Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

Cities and Wilderness  by Larner 3 Review(s)
LindeleaReviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/19/2026
I hadn't thought of Legolas and Gimli's "constant bickering" arising because of the Ring's influence – I rather put it down to a longstanding bad feeling between the two races, stemming from the time I read something about Elves hunting Dwarves like animals early on in Middle-earth history. I double-checked just now, and found an interesting essay on the topic at the "Ask Middle Earth" tumbler account (https://askmiddlearth.tumblr.com/post/67465996730/elves-and-dwarves-early-contact).

In addition, there certainly did not seem to be any love lost between Thorin (and his Dwarves) and Thranduil (and the Wood Elves under him) in Bilbo's time. Gimli faced a lot of suspicion and downright hostility when they came to the Golden Wood, as well, making his request for a strand of Galadriel's hair extra-extraordinary.

However, the idea does make sense, and I can easily imagine the Ring fanning the flames of old resentments and grudges as part of its nature. Perhaps it's a wonder (and a testament to the innate goodness of hobbits in general and Frodo in particular) that the Elf and the Dwarf became friends in spite of everything.

Author Reply: I am sure that much of the bickering and mutual distrust seen between Gimli and Legolas was due to traditional prejudices. But wouldn't the Ring find that prejudice as a proper entry point for Its work to weaken trust amongst the Fellowship? (Not that I'm preaching to the choir, right? Heh!)

I see as part of native Hobbit magic that their small size and apparent helplessness drew protective behavior from the larger races as well as the assumption that Hobbits were largely in need of the help of others in spite of the fact Hobbits had been living independently in the Shire for well over a thousand years and in company and cooperation with Men in the Breelands for even longer. It took being allowed to enter Lothlorien for the Dwarf and Elf to begin purposely spending time together. Once they were no longer within the easy reach of the Ring once Frodo removed himself from the Fellowship, they were able to cement their friendship. Love the addition to that one exchange before the Black Gate between the two of them proving that fact.

FimbrethilReviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/19/2026
He calls Frodo "mellon nín". I should have thought of that myself, but for me that is a name only for Arwen, Aragorn, or among the Elves.

Author Reply: I suspect that by now Legolas has realized that Frodo speaks at least some Sindarin, and that now, when Frodo is apparently comatose, the Elf will unburden his heart, by using those terms that are more familiar and thus more intimate in his own life.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 15 on 4/18/2026
He remembered the imaginings he’d found himself entertaining—of himself returning to his father’s halls as the conquering hero, the Ring upon his hand, Sauron no more than a blithering memory of malice, the Dwarves subjugated as servants to the Firstborn.

Oooh! These are very challenging insights.

Author Reply: I suspect perhaps only the other Hobbits were largely immune to the calls of the Ring, protected unconsciously by Frodo seeking the safety of those he knew loved him as he loved them. Legolas could protect himself from the Ring's influence by recognizing Its alien nature, or so I imagine it.

Return to Chapter List