Legolas ponderings

[Rhapsody]

Today I was writing a tad and I got stuck on a bit regarding Legolas. So I opened Fellowship of the Ring again and tried to figure out why Legolas joined the fellowship. What was his motive to journey down south? All I can find is that Elrond chose him to represent the elves, but surely there is more to it than that? I have several theories as to why he was chosen, but is there anything in canon which states why him and not Glorfindel or Galdor or Erestor or Lindir or... were chosen.

I probably will not use it, but I am just very curious.

[aearwen]

I have seen some speculation, sometimes even mentioned in fanfics, that Legolas was chosen because of his relative "youth" in the Elven community. Perhaps it would give him a more flexible mental attitude while dealing so extensively and in such precarious times with so many mortals.

Also, sending along someone like Glorfindel might have raised more awareness of Elven involvement. There is also the fact that Legolas was less likely to want to claim leadership of the Fellowship than a more ancient Elf.

Then there's the possibility that Elrond foresaw Legolas being the Elf that went along - and he made it happen...

[randy]

I have seen some speculation, sometimes even mentioned in fanfics, that Legolas was chosen because of his relative "youth" in the Elven community. Perhaps it would give him a more flexible mental attitude while dealing so extensively and in such precarious times with so many mortals.

Yes -- Michael Martinez makes that argument, I believe. I honestly don't think Tolkien gave it much thought. He needed a son of the Elvenking and a son of one of Thorin's dwarves to interact, and he made it happen.

Me, I think it was to piss off Thranduil. ;D

[nierielraina]

I've also read that someone like Glorfindel might have attracted the Nazgul by his presence and they needed a wood elf who would blend in to the environment.

In canon, Legolas and Gimli were headed home and agreed only to accompany them so far as over the mountains. They didn't agree to go all the way to Mordor when they left Imladris. One must assume they made they decision by the time they reached Lothlorien. And since they were headed that way...they were chosen. *shrugs*

Me, I think it was to piss off Thranduil.

ROTFLMAO!! Indeed!

[aearwen]

May 18, 2009 17:13:34 GMT -6 randy said:

Me, I think it was to piss off Thranduil. ;D

LOL! Somehow, I'm certain that this played a fair part in things...

[randy]

In canon, Legolas and Gimli were headed home and agreed only to accompany them so far as over the mountains. They didn't agree to go all the way to Mordor when they left Imladris. One must assume they made they decision by the time they reached Lothlorien. And since they were headed that way...they were chosen. *shrugs*

Say what? How was south to Caradhras headed for home? The way back to Thranduil's realm and to Erebor was back over the High Pass, across the Anduin plain, and through Mirkwood via the Elf Path or around to the north.

[nierielraina]

May 18, 2009 20:13:32 GMT -6 randy said:

In canon, Legolas and Gimli were headed home and agreed only to accompany them so far as over the mountains. They didn't agree to go all the way to Mordor when they left Imladris. One must assume they made they decision by the time they reached Lothlorien. And since they were headed that way...they were chosen. *shrugs*

Say what? How was south to Caradhras headed for home? The way back to Thranduil's realm and to Erebor was back over the High Pass, across the Anduin plain, and through Mirkwood via the Elf Path or around to the north.

my fault. My assumption is they were heading home because they were willing to go as far as the mountain passes. Not the most direct route, but they didn't agree to go the whole way from the start.

Legolas shall be for the Elves; and Gimli son of Glóin for the Dwarves. They are willing to go at least to the passes of the Mountains, and maybe beyond. ~ FOTR

[randy]

I have always wondered why the Fellowship didn't simply cross the Misty Mountains at the High Pass and then go down the Anduin by boat. Oh, I know why -- because then Tolkien couldn't have taken them through Moria -- one of the most exciting parts of the story. But what would be the logical reason for it?

[Rhapsody]

May 18, 2009 20:13:32 GMT -6 randy said:

In canon, Legolas and Gimli were headed home and agreed only to accompany them so far as over the mountains. They didn't agree to go all the way to Mordor when they left Imladris. One must assume they made they decision by the time they reached Lothlorien. And since they were headed that way...they were chosen. *shrugs*

Say what? How was south to Caradhras headed for home? The way back to Thranduil's realm and to Erebor was back over the High Pass, across the Anduin plain, and through Mirkwood via the Elf Path or around to the north.

Yeps, it doesn't make much sense to me either. The ring has to be taken to Mordor and Elrond says he needs nine travellers to balance the nine Nazgul, unless both Gimli and Legolas wanted to travel home by taking the Mordor route... I am going to re-write this bit and not mention the ulterior motive of Legolas and Gimli as to why they join the fellowship, especially since in Lothlorien chapter this also doesn't get answered. Judging from the insights here, it isn't mentioned in the Letters or HoME?

[eldarinprincess]

This is a very interesting point. It's not answered anywhere in the readings I've done, only that he's chosen. For a story I wrote, I tried to come up with plausible reasons why Legolas was chosen over more "worthier/lordlier" Elves:

"Lord Elrond knew of the Ring being kept by Frodo from Gandalf, and when it was decided that the Shire was no longer safe, Elrond sent emissaries for what would become the Council. The choice of who would represent the Elves was more tedious; Elrond himself wanted someone from the home of his wife, but Galadriel refused. It was enough, she stated, that the Council was held by the bearer of an Elven Ring, and those dwelling in Lórien were also under the power of a Ring. Mithlond, home of Círdan, would not be as greatly concerned with the matter of the One Ring as the rest of Middle-earth. There only remained Mirkwood," my sister narrated, and at her pause I felt my chest tighten. I did not want to know why the choice had been made as it was. I felt cheated, lied to. "It was deemed the most suitable choice, for they had guarded Gollum before his escape, and so they were aware of the perils of the Enemy.

In my story I explore the hatred between Thranduil and Galadriel a little more deeply, casting light on the Sindar-Noldor feud of old. I infer also that Legolas was chosen to draw the sleepy Silvans out of their hiding and force them into a more direct role in the wider world. Although they were aware of the Shadow, as their homeland was constantly plagued by the filth of Dol Guldur, the Tawarwaith (Silvans of Mirkwood) were only concerned with themselves. Anyway, that's my two cents.

I see now that this post is a few years old, but being the zealous newbie that I am I've put in my viewpoint, for what it's worth