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#dol guldor
curiouselleth · 6 months
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I saw you requested more character asks, so would you do 2, 4, and 20 for Luthien, please?
Sure @general-illyrin!!
Character asks
2. A canon or headcanon hill I will die on
I know some people don’t like her because she’s so powerful and seemingly did nothing to help everyone in beleriand besides herself, but I think she didn’t know how powerful she was. She was the only child of a Maia and elf, there was no precedent for this so it was defiantly unknown how that would work with powers and etc. I think that even she didn’t know until she was pushed to in such a dire situation against Sauron then Morgoth himself. Then she went and lived far away in peace after it all was over, but I also think that part of the reason she and Beren were able to go back was due to her Maia powers. They were both dead for a little bit, especially Beren, before going back, and I think that it was almost a trade - most of her Maia powers went to restore their bodies. Then she wouldn’t have been in the position to go beat up Morgoth or Sauron again anyway. It always confused me for a bit that after her fights with Sauron and enchanting Morgoth that she wouldn’t use that to help people, even if it was just her people in Doriath, so this is just kinda the theory I’ve come up with explaining that.
4. Favorite line
“Then Lúthien stood upon the bridge, and declared her power: and the spell was loosed that bound stone to stone, and the gates were thrown down, and the walls opened, and the pits laid bare.” I love it, the imagery is amazing and I love how Galadriel doing that to Dol-guldor (I don’t remember how to spell it 😅) in the 3rd age mirrors that! 20. Scars
Oh that’s an interesting one for Luthien! So it got me thinking, in the lay of Leithian rock opera, the bit in the halls where it seems like (to me) she gives up her immortality, it looks painful or at least exhausting. So what if that kinda left a scar on her fea, that is glaring and obvious to elves and Maiar or valar but invisible to men. Like where the elves glow, she does yet too, but it’s significantly dimmer and some days almost seems that she doesn’t glow with the light of the elves at all. That has fun implications for when Elros chooses to be mortal too.
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captainderyn · 5 months
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Just finished Mirkwood’s epic quests and…ho man. I’m so glad I went with Raenor being rescued in Moria and not him languishing in Dol Guldor ;—; his time in the-place-I-can’t-spell harmed him enough, I think spending all that time in the dungeons in Mirkwood would’ve snuffed him out completely.
And I think going through these quests just reaffirmed its best that Wulfwryn went alone into Mirkwood while Raenor healed in Lothlorien. I do truly think the horrors and darkness would’ve been more than he could handle in that vulnerable state.
In an ideal world I’ll write a homecoming fic where Wulfwryn returns to Lothlorien and reunites with him, dead tired and half wounded from the final battle in the tower. She won’t even have the energy to do anything other than look upon his face, far less wrought by the trauma he went through, and feel his unbandaged hands against her skin as he cups her face, and breath a sigh of relief. And melt into his embrace as he pulls her close.
Just..something something coherent thoughts, Raenor braiding her hair for her once she’s all cleaned up, her wounds dressed, as she’s nodding off, murmuring how he awaited her return on the banks of the Anduin, staring at the bleak darkness wondering where she was and if she’d come back to him.
*throws hands up* FEELS
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misfittcd · 9 months
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For centuries, the Dragon had kept himself hidden away. He wasn't like the others of his kind - more specifically, he wasn't like Smaug. No, Mezzo yearned for peace, and quiet. He just wanted a life where he could be free from assumptions and hunters.
But alas, this was Middle Earth. Nothing was ever quite that easy. Mezzo's slumber carried him through Smaug's reign of terror; he was blissfully naive. That was, until someone came knocking upon his cave walls.
The sound reverberated through the ice covered stone, deafeningly loud in the stark quiet of his home. One large draconic eye blinked open, slit irises adjusting to the bright at the mouth of the cave. A growl rumbled deep in his chest - not in defense, but in confused surprise. "Who goes there?" Mezzo's voice rumbles low yet loud, echoing off the walls. Both eyes open, his hues impossibly brighter than his scales, but just as blue.
"Stand down, old friend. I come bearing a message, from Gandalf the Grey." the voice is familiar, albeit trembling ever so slight.
"Radagast the Brown." the dragon states, raising to his feet. Claws dig into the stone floor, the creature giving a vast shake before retaining his human form: that of a tall boy, with black hair hitting his shoulders - ice blue streaks running throughout it. His feet are bare, and he's silent as he dresses. Millions of thoughts run through his head, but none of them good. For Gandalf to send Radagast here...Muscles tense, but finally he turns and heads to the mouth of his cave.
Sunlight bounces off of Mezzo's bright eyes, the male squinting in response as he looks to the shorter. "Whatever could Gandalf need that he couldn't come to me himself?"
A nervous laugh erupts from the wizard, eliciting a frown from the Dragon. Radagast begins his ramble, and Mezzo clings to every word, dread filling him with every word. A company of 13 dwarves and a hobbit...Azog. The fell forest. Dol Guldor. Smaug and the Arkenstone. "--Gandalf is worried, Master Ladon, and so am I. Please-- Please, will you help. Laketown is in no position to fight and--"
"Radagast, dear friend, it is alright." Mezzo finally cut the man off, a heavy sigh following his words. "I know what I must do...go, tend to your forest kin."
There is no time after for further words, as Mezzo takes off in a sprint, his dragon form being taken once more. Large wings beat the air as he springs from the ground, propelling himself into the air. There's fear - fear that he's too late. To make it all the way to the Iron Mountain in such short time...Even in this form, there was a decent chance for his own failure.
No matter what...he would take down Smaug.
Day had disappeared by the time he made it to Laketown; a loud rumble erupting from the mountain. Mezzo released a loud roar, deep from his chest, as he sailed over the poor town...just as the fire breather erupted from the mountain.
"Smaug!" The dragon all but shouted, capturing the attention of his enemy. No...no this wasn't good at all. Smaug heel-turned, soaring right for the ice dragon. That familiar red glow heated Smaug's chest...and Mezzo fell into swelling his own. The brightest blue lit his underbelly to his throat, another thunderous roar accompanying the heavy stream of ice blasting forth from his open maw, but it was useless as it only served to be stopped by the fire of Smaug. He was at an obvious elemental disadvantage - but what Mezzo lacked in that, he made up for in size.
Fire spouted forth from the other dragon, descending down on the town. Mezzo kicked into gear, flying hard in fast as he shot off his own shots at the other. Several hit, knocking the trail of flames off the town and into open air. More than anything, he used it to soar in, tackling Smaug in the air. Large, dagger-like teeth sunk into the fire dragons flesh, breaking the scales of his hide like they were nothing. Claws dug into the beast, ripping, tearing, Mezzo's wings beating impossibly harder to push him off course.
Smaug retaliated; roaring in pain and wrapping his clawed wings around the other. Teeth tried desperately to find purchase in the ice dragon's flesh. They fought like this, physically, for what seemed like hours; the screams of the people below all he could hear. Mezzo refused to release Smaug...until he felt the heat in the other's belly. Felt it bubbling and brewing until both were falling, entwined in one another, and Smaug opened that daunting mouth of his. He couldn't hold on any longer - Mezzo knew that that fire could easily ruin him - and so he released, using all four of his limbs to push off of Smaug, and push him off balance. It cut off the fire before it could start.
But Smaug was angry, his voice booming in the air. "You protect these humans? For what reason, Mezzo? They would no sooner turn on you, shoot you down!"
"Silence!" voice just as loud, he continued. "They are innocent, and suffering! You crave nothing but destruction, Smaug. You are not invincible, you will be slain."
Such words elicited only but a laugh from the fire breather, who tore off towards the city...the city, half on fire...but boasted a human, atop a belltower. A human, who had a black iron arrow loaded and ready. It was as he said...Such naivity would be the downfall of his kind. Wounded, Smaug would not make it - this Mezzo knew. He would allow this human victory, and push his help elsewhere. Turning, several blasts of ice flew from his mouth, freezing out fires and freezing over parts of the lake and town. He made a wall, so to speak, to grant some safety to those below.
Mezzo was careful, ever watching the humans, until he heard that final roar. Smaug...had fallen...and now he was the only dragon left flying the skies on this night.
Turning quickly, he flew - headed straight for that wretched mountain. It called to him, the treasure from inside...but he ignored it. No, he couldn't give in.
There was the company, readying their weapons. Fear struck them at the sight of the dragon; Mezzo could feel it, and did not blame them...and so he landed quickly, taking his human form the second he touched stone.
"Spare a robe?" the boy spoke sheepishly, clothes having been shredded in his change. The company stood paralyzed, staring at the dragon-turned-human in wonderment, before finally one of them tossed him a sword. Good enough cover for now, he supposed, holding it infront of his groin.
Time passed quickly after that. Mezzo remained in the presence of the company, but never stepping foot near the treasure. He saw the sickness spreading over their King. Saw the way it turned him to nothing more than a greedy, selfish dwarf. It was sickening...and unavoidable.
"Balin," Mezzo began, as the eldest of the dwarves walked by. "Why must you stay here? There are so many other places you could take over...Erebor...The treasure inside of here, its tainted--"
"Oh, we know, Master Dragon...but this is our home. We'll make due, in time. Thorin will overcome it, you'll see." Balin's words were gentle...but the dragon had a hard time believing.
After all...he felt that sickness too.
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admirableringmaker · 1 year
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💔 (wreck me. From either Mae or Elen— whomever is most appealing 👀)
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an   ‘  i’ll  be  back  ’   kiss.
Was it the pits of Dol Guldor or the deep dungeons of Mordor that Elen found themselves? Did it matter? One was no worse than the other. It was wet and damp and cold - except when the Lord was near, as he was now. His very presence made the cell almost unbearably warm.
"Hush now, my little elf," he crooned, dark laughter in his mocking tone, as he pressed a kiss to his prisoner's lips. He tasted of bitter iron and ash. "I will not leave you alone for long. I just have to get a few things ready for you. Do not be too lonely while I am gone."
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assorted-fandom-things · 10 months
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Watching The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey with my friend is fun because I’ve seen it three times but she’s only ever seen the LotR movies for the first time like a month ago. So they’ll say “It came from Dol Guldor” and she’ll gasp and then lean in and go “I have no idea what that is”. She has such wonder at this world Tolkien has built and it’s amazing.
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ruins-and-rewritez · 11 months
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Highlights of The Hobbit
"No adventures are wanted here today"
"He eats it by the block"
That's what Bilbo Baggins hates! What a jam
"Stop! I forgot my handkerchief"
"What's a burgler 'obbit"
"The trick is to skin them first" followed by "They're all invested with parasites"
Saurman pretending he ain't evil
Bilbo ducking down and the gobs just walking away
Goblin king rhyming his sentences like a casual
"Can we eats it?" "Shut up"
My man kills a whole ass goblin and still thinks he's gonna eat Bilby
That moment when Bilbo is so obviously regretting all those second breakfasts
Pale orc straight up telling some other bish to kill Thorin instead of doing it hisself and then getting mad that he can't do it later
Thorin finally accepting that Bilbo is awesome
Gandalf taking them to the 'skin-changers' house even tho there's a fifty-fifty chance that he'll straight up kill them
Wood elves in their entirety
Kili flirting with elf girl cause he for real has nothing to lose at this point
Dwarfs being hyped Bilby comes to the rescue when there are obvi gonna be guards around
Barrel escape
Legolot using dwarf bois as stepping stones
That double headshot
Dol Guldor being super pointy for absolutely no reason
Covering dwarves in fish
"Why are dwarfses coming out of our toilet?" "Will they bring us luck"
Scumbag mayor acting like he's all that
Alfrid (existing. How is he bot been killed honestly)
Twelves months in. Bilbo still don't know what he's suppose to be stealing
Not taking the black spear with the in case Smog wakes up from his nap (it would literally be so easy, ring disappear, stab.)
"It's a big white stone." No other descriptors
Smok monologing for like 2 years know he full well gonna fry these bois
"There are no dwarfves here loll whatttt"
To be Continued
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kiatheinsomniac · 2 years
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Thought:
Sauron in Dol Guldor but it looks like the “why so silent, good messieurs? Did you think that I had left you for good?” Scene in The Phantom of the Opera because him and the phantom are equally as dramatic.
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rhokitten · 1 year
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I’m still borrowing professorsparklepants’ idea for a Fanfic I Won’t Write Friday. Not sure if they came up with it first, but they’re the one I’m stealing it from so I want to give them credit.
So the idea was to combine the Lord of the Rings lore with the Myth series lore (Myth not Myst). Still no title since names tend to be something I only do when I have a real idea of what I’m doing with the story.
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Since the First Age when Men and Elves were new to Arda and Dwarves were first woken from stone, darkness and light has fought for dominance over the world. Each five hundred years was marked by the passing of a comet, heralding the coming of Morgoth's chosen leader. The Free Folk know that this sign is a turning point, a chance for the light to prevail over the darkness that reigns or a chance that the dark might destroy what was built in the light. Many heroes have risen and fallen fighting the forces of Morgoth and his chosen and each age has tales of great warriors and the prosperity they brought to the people of Middle Earth at the end of the darkness's reign.
It is said that the one born under the light of this comet will be the chosen hero, though few can say with much certainty whether this is indeed true. The records of the Woodland Realm, preserved from the Third Age, indicate that many heroes claimed to be born marked for the greatness they achieved. My Uncle Bilbo always told me that to believe that one would achieve victory because of their birth was folly, that hard work, luck, cleverness, and friends are more important than celestial signs. Uncle Thorin preferred to believe that one's birth could dictate their life, that one could be born for great things.
This is our story. The story of a Hobbit who was brave enough to face down a dragon. The story of a Dwarf king who fell in love. The story of a king of Men, of a prince of Elves, and a young Hobbit who was tasked with something greater than anything ever done before in the history of our world. My story is only a part of the greater whole and, should you be one such hero, I hope you feel the same about your own role in the fight against the darkness.
Sincerely,
Frodo Baggins
-
Honestly I just got that blurb and a general plot written. It was supposed to be a three part series I think. The plot is as follows:
500 year cycle of dark and light
Introduce Bilbo and Thorin
Gandalf sends Thorin to meet Bilbo for his assistance in his quest
Bilbo meets the company and Gandalf, agreeing to the quest
Head to Rivendale for information on dragon slaying, the map, and the cycle
Reach Goblin Town – No Ring Yet
Face off against Azog
Reach Beorn's and learn more about shapeshifters and their allegiance
Travel through Murkwood
More isolated Elven Kingdom – Thranduil warns them the cycle is endless
Reach remnants of Dale – No Lake Town
Defeat Smaug – warns them that he is only the beginning of the dark they will need to fight
Discuss next step in quest
Begin new journey, company separating to gather allies
Meet again months later at Rivendale – Discuss upcoming war to drive back the darkness
Bilbo tells Thorin of the sign for Hobbits – they fight and Bilbo returns to the Shire to search for the one born under the sign
See the warning comet in the sky
Thorin and the allied armies go to Moria while Bilbo finds Frodo and returns to Rivendale
Gandalf and Saruman go to Dol Guldor to face the Necromancer
Thorin is injured and brought back to Rivendale – Elrond is lost
Saruman and Gandalf return with news that Sauron will fall forever if the Ring is destroyed
Bilbo cares for Thorin and Frodo as a false peace settles over Middle Earth
Frodo is of age and darkness has swept over the lands again
Quest to find the Ring has begun – Bilbo and Thorin argue over who should search and where, going their separate ways
Bilbo and Frodo find the ring in the depths of Moria guarded by the Balrog – Thorin and his nephews fight Bolg at Gundabad mountain
Bilbo and Frodo travel to Mount Doom, taking refuge in Beorn's lands
Thorin meets Bilbo at Gladden Fields – Bilbo agrees to return to Rivendale to bring their allied forces to the war while Thorin takes Frodo to Mordor
The army assembles on the Battle Plains – Bilbo meets Frodo and Thorin at Minas Tirith
Frodo goes into Mordor alone while Thorin and Bilbo go to lead the army
Bilbo and Thorin fall as Ring is destroyed
Frodo returns to Shire to become Thain after Aragorn is crowned king
Frodo's journal notes on his Uncles and his hopes for their happiness knowing they helped end the cycle
I don’t think I’ll delete this yet. Probably will never get it done though. It’s also in its own document where it is never worked on. 
Pros of continuing this fic:
Might be cool?
Cons of continuing this fic:
What would it add to the fandom?
What is this story doing that is new?
OMG look at how long it’s going to be. It’s going to take forever and I have way too much other stuff to work on.
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vintagerpg · 5 years
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Southern Mirkwood: Haunt of the Necromancer (1983) actually predates MERP by about a year. This, and a handful of other books, were built using ICE’s Rolemaster system, of which MERP is a modified derivative. You can kind of tell that, on some level, they were making these for D&D players to buy and adapt for their homebrew campaigns.
As a setting book, a lot of space is given over to flora and fauna and history, all of it interesting to varying degrees (that is to say, some very, some not at all). The vast majority of the book, though, and the real draw, is the massive, painstakingly detailed exploration of Dol Guldur, stronghold of the Necromancer, Sauron’s guise at the time of The Hobbit.
Dol Guldur is bonkers. A fortress of evil through and through. Players would be insane to venture there and their visit would be very, very short if they did. The place is a massive, elaborate seven level complex, full of traps, orcs, trolls, ringwraiths and worse. In case that wasn’t enough, this book also contains the stats for Sauron himself (first time in print anywhere, I think). It is kind of amazing that they designed it at all, knowing no one would ever go there. But it makes for a fun read and definitely gave me insights for some of my more…malicious dungeon designs for my homebrew game.
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staryglen · 2 years
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Thranduil x reader- The Cookie Thieves
Word count: 912
warnings: none
A/N: this is set in Amon Lanc (early Dol Guldor) when it was still the seat of power for the Greenwood
You are a clumsy elf. Which is exactly the reason why you are on your husband's back, with legs wrapped around his waist, as the two of you sneak across the grand Palace of Amon Lanc. You have one mission. Cookies.
It is a very difficult mission. There are far too many people walking around. Any sensible elf would be taking advantage of this beautiful night by looking at the stars, or resting. But since when are the Silvans 'sensible'? The answer? Never. Which is why they were all playing an elaborate game of hide and seek. And your husband's father, Elvenking Oropher himself, was it. Though, he did not know it.
At any moment he could turn a corner and find you. Then? Then you would have to die.
Such were the rules, if the person who was it got within two feet you, you had to die. So your beloved and your beautiful cookies would die along with you, if you could get those cookies first, that is. It was a very dangerous task.
You were almost there. The dreaded kitchens, with an evil chef who would rat you out to the King the instant he even sensed you were near his cookies. Then not only would you and your husband die, but you would die without cookies.
Thranduil cautiously peakes around the corner into the immense kitchen. It was dark, the only light hovered above the dark blond chef's head.
You leaned forward against Thranduil, almost causing him to fall, but he caught himself just in time to hide from the view of the chef who had turned around and started walking to the island that dominated the kitchen.
Thranduil started to giggle. Terrified, you clamped a hand over his mouth to stifle it.
"This is serious!" You whispered at him.
He gently bit your hand, so you lightly hit his head with the other.
"I know mel, I know." Obviously he didn't; he was still laughing.
"Ok," you breath, as you put your hands atop his shoulders, "back to the mission."
"Right."
You both hear something faint, but you wait, not daring to get caught by the viscous chef and be ratted out the king.
There's a slight rustle, you wait.
You both peer around the corner, the chef is back where he was, at the far side of the room happily mixing something in a bowl while humming. A huge plate, full of cookies is placed in the center, gleaming in the light. Now's your chance. You take it.
Thranduil crouches low and you start to wobble, feeling like your might slip off his back at any point, as he moves you closer to the island.
You get there. He rises just enough so you can peak over the counter. And there he is. The chef himself, whisking away, acting like there aren't any elves out to steal his cookies.
You grab the cookies and Thranduil makes a run for it.
The chef turns when he hears laughter coming from down the hall. You hear a screeched "NOO!" from down the hall as you turn the corner. The cookies were saved.
"Well done my love." You said as you lowered a cookie down to his face so he could eat it.
"(Y/N)? That's my nose."
"Oh." You say before moving the cookie to where he could actually eat it.
As the two of you were walking back to your rooms you see a couple of Silvans, who were quickly walking in the opposite direction. Then more came. And more. Soon there were none at all.
Thranduil doesn't pay any attention to it, and you simply shrug it off, happy to eat the delightful cookies. That is, until you see a frowning face so terrifying, that it causes you to launch a cookie right in the center of its forehead out of reflex. It was Oropher. The very King who was IT. He stood there, tall as a mountain, stern as a lion, and as rigid as a cliff.
Your husband stiffened at the sight of his father, you sat as straight as you could, clutching the plate of cookies to your chest—it was the only hope of saving them.
"What, may I ask, are you doing?" King Oropher asked you and Thranduil, as he stepped closer.
Thranduil took a step back, making sure to stay far enough away from him.
"Ah, well you see, we were just talking and we decided that we needed a snack." Thranduil explained.
"Of course," he nodded his head very seriously, "then exactly why is (Y/N) on your back?"
"Well you see (Y/N)'s very clumsy, so we didn't want to wake anyone up..."
"Yes?" The it king took a step closer.
"RUN!" You shout as you throw a cookie at your father-in-law, but he catches it, unimpressed.
Thranduil turns and tears away so fast that a couple precious cookies's lives are lost. It was a noble sacrifice. In war a few must be sacrificed.
Thranduil grabs the corner of the wall to help him turn the corner.
Bang.
Crash.
Thunk.
"Ow"
He forgot there was vase behind that corner.
And now you and Thranduil are dead.
The king of being it decided that it was a good idea to laugh at you while helping his son and daughter-in-law up. Perhaps next time you would survive Cookie Stealing Tag. At least you got the cookies before anyone else did...
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lady-sci-fi · 2 years
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The potential of a super-extended edition of The Hobbit trilogy
I am really really hoping for a Super-Extended version of the Hobbit movies in the next few years. Peter Jackson has teased over the years about a super-extended Lord of the Rings version for the 25th anniversary of those. (it’s one reason he gave for the lack of deleted scenes in the special features). But I’m way more interested in this for The Hobbit. LOTR didn’t feel like it was missing any scenes, but the Hobbit ones I feel and know there are. They were very much meddled with by Warner Bros, unlike LOTR, and while I think they are still great movies, they could be made better.
Battle of the Five Armies was hit hardest by the Executive Meddling, and it shows. Even the Extended Edition was. Jackson had actually added on about 30 mins to it. But the final added time was only 15. Warner Bros had apparently edited out 15 mins without telling him right before it was released in theaters and blu-ray. Which is... just WTF.
Read on for the scenes I know and suspect are missing from The Hobbit Trilogy and the Battle of the Five Armies in particular. Mostly Thorin’s Company stuff, because the Dwarves/Elves/Men balance feels uneven.
More little Dwarf characters scenes in all three films.
We know they filmed a lot of character stuff and that one goal with the Dwarves was to give them all a small sort of arc or growth. I would hope some of these would be put in.
Ori drawing the portrait of Bilbo.
Bifur and Bofur selling some carvings in a town to get them more money during the trip.
Bifur making/playing with an eagle toy in the cave before the goblins.
...
Something more to do with Thranduil’s gems and his feelings towards Legolas. 
There was more filmed for this subplot, including a bit during the battle where Thranduil tells Gandalf why he’s fighting so hard for those gems. Gandalf tells him “Your wife left you a child. Which would she rather have you value?”
As is, the subplot feels like it needs a couple more beats to it. It has a good start and conclusion, but a couple beats between are missing.
Something to do with Radagast getting Beorn and the Eagles for the battle.
We know they filmed Radagast rescuing Beorn on the way out of Dol Guldor with Gandalf, and a scene after where Beorn gets upset with them. This was edited out very late.
Philippa Boyens said that she was surprised that a scene of Radagast talking to the eagles was not in the extended BotFA.
I don’t think these are necessary, but it would be nice to see Radagast convincing Beorn and the eagles. Give them a little more importance.
A scene in the Counting Room (where Thorin finds Thranduil’s gems)- perhaps some of them starting to realize how much they have and that some could be given to Laketowners no problem, and maybe also giving back Thranduil’s gems.
There was more filmed in this room with several of the dwarves, whether as part of Thorin and the gems or separately. The actors spent enough time in here as a group to come up with and then film a funny music video, so they spent a good while there.
As for the scene, I can imagine them seeing some records on exactly how much is in Erebor would make them doubt Thorin’s desire to keep all of it for themselves.
A scene that starts to trigger Thorin’s suspicion that one of the dwarves has stolen the arkenstone- something to do with Bofur.
As it is, there isn’t a good reason for Thorin to think this, other than they simply haven’t found it yet in the literal dunes of treasure. If it’s at the bottom in a corner, it could take Dain’s army years to clear everything away to find it. Yes, he’s impatient to find it, but there should be something specific that sets off that trigger. It could be related to the above missing scene in the counting room.
It makes sense for this to be Bofur, since in the concept/art books, it’s said that he feels the most about the tragic injustice of Thorin’s change and overall attitude to the Men and Elves. In the DOS commentary Philippa Boyens says (talking about why they left four Dwarves in Laketown). “...And Bofur for a reason as we’ll see... It was very important having Bofur witness what is to come as set-up for the third film.”
This is shown a little through non-verbal emotion, but isn’t obvious, especially not before the pre-battle army confrontation. He experienced the destruction of Laketown first-hand, and would still be filled with sadness and guilt over that. Since he and his family are the least-wealthy and have the least social status, and he’s not there to regain a wealth/social status he feels he lost, he would be more humble and willing to give what he doesn’t need to the Men. Bofur also comes off as the least affected by the goldsickness (maybe tied with Balin). There’s also the strange subtle background tension Bofur seems to have with Thorin in AUJ and DOS.
Therefore, I think Bofur would do something like offer to give part of his share to the Men, and protest when Thorin refuses to let him do it. This would set off in Thorin the idea that Bofur, and a few of the others who initially think that’s the right thing to do, aren’t loyal, if they don’t have a problem giving away what Thorin thinks only they should have.
A scene while or right after they build the Erebor rampart.
Jed Brophy and Peter Jackson say in the behind the scenes that they’re all starting to feel that Thorin is starting to lose it while they’re building the wall. As it is, only Kili says anything or reacts at all to Thorin’s callousness. The rest of them don’t seem all that bothered.
A scene soon after Thorin tells the Company to not go over the wall and walks off to the throne- the Company discussing what to do with each other.
In the behind the scenes, there is a snippet of filming the Company at the bottom of the wall, standing in a circle, then they look in the direction Thorin walked away and start throwing off their armour in frustration. Dwalin is there, meaning that this is before he goes to confront Thorin. The only reason to have 12 characters standing in a circle facing each other is if they’re discussing something. I imagine it would be if Thorin is fit to lead, if they should still follow his orders, if they should disobey him… We should see them being upset and throwing off their armour, not only to explain why they suddenly don’t have it on, but to get a sense of their emotions before they join the battle later.
A scene between Thorin threatening to kill Dwalin and then getting over it in the gold floor room- more Company emotions in deciding what to do.
Having the two scenes without anything between undermines the emotional storytelling, holding that tension with Thorin’s emotional state for very little time. He threatens to kill his close friend, then gets over everything like a minute later. It’s resolved too quickly and suddenly. Also, Kili’s outburst when Thorin does come back to them doesn’t feel earned. Yes, there is a little build-up to it while they’re building the wall, but not enough to justify this sudden yelling at Thorin. A scene here with the Company, along with the missing scene above, allows more time to show Kili’s and everyone’s rising frustration. It also gives more weight to Thorin asking them to follow him one last time.
Scenes in the battle with Ori, Dori, Nori, and Gloin and Oin.
It’s said in the concept/art books that at some point in the battle, it was filmed that Ori protects his brothers when they go down for a bit. This would conclude his little character arc of growing from a sheltered young man filled with bravado (”I’ll give him a taste of iron right up his jacksie!”) to a more mature young man who doesn’t need to be protected all the time.
While Gloin and Oin don’t really have a character arc, more with them would’ve been nice, especially since we know all of the dwarves filmed a lot of battle stuff. It’s strange that in the editing of the battle, Oin completely disappears from it after they charge out, and it could do with him perhaps doing some combat medic stuff in addition to fighting.
It’s also interesting that, other than most of the chariot chase, all the added Extended Company battle scenes involve Bofur. (This feels like a cynical “Fine, we don’t like the Company Dwarves except Thorin and Kili, but we’ll let you keep this one” from Warner Bros).
A scene where Dwalin finds Tauriel with Kili’s body, and then finds Fili’s body.
Someone had to tell Tauriel “they want to bury him,” and Dwalin was the only dwarf up there to do so. (Though I suppose you could have Legolas knowing dwarves do that and tell her). Dwalin would be looking for Fili and Kili, whether he thinks they’re alive or not, and it kind of isn’t fair that Kili and Thorin both have someone one-on-one mourning over their bodies right after the battle, and Fili doesn’t.
Overall:
Please let there be a super-extended of these movies in the works. Everyone who worked on these deserve to have the intended work shown. And I want to see that version.
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djemsostylist · 2 years
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I don’t think it’s really fair to use fanfiction you’ve read as a a means to criticise the character decisions of a show that hasn’t even come out yet. Just because you like what fanfiction writers have done with characters such as Galadriel and Celeborn doesn’t make those depictions any more canon that whatever will be in the show.
Well hey anon! So, fun fact, all of my Galadriel opinions are not, in fact, based at all in fanfic. While it is true that I have read some truly stellar Galadriel fic, everything I wrote in my Galadriel piece actually comes directly from canon--from both the Silmarillion, and as I stated, the histories of Middle Earth, particularly the Tale of Galadriel and Celeborn. In fact, it's actually kind of funny, because in one of the defensive Vanity Fair articles they tried to find canon justification for "Lady Warrior" Galadriel, and succeeded only in proving that well, there just isn't any.
Galadriel doesn't actually play a huge role in the Silmarillion. In the published version, she joins Feanor's rebellion and leaves Valinor, but sticks with Fingolfin and co and crosses the Helecraxe, avoiding the kin slaying at Alqualonde (although later versions in the Histories of Middle Earth have her joining her mother's people, the Teleri, and fighting against Feanor and his sons to protect her kin.)
Upon arriving in Middle Earth, Galadriel actually spends almost all her time either in one of her brother's kingdoms (Nargothrond in particular, with Findrod) or in Doriath, where she is specifically said to be a student of Melian's and also where she meets her husband. She does not actively participate in any fighting throughout the First Age--by some accounts she was in Eriador before Gondolin fell.
In the Second Age, she and Celeborn rule a few various kingdoms together (a small coastal area in Lindon, then Eregion, and then Lothlorien) and again, she stayed entirely out of fighting, while by all accounts, Celeborn was present for several battles, including the sacking of Eregion.
In the Third Age of course, we know she never fought--in fact, Celeborn specifically is mentioned in the appendices to have led the fighting force from Lorien to Dol Guldor while Galadriel is say to have "thrown down it's walls and laid bare its pits"--so again, no actual fighting.
And then of course she goes over the sea and is never seen again.
So, canonically, Galadriel, at most, slayed elves in the Kin-Slaying at Alqualonde, although even Tolkien himself was not certain of that at all (which is likely why the published Silmarillion version does not include this.) The Tale of Galadriel and Celeborn posits several theories for both of them with various histories, but the one piece that NEVER changes is that Galadriel is NEVER martial.
And if we do go with the canon that she fought with her mother's kin against Feanor and his sons, it would make complete sense to me that she never took up direct arms again. As I said, I think something like that would have a profound affect on a person, and Galadriel also had many more useful skills--she is one of the strongest Noldor in terms of straight magic, and that is canon.
So, you see, my essay on Galadriel was actual Tolkien canon--it's the show that is is complete and utter fanfiction. Which, I mean, they can do whatever, but it does completely undermine her character to such a degree that I wonder they even bothered to use Galadriel--why not just make up an entirely new elf lady who runs arounds with swords and fights people? And while sure, the show isn't out, the character description and all the promo imagery--which is Galadriel in silver armor with a sword and dagger--do not, in any way, make me think of canon Galadriel, who pretty much always wore white and did not wear armor or wield a sword, and certainly didn't spend any of the Second Age running around chasing down Morgoth's leftovers. She was, at this time, canonically married, and settled, and ruling various enclaves/kingdoms and having at least one child, possibly two (depending on which Tolkien you ask lol).
Look, like what you like, but I'm not gonna "hold my criticism" for a show that has no intention of adhering to canon and is just literally making things up. And before you ask, yes, I have actually read the Silmarillion and the Histories of Middle Earth.
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Thranduil: the massive spiders in my forest are a bit like Annatar. Kind of cute and exciting at first but now a bit inconvenient and should probably just stay in Dol Guldor
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thranduil: of a loveless king
The king knew no love. Or so they thought. Cold, calculating, brooding. The pale starlight offered only luminous cold. He was no hero, no protector. A species of emotional detachment. Detached from his son, detached from his people. Detached from the battles he fought. Sweeping, judging gazes that turned most to ice. Or so they thought. He was a wonder to behold, many would note, the blessed few who would chance upon his face. Pale blond hair of the pure Valar. Blue grey stormy eyes, as the sea churns and turns. Tall, regal. Crown of seasonal berries. All seeing. All knowing. There wasn’t much that did not reach his elven ears. The Mirkwood forests, dark and old as they were (much older than their lord), heard whispers flitting. They knew of the Dwarf-king seeking to reclaim his throne in the Lonely Mountain. The king turned in his chair. But for another time. He had more to think of.
Mereth Muin Giliath. The Feast of Starlight. Much to celebrate. Years of peace, quiet. After the battle for Middle-Earth, after the line of Men had faltered and Isildur had failed. The king turned from them, as he had with them all. His wife had passed, eons ago it seemed. His son had passed in a way too, as he grew older, ageing slowly as only elves do. Passed in the abstract definition of the term. Legolas Greenleaf was dead to his father. The king had no time for children. He had a kingdom to feed, and protect. People who trusted him. So when the dwarves had called, that time ago, he had looked, and turned. As the lonely Mountain fell unto flames and the great Snake Smaug burnt its inhabitants. He could not risk his life for these thieves, their prying fingers, greed possessed, gold in their eyes. They were His gems. His gems of white stars. His unfading reminder of her beauty. Gone. The last of her memory stolen from him. He had forgotten to think of his son.
His face was marred: left cheek burnt, left eye glazed. What remained was the glimmer of a façade, a small tribute to the powerful Elven magic. They had an obsession, a need for beauty, for perfection. And his imperfection he kept hidden but for the light of the faint afternoon sun, when the Dragon’s curse shone through. He was flawed. But was it wrong for a king to hide away? To ignore the people’s cries for help. He had his own to think of. The Sindarin Elves were an ancient race, proud and true. They did not let their blood lines mingle with the likes of men. Or Dwarves. Pure and royal. Unlike any other. What more was to be said, when nothing more could be done. He had seen the closed beauty of his fallen people. His people that he would have protected, should have protected, felled with a single swoop of a sword. Mindless war. There was more to life than fighting over a precious few gems in a mountain, save for the memories of his wife. She had left him here too.
It would have been different, he supposed if it had been him who had died, battling the fell creatures of Dol Guldor. Legolas would have had a mother. A beautiful mother who would never age as the years went by. Clever, brave. She would have taught him what he could not. To love, to feel. As a father, the king had done his best to raise a heartless warrior, a dancer in the field. Not a lover. Not a poet. In battle, no one could best the young prince, save himself. Even the recent Silvan captain, naïve in her years could do nought against the graceful sweeps of the king’s swords. But enough of this battle. Enough of these wars.  Sitting in a throne which kept him warm in this cold, frozen, loveless world. His place of comfort, a rigid seat that stood above all else. He would retreat to his safety when he felt threatened, or vulnerable. The icy king knew better than to leave his heart open. Even to his son. A hundred years was no matter to an elf, a mere blink of an eye. Patience and time he had. Eons would go on forever. He could wait out these frugal conflicts. It would matter not.
A leaf fell in Mirkwood, and the ground below shuddered momentarily, before enveloping it too into the darkness. There was nothing left for it. Not here, not anywhere. Quiet but for the rustling of a growing evil. Thranduil turned in his chair and opened his eyes. Sleep was for another time.
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89ravenwolf · 3 years
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Dol-Guldor armor Galadriel as a continuation of these outfits I designed earlier this year.
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yellow-faerie · 3 years
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My entry for Day 1 of @tolkienocweek starring my OC Navril and Haldir upon the end of the War of the Ring.
The War Is Over
“The war is over, isn’t it?” Navril says, picking at the moss on the old log she and Haldir have taken a seat on. Haldir swings his legs, letting one of his bare feet graze over the top of the river below them and resists the urge to put a hand over hers.
“It is,” he agrees. “It’s a strange feeling to think we’re safe now.”
“Ish.” She gently punches his arm, wrinkling her nose as she gives him a slight smile. “I know they’ve defeated Sauron and all that, dearest, but that doesn’t mean his orcs have just upped and vanished.”
Haldir sighs, leaning his head back. “I know. Just…trying not to think about it too hard.”
“Hey. If you’re worried about Rú and Phin, I’m sure they will be coming back. You would know if not.”
“Would I though?” He looks up again and turns to her. “I mean, we’re such a distance from each other – it’s not a short distance to Dol Guldor and bonds are always weaker over such a distance. What if it just…fades and I don’t notice until Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn return and…”
He trails off as he sees that Navril’s face has darkened and realises it is not just him she is trying to comfort.
“…and I guess your theory isn’t so far off?” Haldir finishes lamely, feeling so stupid for missing that cue.
At least he knew something of his family’s whereabouts. She knew next to nothing beyond that Legolas had been in Gondor, Naudon in Rivendell and Erthilien and her parents still at their home deep in the forest of Mirkwood.
They could be terribly injured or missing or dead for all she would be able to tell until further news could trickle in from elsewhere.
She shakes her head and smiles at him again. “We can take our minds of such morbid things. Care for a dance dearest?”
She pushes herself from the log and lands in the water, the bottoms of her leggings getting soaking wet. She holds out her hand in invitation, tilting her head and smiling just a bit wider.
Haldir can think of many reasons to say no but none of them can measure up to the thought of shattering that fragile smile.
He can already imagine her hiding the initial hurt with a pout and blasé words saying that she never really cared anyway but he knows that she relies upon him to help her in the small little madnesses she indulges in just as he relies on her for that extra bit of moral support to help him through one more insufferable meeting.
“Of course,” he replies and takes her hand.
She tugs him down before he can gather himself and he stumbles forward, spraying water right the way up his front and a fair bit up his back.
He pulls away and gives her a very affronted look, and she laughs, not even attempting to hide her mirth.
Haldir really can’t stay mad at her when she smiles like that.
“Shall we?” He asks and Navril gives a small, experimental spin before she retakes his hand and pulls him into a dance for whom only she has the choreography.
They are only a moment from the main settlement but there are so few people there that the splashing of the water can drown out the very faint sound that trickles through the trees until it seems as if they are the only two people in the whole world.
It is only him and her and nothing else matters – not the war, their fears or anything. For all Haldir would know, the forest is on fire around them.
And then they stop, suddenly, as if the invisible orchestra accompanying them has finished in a sudden uplifting of strings and the notes have been left to reverberate around them.
Navril and he are very close – improperly so – and Haldir feels his cheeks warm up as the euphoria of…well, whatever that had been dies away leaving only their racing hearts and heavy breathing to mingle in the silence.
He goes to pull away but then Navril reaches up and pulls him back down.
She leans her forehead against his, their lips so very close together.
“Dearest,” she says softly, “the war is over, isn’t it?”
“It is,” he agrees.
“Do you remember what we said?” Navril asks and Haldir smiles, knowing exactly what and when she is talking about.
“When?”
“When we first met, in Rivendell for that council meeting? and I dragged you down from your paperwork to join us for the midsummer’s celebration. It had been very small for we hadn’t wanted to impose on Lord Elrond’s hospitality but you had looked so wide-eyed as if the whole thing was utterly brilliant.”
“I remember,” he says softly. “You said that once the war was over and it was safe, you would take me back to the Greenwood and show me a proper midsummer’s celebration.”
“And?”
“And what?” Haldir asks, acting purposefully obtuse.
“And what do you say to that offer now?”
“Well if it still stands, I would like to most graciously accept.”
She presses up against his mind with a soft query and Haldir answers by bridging that final gap between them and pressing their lips together in a feather light kiss.
“You will be hounded by my family,” Navril warns, pulling back those few inches again.
“I am sure of it. I did have to deal with Legolas for over a month.”
Navril makes a face. “Dearest, he’s the best of them.”
Haldir laughs, tucking a stray bit of hair behind her ear as he pulls away. “Let’s deal with that when the time comes.”
“Probably a wise idea.” She takes a step back, taking an idle kick at his shins (which sprays water up his front again) and dances out of the way of his attempted retaliation.
And so it is soaking wet and with bright smiles that they walk back into camp, hand in hand, and Haldir can’t even find it in himself to be embarrassed.
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