#some of the others that stayed behind to help in mordor maybe???

[malledhrim]

Discover the beginning of a new Epic-style storyline, 'The Song of Waves and Wind,' and team up with Legolas, Gimli, and friends both old and new to investigate the continuing threat of the Heirs of Castamir!

reading through the patch notes for U36 Gondor Renewed, and "friends old and new"??? rangers????

#i know my boy lothrandir went home so i'm not expecting him but #some of the others that stayed behind to help in mordor maybe??? #lotro #i feel like this is just gonna be referring to other npcs who helped us around gondor #but i can hope #grey company my beloved #tolkien

[lostgirl14480]

A Not So Common Fairy (Teaser)

Summary: you're a dark fairy from the upside-down and when you see that a gate is open, your curiosity gets the best of you.

- eddie munson x fairy!reader

Nothing remotely interesting ever happened in this dimension. It was always dark with constant storms, which I didn't mind actually. But I always hoped something would change. Maybe a ray of sun, or the budding of a flower? But no, nothing beautiful ever came to this place...

So, when I got wind that Henry Creel was opening gates to another world, I decided it was time for me to leave this place in search of something more. There was nothing tying me here, only the memories of my family...

Without a second thought, I lift my multicolored wings and set off into the air, heading straight to an open gate. The only thing left behind is a small trail of black dust, but it is quickly swept away by the winds of the never-ending storms.

......................

I emerge from the gate, and for the first time ever, I see the color green. Instead of the dark decaying plants from my dimension, this one is full of life! I stare in awe at all the green leaves on the trees, the moss growing on the ground, even the small river flowing along a path. I'm about to fly over to a particular budding flower when I hear voices coming from below me. Not trusting what the noise is from, I try shrinking myself, but for some reason, being in this dimension is limiting my magic. So instead, I perch myself on a branch just high enough to be out of sight but low enough to hear what is going on.

"We need to see If there's a gate around here, It's the only way we'll be able to find Vecna and free Max from his curse." Says one of the younger humans in the group. Vecna? Curse? Are they talking about Henry? How do they know about the gates?

Intrigued, I lean in closer from the branch I'm perched on and continue to listen to the conversation this group of humans are having.

"Dustin, have you even considered how dangerous this plan is? And Eddie is still wanted for murder, we can't just go walking around town looking for a gate!" Murder!? These humans are getting more interesting by the second.

"Steve, it's our only shot, I don't see any other options..." Dustin replies. "And besides, I think Eddie should have a say, since he's the one being chased by the whole town. So what do you say Eddie?"

The one who must be Eddie stands up and addresses the group. I take a moment to look him over, and I can't help but stare a little longer than I intended, there's just something about him that draws me in.

"I say, you're asking me to follow you into Mordor, which, if I'm totally straight with you I think is a really bad idea. But uh the Shire, the Shire is burning. So Mordor it is." I'm amazed at how brave these humans are, knowing how ruthless Henry, or I guess Vecna, can be. But I guess I have a lot to learn about this new dimension, and the humans who live here.

After agreeing on what Eddie said, the group all start to follow Dustin. Eddie trails behind, seemingly lost in thought and I take the time to admire his features. In Vecnas dimension, there really arn't any attractive males, or any human like creatures for that matter, so it's hard not to admire Eddie in this moment.

But I guess I didn't realize how intently I was looking and how much closer I was leaning over the branch to get a closer look, because all of a sudden, the branch I'm perched on cracks, and I fall a few feet before my wings are able to extend. I quickly fly up to another branch, higher up this time, and behind the trunk of the tree. But I'm sure I felt eyes on me for a split second...

"Eddie! What are you still doing back there?" Dustin calls out. The group is already a bit further along the path, but Eddie is stood at the base of the tree I'm hiding in, staring at the cracked branch.

I stay completely still, not sure If he's already seen me.

"I just, I thought I saw-" Eddie starts, but stops and shakes his head, turing back to follow the group. "Nevermind."

🖤🖤🖤

A/N: This is just a random idea that I thought of, not sure if it'll just be turned into a few imagines or if I'll make it into a story, haven't decided yet 😂 But I've been in an Eddie mood lately so there's plenty more where this came from 😁❤️‍🔥

#eddie munson imagine #eddie munson x reader #eddie stranger things #eddie x reader #eddie munson #stranger things #eddie munson st4 #eddie munson smut #eddie munson x female reader #steve harrington #dustin henderson

[questionablequeeries]

You Looking At Me Looking At You by Ozzy Osbourne

Steve wished he could run away, be normal again, just…exist. Instead, he was crawling through a gate, falling onto a stained mattress as the mood ring clinked against the chain on his neck. Honestly, he and Dustin had both pretty openly and loudly fought against using the trailergate, but it really was the most logical one they could get to, safer than watergate, farther from Vecna’s house than Creelgate (he’d wanted to call it douchebaggate and was once again vetoed) with a softer landing than Roadgate. He couldn’t help thinking back to when Eddie pointed out that slapping ‘demo’ onto everything lacked any semblance of creativity and found himself agreeing that maybe they just didn’t have it.

“It’s gone!” Dustin’s loud voice broke through the quiet, running towards…ah, shit.

“Henderson! Dustin, wait!” Steve ran after the kid, but he couldn’t help staring, “Where is he?” He whispered, looking around as if anyone else would have answers.

“Some demobeast probably, well, ate him.” Nancy offered her own suggestion, looking surprisingly green and guilty upon opening her mouth, “It doesn’t matter. We need to go.”

Robin, ever the more comforting, reached out and took Steve’s hand silently, giving it a squeeze and breathing a sigh of relief when she got one in return.

Steve forced his stoicism to take the place of his anger, that Eddie’s final resting place had been so violated. He wanted to scream, rage, start smashing tentacles, but he…couldn’t? His flashlight caught movement in the trees as they walked from the Creel house to the lab (apparently even Vecna wasn’t dumb enough to make his base of operations an easily accessed old house. All it had taken was the death of his everything), and he felt his throat close up, “Um, guys?”

“Shit, that’s a lot of ‘em.” Mike looked to Eleven for a brief moment before shifting his gaze back up to the dozens and dozens of demobats perched on branches, so keenly aware of them, “El? Think you can beat them?”

Eleven slowly nodded, though she hesitated, “They seem to be waiting for something.” She sounded uncertain.

“Vecna?” Nancy clutched her shotgun a little tighter, definitely on edge when both Eleven and Will shook their heads.

Steve couldn’t help letting out a choked cry when the sound of massive leather wings preceded a creature landing in front of them, letting loose with a screech that caused most of them to clutch their ears. Eddie was different, angry, more animal than man, but he couldn’t help breaking formation, running for him, ignoring the cries of ‘Steve!’ As much as he’d ignored his own misery for months, “Is that…Eds, is that you?” He whispered hopefully.

Eddie tilted his head, glowing eyes peering intently at Steve as if he couldn’t decide whether or not he was food. He solved that answer by lunging forward, throwing them both to the ground.

“Eds…c’mon, this isn’t you.” Steve winced at the claws digging into his throat, looking up at the other straddling him and making a sign for everyone else to stay back. This was his fight, dammit. He reached up with a shaking hand and tucked a greasy lock of hair behind an elongated ear, “V-Very metal-looking.” He hissed as fingers clawed deeper into flesh, his free hand moving to hold the mood ring just so gently.

Eddie caught sight of it, glittering by lightning flash, and he sat back as if he was confused. He shook his head, knocking his hair back into a curtain, and then he was gone, taking his bats with him.

Okay, Steve totally deserved the chewing out he got from pretty much everybody as his injuries were patched up but he honestly wasn’t even paying attention. Their mission was to kill Henry/Vecna/One but, as they resumed their march, he realized that he had a new mission. He was Sam, and he was sure as hell bringing his Frodo back from Mordor.

@steddie-week Follow along and read the other parts to this story here:

#stranger things #eddie munson #steve harrington #steddie #robin buckley #dustin henderson #creature eddie munson #kas eddie munson #nancy wheeler #mike wheeler #eleven hopper #steddieweek2023 #fanfic #stranger things fanfic #questionable writes

[ceescedasticity]

Unforsaken, 3d

(All sections on tumblr)

(AO3, lagging behind but more polished)

Anyone know where Radagast is these days?

Celeborn says he was present when they were disassembling Dol Guldur and trying to restore things, but left even before the Ringbearers sailed.

Elrohir says Estel was mostly sure Radagast was helping with ecological restoration in Mordor for a while, but never actually caught sight of him and hasn't heard anything for a while. Maybe he went farther into Sauron's old territory?

So, no one knows where Radagast is in any useful way.

They might actually have some idea where one of the Blue Wizards is, or at least was: the Magus Caerulus who is or was very influential on the Men living in the lands just west of Pelndoru. Khitwê and Risyind don't know much more than that, but they assume the Men who live there would.

So they could, if they choose, go most of the way to Pelndoru and see if they can pick up the trail of a wizard.

A wizard who's apparently involved in human politics, Celeborn points out. That's not an obvious good sign.

(Okay look, it is not easy coordinating resistance to Sauron when you have no Eldar or Edain in your arsenal — Avari and other humans have the heart and the will to fight the Shadow, but they mostly don't have lingering bits of Valar-favor. If the Magi Caeruli didn't stay personally involved the people of the East and South just wouldn't have any tools to protect themselves. It's gotten a lot better! Almost no one thinks they're gods now and they're definitely not kings!)

(In a different incarnation of this fic, with additional digressions about the Blue Wizards and even more outrageous OCs— Well, never mind.)

Still: Going most of the way to Pelndoru and talking their way into meeting the Magus Caerulus is an option.

…Assuming they're still there.

Getting a wizard would be a long-term and chancy endeavor, and no one is very enthusiastic about it.

"Besides," Celegorm says, "it's not like you need to be a maia to fight a maia."

"Strictly speaking no, but…"

(Celegorm is thinking: Finrod actually didn't do too badly against Sauron until he lost his nerve, and Maglor is a much better bard than Finrod, and the Warden is — he assumes — weaker than Sauron, so this should be workable if Maglor gets in the right frame of mind.)

(Maglor and Turgon are thinking: True, but all balrog-killers died doing it and this thing may be stronger, so let's not get cocky.)

(Glorfindel, Celeborn, Elladan, and Elrohir are thinking: How much of Glorfindel's pre-return to Middle-earth power-up is still lingering? Is this hypothetical Warden bigger or smaller than a balrog, figuratively speaking? Also there's the Saruman comparison, Mithrandir did a lot to break his power but he was definitely vulnerable to other attacks, what kind of shape is this thing in—)

(Khitwê and Risyind are thinking: Wait, what's a maia again? Is it the same as a wizard or not?)

(Whiterot is thinking: About something else entirely because she doesn't want to think about maiar.)

(Sharlinnu is thinking: Is it too late to start taking notes?)

**

(Note: There’s now a discord server for questions/discussion:

https://discord.gg/DtrS2Xmr will hopefully let you join)

#orc bank #orc bank unforsaken #a tolkien tag

[offthefieldsmau]

⚽ 1.31

“Oh you have got to be kidding me,” Lucius muttered and Ed followed his gaze: Sam and Stede emerged from the house once again, “this fuckin’ bitch.”

Stede caught Ed’s eye, but he didn’t linger. It wasn’t like before — whatever small orbit they had operated in (at the coffee shop or mere moments ago) it was gone. It was like it had never been.

Ed frowned. Maybe they were only two lost souls who passed each other by — no more, no less.

“Alright!” Stede cheered, “I think it’s time to do jersey numbers!”

In a flash, he had procured a box of red and black jerseys with their emblem over the breast. It looked new, nice in a way that gave Ed that New Gear Excitement he missed.

According to tradition, as coach, he got to assign the numbers to the players. The wine-drunk moms had said something about the purpose of numerology and how it would help their chances with winning, especially if it came from the expert likes of Edward Teach. Which made fuck-all sense to the likes of Edward Teach.

Still, he went along with it, especially if Stede was lingering close by with the clipboard.

“O-kay,” he said, looking at the roster Stede handed him, “no one is allowed to laugh at me if I say your name wrong, got it? There is much to hear and decide today.”

The kids laughed regardless. Perfect. Ed was hoping they would — that meant they liked him, right? Fleetingly, he thought he could hear the bright chirpy sound of Stede’s laughter.

After the first few numbers, Ed got the hang of it. He made up some bullshit about the numbers — old players he knew, random hotel room numbers he had stayed in; the like. But when he got to Alma, she looked at him quizzically again.

“Eleven,” he declared — there wasn’t a moment’s hesitation.

“Why?” She immediately asked.

“Because,” Ed said with a serious look in his eye. He bent down and beckoned Alma closer, keeping his voice low, “eleven is the number of fellowship. You ever seen Lord of the Rings?”

Alma glanced behind Ed’s shoulder, then back at him to nod.

“‘Course you did, you’re cool like that,” and she smiled, “Eleven is how many people it took to carry the Ring to Mordor, and you get to carry all of them on your back. The Fellowship had to work hard to get there, and your fellowship needs a leader,” he handed her the jersey. “Wear it proudly, and lead your team, yeah?”

Alma looked at the number in her hands (the size of the jersey looking big and red and intense in her grip) and nodded sagely before she met Ed’s stare with intensity, “I will. I promise.”

Those eyes looked at him so seriously. Far too serious for a 13 year old, but Ed got it; he remembered those days. Of soccer being the only thing that mattered — wins or losses being the deciding factor in his mood for a week.

He may have laid the captain philosophy on a little too thick to someone so impressionable.

Ed stuck out his hand for a fist bump and thank god it was returned — fist bumps were still cool.

#off the field #off the field smau #otf smau #ofmd smau #chapter one #prose

[guardianofrivendell]

Uh, so I'mma request something because I really like your writing and want more of your wonderful Aragorn fics in my life. So, I was thinking some headcannons about what it would be like to date/be in a relationship with Aragorn before, during and/or after the fellowship? Thanks man, and take as long as you need!💕

A/N: I am STRUGGLING with sleepover requests, my own series (PS and DAKT) and some new stuff so I turned to my stack of ‘normal’ requests to try and write something different. Et voilà!

@katethewriter I took a lot longer than I should have with these and I’m so sorry! I’m leaning more towards the Hobbit era lately (I’m really turning into a Dwarf simp here), and I’m neglecting the fellowship members. Unforgivable! 

I interpreted this as how your relationship would develop while on the quest to destroy the ring and you’re not actually together at the start of it. Also maybe slightly OOC Aragorn. 

A/N 2: It has some nsfw hints (not much), I couldn’t help myself and it’s very unlike Aragorn I think but I’m not sorry. Also this turned out really long, I am sorry for that. 

A/N 3: Just like my other headcanons, this doesn’t make much sense so best to simply ignore this. I really don’t know what this is... :) 

Being In a Relationship With Aragorn On The Quest Would Go Like This:

Aragorn had met you in some seedy pub 

Not his first choice to take shelter from the weather but after days and days of endless rain and trudging through mud it was almost nice to be there

at least he was able to dry his clothes and have a warm meal 

he was surprised to see someone like you there 

surprised but concerned too 

for your wellbeing that is 

every single person in that bar had his eyes on you the minute you moved

Aragorn had too but for entirely different reasons

at least that’s what he told himself

so the minute one of those drunk lads laid a hand on you he was on his feet

knight in shining armor ranger clothes

before he got to you, you had floored and knocked out your assailant, threatening the others they would suffer the same fate if they tried something similar

Aragorn stood frozen in place, completely mesmerized by you

and maybe a tad bit aroused too

the life of a ranger is very lonely after all

you winked at him and left the bar shortly after

Aragorn couldn’t get you out of his head 

but what were the odds he would ever run into you again

he even returned to that godawful place a few times

a guy can hope right

you can imagine his surprise when he saw you in Rivendell

attending the secret council

he was jaw on the floor surprised

he couldn’t tear his eyes away from you

on the outside he was the cool ranger of the north, bringer of Hobbits, inventor of the Sexy But Still Rough Around The Edges Stare™

while on the inside he was  f r e a k i n g  o u t 

because there you were, finally within reach 

but then Frodo had to sacrifice himself 

and Aragorn could not not go with him 

he absolutely lost it when you volunteered as well

there was no way you were going to put your life on the line like that

you scoffed at his remark

wait did he said that out loud?

“I can handle myself just fine.”

Oh he knew that

Flashes of the bar fight filled his mind

it filled something else too 😏

so Aragorn had set himself a second goal  

besides getting Frodo and the ring to Mordor he now vowed to keep you safe as well

and to make you his by the time you would arrive at Mordor

but we all know how smooth that will go do we 

the first few days and weeks it went reasonably well 

you have to read that as ‘he didn’t embarass himself in front of you’

because there was no progress at all on any other front

you seemed to prefer the company of the Hobbits over him or any other member of the fellowship

he tried to make conversation with you every time you walked near him 

A+ for effort

when the Crebain flew over his instinct was to make sure Frodo (and Sam because those two were attached at the hip) was out of sight

after that he searched for you, but Legolas had already pulled you under the bushes with him

surely the feeling in his stomach was the fault of the Lembas bread

because Aragorn doesn’t get jealous

but then the same thing happened in Moria

you weren’t a fan of the dark and claustrophobic mines so he let you walk up front with Gandalf and Frodo near the light of Gandalf’s staff 

with him right behind you of course 

when the Orcs and Troll attacked, he tried to stay near you 

keep an extra eye out for you, driving the Orcs away who were trying to get to you

it was you together with Legolas who defeated the troll, high fiving each other over a job well done

okay fine maybe Aragorn did get jealous this time

like he had done his best to protect you but did you notice?

then when Gandalf fell you surprisingly turned to him for comfort

leaving Legolas, Gimli and Boromir to comfort the Hobbits

take that Leaf Boi

even though it felt really good to hold you, he knew you couldn’t stay there

so he ordered everyone to get going, taking the lead

and then Lothlorien happened

a forest that was both magical and romantic

perfect setting for a love confession right

when he finally got you alone he chickened out at the last moment

because OF cOUrsE

luckily for him you did not

you almost knocked him over in your attempt to kiss him  

he eagerly reciprocated the kiss though

no complaints there

but he also explained that even though he wanted this, the quest and Frodo had to come first

which you respected and understood, but you were also willing to test his resolve 👀

you didn’t tell the others 

but they didn’t need an explanation, it’s not like you two were subtle

he held your hand whenever he could 

Gimli couldn’t help but commenting on it, Aragorn explaining it was to prevent you from falling or tripping

“Lad, you’re sitting down in a boat...”

cue roaring laughter and flushed cheeks on Aragorn

although the fellowship supported your relationship they couldn’t help but tease Aragorn relentlessly

lots of sneaky forehead kisses

during the rest of the quest Aragorn did his best to keep you out of harm’s way 

to your own frustration of course, you weren’t helpless or as fragile as he made you seem

you fought alongside Boromir when Uglúk shot him 

they took Merry and Pippin and dragged you away from Boromir’s body

the one time Aragorn wasn’t at your side and you got kidnapped

you weren’t going to hear the end of this 

needless to say Aragorn was indeed beside himself with worry 

he couldn’t get a break 

first Frodo gone, then Boromir shot and now it seemed he failed his promise to himself

enter brooding Aragorn

but he knew you were brave and could take care of yourself - you had repeated that countless times - so he was sure he was going to find you 

AND HE DID

after three days of running with a dartling Elf and a wheezing Dwarf they bumped into Éomer and his horse gang

before he could ask Éomer if he saw you or the Hobbits, one of his riders jumped off their horse and made a beeline for him 

Legolas notched an arrow and Gimli raised his axe but you simply shoved them aside and threw your arms around Aragorn

relieved kisses 

the hug lasted several minutes until Legolas cleared his throat

oh right... audience

you shared a horse with Aragorn on the way to Edoras

while with King Théoden Aragorn kept an arm around your waist or a hand on the small of your back the entire time

as if he had to make sure you were still there

Éowyn who?

The Battle of Helm’s Deep was torture for Aragorn

he wanted to stay with you but you both knew you would be too distracted by each other 

it took him a while to find you after the battle was won 

few years of his life were lost in panic

but of course you were alright, already helping with the wounded

now it was his turn to sweep you off your feet

quite literally too 

as the quest progressed, it became clear to Aragorn that he had to take up his rightful place as the King of Gondor when the time came 

so during the victory feast after Helm’s Deep he took you outside for a walk

cue comments and whistling from Gimli 

but Aragorn only wanted to talk to you 

to make sure you knew what you were getting yourself into if you stayed with him 

were you ready to be the spouse of a King?

of course he made it seem as if he was going to ditch you 

because that man is angst embodied 

everything to keep you safe right?

luckily as soon as it was clear that no, he wasn’t going to ditch you and yes, this was kind of a hastily thrown together proposal in a way, you kissed him saying that as long as you were at his side you were ready for anything

as long as you were together

Aragorn taglist: @katethewriter @lovemusic26alwaysblog @sokkasdarling @snailcoveredcottage

Permanent taglist: @roosliefje @kata1803 @entishramblings @artsywaterlily @sleepy-daydream-in-a-rose @marvelschriss @kumqu4t @myrin1234 @dark-angel-is-back @the-fandoms-georgie @lathalea @xxbyimm @sokkasdarling @katethewriter @aredhel-of-gondolin @leethology @elvish-sky @moony-artnstuff @emmapotato8 @kirenia15 @vicmackeybullshxt @moarfandomtrash

#Aragorn x reader #Aragorn headcanons #Aragorn imagine #lotr #Lord of the rings #Lotr fanfiction #Lord of the rings headcanons #Lord of the rings imagine #Aragorn x you #Lord of the rings x reader

[elvish-sky]

Just Kiss Already {Legolas x Reader}

Anon Request from Tumblr: hi! Can I request a legolas x elf reader where the reader is Aragorn's best friend? They grew up together in rivendell, maybe they’re just relaxing after one of the battles, I just need a fluffy wholesome shot to take my mind off things. thank you so much 🤍🤍

A.N: So the title just popped into my head at like 2 am when I woke up, so I just started writing. It’s short, but I kinda like it. Thank you, Anon for the request and I hope you like it!

Word Count: 858

Pairing: Legolas x Elf!Reader

Summary: Aragorn gets fed up with you and Legolas after the battle at the Black gate.

Warnings: Some fluff, fighting/battle…

****

Just Kiss Already

You wiped your blades on your tunic, not caring about the blood of orcs they were covered in, as you were already caked in it. You couldn’t believe what you had just witnessed. The fortress of Barad-Dur had collapsed, and the armies of Mordor had sunk into the earth, leaving you and the soldiers of Rohan and Gondor standing in the middle of a wasteland. You made your way through the battlefield alongside Legolas, who had stayed beside you the whole fight, seeking Aragorn. Your childhood friend had led the charge, and you worried for his safety. 

“Aragorn!” Upon spotting his figure you raced toward him through the carnage, glad to see him alive. You threw your arms around him, not caring that you were wounded and he probably was too. “Y/N, Legolas. You’re alive.” “Lass!” came a shout from your elbow. “You made it! Quick, tell me Legolas’ final count before he tries to lie about it.” “Fifty-six” you crouched and whispered to Gimli, knowing that Legolas had in fact killed many more.  “Ah, Legolas!” the dwarf sidled up to him. “I hear you scored fifty-six. A respectable number, but nothing compared to my sixty-eight.” “What?! I killed seventy-two!” the elf spluttered, looking indignant. He walked off with Gimli, arguing all the way. Aragorn came to stand next to you as you watched them go. “Y/N. What did you do?” “Oh, nothing.” You answered airily. “Just a bit of lighthearted fun.” “Y/N! You know how serious those two are about beating each other. I’m going to have to deal with that later.” 

Among the battered soldiers returning from the battle, you streamed through the gates of Minas Tirith, Legolas and Gimli alongside you on Arod. Dismounting once inside, you handed your reins off and made your way among the other soldiers, checking on them after the battle. You could see Legolas and Aragorn doing the same thing, and heard Gimli’s gruff tones comforting a man near you. It was good for the men to see their king taking an interest in their well-being, especially after a battle no one had thought they would return from. You, with your meager healing knowledge, doled out herbs and kind words to the soldiers as you wound through them. Most knew of you by now, the king’s childhood friend, and one of the famous Fellowship. Your help was met with words of thanks from all. 

Later, you finally relaxed in a small room at the height of the citadel. Legolas and Aragorn sat on either side of you. You were waiting for Frodo and Sam to wake up, having been carried in by the eagles, and were recounting the battle at the Black Gate. “... and there I was! Slicing and chopping my way through the armies. If the ground hadn’t collapsed I daresay I would have made it all the way to Barad-Dur single-handedly!” Gimli finished his reenactment with a few more swipes of his axe for good measure. “Impressive, master dwarf.” Aragorn continued to tell of his part in the battle after that first insane charge. “Well, I spent most of the battle making sure Y/N didn’t get herself killed.” Legolas pronounced this with a smug look on his face. “Excuse you, but I did not need any help. I was fine on my own. You were quick to counter, even though you knew that things might have gone badly if you had not had the other elf at your side. “There was one point where you would have taken a knife in the shoulder if I had not blocked it.” Your mind went back to that moment on the field when you heard the clang of metal blocking metal behind you. You had spun to see Legolas’ dagger finish an arc behind your back, and a knife flying through the air next to it, as he stabbed the orc who had thrown it at you. You hadn’t had time to thank him then, but you did now. 

“Thank you, Legolas.” “You’re very welcome, Y/N, although I’m sure someone with your talents would have patched it up quickly and been back up in no time.” Legolas blushed a little as he said this, and you decided to have some fun. “Well, I’m glad I had someone as strong and skilled as you guarding my back,” and you gently squeezed one of his biceps as you spoke. At this Aragorn sighed in exasperation and stood, causing the rest of you to stand with him. “By the Valar, you two, just kiss already.” With that Aragorn grabbed Gimli, pushed you into Legolas’ arms, and walked away. Embarrassed, you looked up at the elf. He shrugged, “Why not?” and leaned down to gently press his lips to yours. When he pulled away you raised your hands and pulled his face back down to yours. You kissed him fiercely, the pent up passion pouring out in a fountain of emotions. You broke apart and whispered “Gi Mellin (I love you)” in his ear. “Meleth nin” he whispered in yours and dipped you down for another swoon-worthy kiss.

Everything tag💗: @boyruins @entishramblings @itgetsatadhazy @anjhope1

#lord of the rings #jrr tolkien #the hobbit #legolas #aragorn #maiawrites #legolas x reader #legolas fanfic #legolas imagines #legolas imagine #legolas one shot #legolas fic #legolas thranduilion #legolas greenleaf #legolas x you #legolas x y/n

[wistfulcynic]

biblio - philia

@courtorderedcake often sends me posts and picsets, which I love, but I know she’s hoping they might spark a fic and as I generally have fifteen ideas on the go at any given time, I don't always have the spoons to follow through on even a promising prompt. 

However. 

This little ficlet is inspired by this post sent to me by Court. It... got a bit emotional. I hope you like it ❤️. 

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Words: 1.5k Rating: G Tags: modern AU, books, rough childhoods, some pretty sappy emotions, ngl. 

On AO3

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biblio - philia:

“So what kind of books do you like to read?” 

Emma hesitates with her fork halfway to her mouth. “Um,” she says, then stuffs the bite in and takes her time chewing it as she tries to come up with an answer that won’t make her sound like a child.

 “I really like short stories,” she says finally. 

“Oh?” Walsh raises an eyebrow and it occurs to Emma, not for the first time, that he can be really fucking patronising. Why did she agree to this date, again? “Saki?” he asks with a smirk. “O Henry? Poe?” 

“Fairy tales,” she replies shortly, irritated by him pulling author names out of thin freaking air as though he knows them. Maybe he does, but that doesn’t make it any less obnoxious. 

“Fairy tales?” he says with a scoff. “Pretty princess stories?”  

Emma frowns. There are no pretty princesses in the stories she’s talking about. 

“Witches, more like,” she says. “Baba Yaga. Nourie Hadig. Vasilissa the Fair.” 

“Oh.” Walsh looks taken aback, and she draws perverse pleasure from it. He doesn’t know everything, much as he likes to pretend he does. “That’s—well, it’s not what I would have expected.” 

It’s not really what Emma would have expected either. She’s never been much of a reader. It was hard to be, bouncing from one school to the next, never really having time to settle in and form relationships with teachers and school librarians. No foster home she ever lived in had much to offer in the way of reading material, and she just never developed the knack of escaping into books. 

Not like Killian had. 

“Saved my life, is what they did,” he said, tracing the gilded title on his copy of Treasure Island. “When my father was drunk and my mum was crying. Liam made me stay in our room, said there wasn’t anything I could do to help. Which was probably true, but I could still hear them. I could hear—” He swallowed hard, gave his head a tiny shake. “Unless I had a book,” he continued hoarsely. “Then I could shut it all out, pretend I was sailing off in search of Flint’s treasure or taking the Ring to Mordor. Books kept me sane.” He looked up to meet Emma’s eyes. “I’d like for you to know that too,” he said softly. “That… transportation to another place, away from all things that trouble you.” 

She shook her head, her chest aching. “I’m not like you,” she said. “Words don’t—I don’t know, they don’t vibe with me. I just get bored if I try to read.” 

“What if I read to you?” 

“What?” 

His face was hopeful, his eyes a drowning blue. “What if I read out loud and you listened?” 

“Um, well—” She thought about it. About Killian’s deep, smooth voice telling her a story. About sitting, cosy under a blanket, and just listening to him. “—yeah.” She gave a small shrug. “Maybe, if you wanted to.” 

He smiled. “Let’s give it a try.” 

And still, Emma thinks, she’s never read a book. 

~

The date ends as early as she can manage it. Walsh drives her home, tries to invite himself in. 

“Best not,” says Emma with a tight smile. “My roommate’s probably asleep.” 

“Ah.” There’s tension in Walsh’s smile as well. “Sure,” he says. “Your roommate.” 

She wants to ask him what the hell he’s trying to insinuate, but also she doesn’t really care. She gave Walsh a chance and it didn’t work out, and—

“I’ll call you tomorrow,” says Walsh. “Maybe we can—” 

“I don’t think so,” Emma replies firmly. “I don’t think you and I are going to work.” 

“Yeah.” Walsh sighs. “Yeah. Okay, then.” 

He gives her a nod then turns to go. No further words are spoken. 

Emma turns the key in the lock as quietly as she can, creeps into the apartment on the tips of her toes. The television screen wants to know if he’s still watching but Killian is sound asleep on the sofa. Emma smiles softly as she brushes back a lock of hair that’s fallen across his forehead. This is a turnaround, she thinks. Normally it’s her falling asleep, to the soothing sound of Killian’s voice as he reads her a tale. 

She doesn’t think she can carry him to bed the way he does her. 

“Killian?” she murmured, nuzzling sleepily at his neck as he lifted her from the sofa. The effortless ease of the motion, the smell of his skin and the warmth of his breath on her cheek had her heart fluttering, her belly clenching with sensations she couldn’t bring herself to name. 

“Shh, love,” he replied. “Go back to sleep.” 

“But is it finished?” she protested. “How did it end?” 

Killian laid her gently on her bed and pulled the blanket over her. “We’ll read the end tomorrow,” he said softly, and she was sure she imagined the press of his lips on her brow as she drifted into dreams. 

They never do read the ends, though, she thinks now. The next night is always another story, another ending she falls asleep before she can hear. 

“Killian,” she says softly, brushing her fingertips down his cheek. “Killian, wake up.” 

“Hmmm?” he mumbles, sleepy eyelids blinking open. “Swan?” 

“Hey. You fell asleep.” 

“So it seems.” 

“I just thought you might prefer to do that in your bed, so you don’t wake up with a crick in your neck.” 

“Aye.” He sits up and rubs the neck in question. Emma gulps as she watches the cords stretch as he does, and the ripple of muscle beneath his t-shirt as he rolls his shoulders. “How was the date?” he asks. 

“Eh.” She shrugs. “There won’t be a second.” 

“I’m sorry, love.” 

“I’m not. I wasn’t that into him to begin with.” 

“Well, so long as you aren’t upset.” He’s watching her so intently.

“Definitely not.” 

His expression relaxes into a smile. “I’ll say good night then,” he says, standing and moving towards his door. 

“Good night, Killian.” Her heart twists a bit as she watches it close behind him.

~

In her room she sits on the bed and kicks off her heels, reaches into the paper bag that sits on her bedside table. A soft knock sounds at her door. 

“Come in,” she calls, letting the item fall back into the bag. 

The door opens and Killian steps in, rubbing at his neck with one hand and holding a very familiar object in the other. 

“We, uh, didn’t get a chance to read tonight,” he says. “And I thought—well, I thought perhaps you might be ready to see some of these endings for yourself. That you might like to keep this for your own.” 

He reaches his hand out to her and she takes what he’s holding, staring wide-eyed at the worn cover, her thumb tracing along the F in Fairy Tales. 

“But—” She looks up at him, dumbfounded. “This is your favourite.” 

“Aye,” he agrees. “It’s seen me through some very tough times. That’s why I want for it to be yours.” 

There’s a lump in Emma’s throat and she has to swallow hard around it. “Thank you,” she whispers. “I’ll take good care of it.” 

He nods and turns to go. 

“Killian!” she cries out, and he turns to her again. “I—I love this book,” she says. “I love it because you love it and because I—” She can’t finish the sentence but Killian’s eyes snap to hers and the look in them is ferocious. She grips the book tight to her chest and reaches into the bag on her table. 

“I bought this today,” she says, pulling out another book. The same book. A newer copy, with a tougher cover and illustrated with real engravings. “I was going to read it tonight, but now—” Now she holds his book against her heart and knows she can’t part with it, not for anything. Not for all the world. 

“Now I want you to have it.” 

“I—” He takes the book almost reverently, eyes shining as he runs his fingers over the cover. “I don’t—” 

“I want it to be yours,” she whispers. 

“Emma,” he chokes, and then he is pulling her close, his fingers in her hair and their books knocking against each other. “I’ll treasure it,” he says his voice thick and rough with emotion. 

The words he doesn’t speak are the most precious ones she’s never heard.  

“I love these stories,” she says. “But only in your voice. The words are beautiful but it’s you speaking them that transports me. I bought the new book for the words but it doesn’t have you in it. This one, though—” She grips the old book tighter. 

“That one is my heart.” 

“And that one—” she nods to the new book, clutched tight against his chest “—is my hope.”

“Your hope?” 

“For an ending,” she whispers. “A happy one.” 

He rests his forehead against hers and she sighs into his embrace. “Oh, my love,” he breathes. “That, at least, I can promise.” 

-

#cs fic #cs ff #cs ficlet #cs ff au #modern au #book lovers #they love books and each other #rough childhoods #captain swan #biblio - philia #profdanglaisstuff

[bitter-sweet-farmgirl]

Ikhrêkh Gabalî

Part 2 of ‘A Deep Misunderstanding’.  Who know how many more parts are going to follow...  Link to Series Masterlist.

Thorin falls for a Dwarrowdame raised by Elves, and tries to make know his feelings, but accidentally offends her, which leads to another and another misunderstanding between the two.

Based off of @immawriteyouthings​ ‘Falling Stars’

MASTERLIST

OC(s) Used: Estel

Word Count:  1,442

Warning(s):  Swear words, someone thinking they are getting called rude names.

Translation(s): Ikhrêkh Gabalî:  Painful Words

~~~~

Things were going south far too fast for me.  Already, we were being pursued by Orcs mounted upon Wargs.  

Of course, I wasn't idiotic enough to not expect trouble on a quest such as this, but I had figured we'd run into Wargs a bit closer to Erebor perhaps.  Not within the first two weeks of our journey.  

"Run faster!"  Thorin bellowed at me as we sprinted along, and I would have yelled some choice words back at him, but I was too out of breath to do so.  Honestly, he was just doing this to be snippy.  

I was in the lead as we sprinted through the grass; he was at the back.  Who was the better runner?  Obviously me.  I hadn't been raised by Elves for nothing....  

Finally, we reached a boulder and hid behind it for a moment, trying to catch our breaths.  Where had that blasted wizard run off to now?  Wasn't he supposed to be helping us get out of this mess in the first place?

Thorin must have shared my unspoken thoughts as he grumbled something about stupid wizards underneath his breath.  Glancing over at him, I noticed the way his tangled dark brown hair tumbled messily down onto his shoulders.  His mouth was opened as he panted lightly, steely blue eyes darting around as he scanned the horizon for more Orcs.  I would be lying if I said that the sight didn't send a convoy of butterflies through my stomach.

Why wouldn't my heart just forget about him?  He obviously didn't want me around the first place; he'd certainly made that clear.

"Over here!"  Our heads snapped up to look around at the source of the voice.  Gandalf stood by a rock, waving at us with his staff.  "This way!"

I bolted towards him, deciding to put my trust in Gandalf.  Eru knew Thorin didn't know where the Mordor he was going.

I stepped lightly through the dry grass of the meadow, feeling it slash at my trouser legs as I darted through.  I just knew it would be torn by the end of this.  Believe it or not, grass was sharp.

But then I tripped over something and found myself flat on my stomach; all the breath knocked clear out of my lungs.  I gasped like a fish out of water, unable to move until I could force oxygen into my body.

Bodies flashed by me on either sides as dwarves passed me, running towards Gandalf.  

Glad to know they cared about me.  

I resigned myself to my fate of being eaten by the Warg I just knew was probably pursuing them when burly arms snagged me and lifted me into the air, tossing me over a furry shoulder.

An arm grasped tightly around my lower waist, and I prayed they wouldn't adjust their grip any lower.  That would be awkward.

But then my mind registered just who was carrying me, and things suddenly became much more awkward anyways.  

Why was the Dwarf who complained about me the most the one saving me?  

Next thing I knew, my jostling ride stopped as Thorin entered a dark cavern, and slowed to a walk.  I expected to be put down, but he instead kept me slung over his shoulder as Gandalf began to lead us through a series of cracks within the ground.

"Thorin, put me down right now."  I said, fisting his fur coat in my hands in an attempt to not fall face-first off his shoulder as the path angled sharply upwards.  

"No.  You're just going to slow us down again."  He grumbled, and I rolled my eyes.  How would I slow them down?  We were walking.  

"I can assure you, I can keep up with you all just fine."  I said, wriggling in his grasp in an attempt to get him to release me, but he just tightened his grip around my waist.

Curses.

"Somehow, I doubt that after your performance, Miss Estel."  He said, and I could have almost sworn that there was just the slightest hint of mischief in his gruff voice.  

"Uncle just wants to have an excuse to--"  Kili's cheeky voice pipped up suddenly from somewhere ahead of Thorin, but his uncle quickly cut him off.

"Kili, be quiet."  He ordered severely, and Kili obeyed quickly.  I didn't blame the lad.  If I had an uncle like Thorin, I would have done the same.  

But still, Kili's words wouldn't leave me.  What did Thorin want an excuse for?  Did it have something to do with me, and why was Thorin so touchy about whatever it was?

At last, we reached what I recognized to be Rivendell, and Thorin finally set me down as he realized just where in Middle Earth we were.  The company and him formed a protective circle around me and Bilbo as a sudden commotion emerged.

Peering over the hairy heads of the Dwarrows, I caught sight of Lord Elrond and a few soldiers as they returned in full armor that gleamed in the bright rays of the sun.

Gandalf persuaded Thorin to let us stay here in Rivendell for a few days to regain our strength, which gladdened me more than I would admit to Thorin.  I had sorely missed the company of intellectuals.

Also, it would be a nice change to converse with others in Elvish once more.  I didn't dare speak a word in it in front of any of the Dwarves for fear they would figure out my past and Thorin would throw me out of the Company.

But first I had to get away from a suddenly clingy Thorin.  It was strange, he didn't outright stand beside me.  He just, hovered around me.

As we began to settle in to our new quarters, he suddenly approached me, and I took in a deep breath, wondering what in Eru's name he needed.  Vaguely, I could see everyone else pause in their activities to watch us.

Weird.

Thorin's brow was furrowed as he walked up to me, his gaze scanning me up and down, taking in my torn trousers and skinned up palms.  Then his gaze landed on the small scratches and cuts I had gained on my face from landing face down in the grass, a frown appearing on his face.  

Great, now was he going to say that I was ugly now too?

"Are you alright, Amrâlimê?"  He asked suddenly, and I puzzled over the unfamiliar word he used when referring to me.

I could hear the titters coming from the group around us, and Thorin's cheeks suddenly gained a faint dusting of pink.  

"That'll show her, Uncle!"  Kili's voice carried over the unintelligible mutterings of everyone else, and I began to gain an inkling of just what the unfamiliar word meant.  

And that realization hurt.

"Didn't think he'd ever work up the courage to say that..."  Bofur's voice met my ears next, and I quickly made up my mind.  Obviously, the word was an insult of some type and I was not going to stand to be treated like this.

I shot a hurt look at Thorin, grabbing the bedroll I had started to unpack and beginning to repack it.  I would sleep somewhere else tonight.  Somewhere far away from this Dwarf that disliked my company so much.  

"I'm fine, thank you."  I muttered through clenched teeth, looking at Thorin with a fake smile on my face.  "I suppose you think it's funny to insult other people in a language they can't understand, huh?  But I'm not going to take that from you.  It just shows how much of a stupid, insensitive arse you are."  I said, blinking away the tears that rose in my eyes.  No matter how much I could try to pretend otherwise, it hurt to be called names.

The mutters suddenly died as I spoke, and Thorin's eyes widened.  "Miss Estel--" he started, but I cut him off with a shake of my head.

"I don't want to hear another word out of your filthy mouth.  I'm going to sleep somewhere else tonight so you don't have to deal with my obviously intolerable presence."  I said and hurried off before I could burst into tears, leaving a stunned silence behind me.

Maybe this would teach them not to speak badly about other people in their presence.  I mean, if you couldn't say the word straight out in Common to the person's face, then perhaps you shouldn't say it at all.  That's what my foster mother had taught me.

But these were crude, cowardly Dwarves.  What did they know about other people's feelings?

Nothing, it appeared.

#Thorin #thorin x oc #thorin oakenshield x oc #thorin oakenshield #angsty thorin #misunderstanding #angst #language #middle earth #the hobbit #the company #dwarves #tolkien #a deep misunderstanding #part 2 #fanfic #fanfiction

[im-lad-ris]

The Fall: Haldir X Female! Reader

Prompt: "I’m so happy you’re back!! 😌❤️ I missed you tbh haha. Could you do a Haldir x reader? Maybe where reader is from our world? 👀"

Submitted by: Anonymous

Words: 1626

A/N: Hey guys! First story posted since the end of my hiatus, and it's for my main mans Haldir. For the anon, I wasnt sure how old you wanted to reader to be, but I took some creative liberty! I also havent edited yet but will go through it and do so soon.

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The day you had fallen into Middle Earth you had been a mere child, only ten in human years, unaware of the dangers of the new world you now found yourself living in.

You only remembered falling, and hitting the ground so hard your skull rattled and your teeth gnashed together. Your ears were ringing, and when you had gone to cover them you had realized that they were pointed, which was definitely not how they were shaped yesterday. You had panicked, screamed, cried for your parents, but you would realize that they were not coming for you here, wherever the "here" was.

You would be found within 3 days, having wandered through forests and over plains, by a group of elven rangers.

The leader had dismounted his horse and had kneeled next to you, offering you kind words and compassion. He introduced himself as Lord Elrond, an elf lord who looked over a place called Imladris.

He had asked you why an elven child was wandering the wilderness. When you admitted that you didnt know where you were, and argued that you weren't an elf, Elrond wasnt sure what to make of you.

After this first encounter, you would be invited to stay at Lord Elronds home. It was beautiful, and you were stunned that such a place could have possibly existed.

After several weeks had passed, Elrond would take you to a place called Lothlórien. The sky was blocked out by canopies, and the trees sprawled into the sky above you, a forest of skyscrapers.

You would meet a woman named Galadriel and a wizard named Gandalf, although everyone called him Mithrandir instead. After hours of discussion, it was decided that you were not of Middle-Earth and that you would be placed under Elronds care. Despite this, nobody was quite sure why you were an elf or how you had fallen, but it appeared you were here to stay.

It was in Lothlorien that you met Haldir. He was older than you, but he had an aura about him that drew you to him. You became fast friends, and you began to harbor a small crush towards him. Before you left for Imladris once more, he had smiled and gifted you your first bow.

After returning home with your now adoptive father Elrond, Haldir and you continued to exchange letters and gifts, all the while you grew up under your new siblings. You loved Arwen, and the twins, Elrohir and Elladan, and they made sure you grew up as happy as you could be.

Besides this, you eventually realized that time for elves was strange. Although you had now spent almost a millennium and a half with you new family, you barely looked a day over twenty. Throughout your time with your adoptive father and siblings, you took pride in learning archery and sword fighting, although you yearned to return to Earth, and your birth parents, once more. However, as you aged you learned to appreciate the family you now had, and the skills and lessons they had taught to you.

Of course, your letters with Haldir had never stopped. He was your pen pal and confidant, and although the years had turned him stoic and somewhat harsh, he was still the man you remembered when you were little. After a millennium of letters you had finally gotten the nerve to tell him your true feelings for him, that you loved him more than than the sun loves the moon.

After a month of no returned letter, you became melancholic, embarrassed that you had even said anything in the first place. However, the next day Haldir had appeared at the gates of Imladris. When he found you in the gardens, he had simply caressed your cheek and vowed he would protect you even if it cost his life. Thus began your courtship. One that spanned between hundreds of miles and still meant everything. Your father had approved almost immediately, and was more than willing to create opportunities for you two to see each other.

-----

You were currently sat in the Council of Elrond and were on the verge of ripping someones head off. These buffoons would not stop arguing, and it was making you angrier by the second. Did they not see that the longer they sat here and hurled insults, the more danger Middle-Earth would be in?

"I will take it" a small voice said. Your head snapped up and looked upon the hobbit, Frodo, who had brought that accursed ring here. Frodo tried to speak out once more, but the noise from the others did not die down and you gritted your teeth before standing up.

"QUIET!" you yelled into the crowd, which surprisingly cause the group of arguing council members to all shut their mouths. You gestured to Frodo, who proceeded to walk towards the group.

 "I will take the Ring to Mordor. Though-- I do not know the way." The hobbit said, his eyes passing over every face in the room.

Mithrandir smiled before he passed behind Frodo, "l will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, so long as it is yours to bear."

"Ada.." You started as you glanced behind you towards your father, who simply nodded, his way of telling you he approved. You nodded back at him, a smile on your face, before you turned back to face Frodo.

"As will I, Frodo" you said as you walked behind him, placing your hand on his shoulder.

After you stepped forward, the heir of Gondor, Aragorn, the woodland prince Legolas, Gimli, Boromir, and three other hobbits, who appeared out of bushes, all joined your group.

"Ten companions... So be it! You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring!" Your father proclaimed as you all stood together, you looked at those around you and had the distinct feeling only some would make it out of this adventure alive.

-----

"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with orcs! We must reach the Woods of Lothlórien. Come Y/N, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, get them up." Aragorns voice caused you to jump before you scrambled to lift Merry and Pippin off the floor.

Mithrandir had fallen to a Balrog, but you had no time to mourn. You felt as if water was in your lungs, but you had no time to empty them, you had to move.

By the time the Fellowship reached the outskirts of Lothlórien, you could breathe again but the gloom you felt would not dissipate. You heard Gimli mentioning something about a sorceress, but you couldnt bring yourself to chuckle at his reference to Galadriel. However, you saw movement out of the corner of your eye, and decided to silently move to the back of the group, your hand slowly moving to the hilt of your blade.

"Well, here is one dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!" Gimli said, prideful as always, before a notched arrow appeared in front on his face. You barely resisted the urge to chuckle.

"The dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark." A voice said, and you couldnt help the way your breath hitched. Of course Haldir was patrolling, he was the Marchwarden.

How long had it been since you had held him? How long since you had last heard his voice? Surely not long, but it felt like it had been a lifetime. You couldnt resist the urge to walk forwards him, stepping around Aragorn towards a grumpy looking Gimli. You placed your fingers upon Haldirs arrow, pushing it towards the ground before you dared to meet his eyes.

"I would appreciate if you did not shoot the dwarf, Haldir o Lórien... Meleth nin" your hand came up to caress his cheek as you pushed a lock of his hair behind his ear. Without warning, you found yourself pulled into a kiss. You recovered from the shock and smiled against his lips, slowly wrapping your arms around his neck.

When you finally pulled away, your heart felt lighter and your lips were still tingly. You smiled you again before you embraced Haldir in a hug, your face buried in the crook of his neck.

"What just happened?" You heard Pippin ask, and you chuckled as you pulled away from Haldir, turning to face the Fellowship as you intertwined your fingers with his.

"Meet my betrothed, the Marchwarden of Lothlórien, Haldir" you chimed in, a smile on your face.

"You have interesting traveling companions, meleth nin" Haldir said, his hand squeezing yours as he looked over the ragtag group you had been traveling with.

"Haldir, as much as I'd love to stay here and enjoy this moment, we must see Galadriel... we have.. we lost Gandalf, but we must push on" you said, your voice almost cracking as you recounted what had happened in the mines for your betrothed. You held back the tears that threatened to leak from your eyes, you had to be strong.

When you were finished with your tale, Haldir nodded before he spoke, "Follow me"

As the group moved through the trees further into Lothlórien, Haldir squeezed your hand once more before leaning to whisper in your ear, "Galadriel has agreed to see us married before you continue... you know how much I love you, and even as you go on this journey, I want you to be mine, now and always."

You smiled and nodded at him. Although you were sad at the loss of Gandalf, you loved Haldir, and you would gladly marry him no matter the circumstances. He was yours, and you were his, and soon you would belong to each other for the rest of your days.

-----

Ada - Father

Meleth Nin (Or Nin Meleth) - My love

Haldir o Lórien - Haldir of Lòrien

#lotr #haldir #lord of the rings #lotr imagine #imagines #haldir imagine #haldir x reader #the fellowship of the ring #female reader

[lunaslashsea]

Crossover Fanfic Recs

The Addams Family/Harry Potter

'Family Values' by Ishtar Petunia Dursley discovers that taking care of two small boys is too much for her, so she passes the guardianship of Harry Potter over to a distant relative — Morticia Addams. With Harry growing up in a very different type of Family, Dumbledore desperately tries to get him back. But the Harry Potter who finally arrives at Hogwarts, along with his "cousins" Pugsley and Wednesday, will be nothing like what Dumbledore expects.

The Addams Family/Rise of the Guardians

'Nightmares for Christmas' by Neyiea Not all children are happy that their nightmares have disappeared, and as such North finds himself receiving a very unexpected letter several days before Christmas.

Big Hero 6/The Martian

'Big Hero Martian' by althor42 There would have been no rescue for Mark, if NASA had not noticed he was still alive. Unless of course, a certain Big Hero noticed instead.

Big Hero 6/Marvel

'Magnets for Trouble' by PitViperOfDoom Months after Callaghan's downfall, Hiro receives a surprise in the mail: a special invitation to this year's Stark Expo. With Fred for company, he leaves the protection of the city temporarily in the hands of the rest of the team and flies across the country to meet the man with twice the brains and bank account of Alistair Krei and several times the infamy.

But of course, it can't be that simple, can it? Really, after how his last expo went, he should have seen this coming.

Bleach/Free! Iwatobi Swim Club

'Teamwork for Hire' by junko After the defeat of Aizen, Ichigo has lost his superpowers but not his skills so he's been hiring himself out to any sports team looking for a strong player. When Nagisa Hazuki approaches Ichigo to join the Iwatobi High School Swimming Club, something piques Ichigo's interest…

Bleach/Harry Potter

'Crazy=Genius' series by blackkat Minerva McGonagall isn't about to let Harry go back to the Dursleys after his first year. She finds an alternative, and along the way, Bazzard Black finds that he might have more family left than he'd ever thought.

'Lost Boys' by glacis After the Triwizard fiasco, Harry leaves Britain behind for a new life. Uryuu befriends Ichigo at a much younger age. Sirius escapes. Points converge and lost boys find a family. Isshin fails. So does Ryuuken. Kisuke finds a friend. Ukitake covers and cleans up. Fate changes.

'There May Be Some Collateral Damage' by metisket Ichigo's been ordered to go undercover at a magic school to bodyguard a kid named Harry Potter, and this would be fine, except that he's about as good at bodyguarding as he is at magic. And he considers it a good day, magic‐wise, if he hasn't set anything on fire.

Bleach/Hunger Games

'Storm the World with Reckless Abandon' by SSAerial So due to one of Urahara's failed experiments that Ichigo unluckily got a full blast of (because life hates him and trouble is attracted to him like a clingy fangirl he could do without), Ichigo ends up in a dystopian universe where people take perverse pleasure in watching kids fight to the death. Which just, no. So Panem now has to deal with a pissed of Ichigo who's determined to stop the Hunger Games and pummel Snow to the ground. And Panem doesn't have a snowball chance in hell in stopping him.

Bleach/Lord of the Rings

'Behold the Flowing Years' by Straight‐Outta‐Hobbiton Ichigo escapes his dimension to start anew, away from the memories of death and friendships past that he can't seem to put to rest. Rohan is a beautiful country, and Théoden is a good king, but evil only grows stronger within the borders of Mordor, and Ichigo finds himself once more forced to protect those whom he has grown to love.

Bleach/Marvel

'Foreign Recruit' by SSAerial Ichigo doesn't know where to start. He has no friends, no family, no personal attachments to the world he got dumped into. The Soul King never specified what he was supposed to do in a world where technology is ahead of its time and aliens and secret governments exist. As for the people he has to deal with… Well, it isn't like he hasn't dealt with colorful personalities before.

Bleach/Naruto

'All My Ghosts are at Rest' series by Zakad An older Ichigo and Uryu leave Soul Society and all its problems behind to search for the near-mythical homeland of a particular Shiba ancestor. They find the Elemental Countries and one little boy who is desperate need of a family.

'Bite' by blackkat Orochimaru and his sons crash‐land in Karakura. Soul Society is most definitely not prepared for what's coming.

'A New Home' by Rain1701 In an effort to save her life and freedom, Hitsugaya Toshiro winds up landing head‐first in the Naruto universe two months before the start of canon. Not much stays the same after that.

'Soul of Fire' by Zeionia aka Disturbed After being betrayed by Soul Society, Ichigo and his sisters leave Karakura behind to find shelter with the remains of their grandfather's clan in the Land of Fire. Instead of the peaceful life they were hoping for, they reach Konoha just as a new danger appears to threaten the Uzumaki. Heart‐broken and tired of fighting, will Ichigo be able to protect his sisters and his new home?

Bleach/Stargate

'Stardust' by Vathara What if some Alterans found another way to survive the Wraith? Five thousand years before the Stargate opens, contact with creatures of energy changes the way of life for an Alteran colony…

Card Captor Sakura/Harry Potter

'Cardcaptor Harry' by LunaStorm In which both Albus Dumbledore and Clow Reed would have done well to remember that there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in any philosophy… or predicted by the most imprecise branch of magic…

Doctor Who/Marvel

'Alien Taskforce' by TheSovereigntyofReality Just because S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers didn't listen to Tony after the Battle of New York, it doesn't mean no one did.

Downton Abbey/Marvel

'Tony Stark Meets an Extremely Unimpressed Time Traveler, or, Thomas Barrow Makes a Surprisingly Good 21st Century Butler' by Alex51324 In which Tony Stark ditches a boring party, makes an addition to the household staff, throws a much better party, and tries not to sexually harass his new butler.

Or, In which Thomas Barrow has a little trouble getting home from the pub, is generally unimpressed with many aspects of the 21st century, never thought of himself as a conservative dresser before, and may or may not be falling in lust with his new employer.

Gilmore Girls/Stargate

'Physics of the Spin' by Mhalachai Rory Gilmore always thought she was Christopher Hayden's daughter, but things are a little more complicated than that…

Good Omens/Supernatural

'Misfire' by VivatRex Crowley finds himself in another universe; Aziraphale goes to fetch him. In the meantime, Team Free Will has to figure out what to do with the 6,000 year old demon that won't stay in a devil's trap and keeps rooting through Dean's vinyl collection. Shenanigans ensue.

Gundam Wing/Naruto

'Worlds Apart' by Mieren Something went horribly wrong and Duo and Naruto are in the wrong worlds. Ninja vs technology. How could this possibly go wrong?

Harry Potter/Marvel

'Behind the Shield' by GeeEs It was a good thing the new scientist, Dr. Harry Evans, was working out so well. Because nothing else was going Fury's way. And that was before Loki made off with the Tesseract and some of his people. Maybe AU to Mortem Cantor by Kyandua.

'How Harry Failed to Conquer New York' by Impossible_Insanity

'I See The Moon' by hctiB‐notsoB While on the run, Bruce meets a young man who speaks to the moon. He's probably not quite the sanest friend Bruce could have made, but, well… beggars can't be choosers.

'Mischief's Heir' series by mad_fairy Mostly Harry Potter with the addition of Loki in the first parts

'Mortem Cantor' by Kyandua After losing everything he holds dear, Harry Potter is thrust into a new world; one with Superheroes and evil Villains that make Voldemort look like a kitten. Struggling to survive in this new world - and, meanwhile, gaining the attention of S.H.I.E.L.D. - he attempts to live a NORMAL life. But, he is Harry Potter after all... what could possibly go wrong?

'On Punching Gods and Absentee Dads' by Enigmaris Harry finds out that his dad is alive, has been the whole time. Instead of being overjoyed, Harry's disgusted. His dad left earth and abandoned his friends. Every painful thing he's ever gone through can be traced back to one man. Now Harry's got super strength he can't control and an almost unnecessary amount of magical power. His dad might be living it up with the Avengers now but not for long. With the help of his friends, Harry comes up with a plan for revenge. Get ready Avengers, Harry's out to punch a god.

'Safeguard' by esama The Chitauri invasion launches a whole new age – for everyone.

Inuyasha/Yu Yu Hakusho

'Devoted' by Ookami‐chan Loving someone means seeing to it that they receive nothing but the very best of care. In all things.

'Healing Soul' by Trelweny Rosephoenixwolf Canon, IY slightly alternate ending, BG blend but more manga than anime; YYH boys' last year of school but otherwise through series, anime only.

'By Any Other Name' by Deviant Nature Kagome's return after an unexplained, prolonged absence leaves her family with questions she refuses to answer except to assure that it's over. While she attempts to readapt to the present, Kurama is feeling the pressures of human society's expectations. But the solutions to his troubles aren't as straight‐forward as he had hoped. Note: Unrated version is on MediaMiner.net as 'Par Tout Autre Nom'

Harry Potter/Ranma 1/2

'Harry Hibiki and the Philosopher's Stone' by USA_Tiger On the night Voldemort attacks the Potter's home, a completely different person finds Harry before Sirius Black or Hagrid. Harry is found and adopted by Nerima's very own eternal lost boy Ryoga Hibiki! Soon Harry will be joining his classmates at Hogwarts but how will Hogwarts handle this kind of Harry? And how does it affect the prophecy, what is the 'power he knows not?

Harry Potter/Sherlock

'The Avalon Seven' by sifshadowheart Major Non‐Canon A/U, Harry is treated for abuse and massive injuries by John Watson as a John Doe. To help solve the mystery of the battered boy John calls in his partner Sherlock — whose father has much more information about his patient than John ever thought possible. Turning to an old acquaintance, Siger Holmes contacts the Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Wallace…Harry's rightful guardian.

First several chapters will be covering Pre‐Hogwarts years, story starts with Harry at age four so it'll be a while before any sort of slash or real conflict happens. Very political fic with lots of twists and turns. Because the plot‐bunnies won't leave me alone!

'Magnificent' by esama The birth of the Ministry of Magic and his relationship with the British Government.

'Whispers in Corners' by esama Everything started with a stumble — his new life in a new world as well as his surprisingly successful career as a medium.

Harry Potter/Sherlock/Star Trek

'Harder Choices' by sifshadowheart Post‐Avalon Seven A/U…a.k.a. This is what happens when plot‐bunnies start mating and multiplying.

Hadrian saves Earth…at a cost

Hetalia/Naruto

'An Englishman in Konoha' by pupeez4eva Itachi Uchiha is a strange child, who regularly converses with things no one else can see, drinks far too much tea, and has a strong and unyielding obsession with being the best big brother ever (or, in a world where England is reborn into the Naruto universe, Itachi ends up a little…different).

The Hobbit/Sherlock

'All Things Old and New' by teacup_of_doom All around the world, people are remembering past lives. Bilbo Baggins discovers that Tookish streaks can span lifetimes — and can have unintended, hilarious, consequences.

Katekyou Hitman Reborn!/Naruto

'Force of Nature' by Ramabear (RyMagnatar) He had died— honorably, he'd like to think, despite living as a villain and an assassin for over half a century— and that, as far as Xanxus had ever figured, would be the end of that. No heaven. No hell. Just life when you were breathing and nothingness when you stopped.

Except that it didn't, quite, turn out that way. Except he came back as the son of the kindest, sometimes saddest father in the world. In both worlds. A father that he knew, without a doubt, to be his flesh and blood. All at once, Xanxus had everything he'd wanted as a child. A home. A family. Stability. And he was going to fight like hell and beat down anyone who tried to take it from him, no matter what his age.

(In which Sakumo raises a son who speaks multiple languages from birth, all of them gibberish to the poor single father jounin, spits vulgarity with the same ease as he does his praise and burns with an unshakable determination to build himself a family that will not fall, no matter who or what is thrown against it.)

'Uchiha Kyōya' by Tsume_Yuki In a world where Fugaku has three sons, he wishes he'd stopped at the one. There's nothing wrong with the youngest, it's just…

The middle child.

Marvel/Sherlock

'In Which Neither Coulson nor Sherlock are Dead' by TheDullYellowEye … and John sort of joins the Avengers. While Coulson's recovering from being stabbed in the chest by a magical spear, Fury is rapidly running out of Agents willing to play babysitter for the newly founded Avengers. So he calls in Captain John Watson, late of the British Royal Army, and blogger and best friend to the infamously antisocial presumably deceased Sherlock Holmes.

Naruto/One Piece

'Lost Uzumaki' by Silver Dragonfly (lillikira) Shanks was used to strange meetings on the various islands of the Grand Line. However, this one was unusual even for the Grand Line. A Lost Uzumaki is found and Naruto has no plans of not becoming part of his family. (A Series of Snapshots about the finding of lost family.)

Naruto/Pern

'One World's Tragedy is Another World's ...Gain?' by Foodmoon Pern goes to hell in a handbasket. Ir'ca tries to rescue the future of dragonkind by being a thief and somehow ends up in the Land of Fire. It's probably a good thing Kakashi handed over the Hat a while back...

Naruto/Sherlock

'Deduction in Shadows' by GremlinSR Shikaku just wanted to finish his paperwork before lunch so he could squeeze in an afternoon nap. His plans are derailed by a six year old orphan when she sneaks into his office with proof that somebody has been kidnapping the children of Konoha and covering it up.

He never does end up getting that nap.

Or: A Holmes is reborn into the ninja village Konoha. Chaos ensues

Rise of the Guardians/Marvel

'Constellations of Old' by kuroi_atropos When the Man in the Moon recognizes Thor as a representative of Asgard, he decides to send the Guardians of Childhood to ask for help vanquishing the last of shadows, as well as a few other things he could use some help with.

'Winter Gods' by avearia The Guardians discover that, outside of Earth, many races actually worship Jack as a God. Meanwhile, the Avengers deal with the implications that come with an almighty spirit, otherworldly religions, and the revelation that Santa is real.

#fic recs #crossover fic recs

[transeliot]

You Keep Me Warm

Summary: Your average rainy day turned movie night fluff-filled fic.

Pairing: Roger Taylor x Reader x Robert Plant

Word count: ~1k

Author’s Note: Hello there! I’ve been writing again. Here is my gift for the one and only @smittyjaws for @yourlocalmusicalprostitute‘s Possessed By Love event! I’m so sorry I’m so late, my love, but I hope you enjoy this!

-------------------

“Hey, wait up!” Roger’s voice rang out, cutting through the pitter-patter of the rain. You turned to see him jogging towards you from the dry haven that was the studio. Holding his leather jacket up over his head like a tarp made him look positively ridiculous, and not unlike a vampire hiding beneath their cloak.

“What do you think you’re doing?” You asked, biting back a laugh.

“I think a better question would be what do you think you’re doing? Running off with the last umbrella like that,” Roger said, letting his jacket fall back onto his shoulders as he tucked himself against your side in an attempt to stay dry.

“Well maybe if you had brought an umbrella this morning like I told you…”

Roger waved off the suggestion and instead wrapped an arm around your waist. “Why would I bother if I knew you’d come prepared?” He offered a toothy grin before pressing a quick kiss to your cheek. “Besides, I’m done dealing with that lot for the day anyways.”

“Really? But it was going so well,” you said with a grin, trying not to laugh as you thought about the petty arguments of the day which had ultimately led to little-to-no progress on the record. If anyone was able to waste an entire day in the studio because they did nothing but bicker, it was those four.

“Yeah, well, we’ll sort it out later,” Roger said and shrugged.

The rain started to really pick up just as you made it to the front stoop of your building. The breeze was chilly as it blew the rain at a slight angle, dampening your clothes even under the umbrella. It was just enough to make you shiver and press up against Roger just a little more. When you just stood outside the door and made no move to open it, Roger stared at you.

“What?” You returned his expectant gaze, eyebrow arching. 

“You going to open the door, then?”

“Don’t you have a set of keys?”

Roger faltered a moment. “No, I haven’t got my keys. I thought you would.”

You rolled your eyes and handed off the umbrella to Rog. “That’s a bold risk. You are so lucky I remembered.” After rummaging through your pockets for a couple minutes, you were able to produce the key, and the two of you stumbled inside and out of the rain.

Your boots on the tiled floors squeaked loudly underfoot for the length of the hall until you reached your flat.

“I, for one, am freezing. So I’m going to change into some pajamas if you’d like to join me,” you announced as you pushed the door open and shrugged off your jacket.

“Oh, good call,” Roger agreed and followed you down the hall. You both changed into warmer, more comfortable clothes and Roger slid his arms around your waist, pressing a kiss to the back of your neck.

“Movie night?”

“Definitely,” You said with a nod. “But only if I get to choose the movie!”

Roger laughed on his way to the kitchen, undoubtedly to retrieve snacks for tonight’s adventure. “Choose wisely!”

“Don’t I always?” You called back before hopping on the couch and folding your legs under you. He had to know what movie you had in mind, because the two of you had been debating its pros and cons earlier that week.

Roger came back a few minutes later with a bowl of popcorn and a couple boxes of candy in hand. When he saw the title screen paused on the TV his eyes widened.

“Fellowship of the Ring? We’re really going to watch Lord of the Rings without Robert? That’s just cold.”

“He’ll get over it,” you said with a shrug and pulled Roger over to sit on the couch. 

“Oh my god, how are you still so warm?” You sighed as you leaned into his side and snuggled closer, wrapping a blanket around both of your shoulders. The chill from the rain earlier was still settled deep in your bones.

“It’s because I’m so hot,” he reasoned with a grin. He glanced down at you and gave a quick wink.

“Mmhmm, that must be it.” You could feel the corners of your mouth pulling up into an identical grin. A strand of hair had fallen from Roger’s mane of blond and you reached up to tuck it behind his ear before pulling him down for a gentle kiss.

“I love you.”

“I love you too. Thanks for remembering the umbrella today, love.”

“And the keys,” you added.

“And the keys.” Roger agreed.

------------------

I will take the ring to Mordor! 

You couldn’t help but grin at the astonished faces on screen as Frodo volunteered. You’d seen it plenty of times but it never failed to make you smile. But alas the moment was then interrupted by the sound of the front door.

Roger scowled as he scrambled to pause the movie. “Great timing you’ve got.”

“What? You’re not happy to see me?” Robert grinned and his teeth shone almost as bright as his hair in the dim light of the entryway. His smile faded as he made his way over to the living room though, and was quickly replaced with an expression of horror.

“You traitors!”

“Hey, that’s a strong word-” you tried to argue but Roger cut you off.

“I told her it was a bad idea to watch it without you!” 

“Well just throw me under the bus, why don’t you!” You gave Roger a light shove and pulled the blanket away. “That’s it, you lost your blanket privileges.”

Robert let out a laugh, watching you turn on each other. “Did you at least save me any popcorn?”

“Rog was just getting up to make more, weren’t you Rog?” You gave him a nudge and a pointed look. He pouted, but didn’t bother to argue and instead got up to go make some more popcorn for the three of you.

“Don’t forget the extra butter!” Robert called after him before stealing his spot on the couch. You laughed before snuggling up to Robert and pulling him close. Not long after, Roger returned and sat down on the opposite end of the couch next to Robert and started the movie up again. 

Oh yeah, you could get used to this.

#possessed by love #possessed by love event #smittyjaws #My writing #queen fic #rog fic #roger taylor fic #roger taylor x reader #roger taylor x you #plus a little surprise at the end #shameless use of lotr #robert plant x reader #roger taylor x reader x robert plant #r2j #kind of

[katedrakeohd]

After the Rain

(Wacky Drabbles #51)

On a drizzly grey, February morning, Drake is in his closet picking out clothes for his morning workout. The renovations to the basement gym facilities were finally complete and he was anxious to try them out. The former Duchess of Valtoria had been an eccentric woman and an exotic animal collector. Along with her menagerie of wild animals she had also kept an alligator pool under the manor. Thankfully the gators had been relocated after one had tried to escape. After the old Duchess died, the pool was drained and that part of the building had been closed off for safety reasons.

Drake missed having access to the Royal Palace’s training gym and swimming pool and upon hearing about the available space under the manor he couldn't wait to make an exercise gym of their own. And with an indoor pool no less. Kate was sceptical that Drake could make the dudgeon-like, former reptile habitat into anything useful, and being pregnant she had other priorities. But she promised Drake that once the necessary baby proofing of the upper part of the manor was completed, he could pursue his own project.

Once Drake was dressed in his sweats and running shoes, he packed a towel, his bathing suit, extra t-shirt, shorts and phone into his duffel bag. He wasn't sure yet what kind of workout he was going to do, but wanted to keep his options open. On his way out of the closet with his bag, he hears the sound of a notification coming from his phone. He pulls it out of the pocket to check. It's a weather report:

⛈ Heavy rain, and possible thunder showers are expected in Valtorian County for the afternoon of Thursday, February 13th.

Drake frowns, knowing that Kate suffered from anxiety about thunderstorms. He decides to ask her if she wanted to come along with him, so she wouldn't be alone. Or if she wanted him to stay to keep her company. Turning the corner and walking into the bedroom, Drake finds Kate sitting up in bed with a nest of blankets all around her. To him she looked adorable with her hair piled up on her head in a messy bun, wearing his pyjama shirt with the long sleeves rolled up to her elbows. She had a magazine open in front of her and was sipping a cup of tea. When he approaches the bed, she looks up with a smile, “Don't you look all sporty, off to wrestle some gators down in the dungeon?”

Drake laughs, setting his bag on the corner of the bed and leaning down to kiss her on the cheek. “It's hardly a dungeon anymore. Why don't you come with me and I can show you the improvements we've made?”

Kate carefully leans over to set her tea cup on the end table, trying not to tumble out of bed, her large belly made her top heavy. “I'll pass for now. Take some pictures of what our new gym looks like. I'm hoping it's more spa like, and less stone walls, chains and rocks for weight lifting.”

Drake shakes his head, placing his hands on his hips “Who do I look like to you, an orc from the depths of Mordor? I know we live in a stone house that looks medieval, but come on, I can accomplish something a lot more modern than that.”

Kate looks Drake up and down in his sweat pants, and t-shirt that accentuated the swell of his biceps and showed off his hairy forearms, thick wrists and strong hands. She knew how much he loved to show off the physical results of his daily workouts. He may have adopted the cushy life of a Duke, but he refused to let himself appear soft and weak because of it. Knowing this though, Kate can't help but tease him a little after his Lord of the Rings reference.

“Definitely not an orc, but with that shaggy hair and those big feet of yours you could pass for a tall hobbit.”

Drake snorts with a smirk, picking up his bag, “Just for that I'm not inviting you to spend Breakfast with me later.”

Kate giggles, “Not even second Breakfast?”

“Nope,” he attempts to frown but can't, raising his chin to hide a mischievous grin on his way to the door. He drops the act as Kate goes back to her magazine, “All goofing aside, it's going to rain all day and there's a chance of thunder. Are you going to be Ok if I'm not around once the rumbling starts?”

Kate smiles, her eyes shining with gratitude, “I'll be fine, thanks honey. Hana is coming over to keep me company, and have a girls day with me. If the thunder gets too loud I'll just use the noise canceling headphones you gave me. Go get all buff and sexy, and I'll see you later.”

Drake turns back from the door to crawl across the bed to give Kate another kiss before he leaves. When she leans into him, and wraps her arms around his neck, he reluctantly pulls back, whispering, “Or maybe I'll skip the workout and stay here.”

Kate smooths the hair back from his face and traces the shell of his ear with her fingers. She enjoys the way his eyes darken as he lifts his eyebrow and gazes back at her, accepting her touch as an invitation to stay. She playfully traces his bottom lip with her thumb, as he leans in for another kiss. He avoids her mouth and kisses the side of her neck instead, causing her to cringe and giggle at the tickling of his lips on her skin. “But Hana…” she squirms, as Drake works on unbuttoning her top.

Drake kicks off his shoes, pushing the magazines to the side, as he moves over to straddle Kate's knees. She places her hands on his shoulders in an attempt to push him back as he leans forward to press a kiss to her lips and lean her toward the headboard. He braces his hands on the headboard on either side of her head, and she shakes her head with a grin. “She's going to be here any minute.”

“I only need another minute…or two.” He chuckles, sitting back to finish unbuttoning her top. When her shirt falls open he grins at how her full breasts rest on top of her full belly. He leans in again and Kate sighs, dropping her hands to her sides. Expecting him to bury his face in her breasts, she's pleasantly surprised when he delicately cradles her belly and kisses it instead. “Baby needs kisses goodbye too.”

Kate strokes his hair as he places little butterfly kisses all over her belly, murmuring sweet nothings to the baby. “Daddy can't wait to meet you…Give me a little wiggle if you can hear me…hehe I felt that. Daddy loves you."

Happy tears mist Kate's eyes as Drake caresses gently with his thumbs and she feels their baby move. “Someone else is eager to meet Daddy.” she whispers.

There's a gentle knocking at the bedroom door, and Kate blinks, wiping at her eyes. “Time to go.” She smiles, laying her hand on Drake's cheek.

He sits up and gives Kate one last kiss before climbing off the bed, “I'll go let her in.”

Drake grabs his bag, and shoves his feet back into his shoes as the knocking comes again. “Coming,” he calls out.

Kate hears Drake and Hana exchange quiet “Good mornings,” and quickly pulls her shirt back together managing a couple of buttons. She sits back up in bed just in time to see Hana wheel a Breakfast trolley in with various sweet and savoury offerings, along with a pot of tea. On the bottom of the trolley is a basket of magazines, along with a basket of various beauty supplies for their Girls Day.

Drake quietly slips out the door with a wink to Kate, and then closes the door behind him.

“Good morning, Kate!” Hana bubbles with enthusiasm, as she leans in to give her a hug.

“Hi, sweety.” Kate answers, hugging her back.

Hana scampers over to pull a chair over to the side of the bed, to sit down. “Ready for Happy Friends Day?”

Kate frowns slightly and glances at the heart shaped cookies and red, white and pink themed items on the trolley. “Oh yeah, tomorrow is Valentine's Day. I can't believe you remembered to do all of this for us today.”

Kate couldn't believe she had forgotten that tomorrow was Valentine's Day. This was going to be their first Valentine's Day together, and she had totally forgotten a gift for Drake.

@julychoiceschallenge #Day14-Love

#wacky drabbles #drake x kate #drake walker #Valtorian Chronicles #july choices challenge #love

[ladyideal]

Garden of Love

Pairing: Aragorn x Queen!Reader

Word Count: 1623

Warnings: some curse words, but all fluff

Request/Summary: You also mentioned writing a drabble for Aragorn, don’t know if you’ve got ideas for that but maybe something along the lines of Aragorn comforting the reader’s insecurities about being Queen? I’m a sucker for realistic fiction and angst as you can probably tell lol. Perhaps the reader isn’t high-born like Aragorn or despises the idea of being in a very public position, as monarchs are expected to. by the anon

A/n: honestly, this took a longer than I hoped to finish. So all of yall go thank @asraime or this wouldn't have come out in time... or less of a disaster zone. First time writing Aragorn, think gonna need some work.

"Now come the days of the king. May they be blessed." Gandalf announced, delicately adoring Aragorn's head with the crown.

"This day does not belong to one man but to all. Let us together rebuild this world… that we may share in the days of peace," The newly crowned king of the reunited kingdoms spoke to the crowd in front of him.

You stood beside Eowyn, who stood beside Faramir, the now Captain of the White Tower, and cheered along with the people. As the king stood, you and the crowd bowed before him. In a few days, your union with him would be a solid four years, and even longer as friends. 

As a Ranger, you spent a good portion of the time with him, befriending Isildur's heir wherever he went. Before long, he had asked to court you. Being on the constant move in the North, there were lots to learn. 

He didn't care how low of a status you were, or how your father became the laughingstock of the kingdom. No, all he cared was you and your heart.

Time passed and soon, he was called to the Council of Elrond. Something evil was lurking in Mordor, an unmistakable force that would soon threaten the survival of the rest of the Middle Earth. Not wanting to tempt fate, he wed you the next day.

It was a hasty ceremony, no pomp or extravagance. Perfect for your liking, in your opinion. Your family and the handful of friends witnessed the brief happy time. There would be no time for honeymoon, as Lord Elrond sent a raven, asking him to return to Rivendell. Whatever would be agreed upon by the council and the half elf, meant that your husband would be taken away from you.

You were right.

On the eve Aragorn left to destroy the Ring with the rest of the Fellowship, you made him swear that he would come back safe and sound, and very much alive. Selfish, but you loved him deeply like no one else. He, in turn, made you swear that you would not follow him into the fires of Mordor, that it was too dangerous, that if something had happened to you, he would never forgive himself.

Thankfully, the Valars answered your prayers.

A pair of shoes appeared in front, and a pair of hands gently grasped your forearms, yanking you out of your thoughts.

"My love," Your husband spoke as you straightened up. "You have stayed by my side for as long as I can remember. Gondor has a King, but a king himself can not rule alone."

You held your breath as he paused, a faint smile on his face. 

"Gondor needs her Queen, to rule, to love, to take care of," Slowly he knelt onto one knee in front of you, adoration melting your apprehension. "And you are her."

All eyes turned to you, and in that brief silence, you knew that there was no backing out of this. You had married him, knowing full well that one day he would take his rightful place as King of Gondor. In front of everyone, you agreed to him with a shy nod.

"My lord," Javes strode forward, a silver bundle in his hands.

You watched as Aragorn turned to the man, and gently pulled on the ribbon that kept the package together. As the fabric fell to either side, a silver circlet glinted faintly in the sunlight. 

With a smile, Aragorn lifted it up from its resting place and turned back to you. Biting your lower lip, you knelt down in front of him, and bowed your head.

"My love, my wife, I have loved you since we first met as Rangers. I loved you as we scoured the land, fighting off the orcs and the darkness of Mordor. I loved you even more as you stayed behind in Gondor, while I traveled with the Fellowship across Middle Earth to fight against the forces of evil," Your husband announced. "I knew then that I wanted, needed you by my side for as long as I live. Y/N, so many years we have spent learning how to care of our people. Now we can finally put that to use, and rule together for the better of the kingdom."

Delicately, he lowered the circlet onto your head. You briefly shivered at the touch of the cold metal, but smiled in relief when the sun's warmth made it bearable. Grasping your hands in his, your husband brought you back up to your feet.

"King Aragorn and Queen Y/N!" 

Weeks went by, as you directed rebuilding of Gondor back to its former glory, spending countless hours pouring into making plans and keeping friendly ties with the other kingdoms that remained in Middle Earth.

As the new Queen of Gondor, you were busy. While Aragorn attended dozens of meetings, you were glad you were able to pull from past experience to help out your people. Taking stock of what was left, you dispatched farmers with grains, vegetables, and other raw goods from other kingdoms, promising them a quarter back of the revenue for their help. 

You brought in knowledgeable merchants, blacksmiths, and others from the corners of Middle Earth to bring their skill trades to the kingdom. There was nothing you wouldn't do for the benefit of your people.

Until the rumors reached your ears.

She is that daughter. Not fit to be queen. King Aragorn made a mistake. A whore, a slut. 

Behind your turned back, whispers of your lower status spread as fast as wildfire. Somehow, someone had dug out your past, a daughter of a bakery owner with the largest cheating scandal Gondor had ever seen. You escaped from that then to become a Ranger of the North, but the past was never meant to be shut away.

Seduced the King.

Groups of attendants gathered together in numbers of two, three, even four. The echoing halls left no room for error. Each hurried whisper bounced discordantly along the hallway, only stopping when you were within sight.

No noble blood.

Every pair of eyes sized you up, silently dressing you down for even existing. They had curtsied still out of respect, but you knew better. The eyes always gave away their thoughts.

Not good enough to be queen.

As you turned the corner, every judgemental stare lingered behind your back. And for the first time in your new home, there was no warmth emitting from the hearths. You tried to ignore it, you really did.

But as the whispers grew louder, and the words became bolder, you had enough. In an effort to avoid spilling your tears in public, you had abruptly left during one of your meetings with the treasury.

Instead of facing the problem, you promptly fled from the halls of your new home, away from all the whispers and the uncomfortable glances at your direction. You weren't fit to be of noble blood, much less to be queen. 

Blindly wiping tears away with the back of a hand, you hurried towards your garden. The plot of land was small, but you didn't care. Beautiful marigolds bloomed on the sidelines, vibrant blues and purple morning glories waved in the soft breeze, and snapdragons eagerly opened their petals. A small circle of lilies dotted in the center.

Slowing to a stop, you sat within the wooden swing, gently swirling your fingers through each and every flower that grew under your careful care. For a moment, you busied yourself into picking the surrounding weeds, and watering the rainbow assortments of flowers. 

It didn't take long before Aragorn came looking for you. 

"I notice, you know," A familiar voice spoke, stilling your hand. "What they say, how they act. Have you forgotten what I've said when we started courting?"

You frowned, staring at an unopened flower bud struggling to bloom. "I don't-."

"Let me remind you."

"I can't, Aragorn, I can't do this," You cried out instead, standing up abruptly. "I'm not of noble blood, I'm not fit to be queen. You've chosen the wrong person! I'm just a nobody, there are others that far deserve this power than I do. You hear what they say. I can't do this."

He took your hands in one of his. Gently, he tipped your chin upwards so that your eyes met. "The hardships in your past have made you, you. You can not control what you were born into, but you can shape your future into a better one."

"Aragorn, I can be your wife. I can be whatever you want me to be, but I can not be your queen. My father-."

"What your father has done, is his own undoing in his life. However, it does not define yours, Y/N," Your husband spoke, wiping a stray tear away with the pad of a thumb. "Let them talk, let them whisper all they want. Gondor does not have the time for the gossip when there are buildings to be repaired, family to be consoled, and the dead to be honored."

You broke the gaze, staring back down at your quaint garden, not knowing how to respond. 

"Aragorn, I-."

"No, Y/N. Your actions speak louder than words," He folded you into a hug, and gently squeezed you. "Let them gossip, but they'll see the truth for themselves. If you wish, I'll let them go."

"No, no. Let them stay. They need the money for their own families. I'll be okay, Aragorn," You pressed the side of your head against his chest, and peered up at him. "I just need some time to myself. Can you get off early tonight?"

"Of course, my dear, anything for you."

Reads Everything: @mournthewicked @asraime @aspiring-ginger

Taglist still open for those interested!

#aragorn #aragorn x reader #reader insert #lotr #lotr fanfic #lotr fandom #tolkien #deb writes

[rosa-berberifolia]

The Long Haul|LOTR x Reader|Eomer x Reader - Part 2

A/N: Part 2 of maybe...4? 5? 4? 5? Not sure. Again, the last time I reader the books was like a decade ago, so please dont be upset with me when things arent canon.

Warnings: blackish magicy type stuff kinda, violence, and everything that entails, mentions of death.

Word count: 2200 +\- 100

You met with Lord Elrond and other members of his council, and a Hobbit named Frodo presented the one ring. Among the group of people at the meeting there were two people that you knew and trusted. Aragorn, and Gandalf the Grey. When they volunteered to be a part of the group to help destroy the ring, you immediately jumped to join as well, wanting to protect your friends.

You became rather close with all members of the group. Especially Legolas and Gimli. They, along with Aragorn and yourself had become separated from the rest of the group after the deaths of Gandalf and Boromir. You mourned for your friends, but knew that Merry and Pippin needed saving. So you let Frodo and Sam go while you four went after the Urukhai that captured the other two hobbits. 

The next time you saw Eomer, you didn’t realize it was him until it was too late. You were too far off to get to him before he left. A group of men on horses traveled passed your group. Aragorn signaled for you to stay back and attack from afar should the situation call for it.

You were so far away, perched on a rock that when Eomer took off his helmet you didn’t have a good view of his face, and only recognized him by his voice towards the end of the conversation between him and Aragorn. You only recognized him went he went to get back on his horse and he and his men rode north.

The disappointment that flooded you was insurmountable. You secretly dreamed of seeing him again. Of feeling his lips on yours again. Even though you knew he was a lord and had no business being with someone like you. You still dreamed of such things.

///

Aragorn had returned from battle, bloodied and bruised, but also, with news of impending doom. You followed Gandalf to the stables. You knew he planned to ride north to try to find Eomer and his men. But even though he was a wizard, the chances of him finding Eomer and convincing him to come were small, given how Eomer had described a white wizard - no doubt Sauraman - Eomer probably wouldn’t believe a word out of Gandalf’s mouth. But perhaps if he saw you there, and you vouched for Gandalf? Maybe then Eomer would believe and they would reach Helm’s Deep in time. Gandalf agreed and in a moment you were behind him on Shadowfax.

///

“Eomer, we must ride south to Helm’s Deep to aid your Uncle.” Gandalf said.

“And why would I believe the cunning white wizard who sends men to attack the lands of Rohan?” Eomer asked aggressively. 

Then you leaped from the back of Gandalf’s horse. You immediately saw Eomer’s face change from defensive to surprised and then to hurt. The look confused you. What had you done...or not done since your last meeting.

“If you don’t believe him then believe me, Eomer.” You declared as you started closer to him. Eomer dismounted from his horse and took off his helmet. He started walking towards you with a foul glare in his eye. It stabbed you in the heart to see him look at you this way. Though perhaps it was better that he come to dislike you and leave you be than for the two of you to catch feelings for one another. You tried to push these thoughts aside. It was better in the long run and there were more pressing matters to attend to.

“Your Uncle is well again, Eomer. Grima has been expelled from Rohan. And ten thousand orcs march towards Helm’s Deep and your defenseless people. Don’t tell me you would leave them to this horrible fate?” Your voice grew quieter as you became closer to Eomer, so that only he could hear.

“I tried to find you.” Eomer said coldly as he reached you. Is that why he was so cruelly looking at you? 

“I-I’ve been away.” You said as if it wasn’t obvious.”I’ve been on an important mission.” You gazed apologetically at Eomer and he tried to judge whether or not you actually meant it. You weren’t sure what he had chosen. After a moment he turned around and started walking back towards his horse. Then he stopped and looked back at you and motioned for you to join him.

“Rohirrim!” He started to address his men. “We ride for Helm’s Deep, and to battle!” He said, putting on his helmet. You came to where he was and he got on his horse and held out his hand for you. You took it and he pulled you up to sit behind him.

///

“Why were you trying to find me?” You asked quietly during a break for the horses.

“Theodred. My cousin.” Eomer looked sadly at the ground. “He was wounded in a battle with orcs. I tried to find you so you might be able to heal him.” Then he looked up at you. His eyes were full of hurt and anger. “I could not find you.”

You sighed and gathered your thoughts before you replied. “I was called upon by Lord Elrond. The One Ring has been found.” 

Eomer’s face shot up in surprise. A look of almost hope dawned his features. “Where is it?” he asked.

“It is being taken to Mordor to be destroyed.”

“By who?”

You had to pause to laugh a little. The whole thing being explained to someone else sounded ridiculous. Two hobbits against the world? Yikes. “Their names are Frodo and Sam.” You said deciding to save the whole hobbits bit for a later time. Then you were interrupted by one of Eomer’s men.

“My Lord. We should continue.” The man said. Eomer turned his head and nodded to the man before turning back to you.

“And you were accompanying them?”  He asked getting up. You followed.

“Yes, but we were separated. I am with the three you found the other day. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli.”

“Why did I not see you there?”

“I was farther back on perch in case something went wrong.”

Before you got onto the horse again Eomer stopped you, turning towards you. He sighed and looked down at you. He sweetly ran the back of his hand against your hair. “I had missed you.” He said quietly under his breathe. The smile that erupted onto your face was embarrassingly large. You looked down to try to conceal the blush that crept onto your cheeks. Biting your lip you look back at him.

“I have missed you too.” You confessed. It was Eomer’s turn to smile and blush. The two of you grew closer and closer together until your lips were mere centimeters apart.

“Eomer! Y/n!” Gandalf got your attention from the other side of your horse. “We must leave at once if we are to make it!”

You and Eomer giggled at Gandalf’s timing. You pulled away and got on the horse and rode towards Helm’s Deep.

///

You were just on the other side of Helm’s Deep. You could hear the clattering and clanking of swords and the grunting of men, elf, and orc who fought. You grew nervous.

“Y/n,” Eomer started to say to you as Gandalf gave a rousing speech to the men. “You should stay behind. Its not safe for a lady.”

“Then I guess its a good thing I’m not a lady.” You said with a hint of amusement in your tone. Then Gandalf came towards you. 

“Get ready Y/n. We will need your help if we are to win this.” He stated. You jumped off of the horse and walk a way in front of the men.

You knew exactly what you could do to help them. But it would mean using your black magic. And if you were to use that, it would much easier for your father to sense where you were. But you supposed you would have to use it sooner or later. And sooner or later your father was going to figure out where you are. It would be worth it if you could do anything to help stop Sauran and Sauraman.

“Funnel the horses through my sigil.” You said before turning to look at Eomer again. He did not know of your lineage, but he was sure to learn in a moment. You were certain that once he saw how dark you actually were he would no longer want you. And while it hurt thinking that you would never feel his touch again, you knew that you would have to sacrifice some of the things you wanted if we were to win this war. And in your head you knew that it could never be between you two either because he was a Lord and you were from scum. You put all of this behind you and you focused on casting the dark spells you needed to.

“Avo alnej, startok.”[1] You said as you held your arm up to the sky. In a tiny flash of lightning and a boom of thunder, a crow appeared and landed on your arm. Then you quickly grabbed it by the neck. In your other hand you unsheathed your dagger.

“May latob kibum maprog ulub.”[2] Another spell left your lips, and you drove your knife into the crow’s belly and you drug it down. You put the knife away and then used the crow’s blood to draw a sigil on the ground. You made it large so that a few horses could go through at a time. When you were finished you stood just outside of the sigil and held crow up to the sky and the sigil you had drawn started to glow.

“Baj it zahal.”[3] You declared with the crow held high. With your arms still in the air you looked at Eomer. He had a look of horror on his face. He watched you with offensive concern. It nearly killed you. At least you could do this for him. You looked to Gandalf and nodded.

“Everyone must go through this sigil. Both man and beast. Do it now!” He demanded and looked at Eomer. Eomer looked to his men and nodded, signaling that they should do as the wizard said. And so they did.

///

The battle had ended and not a Rohirrim was lost. Unfortunately the other people of Rohan had been massacred. At the end you immediately went to help the healers. After you were able to find all of the things you needed for a dark healing spell, and Gandalf and the King talked the people there into letting you cast a dark spell, you got to work readying a space for it.

“Would you ever have told me that you were a fell beast, or were you going to keep me under your spell?” Eomer’s angry voice resonated in the room you were preparing. You thought that something like this might happen. You were kind of hoping that maybe he would just shun you and not come yelling at you. No such luck. It took a second for you to process what had just happened.

“You never asked me what I am.” You replied bluntly. Why should he get to be made at you? It’s not like you lied to him. He never asked. “And I never put you under a spell.” You clarified with hostility.

He looked bewildered for a moment at your stony attitude before he set a glare at you, then shaking his head and leaving. Eomer closed the door loudly behind himself.

“It was all she ever knew. And she has been making up for her mistakes. Don’t be too hard on her.” Aragorn stated to Eomer as he made to go down the hallway. Eomer cocked his head in question. “She’s saved my life more times than I’d care to admit.” Aragorn added and then walked down the opposite direction from where Eomer was going.

///

Days later and the people of Rohan were leaving Helm’s Deep and making their way back to Edoras. You were walking beside a cart pulling people’s things. Eomer was walking as well having given his horse to help the elderly and sick. He caught your attention when he came up behind you.

“I owe you an apology.” His deep voice carried in the wind making you look back. You stopped and furrowed your eyebrows at him. “And I suppose if I had such a secret, I wouldn’t have shared it either.” You started walking again when he was beside you.

“I’m trying to be better.” You said smally. “I’m trying to make up for the things that I’ve done.”

“There is no need to explain.” Eomer said with an almost guilty face and his gaze glanced over to where Aragorn and Eowyn walked together. You sighed in a defeated manner and shook your head. Of course it was Aragorn who gave him details about you.

Shyly you looked back up to him, judging his sincerity.

“I am sorry for yelling at you.” He stated calmly. It made you smile a little. And then he smiled back at you, a small, sheepish smile. You were so enthralled with him that you hand’t notice him move his hand. So when you felt his skin on yours, and then the gentle squeeze of his fingers entwined with yours, it made you jump. And your jump made him chuckle. 

When you didn’t pull away his smile grew. He said nothing. He raised your hand in his to his lips and he placed a soft kiss on your knuckles. You blushed while he put your hands back down. Just because you could never end up with him doesn’t mean that for now you can’t hold his hand for a little bit, right?

----

Tags:

@ladyideal​

@merrillbee92​

----

Translations:

[1] To me, crow

[2] May your life protect theirs

[3] Make it so

#eomer x reader #eomer imagine #eomer reader insert #lord of the rings imagine #lord of the rings x reader #lord of the rings reader insert

[zevthejewitch]

Merry woke up feeling rather groggy. It was hot in the apartment though it was relatively cool in front of the fan. Peony had woken him up several times in the night. He was never quite sure why. Perhaps she didn’t understand that he also needed to sleep and that he couldn’t play with her whenever she wanted. For now, though, Peony was resting on her scratching post-turned-bed. Merry looked at his phone and saw the time read 12:30. Not the best, not the worst, he thought. He had been trying to set his sleep schedule earlier for months. And the sad truth was going to bed at 2 am and waking up at 12:30 was earlier than usual. Pippin wasn’t helping in that department. He usually went to bed around 3, 4, or even 5 and would get up whenever. The late night labs certainly contributed to this but Pippin had always been a night owl so it had never bothered him. All in all, probably the one with the healthiest sleep schedule was Peony.

The Men of Minas Tirith (and of most of Middle Earth from what Merry gathered in his limited experience) would wake up at ungodly hours. Merry knew several men and women who boasted of waking up at 5 am. Still he had met a few others who woke up at the unbelievable hour of 3 am. What’s the point of waking up in the middle of the night, Merry thought, you might as well say they’re staying up later than the rest of us. But Merry felt a twinge of guilt for not being like the others. That was a wound that his mother often put salt in. The idea that everybody had their life together more than Merry. Everyone worked harder. Everyone was smarter and more efficient. Only Merry stood out as so particularly inferior. The hobbit shook his head: enough of these thoughts!

He got off the bed and rather regretted it. He felt awful. But he made his way into the living room. Pippin wasn’t on the couch so he didn’t have to be as careful about being quiet. Although it seemed that Pippin could sleep through an earthquake. Merry put some toast in the toaster and looked out the window. The sun was shining its light across the landscape beautifully. It came in at an angle and the reflections and shadows played in the yellow-green leaves. Beyond the tree, his tree, he could see the Fields of Pelennor. There were alternating patches of gold and deep green. Beyond that were the mountains of Mordor. Merry liked to imagine he was looking directly at the trail he and Pippin had climbed the previous week. The mountains now held a more special place in his heart than they already had.

Pop! Merry had a mini heart attack and turned back to his toast. He had originally thought of putting either honey or jam on it, but he realized he was hungrier than that. He set to making some scrambled eggs. “Well that’s unusual,” said a voice suddenly from behind him. Merry let out a yelp. “G-d, Pippin, please don’t sneak up on me like that.” Merry implored. “Oh, sorry,” Pippin said, “I didn’t think about your PTSD. I’ll try to do better next time.” “Thanks,” Merry breathed. “Anyway, what’s so unusual?” he demanded, straightening up. “Oh just that you’re actually cooking something,” Pippin answered. “Pippin, please, I don’t need this right now” “What’s wrong?” “I just...don’t appreciate being reminded I never cook. Like, I know ok” Pippin hadn’t realized he would strike such a raw nerve with his words. He felt bad about startling his friend as well. Merry turned back to his eggs and took them off the stove. “I’m sorry, Merry,” he said earnestly, “I shouldn’t have made fun of you for cooking. I won’t do it again. Can you forgive me?” Merry turned to his friend. “Thanks for apologizing, Pippin. I forgive you. But I just...I need some space right now,” he said, feeling a bit guilty. “Of course!” Pippin replied. Merry figured Pippin wanted to eat soon so he grabbed his toast and eggs and stepped outside onto the balcony.

Merry was mad at himself for being upset. But he was also trying to work on speaking up about things that bothered him and determined that this was just an uncomfortable step of the growing process. And why is everything startling you today, he asked himself exasperatedly. Having PTSD was a pain because he knew he shouldn’t be startled by a thing but he was. His body was on high alert, expecting danger at every turn. Even when as far as he knew he was alone in the house with his close friend and cat. Did I even have any right to criticize Pippin, he thought. After all, he was right, and I’m sure he just thought he was being playful. But he caught himself again: I’m allowed to have feelings even if those feelings inconvenience others. Or, at least, he was pretty sure. Maybe he had heard it somewhere.

Merry put the eggs on his toast and took a bite. He had come across this way of eating toast when he was on a trip to the southernmost point of Harad. This was long before Peony or Pippin were in his life. It was even before Jamie. He was fascinated with the culture of South Harad. He missed the great, spicy food and the kind people. He missed the bright colors everywhere--mostly in the clothes of the women there. At the time, Merry also dressed in those clothes. However, since he was the only hobbit around and one of the few most Haradrim had ever seen he didn’t exactly blend in as hoped. He came across eggs and toast on the grounds of a palace (more of a large house really) in a small but influential city just inland behind the mountains. The city had once been the home of one of the greatest fighters and leaders in all of South Harad’s history.

It had been awhile since Merry had thought much about his trip to Harad. He had spent about three months there years ago. He hoped to go back there again. As his real self. And maybe with a friend. Merry finished his breakfast and looked out again. He saw the banner of Gondor fluttering in the breeze on a lower wall. It had a white tree with stars and a crown surrounding it against a dark blue background. In the distance, thankfully not directly below him, he could hear shouts and the quiet whirr of cars as they drove past. Sounds that the city was very much alive and awake this afternoon. And he could hear that blasted ice cream truck again. How many times?? How many times must it circle the block, Merry lamented desperately. He had really had enough of this and determined to go back inside at least to put his plate away.

Merry turned around to see Peony standing at attention in front of the balcony door. He stealthily slid by her, not allowing her to escape, and put his plate away. Pippin was playing a video game in his room. He was sitting on the floor in front of his bed facing the door. He found video games were a good way to not think of much of anything and with his anxiety, that was a true blessing. “Dammit!” Merry heard him shout from the next room. Merry didn’t know the first thing about video games. His parents had never bought any for him and when he did occasionally play one, he felt dizzy and didn’t much see the point of them. But as a result he did feel like he was lacking a useful, fun coping strategy that all his friends and acquaintances his age used. And so he felt left out if it ever came up--though it was not something he’d ever bother anyone else with.

It was getting on towards 1:30 and Merry realized he needed to be at Boromir’s office by 2. The boy dashed into his room, got dressed, brushed his teeth, and made sure Peony had enough food and water for the day. Then he knocked on his friend’s door. “Yeah? Come in” Pippin called.

“I’m just heading out now to do some research for Boromir. I’ll see you tonight”

“Ok, have a good time!”

“Thanks, love you”

“Love you too”

Merry smiled, closed the door behind him, and made his way out the front door.

The University campus was at the highest point of the city. One could walk it, but it was far easier and faster to take the gondola. Merry went down the side street, turned onto the main thoroughfare and came to the gondola’s green line station. There was a decent sized line ahead of him, but the cable cars came so quickly and continuously he knew he wouldn’t be waiting long. This gondola line went from his neighborhood to the University. Because of the convenience, many graduate students and even a number of the younger professors lived in the area.

Boromir was in his office. He was very absorbed in reading and responding to his letters. He also needed to finish preparing for the classes he was teaching the next week. He had quite forgotten that Merry was coming to the office to help him this afternoon. And that evening he needed to go to the opening of his brother, Faramir’s, art exhibit and support him. He knew their father certainly wouldn’t show up, but it seemed really important to Faramir to have his family’s support. Boromir understood the feeling. Since their mother left they had continually sought to gain acceptance from their father who was typically too busy with matters of the State as he was the Steward of Gondor. Growing up as the Steward’s son had its own host of challenges. Boromir always felt like he was being watched and that his worth was being redetermined anew every day. As such, he had turned into a perfectionist and a workaholic. He took on too many projects and faculty responsibilities. He was the youngest ever chair of the Humanities Department--something his father Denethor was exceedingly proud of and boasted of whenever he got the chance. But if Boromir was really being honest, the pressure of being Chair on top of teaching three classes and the expectation to continue writing his own book was too much to handle.

Faramir on the other hand could never seem to live up to his father’s expectations. He had tried to study law for many years, but he found the work soul-crushing, and he had never enjoyed reading or writing to start with. No, Faramir’s love was with brush and canvas. And with many other supplies. He specialized in collages and his art had been displayed at institutions and art museums all across Gondor. But Denethor had very little patience or care for the arts (something evident in the city’s lack of arts funding) and so he had never approved of Faramir’s occupation.

A knock came at the door. Who on Middle Earth could that be? Better not be some wizard giving me a hard time. “It’s open,” Boromir called, sounding nonplussed. “Sorry I’m a few minutes late.” At the door stood Merry dressed in a white shirt with a yellow vest, brown pants, and a green cape. Boromir was relieved to see his pupil. “Ah Merry! Do come in, I’m so glad you’re here. Are you feeling any better?”

“Yes, they gave me some medicine to help with the pain in the meantime while they try to figure out what’s wrong.”

Boromir gave him a concerned look. “Well I hope they figure it out soon”

“I’m supposed to meet with a doctor in two days so hopefully that will help”

“Good, good,” Boromir hesitated. “Are you sure you’re feeling up for work today?” “Yes, I’ll be alright I think,” said Merry, trying to sound reassuring. “Would you mind rewriting the responses to these letters? I’m afraid my poor handwriting won’t be good enough. I’ll look over them when you’re done but I’m sure they’ll be fine.” “Sure,” Merry responded. He always enjoyed getting to write with a quill pen. The hobbit took off his cloak and hung it by the door.

Merry found Boromir’s office to be peaceful and loved spending time there. There was a fireplace behind one of the desks, some large, definitely-not-hobbit-sized chairs, and another, larger desk that for whatever reason Boromir used less. There was a wide, slightly bumped out window across from the door. Merry left a cushion in Boromir’s office for sitting on the desk chair so he could reach everything--everything but the ground anyway. Really! There ought to be some hobbit-sized chairs at this school, Merry thought. He had grown used to Boromir’s sketchy handwriting and was more than comfortable transcribing it out in his more legible hand. Secretly, Merry was grateful that he wasn’t being asked to do something more cerebral as the pain had been a bit touch and go all day.

Boromir paced around the room a bit as he often did, muttering inaudibly to himself. Occasionally he would go back over to the larger desk and write something down with a pencil. After about an hour, Merry finished the letters. He took a brief break and then returned to see what else Boromir needed. The Man asked him to do some research on Westron scholars across Middle Earth. Merry had brought his own laptop and began to make a spreadsheet of all he could find. There were many more than he had imagined. Most in Gondor, Mordor, and Rohan but a few in places as far as Harlindon, the Misty Mountains, and Harad. Merry meticulously made sure to include scholars from more far afield regions as he wanted to make sure they were represented. As one of the few hobbits in the University, he understood feeling alone or like people like him were not appreciated. He hoped to find an (out) trans scholar but alas he was now alone in that too. After an hour or so Boromir left to go to a meeting. When he returned Merry was still hard at work on the spreadsheet. Finally around 6 o’ clock, it was time for Merry to be done for the day. “Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow then?” Merry asked. Boromir continued to be lost in thought. “Professor Boromir?” Merry tried again. “What? Oh look at that, it's already 6!” he exclaimed suddenly, “you know my brother’s art exhibit opening is now, would you like to come?” Merry was a fan of visual art. But he also remembered he needed to eat.

“I’d love to, but I haven’t eaten dinner yet”

“I believe there’s food there if you like but I understand completely if you need to go”

“Oh, actually that sounds alright then”

“Great!”

“I didn’t know your brother was an artist!” I didn’t know you had a brother at all, he thought. Merry donned his cloak and the two made their way down the outdoor corridor. The floor was of red brick and to their right was a green moss lawn. Smooth, white columns with swirled capitals flanked their right side, opposite the building’s outer wall.

#meriadoc brandybuck #boromir #faramir #pippin #peregrin took #grad school au #lord of the rings