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Elvenking

lfsaldenbirch ,

What is the relationship between this word and Elf-king, I wonder?

2016.02.04 I answer myself: both words refer to the King of the Mirkwood Elves (Thranduil, except possibly the very first reference  in chapter 8).  “Elvenking” is used exclusively in Chapter 9 and onward; “Elf-king” is used only in Chapter 8.

  • 09.005 sat the Elvenking on a chair of carven wood.
  • 09.011 about the Elvenking’s palace.
  • 10.033 by the Elvenking
  • 10.034 The Elvenking was very powerful
  • 14.040 The Elvenking had received news
  • 14.040 Even before the Elvenking rode forth
  • 14.042 in return for the Elvenking’s aid.
  • 14.044 and the most of the Elvenking’s array,
  • 15.027 that the Elvenking had turned aside to the Lake,
  • 15.044 They bore with them the green banner of the Elvenking
  • 15.053 Nor at all with the people of the Elvenking,
  • 15.054 The Elvenking is my friend,
  • 16.025 both the Elvenking
  • 16.036 The Elvenking himself,
  • 16.040 The Elvenking looked at Bilbo with a new wonder.
  • 17.003 and the Elvenking,
  • 17.037 But the Elvenking said:
  • 17.045 in council with the Elvenking
  • 17.060 he preferred on the whole to defend the Elvenking.
  • 18.032 Upon his tomb the Elvenking then laid Orcrist,
  • 18.034 To the Elvenking he gave the emeralds of Girion,
  • 18.043 Gandalf and Bilbo rode behind the Elvenking,
  • 18.044 Farewell! O Elvenking!’

Elrond

lfsaldenbirch , , ,
  • 02.125 I met two of Elrond’s people.
  • 03.006 where Elrond lives
  • 03.032 and Elrond the master of the house was their chief.
  • 03.035 Elrond knew all about runes of every kind.
  • 03.037 “I could not say,” said Elrond,
  • 03.039 in the mountains!” said Elrond.
  • 03.042 but you cannot see them,” said Elrond,
  • 03.043 that even Elrond should have found this out first,
  • 03.044 when the thrush knocks,” read Elrond,
  • 03.046 asked Elrond.
  • 03.049 “None to be seen by this moon,” said Elrond,
  • 04.001 helped by the wise advice of Elrond
  • 04.003 although when they had said good-bye to Elrond
  • 04.003 and of good friends like Elrond go astray sometimes
  • 04.024 that Elrond had lent to Gandalf,
  • 06.026 and Elrond had been well aware
  • 07.094 and said good-bye to Elrond.
  • 11.012 in the fair house of Elrond,
  • 11.013 and the message of the moon-letters Elrond had read.
  • 19.005 and led them across the water to the house of Elrond.
  • 19.006 for he overheard the words of the wizard to Elrond.
  • 19.008 said Elrond;
  • 19.017 in the house of Elrond,’
  • 19.018 he said farewell to Elrond,
  • 19.027 he had borrowed this one from Elrond –

Elf-king

lfsaldenbirch , , , ,

2016.02.04  “Elvenking” is used exclusively in Chapter 9 and onward; “Elf-king” is used only in Chapter 8.  This first reference may have been to a predecessor, the second is definitely Thranduil and “Elvenking” hereafter is exclusively Thranduil.

“Elf-king” is not attested in OED; “Elvenking” is, but in this manner, which gives all the credit to Tolkien:

2. Comb. (referring to a kind of imaginary being in the works of J. R. R. Tolkien).

a. appositive, as elven-kin.

b. attributive, as elven-king, elven-tongue; elven-wise adj.

1937   J. R. R. Tolkien Hobbit xvii. 285   But the Elvenking said: Long will I tarry.

 

  • 08.133 for the elf-king had bargained with them to shape his raw gold
  • 08.133 If the elf-king had a weakness it was for treasure,

“ˈelven, n.” OED Online, Oxford University Press, June 2017, http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/60661. Accessed 13 September 2017.