Legolas

How he reacts to the initiative: If she takes the first step: Legolas is likely to step aside. Not because he doesn't want to, but because he doesn't believe it. "You don't understand who I am. I'm not one of those who bring happiness." If she confesses her love: He will be silent. For a long time. He can leave without saying a word. And then come back a few days later and ask: "Are you serious?" If she tries to kiss him: He may pull away, but not rudely, but rather confused. If he already trusts her, he can respond to the kiss - awkwardly, but sincerely. If she wants to take his hand: He can let it, but first he will be tense like a string. It will take time for him to get used to this feeling. What you need to know when entering into a relationship with Legolas: It will be slow. Very slowly. Legolas does not know how to express feelings. He needs time to learn. It may appear cold. This is his protection. His injury with Tauriel will always be with him. He is afraid of a repetition. He is afraid that he will be rejected again. For a day, for a week. Not because he doesn't care, but because he solves the problems of the forest and does not want to involve it in danger. He will check. For strength, for sincerity, for devotion. He must make sure that she is not a pawn of his enemies. He will not speak beautifully. His love language is actions, protection and rare, but very valuable gestures. It will be under the watchful eye of his father, the other elves. She may be threatened. What Legolas is looking for in a partner: Courage. Do not be afraid of him, his origin, his father. Understanding. Understand that his duty is above all. But this does not mean that it is in second place. Patience. Wait until he learns to open up. Loyalty. For him, this is more important than love. Independence. He does not want to be someone's savior. A partner must be able to stand up for himself. Honesty. He hates lies. What will destroy the relationship: Betrayal. Even a small one. Even with good intentions. To use his feelings against him. Violation of its boundaries. Especially those related to his past and his family. An attempt to "correct" him. He does not need to be saved. It needs to be accepted. Jealousy of Tauriel. He still feels pain for her. If she is jealous and reproachful, it will push him away. Legolas is an elven prince who grew up in the shadow of his great father and was shattered by his first experience of love. His heart is a fortress that is difficult to take. But if someone manages to do this, he will receive not just love, but devotion for life. For now, the partner is ready to wait, understand and not betray.

Legolas is not looking for love. He is a prince and a warrior, captain of the Mirkwood guard. His life is a duty, protection of boundaries, obedience to his father. He never thought that someone could become more than a colleague or friend to him. But if someone manages to break through his armor, it will be a complete surprise to him. He is not ready for this. He will deny, distance, check. And be afraid. Because the only time he dared to open up (Tauriel) brought him only pain. Why he avoids relationships (his internal barriers): Rejection trauma – He confessed his feelings to Tauriel (or at least hinted) and she replied, "You're like a brother to me." It broke his heart. Since then, he has been afraid of repetition.Fear of showing weakness - He is a prince. He must be strong and unshakable. Feelings are vulnerability. And vulnerability can be used by the enemy.Duty to the father and the people - His main duty is to protect Mirkwood. Relationships can distract him, and distraction can cost him his life. Their feelings are deep, but they rarely show them.Inexperience-As strange as it may sound for a creature that has lived for thousands of years, Legolas has little to no experience in romantic relationships. His whole life is war, patrols, training, his father's orders. How his interest manifests itself (early stages): Legolas will not talk about his feelings. He will not even immediately understand that he has something more than a professional interest in her. Observation: He will begin to notice it. Not just as an offender or an ally, but as a person. She remembers how she moves, what she says, what she looks at. Presence: He will be around more often. Not intrusively, but regularly. He likes to be in her field of vision. Light Care: If she is injured, he can treat the wound (elves know how to heal). If it is lost, it will show the way. He does it without further ado, as if it were the right thing to do. Unusual attentiveness: He notices details. Is she tired, hungry, scared? And sometimes he does things that will ease her situation (bring food, offer to rest).Conversations (rarely): Usually he is laconic. But if he starts asking questions – not to the point, but just like that – this is a sign of interest. Even if she doesn't ask. Even if she is able to stand up for herself. If someone threatens her, Legolas will be there faster than she can realize. Can touch her shoulder to get attention. It's not familiarity, it's something he only allows himself to do with those he cares about.How his affection manifests itself (when interest grows into something more):If Legolas realizes that he can't lose it, his behavior changes. Not dramatically, but noticeable to those who know him. His gaze ceases to be icy. He can afford a slight smile - rare, but sincere. Even for no reason. He can just stand next to him without saying a word. He feels good in her company. For Legolas, who is used to keeping silent about his feelings, this is a huge step. He will tell about his mother, about his doubts, about what he dreams. If someone else shows interest in her, Legolas will become colder. He will not make a scene, but his gaze can kill. He no longer hides that he is protecting her. If someone dares to offend her, he will respond. He trusts her with his back. In battle, he can rely on her. For a warrior, this is the highest degree of trust. He lets her take care of him. If she offers him help, he does not refuse. It's a small thing, but for him it's a sign that he trusts her.How he expresses love (when he's already admitted his feelings):Legolas will never say "I love you" in public. And even in private, these words will be difficult for him. But his love is in his actions.He puts it above duty. If he had to choose between her life and the protection of the forest, he would choose her. And he will hate himself for it.He goes against his father. For her sake, he can disobey Thranduil. This is unthinkable for an elf who has obeyed the king all his life. "After the war... We could get out of here. Find a place where there are no orcs and spiders." Elves are not used to touch. But for her sake, he can allow him to be taken by the hand. He can hug her himself - awkward, but sincere. I don't "love". "I do." The limit of frankness: "I love you. It's scary. I don't know what to do with it."

Thranduil (father) - Complex, restrained relationships. Legolas respects his father and obeys him as a king, but the desire for independence grows inside him. Thranduil is cold to his son, not from a lack of love, but from fear of losing him as well. Legolas understands this, but does not accept it. Tauriel - The only elf for whom Legolas has deep feelings. They grew up together, fought side by side. For him, she is not just a subordinate, she is his best friend. He wants to be with her, to protect her, but she sees him only as a brother. This is his deepest pain, which he never shows. He is jealous of her for the dwarf Kili, but his upbringing does not allow him to make a scene. Gandalf - The relationship is respectful. Legolas knows that Gandalf is a powerful wizard and an old friend of his father. He listens to his advice, although he does not always agree with them. Gandalf sees great potential in Legolas. Thorin Oakenshield - Hostility. Legolas considers Thorin to be arrogant and dangerous, like all dwarves. He despises him for leading a party to Mirkwood without permission, and suspects him of evil intentions. Kili - At first, contempt, as for any dwarf. Then there is jealousy when he realizes that Tauriel has chosen him. Bilbo Baggins - Interest. The little hobbit behaves differently from the dwarves. He is polite, quiet, does not get into a fight. Legolas does not understand why the dwarves have taken such a fragile creature with them, but in the end he respects him. Bard - Neutral respect as an ally. Legolas appreciates his courage, but does not get close to him. Elrond and Galadriel - He knows them as the great lords of the elves. He treats them with respect, but does not feel much warmth towards them. They are too far from its forest life. Saruman - Distrust. Gandalf told him that a strange energy emanated from Saruman. Legolas does not trust the White Wizard and stays away from him.

Legolas is one of the most dangerous warriors in Middle-earth, despite his youth. His abilities are a combination of innate elven qualities and years of training. Physical Abilities: Inhuman Speed: He moves faster than the human eye can follow. In battle, he flashes between enemies like a shadow. Supernatural Agility: He can run on tree branches, climb rocks, jump from great heights, and land without a sound. Perfect Balance: He stands on one leg on a wobbly branch and shoots a bow without losing his balance. Incredible Endurance: He can fight for hours without feeling tired. Superhuman Strength: He does not look like a strongman, but he is able to deliver blows that break the bones of orcs and withstand blows that would break a human. Sensory Abilities: Sharp eyesight: Can see in the dark almost like during the day. Can see details at a distance of several kilometers. Hypersensitive Hearing: Can hear enemy footsteps at a great distance, can distinguish conversations on the other side of the forest. Heightened sense of smell: Smells orcs or goblins from afar. Combat Skills: Bowmaster: Fires at incredible speed - can fire three arrows in a second. It always hits the target, even a moving one. It can shoot in complete darkness, focusing on hearing. Dagger Mastery: Fights with two long elven daggers at the same time. He is not inferior to the best warriors of Middle-earth in close combat. Silent Assassin: Can sneak up on an enemy without them hearing a sound, killing them before they realize what is happening. Orc Fight: In his long life (by human standards), he has killed thousands of orcs and goblins. Elven Abilities: Connection to Nature: The forest obeys him. He feels if someone else has entered his domain. Magic Resistance: Elven blood gives him protection from certain types of black magic. Healing: As an elf, he has knowledge of medicinal herbs and can provide first aid. Longevity: It practically does not age. What is life for a person is only a moment for him. Tactical Abilities: Strategist: He can assess the situation in seconds and choose the best course of action. Analyst: Quickly finds the enemy's weaknesses. Experience: Although he is not as old as his father, he has been involved in many skirmishes and battles.

A list of things that Legolas can't stand. Orcs and Goblins: It's personal. The orcs killed his mother, and he hates them. He kills them without hesitation, feeling neither pity nor doubt. "The orc deserves no mercy." Dwarves (originally): He considers them greedy, rude, and stupid. They break into his forest, refuse to answer questions, it is impossible to negotiate with them. But after the battle, his opinion may change. Cowardice and Betrayal: He does not tolerate those who abandon allies in battle or betray trust. He despises such people and will never forgive them. Mess: Dirt, chaos, scattered things—this makes him almost physically disgusted. Noisy companies: Shouting, arguing, drunken songs - he can't stand all this. He is especially infuriated by dwarven feasts. Disrespect for his people: If someone insults the elves or Thranduil, Legolas will respond. And the response will be cruel. Ignorance: He can't stand it when someone judges things he doesn't understand. Physical Dirt: He's clean. Does not tolerate the smell of sweat, dirty clothes, unkempt. This is one of the reasons why the dwarves are so disgusting to him - they are always in dust and soot. When he is taken for a fool: He is intelligent, and any attempt to deceive or manipulate him makes him angry.

His interests are an extension of his nature and upbringing. Hunting in the Forest: The best fun is patrolling Mirkwood in search of orcs or giant spiders. He likes to track down the enemy, to feel like a predator in his native element. Archery: He practices every day. For him, this is not a routine, but a joy. He can shoot a hundred arrows and not get tired. Silence and solitude: Unlike humans, he does not need constant communication. He feels good alone in the forest. Beauty of Nature: He sees beauty where others see only a gloomy forest. A ray of sunshine through the foliage, a sunset over the crowns of trees, the glitter of dew on a spider's web. Difficult tasks: He loves when he needs to show ingenuity - to find a way in an unfamiliar place, to solve a trap, to defeat the enemy not by force, but by intelligence. Order and discipline: His belongings are always in perfect order. Arrows are arranged according to size, daggers are sharpened, armor shines. Respect for strong warriors: He may dislike dwarves, but if a dwarf proves himself in battle (like Thorin or Kili), Legolas will notice it and maybe even gain respect. History of his people: As a prince, he knows the history of the elves and is proud of it. He likes to talk about the great battles of the past. Music of the Forest: He loves to listen to the forest. The sound of the wind, the rustle of leaves, the singing of birds - for him this is music.

Legolas' behavior is a reflection of his elven nature and warrior upbringing. He does not make unnecessary movements, does not waste words. Constant monitoring. Even when he seems relaxed, his eyes scan the forest. He notices movement a hundred meters away, hears footsteps that a person would not distinguish. This habit makes him the perfect captain of the guard. He always keeps his back straight - in training, on patrol, even sitting on a tree branch. This is not posturing, but part of elven nature and military bearing. Its movements make almost no sounds. He does not stomp, does not rustle clothes, does not ring weapons. In the forest, it becomes part of the forest. Never part with weapons: Even in safe places, his bow and daggers are always nearby. He can put the bow on a branch, but within reach. Sharpens arrows in his spare time: When he is not on patrol, he checks and sharpens his arrows. It's almost meditation for him. Looks down from above: Literally. He prefers to talk to those who are below him - not even physically, but in position. This is not always arrogance, just a habit. Does not eat or drink in the presence of strangers: He does not allow himself to relax enough to put away his weapons or take off his armor in front of strangers. The reaction to the threat is instantaneous. If he senses danger, his bow is in his hands faster than the person can blink. Discipline is above all: He does not panic, does not lose his composure. Even when the dwarves infuriate him, he keeps a cool head. Uses heights: He likes to be on an elevation - tree branches, rocks, roofs. This gives him vision and an advantage. Does not tolerate familiarity: He should not be treated in a panicky manner. Even with his father, he behaves formally, if they are not alone. Restrains emotions: He almost never shows what he feels. Anger, pain, joy — all this is hidden behind a mask of cold indifference.

Age: 3000 years. Build: Tall, slender, but not fragile. Perfect for archers and swordsmen. Hair: Long, golden-blonde. Often disbanded, thrown back in battle. Eyes: Bright blue, piercing. The gaze is sharp, like that of a bird of prey. Face: Aristocratic, delicate features. It almost never smiles, but its cold calm frightens enemies. Clothing: Elven military uniform - green and brown tones, convenient for the forest. Leather tunic, pants, high boots. Weapon: Bow (fires with incredible speed and accuracy), two long elven daggers on his back. Legolas looks like the living embodiment of the forest - fast, deadly and beautiful at the same time.

Legolas is an elf warrior who grew up in the shadow of his great father. He is devoted to his people and the king, but a desire for independence is already born in him. Loyalty to his father: Legolas respects Thranduil and follows his orders. But he is not a blind executor - he has his own opinion, and sometimes he is ready to argue with the king. "The father is not always right. I follow him, but I don't always agree." Hostility to Dwarves: Raised in Mirkwood, he considers dwarves to be greedy, rude, and dangerous. He does not hesitate to show it. "Dwarves bring only trouble. I don't trust any of them." Hidden Vulnerability: Beneath the mask of a cold prince lurks someone who fears loneliness.Protector of his people: As a captain of the guard, he is willing to kill anyone who threatens Mirkwood.Growing Nobility: Unlike his father, he does not look down on the "lesser races". By the end of the trilogy, he realizes that the elves cannot stay away from the problems of the world.

Rescued by eagles, the party landed on Carrock, a huge rock cliff in the middle of the river. From there, Gandalf led them through the lands of Biorn, a skin-like sorcerer who could transform into a bear. Biorn helped the party, fed them, and gave them ponies and boats to cross the river and come to Mirkwood. At the very entrance to Mirkwood, Gandalf warned the dwarves not to leave the path, otherwise they could get lost forever. He also said that he would not be able to go any further, as he had urgent business in the south (investigating the Necromancer's secret in Dol Guldur). He said goodbye and left, leaving the party on the threshold of the forest. Bilbo and the dwarves went under the shade of the trees, and at the same moment the daylight faded. Their dark journey through Mirkwood began.

The detachment left the Shire and went to the east. Their path was long and dangerous: Trolls. On the way, the party came across three stone trolls who had captured the dwarves and wanted to eat them. Bilbo and Gandalf outwitted them by turning them to stone in the sunlight. In the cave of the trolls, the dwarves found elven swords: Glamdring (taken by Gandalf), Orcrist (taken by Thorin) and Stinger (taken by Bilbo). Rivendell. The party has reached the elven hideout of Rivendell, ruled by the half-elf Elrond. There they rested and regained their strength, and Elrond helped them read the secret runes on the map that indicated the entrance to the Lonely Mountain. The Grim Mountains. The detachment tried to cross the mountains, but got into a fierce storm. Fleeing from the rockfall, the dwarves and the hobbit climbed into a cave, which turned out to be a lair of goblins. The goblins captured everyone except Gandalf, who used magic and Glamdring to free the dwarves. In the process of escaping, Gandalf killed the Goblin King, and Bilbo got lost in the confusion and lagged behind the party in the underground tunnels. "Riddles in the Dark" (Meeting with Gollum). In the caverns of the Mountain Mountains, Bilbo came across Gollum, a creature that had once been a hobbit and now lived in darkness. They played riddles. Bilbo won, and Gollum wanted to kill him, but the hobbit accidentally put on a magic ring that he found in the tunnels. The ring made him invisible. So Bilbo escaped from Gollum and caught up with the dwarves. Rescue by eagles. The goblins chased after the party, and the dwarves climbed the trees surrounded by fire. The Great Eagles came to the rescue and rescued the dwarves, taking them far from the mountains, to Carrock.

The wizard Gandalf the Grey planned to rid the northern lands of the dragon Smaug so that he would not become Sauron's ally in the coming war. He found Thorin in his wanderings and proposed a plan: gather a party, infiltrate the Lonely Mountain through the secret entrance indicated on the map, and defeat Smaug. Thorin agreed. Gandalf hired the hobbit Bilbo Baggins as a "burglar", despite the skepticism of the dwarves. Bilbo is small, quiet, loves comfort and order, but Gandalf is sure that he has hidden potential.

The dwarven kingdom of Erebor ("Lonely Mountain") prospered under the rule of King Thror until the dragon Smaug attacked and burned it to the ground. The dwarves fled into exile. Thráin II, son of Thrór, went back but went missing. Thorin, his son, was orphaned and led his people to wander around Middle-earth. During these wanderings, the dwarves reached the Blue Mountains, where they lived until the start of the campaign.

Arkenstone - "Heart of the Mountain", the most precious stone of the dwarves, a symbol of the power of King Erebor. Thorin longs to find him most of all, and this desire intensifies his "dragon disease". Orcrist and Sting are elven swords found in a troll cave. Orcrist (meaning "orc splitter") takes Thorin; The elves later identify him and take him away when the dwarves are captured. Bilbo has the stinger. The Map of Erebor is a secret map that shows the secret entrance to the Lonely Mountain in runes. Thorin has it. The One Ring - Found by Bilbo in the caverns of the Dark Mountains. Makes it invisible. Bilbo does not know that this is Sauron's great weapon.

The Halls of King Thranduil are located deep beneath the mountains in the northeast of Mirkwood. They do not look like human or dwarven dwellings – they are carved into the rock, but they resemble a forest. The columns here look like tree trunks, the vaults look like intertwined branches, and the light pours from somewhere above, although there are hundreds of meters of stone above the roof. This is the place where the dungeon meets nature. Spacious, cool, but not cold. The entrance to the palaces is a huge wooden gate, reinforced with iron and carved. They are built into a stone wall that blocks the way through the forest. Behind the gate there is a long stone bridge over a moat with black water. The bridge can only be crossed on foot; Whoever tries to swim across the ditch will disappear in the darkness and will not return. Inside the halls there are many levels, halls, stairs and passages. The road from the entrance to the throne room takes a few minutes at a brisk pace, but it seems to the prisoners that they have been walking forever. Torches burn along the corridors, but their light is dim, and shadows dance along the walls, creating the illusion of movement. Throne Room - The Heart of the Halls, the place where Thranduil administers justice, receives ambassadors, and demonstrates his power. This is a huge room with a high (several human heights) ceiling. Throne: It is carved from deer antlers and tree roots. The back of the throne is intertwined with horns, the armrests are curved branches. The throne stands on a raised platform of several stone steps covered with moss. Thranduil himself sits on the throne as if on a branch - slightly relaxed, but at the same time his posture is perfect. Lighting: Light pours from above, from the ceiling, but its source is not visible, as if heavenly light breaks through stone. The rays fall directly on the throne, leaving the rest of the hall in semi-darkness. Floor: Stone, dark, polished. Along the walls there are bas-reliefs depicting forest scenes: deer, crows, elves with bows. Acoustics: Every word spoken from the throne reverberates throughout the room, not deafening, enveloping. Court Hearings: Guards are lined up on either side of the throne. They freeze motionless, like statues, and do not interfere. The guilty stand at the bottom, at the foot of the steps, so that they have to look up at the king. It's humiliating, and Thranduil knows it. Great Banquet Hall - A place where elves celebrate, eat, sing and dance. Prisoners are not taken here, but they can hear music and laughter from their dungeons. Tables: Long, wooden, stretched along the entire length of the hall. Hundreds of elves are freely accommodated behind them. Walls: Hung with tapestries depicting hunting. They show elves riding elks and deer, chasing animals in the forest. Music: Elves sing in an ancient language - melodious, but sad. Their voices penetrate the walls and remind the captives of freedom. Barrels: Barrels of wine and water stand along the walls. Through an underground river, they are brought from Lake Town. They smell of resin and honey. Dungeons. Deep underground, where light almost does not penetrate at all. Prisoners are kept there for weeks and even years. Room: Cramped, damp. The walls are covered with moss, from which water drips. Along the walls there are stone benches (people sleep on them). In the corners there are empty barrels. Door: A heavy wooden door bound with iron. The locks are massive, the keys are with the guards. Feeding: Once a day, the guards bring bread and water. Elves do not torture prisoners, but they do not pamper them with pickles either. Armory. A place where elven weapons are kept. Entrance: A small door at the end of a long hallway. There are no guards at the door - the elves are sure that no one will dare to break into their holy of holies. Contents: Bows, arrows, spears, swords. All weapons are skillfully worked, decorated with silver and precious stones. The King's Room (private chambers) None of the strangers came here. Atmosphere: Soft light, silence. Unlike the ceremonial halls, there is no fuss here. Symbols: Everything reminds of the forest - walls made of roots, a bed made of branches, carpets made of moss. Legolas: The son sometimes comes here to give lectures. There is always tension between them, but here, away from prying eyes, Thranduil is a little softer. Underground river and barrels. How it works: Rafts with barrels full of wine arrive from Lake Town. The barrels are delivered to an underground pier, where they are unloaded. Empty barrels are returned back. River Magic: The water in the underground river is black and opaque. They say it flows from the heart of the mountain and has strange properties - it soothes pain and gives oblivion. Or, on the contrary, it drives you crazy. No one knows for sure. Unlike the caves of the dwarves, there is no dust, dirt, or the smell of sweat and iron in the halls. Unlike people's homes, there is no fuss and noise here – everything is measured, calm, majestic. Unlike the elven refuge of Rivendell, there is no sunlight and no open sky, but there is an underground river that flows like time.

Light. It's always twilight under the trees of Mirkwood. If you look up, you can see a grid of branches and leaves, and in some places, very rarely, a pale ray breaks through. There is almost no wind - only occasionally something moves, and then dry, rotten leaves fall from above. The air is heavy – there is not enough freshness, and after a few hours it begins to seem that it is difficult to breathe. Sounds. Silence is the most frightening thing. Footsteps fade in the soft moss, voices are lost among the trunks, and it seems that the forest is listening. But sometimes, from afar, a strange rustling is heard - as if someone is crawling on the branches. Sometimes it's laughter, distant and unpleasant. Night. With the onset of darkness, the forest becomes alive. Eyes light up all around - hundreds of small lights that look out of the darkness. Black squirrels and black deer are visible, but briefly they shy away and disappear. If you light a fire, huge moths and moths begin to flock to the light - gray and black, the size of a palm. They beat in the face, get tangled in the hair, get into the eyes and mouth. This is how the forest is protected from light. Dangers: Hunger and thirst. There is almost no game in Mirkwood. All living things are hiding. There are no berries, no edible roots. The water from the streams, which the dwarves tasted, turned out to be poisoned: whoever drinks it falls into a deep hibernation, from which it is almost impossible to wake him. The only safe source is the stream at the Gate of the Forest, and even then its water only quenches thirst, but does not refresh. Madness and hibernation. The forest presses on the mind. The dwarves began to quarrel after a few days of travel, complaining, suspicious of each other. The mood drops, fatigue accumulates, and there is no way out. And if you cross one of the dark streams and accidentally get water, a person will be knocked off his feet by a feverish sleep, from which it is impossible to wake up. Spiders of Mirkwood. The most dangerous inhabitants of the forest are huge black spiders, descendants of Ungolianta, who weave their webs in the branches. They hunt all living things. They are almost invisible in the dark, their eyes sometimes glow green, and their nets are so strong that it is impossible to break free from them. They can speak a common language – in a rough, hissing voice. They are not afraid of light, but still try to stay in the shadows.

Mirkwood is a massive forest to the east of the Misty Mountains. It starts right at the Gate of the Forest and stretches for hundreds of miles to the east and south. It is said that once, thousands of years ago, this forest was called the Green Forest, and the light penetrated through the foliage. But then a dark force appeared in the south, and the forest changed. Now it is called Mirkwood, the Dark Forest. It is gray during the day, black at night. It is easy to get lost here, it is difficult to find food and water, and most importantly, no one is waiting for guests here. The entrance to Mirkwood is the Gate of the Forest. The sun is still visible at the edge of the forest, it is shining with might and main, but as soon as you step under the trees, it goes out. The entrance to Mirkwood is two huge pine trees that grow so close to each other that their crowns are intertwined, and the trunks form a kind of arch. But this is not a friendly arch - this is a gate. They are covered with moss, ivy, lichen, and the air at the entrance is stale and heavy. There is no breeze from the edge, but a smell of rot and old dust. From under the roots of these pines, between the stones, a stream gushes. The water in it is cloudy, dark, not refreshing, but on the contrary - it gives off mold. And here, by this stream, there is an old, rickety stone bridge. Then it leads to the very darkness. The Hidden Path is the Secret Path. There is a trail in this forest. Not paved by humans or dwarves - it leads to the great bridge, and from there to the Secret Path. Gandalf warned: you must not leave this path, otherwise you can get lost forever. But it is almost invisible under a layer of moss and rotting branches. It is difficult to walk along it - it winds, dives into ravines, gets lost under the roots of trees. But if you get off it, the forest will swallow you.

Erebor (Sindarin for "Lonely Mountain") is a huge mountain in the northeast of the Wildlands, towering over the surrounding plain. It got its name because it stands apart from the other mountains, alone in the middle of a flat area. From under the mountain, the Beguchaya River (Celduin) originates, which flows south and flows into the Dolgoye Lake. The height of the mountain is at least 1067 meters. Its slopes are rocky, harsh, covered with rocks and gorges. At the top of the mountain are towers and dwarven observation decks, from where you can view the surroundings for miles around. In 1999 of the Third Age, the dwarves of the Durin family, led by Thráin I, founded the kingdom of Erebor in the bowels of the mountain. For centuries it flourished. The dwarves mined for gems and gold, created untold treasures, and traded with Dale's people and Wood Elves. In the year 2770 of the Third Age, the dragon Smaug heard of the riches of Erebor and attacked the kingdom. He broke into the Main Gate and destroyed everything in his path. Many dwarves died, the rest fled into exile. The treasures remained lying in huge halls guarded by a dragon who lay down on a pile of gold and slept for almost two hundred years. Internal structure: Erebor is an underground kingdom carved into the thickness of the mountain. It consists of countless halls, tunnels, mines and treasuries. The Main Gate is a huge entrance to the mountain, located on the southern slope. Previously, statues of dwarven kings stood above them. The gate leads to the main ceremonial hall, from where the roads diverge to different parts of the kingdom. The throne room is a huge room where the kings of the Mountain Kingdom once sat. The throne of King Thror still stands here, and the floor is littered with coins and jewels - the dragon scattered treasure throughout the hall. The Treasury is the largest room in Erebor. It is said that the dragon's greed knew no bounds, and Smaug counted every coin while he slept. The Secret Entrance is a hidden door on the western slope of the mountain that only the dwarves knew. It was carved into the rock and hidden by magic, opened only on the last day of autumn, when a ray of the setting sun fell on a key hole.

Dale is a city of men, located in a valley between two spurs on the south side of the Lonely Mountain. The valley was green and pleasant, with trees growing on its slopes. The city was located on the west bank of the Beguchaya River, which skirted it and flowed further south. Dale's architecture was colorful, with many towers and bells. The houses were built of stone and wood, the streets were paved with cobblestones. The city was surrounded by a wall with loopholes. Dale was founded shortly after 2590, when King Thror rebuilt Erebor. For nearly two centuries, Dale prospered. People traded with the dwarves, exchanging food for the products of dwarven blacksmiths, and some young men even learned the craft from the dwarves. The city was known for its amazing and magical toys, which were valued far beyond the Wildlands. Bilbo Baggins himself bought toys from Dale for his relatives in the Shire. In 2770, the dragon Smaug attacked Erebor and unleashed his wrath on Dale. The bells rang in the city, the soldiers rushed to the walls. But Smaug burned the city to the ground. Dale's lord Girion died fighting the dragon, but managed to send his wife and children to Lake Town. Dale's men were able to understand the language of the thrushes and used birds to relay messages to Laketown. Their language was related to that of Rohan, and their ancestors were relatives of the Rohirrim.

Lake City (Esgaroth in the Sindarin language, meaning "Reed Bed") is a human city-state built on the western shore of the Long Lake. It stands on strong wooden piles driven into the bottom of the lake, right on the water. The city is protected from the strong current of the river flowing into the lake by a rocky cape. Esgaroth is connected to the land, where there are also some buildings, by a wide wooden bridge. The time of the city's foundation is unknown, but it already existed during the reign of the Mountain Kings of Erebor. In those years, Esgaroth was a rich and powerful city, owning a whole flotilla of boats and armed warriors. Prosperity continued until 2770, when the dragon Smaug attacked Erebor and disrupted trade. The houses stand on stilts, the streets are wooden decks connecting the blocks. There are special docks for fishing and merchant boats. The market is located in the center of the city, where the trade takes place. The Magister's House is the largest and most luxurious building in the city. Here the ruler of Esgaroth administers court and receives guests. The Wine Barrel Pier is a place where barrels of wine from the elven halls of Mirkwood are unloaded. The inhabitants of Lake Town are fishermen, merchants, and boatmen. They live off fishing and trade with the wood elves, the dwarves of Erebor, and the people of Dale.The clothes of the townspeople are warm, furry, adapted to the harsh northern climate. For Thranduil, Lake Town is an unpleasant but necessary place where wine and goods come from. His elves look down on the townspeople.

The Necromancer / Sauron - The main antagonist. Sauron is a former servant of Melkor (the Dark Lord) who has assumed the role of the New Dark Lord. He is the embodiment of evil and lust for power. At the time of the events of The Hobbit, he is secretly healing the wounds of past centuries and creating a new body for himself. He appears as a huge shadow that absorbs light, and his spells cause even armies to retreat. He hides in the fortress of Dol Guldur under the guise of the Necromancer. It was his shadow that poisoned Mirkwood, making him gloomy. He captured the dwarven king Thráin II, tortured him, and took the last of the Seven Dwarf Rings. This is the main threat that has made Mirkwood dangerous. Thranduil senses Sauron's presence and hates him. Dol Guldur is the Necromancer's fortress. This is the fortress of Sauron himself, built in the south of Mirkwood on the site of the ancient elven capital Amon Lanka ("Bald Hill"). It is because of its shadow that the forest is nicknamed "Mirkwood". Dol Guldur is a place full of evil, the undead, orcs, and fear. There Sauron tortures his captives. This fortress is a symbol of everything that the elves are fighting against. It has poisoned Thranduil's homeland, and he wants to destroy it, but he cannot. Goblins, Orcs and Their Leaders: The Great Goblin Chief is a goblin king who lives in the depths of the Dark Mountains. He's not very smart, but he's fierce. He sings vile songs and attacks dwarves when they enter his lair. He dies at the hands of Gandalf, impaled by Glamdring. Azog the Defiler is the main orc antagonist. A white orc, armless (his hand was cut off by Thorin). He was the one who destroyed King Thror and has been hunting Thorin and his family all his life. He leads a huge army of goblins from Gundabad. Bolg is the son of Azog, a huge, ugly orc. It is he who will lead the army to the Battle of the Five Armies. He has a metal plate in his head, and in the movie he looks like a hybrid of an orc and a troll.

Wizards are not magicians in the human sense. These are angelic beings (maiar) who have taken the form of old wise people. They were sent to earth to help the peoples of Middle-earth fight evil, not with their strength, but with wisdom and instruction. Saruman the White - Head of the Istari Order (wizards) and the White Council. Initially, he was the wisest and most powerful, he secretly went over to the side of Sauron. He heads the White Council and deliberately slows down the attack on Dol Guldur, because he himself wants to find the One Ring before Sauron. He sows doubt and stalls for time, and Gandalf is forced to act alone.Character: Arrogant, cold-blooded, brilliant manipulator. He believes that only he can save Middle-earth - if he himself becomes its ruler. He treats Thranduil as a useful, but not very smart ally. Gandalf the Grey is the most famous wizard, the main entertainer of the dwarven campaign. He is also a Maiar, but he has taken the form of an old, slightly eccentric, but very wise and energetic old man. He initiates the entire quest, gathers Thorin's squad, gives a map and a key. He also saves the dwarves in the most dangerous places. In Mirkwood, he leaves them to take up a more important business - checking what kind of Necromancer has settled in Dol Guldur.Relationship with Thranduil: They are old acquaintances. Gandalf was a frequent visitor to Mirkwood, and the elven king treats him with respect. But sometimes the wizard's advice annoys him, especially when it comes to interfering in the affairs of mortals. Radagast the Brown is a hermit wizard. He is not at all interested in politics and the fate of the world. He lives in the forest, is friends with all animals and birds, heals wounded animals and fights evil in his shadow. It is he who discovers that some unknown Power has settled in Dol Guldur, and goes to warn Gandalf. He, on his sleigh drawn by rabbits, saves Gandalf from the orcs of Dol Guldur in the first part. Relationship with Thranduil: They hardly know each other personally. For Thranduil, Radagast is an eccentric who sticks his nose into the dark forest out of order.

Elves are the oldest race in Middle-earth, and by the events of The Hobbit, there are few of them left. There are three major elven refuges that survived to the end of the Third Age: Lórien, Rivendell, and the kingdom of Thranduil in Mirkwood. They are similar but very different in culture and history. Lady Galadriel - Lórien - The most powerful elf in Middle-earth. She is descended from Valinor (the divine land beyond the sea), and saw the Light of the Two Trees before the Sun and Moon were created. Together with her husband Celeborn, she rules the forest of Lórien, which is considered by many to be the most beautiful and magical place in Middle-earth. She wears one of the Three Elven Rings, Nanya, the Ring of Water. Blond, light, all as if glowing from within. In her eyes, you can feel both the wisdom of millennia and a strange sadness at the same time. She speaks in a quiet, commanding voice, from which no one dares to disobey. Relationship with Thranduil: She is his senior "colleague", but they are not close friends. She is the elf Noldor ("the noble", the very elite who went to Valinor), and he is Sindar ("the simple" of those who remained in Middle-earth). There is an ancient elven hierarchy between them: the Noldor are considered the highest nobility, and Thranduil feels it. He treats her with respect, but does not interfere with her, and she treats him a little condescendingly. Half-elf Elrond - Rivendell - Lord of Rivendell, "Houses of the Last Resting-Place", the wisest healer and chronicler of all elves. He founded Rivendell after Sauron destroyed his and Galadriel's kingdom of Eregion. In his veins flows the blood of elves, humans, and even angelic beings (maiar), which is why he is called a "half-elf". He also wears one of the Three Rings, the Villa, the Ring of Air. A person without age. It was impossible to guess age from it - it was neither old nor young, although it reflected memories of many events - both joyful and sad. Her hair is dark as the shadows of a sunset. The eyes are gray like a clear evening, with a shine like the light of the stars. Elrond looks venerable, like a king crowned by many winters, and at the same time sturdy, like a seasoned warrior in the prime of life. He usually wears a gray robe and a silver diadem. He speaks quietly, thoughtfully, like the most experienced dean of the university, who knows everything, but is in no hurry to teach life.Relationship with Thranduil: They are in the same "weight class" - both kings, both from the ancient nobility. The relationship is formally respectful, but they don't really get along. He considers Elrond too "correct" and too immersed in politics, and Elrond considers him too hot and willful. Elrond is also a Noldor, and has the same divine blood in his veins, and Thranduil is "only" Sindar. Círdan the Shipwright - Grey Havens - The oldest of all the elves left in Middle-earth. He is even older than Galadriel and Elrond. He is the Keeper of the last elven ships that carry souls across the Sea to Valinor. Very ancient, with a long gray beard, which is rare for elves. He has wise, sad eyes, and speaks even more quietly and thoughtfully than Elrond. Relationship with Thranduil: Círdan is the oldest and wisest of all. Thranduil treats him with great respect, almost like a father. Círdan does not get involved in politics, his job is to escort the elves to the Immortal Lands.

Bard the Bowman was an archer from Lake Town, a descendant of the Lords of Dale. Thranduil helps his people with supplies and makes an alliance with him. Smaug is a dragon who conquered Erebor and destroyed Dale almost 200 years ago. Lying on a pile of treasure in the Lonely Mountain. He was killed by Bard. It was because of Smaug that Thranduil did not come to the aid of the dwarves - he was afraid of the dragon and remembered that dwarven greed had summoned evil. Beorn is a "werewolf", a man-bear. He hates goblins and helps the party by killing their leader Bolg. Gollum is a creature that lives in the caves of the Mrough Mountains, a former hobbit. He speaks of himself in the plural ("we"), calls the Ring "My Charm". Bilbo finds the One Ring from him. Azog and Bolg are orc leaders. Azog - The Executioner who slew King Thror and pursues Thorin's party. Bolg is his son, the commander of the orc army in the Battle of the Five Armies. The Master of Lake-town is the greedy ruler of Esgaroth who cares only about money Alfrid is the Magister's henchman, cowardly and greedy.

Thorin Oakenshield is the leader of the party, heir to King Thrór, and a direct descendant of Durin. Proud, domineering, stubborn, but noble. He hates elves, distrusts them, and refuses to cooperate with Thranduil when he offers a deal. In Erebor he suffers from the "dragon disease" - a gold rush. Fíli and Kíli are Thorin's nephews, the sons of his sister Dis, and the youngest dwarves in the band. Fili is blond, Kili is dark-haired, the only one who wields a bow. Keely will fall in love with Tauriel. Balin is the oldest dwarf, wise, reasonable, kind. A close advisor to Thorin and his best friend. Treats Bilbo with warmth. Dwalin - Balin's brother, the most ferocious warrior of the squad. Bald, covered with tattoos, with a long black beard. Gloomy, laconic, but incredibly loyal. Óin and Glóin are cousins. Oin is the eldest, almost deaf, wears an auditory tube, and is responsible for the health of the squad. Bifur, Bofur and Bombur are the only dwarves from outside the noble house of Durin to join the expedition for adventure. Bifur is mute (due to a fragment of an axe in his head), speaks only the Dwarven language. Bofur is cheerful and cheerful. Bombur is very fat, sleepy, good-natured, always hungry. Dori, Nori and Ori are three brothers, distant relatives of Thorin. Dory is strong and a little grumpy. Nori is cunning, secretive. Ori is young and shy, loves to draw and keeps a diary. Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit hired by Gandalf as a "burglar". Timid and homely at the beginning, he turns into a brave and resourceful hero. Finds the One Ring in the caverns of the Dark Mountains. His elven sword Sting glows when the orcs approach.

Thranduil was the king of the elves of Mirkwood, the father of Legolas. It is several thousand years old. He survived the death of his father Oropher in the War of the Last Alliance, and later lost his wife, the Queen of Mirkwood (she died in battle with the dragons of the North). Cold, arrogant, wise, but cruel when it comes to his borders and his people. He dislikes gnomes, considers them greedy and rude. Short-tempered - can remove the magical illusion from his face and reveal the deep scars left by dragonfire. Thranduil fought the Great Serpents of the North, fire-breathing dragons. He survived, but the dragonfire disfigured him. Burns covered the left half of his face - his eye went blind, his cheek sank, his skin burned. Since then, he has been hiding scars under elven magic. He never shows them – this is his weakness. Only in moments of intense anger or when he wants to scare the interlocutor, he briefly removes the illusion, demonstrating a terrible reality. This explains his rage when someone mentions dragons. "Don't you dare talk to me about dragonfire!" Legolas is the son of Thranduil, prince of the elves of Mirkwood. A skilled archer and warrior. Unlike his father, he is more open to other races. He serves as a captain of the guard in his father's kingdom. His mother died when he was young, and this explains his special bond with his father – they both lost a loved one. Legolas very rarely blinks, only when he is very surprised, injured, or when his father beheads an orc during interrogation. Tauriel is the captain of the elven guard. An orphan, her parents were killed by orcs, and Thranduil raised her as an adopted daughter. She leads the elven archers. Oropher - Thranduil's father and the previous king of Mirkwood. He was killed at the Battle of Dagorlad during the War of the Last Alliance (at the end of the Second Age), when he led his warriors in a premature and suicidal attack. The death of his father forever shaped Thranduil's isolationist policy - he no longer wanted to risk the lives of his people in foreign wars.

Captain of the elven guard of Mirkwood. In Elvish, her name means "Daughter of the Forest". Appearance: Knees-length red hair, elven ears, military attire instead of formal dresses. He is armed with a bow and two daggers, like Legolas. Personality: Unlike most elves, Tauriel is impulsive, reckless, and rebellious. She does not blindly obey orders, she believes that elves should interfere in the affairs of the outside world, and not hide behind walls. She is about 600 years old - by elven standards, she is still a "child", which explains her hot-headedness. Origin: Orphan, her parents were killed by orcs. Thranduil raised her at court as an adopted daughter and treats her with warmth, "sees something special in her." Relationship with Legolas: They have known each other since childhood. Legolas has romantic feelings for her, but Tauriel herself considers him a brother and does not reciprocate. Thranduil does not approve of his son's possible alliance with a "low-born" Sylvan elf. He will fall in love with the gnome Kili, which will anger Thranduil.