#and the look on Gandalf’s face. bc he knows. he knows Frodo will never be the same. and Frodo knows it too and just. AUGGGHH

[bikananjarrus]

thinking about how frodo probably had an idea of his fate (or at least that he might be forever changed by this experience, if he didn’t already think about how he might not be coming back) from the moment he said “what must i do” back in the shire after gandalf explains about the ring.

when he and sam see the elves in the forest, making their way to the docks to sail west, “never to return,” sam says “i don’t know why…it makes me sad.” And frodo doesn’t say anything. he’s the one telling sam that the elves will never return, and he just watches them silently.

and then in rivendell, sam is packing to go home, and frodo teases him saying that he thought sam wanted to see the elves more than anything else. which sam insists he does, he did. But now he’s ready to go. and frodo agrees: “i am ready to go home.” but his tone isn’t very convincing. and this is after teasing sam about wanting to cut their adventure short, about wanting to go home already. already i think frodo knows that even if/when they go home, he won’t be the same (physically, already, he’s changed because of the stab wound from the morgul blade).

and then the penultimate moment, seeing everyone fighting at the council over who will take the ring to mordor, and he knows. he knows he must be the one to take this burden on, even though, looking around at the other members of the council, he must surely be thinking he’s not the best person for the job. he’s not a warrior. he’s not a wizard. he’s not the most cunning or experienced person there. nevermind him being a small hobbit in a very large world against even larger foes.

he doesn’t even know how to start this journey. but he asked at the beginning of it all, what must i do. he accepted the responsibility with barely a second thought for himself. what must i do shifts to a i will do what i must. (“i know what I must do. it’s just that…i’m afraid to do it.”) i will do what i was tasked to do, what I volunteered to do, though i know i will not be the same by the end of it.

and so he says, “i will take the ring to mordor. though…i do not know the way.”

[thornetabris]

hot take of the day!

Rings of Power was and is good.

As someone who has read The Hobbit and a bit of The Silmarillion, I just couldn't fucking get into the peter jackson movies. But I loved the RoP Prime series.

Why, you ask me, when majority of the fans bashed on it?

Simple! It added character depth.

Shocking, I know, but I never saw the character appeal that everyone has with rhe lotr movies. Legolas has 4 lines of dialogue that add something to the story and two expressions. Gandalf was great as a mentor/guide, but again: why is he like that? What does he gain? Why does he like the hobbits so much, why does he put so much faith on them? It couldn't just be because he's friends with Bilbo, not when it comes down to the end of the world. Galadriel shows up in a 2 minutes scene, screams at frodo, regrets it and gives them some farewell gifts and that's it. Arwen is there to save frodo one (1) time, kiss Aragorn and... look pretty, ig.

The tv series seems a dreg to most of the lotr movie fans bc they actually slowed down to make you truly, truly know the characters. Not surface level, not because they're pretty or badass, but know their flaws and virtues and what makes them tick. I loved it. Never when I was watching it did I think "that's fucking stupid, I hate it" like I've thought or felt before with other medias i liked being adapted into the screen (The Hobbit movie, i.e).

When you watch Rings of Power, you understand why Gandalf trusts the hobbits. The Hobbit movies makes more sense, and in sequence the LOTR movies get a certain more emotional appeal bc you've seen why Gandalf trusts and is attached to the hobbits in general, because a single hobbit has taught him kindness and gave him a choice to be good when he didn't even had a name he knew of. They've taught him to trust the path and to strive to be kind and good and that bravery can be found in the smallest of body frames.

When you watch the LOTR movies knowing Galadriel's past with Sauron her scenes changes meaning completely. Again: it gains a much needed emotional appeal that weights heavily in that moment. You know her. You know her story. You know why she's tempted to take the Ring. You also know why she doesn't.

And that's just the first season. In a few episodes the tv show has added depth of two of the most iconic lotr characters. I can't help but write a whole essay on it and why I thinking y'all are just being nostalgic and not seeing past the few technical flaws or slight divergences it has — nvm that all adaptions have divergences. the lotr movies have a lot of them. why aren't treated as harshly, when they're very much more noticeable than the series'?

or maybe you're just in a twist because the elves are not all white long faced and long haired nearly european creatures, nvm that they're never described as such in any of the books. who knows.

[delvinganddrawing]

So, I’m watching LOTR for the first time and decided to rate each member of the fellowship as seen in The Fellowship of the Ring. Pls keep in mind that this review is objectively correct and completely factual. I will not be taking any constructive criticism at this time.

 Aragorn: literally perfect in every way which I think should dock him a point but I will let it slide. Potentially the only competent person alive on middle earth. Does the right thing always. 10/10  

Sam: most competent hobbit by FAR. Has a heart made of the purest gold. I want to kiss him. 22/10

Frodo: taking points away because I think people are too nice to him. Keeps trying to give the ring to ppl bc he just trusts whoever the tallest person in the room is. Hogs the magic items. Only person to figure out the “friend” puzzle and I think he is neat so 7/10

Merry: I like that he always corrects pippin but is never actually mean to him. Srs bsnss face lot of the times, looks a little too angry for someone who can’t fight for shit. 7/10

Pippin: I like him :3 11/10

Boromir: yeah he loses points for being a dick but he is the one true hobbit ally. More scenes of him holding a hobbit than not. Wasn’t able to save them :(( but he inspired Aragorn to realize that men and Gondor are worth saving and to believe in his own strength. has a nice smile. 7/10

Gimli: he’s hot but so far that’s about it ! Himbo thinks he can destroy the ring w an axe which is very sexy but also useless. most fuckable party member by far. 8/10

Legolas: just fucking prances around like a useless twink. His elf eyes haven’t helped us for shit so far. Very obvious that he COULD be more competent and chooses not to. He is pretty. 9/10

Gandalf: shittiest wizard I’ve ever seen. Casts like NO spells. Lost in the wizard battle. Didn’t know the answer to the puzzle he led them too. Has so much knowledge he refuses to share. Probably high. 4/10

[bagheerita]

'Don't you leave him! they said to me. Leave him! I said. I never mean to. I am going with him, if he climbs to the Moon.'

...

'You do not understand!' said Pippin. 'You must go – and therefore we must, too.'

...

'You can trust us to stick to you through thick and thin – to the bitter end. And you can trust us to keep any secret of yours – closer than you keep it yourself. But you cannot trust us to let you face trouble alone.'

(quotes in better context under the cut bc I am an absolute sucker for this shit and hoard declarations of love and friendship like a dragon)

~

It is going to be very dangerous, Sam. It is already dangerous. Most likely neither of us will come back.'

'If you don't come back, sir, then I shan't, that's certain,' said Sam. 'Don't you leave him! they said to me. Leave him! I said. I never mean to. I am going with him, if he climbs to the Moon; and if any of those Black Riders try to stop him, they'll have Sam Gamgee to reckon with, I said. They laughed.'

'Who are they, and what are you talking about?'

'The Elves, sir. We had some talk last night; and they seemed to know you were going away, so I didn't see the use of denying it. Wonderful folk, Elves, sir! Wonderful!'

'They are,' said Frodo. 'Do you like them still, now you have had a closer view?'

'They seem a bit above my likes and dislikes, so to speak,' answered Sam slowly. 'It don't seem to matter what I think about them. They are quite different from what I expected – so old and young, and so gay and sad, as it were.'

Frodo looked at Sam rather startled, half expecting to see some outward sign of the odd change that seemed to have come over him. It did not sound like the voice of the old Sam Gamgee that he thought he knew. But it looked like the old Sam Gamgee sitting there, except that his face was unusually thoughtful.

'Do you feel any need to leave the Shire now – now that your wish to see them has come true already?' he asked.

'Yes, sir. I don't know how to say it, but after last night I feel different. I seem to see ahead, in a kind of way. I know we are going to take a very long road, into darkness; but I know I can't turn back. It isn't to see Elves now, nor dragons, nor mountains, that I want – I don't rightly know what I want: but I have something to do before the end, and it lies ahead, not in the Shire. I must see it through, sir, if you understand me.'

'I don't altogether. But I understand that Gandalf chose me a good companion. I am content. We will go together.'

~

~

'Well!' said Frodo at last, sitting up and straightening his back, as if he had made a decision. 'I can't keep it dark any longer. I have got something to tell you all. But I don't know quite how to begin.'

'I think I could help you,' said Merry quietly, 'by telling you some of it myself.'

'What do you mean?' said Frodo, looking at him anxiously.

'Just this, my dear old Frodo: you are miserable, because you don't know how to say good-bye. You meant to leave the Shire, of course. But danger has come on you sooner than you expected, and now you are making up your mind to go at once. And you don't want to. We are very sorry for you.'

Frodo opened his mouth and shut it again. His look of surprise was so comical that they laughed. 'Dear old Frodo!' said Pippin. 'Did you really think you had thrown dust in all our eyes? You have not been nearly careful or clever enough for that! You have obviously been planning to go and saying farewell to all your haunts all this year since April. We have constantly heard you muttering: "Shall I ever look down into that valley again, I wonder", and things like that. And pretending that you had come to the end of your money, and actually selling your beloved Bag End to those Sackville-Bagginses! And all those close talks with Gandalf.'

'Good heavens!' said Frodo. 'I thought I had been both careful and clever. I don't know what Gandalf would say. Is all the Shire discussing my departure then?'

'Oh no!' said Merry. 'Don't worry about that! The secret won't keep for long, of course; but at present it is, I think, only known to us conspirators. After all, you must remember that we know you well, and are often with you. We can usually guess what you are thinking. I knew Bilbo, too. To tell you the truth, I have been watching you rather closely ever since he left. I thought you would go after him sooner or later; indeed I expected you to go sooner, and lately we have been very anxious. We have been terrified that you might give us the slip, and go off suddenly, all on your own like he did. Ever since this spring we have kept our eyes open, and done a good deal of planning on our own account. You are not going to escape so easily!'

'But I must go,' said Frodo. 'It cannot be helped, dear friends. It is wretched for us all, but it is no use your trying to keep me. Since you have guessed so much, please help me and do not hinder me!'

'You do not understand!' said Pippin. 'You must go – and therefore we must, too. Merry and I are coming with you. Sam is an excellent fellow, and would jump down a dragon's throat to save you, if he did not trip over his own feet; but you will need more than one companion in your dangerous adventure.'

'My dear and most beloved hobbits!' said Frodo deeply moved. 'But I could not allow it. I decided that long ago, too. You speak of danger, but you do not understand. This is no treasure-hunt, no there-and-back journey. I am flying from deadly peril into deadly peril.'

'Of course we understand,' said Merry firmly. 'That is why we have decided to come. We know the Ring is no laughing-matter; but we are going to do our best to help you against the Enemy.'

~

~

Sam!' cried Frodo, feeling that amazement could go no further, and quite unable to decide whether he felt angry, amused, relieved, or merely foolish.

'Yes, sir!' said Sam. 'Begging your pardon, sir! But I meant no wrong to you, Mr. Frodo, nor to Mr. Gandalf for that matter. He has some sense, mind you; and when you said go alone, he said no! take someone as you can trust.'

'But it does not seem that I can trust anyone,' said Frodo.

Sam looked at him unhappily. 'It all depends on what you want,' put in Merry. 'You can trust us to stick to you through thick and thin – to the bitter end. And you can trust us to keep any secret of yours – closer than you keep it yourself. But you cannot trust us to let you face trouble alone, and go off without a word. We are your friends, Frodo. Anyway: there it is. We know most of what Gandalf has told you. We know a good deal about the Ring. We are horribly afraid – but we are coming with you; or following you like hounds.'

'And after all, sir,' added Sam, 'you did ought to take the Elves' advice. Gildor said you should take them as was willing, and you can't deny it.'

'I don't deny it,' said Frodo, looking at Sam, who was now grinning. 'I don't deny it, but I'll never believe you are sleeping again, whether you snore or not. I shall kick you hard to make sure.

'You are a set of deceitful scoundrels!' he said, turning to the others. 'But bless you!' he laughed, getting up and waving his arms, 'I give in. I will take Gildor's advice. If the danger were not so dark, I should dance for joy. Even so, I cannot help feeling happy; happier than I have felt for a long time.' 

[zaraquinn]

So This is Love

Faramir - Falling in Love

Word Count: 1,265

Faramir x Fem!Reader (Witch) - LOTR

Requested: by my dumbass

A/N:

Y/N - Your Name

Additional Notes: Inspired by @meganlpie ‘s oneshot “disappearance”

Bc that cinderella au with Faramir (+ the rest of the lotr characters) was too wholesome, I needed to contribute to another one of the same vibe. Also, it’s in the works, but I just might make some oneshots that are my own oc! This was one of them but i obviously changed it from my oc to reader (hence why she is a witch). Lastly, enjoy Gandalf being a matchmaker! Anyway, hope you guys like this!

Song: so this is love - Ilene Woods & Mike Douglas

———

———

Aragorn’s crowning ceremony had ended, and the city on Minas Tirith was once again reunited with their King. Filled with happiness, the entire city celebrated; Aragorn had declared the entire day to celebrate peace, and shall henceforth do nothing but celebrate the victory over darkness and gather in the light. Everyone was happy that day.

As the day grew weary, there was a feast and a ball held for festivities. The Fellowship and a few other important companions all a part of the One Ring’s demise had gathered with Aragorn in the halls of Gondor. The table long and gracious, the food was almost eaten by the four hobbits themselves, but luckily there was going to be more to come, and the new King had kept his promise for the four darling hobbits once the ball started. The halls of Gondor were then filled with wonderful music and celebratory dances. Smiling faces and of course, for the hobbits, food that even made Pippin jump in excitement. Y/N smiled at the very sight. Finally, peace had been restored, it felt nothing like she’s ever felt before.

She watched over from the corner of the party; Aragorn and Arwen dancing together, even Frodo and Sam enjoying the tunes as they danced too. Merry and Pippin feasting on some food at the tables and Legolas and Gimli were on their way with another drinking game, with Eomer and Eowyn on opposing teams helping the elf and dwarf of their team to win.

“I see you are not dancing with the rest of the party,” Gandalf said, all of the sudden, appearing behind her. His white robes glowing ever so lightly, as he settled beside her. She looked up at the Mithrandir with a small smile. “A witch always observes.” “Ah yes. Observing every step she takes.” He smiled back down at the young witch, joining in with humouring herself. Although, Gandalf’s eyes found themselves across the room beyond Y/N, to see a lonely Faramir also observing. “You’re not the only observer beyond these festivities.” She looked up at the Great Wizard with confusion; a brow furrowed and her head titled slightly.

His eyes flicked on behind her, and she turned around, seeing the lonely Prince of Ithilien. A small blush crept on her face as the two made eye contact and she shyly waved. Looking back at Gandalf, she knew exactly what he was doing. “Gandalf!” He knew of the young witch’s crush on the certain Prince, and thought this was a good time to humour Y/N but also entertain himself. “It is not common that a witch falls in love.” She looked at him almost shocked and quickly blushing madly in embarrassment. “How did you know about that?” She glanced down at her shoes but tried to focus on the festivities around them. “Young fools in love never realize how much they are in love. Even Peregrin Took could tell between the two of you.” She nervously swallowed “Between the two?” She looked at Gandalf with hopeful eyes. All he had to do was smile, as he saw Faramir quickly approaching them. Following his glance she turned around, being met with Faramir’s tall figure. Gandalf took the opportunity to walk off, and leave the fools alone.

“My Lady.” “Your Highness.” They gave a bow to each other, only to meet each other’s eyes and grow a smile—the formalities still fresh but ridiculous to both. “Faramir.” The young witch broke the formalities as the two shared a chuckle. “Y/N.” Oh did she love the way her name sounded on his lips. “I see you’re not enjoying the celebration.” She looked at him with a confused look, meeting his ocean eyes. “And what makes you say this?” She quipped as she crossed her arms. “Well, you’re not dancing. Or drinking. Or...eating.” Faramir stretched the last point, his attention going from the drinking game between the Elf and the Dwarf to the two hobbits going through the food at one of the tables. Y/N had also turned her attention to the hobbits at the food table, and a smile grew on her rose lips. Pippin stuffing his face with more pieces of chicken and Merry just about to dig into another roasted lamb. Glancing back at the woman, Faramir continued; holding out his hand and bowing slightly. “Care for a dance, my lady?”

A pink blush spread across the charming woman’s cheeks as she quickly leans her hand into his, looking behind her nervously. She met with Gandalf’s gaze as he smiled and nodded, and that was the green light she needed. Turning back to the handsome prince she glimmered—hand sliding into his as he gently took her soft hands and brought her to the dance floor. The two got into position quickly, smiles meeting each other and seeing familiar faces start to join the pair. Faramir wasn’t always the best dancer, nor was Y/N, so the two had more enjoyment of just being in each other’s company rather than focusing on their fancy routine.

The pair danced and talked, feeling their already strong bond become bigger and closer than ever. The music of the night kept going, and both Faramir and Y/N found themselves retiring from dancing for a while to meet each other in the courtyard of Minas Tirith. The beautiful moon shone down on the white city, and for once in a very long time, the tree still sprouted the white petals in the air. Both had each others’ hand in hand as they walked to the tree. The feeling of Faramir’s hand in hers felt so natural—pure. Like it was meant to be. Like it... was love.

So this is love. Settling just beside the tree, the pair bathed in the white moonlight. Faramir finished retelling a story from his childhood, about him and Boromir, and it successfully made the maiden laugh.

That laugh was music to Faramir’s ears; something that he could listen to forever. It felt right being with Y/N—he knew it in his heart that it was love. So this is love. This is what makes life, divine, the prince thought. “What?” Y/N’s soft voice echoed in the empty courtyard as she caught Faramir staring at her face. “You glow in the moonlight.” He said all dreamily. Y/N smiled, failing to contain the blush rushing to her cheeks and the smile forming on her rose lips. Faramir pulled her closer, gently laying his hands on her waist as he knows now, that she was the key to heaven. Looking back up, she felt the certain prince bring her closer, and soon enough, his lips descended onto hers; those rose-coloured lips soft as a cloud.

Y/N could feel her heart grow wings as Faramir kissed her—the moment their lips touched. She could feel like she could fly high as the eagles, or touch every star in the sky. Departing from the kiss they looked at each other with pure adoration, and Faramir taking her face into his hands ever so gently. Who knew that she was the prize to peace. After all the effort and death that plagued the war, her love, was the prize. “So this is the miracle that I have been dreaming of.” He said, and she mirrored his actions, bringing her hands to cup his cheek. “So this is love, my lady, Y/N.” The Prince of Ithilien said, looking at the witch maiden and seeing his entire future in her brown eyes. “So this is love, my Faramir.”

They shared one final chuckle before taking another kiss underneath that moonlight.

———

MASTERLIST 🌕

LOTR REQUEST POST 🌙

[overthinkinglotr]

Why Lord of the Rings’ Fantasy Environments Feel So Convincing

It’s because we always see Middle-Earth from the characters’ point of view.

The shots aren’t just there to make the audience feel awe/wonder/horror, they convey the awe/wonder/horror that the characters feel. When the audience sees an Important Landmark for the first time, it’s through the POV of a character who’s ALSO seeing it for the first time. You’re put in the characters’ shoes (or…feet??? Because hobbits are barefoot???? ok that was a terrible joke mOVING ON)

A good example is the intro to Rivendell in the Fellowship of the Ring, shown through Frodo’s POV. Frodo is badly wounded on the riverbank (fade to white…..) then wakes up in  a bed. We don’t know exactly where he is (bc we’re seeing things from his perspective), all we see is this little room.

There’s a scene where Frodo talks to Gandalf and Sam, then Elrond welcomes Frodo to Rivendell.  AND IT’s ONLY THEN– as Frodo gets up to explore– that we get the Big Reveal Shots of Rivendell in all its glory.  Because that’s when Frodo sees Rivendell in all its glory.

We’re not just seeing Rivendell, we’re seeing Rivendell through Frodo’s eyes. We’re seeing Rivendell for the first time WITH Frodo, feeling awe and wonder WITH him. 

Like--think about how insanely different (and less impactful) those big gorgeous shots of Rivendell would feel if they came before the scene where Frodo wakes up in bed. If we got those huge Iconic Rivendell Shots(tm)….and then cut to Frodo waking up. 

Technically we’d be getting the same information (we’re in Rivendell, Frodo wakes up in bed, we can assume Frodo thinks Rivendell is beautiful) but we’d feel completely disconnected from the Emotion of both moments. We’d feel disconnected from Frodo (because he hasn’t seen Rivendell and isn’t feeling what we’re feeling) and disconnected from Rivendell (because we’d still be in “worrying about Frodo” mode and wouldn’t feel the fantasy-awe that the cameraman wanted us to feel.)

And basically all the major Landscape Intros in Lord of the Rings follow this setup? Character A will announce the name of the Cool New Environment to Character B, who has never seen it before (Elrond welcomes Frodo to Rivendell, Aragorn tells Frodo they’re at the Argonath, Gandalf tells the Fellowship they’re in the great city of Dwarrowdelf,  Haldir welcomes the Fellowship to Caras Galadhon, Gandalf tells Pippin they’ve arived at the White City, Gollum tells Frodo they’ve arrived at The Dead City, etc.) Character B will look up in Awe and Wonder (or sadness/horror, or whatever emotion this environment makes them feel). And theN we’ll get the iconic dramatic money-shots that don’t just show us the place, but also show us how the characters feel about seeing this place for the first time.

Again, I’m not saying the camera is literally...at their eye level, shooting things from their first-person-POV. I’m saying that the camera-work is aiming to capture how the characters feel.

And while we’re here....

 A perfect example of a fantasy environment that feels unconvincing because of that exact problem I just talked about--  because we’re not shown the environment through anyone’s point of view, making us feel disconnected from both the landscape and the characters--  is the Woodland Realm from The Hobbit.

The dwarves are captured by Thranduil and enter the Woodland Realm. Then we get a bunch of beautiful spinny shots designed to make the audience feel wonder and awe.... Except none of the characters feel that way. 

The dwarves don’t feel wonder and awe (we don’t even see their faces or emotional reactions to their entrance at all!!!!)  And Bilbo-- the character who isn’t a prisoner/dwarf, the character who genuinely loves elven culture, the character who WOULD feel wonder and awe at seeing Thranduil’s kingdom for the first time--- we never see his reaction to it!!! We never even see him enter the kingdom at all!!!

As a result, the Woodland Realm never really feels there (because none of the characters have any emotional reaction to it) and we’re disconnected from the journey of the characters (because the characters aren’t feeling what we’re feeling, and we have no idea how THEY feel about the Woodland Realm.)

(This happens a lot throughout the Hobbit films?? We’re introduced to Cool CGI environments, especially in the Woodland Realm and Erebor, but the characters never react to them so they never feel convincing.  Everyone loves to gif that scene in the end of the first movie where the Company are all riding the Eagles, and it’s beautiful and the score is swelling with Wonder Music.....but none of the characters themselves have any emotional reaction to flying on the eagles at all. The audience is feeling wonder, but the characters aren’t. You’re not experiencing things with the characters, so you feel completely disconnected from their journey.)

I’m not trying to pick on The Hobbit films (ok yes I am).  I think some moments, like Bilbo’s arrival at Rivendell, are handled very well. I just think it’s interesting that... the scene where Thorin first enters Erebor ends up being one of most awe-inspiring moments in the film, not because the hallway he enters is very interesting, but because his reaction MAKES it interesting. 

We believe this place is important and beautiful because the characters do. We believe in it because we’re seeing it through the eyes of characters who feel strongly about it.

TL;DR:

Because fictional worlds are....fictional....the audience connects with them through the characters. The characters’ feelings towards to their world is what gets us to relate to and understand it.

If the characters don’t react to the world they’re in, the audience won’t either. For fantasy to feel believable, we need to see it through the eyes of the characters we’re travelling with, feel what they feel when seeing these places, and experience what it would be like to be there.

[pendragaryen]

10 Questions Tag Game

Rules: Answer 10 questions, ask 10, and tag 10 people to answer them.

Tagged by @burninghoneyatdusk , thank you Sam! <3<3<3

1. What’s a memory you wish that you could go back in time to and relive?

Honestly? The Dystopia The1OO-Convention i’ve been back in April 2018. It was... a complete bliss from start to finish. I love our The1OO cast! I really do! I had the time to meet, hug and chat with many of them, to do photo-ops and join them at the saturday night-karaoke party. And this memory is very dear to me. Nothing can destroy it. Not even fandom hate.

2. If you could talk to your 13 year old self, what would you tell her/advice would you give her?

I’d say: “Approximately 8 years from now, you’ll meet that guy you’ll decide to move in with together, to travel a lot with, to share lots of nerdy stuff you both love. And then, another 7 years from that you’ll meet ANOTHER guy and you might FEEL as if you’d met the love of your life, as if you finally know what REAL love is... But... trust me... DON’T DO IT!!! JUST DON’T!!! SPARE YOURSELF THE PAIN, OKAY?!” *curls up into a ball*

3. What’s your favorite quote of all time? Why?

“Frodo: I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened. Gandalf: So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”        ―      J.R.R. Tolkien,            The Lord of the Rings    

It isn’t difficult to guess, why that’s my favourite quote ever. “The Ring” could be replaced by basically every obstacle in your life, everything that causes you pain or let you suffer. Back in 2001 and from that year on, these words really had been a guiding light for me. A spark of hope. They still are. And they never fail to bring me to tears. Never.

4. What is the quality you value most in a friend?

If he/she’s trustworthy. And a good listener.

5. If the pandemic magically ended today, how would you spend tomorrow?

I would buy a ticket for the train and travel to meet my best friend IMMEDIATELY.

6. If you could go back in time and live in any era & location, and face no danger, where would you choose?

Ouf... There are so many countries i’d love to know better. But... out of the countries i already visited (and completely isolated from the question of going back in time) ... i would probably prefer to live in Canada/British Columbia, where my aunt lives (honestly, i’ve hardly ever visited a more beautiful location. The mountains, the ocean, deep forests filled with giant redwoods, beaches... and the most chill metropolis ever: Vancouver). OR... Denmark. I LOVE Denmark. We’ve been there a lot when we were kids. It’s so calm and peaceful there. And there are endless beaches!!! On one side you’ve got the rough Northern Sea with its often very high waves. And on the other side you have the Eastern Sea, much calmer and easy to take a swim in. Mh... I can’t decide.

7. What heroine of a movie, book, tv show, story, or history do you relate to most?

Morgana le fay from the original Arthurian Legends. I’ve been a fan of the Arthurian Legend for AGES now... let me think... since the early 90s probably. And i’ve read TONS of books and novels about it. I know almost every version of her, good or evil, healer or deathly witch. And i can relate to almost every part of her, and if it’s just a little. But the picture of her that had the most impact on me was her characterization in novels such as “The mists of Avalon” or “The road to Avalon”. These definitely shaped my view of her as a strong, independent woman, who suffers a lot - but refuses to give up and stands tall despite loss and angst. I don’t identify myself with that picture of her. I like to see her more as kind of a model. Someone to look up to. Morgaine/Morgan/Morgana le fay taught me a lot throughout all these past years. I owe her...

8. Without saying who the person is, what is a question you wish you could ask someone but can’t?

“Are you happy now, with the life that you’ve chosen? With that wife from the other side of the world and two kids? Is that what you ever wanted? And why didn’t you ask me to marry you, when we were already years into our relationship? Would it have been okay for you IF I had proposed? Probably EVERYTHING would have gone different, if we only... “ But that’s the past. And I’ll never get the chance to ask all these things anyway. It’s gone.

9. In one sentence, what are you personally struggling with right now?

ONE sentence???? Omg... um... I hope my fragile health lets me doing my job until the end of september, when the time of my “observation” finally ends (I was kicked out of my job 3 years ago bc of illnesses and there was a law suit and they decided, that i had to go 3 years without being ill for more than 10 days each year - if i can do that, i can keep my job - and that period of time is ending soon! Fingers crossed!).

10. What’s a book/article/story that brought you joy/comfort/healing that you wish others would read?

Joy: Definitely The Hunger Games trilogy. And Bellarke-fanfiction of course (Especially “Training Wheels” by bettsfic and “Don’t wake me” by grumpybell for example. ;) )

Healing/Comfort: Almost everything written by Nikita Gill. And i’m a sucker for (picture) books about “Hygge” - a danish way of life, coziness and comfort.

My Questions

I’ve already done this last week and here are my questions if you want to participate! https://pendragaryen.tumblr.com/post/623645366859005952/10-questions-tag-game-rules-answer-10-questions

[diaqueenunderthemountain]

FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING - Dia's Reactions

YASS QUEEN GALADRIEL. One of the most epic intros ever

I find it funny that the ring is so basic. Like I think its a metaphor for how the simple/small things are powerful (like the hobbits), but MY DUDE SAURON WTF. I would have put diamonds and shit all over MY magic jewelry.

the river was the true lord of the ring. fight me

my precioussssss (pov dia when they get a like on one of their posts)

say what you will about the hobbit movies, but it always fucks with me to see someone who's not martin freeman play young bilbo. HE IS SUPERIOR

I wish I lived in the shire. also what is a farthing?

WHERE OUR HEARTS TRULY LIE IS IN PEACE - THE CORRECT OUTLOOK ON LIFE

I know its what the ring is doing but bilbo is a very accurate representation of my ADHD (the scene where gandalf comes to visit)

i'm not at home either my bestie. please spare me from social interaction

FIREWORKS 🔥🔥🔥

that was good, lets get another one (pov dia when they make a tumblr post that gets notes. im like a little gremlin hoarding likes and reblogs - will not say what for)

bilbo's speech would be so much funnier if he had a t-shirt launcher when he says each family's name

I BID YOU ALL A VERY FOND FAREWELL (NOOOOOOOOO this line always makes me cry bc I think of the end credits song the last goodbye from botfa and I can't believe they remembered this line AHHHhhh)

howard shore i love you with all of my heart

I DONT UNDERSTAND (pov dia every second of their life)

year 3434 of the second age always gets me. you could have chosen ANY number and you go with 3434??? makes me laugh

why is sam/rosie a thing. like its cute and all but sam/frodo is SUPERIOR

IF I TAKE ONE MORE STEP (contractually obligated to mention this scene. also - gay) ITS A DANGEROUS BUSINESS, FRODO, GOING OUT YOUR DOOR. YOU STEP ONTO THE ROAD, AND IF YOU DON'T KEEP YOUR FEET, THERES NO KNOWING WHERE YOU MIGHT BE SWEPT OFF TO (luv this quote)

I don't know why, but it makes me sad. SUCH A MOOD SAMWISE

every time i watch this scene i think of that edit where it says "gandalf the gay rides to isengard". youtube has ruined me

WIZARD FIGHT WIZARD FIGHT WIZARD FIGHT

Stealing is bad but at least the hobbits are eating healthy and we gotta give props to the veggie lovers

Why doesn't the nazgul jump on the boat with them. if tiny hobbit frodo could make it then surely a full grown man could have too? Like im glad the hobbits survived but also PHYSICS

the prancing pony does not seem like a sensory friendly environment. as much fun as it might seem, i would straight up leave

Aragorn is hot. also he needs to wash his hair

The Nazguls stabbing the pillows will never not be funny to me

breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner, supper (contractually obligated to mention this iconic scene) THE LOOK OF CONFUSION ON AGARORN'S FACE could you imagine his pov during this scene (just smile and nod my bestie)

Frodo I know they started a very bright fire, but my dude have you considered that your yelling also draws a significant amount of attention. Like the fire could be anyone but the nazgul have heard your voices already and might recognize you

Why does the sword disintegrate? are morgul blades a single use thing like bee stingers? i must know

I love the moth with all of my heart. truly he is an icon

what's this, a ranger caught off his guard? 100/10 execution very girboss of u arwen

I very much appreciate that the elvish word for horseback riding is derived from the root word Rohan. Very good worldbuilding Mr. Tolkien

"I WAS DELAYED" yeah right (just tell us the truth gandalf we all know u were having gay sex with sauraman lol) JKJK im kiddinggg

ISILDUR NOOOO (the meme scene)

As light as a feather and as hard as dragon scales ( i always think of that edit where bilbo says dragon cock and i hate myself for it every single time. someone please let me unwatch that video i would give anything for my sanity back)

GANDALF WHY DON'T YOU TELL THEM THERES A BALROG IN MORIA!!! so much conflict could have been avoided so easily ffs why are you hiding this vital important information (this has always frustrated me)

why doesn't that surprise me - asfjdsnfoejniqr legolas throwing SHADE

can you imagine just casually wearing a shirt worth your entire kingdom? like what is frodo's internal monologue doing when gandalf says that?

I HAVE NO MEMORY OF THIS PLACE (pov dia when they walk into a room and forget why)

PIPPIN NOOOOOOOO not the skeleton :(

oh good job aragorn just throw your torch onto the floor and leave it there (WTF youre going to start a fire and burn down moria why would u do that my man) never noticed that little detail before

nobody tosses a dwarf?? (we'll see about that later Gimli, you might change your mind in about 2 movies lol)

you cannot pass! (pov dia's teacher during the exam)

i have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox. LOL OK GIMLI WHATEVER U SAY

I would give anything to live in lothlorien

awwww selfcare sam trying to make sure frodo eats and sleeps. good job my cinnamon roll bestie

what if when boromir tried to steal the ring frodo just ate it. like i bet boromir wouldn't have gutted frodo alive to get to it. problem solved little man. you'll get the ring back in a few days (im so sorry for this visual)

I WOULD HAVE FOLLOWED YOU MY BROTHER MY CAPTAIN MY KING noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo im cryyyinggggggggggggggggg why would you do this to meeee BOROMIIIIIIIIIIR

SAMMMMM oh god I don't even have words for this scene I almost cry every time and also its so gay 1000/10 perfection in every conceivable way

i know that frodo was small when his parents drowned (and i don't know if he actually saw it happen or not) but I can't help but wonder if seeing sam almost drown brings up some type of trauma from his past. like yes its obviously traumatic in the moment that sam might die, but does he draw the parallel? he doesn't freeze thinking about it, but maybe he thinks "i have to do something about it this time" and oh my god i'm crying that makes it so much worse

I was going to live-post my reactions to marathoning the LOTR trilogy, but then I decided I didn't like that idea very much (sooo many posts clogging up my page). However, I still thought it was fun to document my reactions, so, instead, I will save up all my commentary as I watch and dump it into a single mass post for you to view at your pleasure.

[carmen-atcha]

I’m gonna liveblog some thoughts on lord of the rings bc I’m watching them for the first time at 24 years old in 2018, spoiler warnings?

I watched all three of them for the first time like 3 4 days ago and uh fucking loved them. I think I saw fellowship and return of the king at some points in my childhood bc I have distant memories of some scenes and being a human adult I have some grasp on the plot and characters, and my ex super wanted me to watch them but i hate doing things people want me to do

But anyway I’m watching fellowship again today and I’m currently at the balrog so here are some catchup and some current thoughts for my single follower I know isn’t a bot Abbie who hey if ur reading this what’s up let’s hang before the semester is over

-so this isn’t a first thought I guess it’s a second go around thought but Frodo in the beginning is so happy and lighthearted and whimsical. Reading under trees and dancing w beers in his hands and messing with Gandalf? God my heart

-I would make an excellent hobbit in a buzzfeed quiz of which middle earth race are u I would be a hobbit I have the hair texture, appreciation for comfort and beer and ‘pipeweed’ lmao (‘your love for the handlings leaf has clouded your mind’ bitch me too the fuck)

-how small are hobbit children? How small are hobbit BABIES??

-Gandalf is just... so good and loving. I wish I knew a single person half as kind as him

-lord of the rings really defined a whole fantasy aesthetic huh

-I remember when I was a kid I thought pint was pronounced w a short ‘I’ and I know Ive seen this movie before bc I have a clear memory of pippin saying ‘pint’ and me thinking ‘oh damn that’s how it sounds’

-also I remember loving merry and pippin bc ofc when I was a kid I loved the funny characters. I also loved jar jar when I was a kid and put stickers of him all over my little rc yellow beetle, I liked the ‘dumb’, funny ones

-samwise gamgee is..... absolutely amazing I can’t imagine enough words about him so I won’t begin (they’re overwhelmingly positive)

-bilbos birthday speech made me realize how much of this movie I recognized from pop culture and quotes and shit

-‘I don’t know why, but it makes me sad’... mark that as first tears shed during these movies

-sam is all of Frodo’s impulse control and the true protagonist of the series, ron Weasley could never (I’m lying he absolutely would they’re both so good)

-viggo mortensen kickstarted the emo movement in 2001 during his pivotal role as Aragorn so jot that down

-I only know viggo mortensen from Hidalgo, this is either a way hotter look for him or I need to revisit Hidalgo post puberty

-‘I will take the ring to Mordor- though I do not know the way’- tears: the sequel

-I just hope the next time I watch this movie I remember to look away before Bilbos face does that thing

-boromir, that wild son of a gun

-if I had a hobbit friend I too would wanna carry them around like a cute lil baby

-not trying to tell Gandalf how to do his job but if every orc in a 100 yard radius to me suddenly fled, I wouldn’t wait around to know why