why was thranduil not part of the white council

He tried to persuade Bilbo to stay with them, for his own safety. What are the main reasons the elves did not show up in force to defeat Sauron? Bilbo snuck to the camp of Thranduil and Bard during the night, hoping to find some way to end the siege. In the book Gandalf left the company of the Dwarves to meet with the other council members, all of whom were ready to drive out Sauron at this point. The Silmarillion tells us about the origin of the ancient grudge against the Dwarves. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. When Gollum escaped, Thranduil, accepting responsibility, sent Legolas, his son, to Imladris, to report the escape to Gandalf. Though inherently cautious, his army was key to victory in the Battle of Five Armies and he defended his realm against the forces of Sauron in the War of the Ring. Galadriel arrives first and rescues Gandalf, shortly before Elrond and Saruman arrive later to fight the Nazgl, while Radagast-- not here named as a member of the council-- takes Gandalf to safety. He was willing to accept the responsibility for Gollum, the odd creature that was brought to him, under Gandalf's advise. Thranduil, a Sindarin Elf, remembered this detail from the history of Doriath. One possible explanation would be to assume that Thranduil was not initially a member of the Council, but joined at a later date; indeed, his encounter with Gandalf at the Battle of Five Armies might have provided exactly that opportunity. In Lothlrien, Galadriel had Nenya, the Ring of Water, and Gandalf was given Narya, the Ring of Fire by Crdan when he first arrived in Middle-earth.The lack of a Ring of Power must have made the battles against darkness much harder for Thranduil and his people, but it is also reasonable to assume it is what allowed them to live on untroubled after the war. But Thranduil, who had suffered much loss in his time, had a different set of priorities, and he told Bard: This near calamity ended when the goblins and the wargs appeared. The One Wiki to Rule Them All is a FANDOM Movies Community. Wegmann to WH: Is Released Russian Arms Dealer Viktor Bout Still A Security Threat? It is assumed that others of the Wise were also members of the White Council. Who do you think was behind the Max Headroom signal Who do you think REDACTED is in the recent Speer leak? As well as those shown here, there are others who might have a more tenuous claim to membership. Why this is difficult to say, but it may perhaps be attributed to both Bard and Thranduil recognizing their own pride and their own faults within the folly of Thorin, and realizing that in. For this reason he took a large army and together with Malgalad9 of Lrien joined the Last Alliance with the Noldor, the survivors of Nmenor, and the Dwarves, in Mordor. Sauron was driven out of Dol Guldur, only to re-appear in Mordor in TA 2951, where he declared himself openly and began gathering power. Its purpose was "to unite and direct the forces of the West, in resistance to the shadow ." [4] Contents 1 Members 2 History 3 Portrayal in adaptations 4 See also 5 Notes 6 References Members edit (3 answers) Closed 5 years ago. Read more: Brittney Griner Joy Reid said criticism of the prison trade that resulted in the U.S. giving up prolific arms dealer Viktor Bout for WNBA player Brittney Griner is "fake outrage" from the right. Thranduil's last recorded valiant stand was part of the War of the Ring. NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby weighs in on Elon Musk's "Twitter Files" and the Biden administration's controversial prisoner swap with Russia on "FOX News Sunday." [T 1] Following the end of the First Age and the destruction of much of Beleriand during the War of Wrath, many Sindar migrate into the east of Middle-earth. Could it have convened in a similarly ad hoc manner to the Council of Elrond in RoTK? This last act of collaboration might be viewed as an expression of the desire for peace. The Council first formed in the Second Age, and reformed in the Third Age, by the chief among the Eldar and the Istari to combat the growing power of Dol Guldur. Sauron became known as "The Necromancer . It is likely that the darkness which ruined parts of the forest, hurt not only the trees but also the water, resulting in scarcer game fewer resources for the Elves to live upon. Is he Did you find book version of Legolas interesting? Saruman did not inform the Council of this, but when they met again in TA 2941 Saruman finally agreed to an attack on Dol Guldur because he wanted to prevent Sauron from finding the Ring. Scarlet first discovered Tolkien in the mid '80s. Reid, citing the Kremlin-run 'Russia Today' as a source, reported that Bout's "right-wing" fellow prisoners in a "red NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby weighs in on Elon Musk's "Twitter Files" and the Biden administration's controversial prisoner swap with Russia on "FOX News Sunday.". Was there a White Council during the time of Gil-galad in the Second Age? Soon they learned of their mistake and negotiations nearly ended with a clash between the Dwarves on one side and the Elves and Men on the other. Specifically, he was a Teleri/Sindarin elf. Only five members of the White Council are explicitly identified as such, but there is some strong circumstantial evidence favouring several other members as well. Among some groups this was a strong friendship, and among others sometimes a more neighborly association. Afterward Saruman withdrew to Isengard, and fortified it.[1]. [note 1] Without the power of the One Ring, Sauron was significantly weaker than the collective power of the White Council and therefore had to plan carefully to avoid being attacked by them. The Silvan Elves did not only fight during the long years of the Third Age, but also knew how to celebrate. Gandalf was able to remind the rivals that they had a common enemy, and so the Battle of the Five Armies was fought and won with the Men, Elves, and Dwarves as allies. Gandalf does not participate in this fight as a result; instead Galadriel, Elrond and Saruman are the main participants in the battle. The Council first formed in the Second Age, and reformed in the Third Age, by the chief among the Eldar and the Istari to combat the growing power of Dol Guldur. She resists him, and ultimately Galadriel is the one to drive Sauron from Dol Guldur, rather than Saruman. The following individuals were clearly stated to have been members of the White Council: A "White Council" first met in c. S.A. Thus he had never been to Valinor, seen the light of the Two Trees, or interacted with the Valar. It can be assumed that he was born sometime during the First Age or before, possibly in Doriath, the Sindarin kingdom in Beleriand, which was ruled by Elu Thingol and his Maian queen, Melian. In 2850 Gandalf came once more to Dol Guldur and found that Sauron had collected by then all the seven rings of the Dwarf lords, in addition to the Nine with which he controlled his Nazgl. Cirdan is mentioned as a founding member of the White Council. However, as Saruman probably did plan the attack, the film may not be inaccurate after all. However, some overall picture of his character can be deduced from what is said about him directly and in scenes related to him, indirectly. It was said about the Silvan Elves that. But last night I was trying to find out if Radagast was, and that got me thinking. All of these seem to have been privy to many of the Council's secrets, though it is unclear whether any of them actually served on the Council itself. Thranduil, son of Oropher, was an Elven king who ruled over the Woodland Realm in the Third Age. Thranduil accepted the gift, but before they parted he added humorously: Thranduil proved to be a team player. Two of the Rings went to Gil-Galad and one to Galadriel. The attack on Dol Guldur in the film has some notable differences. Though the last meeting of the Council was in III 2953, it's unclear whether it was still considered to exist after that date. The Wood Elves did not work the land, mined or worked metals or jewels, nor did they trade.7 It seems that they didn't have any income source, so it is safe to assume that all their needs were purchased with the king's treasure, namely the realm treasury. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! He lived in Mirkwood (then called Greenwood the Great), and was married to . It was only in 2941 that the White Council (a council of the Wise, of which Thranduil is not mentioned as one of its members) drove Sauron away from Mirkwood to Mordor.12. However, that is not the evidence reflected by the texts: Thranduil set out towards the Lonely Mountain, hoping to get some of the Dragon's gold, but deviated from his path in order to provide help to his hurt neighbors. The Elves in the forest had about 400 years of a watchful peace, which ended in 2460, when Sauron returned with increased force. The White Council, or Council of the Wise, was a group of Elves and Wizards of Middle-earth, formed in TA 2463 to counterbalance the growing power of Dol Guldur at the request of Lady Galadriel . Elrond is sceptical, while Saruman is dismissive of Gandalf's claims. In The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the council is not called the White Council by name but described as the "great council of the white wizards, masters of lore, and great magic.' Radagast would qualify if he had bothered to show up. The White Council, also referred to as the Council of the Wise, was a group of the wise in Middle-earth which met irregularly. But during the Second Age there were other kings who ruled the Silvan to compare with: Oropher his own father, and Amdir and Amroth from Lothlrien. He had golden hair, which was the most distinguishing trait of the Vanyar, but not a common trait among the Sindar: In The Hobbit, it is said about Thranduil (although he is never mentioned by his name, only referred to as the Elvenking), that he was "their greatest king." No doubt this could not have been easy for Thranduil. Thranduils father, Oropher, was an Elf of Sindarin origin, but nothing is known of his mother. He may not have attended, or he may have participated via proxies such as when Legolas was sent to Rivendell with news of Gollum's escape, but like Radagast I think the Council would have a seat reserved in case he decided to show up. At the same time, in other parts of Middle-earth, Frodo was struggling to reach Mount Doom, Minas Tirith was fighting for its survival against Saurons forces. He refused to fight for gold and showed his concern to the safety of Bilbo, a messenger of his enemy, when the latter offered some leverage in the shape of a treasure he did not own. Joy Reid: Viktor Bout's "Right-Wing" Fellow Prisoners Liked Russia, We're Seeing "Fake Outrage" From The Right. The council does not appear in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, though they are still active. Although they were Nandor (and therfore Teleri) in origin. I would guess Thranduil would not have been a member at least initially, since he was not concerned with the Necromancer during the events of the Hobbit. Faced with indescribable darkness, the Elves and their king retreated until at last a new palace was delved in the ground, after the example of Menegroth (the Thousands Caves), the seat of the king in ancient Doriath. [7][note 2], In T.A. The Elvenking is a name used for the ruler of the Woodland Realm, the realm of the Silvan Elves in the far northeast of Mirkwood by the late Third Age. Why does Gandalf help the dwarves on the lonely mountain Those occasional hobbits who would go on adventures Press J to jump to the feed. First, Thranduil (Sindarin: "Vigorous Spring") son of Oropher was a Moriquendi elf. survive. As explained in The Hobbit, the Elves thought of the Dwarves as the enemy. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ. Galadriel assures Gandalf that she will aid him if need be, before she departs. We emphasise serious discussion here over jokey/meme-based posts. However, there's no simple or easy solution to the question of "what is a happy end" in Tolkien's universe, which is full of philosophical and moral inner debates. The events of the Third Age, when Thranduil was the ruling king of his people, reveal a strong charismatic, wise leader, who despite his own fears and worries, was able to guide his people, survive hard trials, and emerge in one piece at the end of the age, providing his people with a renewed realm at peace with its neighbors. Other texts lead the reader to conclude that it was Thranduil setting out of Lindon eastward, who led such group. 2014: The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies: The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, https://tolkiengateway.net/w/index.php?title=White_Council&oldid=360614, Pages using duplicate arguments in template calls. When Thranduil questioned why Bilbo offered this gift, Bilbo confessed to have been an uninvited guest at the king's halls, using his food and wine. Another reason is explained by looking at Thranduil's questions to the Dwarves. Thranduil, also known as the Elvenking, was a Sindarin Elf [2] and King of the Silvan Elves of Mirkwood of the Woodland Realm. Nevertheless, throughout the Second Age, there was constant conection between the elves from Greenwood and Lrien. When Thorin reveals that he and his 13 companions are traveling to try to reclaim Erebor, Thranduil suddenly poses that they strike up an alliance, because he wishes to claim back the white. When Smaug attacks the mountain kingdom and destroys the city of Dale, Thranduil leads an army out of Mirkwood but upon seeing the devastation wrought by the dragon he hesitates. All of these belonged to Elrond's household: his chief counsellor Erestor, and his sons Elladan and Elrohir (and possibly also his daughter Arwen). But Saruman dissuaded the others from taking action, claiming that the Dark Lord was defeated and could not regain his full strength. It was only in 2941 that the White Council (a council of the Wise, of which Thranduil is not mentioned as one of its members) drove Sauron away from Mirkwood to Mordor. It is hinted in The Hobbit that the slow degradation of resources over the long years, combined with the spreading of Men's power and influence, and the fight for their survival against growing evil affected them deeply, and they became suspicious and hard. He imprisoned Gollum and showed him kindness as Gandalf asked. In terms of the grandeur of the Elves, Thranduil was a far less important Elf-lord (/Lady) in comparison to the other three. When Thorin reveals that he and his 13 companions are traveling to try to reclaim Erebor, Thranduil suddenly poses that they strike up an alliance, because he wishes to claim back the white. It seems, that in The Hobbit movie (Battle of Five Armies), Thranduil leads a impressive force of Mirkwood elves to reclaim his treasure in Lonely Mountain, but he doesn't help in the Pelennor Fields battle. The oldest known star in the universe is called Earendil. It must be said, however, that this idea sits slightly awkwardly with his appearance in The Hobbit, in which he seems content to enjoy woodland feasts while the White Council attack the Necromancer of Dol Guldur. The White Council, also referred to as the Council of the Wise, was a group of the wise in Middle-earth which met irregularly. Scarlet It is likely that the darkness which ruined parts of the forest, hurt not only the trees but also the water, resulting in scarcer game fewer resources for the Elves to live . Thanks to IgnobleBard for editing this article, and for his support. For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page. [5] It seems likely that the "White Council" of the Third Age echoed this "White Council" of the Second Age. It is a malady to which she hopes to be subjected at least till Dagor Dagorath (the final battle at the end of the world). That's not to say you have to be a LOTR scholar or Tolkien academic to post or enjoy this subreddit, but that we'd prefer mature topics of discussion here. Therefore, it is best to leave the end obscure, and allow each reader to imagine his or her own image of happy ending. The Council was led by Saruman, until Gandalf discovered his treachery at the beginning of the War of the Ring. On the other hand, Middle-earth had become the home of Men, and it is assumed that those Elves who remained, are fated to fade. What does "the forest became dark" mean? Radagast would qualify if he had bothered to show up. That suggests that Gandalf still saw the Council as an active entity, even though (at that time) it had not met for sixty-six years. Thranduil, now the king, returned home to a forest full of life and light, a home where he and his surviving warriors could heal from the horrors of the war and the massive loss of their kin. Thranduil was awed by the jewel, but he also worried about Bilbo's fate when Thorin discovered what Bilbo had done. The Council was led by Saruman, until Gandalf discovered his treachery at the beginning of the War of the Ring. Who do you think is currently President in the West Wing Who do you think was Kirks best Klingon adversary? The West is considered Elven home, but it is a foreign land to the natives of Middle-earth, and there's no guarantee that those who passed west are happy in their new dwelling. I think its also a safe bet to assume Celeborn and Glorfindel would be as well. But even though there was peace (which lasted for about a thousand years, until 1050), the Silvan Elves were restless, sensing the changes that would come with the new age. Thranduil was one of the Sindar, much less spiritually powerful than the Noldor. However, in TA 2939, Saruman discovered that Sauron's servants were searching the Anduin near the Gladden Fields, and that Sauron therefore had learned where Isildur had died and where the One Ring might be. How big was it? He led his people into war during the Battle of the Five Armies and his son Legolas went on to become part of the Fellowship of the Ring. While on his way, messengers sent from the ruined Esgaroth, the town of Men which was burned by the dragon, reached him, begging for help for The shadow that crept into the forest was first thought to be a Nazgl. Thranduil turned from his course, sending aid before him over the river. It was located in the south of Mirkwood and was occupied for most of two thousand years in the Third Age. Yes, I think the 3rd age white council is named after the 2nd age one. Gil-Galad subsequently gave his two to Crdan and Elrond, but they were not the original intended owners. When the War of the Ring ended, and with it the Third Age, the Rings lost their power when the One Ring was destroyed. The Council last met in TA 2953; at this meeting Saruman falsely claimed that the One Ring was swept out into the sea. Thranduil's father, Oropher, understood that no peace could last while Sauron remained undefeated. [note 2] Contents We're told there were "other lords of the Eldar" in The Silmarillion "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age."Erestor is the biggest name I can think of besides Glorfindel, and there would doubtless have been some others such as the unnamed individuals of Elrond's household who . It is important to note that Thranduil was the only leader of a major Elven realm that fought actively against the enemy in the Third Age who did not have a Ring of Power. 1701. In Dale, Men and Dwarves stood together against the Easterlings. "Thranduil was not a character The Lord of the Rings, so why add an unnecessary name to the dialogue?" . That home was the great forest Greenwood the Great. From the time that the elves and dwarves first came into contact there had been friendship between the races. guard for nearly 500 years (the number of years that had passed between the end of the Watchful Peace and the time the Dwarves were captured) certainly was reason for such questioning. Gandalf presents his evidence to the council, warning them of the growing evil within Mirkwood, He reasons that Sauron and Smaug cannot be allowed to join forces, which is why the Quest of Erebor is so important. Welcome to r/tolkienfans! The first was when Thranduil and Bard laid siege on the Dwarves fortified under the mountain. Most pertinent, though, from The Council of Elrond, "There was also a strange Elf clad in green and brown, Legolas, a messenger from his father, Thranduil, the King of the Elves of Northern Mirkwood." By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Other members of the Council included the Bearers of the Three Rings (Gandalf, Galadriel, and Elrond), Crdan (who had borne Narya before handing it on to Gandalf), Glorfindel, and Radagast the Brown. Near the end of what was believed to be failing negotiations, Bard tried to persuade Thranduil to attack before the Erestor is the biggest name I can think of besides Glorfindel, and there would doubtless have been some others such as the unnamed individuals of Elrond's household who were present at the Council of Elrond. i really don't think thranduil would be part of it, gandalf regards him and his people as 'less wise and more dangerous'. At that point they both believed that the Dwarves did not Dol Guldur was established by Sauron after his return to Middle-earth sometime after TA 1000. The members of the White Council are seen gathering at Dol Guldur in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. Even so, things did not work out smoothly. However, based on Thranduil's description from The Hobbit, he may have had Vanyarin ancestors among his family roots. So, when Thorin Oakenshield and the Dwarves of his company were captured during one of the Elves' feasts, they were not welcomed. Cirdan is mentioned as a founding member of the White Council. Tolkiens writings do not recount the fate of Thranduil. The fact that the surviving Elves, like Galadriel, still Melkor; the most evil story character of all time. During this meeting Gandalf suspected Saruman of desiring to have the One Ring, and there was much tension between the two. In the list below, those who are known to be members of the Council are shown in bold text, while those whose membership is merely inferred are shown in a plain typeface. Because despite being a prudent, good-hearted and valorous elven king Thranduil was not one of "the Wise". At the point where their path parted, Bilbo offered Thranduil a gift of a necklace made of silver and pearls. Several members of this council would also become prominent members of the Council in the Third Age. While there is no corresponding passage in the book, the White Council convenes in Rivendell during the Dwarves' stay. Personal Note: I'd like to offer a "happy ending" to this character that I admire. Having to be on Gandalf reveals the Morgul-blade to the council, which is enough to convince Galadriel and Elrond that Sauron may have returned. I have to think that Thranduil would meet the qualifications for this group as well - he had age, personal experience with Sauron, and perhaps the most direct vested interest due to the Woodland Realm being the first of the Free Peoples to be impacted by Sauron's return during the Third Age. Thranduil was a tall Elf with white blonde hair. I totally meant to add Cirdan as an explicit member. 2063[2] Gandalf entered Dol Guldur, thus daunting the concealed Sauron into fleeing eastwards, beginning the Watchful Peace; although this was before the formation of the Council, the feat was attributed to them. Crossing the Misty Mountains, they found populations of Silvan Elves living in the woodlands that bordered the River Anduin. 12. In The Hobbit there are several descriptive passages for these horrors: giant talking spiders, who hung the mummified dwarves by their cobweb and with whom Bilbo had to use Sting to fight; orcs who later, near the end of the Ring War, set the woods on fire and invaded the woodland realm; and scary fauna such as the black squirrels, large bats, and black butterflies that Bilbo saw. We're told there were "other lords of the Eldar" in The Silmarillion "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age." No members are mentioned explicitly, but it is implied that at least Gil-galad and Elrond were members because Gil-galad gave Vilya to Elrond at that Council. Sauron himself manifests before them and notably attempts to sway Galadriel to his side. In fact, when Thranduil questioned them and they refused to answer, he imprisoned them. Second, he was nowhere nearby when they were distributed. their wounded and starving people. Thranduil himself, who was never able to forget the horrors of the last war, lived in constant fear from the moment when the enemy will return and gain power once again. All rights reserved. Thranduil, while a king, was a king of Silvan Elves, a group of Elves that gave up the journey to Valinor quite early. Galadriel however supports Gandalf, as she too can sense the evil presence, as Lothlrien is in close proximity to Mirkwood. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. [3], There are only four known meetings of the White Council:[2]. Thranduil's birthdate is unknown. The Index of Names in The Silmarillion states about Thranduil1: Thranduil, who is referred to as "the Elvenking" in The Hobbit, appears throughout various texts in Tolkien's writings and yet is not well known. The One Ring was destroyed. Original content copyright Mark Fisher 1998, 2001, 2009. A cave it might have been, but the place was filled with life and light. It adds that the king always wanted to increase his treasure, because although he had plenty, it was not yet as much as the elf-lords of old used to have. Twice Bilbo and Thranduil have meaningful encounters, each one revealing a new side of the king's personality. He offered Bard the Arkenstone, a great jewel prized by Thorin, as leverage. In truth, Thranduil's (and the dwarves') issue was much deeper and the result of eons of mistrust. In the book, Gandalf mentioned that it was by the devices of Saruman that Sauron was driven away. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. He had a wife and son, his wife passing away at the hands of Orcs from Gundabad. This grudge is not much different from what is mentioned in regard to another Elf of the Sindar, about whom it was specifically said: That memory may have been a partial reason for Thranduil's treatment of Thorins company, even though these Dwarves were not related to the ones from Doriath. During the Third Age, Thranduil is the only one who carries the title king among the Elves. Although that may raise a question as for the character's existence or his deeds, that is a subject for separate research, and has no direct bearing over this article. The article about the character of Thranduil, is her first dip into the waters of writing. Part 2 here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpSRZuqN7Oo&feature=youtu.be After leaving food, medicines, and some of his Elves to help the people of Esgaroth, Thranduil and the rest of his army, together with Bard and his men went on towards the mountain. http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/reference/characterofthemonth/thranduil.php. The White Council, or Council of the Wise, was a group of Elves and Wizards of Middle-earth, formed in TA 2463 to counterbalance the growing power of Dol Guldur at the request of Lady Galadriel. The place became a stronghold of the darkness known as Dol Guldur (Hill of Sorcery). Contents 1 History 1.1 Second Age 1.2 Third Age 2 Members 2.1 Wizards 2.2 Elves 3 Portrayal in adaptations 3.1 Peter Jackson's The Hobbit films But in 2060 the Wise (a group which included Mithrandir, Curunr, Elrond, Galadriel, Crdan, and other lords of the Eldar) began to suspect that it might be Sauron taking shape again. After the War of Sauron and the Elves? Dwarves had time to fully prepare. Who were those Elves who welcomed the emigrants? Circumstantially, we might take it for granted that Thranduil belonged to the Council. Galadriel instructs Gandalf (and presumably Radagast) to investigate the tombs of the Nazgl. Early in the Second Age groups of survivors from the ruin of Doriath, crossed the Blue Mountains (Ered Luin) eastwards. Tellingly, when Gandalf confronted Saruman among the ruins of Isengard in III 3019, he explicitly cast him out of the Council. Oropher, who became the king of the Silvan Elves of Greenwood, made his first home in Amon Lanc (The Naked Hill), near Lrien, but moved northward twice to get some distance from the Noldorin influence of Galadriel in Lrien and the increase of power and influence of the Dwarves from Moria. The name "Thranduil" means "vigorous spring" in Sindarin. It turned out that the Council of Elrond was being held in Imladris at the same time, and Legolas was chosen to be one of the Fellowship of the Ring.20. Members of the White Council The council is interrupted when they learn that the Dwarves have left Rivendell. In TA 2851 the White Council met to decide on whether to act on Gandalf's discovery that the Necromancer was actually Sauron and was at Dol Guldur. Thranduil and the elves of Greenwood are, as a whole, mistrustful of the other races of Middle Earth. Gandalf went into Dol Guldur to check that suspicion, and Sauron, who indeed was the dweller of the place and still not strong enough, fled east. This is a result of the War of Wrath, the betrayal of Morgoth, the quest for the Silmarils,. The Origins of Tolkien's Middle-earth for Dummies, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, (Cyrillic) Oq Kengashi (Latin). Aragost, Arahad I, Barad-dr, Chieftain of the Dnedain, Council of the Wise, Dark Lord, Elrond, Fengel, Galadriel, Gandalf, Glamdring, Lord of the Black Land, Lord of the Nazgl, Magic Ring, Mordor, [See the full list]Naked Hill, Nazgl of Dol Guldur, Necromancer, Olrin, Orcs of Dol Guldur, Power of the Black Land, Radagast, Rhn, Ringwraiths of Dol Guldur, River Anduin, Ruler, Saruman, The Guardians, The Wise, The Wise, White Messenger, Wizards. This page was last edited on 28 October 2022, at 21:04. The book indicates that Saruman lead the attack, but in the film it is Galadriel who leads the Council. Character Biography: Thranduil The published books Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were favorably accepted. There's never a mention of mortals being involved in the White Council, which I think accounts for their comparative slowness to act over the thousand years of their existence - while it would make sense for the current Chieftain of the Dunedain to be a member, there's nothing in the text to support it, and indeed the timescales in which the Wise tend to act would argue against the involvement of Men or Dwarves in their organization. This weakness might be the reason why Thranduil is viewed as greedy in the eyes of some readers. Thranduil was the Elven King of Greenwood the Great. In Imladris, Elrond held Vilya, the Ring of Air. According to some of the texts, Oropher, Thranduil's father, led one of these groups, and Thranduil was among them. The White Council was formed in TA 2463,shortly after the end of the Watchful Peace. [note 1] At this meeting it was decided that Imladris should become the stronghold of the Elves in Eriador, rather than Eregion. [6], In T.A. The Hobbit tells us that, "If the elf-king had a weakness it was for treasure, especially for silver and white gems." As the surviving Dwarves flee their homeland across an empty wetland they look to Thranduil and his army for help but the Elves turn away. When Thranduil heard that the dragon Smaug was slain, he started to march with an army towards the Lonely Mountain, as he knew of the wealth of Thror, the last Dwarven king under the mountain, which the Dragon took. The "Tale of the Years" in The Lord of the Rings tells us of a desperate battle under the trees, in which the forces of Dol Guldur invaded Thranduil's realm. The Battle under the Trees was hard and long, and much of the forest was ruined, but in the end, Thranduil prevailed. 2463,[2] following Sauron's return to Dol Guldur and the end of the Watchful Peace in 2460,[2] Galadriel summoned the first meeting of the White Council. The forest became dark and men began to call it Taur-nu-Fuin (translated Mirkwood): forest under night.11, 12. On their way home, Thranduil and Bilbo had a second illustrative exchange. Good catch. This subreddit is a space for the Tolkien nerds of reddit to debate and discuss the whole Tolkien mythos. But it was The Silmarillion after which she became addicted, and was never cured. The White Council's original head was the Wizard Saruman the White , (although Lady Galadriel wished for Gandalf the Grey to be made the leader of the group). It is obvious that he was worried about their purpose at being in his realm at such perilous times. Imladris and Lothlrien both lost the magic influence of the Rings and started to fade, but. Saruman, Gandalf, Galadriel, and Elrond are all explicitly stated to be. Upon finding the tombs have been opened, Gandalf goes on a solo mission to Dol Guldur, where he finds that the Necromancer is indeed Sauron. Dol Guldur, also known as the Hill of Dark Sorcery, was Sauron's stronghold and base of operations while secretly regaining his power as "The Necromancer". Oropher, Thranduil's father is mentioned only in the Unfinished Tales. After the war was over Legolas returned to his homeland and, with his fathers approval, took some of their people to south Gondor, where they restored the forest of Ithilien to its former beauty, and health. Thranduil was son of Oropher and father of Legolas . As a Sindarin Elf-lord of his own domain, and a proven ally to the Council's members, it would be a natural assumption that he was a member in his own right. RCP White House reporter Phil Wegmann asked about the possibility of future national security threats from Viktor Bout, the Russian arms dealer released this week in a prisoner swap for WNBA player Brittney Griner, during Thursday's briefing with Karine Jean-Pierre. Their bearers became weary from the long years of using the Rings and sailed west. A Council of the Wise occurred in the mid-Second Age to discuss the growing power of Sauron in Mordor; this was later known as the First White Council and was led by Gil-galad. Its purpose was "to unite and direct the forces of the West, in resistance to the shadow."[4]. And indeed, in 1050 of the Third Age, shadow crawled into the forest, taking hold of Amon Lanc in the south, where once Oropher's ancient dwelling was. In Lrien, three attacks were repelled, after which Dol Guldur was taken and Galadriel threw down its walls and laid bare its pits. In the film, Gandalf has been incapacitated after encountering Sauron alone in Dol Guldur, necessitating his rescue by the rest of the council. After the battle, on the Elven new year, Thranduil and Celeborn met, renamed the forest, and divided it between themselves and the woodsmen. The Dwarves commissioned by the Elvenking of Doriath to set a Silmaril in the necklace Nauglamr and slayed him in an argument over possession of the jewel. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Galadriel and Celeborn were also present at Imladris in that moment. Though he is never specifically named as a member of the Council. Purpose at being in his Realm at such perilous times to Galadriel to some the... The waters of writing Dwarves as the enemy named after the 2nd one. Sauron himself manifests before them and notably attempts to sway Galadriel to his side and therfore Teleri in! Was a tall Elf with White blonde hair and presumably Radagast ) to investigate tombs... Could not regain his full strength lived in Mirkwood ( then called the! Result of the other races of Middle Earth was part of the Ring offered Thranduil gift. Met in TA 2463, shortly after the 2nd Age one to defeat Sauron eyes of readers... In TA 2463, shortly after the end of the Rings went to Gil-galad and one to Sauron. Does not appear in the eyes of some readers night, hoping find! 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