Galion

From Tolkien Gateway
Galion
Nando
The Hobbit - The Desolation of Smaug - Galion.png
Galion from The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Biographical Information
PositionButler
LocationElvenking's Halls, Woodland Realm
LanguageSilvan
Physical Description
GenderMale
GalleryImages of Galion

Galion was a Wood-elf who served as butler in Thranduil's halls in northeastern Mirkwood.[1]

History

Galion served King Thranduil (and presumably also Thranduil's son Legolas). One evening in T.A. 2941[2] Galion and the captain of the guards decided to taste some new wine that had recently arrived to "see if it is fit for the king's table". The heady vintage from Dorwinion soon put the two Elves asleep, which gave Bilbo Baggins his chance to free Thorin and the other Dwarves (who had been imprisoned in Thranduil's dungeons during the Quest of Erebor). Using the captain's keys and his Magic Ring, Bilbo freed the Dwarves and secreted them into several empty barrels. When other Elves arrived to push the barrels in they found Galion and woke him up. When the workers noted the heaviness of some of the "empty" barrels, Galion growled at them and ordered them to push the barrels into the water.[1]

Etymology

The name Galion is said to be not Sindarin, although perhaps "'Sindarized' in shape".[3][note 1]

Portrayal in adaptations

1968: The Hobbit (1968 radio series):

Peter Baldwin provided the voice of Galion.

1982: The Hobbit (1982 video game):

The game features an NPC simply known as "Butler" that appears in the Elvenking's halls, where he empties wine barrels to send back down the river, but he will throw the party members in the dungeons if he spots them. It is also possible for him to be killed, either by the player or one of their companions.

2003: The Hobbit (2003 video game):

This video game depicts only Galion, and not the Captain of the Guard. The butler does not succumb to drunkenness, but because Bilbo puts three herbs - Moonleaf, Willowweed and Spider's Bane - in his mug. This change was possibly made to ensure a more favourable game rating.

2013: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug:

Galion is portrayed by Craig Hall. He is briefly seen by Bilbo (while he's wearing the One Ring) in the cellars of the Elvenking's Halls praising the selections of wine.

Notes

  1. For a name given the same description, cf. Esgaroth.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Barrels Out of Bond"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), p. 54