Legolas belongs to the Elves in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. He is an Elven prince from the Woodland Realm and becomes one of the nine members of the Fellowship.
Legolas is identified as the son of Thranduil, the Elvenking who appears in The Hobbit. Tolkien’s text does not give Legolas a family name. His keen eyesight, skill with a bow, and ability to move lightly over difficult terrain are recurring features of his character.
Within the Fellowship, Legolas forms a close friendship with Gimli, a Dwarf. Their friendship is significant because Tolkien’s mythology often presents tension between Elves and Dwarves. Their competition over battlefield counts is played for humor, while their loyalty shows that old hostility can be overcome.
Legolas should not be confused with Elrond or Galadriel, who are also Elves but belong to different communities and have different roles. In the story, Legolas represents the Woodland Elves and helps connect the Fellowship’s wider political and cultural world.