The Lord of the Rings Saga created many popular characters, but few are as beloved as the native Mirkwood elf, Legolas. Serving as the breakout role for Orlando Bloom, Legolas was a key member of the Fellowship of the Ring and a formidable warrior. He was such a fan-favorite character in the original Lord of the Rings trilogy that Peter Jackson changed the source material and included the character in The Hobbit Movies as well. Although the movies weren’t as well received, it was reassuring to have Legolas in the mix.
However, with The Hobbit Movies took place in the Lord of the Rings Timeline before the events of The Fellowship of the RingThere were questions that the eleven had chosen. Since Legolas is not included in The Hobbit novel, the movies invented a story for him, and it reveals more about the character while also loosely connecting to his journey in the Lord of the Rings Movies. From his character growth to the relationships he forms, Legolas’ time between the Lord of the Rings And The Hobbit Kino suggests another epic Middle-earth journey.
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Legolas meets Aragorn
“Strider” was teased at the end of the Hobbit movies
One of the main arguments about The Hobbit Kino was that they clearly live in the shadow of the Lord of the Rings Movies. The inclusion of Legolas in the story is one key example of how The Hobbit The movie’s runtimes are padded with references and hints to what’s to come as if the audience remembers the more successful trilogy. One standout moment of fan service comes at the end of The Battle of the Five Armies When Thranduil advises Legolas to seek out a man named “Strider.”
While it seems like a silly nod to another iconic character, it’s interesting that it’s implied that Legolas and Aragorn met between the two movies. It would also give more context as to why Legolas knows that Aragorn is the true High King. Perhaps their meeting made him a more level-headed and open person. However, if they do meet, it is likely to be brief. When everyone met in Rivendell, they did not act as close friends and still had a long way to go in their relationship.
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Legolas’ feelings for dwarves became complicated
The elf’s friendship with Gimli took time
Elves often have a poor outlook on dwarves, thinking of them as thieves and simple folk. Legolas didn’t feel any different, and it was a prejudice he seemed to have inherited from his father. He only helped the Dwarves out because it was what Tauriel wanted. However, by meeting them, Legolas has to see that there is much more to them than gold-obsessed mountain dwellers. This made him realize that they were also capable and loyal warriors.
However, this did not erase his ill feelings towards them. He still felt betrayed and heartbroken over Tauriel choosing a lowly dwarf over him and the damage their quest for ancient wealth and history caused. Indeed, while Legolas butts heads with Gimli when they first meet, it is the dwarf who is more intolerant. Legolas is the one who seems to be more willing to form an alliance with Gimli.
This leads to the memorable Lord of the Rings Quote in Return of the King When Gimli suggests annoyance at dying side by side with an elf, to which Legolas replies, “What about side by side with a friend?“
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Legolas left Mirkwood
He went to see the outside world
Historically, despite times of war, the elves did not leave their homelands, and even then, they often only traveled to other elven kingdoms. After losing Tauriel and falling out with his father, Legolas decided he needed to leave Mirkwood for a time. His completely sheltered life would now expose the various peoples and races of Middle Earth. Fans may never know where Legolas went during those 60 years.
However, it is these travels that would prove essential to Legolas’ role in the Lord of the Rings Movies. The elves are generally seen to keep to themselves and avoid getting mixed up in the affairs of other races. When Legolas is introduced in The Fellowship of the RingHe is more compassionate to others and ready to set out with the rest of the heroes to accompany Frodo to Mordor. It is likely that he would not have been so selfless without his experiences outside of Mirkwood.
17
Legolas changed his preferred fashion
His clothes became more practical
in The HobbitLegolas sports a fair amount of ornate outfits. He has several with impressive leafed shoulder adornments and a lot of layers covering him. While they set him apart from the other bowmen in Tauriel’s guard and ensure people know of his highborn status, the outfits are clunky. It would not be surprising if they sometimes get in the way of battle. In contrast, his clothing choices are much simplified by The Lord of the Rings.
Although he appreciates his highborn status more, he wears simple tunics and thin armor that suits his fighting style. They are light and airy for flexibility and agility but still have some protective padding. Legolas has become a stronger, smarter warrior in the intervening years, and it shows. It’s another clue to how his adventures on the road and away from his usual comforts changed him for the better.
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Legolas kept his travels close to home
Legolas didn’t want to leave his homeland completely
Legolas is implied to have spent quite a few years traveling after the Battle of the Five Armies, but it’s clear that he didn’t want to go too far from home. Many important places, which seem not so far from Mirkwood, are strangers to him The Lord of the Rings. Although he wanted to explore and focus on writing himself, Legolas didn’t want to leave his homeland completely.
Despite all his disputes with his father, he still cares about the kingdom he’s built. It is only during The Lord of the RingsWhen the fate of the world is at stake, Legolas begins to travel far beyond home. While The Hobbit Movies can be criticized for a lot of things, one aspect they improve upon Lord of the Rings Kino is Legolas’ role as an elf. The first trilogy didn’t see him interact with the Eleven community much, however The prequels do a great job of demonstrating how important it is to him.
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Legolas’s social skills deteriorated
The Lord of the Rings presents a friendlier yet more awkward elf
During The HobbitLegolas’ character is much more restless and headstrong. He is focused on hunting with the guards and spending time with Tauriel. In most of these The Lord of the RingsThe Bowmaster is known for a lot of head-scratching, off-putting, and even hilariously obvious statements. Although Orlando Bloom hardly looks like he’s aged between the two trilogies, aspects of Legolas’ personality make him appear more youthful and awkward in the Lord of the Rings Movies compared to his brooding intensity in The Hobbit Movies.
However, the awkwardness may be another sign of how he has changed over the years. While Legolas is more of a conversationalist in The Hobbit films, They show him around his own people and in his world of comfort. Maybe these Lord of the Rings Movies showcase how poor his social skills are once he ventures out of his isolated world and has to interact with other people. In any case, Legolas is a much more lighthearted and even funny character in these Lord of the Rings Movies.
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Legolas began to take his High-Eleven status seriously
The elf took more responsibility
The Legolas in whom fans meet The Hobbit Has little to no interest in the larger issues of the world. Instead, he just wants to adventure through the forest with his bow and his good friend/object of affection, Tauriel. Despite being the king’s high-born son, he has no interest in the duty. He would rather be a simple member of the guard.
With time, between The Hobbit And The Lord of the RingsLegolas grows a respect for his highborn status and the duties that come with it. Now, he works as an ambassador for his people and is very willing to go on dangerous missions that will save Mirkwood and the world. Before, however, he only kept to himself in the small world around him. Although he is grown up, He has grown into the high-born hero he was always meant to be.
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Legolas got over Tauriel
He doesn’t seem concerned with romance later in life
Tauriel really threw a wrench into Legolas’ life when he fell in love with her. She was brave, fierce and a protective leader of the guards. He was meant to be the dutiful son of King Thranduil, but in loving her, he became a stubborn, masterful archer instead. He loved exploration and adventure beyond his duties. Once she fell in love with someone else, however, the lifestyle was shattered for him and he focused instead on adventuring on his own.
in The Lord of the RingsLegolas does not speak of lost love at all. Instead, he is completely focused on saving the world he loves and protecting the people in it. She broke his heart, but he refused to let her break his spirit. This adds to the unpopularity of this love triangle The Hobbit Movies. with these Lord of the Rings Presenting Legolas as the stoic hero, it didn’t feel right that he would be so childish in a romance like this even if he was a little younger than eleven at that point.
12
Legolas reconciled with his heritage
The rebellious Legolas seen in The Hobbit is hardly the man he ends up becoming. The elf was fed up with the rules of his highborn, or the restrictions that his father imposed on him, or who he was expected to be, the elf was more than happy to walk through the forest with “mean elves”. . He was exhausted with his heritage and what it meant to him, a conflict the likes of Arwen also had to contend with.
After some time to reflect on his own, however, he came to more of a compromise between his interests and his heritage.. in The Lord of the RingsLegolas is still an explorer, a fighter, and a bit of an outlier. However, he takes his story and what he needs to do to help his people seriously. It is one of the themes of the US Lord of the Rings Movies, with characters stepping up to take their place in history.
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Legolas’ priorities changed
The LOTR character went from self-centered to selfless
Just like in the books, a younger Legolas had very simple priorities: he did the things that made him happy. During The HobbitHe wanted to be a forest bugger and spend time with Tauriel. These things were very selfish and also against his father’s wishes. in The Lord of the RingsHowever, Legolas is not a carefree forester in love with his guardsman. He is now very focused on doing what is best for Middle-earth and using his bow skills, “Eleven Eyes,” and general experience to help make this happen.
His priorities have shifted to the greater good, not just what’s good for him. Between the two movie series, Legolas grew into an impressive member of the Fellowship who took the responsibility of their mission very seriously. Unfortunately, this is one of the reasons that also makes the Lord of the Rings Version of Legolas much more loved than the version in The Hobbit Movies.
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Legolas became more cooperative
He learned to follow
Given the elves’ tendency to look out only for their own interests, it’s not surprising that Legolas isn’t much of a team player in The Hobbit Movies. Even when his goals align with the goals of the dwarves, he shows reluctance in working with them. He follows his own instincts and does not take orders from anyone, except himself, to expose the fringes of his youth.
Once the High Council meets The Fellowship of the Ringbut, He is one of the first people to offer his support and the only eleven to do so. Even in such a dire situation, he was the only one who wanted to cooperate and try to bring the ring to Mordor safely. He recognizes his place in the larger mission and he even begins to see Aragorn as the leader, and takes instructions from him.
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Legolas earned his father’s trust
The fractured relationship of Legolas and Thranduil seems to have healed
Thranduil and Legolas fight all over The HobbitArguing about what is best for the elves – especially, of course, Legolas. At the end of The HobbitThrough his bravery and dedication, Thranduil gave his son his respect and even encouraged his travels. However, this did not mean that Thranduil trusted his son with the safety of the kingdom. That trust was broken when he chose Tauriel over his people and chose travel over staying.
Over time, however, the two eventually built the trust. After all, Legolas was the representative Thranduil sent to Rivendell not only to warn of Gollum’s escape but also to help plan the destruction of the One Ring. It is likely that Thranduil saw the maturity Legolas gained during his travels, While Thranduil could also soften his stern stance. He clearly has more faith in his son to do right by his people.
8
Legolas was named an ambassador for Mirkwood
The elf assumed a real position of power
Legolas is only running with the guards of Mirkwood in The Hobbit When Bilbo and company first meet him. He may have been the son of the king, but he hardly undertook any duties that could be expected of him. He was not a gentleman or a diplomat. The rebellious elf was just a big bow of the forest and could not match the stature of an elf like Galadriel.
Clearly, many things changed by the events of The Lord of the Rings. After all, Legolas became a representative of his people and an ambassador in important councils. While the father watches over their lands, he takes care of distant matters. It is another sign of Legolas forms more of a connection with his community and embraces the responsibility That he felt he owed it to his people by serving them.
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Legolas became a legendary bowman
His skills made him one of Middle-earth’s greatest warriors
Legolas proved himself to be one of the greatest warriors in the Lord of the Rings universe, so it’s interesting to see him in The Hobbit Before he completely changed his abilities. Although he is certainly still an impressive fighter and bowman, he has been under the tutelage of Tauriel who helps him to truly master his bow and arrow skills. He is great at The Hobbit moviesHowever He becomes legendary in the Lord of the Rings Movies.
Depending on the order fans watch the Lord of the Rings And Hobbit Movies, Legolas’ chronological journey as a warrior can be quite dramatic. He is responsible for some of the best action moments in the trilogy, such as scaling the troll, using a shield as a surfboard to ride into battle, and single-handedly taking down an oliphant. It would be hard to believe he would be capable of such things after just seeing him in The Hobbit Movies.
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Legolas began to diverge from his people
He goes against certain traditions Legolas eventually reconnected with his people
Although Legolas was rebellious in The HobbitIt wasn’t much about rebelling against elves. Instead, it was about rebellion against his father. When it came to elven customs and heritage, he was much like his fellow elves: sheltered, wedded to the forest, and staunch isolationists. however, The Hobbit Ends with Legolas deciding to stay out of the forest and continue exploring.
Legolas eventually reconnected with his people, however He began to diverge from their traditionalist views.. He often left the forest. He made close friendships with other races, even dwarves. when The Lord of the Rings Eventually, he even brought Gimli to the Unawakened Lands as his beloved companion, which is unheard of. While proud of his people and their culture, Legolas became an outlier among his race. Seeing him as more open-minded compared to the rest of the elves further cements him as a likable hero.
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Legolas abandons romance for friendship
His greatest relationship was with his friend, Gimli
Loving Tauriel was a particularly harrowing event for Legolas. So much so, in fact, that he never shows any interest in romance ever again. He never even talks about romance in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. While he became aware of love, he did not become love. Legolas trades romance for strong, loving companionship between friends.
In the years after The HobbitHe began to find heroes like him, who he could relate to and from – the kind of people who could make him. Stronger. He first met Aragorn and Gandalf. by The Fellowship of the Ring, He grew close to the whole group and the friendships lasted him the rest of his life. He even brought Gimli, his dearest companion, with him to the undisturbed lands. He was the only dwarf.
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Legolas held Gollum captive
The elf meets several key characters from The Lord of the Rings
Although The Fellowship of the Ring It was the first time many of the key characters met, Legolas being familiar with some of them from a previous event. Before The Fellowship of the RingGandalf saw the danger in Gollum and worked with Aragorn to capture him. They brought the forgotten creatures to Mirkwood to stop him and take him away from Mordor. However, Gollum is able to escape with the help of orcs.
As the son of Mirkwood’s king, Legolas undoubtedly was a part of keeping watch of Gollum. But even if he didn’t, the initial reason he was heading to Rivendell was to pass on the information that Gollum had escaped. Unfortunately, almost all of the Fellowship has to deal with the warped, tortured monster at one point or another. However, in a twisted way, this means that Golem helped bring the fellowship together and unfold the whole saga.
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Legolas stopped mourning his mother
He heals from his past loss
The biggest barrier between Thranduil and his son was the passing of his wife. Legolas always wanted to talk more about losing her, but Thranduil refused. It is implied that Legolas was too young to know her very wellwho helped cause the split. Although his affection for Tauriel could be blamed for his rebellion in The HobbitIt was more likely due to the tension with his father. After all, the conflict is exactly why he is more interested in an “alpha” than any high-born expectations.
in The Lord of the RingsHowever, Legolas has resolved the conflict within himself and with his father. It is not vague on him as it does in The Hobbit. Instead, he has evolved into a well-balanced eleven. Once again, this helps to present him as a more entertaining character in the Lord of the Rings movies, instead of the eleven that is still brooding over its past losses.
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Legolas aged 60 years
The elf is barely older, but has grown a lot
The passage of time is complicated in the Lord of the Rings universe, especially when it comes to the elves. For example, Galadriel and Elrond appear in both The rings of power TV series as well as these Lord of the Rings Movies, even though they took place centuries apart. Just like that, another 60 years pass between The Hobbit Movies and the Lord of the Rings Movies Physically, Legolas hasn’t aged a day. HoweverThis time has affected him mentally, because he has grown out of the hot eleven that he once was..
Over half a century, the king’s son is very mature. He started The Hobbit Brave, heartbroken, rebellious and loved. During the saga of Destroying the Ring, he is a much more responsible, dutiful and calming presence. Legolas is transformed into an admirable hero instead of a headstrong young bowman. For elves, this is a lot of growth in such a short time, especially when they are known to live for thousands of years.
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Legolas established his individuality
He discovered his strengths and used them to help others
The Legolas of The Hobbit Struggles hard to find his own land. He either follows what Tauriel wants, rejects his father’s wishes, or generally follows someone’s orders. He is not a leader He has no sense of what he would choose in difficult situations. His role changes depending on who he is with, never feeling like he has his own direction in life.
in The Lord of the RingsHe grew into a grounded, confident individual. Legolas knows who he is, what he is good at and what he needs to do very well. In any fight, he is quick to jump into action and get things done. The turmoil he felt at the end of The Hobbit Series and the growing he has over the next 60 years made him the invaluable archer who helped save all of Middle-earth.