Did Legolas Witness Thranduil’s Ascension to King of Greenwood?

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s expansive legendarium, the characters of Legolas and Thranduil are central figures of great realms and ancient histories. A common question among fans concerns their timeline: specifically, whether Legolas was alive during the period when Thranduil ascended to the throne of Greenwood the Great. Let's delve into this fascinating aspect of Tolkien’s world.

Thranduil: The Elvenking and His Legacy

Thranduil, known as the Elvenking of Greenwood the Great, holds a significant place in the stories of Middle-earth. He is the father of Legolas, one of the beloved characters in ldquo;The Lord of the Ringsrdquo;. Thranduil’s ascension to the throne occurred after the death of his father, Oropher, during the War of the Last Alliance against Sauron.

In Tolkien’s works, Thranduil’s lineage and his succession can be traced back to the end of the Second Age. While no specific birth date for Thranduil is mentioned, his father Oropher’s death marks the pivotal moment when Thranduil took over leadership. This event, tied to the War of the Last Alliance, places Thranduil at the end of the Second Age.

Legolas: The Younger Elven Prince

Legolas is Thranduil’s son, making him a prominent figure in the stories of Middle-earth. The exact birth date of Legolas is not provided in Tolkien’s texts, leaving room for speculation. However, it is likely that Legolas was alive during the time when Thranduil became king. The first mention of Legolas in Tolkien’s writings is in ldquo;The Lord of the Ringsrdquo;, which spans the Third Age. Despite this, there is no explicit indication that Legolas fought in the War of the Last Alliance, as his youthful presence is more strongly evidenced in the books set in the later ages.

The lack of detail about Legolas's birth date is not unique, but rather part of Tolkien’s storytelling style. In an interview, Tolkien mentioned that his characters sometimes emerged in his mind as late additions, often due to the evolving nature of his narrative. This casual inclusion might explain the lesser-known background of figures like Legolas prior to their arrival in the main story.

Timeline and Speculation

Given the timeframe of Thranduil's ascension and the age of Legolas as recorded in ldquo;The Lord of the Ringsrdquo;, it is reasonable to believe that Legolas witnessed Thranduil’s ascension. Legolas appears to be younger than 1000 years old, based on his statements and interactions with other characters. He is explicitly stated to be older than 500 years, placing him in the middle to later part of the Third Age.

While Tolkien’s works offer no definitive birth date for Legolas, the alignment of the narrative indicates that Legolas would have been a young adult or perhaps even a child when Thranduil assumed the throne of Greenwood the Great. This aligns with the typical age for ascension to kingship in Tolkien’s world, providing a plausible scenario for Legolas's presence during this significant period in the history of Greenwood the Great.

Conclusion

In sum, while we cannot pinpoint the exact age of Legolas during Thranduil’s ascension with certainty, it is highly probable that Legolas was alive and aware of the events surrounding Thranduil’s succession. Whether he played a direct or indirect role in these events remains a subject of speculation, but his presence in the later years of the Third Age, marked by ldquo;The Lord of the Ringsrdquo;, supports the likelihood that he witnessed the transition of power from Oropher to Thranduil.