I would guess it most likely that
JRRT when writing the UT material forgot what he wrote in the LotR appendix.
I would tend to go with the UT material as it is far more developed .
re: legolas' age. tar Elenion , I think is spot on.
One other inference. Legolas does not ever mention having been to the gates of mordor.Which had he been in the last Alliance would have occured.
another point. I am nopt aware that Legolas is ever seen as Thranduils' eldest son [heir]. in the council of Elrond he is presented as T's son.
I have always thought it interesting how both legolas and Boromir downplay their positions [ boromir's exception being when he tries to take the ring in a fit of lust for power] I have always imagined that JRRT was trying to convey the humility asnd reluctance to blow one's own horn which was a trait in 'older times'
[ June 18, 2002: Message edited by: lindil ]
__________________
The dwindling Men of the West would often sit up late into the night exchanging lore & wisdom such as they still possessed that they should not fall back into the mean estate of those who never knew or indeed rebelled against the Light.
|