usuallysublimepenguin

[usuallysublimepenguin]

More Thorin - this time from the fanfic One Of a King by @domesticgoddesswriter - I enjoy following this ongoing novel.

Hff, the file is a bit too large for tumblr, so here's a closeup:

[usuallysublimepenguin]

"Support"

My interpretation of prompt #18 in @thorinsspringforge 2025:

"Thorin and Bilbo have been thrown in the same cell of Thranduil's jail. They bond, and are very close by the time they manage to escape. Unfortunately, Thorin sort of forgot to mention to Bilbo that he's a Prince of Erebor - and Bilbo doesn't know how to feel about it when he finds out. They have to figure out how to navigate their friendship, and their fledgling feelings for each other, in this new situation."

I figured there could be some mutual support in there. The full fanfic Embers by @keywolf25888writes can be found on AO3, and is very sweet!

[usuallysublimepenguin]

"Always be aware of your surroundings"

Bilbo manages to score a point in a practice bout against Thorin - this scene is at the end of the sweet fic Bet On A kiss by @fantasyinallforms. I loved reading it - and drawing for it!

[usuallysublimepenguin]

"Brief Moments"

Illustrations for the fanfic Unbroken by @sunnyrosewritesstuff, done for @thorinsspringforge 2025! I loved working on these and collaborating with Sunnyrose - and I highly recommend the story! Please consider visiting and giving it some love 💜

The prompt: What if Thorin and Legolas were friends before the dwarves were driven out of the mountain? What if Legolas was the one who taught him to handle a bow? How would that affect their meeting upon the quest? Is this why they chose to save each other when they had the opportunity to?

[usuallysublimepenguin]

Art created by @usuallysublimepenguin for @thorinsspringforge

Unbroken

Rating: G

Warnings: Major Character Death/Canon Compliant

Summary: What if Thorin and Legolas had been friends before the fall of Erebor? How did that friendship color their interactions on the quest? Perhaps no matter how strained they may be, some friendships just remain...unbroken.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thorin tossed the bow aside before falling down on the ground, a pout lingering on his face.

“Archery is hard.” He complained.

“I never said it was going to be easy.” Legolas laughed.

His laugh was light and airy and it irritated Thorin to hear it. Thorin picked up the closest object to him, which was his bow, and proceeded to poke the elf in the leg with it until he stopped. 

“Perhaps we have time for a break.” Legolas offered, plopping himself down beside Thorin, gracefully crossing his legs, as he pulled out their waterskins and some lembas bread from their bags.

Thorin sat up and accepted the water but declined the bread. He always thought, based on how it looked, it would taste like his grandma’s shortbread biscuits. It didn’t. It was floury with no other taste. He didn’t understand why anyone would eat that stuff willingly. Stupid elves. Can’t even make a decent bread. Thorin turned his attention back to the bow he was struggling to master, his brows furrowing together. His instructors thought he was a natural at swordsmanship and he was getting really good with an axe too. Why was the bow so hard?

“I just want to hunt orcs already.” He complained aloud.

“Is that why you accepted my offer to train you? Because you wish to hunt orcs?” Legolas questioned, quirking a brow.

“No.” Thorin denied thoughtfully. “It was to beat you at your own weapon, but killing orcs would be a nice bonus.”

Legolas’ lips twitched upwards for a small moment before he returned back to his somber state. Great. Thorin was going to get a lecture now. He plopped himself back down on his back again.

For more of this fic, please click the AO3 link above!

[usuallysublimepenguin]

If you receive this, you make somebody happy! Go on anon and send this to ten of your followers who make you happy or somebody you think needs cheering up. If you get one back, even better!

Awww thank you ❤️

[usuallysublimepenguin]

Child's hand in adult's hand, for @grundyscribbling. Thank you for the prompt!

[usuallysublimepenguin]

I want to practice drawing hands more - and need an extra motivation to push myself into Actually doing it. Please help: If you have a character + a hand pose you would like me to draw, (just describe it, or send me a ref pic if you like), please send me an ask and I'll do my best to fill it!

[usuallysublimepenguin]

A late reblog again. I love Róisíns poem. I asked for a thread of darkness and she told me she could do that, because "life is like that".

Eqinox! An art trade with wonderful Róisín led to another art collaboration where she wrote the poem and I illustrated.

Her poetry is so good, this one gives me goosebumps and I am so happy to have illustrated it!

[usuallysublimepenguin]

Passage

[usuallysublimepenguin]

You are a darling and so wonderfully talented!

Thank youuu ❤️

[usuallysublimepenguin]

"Hold on"

Second art for Lord of the Rings Secret Santa 2024 - for the lovely mod Empyreus @lotr-sesa, who asked for something that explored Dwalin's loyalty to Thorin. Fix-it drawing under the cut, bonus ficlet can also be found on AO3.

[usuallysublimepenguin]

The first of my two claims for Lord of the Rings Secret Santa @lotr-sesa this year - @balrogballs asked for "something set on a beach, involving one or more of Celebrían, Elrond, Maglor, Maedhros, and Arwen".

I pounced on that prompt, and enjoyed myself a lot drawing this! Discovering Ms Balls' wonderful Celrond work in the progress was an unforeseen joy and inspiration 💜

The Sundering Sea, the accompanying short fic, can be found on AO3.

[usuallysublimepenguin]

The company resting at the Carrock. I drew this for the lovely @lathalea over the holidays - thank you for the motivation to draw and complete this - hope you enjoy!!

Progress video of the first half of the drawing under the cut - the file threatened to crash my PC so I could not record the whole thing.

[usuallysublimepenguin]

Art summary 2024 - on to 2025!

[usuallysublimepenguin]

I participated in the "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Collaboration" @fellowshipofthefics this year where I partnered with the lovely @i-did-not-mean-to. I had such a blast with this collaboration, brainstorming and drawing and squeeing about the characters and their shenanigans. These are my drawings for the project, most featuring Ori and the wonderful OC Redoril out of Mirkwood department. Also Thorin Oakenshield in a puffy shirt, just because I could. He is Not Amused.

The fic is here:

[usuallysublimepenguin]

I enjoyed myself so so so much during this project - working with @i-did-not-mean-to was so inspiring! I love how this delightful story grew as I watched it.

Livet er ikke det værste man har og (om lidt er kaffen klar)

It's time to announce and tease my @fellowshipofthefics's THAUC work.

I've had the amazing honour to be working with @usuallysublimepenguin who's crafted a good handful of truly wonderful artworks.

Let us take you on a wild ride of crime, love, and smut in 4 parts!

The fics for this marvellous event will drop very soon, so keep your eyes peeled!

☞Livet er ikke det værste man har og (om lidt er kaffen klar)

Words: 30 775

Pairing: Ori x OC, Thorin x Bilbo, Kíli x Tauriel

Warnings: Crime, smut (in clearly delineated parts), sadness, loss, romance

Please give it up for my partner, @usuallysublimepenguin and our lovely, super helpful mod @mithrilhearts.