Love Confessions of Kili in Tolkien's Works: Legolas vs. Tauriel

The character of Kili, the younger brother of Thorin Oakenshield, has captured the hearts of many fans in both J.R.R. Tolkien's writings and the subsequent film adaptations. However, when it comes to Kili’s love interests—specifically, Legolas from The Hobbit film series or Tauriel from the same series—the question remains unresolved. This article aims to explore the love confessions of Kili in both The Hobbit books and films, examining his relationships and preferences.

The Reference to Relationships in the Films

When considering the movie adaptation of The Hobbit series, it is important to note that the film introduces a character named Tauriel, who is an Elf representative of the Woodland Realm. Tauriel has an engaging storyline of her own, including her love interest, Kili. However, it is crucial to understand that the films take creative liberties in their characters and storylines compared to the original works by J.R.R. Tolkien.

The Book: No Confessions

Contrary to the film adaptations, neither Legolas nor Tauriel appear in the book The Hobbit. This means that in the original source material by J.R.R. Tolkien, Kili does not express any romantic feelings for these characters. Tolkien’s writing focuses more on Kili’s role as a member of Thorin’s company rather than delving into his relationship with any particular character. Therefore, within the context of the book, neither Legolas nor Tauriel can be considered as Kili’s love interests.

Legolas: Harbingers of Love or Friendship?

Legolas, the High Elf from Rivendell, does not play a significant role in the love life of Kili. In The Hobbit books, Legolas is a part of Thorin's company, and his interactions with Kili are primarily centered around being a loyal and brave companion. Legolas’s relationship with Kili is more of a brotherly or comradely bond rather than romantic love. In the extended storyline of the Hobbit movies, Legolas’s character development does involve his relationship with Tauriel, but this does not extend to Kili.

Tauriel: The Elven Love Interest

Tauriel, on the other hand, is a complex and compelling character introduced in the films. She is a youthful and courageous representative of the Woodland Realm, known for her dedication and strength. Tauriel’s storyline within the films is filled with poignancy and depth, especially as she forms an emotional bond with Kili. Despite this, her story is separate from Kili’s. In the films, Kili’s romantic interests are more fantastical and emotional, with Tauriel playing a significant role in shaping his character and his journey. However, whether this is translated as romantic love or simply deep affection remains unanswered within the film's own narrative.

Conclusion: Love Unresolved

Given the distinction between the books and the films, it is clear that Kili's love confessions are fictional constructs within the films. Tolkien’s original work does not provide any romantic dynamics for Kili, either with Legolas or Tauriel. The choice of whether Kili might have any romantic feelings for these characters is one that fans can debate and imagine upon, but definitively, neither character is written as having a love interest in the book.

Keywords

Kili, Legolas, Tauriel