Introduction
Legolas is a Sindarin Elf from the Woodland Realm of Northern Mirkwood. His father, Thranduil, is the King of the Silvan Elves living in that realm, making Legolas the Prince of Mirkwood. Very little is known about Legolas's life before he appears in The Lord of the Rings, but his deeds during the War of the Ring are many and legendary. He is also known for his great friendship with Gimli, a well-respected Dwarf warrior, and his loyalty to Aragorn, the King Elessar of Gondor.
Natural Abilities
Like many Elves, Legolas has natural strength and endurance that exceeds that of mortal men. He has particularly sharp eyesight, an ability that often comes in handy during his adventures throughout The Lord of the Rings. While pursuing Orcs with Aragorn and Gimli, he is able to see the traveling host from many miles distant. He can also see both eagles and Nazgûl flying high in the sky; it is his incredible eyesight that allows him to shoot down one of the Nazgûl's winged steeds from far away. His endurance is also legendary. In The Fellowship of the Ring, Tolkien remarks that he does not wear boots but only light shoes, and that "his feet made little imprint on the snow." He has a natural ability to walk softly and swiftly without tiring. During the Three Hunters' pursuit of the Orcs, while Aragorn and Gimli sleep, Legolas paces and sings to himself instead. Apparently, he does not need sleep to keep up his strength. Elves have different abilities than mortals, so it is impossible to say how Legolas's strength and endurance compare to that of a man of Númenor like Aragorn. However, it is safe to assume that Legolas's Elven blood makes him stronger even than Aragorn, though not necessarily better with a blade.
Skills
In addition to his keen eyesight and endurance, Legolas is a cunning warrior. During The Fellowship of the Ring, he carries a longbow made by the Silvan Elves of Mirkwood. Upon leaving Lorien, Galadriel gifts him a bow of the Galadhrim, which he uses throughout the rest of the book. He also carries a long white knife, and though he prefers to use a bow and arrows, he is seen wielding the knife at several key battles, including the Battle of Helm's Deep. In the movies, Legolas is depicted performing seemingly impossible stunts during the many battles in which he fights. He often appears acrobatic, exhibiting perfect aim as well as an ability to swing himself onto moving targets. While Legolas is also described as an agile and adept warrior in the book, Tolkien is not so descriptive of his individual actions.
Weapons & Armor
