#frodo the orphan

[alicebeckstrom]

[The Gaffer, cont.] “ ‘Anyway: there was this Mr. Frodo left an orphan and stranded, as you might say, among those queer Bucklanders, being brought up anyhow in Brandy Hall. A regular warren, by all accounts. Old Master Gorbadoc never had fewer than a couple of hundred relations in the place. Mr. Bilbo never did a kinder deed than when he brought the lad back to live among decent folk.” ~ The Fellowship of the Ring, A Long-expected Party (Art: “Visit to Bag End” by KatChan00 on DeviantArt) 

[spookyjarchivist]

The difference between Bilbo and Frodo is so beautiful and yet heartbreaking. The most Frodo wanted out of life was maybe a trip to Rivendell and back, but he would have been satisfied with staying in the Shire. Bilbo would never have been satisfied with staying in the Shire his whole life, even if he truly believed he was until his dying day. The Shire was home for Frodo, but after Erebor Bilbo would never again be able to convince himself the Shire was more than a place to live. It meant a lot to him and he loved it, but it was Frodo who couldn’t part from it until trauma forced him to. The only reason Bilbo stayed in the Shire as long as he did was for Frodo or else he would have moved at least to Rivendell much sooner. Maybe even Erebor or Dale if it didn’t hurt too much. If Balin’s retaking of Moria had gone the way he had hoped maybe Bilbo would have even considered there. He was just too heartbroken after the quest to consider leaving until after Frodo came into his life. In another world where Drogo and Primula lived, Bilbo probably spent his last years in Erebor instead.

[frodothefair]

My husband read LOTR too long ago so when I was talking about how Frodo grew up at Brandy Hall after his parents died, he thought Brandy Hall was a hobbit orphanage.

[la-pheacienne]

I'm reading the lord of the rings and I'm once again amazed at how... good most characters are. Like, they are genuinely good people. They are a bunch of kindhearted, gracious, caring people, coming together under adverse circumstances and trying to figure things out and find a solution and support each other through it all. Like Frodo and Sam meet Faramir and Faramir is a bit suspicious at first and kind of implies Frodo may be a spy, and then when he hears his story and he's like Frodo, I pressed you so hard at first. Forgive me! It was unwise in such an hour and place. And this blows.my.mind. He wasn't even particularly mean or threatening to him in the beginning, he's just such a kind, considerate man, recognizing the kindness and honesty of another man. And they're all like that. Even Gollum starts slowly changing (for a short while) when he encounters Frodo because that's the thing about kindness and humility and grace, they are contagious. They transform people, even a creature like Gollum cannot be immune to that. Like, you may consider all this simple and basic and I get it but, hear me out. It is quite rare to see that in modern media and it is also pretty difficult to pull off in a way that is not corny and simplistic. It is mind blowing that you actually don't have to present the entire palette of human cruelty and vice in order to tell a compelling story, contrary to popular belief. Lotr does the exact opposite, and it is just beautiful and it warms my heart. Especially taking into consideration tolkien's pretty grim growing-up experience, him being a double orphan without a home, raised between an orphanage and a priest and having no family apart from his brother and then the war and then he almost dies and then he's poor as hell and then a second war and it all makes sense somehow. He writes to his wife who is also an orphan two days before the marriage "the next few years will bring us joy and content and love and sweetness such as could not be if we hadn't first been two homeless children and had found one another after long waiting" and, yes, yes! The love and sweetness just radiate from his work, the entire lotr series is a little radiant bubble of hope and love and grace that he imagined in his head to deal with a dismal reality and then he just gave that to the world, and isn't that what imagination and art is all about after all?

[oh-dear-so-queer]

'There isn't no call to go talking of pushing and pulling. Boats are quite tricky enough for those that sit still without looking further for the cause of trouble. Anyway: there was this Mr. Frodo left an orphan and stranded, as you might say, among those queer Bucklanders, being brought up anyhow in Brandy Hall. (...)'

"The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" - J.R.R. Tolkien

[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.

[gallusrostromegalus]

Well, I've had a High fever for a few days with Shingles that's preventing me from writing effectively, but has apparently given me new Clothing-Drawing Abilities, so here are Komamura and Tousen on their wedding day in AEIWAM.

Notes:

AEIWAM!Tousen is a Trans Man who has mathematically worked out that God Is Dead, you want to complain about what he's wearing to his wedding?

There are Mild Spoilers hidden in both outfits.

They filled out the paperwork the night Tousen finally woke up after defeating Aizen, at Tousen's insistence before something else had the opportunity to get in the way.

They still want to have a ceremony, but it's going to be a bit awkward as both are orphans, both sets of godparents are deceased or otherwise unalive (a different thing than dead in Soul Society), and there is not *technically* a bride.

But the best place to hid something mildly ridiculous is in a sea of something extremely ridiculous.

The Wedding is an act of Aggravated Chicanery upon all their friends and loved ones: They tell everyone they're hosting a Halloween Party, please come in the most outrageous costumes Possible.

Then when everyone has arrived, they lock the doors, unfurl the decorations and thrust stage directions into the hands of the Unsuspecting Wedding Party.

Yachiru is having a GREAT time being a Flower Velociraptor (She'd seen Jurassic Park so the contingent from the 11th is all present as Dinosaurs).

Rankigu and Nanao are recruited to help organize.

And so they won't seek revenge.

Hitsugaya *KNEW* something was up when Matsumoto suggested they do LotR costumes together, but thought this was her way of doing Big Naturals Gandalf*, but it was actually a trick to make him Frodo. The Ringbearer.

*It was also very much a justification for her to do Big Naturals Gandalf.

Shuuhei got talked into doing a group costume with Renji and Izuru, where the redhead is dressed as a bottle of Ketchup and the blond is Mustard, and now Shuuhei is standing up there as his Mentor's Best Man while dressed as a Hot Dog.

Tetsuzaemon Iba Doesn't have the excuse of friends. He Dressed up like Vegas Elvis all on his own.

After what happened with Byakuya, Yamamoto refuses to officiate any more weddings, just in case he's bad luck. He will walk Kaname up the Aisle though. As Santa.

Retsu Unohana, officiating in her capacity as a Highly Venomous Sea Slug: Dearly Beloved and Barely Tolerated- We are gathered here today to witness the union of two of the most unhinged assholes I know-

The Reception only gets wilder as Rangiku has arranged for there to be both an Open Bar and a Karaoke Machine.

[amorphousbl0b]

Arcane does a fun thing with its narrative Darkest Hour.

Or: yet another post about how insanely smart this show is and how absolutely genius its writers are (and how jealous of them I am).

For the uninitiated, the Darkest Hour is the moment just before the climax in which the heroes are at their lowest point. When the Avengers are scattered and Loki opens the portal in NYC, when the Falcon has escaped the Death Star but lost Obi-Wan, when the Fire Nation is set to annihilate the Earth Kingdom, when Frodo fails to destroy the Ring at the Crack of Doom. The heroes must confront their flaws and change for the better for a happy ending.

Arcane’s darkest hour is, of course, in Act 3. One might place it at the very end of episode 9, and that’s certainly where the story is at its most hopeless. But I’d contend it starts as early as the end of episode 8 and carries on through the entirety of episode 9.

After all, that’s when Caitlyn and Vi have separated, lost all hope, and Cait is kidnapped by Jinx. Jinx’s mind is fully gone and throughout the episode everything falls apart around her. Silco is losing control of his chembarons and may well have lost his daughter, the thing most precious to him, and is only barely keeping his powerful façade in line. Zaun has realized how ridiculously outmatched they are in a war with Piltover and the revolutionary cause has become almost impossible. Viktor has manslaughtered his assistant and may never be cured. Jayce has manslaughtered a child and finally realizes how quickly he’s losing his morals. Mel and her mother are fully separating and she is struggling with her warlike destiny. Sevika gets the absolute snot beat out of her and limps to an empty office without a boss.

So yeah. Lot of personal Darkest Hours going on.

“But what’s the interesting thing?” I hear you ask in my ear. I don’t know why I hear you. Shut up. I’m writing. Are you even real?

Excuse me.

Arcane’s interesting twist on the Darkest Hour lies in part of the trope that I didn’t mention. That’s in the villain.

Most stories with a clear-cut villain have a plot structure something like this:

Whether things are going well for one side is inversely proportional to the other. During the Darkest Hour, when the hero is at their weakest, the villain is at their most dominant.

Wait… isn’t Silco the villain of Arcane? Not to be too blunt, but he’s having a shit time. Things are falling apart for him just as badly as for everyone else.

That's the trick. Caitlyn and Vi are suffering. Jinx is suffering. Silco is suffering. Jayce is suffering. Viktor is suffering. Zaun as a whole is suffering. There is only one party in the whole story that isn't suffering, that actually is benefitting from this horrid state of affairs...

EKKO AND HEIMERDINGER

Kidding. They're not really a part of this dance. A big part of Arcane's theming is that acting to help people without an agenda is simply more virtuous than fighting for any invariably-flawed nation that innately perpetuates the cycle of violence.

No, the side that is doing fine is the other that is conspicuously absent from my two prior lists. While the characters that make up its leadership are experiencing personal Darkest Hours, the organization itself is essentially on top of the world, having just scored a huge victory and getting set to bring the war to an end before it even begins. I mentioned how poor the situation for the Undercity looks, but not its counterpart.

Piltover.

Wasn't it so that Piltover started this whole mess? Didn't their oppression cause the revolt that orphaned Vi and Powder's parents? Isn't it their actions that drive Silco to ever greater extremes? Isn't it their normalized political backstabbing that causes Jayce to sacrifice his principles because that's the only way to get ahead? Isn't it their corrupt police force that lets Silco operate his drug empire with impunity?

Silco might look the part. He might be the most personally evil character, might be the one who causes the most misery for our main protagonists Vi and Powder.

But structurally, the shining city of Piltover, its political machine, and its Enforcers are the actual villains of Arcane.

[live-laugh-legolas]

Hello!! Could you do headcanons of the fellowship + Faramir and what art they like/do as a hobby? Like painting, music, knit, and so on. Thank you!!

I was working on this but it got pushed to the back as I try to prioritize asks so this is perfect!

Hobbies of the fellowship (+Faramir)

Aragorn:

-Whittling

-He has a lot of downtime during his time as a ranger

-And he is surrounded by sticks and stuff and was probably already fiddling with a knife

-He often doesn’t take the little animals he makes with him so he either gives them to kids in a village he is near, or just leaves them around for someone to find

-I can also imagine him keeping a guitar with him so he can play around a fire at night during his travels

-A very humble player but also not shy about playing or singing if asked

Legolas:

-Anything physical really

-Climbing, swimming, gymnastics, etc

-He just needs to be moving

-He also has a habit of taking in orphaned or injured animals to nurse them back to health

-Would just have a squirrel in his pocket like Bob Ross

-His father has had to tell him multiple times that bunnies are not allowed on the dinner table

Gimli:

-He plays the flute

-Don’t ask how I know because no one will ever see him playing

-But he does

-He also enjoys jewelry making

-He’s a dwarf who appreciates a pretty piece of metal work or a perfectly shiny jewel

-I have an uncle who will sharpen knives at family gatherings because he doesn’t really want to talk to anyone (and I can’t blame him) but he also loves glitter and stuff, and that’s loosely how I picture Gimli

Boromir:

-I love that you mentioned knitting because that is exactly what I picture this man doing

-He’s not particularly good, but also not bad

-Mostly just makes scarves to relax

-Faramir has so many scarves and hats

-He definitely donates the extras that aren’t given to his brother

-Side note, he cannot crochet despite trying to

Frodo:

-Learning languages

-We know he has learned elvish to an extent and I think that this is a passion of his

-Loves to teach his friends “swears” that are actually compliments

-He also likes making origami

-Nothing too extravagant, just little cranes and stars maybe

-But he makes so many he doesn’t know what to do with them

-He will hide little cranes all around the shire for other hobbits to find

Sam:

-I mean this one is obvious…

-He loves gardening!

-He feels so accomplished when he gets to watch his plants grow, and eat fresh food from the ground

-Potatoes

-I also think he would secretly enjoy writing poetry

-I’m pretty sure Bilbo taught him how to read and write and he makes sure to put it to use so he doesn’t forget how

-He may not be Shakespeare but it is always sweet and from the heart

Merry:

-Riding

-He loves to take his pony around the shire

-He also likes experimenting with cooking and drink making

-It’s not always good, in fact it often isn’t, but it’s the process to him that matters

-If he were in modern days he would love the movie Ratatouille

Pippin:

-He is a very musical hobbit

-When he’s not stuffing his face he’s playing instruments and singing at the Green Dragon

-I also think he would really love making pottery

-The feel of molding the clay on the wheel really quiets his mind which frankly he really needs from time to time

Gandalf:

-Ok hear me out

-Ik this isn’t technically really a hobby but he likes napping

-He wants to find the most peaceful spot and just close his eyes for a little

-He’s a man who is always on the move so being able to take time to relax is always important to him

-(One of my favorite things to do is take a nap on the couch with my cats and I’m insistent that this is a hobby lol)

*Bonus Faramir:

-I think he likes to draw

-He doesn’t really paint, but he likes to sketch with charcoal and pencils

-He carries around a little sketchbook so he can just sit somewhere and draw

-Boromir loves to see his brothers art because he is so proud of his little brother

[mairsedoats]

Do any of you ever wonder how Frodo must’ve felt for his near-loss (Samwise) to the water? His parents drowned in the river, leaving him an orphan. Imagine Frodo losing someone he loved so dearly to the river once more as well…

[fictional-orphan-smackdown]

ROUND 3, MATCH 4!

All propaganda and what each competitor is from under the cut

Frodo Baggins (Lord of the Rings)

Frodo demonstrates incredible tenacity, intelligence, and heart. His growth and struggle is amazing, and he’s a hero who fails!! But because he inspires such love and loyalty in his friends, his quest succeeds. He’s a tragic hero, a model that so many fantasy books misunderstood and even still were inspired to copy nonetheless. I think the fact that he is an orphan isn’t as important as it is for some characters, but it is important to some extent, emphasizing the loneliness of being a ring bearer, as well as the strength of his relationships with his friends. His parents are also descriptive of his personality, his mother being a descendent of the Tooks, the most adventurous Hobbit lineage, and his father being from the more genteel-in-bearing Baggins’. Frodo is a reluctant hero, only accepting the role, and enough adventure for a lifetime, only once it was clear he was the best option. He was polite and refined, even in absolutely foreign circumstances, and, in a bit of parallelism, not only saves his best friend from drowning, but in the end, sails away in a boat to a new life.

The things this guy endures to save the world are horrifying. There are plenty of other stronger people who think they can do it better than this humble, meek, unassuming halfling but they can't begin to understand. This mission isn't a privilege, it's a burden. He's trying to do the ultimate stealth ops when he's public enemy number one, with the enemy's life force wrapped around his neck like an anchor, corrupting his body and mind with every single step. Think about the most exhausted you've ever been. Then imagine having to walk nearly 2000 miles with that exhaustion, little to no food or water, getting stabbed, poisoned, hunted down, while carrying the full weight of the worst person you can think of as they try to drive you insane every second of every day. And he still makes it, for the sake of his home, his friends, his whole world. Is it any wonder he struggles to find peace after an experience like that? He deserves so much.

Chuck e' Cheese (Restaurant/family entertainment center chain)

Charles Entertainment Cheese grew up in St. Marinara orphanage and he loved singing, especially happy birthday. But he didn't know his own birthday (because he is an orphan) so all he could do was celebrate other kids' birthdays. His favourite part was the pizza. He also loved playing Pong and he went to New York City after winning $50 in a Pong tournament.

[spinningalbinoturtle]

Lotr Characters and their Kids-Headcanons

Sam and Frodo-

They just have Elanor who was orphaned during the Troubles. She’s a precocious kid and very into all things Elvish just like her dads. Like in the books she moves to gondor for a year and is a handmaiden to Arwen. After that she stays another year and studies botany and becomes a pioneering scientist in the study of medicinal plants. She writes a book on it and its considered a classic. Eventually moves back to the Shire to be by her parents (who move to the seaside when they get older) and she marries Pippin’s son.

Merry and Estella-

they weren’t too keen on having kids initially but when Estella gets pregnant they are excited. Their son’s name is Theoden- Theo for short and he’s a lot like his mother but close with his father. Two years later they try for another and its another boy whom they name Boromir but he just goes by Boro- he fights with his brother a lot but they also get into a lot of trouble together

Pippin and Diamond-

Their son is Faramir and he’s best friends with Elanor. His craziness balances out well with Elanor’s more introverted qualities. Pippin also has triplet little girls- Poppy, Violet, and Frances. They terrorize Tookland.

Aragorn and Arwen-

They have four kids. All the kids are very polite intelligent and beautiful. Eldarion is the oldest and raised to be king. Because of this he has a lot of anxiety from an early age which he doesn’t tell his parents about until well into his teens but when he does they are very supportive. Gilraen is his younger sister and she is very scholarly. She helps found the first University in Minas Tirith and is Eldarion’s number 1 counselor. Miriel is a the middle kid and enjoys spending time with Legolas and Gimli-she’s a bit of a loner but grows up to be a respected diplomat to Harad , Mirkwood, and Erebor because she’s interested in bridging cultural divides. Luthien who goes by Lucie, is the youngest and a bit spoiled. She’s very adventurous and idolizes Eowyn. She grows up to lead the Dunedain.

Faramir and Eowyn- Elboron is their son and is doted on by his parents who both grew up kind of neglected (especially Faramir) he’s a very kind kid and takes after his dad a lot. Close with his parents even into adulthood and has a very healthy relationship with them. When he’s a 10 they have a little girl named Melian (Mel for short) she’s very fiery as a child and close with her older brother. She grows up to be both a healer and a strong leader just like her namesake, never marries but has a long term fem partner from Rohan.

Legolas and Gimli don’t have kids they just are the cool uncles to everyone else’s. They are perfectly happy with that. They do have a couple dogs whom they treat like children (see pet headcanons post).

[bektheimaginative]

Sorry if this is obvious and I could just google it but sometimes I like to hear people explain things they like thru their lens so: what is Mistborn about??

So the general pitch that I've heard before is "imagine Frodo took the ring all the way to Mount Doom, only for Sauron to say 'Hey, thanks for returning that to me, now I can be all-powerful again' and Frodo fails and Sauron takes over the world". (Hopefully you are familiar with the Lord of the Rings, or this may not make a ton of sense.) And then the first book takes place 1,000 years later as an orphan girl is recruited to join a heist plot to try and take him down. There's a really creative magic system which involves different metals that allow the user to have enhanced or supernatural abilities. And if worldbuilding is your thing, you will hopefully find these incredibly immersive!

I will pass on a little disclaimer that the friend who lent me the books told me: the books start off slow, and for about the first half I had to push myself to keep going while I was waiting for something to happen. However, if you get through to the second half you are rewarded with what is affectionately termed a "Sanderlanche", and it feels like you're going at lightspeed.

I'm still very new to Brandon Sanderson's books and the Cosmere universe within his books, but I'm always happy to talk about what I've read! Thanks for asking!

[bitkahuna]

Frodo continued, shaking his head. “You know, it really killed me. Living with you, and following your rules, and helping you, and all of it. Learning from you for years.” The smile broke into some pathetic stretching of his mouth as tears came to his eyes. “And yet every time I called you my father, you pretended you didn’t fucking hear it.” He took a step back, shaking his head. “You’re a real fuckin bastard for that.”

Bilbo’s heart burned as he looked away, trying to find the words to say.

“You always acted like my fucking dad but by Yavanna, should I recognize you as one-” He cut himself off, his sadness turning to anger. “nothing. Fucking nothing.”

“I’m so sorry.” Bilbo’s voice cracked as he finally looked the furious hobbit in the eyes. “I always heard you. Every time. Valar above, I was so scared.” He felt an ache in his head and his chest as he swallowed. “You were always my son in every way that mattered, but … but if I said it … I thought-” He took a shaky breath. “I didn’t want you to be like me. I’m a fucking mess, Frodo. You know that better than anyone.”

The younger hobbit scoffed. “Of course I know. You’ve always been an absolute trainwreck ever since everyone and their mum decided to bully the orphan.”

“I knew I was hurting you.” He confessed. “I knew damn well what I was doing.” Bilbo couldn’t pretend he didn’t know. He wasn’t innocent in the slightest and he refused to pretend to be. He hurt Frodo and he knew what he was doing the entire time.

“I thought you didn’t want me.”

“Of course I did … I just wouldn’t let myself act like it. And that will forever be the worst mistake of my life.”

The tension in Frodo’s body dropped at the confession. He’d always imagined yelling at Bilbo. Tearing him a new one. Since coming to Erebor, they’d never just talked. They’d never addressed what happened. Certainly, Frodo freaking out about the leaf in his hair and not wanting to be like Bilbo, did nothing to repair that rift. But the space had always been there.

Frodo's tears flowed freely now, streaking down his cheeks. “I always wanted you, Bilbo," He choked out, his voice nothing more than his own breath. Anything louder and he knew he’d sob. "Even when I was angry, even when I left … I just wanted you to choose me back. To say it just once."

Bilbo let out a shaky breath. He quickly blinked away his own tears but they were soon replaced as more rolled down. "I chose poorly." He admitted softly. "But if there's a chance, any chance at all, I want to make it right."

Frodo let out a soft cry, searching for what he’s longed for.

“You’re my son, Frodo. And I love you.”

-----

nahh, this goes hard as fuck. I'm so proud

[ceterisparibus116]

Hi! *awkward wave* Just came here to say, I miss your stories. :) And to ask why The Lord of the Rings? Why now? Just curious, because it's been a long time since I read these books and watched some of the films.

hiiiiiiiiii and hello DD Fandom, I promise I haven't abandoned Matt. He's one of my permanent blorbos.

However, some Stuff occurred and resurfaced in my life a few months back that I realized I could explore more closely via LOTR than via DD. So that's what I've been doing.

Also can we just...can we acknowledge the parallels between Frodo and Matt for a second?

incredibly strong moral compasses

martyr/messiah complexes

not wanting to endanger the people they love with their Mission

thinking if they don't Do The Mission, then no one will

risking it all to protect Home, even while being very aware of Home's flaws

NERDS

disabled

introverted yet super articulate/eloquent

orphaned + adopted

not really ever fitting in with their expected communities

being WILDLY merciful

a huge part of their arc actually hinging on if (and to what extent) they will show mercy to people others believe are irredeemable

seeing themselves in the people others believe are irredeemable...

giving mercy even to people who pose an active and immediate threat...

JUST ALL THE MERCY, ALL THE MERCY

TRAUMA

see themselves as expendable in pursuit of the Mission (canonical in Matt's case; highly probable in Frodo's case even if it's not explicit in canon)

FAITH (canonical in Matt's case, and Frodo calls on "Elbereth" enough to clearly believe in higher powers, even if he doesn't know all the doctrine)

supported by a best friend who doesn't quite understand what this whole Mission thing is really about but is supportive nonetheless

heightened senses (okay I'm kinda reaching on this one but Frodo does canonically have heightened senses thanks to the Ring + the Morgul wound)

dark hair and beautiful eyes what no that's not relevant sorry

Like listen. I'm just saying. If Frodo were a ninja with anger issues and if Matt ate more than 0.5 meals a day, they would be the same person.

[frodothefair]

A lot of people write and see Frodo as asexual and romantically inexperienced, but my vision of him is a little different. He can be a ladies' man when he wants to be, and can use those peepers to press his advantage with a girl. In my headcanon, he is considered exceedingly handsome in the Shire, because hobbit beauty standards aren’t really all that different except for valuing corpulence a bit more than other cultures, but it’s not a deal breaker if you don’t have it. He therefore started kissing lasses -- and some lads -- in Buckland fairly early. (As an orphan, he was likely starved for affection, and this was one way in which he found it).

However, once he moved to Hobbiton, Bilbo was fairly strict, so Frodo had to sneak around if he wanted to kiss anybody, and then, once Bilbo left, he was put off by a disastrous series of attempts to marry him off (see chapter 3 of FoM lol). In addition to that, the Ring also made him feel "thin" and reluctant to put down roots, so he never sought a marriage or a deep relationship, but that did not mean he was completely celibate, and once he became an adult, he did have a few affairs, all discrete but physically fulfilling. (I'm thinking older, upper-class, bored hobbit ladies who were unhappy in their marriages and wanted a younger boytoy :))

That's my explanation, anyway, for why he remained a "confirmed bachelor" in FoM, in case anyone is wondering. This also means that Marigold is in for some fun once we get there, because Frodo is not clueless in bed. ;)