After Thorin and his company are captured by his forces in "", Thranduil offers to his aid in return for the White Gems of Lasgalen. Thorin insults Thranduil for not aiding in the defense of Erebor against Smaug, to which the latter responds by revealing his scarred face to Thorin and claimed he had already cautioned Thrór about his greed. Having noticed Legolas' affection for Tauriel, a captain of the guard, Thranduil confronts her about a potential relationship between her and his son, which Tauriel presumes is due to the fact that they are Sindar, a higher caste of Elves. When a captive Orc reveals Sauron's return, Thranduil orders his kingdom to be completely sealed off from the outside world, though Legolas and Tauriel leave in pursuit of the Orcs. Thranduil banishes Tauriel from his realm for her disobedience and orders Legolas to return, though his son defies him.