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A Case of Mistaken Identity by Conquistadora	3 Review(s)
mystarlight	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/1/2019
Love idea of Elrond laughing at Thranduil's expense :). Perhaps he was the one who gave to Bilbo this information. Still wonder what Thranduil thought when he found out about it.

guest	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/3/2015
Nice analysis I myself always thought that both Thingol and Thranduil are treated unjustly in fandom :) and in the end they are much better persons than people give them credit for. That reference to wars waged with the dwarves for treasure majority always brings up the case of Thingol and Nauglamir (justifying it maybe as left-over of early drafts of The Hobbit being set in Beleriand as some analysis suggested) but I always liked to think that the Elvenking in question is indeed the current one (Thranduil) and he may some squabble with dwarves from Grey Mountains before king Thorin I removed from Erebor into north where most of his subjects were gathering (my headcanon which explains why Thorin Oakenshield family was not involved because some local dwarf lord of the Longbeards that must have ruled communities in those mountains before kings of Durin's line took residence there :)) and I thought that even though it's stated that the Wood Elves do not mine or work metal and jewels maybe they are occasionally panning for gold and silver in the Forest River (yeah technically it is also considered form of mining but of different kind) and from there came raw gold and silver, in form of gold and silver dust and nuggets flushed out from some rich lode in Ered mithrin the Grey Mountains which were "rich and little explored" and we see the proof that even though they "bother little" with trade they do so nonetheless (and most likely it is very profitable we are not told what the Wood Elves sell in return but primeval forest like Mirkwood is full of resources, maybe fur trade, timber while in the same time practicing forestry, venison, pitch and tar, maybe dyes and pigments made of some plants, medicinal herbs, nuts and possibly nut butter, roots, berries, mushrooms, honey) and most likely they do farm as well, in the forest clearings or on edge of woods in the open lands where they are said to run or ride (so they have their own horses?) and possibly if they took part in Great Journey they must have lembas corn which it is said in essay by Tolkien on this topic was 'grown in guarded lands in sunlit glades' so they may have their own forest gardens and fields some small orchards (though for certain there are no grape vines or apples growing near since both wine and apples are bought from outside the Woodland Realm in barrels). Hahah economic acivities of elves, Tolkien wrote in one letter that he is fully aware of economic thought especially when mortals are concerned but I guess with elves we must also take in their 'elven magic' as factor if Galadriel's blessing on the soil from her orchard was enough to cause a famous Year of Plenty then they may have amazing talent for growing crops and food production :).

fan81981	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/14/2004
I have always viewed the Hobbit with suspicion when it comes to the interpretation of the elves. Having read history I completely agree with your point that the account was probably coloured. In fact, if you think about the fact that elves are immortal and possibly Thranduil was alive when Doriath fell then you have a added reason for his "animosity". He/the elves saw the dwarven treachery. The dwarves might forget but the elves went through it all. It must have been harder for them to be as understanding. For me, the dwarves had about 6000 years to get over non-payment. It happened in their history, unlike for the elves. Cosnidering that they didn't, makes me wonder, how rigid are they? Author Reply: Dwarves can be incredibly prideful, recalling Mim's reaction to being tied up by Turin. I also think they probably have long "memories", at least on a cultural level. The story of Thingol's demise as told by the Nogrodrim has probably become the stuff of traditional dwarvish legend, and since they know the Elves are immortal, they would consider them still the antagonists of antiquity in-the-flesh. But then, I generally do not attempt to fathom the depths of the enigma that is the dwarvish mind. ;)

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