#vote Thranduil for best parent

[headcannonballs]

I know the hobbit movies make a big deal about how angsty teen Legolas is and completely screwed his relationship with his dad Thranduil. But whenever I read the Lord of the Rings I cannot help but think: my goodness, but Thranduil must have really spoiled Legolas rotten.

We first meet Legolas at the Council of Elrond. He is dressed simply and for light travel, and does not choose to wear his title as a Prince, instead identifying himself as a messenger from Thranduil, his king. Indeed he often chooses to call Thranduil his king rather than his father, which many have taken as a sign that relations between the two are strained.

However, I propose the direct opposite - that his many mentions of Thranduil as his Elven-Lord demonstrates not only his love for Thranduil, but also his respect and admiration of what a great king his father is for his people.

Consider this: whenever he mentions Thranduil or Mirkwood it is always with warmth and a subtle longing. He doesn't ever speak of his home in anything other than good terms, even if it has been marred and fallen into becoming Mirkwood (as opposed to Greenwood the Great).

And it isn't just to maintain pride in front of outsiders. When you contrast the way Boromir speaks of Gondor and his father the steward Denethor, to the way Legolas speaks of Mirkwood and Thranduil, it becomes clearer. Boromir is proud of his family, country and heritage and boasts of it. He claims Gondor is the main protector of Middle-earth, and that they have been fighting Mordor the hardest. But deep down he is questioning his father's rule, and is uncertain of Gondor's future.

Legolas is almost the opposite. He doesn't ever boast of his country, although Mirkwood, just like Gondor, is right at Mordor's doorstep. Instead he shares with the company personal anecdotes that show (not tell) exactly how good life is there despite the Shadow. He doesn't waver in his believe of his people's strength; indeed only he and Aragorn could face Galadriel without any fear or hesitation.

I think the reason why Legolas always mentions Thranduil as a king or lord is not because he doesn't want to acknowledge Thranduil is his father. It is that Legolas is so in awe of Thranduil and so respectful of him that whenever he is mentioned Legolas' first thought is not 'that's my dad and we're related', but instead is 'that's my king and my hero and he's so awesome'.

He doesn't consciously mention Thranduil as his father because his mind frame is not to introduce the company to Thranduil the way you would introduce your friends to your parents. He doesn't want them to think of him as just a nice uncle who is the father of a friend.

Legolas introduces Thranduil as his king because he wants the company to respect him as such, as the ruler of a great country who has done great deeds. He wants the company to see Thranduil as someone in-charge, as someone who is capable and should be given the proper courtesies accorded to him.

Some may question, in that case why doesn't Legolas call him 'my father the king'? It would highlight both Legolas' relationship to Thranduil as well as Thranduil's kingship.

I think this has to do with the circumstances as well as Legolas' humble personality. It is true that he doesn't ever make a big deal out of being prince, but at the same time this title means nothing much in the fellowship company. There is Aragorn, who would be king of Gondor. Boromir, eldest son of the ruling Steward of Gondor. Gimli, cousin of Balin who is the Lord of Moria. Gandalf, member of the Istari and councilor of many kingdoms. Peregrin, son of the Thain of Shire. Meriadoc, son of the Master of Buckland. Frodo, heir to Bilbo and a celebrity (of sorts) of the Shire.

Virtually everyone in the fellowship had a title (except Sam) and there is really no point in highlighting it among themselves when it doesn't matter. The only time where Legolas being Prince of Mirkwood would matter is when meeting other elves or when meeting allies of Mirkwood (like Dale for example). In which case in the former, Legolas being son of Thranduil is more than enough recognition for Elrond and Celeborn (as both of them were Sindar elves, and thus kin of Thranduil). And for the latter there wasn't any opportunity to do so.

Thus Legolas not mentioning the king is also his father is his way of downplaying his title as Prince, something which signifies his humility as well.

Finally, what makes me certain that Thranduil is a very caring father is Legolas' personality itself. Galadriel mentions that Legolas had always lived in joy, and this is very evident throughout the book.

In the entire journey, Legolas is shown to never despair. The only moment of fear was when he saw the Balrog (a famous elves bane) but otherwise he was also never fearful. This is despite the overwhelming circumstances the company finds themselves in. He always sees the bright side in every situation, frequently makes jokes and funny quips, and is in an overall joyful mood.

From the Hobbit, we learn that this cheerful outlook is shared by the Mirkwood elves, regardless of the growing Shadow. The only person who was affected at all was Thranduil himself, who was always wary of Mordor rising again. But he took careful pains to never affect his people, and they were always in good spirits despite the war that was happening.

I think Legolas was very well loved as a child, and always carefully sheltered. Not from the horrors and realities of war like death and destruction (because we can see he is a very capable warrior). No, he was instead sheltered from the despair and sorrow that would normally accompany death and destruction.

Legolas would see death and elves dying in battle, and Thranduil would tell him of the halls of Mandos and how death is just a path back to the Valar. He would look at the destruction of the woods and the land, and Thranduil would tell him it is like the passage of winter, but spring would come and the land would flourish again.

Legolas would have grown up knowing that even though bad things are happening, good things are still to come, and that's why he always has such hope in him and such joy. Unlike the mortal lives of Men and Dwarves, Elves are immortal and they can afford to wait for the end of the Shadow. There is no hurry, and because Mirkwood is untouched by any of the Rings, they don't need to worry about the power of the Three fading.

Legolas is happy and joyful because he is beloved, and I think that is a consequence of Thranduil's nurturing personality. It just makes much more sense when you compare him to the other characters who had lost both parents (Aragorn and Eomer), or had a stern and demanding father (Boromir and Faramir).

Legolas remains unchanged for the most part at the end of the journey because he was already in such a good place to start with. I think that is quite a comforting thought.

#Legolas #Thranduil #father son relationship #vote Thranduil for best parent #I mean anyone who grows up right next to war-torn territory #had to have learnt fighting from a young age #has their home invaded by monstrous spiders #but is still cheerful and had a joyful childhood #their parents must have been awesome #lotr elves #mirkwood

[madamebaggio]

Notes: Previously...

Susan and Legolas were the winners of thei group, so here is a long post about them.

I did not forget about those votes! I promise.

Nuada and Gretel are next, but I’m first going to write in “You just had to ask”. I’m working on that ravishing.

***

Susan’s head was paining her. She was beyond exhausted, her body barely seemed to be obeying her, and yet she couldn’t sleep.

She’d felt that way since they’d lost Gandalf. It seemed to her that her body was just going through the motions. She ate when they passed her food, and walked when Aragorn told them to.

But she felt empty.

Susan had felt like this before; after the train accident. She didn’t know how many days passed between hearing the news about her family’s demise, and the next time she managed to sleep.

Everything she’d done after that was just to keep going, because she’d feel horrible if she didn’t at least try living her life.

Once she got to Middle Earth -and that was something she was still trying to wrap her head around -she’d felt as if she had a purpose in life again, a mission. There should be a reason for her to be there.

But Gandalf…

“My lady…” Legolas called softly, approaching her with a cup. “You need to rest.”

“I don’t know if I can.” She confessed.

“Would you like to try this?” He offered her the cup.

Susan narrowed her eyes. “What is it?”

“It’s just sweet wine with some herbs.”

“Is this some medicine to make me sleep?”

“No.” He told her immediately. “I’d never trick you like this. It’s not medicine. The herbs are just to help you relax, but they won’t put you to sleep against your will.”

She didn’t look convinced.

Legolas sighed. “If I may?”

She made a gesture for him to go ahead, and Legolas took a sip from the wine. “I can get you another cup.”

“It’s fine.” She felt her shoulders sagging. “I could use a bit of wine.”

He passed her the cup, then watched in silence as she took a sip.

Legolas had been holding his tongue since he’d met Lady Susan. He’d lived for a quite while now, met many different people and saw a lot. Sometimes there were no words to describe the sights he’d witnessed.

He sometimes had a hard time picturing a future. Of course, as an elf, it was expected that he’d -eventually -sail to the Havens. However this didn’t feel like a plan; it was more of a fact.

Legolas intended to see the end of this Ring because it was the right thing to do; this land needed to be protected from such evil. But beyond that… What else was there?

And that was something that crossed his mind quite often. Until Lady Susan appeared dressed in white.

Legolas was an elf; she’d seen beautiful women before -he’d seen Lady Galadriel not two hours ago -and yet… The sight of Susan in white, running into Rivendell was not one he’d forget soon.

He’d always heard about how elves would fall in love only once. When it happened, he would know, because he would feel certain as he’d never had before. His father used to talk about these things -before Legolas’ mother was gone. Thranduil was different back then, and he’d always say how he knew he’d loved her from the first moment he saw her.

Legolas didn’t actually believe that all that much, he thought his parents were teasing him. He knew he’d love one person truly one day -because that was what happened to elves -but he didn’t think it would be something that simple and that fast.

The joke was clearly on him, since he knew that Susan had his heart, the moment he saw her.

The problem was that Susan wasn’t an elf, so he didn’t think she felt it as intensely as he did -or even if she felt anything at all. His eyes were constantly looking for her, but she seemed concerned about other things.

So Legolas wanted to be there for her, one way or another.

“May I sit by you?” He asked.

“Yes.”

Legolas sat -a respectable distance away -and watched her. She looked exhausted, but she wouldn’t sleep.

They were all feeling the loss of Gandalf, the weight of this quest on their shoulders getting heavier by the minute. But he believed Susan had different concerns.

“Is the wine good?”

She gave him a tired smile. “It is. It’s really sweet.”

“Do you have sweet wine where you come from?” He asked, curious about her world.

“Yes. Although, this one is particularly nice.” Her smile became a bit warmer.

“Oh, you’re only saying that because you haven’t been to Greenwood. We have the best wine.”

She chuckled. “We? So it’s your land.”

“It is, my lady. My father rules it.”

Her eyebrows arched. “So you’re a prince.”

“Yes.”

“I knew there was something royal about you.”

Legolas perked up. “You think so?”

“Now you’re fishing for compliments.”

Legolas chuckled. “I’m not.”

Susan looked at her cup and was surprised to see it was empty.

“Would you like more?” Legolas offered.

“I think that’s quite enough.” Susan sighed. “I’ll try and sleep.”

“Good.” Legolas stood up. “You need to rest.”

“Why are you so kind to me?” She asked before he could go.

“You’re a lady.” He pointed out.

“Yes, I am aware.” She grinned. “And Boromir and Aragorn treat me like a lady. So do the others. You, on the other hand, go the extra mile. Why?”

Legolas lowered his head. “There’s a reason.” He confessed. “But I do not believe you’d like to hear it.”

Susar arched a very expressive eyebrow at him. “Is it because I am a woman?”

“No.”

“Then what?” She pressed.

“My lady…” He sighed. “Can we save this conversation for a time when you’re not so tired and our hearts aren’t so heavy? I assure you this has nothing to do with you being a woman in this quest.”

Susan pressed her lips together, and Legolas kneeled by her.

“I do wish to tell you, but not like this.” He insisted. “Some things are meant to be said at the right moment. And it’s not this moment.”

Susan didn’t look convinced, but she was indeed tired to have this argument just then. “Fine. Keep your secrets, master elf. But you have to tell me.”

“I can assure you, my lady, I will.”

#madame baggio #crackship #CrossOver #Crossover Pairings #gifs not mine #The Lord of the Rings #The Chronicles of Narnia #legolas #susan pevensie #susan pevensie x legolas