Thranduil did not possess a Ring of Power, so how did he and his realm survive?
Well, for one thing, he had a magic river! Here is the description of it from The Encyclopedia of Arda: Enchanted River: The black river of northern Mirkwood “The dark river that rose in the Mountains of Mirkwood, and flowed northwards in a great loop to meet the Forest River under the canopy of the trees of Mirkwood. Its water was black, and carried a curse that gave the river its name – any person coming into contact with its enchanted water immediately fell into a long, deep sleep.” Then there was his treasure. There is mention of Thranduil’s love of, or lust for, treasure sprinkled throughout Tolkien-lore. The Elfking’s need for material wealth is almost always presented as an alternative to the possession of a Ring of Power, and yet it is never explained just how. The mere hoarding of wealth could not protect Mirkwood. But it could feed, clothe, and provide suitable comforts for his subjects, like plenty of feasts that seem to be the norm. This way they did not need to clear any o
