Reflections from the Elf
Being a collection of anecdotes concerning members of the Fellowship of the Ring.
Compiled by Legolas Greenleaf of the Northern Mirkwood Forest Kingdom
Tales grow in the telling, to paraphrase a dear friend. And so too have these recollections. Elves are generally not known as great writers, being more concerned with preserving their own personal memories rather than in committing them to the impermanence of paper and ink. However, I find myself drawn to leaving a written record of my own point of view surrounding the extraordinary happenings at the end of the Third Age and the beginning of the Fourth.
My friends, Gimli of the Glittering Caves, formerly of the dwarvish kingdom of the Blue Mountains, and Frodo Baggins of the Shire in the land of the Halflings, have made compelling arguments for putting my memories into writing. Though it is not in my nature to sit for long hours at a writing desk - for I much prefer to wander the forests and streams under the everlasting stars - I bow to Gimli and Frodo's wisdom. Otherwise, the tales would not be told in Middle Earth, and those who come after me would never know them.
I am Legolas Greenleaf, one of the members of the Fellowship of the Ring formed by my Lord Elrond Half-Elven at the great Council of Elrond in Imladris at the end of the Third Age. I am a Silvan Elf of the Kingdom of Northern Mirkwood. My father, Thranduil, was Lord of this kingdom, though he and most of my kin have already departed Middle Earth for the Blessed Realm. I am the last Elf remaining on Middle Earth from this once-mighty kingdom. When I finish penning this collection, I shall transport it to Minas Tirith to be left in the keeping of the King. Gimli and I shall then travel to the Sea and will depart.
It has been many years, as mortals count them, since the Ringbearers
departed from the Grey Havens. And the time is drawing nigh when I too shall take the ship into the West. For the Sea has staked its claim upon
my heart, and I cannot gainsay for much longer the desire in my soul to sail upon its mighty waters. So I am setting aside for awhile my restless wanderings across the wide miles of Middle Earth, taking up residence again in the silent, dusty halls of my father's palaces on the Eastern edge of
Mirkwood, and will set to ink my musings before I quit this place for
another which is my destiny.
I have been to the great royal library in Minas Tirith, and have read the mighty works by Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. Bilbo's book was originally intertwined with Frodo's, but the King has had them separated into two volumes. The elder is titled "There and Back Again: A Hobbit's Tale" by Bilbo Baggins. The second, and much larger work, is titled "The Lord of the Rings" and is primarily by Frodo Baggins, though others have added to it through the years.
My writings are not intended to replace those histories, but rather, to give side commentary to the events which happened. I have been noting down these recollections for quite a few years, as time permitted. They are not in any particular order, but rather, are a simple retelling of what happened as I reflect upon them. And since my audience will most likely be mortals, a word of warning is required. Elves do not perceive time in the same fashion as mortals. Consequently, the tense of my writings may read as somewhat jumbled. Forgive me, but I will not attempt to edit my thoughts into any timeline. Nor should you be surprised that events which to you happened in some long-dim past, are recounted by myself as in the present. I hope this will not distract too much from the heart of the matter.
Being a collection of anecdotes concerning members of the Fellowship of the Ring.
Compiled by Legolas Greenleaf of the Northern Mirkwood Forest Kingdom
Tales grow in the telling, to paraphrase a dear friend. And so too have these recollections. Elves are generally not known as great writers, being more concerned with preserving their own personal memories rather than in committing them to the impermanence of paper and ink. However, I find myself drawn to leaving a written record of my own point of view surrounding the extraordinary happenings at the end of the Third Age and the beginning of the Fourth.
My friends, Gimli of the Glittering Caves, formerly of the dwarvish kingdom of the Blue Mountains, and Frodo Baggins of the Shire in the land of the Halflings, have made compelling arguments for putting my memories into writing. Though it is not in my nature to sit for long hours at a writing desk - for I much prefer to wander the forests and streams under the everlasting stars - I bow to Gimli and Frodo's wisdom. Otherwise, the tales would not be told in Middle Earth, and those who come after me would never know them.
I am Legolas Greenleaf, one of the members of the Fellowship of the Ring formed by my Lord Elrond Half-Elven at the great Council of Elrond in Imladris at the end of the Third Age. I am a Silvan Elf of the Kingdom of Northern Mirkwood. My father, Thranduil, was Lord of this kingdom, though he and most of my kin have already departed Middle Earth for the Blessed Realm. I am the last Elf remaining on Middle Earth from this once-mighty kingdom. When I finish penning this collection, I shall transport it to Minas Tirith to be left in the keeping of the King. Gimli and I shall then travel to the Sea and will depart.
It has been many years, as mortals count them, since the Ringbearers
departed from the Grey Havens. And the time is drawing nigh when I too shall take the ship into the West. For the Sea has staked its claim upon
my heart, and I cannot gainsay for much longer the desire in my soul to sail upon its mighty waters. So I am setting aside for awhile my restless wanderings across the wide miles of Middle Earth, taking up residence again in the silent, dusty halls of my father's palaces on the Eastern edge of
Mirkwood, and will set to ink my musings before I quit this place for
another which is my destiny.
I have been to the great royal library in Minas Tirith, and have read the mighty works by Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. Bilbo's book was originally intertwined with Frodo's, but the King has had them separated into two volumes. The elder is titled "There and Back Again: A Hobbit's Tale" by Bilbo Baggins. The second, and much larger work, is titled "The Lord of the Rings" and is primarily by Frodo Baggins, though others have added to it through the years.
My writings are not intended to replace those histories, but rather, to give side commentary to the events which happened. I have been noting down these recollections for quite a few years, as time permitted. They are not in any particular order, but rather, are a simple retelling of what happened as I reflect upon them. And since my audience will most likely be mortals, a word of warning is required. Elves do not perceive time in the same fashion as mortals. Consequently, the tense of my writings may read as somewhat jumbled. Forgive me, but I will not attempt to edit my thoughts into any timeline. Nor should you be surprised that events which to you happened in some long-dim past, are recounted by myself as in the present. I hope this will not distract too much from the heart of the matter.