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Elvenking in The Hobbit
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Author:  Thurin [ July 18th, 2009, 11:31 am ]
Post subject:  Elvenking in The Hobbit

I noticed as I was re-reading The Hobbit the other day that they never say the name of the Elvenking of Mirkwood. He's only refered to as the Elvenking. Does anybody have any ideas as to his name? Just wondering. :P

Author:  Aredhel Ar-Feiniel [ July 18th, 2009, 5:18 pm ]
Post subject: 

Thranduil.

Author:  Thurin [ July 20th, 2009, 4:38 pm ]
Post subject: 

Ah, thank you! But how did you know that Thranduil is his name? :confused2:

Author:  Aerwyn Telcontar [ July 30th, 2009, 10:33 am ]
Post subject: 

Because Thranduil is Legolas' father and the King of Mirkwood in the trilogy. Since the Hobbit isn't that long before the trilogy, and they are, after all, elves, it must be the same person. Also, I believe in the Council Gloin mutters "You were not as kind to me" or something along those lines (when they were speaking of Gollum) when Legolas was saying how they treated Gollum, and then Gandalf said it wasn't the time to bring up old grievances. He wouldn't've mentioned it if it wasn't the same court that had run it.

Author:  Thurin [ July 30th, 2009, 6:19 pm ]
Post subject: 

Ah! That explains it. Thank you! I can't believe I didn't catch that before! *Slaps self for being dumb*

Author:  Aerwyn Telcontar [ July 30th, 2009, 8:20 pm ]
Post subject: 

No, you're fine. Sometimes things just slip straight past you...happens to all of us. Glad I could help!

Author:  Ivreniel [ July 31st, 2009, 10:19 pm ]
Post subject: 

I too wish Tolkien had mentioned the elvenking's name in the Hobbit. It's interesting how in the Hobbit he has a modest-sized part to play, and is nameless. In LotR he's just referenced in regards to his son, but despite his tiny part we're finally told his name!

Author:  Aerwyn Telcontar [ July 31st, 2009, 10:56 pm ]
Post subject: 

Maybe he hadn't thought of his name yet, or hadn't confirmed it or the connection or something, when the Hobbit was written.

Author:  Elessar [Sly] [ March 11th, 2011, 5:48 am ]
Post subject: 

Aerwyn Telcontar wrote:
Because Thranduil is Legolas' father and the King of Mirkwood in the trilogy. Since the Hobbit isn't that long before the trilogy, and they are, after all, elves, it must be the same person. Also, I believe in the Council Gloin mutters "You were not as kind to me" or something along those lines (when they were speaking of Gollum) when Legolas was saying how they treated Gollum, and then Gandalf said it wasn't the time to bring up old grievances. He wouldn't've mentioned it if it wasn't the same court that had run it.


I believe this is pretty much exact!

Author:  LadyLónannûniel [ April 7th, 2011, 12:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Elvenking in The Hobbit

Yes it was the same person Gandlaf was talking about in FOTR! It say his name in the extras when Haldir greets Legolas in the golden woods, look at the link below!
http://www.tuckborough.net/elves.html#Thranduil

Author:  Ashwise [ August 15th, 2011, 5:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Elvenking in The Hobbit

I think his name is also mentioned in the Council of Elrond scene where Legolas is addressed as Thranduil's son.

Author:  Aragorn Elessar [ November 16th, 2012, 3:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Elvenking in The Hobbit

At firs I was like:
"Craig Parker as Thranduil?"
"Sure! Why not."
*see a picture*
*surprised*
"In costumes they look like each other! :-o "

Author:  Elthir [ November 17th, 2012, 11:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Elvenking in The Hobbit

Quote:
Maybe he hadn't thought of his name yet, or hadn't confirmed it or the connection or something, when the Hobbit was written.


You hit the nail on the head Aerwyn.

There was no 'Thranduil' or 'Legolas' at this point in Tolkien's imagination... well there was a Legolas actually, but when Tolkien wrote The Hobbit this character was a Noldorin Elf of Gondolin rather. Tolkien would later lift the name for the character we know as Legolas, make Legolas the son of the Elvenking, giving the Elvenking a name too of course.

John Rateliff (author of The History of The Hobbit) draws a comparison to the Elvenking and Thingol, although the pros and cons of this connection are a bit longish to go into.

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