#bilbo and frodo

[wltsquareih]

I just need to get this out of my system

[tinyseraphim]

“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it so sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit hole, and that means comfort.”

- The Hobbit: Chapter 1, An Unexpected Party

I’m challenging myself by reading through The Hobbit again and illustrate it in my style as I go along. I fully expect it to take a long time, but I’ll keep posting my progress on here. I’ll be using the movies as reference for some things but I also want to draw it how I see it. So consider this part 1 of… who knows how many. Thank you so much for any and all support!

[bookaddiction14]

Someone’s prob caught this long before me, but:

In Lord of the rings (fellowship) we see the ring leaving Gollum and bouncing and rolling down the rocks:

The ring wanted to leave Gollum and therefore did.

It’s then picked up by Bilbo unwillingly; has an ‘unexpected journey’; and stays with him.

But when Bilbo is leaving, he decides to leave the ring with Frodo. The ring however, wants to stay and keep wielding its power and influence over him.

And when, at Gandalf’s insistence, Bilbo drops the ring, it still doesn’t want to leave him:

Which is why it falls flat, no bouncing or rolling away. It thuds to the floor like a child might stomp its foot when not getting its way.

I dunno how i’ve never caught this b4, and I may just be stupid and ppl have spoken bout this b4 but i’m a nerd and can’t help but mention it unprompted.

[velvet4510]

Here’s the thing.

Many Bagginshield shippers, especially in fics, focus on how Bilbo never got over Thorin, to the point where some describe Bilbo’s entire life as sad and empty and unfulfilled because of that loss.

Don’t get me wrong: I do agree that he suffered terrible loss and undeserved torment by the Ring. And the fact that he never married probably did have some connection to the memory of Thorin.

But, y’all, don’t forget or ignore the fact that, in Tolkien’s text, Bilbo does move on from grief and live the rest of his life well.

He does not become bitter from his pain. He retains his kind heart.

He is generous with his wealth, helping in every way he can the very community that ostracizes him.

He sees in Frodo a kindred spirit and takes it upon himself to be the parental figure that Frodo so badly needs as an orphan.

He and Frodo develop an uncle-nephew (really more like father-son) relationship built on trust, keeping no secrets from each other, to the level where he tells Frodo the truth about his encounter with Gollum. (And probably the truth about his feelings for Thorin, too.)

He and Frodo have so much fun, going for walks every day, studying the Elvish languages, and throwing big birthday parties to show the community a good time. It’s plain to see that caring for Frodo filled that massive void inside Bilbo, finally giving him someone to love and devote himself to looking after, after his first chance at that (albeit the first being a different kind of love) was taken from him.

He does not see himself as superior to the lower class despite his riches, and always treats the Gamgees with the utmost respect.

He teaches Sam to read and write.

He tells his story to the younger hobbits, inspiring more of them to want to learn more about the outside world and not be so sheltered and ignorant…an effort which ultimately saves Middle-earth because the Travelers learn from him to be curious and interested in the lands outside the Shire, and he inspires them daily, as they constantly say to themselves “if Bilbo could go there and back again despite great danger, so can we.”

He even learns to love having a tarnished reputation, ultimately taking advantage of being “mad” to play a fun prank.

When he is no longer at rest in the Shire, he gifts Frodo all his property which will ensure Frodo is set for life, and through all his passive aggressive gifts to his relatives, he gives the Gaffer genuinely useful items that he knows will help him, including ointment for creaky joints.

He gets a peaceful retirement among his Elven friends, which he spends writing his memoir so that future generations will know all about his lost friends.

And ultimately, he embraces the special gift of an exception from the Valar and rare permission to set foot in the Blessed Realm for one last adventure, where he will continue to look after his beloved nephew.

And the fact is, he never would’ve gotten any of these things if he’d stayed in Erebor. He would never have developed that special bond with Frodo - he may never have even met him - and consequently, Frodo may never have met Sam.

Yes, a lot of his life was lonely and somber. But much more of it, even after experiencing such a tragedy, was full of love and joy and fun and excitement. He became an invaluable caretaker and mentor to the next generation of hobbits, got a taste of fatherhood, passed on his expertise and his story, and spent his last years surrounded by friends and family.

Bilbo Baggins may have lost the love of his life, but he did not give up on life itself, and he lived a full one. Don’t forget that.

[bagginshieldfamily]

Something I need the fix it AU writers who use Frodo as Bagginsgields child to focus more on:

Gimli meeting a hobbit that looks strangely like Thorin Oakenshield but has the last name Baggins before connecting the dots:

[khazdmazerb]

Here’s the backgroundy version before it was looking a bit scant with just the white

Thorin and Frodo, because I love drawing them together so much

Also I need to add that this literally took me 6:35 hours to draw 😭😮‍💨

[acornfromtheshire]

Imagine Frodo feeling guilty after he finds out about Thorin for looking so much like him. He feels bad for being a reminder of pain that his uncle keeps locked away rarely ever speaking about it.

Bilbo seeing black/brown hair, and blue eyes out of the corner of his eye: Thorin?!

Frodo looking confused and worried about his uncle: Uncle, Thorin isn't here. It's me your nephew Frodo.

Bilbo being hit by a wave of sadness: I am sorry my boy, you just look so much like him.

Than Bilbo would feel guilty after he finds out about Frodo feeling guilt for being a reminder.

Bilbo probably also sees a bit of himself and Thorin in Sam and Frodo. Frodo wanting to carry the burden all by himself, but Sam risking it all by following him. Frodo trying to push Sam away and Sam not listening and always coming back.

Bilbo has also probably called Merry and Pippin Fili and Kili a couple of times.

Bilbo: Fili and Kili! Can you stop causing so much mischief this one time!?

Merry and Pippin: Who?

Bilbo: Don't act dumb you two, do I need to get your uncle- Oh I am sorry Merry and Pippin I thought you never mind

Than Frodo would have to explain to Merry and Pippin about Bilbo's quest and Thorin, Fili, and Kili. Bilbo wouldn't freely talk about those three since it's a wound that will never heal only ever sharing small bits with Frodo. Frodo would always be there to listen and comfort his uncle despite not knowing all the pain he went through, and than Bilbo would later return the favor by comforting Frodo after his quest.

[khazd-concentrate]

Redrawing my baby boy dwobbit Frodo 4 months apart.

[abbyymerry]

Autumn in the shire. Long before the beginning of everything.

[insanelollypop]

First time drawing anything for the hobbit also first time trying the lasso tool drawing style

[mrbigpepperoninipples]

Bilbo and baby Frodo making happy memories! Yay bubble baths!

I was inspired by Bilbos favorite bath songs

“Sing hey! For the bath at close of day. That washes the weary mud away! A loon is he that will not sing: O! Water Hot is a noble thing!”

[bluehourskyeli]

Bilbo leaving The Shire:

He paused, silent for a moment. Then without another word he turned away from the lights and voices in the field and tents, and followed by his three companions went round into his garden, and trotted down the long sloping path. He jumped over a low place in the hedge at the bottom, and took to the meadows, passing into the night like a rustle of wind in the grass.

Frodo leaving The Shire, following Bilbo's steps:

'Good-bye!' said Frodo, looking at the dark blank windows. He waved his hand, and then turned and (following Bilbo, if he had known it) hurried after Peregrin down the garden-path. They jumped over the low place in the hedge at the bottom and took to the fields, passing into the darkness like a rustle in the grasses.

[my-beloved-kili]

Alrighty, hobbits won for what race everybody wanted to be. Now which one would you wanna be?

[molluskshell]

A few days ago, I bought Sting—the sword of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins—at a novelty store in Toledo.

It got me in the mood to draw this scene where Bilbo gifts the sword to Frodo before he goes on his adventure.

I’ll also consider this as a (very) belated Fathers’ Day illustration since this scene is one of the many instances showing Bilbo being the best father figure Frodo could ask for.

[velvet4510]

I guess I’m one of those autistic people who so deeply feels the essence of an instrumental leitmotif from a film score associated with a particular character or couple, that I start associating said leitmotifs in my head with ANOTHER character from an entirely different film/book/series. And I’ve built up a whole library of leitmotifs for LOTR characters even though I ADORE Howard Shore’s original score for the trilogy. I consider these leitmotifs to be add-ons, NOT replacements.

Nor do I intend to completely disassociate all of these themes from their intended films/characters; some of them are perfect fits for the films they were written for. It’s just my mind going wild like usual. (But I admit, in some cases, the pieces are from films I dislike, and thus I would rather see these great songs associated with something of LOTR quality rather than what they were actually stuck with, especially when the lack of lyrics gives you the freedom to let the melody take you wherever it takes you, personally.)

In the case of Silmarillion characters and relationships, well, it’s a different story - it really is my attempt to cobble together what could be a hypothetical score, if it were brought to the screen. Obviously it’d never be this exactly, but I would hope a composer for a potential screen adaptation of The Silmarillion might be inspired by themes like these.

In some cases, the characters these themes were originally written for don’t resemble the corresponding LOTR characters very much, or at all. Also some of them have titles that by themselves could not be more different from and unfitting for Tolkien’s world. It’s just the melodies on their own, without context or even name, performed by these gorgeous orchestras, that have come to remind me of particular Tolkien figure(s).

I also have found lots of “love themes”, both romantic and platonic, for character relationships, as you’ll see. I’ve included romantic themes for canonical couples, as well as for pairings that I personally ship. I know Shore already gave Aragorn and Arwen a theme, but as I said, these are all extra additions and not replacements.

And yes I have a lot of Star Wars stuff in here, because I love Star Wars…but I love Tolkien more.

For the heck of it I’ll share some of these, with links to each song on YT. It’s hard to explain why I made these choices/associations, but maybe you’ll get it if you listen to some of them.

CHARACTER THEMES

The Valar = “Guardians of the Whills Suite” by Michael Giacchino

Lúthien Tinúviel = “Once Upon a Time in the West” by Ennio Morricone

Túrin Turambar = “Anakin’s Theme” by John Williams

Nienor Níniel = “Helena’s Theme” by John Williams

Frodo Baggins = “Romeo” by Nino Rota

Sam Gamgee = “Rey’s Theme” by John Williams

Aragorn = “The John Dunbar Theme” by John Barry

Gandalf = “Yoda’s Theme” by John Williams

Legolas = “Rose Tico” by John Williams

Éowyn = “Marion’s Theme” by John Williams

THEMES FOR LANDS/LOCATIONS

The Undying Lands = “Out of Africa” by John Barry

ROMANTIC LOVE THEMES

Frodo x Sam = “Love Theme from Ben-Hur” by Miklos Rozsa

Beren x Lúthien = “Love Theme from The Godfather” by Nino Rota

Faramir x Éowyn = “Han Solo and the Princess” by John Williams

Aragorn x Arwen = “Love Theme from Cinema Paradiso” by Ennio Morricone

Sam x Rosie = “Love Theme from Dances with Wolves” by John Barry

Bilbo x Thorin = “Andante Cantabile” by Bernard Herrmann

Thingol x Melian = “Indecent Proposal” by John Barry

Fingon x Maedhros = “Wuthering Heights” by Alfred Newman

Galadriel x Celeborn = “Central Park” by James Newton Howard

Finrod x Bëor = “Somewhere in Time” by John Barry

Aegnor x Andreth = “Love Theme from The Scarlet Letter” by John Barry

Finduilas x Gwindor = “Deborah’s Theme” by Ennio Morricone

Túrin x Beleg = “Midnight Cowboy” by John Barry

Mablung x Nienor = “Wanda and Vision” by Christophe Beck

Tuor x Idril = “Conversation Piece” by Bernard Herrmann

Eärendil x Elwing = “Tennessee” by Hans Zimmer

Elrond x Celebrían = “And Then I Kissed Him” by Hans Zimmer

Pippin x Diamond = “Love Theme from East of Eden” by Leonard Rosenman

Merry x Estella = “Love Theme from Rebel Without a Cause” by Leonard Rosenman

Elanor x Fastred = “Theme from A Summer Place” by Max Steiner (arranged by Percy Faith)

PLATONIC RELATIONSHIP THEMES

Elrond & Elros = “Brothers” by Hans Zimmer

Merry & Pippin = “Flying” by John Williams

Legolas & Gimli = “Rain Man” by Hans Zimmer

Boromir & Faramir = “Luke and Leia” by John Williams

Bilbo & Frodo* = “The Mother’s Love” by Miklos Rozsa

Sam & Elanor = “The Ludlows” by James Horner

I may add to this as I think of more, or even replace certain songs entirely if I come across a better match. Always return to the pinned post here to see the most recently updated list.

* Bilbo & Frodo’s melody is heard in the first minute of the linked track, 0:00–1:01, and again at 1:48. Also, the love theme I associate with Frodo & Sam starts playing at 1:03, making this whole thing fit all the hobbits even better.

[bagginshieldfamily]

Okay but the fix it writers when it’s been three, no, nearly four year after Bilbo left the lonely mountain. He saw them die. Thorin and his nephews. He knew he couldn’t stay to watch them mourn. He felt to responsible for having been knocked out earlier and now being the sole reason the line of Durin has fallen. But then those four years later, Bilbo is doing his merry finest to act like nothing had happened to crush his soul. To act like a regular hobbit around the others. He gardens and bakes and hell, he’s has a little fauntling toddling about the hobbit hole. He had a family. A boy. And then that early morning knock at breakfast. A very much alive and desperate looking King Under the Moutian and his trusted company. All alive and accounted for at his round home door. There was a lot of misunderstanding later and explaining that was gonna need done from both sides, especially with a certain tiny dwobbit playing on the ground.