#this is how botfa ended right?

[verkomy]

I thought I lost you

[morningnoodles]

Some years after the Battle of the Five Armies and rebuilding Erebor together, Thorin abdicated the throne, and along with Bilbo (who was Consort under the Mountain) lived happily ever after unto the end of their days. These are snippets of their lives in retirement.

bagginshieldtober day 31 - retire ♡ the final piece for this month!

firstly, big thanks to @smolestboop for creating this wonderful event. it's been so fun to see everyone's take on the prompts and joining in myself. ♡

secondly, i was very much inspired by three lovely creators and bagginshield fan works for these snippets. so from left to right, top to bottom:

their exchange is from this hilarious post by @ihobbit

i was thinking about a Very Specific Chapter from the lovely @conkers-theficwriter's bagginshieldtober fic "Stealing Moments, Moments Away" whilst drawing this particular snippet. iykyk haha please please please read it!!!

the line is from one of my favourite post-BotFA oneshot by @storiesforsomeone, "Forever is composed of nows", which also heavily inspired this imagery. i've always wanted to draw a specific scene from the fic and i'm happy i finally had a go at it. please please please read it!!!

and lastly, close ups (and more ramblings lmao) under the cut ☆

the people of Erebor don't really quite know how to take their former King and Consort walking around like a normal old bickering couple but they're happy for them. ♡

i've wanted to draw clingy Thorin for a while haha! he likes to wear Bilbo's quilted robe (particularly when Bilbo is away for Consort duties). even when it doesn't really fit him well. he wears it so often that Bilbo finally had a similar quilted robe made for him which is what he's wearing there. he still likes to hug Bilbo's own robe close especially when he's not around haha

they try and visit the Shire and Bag End often. at some point Bilbo grows a bit self-conscious of his grey hair and Thorin happily takes the role of a loving husband who reminds him he was, is and will always be ever wonderful. ♡

That's an oak tree over there.

[sunnyrosewritesstuff]

Ready to rec some awesome fics that I read this month!! Feel free to add on with some of your own Bagginshield recs. 😁

April 2024 Rec List

G Rated:

A Dwarven Beauty by bebel_bee (Complete, 4K, 1ch.)- You have to love cultural differences where it comes to the dwarven and hobbit concepts of beauty. Bilbo is getting a bunch of odd comments on his looks that he thinks are derogatory. This is such a fun, quick read with fun misunderstandings and a lovely getting together scene.

Green-Handed by lotus0kid (Complete, 41K, 20ch.)- This was a really fun magical hobbits fic. Under certain conditions, hobbits go "green-handed" which means they can grow anything through touch and that's how Bilbo finds himself one morning. The ending of this fic just gets me with how absolutely enamored Thorin is with Bilbo and his gift.

Ive found Frodo...and he found you? by Lucigoo89 (Complete, 2K, 1ch.)- I need to preface this by saying my house had an entire den of fifteen skunks living under it that we tried to relocate...I absolutely despise skunks. But I gave this a chance for Lucigoo and it was as predicted, completely adorable. Little skunk Frodo wanders off and when Bilbo goes after him, he finds him in a den of badgers, one of whom he knows rather intimately.

T Rated:

Burning Crowns by Morg47 (Complete, 9K, 2ch.)- I read the first chapter when this was just a one-shot craving more and the author didn't disappoint! Infamous thief Bilbo helps the rightful king of Erebor in his assassination attempt of Smaug. I love seeing a confident BAMF Bilbo, and apparently Thorin does too.

Frozen Heart by snowmissus (soul_of_blaze) (WIP, 14K, 5ch.)- This is such a unique AU with a compelling set up. Bilbo has been tasked by Yavanna to try to help Erebor out of its frozen state, and by extension its king. Very fairytale-esque with some great characterizations and interactions, I can't wait for more!

Imbalance by northerntrash (Complete, 10K, 1ch.)- This story genuinely shocked me! In this Hades/Persephone AU, it is Bilbo who is Lord of the Underworld and Thorin who is a plant life god. As cracky as that sounds, it actually legitimately works in this AU as Bilbo and Thorin rely on each other to make themselves better.

There and Not Back Again (or, The Saving of Erebor) by femmbingley (WIP, 178K, 52ch.)- There’s so much to say about this fic. Post-BOTFA dwarven politics where Bilbo has assumed the duties of the consort which makes things more difficult for Dain. I really love the characterizations and I just can’t get enough of this fic!

to feel you like a knife by queerofthedagger (Complete, 23K, 2ch.)- Thorin's POV absolutely shook me at the beginning as he describes seeing his three loved one laid up in cots. After Bilbo saves Thorin's life, he wakes up to find his memories prior to Laketown are gone. It was so well paced and absolutely delicious in angst with a happy ending.

M Rated:

Backs to the Wall by Conkers (WIP, 124K, 24ch.)- I held off on this fic for a long time, not because I was worried I wasn’t going to enjoy it, but because I knew how much it would have me foaming at the mouth. Missing the deadline, the Company splits up at Laketown with Thorin, Dwalin, Nori, and Bilbo remaining to earn some coin. I’m beside myself with the gentle, sweet moments of pre-Bagginshield that have me screaming.

E Rated:

The Burden of Choice by Fantasyinallforms (Complete, 56K, 12ch.)- I went absolutely feral over this fic! Bilbo and Thorin are arranged to marry each other, neither knowing who the other is, and they escape in the night and begin to travel together. There were just so many emotions throughout this fic, it was so well written!

The Riven Crown by BeautifulFiction (Complete, 254K, 31ch.)- It was time for another read of this wonderful story. Bilbo stays in Erebor to see them through the winter only to find himself in a courtship with the king and a plot to see Thorin off the throne. This is just the ultimate Bilbo remains in Erebor fic and definitely worth the read if you haven't already.

Theft by Erinye (Complete, 124K, 40ch.)- Another epic that I had to reread this month. For his part in the alliance, Thorin demands Bilbo be returned to the mountain to be tried for his crimes in stealing the Arkenstone. Although the deaths of Fili and Kili break my heart in this fic, the rediscovery of Bilbo and Thorin's relationship through sex and comfort makes this a great read.

[queerofthedagger]

to feel you like a knife

[Bagginshield | 23k | Teen+]

Tags: BotFA AU - Everyone Lives | Temporary Amnesia | Hurt Bilbo | Hurt/Comfort | Thorin-typical Self-flagellation, you know how it goes | Reconciliation | Mutual Pining | Getting Together | Angst with a Happy Ending

Written for @acorns-and-oakleaves 'Year of Bagginshield' March Prompt: Second Chances (very belatedly I'm sorry lmao <3)

Summary:

No words are spoken, but Thorin draws a rattling breath and steels himself. After everything he has done to Bilbo, he at least owes him more than this. “What happened?” Bilbo says, before Thorin gets there. “Did we make it to the mountain, did we find the door? The last thing I remember is Lake Town—I’m assuming the attempt to steal a bunch of weapons did not go well, then?” The words take a moment to sink in. When they do, Thorin finally understands what people mean when they say that the floor dropped out from right beneath their feet. --- Up on Ravenhill, Bilbo wakes a little earlier. It allows him to save Thorin's life, and almost—almost—costs him his own; which, as far as Bilbo is concerned, is a worthy exchange, no matter Thorin's own thoughts on the matter. If only the aftermath, and all that still stands between them, would be so clean-cut and easy to resolve.

[fruityfrodo]

Bagginshield Fic Recs!

I've been wanting to do a bagginshield fic recs for a long time now so here are my favorite fics so far for this pairing! I will be adding on new ones as I go ❤

Fix-It AUs :

A Shot in the Dark by Silver_pup — 213.2k words

Summary: When he opens his eyes again, he finds himself in his old bed in his old home in his old body. Is this death? Or a trick of magic? Either way, Bilbo recognizes a second chance when he sees one, and this time his adventure with Thorin is going to go a bit differently.

An Expected Journey by MarieJacquelyn — 294.5k words

Summary:

“I just wish…”

“What do you wish?”

“I wish I could have changed it all.”

For years Bilbo has written about his adventures and told stories about his dealings with dwarves and dragons. To most it seemed like fanciful nonsense but to Bilbo it was all very real. A weight followed him home from his travels, one called regret. Now in his final moments Bilbo has a choice to make – go quietly into death’s embrace or go back again and face all the fear and pain for the chance to make things right?

Of course, change is a fickle thing and not everything can be done again as Bilbo is about to find out. In the end, it may not only be salvation that he’s fighting for.

Discovering Mr Baggins by Eareniel — 94.4k words

Summary: A.K.A. The Quest for Erebor:

The story of a Hobbit, told through the eyes of the dwarves.

Alternate Universes (Canon Divergence):

The Time for Home by Drenagon — 211.8k words

Summary: Bilbo Baggins doesn't fit in in the Shire. He's not a normal hobbit. That doesn't bother him.

Having his warnings ignored? Trying to help those who will not help themselves?

That bothers him.

The Color of Possibility by lindoreda — 17k words

Summary: When Bilbo puts himself between Thorin and Azog's blade, his mithril shirt protecting them both, it isn't long before some dwarves whisper that 'Oakenshield' might not be the best epithet for their king anymore. But for Bilbo, barred from Thorin's sight since the battle, this new epithet only adds to the sting. Spending his days caring for the recovering princes, Bilbo wonders how much more of this he can take, not suspecting his place at the center of a silent divide in the company.

The Nine Lives of Bilbo Baggins by captain (theoddoodisnude) — 15.3k words

Summary: He's not scared, but rather resigned. He doesn't want to die, not when he knows that it will be permanent, but he doesn't regret his actions. He's died many times on this journey; first for his Company, and then for people he could proudly call friends, who then turned into family.

And now Bilbo will die for them again.

For the first time in his life, he will also die for love. 

Call You Home by northerntrash — 12k words

Summary: In which the Company are entirely too nosy about matters that are supposed to be a secret, and Bilbo learns that being concerned about propriety is overrated when you could be making friends instead.

The Naming of Hobbits by Margo_Kim — 9.7k words**

Summary: There's a certain point where you can no longer ask someone what their name is. Thorin isn't sure exactly when that point is, but he knows that it's probably some time before the person in question saves your life. On the far side of the Misty Mountains, Thorin realizes that he never quite caught the first part of Mr. Baggins' name, and he finds that it's astonishingly harder to learn than he would have thought. Fili, Kili, and Dwalin are no help whatsoever.

**I literally didn't laugh this hard in a long while. Definitely worth a read! (And another, let's be honest).

Post BotFA AUs:

A Cultural Misunderstanding (series) by Lindzzz — 96k words

Summary: In which Thorin pushes, and Bilbo doesn't know how to handle emotions and finds himself engaged without realizing it.

(A fluffy "everyone lives" marriage AU)

The Riven Crown by BeautifulFiction — 254.3k words

Summary: ‘We may have won the battle, but I fear the war with winter is just beginning.’

The aftermath of war is no laughing matter. Those who died must be honoured, those who are wounded must be healed, and those who remain need food and clothing, peace and sanctuary. With Thorin's life hanging in the balance, it is up to Bilbo and the rest of the Company to rule the rag-tag remnants of Erebor in his place.

Then there is the matter of the gold...

Can Bilbo save both king and kingdom, or is Erebor destined to fall deeper into ruin?

All The Rivers Sound In My Body by pibroch (littleblackdog) — 5.7k words

Summary: As much as he might like to cut a natty figure in a proper waistcoat and trousers with a reasonable inseam, Bilbo knew there were many more important things to bother with at the moment.

Rebuilding an entire dwarven kingdom, for one. And airing out the stink of dragon would be nice as well.

An Unexpected Proposal by Eareniel — 100k words

Summary: As Bilbo sat smoking in his empty hobbit hole, he couldn’t help but wonder – when did his life become so boring? Or better yet – when did his old life stop being enough?

He suspected the answer to that question lay somewhere around the time when he had refused Thorin Oakenshield’s offer of marriage.

Mother-Tongue by northerntrash — 24.9k words

Summary: Forget-me-not: a small flower, with four petals, which are normally found in shades of blue with a pink or white centre. These are traditional flowers of intent in the Shire, used to express true love, and remembrance.

In which Bilbo plans to leave Erebor, and Thorin tries to understand why.

Modern AUs:

For This by northerntrash — 8k words

Summary: Thorin Durin had lived in his new flat for approximately eighty four minutes when things started to go terribly, terribly wrong. The wrongness came in the form of a package, delivered to his door, wrapped in brown paper and string, with a small tag wishing him a very sincere welcome to the building.

Just To Be by northerntrash — 22.2k words

Summary: Thorin hadn’t really wanted to go on holiday. That was why he hadn’t been on one for over a decade – not, despite what his siblings might say, because he had problems letting go of work and letting other people have control over their own hotel, which definitely wasn’t his entire life, no matter what the opinions of his family might have been on the matter.

In which people go on holiday, and find a little bit of home.

The making of a story by northerntrash — 16k words

Summary: When Bilbo finds a case of old family photographs, he becomes determined to find the original owners: what he does not expect is to become quite so involved in their lives, or that those photographs should prove quite so important.

One-sided conversations by northerntrash — 94.9k words

Summary: "Thank you for listening," Thorin said, getting to his feet. "I hope to be able to return the favour, one day."

The man on the bed didn't respond, but since he'd been in a coma for longer than Thorin had known him, that wasn't entirely surprising.

Candid by northerntrash — 42.3k words

Summary: Thorin wasn't entirely sure why there was a six-foot candid photograph of him hanging in this exhibition, but he was going to wring the neck of whoever had put it there.

In which Bilbo is a photographer, Thorin an accidental model, and Gandalf just likes to make trouble for everyone.

Nothing Gold Can Stay by perkynurples — 296.3k words

Summary: Bilbo Baggins led a rather peaceful life, thank you very much, until an old acquaintance decided to turn it upside down, and he found himself agreeing to take a job that’s… let’s say not exactly up his alley, and might eventually cost him a little more than his treasured cozy lifestyle. Who would have thought tutoring a slightly menacing monarch’s more than slightly overbearing nephew could prove to be such an adventure?

Some Magical Occurence by Drenagon — 9.5k words

Summary: Bilbo could use some magic if he's going to get the annual Christmas event at Goldmine Books to run as planned.

Instead he has Bofur, Ori and a serious case of building panic.

Then the Durins arrive.

Plan B by Drenagon — 85.7k words

Summary: Plan B: an alternative strategy; a contingency plan, devised for an outcome other than the expected plan.

Or, sending an unqualified temp to act as Thorin Oakenshield's PA because no one qualified can put up with him.

(He'd say they can't meet his standards. Of course he would.)

Meet Bilbo Baggins. He just became Plan B.

idylls of the king by aerospaces — 16.1k words

Summary: Thorin a single parent/uncle, Bilbo babysits. Fili and Kili are a handful. Essentially NANNY AU where Thorin is a perturbed Detective Inspector navigating through life.

A Remover of Obstacles by MistakenMagic — 371.7k words**

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

** This is honestly a favorite of mine. I can't begin to describe how amazing this fic is. If you have the time, go for it! I promise it will change you for good.

This is all I have for now, but please know that I'm currently reading new ones and I'll be adding them onto this list very soon!

Have a nice read! (And hopefully, with a nice cup of tea).

[mithrilhearts]

🍃 A Lesson in Morels ‣ Mushrooms are more than just edible to hobbits. They can symbolize a variety of things - protection, good fortune, but they can also symbolize that you're about to embark on a quest of intimacy with your significant other. (reshirement, explicit, 7.9k)

🍃 An Ink-Stained Vow ‣ After the Battle of the Five Armies, Bilbo feels that he's lost more than just something precious in his pocket. To fill that void, Bilbo seeks something more permanent he can carry before it's time to head back to Bag End. (post botfa/everyone lives, gen, 4.4k)

🍃 Below the Belt ‣ Thorin, tired of being poked and prodded after his scuffle with Azog's warg atop the Burning Pines, refuses to care for his injuries and takes off, so what does the company do? Send Bilbo to take care of Thorin, naturally. And boy, does Bilbo go above and beyond. (during the quest, explicit, 6k)

🍃 Blinded by the Scars ‣ Bilbo had never known scars could be so sensitive, even after years of healing and time to adjust. With that knowledge, and the idea of something a little different in bed, Bilbo is determined to help his dwarven husband relax. (reshirement, explicit, 2.9k)

🍃 Can't "Rise" to the Occasion ‣ Every evening the Company of Thorin Oakenshield gathers for food, stories, and rest around the campfire on their way to Erebor. Some stories are fun, others are adventurous, but tonight’s theme is scary. Bilbo’s idea of scary and the dwarves’ understanding of hobbit customs throws Thorin’s mind for a loop. (during the quest, gen, 2.3k)

🍃 Cold Is The Night ‣ After securing a place to stay within Beorn's lodgings, Thorin and Bilbo find themselves sharing a coat, newfound emotions, and then some. (during the quest, explicit, 5.5k)

🍃 Concerning Dwobbits ‣ September 22 is a day of celebration in Erebor, not only for Bilbo Baggins but for his and Thorin's dwobbit son who sprouted from an all too familiar acorn. (parentshield, gen, 2.6k)

🍃 A (Green)House Built for Two ‣ Two years after the Battle of the Five Armies, Bilbo begins to show signs of being homesick. Unable to fathom the idea that Bilbo may want to leave the mountain for his Shire home, Thorin takes on a project to bring a little bit of the Shire's greenery to Erebor. (consort bilbo, gen, 5.7k)

🍃 The Icing on the Cupcake ‣ Bilbo Baggins has two great loves: molding young minds and baking. So it comes as a bit of a shock to him when at his nephew's 7th birthday party a third love is added to the list. (modern meet-cute, gen, 6k)

🍃 Mudùmel ‣ After leaving Erebor behind, Thorin is struggling to find his sense of comfort in the Shire. All it takes is an encounter with one of his new hobbit neighbors, and he realizes that the comfort he seeks has been at his side all along. (reshirement, gen, 3k)

🍃 Right As Snow ‣ Yuletide at Bag End is different this year with Frodo as the newest addition to the smial. With a misunderstanding about how well one likes the other, Thorin and Frodo both struggle through their holiday. (parentshield, gen, 10.3k)

🍃 Sweet, Literal Nothings ‣ Ever since that hug upon the Carrock, Fili, Kili, and the rest of the company are always asking themselves: what is going on with Thorin and Bilbo? Across the campsite, sitting nice and cozy next to one another, the two individuals in question have another way of looking at it: how can we mess with the Company? (during the quest, gen, 2.1k)

🍃 Wish Upon a Firefly's Light ‣ A brief respite allows Thorin the time he needs to reflect, gazing upon Rivendell's fireflies. (during the quest, gen, 2.3k)

[sotwk]

My gosh this is a very wild guess, but is Anariel the maiden in Rivendell in your WIP "The Only Gold"? [main clues I used: Anariel's birth year (fic must be set after TA 496), you mentioned that it was one of your WIP fics, she lived in Rivendell, golden/blonde hair (based on your face claim), Anariel is close to Arvellas and learned a lot from him (potentially including about the dwarves) and the she-elf in the fic knows Khuzdul

My dear friend, this was not a "wild guess", but rather some Sherlock Holmes level of investigative deduction! XD You are 100% correct! I am so impressed and flattered that you took the time to gather information and piece it together to present your proof! You must be really good at finding Easter Eggs from movie franchises.

Because of the "jumping all over the place" approach I have taken to writing out the SotWK AU of Thranduil's (and Middle-earth's) history, there are clues and Easter Eggs all over my stories about plot details that haven't been revealed yet. Mysteries like: Which Son of Fëanor is Maereth's grandfather? Who are the other First Age canons related/connected to Thranduil's family?

"The Only Gold" is my "Durins Live" fix-it fic, told mostly through the eyes of Fili and, as you have guessed, Anariel. It will run through an AU version of The Hobbit/BotFA events and explore the SotWK AU history and (broken) relationship that actually existed between Mirkwood and Erebor. All 3 Sons of Durin (Thorin, Fili and Kili) will live, but the question is how, and what role will Thranduil's family play in it?

Will Fili and Anariel fall in love and end up finally uniting the two kingdoms and races? (Grandpa Thranduil and Uncle Thorin are fighting over who gets to wring my neck first right now. *nervous laugh*) Honestly, the endgame of their relationship remains very fluid my head. (aka undecided) All I know is destiny foretold by the Elvenqueen herself will push these two beautiful blondes together.

Just a few additional notes about the lovely tidbits you picked up on regarding Anariel:

Her birth year: She is actually as close in age to her Uncle Legolas as Legolas is to his brother Mirion! But yes, Anariel was born about 500 years before the Greenwood started to darken, so she enjoyed some happy centuries of peace with her family.

Her life in Rivendell: Sadly, by the events of The Hobbit, her mother had become estranged from Thranduil, which caused Itarildë and Anariel to leave Mirkwood and reside in Rivendell for a period of time. (Aranion stayed because no one is more loyal to Thranduil than he; what a darling grandson!)

Her relation to Elrond: Anariel is a cousin by blood to Elrond. Elrond's paternal great-grandmother Elenwë is the sister of Elemírë (an OC), Anariel's paternal great-great-grandmother. Thus in the story, Elrond refers to her his "kin".

Her closeness to Arvellas and knowledge of the Dwarven culture: By the Third Age, no other Elf in Middle-earth could surpass Prince Arvellas in his knowledge of the Dwarves. For many centuries, he taught his dear niece nearly everything he knew about the Dwarven race, including Khuzdul. Arvellas foresaw he was not destined to live forever on Middle-earth, so he sought to pass on his knowledge to a worthy successor.

Her golden hair: The beauty of Anariel's golden hair is one to rival Galadriel's, due to her strong Vanyarin inheritance. (I mean, her name is "Daughter of the Sun"!) In the SotWK AU, Glorfindel is 3/4 Vanya, and he married the sister of Elenwë (wife of Turgon), who is full Vanya. I made some rough calculations which reveals Itarildë as 22% Vanya, higher than any canon elf left in Middle-earth in the Third Age, save for Glorfindel himself (if you accept my HC that he's part Vanya). So yes, that's why the Dwarves were stunned and mesmerized by the golden hair of Anariel; it likely carries some "magic" in it. I have a self-indulgent HC that Gloin and Gimli would have had heated debates over whose hair was more beautiful--Galadriel's or Anariel's.

Anyway, apologies for my rambling Anon (and everyone who made it this far)! I have a thousand SotWK headcanons in my head that need to be unloaded sometimes to release the pressure. XD.

Anon, I would really love to give you a prize (as I promised) from the Tumblr Mart, any badge of your choice... but if you're not comfortable revealing yourself, I completely understand. Another option would be sending me another Ask and letting me know of a writer/artist whom you want to support, and I will buy them some KoFi on your behalf. Please let me know! :) Thank you again for participating in my little Guessing Game, and for your wonderful support!

Tagging those have historically been interested: @aduialel @fizzyxcustard @lathalea @laneynoir @achromaticerebus @auttumnsayshi @friendofthefellowshipsnerdblog @blueberryrock @scyllas-revenge @glassgulls @ladyweaslette @heilith @absentmindeduniverse @heranintomyknife23times @asianbutnotjapanese @a-world-of-whimsy-5 @lilidurin @beekieboo @albionscastle @jezzibee @g-m-kaye

Interested in more SotWK AU content?

Introduction to SotWK

My Headcanon Masterlist 

My Fanfiction Masterlist

[obsidiancreates]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[middleearthpixie]

After the Fire ~ Chapter Forty-Six

A/N: I originally planned to end this with Thorin and Jasna’s wedding, but since there is still some story left to tell… I hope no one minds if I continue it a little longer…

Fandom: The Hobbit - Post BOTFA AU Where Everybody Lives

Summary: Following the Battle of the Five Armies, a grievously wounded Thorin is brought back to the kingdom of Erebor, which is still mostly in ruins. Although he’s survived the wounds he received at the end of Azog’s blade, his recovery is far from complete. Grief, regret, anger, all are making his journey that much more difficult and the physical recovery isn’t quite the most difficult challenge he faces.

Jasna Stoneham is no stranger to loss, as she is a survivor of Smaug’s wrath upon Esgaroth. When she is asked to help the dwarves healers of Erebor, her instinct is to say no, but she needs the job, and so agrees to it. However, no one told her that of all the patients, she would be responsible for the king himself, Thorin Oakenshield. 

Unfortunately, the road to recovery isn’t necessary a smooth one, but if there’s one thing Thorin will learn, it’s that Jasna is just as stubborn as he is and for every step back he takes, she is there to push him three steps forward. And Jasna will soon find out that there is a gentle, softer side to the dwarf king, one that very few people have ever seen and one he fights to keep hidden from her as well. But like his recovery, that is also easier said than done. 

Summary: Thorin and Jasna arrive in Mirkwood in the middle of the night…

Pairing: Thorin Oakenshield x ofc Jasna Stoneham

Characters: Jasna, Thorin, Thranduíl, Dwalin

Warnings: None

Rating: T

Word Count: 3,256

Tag List: @tschrist1 @i-did-not-mean-to @lathalea @linasofia @fizzyxcustard @kibleedibleedoo @xxbyimm @arrthurpendragon @exhausted-humxn-being @rachel1959 @laurfilijames @sketch-and-write-lover @sherala007 @enchantzz @knittastically @notlostgnome @myselfandfantasy @medusas-hairband @guardianofrivendell @jotink78 @sorisooyaa @ruthoakenshield @frosticenow @quiall321 @dianakc @buckybarnes-thorin

If you’d like to be added (or removed) to the tag list, please just let me know!

Previous chapters can be found here. 

The coach bounced about along the rutted road and not for the first time, Jasna found herself wondering how badly her spine might be rearranged as a result. She looked over at Thorin, marveling over how he could sleep so soundly when they were tossed about seemingly from one side of the coach to the other. No matter how she tried, she simply could not get comfortable. And when she did manage to fall asleep? The coach hit a rut or ran over a branch and the would rock hard enough to slam her into the side and wake her up. 

All the while Thorin snored on.

She scowled at him. Nothing kept him from sleeping. Nothing. And it seemed nothing could help her sleep. How unfair.

They headed south toward Mirkwood, taking the same journey he’d undergone with the Company, only in reverse. Part of her looked so forward to seeing Mirkwood, but part of her was terrified at the very thought. The spiders he’d spoken of weighed heavily on her mind. He promised she would’t come into contact with them, but could he really make such a promise? 

The coach rocked wide to the left and Jasna had to throw up her hand to brace herself and keep from slamming into the side yet again. But, just as she’d righted herself, they swung the opposite way and the momentum threw her into Thorin, who bolted up with a growled, “Who goes?”

“Me, Thorin,” she grumbled as she found herself almost buried face-first in the thick fur of his cloak. “I go and I am tired of going. How much further do we have?”

He plucked her from his chest to seat her beside him once more and with one hand, rubbed the sleep from his eyes. “Where are we?”

“I have’t a clue,” she told him, turning to peer through the window at the growing dusk. “I’ve never been beyond Esgaroth, remember?”

Lowering his hand, he offered up a sheepish smile. “My apologies..” 

He leaned toward the window on his side and peered out. “We aren’t far from Mirkwood, if memory serves. But,” he looked over at her, “you have to remember, I did this part of the trek in a barrel on the Forest River, and aside from some ugly orcs, saw little of anything.”

She smiled then. “I’d forgotten about that. Mr. Baggins mentioned it at our reception, didn't he?”

“I cannot say, mesmel, for I was not there when he did. But, considering it was his idea and it saved our hides…”

With a sigh, she settled against him, smiling as he draped his arm about her shoulders and pressed a kiss into the top of her head. Despite the discomfort of traveling by coach, it was cozy there with him, and without thinking, she eased her arm about his hips and slipped her hand beneath his tunic to sweep against his belly. He sighed softly, tightening his arm about her, and whispered, “Maralmizi.”

Tucking her head against him, she murmured back, “Maralmizu.”

She didn't mean to doze off, but the next thing she knew, Thorin’s voice was soft in her ear as he said, “Wake up, mesmel. We have arrived.”

“What?” She sat up, yawning as she did so. She leaned across him to peer out the window, but it was far too dark to see much. And what she did see made her heart sink to a certain degree. Trees. Vines. Leaves. That was it. Somehow, she thought there’d be… more.

The coachman hopped down and opened their door. “Your Majesties, we have arrived.”

Thorin stepped out of the coach, and turned to hold out his hand. “Take care, mesmel. I’d hate to see you turn an ankle here.”

Leaves crunched beneath her boots as she alit from the cabin. A chilly breeze rustled through the canopy of leaves and branches, a hint of staleness in its arms as it wound around them as well to send more leaves scuttling into the darkness. Jasna pulled her cloak tighter as she glanced about. Yellow orbs glowed at her from the treetops—owls, she thought. A husky hoo! confirmed her suspicions. 

“It’s about time we’re here,” Dwalin grumbled as he alit from the coach behind theirs. Jasna smiled at the grouch in Dwalin’s voice. She felt that grouch herself. 

“Hush,” Thorin told him. “We are not here to cause any incidents. I’d rather not find my way back into the dungeon here, if it’s all the same to you.”

“I’m not the one who got us tossed in there,” Dwalin retorted, shaking his head. “Seems to me, ye were the one insulting the prissy wee elf lord.”

Jasna pressed her lips together to hold back both her smile and her chuckle, then looked from Dwalin to Thorin. “What did you say to him?”

Thorin cleared his throat, a hint of color rising above the line of his beard. “It is of no matter now,” he replied, shooting Dwalin a look. “We are still not here to cause trouble.”

“Aye, I’ll make sure I smile and thank them for their hospitality in not locking us in cells this time.”

“Dwalin—” Thorin began. 

“Who goes?”

The voice emerged from the darkness, but neither Thorin, Dwalin, nor the coachman jumped. In fact, the coachman sounded almost arrogant as he said, “I bring with me the King and Queen of Erebor to see His Majesty Thranduíl.”

“It is the middle of the night, you fool!”

“We were waylaid by weather,” Thorin said, his low voice never rising beyond conversation level even as it carried through the woods as if he shouted. “And since I’d rather not remain out here, at the mercy of Mahal only knows what, you will allow us entry at the least.”

“I beg your—”

“Let them in.” 

The voice was somewhat familiar to Jasna, and Thorin’s hand came to rest at the small of her back as he said, “Ah, Thranduíl. A voice of reason.”

“That’s not something I thought I’d ever hear,” Dwalin muttered behind them.

“Hush,” Thorin hissed.

“The hour is late, Thorin,” Thranduíl replied evenly. “And I should like to get back to sleep, if you don't mind.”

Jasna pressed her lips together as the heavy oaken doors before them slowly swung open. She had no idea where Thranduíl was, she couldn't see him, but perhaps Thorin could, for he chuckled as he looked off to his right. “Ah, as gracious a host as always,” he replied dryly, urging her to follow the coachman into the darkness beyond the gates.

“Am I required to be gracious to travelers who arrive without warning and in the middle of the night?”

“Yes.”

“I beg to differ.”

Jasna bit the inside of her mouth to hold back her smile as her eyes adjusted and she saw Thranduíl before them, a torch of oak and leaves in one hand. He wore a long, gold and brown silk robe, his normally sleek, white-blonde hair poking up at odd angles and his eyes heavy-lidded with dark shadows beneath them. A hint of guilt twinged her insides. “I’d like to apologize,” she told him glancing first up at Thorin, then at Mirkwood’s king, “for our late arrival. We hit terrible weather halfway here, and the coaches became stuck in the mud on a less than perfect road.”

Thranduíl smothered a yawn with one hand. “It is of no matter now. Come and I will have Rychell show you to your chambers. Unless,” he peered at Thorin over one shoulder, “you are both hungry.”

Jasna’s stomach growled, but she shook her head. “I think bed sounds like a wonderful idea.”

“Good. Rychell?”

The elf seemed to appear from the shadows, his long, reddish hair sleek and smooth. “Yes, my lord?”

“Please show the king and queen to their chambers. And then show Mr. Fundinson to his. And make certain places are set for them for the morning.”

“Yes, my lord.” Rychell looked over at them. “If you will follow me.”

“I bid you all good evening,” Thranduíl said with a slight bob of his head. “And I will see you in the morning.”

Thorin nodded in return. “Thank you, of course.”

“Thank you.” Dwalin managed to sound almost friendly.

“It is my pleasure. Rychell, make certain they have anything and everything they need.”

“Aye, my lord.”

“Thorin, Jasna, do not hesitate if there is something you wish. Rychell would be happy to help. And the same goes for you, Mr. Fundison.”

Dwalin bobbed his head slightly. “I thank ye.”

“Of course.” Thorin’s fingertips pressed harder into her back. “I think for now we wish only to sleep. It’s been a long day.”

“Very well. I will see you come the morning.”

“That you will.”

With that, she, Thorin, and Dwalin fell into step behind Rychell, who led them down an open-air corridor away from the front gates. The air was damp, heavy with the smells of earth and rainwater. Vines made up the palace walls, tree trunks here and there in the place of columns and supports. Overhead, the roof was no more than a tightly woven basket of branches and vines, the scent of wet leaves lingering on the chilled night breeze. The hoots of the owls had grown softer, as had the flutter of wings and the scratch of talons on bark. Meanwhile, the songs of other nocturnal creatures grew louder, more rhythmic as Rychell paused beside a door that appeared to be carved from the side of a massive maple tree.

“Is there anything I might fetch for you, Your Majesties?”

Thorin shook his head. “Thank you, but I think my wife and I would just prefer to go to sleep.”

Rychell bobbed his head. “Of course, Your Majesty. Sleep well. Mr. Fundinson, if you will come with me.”

Dwalin bobbed his head again. “Aye, of course. Good night, Thorin, Miss Jasna.”

“Good night,” Jasna told him with a hint of a smile. “Sleep well.”

“I’ll do my best. Thorin, I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Of course.”

And with that, Rychell led Dwalin down the corridor and around a bend and they vanished from sight. Thorin gave her a gentle nudge. “I don't know about you, mesmel, but I am tired.”

“Tired does not even begin to describe it,” Jasna told him, smothering a yawn. 

She stepped into their chambers and if she didn't know any better, Jasna would think they were sleeping outdoors. Three of the walls were just that—rough-hewn, but walls nonetheless—but the fourth?

“Thorin, have you ever seen anything like this?” 

This was the outer wall, which looked more like roughly woven vines that wouldn’t keep out a chipmunk, never mind anything else. The ceiling reminded her of a forest canopy, much like the one back along the river at Erebor. The chilled night air rustled though the fronds of leaves that were various shades of green, gold, and brown. 

He came up behind her, easing his arms about her waist. “Mesmel, we are behind a wall, remember. No one will enter without an invitation through the doorway and a fight through any other way. I’m a light sleeper and you have nothing to fear.”

She sank against him, exhaustion seeping into the very marrow of her bones. For one who’d never ventured further than Erebor, Jasna had no idea how tiring travel could be. Her eyes stung with fatigue, but she thought if she let them close, she might simply collapse into a heap on the floor. The room was far more open than she’d expected, but the cool air would make sleeping cozy.

Or so she hoped.

“Tell me the beds here are at least comfortable,” she murmured, biting back a sigh as Thorin swept a teasing kiss along the side of her neck.

“I could not tell you,” he murmured back, the coarse hairs of his beard tickling along her ear, “for I spent my time here in first a cell, then a barrel. We were not exactly welcomed guests, you know.”

A smile tugged at her lips. “A cell, dwarf?”

“Oh, yes. I was dragged away from the others and brought before Thranduíl and when I refused to agree to his terms, he had me tossed into the dungeon with the others.”

“Why does that not surprise me?” She slowly turned toward him, slipping her arms about his thick waist. Gazing up at him, she added, “You have a way with people, you know.”

Thorin’s eyes, every bit as tired as hers felt, softened and a hint of a smile played at his lips. “I do, when properly motivated. I trusted Thranduíl about as far as I could toss him.”

“And now?”

“It’s about the same, but since the odds are that his kingdom and mine will be entangled by marriage? We may not trust one another, but we can get along. For short periods, anyway.”

“Is Tauriel his daughter?”

“Not that I’m aware. She’s a captain in his guard. But elves view themselves in similar fashion as dwarves. Family, but not bound by blood.”

As he spoke, his large hands came up to cradle her face between them. “And you look beyond tired, mesmel,” he murmured, his thumbs brushing along the curves of her cheeks, “so perhaps we should think about going to sleep.”

“I think that is a wonderful idea.”

He smiled and bent toward her. As his lips met hers, Jasna curled her fingers about his thick wrists. Suddenly, she wasn’t quite so tired…

It was so peaceful, lying there beneath the canopy of leaves and branches. Jasna tucked against him, her head on his chest, her arm draped over his hips, and her breath came slow and deep, skittering across his bare chest with each breath.

But Thorin couldn't sleep. Oh, he was tired enough, to be sure, but the unfamiliar sounds carried on the breeze woke him at every turn. Moonlight slitted through that canopy, and it is beams, the Orcrist gleamed silver. 

Silver and not blue. Neither orc nor troll lurked nearby.

And yet, he still couldn't sleep. 

The bed was comfortable enough—a far cry from the cramped cell he’d shared with Balin the last time he was in Mirkwood—the sheets smooth and soft, the blanket warm and soft. And yet, he couldn't sleep. 

His fingers moved of their own along Jasna’s bare arm, down along her equally bare back. She was soft as well. Warm. Fit against him as perfectly as if Mahal had made her just for him. He smiled into the darkness. His wife. When he’d first opened his eyes in the infirmary, following the battle with Azog, and saw her, he never dreamed this was where they would find themselves. All he knew was he was in agony and she made the pain stop. She made the nightmares more bearable. 

She made him whole, in every way possible. 

She sighed in her sleep and rolled away from him, tugging the quilt and blanket to her ear as she did. He smiled into the darkness and took that as his sign, moving to the edge of the bed to reach for his trousers. He slid into them as he stood and as quietly as he could manage, he moved to the far wall, to a courtyard of sorts that was just beyond their chambers. A low, stone wall ringed the courtyard, a hint of jasmine in the air, heady and sweet, and with a low sigh, he sank onto the wall. For reasons he couldn’t explain, he wasn’t entirely comfortable in Mirkwood. He had no cause to not be. Thranduíl had been as welcoming as he knew how, and Thorin didn't feel as if they’d be shown back to his cell any time soon.

And yet, he just wasn’t comfortable. 

From where he sat, he could still keep an eye on Jasna. And so that is exactly what he did. He sank back against what felt like an actual tree trunk, and just watched her sleep from across the room. From Mirkwood, they would travel west toward Rivendell, and from there, possibly the Shire.

Thorin wasn't certain how he felt about venturing out to pay a call on Bilbo. On one hand, the invitation to come visit had been extended, but on the other? The last time dwarves alit upon the Shire, Bilbo found himself hosting a party he hadn’t planned on, and dwarves weren’t the best of houseguests.

But at the same time, he wanted to stop by and visit. He owed his life to Bilbo, as it was because Bilbo threw himself at an orc about to behead Thorin. Tackled him and ran him through as if he—Bilbo—had been a seasoned warrior when in fact the opposite was true. And then out on the ice, when Thorin faced off against Azog, Bilbo had stayed with him, talked to him to try to keep him conscious long enough for help to arrive.

With a soft sigh and and even softer rustle of linens, Jasna rose from the bed, drawing on a light robe as she padded toward him. “Thorin? What are you doing?”

“I couldn't sleep.” There was no point in lying to her about it. She knew him well enough by now to have seen how troubled sleep plagued him from time to time.

Sure enough, she rubbed one eye as she said, “Nightmares?”’

“Not this time.” He reached for her, catching her by the hands to draw her in between his knees. “Why are you awake?”

“I had an odd dream.”

“Tell me about it.”

She shook her head. “I don't really remember all of it, but we were on our way to the Shire and orcs were chasing us.” She looked up at him. “But, I wasn’t afraid. And when one caught up to us, I slapped him soundly across the face and told him to leave us be and he did… it was so odd. They all just vanished at that point.”

“Well, that is a good thing, for they rarely just vanish.”

“I wouldn’t know. I only ever met any right after you and your Company left Esgaroth.”

He sighed softly. “I had no idea they were still following us at that point.”

“They were determined to find you, I guess.”

“They were determined to end me.” He let his fingers slip lightly along her hair.

She snugged closer to him, letting her head come to rest against his chest as she said, “And I am so glad they didn’t.”

“You are not the only one, mesmel.”

Jasna picked her head up and smiled at him. “You should come to bed, Mr. Durin,” she murmured, trailing her fingers up his chest, along the curve of his neck.

His belly fluttered at the soft invitation in her voice, in her eyes, even as he asked, “And why is that?”

“Because I think I might find a way to make you sleepy.”

Her fingers danced lightly along the nape of his neck, the tingles she left in her wake sweeping through him, becoming warmth that soon grew into heat with a each light, teasing stroke. He gazed down, whispering, “Is that so?”

She nodded as she drew him down to meet her lips. As their kiss deepened, he carefully rose from the wall, scooped her up into his arms, and spirited her back to the bed, pressing her down beneath him. 

[swordoaths]

After writing about Bard telling his children about their mother, we also have on the complete opposite end of the spectrum.... Thranduil.

Thranduil does not speak to Legolas about his mother. HOWEVER, I do believe that the end of BOTFA with Thranduil's words: "Legolas, your mother loved you. More than anyone. More than life" IS the beginning of opening up a dialogue and opening up healing for them both. I do have Thoughts about that, but for the purpose of this post, I'm here to talk about why Thranduil doesn't speak of her to Legolas pre-BOTFA.

And first, before I delve into that, let me share a poem from Jam.ie Olivi.era that often makes think of Thranduil and his inability to speak of her:

"i am afraid that if i open myself i will not stop pouring. (why do i fear becoming a river? what mountain gave me such shame?)"

To understand why Thranduil does not speak of her (or any of his loses, for that matter), we must first understand that his loss is technically expressed vis a vis the forest (where he cannot speak, the forest does), that his losses were too much for Thranduil to bear alone because he would not speak of it in the first place and so the forest took on part of the pain, and that the visual decay of the forest is a mirror reflecting Thranduil's grief right back at him every day for him to try to understand it.

To Thranduil, if he speaks of Legolas' mother, it is finality. It is admitting what is too painful to speak about. It is a step in his own grieving that he has not reached yet, which is admitting that she is gone and there is nothing that can be done about it. And there is something in Thranduil that knows whenever he does finally speak of her (or his father, or of Doriath), it will be an outpouring that does not stop. Losing control of his grief is scary to him. And if all that grief pours out of him until nothing else is there, what happens after? What will be felt then? He is holding on to it all so much because if he lets go, what happens then?

And it's a detriment to himself, certainly, but it's also a detriment to Legolas. But we cannot control how any of us grieve, and Thranduil certainly is stuck in a certain stage of his own grief from which he sees no resolution for many, many years.

[cullenakingirog]

"I haven't fallen yet But I feel it comin' Tell me would it be too much to ask If you break it to me gently That I'm waking the next day Without you beside me And who I hold on to today Tomorrow will just be a memory" -Before It Sinks In by Moira dela Torre

The day before Sindri, mother to the Ri brothers left Apharchlalaithon after the Feast of Starlight. Basically, in my little Tolkienverse, the elves of the Woodland Realm allowed in Ereborean refugees and some families hosted dwarven families as well. Apharchlalaithon was one of them.

Apharchlalaithon had four brothers and his parents with him but they all died at the Last Alliance which left him alone in a home that felt too big. Enter Sindri and Dori and Nori who brought noise and life back into his house and he began feeling like his family was there again. Apharchlalaithon has a quiet demeanour; he just tends to while away the time by reading and sketching whatever he sees whenever he isn't assigned to patrol the Woodland Realm. So having two toddlers, one who is a mischievous adventurer (Nori) and one who is extremely curious and babbles a lot of questions (Dori), he found himself being pulled out of his comfort zone where he would answer all their questions and even accompany them on walks to get them used to the Woodland Realm's layout.

Sindri had had two past relationships that ended with Dori and Nori being born respectively. She worked as a seamstress for noble families (Dori's father was a distant Line of Durin member) When Erebor fell, she was surprised that this stern-faced elf was the one assigned to her and her boys since she was worried about him being cruel to her children. Turns out he wasn't and he was extremely patient and indulgent with them. At some point, Nori messes up some of Apharchlalaithon's charcoal sketches and he just fixed it. ("Time to improve and repair is eternal for me. Why must I be angry if I can just fix this?" said Apharchlalaithon)

Anyway, both sides developed feelings for each other but they won't speak up about it. Sindri because she didn't want the scrutiny of the world on Apharchlalaithon and also so he won't be hurt once she and her boys died (also because she doesn't know if he wanted her to stay) and Apharchlalaithon because he refuses to tie her down since she told him about how she didn't want to be chained as a wife. (Someone who gives up her craft, her life just to please her husband, something Apharchlalaithon never really would have done to her) Sindri meant to leave in spring after eight years of staying in the Woodland Realm. It's just that one thing led to another during the Feast of Starlight and they ended up sleeping with each other. Sindri knew Apharchlalaithon would marry her once "his senses returned to him" so she chose to leave, leaving a hair bead for him to remember her by.

Apharchlalaithon wakes up, finds his house empty and in his panic, he didn't realise he had thrown off the bead in his panic at trying to find Sindri, Dori and Nori again.

He will eventually meet them again but he stops remembering/recognising people if he doesn't see them a lot of the time. It's when the Company got captured by the guards for going off trail it's just that he didn't recognise Dori and Nori and was keeping to the farthest part of the rear group. (He'll also lose a leg during BotFA and he never gets used to his prosthetic or the use of his crutches, a point of deep frustration for him)

and yes, he's Ori's dad cause Peredhil Ori Rights is a weird thing I fixated on.

[anneangel]

Your post on the lack of complexity regarding the morality of the characters in Tolkien’s works was really interesting, and I definitely see your point. But, wasn’t there some ambiguity over who was right or wrong in The Hobbit, before the BOFTA? Both sides had selfish and selfless motives, greed and care for their people simultaneously, as well as pride and anger. I think Tolkien intended for the readers to sympathise with both Thorin and Bard.

I have to ask you a question: have you read my mind? I read and reread my post and was thinking of adding this moral issue between races, which is a much "looser and more flexible, more ambiguous" moral issue than “Good versus evil”. I think, your point is super valid.

I have to highlight your other point here: “Tolkien draws a hard line in the sand though. Regardless of how far people are willing to go, no one decent or honorable in the slightest would ever side with orcs. That's the ultimate sign of who the good guys and the bad guys are” by @queenmorganlafay

I agree with all your statements, have no doubt; and I'm so glad you said it so clearly. Just allow me to add my endless monologue about it all, and I know it's going to be boring but I can't hold back:

I was thinking about this, that I have friends who admire elves, some admires hobbits and others the dwarves. But I don't know anyone who really admires and wants to be like an orc. Yes, precisely. You are right: In fact Tolkien drew a line on the ground, there is a marking of how far his characters can be on the side of the “benign” and how far they can be on the side of the “evil”.

But it is curious how characters and races are free to show a multitude of emotions and attitudes that range from “peaceful” to “that lead to war”, where morality is dubious and we cannot define with absolute certainty “who is the good guy”. As in BotFA (Battle of the Five Armies).

And you know what's more curious? That the book considered “most childish” is precisely the one that does not establish pre-defined moral parameters between “who is right and who is wrong”.

I remember, while reading, of:

- 1) Agree when Thorin claims he will not converse with armed besiegers (after all, what kind of “dialogue” is assumed when you are surrounded by an army? The kind of “dialogue” that is peaceful only as long as the besiegers terms are accepted, other wise will attack).

- 2) I enjoyed that the Elves bring supplies to the wounded of the lake-town, but bothering me when they take an army to fight the dwarves because of an ANCIENT feud (as a peacemaker king it would be wiser to wait for that kingdoms establish themselves helping both humans and dwarves. Then use diplomacy and take back what was theirs in the past. But Thranduil chooses to take an army, intending to take back what is his at the worst time and on the basis of blackmail and numbers tatics in your favor).

- 3) Bard is the one who has the most sensible terms, as heir to Dale and Dragonslayer, he deserved his share, his reward and Lake-town deserved support. (But I remember being annoyed at how unhappy he seemed to see the dwarves alive, in book).

The “villains” in the book also made me think: Trolls and Spiders kill and are antagonists, but they do it to eat (this is food chain, not entirely nefarious). Smaug is terrifying and villainous, but he has been "hibernating" without further cruelty for a long time as many in Lake-town claimed to have never seen him in decades.

- Again, the villains that gave me the most chills when I read were the Orcs/Goblins, who are the only ones who were really willing to burn the protagonists for fun and revenge, the song they sing when the 15 protagonists are up in the trees is the most frightening of the whole book. It is undeniable that the orcs are "the line" between "good and evil", since everyone has them as enemies in the end, and even races that despise each other can unite in order to defeat them.

But even though the morals are much more “flexible”, ambiguous and complex in The Hobbit, each character and race still has to deal with the consequences of their choices, they are still good or bad/evil choices. It doesn't mean that you will declare war on another race and walk away completely unscathed and as the "undoubtedly correct side of the situation". Remember what Gandalf told Thorin in Unfinished Tales:

- “If you disregard my advice, you will be headed for disaster. And you will no longer receive advice or help from me until the Evil one befalls you. And control your pride and your greed, or you will fall at the end of whatever path you take, however much your hands are full of gold.”

It's as if evil is an entity that puts the characters' moral choices to the test. So characters "full of light" can be corrupted to evil, whether humans, elves, or anyone else. Where individual needs, pride, greed, anger, hatred, desire for revenge, obsession with objects, need for power and knowledge, among others, are feelings that, depending on their intensity, can become harmful and corrupt them for the "evil". I have a feeling that Tolkien's characters are "good light", if dont corrupted by selfishness.

What I liked the most when I read The Hobbit was:

A) The Hobbit is a light, unpretentious read, promises nothing and delivers everything, the journey has the right tone and pace, without being so tiring, it is focused on a single protagonist, dear Bilbo, who is not the hero archetype conventional "strong and badass", but still charming in his actions, he is comical, grumpy, brave and sensible all in a single character, which makes him multidimensional, showing his growth along the journey.

B) Despite being a more "soft and childish" adventure, it still teaches us a lot about launching ourselves into the world even if everything is uncertain, about friendship, about greed and its evils, about the journey being important to define who we are, that it changes us but that we must not lose the essence.

C) The plot is not that "cliché" of the "young hero who has to struggle and sacrifice himself for a good cause of good against evil", here it all started just as a adventurous "treasure hunt".

D) The protagonist is only one, but he is enough in the plot, which teaches us: not to be afraid to explore the world around us, to care for friendships, that gold is not more important than life, to value the people who we have on our side, that everything in life is ups and downs, that despite the journey bringing some suffering we can still choose to see the beautiful side of life and continue living. Also, Bilbo is not someone who becomes a "winner" in the end, he just grows stronger and discovers who he is throughout his adventure, changing the fate of everyone around him in the end and in the future. With Bilbo, we discovers that “having it all” shouldn't be the goal, that greed corrupts everyone around us and that money doesn't buy everything. That it is better to value life, simple things and friendships and that it is not worth wasting such things at the expense of petty wars.

The Hobbit is a light and deep book when it has to be, makes you laugh and cry, in addition the "world" where the plot takes place is incredible without Tolkien having to make long descriptions of the environment and add various information about the world that created. This added to the fact that Bilbo is a very active/proactive and charismatic character makes the book a delight.

That's why I find it curious that it is precisely in the Tolkien “children's book” where there is greater moral flexibility, but in LotR and Silmarillion an even more visible "line" is created in the plot where there is "the undeniable and good side versus the nefarious and undoubted side of evil".

I understand why I liked The Hobbit more (more focused on a single protagonist and the central plot has nothing to do with "saving the world from something nefarious evil") besides that I get attached much easier to characters instead of the plot, I prefer individuality of the characters and I like books that give primacy to psychological factors, thinking, aptitudes, interests, desires, inclinations, feelings, sensations, emotions, flaws, defects, learnings and intuitions of the characters, and Bilbo stole my heart in the approximately 300 pages of which he is the protagonist.

It revolts me to be insulted by fans of LotR's books - and movies - just because I prefer The Hobbit. I think respect should come above all, besides the fact that demeaning a book because it is more "childish" is silly, it's as if people are saying that there is no learning and excellent lessons in children's things, like being "for children" were inferior.

I think children's books need to define much more what "is right and what is wrong" since their target audience are children without much sense of discernment, while "adult" books don't need much of this because it is assumed that their audience is more enlightened.

- Hence my surprise to see that morals are more “flexible” and exists ambiguity  in The Hobbit, while in LotR there is an obvious “line” of who “are the good guys and who is the evil side” (I swear, have you seen my post from a mother who came to ask me about using The Hobbit at school because her think it is not appropriate for children because Bilbo is a thief? You see it's a "children's book", but it leaves room for questioning, the narrative has a very "Flexible" moral in The Hobbit, which I think is unusual for children's books).

So I'm always get emotional with  who see this book as more than "a silly childish narrative" and I love talking about The Hobbit. I thank you, for giving me this opportunity.

[sunnyrosewritesstuff]

The Marali Festival Commentary Part 2

Alright, the next 3 chapters! Honestly, I think it’s fair to say these might be my favorite 3 chapters... 👀 But more on that below!

**SPOILERS FOR THIS FIC BELOW**

Chapter 4- Hug

Dwalin took his place next to Thorin, silently holding the same position as the king.

“I have a plan.” He finally explained.

Dwalin chuckled. “I would hope so. Mahal knows we’ve all been waiting for one of you to do something.”

This was supposed to make people still think that Thorin wrote the note, but I don’t think any of my readers were actually buying it.😂

Thorin had already been placed in the first position and was almost pleading with Mahal for who would be number sixteen. His prayers were answered and he met Heor’s glare with a challenging grin.

Let’s call this chapter the “what-if Thorin got to fight Heor in Guardian of Kings instead”. I don’t think it was nearly as good a battle scene as it was with Bilbo, but I had more time to work with on GOK. 

Thorin immediately took to the center ring as soon as he was summoned. His head held high and his shoulders pulled back. Heor met him stride for stride.

“Been awhile, Thorin.” He smirked.

The disrespect.😒 You know, with this particular OC, he was always supposed to come off as ‘the asshole’ but not necessarily the villain. That definitely didn’t happen in this fic. 

“Heard that before. Although that is a lovely trinket. Did you get that from your hobbit courtesan?”

Thorin’s nostrils flared, and he had Heor shoved three feet away before he even had time to think.

The lesson here: don’t call Bilbo a whore to Thorin’s face.

The blade cut straight up his sternum (would have sliced open his neck) had the chain carrying the acorn button not snagged it. The metal snapped, Thorin hit the dirt, and there was a plethora of guards restraining Heor. Dwalin at the forefront. Thorin lay there as blood ran down his chest in amazement that once again, the hobbit had inadvertently saved his life.

I liked the symbolism here of the ‘acorn’ always saving Thorin and him tying that directly with Bilbo. It was just a nice little parallel.

Something in the hobbit suddenly snapped, and before Thorin knew it, he had Bilbo pressed tightly against him, sobbing into his chest, his arms encircling as much of his body as he could. Thorin felt pained at the memories that still haunted his hobbit, but he returned the hug as best as he could murmuring softly all the way.

“It’s okay. I’m okay. Everything is fine.”

If I remember correctly (this was a year ago after all), I think my initial plan had this hug being a lot more light-hearted, but the moment I brought Heor into it I was like WAIT I CAN MAKE THIS HURT. Did I have a plan to explain how exactly Thorin survived BOTFA? Not exactly.😆 Everyone just got to use their imaginations as I referenced it.

Chapter 5- Harmless Flirting

I feel like I should preface this chapter by saying as someone who is a terrible flirt, I really worried about this prompt...

When asked why the king himself did not choose to show off the merit of his skill, Thorin became surprisingly tight-lipped.

FORESHADOWING! 👀 I either already had @stardryad-random​‘s commission at this point, or she had sent me updates so I was pretty sold on the metallic bouquet at the end.😂

“How about you try and guess. If hobbits had a seven day passion festival, what would we feature?”

Thorin smirked at the challenge. “And what do I get if I win?”

“Whatever you want.” Bilbo breathed almost before his mind could catch up.

Does this count as flirting? Because I’m not so sure it’s harmless at this point.😆

“That’s six.” Bilbo agreed.

They walked in silence for a while. Thorin clearly lost in thought while Bilbo pretended to be impressed by a particularly hefty stone-hewed bookshelf they passed.

Writer Thoughts: What in the hell can be a seventh hobbit ‘passion’? Think, Sunny, think...

“You’re right that dwarves take their crafts to a much more serious level than any hobbit, but if you’ve ever been to a harvest festival…there are contests for nearly everything! Sure the farmers are showing off their prized vegetables and livestock. But oh, there’s so many different contests just for eating! Pie-eating contests, pudding, fudge…and of course lots of games and activities for the faunts. My cousins on my mother’s side that I was particularly close with and I would make the most handsome paper boat. The object being to see it safely down the Brandywine to the finish line, and it would always sink just beforehand. Siggy would get in such a tiff over it. Then there’s beautiful handcrafts that are up for judging too! Hand knitted blankets, prized family recipes, gorgeous wreaths for your door. No, hobbits don’t have crafts persay, but I would think we would have a day just for being passionate…about life, I suppose.”

Good job, Sunny. Self-five. As someone who grew up in a small, rural area, this was 100% based on our county fairs. I won showmanship with my sheep, and my homemade wreaths usually won 3rd place.😏

“Well I suppose I lost our little game, so I feel it only fair to turn the prize to the victor. Ask what you will of me, and I will see it done.”

“Be my escort tomorrow?” Bilbo blurted, catching Thorin off-guard. “I just…today was so lovely. And I thought if you didn’t have anything else…But then you are the king! Of course you would have better plans than to escort…”

Thorin cut him off with a gentle whiskery kiss to his hand.

“It would be my honor.”

So it was actually a little before this chapter that I knew I had messed up. But to be fair, I only had up to Chapter 4 written before I started posting. If you guys actually look at my tumblr post for the first chapter, you will notice the next chapter was supposed to be ‘Dance’. I realized about halfway through this chapter though that I had this idea of Thorin and Bilbo seeing the opera before going to the dance. So he would need an escort for that...

Chapter 6- Be My Escort

So on the original prompt list I borrowed from, it had ‘Movie Night’. I decided to replace that with the Middle Earth equivalent: play/live theater, but named it “Be My Escort”. 

There was a shift in their relationship that has happened recently that Thorin didn’t feel entirely prepared for. Perhaps, he should have been. Perhaps, this was just logically the next step. However, he found himself concerned for Bilbo’s image. The ‘courtesan’ comment made by Heor has sat ill with him, even though the vile vermin was sitting comfortably in a cell right now.

Does anyone else HC Thorin as somebody who has to have a plan and stick to it? Maybe it’s his stubborn nature, but I always imagine Thorin freaking out if anything deviates from the way he saw things working out. This plays into his ‘freak out’ in the next chapter. 

Bilbo had indeed dressed for the occasion. He wore one of his hobbit button-downs and nicer knee length dark slacks, but over that was a dwarven tunic of Durin blue with golden trim and a golden belt around his waist. However, Thorin felt his eyes drift to the hobbits chest where in the gap of the vest, he could see the mithril glittering brightly.

FUNNY STORY! I was complaining to @lordoftherazzles​ that I didn’t know how I wanted Bilbo’s outfit to look, and then sent her down a rabbit hole for a reference pic just for these few sentences of description.😅 Thank you Razzy!! Your efforts were well appreciated.

There was once a point when Thorin was still quite young and naively believing that Erebor would always belong to him, that wanted to forgo any notion of kingship in favor of an operatic career. Before puberty dropped him into a deep bass, his range had been wide and high, and he had been mesmerized by the players on the stage utilizing such gifts for storytelling. Thorin’s grandmother probably would have been the first dwarf in his corner had he ever brought it up. She had always been rather adoring on him and his vocal talents. Alas, life did not turn out the way he wanted nor ever envisioned.

Is this not the cutest headcanon for a young prince Thorin? More on this later this week... 👀

“I didn’t mean to offend.” Bilbo stated quietly.

“You didn’t.”

However, even Thorin recognized the waspish tone in his quick answer.

More evidence of Thorin being needled by things not going his way. It will blow up on him soon. You’ll have to wait til tomorrow though for me to talk about it.😏

[waiting-for-motivation]

nathith

summary: Fili fell hard for her. So he starts flirting and teasing her in any way possible. Everything is perfect until he remembers that Dwalin is (Y/n)s father.

pairings: Fili x Reader, Dwalin x Daughter!Reader, the other dwarves, Bilbo, Gandalf

warnings: fluff, protective dad mode, my daddy issues maybe

words: 1029

a/n: middle earth makes me feel like I‘m finally home so I had to write for my little lion king ❤️ @corpsekiller thanks for watching the movies with me (except for botfa of course, we wouldn‘t survive that) YOUR PLAYLIST SAVED MY ASS :)

MASTERLIST REQUEST RULES

They are singing and laughing on top of their ponies. So far, the journey to Erebor feels more like returning home after getting lost in the woods. The dragon is far away in the corners of their minds. Everyone is hopeful and in great delight to have this family, to which even Bilbo and Gandalf belong.

The hobbit in particular is captivated by the culture of the dwarves, which he only ever read about in books. Their language, their weapons, even their braids are all part of who they are. So when Bofur and (Y/n) start singing about the Ered Luin, Bilbo is elated to know more about the dwarves.

“You have a lovely voice, 'arsûna“, Fili comments with a cheeky grin after the song has ended. He guides his pony to walk right next to (Y/n), as close as possible, of course. She rolls her eyes, not capable to stifle a silent laugh. Filis grin only widens. (hot one)

“You know you won’t see the light of tomorrows sun, right? Someone will slit your throat when you sleep, slowly and bloody“, (Y/n) warns the dwarf without taking her eyes off her father, leading the company alongside his brother. He heard them. With one last deadly glance towards Fili, he turns back to Balin.

“Will that someone be you or him, 'ibinê“, Fili asks and raises an eyebrow. (Y/n) giggles as she watches Dwalins hands tighten around the rein of his pony. To the blond dwarf, this laugh is one of the fairest sounds he ever heard. (my gem)

“Probably who gets to you first, turgarug“, (Y/n) retorts and watches Fili touch his beard with a frown on his confused face. Then the cheeky grin returns to his lips. The braids of his mustache start moving from one side to the other in a silly manner. (tiny beard)

“It would be a pleasure to be killed by you, kurdu“, Fili says. A hard punch to his side is (Y/n)s answer, followed by them trying to kick the other from their pony. (Y/n) wins. The whole company laughs, Dwalin the loudest. (my heart)

By the time they settle for the night, everyone is so exhausted that they fall asleep almost immediately after eating what Bombur made. Before (Y/n) can lay down, Dwalin stops next to her with his axes in both hands. “Adad?“ (father)

She forgot about their training session every second day, but Dwalin for sure did not. Together they walk deeper into the woods, but still in sight of the other dwarves. They start sparring, first without weapons then with only daggers and then with axes and swords.

“I‘m proud of you, nathith. You’re getting better with every day“, Dwalin tells his daughter and leans his forehead against hers. These kind words mean everything to (Y/n). Making her father proud makes her proud in turn. They stay like that for a few peaceful moments, enjoying the feeling of their little family. (daughter)

“You wanna fight someone else?“, Fili asks. He has watched them for some time, leaning against a tree and never taking his eyes off (Y/n). She holds her breath, not knowing how Dwalin will react.

“I‘m pretty sure my nathith will kick your ass“, the warrior says with a confident smile, taking the sword out of (Y/n)s hand. Her fathers reaction surprises her, but she shrugs this astonishment away. Planting her feet on the ground, she waits for Fili to get ready. Before they start fighting with their bare hands, they smile at each other, knowing this is a friendly duel. (daughter)

Some innocent bruises later, more dwarves have joined Dwalin in watching the young dwarves spar. Bilbo is rather concerned for their health, but their punches are softer than they look. Dwarves are thick-skinned and stubborn and kind to whoever their heart belongs. So neither Fili nor (Y/n) have to fear any dangerous injuries.

Finally, (Y/n) manages to make Fili fall with a swift movement of her feet. But Fili won’t give up, so he grabs her ankle, and she falls on top of him. (Y/n) uses this to her advantage and pins his hands down with her knees, winning the fight and towering over the dwarf. Everyone cheers and laughs. “You at a loss for words, 'arsûn?“ (hot one)

As they return to the fireside, Balin and Dwalin take over Fili and Kilis watch. Everyone is quick to fall back asleep, except for (Y/n). She is exhausted from the long ride and the sparring session, but the coldness of tonight keeps her awake. For one thing, she could join her father at the campfire, then again, she also could just roll over and huddle against Fili.

And that is exactly what she does. First, Fili is confused and startled but as soon as he sees (Y/n)s gorgeous face, he relaxes, even wraps an arm around her. He can feel her shiver against him.

“For a second I thought you were about to slit my throat“, Fili whispers into the silent night. The crackling of the fire the only sound reaching their ears. And then there is this angelic giggle again. Fili smiles.

“I leave that to my father“, (Y/n) responds, cuddling even closer to the warmth of the dwarf. They close their eyes, at last cosy enough to fall asleep; in the arms of the one they love.

“You should really stop calling me these names, especially if you don‘t mean them. My adad…“, (Y/n) starts to whisper with her nose buried in the fur of Filis coat. (father)

“But I mean them, kurdu“, Fili interrupts her. He raises his head to look at the half asleep girl in his arms. Her face is so peaceful and magnificent. He feels the urge to kiss her soft lips, deep inside his chest. His beating heart a lullaby to (Y/n). (my heart)

“Amralizi.“ (I love you.)

By the time, (Y/n) is already asleep and having a tight grip on Filis coat, the dwarf lets his gaze wander from the girl in his arms to the stars and moon and finally to the campfire. Balin is smiling at him. Dwalin is sharpening his axes with a frown.

taglist: @lightning-wolffe @gwenebear @caswinchester2000

[fishfingersandscarves]

mx Ev could I perchance request a list of the Classics (tm) of bagginshield fics foe I am a fool and dont know the Classics (tm)

of course! i'm so glad you asked ^^)

first and foremost if you haven't read Sansûkh by @determamfidd what are you doing go do that right now - sansukh is bagginshield and gigolas, told from the end of BOTFA all the way through the end of LOTR's appendices as Thorin Oakenshield wakes up after death and begins watching over Bilbo and eventually the whole fellowship. this fic is beloved of me and is just so so SO GOOD, yes it's long and daunting but i promise, you will not be disappointed

another classic is Prayers to Broken Stone by @avelera this, my friend, is the best beauty and the beast au you will ever read. in this fic, thorin holes up inside Erebor and becomes even further infected by his dragon sickness, and actually slowly transforming into a dragon! only bilbo is brave enough to reenter erebor and take care of Thorin in his terrific state! this one i love to death <3

Clarity of Vision by @mithen is an AU fic for the ages! in this alternate timeline, Erebor has never fallen and bilbo finds himself drawn into a quest to help heal the ailing King Thror! also, the sequel to this fic Clarity of Purpose is so fucking good and is also very iconic

An Expected Journey by @mariejacquelyn is a classic time travel au and is actually the very first fic on ao3 i ever read! (and has great influenced my preference for time travel aus since then) in this, bilbo makes a wish at the end of his life to go back to before the quest and save Thorin, Fili and Kili, well, he gets his wish, but finds it hard to hide his origins........

How the West Was Won and Where it Got Us by stickman i think about in the wee hours....... this non-linear fic examines Bilbo and Thorin's relationship as grad students in a modern au. This one is rife with family drama and that good good angst

Nothing Gold Can Stay by @perkynurples is a fucking iconic work of writing! a modern au, Bilbo ends up working as a tutor for two royal nephews, and falling in love with their Uncle while doing so

Homesick by @andhumanslovedstories is a Post-BOTFA au where Bilbo gets mysteriously ill, Thorin goes on a journey to bring Bilbo back to the Shire and things get a little complicated along the way

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes by @diemarysues is a wonderful cinderella au where Bilbo magically turns into a dwarf, meets Thorin, and falls in love <333

and last one for flavor is Heartbeat of the Mountain by chrystal896 an au where no one died in BOTFA but Bilbo left anyway, years later he realizes there's no future for him in the shire anymore, so he leaves for Erebor, with a young Frodo in tow

there's loads more than just these, but these were the first classic ones i could remember off the top of my head :))

[luna-writes-stuff]

I would be honored if you could do an imagine for Fili crushing on someone who went on the journey with the Company. He thought she liked his brother, but after seeing him with Tauriel, Fili feels like he has a chance and offers everything to make her as happy as he thought she would be with Kili. Lovely fluff and some misunderstandings with everyone living because IF I CAN'T SEE CANON THEN IT DOESN'T EXIST

Mixed signals, Fili Durin (platonic Kili x reader)

what do you mean they don’t usually live???? Idk I always skip the last half hour of botfa. If I don’t see it, it doesn’t exist.

Ahahah I got taken away a bit so it’s a long request. Sorry….

Headcanons, female s/o

Tw: misunderstood feelings, mention of injury and blood, tiny sprinkle of angst, fluff, Kili being a lil shit, Fili being jealous, few mentions of Y/N I’m so sorry.

- This man is whipped for you. I posted a request similar to this one yesterday, and I feel like it says enough.

- The moment he sees you, he knows you’re his One. Yet, he can’t allow himself to show you. His brother wouldn’t shut up about it and besides that, after Erebor was to be reclaimed, he had to marry royalty in order to form an alliance.

- But Thorin wasn’t blind. He has seen the look in Dis’ eyes many times before. He had seen his sister find her One, so it came as nothing out of the ordinary when he witnessed his nephew do the same.

- And this is pre-dragonsickness. Back when Thorin was all “I hate everyone but I guess I have to keep up with these two idiots so I’ll tolerate them.”

- And he wanted to grant Fili the opportunity to be with his One. He had even told him to simply go for it.

- But Fili was a bit insecure. When you met him, you didn’t seem taken away in any way. It was almost as if it had only been him who was in love.

- And with that, you had grown remarkably close to his brother, Kili. You two joked around all the time. You sat together during the evenings, Kili would help you up on your horse/pony, he would take offer your watches and he even let you hold his bow and arrow. That is basically dwarven language for “I love you and I wish to court you” or “I love you and I’m so glad to have you in my family.”

- What Fili didn’t know is that Thorin told Kili about you being his One. But instead of teasing Fili about it, Kili had made it his duty to agitate his brother so much that he would have no choice but to confess to you before Kili would sneak you away.

- For your information: Kili had no intention of sneaking you away. He just wanted to make it look like it for Fili, and, lucky for him, you had just been going along with it subconsciously.

- But it did not agitate Fili. It made the poor lad confused and tired. You were showing so much affection and endearment to his brother that he felt like he could never compete. Even though Kili had never been attractive in dwarven standards, he knew his way around women. And seeing someone finally pay attention to him, made Fili happy for his brother.

- And Kili just kept up with the act. He was oblivious to what his brother was feeling. Thorin had quite specifically told Kili not to tell his brother, and for once, he didn’t. But when days turned into weeks, Kili made more advances. Not in any way uncomfortable for you, but they had been a step further.

- He would let you rest against him during night shifts, he would let his hand linger on your waist when he helped you get onto your horse/pony. This sneaky bastard even managed to toy with your hair.

- Fili grew absolutely devastated at these moments. He had distanced himself more and truly felt as if his One had been taken away and he would die alone.

- But then Mirkwood happened. It was obvious to Fili that his brother had taken a liking on Tauriel, the female elf that saved him earlier. You had been passed out of exhaustion in your cell, not paying attention to your surroundings anymore.

- And that was when Fili finally decided to speak.

- “What are you doing? I thought you liked Y/N and now you’re flirting with that elf? You can’t treat her like that!”

- And now Kili was confused.

- “I thought you liked Y/N?” He had questioned, not even knowing whether his uncle had been lying to him or not.

- “That doesn’t matter. What matters is, you can’t just run around-“ but Kili had already cut him off. “It does matter. Because Y/N isn’t my One. I’m not attracted to her!”

- And now Fili was dead silent. He had been contemplating on whether to act furious or taken aback. In reality, he had been a bit of both.

- “You don’t like Y/N?” Fili asked, nearly insulted.

- “I was only trying to agitate you. Uncle said she was your One but that you wouldn’t confess.” Kili admitted finally, knowing that keeping the act up any longer wouldn’t work.

- “So you tried to beat it out of me?” The only response the blonde got was a quiet hum.

- “You thought I would take away your chance of happiness?” Fili wondered aloud, his anger now showing more clearly. “Well, not if you put it like that-“ “How else am I supposed to put it?”

- With those words, the space grew quiet. One more question lingered on Fili’s mind, and he had to ask it.

- “Does she know you don’t like her?” A short pause was heard from Kili before he responded. “She does. When we grew closer she told me she wasn’t attracted to me and I told her she wasn’t my One.”

- A sigh of relief came Fili’s way, but his brother kept on talking. “She grew all confused by the concept of ‘Ones’. Had to give her a whole history lesson. She thinks it’s adorable. I’m sure she won’t reject you.” With those words, Fili’s ears pricked up.

- “How so?” “Because every time we are together, she won’t stop asking me about you.” Fili never thought someone could ever bring him more butterflies than when you smiled at him, but as Kili’s sentences reached him, his stomach felt all light again.

- “At first I thought it was because you were ignoring her, but I quickly figured out that wasn’t the case.” Kili shot a quick look his brother’s way, even though he had been in a cell on the other side of the hall. “She likes you, she really does. She’s not as good at hiding it as you are. If you ask her to court you, she won’t say no.”

- Fili had spent the entire night pondering over his brother’s words. Even as they escaped the dungeons and took the boat to Laketown, his anxiety bubbled up.

- But as soon as the orcs entered the city, reality sunk back in. They had been on the run while simultaneously claiming their homeland. There might be a chance neither of you would make it. And it terrified him.

- As you were busy holding off the orcs in Bard’s home, Fili had been right beside you covering your back. He knew asking you to court him would require more steps. Up until this moment you had only held a handful of conversations, but Fili was running out of patience.

- “When all this is over, I need you by my side.” He told you quickly, his voice heavy as he fenced off the attackers. You grew confused at your words, yet your actions did not falter one bit. And it only made Fili more attracted to you. How you maintained yourself on a battlefield, yet somehow managed to hold that perfect look. It could quite easily take his breath away.

- “But I am by your side.” You answered, not catching his meaning, thinking it had been too good to be true.

- “I mean by my side at Erebor. When we reclaim the mountain. Will you stay with me?” Upon your silence, Fili tried explaining his speech. “I know asking you to court me requires more steps but we might not have time for them anymore. I need you to stay with me. We can do all these steps afterwards, I promise.”

- You cast him a quick look before giving him a sincere nod. “I’ll stay with you.”

- And that is exactly what you did. Upon finally arriving at the mountain with the four dwarves, Fili finally got the time to braid your hair, even if Thorin told him to look for the Arkenstone. You had even managed to braid his hair too, even though you had no beads yet.

- Even as Thorin slowly grew insane, Fili had done what he promised; he remained by your side, defending you against his uncle and keeping you as safe as he could.

- During the battle of the five armies, you stayed with him and Kili. You traveled with the three of you, not once separating. Not even when Fili decided you should split up. Because of that, you managed to do quite a number on Azog before Thorin called out to him.

- Azog had gotten a good slash on your leg, nothing life threatening but enough to make you collapse on the spot. Fili had been so worried. He had promised to look out for you, but now you were bleeding out on the snow covered floor. Kili had already ran off for help, even though the possibility he would come back with one would be highly unlikely, as battle was still raging on.

- On top of Ravenhill everything had grown silent. Bodies of dead orcs were littered over the floor but all that mattered to Fili right now was you being safe. Eventually, Kili had ran back with Bilbo, Thorin and Gandalf by his side. They had successfully beaten Azog, finally putting an end to the bloodshed.

- As the mountain was being rebuilt, Oin had put you on bed rest to let your leg heal and Fili had been with you the entire time. Thorin hadn’t even tried to get him for royal duties. He knew he had been awful to you during his dragonsickness, and this was his way of apologizing to you. And you had been fine with it.

- When you had finally recovered, Kili took you to the forges to make beads for Fili. You wanted it to be a surprise for him, but you needed supervision. At first, Dis, Fili and Kili’s mother, had offered to help, but it had become her duty to distract the crown prince.

- A few burns and scratched had started to form on both your and Kili’s hands but it had been worth it. The beads were incredible.

- Fili was so happy when you gave them to him. He was so surprised by the amazing details and the thought and time your poured into them.

- He wears them the entire time. Now exceptions. Not even for bed or bath. None. They must always be in his hair.

- I WANNA WRITE MORE BUT IT’S ALREADY SO LONG BUT JUST ASSUME HE LOVES YOU SO MUCH AND WILL TREASURE YOU FOREVER AND LOVE YOU FOR EVERY LITTLE THING YOU DO