#marauding til the day he [not] dies

[oceansssblue]

*barges into your askbox, breaking down the door*

may i request a jedi fem!reader x tech where they are on a mission together after some time, and they get separated from the rest of the group. she fights very well against some opponents but ends up getting just a bit bloody and hurt, mostly due to an aggressive fighting style, that of a warrior. tech notices all the new scars n stuff on her face and forearms and is worried. she insists she's fine and tries to brush it off, even though she doesnt like them and makes her less of a jedi and more of a warrior. he comforts her telling her things like your a great general and you don't have to follow the code perfectly to still be a good jedi. so basically first kiss fluff and comfort, a bit of angst.

sorry it was so long! have a great day/night

I love Tech soo muchhhh 🥹 This was a cute idea, so here it is! Hope you like it.

Next request will feature Commander Mayday I think!

Stay tunned,

Xx,

Sky.

"JEDI WARRIOR"

TBB REQUESTS ��TECH/F READER

WARNINGS: Blood, scars. A sprinkle of angst but mostly fluff and comfort 📩💔💖

"I'll distract them!" your voice shouts loud and clear through the batch's coms frequency.

Tech frowns, dodging a shot and quickly neutralising the droid responsible for it.

"General..." he begins, clearly not happy with the offer, but you cut him of quickly.

"That's an order" you almost bark back to him.

You don't mean to be mean or harsh. But you're in the middle of a battle, there's lifes on danger, and though you know Tech's worried about you, you can't let that distract you. You need to distract your enemies so the Batch can get to their base; so they can get the information needed. Information that will save hundreds of lifes and will be valuable to the Republic. You know Tech will probably have a list of the things that could go wrong with you getting separated from them in his mind; but it's your choice, ultimately. If you die, so be it. You'd do it honorably.

Tech clenches his jaw.

"Yes, General".

You run away, jumping over dozens of droids and never slowing down, your orange lightsaber dancing through their lines, a blur of light in the almost darkness of the arriving night. While you atract the majority of their troops and pull them far away, the Batch advances. You hope you can hold them off til they get what you need.

Time passes, and your enemies seem to close around you. Droids are not the main problem; the natives of Garsa are, riding big felines with sharp teeth that painfully closes around your arms and legs more than once. One of the predators catches your ankle and pulls, dragging you through the dirt; and you can't help the furious, painful scream that leaves your mouth, twisting around quickly and stabbing your lightsaber through his own open mouth. The animal screeches and dies.

When you hear Hunter's voice through your coms again, half an hour later, you're on the verge of falling unconscious. You can barely fight much longer; energy drained even with your extensive Jedi training. You feel blood all over you, mixing with the dirt of the ground you've been rolling in. It tingles painfully, all the open wounds on your body; specially the deep scratches on your face, that tugs with every facial expression and movement.

You must be quite the sight, because when the Batch comes near you, Tech suddenly halts upon seeing you. A second later, they're all standing around you, helping you to get rid of the last enemies and giving you cover while you start your hurried way back to the Marauder.

Once you're safely flying away on the ship, you collapse down onto the floor. Wrecker grabs you before you can really slam down onto it; lowering you gently. Your mind feels dizzy with exhaustion; and you've almost fallen asleep in place when Tech kneels besides you, route already established and on automatic pilot.

His fingers carefully brush your hair away; chocolate brown eyes studying you worriedly.

"Let's get you cleaned up and fixed, General" he whispers, putting your arm over his shoulders and tugging you up to a stand with him.

You grunt in pain and lean most of your weight against him.

"Don't know if I can stay up and conscious through a shower" you mumble tiredly.

Tech starts a slow, careful walk towards the bathroom. The rest of the Batch scatters throughout the ship, tending to their own wounds and exhaustion.

"That is okay" Tech answers, unbothered. "You could stay with your underware on and I could assist you with that, if you would be comfortable with such situation".

You glance at him and inevitably smile. His cheeks are slightly flushed, though he's trying to keep his voice and posture as professional as possible. You know it's a weird situation, and he doesn't want to make you uncomfortable.

Maybe you would be with Hunter or Wrecker or Cross. But you've always felt safe and at ease with Tech specially; and it would be just one soldier helping another. Of sorts.

" 'M okay with that" you give him your permission, and Tech nods quietly.

Once in the bathroom, you hold yourself with a hand against the wall and slowly pull your clothes of. Tech intently stares down at the floor; only risking a quick glance upwards when you let out a small whimper of pain. Your pant's are abandoned on the floor; but your bloody shirt is stuck to a wound on your stomach, and just touching the material of the shirt makes your wound burn.

"Let me" Tech asks, gently, and you push your hands over your head, staying as still as possible while he carefully separates the shirt from your skin and pulls it off of your body.

You sigh in relief and thank him before wobbling into the shower. Tech's hand stabilises you; and he makes sure to catch you whenever you stumble a bit too much for his comfort. You get rid of the dirt and blood, being specially carefull with your injuries; and then gently dry your skin with a towel.

Tech takes a step back –dropplets of water running down his still in place armour–, eyes glancing down at the floor again. You smile with his consideration of your privacy; though the smile dissapears from your face when you take a look at the small mirror in front of you.

The wounds are deep, and they will scar. One crosses over your nose, another cuts vertically through your left eyebrow, and two other big ones slashes your right cheek. Smaller ones go over your lip, though you think those will heal nicely. You open your towel and glance down, analysing. There's more across your body. You...

"Don't look like a jedi" you unconsciously mumble out loud. "More like a warrior".

Tech's eyes meet yours through the reflection of the mirror. He frowns, and you fake a smile while you pull yourself out of your thoughts. You hide under the towel.

"I'm fine".

It's obviously a lie; and Tech has always been intelligent.

His hands hesitantly land on your shoulders; thumbs caressing slowly.

"You're a great general" he tells you, gentle. "This was a suicide mission, and yet we all made it out fairly well, considering the circumstances. You don't have to follow the code perfectly to be a good Jedi. Jedi's use the Force to help people, to bring peace to the galaxy. Isn't that what you do everyday?"

His words make your heart ache. Your eyes fill with tears.

Yeah, you do. Maybe he's right. Maybe you don't have to follow the code literally step by step. Maybe what you're doing is enough. You're only human, after all.

Maybe...

You turn towards Tech. He's tall, and handsome, and polite and gentle, intelligent and caring. You've always liked him. Always felt something towards him, even if you've tried to burry it inside your soul.

Maybe... Your hands tremble as they make their way up to his face; carefully cupping his cheeks. Tech blushes, but he doesn't glance or move away. He's still, breathing heavier, eyes fixed on yours, waiting expectantly. His hands slowly travel down your back to your hips; his back curves down to close the distance between your lips.

You cling to his shoulders, stand on your tiptoes, and kiss him. Your eyes close with a relieved sigh, and you can feel him first tensing, then relaxing, into the kiss too. His lips are soft and his movements meassured and gentle; kissing you like you're the most important thing in the galaxy. You feel warm and safe. Excited and in peace at the same time.

When you separate in order to breathe, he caresses your cheek in wonder and presses his forehead against yours with a happy sigh.

Yeah. Maybe it is okay.

THE END.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Yoooo I'm on fire everybody! Writing nonestop requests for yall!

Still got a few to go (another Tech, Mayday, Wolffe, Hunter, some non romantic ones...). Be patient, I will get there.

Think this one turned out well.

Stay tunned!

Sky.

Back to my general masterlist here:

[permetutotheworld]

for marauders halloween!

Cocaine Jesus by Rainbow Kitten Surprise

I feel like this song can be used for SO many of them

Listen in, it isn't when you're talking for your name's sake Jesus, Mary Magdalene you are, are you okay? <- remus are you okay? Mary on the phone to him telling him whats happened Sitting by the well, Jill you’re falling down the hill <- sirius being blamed for james and lily’s murders Jack and everybody laughed <- peter laughing and the rest of the world thinking “ofc it was him hes a black” Don't you pray, don't you pray? <- dont you wish it had turned out differently, that sirius had stayed secret keeper

To a Cocaine Jesus in a black four-seater Got a man, don't need him, but you wait Call me when you want, or just call me when you need it If you only ever need it for the day <- mary begging remus to call her wnd keep in contact because hes all she has left

High won't hold, won't hold, and I have no more, than all you left of me <- remus only has what thw others left him in their wills I have, I have, I have no more, than all you leave <- that and a few tainted memories

High as hell, feeling fine, nothing bad but nothing kind <- barty when evan dies Not a word from me, at least nothing you would mind <- he only does the drugs he knows evan wouldnt hate him for, even now hes still living for his evan In my head, in my head I get lonely sometimes Feeling fine, coming down, never back cause we're never out <- You'll never call the cops again, I'll never call her mine <- mary because she loved lily and now she doesnt even have the chance to tell her In my head, in my head, I get lonely sometimes <- its lonely when youte the only one who wanrs to remember When you find an old picture of us, and you clear away the dust <- mary to remus asking if je even cares about her anymore I hope you miss me sometimes <- sirius to remus when hes in azkaban When you see a frame that reminds you of me, would you remember the times <- remember how once they were happy Oh the times that we believed In a Cocaine Jesus in a black four-seater Got a man, don't need him, but you wait Call me when you want, or just call me when you need it If you only ever need it for the day High won't hold, won't hold, and I have no more, than all you left of me <- all barty has is evans jumper and the rage left over from his dearf I have, I have, I have no more, than all you leave <- he only has regulus’ wand that he vowed never to use

I'm nothing more than a page unwritten on the pavement, blowing in the wind <- mary wiping her memory clean You win a lot, and lose just a little bit more than you gained in the end <- she may feel fine now but theres something missing God, I wish that I, was better than I am, but no luck, no love, no Gospel I could understand I'm nothing that ever wanted to lean on, yea, but even then <- remus realising he is not something he is proud of When you find an old picture of us, and you clear away the dust I hope you miss me sometimes <- remus to mary even though he knows she doesnt remember When you see a frame that reminds you of me, would you remember the times <- but he remembers, and maybe thats enough Oh the times that we believed In a Cocaine Jesus in a black four-seater Got a man, don't need him, but you wait Call me when you want, or just call me when you need it <- him remembering mary begging him to stay in touch and crying because he should hahe tried harder If you only ever need it for the day, today I'm just a page unwritten on the pavement, you needed 'til you left <- hes unterhered now, hs rhe lasr one left But I'm more than a need or a thing you believe or a word that you leave unsaid <- but he srill has a purpose, he can still help harry

[t4twolfstar]

Both of my brothers always jump up to hit the rafters in tall ceilings is this a teenage boy thing do we think James and Sirius did this every time they walked into a room and Remus rolled his eyes and just lifted a hand and tapped it without effort and Peter always jumped to make a valiant effort then blushed madly when he inevitably missed

[padawan-jiejie]

*MASTERLIST* 🔮

Padawan JieJie, formerly known as "l-l-c-m-w-b" or "nota-woman-ima-god", REPOSTED THIS FROM HERE bcs the links didn't work anymore

Author's fav: 💜

✨

STAR WARS:

Attachment - Y/N and Anakin, young padawans, are supposed to be looking after Senator Amidala on Naboo but they seem to be interested more in other things…

Long Time No See - Requested, Vader x reader

Tonight - You are Anakin’s wife and you and your husband are enjoying a moment of peace but Obi-Wan ruins it and it goes on with Padmé the other day…

Lovely - You and Anakin have been dating for a while and you two have a conversation about how Ahsoka sort of became your adoptive daughter…

💜 My Choice Series COMPLETED - You are Anakin’s twin sister and Mace Windu’s apprentice with a forbidden kind of interest in Master Kenobi that does not go well…

PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3

💜 Almost -  Let’s just pretend that Reylo isn’t happening and here you are getting lectures from Kylo only to fall in love with him and the ending takes place after The Rise of Skywalker where the bad shit magically handled itself and our fav depressed boy is coming back home…

Just Yours -  Set between TLJ and TRoS where Supreme leader Kylo Ren decided to take you as his apprentice and you always seem to somehow injure yourself on missions and Kylo is not found of it…

✨

THE MARAUDERS:

Let It Go series (unfinished and it shall stay that way):

1. Just let it be | 2. So come on | 3. Why don’t you be you?

Relationships Are Difficult (2 parter COMPLETED)- Requested: young Sirius Black x reader

PART I. | PART II.

Runaway -  Y/N is James’ twin sister and she was the first one who saw Sirius after he left home…

Lover - Loosely based on a song by Taylor Swift

Chocolate -  You’re nervous about the OWL’s and Remus gave you some of his chocolate…

How long will this last? - Requested: Remus Lupin x plus!size!reader

✨

MARVEL:

Y/N Strange -  Loki have met you while he was attacking the NY and weren’t able to kill you, so he basically kidnapped you and the two of you fell in love, but then he was stopped and now he’s found you again, but what he doesn’t know is that you are actually a niece of Dr. Strange…

What happened? - You thought Loki died, but he didn’t...

PART 1 | PART 2

From Now 'Til Forever -  Requested: Loki x Enchantress!Reader

✨

BUCKY:

You saved me -  Steve’s gone to save the other Avengers and you stayed in Wakanda with Bucky so he wouldn’t be there alone…

Sunset - Just a fluffy little thingy with warm Bucky…

✨

DEVIL MAY CRY:

V:

V’s Affection -  You and Nero have to kick some demon ass while V’s doing what he’s doing…

✨

VIKINGS:

ALFRED:

Morning -  Waking up in the arms of your beloved one…

✨

BILLY RUSSO:

Different -Billy has never loved a girl the way he has fallen for the reader. But he has made a lot of chaos and he doesn’t want her to get hurt…

✨

i got lazy towards the end and so you don't get the "fancy font names" but i mean... the ones that didn't i don't really care for anyway so eh 🤷‍♀️

[fandomssstuff]

Reactions

a/n: how james reacted to having to go into hiding

When the Marauders found out James and Lily had to go into hiding, they were all heart broken.

Sirius became paranoid and untrusting. He truly thought that he was going insane, or just very unlucky. First his brother, his Reggie, was taken from him at only the age of 16. Then Monty and Effie, his true parents, died. Now, the only person who has always been there now matter what, must leave him too.

Remus was truly left alone. Sirius started pulling away from him. Peter too. While Sirius was talking less, kissing him less, Peter was there less. Peter was just never around. And when he was nervous and shakey.

Peter. Peter, Peter, Peter. He reacted the strangest of them all. He was the spy. He sold our the only one of his friends that constantly made sure he was ok. Peter was the one who ruined it all.

But no one. No one. Not even Lily, though she did come very close, was as heart broken as James.

James had waited seven years for Lily. Never, not even for a moment, falling out of love with her. For seven years, he begged Lily to just take a chance on him and he will love her every second till his last. Just one date. That’s all, just one. Then James grew up and he got that one date. And another, and another, til the date of his wedding rolled around. Then the day they found out about their baby. All this time keeping his promise to love her every second, never did his love dull over the three years of their relationship.

He had it. It was right there. James could feel it, right at his fingertips. The life he always dreamed of. Him, Lily, a kid, and all his closest frien-no-family. He had it all. He had it all. And then it was ripped away from him. Just like that. It was fast. Too fast. It wasn’t fair. James waited so long for his dream and then it was stripped from him.

But, James did as he was told. He hid. For his son, he would have done anything.

And he did. James proved that. October 31, 1981. He also, at the exact same moment, proved what he said all those years ago.

James loved Lily Evans every second til his last….

[heartofspells]

Bleach by 5sos is most definitely a song for Remus right after everything has fallen apart. In the immediate aftermath of James and Lily dying, Sirius betraying them, and then murdering Peter and 12 Muggles. Just, “I feel you underneath my tongue / Next to every word that I should have said / No matter how far that I've run / Memories always seem to catch up again” for Remus running over every moment spent with Sirius, trying to see the signs, and wondering if he could’ve done anything to stop this ending; Remus was off with the werewolves for Dumbledore, so he’s thinking about if he’d been around more or said something to Sirius, could have stopped his betrayal, could he have kept Sirius’s loyalty? He must’ve spent days/weeks/months with memories of the Marauders playing through his head, and he couldn’t escape them no matter what and now all the memories are tainted because Sirius valued the master that got his brother killed more than his best friends and godson, and Remus cannot figure out when Sirius betrayed them and all the lies started, so it’s even worse because Remus can’t stop thinking about if this was always Sirius’s endgame and he was a spy from the moment he entered Hogwarts, so he can’t even trust that his memories of Sirius were ever real.

Do I even really need to explain how the chorus applies? No. Will I? Of course. “If there's bleach in the hallways, I can start over / Bleach in my head, just to get away / I'm washin' it out 'til I figured out / Livin' without you / (Everythin' I want is spillin' down the drain) / If there's bleach in the hallways, I can start over / Bleach in my hair every Saturday / I'm washin' it out 'til I figured out / Livin' without you / (Everythin' I want is spillin' down the drain)” is heartbreaking because Remus has to figure out how to survive when his whole world has imploded. Everything was fine a week ago, or as fine as it could be in a war, and now Sirius betrayed them all, James and Lily are dead, James’s son is an orphan and the person Sirius trusted to take care of his son if something happened is the reason why, Peter was murdered by Sirius, Sirius took the lives of 12 people not even involved in the war, and everyone else is celebrating because to them this means the war is over while Remus has lost everything; Wolfstar or not, you cannot deny Remus lost it all when the First War ended. Remus now has to figure out how to continue on with his life, because somehow he’s the last Marauder left standing, so he has to just wipe everything Sirius from his life, figuratively take bleach and scrub everything Sirius from his life. Remus desperately wanted to see James and Lily after the war, he wanted a life with Sirius, he wanted the Marauders to always remain friends, and now he can never have that, it’s all gone; everything he wanted went up in smoke the second Sirius became a traitor. (It gets even more painful if you apply to a Second War canon-compliant Wolfstar, because Remus did get Sirius back and learned that Sirius was not the traitor, Remus and Sirius could start again, and then Sirius dies in the Department of Mysteries so Remus lost him again, only this is so much worse because he let himself think they’d all survive and he got reassurance that his relationship was not actually a lie for several years, but Sirius just keeps slipping through Remus’s fingers like water, he’s gotta figure out how to keep going yet again when he finally let himself hope they’d make it)

Enjoy my rambling pseudo essays on how 5SOS5 is a perfect First War album

I knew I put off reading this for a reason.

I honestly don't even think I have anything to add to this, because I've spent literal years (since PoA, and then OotP) thinking about all this. And I don't stick to whatever JKR said about Remus' early life and family. In my forever headcanon, he lost both his parents before Halloween '81, so he was truly alone, had lost absolutely everything. Honestly, it's a wonder he survived it all, but that just goes to show the resilience and fortitude of Remus Lupin, which is one of the reasons I love him so very much and always will.

But yes, freaking 5SOS5 (that has now somehow managed to quickly consume my life by this band i've hardly listened to before now) is entirely a First War album. And just ugh. I'm not okay with that in the slightest.

[casualmaraudering]

the marauders gang ft medical condition headcanons

for once without remus cause a lot of the times only remus has any medical conditions so i started thinking about some stuff others are dealing with, just to give rem a break from all the misfortune

cw: anaphylactic shock, almost dying via peanuts, foggy glasses, herbal teas

-Sirius-

severe peanut allergy

used to forget to carry an epipen cause he was a rather forgetful little kid - got scolded by adoptive mom so many times when she saw the epipen lying on his desk rather than in his bag or in his pocket

which is why James always carries an epipen on him too, even well into adulthood, just to be safe

the first time he had an allergic reaction he was 10 and it was at a playground cause someone gave him a candy bar that supposedly had no peanuts in it. he started feeling weird, passed out, almost died, all the fun stuff. when he woke up in the hospital after the fact and his parents or James weren't there, he was so scared that he cried

& the first - and so far only, thank god - time his friends had ever seen him have a reaction was when they were 16 (Sirius was 17) and went to a milkshake place after school. they assured him there was no peanuts in his milkshake but someone probably didn't wash the equipment or something cause yeah, they were with their shakes outside just having a jolly time and Sirius is starting to feeling weird, someone points out his eyes are looking puffy, bam. epipen, ambulance, hospital

they reacted fast and he didn't even pass out that time until much later but everyone got very spooked either way. no one really eats peanut butter much anymore

by the time he's in college he's been to the hospital cause of his allergy at least six times

"no nut november? more like no nut every month cause I'm allergic to peanuts"

-James-

near-sighted

he's always had bad eyesight but didn't even realize until he was 7 and asked Sirius how the heck can Sirius even read the whiteboard from where they're sitting and Sirius looked at him very strangely cause "dude. we're in the second desk what the hell"

yea turns out James is blind as fuck. like. very blind. -4.00 prescription at age 10 kind of blind

he can move about without his glasses, yes, but the world is a blurry mess so he'd much rather have them on at all times

holy fuck the amount of times he broke his glasses tho. he's always been a very high energy kid, plays football, generally goofs around. yea. So many broken frames and shattered lenses.

by the time he broke them for the third time (once via getting hit with a ball in the face, once via falling off a tree, and once he accidentally sat on them cause they got lost in his bedsheets) his parents started keeping a spare pair in the house

generally really hates contact lenses but puts them on for football practice or exercising

it's really surprising how often he doesn't know where his glasses are considering he needs them to see

tho most the times it's cause Sirius nicks them and puts them somewhere else

his least favourite thing in the world is being outside in the cold and then going into a warm place. or drinking a hot drink. foggy glasses. not a fan. (also not a fan of Sirius breathing on his glasses, which he very often does to annoy James)

-Lily-

insomnia

started around the age of 15, but she thought it was just a teenage thing, yknow, teens stay up til late hours, that's what they do right?

yea except a lof of the times she couldn't fall asleep even if she tried

or she'd often wake up at night, multiple times

whenever she can't sleep for several hours, she'll go for an intense run and that usually tires her enough that she can sleep

very grumpy if she's not well rested = she's very grumpy a lot of the time

can't fall asleep during the day or with the light on at all. so if she wakes up in the morning and it's already bright, there's kinda no way for her to fall back asleep

she got really close to Remus cause of it cause her insomnia and his adhd go hand in hand, often they're both awake at fuckall o'clock when no one else is

she usually gets at least a few hours of sleep per night but it's not enough and so she's tired and grumpy and generally in an awful mood

reaches peak during first year of college when she has so much to study and so she stays up studying but then can't fall asleep and yeah. not fun

James often goes running with her at night. he doesn't mind if it's 3am or whatever, he doesn't like the thought of her being alone in the middle of the night (she can handle herself, yes, but also the world is a shitty place and a woman isn't safe running at night). and he's generally not a bad workout buddy

she has the biggest stash of herbal teas ever, like oh my god. when she sees a new mix or flavour she'll buy it in hopes it'll do something. it very rarely does. so she's left with a whole box and just shoves it into the cupboard. and that's why lily evans has a cupboard of 94 different herbal teas

-Regulus-

iron deficiency & anemia

gets up too fast and oh hello, the world is spinning. that's not normal

casually leaning against the wall after he gets up cause nope he's definitely not dizzy and seeing weird blobs everywhere haha what are you talking about

he doesn't like exercise in general but when he exercises he feels like he's honestly about to die, thank you lack of red cells, very cool of you

and I mean. he kinda looks like a sick victorian kid cause he's That pale. the Blacks are generally very pale but Reg is on a different level

when he got diagnosed with it, Sirius became a dietician overnight basically. and now whenever Sirius cooks, it's always shit that's rich in iron & vitamin C cause hello, gotta take care of his little bro

Regulus generally doesn't have a huge appetite tho, which results in a lot of bickering and Sirius basically being a mom with the whole "eat at least half or I'm not letting you leave the table" thing

Euphemia brings him snacks a lot just to make the kid gets the right vitamins into him

she also forces him to sit in the garden for at least an hour every day - it won't necessarily help the iron deficiency, but hey, maybe he'll gain some colour on those ghostly cheekbones

cold hands and feet so he sleeps with socks on, because his feet are really ridiculously cold to the point it bothers him so much he can't fall asleep

Sirius and James call him a vampire for it which doesn't even make sense to him but it stuck, and his brothers are dumbasses. so now this is his life

[sebastianshaw]

In your opinion, when did this idea of "Shaw is Emma's antagonist" thing start?

Because, obviously, it's not there even slightly in the early days. They used to just throw a Frost sister at Emma when they needed an "old rival" vibe for her, and Shaw would just pop up in anybody's story.

So is it all post-retcon or what?

Short answer: Yup. Long answer: Yup. It's not there in the 80s, when they're allies, it's never even mentioned in the 90s Gen X days, and while Grant Morrison *did* retcon Shaw as having been her mentor/lover in the early 2000s, he didn't make him abusive to her, nor is Emma angry at him, and Emma even expresses pity for him for thinking she loved him when actually she just wanted a cruel father figure. Morrison also made her be a stripper who learned everything about business from him, which is some absolute sexist bullshit. There's nothing wrong with being an exotic dancer but there's everything wrong with taking a capable intelligent woman who also happens to be sexy, and deciding "you know what she only became an intelligent successful businesswoman because of a MAN and she got there by being SEXY" which like. Pretty much sets the tone for the rest of my disgust with the later additions. Same for how Morrison's Emma claims she became "the dominatrix from Hell" because Shaw wanted it, went under the knife because he wanted it. . . basically her entire personality and appearance are now "my man wanted it" like just fucking really? Her hating Shaw comes in 2009, with Uncanny X-Men (second series) Annual #2, which establishes Shaw was not only in a relationship with Emma but also a dick to Emma in the Hellfire Club (neither of which we ever saw in the 80s, I frankly would have loved to see him try) and her backstory with Namor in said past, then in the present Emma faking Shaw's death and kidnapping him to put him on Utopia, with obvious hostility on her end, Shaw being STUPIDLY horny for her so he falls easily into her trap despite there having been ZERO sexual innuendo between them in the 80s *except* the time she was IN STORM'S BODY, and Emma saying she was going to be the queen he trained her to be. It gets expanded on in another flashback in 2011, wherein Shaw was apparently training three ladies, Emma among them, and as a test, asked Emma to choose who lived and who dies, and when she said she couldn't care which, he beat them both to death while Emma sipped wine. What was that about always helping other women, Duggan? But the one time, to my memory, we actually see Shaw violent with her is in X-Men Origins: Emma Frost, which came between these, in 2010, in which he introduces himself to her by slamming her face into her dresser for messing with his mind and then forcibly kisses her. So yes, all of the animosity between Emma and Shaw has been post-2009, which is the first time that it's "revealed" that Emma and Shaw DIDN'T have a good relationship in the Hellfire Club (and also makes that incredibly dumb "Emma's memory was wiped about the Sentinels!" retcon I mentioned) so that Emma would have a good reason to cheat on him with Namor then, which set up the Namor/Emma/Scott love triangle that was going on then in the present. Because DRAMA! Before that though? The worst thing between them was that after Magneto joined the Hellfire Club in the 80s, Emma ceased being partners with Shaw and started playing the men off each other, eventually leading to her, Selene, and Magneto voting Shaw out of the Club. I don't remember her exact reasons but it was politics/power, not personal. I'm certain he wasn't pleased with it, but curiously he never tries to get vengeance on her and barely mentions the incident after, being more focused on Magneto (wonder why) while she never mentions him negatively at all til, again 2009, when suddenly she hates him and we get the whole Namor story flashback. Admittedly, the OTHER reason she's giving for suddenly loathing him is that he funded Sentinels and Sentinels destroyed Genosha, so like, that's fair enough , but everything else is totes post-retcon.

ETA: Also he never even initiates any combat/antagonism with her TIL MARAUDERS. Even post-retcon, he only ever attacks her when she comes at him first. I’m not trying to defend him just that’s literally what happens, he’s meant to be her “enemy” but he can’t seem arsed to ever actually fuck with her!

[angelicamerlinbarnes]

Five times Sirius and Remus thought their relationship was over and the one time they realized it couldn’t be if they tried

All Too Well - Taylor Swift

ONE: 1972

The first time Sirius and Remus thought their relationship was over was in second year. The Marauders figured out Remus’ secret and had drastically different approaches to dealing with it - James was well-meaning but off-putting, Peter was skittish and quiet, and Sirius ran away. They managed three days apart before Sirius came bounding back into Remus’ arms with the promise that he would never stop loving him, even if he turned or killed Sirius, which, he pointed out as Remus started stuttering, he knew he’d never do. (He never broke that promise.)

TWO: 1977

The second time Sirius and Remus thought their relationship was over was in sixth year. The Prank tore them apart. Remus pretended Sirius didn’t exist for six months while Sirius destroyed himself. That ended when Sirius tried to kill himself (and would have succeeded if not for one Severus Snape, who saw him on the ledge and called James and Regulus immediately). It took Remus one month more to forgive him, and they didn’t start dating again for another three, but they stopped pretending they didn’t love each other more than life the day Sirius nearly flew without wings.

THREE: 1981

The third time Sirius and Remus thought their relationship was over was on Halloween. Everything in Remus’ body tells him Sirius is innocent, but his dead family’s say otherwise. He tugs his ring off and hides it with Sirius’ leather jacket in an old suitcase, and he uses his wand to break their marriage bond. All the way across the sea in Azkaban, Sirius feels it, and cries out in agony for days while frantically scribbling Moony Moony Moony on every inch of his cell wall he can reach.

FOUR: 1994

The fourth time Sirius and Remus thought their relationship was over was when Remus met Tonks. Sirius may be back from Azkaban, but neither of them are the same men they were when they were in love, and Tonks is a new beginning. A fresh start. Someone Remus can have a family with, someone he can build a home with. They talk about it. They fight about it. Eventually Sirius shrinks into himself and goes quiet, becoming even more of a shell with the loss. Remus tries to ignore this. It’s over. It’s been over for twelve years. He’s looking for somewhere to hide Tonks’ engagement ring when he finds the case holding Sirius’ leather jacket and his wedding ring. He can only hear his heart beating. He slips the ring on his finger and returns Tonks’ that night, returning home to Sirius and dragging him into his arms, refusing to lose the only family he has left. Sirius clutches him back and says only three words.

FIVE: 1996

The fifth time Sirius and Remus thought their relationship was over was when Sirius died. After all… it’s til death do you part, right?

ONE: 1999

Apparently not. It may take two years and another war to find Remus back in Sirius’ arms again, but forever wouldn’t be too long to wait. Because Remus dies alone, without a wife or a son, on the battlefield he was born into and never really left, and he wakes up in a dark bedroom by his husband’s side. Sirius’ eyes open into his, Remus smiles, and life begins.

[james-potters-animagus]

‘Til Kingdom Come

Remus LupinxGryffindor!Reader

Song fic based on ‘Til Kingdom Come by Coldplay its one of my favorite songs I highly suggest listening to it while you read :)

Warnings: death, angst,

The reader’s death takes a toll on Remus. Lyrics are bolded memories are italicized

Steal my heart and hold my heart

I feel my time, my time has come

“Let me in, unlock the door”

I’ve never felt this way before

Remus and Y/n met in their second year.

Y/n was sitting on the train in her own compartment when suddenly a boy with light, auburn brown hair and eyes to match bust into the compartment. She jumped, whipping her head up from her book.

“Hello. Sorry I scared you. Mind if I sit here?” He asked, setting down the jacket he had in his hands.

“Uh, no. Go right ahead.” She laughed a little, seeing the panic stretched across his face when he thought she was going to say he couldn’t sit.

She observed him, not having noticed the scar on his face. Raking her eyes over it she saw how deep it seemed to be. She was quite curious, but knew her boundaries, so didn’t ask.

“Hey, you’re Y/n right? Y/n Y/l/n?” Remus asked suddenly, pulling her from her thoughts.

She blinked, gaining her confidence to speak. “Oh, yeah. Yeah that’s me.” She swallowed, not meeting his eyes. Why was she so shy all of a sudden? “You’re Remus Lupin.”

“Yep. An unfortunate friend of James, Sirius, and Peter, considering the fact that I had to disturb your reading. Little Women. One of my favorites by the way.” He apologized, eyeing the book she was reading.

“Mine too. This is probably my fourth time reading it.” She laughed, opening up to the boy. They had met only a few moments ago but she felt at home with him. And so did he.

As the time went on the pair became inseparable, it was hard to find one without the other. Y/n also became acquainted to the rest of the Marauders, but wasn’t nearly as close to them as she was with Remus.

The pair had gotten married two years out of Hogwarts. They had their first child around the same time as James and Lily. The six of them spent quite a bit of time with each other. Then, Halloween of 1981 came upon the group.

Remus was off on a little work trip and Y/n was with the Potters. They had planned to hang out that night, and plan Sirius’ 21st birthday party.

The door of the Potter’s home in Godric’s hollow opened to Voldemort.

“Lily, Y/n! Take the kids! I’ll distract him!” James shouted, seeing the two take the children and run up the stairs.

A green light flashed throughout the small house and Lily choked back a sob. Y/n closed her eyes, soothing her baby. Adrian wailed, sensing the tension in the air.

As Voldemort ascended up the stairs to the nursery Y/n felt her breathing run ragged. She knew this would be the end. She held Lily’s hand as he threw the door open.

“Have mercy! Please don’t touch the children!” Lily pleaded, getting cut short by Voldemort sending an Avada Kedavra her way.

“No!” Y/n yelled, placing Adrian next to Harry in the crib. She stood, pulling her wand from her back pocket.

“What is this? Someone brave enough to face me? After all these years Y/n. Too bad it’ll end in my favor. Really though, I’ll root for you.” He gave her a sinister smile, sending a crucio her way.

She jumped, the curse instead hitting the wall. He chuckled, the sound bringing a chill down her spine.

He had her trapped now, cornering her between his body and the wall. She wasn’t able to move. She cursed herself for being so dumb. Why would she move that way. Now she was going to die and so are Harry and Adrian.

“Well, I was going to not make you watch while I killed the two children who mean the most to you. But, since you tried to fight back I might as well just punish you more.” He cast a Petrificus Totalus on her as he moved toward the crib.

He started with Adrian, casting a simple Avada Kedavra, supposedly killing him. Moving on he turned to Harry, attempting the same spell. But, suddenly, his power drained and so did his physical form. He died, leaving Harry and a passed out Adrian in the crib.

Adrian woke to someone entering the room, letting out a scream of terror. There lie Lily Potter, Voldemort, and a petrified Y/n Lupin.

Severus entered the room, letting out a yell of terror. He rushed to Lily, cradling her body in his arms. Looking over, he realized Y/n wasn’t dead. He heaved, gently placing Lily’s body down and attending to Y/n.

Casting the counter spell he sat there as she woke. “Severus! Voldemort is back,” She sobbed. “And Adrian! My baby!” She quickly got up from his arms and rushed to Adrian and Harry. She smiled lightly when she saw the two practically unharmed.

Harry and Adrian, both sat with identical scars would go down in wizard history as the boys who lived.

And the wheels just keep on turning

The drummer begins to drum

I don't know which way I'm going

I don't know which way I've come

Unfortunately, Y/n didn’t last long after the incident. She was traumatized, she had a right to be. After months in St. Mungo’s her body stopped. It was quick, and painless. Remus almost didn’t notice. But he saw. As she read to him he heard her voice deteriorate, and her breathing slow down.

“Y/n? Y/n no. Y/n baby! Nurse! Someone! Help!” Remus sputtered, watching the life slip away from his beloved wife.

A part of Remus died that day too. He was her crutch. How could he raise Adrian on his own! He could barley take care of himself. What would he do on a full moon? Sirius betrayed the Potters and killed Peter, so he couldn’t ask for help from any of his friends.

Oh, and his best friend betrayed his family. The weight came crushing down on him. He wasn’t ready to do this.

He walked out of St. Mungo’s and apparated back to his small flat with Adrian.

Adrian began to cry for his mom and Remus tried to soothe him. ‘Y/n was always better at this.’ He thought, unable to hold back the dam anymore. The tears flooded his eyes, sinking to the floor with Adrian still in his arms. The two cried until Adrian fell asleep, allowing Remus to bring him up to his crib.

As Remus walked toward his old school he realized just what he had gotten himself into. He would be teaching the Defense Against the Dark Arts this year, seeing as Gilderoy Lockhart bowed out after the Chamber of Secrets incident.

Adrian was now in his third year, and was happy to have his father with him at school. He was sorted into Gryffindor, just like both of his parents. He quickly became friends with Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood, which Remus was happy about.

Y/n had been friends with Neville’s parents, Alice and Frank when they were in school. In fact, they were Adrian’s God parents. Unfortunately, they had been tortured so much that they were unable to take care of Neville, so he lived with his grandmother. But Remus couldn’t ask her to take care of his son as well.

Y/n sat at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall talking with Alice Fortescue and Lily Evans. Mid conversation she heard Remus enter the hall, according to his barking laugh that could be heard from miles away. She smiled at the sound, not having to look up to feel his presence next to her.

Remus learned how to protect Adrian as the full moons went on. He always made sure Adrian was fully asleep before he left for the night, charming a small radio to play the white noise he fell asleep to. Usually Adrian stayed asleep, but on the rare occasion he didn’t Remus’ neighbors, the Tonks, would help Adrian back to sleep.

Remus kept on, Adrian being one of the only reasons he was still here. He couldn’t do that to the poor boy. He knew what Harry had to be going through, he couldn’t let Adrian go through that too. Not if he could change that.

Hold my head inside your hands

I need someone who understands

I need someone, someone who hears

For you, I've waited all these years

Remus could sometimes feel she was there. On full moons usually. He’d wait for the transformations to begin, and while he waited sometimes he could hear her voice, or feel her touch. It was always comforting, she only was there when he was down, or nervous. Like a little boost. She didn’t dare come while he was happy, not wanting to ruin his mood when he realized she wasn’t physically there.

Remus sat in the shrieking shack, waiting for the transformation to begin. Silent tears slipped down his cheeks. The memories of his time at Hogwarts coming back to him. He then felt a presence next to him, a comforting one at that. A head rested on his shoulder as he sat there, tears being wiped off his face.

“Hi Remus.” Y/n’s voice sounded, pulling Remus from his thoughts.

“Y/n?” He choked back a sob at the sound of her voice, peering down to see a slightly faded version of his lover.

��It’s good to see you again darling.” Y/n murmured, wiping the continuous tears streaming down his face.

“I don’t understand. How are you here?” He asked, stroking her hair lightly.

“I’m just here for a little bit, to help you through the transformation.” She smiled, leading him up from the floor where he previously sat.

For you I'd wait 'til kingdom come

Until my day, my day is done

And say you'll come and set me free

Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me

It had been a particularly hard full moon, Remus lie on the floor of the Shrieking Shack, blood spilling from his gashes on his chest. He knew if he didn’t get up now for help he wouldn’t make it. Y/n appeared again, coaxing him up to find someone to help him.

“It’s not your time yet Rem. Trust me, I wish it was. I miss you. But Harry needs you. Go help him.” She consoled.

It was now the end of the Second Wizarding War and Remus was teetering on the edge of death. He had just been hit with an Avada Kedavra, coming from a death eater. As he lie there, he saw Y/n again.

“Remus. Hi honey.” She smiled gracefully, looking as beautiful as ever.

“Y/n. You look different.” He observed, pulling her into his grasp. This was different than transformations. On full moons he wasn’t able to actually hold her. Now, he stood, holding her as tightly as he could. Sirius and James stood behind her, smiling at the sight. Remus was happy again.

“It’s your time now darling.” Y/n graced, pulling him toward the rest of the Marauders and a scared looking Fred Weasley.

[the-ignoble-and-most-sane-black]

Red Converse

Summary: I made Delilah years ago because I was bored and now I’m too emotionally invested in her and the marauders to stop writing about it so I decided to post it. She’s James Potter’s twin sister. It’s a marauders story. Predictable as hell.

Pairing: eventually Sirius x Delilah (I know, its cheesy)

Word count: 3k

Warning: maybe slightly scary imagery for a second? Snape is in there too so that’s definitely a warning. I’m stating this now before Snape stans come for me, he’s in there for a second. Not described to your standard. You have been warned! Also I’m dyslexic so maybe bad spelling?

The flap

The crisp flap of my father opening the daily profit is a staple of the morning in the Potter house.

His elbows perched upon the table, his spectacle hidden eyes overlooking. They were the only thing you could see over the paper covering his whole being. I was sure he did it just to keep James under control.

James on the other hand was gobbling his eggs like he had never been feed. Ripping into his toast and talking with mouth full.

"Should I slick my hair back?" He coughed out.

"Slow James," my mother laughed, sipping her tea.

"He only has one speed," watching my legs swing back and forth under the table.

"Delilah, please eat something" my mother nudged.

My brother and I were the same amount of opposite as we looked alike.

He was a man of action and I was an observer. He was laughs and jokes. Could outrun a horse with his energy. His talent and confidence hard to match.

That's why I preferred to be the other half of him. More of a background character to his antics. Course if anyone came for my brother they'd face a wrath likeable to the god of war.

We held our anger very similar. You don't mess with our family. Something you learn with older parents. Parents that parts of the Wizarding hate for their views. Their correct views. Which are that we are no more better than our neighbor because our blood.

We are both left handed. I mirrored our mother and he took after dad. Both have terrible eyesight. Kind people, once you got past how annoying we both are at first.

James couldn't keep still at what was happening today.

September 1st, 1971. Our first day of Hogwarts.

And I was too, excited to learn. I just hated new places. I liked the comfort of my home. I was just a anxious person compared the nothing my brother cared about.

That was why I wasn't eating.

"If you aren't going to I will!" James poked my arm rapidly, never tiring.

"James, leave your sister alone!" My father warned, never looking up from his paper.

"How can you do that?" James shook his head, folding up in his seat. "Teach me"

"You'll learn when you have kids," he winked to him, ruffling up his hair. "Get your feet off the chair"

"Please," James said over-dramatically, stealing my toast I was sliding him under the table. "Children are Delilah's thing!"

"Why is that?" fiddling with my eggs for mom's sake.

"Your a girl!" He peppered in as that answered the question.

"What's that suppose to mean!?" I raised my voice.

"Calm down," his hand pushing the air slightly, "I'm just saying I'm never, ever, having kids!"

~~~~~~~~~~~

I stared at the brick wall waiting for it to dissolve. I think magic forgot I'm not that stupid. Only James would run straight at a brick wall. This had to be one of dad's jokes. Like when he tied my socks together on my feet and made them unremoveable. I had to crawl down the stairs to my mom in tears. Dad slept the night on the couch.

James offered his hand out to me. I looked it over, my hands glued to the cart by sweat.

"Come on, I've got you! We crash, then we do it together!" Flashing a smile.

And I took it. Knowing he was nervous about it too the moment our skin touched gave me comfort.

I had a gift.

I could feel people's emotions with a single touch. I could control them too. I tried not to do it often, debilitating to take people's emotions from them.

I only did it once.

When James broke his arm. He was trying to fly around the yard. He wanted to be the best quidditch player in the world, wanted to get onto the team his first year. It was a dream of his.

He hit the ground so hard I thought he died. Then came his tears. He wouldn't stop crying and I couldn't stand the sound of it. Watching him lay in the yard sobbing while clutching his arm against his chest. Listening to him choke on his tears, saying he'd never make it.

The minute his confidence wavered, I knew. I didn't have a second thought. My brother wasn't allowed to think about himself badly, not James Potter. I would suffer hell before I let that happen willingly.

We ran through the wall together, just as we came into this world. Three minutes apart from birth and it would be that way til death. We'd die by each other's side, grey and probably bickering about something. 3 minutes apart.

He laughed, thick and unbeatable. Like he was excited we made it through the wall. Trying to hid any embarrassment about thinking it wouldn't work. He stormed off in front of me. Trying to surf with the cart.

"James," Mom's voice wavered as it raised, "Slow down!"

But he was already gone. He only stopping when he ran over a kid. He was a stubby bloke, blonde hair that was slightly greasy. Slackened against his face. He was only eleven but was somehow managing side burns.

"Owww!" His voice shrieked, the cart laying by his side as he held his ankle.

"I'm sorry," James held onto his laugh, "I'm so sorry!"

If I could get away with hitting him I would have. Never could take a single thing seriously his whole life. He probably was born laughing.

"Are you okay?" I bent down to him, offering manners my brother lacked.

"No," he whined.

"You can sit with us, I promise to not run you over again" James held his hand against his heart before reaching out to pull him up.

The boy stepped onto my foot as James lifted him. He almost went right back down. I could see him shake, though I already knew he was nervous when I got close enough.

"She doesn't bite," James laughed, "I'm James, that's Delilah. We're twins! Don't we look identical?"

His arm slung around me, tugging me into his side.

James is messy jet black hair and hazel eyes.  A centimeter taller than me, which he'd hold over me every chance he got. His skin slightly lighter than mine, not that it is noticeable to anyone but me.

I used dad's life work to keep my hair neat, the longest I ever let it grow was a bit past my shoulder. Dirty blonde but it looked a caramel color in most lights. Light freckles across my cheeks. Golden brown eyes.

We shared the same nose and lips. Our eyebrows grew in a similar shape and my face was a more feminine version of his.

We held each other differently. Squared shoulders, though he always looked relaxed. Probably the confidence. I was always tense, but I stood straight. I hid behind my hair, looking down to cover my face.

"I'm Peter," the boy finally managed, sharing a smile with James.

"I think we will be great friends, Pete!" He slung his arm around him. "Mom, Dad! This is our friend Pete!"

Our parents shared the same expression and kindly greeted Peter. They ran off after that, James dragging Peter behind him.

I stood by my parents for as long as I could, watching the clock.

"You can write us everyday," my mother kissed my left cheek and then my right. "We are always just an owl away."

"Excuse me!" A new voice called. "Sorry! I'm new?"

I looked back to see a girl with fiery ginger hair. Her green eyes were as bright and piercing as fresh cut grass.

Behind her stood a miserable looking blonde girl, hair curled and nose pinched. She didn't have a cart like the red hair girl.

Her and my parents started talking. Laughing along at something they said.

"I was supposed to meet my friend, Severus. I know nothing about magic, but I can't wait to learn!" She drawled, "I'm Lily Evans by the way, I forgot to mention that."

"I'm Delilah," I answered quick, afraid she would start talking again before I could finish. "Potter."

"We both have flower names" she smiled holding out her pinkie. "Flower friends."

I took it, holding my breath to not intrude on her. I made the decision to lead her onto the train. Searching through the crowd for James. I found him in a compartment hanging from the storage racks.

He had made a new friend. Lanky. Hidden under a baggy sweater and short pants. His light brown hair swooped down trying to hid a scar across his face. He coincidentally was also trying to hid a smile as James swung back and forth.

"Delilah!" His voice high and breathy. "Look!"

"You know him?" Lily sounded a tad disappointed under the curiosity.

He crashed down from what ever trick he was attempting, smiling up at us from the floor.

"He's my brother," I smiled, so slightly it looked like my resting face.

"Your shoe is untied," the lanky scarred boy answered, choking on a laugh. "Remus."

"Thank you," I pulled my brother up. "Delilah."

Lily moved over to Remus. Sitting next to him and beginning a conversation about the book on Remus’ lap. And just how James thought him and Peter would be great friends, I could see those two would be too.

"Who's your friend?" James whispered to me, it was the first time I saw my brother still.

"Lily Evans"

I didn't expect for it to unnerve so much. Days, I prayed for him just to calm down.

"Lily Evans" he hummed. "I'm gonna marry her!"

"How hard did you hit you head?" Faking sincerity as I laughed.

He nudged me back, pushing me right out of the compartment.

And that's how Sirius Orion Black came into our lives.

I wish I knew exactly how much he'd mean to me when I knocked him out. Instead of the idiot I thought him to be as he smiled up at me. His head by feet.

"Stars," he laughed, brushing his hair out of his face to reveal his grey eyes.

"Excuse me?" Blowing my bangs back, James sliding under my arms.

"Sorry, De!" He snickered, yanking me up.

"You've got stars on your shoes," the boy sprung to his feet with the grace of a dancer. Dusting his hands off on his trousers. He outstretched it, leaning his whole body to me. "Sirius Black!"

The smile on his face and the way he threw his head back screamed two things. The first was arrogance and the second was trouble. Two things that attracted my brother instantly.

James took his hand as quick as he could.

"James Potter," gingerly as ever.

Sirius paused for a moment holding his smile.

"I like your shoes," he pointed to me.

I looked down to my beat up red chucks, they were stained from running after James in muddy woods. Drawings from when I'd get bored. They were the most ugly looking shoes in the world.

"My shoes?" Trying to figure out what was going on in the boys head.

"Yeah. The stars are a nice touch" he winked, brushing back his thick black hair.

"You here with anyone?" My brother butted in, "cause we got room!"

"Alright," he looked up to the rack over the window. "Have you ever tried hanging from those? Dad always bats me off them, but"

"As amazing as flying a broom!" James answered.

"I think we’ll get along just fine. Must be fate that" he realized he didn't know my name, his face falling.

For once I couldn't place the emotion. He was a hidden boy and every fiber of my being I wanted to know why. Curious by nature, I suppose. Never met a person I couldn't read.

"Don't mind Deli, she not one for fate! Analysis" James gagged.

"Deli?" He asked, "that's a strange name."

"It's short for Delilah," I corrected. "No one calls me Deli."

"She hates it," James mused, "per the rules of being the oldest, I must annoy her!"

"Three minutes," shaking my head.

I was three minutes older. I decided from a young age that James needed to be the older brother. It made more sense that way.

"Your twins?" Everyone spoke in unison except Peter, he smiled holding a laugh in his chest.

"They are identical!" He broke the shocked silence.

"Nice one, Pete!" James patted his shoulder.

Him and Sirius falling down next to him.

I sat opposite of them, next to Remus and Lily, who James was now calling Evans, much to Lily's dismay.

James always had to give people nicknames.

Sirius and James accents were quite a contrast, enough to give people a culture shock. James is cockney true as the city. Sirius is smooth english, a bit of French mixed in.

Yet the two of them were basically joined at the hip in the five minutes they've known each other. He always could make friends as if it were as easy to breath.

That was until a cheesed off boy slammed our door open, brooding look in his eyes. If I thought Sirius was dodgy, this greasy dark haired boy took the top spot!

"Lily, I have been looking for you everywhere!" He whined, his foot stomping.

"Sorry, Severus" she brushed her hair behind her ear, grabbing her stuff. "I'll see you guys later!"

"Where are you going?" James surged forward, "there's room for one more! James Potter" he held his hand out to the boy.

He looked it over, taking Lily's hand and pulling her along with him.

"Tosser," James mumbled, "didn't need to drag her off like that!"

He fell back into his seat.

"I'm sure the love of your life will return" reassuring him.

"You snide now, but just you wait Deli! She loves me, I know it!"

"What is he talking about?" Whispered Remus, his elbow brushing against my leg.

All I heard was a howl and the feeling on my back braking. When the contact broke my hands went to my back, realizing it was fine. But the shocked expression didn't leave my face.

"Are you okay?" His finger bending the corner of his book in.

"Are you?"

"What?" He slid slightly back.

Why am I so weird? Did James steal the ability to form a normal conversation in the womb? I already knew the answer to that one.

"Nothing sorry," shaking my head, pulling it towards my chest. "He thinks he's going to marry Lily. Don't know why."

I spent the entire train ride thinking about what happened. Looking at the scars on his hands, one peaking out from his collar. There was only one conclusion. Yet he sat there crossed legged, diligently reading a book in a wool sweater with patches on the elbows. a 11 year old with the anxiety of a middle aged man.

I adored him.

The train rolled to stop. We were at Hogwarts. I could curl up in a ball, hide under the seat. They'd never find me. Go right back home.

"Woah," James pressed against the glass, "that man is HUGE!"

"Let me see!" Pete joined him, shoving his way in.

"You look ghastly!" Sirius mentally slapped himself. "You alright?"

His hand went out to me again and James was too enthralled by the tall bloke ringing a bell to save me. I could just not take it, but I didn't want to be rude.

I squeezed my eyes shut, he wasn't as easy as lily. I felt what I thought was a whip slash cross my body.

I shivered pulling back.

"My hands that cold?" He joked

"She doesn't like touching people," James turned, "feels their emotions or whatever"

"Pardon?" Sirius pulled back, scratching the back of his head.

"She's only a slight freak!" Holding my shoulders, "trust me, she's just fine you've got nothing to worry about, mate!"

"Thank you," I mumbled under my breath. "If you aren't feeling a practically strong emotion I don't feel anything. Sometimes see a quick memory. But normally it's nothing"

"See, Nothing!" Butted in James again.

Remus looked me over with eyes I didn't enjoy, like I could be a potential threat. Though there was nothing behind his eyes besides worry. Slinging his bag over his shoulder.

Sirius was more concerned, pondering if I saw anything and if so, what. I was just more concerned as to why my brother’s new friends gave me the most horrible feelings.

"Did you see anything?" He finally asked.

I didn't meet his eye, "no"

"Promise to stay out of my head, deli" he offered

I only smiled, "I make no promises."

"I like you," he whispered before following James and Peter out of the train.

Then it was just Remus and I

"You are a bad liar," his eyes glued to the ground. "So what do you see?"

"When I touched Sirius?" I answered.

He stifled a laugh, "no."

"I'm not scared of you," his eyes shot up, "I know you are worried about that. I'm not going to tell."

"Why?" He answered.

"You're wearing mismatched socks," I nodded, pulling my shoes down a bit to reveal my mismatched socks. "We can be strange together!"

"I'd like that," a relieved smile on his face.

I managed to make my first friend.

Sirius was up to the hat first. The cocky smile fell from his face as quick as the voices in the room when the hat yelled gryffindor. A Black in gryffindor. The only one excited was James.

James anxiously danced next to me, pulling at my sleeve. He was dreading how far back our names were. That's was until Lily got up there.

Gryffindor too.

"My best friend and wife in the same house as me!" He whispered to me. "Pete, what house do you think you'll get onto?"

"Hufflepuff" He nodded, the most certain I've seen him.

"What about you?" Asked Remus.

"Ravenclaw," I lied.

I had no idea where I'd go, but something told me it was Slytherin. I looked to James, afraid that this would be my last moment with my brother

"Me too," Remus scanned me over, until his name was called, "wish me luck!"

"Luck"

He was gryffindor too. The names went on and on until I knew it was me next.

"James," I grabbed his hand.

"What's the matter?" I was shaking.

"I love you!"

Delilah Potter

"I'll be at the table with you in a minute," he shoved me forward.

Please don't be Slytherin. Please don't be Slytherin. For the love of Queen Elizabeth II don't be Slytherin.

GRYFFINDOR

James never cheered louder.

[jfpisadearqueerdeer]

some marauders facts

this post includes facts about james, sirius, remus, peter, lily, dorcas, marlene, alice, frank, emmeline, mary, kingsley, regulus, and my oc, fiona💕 if you only want facts about the first four, don't read because you'll probably comment some shit about only the first four being marauders, and i've heard it all before.

let's just get this out of the way: james, marlene, alice, frank and regulus are bi; sirius is gay and dorcas and emmeline are lesbian; remus is pan; lily is ace, fiona is aro, kingsley is both; peter and mary are straight.

alice, frank, and emmeline are two years older than the core marauders; fiona is one year older; and regulus is one year younger.

james, sirius, remus, peter, lily, dorcas, marlene, frank, and kingsley are all in gryffindor. alice is in hufflepuff. mary and fiona are in ravenclaw. regulus is in slytherin.

none of them have boundaries. cuddles, hugs, cheek kisses, hand holding, arms around waists and shoulders, head pats, sitting together in chairs, feeding each other; none of it is off limits and for the most part, it's all friendly. they'll even sleep in each other's beds (well, actually, kingsley isn't as close to them, and he doesn't like physical contact, so they resoect his wishes)

sirius, lily, dorcas, and frank cannot sing at all, but they will all try; james, mary, fiona,and kingsley can kind of sing, but kingsley refuses to embarass himself; remus, peter, alice, regulus, and marlene can all sing really well.

at least two of them are fighting at any given point, common fighters are: lily and sirius, james and marlene, etc.

james loves cuddling with sirius; james is the only one who can comfort remus after The Incident; james only trusts peter to sneak out with; james discusses comic books with lily; james always wears dorcas's flower crowns; james will tease marlene mercilessly every day that he can; james loves dancing with reggie; james admires kingsley; james always sends treats to fiona if she looks down, most of the time anonymously; james and alice are both chasers and sometimes give each other tips; james had a minor crush on frank, but he didn't realize til years later; james will drop everything to defend mary; james and emmeline both loved transfiguration and talked about it constantly.

sirius likes to kiss james on the cheek; sirius loves when remus wears his clothes (and no clothes, obviously); sirius hates when peter is sad and does a bunch of things to cheer him up almost every time; sirius loves when lily braids his hair; sirius and dorcas have a running bet on who can get closest to the black squid; sirius and marlene have a dance routine that they do, and yes, james recorded it every single time; sirius puts regulus before everybody; sirius thinks kingsley is a bit of a snob, but is overall thankful for him; sirius thinks fiona is the most badass witch he has ever met, even before she stopped being so nice (but don't tell the others); sirius gets his cigarettes from alice; sirius always lets frank win at chess; sirius literally has dropped everything to defend mary; sirius and emmeline exchange ties all the time to confuse people.

remus likes the smell of james' bed; remus gets jealous when people outside the group touch sirius, but controls himself; remus literally cannot study with peter, he's too distracting; however, remus's favorite study partner is lily; remus and dorcas always joke that they will run away together; remus and marlene aren't too good of friends, but she'll force feed him before and moons; remus thinks that reggie is making the wrong decision everytime that he goes home; remus will sot with kingsley if he's having a bad day, because he knows kingsley knows how to keep quiet; remus and fiona had tea together a lot after the war; remus visited alice and frank in the hospital as often as he could after the war; remus will switches clothes with mary if she thinks she's in danger; remus was there when emmeline died.

peter is always telling james that he needs to calm down; peter thinks sirius's pranks are too extreme; peter slips remys chocolate all the time; peter tutors lily in divination; peter is always fixing dorcas's flower crowns when they wilt; peter can read marlene really well; peter never liked regulus for many reasons; peter and kingsley both get up really early; peter likes playing gobstones with fiona, because he'll always win; peter tried to become better friends with alice, but she didn't realize; peter and frank both have anxiety and try to help each other out; peter liked mary best out of all the girls; peter got tutored by emmeline his first year.

lily officially asked james to be her boyfriend,but he was the one who asked her out on a date first; lily and sirius talk about their screwed up relatives sometimes (petunia for her, almost everybody for sirius); lily loves wearing remus's sweaters, but hates that people think they're dating when she does wear them; lily always goes to peter to help out with HER pranks; lily is very protective of reggie, and punched dumbledore when he died (he was a spy for the order in this headcanon); lily thinks marlene overreacts sometimes but loves her alot anyways; lily loves cuddling with dorcas, but marlene doesn't like it as much; lily and kingsley compare notes all the time; lily and fiona exchange corny jokes all the time; lily and alice share pregnancy war stories while pregnant; lily and frank like debating over even the most miniscule shit; lily and mary both loved potions and healing; lily and emmeline bonded over their feminist ideas.

This is only part one, I will update.

[dodthefrog]

so as i said i will post all of my ocs, and the story behind them

this time i brought my first ever oc , from 2015 when i started to watch The Walking Dead

enjoy( and sorry for grammatic mistakes oops)

#1

Finnley Ryder

Backstory:

Her mom died when she was little,so Finn grew up with her dad and brother,Ethan.

Her dad taught her how to hunt,how to shoot,archery etc.(He was a forester), she was that girl who rather hung out with boys and play games with them than gossip with girls

Their dad died months before the infection broke out

Finnley and Ethan escaped from the town into the woods and survived there in a cabin for months

Ethan got bit but didn’t tell his sister, Finnley only noticed it when he collapsed one time during raiding She took her brother back to the cabin and then he told her the truth. From then Ethan stayed int he cabin and Finn took care of him.Brought him food, drink, clothes etc.

One day after hunting when Finnley returned to the cabin she found his brother shot in the head. Ethan couldn’t bear with the suffering anymore…

Finnley continued her journey alone and broken.

She become a skilled ’freak’ hunter and a ’lone wolf’

Actual story:

She disguised herself as a man to avoid raping  (hid her hair under the cap she took from Ethan, deepened her voice and wore baggy clothes)

Finn was captured by a camp because she was stealing their equipment

One of the members was about to kill her when their leader,Carter, stepped up to leave her alive. At first he wanted to torture her,but after he saw her fighting with the dead he let her stay. They didn’t know she was a girl until the camp got attacked by other marauders and she needed help.

However,Carter knew it from the beginning he wasn’t sure until then He developed some feelings towards her,but at first he thought it was trust

Finnley didn’t wanted to get attached to anyone else after losing Ethan,but she couldn’t hold it

Carter’s camp got blew up and burned to ashes. They evacuated everyone Finnley escaped somehow , and ran as far as she could She promised to herself that she will take a revenge

Soon another camp found her and give her shelter,but Finn couldn’t stay much longer

A gang captured the main crew of the camp,she followed them

She saw the member kneeling next to each other in a clear area lit up, a man with a spiked baseball bat walking around in front of them Someone caught her sneaking and threw her between the others.

The man with the bat was about to kill who helped her survive, so she volunteered

The man walked up to her,introduced himself as Negan and asked about her name . He took off her cap,and told his people to take her away

How they change:

In the beginning Negan wanted to make her one of his wives,but when he saw that Finn is different and darin,he changed his mind

Negan made Finnley into one of his first people, eventually his helping hand

Finnley felt hatred towards Negan,she even tried to escape many times from the Saviours but they got her.

Negan helped and protected her, took Finnley ’under his wings’

He was sure that Finn is just like him, but Finnley everytime remined him that they’re not alike at all

Finnley knew that these people are bad , but she realized she is not different from them (killing other people,taking stuff from them etc.) So she decided she will go with the flow and stay with the Saviours This was the first time she felt that she belonged to somewhere since Ethan died

Everything was fine ’til her old companions turned up at the Saviours’ camp as prisoners Carter saw her ,on the side of Negan and he was hoping for help

Finnley refused the helping,saying they left here to die

Negan did the ’ritual’ on them,but Finn wanted to be ’honored’ to choose someone to get ’saved’

Finnley still rememered Lucas trying to kill her twice She looked at Negan at started the iconic „eeny meeny..” line,and then with the bat she striked down on Lucas she beat the,as Negan said, „holy hell out of him”

Carter no longer hoped for help from Finnley after seeing that,he gave up on her

Finnley become just like Negan,he was right after all

„The End”

  In the end Finnley has the same fate as her brother had,she got bitten

  She couldn’t do it to herself, and didn’t tell it to Negan yet

Finnley asked him to go and help her with something

They drove far from Sanctuary into a forrest,that is where Finnley show her bite to Negan

She asked him to finish everything the way they started it She kneeled down in front of him and glanced at Lucille,but he couldn’t do it

Finally she got a bullet in her head

[orcoftheday]

Tribe Song Medley (and its lyrics + the tribes for the verses)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ6yW3MnMk8

[Marauder Tribe]

Fill my cup with grog and my pockets with gold

A Marauder's life does never get old

For the Orcish lot is rather hum-drum

March all day and end up numb

But we sing a song 'til we wear our loot

When you're a Marauder, life's a hoot!

[Dark Tribe (?)]

To killing we embrace this life

We drench ourselves in blood

We slaughter, torture, drink their pain

We sing to the great discard (?)

For we are denied the timeless halls

So we thrill to the chaos of this void

[Machine Tribe (?)]

Where do the vats churn?

Where does Mount Doom burn?

Where do men fear to tread?

Mordor!

Mordor!

Home of the fearsome

Home of the brave

Where do we march from

To kill the manscum

Where does the Dark Lord rule?

Mordor!

Mordor!

Home of the fearsome

Home of the brave

[Terror Tribe]

First we stretch 'em

Then we slice 'em

Till their blood is runnin' red

Then we spike 'em

Then we hang 'em

Then they wish that they was dead

We got whips

And we got shackles

Boiling oil and gnashes too

We got racks

And we got thumbscrews

We got something just for you!

Does it hurt yet?

Does it hurt yet?

Can we hear you scream some more?

Screaming louder

Ever louder

'Til they hear it 'cross Mordor

[Warmonger Tribe]

Once was a Tark who stood up to my knees

He said 'I'll cut ya down just as well as I please!'

I laughed in his face and readied my mace

That's when he jumped up and spat in my face!

As I wiped off my brow he pulled out his blade

And shouted that he wasn't afraid!

I decided I had enough of this game

So I went ahead and bashed in his brain!

[Mystic Tribe]

From Barad-dur to old Mount Doom

The shadows rise

From Seregost to far Harad

The shadows rise

As clouds obscure the silver moon

The shadows march out of the gloom

It all goes dark on the day

The shadows rise

All Middle-Earth will fear the day

The shadows rise

The darkest nightmares come to life

The shadows rise

The stars are gone without a trace

The sun won't dare to show its face

And morning dies on the day

The shadows rise

[Feral Tribe]

Keeping sharp the teeth they gnash (?)

Eyes they burn and claws they slash

Open up the cages, boys

Out come the beasts with a terrible NOISE!

Slavering roars and rending ears

A coward's drenched in piss and fear

They face the horde of the great Dark Lord

We howl as they die and the blood spurts high!

Rip and tear and scoop and gnash

Eyes they burn and claws they slash!

[book-boys-are-my-guilty-pleasure]

Imagine: Befriending Sirius Black, but he hurts you by making a rude comment about you being a Slytherin.

For: Anon

Song Prompt: Fall for You by Secondhand Serenade

A/N: I’m doing this song prompt a bit differently than most of my others, this one is going to be a little more similar to I Love You ‘Til the Sun Dies. Enjoy!

You had never been close to Sirius Black, the only interaction you had ever had with him and his ‘gang’ was when you were a victim of their pranks. You were a Slytherin, so being friendly with the most well known Gryffindor boys definitely was not going to fly -that is if they even wanted to be friendly with you. Therefore, as long as you just steered clear of them, you knew your life at Hogwarts would be simple. That all changed when your DADA professor had the brilliant idea of pairing you up with Sirius Black for a two month long project.

You groaned internally before going to sit next to him. He looks at you and gives a curt nod, “Y/L/N.”

“Black,” You chide, before opening your book to begin researching.

As the weeks went on, you would meet with Sirius every few days to work on your project. Your first few meetings were brief and awkward, but as time went on, you started to get to know each other a little better. You wasted time joking around and laughing, you had begun to become actual friends, and you realized that Sirius was actually a decent person. You had even begun to hang out with the Marauders on occasion.

The two months were almost up, you had developed a liking for the black-haired boy and you started to look forward to your meetings with him. Despite how close you were becoming, Sirius still seemed a bit cautious around you.

You make your way to the library; it was quite late so the library was pretty much empty. You approach Sirius and sit down, “Hey Sirius!”

“Hi,” He grumbled, he seemed quite upset, but you decided to ignore it. You began working, but you kept picking up on the angry vibes that Sirius was giving off. Eventually you needed his help, “Sirius, can you give me a hand with this?”

He mumbles something under his breath and turns to you, clearly irritated. You sigh, “Okay, you’ve been acting off all night. If you’re not feeling good, we can meet up tomorrow night, we don’t finish this all today.”

“I’m fine Y/N,” He quipped. You just roll your eyes and go back to your work. Fine Sirius, be that way if you really want to.

Half an hour goes by with you trying to ignore Sirius’ groans and mumbling and focus on the textbook in front of you. Finally, you get fed up with his, “Okay, what’s wrong Sirius?! You’ve been acting like an ass all night, did I do something wrong?”

“Yes. Everything is bloody wrong Y/N!” He snaps, “Snivellous and bloody mates are absolute shits, my family is full of assholes, and now I have to deal with you too?! Why are all you Slytherins the same?! Bloody horrible people.”

You stare at him wide-eyed, and it instantly hits you. The reason Sirius had been so cautious around you, even though you were growing closer, was because you were a Slytherin. You had always been a very tough person, you never let much get to you, and you never let your emotions show in front of people. For some reason, Sirius’ word really affected you and your eyes flood with tears. He instantly realizes what he said, “Y/N, I-”

“Save it Sirius,” You sniffle, you’re not even angry, you’re just hurt and incredibly tired. You’ve spent most of your life at Hogwarts trying to prove that not all Slytherins were bad, so hearing Sirius say something like that pained you.

You pack up your books and stand up, “Y/N please, just listen.”

“I’m tired Sirius, I want to go back to my dorm. We’re almost done the project, so I’ll finish up, don’t worry about it,” You turn away from him, and pause for a moment, sighing, “One more thing, which house you’re in doesn’t matter, just like it doesn’t matter what family you come from. We've all got both light and dark inside us Sirius. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are.”

He opens his mouth to say something, but he closes it again, knowing there’s nothing he can say to make this situation any better.

It’s been two weeks since you last spoke to Sirius, you had finished and handed in the project a week ago so you thought it would have been the end of your interactions with him, but he kept trying. He’d always try to stop you after class, he’d try to sit next to you during class, and he’d even try to get his friends to help him get you two alone. You were still hurt by what he said and you weren’t willing to deal with him just yet.

As the days went on, Sirius began to give up and seeing that hurt you a lot more than you thought it would. It’s for the best Y/N.

Sirius’ POV

The boys sat in our dormitory as I paced in front of them. James finally let out a groan, “What’s gotten into you mate? This is about Y/N isn’t it?”

“She won’t even look at me Prongs!” I groan.

“You really like her don’t you?” Remus asks.

“I’ve never liked a girl the way I like Y/N,” I sigh, dropping down on to my bed and running my hands through my hair.

“If she won’t talk to you, then write to her,” Remus suggests.

“Will that work?” I ask doubtfully.

“It’s not like anything else is working,” He shrugs.

I decided he was right and I started writing.

Y/N’s POV

You sat in the Great Hall, eating breakfast. You were sitting with the few friends you had and you were tuned out of their conversation. You were snapped out of your daze when your owl dropped down in front of you, you took the letter from her and gave her a little food in thanks, she hoots at you and flies away. You look at the letter and there’s no name or address written on the envelop, curiosity takes over you and you tear it open.

Dear Y/N,

The best thing 'bout tonight's that we're not fighting, could it be that we have been this way before? I know you don't think that I am trying, I know you're wearing thin down to the core.

So breathe in so deep, breathe me in, I'm yours to keep, and hold on to your words cause talk is cheap, and remember me tonight when you're asleep.

Because, tonight will be the night that I will fall for you over again. Don't make me change my mind or I won't live to see another day. I swear it's true, because a girl like you is impossible to find.

You're impossible to find.

Please forgive me Y/N, I never meant to hurt you. I will wait in the courtyard at 9:00 tonight, if you accept my apology, meet me there. If you don’t come, I’ll get the message, I’ll leave you alone.

Yours Truly,

Sirius

You eyes flood with tears, you look up from the letter and see Sirius watching you from across the room. You get up from your seat and walk out, your friends call out to you but you don’t turn back.

Sirius’ POV

“What’s the point of going Prongs?” I groan, “She’s not going to show up.”

“Come Pads, you can’t be sure about that!”

“You saw how she stormed out of the Great Hall after reading my letter,” I say sadly.

“What did you even write in there?” He asks curiously.

“It doesn’t matter anymore.”

“Come on Sirius, James is right, you’ll never know unless you go,” Remus adds.

I sigh and nod. I fix up my hair a little bit and make my way down to the courtyard.

I wait for 20 minutes and no one comes. I screwed up, the only girl I’ve actually liked, and I screwed it up.

I get off the bench and shake my head, deciding that it was time for me to leave. Just as I’m about to walk back into the castle, I hear a small voice call my name. I turn and see Y/N standing there.

“You came,” I smile, walking back to her.

“I almost didn’t,” She smiles back sadly.

“I’m sorry Y/N,” I say, genuinely.

“I know...”

“So...do you forgive me?” She pauses for a moment, then nods, “I don’t know if you got the message from my letter, but I really like you Y/N.”

“I like you too Sirius...” I smile at her and step closer, she shakes her head, “But...I think we should take this slow.”

I nod, “I’m okay with that.”

We stand in silence for a while, we finally decide to walk into the castle, our hands brushing against each other every once in a while until Y/N hesitantly takes my hand into hers. I will not mess this up this time.

End.

Masterlist // Rules List // To-Do List

[therealvagabird]

Yule Travels (LotR Secret Santa)

Here’s the first look at my short story for the 2017 Tolkien Secret Santa event. It features action, magic, and the unseen journeys of characters from the greater canon. I will be tagging the recipient come Christmas, and maybe uploading it to my WordPress blog. Enjoy, and jolly Yuletide!

A great gloom drifted in the air, as it was want to do in the early days of the winter season. Snow had fallen on the mountain foothills of Rivendell, and to the northern wilds; but here in temperate Cardolan, it had not yet stuck. Frost twinkled on pools of roadside mud, reflecting what little sunlight managed to leak through the grey-clouded sky. The grass was a dull, pale olive, and the trunks of the sparse trees turned black as the life inside them retreated into sleep.

It was in such dismal weather that a lone and dismal figure strode. Along the rough and overgrown Greenway, the solitary man wandered between brush and crumbling stone fences. The last merchant cart to trod the rural path had gone past many weeks ago. Already the hardy nature of the Downs was trying to reclaim what it could before the stillness of winter set in. The wanderer was not bothered, however, by weather or wilderness. His stride was long and laden with purpose, and he had endured worse already upon this trip. Beneath the green hood of his travelling cloak, shining eyes peered out across the hilly landscape, sparkling with an appreciation not to be found in even the locals. The young man looked at the wilderness the way a farmer surveyed his fields, or an elven ranger the forests of his youth. This stranger was at home, in his heart.

The land was less ready to be welcoming, however. As the hooded figure continued down the lonesome trail, the road grew more and more narrow. One side steepened into a sharp decline to the plains below. The other side was not clifflike, but still sheer and rocky, as the pass Andrath narrowed one final time before it turned east. It was here that the traveler halted, still as a statue; head turning with slow intent. He hadn’t been sure of it, but he could have sworn he’d heard something. Not a rustling, not the wind blowing, but a faint whispering. One hand went down to his belt, gripping the first of two sword-hilts—the sole hilt that extended into a full-length sword. Worried that his hearing might have been dulled, the young man pulled back his hood, exposing his face.

Hidden eyes watched, and sharp teeth grinned, as the visage of the man became visible. Young, he was young! Not a child, but not a weather-beaten warrior so much as his garb would suggest. Brown hair hung wild about the fresh face of a Mannish youth, for whom the first patches of a beard just graced the chin and cheeks. A few moments passed, with naught but the whistle of wind through wild grass to make a sound, before the trap was sprung.

A hail of stones came from the rocky hillside to the wanderer’s right. One stone collided with his shoulder, and others clattered about into the moss-covered cobbles. He jumped at once into cover, behind a boulder just large enough to shield him, as hoots and snarling hollered out. Before there was time to think on what to do next, scrambling came from the steep roadside opposite where the warrior sheltered. More figures appeared.

Goblins. Round, gangle-limbed goblins. Long-fingered, wide-mouthed, with pale flesh all swaddled in rope and layered rags, so that little of their true and disgusting forms could be seen. They hoisted themselves up from where they hid in the ditches, clutching daggers and clubs and crude, vicious cleavers.

The youth didn’t wait for them to charge. He drew forth his broadsword without a word and darting forward, low and fast in case any more thrown rocks were incoming. The first goblin over the ridge had just enough time to hiss before it was run through at the neck, sending it back over the edge it had just climbed, tumbling into the brambles. Another goblin came up upon the left, but was caught with a fast slice to the shoulder, and then finished off on the ground. It was then the warrior had enough time to look into the ditch and assess his foes—one more goblin on the road, and another two still climbing up from the mess of bushes and boulders below. He whipped around, spotting three more goblins scrabbling down the rocky hill behind, one still throwing stones as he went, while the other two grasped long knives in their mouths. They crawled like spiders towards him. He would have to be fast, lest the creature overwhelm him.

One goblin was stopped before it even made it to the road, as the flashing sword swung down and cleaved right through its grasping claws. The beast screeched and fell, shrieking all the way it tumbled ‘til it bashed against one large boulder a few yards down. A club flew through the air. and the warrior managed to block the opportunistic orc just in time, wood clunking against steel. Snapping and sneering, the froglike maw of the monster at the other end of the crossed weapons leaned in, before the wanderer kicked it in the gut and sent it sprawling.

“Man-filth!” the creature spat, winded, “Filthy Man-fil—” the blustering insult was halted as the youth sliced without hesitation, ending another goblin.

Now, with four of their party dead, the marauding creatures might have second-guessed their decision to attack what had first appeared to be an innocuous traveler. The last goblin up to the road hesitated, backing away even as there was an opportunity to strike, waiting for its three comrades to descend first. The Manling fought with a fury and ease that spoke of a lifetime of training. Not like the usual fare they’d yet encountered in these parts—farmers protecting their lands, or hired thugs paid in drink to protect caravans and carts. No, this Man fought like a real warrior. If the orcs’ beady eyes had been as large as their stomachs, they might have noticed what lay beneath the outer veneer of a vagrant. Not just the man’s stature, but the fine-crafted hilt hung on his belt, leading into a dagger’s sheath, while an emerald shone on his finger.

But the goblins, they couldn’t have known who they faced. Not even the Men in these lands yet knew the face of Aragorn, heir of Isildur.

The largest of the number that clambered down the hill lunged without warning, like a cricket, big cleaver ready to strike. The Dúnedain warrior raised his sword, blocking the strike and pushing back, but this goblin was not so spindle-legged, and didn’t tumble as expected. The ranger twisted, pushing the cleaver off to the side, and kicking the beast once for good measure. They were closing in. He swung blind, whipping around just in time to smack the shiv-wielding cretin coming up behind him. The creature was just too far, however, and though the slash drew blood across one of its puffy eyes, it did not die. Still, it sniveled and stumbled, leaving Aragorn a moment to contemplate the three he still faced.

Not quite enough time, though, as a weighty club came to smash into the ranger’s shoulder. Aragorn couldn’t tell if he heard a crack, but he felt his arm shift out of position. A dull but eye-watering pain coated the side of his body. Rage fueled him as he slashed back as best he could with his left arm, knocking the goblin’s club aside.

There were too many. He had slain more, but now but the largest beasts remained, with firm footing on the road. What was more, his energy was leaving him, replaced by the pain in his shoulder. But these creatures would not have the cruel fortune of killing him.

Pushing the pain from his mind as best he could, Aragorn heaved his sword with a speed the one unstaggered goblin was not anticipating. He stabbed it through the shoulder, dropping it—though the thing’s growling told him it was not quite dead. With little time to spare, the youth turned to run. He swung at the large goblin that was ready to have another go, catching its cleaver. Aragorn didn’t stop, instead barreling clean through the still diminutive orc and taking off down the path.

“Coward!” the monster whined.

“Filth! Come die! Come die already!’ the other two shouted in turn.

“After! After him!” the apparent boss snarled, already barreling off after the escaping prey, “Kill him! Kill him! Stop your sniveling and catch him!” The goblins shrieked and ran after the fleeing ranger.

Aragorn’s stride was long, but he didn’t want to risk sheathing his sword, and yet had to hold fast to his injured arm for the pain it was in. His pace was uneven, but the goblins had trouble keeping up, misshapen and starving as they were. When the hillside began to level, Aragorn jumped off the road and set out westward, into the hills and ravines of the Barrow Downs. If he couldn’t lose the beasts in the rugged slopes, he could shelter in the far forest, dark and shaded. Leaving the goblins’ howls and sneers behind him as fast as he could manage, the vagabond sprinted down into a deep valley between two of the hills. His eyes set on a large overhang of rock which looked good for shelter, or at least might lead to further hiding places.

The orcs pursued him for a short way, tenacious and keen, but when he reached the underside of the outcropping and turned around, Aragorn saw the monsters standing at the boulder-strewn edges of the nearest hill. They peered down the ravine he had fled, sniffing the air, searching for their meal. A cold wind blew through the misty dales. Though the hardy Man thought nothing of it, the strange and fell creatures shrieked, one cowering down in the grass.

“Fool! Fool, get up! After him!” the boss gritted.

“You first, then!” the little one with the bleeding eye whimpered, “Stupid, stinging man. Not worth it anyways. Go eat the fools he slew already…”

The big goblin grumbled and looked down the ravine one last time, before huffing and turning back. He kicked the little goblin, and took off at a lope, half crawling and half running back to the road where the disgusting monsters might feed on their dead. Following him, the remaining left, giving up the chase. Aragorn almost pitied the things, but knew the countryside would’ve been safer with them dead in a ditch. He didn’t have the strength to make sure of it, though, and so took a moment to slide down and sit. Breathing slow, he checked his arm—no permanent injury. Sighing, he took a moment to rest, sword by his side and eyes up to the grey skies.

This was not the first time he’d encountered such beasts on his journey west. The greater lands of Eriador seemed rife with these palefleshed goblin-kin. What compelled them to leave their dwellings in the mountains and highlands he had no clue, but they were fond of traps and desperate in their attacks. For a decade, the warriors of Rivendell and the Dúnedain had fought the infestation—long as Aragorn had been a man. Up until now, the young ranger had not faced so many at once. At least not without some advantage. He’d not had fire close at hand, and had been hemmed in. He’d walked right into their ambush. Elrohir and Elladan would have laughed at him if they’d seen him now, with a battered shoulder and soured mood.

Determined to continue on, the Dúnadan picked himself up, dusting down his trousers and checking the straps on his sheath. He noticed the black blood still wet on his clothes and hands, smelling bitter and foul. There was nothing for it. At least not until he came to a river, and even then, he did not fancy the freezing water. He’d have to deal with it.

Knowing he couldn’t return to the road—what with the skulking beasts on the one decent path in the otherwise muddy and choked wildlands—the wanderer continued west into the steep hills, onwards to the far forest. Some of the little monts were steeper than others, and the land as a whole was uneven and rock-strewn, but the low ravines made for an ambling route, and covered him for lack of trees. It was a long way to the forest edge, but he should have arrived in reasonable time at his current pace. Soon, his aches subsided, and the hot temper that still flared in his head over having been routed by some goblins cooled in the early winter air.

The day was getting longer, the shadows of the Downs growing until the shallow ravines were all darkened. Skies turned from silver to smoke, and the frost on the grass ceased its faint twinkle. The ranger had hoped the sunken pathways would have provided some better cover from the nighttime winds, but still he found himself chilled to the bone beneath his heavy cloak, as the whispering breezes whipped through, biting like tiny blades. On the edge of the horizon, a pale moon rose, shining what dim light it could through the clouds, like the eye of a fish glanced for a moment beneath the waves of a murky pool. Aragorn did not want to camp in these hills if he could help it. It was too open—to the elements or lurking orcs. Besides even that, he found the countryside overall grim and foreboding.

And it became more and more foreboding as he continued, to his mounting dismay. At first, he noticed that some of the various boulders scattered about the hills seemed more hard-cut than others, and after a while he found great fallen pillars of stone lying in the grass, alongside piles of rocks stacked in neat order, and yet more intricate things. Aragorn was not uneducated in history—these were ruins, long buried under the soil of time, but nonetheless of the ancient Men of Eriador. His own people, as he knew. And wherever the ruins of the old kingdoms lay, there too tended to hover the gloom of resentment and sorrow. His heart was filled with melancholy at the sight of old cairns and barrows sunk into the rambling hills, no doubt holding the bones of warriors long dead, their glory now lost by many long nights.

As Aragorn contemplated such grim histories, he did not notice the growing cold. The winds had been bitter before, but soon his teeth were chattering, tears even welling in his eyes, the droplets threatening to frost over for how frigid it was. He stopped for a moment, hunkering down and rubbing at his shoulders, trying to ward away the cold a bit longer ‘til he could reach shelter.

Mortal

The word echoed with sudden volume, causing the man to jump and grip at his sword. He turned and looked about, but—nothing.

He turned to leave. He had to reach the forest. Taking two steps, he was halted all of a sudden by the splashing sound and cold, wet feeling of his boot having trodden right in an icy pool. Aragorn groaned, shaking the mud from his shoe and glaring at the little puddle as if it had wronged him with malintent. Of all the wide countryside, he had to blunder into the one little patch of standing water. His annoyance was replaced in short order, however, as his breath caught in his throat.

From within the muddy reflection of the little pool were two shimmering lights. Eyes, glowing like candles in the night. As Aragorn’s gaze lifted from the water, the eyes seemed to rise with him, lifting out of the pool like two sprites into the black air. A shadow was standing before him—the night was staring back.

MORTAL

The shade reached for him, decayed and bony arms grasping from out of the thin air. A face like death, shrouded in darkness, leered forward.

Warm blood. Trespasser! Give us your light…

Aragorn could not tell if he screamed, so focused was he on getting away from the monster. At once, he jumped backwards with all the strength his legs could muster. It sent him careening in the opposite direction of the Wight, at the very least. He drew his sword, both hands grasped tight on the hilt as he righted himself, backing away from the specter.

Warm blood. Warm blood.

The thing ghosted forward.

“Back!” Aragorn shouted at the thing, “You will lay no hand upon me, if you wish to keep your, eh—” he could not threaten the undead in any way he really knew of. “Stay back! You will not hinder me! Go back to the Darkness!”

TRESPASSER.

The voice came from behind him. Aragorn reeled, spinning around and slashing wide. Steel clattered through the bony neck of a much more substantial undead—walking bones, swirling with foggy shadows, and clad in the rusting scraps of some ancient armor. A few vertebrae went flying, but the creature remained standing, the gloom about swirling in an impenetrable vapor.

Mortal. Living. You have no place in the Downs. Your bones will join the dead, and the dead shall join them.

Aragorn spun again, carving with all his might through the first specter, knocking aside whatever solid skull it had, as the shade dispersed for a moment like a puff of smoke. He ran, down through the ravine towards the still distant forest.

You will join the dead! The thing howled after him. In truth, it was little more than a whisper, carried on the haunted winds.

As he ran, the shadows of the countryside grew darker, and wherever he drew close to the darkness—beside a boulder, in a murky pool, or within the moldering recesses of a stoned-off barrow—another shade began to rise. When he looked up to the skies, the clouds seemed closer, hugging close to the ground in a thick fog. Though he didn’t take his eyes away from where he was running for long, he could swear he saw the lamplights of the ghosts’ eyes.

The forest was in reach. Though it too was thick with shadows, Aragorn was hoping that the creatures would not leave their dwellings in the haunted hills. His long legs pushed him onward, heart pounding, until the ground dropped out from under him. One hillside cut off in a steep dip, where a shallow ravine ran through. It was not a far fall, but it was unexpected, and the ranger’s sprinting form hit the ground hard. He rolled into the ravine, coming to rest by a great ruined monolith that hemmed the other side of the trench. Shaking the pain from his body, the Dúnadan made to run again, to find a shade bearing down on him from above. More specters converged, and he was surrounded. Their dead fingers reached for him with his back to the stone. He drew forth his sword—he could not kill a wight, but he would still fight until his dying breath.

“Back! If you continue to terrorize me then I promise I will send you all back to the Shadow before you snuff me out!” the warrior shouted with all his thin breath.

You come upon our lands. These hills belong to the dead.

“Nothing belongs to you who have overstayed your time upon this earth!” he shot back, slashing at one skeletal hand and sending a shade reeling for but a moment.

We were promised! Promised! From Dunland to Angmar. Trespasser!

The foremost among the wraiths reached out a claw. It was clad in the armor of ancient men, now little more than rags and rust. About its bones the shadows of death formed a loose mockery of flesh, rotted and tight. Its eyes glowed with pale light, and its breath dripped with darkness and malice for this living thing that had entered its lands. Even as the hands of the dead reached for him, the warrior could feel his life leaving him, and all going cold. With the last gasps left in his lungs, he raged against the creatures.

“Your promises are nothing! You are evil souls, unwelcome in the next world, and unwelcome here!” Aragorn had a flash of an idea, and threw down his ranger’s sword. From the smaller sheath on his belt he drew the hilt of another sword, an older sword. The bade was keen and shining, though it ended in a shattered point. “These are the lands of Elendil!”

The wights wailed, recoiling from the sword. Aragorn felt some life return to him for a moment. He tried to pry himself off the wet and cold ground, but as he rose he stumbled. To his horror, Narsil fell from his grasp.

The wight-lord was on him. Its icy hands grabbed ahold of his chest, of his very heart. Aragorn’s vision swam, and he thought for a moment of what his father would have felt. Elrond as well, and his loyal brothers. To die by the hands of some ancient traitor—was this to be it? He should at least have left the shards of Narsil in Rivendell, than have let the knowledge of his destiny go to his head.

It was while the ranger’s life was flashing before his eyes that he heard a song drift over the dells.

Out you go, away you flee, ancient bones a-walking!

Scatter far from barrow-grounds, Tom has come a-knocking!

Flee you far to mountains north, leave the poorly stranger!

Sleep below the shadows, for the light shines on this ranger!

Aragorn’s vision went dark, and for a time he knew no more.

—

The first thing Aragorn noticed at his waking was the smells about him. Rot and damp and biting cold had been replaced with something homier—marjoram and lavender floated in the air, with woodsmoke. Warmth enveloped him, and so the ranger drifted back into sleep before he knew where he was.

At his second waking, the youth’s eyes cracked open, peering around the candlelit darkness of his surroundings. The blue light of earliest morning seeped through a window, but most of the house was in darkness, save for a gold candleflame and orange hearthfire. Herbal scents hung in the air, and he could hear a faint humming. Aragorn shifted, still half-asleep, clutching at his chest and checking for his sword. Nothing. He seemed unharmed, if drained of energy, and was wearing just his basic clothes, with his cloak and packs taken off him.

A shifting and creaking followed when he moved. A figure came to stand by the bedside where Aragorn lay.

“Don’t you hurt your tired head, dearest master ranger.” The figure spoke in a voice from the belly, smooth and warm as the cottage air. “No more ugly barrow-wights, you’re safe and sound here.”

With some strength returning to him, and sleep leaving his mind, Aragorn managed to sit himself up against the downy cushions of the bed. His vision cleared and he found sitting next to him an older man, with a round belly and cheery face. He was dressed in dark blue, and had a great brown beard and long hair that flowed well-kempt to his shoulders.

“And where am I?” the bleary wanderer inquired. The cabin, house, cottage, or whatever they were in was quite well-built, with many knick-knacks and fine decorations strung about. Earthen pots with flowers inside, winter garlands hung from the rafters, and the dark hues of early-morning filtering through the leaves and trunks he spied out the window. “The forest? Away from the barrows?”

“Indeed, indeed, my wayward friend.” The man smiled, “You’re in dear Tom’s house. The Old Forest sleeps outside.”

“Tom?” a strange name for one who could dispel shades. Wilderlings tended to have more ancient names. But then, most wilderlings did not live in such quaint cabins. He extended his hand, and Tom shook it well. “I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn. I hail from Rivendell, out to the mountains.”

“Ah, a friend of elves is a friend of mine!” Tom smiled, “I’ve known them long, but seldom do they visit.”

Aragorn looked about the room, still a bit hazy and uncertain of his surroundings. “Old Forest? These are dangerous lands, aren’t they? You’ve no worries, with wights neighboring you, and goblins roaming in these days?”

“Old Tom Bombadil has no fear.” The man replied, “The forest eves shelter me well, and few things foul have passed the Brandywine in many long years.” He stood up, walking over to a table by the fire. Taking a metal hook from the mantle, he reached into the fireplace to draw out a kettle. With mitts on his hands, he poured out some tea. As he made the drinks, he sang a hearty tune.

Hey dol, merry dol, ring-a-dong-dillo~ he hummed along.

Old Tom Bombadil, Tom Bombadillo,

Sings over barrows and sings over willow!

Soft goes the winter-wind, still grows the water.

Tom sings by candlelight, awaits the River-daughter,

Here beneath the forest old, warming by the fire,

‘Twixt the green Cardolan and the greener Shire!

He brought the tea over, whistling away, as he set the wooden slab by the bedside and measured out some honey into each cup.

“How long have you lived here? Do you hail from Bree?’ Aragorn asked, as he took a cup of hot tea and thanked his host.

“I hail from nowhere, I’d say. Though this forest’s my home.” The old man nodded, blowing on his own tea with puffed cheeks, “Tom’s been far and wide, but here I’ve lived for long years with my dear Goldberry.”

“Your wife?”

“Yes, but now with the winter chill setting in, she’s gone to rest.” He sighed, “Still as the ice, with her mother.”

Aragorn bowed his head, “I’m sorry to hear.”

“As am I.” Tom sipped his tea, “But come spring I’ll be singing glad to have her back. Old Man Willow’s fast asleep as well, at least.”

The ranger tried to ignore the man’s odd mannerisms. He spoke in riddles, or perhaps with more truth than Aragorn expected. Perhaps he was like the ancients of Arnor, and was far older than he looked. It wouldn’t be impossible, though he did not seem like it in body or spirit. Still, he was a gracious host and savior, and so worth respect.

“You mentioned a ‘Shire’.” Aragorn made conversation, “I’ve seen such a land marked on the maps, and heard tales of the folk who live there. I—” he stopped himself for a moment, but Tom spoke up.

“You’re one of the Dúnedain rangers, yes? Long of limb and fresh of face, I’ve met your kin before. And before, and before.” He smiled, “But rare is it that your tribe crosses the Brandywine. Rarer than the elves. What brings one so young out here alone?”

“I’d be putting a great deal of faith in you if I were to say.” the young man admitted.

“Tell or not, it’s no different to me.” Tom assured, “Faith’s only fair without ill intent, and I’ve nothing to want for beyond my forest.”

Aragorn deliberated to himself, but figured it couldn’t hurt to tell the strange man. At the worst, he seemed a bit mad, and at best he was a kind soul. A wise and ancient one, may be. “My father, Arathorn—he is the Arathorn that was King of the Dúnedain, and ruler of the realms of Gondor and Arnor. I’ve been travelling the West, to survey the lands that I might one day be called upon to safeguard.”

Tom giggled, which was something he was not expecting.

“Well, see the sights and enjoy the lands, but I’d urge you keep to yourself.” He spoke matter-of-fact, though was not rude about it, “The folk of the Shire’d rather not have such important folk calling as they’re getting set for winter. In fact, this whole land’s not known a king for many ages. Might cause a ruckus, you know!” he smiled with rosy cheeks, “I’d hate to see my riverside become oceanside. I’ve seen it before!” he giggled again, getting up to go put the kettle away.

Aragorn felt more than a little unnerved staying with this figure. He wondered if he was one of the fabled Wizards, or some manner of spirit, even. He wasn’t versed on the detailed natures of such creatures, but for all his mundane name and mundane house, this Tom seemed to not be of Man. Still—whatever he was, it was a far better kind of spirit than a barrow-wight.

“I’ll need to get going. I set myself to finish my tour of far Eriador within the next two fortnights, and I can’t delay.” The young man sat himself up on the bed. “Do you have my possessions?”

Bombadil was busy arranging some dried flowers he’d been distracted by, “Oh, dear me, you’re set to head off so soon? Of course, you rangers are a tough lot, I know.” He stepped over to his cupboard, rummaging through in search of something, “Here, I’ll tell you what: sit by the fire and have a spot of cake with me until the sun’s up and warming. Wouldn’t want to trip on a darkened willow-root and freeze yourself in the river.” He commented in a paternal tone, setting out some hearty cakes. Where he’d obtained them, or the ingredients to make them, couldn’t be guessed at, but not often was cake on offer and so Aragorn partook.

The two sat in silence, save for Tom’s humming, as they enjoyed the warmth of the crackling fire. Everything in the little den felt ever-so-just-right, like the halls of Rivendell in the late spring, and yet more cozy for its lack of elven finery. Aragon had but heard rumors of the Shire, yet if this was the norm for the folk there then he envied them more than he expected—resting there you’d have sworn there were no fallen kingdoms, or roving orcs, or crownless thrones in the world. Just the fireside and the forest, the smell of tea, and the taste of cakes.

When the sun broke high enough to filter in true morning through the boughs, Aragorn took his leave, thanking the old man with all his heart. He was refreshed and ready, with naught but bad memories and a bruise on his shoulder to let him know anything had gone wrong the other day.

Hey-dol, fare ye on! Tom whistled after him as he set off from the cottage steps, across the brown and gold of the sleeping woods.

Jog on, hop along, up the Withywindle!

Clouds are drifting from the sun, day has yet to dwindle!

Across the roots, across the ford, fear no dark or ire,

For ever-pleasant are the days across the hilly Shire!

The lone soul’s song drifted off between the trunks, as Aragorn marched on north, past the streams and along the river. It was a fair trek, and the forest was quite dark even with the sun above, so old and gnarled were its ancient trees. The river’s waters were deep brown, with frost creeping at the edges, and there was no road nor path to follow save the riverside. Still, the ranger had no fear; for if one such as Tom could live in these woods, there was little to worry for save unsure footing.

It was with great relief that he came at last to the treeline, and spotted a stone bridge of decent size stretched across the amber width of the river. A well-beaten road ran up to it, and though its stones were round-edged and ancient, the bridge looked like a reliable thoroughfare. Just what the ranger had been seeking. Checking the straps of his packs and boots, Aragorn went to cross the bridge, when he heard the clopping of hooves on cobblestone. Glancing around the cornerpost, he saw the cart trundling across towards him, at its own pace. It was a well-built little thing, pulled by a small horse, driven by a hunched figure all in grey, with a great hat shrouding their face—conical and wide-brimmed, in a most unusual style.

The cart rattled forward in silence, stacked with some boxes behind. The driver puffed on a pipe sheltered from the winter breeze by his hat brim and the voluptuous folds of his grey sleeve. His other arm held a long staff close beside him, of knotted wood and as tall as he was.

“Hail, traveler.” Aragorn waved to the man as he drew near, “Are you from the Shire?”

The cart stopped beside the ranger, and from under the hat peaked the face of an old, old man. A large nose and weathered brow were wreathed in a thick mane of silver hair, pouring from his grey hat and down to his long beard—the moustache so bushy it hid the elder’s lips as he puffed on his pipe. Eyes like the sea stared out from the shadows, assessing the youth with wisdom unfathomed.

“No, not entirely.” The man spoke in a voice deep like the swaying of an ancient oak, “I’ve just come from there, checking up on an old business acquaintance, but now I’m taking leave.” He leaned forward, peering down his nose at the lanky wanderer, “You don’t seek to enter the Shire, do you?”

“I do.” He nodded matter-of-fact. “I’m traveling the length and breadth of the westlands.”

“Hmm…” the driver puffed out a plume of smoke, “Perhaps not. The halflings aren’t ones for visitors, and I just about overstayed my own welcome, so close to first snowfall.”

“Halflings?” Aragorn at first didn’t quite register that the random stranger had just warned him off from crossing the Baranduin.

“Yes, the halflings, the hobbits, the folk of the Shire.” The old man explained, “A people of slow livings and earthy sensibilities. Last I came here it was fifteen years before, and that was about all the strangeness they could take from the outside world. So as it is, young ranger—” Aragorn started at the word. The peoples of Bree weren’t always so quick to pick up on his nature, but it seemed these old ones could see right through his ragged clothes to the soul beneath, “I would recommend you make your way back eastward, or follow along with me.” And as he said so he tapped the seat beside him with the base of his staff.

“Well—I…” Aragorn tried to conjure some retort, but he was thinking twice about entering lands where he was supposed to be unwelcomed. And yet the Shire sounded like such a mild place—why would he be kept away?

“Come on, come on, I haven’t got the whole day.” And at that the youth decided to give up the ambition and hop up to the cart.

“What is it about this Shire that’s so secret and special, that people seldom cross the river?” Aragorn asked as they creaked along.

“Very little, and yet very much.” A hint of a smile twinged at the man’s face, “The hobbits are a people free of the worries of the world, and have been for many long ages. The whole of the Shire is their garden, and it would be rude to trample through there in excess.”

“And who are you, that you can visit them?”

“As I said, I’ve an old friend and business partner there.” The wizened man raised a bushy eyebrow, “Hmm—have we met? I might have sworn it so. I’m known in this country as Gandalf, the Grey Wizard.”

“A Wizard?” the Dúnedan leaned in, “The true Grey Wizard?” what things he’d seen in the last two days. It was almost more magic, good or ill, than the young man could fathom.

“What do you know of it?” Gandalf puffed.

“Father Elrond has spoken of you! You are, what is the true word… Ist—”

“I am a wanderer and an old soul.” The wizard interrupted him, “But yes, older than most think. And I think do I know you, now that you mention it, son of Arathorn.” He grinned and his moustache bristled, as the ranger’s eyes grew wide. “And so take this wisdom and learn from it well: there will come a time when you might better know the Shire, but for now let it be. I’ve no doubt much awaits in your future, but you do not need to go into the Farthings to search for secrets and lore. One day, the Shire will surprise you unheeded.”

“Are you headed back Rivendell’s way?” the Aragorn asked, mind racing.

“Well, I was bound south for the River Isen before I happened across you, but perhaps it is time I paid Elrond’s kin a visit. Many a long year goes by faster than I realize, it seems.” He mulled along on his serpentine pipe.

“If it’s no great bother to you then, and since we’ve a while to go—tell me more of these lands, if you would?” Aragorn asked, his curiosity stoked from a candle to a campfire.

“Let me finish my smoke first, and enjoy the morning quiet, and then perhaps I will.” The wizard nodded, “As you’ve said, we’ve a while to go. Think of that as your first taste of halfling wisdom; slow down, and good things will come for your patience.” He chuckled, giving a little shake to the pony’s reins, as the ranger and the wizard headed back along the East-West road, leaving the Brandywine behind them.