Reviews (67)

PSW · 1 October 2021 · Chapter 10: At the End of All Things

Nicely written! I couldn’t bring myself to watch the third Hobbit movie, but what had been shown of Thranduil by that point was already bat-sh** crazy … so, yeah. This works as a very nice ‘appendix’ (so to speak, as Tolkien like appendices so well :-) to those stories which show him in a better (and, IMO, more realistic) light. Very good info, I really enjoyed! PS - I only recently got Morgoth’s Ring — have only read Finrod and Andreth so far, but looking forward to the rest.

Mirkwoodmaiden · 8 November 2019 · Chapter 10: At the End of All Things

Conquistadora! You write such a ringing defense of Thranduil. Thank you. Point by point you disprove the misconception citing Canon text. I don't understand why he he gets such a bad rap. He is defensive and protective, yes, because life had taught him he needed to be. Is he maybe a little rough around the edges, yes. But again life lessons! He through the sheer force of his will, charisma and the strength and dedication of his elven warriors he maintains Mirkwood. Having rewatched the Hobbit trilogy and also watched on YouTube the Hobbit film blogs that PJ produced during the making of the films, I think that Peter jackson and Pippa Boyens also had a less harsh view of Thranduil. Not quite sure the finished version of Thranduil that appears on screen quite meets up with the vision of him they speak of in the blogs. But it is none the less an Interesting portrayal. I do love Lee Pace's Thranduil, while harsh and some lines are troubling I think he portrays the restrained hurt and tight control of someone who has been hurt a great deal and has closed off a large portion of his emotional life in order to fulfill his duties. And in the end he does open up a little to realise what his closing off has cost him, namely his son. Granted that last paragragh was a bit tangential to your wonderful and very thorough discussion, hope you didn't mind. :-))

Mirkwoodmaiden · 8 November 2019 · Chapter 3: Thranduil the Great

Thank you for pointing that Thranduil did not have a ring of power with which to defend his kingdom. Galadriel had Nenya and Elrond had Vilya but Thranduil had only the force of his will and his elven archers to defend Mirkwood. So if he was a little prickly at times, who could really blame him. He had much to contend with!

Mirkwoodmaiden · 8 November 2019 · Chapter 0: True Colors

looking through your list of stories I saw this at the bottom and I have only read the first entry but I completely agree. Thranduil gets completely short shrift. He is not perfect but he is not as many fanfics portray him. And Breathe I will continue to read! MM

mystarlight · 1 November 2019 · Chapter 8: Cuss or Champion?

You made my day with such wonderful news!!!! I am over the moon that you are going to update story about Thranduil.

mystarlight · 1 November 2019 · Chapter 10: At the End of All Things

Could you please tell me where the last two articles could be found? I would love to read them.

mystarlight · 1 November 2019 · Chapter 9: It Has Not Been Forgotten

Yes!!! No one will move him.

mystarlight · 1 November 2019 · Chapter 8: Cuss or Champion?

What do you think about the scene when Thranduil brought his army while Smaug was attacking Erebor? He was wearing no armor so he wasn't prepared for battle so why did he take his army? I absolutely love your ideas and I was over the moon to hear you are going to continue We were young once.

mystarlight · 1 November 2019 · Chapter 6: In My Realm Without Leave

I agree with every word you wrote. Thranduil as a king was right to ask for reasons why strangers were passing through his kingdom. Let's try to imagine what customer officer would say if a stranger on the airport refused to give reasons for traveling.

mystarlight · 1 November 2019 · Chapter 5: A Dwarf's-Eye View?

Love idea of Elrond laughing at Thranduil's expense :). Perhaps he was the one who gave to Bilbo this information. Still wonder what Thranduil thought when he found out about it.

mystarlight · 1 November 2019 · Chapter 4: Silver and White Gems

Tolkien uses 'if' as I remember correctly and this word is really important.

mystarlight · 1 November 2019 · Chapter 3: Thranduil the Great

Perfectly summarized Thranduil's personality. Thank you.

earthdragon · 23 December 2015 · Chapter 10: At the End of All Things

I fully agree with you that Thranduil has been badly slandered. I have read both LOTR and The Hobbit many times and, in neither book does Tolkien say that Thranduil is bad-tempered, despotic and a bad father. If Legolas never mentioned that he was the Crown Prince of the Greenwood, it is more likely because he simply wanted to be treated as an ordinary elven warrior, rather than as royalty. I certainly agree that if he had endured an abusive childhood, he would not have grown into the cheerful elf that accompanied the Fellowship. As regards the dwarves, well they were their own worst enemies when they strayed into elven territory. Why on earth wasn't Thorin honest with Thranduil and simply say that they were on their way to Eribor to reclaim his long lost kingdom from Smaug. He didn't have to mention treasure - especially since it was probably already common knowledge that all dwarven kingdoms had vast hoards of gold, mithril and precious stones. Why else would a dragon have taken up residence, since they love treasure as much as a dwarf does. I would imagine that Thranduil would have been (justifiably) more concerned about what damage the enraged dragon would do once it was disturbed by the dwarves. I wonder how Thorin was planning to dispose of the beast, if it was just he and the dwarves fighting it. As for Thranduil's alleged greed, I think there is more proof that it is the dwarves themselves who are greedy, as well as being ruder and far more arrogant than any elf. Sadly, it seems that many fan fiction authors are referring to Peter Jackson's warped view of Thranduil the fabulous, rather than reading Tolkien properly

guest · 3 November 2015 · Chapter 5: A Dwarf's-Eye View?

Nice analysis I myself always thought that both Thingol and Thranduil are treated unjustly in fandom :) and in the end they are much better persons than people give them credit for. That reference to wars waged with the dwarves for treasure majority always brings up the case of Thingol and Nauglamir (justifying it maybe as left-over of early drafts of The Hobbit being set in Beleriand as some analysis suggested) but I always liked to think that the Elvenking in question is indeed the current one (Thranduil) and he may some squabble with dwarves from Grey Mountains before king Thorin I removed from Erebor into north where most of his subjects were gathering (my headcanon which explains why Thorin Oakenshield family was not involved because some local dwarf lord of the Longbeards that must have ruled communities in those mountains before kings of Durin's line took residence there :)) and I thought that even though it's stated that the Wood Elves do not mine or work metal and jewels maybe they are occasionally panning for gold and silver in the Forest River (yeah technically it is also considered form of mining but of different kind) and from there came raw gold and silver, in form of gold and silver dust and nuggets flushed out from some rich lode in Ered mithrin the Grey Mountains which were "rich and little explored" and we see the proof that even though they "bother little" with trade they do so nonetheless (and most likely it is very profitable we are not told what the Wood Elves sell in return but primeval forest like Mirkwood is full of resources, maybe fur trade, timber while in the same time practicing forestry, venison, pitch and tar, maybe dyes and pigments made of some plants, medicinal herbs, nuts and possibly nut butter, roots, berries, mushrooms, honey) and most likely they do farm as well, in the forest clearings or on edge of woods in the open lands where they are said to run or ride (so they have their own horses?) and possibly if they took part in Great Journey they must have lembas corn which it is said in essay by Tolkien on this topic was 'grown in guarded lands in sunlit glades' so they may have their own forest gardens and fields some small orchards (though for certain there are no grape vines or apples growing near since both wine and apples are bought from outside the Woodland Realm in barrels). Hahah economic acivities of elves, Tolkien wrote in one letter that he is fully aware of economic thought especially when mortals are concerned but I guess with elves we must also take in their 'elven magic' as factor if Galadriel's blessing on the soil from her orchard was enough to cause a famous Year of Plenty then they may have amazing talent for growing crops and food production :).

Anonymous · 29 December 2013 · Chapter 10: At the End of All Things

Thank you for sharing this. It is an eye opening especially to those like me whose perception of the characters lies almost entirely from what we saw in the movie. I love reading fanfiction especially ones that tackles the relationship between legolas and thranduil or just legolas in general. Therefore, it is no suprise when there were few times I unfortunately tumbled upon fanfics that fall under thranduil bashing category or the one that I really cannot accept that is the incestuous relationship between my favourite elfs. That is just wrong in so many level. Your essay brings a whole new understanding of King Thranduil's character. It also make me love and respect him even more...maybe not as much as I love his movie verse son but love is love. Goheno nin for my poor grammar.

Ybs · 28 March 2013 · Chapter 10: At the End of All Things

Wow! What an essay! You've raised some fantastic points here and I wholeheartedly agree with your closing remarks, particularly that line of "a tribute of a "fan" becomes an insult to the author." I myself can't stand it when some fans don't see past the movie to the deeper philosophical and moral implications that are so abundant in Tolkien's original works. It was such a pleasure to read this essay! I wish you all the best for any future writings. ~Ybs

RenewedBlade · 7 August 2010 · Chapter 3: Thranduil the Great

I find your writing insightful and lovely - thank you very much for sharing it! (: The slight sarcasm was extremely refreshing - on occasion it made me laugh out loud, even. Thank you again for sharing this! R.B.

nessie6 · 4 January 2010 · Chapter 10: At the End of All Things

Yaay! A very good, well thought-out defense of my favorite Elven-king! I hardly read stories featuring Thranduil anymore, unless they are written by daw the minstrel, whose Thranduil is my favorite by far (good father, good king and based pretty much off of canon facts). I want to send this to every person who has ever written Evil!Thranduil and wish they'd see sense. Thank you for writing this :) ~nessie~

Lirulin · 17 October 2009 · Chapter 10: At the End of All Things

Thanks so much for writing this essay! Your points are all extremely valid and you have obviously done a lot of research. I think it's great how you applied the passages from Morgoth's Ring to Thranduil. I'm sure that the Sindar were not that much different from the Noldor, they were all elves after all and had the same origin. I can't list everything I liked, otherwise I'd be sitting here tomorrow or simply quote your whole essay. :) So just a few point. I think it's wonderful that you raise the issue of The Hobbit being essentially from Bilbo's point of view. Before leaving the Shire he had most likely never seen an elf and knew nothing about them, and who knows what the dwarves told him on long evenings around the campfire. No matter how much he came to esteem Thranduil afterwards, I can well imagine that something of these first accounts he heard was stuck in his subconciousness and came out at least partially in his writings. I hope that makes sense. :) And then I liked your point that Thrainduil is perfectly within his rights to detain the dwarves while they walking through his realm without permission. His was a country at war, and you can never be too suspicious at times like these. And if I remember correctly (I hope I do!), there were also dwarves fighting on Sauron's side during the Last Alliance at the end of the Second Age. It is truly not to be wondered at that he what a group of dwarves who are unwilling to state their business is doing in his realm. Apart from that, I would have been a bit miffed, too, if some uninvited guests had disturbed my festivities three times... ;) I had never thought about Thranduil having had to move so often, always losing his home, and how that likely affected him. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. I've always liked him, but as you've said, there has been such an increase in these Evil!Thranduil stories that I haven't dared to read any fanfictions about him in the recent time. I really don't understand where these people get their evidence from. I think Tolkien made it very clear that elves are inherently good. Doesn't it say in the Hobbit, "but they were elves, and that meant good people"? Or something similarily. Sorry, I've been rambling on for way to long. My compliments on a well researched essay with wonderfully supported arguments that should convince everyone of Thranduil's greatness. I'm now going to read your other stories, they promise to be great if this is any indication. :D Many greetings!

Adrianne · 13 April 2007 · Chapter 1: Fatherhood

Very glad to see you quoting from 'Morgoth's Ring' one of my favorite resourses when it comes to researching the Nature of Elves. Anyone who writes fanfic needs to read 'Laws and Customs Among the Eldar' and though these pertain mostly to the Noldor, I do not doubt that they were true to some extent amongst the other race of the Elves as well. By the way, my very favorite section of this book is "Part Four, Athrabeth Finrod Ah Andreth" or The Debate of Finrod and Andreth. Excellent, excellent piece of work and very, very poignant.

Adrianne · 13 April 2007 · Chapter 10: At the End of All Things

Well met, Coriel! A great little essay, well documented, well written and well presented. I salute you.

Adrianne · 13 April 2007 · Chapter 6: In My Realm Without Leave

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I defy any ruler of a realm to behave any differently than Thranduil did under the exact circumstances. In my estimation, he was compassionate even in executing a just judgement. And as you pointed out the Elves were beyond tolerant, but even in baseball, three strikes and you're out.

Adrianne · 13 April 2007 · Chapter 3: Thranduil the Great

Again, bravo! I was hoping you would use that little thought of Bilbo's from 'The Hobbit' "Bilbo then "preferred on the whole to defend the Elvenking." As you astutely pointed out, why would he feel this way if he had not formed a high opinion of Thranduil? But most importantly you have reiterated something that I wrote in a story of my own. If you will allow me to indulge myself: "No hidden valley had helped to shield his realm. No divine girdle of magic had secured it. No ring of power had been his to defend it. By the blood, cunning and valor of the Elvenking and his people had they survived, barely."

Adrianne · 13 April 2007 · Chapter 2: Legolas, A Dutiful Son

Bravo! I have never, never understood the misplaced and unjustified tendency to endow Thranduil with such unsavory, if not downright evil characteristics. Thank you for pointing out that the son is an indication of the father's nature. I totally agree with your assessment that Legolas was a person of bright heart. He also had the wonder of an innocent soul. That kind of gladness and innocence does not flourish in an abusive environment. Legolas was obviously loved and nurtured not only by a good mother, but by a good father. I appreciate also, your efforts to clarify Elven nature in the first chapter. I wish people would do their research. I find it appalling the base characteristics that slash writers and others are willing to inflict upon not only the Elves but others of impeccably noble nature in Tolkien's world. I like that you pointed out that Legolas referring to his father as 'my Lord' is the natural thing for him to do. I think it also indicates the high regard in which Legolas holds his father. Lastly, on the point of Legolas' constant refusal to use his title throughout 'The Lord of the Rings', I agree that it was most likely out of deference to Aragorn and his pursuit of his rightful crown. I think too that it is also due to a natural humility on his part and perhaps a bow to the special kinship he felt to all the members of the 'fellowship'. I particularly remember when he introduced himself to Prince Imrahil in 'The Return of the King': "I am one of the Nine Companions who set out with Mithrandir from Imladris," said Legolas; "and with this Dwarf, my friend, I came with the Lord Aragorn. But now we wish to see our friends, Meriadoc and Peregrin, who are in your keeping, we are told." This is one who is not only humble, but who values his friends and esteemed his place among the fellowship. Such attributes are indeed fit for a Prince.

Dairwendan · 14 May 2006 · Chapter 10: At the End of All Things

Though I disagree that homosexuality is an "unworthy and hideous perversion", I wouldn't be surprised if, as a product of his time and a follower of his religion, J.R.R. Tolkien may have unfortuantely agreed with you on that point. That said, your research and scholarship are spot-on, and I am happy to see such a well-formed study of Thranduil, proving him to be a good elf, a good father and a good king. Dairwendan