Why didn't Legolas carry the Hobbits?

***RÃan*** · 06-06-2003, 12:35 AM

OK, this might be really silly, but I"m re-reading LoTR for the umteenth time, and I've always wondered about this:

When the Fellowship was coming down from Caradhras, Boromir and Aragorn beat a path through the snow for everyone, then came back and carried Merry and Pippin, then came back again and carried Frodo and Sam. Why in the world didn't Legolas, who could walk on top of snow and is an elf and really strong, help carry any of the hobbits?

Lalaith · 06-06-2003, 12:40 AM

Maybe he would then be to heavy for snow. Plus: They needed someone who stayed with the two first hobbits when Aragorn and Boromir went back to carry the other two.
PLUS: Why didn't Gandalf carry a hobbit?

Gwaimir Windgem · 06-06-2003, 12:43 AM

Legolas didn't because he was afraid the Hobbits would pull on his braids.

Gandalf's body was that of an elderly Man. Still hale, yes, but I believe UT says that the Istari took on the weaknesses and limitations of the human form when they took those bodies; he wouldn't, I think, have superhuman strength. I'm sure he COULD carry a Hobbit, but it would make more sense for the stronger, younger Men to, in my opinion.

***RÃan*** · 06-06-2003, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lalaith
Maybe he would then be to heavy for snow. Plus: They needed someone who stayed with the two first hobbits when Aragorn and Boromir went back to carry the other two.
PLUS: Why didn't Gandalf carry a hobbit?

Yeah, I thought about the too heavy thing, but still, elves are supposed to be incredibly strong. And Gandalf was back with Frodo and Sam.

Maybe it's just part of the whole disconnected Elvish thing - like Gildor said, "The Elves have their own labours and their own sorrows, and they are little concerned with the ways of hobbits, or of any other creature upon earth." Legolas always seemed a bit distrait, altho quite a helpful member of the Fellowship in many ways.

Silpion · 06-06-2003, 01:34 AM

I thought Aragorn and Boromir was used as "snowplows" to forge a path through the snow. Legolas was like a scout who ran ahead to see what the conditions were like. Pippin and Merry were taken first (Legolas waited with them) leaving Frodo, Sam and Gimli with Gandalf while Aragorn and Boromir were the transports. This would leave Frodo guarded by Gandalf or Aragorn. I always thought that while the fellowship was together either Gandalf or Aragorn would stay with Frodo.
It reminds me of that game were there's a fox, a chicken, and a something else and you've got to get them across the river but you have to be careful because you can't leave the fox with the chicken because the fox will eat the chicken. (My example would be more effective if I could remember what that something else was

).
Anyway, just my humble opinion.

edited to add that the game is NOT played with a real fox, chicken, and something else

Gwaimir Windgem · 06-06-2003, 02:03 AM

I believe it's a sack of chicken feed, isn't it?

Lanelf · 06-06-2003, 02:18 AM

Either chicken feed or a similar thing - a sack of corn or something. But I always loved that game, cause I knew the trick. Just keep the fox on the same side as the corn/chicken feed and then when you take one over you bring the goat back. And - well, it's kinda hard to explain. Oh well.
On-topic: Mabye they wanted Legolas free to move if they were attacked. After all, he had both knives and arrows, so he could hit enemies from a distance.
Lanelf.

LutraMage · 06-06-2003, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lalaith
Maybe he would then be to heavy for snow. Plus: They needed someone who stayed with the two first hobbits when Aragorn and Boromir went back to carry the other two. PLUS: Why didn't Gandalf carry a hobbit?

I agree, Legolas could walk on the snow himself because he could distribute his body weight, but carrying a hobbit he would have been too heavy.

As to Gandalf, I'm sure he would have sniffed at the suggestion and simply pointed out "Why have a dog and bark yourself!)

Artanis · 06-06-2003, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RÃ*an
Yeah, I thought about the too heavy thing, but still, elves are supposed to be incredibly strong. And Gandalf was back with Frodo and Sam.

It doesn't help you to be strong, you cannot walk on top of the snow if you're not light enough. It makes sense to send someone running down to look for a passage, and then make the other follow.

Baby-K · 06-06-2003, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Why in the world didn't Legolas, who could walk on top of snow and is an elf and really strong, help carry any of the hobbits

Because Hobbits eat so much & are fat little critters

Lalaith · 06-06-2003, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RÃ*an
Yeah, I thought about the too heavy thing, but still, elves are supposed to be incredibly strong. And Gandalf was back with Frodo and Sam.

Maybe it's just part of the whole disconnected Elvish thing - like Gildor said, "The Elves have their own labours and their own sorrows, and they are little concerned with the ways of hobbits, or of any other creature upon earth." Legolas always seemed a bit distrait, altho quite a helpful member of the Fellowship in many ways.

yeah, as the others said ... I think you got me wrong. He was surely strong enough to carry a Hobbit, but the snow wouldn't have carried him and the hobbits

***RÃan*** · 06-06-2003, 11:57 AM

But even if he couldn't walk on TOP of the snow anymore, he could have carried a hobbit to help out, and walk in the regular way, like Aragorn and Boromir, because elves are v. strong.

The more I think about it, the more I think Lalaith hit upon the answer (first among several of you guys) - Legolas stayed to guard Merry and Pippin at the other end. Legolas did go back to the group with B. and A. at first, then apparently followed A. and B. carrying M. and P., then it's said that L. stayed with M. and P. on the other side.

Thanks!

Lalaith · 06-06-2003, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RÃ*an
But even if he couldn't walk on TOP of the snow anymore, he could have carried a hobbit to help out, and walk in the regular way, like Aragorn and Boromir, because elves are v. strong.

The more I think about it, the more I think Lalaith hit upon the answer (first among several of you guys) - Legolas stayed to guard Merry and Pippin at the other end. Legolas did go back to the group with B. and A. at first, then apparently followed A. and B. carrying M. and P., then it's said that L. stayed with M. and P. on the other side.

Thanks!

That would also explain why Gandalf didn't carry one.
but ... there would still have been Gimli to guard them

***azalea*** · 06-06-2003, 01:49 PM

I think it was also partly Tolkien's way of differentiating the races for his readers. Men were the burley brutish ones that would do the major lifting, whereas elves were very strong, yet they were the lithe and nimble ones, which is why he portrays them more as archers in LotR, IIRC. Remember that he was communicating with readers who hadn't heard of The Silmarillion, where we see a more complete picture of the elves. I think he felt he needed to have some boundaries for his readers in terms of their view of the different races, esp. w/ so many characters.

LutraMage · 06-06-2003, 01:52 PM

Yep, well said. Tolkien was more than capable of seeing the needs of his readership at all levels, and he would have had a notion of what elves 'should do' compared to men compared to dwarves compared to hobbits compared to wizards.

Bombadillo · 06-09-2003, 01:14 PM

I think Legolas may have been preoccupied, with scouting out the area. Of course he'd be the best one to stay above snow, but given the curcumstances he'd be the best of the fellowship to keep a lookout instead. In case he found some orcs or spies or something, and then he'd be the best to kill them.

Plus he doesn't have much stregnth to carry the hobbits. It's logical IMO.

durin's bane · 06-09-2003, 07:00 PM

I think he didn't carry Hobbits because he was the only one who could walk on snow, so he was probably made the look-out or something, and carrying Hobbits could make him sink.

HobbitChick88 · 06-17-2003, 10:19 AM

I think Legolas didn't carry the hobbits b/c he wasn't man enough.

hehehe

okay, that has to be the worst joke I've ever made in my life. *ahem* Anyway......

Lefty Scaevola · 06-17-2003, 10:39 AM

Most likely because there smelled like rancid wet dogs, and he did not want to touch them.

***RÃan*** · 06-18-2003, 11:42 AM

true!

06-06-2003, 12:35 AM	#1
*RÃan* Half-Elven Princess of Rabbit Trails and Harp-Wielding Administrator (beware the Rubber Chicken of Doom!) Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Not where I want to be ... Posts: 15,254	Why didn't Legolas carry the Hobbits? OK, this might be really silly, but I"m re-reading LoTR for the umteenth time, and I've always wondered about this: When the Fellowship was coming down from Caradhras, Boromir and Aragorn beat a path through the snow for everyone, then came back and carried Merry and Pippin, then came back again and carried Frodo and Sam. Why in the world didn't Legolas, who could walk on top of snow and is an elf and really strong, help carry any of the hobbits? __________________ . I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ã‘Ã¡ Ã«?* Ã³Ãº Ã©Ã¤ Ã¯Ã¶Ã¼ Ã–Ã± Ã‰ Ãž Ã° ÃŸ Â® Ã§ Ã¥ â„¢ Ã¦ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lÃ³mÃ«! AurÃ« entuluva!

06-06-2003, 12:40 AM	#2
Lalaith The Elvish Temptress Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Vienna, Austria Posts: 3,055	Maybe he would then be to heavy for snow. Plus: They needed someone who stayed with the two first hobbits when Aragorn and Boromir went back to carry the other two. PLUS: Why didn't Gandalf carry a hobbit? __________________ What I am and what I would are as secret as maidenhead.

06-06-2003, 12:43 AM	#3
Gwaimir Windgem Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Paula, CA Posts: 10,820	Legolas didn't because he was afraid the Hobbits would pull on his braids. Gandalf's body was that of an elderly Man. Still hale, yes, but I believe UT says that the Istari took on the weaknesses and limitations of the human form when they took those bodies; he wouldn't, I think, have superhuman strength. I'm sure he COULD carry a Hobbit, but it would make more sense for the stronger, younger Men to, in my opinion. __________________ Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis. Nulla talem silva profert, fronde, flore, germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavo, dulce pondus sustinens. 'With a melon?' - Eric Idle

06-06-2003, 01:34 AM	#5
Silpion Elven Warrior Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 103	I thought Aragorn and Boromir was used as "snowplows" to forge a path through the snow. Legolas was like a scout who ran ahead to see what the conditions were like. Pippin and Merry were taken first (Legolas waited with them) leaving Frodo, Sam and Gimli with Gandalf while Aragorn and Boromir were the transports. This would leave Frodo guarded by Gandalf or Aragorn. I always thought that while the fellowship was together either Gandalf or Aragorn would stay with Frodo. It reminds me of that game were there's a fox, a chicken, and a something else and you've got to get them across the river but you have to be careful because you can't leave the fox with the chicken because the fox will eat the chicken. (My example would be more effective if I could remember what that something else was ). Anyway, just my humble opinion. edited to add that the game is NOT played with a real fox, chicken, and something else Last edited by Silpion : 06-06-2003 at 01:46 AM.

06-06-2003, 02:03 AM	#6
Gwaimir Windgem Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Paula, CA Posts: 10,820	I believe it's a sack of chicken feed, isn't it? __________________ Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis. Nulla talem silva profert, fronde, flore, germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavo, dulce pondus sustinens. 'With a melon?' - Eric Idle

06-06-2003, 02:18 AM	#7
Lanelf Elven Warrior Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: The Second Drawer Down Posts: 407	Either chicken feed or a similar thing - a sack of corn or something. But I always loved that game, cause I knew the trick. Just keep the fox on the same side as the corn/chicken feed and then when you take one over you bring the goat back. And - well, it's kinda hard to explain. Oh well. On-topic: Mabye they wanted Legolas free to move if they were attacked. After all, he had both knives and arrows, so he could hit enemies from a distance. Lanelf. __________________ Hey, I'm back! resounding silence You didn't even notice I was gone, did you? Well, I'm back now anyway. Artemis Fowl must find Mulch Diggums! You'll never shut down the real Napster

06-06-2003, 11:57 AM	#12
*RÃan* Half-Elven Princess of Rabbit Trails and Harp-Wielding Administrator (beware the Rubber Chicken of Doom!) Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Not where I want to be ... Posts: 15,254	But even if he couldn't walk on TOP of the snow anymore, he could have carried a hobbit to help out, and walk in the regular way, like Aragorn and Boromir, because elves are v. strong. The more I think about it, the more I think Lalaith hit upon the answer (first among several of you guys) - Legolas stayed to guard Merry and Pippin at the other end. Legolas did go back to the group with B. and A. at first, then apparently followed A. and B. carrying M. and P., then it's said that L. stayed with M. and P. on the other side. Thanks! __________________ . I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ã‘Ã¡ Ã«?* Ã³Ãº Ã©Ã¤ Ã¯Ã¶Ã¼ Ã–Ã± Ã‰ Ãž Ã° ÃŸ Â® Ã§ Ã¥ â„¢ Ã¦ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lÃ³mÃ«! AurÃ« entuluva!

06-06-2003, 01:49 PM	#14
*azalea* Long lost mooter Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 3,342	I think it was also partly Tolkien's way of differentiating the races for his readers. Men were the burley brutish ones that would do the major lifting, whereas elves were very strong, yet they were the lithe and nimble ones, which is why he portrays them more as archers in LotR, IIRC. Remember that he was communicating with readers who hadn't heard of The Silmarillion, where we see a more complete picture of the elves. I think he felt he needed to have some boundaries for his readers in terms of their view of the different races, esp. w/ so many characters.

06-06-2003, 01:52 PM	#15
LutraMage Elven Warrior Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Tolkien's England where the tale grew in the telling... Posts: 330	Yep, well said. Tolkien was more than capable of seeing the needs of his readership at all levels, and he would have had a notion of what elves 'should do' compared to men compared to dwarves compared to hobbits compared to wizards. __________________ "Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy: not to strike without need. And he has been well rewarded, Frodo. Be sure that he took so little hurt from the evil, and escaped in the end, because he began his ownership of the Ring so, with Pity." "Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends." "Very well,' he answered aloud, lowering his sword. 'But still I am afraid. And yet, as you see, I will not touch the creature. For now that I see him, I do pity him."

06-09-2003, 01:14 PM	#16
Bombadillo "The Bomb" Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: all over the place Posts: 1,601	I think Legolas may have been preoccupied, with scouting out the area. Of course he'd be the best one to stay above snow, but given the curcumstances he'd be the best of the fellowship to keep a lookout instead. In case he found some orcs or spies or something, and then he'd be the best to kill them. Plus he doesn't have much stregnth to carry the hobbits. It's logical IMO. __________________ Could it be that one path to enlightenment leads through insanity?

06-09-2003, 07:00 PM	#17
durin's bane Lady of Westernesse Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Canada (Help! Our parliament building is melting!) Posts: 761	I think he didn't carry Hobbits because he was the only one who could walk on snow, so he was probably made the look-out or something, and carrying Hobbits could make him sink. __________________ Yada, yada, yada

06-17-2003, 10:19 AM	#18
HobbitChick88 Elven Warrior Join Date: May 2002 Location: Sweet Home Alabama Posts: 237	I think Legolas didn't carry the hobbits b/c he wasn't man enough. hehehe okay, that has to be the worst joke I've ever made in my life. ahem Anyway...... __________________ "Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars..." ~The Hobbit "And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whose you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." -Joshua 24:15 Step follows step, Hope follows courage. Set your face toward danger Set your heart on victory! "Where is Elizabeth?" "She's safe, just like I promised. She's all set to marry Norrington just like she promised, and you get to die for her just like you promised. So we're all men of our word, really....except for Elizabeth who is, in fact, a woman." ~Will Turner and Jack Sparrow, POTC fROdO LIVeS!!!!

06-17-2003, 10:39 AM	#19
Lefty Scaevola AngAdan Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Boerne, Texas Posts: 856	Most likely because there smelled like rancid wet dogs, and he did not want to touch them. __________________ Gaius Mucius Scaevola Older, richer, and wiser than you "Mighty are the Ainur, and mightiest among them is Melkor, but that he may know, and all the Ainur, that I am Iluvatar, those things that ye have sung, I will show them forth, ... And thou, Melkor, shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me,"

06-18-2003, 11:42 AM	#20
*RÃan* Half-Elven Princess of Rabbit Trails and Harp-Wielding Administrator (beware the Rubber Chicken of Doom!) Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Not where I want to be ... Posts: 15,254	true! __________________ . I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ã‘Ã¡ Ã«?* Ã³Ãº Ã©Ã¤ Ã¯Ã¶Ã¼ Ã–Ã± Ã‰ Ãž Ã° ÃŸ Â® Ã§ Ã¥ â„¢ Ã¦ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lÃ³mÃ«! AurÃ« entuluva!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Maiar can be Hobbits, too!	Elanor the hobbit	Writer's Workshop	15	06-24-2007 05:48 PM
Legolas abd Hobbits	L@ur@y Elven Warrior	Middle Earth	55	01-24-2003 03:59 PM
Legolas vs. Aragorn-Whose better?	Evenstar1400	General Messages	5	01-15-2003 07:05 PM
Contentedness, homelessness and hobbits	Varda	The Hobbit (book)	11	07-25-2002 12:04 PM
Calender pics...Good Lord they're amazing!	Grand Admiral Reese	Lord of the Rings Movies	19	01-27-2001 12:10 AM