Full Name: Thranduil
Name Meaning: Unknown
Aliases: The Elvenking (in “The Hobbit”), King of the Woodland Realm
Birth Date: FA
Date of Death: Unknown
Race: Sindarin Elf
Parents: Father, Oropher. Mother, Eärwen
Siblings: Unknown
Spouse: Unknown
Children: Son, Legolas
History:
Thranduil was the only son of Oropher, who had decided to stay in Middle-earth after the battle against Morgoth. Oropher travelled east to Greenwood the Great, where he and his relatives mingled with the Wood-elves who already lived there. Oropher became King of the Woodland Realm, bounded by the Dwarves of Moria in the west and by the woods of Lórien in the south. During the Last Alliance of Elves and Men Oropher joined forces with Malgalad of Lórien, and together they marched to the aid of Gil-galad at the plains of Dagorlad. Oropher was slain in battle, but his son Thranduil survived and returned home with barely a third of the original army.
During the following period of peace the number of Wood-elves grew and Thranduil’s realm flourished, but Thranduil could never forget the terrors he had seen in Mordor. To protect his people from the never resting forces of evil he built a fortress in the northeast of Mirkwood during the second millennium of the Third Age. But not even the constant watchfulness of his people could prevent Sauron from returning to Dol Guldur, his old settlement in the forest. From that period onwards the Greenwood grew darker.
During the Quest of Erebor, Thranduil was a very respected person in the northeast of Middle Earth, even though his realm was continually growing smaller and darker. He still enjoyed hunting and feasting with his kin, and showed a fondness of strong red wine. He had a general dislike towards Dwarves, stemming from an old grievance over precious metals. However, when Thorin’s company was brought before him, he ordered that they should be provided with food and drink while they are in their cells.
After the attack of the dragon Smaug on Laketown, Thranduil assembled his people to help the people of Laketown. Together with Bard and Gandalf he acted as spokesperson and leader of the Battle of the Five Armies, leading the Elves himself during the battle. He showed his respect for Bilbo by naming him “Elf Friend”, when Gandalf and Bilbo had taken a short rest in his halls after the battle.
Not much is known about the next 60 years, until the Ranger Aragorn arrives at Thranduil’s borders. Aragorn had captured Gollum, and Thranduil agreed to take care of him until others had decided what should be done with him. Gollum managed to escape from Thranduil’s guards, and Thranduil sent his son Legolas to the Council of Elrond.
While the Fellowship travelled towards Mordor, Thranduil continually defended the borders of his country, with help from Dwarves and Men of Dale, against attacks from Easterlings and Wild Men. Another thread came from Dol Guldur: even though Sauron had returned to Mordor, the fortress was still a source of evil forces that continued to attack Mirkwood and Lórien. The united force of Galadriel and Thranduil finally destroyed Dol Guldur, and the entire woodland area was renamed “Eryn Lasgalen”, the Wood of Green Leaves. Thranduil spread his kingdom across the north of the forest, and it is unknown whether he remained in the woods or sailed over the sea when his son finally left Middle-earth.
< <Back to character biographies index
