Determining the Strongest Elven Lord: Thranduil, Galadriel, or Elrond

In the wondrous world of Middle-earth, where Elves and Lordships vie for power, three iconic elven lords stand out: Thranduil, Galadriel, and Elrond. Each of them commands a realm of unparalleled beauty and strength. Understanding the true might of each can shed light on which of these lords wielded the strongest army.

Rivendell: A Center of Power Rather Than Just Numbers

Rivendell, with its breathtaking beauty and ancient wisdom, is often seen as a fortress less of sheer military strength but more a repository of knowledge and healing. Located in the safety of the Blue Mountains, it served as a hub for the elves, a place where they could regroup and recover from the relentless war threat. It was under the leadership of Elrond that Rivendell thrived, and it was still a stronghold in its prime with the legendary Ring of Power, the Vilya, in Elrond's possession. This ring, combined with Elrond's leadership, ensured that Rivendell was not just a collection of numbers but a force to be reckoned with in times of war.

Lothlórien: The Crown of Strength Against Mordor

In the shadow of Mount Doom, Lothlórien stood as a thorn in Sauron's side, thanks to the power of Nenya, the third Ring of Power wielded by Galadriel. This land was a bastion of power against the dark forces of Mordor, a place where the elven malininde (great courage) met the power of Nenya, making it the strongest realm in Middle-earth. Even a direct confrontation with Sauron himself wouldn't have been enough to break Lothlórien; it was the sheer will and strength of their elven guardians that made it such a formidable deterrent to evil.

The Numerical Strengths: Thranduil and His Woodland Realm

While Rivendell and Lothlórien boasted of immense power, the Silvan Elves of Thranduil's realm in the Woodland Realm were also powerful by human standards. With a combination of Nandor and Sindar blood, and ruled by high Sindarin princes, the armies that Thranduil marshaled were not to be underestimated. The forces he sent to the Battle of the Five Armies, although likely just a fraction of his total, included 1,000 Elves skilled in sword and spear combat, alongside an untold number of skilled archers. Even when Thranduil returned from the War of the Last Alliance, leading back a force that was only a third of his father Oropher's army, it was apparent that the army remained a formidable presence.

War Stories: Malgalad and the Dagorlad

The story of Malgalad, an Elven king who united with Thranduil's father Oropher in the lands that would become Lothlórien, reveals the magnitude of Thranduil's force. Though Malgalad had a larger army, a significant portion of his troops, including himself, perished in the Battle of Dagorlad. This left Oropher and his son Thranduil with considerably weakened forces, teetering on the brink of total annihilation. Even in their diminished form, the remaining forces were formidable enough to discourage a ten-to-one ambush by Orcs, as seen during the ambush on Isildur and his company.

Estimated Numbers and Their Influence

While the exact numbers are elusive, some estimates suggest that Thranduil's diminished forces may have numbered around 5,000 to 7,000, a stark reduction from the original 15,000-strong army. Malgalad's forces were larger, possibly around 10,000, with about 6,000 to 7,000 killed in the Battle of Dagorlad. These numbers, albeit reduced, highlight the resilience and combat readiness of the Woodland Realm's forces.

In conclusion, the strength of an Elven lord cannot be solely measured by the raw numerical count of their troops but by the morale, skill, and resilience of their people. While Galadriel and Elrond brought unparalleled magic and wisdom to their realms, Thranduil's Woodland Realm demonstrated a remarkable strength through its sheer combat prowess, even in adversity.