Silly Poll: Sindar
 

Posting this as a poll at Elu Ancalime's request. His original message from the other thread:

I voted Cirdan, because he sort of keeps everything together quietly. He's like a link between the land and Sea, ME and Valinor, the far past and the 'modern' late Third and early Fourth ages. He has some kind of eternal presense and wisdom.

I voted for Celeborn, because in spite of the movie's portrayal, I found him quite smart in the books, just not as in your face as Galadriel. :D Though, the only one on the list I can't stand at all is Elwing. She strikes me as a selfish brat, only concerned with herself, her possessions, and her husband at the cost of everything else - including her children.

I almost voted for Celeborn for the same reasons, but he's a bit rash, and in LOTR he's kind of overshadowed by Galadriel. And he doesn't have the same presence as Cirdan. He's ancient, but not eternal.

Or, in other words, I just like Cirdan better as a character.

I think so to. I mean, she has time to run away with the Silmaril, but she's OK with leaving Elrond and Elros to their fate...

But I like the connection with birds and Sea. It's kind of like a myth within a myth in a mythology. Whenever I look at Lottie's avvie, I think of Elwing...

I might have missed it, but did we ever see Legolas as a ruler?

We don't actually see it, as in read that he did so and so as ruler, but it's stated in RotK that he founded and ruled over a colony of elves in Ithilien.

Perfectly understandable that you like him better. I'll admit, the rashness is what draws me to Celeborn and Thranduil...out of the Third Age elves, they seem to be some of the few that aren't passive and weary of Middle-Earth. He didn't seem that overshadowed to me by Galadriel, though. After I finished the book, I remembered more of what he said, and had a impression of Galadriel. Cirdan didn't even register, other then that guy with the boats, who sent that one elf to the Council of Elrond. ;)

The worst thing is, it's not like she had any reason to think that they wouldn't be killed. Her own twin brothers were left to starve to death in the middle of the forest when Doriath was sacked. And really, I don't think that the people who originally got the Silmaril, Beren and Luthien, would have thought so kindly of her abandoning her children. I mean, maybe it's just me, but they didn't strike me as the kind of people that approved of abandoning small children to fend for themselves against warriors. :mad: Don't get me started on her dear in laws....

I voted for Thingol.

Of all the Elves who remained in Middle Earth, he alone had been to Amman, had met the Valar and had experienced the Light of the Two Trees. He exhibited all the atributes of the great Noldor princes (and all their faults) and had the love of his people, so much so that they gave up the chance of crossing the Sea to the Undying Lands with their fellow Elves.

Thingol also won the love of one of the Ainur, who took the form of an Elf to become his wife. There must have been something very special about him.
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Sharp his sword, high was his helm, The king of beech and oak and elm
 

No question - Thingol. He's by far the strongest character, even Celeborn and Círdan pale by comparison. What we see of Thranduil in The Hobbit is more or less a replica of Thingol in the Silmarillion (cf their underground dwellings in the middle of a great forest, their haughty dealing with the dwarves); Amroth has an interesting story, but we don't hear much about him as a ruler (same with Legolas), and Oropher and Amdir are mere historical footnotes.

Also because while he acts like an arrogant, overprotective jerk in the story of Beren and Lúthien, he shows his ability to learn from mistakes by becoming a loving foster-father to Túrin.

Cirdan wasn't flashy and haughty like Thingol, nor rustically gone-native like Thranduil, nor second fiddle like Celeborn (and we know who wore the pants in that family;)).

Cirdan was a faithful steward and protective of his people throughout the ages, and he had enough common sense and intuition to not only last from Cuivienen to the 4th Age in Middle-earth, but to also see the greatness of Gandalf, even giving up an Elven Ring in deference to one who could truly use it.

If there was one Elf I'd want to talk to in Middle-earth, it'd be Cirdan. He's seen it all.

Ditto. :)

I don't know why, but Thranduil as a ruler has always had a special place in my heart. Next to him are Thingol and Celeborn.

A little boring, don't you think? ;)

Just kidding. He's awesome, but I'd rather meet Ereinion.

Círdan, definitely Círdan.

I am generally not overly fond of the Sindar, and Thingol is probably my least favourite character in the entire Legendarium. Similarly Celeborn and Thranduil exhibit the kind of arrogance that borders on stupidity (I'm personally convinced that they call Celeborn 'the Wise' sarcastically), and they seem to have no social talents or tact to speak of.

Círdan, on the other hand, has been able to keep track on the big picture of what's going on in Middle-earth, and react accordingly. He's pretty much the one who has kept the elven act together while High Kings have risen and fallen. We don't hear about him as much, but he's still there, working in the shadows. He's awesome.

Plus he builds ships. Awesome.

Well, I am not sure if we can count Círdan as a Sindar, but I voted Thranduil. Oropher would have been okay as well, hadn't he slightly failed in his strategic calculations during the Last Alliance, resulting in the deaths of a few thousand Elves.

I liked Thranduil. His forest realm seems cool, like even though it was dangerous in Mirkwood they'd throw parties in the woods. And when I consider it he seems to me to have inclinations similar to the Noldor who left Aman with his love of riches. I don't know that Thranduil wields the power that some of the other princes of the Elves do, both innate and according to the military and political prowess of his kingdom, but he seems like a descent ruler and his people had no problem drinking and being merry. :)

Defintely Cirdan, and here's why:

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Although I would have to say Thingol is perhaps a more interesting character.

Yes, but he probably wouldn't take kindly to your mortal impudence!

He seemed to be pretty lenient with Túrin. Although it's not clear to me now, the story. It seems like he really wanted to look out for him, and he elevated him to where other Elves got jealous of Túrin. So he's not all that bad with mortals, at least to allies.