36 AM	#3
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	Or maybe Thranduil secretly feared that Legolas would usurp his throne, and so sent him to his likely death. Think about what we know of the Mirkwood realm. Thranduil was very greedy. He wanted a lot of the riches from the Lonely Mountain despite having no decent claim on it. He was very prepared to sacrifice a lot of his fighters for a share of the spoils. His rule was, to be blunt, a bit farcical. He held Bilbo and the Dwarves as prisoners in his domain. Gee, nice judge of character, old man. What's more, he was careless with them: assigning the task of supervising the prisoners to a few inebriated lackeys. The role of governer had obviously turned into a joke for the Elven-King. What could cause such avarice, paranoia, carelessness, and incompetence? The appearance of the Necromancer? Or the problem of his brilliant and handsome son, ripe for Kingship? You decide. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

08-07-2006, 03:15 PM	#5
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	How many children did elves typically have? I always thought that Elrond was one of the more prolific ones, with three (granted two are twins). Is that pretty much the upper limit for elves? Was one more common? After all, parenting for a millenium would be a very effective impetus to planned parenthood I would think. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

08-07-2006, 03:41 PM	#6
Boromir88 Laconic Loreman Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 7,521	Well, Feanor had 7, Finarfin had 5, and Fingolfin had 3 as well. Elrond also had a brother. However, Thingol's line seems to be consistant with 1 or 2. The Half-elven seem to be the most reproductive, probably hoping that at least one of their kids would stay to their Elven heritage. __________________ Fenris Penguin

08-08-2006, 08:33 AM	#9
MatthewM Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 628	How about that for growing pains? __________________ "Loud and clear it sounds in the valleys of the hills...and then let all the foes of Gondor flee!" -Boromir, The Fellowship of the Ring