#or what was the difference between 'bilbo' and 'battle of the five armies bilbo'

[plussizefantasia]

Fluttering Heart

Fluffober Day 13: Soulmates

Kili Durin x f!human!reader

Word Count: 1.5k

AN: OMG! This has definitely been my favorite to write so far. I love Kili with my whole heart and that for sure came out while I was writing. I really want to see about making this a longer series once October ends, if anyone wants to see that leave a comment and let me know.

divider credit @royallaesthetics

The culture of the dwarves is much like their treasure, kept under lock and key. Histories, customs, and traditions all are played very close to the chest of the stubborn race. The only beings who are let in on the secret are those lucky enough to be a fated match. 

There are different names for these matches in every culture, Soulmates, true loves, twin flames. The dwarves called them Ones. To find your One was said to be the best day of your life. At least that is what Kili thought, he wouldn’t know though. He hadn’t met his yet. 

His uncle’s one had been the Hobbit, Bilibo took longer to fall than Thorin but fell just as hard if not harder than the dwarf. The two were very much in love, it was sickening. His mother’s One had been his father, and he doesn’t remember much about their time together. Fee’s One was a lovely lass that had come from the Blue Mountains to try and establish herself as a seamstress under the mountain. 

All of them had told him how wonderful finding their Ones was, even Thorin whose One was not of the race of Dwarf and thusly did not feel the same pull that he had. Thorin had to actually make Bilbo fall in love with him, which amused Kili to no end because of how much their two personalities seemed to clash. 

Kili hates spending time under the mountain now, he loves Erebor and takes pride in the fact that he was one of the brave few who had reconquered it, but everywhere he looked he saw people being happy with something he did not have. 

The feeling went much deeper than those childhood squabbles he had had with Fili when the two pebbles would play together. Jealousy over toys was easily remedied, the ache that had recently taken up residence in Kili’s heart was much more difficult to push aside or fix.

So he had taken to going for walks. He had volunteered himself too many times to be the point of contact for the King of Dale. He had told Thorin it was because he wanted to prove that he could be trusted with matters of diplomacy. He might not be next in line, but he was still a prince and could take care of these things. It was on one of these trips to Dale that Kili met the very person who would change his life.

She was of the race of men and seemed to work in one of the few taverns that housed the nightlife of the town. Kili was in a sort of informal meeting with Bard, his son Bain, and the Captain of the Guard. They were discussing a deal between the two kingdoms where Erebor would provide the army of Dale with iron-forged armor and weapons and in turn, Dale would pledge their allegiance to the kingdom under the mountain in any future battle. Kili couldn’t help but find the humor in the reversal of roles as if the company had not asked and pledged the same things five years ago. This clause was only one of the facets that made up the current peace treaty in the works. It was Kili’s idea to have the meeting in a less tense and stuffy room than they were previously held in. 

“Everybody has to eat Bard, why don’t we eat and talk at the same time? I’m sure we’d all be much more comfortable.” Bard had agreed at the behest of Bain who had laughed and reminded his father of the last time he had had a proper meal. After that, the men had embarked towards Bard’s favorite tavern. And judging by the way he had jovially called out to the man behind the bar, he was at least acquainted with the people who worked there.

Their waitress was a beautiful woman, who had skills like Kili had never seen, and he had been in a lot of taverns. She was able to carry three trays of piping hot food at the same time and at one point he had even seen her stack and move at least twelve pint glasses to a rowdier table towards the back of the establishment. And she did all this with the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. 

If only he would actually get to talk to her. The tavern was busy and she seemed to be one of the only other people working besides the man behind the bar and whoever was preparing the food to be served. She was never in the same place for a very long time. After she had gotten their initial order she had placed their pints down and immediately zipped off to fulfill the next request. 

Without the ability to actually talk to her, Kili had to settle for second-hand knowledge. “So what can you tell me about the woman who served us?” Kili asked nobody in particular.

“Why, do you fancy her?” Came Bain’s reply.

“No, but any woman that can carry that much and move that fast without wasting a drop is certainly one I want to get to know.”

“Her name is y/n, She’s apprenticed to Brant, the man who owns this tavern. She arrived in Dale a year or two ago. I think she's from Bree but she's settled here. I think she has an arrangement with him, when he finally retires the place will be hers.” Bard had explained, throwing a somewhat scolding glance at his son. Kili might be young and more carefree than his uncle but he is still a prince and Bard did not wish to offend him.

“Interesting, any idea why she left Bree? It’s quite a long journey to take on your own.” Kili asked. 

“Why don’t you ask her?” A third, much more feminine voice replied. Kili who had not seen her make her way over to their table, had nearly jumped out of his skin. The other men tried and failed to hide their amusement at his predicament. “After all, I’m sure she’d be willing to tell you as long as she didn’t catch you talking about her when she wasn’t around.” She had said all of this with a smile spread across her face and delight in her voice. Kili wasn’t really sure how she felt about his impolite inquiries, but she hadn't chased him out of the establishment with a broom yet, so he thought he was okay.

“I’ve gotten everyone else settled and thought I’d come visit the King, how are you this evening King Bard?” her attention was firmly placed on the King of Dale now, and Kili longed for her piercing gaze to once again land on him.

“I’ve told you, it’s just Bard, all of this King nonsense will just go to my head,”

“Of course King Bard.” She smirked and turned towards the rest of the men. “Anything else I can get you, gentlemen?” With a firm nod at their newest order, she spun and headed back towards the bar.

“I think I’m in love.” Kili had said under his breath. 

“I think it’ll take you much more than that to win her over.” Bain had replied, hearing Kili’s self-confession. “Every time we’re in here I see her turn down men. Granted, most of them are usually drunkards but the principle is all the same.”

Kili was certain that the fluttering in his chest and the feeling of light-headedness had to mean something. And given that both the feelings had started right after she had spoken to him, he was pretty sure he knew what it was. 

“Here you are boys, four more pints and a basket of bread, on the house.” She had placed the basket of bread and little bowls of butter and honey on the table. When she pulled her hand away it bumped into Kili and sent a wave of shocks all the way up his arm.

#plus size reader #plus size!reader #fanfic #fluff #x reader #flufftober #kili durin #kili #thorin #bagginshield #just a little bit #kili x reader #kili the dwarf #the hobbit fanfiction #the hobbit #kili x you #kili x plus size reader #kili durin x reader #hobbit fic

[annoyinglandmagazine]

Elrond and Elros Series Ideas 2

For a framing devise, which maybe shouldn’t be revealed until maybe halfway through the first season, I think it’s probably Elrond explaining it to Bilbo as he tries to compile his songs and history extracts of the Old Tales and takes full advantage of any primary sources he can find. The story is interspersed with Elrond packing things away for his journey west, you see things like murials of ships coming to life at the start of an episode and rings being taken out of their boxes suddenly switching to a scene where you can see them on the hands of one of the characters of the show.

As a battle scene with Maedhros taking out an entire battalion of orcs single handedly (pun fully intended) fades out you can see the same sword carefully taken out of its intricate scabbard and despite the layer of dust it is sharp as ever as it is cradled in hands that clearly aren’t the scarred one’s from the scene. The finale absolutely has to end with Elrond balancing on the prow of the ship to Valinor with a soft smile on his face and one tear rolling down his cheek as he gazes at the horizon.

The framing will also serve to explain why most of the first half of the season or so, four or five episodes, are in a more broad strokes epic style with very few little details or casual dialogue, mostly it’s political and military discussions, it comes across as if it’s more a story that’s been passed down because it’s not from Elrond’s point of view. It’s mostly a large scale kind of story with big battle scenes and political drama.

This is juxtaposed with the clips of the twins and their relationship with the Feanorians in the camp and Maglor and Maedhros in which we see Elrond learning how to heal because he’s the only one there that can and there’s loads of really sweet emotional moments where it looks like Maedhros is finally starting to accept them and you get much more dialogue with little bits of humour as well because this is what Elrond remembers.

Basically it feels like an entirely different show about two feared war lords letting down their barriers in order to try and form a tentative bond with these scared children as they grow up and it’s a really moving subplot next to the main plot of armies fighting dragons and Balrogs and kings and lords trying to form stable alliances in the unnavigable situation that is elf politics (especially the Finarfin and Gil Galad High Kingship of The Noldor situation because there is a lot of mileage in that one.)

The first time we see the Third Kinslaying properly is a bit later in the season, there’s vague flashes that allude to it in the twin’s nightmares, is Oropher explaining to Thranduil that they mustn’t fully trust the Noldor which comes on the heels of intense political manoeuvring the entire episode between him and Gil Galad. He refers to how they destroyed two of their people’s cities and ended the line of their royal family in one brutal attack. The way this scene is done should definitely open up with warning bells ringing louder and louder as the camera cuts from Mirkwood to Sirion and the most menacing music possible plays over the Feanorians entering.

It absolutely has to be an intensely brutal scene, maybe not in the graphic violence sense but emotionally the destruction has to be devastating, buildings set on fire, maybe a toy in a child’s limp hand or something like that; it’s horrifying is the point. Elwing flings herself into the sea and it ends with Oropher looking over the burning wreckage from the distance, just a few hours too late, a thriving settlement reduced to nothingness in the space of a day.

The Sindar all believe the twins to be dead and no one ever speaks the name of Elwing’s child or children, it isn’t specified, because it’s such a dreadful tragedy; they don’t show Elrond and Elros as Elwing’s sons until the end of the first season when we see two six year olds hiding in a wardrobe in a burning building and suddenly there’s footsteps and the door is thrown open to reveal Maglor stained with blood.

It’s referenced previously that the twins guardians have a dark reputation and it may have already been said that they are the sons of Feanor who were responsible for the massacre so it’s not a leap for it to be confirmed that they found the twins through dubious means but this is the first time people who don’t have the background knowledge will see where the twins came from.

Elros might brandish a sword at him but Maglor slowly takes off his helmet off and tells him they won’t come to any harm. Eventually he manages to coax them out and takes them in his arms and just as the camera pans out over the wreckage of Sirion once more you can hear the hushed voices of a conversation something like this; Maedhros: Elwing’s sons? Truly Maglor? Maglor: Well who else will take them? We killed their mother after all.

#Silmarillion #tolkienfamilyweek #lotr #elrond peredhel #elros tar minyatur #kidnap fam #maedhros #maglor #bilbo baggins #first age #war of wrath #ereinion gil galad #finarfin #Oropher #thranduil

[bagginshieldlibrary]

Canonverse list!

GIF by itscrochetnotknit

We're starting off with Oak and Mistletoe by HildyJ.

Summary: After a life dominated by a strange form of sickness, Thorin is sent to the Shire to seek a cure only Bilbo Baggins can offer.

Rating: Teen and Up

Word count: 55,643

This is not really your traditional Canonverse fic. Erebor never fell but Thorin is "cursed" and Bilbo is their last hope for a cure, due to his skills. Its a really good exploration of emotions and senses and how sometimes all we really ever need is a change of perspective.

There is a second Explicit part that is not linked to the fic so I've put it here.

Our next fic is Roses of Iron by Porphyrios

Summary: Two years after Bilbo returned from his adventures, he's made his peace with being back in the Shire. He still wonders what might have happened if things were different, but figures all that is behind him now. A mysterious visitor turns out to be someone he never thought he'd see again, and he's shocked by the news he hears.

Rating: Mature

Word count: 152,426

This fic is a work of art. The added lore, the explorations of both Bilbo and Thorin's character, the exploration of the dwarrow culture, and how how the story flows. Its a long fic but it's not a slow burn, in my humble opinion.

Here we have The Age of Miscommunication by SilverSkiesAtMidnight

Summary: “It’s got such a presence to it, even from a distance,” Bilbo says softly, and there’s a general murmur of awed agreement from the others. “Why, in all my fifty years, I never thought I’d see such a thing, and we haven’t even arrived yet!”

Thorin’s sword hits the ground with a clatter, and Balin chokes on his pipe.

The hobbit doesn’t look at Thorin, too busy thumping Balin on the back. Once the dwarf seems able to breathe again, he looks up, to find thirteen wide pairs of eyes fixed on him.

“What?” he says defensively, though he’s not sure what he’s defending.

“You’re how old?” Kíli squeaks.

Bilbo frowns at the young dwarf. “I’m fifty years old. Well, fifty-one, come springtime. Though it is not very polite to ask someone their age so bluntly,” he tells him primly.

Fíli makes a choked sound, and Nori lets out a vicious string of swears in Khuzdul."

Rating: Teen and Up

Word Count: 6,683

A comedy and a half. The company reacts drastically to finding out the age difference between hobbits and dwarves. I laughed, giggled and eye rolled at the theatrics.

Our first explicit fic rec is young savage things/ barely worth remembering by pomgore

Summary: For a moment, Thorin looks winded, his eyes wide and his jaw set tightly like Bilbo has wrung him out to dry. He seems out of his depth—it’s written all over his face, really—and Bilbo would be moved to sympathy if he didn’t know that somehow, this warranted Thorin seeking him out in the middle of the night. He remains guarded for both of their sakes.

“I have never courted anyone before, and I was not educated in the art before the dragon came.”

“Alright.”

“If I remember correctly, you have been- involved, with other hobbits before.”

“... I have.”

“Please teach me how to kiss.”

Rating: Explicit

Word count: 8,649

This fic ripped my heart out and then healed me. Its written in away that makes you want more and more, just like Bilbo and Thorin.

And last but certainly not list we have Songs in the Dark by Leoandlancer

Summary: After the resolution of the Battle of Five Armies and the beginning of the restoration of Erebor, Thorin and Bilbo are still carefully, and respectfully, distant to each other. Each certain the other wants nothing to do with them after the betrayals they've committed. However, trapped by a cave-in while exploring the lower halls, Thorin and Bilbo are suddenly, and unavoidably thrown together and slowly they begin to sort things out.

Rating: Teen and up

Word count: 13,400

Close quarters apologies and reconciliation, angst and fluff. Thorin singing. Really this fic hits all the delightfully good spots for one so short.

Also this fic is locked so you need an account to read.

0 notes

#the hobbit #bagginshield #thorin oakenshield #bilbo baggins #hobbit #thorin #fanfic #canonverse #Bagginshield library #fic rec list

[bitkahuna]

Just changed the description of my fanfic to be something waaaaayy more comprehensible now that I’ve gotten a solid idea of the direction of the story. I like it so much better.

(See the last like 15 of my posts for excerpts, also, saw a huge boost in hits and kudos ever since updating the description. Holy shit lol!! )

———

With Lady Yavanna’s guidance, Bilbo did far more than anyone, even himself, thought possible while on their journey.

But when dragonsickness strikes, and Thorin succumbs to urges he’d never felt before, Bilbo finds himself betrayed and banished. Still, the hobbit returns for the battle of the five armies, once again saving Thorin and his kin.

In the aftermath, Thorin is forced to confront his dragonsick actions. He knows what he must do. He knows how Mahal calls for him to atone, as does his company. But throughout their adventure, the cultural differences between dwarves and hobbits were made clearer and clearer. Bilbo would never agree to Thorin’s method of apology. But as nobles and other important dwarves begin to flood Erebor, learning of Bilbo’s heroics and the betrayal by Thorin, more and more call for proper recompense.

Unfortunately, hobbits consider it very improper to do outside of wedlock what Thorin must do to atone. But as both find themselves falling for the other, perhaps, an exception can be made.

#bagginshield fic #bagginshield #bilbo x thorin #thorin x bilbo #bamf bilbo baggins #the hobbit bilbo #bilbo baggins #the hobbit fanfiction #the hobbit #fanfiction #ao3 author #fanfic #ao3fic

[downstarr]

The Consort

The Consort (3189 words) by downstar Chapters: 1/? Fandom: The Hobbit (Jackson Movies) Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Bilbo Baggins/Thorin Oakenshield Characters: Thorin Oakenshield, Bilbo Baggins Additional Tags: Thorin Oakenshield Lives, Domestic Bilbo Baggins/Thorin Oakenshield, Established Bilbo Baggins/Thorin Oakenshield, Bilbo Baggins/Thorin Oakenshield Fluff, Consort Bilbo Baggins, POV Bilbo Baggins, Sassy Bilbo Baggins, Misunderstandings, Dwarf & Hobbit Cultural Differences, Dwarf/Hobbit Relationship(s), Dwarf Gender Concepts, Dwarf Courting, Domestic Fluff, Non-Graphic Smut, Humor, Fluff and Humor, Cultural Differences Series: Part 2 of The Quiet Moments - Bilbo and Thorin Summary: After a confession of their feelings, Bilbo returns to Erebor with Thorin. The great city is in the process of rebuilding, and Thorin is settling into his role as his king. Word is getting around that their king has asked an outsider - a hobbit! - to be his consort. Can their burgeoning relationship survive the pressures of kingship and cultural misunderstandings? --- This fic carries on in continuty from my one-shot The King and the Hobbit. It's part of a series of one-shots or short pieces that exist within the same continuity and in the same timeline. Check the previous fic in this collection for the story of how the two of them got together. I plan for this to be a short multichapter, likely 4-5 when complete.

Chapter 1

Bilbo Baggins was beginning to learn the difference between questing with a group of dwarves and living among them. 

He’d returned to Erebor with Thorin and the company of dwarves he’d first journeyed with what felt like a lifetime ago. The trip from the Shire was deeply uneventful, especially compared to their first trek. Bilbo found himself happy and at-ease, and it was wonderful to spend time with Thorin now that they had admitted what they felt for each other. 

The first few days in Erebor were also blissful. Bilbo marvelled at the progress the dwarves had made in the short time since the death of the great dragon and the Battle of the Five Armies. The architecture of The Lonely Mountain was built to withstand the ages, hewn as it was into the stone by master craftsmen. Even Smaug, in all his wicked greed, could not destroy all the dwarves had built.

It would still be a long time before Erebor retook its position as one of the great kingdoms of Middle Earth. But thanks to the wealth of Smaug, the assistance of the Elves of the Woodland Realm and the Men of Laketown (who Thorin gave their due in a share of the treasure) there was life in the heart of that lonely temple of stone once again. The population was small at first, but there were new dwarves arriving every day as word of Erebor’s liberation spread.

And there was new life in the heart of Bilbo as well. The grand chambers of the King Under the Mountain were far more lavish and adorned than anything Hobbits had ever seen, but one of his first tasks was to bring a bit of warmth and comfort to that stony chamber. He gathered up furs to make hard surfaces more inviting. He made sure that Thorin’s personal pantry was stocked with tea and biscuits and all the good things necessary when hosting a hobbit. He even arranged a trade with the Woodland Realm for a set of lanterns that captured sunlight. Their warm glow not only chased away the dark, but allowed green things to thrive beneath the ground.  

Thorin accepted all these changes without a word of complaint and with a twinkle of good humour in his eye. 

One evening, a few weeks into his stay in Erebor, Bilbo sat hunched over a heavy metal desk, perched high on a pair of cushions, his hairy feet dangling off the edge of the chair. He’d been hard at work for hours, drafting what would one day become the first chapter of their fated quest. 

Thorin approached him from behind and set his hand on Bilbo’s shoulder. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to his temple. “I’m going to sleep. Join me when you’re ready. Don’t hurry on my account. Your candlelight does not bother me.” 

“Mhmm, be there soon,” replied Bilbo, his brow furrowed in concentration as he mouthed the words of the sentence he was trying to get just right. “Ah, Thorin, Thorin…” he looked up suddenly and swiveled around.

Thorin had just finished ducking out of his embroidered tunic. The flickering light of the roaring hearth set into the wall and the dim glow of the sunstones huddled up against Bilbo’s plants tossed flattering shadows across the thick muscle of his back. It also highlighted the pure white scar tissue rimmed in silver where Azog’s blade had sliced him through. Elvish medicine had saved his life, but he would always bear the mark of his nemesis and feel the wound echoed in the movement of his body. 

Thorin looked over his shoulder and lifted a brow when Bilbo called his name. “Mhmm?”

Bilbo found himself staring. He still wasn’t used to seeing the dwarven king in a state of undress, especially in so casual and intimate a moment. A physique such as Thorin’s was unknown among hobbits, which went some of the way towards explaining why Bilbo had never found a lover among his own kind. There was much more there, of course, but the physical nature of his attraction had caught him off-guard more than once since he’d found the courage to acknowledge it. 

Thorin noticed Bilbo’s wandering gaze and turned around. He made a bit of a cheeky show of leaning up against the wall next to the hearth, as if aware that the firelight did much to flatter his body. 

Bilbo swallowed, twitched his nose and tap-tapped his pen against a spare bit of paper he used to blot the ink. “Do you…” he cleared his throat, “...do you think there’s someone who could teach me Khuzdul? I should like to add some dwarvish script to my book. I’ve also heard that Smaug left the archive virtually untouched and there are many wonderful and ancient tomes that are still in good condition. But I can’t read any of them. And that…” he rapped his pen again, “... is a speeeeecial kind of torture.”

Thorin was a stoic man, capable of very subtle expressions. But the delight at hearing Bilbo’s request was immediate and obvious. He smiled, his eyes lighting up as warm as hearthfire. He crossed the great chamber to Bilbo’s side and reached out to cup his cheek. “I will send for a scholar from the Iron Hills to be your tutor. You will have the advantage of learning under a master of languages.” 

“That’s really not necessary. I can muddle along with some references and a helper. I don’t want you to go to a lot of trouble,” Bilbo replied. He felt the tips of his ears burn red, and he was suddenly grateful for the mess of his hair and the low shimmer of light. 

“A king troubles himself where he pleases, especially when it comes to the happiness of his consort,” rumbled Thorin as he reached for Bilbo’s hand. He ran his thumb over the Mithril and white gem bracelet he’d given Bilbo when he pledged himself to him. The bracelet was a masterwork of the finest living dwarven artisans and featured knotwork that entwined dwarf and hobbit motifs. “I want you to be happy here, Bilbo. I know your heart aches for home when you are away from the Shire. And that call of home, which I understand well, means you will not always be by my side. While you are here, it’s my wish that you should want for nothing. A tutor to teach you my tongue is a small thing to ask. Especially as your desire to learn Khuzdul honours me.” 

Bilbo swallowed and lifted his hand to place on top of Thorin’s. “I suppose I’ll have to get used to a bit of special treatment. You’ll forgive me if it feels a bit strange.”

“It is strange for me as well,” said Thorin. “Don’t forget I have spent a long time in exile, with very little power. I could not even call together a proper force to retake Erebor. It was only through your bravery and that of our company that has given me what I have now. I will share it, in defiance of the sickness that nearly claimed my mind. The malady of the mind that destroyed my grandfather will not take me. What I want from you is to accept my generosity, as it is the sword I use to battle the shadows in the darkest corners of my heart.” And then his tone softened into a pleading one, “Can you do that?” 

Bilbo knew Thorin to be a man of exceptional strength. But he had seen his ghosts and his flaws as he locked himself within the heart of the mountain and hid away from his allies. He sensed that Thorin would always struggle against the demons of avarice, especially as he sat as King Under the Mountain, with greed and excess on display in every gilded corner.  But as he looked into Thorin’s eyes, he became acutely aware of how close to the surface those feelings still were. He was strong enough to keep his worst impulses from overtaking him, but they would never fully be banished. 

Bilbo had never confessed the secret of the ring he’d found in a musty, dark cave with a twisted, pitiful creature. But he felt the weight of it, as strongly as Thorin felt the shadow of Smaug that still twisted around him. They each had to guard against an outside force full of malice and darkness that neither would be able to ever truly escape. 

“I…I understand,” said Bilbo. “And I will try my best to accept your gifts. Though keep in mind that I’m a simple creature. You give me comfort and the honour of your company, and that’s enough to keep me quite happy, thank you.” His lips twitched into a smile. 

“Your tastes may be simple, Bilbo, but you are not. There was a time when I thought that too, but I was so very wrong. Come…” he pulled him gently. “Come to bed. In the morning, I will send instructions to the archive to prepare books for you. We have some for the young to help them read and write their tongue. That should allow you to get started as we await the arrival of your tutor.”

Bilbo took Thorin’s hand and hopped down from the chair. He gazed up at the dwarven king with warmth and fondness. “Thank you,” he said softly. And then he got up on his tip-toes and reached up to pull Thorin down. He kissed him sweetly, and then followed him back to their bed. Continue reading on Ao3

#fanfiction #ao3 #fic rec #bagginshield #thorin x bilbo #the hobbit bilbo #thilbo #thorin fic #the hobbit thorin #the hobbit #ao3 writer #the hobbit fanfiction

[lycan-troth]

Thought about watching one of the Harry Potter films as my Christmas film this year. However, I decided on something more comforting; The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey.

My favourite bits are at the beginning when Bilbo is recounting the past, Thorin's past, and when he banters with Frodo. It's just so nice to see Frodo as he was before he carried the ring, he's so lively, content and free of trauma. I like when Bilbo saves Thorin from Azog too, that scene on the carrock, when Thorin embraces him. Something I find a little funny is how Frodo resembles Thorin a little bit; blue eyes, somewhat similar shade of hair although it's more like Kili's really, and his gentleness reminds me of The Battle of the Five Armies when Thorin would only show gentle, fond smiles/expressions to Bilbo.

If Thorin behaved more like that on screen, I feel like the sense of resemblance/familiarity might be more obvious. Not to say that they are the same character, they're both rather different but there's still those vague similarities between them. I do ship bagginshield, and I am guilty of indulging in fix-it fics with them being a family with Frodo, so I could very well be biased about the concept. Regardless, it is fun in a sad sort of way to imagine Bilbo being of a similar mindset; scenario being that Thorin is dead and Bilbo sees elements of him in almost everything. So he too could be biased because he sorely wishes that Thorin were alive, but he isn't and its such a hard thing to accept especially because it was traumatising too. So, when he adopted Frodo it would be easy to see glimpses of Thorin in him, merely because it could be what he wanted to see.

In Frodo's soft, fond face he would see that rare gentleness and vulnerability that Thorin showed him near the end. Bilbo would see Thorin in the colours Frodo would fashion and in the way he would quietly observe the world. However, there's plenty of room to argue for the opposite; that Thorin and Frodo are too different, despite how much Bilbo could long to see Thorin in his nephew. Although, it could be a balance or mix of both; that there are just as many similarities as there are differences between them. To be honest, I do tend to dislike in fics where Frodo is very similar to Thorin; to the point that he reads as being an oc almost. I like the idea of them being somewhat at odds because of their differences, which potentially gets in the way of seeing the few similarities they might share. Frodo isn't prone to brood somewhat menacingly like Thorin, he'd grow quiet but he would willingly open up if prompted into conversation. Frodo wouldn't be as knowledgeable about the world or be fuelled with seeking justice; he's motivated by doing what he thinks is the right thing to do like saving The Shire.

Where Thorin would be able to carry on after experiencing great loss, Frodo isn't able to live with the trauma of it in the long run. That isn't to say Frodo is weak because he isn't; it takes great strength and resolve to do what he did in the end. I suppose they might find more common ground in their losses and trauma. Frodo is changed by his journey similar to how Erebor changed Thorin. The greed, that filthy desire for material objects; the arkenstone and the one ring. Both are figurative sicknesses that cause greater harm than imagined. That is something they could have bonded over, and sadly Bilbo too.

This is all just me rambling, but it's fun to think about these concepts; all the what ifs. Majority of these are heavily based on just the trilogy, not the book. I am in the middle of reading it though, a little disappointed at the lack of characterisation from the dwarves so far. I like how different Bilbo is at the start compared to the film; the book characterisation of him is something I'm rather enjoying. And of course I'm always scowering each page for details and mentions of Thorin! Still not too much about him yet, although noticeably he's not nearly as off-putting towards Bilbo as he is in the beginning of the film. Instead he merely tolerates him, well, mostly ignores him. I'm looking forward to Bilbo becoming friends with them all as the story progresses. His relationships with the dwarves are one of my favourite things about the trilogy.

#the hobbit #bilbo baggins #thorin oakenshield #frodo baggins #bagginshield #lotr #ramblings

[obsidiancreates]

Some thoughts/criticisms of Battle of the Five Armies because I'm back on my Hobbit Movies bullshit

Should've put more screen time (and by "more" I mean "any at all") into Thorin's descent into the Gold Madness/Dragon Sickness. A lot of BotFA feels, to me, a bit... meandering. Like they needed to hit a certain length but weren't fully sure how to fill it (and I think that also shows in how it's the shortest of all 3 movies, at least Extended Edition-wise). We go right from "They all watched Smaug die," to "He's been down there for days and he's as Gold-Mad as Thror." We needed more connective tissue between those scenes- even just a scene of Bilbo noticing Thorin is refusing food, maybe trying to convince him to eat ("Thorin, take your share." "I've no need of it." "You can't live on gold alone, you know, heh, ahem." "We shall see, Master Baggins.") or something like that.

I get why Smaug died in the first twenty minutes. I do! There's both story reasons as well as behind-the-scenes logistical reasons (can y'all imagine what these movies would've been like if they'd had Reasonable Deadlines, less studio pressure, and more ethical cast and crew treatment? It would've fixed any of the CGI issues, they could've cleaned up some of the odd pacing and editing moments, none of those awful "QUICK QUICK QUICK WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME!" moments in the Appendices would've existed... Fuck Warner Bros, man. Peter Jackson obviously had a lot to do with a lot of the unethical overtime and expectations and wasted time/effort, but like Warner Bros also contributed to this Massively). Anyway, I get why Smaug died so early into the movie. But god, I wish he hadn't. Now I haven't read the novel to it's end in about 13 years give or take- I keep picking it up, getting a good ways in, forgetting to continue, and then picking it up and starting over at the beginning- but I remember Smaug's death being a very Little Thing in the book, since it was Third-Person limited (mostly) and Bilbo wasn't in Laketown. I know that this wasn't a moment of Inaccuracy (though honestly I don't mind most of the inaccuracies but that's for another post some other time) but it was a moment of Deeply Unsatisfying Payoff. Again, I understand why! It's kinda unsatisfying in the novel too- frankly, a lot of the ending stuff in The Hobbit is, but you didn't hear that from me, got it? I'm not sure, exactly, what I wish was different about it. Killing Smaug at the end of Desolation wasn't really a viable or satisfying option either, and focusing more on Laketown would've gotten tedious and repetitive- only so much Burning and Screaming can be made into Watchable Cinema at one time. I think perhaps a larger focus on Gandalf and his experiences with Sauron could've worked here- especially if Sauron is somehow Aware of Laketown falling and uses this to mock and torment Gandalf, speaking of how the quest of the dwarves has truly failed and Middle-Earth is soon to fall the same way- but again, I understand why they didn't do that, that's just a lot of Ian McKellen sitting in a birdcage getting Taunted by an Eyeball. So I don't know what I would've had them change, and I think a not insignificant amount of this Dissatisfaction is unavoidable given the glossed-over nature of the very same plot point in the book. But it's still saddening, especially since they nailed Smaug so well and he's such a fun villain to watch on screen. Azog... a good deal less so.

Bro we couldn't have had one line where they were like "OH GOD FILI KILI BOFUR AND OIN ARE STILL DOWN THERE!" when they were watching Laketown burn? One show that someone remembered FOUR OF THEIR PARTY IS STILL THERE?!

Some of the line deliveries in this movie were an... interesting, choice, to make into the final cut. I'll chalk it up to Those Damn Studio Deadlines, though.

I know I already talked about this but SERIOUSLY WHERE WAS THE CONNECTIVE TISSUE OF THORIN'S MADNESS, IT AIN'T EVEN IN THE EXTENDED THE EXTENDED IS MOSTLY THE ACTUAL BATTLE (plus the Best Scene In The Movie where Balin alludes to Bilbo to keep the Arkenstone hidden forever, which it's a crime that was left out of the theatrical by the way).

Yeah okay the Kili and Tauriel parting at the shore was kind cliched and acted weird. Again I'll chalk it up to The Deadlines.

If we could've have had the Connective Tissue scene(s), I wish the reunion with Bofur, Oin, Fili, and Kili had been a proper scene and not just a quick cutaway. It would've been a great opportunity to catch them and the audience up on Thorin's condition and how he got to that state, as well as establish how The Company In General feels about it earlier into the movie.

Again, I know why they didn't... but even a hint that the Madness was taking the other Dwarves at least a little bit would've been nice. I truly feel that, by the time of The Ramparts, the party was at a point where at least 1 or 2 of them would've decided to go with Bilbo, and a hint that they're all slightly under the spell of the gold in the way Thorin is would've really made their decision to all 12 of them stay behind make more sense. Yes, Thorin is their king and their leader and their friend and Dwarves are known to be very loyal- but Bilbo has stood in as a leader, rescuer, and friend often enough that I think one or two of the party, in their own fully right minds, would've chosen to go with him, especially after witnessing such a horrific display from Thorin.

The pacing of the movie in general Needs Some Help, that can't go unsaid- but again, Those Damn Deadlines. The amount of palpable stress from the crew in the Appendices is genuinely stressful and heart-wrenching, and I blame the majority of my issues with this movie- and the other two- on Warner Bros being completely unreasonable with their time expectations. Especially since they pushed this 2-movie project into being 3 movies, like Fuck off, Warner Bros.

GOD I WISH MORE OF THE RING STUFF HAD CARRIED OVER FROM DESOLATION. Like again I get why it didn't, this movie kind of takes some of the focus off Bilbo and uses that extra attention on Thorin and Bard and Legolas, which I enjoy. But still, The Ring Moments in Desolation were so good, and the effect The Ring had on Bilbo in Desolation is not unlike the effect the gold has on Thorin- but Bilbo is better at fighting it. It would've been nice to see something done with that, especially as Thorin was falling to madness and Bilbo maybe recognized some of the signs from his own experiences like the one in Mirkwood. But also THE RING STUFF WAS SO COOOOOOLLLLLLLLL I WANT MORE OF ITTTTTTTTTTTTTT

[frosticenow]

Diamond in the Garden

Chapter 1: A Round Green Door

This is my first bagginshield fic (I have several others planned)! I really hope you guys like it. I have ten chapters written (34000 words! and counting) and I will be uploading a new chapter every other Monday (in between there will be new chapters of Young Man's Fancy was Turned into the Spring).

I also want to thank @rosasynstylae for being a great beta. (also check out her fics they are great, she just uploaded two new fics ones)

Rating: Mature

Relationships: Bilbo Baggins/Thorin Oakenshield, Fíli (Tolkien)/Original Female Character(s)

Tags: Alternate Universe - Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Post-Canon, Post-Quest of Erebor, Fluff and Angst, Angst, Angst with a Happy Ending, Mutual Pining, Pining, Reconciliation Miscommunication, Mpreg, Implied Mpreg, Dwarven Ones | Soulmates, Hair Braiding, Dwarf Culture & Customs, Dwarf Courting, Dwarf & Hobbit Cultural Differences, Hobbit Culture & Customs, Hobbit Courting, Dwobbits

Summary: It has been just over three years since the Battle of the Five Armies, and Bilbo had created a life for himself back in the Shire. Most of his friends and family wont speak to him and he lives with a shadow of fear the the dwarrow of Erebor will come back for him and find out about his secret. Unexpected visitors appear on his doorstep on day throwing what he thought he knew into chaos.

#fanfic #fanfiction #tolkien fanfiction #tolkienfanfic #the hobbit #hobbit fanfiction #hobbit fanfic #bagginshield #bilbo baggins #thorin oakenshield #fili durin #kili durin #fili #kili #the company of thorin oakenshield #implied mpreg #mpreg fic #mpreg #fili x oc #fili/oc #tolkien #tolkien fic #tolkien fanfic #the hobbit fanfiction

[bisexualbumblebee-writes]

Returning Home Chapter 21- Thorin Oakenshield x OC

Thorin Oakenshield x Bellarose Baggins

Description: After the Battle of Five Armies Bellarose must wait for Thorin t wake up in order to decide her fate.

Word Count: 2.3k

A/N: Guys!!!! I cannot believe I am only one chapter away from completing my second series!! Anyways, I hope you enjoy!

Things were a blur for Bellarose after that. She only vaguely remembered one of the Eagles landing beside them, Gandalf atop it. He helped both her and Bilbo onto it and, once the bird took flight, it grabbed Thorin in its claws and flew back down towards Erebor like it had on the cliffside before. Once they arrived Thorin, Fili and Kili (who were on the back of a second Eagle) were rushed to the Fairy healers that had offered their aid after the battle.

It took all the girl not to break down when they informed her that Thorin would live. It was a miracle that he’d survived with his extensive injuries, but Fairy healing magic was powerful. Even with the tiniest amount of life left in someone, they would be able to live another day. But, he was still in a coma so his body could heal properly. That was all the healers were able to do, but it was more than enough for the rest of the Company. 

During that time Balin, as the King’s official advisor, met with Thranduil and Bard to propose a treaty amongst them, and an agreement was eventually made. In exchange for a portion of treasure from Erebor, the Elves and Men would aid the Dwarves in the cleanup of the battlefield. Bard only wanted enough to help his people get back on their feet and Thranduil only wanted one thing from the massive amount of treasure: the White Gems of Lasgalen, a necklace that he had commissioned the Dwarves to make for his wife a long time ago. As long as these terms were met, there would be peace between Erebor, Mirkwood and Dale (and the Iron Hills). 

Bellarose was ecstatic that peace was made amongst the three. All three parties had had more than enough heartbreak and turmoil as it was. Of course, she didn’t have to worry about any of that. Her job for the time being was to help the Dwarves send out word to the Blue Mountains to let everyone know that Erebor had been retaken. In between that she was supposed to check up on Thorin when Oin couldn’t. Though to be fair, she would’ve done that either way just because she was worried for him. While she waited for his (hopefully) eventual awakening, Bellarose found herself often lost in thought. It was mostly about Thorin, Erebor, and the Shire. 

With the quest complete her services were no longer needed. That meant that she would have to return to the Shire, where she would once again be looked upon as unusual. Hobbits were peace loving creatures, how would someone who’s seen what Bellarose had seen, who’s experienced what Bellarose had experienced, just return without a word of her epic tale? Things would be so very different for her now, and she wasn’t completely sure that she or her fellow Hobbits were ready to deal with it. Now that she’d gotten a taste of the world outside of Hobbiton, she couldn’t get enough of it. She knew that she wasn’t made to just sit in Bag End for the rest of my day reminiscing of the only adventure she’d ever gone on. The very thought made her sick. She wanted to stay in Erebor with the Company and Thorin.

Thorin. Thorin was a whole different subject in general. She loved Thorin, and she now knew Thorin loved her too. How could she possibly expect to leave after that? But, at the same time, what was to happen if she did stay in Erebor with him. After all, she wasn’t a Dwarf. And who knows how the Dwarves would feel if their beloved King courted a different race. That was, if Thorin still felt that way when he woke up. For all Bellarose knew, he could have said it in the spur of the moment. And Bellarose believed that was worse than anything else. 

The day Thorin woke up was the happiest day of Bellarose’s life. It had been nearing a month since it had been confirmed that he would live. Bellarose was in Fili’s room hanging out with both him and Kili when a knock suddenly came from the door.

“Come in,” Fili called. The trio watched as the door opened and in walked Balin, looking like he’d just run here. The trio was understandably confused by the sight, but Fili was the first one to speak.

“Balin? What is it?” The Dwarf looked at the two of them, though his eyes were specifically trained on Bellarose.

“Thorin’s awake.” Those two words were enough to put Bellarose into a frenzy. She stood up immediately, then remembered she was in the middle of a conversation. She looked to Fili and Kili, but the blonde Dwarf spoke before she could say anything.

“Go to him, Bella,” the blonde said with a knowing grin. “I think you’ve waited long enough.” 

Bellarose barely had time to offer him a grateful smile before she was out the door. She practically sprinted to the King’s bedroom, ignoring the odd looks she received. Once she arrived at the door she stopped just short of running into it. After taking a minute to compose herself by smoothing out her hair and dress, she took a deep breath and lifted a hand to knock on the door.

“Come in,” a voice she recognized as Oin’s called from the other side. She carefully grabbed the brass handle of the door and pushed the heavy door open.

As she suspected, she was met with Oin sitting at Thorin’s bedside. Much to her delight, she noticed that he was half sitting up/ half laying down. He looked much better than the last time she saw him. Just about all of the color had returned to his cheeks and his eyes were that same brilliant blue that she remembered. Both pairs of eyes landed on her after hearing the door open, and a smile appeared on Oin’s face.

“Ah, Miss Bellarose,” he greeted, standing up and making his way over to her. “I see your cheek has healed nicely.” He gestured to her cheek. Like the older Dwarf noted, the injury had almost fully faded aside from a faint scar that likely wouldn’t go away according to him. She smiled at him as she nodded.

“It has. That salve you gave me worked wonders,” she responded somewhat distractedly as her gaze automatically moved to Thorin once again. Oin seemed to understand that they needed some time alone, so he quietly excused himself and walked out, quietly closing the door behind him. Once it was just the two of them, Bellarose lifted the bottom of her dress and moved to sit in the chair Oin originally sat in.

“Hello Thorin,” she greeted gently.

“You’re here,” he muttered weakly. The surprise in his tone made the girl laugh softly as she grabbed his hand and leaned closer to him.

“Of course I am,” she responded in a soft voice.

“After everything I’ve done - everything I said to you…” he trailed off. Bellarose understood what he was saying, and a reassuring smile appeared on her face.

“I hold no ill will against what you said while you were under the influence of the Dragon Sickness. Balin told me what may happen when we reached the treasure, and so I knew not to take anything you said to heart,” she explained. “You cannot blame yourself for how you acted when you weren’t in your right mind. Do not think for a second that I would not stay beside you no matter what you say or do. And whether you like it or not, I am sticking to my word because I love you.” Her words looked like they comforted him based on the smile he offered her once she finished speaking.

“I love you too. And I am a fool for letting it go unsaid for so long.” Bellarose could have cried hearing that. So it wasn’t just a spur of the moment thing. He really did love her. 

The duo shared a fond smile after his response, then Bellarose carefully leaned closer to him and pressed a kiss to his lips, which he gladly reciprocated. It was everything the Hobbit could have wished for and more. Thorin’s kisses were much like his hugs in the sense that they were almost comforting to Bellarose. She couldn’t get enough of it, and she didn’t want to pull away. They did, however, need to breathe, so they were forced to pull away. Once they did so, their foreheads came to rest against each other’s and they basked in each other’s presence for who knows how long. Because they deserved that much.

“Stay with me,” Thorin whispered. Both their eyes opened at his request, and his eyes bore into hers with desperation and love mixed in. 

“I have spent most of my life alone,” he continued softly. “And I do not think I would be able to bear it if I can’t be with you. You are the one I wish to spend the rest of my days with.”

“But, your kingdom,” Bellarose trailed off quietly. “What would they think of their King courting a lowly Hobbit?” 

“I care not what complete strangers may think, for it will not change my love for you,” he responded without hesitation. “Besides, I do not think they will care when they see what kind of person you are.” A smile slowly formed on her face as she nodded. 

“Very well, I will stay with you.” Her answer brought a smile to his face and he carefully lifted a hand to press to her cheek with the softest touch she’d ever felt from him. 

“You do not understand how much joy you have brought me,” he whispered. 

“I think I have an idea,” she responded before pressing her lips to his again. Once they pulled away for the second time she looked down. 

“Now there’s just the only problem of telling my brother I won’t be returning to the Shire with him,” she muttered. 

“You won’t need to,” Bilbo suddenly said from behind her, making both their heads snap over to him. He was leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed and a small, knowing smile on his face. 

“Bilbo,” Bellarose gasped, quickly standing up. The older Baggins was quick to wave a dismissive hand at her. 

“Don’t worry, I heard the whole thing. And I understand. You love him, and he loves you, so it only makes sense.” 

“You don’t mind?” She asked hopefully, making the boy shake his head. 

“Not at all. I only want your happiness,” he responded. “And if staying here makes you happy, then who am I to object?” 

Joy coursed through Bellarose at her brother’s words. Not only did he accept her staying in Erebor, but he encouraged her to do so. She turned a bit to share a smile with Thorin, who had since swung his legs off the bed and was preparing to stand. She was quick to take his arm and help him stand up before they faced the older Baggins as he spoke.

“Besides,” Bilbo continued, opening the door wider to reveal the rest of the Company (including Gandalf) standing there with smiles on their faces. “We all took wagers on it.” 

“I never doubted it for a second,” Gandalf spoke up. 

“Me neither,” Fili added. 

“I was fifty/fifty,” Kili joked, making everyone laugh as the Company filed into the room to greet the King. 

“There is to be a great feast tonight,” Bellarose mentioned as she walked Gandalf and Bilbo out of the gates of Erebor. Bilbo had decided it was high time for him to return home, and Gandalf had decided to be the one to take him. He had wished for a quiet slip out of the kingdom, but of course his sister suspected that and wished to see them off. 

“Songs will be sung, tales will be told, and the Company of Thorin Oakenshield and their quest to take back their kingdom will be passed into legend,” she continued. 

“And I cannot wait for the legend to eventually come to the Shire,” Bilbo responded with a small smile at his sister as they stopped. “Well, I think I’ll slip quietly away. Will you tell the others I said goodbye?”

“You can tell them yourself,” Thorin spoke from behind them. The trio looked back and smiled as they saw the Dwarves standing behind them, all with bittersweet smiles on their faces for their friend’s departure. 

“If any of you are ever passing Bag End, tea is at four,” Bilbo informed them. “There’s plenty of it. You are welcome anytime, don’t bother knocking.” The Dwarves chuckled, some of them wiping away tears as Thorin walked up to him. 

“Know that you are welcome here anytime, Master Baggins,” he said, resting a hand on the Hobbit’s shoulder. “You will be a guest of honor. I cannot think of the many ways to thank you for all you did.” 

“Well, I believe the treasure you’ve given me is more than enough,” Bilbo responded, holding up the chest of treasure he’d taken for himself, which made both Thorin and Bellarose laugh. 

“Goodbye, Bilbo,” Bellarose muttered, pulling her brother into a hug that he gladly returned. 

“Goodbye Bella,” he answered, kissing her cheek before pulling away. “I hope you are happy here.” The girl smiled as she felt Thorin’s arm wrap around her. 

“I think I will be,” she muttered, and they all knew she meant it. Thorin pressed a kiss to the side of her head then everyone waved to Bilbo and Gandalf as they mounted their horse and pony (respectively), riding off to the Shire.

Tag(s): @atomicsoulcollecto

#the hobbit #the hobbit imagine #thorin oakenshield #thorin imagine #thorin x oc

[ao3feed-thehobbit]

The Difficulties of Entering a Marriage

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/OwgjbVK

by Gillard

“They kept it (always officially and very often actually) a dead secret for years who they were going to marry, even when they knew. Then they suddenly went and got married and went off without an address for a week or two (or even longer). When Bilbo had disappeared this is what at first his neighbours thought. ‘He gone and got married. Now who can it be? - no one else has disappeared, as far as we know.’ Even after a year they would have been less surprised if he had come back with a wife.” - Tolkien The Fellowship of the Ring, first version, A Long-Expected Party, 17

Bilbo comes back to the Shire with Thorin accompanying him.

Words: 5037, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: The Hobbit - All Media Types, The Hobbit (Jackson Movies), The Hobbit - J. R. R. Tolkien

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: M/M

Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield, Hamfast Gamgee

Relationships: Bilbo Baggins/Thorin Oakenshield, Bilbo Baggins & Thorin Oakenshield, Bilbo Baggins & Hamfast Gamgee

Additional Tags: Courting Rituals, courting gifts, Hair Braiding, Thorin is a Softie, theyre both idiots, Miscommunication, the miscommunication is mostly between the shire and them, Returning Home, Idiots in Love, Sharing Culture, Dwarf/Hobbit Relationship(s), Dwarf & Hobbit Cultural Differences, Post-Battle of Five Armies

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/OwgjbVK

#IFTTT #ao3feed #fanfic #the hobbit

[ao3feed-tolkien]

The Difficulties of Entering a Marriage

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/5TAfcEK

by Gillard

“They kept it (always officially and very often actually) a dead secret for years who they were going to marry, even when they knew. Then they suddenly went and got married and went off without an address for a week or two (or even longer). When Bilbo had disappeared this is what at first his neighbours thought. ‘He gone and got married. Now who can it be? - no one else has disappeared, as far as we know.’ Even after a year they would have been less surprised if he had come back with a wife.” - Tolkien The Fellowship of the Ring, first version, A Long-Expected Party, 17

Bilbo comes back to the Shire with Thorin accompanying him.

Words: 5037, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: The Hobbit - All Media Types, The Hobbit (Jackson Movies), The Hobbit - J. R. R. Tolkien

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: M/M

Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield, Hamfast Gamgee

Relationships: Bilbo Baggins/Thorin Oakenshield, Bilbo Baggins & Thorin Oakenshield, Bilbo Baggins & Hamfast Gamgee

Additional Tags: Courting Rituals, courting gifts, Hair Braiding, Thorin is a Softie, theyre both idiots, Miscommunication, the miscommunication is mostly between the shire and them, Returning Home, Idiots in Love, Sharing Culture, Dwarf/Hobbit Relationship(s), Dwarf & Hobbit Cultural Differences, Post-Battle of Five Armies

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/5TAfcEK

#IFTTT #ao3feed #fanfic #Tolkien #JRR Tolkien #Tolkien works #ao3 #fan fiction

[amoural]

making myself sad listening to “the last goodbye” by billy boyd from the last hobbit movie because it’s that thing when traveling and you have that odd homesick-ish feeling of knowing the distance between where you are versus where you were, like thinking about your childhood when you’ve moved far away, or thinking about your home when you’re in a different country altogether

but I digress lmao…but I’m thinking what if bilbo did that at the end of battle of the five armies. he spent this entire journey probably thinking about his immediate safety and also the comfort of the shire. But when thorin dies, on his journey home, all he can think of is the distance that grows between him and thorin’s resting body in the halls of erebor. the movie barely gave enough time to mourn…how long do you think he stayed with the dwarves? how long do you think it took bilbo the courage to leave after one of the dwarves he was closest too and promised so much to just dies before he could enjoy his home? do you think bilbo thought about how he would be on the other side of the country getting farther and farther away getting older and seeing his garden grow while thorin never got the chance and lays in a deep sleep under the mountain

HEAD IN HANDS im getting so emo about it

#prsnl

[leonineus]

Gotta say I really don't get the Tauriel hate.

When you get down to it, it's the difference between book-narrative and film-narrative, as well as the difference between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

In terms of book-narrative, The Hobbit is written in third person pretty much EXCLUSIVELY following Bilbo's point of view. The equivalent in film-narrative would probably have been something along the lines of strapping a camera to Martin Freeman's forehead and occasionally having a voiceover happen to represent his thoughts and feelings.

Now, the main drawback of a book being written like that is that if something isn't explicitly presented or explained to the perspective-holder, it is effectively a non-entity to them. This is why the only information on what happened in the Battle of the Five Armies after Bilbo was knocked unconscious was through whatever people cared to tell him after the fact. For all we know, the battle was won because a legion of flying purple hippos came out of the sky trailing rainbows and vomiting torrents of love hearts onto the orc armies and the only reason we don't know that's what happened is because nobody told Bilbo that's what happened.

The Lord of the Rings, however, had a far less focused narrator. Tolkien opens the text into a prologue talking about Hobbit culture, follows his characters up to Amon Hen (with occasional segues to explain bits and pieces of information here and there as was deemed important e.g. what happened with the ponies), and then had to split his attention between different groups of them thereafter, adding or removing extra groups as they floated in and out of contact with each other.

That style lends itself well to conversion to a film-narrative; you've already got the wide-angle view of what's going on from the third-person "viewer" perspective, all you need now is to add enough people to fill out the surroundings beyond what was already stated and you're done.

Back to the original point about The Hobbit, in order to convert that narrator-following-a-single-person-almost-exclusively style into a workable film narrative the way The Lord of the Rings was filmed, there's a lot more filling out that has to be done. The world outside of Bilbo's perspective has to be completely built up, which is why we get to see the White Council storming Dol Guldur, the entire extent of the Battle of the Five Armies rather than just what Bilbo was conscious for, and more specifically; Tauriel and Legolas' involvement. At no point in the films do either make contact with Bilbo. Nobody mentions them to him. As far as he's concerned, both are non-entities during the quest to retake Erebor.

That's why I don't get the Tauriel hate; she's not shoehorned into a narrative she wasn't originally part of, she's a product of having to expand one narrow perspective into a much broader one for the purposes of making a decent film-narrative. I'm sure someone will yell at me about unnecessary diversity, but let's face it; Bard's family was added for much the same reason as Tauriel or Legolas and I don't see anybody crapping on THEIR existence/participation quite as badly.

I will concede that there was stuff that was altered for the adjusted perspective but not for the better; to pick an example, I grew up with access to a copy of the graphic novel of The Hobbit and thus was slightly disappointed that Bolg died by Legolas' hand and not by Beorn bear-hugging him to death. Please note however that I do not consider his presence in general to have been a sin, just that they could have afforded to be a little less heavy-handed with the adjustments to accommodate his presence.

Perhaps instead it should have been some other nameless lieutenant of Azog's, notable enough to have a presence on the field but not so notable that the Company had ever learned his name or cared to, that Legolas came up against. For us as the viewers, it would have been a notable battle between Good and Evil taking place outside the scope of the main story but no less significant to our perspective, while not really falling into the scope of Bilbo's as being necessarily important enough for anybody to mention it.

#the hobbit #the lord of the rings #tauriel #book narrative vs film narrative #legolas #perspective matters

[xmarchwarden-of-lothlorienx]

Compelling

Thranduil x fem!human!reader

Requested: @the-colonialtemplars

Summary: “I would like the human was part of the company of Bilbo and the Dwarves and that when Thranduil first her he begins to take a strange interest in her”

Authors Note: I am so sorry for taking forever with this 😓 Life was kinda hectic so I didn’t get the chance to write for a hot minute. I hope you enjoy it!

__________________________________________

When you had been asked to join the company of Thorin Oakenshield, you didn’t have getting lost in Mirkwood and captured by the Elvenkings guards in mind. You were a human, and a very talented swords-woman at that. Your skills were known to many, including Gandalf, who had been the one to propose you join the quest to reclaim Erebor. Now, you were being escorted through the halls of the Elvenking.

The kingdom had been carved from wood and stone. It was so different and yet more beautiful than anything you had ever seen. As you were escorted by guards, all you could do was look in awe at the extraordinary view.

The guards stopped you in front of the throne. You brought your eyes to the figure of the Elvenking when the captain addressed him.

“What shall we do with them, My King?” His icy blue eyes slowly passed over the company and lingered on you. You gulped. You had thought the kingdom was beautiful, but now all of your attention was directed towards the king. He looked ethereal seated upon his throne; as if he had been carved from the finest and purest of stone.

“Take them to the dungeons. Leave Oakenshield with me,” he commanded. As he spoke, you made eye contact with each other. You could feel the goosebumps raising across your skin. All you could think of while you were being shoved into your cell were his eyes. The king-Thranduil they called him-had a cold and harsh demeanor, yet looked somewhat...lonely? You couldn’t place it exactly. You shook your head. The last thing you needed was to feel sympathy for the person holding you prisoner.

___

When Thorin returned from his audience with the king, everyone jumped to their feet and began asking what had happened. Before you could hear his response, a guard opened your cell and grabbed your arm.

“Your turn,” was all they said. As you were led back to the throne room, the dwarves shouts of outrage at your being taken away echoed through the long hall.

Standing before the king, you had never felt smaller. It felt as though he could see right through you.

“May I ask why you wanted to see me?” You inquired first. Thranduils expression shifted to one of amusement. A human, in his own court, addressing him without first being acknowledged and without using his title? This should be interesting.

“My audience with Thorin Oakenshield did not go quite as planned.” He began descending from his throne. “I was hoping to have a discussion with someone that would perhaps be more reasonable.” Thranduil was now slowly circling you.

“I am not the leader of this quest. Decisions are not mine to make.” You responded. The king obviously knew of the stubbornness of dwarves. If he thought you could convince Thorin, that would be near impossible.

“All I ask is for you to consider my offer,” Thranduil whispered into your ear. He was behind you now and you hadn’t realized how close he was to you. You felt the hairs rise on the back of your neck. Something about the Elvenking put you completely on edge.

“Alright. I shall consider it,” you replied. “But, I make no promise to fulfill or agree to anything.” Thranduil smirked at your response. Interesting indeed...

“I understand that if you do succeed in reclaiming Erebor each of you will be given a share of the treasure.” He continued walking until he was in front of you. “There is something very precious to me among the gold of the mountain.”

“Oh?”

“Jewels, made of pure starlight. If you should find them, I hope you could return them to me.”

“Return?” You asked. You knew of the bad blood between the elves and dwarves, but Thranduil’s choice of words piqued your curiosity.

“Yes,” he paused. “They belonged to my late wife, and Thorin Oakenshield has refused to give them to me.” Oh. Suddenly, you understood the lonely Elvenking. Your knowledge of elves was limited, but you knew when they fell in love, they fell hard. It was rare for them to ever marry more than once. In fact, it was rumored that they could only fall in love once.

“I see,” You said. You felt sorrow for Thranduil. The dwarves were stubborn, but they could at least give him what belonged to his former queen. “If the opportunity should arrive, I’ll see what I can do.”

Thranduil nodded to his guards signaling that you were done. They took you away, this time more gently than before. Once you were gone, he returned to his throne and thought. You seemed different from most humans he had met. You weren’t troubled with impressing him or seeming like you were something you were not. You ignited something he had not felt in a long time. That couldn’t be though, could it? Only time would tell. After all. He was patient. He could wait.

___

The Battle of the Five Armies was over. You sat upon the broken ramparts, and mulled over recent events. Thorin and his dragon sickness. Sneaking out of the mountain with Bilbo to give the Arkenstone to Thranduil. After everything the company had been through, Thorin, Fili, and Kili were dead. Thorin’s cousin, Dain, would now be King under the Mountain. Your thoughts were interrupted by someone sitting down beside you.

“And what about you? Where will you go now that the quest is over?” Thranduil. The battle weighed heavily on him as well. He had lost many of his people and now his son, Prince Legolas, was leaving.

“I’ll do what I always do,” you replied. “Journey from one town to the next. Find a new job or adventure to partake in.” You turned to the king. “I apologize for not finding your jewels. I know they-they meant a lot to you.”

“No,” he said. “I’ve come to realize that there are far more important things to treasure.”

“Oh? Care to enlighten me?”

“Love,” he said quietly. “Not becoming so caught up in a memory that you neglect those that are still here.” You sat in silence for a few moments.

“I’m sorry about your wife,” you said. “I know she must have meant a great deal to you.”

Thranduil gave a sad smile. “Yes.” He looked into your eyes. Light blue staring into (e/c). “Though I think my time of mourning is over.” He stood up. “Tell me, how would you feel if I offered you a place at Mirkwood?” This was a surprise, and a pleasant one at that. Being offered a place among the elves was an honor.

“I-well-of course I would accept.” You finally managed to say. It wasn’t as though you had anywhere else to go. The dwarves offered you stay at Erebor, but some were still angered over your and Bilbos ‘betrayal’. You would much rather let that tension cool before staying with them.

Thranduil was pleased with your response. He slowly extended a hand to you. “Come then. We shall depart in the next hour or so.” You placed your hand in his and he pulled you up. You stumbled slightly into him. You again made eye contact. There you stood, his hand in yours, too close for what was considered appropriate. Becoming flustered at your proximity to him.

“Forgive me. I must go pack my things,” you said before leaving. Thranduil watched as you hurried away. Interesting indeed...

#lord of the rings #lotr #the hobbit #thranduil #thranduil x reader #thranduil x you #thranduil x y/n #the hobbit x reader #the hobbit x y/n #the hobbit x you

[thotinshield]

Danny’s Bagginshield Fic Recs (2021)

I haven’t done a fic rec in literal years, and I keep meaning to, but then I... don’t. This is a massive list - so I will put it under a read more to save your dashes.

Modern AUs

A Remover of Obstacles by MistakenMagic

"Dis often chided her older brother for being a misanthropist. She did it so often it had become a term of endearment. It was true that Thorin struggled with people; he struggled to form and maintain relationships. Dr. Grey had diagnosed him with this and Thorin hadn’t the heart to tell him this wasn’t a symptom of his PTSD, it was a symptom of his personality. He exercised a sense of apathy with almost everyone he met… But Bilbo was different. Thorin actually found himself wanting to know more about him."

(Note: This fic deals with a lot of mental health stuff, panic attacks, etc, so please please mind the tags.)

By Request by HildyJ

As a musician, Thorin's life can be summed up in tempos. For instance, the concerto he's perfoming on Friday is Allegro - quick and bright, followed by Andantino - slightly slow, and then back to Allegro again.

On the other hand, his relationship with his cute neighbour? Larghissimo - very, very slow.

Stepping Stones by misplacedkisses

It feels like it's fate Thorin's trying to resist, his destiny, his bloodline.

Fresh out of inpatient, Thorin's struck with the urge and maybe it's fate (or therapy) that has him stumbling into a late-night cafe instead. It may be the start of a new life.

Write Me Down Easy by lucyraebrown

Bilbo Baggins, a simple man with a wish for something more than his life teaching high school English, is obsessed with a famous author by the pen-name Oakenshield. Although he knows the future is dim for his chances of finding out about the man behind his favorite book, it's reassuring to know someone has the same thoughts about the world.

Fix-its 

I'll Die to Care for You by thehufflepuffhobbit

His gaze landed on Mahal's eyes once more. "You did your best, Thorin." It was tempting to look away; he wanted to deny that with everything he had. It certainly didn't feel as though falling into Gold Sickness and then dying was doing his best. Mahal smirked, as though he knew Thorin's desire to contradict him, and pinched his cheek before walking over to a table. "Aye, I didn't think you would believe me. I'm not lying, it certainly could have gone better. More according to my plan, but I know you really did try."

"Your plan?" He didn't know if he should ask, really. Knowing that his Maker had set a course for him, he didn't want to think about the ways he had done everything wrong. There were too many examples of mistakes in his long life, too many opportunities that he had missed that had probably been planned for him from the beginning.

Or:

Mahal feels like Thorin fucked up his legacy and gives him a do over.

Roses of Iron by Porphyrios

Two years after Bilbo returned from his adventures, he's made his peace with being back in the Shire. He still wonders what might have happened if things were different, but figures all that is behind him now. A mysterious visitor turns out to be someone he never thought he'd see again, and he's shocked by the news he hears.

Beside Myself by bliboboggins

"What are you doing? Just who do you think you are?" Startled, Bilbo turned around slowly. And there, in a familiar patchwork dressing gown, brandishing a fire poker wildly about, was... Bilbo.

i wouldn't have danced like that with any but you by Percyjacksonfan3

Thorin has survived the Battle of the Five Armies but his relationship with Bilbo is uncertain and precarious, especially in the newly reclaimed kingdom of Erebor. With Kíli set to marry Tauriel, and the Dwarves of Erebor still holding prejudice against outside races, Thorin must choose between his nephew's happiness or his own.

Though he believes sending Bilbo back to the Shire is for the good of everyone, he and the rest of Erebor are thrown into turmoil when 5 years later his nephews secretly plot to bring Bilbo back. Coming face-to-face with Bilbo again makes it impossible for Thorin to stay apart from him any longer- but is Bilbo still willing to be with Thorin once more after he broke both of their hearts?

A Matter of Payment by heartshapeddog

"And Thorin rose from the little table, keeping Bilbo’s fingers crushed gently in his own, and went down to his knee before him. Bilbo was struck with the likelihood that no creature greater than a farm-dog had lowered its head before a Hobbit since the birth of Eä until this very moment. He looked down, fascinated, at the crown of Thorin’s head, bare of royal circlet, and felt at once humbled and strong.

“I swear it,” Thorin said, and Bilbo thought of the vows from Elven history, of the type which followed the oathkeeper to the ends of Arda as a deep and binding magic. Then, he took Bilbo’s knuckles up to his lips. The rasp of his beard and his soft mouth were shocking in their immediacy and contrast. Bilbo could not help his racing heart."

Feet that Wander Have Gone by WednesdaysDaughter

“Run away with me.”

Bilbo turns to see who would say such a cowardly thing only to realize it was his own traitorous mouth which has run away with his heart: They’re already down the mountain and past Mirkwood by the time he realizes no one has objected.

“What a delightful solution my dear boy,” says Gandalf who looks to the east where the eagles are skimming the horizon.

Other AUs

between synapses and circuits by MistakenMagic

Different diagnostic results slowly trickled through and Thorin swiped them all to different corners of the screen depending on their relevance and evidence of abnormality. He paused when a particular chart appeared and smiled to himself.

“What?” Bilbo murmured, sounding genuinely worried.

“Your heterochromia,” Thorin explained, meeting Bilbo’s green and blue gaze. “The irregular algorithm that causes it has been running for almost half a century.”

“Most mechatronics offer to fix it for me,” Bilbo said, looking away, seeming suddenly self-conscious.

“Then they’re idiots.”

(Note: I just love MistakenMagic’s works. That’s all. This one is good and she writes angst so so well.)

past one hundred thousand miles (feeling very still) by childishinquiry

Commander Thorin Oakenshield is the leader of the first Mars mission, Project Golden Eagle, with twelve crewmen. Back on Earth, Specialist Bilbo Baggins is their communications specialist. Making history is easy; it's much harder to deal with falling in love with the person on the other end of the signal.

Hallowbit by batherik

As simple pawn shop owner in the human world, Bilbo isn’t all that thrilled to find himself lost in Thorin’s magical undead kingdom. Lured there by an old man dressed in grey, who turned out to be a wizard, Bilbo is charged with doing a job no one wants to do: fetch the King’s head from the corn maze. The King often loses his head when his temper boils over.

In the House of a Skinchanger by Bardic

Thorin and Company have finally reached a safe house after a few crazy weeks on the road. After three days of goblins, orcs, and a massive bear that's chased them into the home of one of Gandalf's acquaintances the Company is quite exhausted and quite tired of surprises. Unfortunately for them, or fortunately there is another staying there.

Master Baggins is not who the Company expected to find, especially when he claims to be one of the only outsiders Durin allowed a title and a rank to. Although that's the least surprising thing about him.

Thorin makes some discoveries and has some observations.

Basically an AU where Bilbo is a skinchanger and the Company meet him at Beorn's on accident.

It Runs In The Family by Imagined

At first, Bilbo is very glad to hear of the new alliance between Erebor and the Shire. He is even more excited when he learns that some of his family members are coming to the Lonely Mountain to discuss the details.

That is, until the dwarves (and Thorin, who is decidedly not and never shall be his) start getting along a little too well with one of his more adventurous cousins, and Bilbo starts doubting about his place.

#bagginshield #fic recs #fic rec list #okay these aren't all my favorite fics but to do that would take days so - take these

[catherdrashepard]

Darrow is Not Going to Die at the End of the Series Part 4

Last part of my Darrow shall live saga. This one of course, will have spoilers for Dark Age. I had previously wanted to do a post focusing on Voltron and SheRa and those endings but the more I thought about it, the more I realised the points I wanted to make were better shown using Centaur World and the Hobbit. Spoilers for Centaur World and The Hobbit (the movies specifically).

Disclaimer: I never read The Hobbit, so my opinion on the ending is based on how the movies went.

The main plot of The Hobbit is that a group of thirteen Dwarves, Bilbo, and Gandalf were making a journey from the Shire all the way to Erebor to reclaim the Dwarven kingdom that had been taken over by a dragon. After they make their way through so many difficulties, they manage to kill the dragon only to be thrown into a battle with Orcs. This results in the death of Thorin and his nephews Fili, and Kili. While the movie deaths were.....better than the ones in the book....it still left me with a dissatisfied feeling.

I don’t think the death of a main character is bad thing. In fact, there are deaths of characters who could be considered as main protagonists in Dark Age that feel fitting. (There is one in particular I will talk about later) But the difference between those deaths and the ones in The Hobbit, is how deserved it felt. If we look at the events that lead up to the Battle of Five Armies (BoFA), something really feels off about how it all ended.

For starters, the Dwarves were ejected from their home by a dragon in an event that killed many of the people. From what I understand, Thorin spent years trying to make ends meet for his family before he managed to get a group to take back the mountain for his people. You could argue that this is also a selfish quest that he is embarking on, as he is the rightful king of Erebor but, I always got the impression that the main goal for reclaiming his home was so that his people would gain back their home and their culture.

The journey took about 6 months and consisted of a trek of over 900 miles (reference at the end) during which several difficult events take place. First, they are captured by trolls, then there is a battle between rock being (called a Thunder-battle) and after that they are captured by Goblins. They, of course, have to battle the Goblins but after the Company finishes that and continue on a bit, they are attacked by Wargs. AFTER THAT, Thorin gets captured by Elves and the rest of the Dwarves are captured by spiders. Everyone (aside from Thorin) is rescued from the spiders only to be imprisoned in Thranduil’s dungeon.

As a side note, the reason Thranduil hates Dwarves, from my understanding at least, is because at some point in the past they had stolen a very important jewel from the Elves after being commissioned to turn it into a necklace. At no point is it said that Thorin was the one responsible for this event, that I remember. 

After escaping Mirkwood, and travelling more, the end up in Erebor, get the Arkenstone, and slay the dragon but not before it destroys Lake-Town. There is the whole Gold Sickness debacle where Thorin goes back on his promises to the citizens of Lake-Town and Thranduil. He also threatens to drop Bilbo to his death. This then leads into the BoFA where Thorin, Fili, and Kili are killed by Orcs.

What specifically bothers me about this is that 90% of the suffering that these Dwarves go through is not self-inflicted. In fact, the only thing I would consider to be Thorin’s own fault is the Arkenstone/Gold Sickness event, which in of itself, seems to be a sort of disease that runs in the family. That, of course, does not excuse him from suffering the consequences of his actions (like having to make reparations to the Elves, the people of Lake-Town, and Bilbo), I just don’t think his death is really a good punishment. It fits one of those tropes I hate where a character who has suffered throughout the entire story dies in the end because it’s “realistic” or “a noble sacrifice”. There are exceptions which I will go over in this post, but Thorin does not fit the exception and neither would Darrow.

For both Darrow and Thorin (also his nephews), their challenges and suffering were caused by an outside source. Regardless of the mistakes they made, everything they did was in order to retrieve something that was taken from them and other people like them (for Darrow it was their free will and Thorin it was their home). Consequences of the more questionable decisions they make definitely need to happen, and in Darrow’s case, some stuff already has, but the reasons for the choices they made were ultimately selfless ones. Basically, both Darrow and Thorin’s suffering is not self inflicted (as much as Darrow thinks it is) and their goals are for the benefit of others so having them die at the end of their respective stories just feels like an undeserved end.

Speaking of undeserved deaths, or in this case, entirety deserved, let’s talk about Centaur World. I was skeptical about it based on the animation style and some of the character designs, but it was surprisingly good. Especially the Nowhere King, he’s such a GOOD villain. When he’s introduced in the first season, he’s just this terrifying monster who we don’t know anything about other than he’s dangerous. I also really love his design. Elk skull with an amorphous, inky, No Face from Spirited Away body. Beautiful.

Anyway, we don’t really get a lot of information about him until the final episodes of the show, where we’re treated with his backstory. The scenes are out of order but you get a very good picture of what exactly happened to him that caused him to become the creature that everyone is fighting against. What I loved about it was how sad it was.

One of the chronologically earlier scenes shows a world where Centaurs and Humans lived and worked together. We see everything through the Nowhere King’s perspective, so I’m sure there is bias, but the implication is that Centaurs are viewed as secondary citizens. Which, fucked up man, and also similar to how the Red Rising universe operates. But what really gets me, is that the Nowhere King seems to consider Centaurs to be inferior as well, which creates a lot of self hatred and insecurity, because at this point, he’s an Elktaur.

He ended up falling in love with a human woman but he felt unworthy of her as he was. The only choice he saw was to separate his elk side from his human side and pursue the woman as a human, the General. Which, horribly backfired. Splitting himself into two might’ve worked out if both the man and the Elk were not entirely sentient beings. As it was, the General married the woman, leaving the Elk feeling like he got the raw end of the deal. I remember sensing that he had some resentment over the human half getting everything they had wanted when they were one creature. And I think the human part resented the Elk for existing at all, as shown by a scene later where the Elk calls their separation a mistake, and the General had the Elk imprisoned.

Elk was eventually freed, after ten years of imprisonment, by the woman he loved, but he felt betrayed and lonely, so desperate for a family, that he made one. Using the rift key to make minotaurs ended up corrupting him and turning him into the Nowhere King. This is where the main plot of the show kicked in, the goal of our protagonists is to stop the minotaur invasion. However, once they met the Nowhere King, and figured out who he was, it became obvious they had to eliminate both parts of him.

In the last episode, the General’s wife (ex-wife?) manages to get both him and the corrupted Elk together and use the rift key to fuse them back together. Then, she and Elktaur reunite before she kills him. This was a very sad death, but unlike Thorin’s death, it didn’t feel like it was undeserved. I mean...the implication that Centaurs were considered untrustworthy is definitely not Elktaur’s fault and I get the impression that Centaur’s are seen as secondary citizens compared to humans, which is also not something you can blame him for.

But, these views are not the result of Centaurs actually being inferior beings. Much like in Red Rising, the hierarchical view of the people is only that way because that’s how the system seemingly designed it. We don’t see how things were before the events in the Nowhere King’s backstory, but I feel like it’s possible that there was tension between humans and Centaurs. And again, this kind of thing can’t be blamed on Elktaur, but I think his perception of who was to blame ultimately caused everything to spiral.

I feel like if Elktaur had just stayed himself and pursued a relationship with the princess, it could’ve helped change things for the better. But, for whatever reason, he felt like Centaurs WERE inferior and that he NEEDED to be fully human in order to be happy. And it kills me that as you watch, you can see all of the decisions he COULD’VE made but didn’t. And, ultimately, he caused his own suffering and the suffering of others and so the only viable solution was his death.

But, you may argue, the Nowhere King was the villain so of course he had to die. And, while that is not wrong, it does lead me to my next point(s) which is/are Ephraim and Orion. I’m going to talk about Ephraim first because I feel like his story is much closer to the Nowhere King’s than Orion’s is.

When we first meet Ephraim in Iron Gold, he’s a sad, bitter drug addict. We learn that he lost his husband during the Darrow rescue in Morning Star, and he seems to hold onto some resentment towards the Rising and Darrow for it. And you can’t entirely blame him for his feelings. Much like with Lyria, his life was upended and he wasn’t given any answers. Ephraim spends a lot of his story suffering, he gets some happy moments, and then he dies.

And if that sounds similar to what was going on in The Hobbit, with Thorin, then you might be confused as to why Ephraim’s death didn’t bother me. The main reason for that, I figured, is because Eph’s suffering came from his own inability to healthy cope with his pain. On top of that, the actions he takes ultimately end up hurting people he cares about; i.e. his team, Holiday, and Lyria. I think it took meeting Pax Jr. for him to finally pull himself out of this hole that he willingly dug himself into. However, I feel like this change came a little too late for Ephraim to have a recovery he could live to fully enjoy.

Noble sacrifices can either be hit or miss depending on the circumstances leading up to it as well as the character development along the way. There is also the matter of how the character feels about their own sacrifice. With Thorin, and also with Darrow, I get the impression that these two view their deaths as an inevitable consequence for their actions. While some of the things Darrow has done are definitely worse than what Thorin did, I still don’t think that Darrow’s death is good repayment for his “crimes”. In fact, I would say Darrow’s death would only add more problems than it solves. I imagine that IF Darrow died, others would call for the rest of the polycule to be sacrificed as well. On a side note, I don’t think Lysander should die either as I feel like he could easily become some kind of martyr for the Society.

But back to Ephraim, I don’t think he had much going on in his head at the time of his death. In my opinion, he found something/someone he wanted to protect and acted without much thought. He didn’t want to redeem himself or sacrifice himself for the greater good, he just wanted to do SOMETHING to protect the people he cared about. I’d also say, in the end, Ephraim felt good about his decision and I think that is the main reason why his death wasn’t an unsatisfactory end.

The final death I’ll be talking about is Orion’s. This one is particularly important because, unlike with Eph, her suffering is not self inflicted and yet....her death was a fitting ending. Much like the other characters on this list, Orion was hurt by the society they grew up in. Forced into these little boxes of what roles they were supposed to have, and many of them were able to break out these spaces and actually freely choose what they wanted.

And then, like the Nowhere King (at least the Elk part), Orion gets captured, imprisoned, and tortured. These things would mentally fuck up anyone, and I don’t think there’s a single person who would blame the victim (even if they are also the perpetrator). Where things start to get complicated is when the prisoner gets released and the decisions they make on their road to recovery. Both Orion and the Nowhere King end up hurting others in an attempt to get some kind of closure or relief from what happened to them.

And that’s what makes the deaths so sad. Although most of the Nowhere King’s problems were self-afflicted, there was a point for both of these characters where they felt desperate and only had one option left. And, unfortunately for them, their actions resulted in things that could only be stopped with their deaths. If Orion hadn’t been killed, how many people would have died? Would it have been worth it? Also, I get the impression that Orion did what she did knowing full well she would most likely die for it.

Her actions were a result of a shattered mental state, and I feel like she was looking for catharsis. You can’t really blame her after all she went through, but the cost was way too high for her to be allowed to live.

TL;DR: Darrow won’t die because that wouldn’t narratively make any sense. Also I would be very sad.

Sources below for calculating Hobbit travel time:

http://home.insightbb.com/~eowynchallenge/Tools/Hobbit_BE_to_Rivendell/hobbit_be_to_rivendell.html

http://home.insightbb.com/~eowynchallenge/Tools/Lonely_Mountain/lonely_mountain.html

#red rising #dark age spoilers #darrow won't die because i said so