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Legolas and Gimli
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Author:  Dumanyu [ September 3rd, 2006, 1:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Legolas and Gimli
One of the best little sub-plots in LOTR as a whole is the relationship between Legolas and Gimli. This was captured very well in the book, and the movie as well.
The two start out with nothing but loathing and distrust for each other, and in the end there is nothing but love and admiration. As told in the appendices, that Legolas built a ship, and took Gimli with him to the undying lands.
The scene in the film that expresses it best was before the battle in front of the black gates of Mordor.

Gimli..."I never thought I'd die fighting side by side with an Elf"

Legolas..."What about side by side with a friend?"

Gimli (looking at Legolas with something akin to love replies)...

"Aye, that I could do".

That was perfect!
Author:  Aredhel Ar-Feiniel [ September 3rd, 2006, 1:09 pm ]
Post subject: 
I agree!! That was a really sweet scene ... I really liked it :)
Author:  Eä [ September 3rd, 2006, 1:22 pm ]
Post subject: 
You are referring to a scene in the movies, but you posted in the book section!

I still agree with you both, their friendship is nicely described in both books and movies. But in my opinion they turn from "enemies" to friends very quickly in the book (FotR). Compared to the movies I missed the situations where they gradually become closer to understanding each other and thus slowly grow fond of each other as well. Focus is on Gandalf, Aragorn and Frodo and Sam in the time between Rivendell and Lothlórien. And when in the Two Towers they all of a sudden have become best friends when they meet the Rohirrim.
I know that Gimli and Legolas start forming their friendship earlier on, but as far as I see it Tolkien doesn't mention so much about it...it is still there, but more between the lines!

In the movies it is much clearer when the change happens and also they are more action-filled situations that helps forming their friendship! :angel:
Author:  Larael [ September 3rd, 2006, 6:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
Gimli and Legolas' relationship throughout the books is one of the most amazing. To think, that two people of different races [that are usually fighting eachother!] should be able to accept eachother and their differences, put those aside, and become friends. It's someting completely unheard of, which makes it all the more special.
In that time of war people had to keep there friends close. It was much better to have friends than enemies. Legolas and Gimli embraced that idea, and created a friendship that rebelled against everything their races had known. It completely shocked everyone, to say the least, but it was definitely something that needed to happen. It showed that even though we come from different families, that we are different colours, or that we have different beliefs, we still have one thing in common no matter what.
Author:  Starlight [ September 4th, 2006, 12:15 am ]
Post subject: 
Legolas and Gimli's friendship is usually not given a lot of attention because most people talk about Frodo and Sam's friendship (which is a beautfiul one. don't mistake me!).
The friendship between Legolas and Gimli is very subtle. I think it's a very gradual change from being enemies to being friends. It's not as though they're fighting one minute and hugging the next. They have several little skirmishes and go through much together before they can put aside their differences and accept one another as friends. When they do become friends however, they are the best of friends.
I do love the scene you are referring too. It definitely shows their frienship most clearly. I also really like the scene where Eomer threatens Gimli. "I would cut off your head master dwarf, if it stood but a little higher from the ground." And Legolas answers "You would die before your stroke fell." I thought that was so sweet, how he was defending Gimli! This was definitely in the movies. I don't think that those lines were in the books though. Although they migth have been. *ponders* Probably not. :)
I think it's perfect that Legolas and Gimli became such good friends that they sailed to the Undying Lands together. I think that their friendship was Tolkien sending the message that race or diversity doesn't matter in friendship, but rather what is inside your heart.
Author:  Larael [ September 4th, 2006, 2:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
Tinuviel's Tears wrote:
I think that their friendship was Tolkien sending the message that race or diversity doesn't matter in friendship, but rather what is inside your heart.


You hit the nail right on the head with that sentence Tinuviel. I've never heard anything more true in my entire life. Tolkien is constantly sending moral messages through his writing to us. The theme of Gimli and Legolas' friendship is one of the most heard of, but definitely not the most thought of. Thank you for pointing that out. :)
Author:  Starlight [ September 4th, 2006, 2:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
First of all, thank you. :blush:
Tolkien is always sending us important messages throughout his works. All through the adventure and the quest of the Ring, in the main plots and all of the little subplots, there are things to learn from. All ytou have to do is do a bit of digging around, and you find so many things that Tolkien said about life. Yes, the story was about a Ring and a Hobbit, but it was also about temptation, trust, betrayal, weakness, pride, friendship, and love. And so many other things.
The message behind Legolas and Gimli's friendship is, I think, paid very little attention amongst all of the other ones, but I also think that it is one of the most important messages, and that people should pay more attention to it.
Author:  Th'wayla [ September 6th, 2006, 8:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
I love the relationsionship with Legolas and Gimli they have a great thing goin on!!!
Author:  mephiston, lord of death [ October 8th, 2006, 10:59 am ]
Post subject: 
I think Gimli-legolas' friendship is the message that tolkien tries to get across in LOTR, of unity in two people from two races who traditionally hate each other fighting beside each other as friends against the Shadow and crossing the sea to the lonely isles togehter shows that friendship is possible between all.
Author:  Starlight [ October 8th, 2006, 12:07 pm ]
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Another thing that their friendship shows is that good can come out of evil. Legolas and Gimli became friends during a great War against evil. A common cause can unite all peoples, not matter how diverse they are. Yes, Elves and Dwarves typically hate each other, but both races hate evil (Sauron) more, and so they come together. With that one thing to bring them together, they start to see each other without prejudice and realize that their former judgements were wrong. All of this hapens because of the presence of evil. It just goes to show you that even though evil seems just that, evil, good things can come out of it.
Author:  ethelfleda [ October 8th, 2006, 6:34 pm ]
Post subject: 
as well as being a wonderful friendship and a great message, i think the gimli-legolas relationship demonstrates the sheer brilliance of tolkien's writing - this sub-plot gets relatively little coverage in the books, yet peter jackson managed to construct a decent story line from it without ever being unfaithful to the nature of the relationship in the book. it just shows how tolkien could say so mush with so few words - he doesn't write much about legolas and gimli, yet we completely understand what's going on there in a much bigger sense. he does it all over the place, especially with regards to eowyn.
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