One of the most difficult relationships to watch unfolding during The Hobbit movie trilogy was that between Legolas and his father. Although Thranduil was a good monarch to his people, and placed their welfare above all else, the same enduring love didn’t always apply to his son in the film version. Their relationship with one another was tense at the best of times. He seemed constantly disapproving of Legolas’ choices, including his admiration of Tauriel, his decision to help the men of Lake Town, and his involvement in the Battle of the Five Armies. So when Legolas shows up at the Council of Elrond in Imladris over 60 years later, was this something else that Thranduil disapproved of? Did he feel was a betrayal of Legolas’ duties towards Greenwood? Or did Thranduil agree that it was for the good of all Middle Earth?

Surprisingly, the decision for Legolas to join the others in Rivendell and attend the great council of their age was one that he and his father Thranduil made together. Although there are many characteristics that made Thranduil hated, he does have the best intentions for his people in mind. The decision took much consideration, and could easily have been out of the question for the king. However, they decided eventually that it was the best course of action they could take.

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Thranduil and the elves of Greenwood are, as a whole, mistrustful of the other races of Middle Earth. This is a result of the War of Wrath, the betrayal of Morgoth, the quest for the Silmarils, and the bad history between elves and dwarves. It would therefore have been very easy for Thranduil to forbid his son to leave the safety of their lands. He could have decreed that Legolas stay there to inherit the throne and guide their people as was his birthright. However, there were several key elements that lead to the decision to send him to Rivendell instead.

Legolas arrives in Rivendell

Ultimately, it was Gollum that sealed the deal. Whilst at the council, Gandalf tells the others that he and Aragorn had tracked Gollum to the borders of the Shire for many months, in the 17 years that passed between Bilbo’s birthday, and Frodo leaving. Eventually, Aragorn managed to capture the creature. They had many questions for him to try to discover the whereabouts of the Ring, and what information he had given Sauron while he was held and tortured in Mordor. They wanted to know whether he had actually escaped, or was he released as part of a cunning plan by the enemy. Eventually, after getting nowhere, the wizard decided to leave Gollum in the care of Thranduil's people in Greenwood, to guard him and make sure he got into no further mischief. This was subsequently the reason that Legolas had to go to the council:

“The tidings that I was sent here to bring must now be told. They are not good, but only here have I learned how evil they may seem to this company. Smeagol, who is now called Gollum, has escaped.”

When Gollum manages to get away from Greenwood, they know that this could spell disaster. Thus, Thranduil can only send the person he trusts most to deliver this sensitive information, to ensure that it doesn’t end up in the wrong hands. In many ways, Gollum is the key to Sauron’s downfall. Not only does he ultimately end up putting the one ring in the fires of Mount Doom, but he also was the only person to have been inside Morodor and escaped. He took with his much knowledge about Sauron’s inner workings, including the path of Shelob, which was the only other way into the lands. Because of this, Sauron was afraid of Gollum. The alliance trying to defeat Sauron knew that Gollum would have an important part to play in the War of the Ring, and determining whether the Dark Lord would triumph or lose.

Thranduil

Thus, Thranduil sent Legolas to deliver news of the creature's escape. His son is only person whom Thranduil knows will protect the message with his life, but will still carry the interests of his people at heart. Not only this, but it is known across the lands that the council is crucial, and that they will be discussing a matter of monumental importance. As such, it makes sense that Thranduil would want his son there to help understand and change the fate of Middle Earth. It's in much the same vain that Denethor sends Boromir to the meeting, to try to ensure that Gondor has a stake and a claim in the outcomes and the glory.

This is a great sacrifice of Thranduil's because, in going to the council and declaring himself a member of the fellowship, Legolas experiences a world outside his home. Once they have been near the water, and heard the seagulls call, the elves long for the sea in a way that makes them restless, making it hard for them to ever find peace in Middle Earth again. Thranduil knows that in letting Legolas go to the council, he will likely lose him forever. Yet, he agrees to it because it’s the right thing to do to save their world.

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