What Happened to the Elves from Helms Deep?

In this episode of Realms Unravelled, we dive deep into the lore of J.R.R. Tolkien's legendary universe to explore the fate of the valiant Elven warriors who fought alongside Men at the Battle of Helm's Deep in Peter Jacksons adaptation.

Follow the potential paths the Elves might have taken after the battle's conclusion. Our narrative brings Middle-Earth to life with vivid descriptions and immersive storytelling. Enjoy captivating illustrations and artistic representations of key moments and characters.

Be sure to join the discussion in the comments as I always enjoy hearing your opinions and theories. Just be careful not to mention anything about Balrogs having wings otherwise you may be in for some trouble with some other viewers!

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[RealmsUnravelled]

This video was made to cater for those who would like to know what would have happened to the Elves who were present in the Peter Jackson adaptation after the battle of the Hornburg. At the beginning of the video I state the line: "In Peter Jackson's movie adaptation, Elves and Men stood side by side..." I also make references to the films and the cinematic aspects of the shots so I thought this was very clear. However, as I am getting a lot of comments stating that this is not canon, I just wanted to reiterate this and assure everyone that I am fully aware that Haldir and the elves were not present in the books! Thanks to everyone for watching and to those offering constructive feedback. I will ensure if I add any non canon elements to my videos I will state it explicitly in future!

[DavidWesley]

What happened to them? They weren’t there!😂

[sixeighttoast]

I have always been curious about what happens to Frodo, Bilbo and the elves that go to the Undying Lands.

Awesome video, as always.

[simoncss]

To 1st state that I was personally moved when Haldir arrived & cited The Last Alliance at Helm’s Deep in Peter Jackson’s trilogy. But I’m also plenty clear on the fact that it’s not canon to Tolkien.
So it is a very curious choice to specify the location & narrate much of tis video with respect to it, when actually it is jus generally discussing the path Elves take from death, to the Halls of Mandos, to re-embodiment.
Alternatively, the vid could state clearly that the scene exists purely in the film & we can jus discuss how cool it is to have Elves come & join ranks, shoulder-to-shoulder with us in our darkest hour of need.

[veronicadavanzo]

This is a great film theory! I like your more artful approach to storytelling; it makes for an intriguing listen. Although it did not happen in the books, it’s interesting to think about what could have happened next if the Elves had been there. Jackson’s team had reasons for the changes they made to the story and I’m kind of over the “well, actually” mindset. I love the canon, but I love the films, too.

[richardwales]

The only problem with this is that there were only a handful of people with Theoden to ride out with Aragorn. This is one of the weaknesses of the film/s. We see none of the Elves after that other than Legolas. So in short they're all dead... I see why Peter Jackson did it because the Elves were fighting for Middle Earth elsewhere it was just poorly done and then they were gone.

[albertcampbell]

This artwork is exquisite, ethereal, and absolutely beautiful. Elves are all that ❤️‍🔥

[merrimcarthur]

I absolutely loved this speculation, based as it were in both canon and film. It's pretty much as I imagined. Thank you.

[HH-hdnd]

That's not hard to answer: In the canon (aka the books) Legolas was the only elf at Helms Deep.

I didn't like the decision to have more elves showing up there in the movies at all. At least they dropped their original plan of Arwen showing up there.

[ronroche]

Your prose is almost lyrical in quality, and sounds almost like a song. That's quite a notable talent you possess; my congratulations on having and using it so well.

There's just one thing. The elves were not at Helm's Deep. This was my biggest complaint about Peter Jackson's Two Towers screenplay, and I feel you erred greatly in not clarifying that you were specifically addressing the movie. It might seem like a quibble, but it's important to recall that there are possibly millions of LOTR fans who only know the films and not the original WRITTEN story. It might have been a very effective teaser if, after you finished this wonderful presentation, you'd ended by saying something like 'but if you want to know what REALLY happened, read the original '

[Crusadist]

It is my understanding from some of the literature that was released contemporaneously with the films that after the orcs closed in to the point where the shooting of arrows was no longer possible, the elves charged into the wall of orcish pikes and there were no survivors. The Rohirrim buried them in a cairn that their bodies not be defined. So none returned to Lothlorien, and this lovely story of the survivors that you have woven was an impossibility.

[TimonFrostheart]

The lord of the rings: the third age ps2 game is basically almost canon in the middle earth movie lore and revealed that there were only 4 survivors who eventually made their way back to Lothlorienn. One of them was Haldirs standard bearer and there is an in-game weapon or other item belonging to him revealing this lore.

[seathanaich]

There was only one elf at Helm's Deep - Legolas. He went on through the Paths of the Dead, fought at Minas Tirith, and was at the Black Gate for the final defeat of Sauron. That's what happened to the elf who was at Helm's Deep.

[_protects_the_]

Thanks for filling the holes in the films, I wish were implemented.

[TarMody]

An adaptation of a Third Age battle with First Age names: "Dagor-nuin-Taur" (The Battle Under the Trees)

[elxaime]

One of my biggest gripes with Peter Jackson was his decision to put Elves at Helm's Deep. The Battle of Helm's Deep was the epic stand of King Theoden and Rohan. Along with the Siege of Gondor and Battles of Pelennor Fields and The Black Gate, it showed that the Age of Man was truly begun. I felt like the Elves, who were making last appearances before they departed from Middle Earth or remain as isolationists, detracted from that.

[kiritsakis]

This is amazing. Watched all your videos in two days... This community can really be gated and toxic as all fans bordering on crazed fanatics at times but that does not change the fact that your content is amazing.

[danvelez]

The elves would have had to run from lothlorian HELLA fast to get to helms deep...refresh my memory. How many days did the fellowship travel on boats, before the chase???

[buggyscards]

Can we get a movie with the battles that occurred to the north during this time?

[logansfury]

This is a fascinating speculation of behind the scenes action that the movie didn't have time to provide.