What's the problem with Mirkwood Elves?

[Lanhail]

Poor Mirkwood Elves, disparaged over at the old forum, and already over here, too!

When we first meet them in The Hobbit, their feast is rudely intruded upon by a bunch of Dwarves and a Hobbit. Tolkien describes them as having a "distrust of strangers". There is a history of animosity (to put it very mildly) between the forefathers of the Elvenking and Dwarves. The Elves accused the Dwarves of stealing their treasure. The Dwarves "said that they only took what was their due, for the Elf-king had bargained with them." (pg 168 of The Hobbit) Page 220 of The Annotated Hobbit explains the reason behind the animosity. The Elf-king of the passage is Thingol, not the Elvenking, Thranduil. At the time of the writing of The Hobbit, the story relating this animosity was called "The Nauglafring: The Necklace of the Dwarves", now found in The Book of Lost Tales:2 which turned into "The Ruin of Doriath" from The Silmarillion. Thorin wouldn't say a word about his quest. If my enemy was in my backyard and wouldn't explain his reasons, I'd lock him in my basement, too!

The Elvenking says "Take him [Thorin] away and keep him safe". He was given food and drink. Tolkien explains that Wood-elves "were reasonably well-behaved even to their worst enemies". (pg 169).

When the rest of the dwarves were captured, the only "abuse" they suffered was to have to walk quickly even though they were tired. When brought before the Elvenking, "he told his men to unbind them, for they were ragged and weary". (pg 172) They were given food and drink when put in their cell.
Let's not forget that the Dwarves were starving. The Elvenking had a powerful weapon of withholding food, but he didn't use it. If anything he kept them from truly starving to death.

After a few weeks, Thorin was considering ransoming himself by promising a portion of the treasure. No where is stated that the Elvenking asked for treasure. (pg 175).

Bilbo believes that the guard was "quite decent to the prisoners". (pg 180)

The people of Laketown were friends with the Wood-elves. (pg 194) There were disagreements over "river-tolls", however.

When hearing of the Dwarves in Laketown, the Elvenking said "No treasure will come back through Mirkwood without my having something to say about it." (pg 199) This passage probably means that the Elvenking will require a "toll". But, that is not a certainty.

After the ruin of Laketown, Bard sent messengers to the Elvenking asking for help. (pg 254). The Elvenking was already on his way to the mountain, perhaps to collect some treasure. He makes an interesting remark expecting Thorin to be dead, "He would have done better to have remained my guest." (pg 255) It seems to me that the Elvenking would have rathered his enemy be alive than for himself to obtain his enemy's treasure. Hearing the plight of the people of Laketown, the Elvenking turned towards Laketown, instead of continuing to the Mountain. Some of his people helped build shelter and some of the Men joined the rest of the Elves to go to the Mountain. (pg 256) Though the Elves did not ask for anything, the Master and his men were willing to make a bargain, if required, (which might have been treasure or some other favor, we don't find out).
After Bard and the Elves find out that Thorin is alive, they parley for treasure enough for the damage of Laketown. At no time does the Elvenking request anything. Bard says (pg 266) "The Elvenking is my friend, and he has succoured the people of the Lake in their need, though they had no claim but friendship on him."
After Bilbo gives the Arkenstone to Bard, the Elvenking, worried about Bilbo's safety asks him to stay where he will "be honored and thrice welcome." (pg 273)

The Elvenking and his host stayed to support Bard and his men. When Dain and the Dwarven host arrived, Bard was ready to fight. But the Elvenking stated "Long will I tarry, ere I begin this war for gold. The Dwarves cannot pass us, unless we will, or do anything that we cannot mark. Let us hope still for something that will bring reconciliation." (pg 280) In other words he told Bard to calm down and don't be bloodthirsty.

Bilbo, in the midst of the Battle of Five Armies, chose to make his stand with the Elvenking. (pg 286) "he preferred on the whole to defend the Elvenking."

"Upon his [Thorin's] tomb the Elvenking laid Orcrist." (pg 292) A very nice gesture.

Bard gave The Elvenking "the emeralds of Girion" which came out of the fourteenth share he was given. (pg 293) The Elvenking did not receive a share of the whole treasure.

On the return journey, the Elvenking invited Gandalf and Bilbo to his Halls, though they politely refuse. At their farewell, the Elvenking names Bilbo -- Elf-friend. (pg 295)

Anyway, what is there not to like?
Lanhail

[Desi Baggins]

I am so glad my Council of Elrond post inspired you to post this, it is a great post and very well thought out.

From reading the hobbit I also felt the Dwarves were self centered, jewel hungry folk! I guess the only race in ME that I thought good about at first were the Hobbits. The men of Dale weren't bad either.

I will agree with you that at the end the Elvenking did treat Bilbo better than the dwarves.

I am glad I read the LotR to learn more about the Mirkwood elves and learn that they are good indeed!

[McDLT]

I never really had much problem with the Mirkwood elves. I saw them as people who were living in an opressed situation and so were extra cautious with everything.

And then with the long-standing 'fued' with the dwarves, I saw the elves treatment towards the dwarves as understandable.

I agree with everthing Lanhail has said.

[Greenleaf]

Lanhail,

Thanks for making such a great research about the Mirkwood Elves. You made clear so many things. It's been quite some time since I last read the Hobbit and I certainly didn't remember all these points. I don't know why, but I was left with a vague impression that the Wood-elves were slightly cruel towards the Dwarves. I'm glad you totally changed this impression. After all, Legolas in LotR made me really like the Elves of Mirkwood. And anyway, the Elves - all Elves - are my favourite people!

Greenleaf

[Stormrider]

I read LOTR before I read The Hobbit so I had Legolas to relate to as I read The Hobbit. I enjoyed reading Lanhail's post above because some of the points made, I had overlooked.

I had not read The Silmarillion either so was not aware of the dispute between the dwarves and elves.

The Elves seemed very mysterious and strange to me when I read The Hobbit and quite different from the Elves of Rivendell and Lothlórien.

Don't forget the Mirkwood Elves were also more cautious because Sauron was hiding out in Southern Mirkwood.

[Andorinha]

So, "What's the problem with Mirkwood Elves?" asks Lanhail -- well, let me tell yaz! LOL!

But first, I'll just quote Anne C. Petty's take on the Wood Elves of The Hobbit:

"In The Hobbit, the elvenking of Mirkwood, although certainly not evil, treats Thorin unjustly simply because he is a dwarf. A small enchantment is put on Thorin so that he can be taken prisoner and locked in a remote dungeon cell for a hundred years or more, per the elenking's threat, unless Thorin explains his presence in their borders. The elvenking knows the lore regarding ancient feuds fought between elves and dwarves (which you will remember is an effect of Aule's fall) and harbours mistrust toward all dwarves because of it. The elves who capture Thorin don't miss this opportunity to extract a little revenge for the dwarf/elf conflicts of the First Age. Elves may be wiser and more endowed with magical abilities than dwarves or men, but they aren't perfect. The elvenking's greed for treasure and his animosity toward dwarves motivates him to march on the Lonely Mountain and claim a share of the dragon's hoard. In the end, this makes him no more enlightened than the gold-besotted Thorin." (Petty, Tolkien in the Land of Heroes, pp. 145, 146)

[Andorinha]

Lanhail has made some very good points in the highly convincing post that starts this topic, but still, I always felt that the Wood Elves were largely in the wrong throughout their interactions with the Erebor Company of Bilbo and the Thirteen Dwarves. Reviewing this matter now, almost three years after its inception, I still find myself moderately indignant with the Wood Elves' behaviour.

Like Stormrider, I first read LotR, and then picked up a copy of The Hobbit secondarily, so my first impressions concerning just what Elves must be like came from my acquaintance with Gildor Inglorion and his wandering band of High Elves in the Woody End of the Shire. These were noble, ethereal beings, happy and gay, sad and troubled all at one go. Creatures who gladly shared what they had with four wayfaring hobbits, beings who brought a rush of unexpected poetries and magical musics into the lives of the rustic halflings. The Elves offered to both the hobbits and the readers an episode of security, comfort, and a blissful few moments of contact between the vanished times of the Elder Days and the faded scene of the Third Age.

When Frodo finally came to Rivendell, this sense of awe concerning the Elves simply grew. They were magnificent, graceful, deep in wisdom, merciful, made kindly through the long sorrows of their existence in a world that grew more melancholy with every passing year.

Legolas bothered me. He was an Elf, so how could he fall so low as to exhibit prejudice when he met the Dwarves Gloin and Gimli? He seemed to accept Aragorn, and Boromir, accepted the four hobbits, but fell into childish quarrels with the admitedly cantankerous Gimli. Surely an Elf should be able to control himself better, and present at least a polite, if cool reaction to the Dwarf?

Later, I came to see, as Tolkien explained, that there were different levels of Elfdom,* and that Legolas and the Wood Elves in general, were not in the same class as the High Elves. There was something more savage about the Elves of Mirkwood, almost "Huorn-wild," and I'm not sure I'd care to meet up with them in the dark wood if there were no High Elves about to meliorate their behaviour.

So, judging them by Legolas, when I finally read The Hobbit , I was somewhat prepared to find rude, greedy, inhospitable Elves out east beyond the mountains, but it still did not, in my mind, excuse their inhospitality, their aloofness, and seeming lack of concern that fourteen souls were adrift in the forest and nearing the final limits of starvation. They should, at the very least have left food in their circles to replenish the Dwarves' stock, and if need be leave "flagging" signs to lead them back to the path and so speed them from their realm. Instead, with the exception of the imprisoned Thorin, the other Dwarves (and Bilbo) are left to the merciless Spiders. Bilbo and his Luck-Ring save them.

Thorin is not only thrust into a deep dungeon, but he is bound with thongs while he is there, certainly an unnecessary precaution? To be bound into a contorted position, possibly with limbs growing dazed from inaction and retarded circulation, is nothing to sneeze at.** Yes, the Elves did not otherwise torture Thorin, and they feed him an "adequate" diet, but they treated him as if he were one of the Dwarves who had been implicated in the ancient feuds, when they, being wise creatures fully conversant with their own histories should have realized that Thorin was not one of their ancestral foes. These Wood-elves exhibited all the hallmarks of racial stereotyping, and prejudice -- something I thought ALL Elves should be incapable of feeling.

These Wood-elves also exhibited a certain amount of "un-elvish" materialistic greed, and to my interpretation, this was proven by such passages as: "If the elf-king had a weakness it was for treasure, especially for silver and white gems; and though his hoard was rich, he was ever eager for more, since he had not as yet as great a treasure as other elf-lords of old." (Annt Hobbit, p. 220) Also, the Dwarves, quite early on in their captivity, recognize the greed of the Elves when they discuss, via Bilbo, whether they should ransome themselves by offering a share of the treasure to the Wood-elves: "Thorin... was determined once more not to ransome himself with promises to the king of a share in the treasure, until all hope of escaping in any other way had disappeared..." (Annt Hobbit, p. 227) "The other dwarves quite agreed... They all thought their own shares in the treasure... would suffer seriously if the Wood-elves claimed part of it..." ( Annt Hobbit, p. 227)

I certainly have no doubt that the dwarves were right, the ticket to their freedom lay in bribing the Wood-elves with a promised share of the treasure, assuming Bilbo could not come up with an alternate plan. But, of course, he did.

Lanhail and I disagree concerning the interpretation of the Elf-king's statements (p. 199 regular version Hobbit, 253 Annt version):

"No treasure will come back through Mirkwood without my having something to say in the matter. But I expect they will all come to a bad end, and serve them right!" (emphasis mine)

This, "serve them right!", does not sound very nice to me! I see in this passage more than a mere "toll" being contemplated, I see a greedy Elf-king who is very interested in obtaining as much of the treasure as he can, interested enough to send his own people into danger by posting scouts and spies as far toward the Lonely Mountain as he could.

LOL! So, is Lanhail's versions the more correct? Don't know. So much of Tolkien's work is always open to differing interpretations, elsewhy would we still be writing here? Nonetheless, I still smell Elvish greed here!

The next set of relevant passages come after Bard has slain the dragon. Suddenly, the Lake Men are reminded that the great hoard of Erebor is now unguarded, and the Lake Men start up an expedition to claim the treasure at once (Annt Hobbit, pp 310-11). The Wood-elves, learning this intelligence from the birds, no doubt, were already on their way to gather up the hoard for themselves (p. 311), but they did divert their treasure-grab to assist the Lake-men, something one should expect from Elves. But the basic greed of the Elves (no greater here than the greed of Men or Dwarves -- but then one EXPECTS greed from Men and Dwarves, but NOT from Elves!) leads them northward with some of the Lake Men to clean out Erebor. The Elf-king does at least commisserate with the presumed plight of the "toasted-dwarves," but he also expresses his satisfaction that at least this good has come of their demise: "It is an ill-wind, all the same ... that blows no one any good." (Annt Hobbit, p. 312) And this good has come of it, the Elves and Men will be able to take all the treasure for themselves.

Tolkien then shows us how the Dragon Curse of greed clings ever to such hoards, the Elven King is just as eager to force Thorin to give up a goodly portion of the treasure as are the Men. They place Erebor under seige, though they do not yet proceed to storm-tactics, they will starve Thorin and company into submission. Bilbo seems to be the first to recover from the Dragon-sickness, the first to tire of that overwhelming greed, and it is his doing that the battle among Men, Elves, and Dwarves does not eventuate. The Elven-king is himself reluctantly ready to meet in bloody battle even Dain's band from the Iron Mountains (see Annt pp 338-39), though not so eager as Bard and the Lake Men. Still, the battle is almost joined despite his desire for some sort of reconcilliation other than a trial by arms. In this sense, I think the Wood-elves do show a nobler character than the Lake Men and the Dwarves, but still, it was greed that brought the Elf host to Erebor in the first place.

Later, after the battle becomes a forced alliance of Men, Elves, and Dwarves against the Goblins, all of them become more Hobbitlike-reasonable, and the treasure is shared out properly among them all. The Dragon-madness of the Elf-king subsides, and the whole tale ends more happily. But still, this fairy tale conclusion does not in itself alter the fact that the Wood-elves did not live up to my expectations of "Good People" behaviour. The greed of the Elves for gems and precious metals, their prejudices against all Dwarves, nearly brought the story to a diastrous consclusion. If the Goblins had shown up a few hours later, the stubborn selfishnesses of Elf, Dwarf, and Men would have resulted in their mutual slaughters, and the Goblins would have swept the remnants off the field, and then the Goblins would have taken the treasure.

I suppose it may seem unfair of me to judge the wild Wood-elves by the same standards of behaviour that I see as current among the High Elves, Elrond, and Galadriel, but then, these "more wise and noble" Elves were my template for all that kindred, so I did indeed see the Wood-elves as grasping, materialistic, inhospitable, and a good deal to blame for the situation in The Hobbit. Elves should have known better, even Wood-elves!

______________
*"The feasting people were Wood-elves, of course. These are not wicked folk. If they have a fault it is distrust of strangers. Though their magic was strong, even in those days they were wary. They differed from the High Elves of the West, and were more dangerous and less wise. ... Still elves they were and remain, and that is Good People." Annotated Version The Hobbit, pp 218-219.

**"Then the elves put thongs on him [Thorin], and shut him in one of the inmost caves with strong wooden doors, and left him." (Annt Hobbit, p. 221) Compare this with the later statement where the Elf-king seems to recognize that such thongs are an unnecessary imposition for the other Dwarves: "The prisoners were brought before him; and though he looked grimly at them, he told his men to unbind them, for they were ragged and weary. 'Besides they need no ropes in here,' he said. 'There is no escape from my magic doors for those who are once brought inside.'" (Annt Hobbit, p. 223) So why bind poor Thorin? I assume he was cut free at sometime during his stay in the dungeon, though JRRT does not so specify.

[Stormrider]

The Woodland Elves were not as fine as the other Elves from Rivendell and Lothlórien. If I remember, they were Silvan Elves (originally Nandorin Elves who never travelled west of the Misty Mountains from Lake Cuiviénen). So they never saw Valinor. Perhaps that is one reason they are rougher and unrefined--less trusting and hold grudges longer.

Thinking back on the Elves of Rivendell in The Hobbit, they were more giddy and silly as well. When Thorin and Company arrived, they sang silly songs about them which did not make the elves seem elegant as they do in The Lord of the Rings.

But this was Tolkien's first story of Hobbits, Elves, Dwarves, Draggons, and Wizards and he was writing a story for children.

[Andorinha]

Stormrider, yes, JRRT does mention the fact that most of the Wood-elves of Mirkwood had never journeyed to Valinor, but, if I am remembering this correctly, weren't the leaders chosen from higher "races" of the Elves? So Thranduil (not actually named in The Hobbit) and Legolas would be of the "higher" kin of Thingol? I can't recall if Thranduil or his father/ mother went to Valinor, certainly Legolas had never been outside Middle-earth, but the royal house of the Wood-elves should be a bit less rough and rugged than the dark Elves?

I think that the Elves of Rivendell and Lothlorien, as you suggest, may have felt more secure in their homes, being better protected by the magics of the Elven Rings Vilya, and Nenya. The Wood-elves would be living "on the edge," open to attacks from the southern forest, and from the eastern realms of the wild men. In frontier situations one would expect a certain increased suspicion, vigilance etc. So there are "excuses" and reasons for the actions/ attitudes of the Wood-elves, but I still find them lacking in the "hospitality" area!

Yes, the Elves at Rivendell, at least some of them, did tease the Dwarves -- as you suggest, this may simply be a product of the more childlike, fairy tale nature of this first book? But still, they did not meet the Dwarves with the outright hostility that was shown them later by the Mirkwood Elves, and I don't recall Elrond expecting, or asking for a share in the dragon loot even though his revelation of the map's secret substantially aided the Dwarves in their quest. Maybe if Gandalf had stayed with the Dwarves they would have met with a better reception from the Mirkwood Elves? Which makes me wonder a bit now whether their good reception in Rivendell was due to Gandalf's presence?

[Stormrider]

Right you are! The Elves were just teasing the Dwarves at Rivendell. There did not seem to be any serious troubles between the two races when Thorin and Company arrived there with the map.

Later in FOTR, before the Council of Elrond, Glóin and Gimli seemed to be received well at the dinner when Frodo woke up. There didn't seem to be any animosity toward them at that time.

However, during the Council of Elrond, here is an exchange between Legolas and Glóin regarding the woodland elves holding Gollum captive:

Legolas explains how he escaped:
"Not through lack of watchfulness but perhaps through over-kindness. And we fear that the prisoner had aid from others, and that more is known of our doings than we could wish. We guarded this creature day and night, at Gandalf's bidding, much though we wearied of the task. But Gandalf bade us hope still for his cure, and we had not the heart to keep him ever in dungeons under the earth, where he would fall back into his old black thoughts."

"You were less tender to me," said Glóin with a flash of his eyes, as old memories were stirred of his imprisonment in the deep places of the Elven-king's halls.

"Now come!" said Gandalf. "Pray do not interrupt, my good Glóin. That was a regrettable misunderstanding, long set right. If all the grievances that stand between Elves and Dwarves are to be brought up here, we may as well abandon this Council."

Despite Gandalf's comment, Glóin still seems to be urked by his treatment by the wood elves. The fact that Legolas said that his people were "over-kind" and hadn't the "heart" to keep Gollum locked in dungeons didn't help much. Gollum was evil and bent on escape and worthy of imprisonment when the Dwarves were only passing through and starving. I can't blame Glóin for feeling disgruntled here!

But other than that, I think in Rivendell, everyone behaves themselves well, putting grudges aside and they are allowed to come and visit and rest up when passing by. That is why it is called the Last Homely House.

As far as the woodland elves royal line, didn't someone write something on one of our threads about Thrandúil's history? There might be some information on his forefathers there.

[fanuidhol]

I've enjoyed reading this topic and I'd like to throw my two cents into the mix.
If I remember correctly Rivendell Elves are mostly Noldorian in origin. Noldor had more in common with Dwarves than other races of Elves: Aule, for example.
Thranduil, (some history found in Unfinished Tales, btw) was Sindarin. Same as Thingol. Same as Celeborn (at least at the time of LotR). Remember how Gimli was treated in Lothlorien at first?
I'm reading The JRR Tolkien Companion and Guide: Chronology and I'm in the late 1920's when Tolkien first conceived The Hobbit as a story for his children. At this time he was writing and revising "Lay of Lethian" and spending alot of time with Icelandic sagas, both lecturing and reading with the Kolbitars Club. I haven't read "Lay of Lethian", nor much of the sagas, but I have read the relevant chapters in Silm. Thinking about Thingol compared to Thranduil....
...or Tharanduil compared to many of the Elves in Silm for that matter and Thranduil comes out an angel.
Fan

[Andorinha]

Stormrider, I like the point you make about Rivendell, "The Last Homely House." It seems in many ways to be a central meeting place for all the races, and people do tend to be on their best behaviours while they are there. Gloin and Legolas start to get out of hand, as you relate, but a quick reminder from Gandalf seems sufficient to nip their argument in the bud...

I get the feeling that Rivendell, even though it is still a fairly secluded place, has had a lot more traffic than either Mirkwood or Lothlorien. In fact, of the three Elven centers, Lothlorien seems the most exclusive. Mirkwood at least has its Lakemen trading partners/ allies; but Lothlorien seems to have seen very few "outsiders" during the entire Third Age, and no Dwarf since the Days of Durin! If Galadriel had not been there to cousel otherwise, I wonder if Celeborn would have ejected poor Gimli?

One thing Fanuidhol brings up (the Noldoran origins of Rivendell's Elves) may indeed help explain why Rivendell is more accepting of Men, Hobbits, and even Dwarves -- if a larger percentage of Elrond's folk were Noldorans, and relatively fewer of them were Sindarin. I like your statement, Fan, that the more "cosmopolitan" Noldorans were simply much more used to dealing with other races than were the Wood-elves (Sindarin) of Mirkwood and Lothlorien. The Noldoran Houses worked often with Dwarves, as you mention Fanuidhol; and they made most of the great alliances with the Three Houses of Men, alliances that eventually mingled Men and Elves. Celebrimbor especially had a strong relationship with the House of Durin, and this bond could well have been remembered in Rivendell -- so Dwarves, of that lineage anyway, would be highly respected, ancient friends?

Another great thought, Fanuidhol, comparing "Thranduil's" behaviour with that exhibited by such other notable Elves as Feanor and most of his sons, Eol, Maeglin, and even Thingol! I have to agree with you, tossing the poor Dwarves into a dungeon is still less nasty-hasty than simply killing them. What would a kin-slayer like Feanor have done to Dwarves that irked him?

Nonetheless, given the simple context of The Hobbit, I still think the Elves were out of line, and the Dwarves deserved better treatment. LOL!

[fanuidhol]

Andorinha stated:
"One thing Fanuidhol brings up (the Noldoran origins of Rivendell's Elves) may indeed help explain why Rivendell is more accepting of Men, Hobbits, and even Dwarves -- if a larger percentage of Elrond's folk were Noldorans, and relatively fewer of them were Sindarin."

I found my source:
LotR Appendix B, Second Age: year 1697: "Eregion laid waste. Death of Celebrimbor...Elrond retreats with remnant of the Noldor and founds the refuge of Imladris."
Also, when Frodo, Pippin and Sam meet Gildor (from the House of Finrod), Gildor states that kinfolk reside in Rivendell. "Three's Company" chapter in FotR.
Of course, these statements don't exclude other types of Elves from living in Rivendell, but it does suggest Noldorian influence.
Fan

[Andorinha]

Ah! Thank You Fanuidhol! I keep forgetting to search the appendices in LotR: it is chock full of helpful material, and some choice items that do not show up elsewhere...

I had just tossed Unfinished Tales on the desk, promising myself that I'd start paging through the section on the Second Age, very vaguely remembering that there was some sort of defining statement somewhere as to the Noldoran character of Rivendell -- when you find just the right quote!

UF, p. 238 re-inforces the LotR appendix with "Elrond had gathered such few of the Elves of Eregion as had escaped..." Amroth of Lorinand and Durin sent their forces to assist Elrond in fighting off Sauron's host, which breathing space allowed the founding of Rivendell. From its inception then, Rivendell and the Dwarves of Durin's house would have had a special bond. Having worked so closely with Durin's House throughout the Second Age, I think Dwarves (like Thorin and company) would be much more welcome in Noldoran Rivendell than any of the other Elven centers.

But, what's a "few?" Just how many High Noldoran Elves were left to join Elrond? After the fall of Gil-Galad, I suppose some of his Noldoran Elves would gather in Rivendell, or settle down with Cirdan at the Havens increasing the number of this Elven kin. But, as you caution us, Fanuidhol, the place could still (in fact most probably did) attract a variety of Elven types over the three thousand odd years of the Third Age. Still, I think you have demonstrated that the Noldoran presence in Imladris would probably be greater than that found elsewhere, especially in Mirkwood.

Of course the idea of High Noldoran Elves singing teases at the Dwarves sounds a bit astonishing, but as Stormrider suggests, this is The Hobbit, a lighter, fairy tale version of Middle-earth, where teasing Elves seem quite in place.

[Stormrider]

OK I found the reference on Thranduil and Oropher, his father, that was posted on the Legolas thread regarding his hair color on the Peoples of Middle Earth Forum. It was originally posted by Andorinha on July 27, 2006:

Some quick notes in passing:

Unfinished Tales has two short sections detailing the story of Oropher: pp. 258-59; and 280-81.

Here we learn that Oropher was not himself a Sylvan Elf, but one of the High Sindar who lived in Doriath under Thingol and Melian (see also HOME XII, The Peoples of Middle-Earth, p. 79). Whether or not he had golden hair is not directly stated, but, as Bilbo relates it, Thranduil (at least half a Sindaran Elf) was a blond. The house of Thingol had dark hair, and if Oropher were related to that kin, I would expect him to be dark haired also. So, was the wife of Oropher, mother of Thranduil, a Noldoran Elf related to the Vanyar? I suspect that Tolkien, when he claims golden-hair to be the property only of the children of Indis and Finwe, meant merely that the Noldoran Elves (usually dark-haired and grey-eyed) got a blond-infusion from the Vanyar. But, did Tolkien ever state that there were no other blonds among the various other Elven lines? Is it possible that, among the other Elven kindreds (Green Elves, Wood Elves, Sindar, etc) there were lineages of golden hair without any Vanyar or Noldor-Vanyar inheritance?

Unfinished Tales also tells us that the Sindar-led Sylvan Elves moved three times in the Second Age under Oropher: from the area of the Gladden Fields on Anduin, to Amon Lanc in south-west Green Wood -- later to be captured by Sauron and made into the fortress of Dol Guldur (UF, p. 280), and finally, further north into the Mountains of Mirkwood. Oropher died at end of the Second Age, and his son, Thranduil, then moved his people further north to the eastern corner of Mirkwood, about the year 1000 of the Third Age.

The bold above is my doing...According to this, the royal line of the Mirkwood Elves was derived partly from the High Sindar through Oropher but nothing is known of his wife's lineage. So know I have to dig up some info on the High Sindar because I don't remember anything about them.