Thranduil

### Affiliation:

Bard, Bilbo Baggins, Elves of Mirkwood, Legolas, Tauriel, Thror (formerly), Dain Ironfoot

### Enemies:

Orcs, Azog, Bolg, Thorin and Company (formerly), Thorin Oakenshield (formerly), Thror, Thrain, Sauron, Gollum

## Behind the scenes

### Appears in:

*The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey*
*The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug*
*The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies*

### Portrayed by:

Lee Pace

"*There are gems I desire. White gems of pure starlight.*"
―Thranduil to Thorin Oakenshield[src]
**Thranduil** is a fictional character in *The Hobbit* film trilogy. He was the Elven King of Greenwood, the father of Legolas Greenleaf, and the only son of Oropher.

## Biography

### Early Life

Thranduil was born to King Oropher and his unnamed wife in the late First Age. While her background is unknown, but she is presumed to have been high-ranking, elven royalty. Orofin died when Thranduil was young, after the Battle of Dagorlad, Thranduil married an elven lady named Calathiel. They were the parents of Legolas. According to the films she died at the Battle of Gundabad, leaving no grave for Thranduil and Legolas to mourn. He loved his wife so much that in his grief he can not bear to talk about her.In TA 2341, he took under his care a young Silvan elf's named Tauriel whose parents were killed by Orcs. She has been part of his household ever since and sees him as one part father and six parts commander.

### Ally of Thror

During the reign of Thrór, King Under the Mountain Thranduil and his people formed a profitable alliance with the dwarves. The alliance began breaking when Thranuil learned that Thror had possession of Calathiel's white gems and refused to part with them. In 2770, the dragon Smaug attacked Erebor forcing the evacuation of every dwarf that could escape. Losing everything, Thorin came to Mirkwood and begged for Thranduil for help, but whether Thranduil would not risk the life of his kin or was simply acting out of pique from the insult, he refused to render aid and abandoned the destitute dwarves.

### *The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug*

Thranduil appears in The Desolation of Smaug after Thorin and his company (besides their hobbit) are found in Mirkwood. He tries to treat with Thorin, to have the jewels that Thror had stolen. Thorin shouts at Thranduil and accuses him of being a traitor. In retaliation, he accuses Thorin of being just like his grandfather. Thranduil also notices Tauriel and Legolas' relationship growing, but warns her not to give him hope when there is none. The Hobbit Bilbo Baggins freed the dwarves under the noses of Thranduil's guards, and the king was furious that Thorin escaped. He beheaded the orc that the elves held captive and ordered the Kingdom to be sealed. Unknown to him, Tauriel and Legolas both left Mirkwood for Laketown.

### *The Battle of the Five Armies*

Hearing of Smaug's death and Laketown's sorrow, Thranduil and his company of Elves came to assist Bard. Thranduil also banishes Tauriel because she disobeyed his orders to stay in Mirkwood He gave the Laketown men food and supplies to survive long enough. Bard mistakes his intentions, as Thranduil aslo rightful claim to the gems that Thorin has held captive in his Mountain. Though bard tried to avoid war and treat with Thorin, Thranduil allies with Bard to go to War.

A hobbit, Bilbo Baggins came into their camp with the Arkenstone, and Thranduil was hysterical with him. Bilbo revealed them the Arkenstone and handed it to them. During the Battle, Thranduil at first didn't let any elves fight and they did. He saw the people of his kingdom falling, men and women. The king attempted to leave until Tauriel confronted Thranduil and threatened to kill him if he left. Thranduil destroys her bow and almost harms her until Legolas shouts that if he hurts Tauriel, then he'll have to kill him. The father is heartbroken by Legolas's words.

After the battle the rift between father and son caused Legolas to choose to leave his father's realm although they did manage to heal much of their differences. Legolas says he doesn't know where he will go and Thranduil advises that he goes to the North and meet Aragorn, but does not say his name. Thranduil then finds a heart-broken Tauriel cradling Kili's dead body as she asks why love hurts so much. Thranduil realizes that Tauriel was in love with Kili so much and answers that it was real love.

### War of the Ring

Following Legolas' departure Thranduil returned to his Woodland realm where less than a century later he would help in the war against Sauron in the defense of Middle-earth and Mirkwood.

## Personality

Thranduil is a proud and noble if rigid ruler. He is protective of his kin and his subjects but does not tolerate any act of defiance. He is a helpful ally to Bard the Bowman and generously brought food to the displaced and deeply shocked survivors of Smaug's attack on Laketown. The Elf king's cold demeanor hides his deep love for his son and the terrible and unresolved grief he bears for the loss of his wife. He was deeply hurt that his son disobeyed him and chose to leave with Tauriel. Thranduil's composure broke after beholding the mass of dead humans and elves who lost their lives during and after The Battle of Five Armies. The shock of such needless loss permanently broke his chilly demeanor and allowed the more warm and compassionate side of his nature to re-emerge.

Thranduil carries the wisdom of many centuries of life, but his personal tragedies hardened him into an arrogant and uncompromising individual, While he is usually quite self-posessed and calm, when crossed he can erupt into a terrible rage. Such anger can cause the glamour that hides the scars of dragonfire to fail revealing facial damage echoing the ruin in his soul. However, most of the time his control is strong and he appears as a smooth-faced, mature man, pointed-eared, elf-slender, muscled, fast, and a proven, capable fighter.

He was a tall, fair skinned, blonde elf with ice-blue eyes, and dark heavy brows. He wear a crown of leaves and twigs decorated to reflect the current season. When holding court he dresses luxuriously, favoring silk brocades usually in the form of a long silver-embroidered robes. During the Battle of the Five Armies he wears elven armor and bears a pair of matching swords. His speed and skill are such that a shield unnecessary as he cuts his way smoothly through whatever foes are stupid enough to challenge him,

## Abilities

* **Immortality:** Thraduil is many thousands of years old. While elves seldom grow sick and cannot die of any age-realte cause, to them immortality can be a curse. As far as is known the only way an elf can die is by a fatal wound.
* **Archer:** Like most elves, Thrnaudil possesses excellent archery skills.
* **Swordsman:** With centuries of practice Thranduil is a superb swordman. He is as deadly on foot as he is astride his battle-elk. His moves are smooth and his blows land with fatal accuracy.

## Relationships

#### Arathorn

Thranduil was well-acquainted with Arathorn. He considered him one of the greatest men of Middle-earth. He knew the existence of Arathorn's son, Aragorn.

### Aragorn

Thranduil knew of Aragorn's identity as "Strider" and the true heir to Gondor. Thranduil's and Arathorn's sons went on to be great friends.

## Behind the Scenes

* Thranduil was portrayed by Lee Pace in the adaptations.