Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas: age, friendship, etc

[ZORIDORN]

Taking into consideration their age span/life span, who is the oldest among the Three Hunters and who is the youngest?

From this movie, it seems that Gimli is the oldest of the three while Legolas is the youngest (although his numerical age is the highest). In the book version I think it is the same as well. I am just curious. What do you think?

Also, in this movie, the three friends always look out for each other. Their friendship is very well-developed in this movie version. We see Legolas constantly looking back during the chase because Gimli always lags behind and when they sensed danger, Aragorn sees to it that Gimli manages to make it in time as they conceal themselves behind the rock.

During the warg-attack, Legolas turns back to see that Gimli is okay after falling from the horse to do battle and Aragorn rescues Gimli from the warg. Legolas also keeps Arwen's gift hoping against hope that somehow Aragorn might still be alive after he fell from the cliff.

In the Battle of Helm's Deep, Gimli came to Aragorn's rescue after the culvert was blasted. Then Legolas shield-surfed to come to the aid of his friends and also threw down the rope to Aragorn and Gimli.

I look forward to seeing more of this friendship between Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas in RoTK especially as they journey through the Paths of The Dead.

I think that PJ has done very well in showing the close and loyal friendship between them. Do you agree?

[Dís]

I do think that the friendship between Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas is clearly shown. You didn´t mention the fact that when Éomer threatens Gimli, Legolas makes it utterly clear that Éomer would be dead before his stroke fell. :)

I do think that each one of them is looking out for the others and I think that it is so great. The friendship between them is well developed and I think that they will show how it will grow further in ROTK. :swoon:

[storm]

Definitely!!!!!!!Theirs is a friendship that is both loyal and true.It started in FoTR when Legolas defends Aragorn by telling Boromir that Strider is no mere ranger but Aragorn,son of Arathorn and that Boromir owes his allegiance to him.At the end of the film,when Gimli and Legolas smile at each other before heading off with Aragorn to find Merry and Pippin,you just know that this was a friendship that would grow stonger with each day or well in our case,with each film.

Legolas keeping Evenstar for Aragorn,threatening Eomer back at Gimli's defense,each one looking out for the other at Helm's Deep and during the chase for the hobbits...simply touching.I was so happy that PJ made such excellent effort in showing this amazing friendship on screen.Like you,ZORIDORN,I look forward to RoTK too!!!!!!!!!!!:)

[Nandor Nymph]

Hurrah! More acclaim for the Three Hunters!! The friendship between these three is by far one of my favourite things in the movie and the book.
The way PJ developed their friendship in the movie....there aren't words to describe me delight! :notworthy

Hard to say which I think seems to be the oldest. In truth we couldn't know numerically whish is oldest since no one knows how old Legolas is. But in book and movie he seems to be the youngest. Probably because he's an ever-lasting elf, who seems care free, particularly in the books.
As for Aragorn and Gimli, I don't know. In the movie it seems that Aragorn is older because he appears to be loads wiser than Gimli. Hmm...need further thought on that one :p

Ooooo I could swoon and discuss all day about the Three Hunters and their magnificence.

"You're late....you look terrible" *giddy* :swoon:

[Dragonflight]

By the books, I believe Aragorn is the youngest at 80 something. Gimli is something in his hundreds, and Legolas is over 2000. Arwen is the youngest of the elves, and she is over 2000, so Legolas has to be also. I'm too lazy to try to track down their exact ages, but someone on this board knows . . .

[Tethra]

I think in one of the movie companion books it's stated that Legolas is over 2000 years old but relatively spoken he's still a very young elf. :)
So I guess it's somehow correct to call him the "youngest". :D

[Lady Haleth]

I'd have to look it up but I seem to recall that Gimli was something like 253 yrs old. Aragorn was definitely the baby of the group at 88.

[Enigma]

Originally posted by Lady Haleth
I'd have to look it up but I seem to recall that Gimli was something like 253 yrs old. Aragorn was definitely the baby of the group at 88.

Gimli was 140 years old in 3019.

[Kathira]

I really think that the characters' relative ages worked very well with the casting of the actors.

Even at 2000+ Legolas has the eternal youth of the elves. He also would be less experienced in the world, having limited experience of death and grief, despair and warfare. So Orlando Bloom works perfectly, with his young, unlined face and sense of innocence, slowly developing into greater maturity.

Aragorn, as a Numenorian, had a more than twice normal human lifespan, so at 88, he would seem only just middle-aged. In other words, exactly like Viggo Mortensen in his early 40's. Somewhat care-worn, a little grey in his beard, he's had a hard life.

Dwarves are also long-lived, and in book terms, Gimli should probably be middle-aged or a little older, which is how John Rhys-Davies comes off. That he thinks of himself as older and more experienced than the other two seems right for the character.

I really applaud PJ & co. for the fantastic job they did casting this movie. Everyone is so right, it's hard to imagine them looking any different. I had been concerned that Elijah Wood might be a bit young for the solid 50-year-old Frodo, but he received the Ring at 33, which is the hobbit equivalent of 21, and probably would have more or less stopped aging at that point, due to the Ring. So that works, too.

[Malene]

Good topic,Zoridorn.I love these guys!
It is funny that all here say Legolas seems youngest,though in years he is ancient compared to the others.Maybe that is why it is amusing when in the book he says "..since I `ve been travelling with you children." to Aragorn and Gimli.
The movie shows their friendship in a beautiful way!Subtle,yet strong.Especially between Aragorn and Legolas.I guess that was what the whole deal with them thinking Aragorn is dead and Legolas giving him back the Evenstar was about.And to bring Arwens importance in to the story again.Good job,PJ!!
And the actors,brilliant work.No wonder they went around calling each other brothers after the filming was over.

The Sam/Frodo relationship is well portrayed by Elijah and Sean too.Good work.
Merry and Pippins friendship.Billy and Dominic ARE brothers aren`they??
;) That is how well they act in these movies.

[dillene]

I wish the "you children" line had been in the movie, but audiences probably would have found it jarring, seeing as Junior is only half the age of the other actors. It is amusing to see Gimli call Legolas "lad," though. :D

[Dís]

I do belive that to Gimli Legolas would seem in his actions to be like a young Dwarf, about 80 years old. If I am not mistaken Gimli describes himself as a Dwarf of many jurneys so I do belive that he and Aragorn has much the same experiences of fighting Orcs, Wargs and other such creatures.

[ZORIDORN]

In this movie, Gimli once called Aragorn 'laddie' (after Aragorn's return from the warg-attack) and said to Legolas 'Let him go, lad, let him be' after Legolas had told Aragorn that it is a hopeless endeavour to Helm's Deep. This makes Gimli seem like he is the oldest among the three although Aragorn is the leader of the group. I think both Gimli and Aragorn could be about the same age, taking into account their life span and age span.

Their journeying through the Paths Of The Dead and Aragorn's wedding are two of the highlights I am looking forward to in RoTK. We will see how they stick together as friends and how loyal they are to each other. I can't wait to see the expressions on the faces of Legolas and Gimli during Aragorn's wedding. Heh!

However, my greatest wish is to see Legolas and Gimli sailing to the West although I think that will not be in the RoTK movie.

[Elf Lady]

Exactly Zoridorn. The friendship between these three people are especially wonderful to me.

Unfortunately, I think you're right...we won't get to see Legolas and Gimli sailing away. :(

[leiasky]

Hopefully we'll get some character interaction and not an 'epilogue' for a wedding, with a voiceover like we got at the end of TT.

Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli are together through the Paths, Palennor and the Morannon.....I'd like to see them in more quiet times as well, how they interact with one another.

[dillene]

How does Gimli get a pass to Valinor, anyway? I've always had this vision of Gimli and Legolas jumping some hapless elf and leaving him bound up somewhere secret so Gimli can take that elf's place on the ship to Valinor- but that's probably not what happens!:D

Gims and Legs must eventually be parted though, yes? What happens to Dwarves when they die? Do they go to the human-hobbit afterlife? Are they sent to the Mammoth Caves in Kentucky? What?

[Enigma]

The dwarves, after dying, were gathered at the halls of Mandos by Aulë.. not the same halls as the elves though.

[Nilmandra]

Originally posted by dillene
How does Gimli get a pass to Valinor, anyway? I've always had this vision of Gimli and Legolas jumping some hapless elf and leaving him bound up somewhere secret so Gimli can take that elf's place on the ship to Valinor- but that's probably not what happens!:D
Someone has suggestd elsewhere that Gimli went with Legolas to the West because of his great love for Galadriel and the desire to look upon her face again (as we've heard from the FOTR SE DVD). And it is likely that Galadriel got that grace for Gimli to journey to Valinor. Someone correct me if I'm wrong :)

[Green Man]

Yeah, Gimli got the card that said "Go straight to Valinor, do not pass Moria, do not collect 200 pieces of Mithril".

Either that or "Get out of Middle Earth free"

;)

[Malene]

Um,it says in the appendices of LOTR that it was the great love between Legolas and Gimli and ALSO the wish to look upon Galadriels face again that gave him the "pass" to Valinor.Does it not?
Another thing that is wonderful about the whole Aragorn/Legolas/Gimli relationship is that after Aragorn is King,the other two spend much of their time with him.Legolas builds gardens (Funny to think about,that the fierce warrior works with trees and plants.) and Gimli does great stone work in Gondor.
It is after Elessar passes away that they leave for Valinor.So their friendship lasts forever,doesn`t it?

[Re-reader]

Originally posted by dillene
How does Gimli get a pass to Valinor, anyway?

Not to get too "literary" in the Movies forum, but I wanted to point out that there is a small mention in JRRT's letters of Gimli's taking the ship:
But the promise made to the Eldar (the High Elves – not to other varieties, they had long before made their irrevocable choice, preferring Middle-earth to paradise) for their sufferings in the struggle with the prime Dark Lord had still to be fulfilled: that they should always be able to leave Middle-earth, if they wished, and pass over Sea to the True West, by the Straight Road, and so come to Eressëa – but so pass out of time and history, never to return. The Half-elven, such as Elrond and Arwen, can choose to which kind and fate they shall belong: choose once and for all. Hence the grief at the parting of Elrond and Arwen.
But in this story it is supposed that there may be certain rare exceptions or accommodations (legitimately supposed? there always seem to be exceptions); and so certain 'mortals', who have played some great part in Elvish affairs, may pass with the Elves to Elvenhome. Thus Frodo (by the express gift of Arwen) and Bilbo, and eventually Sam (as adumbrated by Frodo); and as a unique exception Gimli the Dwarf, as friend of Legolas and 'servant' of Galadriel.
-- JRRT Letter No. 154

[Lady Haleth]

Originally posted by Enigma
The dwarves, after dying, were gathered at the halls of Mandos by Aulë.. not the same halls as the elves though.
Ah, that's the answer.
So... if Frodo gets to go in place of Arwen, whose seat on the boat does Bilbo take?

[ZORIDORN]

Yes, Malene, Legolas creates a beautiful garden while Gimli does stonework - all this for their friend Aragorn. It really is a beautiful friendship between the three.

Also, Aragorn forgave Legolas for giving up hope in the defence of Helm's Deep and Gimli did not get angry when Legolas made a joke about his lack of height. These three friends understand one another so well.

However, the one sad thing is that Aragorn and Gimli too will pass away due to old age and only Legolas will remain forever. Will they ever meet again?

[Rivenlas]

Alright, just being exact, but in the movie guide it said that Legolas was 2,931.
I hope in Return of the King Legolas calls them children--it'd be cute. :D

[citron]

Originally posted by ZORIDORN
Yes, Malene, Legolas creates a beautiful garden while Gimli does stonework - all this for their friend Aragorn. It really is a beautiful friendship between the three.

Also, Aragorn forgave Legolas for giving up hope in the defence of Helm's Deep and Gimli did not get angry when Legolas made a joke about his lack of height. These three friends understand one another so well.

However, the one sad thing is that Aragorn and Gimli too will pass away due to old age and only Legolas will remain forever. Will they ever meet again?

I bet at the end of the world, elves, humans, hobbits, dwarves, maiar, et al, and Iluvatar will all live happily ever after wherever it is that Iluvatar lives.
I have this image in my head of one long eternal party and Legolas is wearing a silly party hat.:D

[ZORIDORN]

To citron,
Legolas wearing a silly party hat? That would be so not like him. Perhaps, Gimli is the one who will wear the silly party hat.:D

[citron]

That's why the thought makes me laugh. Oh the incongruity of it.:D

[Kathira]

My friend and I were speculating that after his experiences with humans, dwarves, hobbits, etc., that Legolas wouldn't fit in very well with the regular elves anymore. They tend to be more reserved and insular, not interested in the affairs of the other races. I'm sure he would find them boring and affected, and they would find him excessive and strange. Although he might have been a bit of an odd duck to start with, or he wouldn't have gone on the Quest.

Gimli might have the same problem with his fellow dwarves, especially with his love for Galadriel. So the friends hang together, since they have more in common now with each other than their own people.

And after spending happy years with Gimli in Valinor, after his death, Legolas keeps him and all the Fellowship alive in memory ever-green. Until they meet again at the end.

++++++++++++++++++++++

Then Treebeard said farewell to each of them in turn, and he bowed three times with great reverence to Celeborn and Galdriel. ... "I do not think we will meet again."

And Celeborn said, "I do not know, Eldest." But Galadriel said, "Not in Middle-Earth, nor until the lands that lie under the wave are lifted up again. Then in the willow-meads of Tsarinan we may meet in the Spring. Farewell!"

[dillene]

Perhaps he and Olorin can kibbitz with each other- you know, play pranks on Elrond, visit Haldir, that sort of thing. Besides, Legsie might not be alone forever. Those Vanyar chicks probably dig elves that have been around the block a time or two!

Yeah, baby, it was me and Olorin and a bunch of useless mortals. But I took care of business, and I was ALWAYS the prettiest! :D

[Seuvilen]

I've always had this weird picture in my head of Legolas and Gandalf in Valinor, sitting around playing chess or something, and talking about the old days. :rolleyes: :p

[Thunder*Bolt]

One thing for certain, Gandalf won't have a Pippin to pick on in Valinor. :LOL:

[Malene]

I just thought of this today,and can`t believe I haven`t before.
When Legolas gives Aragorn back the Evenstar necklace,it seems that he knows how important this is to Aragorn.So he knows about the whole Aragorn/Arwen thing?

It looks like it from the appreciative look Aragorn gives him,and also the way Legolas looks back at Aragorn when Aragorn says "Thankyou."

Or am I reading way to much in to it??

In the books,this doesn`t seem to be something Aragorn talks about.And movie Aragorn certainly isn`t the type to sit and talk about his love life.
But as I said, when I see the scene there seems to be an understanding about this.

[Lady Haleth]

There was a scene cut from FOTR that had an encounter between Legolas and Arwen when the Fellowship was leaving Rivendell. (Remember the pic of them touching each other's face?) That implies to me that they knew each other, which isn't clear in the book. And from the Council scene we know that Legolas knew Aragorn (or at least knew of him). So it's possible he also knew of their romance.

[Kathira]

Yes, I would say Legolas certainly knew both Aragorn and Arwen before the Quest. Also, in general she (and her necklace) were well known among the elves, the beautiful Evenstar. I'm sure their relationship was fairly well-known amongst the elves, with it's parallel to other elf-human pairings, such as Beren and Luthien. Aragorn and Legolas have been traveling together for the whole long trip, with Aragorn wearing her necklace, and not particularly hiding it. Besides, who knows what quiet (and private) conversations they had around the campfire, once the hobbits went to sleep?

[ZORIDORN]

Yes, Malene, Legolas knew Aragorn even before the Council of Elrond so I suppose he must have known about Aragorn's love for Arwen. Aragorn is not the type to talk much about these things but perhaps he has mention (just barely) it.

Also, note that eventhough Legolas is royalty, he still befriends Gimli who is not royalty.

[Elfdaughter]

Legolas almost certainly knew Arwen, or at least Aragorn's love for her. His father was the king of Mirkwood, and would surely have known Elrond. I think!:D

http://members.fortunecity.co.uk/obfan/animation/legolas_sword.gif

[J-girl]

:D

Elf-daughter, that's amazing. :D

I too just love the Three Hunters, and the effect that these guys know each other very, very well. As others have said, Gimli not being angry at Legolas' snipe about his height really shows this- he just laughs as if to say "Oh, you're hilarious, did anyone ever tell you that? :rolleyes: " :D I also love how Legolas puts his hand on Gimli's shoulder supportively when they're told that Merry and Pippin were probably 'accidentally' killed by a rather careless Rohirrim- and when Aragorn puts his hand on Gimli's shoulder when Eomer dismounts his horse, it seems to me that on the one hand it's to restrain Gimli, and on the other, it's a protective move... 'Don't worry Gimli, I'll protect ya.' :D

As for Legolas knowing about Aragorn-and-Arwen, I expect it's prime gossip amongst every Elf in Middle Earth. Elrond's probably been whinging to anyone who'll listen. :D

[Elfdaughter]

Think that's cool?
http://members.fortunecity.co.uk/obfan/animation/n_legolas_mirror_sm.gif

[storm]

J-girl,its definitely prime gossip.....how about 'The Hottest Love Story In Town'?Maybe they even have songs and plays about it in Elvish.....mind you,Elrond probably didn't know about that...:D

[iloveestel]

I wonder if the fellowship gang still see each other even now. That would be so cool.

[Dís]

It would indeed be cool if they meet regularly, each of them telling the others what he has done and then they talk about the old days. :beer:

[iloveestel]

I wonder if they would even camp out and tell ghosts stories too

[Dís]

I think they do, telling their wives that they are out hunting and then spending most of the time sitting and talking. :) If I could be with them, it would be amasing.