Legolas

Full name: Legolas Greenleaf
Name meaning: Legolas=Greenleaf (Sindarin Elvish)
Aliases: None
Date of birth: Unknown in the books; TA 87 in the movies
Date of death: Unknown
Race: Elf
Parents: Thranduil (father); mother unknown
Siblings: Unknown
Spouse: None
Children: None
Hair color: Unknown in the books; blond in the movies
Eye color: Unknown in the books; blue in the movies
Played in the movies by: Orlando Bloom

History: Legolas was the son of Thranduil, king of the Elves of Mirkwood Forest. The Elves of Mirkwood were charged with protecting Gollum, but they couldn't bear to keep the creature in prison, and let him climb trees in the forest. One day Gollum refused to come down from his perch, and around June 20th, TA 3018, he was rescued by orcs. All his Elven guards were slain, and Thranduil sent his son to Rivendell to tell Elrond of Gollum's escape. After telling the Council the news (and having a brief argument with Glóin the Dwarf, whom Thranduil had imprisoned long ago), Legolas was chosen to represent the Elves in the Fellowship.

After Gandalf fell in Moria, the Fellowship journeyed to Lothlorien, where Legolas conversed with Haldir and the other guards of the forest. Haldir required that Gimli be blindfolded while walking through the land, which was not at all to the Dwarf's liking. He did say that he would be content if only Legolas would share his blindness, which greatly offended the Elf. But, after staying in Lothlorien for some time, Legolas began to develop a curious friendship with Gimli, taking the Dwarf with him on all his exploits. Before leaving the wood, Queen Galadriel gave Legolas a bow of the Galadhrim. Legolas put the weapon to good use when a Nazgul flew over the heads of the Fellowship: the Elf shot the steed out from under the Ringwraith. After Frodo and Sam fled from Amon Hen, Legolas chose to accompany Aragorn and Gimli in the hunt for Merry and Pippin.

Legolas never tired on the search, and when the Three Hunters came to Fangorn Forest, Legolas was fascinated by the old trees. He at first mistook an old wizard clad in white for Saruman, and tried to shoot an arrow at him, but was the first of the companions to figure out that the wizard was, in fact, Gandalf. The four companions rode to Edoras, and after Gandalf healed King Théoden, they travelled to Helm's Deep. Legolas fought bravely at the fortress, playing an orc-killing game with Gimli. Legolas' final score was 41; Gimli's was 42.

Legolas accompanied Aragorn, Gimli, Gandalf, and a small group of Rohirrim to Orthanc, where he witnessed the downfall of Saruman. Legolas chose to continue to follow Aragorn, even to the Paths of the Dead: the ghosts of Men held no terror for him. He helped man the Corsair ships in which the companions sailed to Minas Tirith, and fought courageously at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. He journeyed with the Captains of the West to Mordor and fought in the Last Battle before the Gates of Mordor.

After the War of the Ring, Legolas stayed at Minas Tirith for Aragorn's coronation and wedding. He accompanied Théoden's funeral procession, and at Helm's Deep fulfilled his bargain with Gimli: if the Elf would visit the Glittering Caves with the Dwarf, then the Dwarf would explore Fangorn Forest with the Elf. After visiting the caves, Legolas could only say that Gimli alone could find words to describe them. Gimli was less willing to fulfill his part of the bargain, but the two took leave of their companions and explored Fangorn.

Legolas led many Wood Elves to Ithilien, where they beautified the war-torn land. Many years later, in FO 120, Legolas built a ship, and he and Gimli passed over the Sea to the Undying Lands.