Who Does Legolas Fall in Love With?
In J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, Legolas is an Elf from the Woodland Realm, known for his exceptional archery skills and his long-lived life. Throughout the trilogy, Legolas forms close relationships with many characters, including his best friend Aragorn and his fellow members of the Fellowship. But who does Legolas fall in love with?
A Closer Look at Legolas’ Love Life
In the book, The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, there is no explicit mention of Legolas being in love with anyone. However, in the 2013 movie The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, Legolas has a significant romantic subplot with Tauriel, an Elf maiden.
Tauriel: A Potential Love Interest
Tauriel is a skilled warrior and member of the Elven guard of Mirkwood. She is described as beautiful and strong in both the book and the movie. In the film, Legolas and Tauriel develop a close bond, which evolves into romantic feelings. However, their relationship is marked by unrequited love, as Tauriel sees Legolas only as a friend and a comrade, while Legolas harbors deeper feelings for her.
The Reason for Unrequited Love
In the movie, it is revealed that Tauriel is haunted by the memory of her former lover, who was killed in battle. This traumatic experience has left her wary of love and reluctant to form deep connections with others. Legolas, understanding her pain, decides to accept the reality of their relationship and choose to remain her friend rather than risk losing their friendship by declaring his true feelings.
The Unfulfilled Love
Although Legolas’ love for Tauriel remains unrequited, their friendship and mutual respect for each other continue to grow. In the end, Legolas leaves Mirkwood and parts ways with Tauriel, as his path lies elsewhere.
The Absence of Love in the Books
In the book, Legolas’ relationship with Tauriel is absent. Instead, he forms a deep bond with Aragorn, with whom he shares a sense of brotherhood and camaraderie. While their relationship is strong, it is not romantic in nature.
A Comparison with Other Literary Works
Legolas’ story shares similarities with other literary works where unrequited love plays a significant role. For example, in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the star-crossed lovers’ love remains unrequited, leading to tragic consequences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Legolas’ love life is not extensively explored in the book, his romantic subplot with Tauriel in the movie provides an intriguing glimpse into his emotional depths. Ultimately, Legolas’ choice to remain Tauriel’s friend serves as a testament to the complexity and richness of his character.