Competition

[Elvenrider]

I know in the cutscene that was deleted at Helm's Deep with Gimli at 43 kills
and Legolas at 42 or something, but I really do think that is crazy. But I'll ignore that and go to Pellenor.

Me and my friend got into an argument over who would really win the killing contest. I said Legolas and he said Gimli. My other friend who doesn't really care for either says Legolas, but I just wanted to see what you guys thought. Try to ignore your oppinion or who's your favorite character and look or think how both of them fought and who would win.

EDIT: Vote for who you think would win in the movie. But you can state who you think would win the competition in the book.

[Elfdaughter]

Oh, here we go, my pet gripe about the movies....

Helm's deep, in the book:

Legolas and Gimli do have a competition, and when Gimli is lost, the count stands at 21 to Gimli and two dozen (24) to Legolas. Then the wall is blown, and Legolas says "That must be my hope" (to Aragorn saying he hoped Gimli made it to the caves) "But I wish that he had come this way. I desired to tell Master Gimli that my tale is now thirty-nine."

Gimli had made his way to caves, and returns in the next chapter proclaiming "Fourty-two, Master Legolas!" And legolas replies "You have passed my score by one, but I do not grudge you the game, so glad I am to see you on your legs!"

By that time they had formed a strong bond, and friendship overcame their urge to compete.

[Elvenrider]

Oh, I see. So the movie made them seem like even in ROTK that they had been competing fro Legolas,''Going up on the Oliphant saying, 18, 19 20, then the Howdah falls off...yadayadayada That only counts as one!

They pretty much stopped that at Helm's Deep?
Concerning their bond. You could kind of tell they were growing with eacother hunting orc, also when Legolas saved his life jumping across the gap at Khazad-Dum. BUt ya, Especially though when Legolas told Eomer,"You would be dead before your sword hit the ground.''
Did that happen in the movie?

[Elfdaughter]

"Did that happen in the movie?" Do you mean, did that happen in the book? ;p

The steps breaking at Khazad-Dum didn't happen - that was inspired by a drawing of Alan Lee's, where he'd put cracks in the stone. But yes, Legolas protects Gimli in front of Eomer - '"He stands not alone," said Legolas, bending a bow and fitting an arrow with hands that moved quicker than sight. "You would die before your stroke fell."'

[ImDaMom]

But competition among allies in war is a very common theme. Consider the pilots of modern era wars who painted a symbol on their plane for every enemy fighter they shot down- there was always a competition to see who had more swastikas or Japanese flags on their planes. In college football, specifically the Ohio State Buckeyes- they have Buckeye decal on their helmet- they get one each time they make a key play. Even in high schools, you get a Letter for each sport you participate in...and boys will buy expensive jackets just to display all their letters. It's a way of keeping morale up, pushing you to do just a little better. Just because Leggy and Gimli became friends doesn't end the competition. I work in an agency with a fitness center, and what's the biggest key we tell people to push them to keep working out and getting fit? Join with a friend, who will push you and keep you motivated! I liked the competition, it made their friendship all that much more real! And, for the record, I blieve Gimli would have won, if only because he really wanted to show the elf that he could keep up.

[creativecutie]

I really think Legolas would've won. But i don't think the whole thing between him and Gimli wasn't a competition per say, I think it was a game they could play with each other to try and lighten the tension that was brought on during the different battles. And it could've been a way for them to just feel proud knowing how many orcs they'd slaughtered whether they beat each other or not.

[Mel Aina Fea]

In a word : testosterone...

[Daughter of Feanor]

I think that Legolas would win. He moves much faster than Gimli and that allowes him to kill more enemies in less time. He also has his bow which allowes him to kill Orcs from a distance, but Gimli would have to run to the Orc first, which would cost him some time. Well, at least I think so.

[Elvenrider]

Yes, I agree, he is much quicker. I really agree with creative cutie. They just wanted to have some fin, ya, they want to win but if they lose, they will still be tight.
And I really don't think it was testorone that drove them to competition, they just wanted to have fun and lighten the mood like cutie said.
Although, I don't think Legolas would draw his prowess from tesothing anyways, Giml i might though .

[Leslie Brandybuck]

Maybe we should actually try to count the ones in the movies, (even though there are many killings NOT shown), and see who got more. HAha..