mithril vest - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Turin · 12-14-2004, 04:47 AM

Although there are no explicit statements with regards to Legolas' age, it can be inferred that he was a relatively young elf, though I'd say way over 250.

Note that in one of their discussions, Legolas says of Aragorn and Gimli: (paraphrased) " the forest is old, so old that i almost feel young again as i have not done since journeying with you children". Or something like that. I haven't got the book on me.

Firstly, Legolas infers that the forest is so old that it makes him look young, which is a surprise to most elves.

Secondly, he is comparing his age with his two companions. Aragorn is said (in the apppendix) to be around 70 or 80 (again, no book on me) and Gimli is slightly older than Aragorn. They are therefore both relatively "old" in our terms, though hardly to be compared by an elf as being children, if the elf in question wasn't markedly older.

BTW, it is all conjecture as to what prince the Mithril coat was made for. It could have been made for noone in particular, or it could have been other Silvan Elves that do not come in to the books. How about the obscure "Dorwinion"? Although I don't think that Silvan Elves would have the means to pay for such an expensive item.

Bandobras Took · 12-14-2004, 06:14 AM

Thranduil probibly did not demand it from Bilbo because maby he had not payed for it yet and felt he had no ownership over it. Also, what would he use it for, it to small. And Bilbo had just givin him the arkinstone. He probibly felt to abliged to ask for it

Elianna · 12-14-2004, 08:12 AM

Yee! Someone else shares my idea of the mithril-coat being for Legolas!

Although, some of your reasoning is faulty, (like elves maturing about the same as humans, check out HoME v 10 Morgoth's Ring, "Laws and Customs of the Eldar"), I do share this view b/c

1) It was mithril and diamonds, and Thranduil liked white gems and such.
2) The quote from the Hobbit is that it was "made for some young elf prince long ago." And of course "long ago" Legolas would've been young, little matter so old he was in LotR. I get the idea that Elrond would've ordered two if any at all, since ElladanandElrohir seem to be "the twins" and not seperate people. Those are the only elf-princes we know about in the Third Age.
3) Another quote is Aragorn saying it's a coat for an "elf-princeling".

Another theory I feel inclined to put out there is one I read in a fanfic that the mithril coat was Earendil's. (At least I think that's what she was implying.) She didn't explain how the dwarves got it; perhaps something to do with the Beleriand Dwarves moving to the Ered Luin, and from there, the Dwarves brought it to Erebor.

It seems to me, if the dwarves were going to end up with any First Age elf-prince's things that prince would be from Doriath (since the Dwarves were the ones who sacked Doriath), but as we all know: No prince in Doriath...well, maybe Dior...but that was after the sack wasn't it?..curses, haven't read Silm yet.

12-14-2004, 04:47 AM	#1
Turin Animated Skeleton Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Birmingham, England Posts: 37	Although there are no explicit statements with regards to Legolas' age, it can be inferred that he was a relatively young elf, though I'd say way over 250. Note that in one of their discussions, Legolas says of Aragorn and Gimli: (paraphrased) " the forest is old, so old that i almost feel young again as i have not done since journeying with you children". Or something like that. I haven't got the book on me. Firstly, Legolas infers that the forest is so old that it makes him look young, which is a surprise to most elves. Secondly, he is comparing his age with his two companions. Aragorn is said (in the apppendix) to be around 70 or 80 (again, no book on me) and Gimli is slightly older than Aragorn. They are therefore both relatively "old" in our terms, though hardly to be compared by an elf as being children, if the elf in question wasn't markedly older. BTW, it is all conjecture as to what prince the Mithril coat was made for. It could have been made for noone in particular, or it could have been other Silvan Elves that do not come in to the books. How about the obscure "Dorwinion"? Although I don't think that Silvan Elves would have the means to pay for such an expensive item. __________________ Master of Doom!!!

12-14-2004, 06:14 AM	#2
Bandobras Took Pile O'Bones Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: The Green Dragon Inn Posts: 22	Thranduil probibly did not demand it from Bilbo because maby he had not payed for it yet and felt he had no ownership over it. Also, what would he use it for, it to small. And Bilbo had just givin him the arkinstone. He probibly felt to abliged to ask for it Last edited by Bandobras Took; 12-29-2004 at 02:31 PM.

12-14-2004, 08:12 AM	#3
Elianna Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Ad finem itineris Posts: 384	Just about the coat, not Lego's age Yee! Someone else shares my idea of the mithril-coat being for Legolas! Although, some of your reasoning is faulty, (like elves maturing about the same as humans, check out HoME v 10 Morgoth's Ring, "Laws and Customs of the Eldar"), I do share this view b/c 1) It was mithril and diamonds, and Thranduil liked white gems and such. 2) The quote from the Hobbit is that it was "made for some young elf prince long ago." And of course "long ago" Legolas would've been young, little matter so old he was in LotR. I get the idea that Elrond would've ordered two if any at all, since ElladanandElrohir seem to be "the twins" and not seperate people. Those are the only elf-princes we know about in the Third Age. 3) Another quote is Aragorn saying it's a coat for an "elf-princeling". Another theory I feel inclined to put out there is one I read in a fanfic that the mithril coat was Earendil's. (At least I think that's what she was implying.) She didn't explain how the dwarves got it; perhaps something to do with the Beleriand Dwarves moving to the Ered Luin, and from there, the Dwarves brought it to Erebor. It seems to me, if the dwarves were going to end up with any First Age elf-prince's things that prince would be from Doriath (since the Dwarves were the ones who sacked Doriath), but as we all know: No prince in Doriath...well, maybe Dior...but that was after the sack wasn't it?..curses, haven't read Silm yet. __________________ Enyale cuilenya, ú-enyale mandenya.