legolas's hair

[Aragrax]

While I am not Sauron, nonetheless, I am going to serve as a Necromancer on this long dead thread (or am I just stealing a cup from a sleeping dragon?) to add one bit in defense of a dun-haired Legolas.

I believe JRRT gave us ringing (ahem) evidence of a brunette son of Thranduil. This evidence of Legolas's brown hair, in spite of Tolkien saying nothing about it, was thus:

Tolkien said nothing about it.

The old boy went to GREAT pains to point out when someone was blonde, silver-locked (Celeborn being named for it) or was black haired (this usually being paired with grey eyes). He was pretty much mum, otherwise. I have always taken this as a big red (or brown?) flag that the person in question had hair "of the usual sort". While Legolas's father was specifically noted for his golden locks, it would tend to follow that his son would be commented upon for having similar hair, yet he was not so noted.

Thus, via his very silence on the matter, JRRT painted L's hairs in earthen tones to match his outfit. Now THAT's some skillful editing!

IMO, anyway.

[jallanite]

Originally Posted by Aragrax

Thus, via his very silence on the matter, JRRT painted L's hairs in earthen tones to match his outfit. Now THAT's some skillful editing!

No, that is just an argument from silence.

If you could prove that every time Tolkien did not mention hair-colour than it was the most normal hair-colour for that kind of being, then you would have a point. But you can’t.