#barduil fic recs

[bi-widower-dads]

bi-widower-dads' February Fic Rec: AUs

Thank you to everyone who submitted recs for us! We've done some sorting and collating, and we've got two posts for you: AUs and Canon-'verse - and a whole load of excellent fic for you to get stuck into while we wait for Barduil Month in April! So without further ado, here are the AUs for you, with a little bit about why our recommenders love them...

Header image by mod @piyo-13!

(a note about tags and trigger warnings: tags are selected from those on AO3 as being those that best describe the story for the purposes of this event; trigger warnings are supplied by the recommenders and may not be comprehensive - your mileage may vary. We've tried our best to include Tumblr handles wherever we can, but if we've missed yours out and you want it included, just let us know!)

One-shots

In the Wake of the Second Horseman by EldritchMage / @eldritchmage | M | 2272 words | tags: angst with a happy ending, implied/referenced drug use, post-traumatic stress disorder - PTSD, implied warfare/violence | trigger warnings: mention of drug use, mention of violence in a war zone, PTSD, nightmares

Summary: When addiction threatens to consume Thran, his lover Bard is desperate to help - but Thran isn't. Yet in ending his relationship with Bard, Thran savages both of them, not just himself. Four years later, Thran's about to discover what remains from his cruelty. What he finds is a surprise - and humbling. What do you love about this fic? Even when things fall apart, redemption is possible if you give it half a chance. Out of tragedy comes hope and a chance for a better life.

love remains by likethenight / @nocompromise-noregrets | G | 11,093 words | tags: alternate universe - modern setting, grief/mourning, Thranduil never sailed west, mythical beings & creatures, folklore, alternate universe - reincarnation | trigger warnings: none

Summary: There is a legend in Dale, that somewhere deep in the forest that borders the city lives the forest king, an ancient being with a special care for archers, and for all things that grow. Bard, camping in the woods after his finals, finds a place that isn't on any maps and begins to dream of something - someone - familiar; and years later, after the heaviest loss he has ever had to bear, he goes back out there again, hoping to find something that might help him recover. What do you love about this fic? Absolutely beautiful fic, such a touching story and excellent writing!

Petrichor by b_ofdale_archive / @beesinspades | G | 14,598 words | tags: alternate universe - reincarnation, alternate universe - modern setting, alternate universe - bookstore, books and cats | trigger warnings: slight mention of past life character death

Summary: It's been six thousand years since Thranduil last laid eyes on his husband - Bard. The world has changed and the great Elvenking with it, lingering in the shadows of Men; as hope for a miracle festers within his heart that grows weaker with every passing day, the only thing keeping him going is a promise he made, many moons ago. What do you love about this fic? I love its overall theme, and the thought that Thranduil will meet Bard again. A lovely and poetically written reincarnation AU, well worth the read!

Multi-chapters: in progress

Love in a time of change by myeaglesong / @myeaglesong | M | 22,840 words | tags: eventual relationships, eventual romance, elf/human relationships, fluff, romance, slow burn, alternate universe - regency, oblivious Bard | trigger warnings: none

Summary: For the longest time, Thranduil has wanted to find a good match for his son, Legolas, to marry. His search leads him to consider Arwen for Legolas to marry, but what if Legolas has already got his eye set on another match that Thranduil may not approve of? What will will happen when Legolas finds out about his father's intentions to marry him off? What would happen when the question of if Thranduil were to marry again was to come up, who could he marry? What do you love about this fic? I am not usually one for Regency AUs but this one is so adorable, and between the kids and the dads there is plenty of potential for shenanigans and some tentative romance! I'm really looking forward to seeing how events unfold…

The Moth Effect by BiSquared / @scary-grace and Dogblessya / @dogblessyoutascha | M | 35,658 words | tags: mothman is real, mothman Thranduil, mothbaby Legolas, park ranger Bard, non-graphic violence, but there is still gore so you've been warned, twilight references | trigger warnings: mothman lore, gore

Summary: (in chaos theory) the phenomenon whereby a mothman moving into your place of employment can have a large effect on the rest of your life. What do you love about this fic? I love the Supernatural/Horror element to it and Park Ranger Bard trying to make sense of all the really weird s**t that's happening around him. Lovely bits have to be the introduction of Mothman Thranduil and adorable Mothbaby Legolas. But best of all is that Mothman Thranduil isn't the weirdest thing happening in Olympic National Park 👀….

Vena Amoris by Patch / @patchoffeathers and Piyo13 / @piyo-13 | M | 72,843 words | tags: crossover with Dracula Untold, alternate universe - vampires, Bard is Dracula, canon-typical violence, slow build, alternate universe - some people live/not everybody dies | trigger warnings: none

Summary: Bard has a secret, one that stems from far to the east, in lands far forgotten and times long past. It's one that no one must know—but times are changing for the people living on the lake. Even for those who, technically, aren't alive. What do you love about this fic? The author does such a great job at merging Luke Evans' two characters here (Bard and Dracula) while still keeping Bard distinctly canon-shaped. Because Dracula!Bard is an immortal, there's a unique comparison of mythological immortalities and the relative costs of them that reflects back onto the plot.

show a little faith, there's magic in the night by BiSquared / @scary-grace | M | 342,922 words | tags: alternate universe - modern setting, slow burn, music industry AU, indie musician Bard, opera singer turned pop star Thranduil | trigger warnings: none

Summary: Bard Bowman's not the type to give up on his dreams easily, but when DJ Smaug's dirty tricks leave his family band stranded in Denver with a forfeit fee the size of Mt. Everest crashing down on their heads, there's really nothing to do but drink about it. The last thing Bard expects is to meet a beautiful stranger in a similar predicament -- and the last thing either of them expects is a rescue. Luckily for them, Thorin Oakenshield's feeling heroic this evening. What do you love about this fic? I am such a sucker for the rock scene (I've spent my entire adult life kicking about there) and it's not often I see it portrayed so realistically in fic (or indeed in original fiction). The characters are all beautifully drawn, the humour frequently makes me chuckle, and Bard going head over heels while trying to tell himself he isn't, it's not happening, not really, because he can't believe his luck, makes my heart go all funny.

Multi-chapters: complete

Followthrough by ofplanet_earth / @ofplanet-earth | M | 26,737 words | tags: alternate universe - modern setting, alternate universe - military, alternate universe - spies & secret agents, snipers, sniper Bard, military captain Thorin, mob boss Smaug, revenge, character death | trigger warnings: violence

Summary: Bard and his children have been living in a little cabin on the edge of Laketown for five years, hiding from Bard's dangerous past. But when that past comes back to haunt them, Bard will have to team up with Thorin and his company to face down his demons, confront the man who killed his wife, and fight to save the people he loves. What do you love about this fic? Great spies/military AU with Bard and the gang!

The grey sea and the long black land by Black_knight100 and Blueberryrock / @blueberryrock | T | 29,702 words | tags: alternate universe - modern setting, alternate universe - cruise ship, first kiss, angst, fluff, angst with a happy ending, eventual romance | trigger warnings: quite angst filled but has an eventual happy ending

Summary: Bard Bowman is thirty-seven years old, widowed and heckled, and he's had enough. If his children want a cruise trip with their lottery money, then so they will have. Bard will only have to work twice as hard to take them out of their little corner of the world. It has been three years. Three years of him raging, and sobbing, and grieving. Three years in which he has turned away from his children. Three years to reach this ship, to put together whatever snapped that day. And the first morning, Thranduil wakes up late. It is going fabulously. Or, in which the two meet on a ship, and there are ups and downs. What do you love about this fic? Thranduil and Bard getting together in the end

Modern Love by Shampain / @abner-krill | M | 65,267 words | tags: alternate universe - modern setting, alternate universe - coffee shops and cafés, alternate universe - human | trigger warnings: none

Summary: Bard is a down on his luck single father working a thankless job as a courier, eternally worrying over when his daughter is going to start sneaking out of the house with boys. As if that wasn't bad enough, his assignments delivering files to Greenleaf Acquisitions puts him in contact with Thranduil, a stern businessman whose only champion is his assistant, Tauriel. And finally, to make matters worse, his friendship with Bilbo Baggins sends everything else into a tailspin. The summer is just beginning, and it's going to be a weird one. What do you love about this fic? Lovely, lighthearted modern AU that is a delight to read!

hands; eyes; voice by bishkebab / @bishkebab | T | 70,163 words | tags: slow burn, alternate universe, accidental cottagecore, governess/single dad romance but make it gay, autistic Thranduil, Thranduil and Bard both have physical disabilities | trigger warnings: mention of autism, fire accident, PTSD

Summary: An isolated life in a too-small cottage was never what Bard dreamed of for his children – especially sharp, scholarly Tauriel and sensitive, insightful Tilda. But school is a distant dream for a large family living off the land – at least until a storm and the subsequent house fire bring a former scholar to their doorstep. Wealthy recluse Thranduil could never have anticipated leaving his family's manor for a shack in the woods and a single father with five – FIVE – children who can barely write ten words between them. But when disaster strikes, he is left with little choice – and maybe close quarters with a handsome widower won't be so bad after all... What do you love about this fic? This is a rare work of art in which Bard is the loveliest dad ever, stubborn, strong and gentle and Thranduil is an introverted autistic lonely lad. The author writes their story in a very poetical way and family is the main protagonist of the story, as is their small cosy cottage. I do love the gentle feeling this story conveys from the start. It feels like a warm cup of tea after a very rainy day and each word is carefully written. This story deserves to be read and reread and rereread. Slowly. (With a nice cup of tea. <;3)

Those Colours We Share by b_ofdale / @beesinspades | M | 84,709 words | tags: alternate universe - soulmates, alternate universe - post-war, set in 1956, Bard owns an animal shelter, slow burn, fluff and angst, disabled character, asexual characters, period-typical homophobia | trigger warnings: none

Summary: Had anyone told them, Thranduil Oropherion and Bard Bowman would never have believed they would see the world painted in colours again. Until that fateful day of December 1956, when one little boy entered a former soldier's animal shelter. What do you love about this fic? I'm a sucker for two lonely people who find each other and forge a new life together.

Beast by Nuredhel / @nuredhel | M | 132,354 words | tags: alternate universe - modern setting, all humans, Bard is a cop, Thranduil is a profiler, mentions of suicide, slow burn, crime and investigation, bonding while working, romance, past problems | trigger warnings: gore, violence, abuse, human trafficing, child abuse, murder, suicide

Summary: Bard Bowman is the leader of a team of investigators trying to solve a very complicated case, when the serial killer they are chasing proves to have a far longer history than they expected the feds call in a profiler. Bard has never believed he could feel attraction again but now he does, how can he express what he feels when they are chasing a beast which seems to defy the very laws of nature? Can Thran feel the same way? The road to love can be bumpy, in special when it is surrounded by murders. What do you love about this fic? It is very exciting, very romantic and intense.

seeking a friend for the end of the world by BiSquared / @scary-grace | M | 238,799 words | tags: alternate universe - modern setting, apocalypse, road trips, family issues and family bonding, opera singer Thranduil, Bard and Thranduil are good parents who are having a bad year, or years | trigger warnings: disease-apocalyptic setting, zombies, major character death, medical injections

Summary: Between dealing with his boss, getting over his ex-wife, and keeping his kids fed and clothed, Bard has more than enough on his plate. He doesn't have time to worry about the frightening rumors coming out of New York City or the lunatic in his service bay who tells him to take his kids and run. But when he stops to help a mysterious stranger on the side of the road, he gets a lot more than he bargained for -- a sexuality crisis, a partner in crime, and maybe, just maybe, a chance for all of them to make it out of this mess alive. What do you love about this fic? Incredible worldbuilding and an edge-of-your-seat plotline! The bonds between all the characters are just beautiful, and it has great worldbuilding. The action is also really well written, and it does tension/dramatics right.

In The Woods Somewhere by Ias / @hubristicfool | M | 249,074 words | tags: alternate universe - modern setting, vampires, vampire Thranduil, mechanic Bard, blood drinking, slow burn, dark, angst, violence, horror, psychological horror, unhealthy relationships | trigger warnings: vampires, blood, angst, sexual content, violence

Summary: These country roads were rarely traveled by any that didn't need to. When Thranduil pulled up beside the man's stopped vehicle and offered him a smile and a ride, there was no one to see the man's grateful expression as he slipped into Thranduil's car. No one to stand by and call out a warning as the taillights were swallowed by the dark branches of the trees. What do you love about this fic? The writing is excellent

Angels and crooks by Nuredhel / @nuredhel | M | 259,072 words | tags: sequel to Beast, alternate universe - modern setting, all humans, Bard is a cop, Thranduil is a profiler, solving crime, family, violence, drug abuse, everyday life at a police station | trigger warnings: violence, abuse, dark stuff, murder, blood, evil, deviousness

Summary: Bard and Thran are getting used to their new life as a married couple, and their new responsibilities as a family. But they still have their jobs and my oh my does that bring some interesting situations and challenges into their existence. Having both experience and special gifts does help, but at times reality can be more bizarre than anyone can expect. What do you love about this fic? It is a good story with very interesting twists and many great characters

When The Pale Swan Flies by EldritchMage / @eldritchmage | E | 290,646 words | tags: alternate universe - modern setting, circus performer Thranduil, cabinet maker Bard, Thranduil's name is Luka, Bard's name is Taliesin (which is Welsh for Bard), slow burn, Thranduil needs rescuing and Bard is happy to do it | trigger warnings: sexual abuse mentioned, underage sex mentioned, prostitution/pimping mentioned

Summary: A year ago, when a carpenter met a caged bird, his good intentions left despair in their wake. Is he a fool to hope he can atone for his missteps? What do you love about this fic? It's got circus acts! It's got two sad men learning to trust and love again! It's got an epic visit to a grocery store! It's got bad guys getting their just desserts, and everyone else getting delicious Spanish teacake! It's got a cute little boy who finds his voice while making puppets! There's a sad short-story prequel to set the stage, as well! And who doesn't like a parade?

Season of Light and Shadow by EldritchMage / @eldritchmage | E | 914,703 words | tags: alternate universe - modern setting, Thranduil is a ballet dancer, Bard is a building super and welder (and artist), slow burn, NSFW, blended family | trigger warnings: momentary violence, momentary mention of drug use, adult bedroom games

Summary: It's the week before Thanksgiving. In an apartment building somewhere in the middle of New York City, the mood is far from festive. Upstairs in Apartment 5B, an injured ballet dancer is having a rotten day. He's lost his job, he's had to walk home in the snow and rain, getting thoroughly soaked and frozen in the process, and the radiators in his rooms are as cold as the New York City streets. He limps downstairs to vent his fury on the night super who didn't fix the heat. Downstairs in Apartment 2A, the night super is also having a rotten day. No money, three overtired and cranky children, a slapdash boss, and not nearly enough sleep. And now someone is pounding on the door like a SWAT team. When an angel knocks on the door of a saint, neither finds what he expects. But with a little luck, the upcoming holiday season might give them both something to treasure. What do you love about this fic? It's two lonely men forging a blended family! It's got ballet! It's got home renovation! It's got four cutie children! It's got cooking! It's got an artist regaining the wherewithal to make his art! It's got lots of cool side characters (ten points to everyone who spots all the Dwarves :-). It's got lots of steamy love! It's even got 3 short follow-up stories! What's not to like?????? This was my introduction to the world of modern AUs with these two, and oh, it's SO GOOD. The kids are brilliant and so realistically drawn, and the dads are - well, they're incredibly hot. XD And the development of the relationship between them is beautifully done, as they go head-over-heels for each other while trying to take things slowly for the sake of the kids…oh, it's great. :D

[thrandhue]

been mia reading barduil fics. if anyone has any angsty slow burn recs, please feel free to share ! i think i’ve gone through the entirety of the slow burn tag but you never know

[thatonetimetraveller]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Let’s spread the self-love ❤️

Thank you for the ask💜

5. The Dreams of Men - The Sandman

This fic is the classic Hob rescues Dream.

Even tho it's not finished I really liked writing it

4. It takes a Lot... - Lotr

Bard and Thranduil's meeting over the course of a year, with a sentient Mirkwood thrown into the mix.

I loved writing sentient Mirkwood and it's relationship with Thranduil

I swear the second chapter is done I'm just too busy with trsb to type it up rip

3. The Importance of Wing-Care - Star Wars

Tired Obi-Wan, wingfic and h/c what else can I say lol

I absolutely love wingfics and I had to write one when I saw this prompt for Codywan Week

2. To Love You Without a Name - Lotr

A sapphic Cinderella au featuring Barduil

There's not enough sapphic content in the Lotr fandom so I had to

1. Sol'ca'nara bal Vencuyot Mand'alor - Star Wars

An epic timetravel fic as Din travels back into the Clone Wars and his younger self. He's force sensitive and has really strong visions so he becomes Obi-Wan's padawan. He also gets adopted by the 212th and he adopts a squad in return. And the timeline may not seem as linear as first thought.

To this day this is my longest fic and I'm so proud of it. It features my favourite tropes and it has a convoluted plot lol. I love the interactions between Din and the 212th especially Cody and his squad

And I am planning to return to it as soon as I get back into Star Wars

[ann-atar]

I just started this novel/series and I'm losing my sh!t. It's good. SO GOOD. My god, your Thranduil pov is so outstanding.

Chapters: 29/? Fandom: The Hobbit - All Media Types Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Bard the Bowman/Thranduil Characters: Thranduil (Tolkien), Bard the Bowman, Thranduil’s Wife, Bard the Bowman’s Children, Legolas Greenleaf, Tauriel, Sigrid (Hobbit Movies), Bain of Dale, Tilda (Hobbit Movies), Elrond Peredhel, Celebrían (Tolkien), Arwen Undómiel, Dís (Tolkien), Kíli (Tolkien), Fíli (Tolkien), Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, set in 1977, Historical References, Slow Burn, I’m not joking about the slowness of this slow burn, emergency room physician Thranduil, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, caretaker Bard (in several senses of the term), ELF (extremely long fic), this house may or may not be haunted, this is a ‘no archive warnings apply’ situation for now Summary:

In the year 1977, following a tragedy that upends his life, former emergency-room physician Thranduil Oropherion purchases a sprawling, centuries-old estate in northern New Hampshire, planning to ship his children off to boarding school and waste away without ever being seen again. His plans go awry immediately thanks to Bard Bowman, the caretaker of the estate, and as an unlikely friendship blooms between them, Thranduil finds himself slowly coming back to life.

His house does the same.

Chapter 29 is here! and here’s an excerpt…

It has been nearly a decade since Thranduil celebrated Halloween, and there are apparently dozens of Halloween traditions that must be observed. Thranduil is unfamiliar with most of them. Carving pumpkins and trick-or-treating are one thing, and he understands the appeal of caramel apples and popcorn balls, but he cannot imagine why the children would want to bob for apples, play increasingly elaborate pranks on each other, and set bonfires every night. Bard provides plenty of leaves and sticks for the bonfires, and each burn is accomplished safely at the end of the driveway, but Thranduil winds up doing continual loads of laundry to keep the smell of smoke out of the house. As it turns out, however, the bonfires are the least of Thranduil’s worries.

“What on earth do you think you are doing?” he demands. All four children look as though they have been caught with their hands in the cookie jar, although what they are doing is far worse. “Give me that at once.”

[nocompromise-noregrets]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers (except me because obvs I have done it). Spread the self-love 💜

aaaa, thank you so much! Thank you also, and apologies for how long it's taken me to do this, to @mirkwood-hr-department, @scary-grace, @erathene and @verecunda who have also sent me this one over the last couple of months. I'm afraid I took fright because I currently have uh 415 works on AO3 and I kind of don't know where to start. I am also terrible at picking favourites, and particularly terrible at picking a short list thereof. So I am going to cheat and give you some links to series instead, and I am not going to limit myself to five because that way lies far too much stress and anxiety XD

My Heart Is An Empty Vessel - well, obviously that had to be on the list, it's the fic that got me into the Barduil fandom and the longest I've ever finished, not to mention it's sparked a whole 'verse spanning at least three Ages of Middle-earth. :D Almost all of my canon-'verse fics take place in this 'verse, as it happens, and one of these days I will collect them into a series but it is not this day, mainly because it's an enormous task. Maybe when I retire... XDDDDD

All I Want Is You - the one that got me through the third and fourth (I think) lockdowns, the daft Christmas-movie modern AU that morphed into something rather bigger and gave me a chance to exorcise some of my work-related demons.

the hardest choice to make - because it's me finally tackling my favourite characters making their Choice between mortality and immortality. I love the Twins inordinately, more than any other character, and I think I have more very fixed headcanons for them than for any other - I've been putting this one off, or rather they have, but they've finally started talking and I'm hoping to piece the rest of it together gradually sooner or later.

a kiss in the cold and dark (I should have kissed you that summer) and its associated series - because it took on a life of its own and is also letting me channel a lot of my teenage memories :D

paint the sky and burn the stars - because, again, it took on a life of its own and pretty much wrote itself, and unlike a lot of my other stuff, it's self-contained. I don't think there will ever be a sequel, but that's all right; the story is complete as it is.

stained glass heart - another one that pretty much wrote itself, I loved the imagery in @piyo-13's art so much and it just all fell into place.

dancing in the dark - because I'm having so much fun with my old rocker bi widower dads :D another place to channel memories of my younger days, this.

A Little Piece of the Sea - one of my longest-running series, I started writing this 20-odd years ago, and then picked it back up when I came back into the fandom. Legolas/Imrahil my beloved underappreciated rare pair canoe!

I Will Be With You Always - last year's TRSB piece written for @seagull-energy's beautiful art, I finally managed to pin down my Arwen feelings in this rather reflective piece about her last moments on Cerin Amroth, where her life has come full circle at last.

breathe freely - the utterly out of character hanahaki twincest fic the premise for which came to me in a dream XD look I have problematic OTPs, I am old and have been here a very long time it is pretty much a given :D (the twincest is not the bit that's out of character)

Do You Remember The First Time? - the Twins/Rúmil two-parter that got rather out of hand and also gave me the headcanon about the Twins standing in alphabetical order as you look at them XD

It's Always Been You - the other problematic pairings one, featuring the Rúmil/Orophin story that had been sitting in my notes for nearly 20 years until I got back into the fandom with a vengeance in the summer of 2020, and the foundations of the Rivendell and Lothlórien bits of my canon-'verse set stories...

death is certain, life is not - the TRSB fic that ate me alive this summer, inspired by @erathene's glorious art, in which Tilda finally strides into centre stage and refuses to stop talking (I am already working on the sequel because I ran out of time to include most of what I wanted to squeeze in). Technically part of Empty Vessel-'verse but deserves an honourable mention here!

A Quiet Understanding - and finally, because if I don't wrap it up here I'll be going all day, the first longfic/chaptered fic I ever wrote, in the King Arthur (2004) fandom, about Gawain and Galahad and how their lives unfold both before and after the Battle of Badon Hill.

(and that's not mentioning the rare fandom stuff like A Knight's Tale, That Thing You Do!, Fisherman's Friends, Call The Midwife, The Alienist and The Palace, all of which I adore unreasonably, but I think I've rambled on quite enough here XD )

Thank you so much to everyone who asked me for this one, and I'm so sorry it took me so long to work out an answer! I haven't the spoons for askboxes, and I have to admit that the choose-x-people-to-ask games always feel a bit exclusive to me because what about the people who never quite make it onto that finite list, the people who nobody ever remembers to ask - and my memory is terrible and I will always inadvertently forget people. So, instead, I would like to invite anyone who sees this and wants to do it - don't wait to be asked, just rec yourselves! Let us know the works of yours you love the most! <3333333

[itsonlydana]

i love love love the barduil x reader but I'm so sad because I can't find that particular pairing anywhere else

so basically I'm foaming at the mouth for your content (and if you have any barduil x reader recs I would love them)

also I love the way you write it's so entertaining

I'm so glad there are other people out there enjoying this trio because honestly I've only read one one-shot that had this pairing, and they became a new obsession.

For recs: definitely check out "Traversing Tolkien Tales" on ao3 by Reedemer46. The chapter with Bard x Thranduil x Reader is linked here. There's some pretty good Thranduil smut in this collection in general but I'm not the biggest fan of all the ships tbh. I just stay with that Barduil x Reader and a few other.

If I weren't so slow in writing (especially smut) I would be pumping out this trio left and right, but as it stands right now, we have one story halfway done, and I'm trying to finish it today.

I would love to chat more about these three, the combination of an already established hot power couple such as Barduil and a third partner is just golden. Every time I see someone like the "Meet me Halfway" fic I think: Huh, never thought it would reach this level of attention and I'm so so glad it did!

Spoiler for the upcoming story: "Noisy Neighbors" (title in work) under the cut:

[corndog-patrol]

Very random question, but do you have any good bagginshield fic recs or author recs?? I love the ship but I've read all the shorter ones and starting long ones without a rec is daunting. XD

A related question, do you like genderbend bagginshield? I love it because I'm always down for more badass ladies in fic, but I know some people prefer to aviod it. Both opinions are valid, imho, I'm just curious as to your preference. :D

OMG!!! Okay, I've read a lot of great bagginshield so far but I haven't delved that deep in the fandom yet! (i read a lot of barduil with bagginshield in it too which is nice)

Some of my personal bagginshield favs are (in no particular order)

Truth, Honesty, and None of the Above- by ias (who also has some good barduil- i'm going to keep talking about barduil LMAO)

a tale of ivory table cloth and ruined weddings- by Imagined, rottingflower, Scarlet_Ribbons

A Shelter On Saturday by Tawabids (super cool to see a modern au with the tolkein races still present!!!!)

I've Grown a Hedge Around My Heart by pibroch (littleblackdog) (HOBBIT THORIN!!! I REPEAT: ADORABLE HOBBIT THORIN!!!!)

Wasteful by northerntrash (sooo cute- i love modern aus with baker bilbo <3 northerntrash has some great barduil fics too 😂)

You Got Me by drunkonwriting

Oak and Mistletoe by HildyJ (oh im absolutely UNHINGED FOR THIS FIC)

hopefully there's something on this lost that piques your interest and is new to you! if you want some more recs I can throw that together too haha

as for genderbends- i haven't posted any myself because i used to see a lot of people saying they're transphobic and i didn't want to accidentally hurt anyone's feelings- but i haven't seen anyone say that in a while so I'm not sure how to feel anymore. i think (from my admittedly cis perspective) that they can be fun- it gives me a weird feeling when people genderbend to make a gay couple straight (by only changing the gender of one of them) but other than that they're cute LOL

[writerman]

12, 15, 18 for fic writer asks!

12. What fic was the most difficult to write? Did you finish it?: It's between It Starts With BLÅHAJ and Soaked Skin, for two reasons. One, the prompts and two, the ship. I have been very obviously hyper fixated on a particular ship since 2019 and Barduil slowly fell out of favour so getting back into the rhythm of writing the two of them was a task I wasn't sure I was up to, and yet... it appears to have worked out aha.

15. Rec a fic you wrote or posted in 2023: Even if no one is interested I will always rec Thrall, it is my magnum opus... for now. I am unceasingly in love with it. It is unhinged and frustrating and messy and purely indulgent. In fic form it is my toxic true love.

18. What was the hardest fic to title?:

All fics are hard to title but maybe the IKEA Barduil AU but when I realised I could mention our favourite squishy shark I knew I had to include it. :3

[bi-widower-dads]

bi-widower-dads' February Fic Recs: Canon

Thank you to everyone who submitted recs for us! We've done some sorting and collating, and we've got two posts for you: AUs and Canon-'verse - and a whole load of excellent fic for you to get stuck into while we wait for Barduil Month in April! Without further ado, here are the canon fic recs, featuring tags, links, summaries, and all the reasons why the recommenders think you should give these fics a try!

Header image by mod @piyo-13!

(a note about tags and trigger warnings: tags are selected from those on AO3 as being those that best describe the story for the purposes of this event; trigger warnings are supplied by the recommenders and may not be comprehensive - your mileage may vary. We've tried our best to include Tumblr handles wherever we can, but if we've missed yours out and you want it included, just let us know!)

One-shots

Scenes From a Not-So-Clandestine Romance by MasterofAllImagination / @cutlerbeckettt | G | 3258 words | tags: 5+1 things, so much fluff it's sickening, seriously don't even read this

Summary: As the relationship between Bard and Thranduil grows beyond merely that of two allies, they become proportionately blind to how obvious their displays of affection are to their people. Pretty soon their feelings are an open secret shared among everyone in Mirkwood and Dale-- except the kings themselves. (or, five times someone caught Bard and Thranduil secretly kissing, and the one time they did it in public) What do you love about this fic? The author's completely correct that this is just So Much Fluff. It's great, it's cozy, it's a palate cleanser that makes you go "aww" and giggle a little at how oblivious they are.

We'll lay here for years or for hours by bispecimen | M | 5000 words | tags: canon divergence, different first meeting, animal death, hunting, could be considered canon compliant since it still works w future events, dilf vs dilf parenting techniques, canon-typical violence

Summary: "The leaves were rolling, green and healthy. Swirling around the legs of the Bowman as if they were about to bring some magical creature in his presence. But Bard didn’t feel like anything good was about to be brought in front of his eyes. The stillness of the air was suffused with something nocive. This part was forbidden for a reason. The deeper he went, the longer he stayed. He knew, he knew that." What do you love about this fic? Am possibly biased because I did the art for this, but lovely and lyrical!

but the sun is eclipsed by the moon by RC_McLachlan | G | 5288 words | tags: none

Summary: The Battle of the Five Armies threatened to unmake the world, but The Negotiations of the Three Kings might actually succeed. Or, a short lesson on the lifecycle of dandelions. What do you love about this fic? Great writer I've followed for a long time!

more than words can wield the matter by BiSquared / @scary-grace | M | 5422 words | tags: cultural differences, love letters, miscommunication, accidental marriage, getting together, laws and customs of the eldar are somewhat followed, POV Bard the Bowman, post-BotFA, as canon-compliant as barduil gets

Summary: It might be uncommon, but Bard knows it’s not unheard of for humans to share a single night of passion and part ways in the morning – or if not to part ways, then at least never to meet as lovers again. Apparently it’s unheard of among elves, because the first letter that arrives from Mirkwood, two weeks after the elves’ departure for their forest, is significantly less businesslike than expected. What do you love about this fic? The premise is funny enough that it could have come across as crack, but it creates actual narrative tension and a satisfactorily cathartic ending.

The Well-Worn Path of Words by Ias | T | 10,725 words | tags: letters, slow burn, pining, miscommunication, love confessions, epistolary

Summary: It wasn't so strange that Thranduil would call him a friend. And yet the word seemed to draw them closer like a length of string, binding them together, yet still so fragile. [In which Thranduil and Bard begin writing each other letters over the long winter after the battle.] What do you love about this fic? Fantastic epistolary fic from a great Barduil author!

Multi-chapter (in progress)

Language of the Forest by BaccaratBlack | T | 1,095 words | tags: victorian flower language, sort of unrequited feelings, cultural differences, cultural misunderstandings, courtship, secret admirer

Summary: Bard is perplexed by elven courtship rituals. Thranduil is very determined and unaccustomed to not having his way. What do you love about this fic? Who doesn't like a fic with the themes of courtship, flowers and a "secret" admirer?

Multi-chapter (complete)

A Tale of Love and Longing (as told by Galion) by jotunblood | T | 39,288 words | tags: courtship, secret relationship, developing relationship, sexual tension, light angst, post-BotFA, slow burn, Galion POV, Galion is a good friend

Summary: Galion knew all the almost imperceptible ways joy, anguish, and hate could change his King’s face. He also knew-- Thranduil’s denial be damned-- exactly how he looked when he was pining. What do you love about this fic? We see Thranduil's and Bard's relationship develop through Galion's POV and he's the best BFF/Wing Man a King could ask for.

Blossoming Spring by SlytherinImpala | T | 56,210 words | tags: fluff, post-BotFA, snark, slow burn, healing, friends to lovers, scars, movie canon, first kiss, getting together

Summary: Bard and Thranduil meet again as winter gives way to spring following of the Battle of Five Armies. What do you love about this fic? I love the gentle snarkiness between the 2 characters and how they slowly learn to open up to one another. They feel very in character and when they fall in love it doesn't feel abrupt. Definitely worth a read if you love a gentle Barduil slowburn.

Series

The Kings of the North by Evandar | T | 14,240 words | tags: partial fix-it, interspecies romance, fluff, blind thranduil, self-esteem issues, communication

Summary: There is unease in the north, as old alliances must be rebuilt and leadership learned. Bard is confused, mostly by King Thranduil, and King Fili is determined to be the best king he can be. Sigrid, meanwhile, wishes things could go back to the way they were. What do you love about this fic? This was one of the first series I ever read for barduil and definitely played a huge role in getting me into the ship in the first place!

Boundaries 'Verse by Sir_Nemo | T | 30,967 words | tags: fluff, getting to know each other, getting together, family bonding

Summary: Bard has been working for the elves for years, never actually meeting one, until one day he notices an elf watching him work. The elf becomes a constant in his life, and the two of them slowly start warming up to each other. What do you love about this fic? Bard and Thranduil's personalities really shine through in their conversations, which I feel is a core component of the plot, and makes for a very stable relationship that the story can lean on.

[mithrilhearts]

I normally share my love in the tags on most tumblr fics but YOOOOOO!!!!!! @i-did-not-mean-to this is SO FUCKING GOOD!!!???? I absolutely adored it from start to finish, holy shit!!!

The characterization is perfect, and I love that it was Legolas that put Thranduil up to all of this. That Gimli sure is a great influence on his son, hmm???? The interaction between Bard and Thranduil is just beautiful, and ends pretty saucy hehehe. You had me ensnared from the start. Thank you so so much!!!

If you love Barduil, check out this modern au piece, you guys!!! IDNMT did fantastic!!!! 😍😍😍

Tripping

So, @lordoftherazzles, of course, it was my honour and my pleasure to write this for you!

I love you dearly!

Words: 2.6

Characters: Bard x Thranduil

Prompt: City slicker vacationing in small town

“Wait…you’re breaking up,” Thranduil almost screamed into his phone as he stepped off the rickety, old bus that had taken him from the picturesque train station to the main square of the small town he was to spend the week in.

No doubt, his son had meant well when he had decided that his suave, overworked father needed a small break from his gruelling office job.

“Mirkwood Inc. will be fine without you,” Legolas had grinned around a particularly irregular apple. Ever since he had gotten that hairy, uncouth boyfriend, Thranduil barely recognised his youngest child; suddenly, Legolas ate organic food and went mountain-climbing in his free time.

It had apparently also been that infamous Gimli who had impressed upon Legolas that a healthy work-life balance was primordial in order to be happy and thrive rather than die prematurely of a cardiac incident.

Unable to resist the worried gaze of his beloved son, Thranduil had finally been convinced to accept their gift – an all-expenses paid trip to a quaint, scenic little village – and had not even made a huge fuss when they had confiscated his work laptop as well as all his personal electronic devices except his phone.

In the course of the long and uncomfortably slow train ride to his destination though, he had soon started to sincerely regret having been talked into taking the week off; defying his son’s wishes and his own good resolutions, he had thus ended up making a few business-calls on his private phone just to pass the time.

“Sly kid,” he cursed under his breath now as he looked down at his phone in dismay; no wonder that the quality of his call had been deteriorating steadily, there was no cell service in this rotten nest.

With an impatient huff, he strode out onto the square in search of the place Legolas had booked for him…and promptly stepped into a steaming, hot heap of manure.

Loosening a string of expletives, he would never have spoken aloud in polite company, Thranduil shook his prohibitively expensive Italian shoe frantically, hopping on one foot like a madman through the square.

“Oh hey,” a middle-aged man called from across the street and hastened towards the newcomer. “Ah, the people who offer carriage rides on weekends are not always good about cleaning up after themselves.”

He was grinning good-humouredly and extended a broad, calloused hand to Thranduil who promptly shook it fiercely.

“I wanted to relieve you of your bags,” the man said sheepishly, but his smile softened and deepened charmingly. “I am Bard, innkeeper and general dogsbody around here.”

At the sight of the twinkling eyes set like gems in an astoundingly comforting and beautiful face, Thranduil felt a bit of the perpetual tension drain from his defensively drawn-up shoulders; Bard, in his worn flannel shirt and his torn jeans, looked so invitingly cosy and welcoming that even the devastating loss of his best pair of shoes suddenly didn’t strike Thranduil as all that tragic anymore.

“Thranduil,” he then replied in a clipped voice, forcing himself to dig deep into whatever humour he had buried within his soul in favour of relentless productivity, “self-destructive workaholic, if my son and my son-in-law are to be believed, on the solemn mission of finding some peace and relaxation.” His tone made it very clear how little he cared for these things which – ironically – conveyed much more weight and realism to his words than he even knew.

“There’s plenty of that to be had here,” Bard chirped encouragingly and – snatching Thranduil’s fancy leather bag – made his way back to the cosy building he had issued from when he had seen the tall, fair-haired stranger get off the bus, engrossed in his phone conversation and unheedful of the dung he was about to step in.

The obvious distaste on that fair, stern, and exceedingly handsome face made Bard want to defend his town; he understood that, for a city slicker such as the man trudging sullenly behind him, it might not have been exciting or busy enough, but Bard loved his little corner of paradise and would not allow a stranger to disdain and disparage it before having spent a single evening here.

“Thranduil,” he repeated, bent over his bookings – neatly penned into a big, old, leatherbound book – as if he had not been staring at the same name the whole morning in giddy anticipation of his sole customer of the moment. “You’re lucky; you’ll get our best room.”

It was not as if the business was bad – and Bard had enough other things to do besides running the small lodge – but he was nonetheless glad to have a paying guest; ever since his own children had left the town for further schooling abroad, his days had been long and lonely.

“Indeed,” Thranduil commented, one eyebrow cocked haughtily, and looked down miserably at his ruined shoe.

“If you want, you can put your shoes outside of your door,” Bard prompted softly. “I know the cobbler and he will tend to them as soon as possible. I can bring dinner up to your room if this is the only pair of shoes you have brought. Alternatively, I could lend you a pair?”

In the face of so much casual helpfulness, even the usually so careful and impassive Thranduil could not keep up his already wavering scowl.

“I am quite tired,” he admitted, “and I have some phone calls to make. When is dinner?”

“Whenever you want after 7:30,” Bard answered. “It’s just you and me, so we can have dinner in the small smoking parlour if you’d prefer that to eating alone in the dining hall. As you wish.”

His dark eyes flashed as if he instantly regretted this burst of logorrhoea; Thranduil forced his cheeks to relax and his features to soften to express how grateful he was for the warm welcome he had gotten.

Too often, people mistook his efficiency for arrogant impatience and his natural reticence for indifference or disdain; of course, he could be haughty and brusque, but he did not believe himself to be a bad person at heart. He sincerely hoped that he wasn’t and that the years spent in the arduous pursuit of the next success, or another big sale, had not robbed him of his more tender and precious emotions and instincts.

Maybe his son and that accursed Gimli had been right after all and he had really needed a break to find his way back to his true self.

“I shall come down,” he said with as much warmth and kindness as he could muster; he felt indeed quite rusty as it had been many months since he had last had a conversation with a stranger that had no direct purpose or measurable impact. “My son has insisted on choosing, buying, and packing a whole set of garments for me that – hopefully – will magically induce a state of deep relaxation.”

Thranduil made a face; it was well known that he was a smidgen vain, and he was doubtful that garishly patterned, badly cut shirts and cargo shorts would make him feel anything even remotely akin to calm joyfulness, but he was certainly willing to try.

“I cannot wait to see them,” Bard smiled and winked good-humouredly. “Shall we say 7:30 in the parlour? I can serve cocktails if that is to your liking; I am afraid we don’t have a real bar like some of the bigger establishments do.”

“Oh yes,” Thranduil agreed sheepishly and lifted a hand to his cheek without truly noticing as a discreet wave of heat rushed to his face; the idea of having a quiet drink in a cosy parlour at the end of the world with a handsome stranger sounded so ludicrously delicious that he believed himself to have fallen into a Christmas Hallmark movie.

The distance – geographical and metaphorical – lying between his realm of steel and glass and this sleepy, little valley without so much as full network coverage struck him in all its severity and his fingers tightened fitfully around the strap of his bag which he had picked up and was playing with idly.

“It’s just up the stairs,” Bard explained and motioned to the broad stairwell at the end of the foyer, “and to your right. Here is the key. I am looking forward to our dinner.” Something in his voice drove shivers of anticipation and excitement down Thranduil’s elegant, straight spine; if he hadn’t known better – he was a stranger and a man past his prime after all – he could have sworn that the ruggedly handsome part-time innkeeper and full-time hero had been flirting with him.

When he pushed open the door to the chamber allotted to him, a soft sigh escaped his tense lips. The room was charming, dark wood with accents of different shades of green and gold, and so shockingly unlike his own impersonal, functional bedroom that Thranduil once again felt as if he had been transported into another world.

The view out of the high, narrow window was strangely touching to him as well; the sun was going down in an ocean of pink and blue extending along the horizon and the town looked like a postcard cut-out in its stillness.

Rolling his shoulders, Thranduil sat down on the huge four-poster bed – much too big to be occupied by a single, solitary wretch such as he was – and took off his ruined shoes; he did not have much faith that any small-town cobbler would be able to salvage them, but he was by no means disinclined to let them try.

Then he took a deep breath before opening his bag and discovering the unbelievably odd outfit his beloved son had picked out for him.

“Oh Legolas,” he groaned, “do you really think me that old?”

He should never have trusted that imp! The present wave of bitter bile and sour panic rising in his throat could not be laid at his son’s feet though; nobody else could be blamed for his deplorable omission to check his bags before leaving his home.

Truly, Thranduil should have known better and – as he had failed to double-check everything – he deserved to be in this situation; pulling himself up to his full height, he decided that he might as well meet the disaster head-on.

As his alternatives were growing scarce, he consequently only sighed and resignedly donned the dark grey golf trousers made out of soft, flexible fabric and the white polo shirt without further ado; he even extricated the cable-knit sweater and tied it around his shoulders in an ironic adherence to the stereotype of the “dad”.

“Tennis shoes,” he muttered as he pulled out the white sports shoes that had been tucked at the bottom of his bag. “Sneakers,” he then corrected himself and – after putting them on and admitting that they were incredibly comfortable – he turned to the antique mirror in the corner and looked at his reflection with critical attentiveness.

It took exactly 3 seconds before he broke into bellowing laughter; he looked ridiculous!

Only when he wiped a tear of mirth out of the corner of his cool, grey eyes did Thranduil realise that he had not laughed like that in a long time either, and he felt elated and relieved to have found that part of himself in the most unexpected of places.

A glance at the clock told him that he had to hasten if he didn’t want to make his host wait, and so he accepted his ludicrous outfit and squared his shoulders; he had sold worse products with perfect success, he would not falter and fail because of an ugly sweater.

“Oh,” Bard gasped and almost dropped the glass he was holding as soon as Thranduil’s impressive silhouette appeared in the doorframe. "That is quite a change!”

When he had first seen his patron, Bard had been taken slightly aback by the bespoke suit and the Italian shoes, but this preppy fantasy of a suburban father was just as confusing.

“My son…” Thranduil sighed and shrugged. “He’s a fully grown man too so I can’t even pretend that this is the practical joke of an unruly teen. Ah, I guess he thought this was funny nevertheless.”

“Well, you are certainly handsome enough to pull it off,” Bard praised distractedly while letting tiny balls of ice fall into the glass before handing it to Thranduil with a slightly embarrassed smile. “Is it comfortable?”

“Incredibly so,” Thranduil confessed eagerly, “the trousers are fake. They look like formal wear, but they’re actually made out of this soft, stretchy material.” Without thinking, he took Bard’s now free hand and put it on his thigh to underline and prove his words.

Blushing furiously, Bard sputtered and coughed but didn’t retract his hand. “Indeed,” he finally managed to say, “how ingenious. Maybe I should get a pair, so I don’t embarrass my children when I go to visit them. I am afraid that I am the opposite of you in that regard, I tend to look like this.” He motioned at his messy bun and the rough button-down he was wearing over a worn, soft-looking shirt; his jeans were so old that they were white and fraying in strategic spots and his work boots were scuffed in a way some city youngsters paid good money to emulate.

“You look comfortable,” Thranduil opined. “You look exactly right, and I am sure that our kids would find us ‘cringe’ no matter what we do, but we can swap wardrobes. I’d love to surprise Legolas by coming home sporting an outfit like yours.” He could hardly believe the words coming out of his mouth; he hated clothes shopping and habitually let his assistant take his measurements to his tailor without him ever darkening the tradesman’s doorstep. And yet, the fresh air, the unexpectedly sweet company, and the laughing fit in his hotel room had shaken Thranduil up so much that he felt energised and eager to find a new adventure and make it his own.

“I see how you’ve become a really successful businessman,” Bard grinned appreciatively. “You’re not easily cowed, huh? Meet every challenge head-on and then vanquish it.”

“That’s right,” Thranduil smiled and took a step closer towards his host who was licking his lips nervously now.

“Food should be ready any minute. Is everything all right with the room?” Bard whispered, staring up at those luminous eyes – molten silver and swirling starlight – helplessly; he had never seen anyone half as sophisticated and unearthly as that stranger who had waltzed in here in a cloud of dismay and electrifying anger.

The relaxed, playful, wicked expression playing across that statuesque face now was just as enthralling and sublime though, and Bard felt his compounded loneliness and all the desires and wishes he had never even dared consider unfurl within his chest like wreaths of fire.

“The bed is too big for me…alone,” Thranduil whispered back, holding Bard’s gaze and cocking his head infinitesimally.

“Oh, oh,” Bard stammered automatically, “after dinner, I shall see what I can do about that.”

“What an excellent service,” Thranduil purred. “I am sure that I’ll be ever so thankful. You are really aiming for that five-star review, huh?”

This exchange of half-spoken invitations and veiled promises was harshly interrupted by the beeping of Bard’s alarm and the worrying smell of smoke mixing into the delightful aromas of homemade food.

“I’ll be right back,” Bard promised and hastened out of the room.

“Don’t worry,” Thranduil called after him, sitting down in a comfortably worn armchair and stretching out his long, slim legs towards the merrily dancing fire, “for once in my life, I have time.”

@fellowshipofthefics here is another one for the sweet sheet :)

Lots of love from me...

[thelibraryoferebor]

Five Fics For Long Time Tolkien Fic Readers

…I’m 99.9% sure you haven’t read at least one of these fics. Let’s do this.

Like A Long Forgotten Dream by Antarctica_or_bust

|| explicit - 16.3k - completed ||

Fíli and Kíli are actually Legolas' time-traveling love children from the future. This changes everything.

Notes: This fic is entirely crack treated seriously, and I adore it. Although I’m not totally sold on the ending the rest of it is just *chef’s kiss*. Btw gigolas and Aragorn/Legolas centric. Not a very heavy read but still really fun. Like I said, it’s crack.

A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes by diemarysues

|| general - 64.2k - completed ||

Bilbo Baggins has been plagued with dreams for some months, always filled with the same stranger: big hands, strong arms, dark hair. It seems a mystery until he figures that it is a Dwarf, though this only narrows down his search to every Dwarf in Erebor.

When he overhears mention of a special party in the Mountain he wishes briefly that he can attend. But that's ridiculous. He's a Hobbit, not a Dwarf.

Turns out that's not a problem when magic is involved.

Notes: I read this fic pretty recently and as the summary kind of says, it’s a Cinderella au. I adore this fic so much and was an instant bookmark. I’m pretty particular when it comes to bookmarking so yeahhhhh

Into the Woods by NameLess_FaceLess_FormLess

|| teen - 44.7k - completed ||

Two widowers stumble upon each other, one cursed with a mediocre life in a judgemental town, the other with an actual curse.

Notes: In my experience it’s hard to find really good fairytale au’s, especially Beauty and the Beast. Like, the goal is for the relationship to not be toxic right guys..? Still, this fic manages to blow me away every time I read it. This is a barduil fic and you may not be into that right now but I still recommend giving it a shot. Especially if you’re into thilbo, gigolas, and the like. It’s truly one of my favorites.

Rearrange by smilebackwards

|| general - 10.6k - completed ||

Prince Fili’s betrothal to the elf prince of Mirkwood causes Gimli many problems, not least of which, he’s beginning to strongly suspect that Legolas may be his One.

Notes: I just can’t with this fic, it hits you right in the feels and never stops. It’s so fluffy but like also angsty (like any good fic), and the endingggg. And Filiiiiii. I feel like a lot of authors struggle with writing dwarves, Fili and Kili specifically, because they’re not sure how far to take their childishness. For this environment I think Fili was done particularly well, even if it’s not how I would view him in other situations. Btw gigolas.

In June and June and More June by Dragonslaeyr

|| teen - 88.7k - completed ||

When Bilbo agreed on a trip to Erebor to clear up the last of his mother's estate, what he didn't count on was falling in love with its gorgeous landscape, the fiercely proud people, and yes, the delicious food. Now if only he could figure out why everyone was acting so strangely around his neighbours...

Notes: This is actually the fic that I’m reading right now (and loving, obviously), but I’m sold on it already so I didn’t want to have to wait to get this rec out to you. Also like, once I do this I’ve got nothing else I’ve gotta get done, so that’s epic. It’s thilbo centric and modern day au with secretive Thorin, and Smaug has already been taken care of so that’s not a second hand stresser. It’s just lovely overall with the way it present all of the company and Frerin is alive, which is always nice. And mini Fili and Kili. Bro I’m in so deep with this fic, but that’s how it goes ig, lmao.

That’s it for today! This rec was specific to those who are looking for fics that they haven’t already read. But ofc you would absolutely enjoy these fics even if you aren’t already in deep. After these fics you probably will be, tho.

~H

[meteors-lotr]

Love your blog 🥰 Any fic rec’s?

Well thank you for saying that, it means a lot.

Uhh, it depends on what you're asking for with fig recs.

I mean, if you want something with the bardlings then I'd recommend checking out my fics, more specifically Quite The Chatter, Thunderstruck and Sorry!

Those Colours We Share is good if you're looking for a barduil fic, it's one of my personal favorites even if I don't agree with the Bardlings characterization

If Not Now is a really good Aralas fic, as is Night and Day

A shot in the dark is my favorite if you would be looking for Bagginshield

And yeah, I’d say those are my top recs. There was another Aralas one that I absolutely adored, where Aragorn was obsessed with Legolas and the ring used those feelings to manipulate the fuck out of him, but I couldn’t find it. If anyone knows what I’m talking about, please tell in the replies or something I wanna read it again

[mithrilhearts]

Which fic would you consider doing a sequel for, and what would it be about?

So, I have a few sequel ideas for some of my fics, but the one that is solid in my mind right now (and the first fic is completed lol) is my TRSB from last year - a Modern Royalty AU with King Thorin and Journalist Bilbo → Between Vices and Virtues. Ultimately the sequel would be seeing the Shire, and how Bilbo lives, since the first fic was about getting Thorin to learn about his own kingdom, etc. There would be a food festival, snarky Lobelia, meeting brand-new parents Drogo and Primula (which means baby Frodo!) and ultimately just giving Thorin a chance to look at what a normal life might be like. And you know what’s great? The sequel has a sequel lol...but that’s for another time.

What’s a pairing/character you would like to try writing in the near future?

I would love to write more Barduil and Nwalin, but I always feel like I’m out of ideas or don’t know where to go with things. I am so hyperfocused on Bagginshield it’s insane. But that’s okay! Other characters I would love to try and write for (in some capacity) would include some LOTR characters (i.e. Boromir, Eomer, Gimli/Legolas, etc), I just gotta find the right spark of inspiration to do it. <3

What was your favorite scene to write in Bookbinder//Songwriter?

I’m just going to use my latest chapter for this question - I’ve been waiting for this chapter for SO LONG. I had plans to do a “meet cute”, to show how Thorin and Bilbo actually met, and now we’re diving into Thorin’s reality with his family (that remains, anyway). He has a really nice scene with Belladonna too. The whole chapter was just a lot of fun to write, just as I hope it was to read!

Do you feel like writing makes you a better reader, or reading fic makes you a better writer?

I feel like they go hand in hand, at least for me. I learn through reading works from other people. My vocabulary is constantly expanding, and my thought process of how a scene should be constructed. So regardless of which way you look at it, one is helpful to the other. What I will say on the matter is that I have to be in a very specific kind of mood to read, or my brain drifts off into space - but that has nothing to do with my being a writer. I find it easier to focus on writing than reading (most days), so I am insanely happy when those good reading days hit. (I’m tackling my “to read” list slowly but surely)

If you were going to give Kurdu ‘abadaz an alternate title, what would it be?

I went with the Khuzdul translation for “heart of the mountain” - but if I did give it another title, it could very well be the English translation. Or something more creative having to do with the “Arkenstone” or “Ghosts” 👀 which will soon make sense. I’m content with the title tho (for now lol)

And for my recs, just check out the three I’ve mentioned in this edition of Monday Mentions!! <3

HAPPY MONDAY, FELLOWSHIP! 💜

Here at Fellowship of the Fics, we want to get to know you as authors, just as we want to hear about your stories! Each month we will have five selected questions that we encourage you to answer as a way to help promote yourself!

Simply reblog this post and answer the questions provided. This is about YOU and YOUR creations! We encourage self-bragging as much as possible!

HERE ARE THE QUESTIONS FOR JULY 2023!

Which fic would you consider doing a sequel for, and what would it be about?

What’s a pairing/character you would like to try writing in the near future?

What was your favorite scene to write in [choose your fic]?

Do you feel like writing makes you a better reader, or reading fic makes you a better writer?

If you were going to give [choose your fic] an alternate title, what would it be?

Now, share up to 3 of your fics you’d like to recommend to us and your followers!

[itsonlydana]

Self-rec time! What are your favorite five fics that you've written and why? After replying to this ask, feel free pass on to five other writers to spread the love. 💗

This was the perfect question to get while cleaning my room because now I have a valid distraction!

I do like many of the fics I wrote for the Dream SMP and Content Creators in that bubble, but my blog concentrates on the Hobbit now, so I'll simply say that I do enjoy going back to scroll through some of the older fanfictions since they hold a special place in my heart.

Now, let's get to business, shall we?

"Who Are These Children in My Kitchen?" This Barduil fic was the first I ever wrote and I was really anxious to post it since the writers that participated in the Barduil Month '24 were huge inspirations for me so you can image how I felt when one of my favorite writers commented under it. And I love the imagery of Thranduil being completely on board catering to these stranger's kids and immediately falling for their Dad.

"Flower on my skin": I just loved writing this kind of melancholic story, especially since there's this underlying truth that Thranduil's long live has shadowy and darker sides. Has some good quotes in my opinion!

"Find a cure for my heart": yeah no explanation except: angst!!!!

"THRANDUIL'S GUIDE TO: LOOSING A JOB / WINNING A HEART": I think this one's just cute and lovely and warm and I want to kiss that Thranduil version so bad

"Passenger Princess" it has to be one here and I will never not think about how I first wrote this with a broken foot and rewrote it half a year later to add more chapters and let them flirt some more

Thank you so much for this, anon! <3

[tolkienfics]

In The Woods Somewhere

In The Woods Somewhere by Ias (Words: 249k, M)

These country roads were rarely traveled by any that didn't need to. When Thranduil pulled up beside the man's stopped vehicle and offered him a smile and a ride, there was no one to see the man's grateful expression as he slipped into Thranduil's car. No one to stand by and call out a warning as the taillights were swallowed by the dark branches of the trees.

[rcmclachlan]

So you got me into Thranduil/Bard again after so many years. Got any fic recommendations? Preferably long slow burn, but I'm open to most.

Welcome to hell. 

I’ve always been about Bagginshield, but I rewatched The Hobbit movies the other day and whenever Bard and Thranduil were on screen together, I started going, “Hm. Hmm! Hmmm...”

Anyway, as for recs, I don’t have many! Despite spending the last few days searching for well-written, canon-based Barduil fic (of which, to my great disappointment, there isn’t a lot—at least none meet my admittedly impossible standards). But I have found some real gems:

+ No Home Should Be Shrouded in Darkness by rekishi (166k words)

Falling in love, family stuff, day-to-day politics, the unification of two kingdoms—oh my! This series is excellent and the author has Thranduil’s voice down. Could use a serious beta, but the success of the storytelling outweighs the grammar issues.

+ a crown of rust and leaves by Ias (12.5k words)

I’m a big fan of Ias’s work and I really appreciate the gentle humor that pervades the story.

+ Long Will I Tarry by CariZee (50k words)

Sooooooo good. This story has everything: longing and letters and battles and politics and family stuff, and it’s also 50k so it’s not like you can go wrong.

+ The Well-Worn Path of Words by Ias (10.7k words)

EPISTOLARY FIC EPISTOLARY FIC EPISTOLARY FIC. You may not know this about me, but epistolary fic is my goddamn kryptonite. And this one is lovely.

+ A Few Choice Words by Ias

Not long at all, but it’s a delight. Mistaken identities ahoy!