#old Bilbo is sad to me

[must-be-mr-boggins]

Today’s logic: sad mood = sad posts.

[bountydroid]

The Lonely Elf

Haldir x female!elf!OC

Notes: In my LOTR era. This is a self-indulgent story about an OC I've had in my head for a long time. I recently rewatched ROP, The Hobbit, and LOTR (extended version of course) and my love for Haldir has returned. I don't expect anyone to read this.

TW: OC is depressed af. Sort of eating disorder if you squint? Mutual pining (Im a slut for it).

Word count: 5,748

"Will you come to, El?" Frodo's voice echoed in my ears. I felt my chest tighten as I remembered my quest with Bilbo, how it ended, how deeply it affected me. I looked down at the hobbit before kneeling in front of him.

"Of course," I say with a sad smile as I look up to the other companions who have volunteered for this perilous journey. "I wouldn't have it any other way, Frodo."

After retaking Erebor with the dwarves, I found it too difficult to return there. Bilbo knew it, he lost a lot as well. He would never admit how important Thorin was to him and he knew I understood completely. So when he offered me a place in Bag End I couldn't resist. "It is just temporary," I said to him as he smiled up at me. However, temporary for an elf is a lot different than for a hobbit. Sure I traveled here and there, but I always came back. Months turned into years, and years turned into decades and soon Bag End felt like home. Home. That was something I hadn't had in thousands of years.

I remember the village I was raised in and the generations of humans that raised me. I often wondered why, when they found a small elfling, they did not return me to my own kind. It felt selfish of them. I knew nothing of my people, their traditions, their language, I was alone in this world till I ran into a company of dwarves. Bofur warmed up to me almost immediately, he could tell I was different than other elves and before long he had convinced the rest of the company to trust me. Thorin was the last to trust me, but he had good reason. In the end, however, we became extremely close. Two lost souls in Middle Earth searching for a place we belong. During our journey to Erebor, I had started to hope that maybe when we took back the mountain I would have a home again. That dream was shattered when Thorin died. Even though the rest of the company urged me to stay, I couldn't stand the sight of that mountain. So I remained in Bag End, "an honorary Baggins" Bilbo called me. That is why when Frodo asked me to come along I couldn't say no to him. I wouldn't leave this burden to him alone.

"Please look after him," Bilbo said to me after gifting Frodo his old Mithril shirt. "He needs you."

"I will do my best, my dear friend," I said reassuringly as I placed my hand on his shoulder, giving it a light squeeze.

The next morning we were off on our journey. In the month between our leaving Rivendell and the death of Gandalf our fellowship had grown quite close. Boromir and the Hobbits were becoming fast friends as he taught Merry and Pippin how to fight. Even Legolas was starting to warm up to Gimli. It made me smile as I remember traveling with Gloin, his father, and getting thrown in the Mirkwood dungeons by that very elf. However, the mood shifted wildly when Mithrandir died. It broke all of our spirits. How could we possibly hope to succeed when the strongest of us had passed? By the time we had entered Lothlórien, we were all exhausted mentally and physically. I could hear Gimli talking somewhere behind me about how dangerous these woods were and the witch that resided in them. I felt nauseous. Whether it was from fear or lack of food, I did not know. I had been in this forest before but never encountered this so-called witch, and I’m not sure I wanted to. When the party came to an abrupt halt I was taken aback. It took a moment for my eyes to focus and see the bows trained on us.

"The dwarf breaths so loud we could have shot him in the dark." An elf said to Aragorn as he stepped out from behind the archers.

It was Haldir. I felt my heart swell in my chest at the sight of him. I listened as Aragorn greeted him in the elven language.

"Aragorn! These woods are perilous. We should go back." Gimli says from behind me, fear evident in his voice.

"You have entered the realm of The Lady of The Wood. You cannot go back." Haldir responds as he looks between each member of our party before his eyes land on Frodo. "Come. She is waiting."

I could feel Frodo's anxiety radiating from behind me. I turned around and gave him a sincere smile. "It's okay Frodo," I whisper as I feel Haldir's gaze on me. I turn to meet his eyes for a second before he turns and slips behind his archers.

We followed close behind, not that we had much choice with the elves surrounding our party, and we marched until we came across a small structure and a platform that we were urged to climb upon. By the time we made it there, the sun had set and the cold had set in. I couldn't help the small shiver that ran through my body. I stood quietly next to Gimli as Haldir greeted Legolas and Aragorn in elvish.

Gimli interrupts angrily. "So much for the courtesy of the elves. Speak words we can all understand.

I gave Gimli's foot a soft, disapproving kick at his rudeness. Haldir looked down at Gimli before saying in a disgusted tone, "We have not had dealings with the dwarves since the dark days."

"And you know what this dwarf has to say about that?" Gimli responded quickly before saying in dwarvish, "Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul!"

I close my eyes as I run my hand over my face in annoyance as Aragorn addresses Gimli angrily, "That was not so courteous!"

The marchwarden looks over our party again before meeting eyes with Frodo, "You bring great evil with you." He says with a grave tone. "You can go no further."

However, Aragorn refused to accept this as he pulled Haldir aside and began to argue. If Aragorn was unsuccessful what would we do? We needed food, rest, and safety. This was our only option. I looked over at Haldir and the annoyed expression on his face as he argued with Aragorn. Like he could tell I was watching, his eyes flickered over to me. His face softened when he noticed my forlorn expression but soon his attention returned to Aragorn. I turned away sighing before walking over to Gimli.

The memory of our first meeting slipped into my mind as I stood in silence.

-

I was outnumbered. Dozens of orcs had caught my scent and I was out of arrows. I could see the Lothlórien forest in front of me and it was my only chance of survival. I tried my best to keep from tripping over roots and rocks as I ran through the glistening forest. I didn't have time to revel in the beauty mixed into the trees. The magic of the forest was the least of my concerns with the orc pack gaining on me.

I made a split decision to call out, in hopes I wasn't alone. "HELP!" I yell out as I continue to run blindly. Barely a second later I feel an arrow whiz past my face and the yell of an injured orc behind me. When did they get so close? Before long a handful of elves came out of the woods, easily slaughtering my attackers and then they brought their attention to me. I was a stranger to them, a threat.

An elf strode up to me with a serious expression saying something in elvish. I made a sheepish face before I explained, "I don't speak elvish." Disbelief washed across his face as he looked me up and down.

"He doesn't speak the common tongue." Another elf says from behind me. "I am Haldir, who are you and why are you in our sacred lands?"

"I am Elowen. I am sorry to enter your territory without permission I had no other choice. I can leave now if you wish." I respond.

He hums for a moment as he stares into my eyes. “What kind of elf doesn't speak elvish?” His voice was thick with disbelief. He thinks I am lying.

I sighed, my body deflating at the accusation. I was used to being treated like an outsider, but never a liar. "I was raised by humans, not elves," I say with an exasperated tone. “I know it is strange but it is the truth."

Haldir looked between my eyes for a moment, his expression was softer than it was before. “You cannot go the way you came. There are more orcs in the territory." He explained, "You will have to go to the East."

"Thank you. I will be on my way." I say before turning my back towards him, but before I can realize what is happening a hand grasps my pack and pulls me back.

"You will not go wandering these sacred forests alone." He says sternly as he holds onto my pack tightly. "I will escort you."

I gasped in surprise, “As you wish," I quickly mutter.

He tentatively lets go of me before walking in front of me, "Come."

I quickly do as I am told. The last thing I want to do is anger my guide. While we walk I study him from behind. He is calm, confident, and knows the forest well. He gracefully moves around any branches and roots jutting into the path ahead. He is beautiful like elves should be.

"Can I ask you a question?" He asks, breaking the silence.

"Of course," I respond, surprised that he is speaking to me.

"Why did you never learn elvish? Some humans know it." He asks as he looks over his shoulder.

I think over his question for a minute. I haven't ever really thought about why. "I guess -" I start. "I guess I didn't feel worthy."

This causes him to stop in his tracks before turning around to face me. "You should learn." He says. He said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. The underlying message was not lost on me. You are wrong.

The rest of the hike was relatively quiet, but the birds singing kept you company as you walked close behind your guide. The sun did not shine through the treetops making it impossible to know just how long we had been hiking. It didn’t matter to me. I was grateful for the company, even if he was silent. His presence was enough. It was at this moment that I realized just how lonely I was.

"Here." He says quietly as we reach the end of the forest. He turns to face me once again as I stare up at him.

"Oh," I said quietly, sad that our journey had ended already. "Thank you, Haldir."

He puts his hand on his chest and gives a small bow, "Go now and be safe." He says with a small smile before turning to walk away.

Before long he disappeared into the woods, and I never thought I would see him again.

-

"Did you have to insult him?" I asked Gimli, but before he could respond we heard Haldir's voice.

"You will follow me," He said while staring at Frodo. I couldn't help the sigh of relief that left my body.

We were safe. He explained that he was leading us to Caras Galadhon and once it was in sight it was the most beautiful place I had ever seen.

I gasped at the sight of the wooded city. "It's beautiful," I murmured.

"Indeed," Haldir responded looking at me out of the corner of his eye.

I felt my ears redden at him finally speaking to me. "Pathetic." I thought to myself.

As we entered the city I couldn't help the starstruck look on my face. Everywhere I looked was full of beauty, sparking silver buildings nestled among large trees. I felt the tension in the air as I walked side-by-side with Haldir.

"Do you remember me?" The question that had been burning in the back of my throat broke free.

He let out a small chuckle as he looked at my embarrassed expression. "How could I forget?" He responded with a teasing tone.

I smiled shyly in response before looking down at my feet. He remembers me.

We made it to the top of the forest to see an elven couple waiting for us. They gracefully made their way down the steps hand-in-hand as they looked down upon the company. I nervously glanced over at Aragorn, who was giving our hosts his full attention as he bowed his head. They seemed to almost glow, which reminded me of something Haldir said on our way here, "Lady of Light indeed." I thought to myself.

"The enemy knows you have entered here." The male elf spoke. "What hope you had in secrecy is now gone." He paused to look over our company before continuing. "Nine that are here, but ten set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him. I can no longer see him from afar."

I winced at the mention of Gandalf's name. In the beauty of Caras Galadhon, I had almost forgotten our loss. We stayed quiet, none of us wanting to speak the truth of Mithrandir's whereabouts.

"He has fallen into shadow." The Lady of Light spoke with a look of disbelief on her face.

"He was taken by both shadow and flame," Legolas responded. "A Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria."

"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his full purpose." The lady responded with a comforting tone as she looked at Gimli. "Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad Dum fill your heart Gimli, son of Gloin, for all lands have now grown full of peril. And in all lands love, is now mingled with grief."

I could hear Boromir whimpering in despair as she stared him down. I did not understand till I heard her voice in my head as well.

"Elowen, the lonely elf, for I have heard much about you. Gandalf was very fond of you. You are welcome here." I heard her whisper in my head.

"What now becomes of this fellowship? Without Gandalf, hope is lost." The lord said. We had all thought it, but he was the first to say it out loud.

"The quest stands upon an end of a knife, stray but a little and it will fail, to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains as long as company is true. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight, you will sleep in peace." The lady said, distracting us from her husband's question.

The promise of sleep in safety felt like something to cherish, something we were likely not to get again. I let my body relax at her words. I was grateful for her hospitality. The lady motioned to Haldir, who gave her a bow before beckoning us to follow him. We obeyed quickly, anxious to get some rest.

"You will have the opportunity to bathe as well as fresh clothing while you are here," Haldir explained as he led us to a clearing. "I will be watching over you tonight."

My traveling companions were quick to explore our new sleeping arrangements, taking in the beauty of the forest. I stayed behind, quietly standing next to Haldir as I watched the halflings excitedly look around.

"You said something about a bath?" I asked while looking over at the elf next to me. "I can't imagine we smell good," I said offering a smile.

"For your sake, I will not respond to that," He said smiling back. "Come." I let out a small giggle as I obeyed, following close behind him as we traversed on the winding paths. Eventually, we came upon a small grove, hidden by trees, and inside it lay a glistening pool of crystal clear water with a small waterfall emptying into it.

"Wow," I whispered as I took in the view.

"Fresh clothes will be brought to you," Haldir explained before bowing slightly and taking his leave.

Once he was gone I quickly started to shed off my clothing. The layers of leather armor became exhausting by the time I was fully rid of them. I folded my clothes nicely before placing them alongside the pool. I nervously dipped in a toe before realizing the water was warm. I let out a sigh of relief and I slipped my body into the welcoming water, closing my eyes as I rested against a rock. It wasn’t long till I fell asleep.

I was startled awake by the feeling of a hand on my shoulder. I looked up bewildered to see a she-elf in front of me. She gave me an apologetic look before explaining, “It is dangerous to sleep in the pool. Here I brought you fresh clothing.” She said as she motioned to a pile of white cloth.

“You have my thanks,” I responded sheepishly as she bowed and turned around to gather my old clothing. “The marchwarden has instructed us to clean these for you. Is there anything you will need for tonight?” She asked.

“No there is not,” I said. “I appreciate all you have done.”

She offered a smile before turning and disappearing, allowing me to dry off and change into the fresh clothing she had brought for me. Once dry and changed I returned to our camp for the night.

“You smell good,” Pippin said excitedly as I sat down next to my pack.

“You could too you know.” I jested, “You all smell horrible.”

“Hey now!” He responded feigning injury, “This is the smell of a REAL man!”

I let out a boisterous laugh as the hobbit flexed his muscles. We bantered for a little while longer till I could hardly keep my eyes open. I cuddled up against my pack as I fell asleep to the sound of singing elves. Legolas had said they were singing to honor the memory of Gandalf. It was beautiful.

"El, wake up," Merry said as he shook me awake. "It's breakfast time!"

I groaned as I turned away from him, "I'll eat later."

"Oh no you don't," Merry responded willfully as he shook me again.

"Fine!" I said crankily as I finally sat up and rubbed my eyes. "Someday I will be free of the stubbornness of hobbits."

As I opened my eyes I realized that the rest of the fellowship had bathed and changed as well. Everyone wore beautiful white clothing, untouched by the darkness of our journey. I followed behind the group, falling behind as my eyes drifted everywhere but the path in front of us. I didn't want food, I wanted to explore this beautiful place. I couldn't help but feel a pang of anger in my heart as I remembered all that was taken from me as a child, I could've lived my whole life in a place like Calas Galadhon. The thoughts did not leave me as we sat at the breakfast table, the noise of my companions talking and eating fading into the background as I stared at my plate. I had not eaten in some time, but I could not bring myself to take a single bite. I felt dirty, like if I touched it I would ruin it. Like I didn't deserve it. The thought brought me back to that hike with Haldir when I said I was not worthy of learning elvish. I remember the implications of his response. I was worthy of elvish, and I was worthy of this food. Everyone else had almost finished their plates by the time I took my first tentative bite.

When we had finished we were brought back to our camp by Haldir. Even on the way back from breakfast, Pippin was already asking about a second breakfast. I couldn't help but giggle at the confused expression on Haldir's face.

"There will be festivities later to honor Mithrandir, you are all welcome to come." He explains as we enter our camp.

"Thank you," Aragorn replies with his hand over his heart. "We would be most grateful to attend."

To this, Haldir nods and starts to turn away but before he can get far I grab ahold of his arm. He flinched at the sudden contact and turned to me with wide eyes. I quickly pull my hand back and bring it to my chest like I had touched a burning flame. "I am so sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

'It is fine," Haldir responds with an unconvincing look on his face. "What do you need?"

“I-“I mutter out, “I was wondering if I could wander Caras Galadhon, or if someone could be my guide? I would very much like to see this magnificent place.”

He does not respond immediately, causing anxiety to settle into my heart. “Forget it,” I say quickly as I turn away.

“Wait,” Haldir called out. “I will guide you.”

“Oh.” I responded quietly before turning around, “I’m sure a marchwarden has much better things to do.”

To this, he gave me a small smile. “No, I don’t. Now please.” He said as he motioned me to follow him.

I did as I was bid, following close behind the elf as he led me through the city. He told me everything I wanted to know, anticipating my questions before I asked them. The history of Calas Galadhon was vast and complicated but quite interesting as well. He also told me much about Lady Galadriel, the Lady of Light. I spoke to him about how I heard her in my head and he confirmed, “Yes, that is part of her magic.”

“It’s quite unnerving,” I mumble. “But she is kind.”

We continued along the path, passing many elves along the way as they went about their daily life. I wondered what it would be like to live here. What would I spend my days doing?

After some time we made it back to camp. I did little to hide my disappointment as the fellowship came into view.

“If you are unhappy you don’t need to continue the journey,” Haldir said as he scanned my face.

“It’s not that. I just-“ I paused. “I enjoyed exploring here.” I respond honestly, “I wonder what my life would be like if I grew up in a place like this.”

He nodded silently, not taking his eyes off of mine. “I understand as much as I can.”

“Thank you for a wonderful day, Haldir,” I say as I give him a small smile. I reach my hand out but stop myself before I touch him, remembering his reaction last time. My ears reddened as I realized what I was doing. I quickly dropped my hand back to my side and scurried toward my companions.

As I met back with the fellowship Aragorn gave me a knowing look. “Boromir will be disappointed.” He whispers to me.

“What?” I ask as I stand above his sitting form.

“He fancies you, but your heart belongs to another.” He said smirking up at me.

I scoff, trying to play off his words, but my face betrays me as it heats up from embarrassment.

The rest of the day was relatively quiet as we readied for the night festivities. We were told there would be wine and dancing. I smiled as I thought about how much Gandalf would have enjoyed participating in such a party.

“All they need is some Old Toby,” Frodo said. “That was his favorite.”

At his words, I felt a tug at my heart. Another loss. Is this what I was doomed to experience? Thorin, Gandalf, who was next? This quest was bound to take more lives. Likely my own as well. I tried not to allow my feelings to ruin the night for me. The festivities were beautiful. Lights were strung through the sparking trees and candles were lit around the space. The elves looked beautiful in their beaded gowns and dress shirts.

“You are not dancing?” Boromir asks as he walks up next to me. He wanted me to dance with him. For a second I thought about it, but then I remembered Aragorn’s teasing words.

“Not in the dancing mood,” I respond, giving him a sheepish smile as I grasp harder at my wine chalice.

“Of course. I am sorry for your loss,” Boromir says putting a hand on my shoulder. “I understand you were close.”

I hummed in agreement as I kept my eyes trained forward, afraid that if I acknowledged his words I would cry. As my eyes scanned the room I came across one particular elf. Haldir. He was standing guard to the occasion, restlessly pacing along the outside of the crowd.

“Excuse me,” I say quickly to Boromir before wading through the partygoers to get more wine. My hands shake as I try to fill my chalice without spilling. While Boromir’s words were not ill-willed, they still affected me deeply.

My eyes wander back to Haldir’s anxious form. Surely no danger was posed here but there he was. He was a serious elf, anyone could tell that. I smiled to myself as I watched him reprimand another guard for drinking. I gathered enough courage to head his way. I wished to speak to him. I always wished to speak to him. His eyes met mine as he watched me climb the steps to reach him.

“It’s a party you know,” I say teasingly once I was planted in front of him.

He smiles slightly as he looks down at me. “Then why are you here?” He asks.

“I’m not really in a celebratory mood,” I admit.

The smile fades from his face as he takes in my words.

“Could I head back to camp? Or do I need an escort for that?” I ask. I had hoped he would offer to escort me, but my wishes would go unfulfilled.

“You may find your way back on your own,” Haldir responds. While his answer was disappointing, the tone of his voice was not. It was as soft as freshly fallen snow like he thought if he spoke too strongly I would break.

“Thank you,” I say graciously as I give him a small bow before taking my leave.

I take my time as I make my way back to camp with my wine glass in hand. There was no rush to return. Truthfully I just wanted to be away from the happy faces. Would they even know I left?

“Elowen.” Boromir’s voice woke me from my trance.

“Why are you here?” I ask him with a disoriented look on my face.

“I am worried about you.” He responds as he takes a step towards me, putting his hand on my shoulder. “I care about you.” He says quietly as he moves his hand from his shoulder to my cheek.

In that moment I realized there is only one soul I wish to touch me in such a way. I pulled away abruptly at his touch. “My heart belongs to another,” I say in a panicked tone as I look around to see if anyone was around. “I am sorry.” I blurt out before dropping my chalice and running quickly down the path. I was no longer heading towards camp, afraid I would encounter Boromir there. I did care about him just not in the way he wanted. However, I was not only running from him but from the realization of my feelings for Haldir.

In my dazed state I quickly got turned around. The panic inside me grew as I realized I didn’t recognize my surroundings. “Did Haldir bring me here?” I questioned myself as I tried to remember earlier that day with no luck. Eventually, I gave up and sat on the ground next to the path. Letting the tears of my pent-up emotions rain down my face. Gandalf, Boromir, Haldir, it was all too much. I knew eventually someone would find me and help me get back to camp, but for now, I was grateful to be alone so I could cry without prying eyes.  

Hours passed before I saw another soul along the pass. A startled she-elf stared down at me, clearly unsure what to do.

“I apologize,” I said with a scratchy voice. “I am horribly lost.”

The elf just stared back at me a bewildered expression causing me to sigh. She did not know the common tongue. I slowly got up from the ground and walked passed her. I thought I was heading in the direction I came from, but truthfully I had no idea where I was.

“Elowen.” I heard a melodic voice in my head. “You needn’t strife.”

Galadriel.

“I am lost,” I say quietly, unsure if she could hear me.

“But that is not why you cry.” She responded knowingly. “You will not be alone forever.”

I started rubbing my eyes, cursing my emotional state as I heard footsteps approaching. I looked up from my hands, expecting Galadriel, but instead came face-to-face with Haldir’s concerned expression.

“Oh,” I sniffle.

He said nothing, instead opting to reach out and gently grab my hand. My eyes widened, shocked by his touch as he started to guide me. He remained silent as we wove along the trail, never letting go of my hand.

“How did you know where I was?” I asked quietly as we entered the camp.

He turned to look at me, quiet for a moment before responding “Lady Galadriel.”

“Oh,” I said quietly. My exhaustion was written across my face.

“Rest now,” Haldir utters as he places a small kiss on my forehead. Before I could even process what he had done he was gone. I stood in place as the feeling of his lips lingered on my skin.

After some time had passed, we finally had to leave Lothlórien. We were all dreading it. We had spent weeks in the comfortable presence of elves, and in those weeks I never saw Haldir again. Galadriel, as kind as she was, would not let us leave without making sure we had everything we needed to succeed. Food, water, and supplies filled our small packs as we changed back into our old clothing. Once we were ready we made our way to the riverbank to say our final farewells and be off on our treacherous journey.

We stood in a line as Lord Celeborn spoke. "Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people." I tried to listen to him speak pretending to not be distracted by Haldir's fingers securing a cloak around my shoulders. "May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes." He continued as I kept my eyes down, avoiding Haldir’s. “Of course he had to be here.” I thought to myself as embarrassment took me.

While we packed up our boats Aragorn was pulled aside by Lord Celeborn. While we waited for his return I chose to focus on making sure the halflings had everything they needed.

"He's looking at you," Sam said to me as I straightened his pack.

"I know," I sighed before looking back to meet Haldir's eyes. I was surprised to see an almost pleading look on his face.

"Well, aren't you gonna say goodbye?" Sam asked.

I hummed quietly as I mulled over my options, as much as I was heartbroken by the lack of his presence, the look on Haldir’s face made it impossible to stay away. I stood up as Sam grinned at me. "Meddling hobbits,” I said, feigning annoyance before walking over to Haldir.

"Thank you for your kindness, Haldir," I said quietly as I stood in front of him.

"I-" He started before stopping himself. "Be safe." He finally said.

I looked up to meet his eyes, they mirrored the sadness in my own. "Do not fret,” I say as I lay my hand softly on his shoulder, trying to comfort him. He had avoided me for weeks, but all my annoyance had been washed away by the forlorn expression he sported. I had come to expect the downfall of our quest now that we were without Gandalf, but I tried to comfort him nonetheless.

Before he could respond I heard Boromir call out, "El! The Lady Galadriel wishes to see us once more before we head on."  

I step back as reality comes back into focus, giving Haldir a sad smile and a small bow before I head towards Boromir and the rest of my companions.

We waited turns to see the Lady of Light, each fellowship member coming back with gifts to help on the rest of the journey. "And to you, Elowen, I give you the gift of remembrance," Galadriel explains as she hands me a small coin. "This is a gift given to our marchwardens when they have completed their training. Let it help you remember what you are fighting for, and what awaits for you when your quest is done."

Haldir. Does she know something I do not? "Thank you, Lady Galadriel," I mumble as I bow my head.

Once the entire fellowship had received their gifts we piled into our small boats in silence, our heads swirling with the words Galadriel had spoken to each of us. Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel waited at the shore as we left the magical forest behind us, but the rest of the elves had disappeared. There was a sad tug at my heart as I peered into the forest looking for any sign of Haldir.

I wished to see him one last time.

[gamerbearmira]

(SA) apparently Encanto of the rings started with The Hobbit...soooooo

They laid them to rest in the outfits Mirabel had made. Fili, Kili and Thorin. They laid there, their outfits full of beautiful colorful embroidery that wove a unique tale of just who that dwarf had been.

It was truly a beautiful sight. But a sad one, especially when one considered the heartbroken and sobbing ten year old child who was there amongst the company. Her hair in traditional dwarven braids with beads and all, wearing leathers as they did with embroidery for each member of the company emblazoned upon it, and gold and jewels that had been a gift to her from the now dead King himself.

Truly if she were not so utterly human and even elvish in appearance then she would look every inch like that of a young dwarven princess. And yet she mourned, just as keenly as the rest of them if not more so. The rest of the company aside from perhaps Bilbo had been jaded from fighting and wars. They were used to death and losing those they loved to a violent end.

She was not yet so. They wished she had never felt this pain.

In each Dwarfs casket they had not just the embroidered outfits from their young human, but they each also held a cloth. A hanky as some would say. Each was personalized for them. Thorins being a golden yellow with his name and an oak tree embroidered upon it in brown. Kilis being red with his name and a bow upon it in green. Filis being green with his name and an arrow upon it in red. Matching as the twins did even in death.

The company thought it only fitting that they be buried with the precious gifts that they had been gifted by the young one. They each had their own...and they all...they all would carry it until their dying days. They had promised her they would treasure them forever. And they would.

Nearly a hundred years later in the Mines of Moria Mirabel and Gandalf stared. They stared at the beautiful hanky's clutched tightly in skeletal cobwebbed hands. They were older now and frayed and damaged from the fighting but they were obviously so well cared for.

"Those hankies...me dad has one too...he and Balin never go anywhere without them." Gimlin the son of Gloin said noting where they were staring as Mirabel knelt down and crossed herself, whispering a prayer for her friends and trying to blink back the tears in her eyes.

"Mirabel made them for all of us. Back when our Company went to reclaim Erebor. We vowed to treasure them and carry them with us until our dying days..." Gandalf said and he touched his own hanky, a pure white with his name and a bird stitched up on it in light blue, in his pocket.

"Ori, Oin and Balin...you've kept your word my friends...now just as you kept my memory alive...so too shall I keep yours alive." Mirabel promised their skeletal corpses as she recognized each hanky she had made.

She would break down later. Mourn and grieve her friends who had loved and cared for her in a way even her own blood family did not.

For now...now she would do as they had taught her. She would get the job done. She would get to somewhere safe...and only once they were safe for a moment could she allow herself a moment to grieve.

IT DID❗❗ well by technical means you could say the hobbit part was a spin off and it evolved but. WHO CARES I LIKE THE HOBBIT AND LOTR 🌚🌚🌚

Anyway, very sad <\\\333 I forgot the twins died along with Thorin 😭😭 might never recover, Thorin was unironically my favorite of the dwarves tbh 🙏🙏 W Mirabel for the handkerchiefs, that's some real og stuff 🙏🙏 clutching them in death is how you know they held them close

Hey but at least Mirabel's there 😔 homegirl is decked out in the dwarf drip putts respect, and honestly that's so real ヽ( ´¬`)ノ Had to look up stuff on female dwarves, honestly was a little hard because a lot of it was from the show or ocs (I didn't watch the show and probably never will because I grew up on the movies). EITHER WAY. I still had fun drawing it, no matter how sad 🥸 based the beads off the wooden ones I wore when I was younger 🤓☝

Dies

GIMILI MENTIONED❗❗❗ (can you tell which species I have a heavy bias towards)

[shirefantasies]

Oh my goodness I’ve been off-of tumblr for awhile, but as the anon with the “lotr characters with their first child” request(though I’ve been enjoying all the domestic type imagines)!! Thank you for all the amazing writing oh my goodness!!!! Also wanted to thank you specifically for not making pregnancy/children asks guys-only with my whole heart. It’s just so sad to see a lot of people default to not doing the ladies in those kinds of posts. Not that I can’t appreciate as a former fandom writer that it can get so long adding everyone in a request. But! Sometimes you’d like to see some domestic writing with the lovely wife™️ too, so on behalf of all the bis(and assorted lady enjoyers) out there, thank you! (It's always wild to see people acting like surrogacy/donors/trans partners didn’t exist back in ye old days, so again thank you!)

But let me say again!! All of the imagines were so so darling, Legolas’ was absolutely heart melting!! He’s such a dear, and if the books(especially) and movies didn’t show how good he was at dishing out sass, I’d almost worry he’d be in over head with twins. And I loved the touch with Eowyn having the moment of deciding whether she’d want to carry the child or not and getting the feel for being a mother maybe in a way she hadn’t expected, it felt so down to earth and sweet, she can do it all and I love her for it. And this is rambling on but rest assured I also adored the hobbit versions as well(the Bilbo one is so endearing to me! Imagine the lil nipper running around with Frodo trailing behind them, the two good as siblings, a few years after)!! But seriously as to not fill the whole askbox, thank you again!

I so appreciate this ask! Not just for your kind words about my writing, but for that thanks about inclusion. It’s something I was really passionate about partially just so lovers of all characters don’t miss out but just as you said! As a sapphic writer it’s very important to me to represent every type of relationship even if people think it’s ‘outside the fantasy world’. As you mentioned it is not outside of the realm of possibly with different identities and ingenuity and even if it was? Well this is fanfiction and it’s for us all to love and enjoy 💕 capturing Eowyn’s complicated views on motherhood was another goal and aaaahhh I’m so glad you thought it went well! I love her, she’s my wife for real 😌

Look out for more dad!hobbits content coming as I have TWO separate old requests centered on that very thing 😉 seriously though it’s messages like this that keep me writing 🥹 love you anon 🫶🏻

[lucigoo]

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

Thank you so much Sunny. i put this off until I had fiished editing a certian fic, and then forgot so better late then never right? Im a terribly self indulgent writer. I know what I ike and have no main plans for my fics apart from an ending, so im as suprised as my readers with some of them. But when you have one that hits your heart, it hits your heart, you know?

(With all my fics, please mind the tags, they are all relevent to what your reading) 1) It Was Never What It Seemed - this fic took me over a year to finish and it wouldnt have been possible wthout you @sunnyrosewritesstuff and the Bagginshield book club.

Summary: It has been 8 years since Bilbo has lest stepped foot in Erebor. He needs to talk to his husband, especially as he is now about to marry another. Another who is not Bilbo.

Bilbo left and when he did he left Thorin broken hearted. Now he is to marry a Blacklock Princess, consequences be damned.

Follow along with our favourite dwarf and hobbit as they find their way back to one another, No matter how painful the journey is.

2) Stop me Fading - I have shared the story how my then 11 year old cried about "Bilbo's bf dying" and it got me back into fandom. it took me nearly 2 years to re edit/write it, but this fic is very close to my heart. Summry: It is a few weeks after the battle, Thorin, Fili and Kili are still in danger from their wounds.

Bilbo has been shunned by all, including the Company, as such there is a sad, lonely, hobbit wandering around the camps, trying to help everyone but himself.

3) Changeling Child - This is actually one of the first Bagignshield fics I wrote and I still adore it. Summary: Thanks to his Stone headed nephews, Bilbo now has a new quest. One that needs cleverness and diplomacy. Not the reckless battle tactics of dwarrow.

This is the most important quest Bilbo will ever go on, even more imprtant then facing a dragon. For the most important being in his life.

4) Mahal, Why Have you Forsaken Me? - I often feel Dis is under represented in this fandom and I can't help but ove her. The tragic Dwarrowdam who lost everything and I enjoy writing about here.

Summary: Dis is packing up the things of her children's that she will take to Erebor with her. Things they will never need again. Things that are all she has left of them.

5) I'm coming Petite Étoile - my obligtory Wolfstar fic, I just love how this one turned out tbh.

Summary: Sirius Black has heard his brother is going to get the mark.

Due to The Incident with Snape, he has no one to turn to.

He has been protecting his brother from their family ever since he could remember.

He would do the same today, even if it cost him his life.

Im not sure who else has been tagged so i aplogise if oyu were already. (Non obligotory tags) for @brandileigh2003, @loopyloo2610, @shipper47, @littleoldrachel, @spillthebea

[ragingbookdragon]

Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story

Lindir x Reader

Word Count: 1.6K Warnings: Angst

Author's Note: :( --> :')

**********************************************************************

Their journey back was quiet. She knew all three of them were in a particular state of mourning, she for Fili and Kili, Bilbo for Thorin, and Gandalf for all three of them. The old wizard had felt particularly responsible for the deaths of the three, even though it hadn’t been his fault in the slightest. Usually, when someone she knew had passed, her calling as a songstress had her performing ballads of their lives and greatest deeds, but this time, she couldn’t find it in herself to sing such songs just yet. The wounds still too fresh, memories of her dearest dwarven friends still too heavy a weight on her heart. She knew if she tried, she’d break down in tears. Still though, she kept her hopes high, and her grief hidden enough to comfort the other two on their journey back.

She wasn’t sure where she’d end up. Thorin’s company had simply crossed paths by chance and that was how she’d gotten along, but now, Bilbo was going home, Gandalf escorting him, then he was off to who knows where doing who knows what but only the old wizard. That left her where she had been before—simply wandering. But she’d seen the west, seen the great heights of the Mirkwood trees, seen the low valleys of Lake-town, and the majesty of Erebor. What else was there?

Her thoughts continued to plague her all throughout their travels back, through Lake-town, through Mirkwood, and back through the mountains until they’d come back upon the elven settlement, Rivendell. She couldn’t deny that it was a sight for sore eyes, the comfort, food, and care had been greatly remembered and desired ever since she and Gandalf had departed after the company those months ago.

Lord Elrond and his council were already waiting for them when they finally crossed the bridge and the elf looked rather disheartened when he greeted them. “Welcome back,” he murmured, carefully taking in both Bilbo and her expressions of sadness. “Word has already come from the west.” Elrond looked between them all. “My most sincere sympathies go to you all for your losses.”

She cleared her throat, bowing slightly. “Thank you, my Lord Elrond. It is a most kind gesture. We…the journey there and back have been long and arduous, physically, mentally, and emotionally.” She said nothing more, feeling the tears coming to her eyes as she blinked them away and gently placed a hand on Bilbo’s shoulder, squeezing it for comfort; the hobbit merely reached up and squeezed her hand in return, unable to speak, for his wounds were the greatest.

Gandalf looked at the two close together and asked Elrond, “My old friend, might we find refuge for a day or two before traveling back?”

“Always,” Elrond said and turned, leading them up the stairs and into the courtyard; he looked at the elf standing to his left. “Lindir, take our songstress and hobbit and show them to some rooms. I need to speak to Mithrandir.”

“Of course, my Lord,” Lindir replied and waited for the two travelers to meet him. “Has the journey back been beset by any trouble?” he asked her as he led them.

She inhaled. “Nothing we couldn’t handle.” She tried to smile at him. “How has Rivendell faired since we’ve been gone?”

“As usual. Other than his lordship leaving to Dol Guldur.”

“Ah yes, I heard quite a fearsome battle occurred between the forces of evil and good.” She smiled this time. “Perhaps I shall ask Lord Elrond for the details and compose a ballad. Do you think Lady Galadriel would allow me to perform it for her?”

Lindir laughed quietly. “I would not see why not.” As he brought them to two secluded rooms near the edge of the house, he opened the first door for Bilbo. “Here you are,” he said to him, and Bilbo nodded, finally managing to look up.

“Thank you,” he murmured quietly and looked over at her. “I think I’m going to rest until evening dinner.”

“I understand,” she replied and watched sadly as he disappeared inside and shut the door behind him. It was only but a second then she turned to Lindir in tears and whispered, “My heart aches so deeply for him.”

Lindir gazed at her sadly, and instead of leading her to the next door, he took her to a secluded area of the garden beneath a grand willow. She put her pack down beside the bench and sat down, tucking her legs underneath her as Lindir sat down next to her.

“I’m sorry that you have lost your friends,” he said softly. “Though I did not know them well, I did sense honor among them.”

She nodded, barely able to keep the tears at bay as she looked towards the setting sun. “Bilbo will not speak of what happened before Thorin died. He will only tell us that they parted in friendship.” Tears dripped down her cheeks. “But the boys,” she whispered. “Fili and Kili were just boys. They didn’t deserve this as a fate. They deserved to grow up in their homeland. Find loves and have families.” She looked at him. “It isn’t fair, Lindir.”

“No, it isn’t.”

Her expression pinched. “I survived. A useless trobairitz who couldn’t even swing a sword or draw a bow and three battle hardened dwarves didn’t. What kind of fate is that? Why me? Why useless m—”

“You are not useless,” Lindir interrupted with a rather harsh look for the reserved elf. “You survived because it is what fate wished. You survived because fate has not come calling for you yet.”

She frowned and swallowed thickly. “But I wanted them to survive as well.”

“Yes,” he sighed, reaching over to take her hand in his slender one; he gently brushed his thumb over the back of her thumb. “That is our greatest ache. The ones who did not join us at the end.”

Her gaze met his. “Truthfully, Lindir, I don’t know where to go now.”

“What do you mean?”

“Bilbo is going home to the Shire, Gandalf I assume is going to off doing what wizards do…but for myself?” she shrugged. “I am back to traveling the land singing for gold and fame.”

“You have no home to go back to?”

Her eyes were humored but had a sadness to them. “The home I had as a girl is long gone. A songstress knows no home but the next stage.”

Lindir gazed at her, mouth opening and closing for a moment before his cheeks tinted pink and he asked, “…perhaps you could make Rivendell your home?”

She blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

He shifted in his seat. “You have no home, but you acted wonderfully as an ambassador between the elves and the dwarves.”

A laugh escaped her. “You mean I mothered them and glared until they obeyed.”

Lindir smiled. “However you managed it, it worked. I could not imagine a better place for you.”

“An ambassador? Lindir, I am a singer. My role is to compose and sing the songs of our heroes. The ones who live, the ones who die. I am simply their storyteller.”

“Yes, but the people respect you for your role in Thorin’s company. You represent a great position amongst other races. I am not naïve to assume that your voice does not have sway too. You could be the connection between our races.”

She gave Lindir a look. “Something tells me, you wish me to stay in Rivendell more than anything else.”

Lindir swallowed thickly, took a deep breath, and admitted, “I…have been hoping that you would come back to Rivendell.”

“Oh?”

His cheeks warmed. “Meleth nîn…”

“Oh, there are those words again,” she teased. “Lindir, if I didn’t know any better, I would think you have not been thinking I would return so much as you have been thinking about kissing me.”

Lindir looked like a startled deer, red cheeks, a bit frazzled if she were honest and he tried to splutter out some form of a reply but ceased when her laughter reached his ears, like twinkling stars and he gave her a heartfelt smile when she scooted a bit closer and leaned closer to him, nuzzling his cheek.

“If it soothes your wild heart, I have long thought about you, Lindir.”

He turned slightly, their noses brushing, and he murmured, “I have been talking to Lord Elrond about your possible staying here if you ever returned.”

“Uh huh, and what did he say?”

“He would think about it.” Lindir blinked. “That answer usually means yes.”

“How do you know?”

“Because that’s what he would tell Lady Arwen when she was a child and she asked for something only to give it days later.”

“Oh? So, my stay is already promised?”

“I truly enjoyed your singing.” He cleared his throat, adding, “we all enjoyed your singing.”

She smiled at him, gently pressing her lips to his cheek, and she said, “Well guess what? You get to hear it whenever you want.”

“You will stay?”

“If you’ll have me,” she chirped and Lindir’s face split into a handsome smile.

“I would have you with me forever.”

“That sounds like a marriage proposal.”

“I…had planned on trying to court you…if you ever returned.”

She blinked, staring at him, then she shifted across the bench and laid down, putting her head in Lindir’s lap. “I think I would enjoy that greatly, Lindir.”

“O—oh?” he replied, fumbling with himself on where to put his hands until he settled for resting one on her hip and the other gently in her hair.

“Mhm…a lot.”

“I’m glad,” he said, smiling down at her as the tension began to ease from her expression and body, eyes slipping shut as they enjoyed the setting sun together.

[istari-party]

Aragorn the Foodie

(this is 85% satire, mixes movies and books, and I don't care!)

We have all witnessed the barage of memes about Éowyn and her stew. We have all had a good laugh at her expense, but I think we may be wrong. Perhaps Aragorn is a food snob.

We all know Hobbits love food, drink, and a good time. During Bilbos birthday, this is said:

Besides, their cousin, Bilbo, had been specializing in food for many years and his table had a high reputation.

Also, in The Hobbit, Thorins parting words:

“No!” said Thorin. “There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West. Some courage and some wisdom, blended in measure. If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. But sad or merry, I must leave it now. Farewell!”

Which leads me to believe that Hobbit food is good. I think we can all agree on this. Those little folk seem like they could cook an amazing meal.

With this, we have set a precedent of Hobbits loving and cooking good food. In comparison, we know elvish food is good. Like, really good. In the Lord of the Rings, when the hobbits meet the elves in the woods in the Shire:

The Elves sat round the fire upon the grass or upon the sawn rings of old trunks. Some went to and fro bearing cups and pouring drink; others brought food on heaped plates and dishes.

‘This is poor fare,’ they said to the hobbits; ‘for we are lodging in the greenwood far from our halls. If ever you are our guests at home, we will treat you better.’

‘It seems to me good enough for a birthday-party,’ said Frodo.

The elvish "poor fair" was good enough for a birthday party, according to Frodo.

Now, for our foodie, Aragorn. We know he was raised in Rivendell which means he didn't eat garbage. During his youth, I am sure he picked up some ability to cook from the elves which would help him out in the wild. From my recollection, we don't see other people react to Éowyn's stew the way he did.

That's it. Aragorn is a food snob that can't appreciate a hearty, grey stew.

[cilil]

Day 7 ~ Remembrance & New Beginnings

AN: My contribution for day 7 of @silmarillionepistolary and quick side note: I am aware that the Hobbits are said to stay on Tol Eressëa, but I prefer to hc that they went to the gardens of Lórien to hang out with Irmo and be healed by Estë and possibly visited other locations in Valinor as well.

𓂃🖋 Characters/pairings: Bilbo & Manwë 𓂃🖋 Synopsis: Bilbo receives an invitation from the Elder King himself. 𓂃🖋 Warnings: / 𓂃🖋 Oneshot (~600 words) | AO3

Dear Mr. Baggins,

I hope you are well and enjoy your stay in the gardens of Lórien. 

It has come to my attention that, during your time in Middle-earth, you wrote a book about your adventures. Now, I hear that you didn't take said book with you on your journey — which, as sad as it may be for those among us who love and cherish such stories, myself included, was a wise choice. It appears that written records are currently the safest and most convenient way to preserve tales and knowledge for future generations of Ilúvatar's mortal children. 

Even so, your memories remain, and I have been wondering if you would like to tell us about your adventures. My wife and I, as well as our friends, would love to listen. Your stories could, if you wish, also be recorded for the libraries of Valinor — though do not worry, you will of course not have to write everything down again, our dear friend Vairë and her Maiar would be happy to do so for you. 

I am certain you have wonderful tales for us, Mr. Baggins, and my birds tell me that you are a very entertaining storyteller as well. What they have told me over the years was lovely already, though their record of events would naturally pale in comparison to yours. 

Please let me know if you would be willing to entertain such a request. Either way, we would be honoured to have you as a guest, should you choose to visit us on Taniquetil — or, alternatively, we can also visit you in Lórien. The other Ring-bearers are, of course, welcome as well; after all they have their own stories to tell. 

I look forward to hearing from you. 

King regards,  Manwë Súlimo 

Pleased with himself, Bilbo folded the letter and caressed the fine paper. He reached out with his free hand to pet the bird that had delivered it to him — some species of falcon, if he wasn't mistaken — and smiled when it leaned into his touch without question. 

Even the animals are different here in the Undying Lands.

"Well, wouldn't you know that," Bilbo mumbled, addressing no one in particular, "who would have thought that an old Hobbit like me could get a letter from the Elder King himself?" 

He omitted the fact that he hadn't been entirely sure of his existence at times and instead thought of the birds Manwë had mentioned. So he had heard bits and pieces of his grand tales before, brought to him by them? Bilbo thought about the birds he had seen in the Shire, mostly tiny songbirds, and how they may have listened to idle Hobbit gossip and brought it home to their esteemed lord. 

To think that the Elder King may have heard us argue about silverware... The thought made him chuckle, and he carefully pocketed the letter. 

As for Manwë's request, Bilbo already knew what his answer would be. Of course he was going to seize the opportunity to tell the King and Queen of Arda about his adventures — especially when at least one of them seemed curious, which was quite flattering to say the least. And he would be able to leave another book behind, one that would be written and kept by immortal hands in an immortal land. 

He would leave this world one day, but his tales would remain. 

The bird stayed where it was even as he headed for his desk, watching him attentively. Perhaps it was going to wait until he had composed his answer, Bilbo thought, and sat down to do just that. 

"A long and wonderful tale indeed," he mused aloud, "and at the beginning, I would have never thought that an old wizard knocking on my door would one day lead me to the Elder King's palace."

Thanks for reading! ♡

taglist: @elanna-elrondiel @i-did-not-mean-to @saintstars

[siriouslytired]

Feedback fest 2024 🌻

Well RIP to my bookmarks because I just noticed that so many of my favourite fics have been deleted or made anonymous/put in a collection. Thought it would be fun to do this anyway.

Also apparently I managed to post this when it wasn't done (can you tell technology doesn't like me?) And for some reason I couldn't edit the original post (and what's up with that??). So uh, if anyone had liked the first post I deleted it because I got annoyed.

All fics on the list can be found on AO3

A Year In Toussaint by astolat

The Witcher; Rated E; Geralt of Rivia/Emhyr var Emreis

"[...] - and found himself spilling the whole sob story of his success to Emhyr, who actually broke and laughed out loud when Geralt got to the racehorses."

One of my comfort fics, will read it for a multitude of reasons but mostly just because it's so well-written and engaging (which is just all of astolat's fics really)

Hunger and Appetite by thegoodbutter

Shadow & Bone; Rated E; Aleksander Morozova/Alina Starkov; Modern AU

I couldn't actually tell you how many times I've read this, it's just SO GOOD. And the food descriptions are just fantastic, makes me want to cook up a storm/start baking something even though I hate doing the dishes afterwards.

The Stars Don’t Shine, They Burn by Sarcasmismydefaultmode

Shadow & Bone/The Witcher; Rated E; Alina Starkov/Emhyr var Emreis; Second Best AU

Read it. Do it. It's so fucking good. I usually don't read crossovers anymore but I couldn’t resist this one and it was so worth it. It blends the two worlds so well while making sure that the edges are obvious enough that you can still tell which parts came from what canon.

Amazing Grace (series) by Druid Moon

Marvel Cinematic Universe; Darcy Lewis/Clint Barton; Many references to different forms of crafts

A relic from when I mostly read MCU fics that I return to again and again and again. Super cosy, slightly sad, incredibly well-written, one of those fics that just draws you in once you start reading it.

coronas of wolf-teeth and rivers by Dialux

A Song of Ice and Fire; Not Rated; Catelyn Stark/Ned Stark; AU; Robert dies at the Trident, Ned dies at the Tower of Joy, Catelyn becomes Queen of Westeros

I remember reading the summary and basically attacking my phone screen to open the fic. It ties itself together so neatly from the premise and the way Catelyn is written is just fantastic.

Diplomatic Relations by KrazzeeAJ1701

Star Trek; Rated M; James T Kirk/Sybok; AU, Female James T. Kirk

Listen, I had a phase where I mostly read gender swap and I found some real gems - this being one of them. I don't re-read it as often as I should but every time I do I remember how much I like it and how fantastic the writing is. The set-up just makes sense and the progression of the story makes you want to keep reading forever.

the ghosts won't matter because we'll hide in sin by soapboxblues

A Song of Ice and Fire; Jaime Lannister/Lyanna Stark; AU

A cute little AU where Lyanna survives the Tower of Joy and is subsequently turned into a political pawn etc etc. Incredibly well-written and the pieces just fit together so well.

The Debt of Time by ShayaLonnie

Harry Potter; Rated E; Sirius Black/Hermione Granger; AU, Time Travel, Soul Bond

I must have read this at least 15 times by now. It just works so well, you know?

For One Last Day by fideliant

The Hobbit; General Audience; Bilbo Baggins/Thorin Oakenshield; AU

"The things we don't do for love." It's so bittersweet and lovely and all those wonderful things that make me want to smile and cry at the same time. Sort of chances-not-taken and now we're old wrapped up in this little moment that fits so well into the canon of LOTR.

Eurybia by Annerb

Pirates of the Caribbean; Rated T; Elizabeth Swan/Will Turner; Jack Sparrow/Elizabeth Swan; AU

"A love story. Elizabeth Swan and the sea." Read it. Just do it. It's so so so good. And it's barely 1200 words so you can read it and then spend an hour contemplating what you just read and still have time to do other things.

[thranduilswifesblog]

Just spend my time to annalyzed the detail Robert Aramayo gave to us as the young version of lord Elrond. Cause I'm bored, and this post literally spend me like almost 4 hours! So if you didn't like it, comment, or reblog it. Melkor will haunts you! (Just kidding. It's not Melkor, but Saruman)

The first detail is when he hold something with his hands

Hugo's hands is so pale, long, and beautiful. (Okay I need to stop) and so do Robert's. And Hugo managed to hold anything, or touch anything so gracefully, wether is it a sword or a piece of old paper. And as you can see, Robert do the same with anything he touch. he will move his fingers slowly, but slightly stomp firmly as a statement

The little smirk/smiles

Just like Hugo did in The Hobbit, while he talked to Bilbo. He will stares directly to your eyes and then just pulled the corners of his lips, and gave the impression of a smirk or a little smile. Robert nailed that too!

The pose and the way he stand

Hugo Elrond stood tall, confident. he gives off a charismatic impression, and is also a gentle leader. Robert slightly imitated how Hugo posed, but he didn't overdo it. In here he still counts as a young Herald, and not a lord. This what I hates about Amazon's costume departement (sorry boys), he makes Elrond's clothes is to baggy, and gave him this kind of cloack, and it's bad for his body shape. And it don't give his body shape a statement like they do with Arondir or Gil Galad. While on the other side Peter Jackson nailed the costume. They literally highlight his tits body shape, especially his waist.

The serious side profile

This is why I think Robert is the perfect choice for Elrond. His facial features is really looks like Hugo's. They have the same line, same gaze, almost same lips. The different is Hugo's eyebrows is sharper than Robert's. but Robert's jawline stronger than Hugo's. Cause Hugo is Older in here, but if you checked his early work in the 80s the jawline is literally as strong as Robert's

The Sad confused gaze

Hugo Elrond gave us a full of emotion in his eyes, when Arwen confronts him and said she choose Luthien's path. Hugo just staress at her right in the eyes, and I don't know how this man did that. But you can see light tears in his eyes. He don't squished it, neither let it fall. But we know he is crying and confused in the inside. And once again, Robert nailed it, you can clearly sees in his eyes he's so confused but also sad when he though he must abandoned middle earth

Say what you want to say about Robert as Elrond, but he's perfect and he understand about the character he has to played. And he also said that when he was a kid he used to takes his mum sheets and dresses as Elrond. What a cute boy! And now he's the Elrond. He's not trying to replaced Hugo, and no one can't. But he's trying to connecting the younger character he played to Hugo. And the little detail he gave is incredible, you'll not gonna notice except you watched both of their version over and over. But that's the point. He wants is as subtle as possible to the audience.

Kudos to Robert Aramayo!

And I borrowed some of the gift from @elronds-pointy-ears thank you for let me borrow your stuff! 💙💙❤❤

[frodo-with-glasses]

More Reading Thoughts: The Grey Havens

Oh wow, another chapter review, haven’t seen one of those in ten thousand years

I’m not ready I’m not ready I’m not ready aaaaahhh

this has been such an incredible year and a half; i don’t want this book to end

but the sooner i finish, the sooner i can start over again!! so let’s go

Fatty Bolger!! 😭 We missed you, friend!

Man how am I gonna draw him skinny and still recognizable?? Guess I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it

LOBELIA!

Man I remember being so annoyed that she received a welcome like this when I was a kid, but now that I’m older, the display of mercy is overwhelmingly touching

She’s leaning on Frodo’s arm!! FRODO’S! He brought her out himself! And they all cheer for her courage and tenacity!

AND SHE LEFT HER MONEY FOR CHARITY

Y’know what? You’re all right after all, Lobelia. You’re all right.

I love the implication that hobbits will not accept a mayor who is not RotundTM 🤣

Ahhhhh okay so THAT’S where I got my childhood definition of “horny”

I’m sure in this case it means “like horn (the material), hard and rough”, which is an excellent descriptor, and it’s a shame I will never be able to use it in my own writing

THEY FOUND THE HIDDEN FOOD AND HAD IT FOR YULE! HECK YES!

Aww, I love you, Gaffer

“It was a purely Bywater joke to refer to it as Sharkey’s End” PFFFFFFT 🤣🤣

The four hobbits being known as the Travellers is so sweet

Frodo: “Ah yes, your box of dirt, the box of dirt from Galadriel, the box of dirt given specifically to you by Galadriel, Galadriel’s dirt”

I love that Frodo knows every single grain of this stuff is magical

I love even more that Sam is antsy and can hardly keep himself from running around and checking if the dirt is doing anything LOL

MALLORN TREE IN THE PARTY FIELD

I’M GONNA FRICKIN’ CRYYYYY

Year 1420 haha blaze it

“All the children born or begotten in that year, and there were many…” Tolkien knows how baby booms work

“And no one was ill, and everyone was pleased, except those who had to mow the grass” BAHAHAHA 🤣

Ohhhhh oh Frodo, oh bby

Sam was away 😭 And Farmer Cotton was the one who found Frodo in his bed in pain 😭😭 o w

Okay but Frodo just automatically assuming like “of COURSE we’re gonna be roomies” is just *chef’s kiss*

IMAGINE. FRODO WAS PERFECTLY PREPARED TO LIVE WITH JUST SAM WITH HIM IN BAG END. JUST THE TWO OF THEM. IMAGINE

I love these boys so heckin’ much

Frodo: So we’re roomies, yeah? Sam: Er, I…well I’d love to, but…but Rosie. Frodo: MORE ROOMIES 8-D

Tolkien: “And they loved Frodo dearly, and no one in the Shire was better cared for” Me: Thanks, Tolkien 🥹😭💚

Merry and Pippin walking around like the local legends they are

Sam doesn’t even know how well respected he is in the Shire 🥺

Noooo Weathertop

ELANOOOOOOR

“Taking after Rose more than me, luckily” And this solidifies my headcanon that Rosie is drop-dead gorgeous

Frodo hiding his illness from Sam hurts, man. You can feel him trying to stay cheerful. Ow, ow, ow.

“‘You can’t go far or for a long time now, of course,’ he said a little wistfully.” I AM GOING TO EAT THE CARPET

ALL HE WANTS IS TO BE WITH HIS SAM

BUT HE WANTS SAM TO BE HAPPY AND ENJOY HIS FAMILY EVEN MORE

HE LOVES SAM ENOUGH TO LET HIM GO

I’M GONNA BREAK SOMETHING

“The Downfall of: The Lord of the Rings” Rollllll credits! *ding*

Oh. Ohhhh. The Elvish song meeting Frodo and Sam as they sit on their ponies in the forest in late evening. I’m gonna cry.

Bilbo: Well, I’m older than the Old Took now! Bucket list completed. Time to go!

“But I thought you were going to enjoy the Shire, too, for years and years, after all you have done.” Same, Sam…same. 😭😭 (that’s what the Magnolia AU is for)

How. How does Frodo predict the names of Sam’s kids. “And perhaps more I cannot see”—how can he see in the first place?? How does he know? He’s getting Elvish, Frodo is. Very, very elvish.

Just. Frodo’s whole speech. I don’t have anything to say, I’m just soaking it in, and I feel so joyful and so sad all at once. It’s so tender and intimate and yet so distant. Tolkien, you’re so cruel, I love you.

AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH

I JUST TURNED THE PAGE

AND THE RIGHT SIDE PAGE IS HALF-BLANK

I’M NOT READY I’M NOT READY I’M NOT READY

Okay okay be calm, it’s okay, just keep going

MERRY AND PIPPINNNNNNN

THEY CAMEEEEEE

And they’re ending the story the same way they joined it because Frodo is trying to leave and they said “NOT WITHOUT US” I’M GONNA GNAW HOLES IN THE COUCH AND BAWL LIKE A BABY

KISSES!! FOR EVERYONE!!!

WHITE SHORES AND A FAR GREEN COUNTRY UNDER A SWIFT SUNRISE

S H U T U P DON’T TOUCH ME

The three of them riding back home in silence but taking comfort in each other

I joke about these things making me cry but I actually, literally, have mist in my eyes right now holy cow

It’s so melancholy and comforting and it hurts and yet it makes you feel so happy and whole

The story is coming to an end, and there’s so much you want to say, but you can’t find words for any of it, and yet the silence says everything and more

(And Merry and Pippin don’t start singing until they take their leave of Sam, almost as if they were being considerate of his feelings first, but as they go and you hear their voices in the distance you get the sense that everything is going to be okay)

“Well, I’m back.”

…

The end.

.

[woahwierdly]

I’ve feeling about making a fanfiction about a woman getting thrown into the hobbit trying to find her husband but also since it’s been so long maybe finding a new love? Let me know what you think!

I don’t own the hobbit this is merely fanfiction!

Thorin x OC

Emily fell into this world and her husband from her world fell in with her from what she thought, but she hasn’t been able to find him. See Emily had just married her best friend Mark but as they hiking up a mountain for a date they both fell into a cavern and it was lights out. When Emily awoke she was alone in a green field with small homes around her. The sun was high and it was the most beautiful place she’d even seen. Emily was wearing dark black jeans with combat boots, a burgundy hoodie, a thin rain jacket and a baseball cap. She had her old phone but that only lasted a day with her battery dying and she had her wallet with some photos of her family. She wondered for a bit before she found a green door. When she knocked on the door a little man name Bilbo Baggins opened the door. To say she was shocked was an understatement. She quickly realized she was in one of her favorite books. And as much fan-fiction as she read she thought she was going to save the line of Durin but…. Bilbo had just turned 57…. Meaning she had three years before the quest even started! Plus the fact she wanted to try to find Mark so she wouldn’t do it alone! But she had no means of travel, money or anything when she landed in the Shire besides the clothes on her back.

Her and Bilbo quickly made friends and he offered a room in BagEnd so she could get a footing. Within those three years she was gifted quite a nice bow set from Bilbo from Bree because she said she was an expert hunter which she was! Back in her world she often went hunting with her father or husband! She helped provide meat and get rid of a pack of wolves from BagEnd! Emily was quite helpful within the Hobbiton community. And it helped her make money for traveling or clothes. She first got five pairs of blue, a couple white cotton shirts, new boots, a traveling pack, arrows, a cloak with a hood made rain resistant. Now even though Emily and Bilbo were friends she kept her secret, never telling him her knowledge of what has yet to come, she wanted to meet with Gandalf and find her husband to return home…. If her husband is even in Middle Earth. She always wondered if Mark was here, alive or thought about her…. But she didn’t know.

All she knew was today was the day. It was Bilbos 60th birthday! Meaning Gandalf should be by today to inquisit some ideas to Bilbo.

She chuckled to herself not believing she been able to witness this world for three years, it went by so fast and now it’s almost time. Her arms ached with the want of going home and her head felt light. She was ready. As she was gathering rabbits for a stew Bilbo wanted she thought maybe I should have gotten more…for the company but she decided against it. This has to happened naturally well until Gandalf tells her to do soemthing.

It was afternoon by the time Emily left to go hunting and now it was dark, she should be able to see the mark and hopefully hear everyone’s voices or make it just after Balin.

She made her way through the quiet Hobbit town looking around she felt sad, she made a small but comfort life here. Made friends and helped more than she could have imagined. To be getting ready to leave left a small hole in her heart. Putting up her gloved finger to her eye Emily wiped off a small tear that threatened to fall. Chuckling to herself she couldn’t believe how attached she got. As she got closer to BagEnd she could hear Bilbo berating the pack of dwarves for pillaging the pantry.

Breathing in a deep of air, Emily had her hand on the door handle ready to start, and go back to her home. The door opened and the soft glow of lanterns lit the room and onto her face.

This is it. The adventure. The hope. Emily was ready. She would not fail saving the love of Durin, finding her husband and going home.

well??? Leave a review please! More chapter to come! I want it to be a slow burn? Hmmm have decided!::)

[green-fifteen]

Day 3: bandits, revenge, and mulberry jam

Prompt: Entertain Fandom: The Hobbit Pairing: Bilbo Baggins/Thorin Oakenshield Word count: 3,979 Summary: On the long road to Erebor, Bilbo and Thorin must keep their nephew entertained. (Reshirement AU) read on AO3 instead

for @fluffyfebruary

"Did I ever tell you my favorite story about your uncle?" Bilbo asked mildly as they bumped along the road to Erebor. They were on the open road again, finally clear of the murk and damp of Thranduil's woods. They weren't far from the mountain, now--they could turn their faces to see it whenever they wished--but the trip through the wood had not been kind to young Frodo, and it had lasted too long.

As if by some awful magic, Thorin grew ill just after they reached the Eastern boundary of the forest. No sooner had they stepped upon the Old Forest Road than he'd begun to sway on his feet as he walked and his slumber had been more and more difficult to chase from him in the mornings. Unlike the last time Bilbo was taken to the mountain, this time they traveled by cart--it was an easy matter to leave him on it to recover and let the ponies bear him hence. Still, this delayed their party by a number of days, for there was room enough atop the cart for Thorin to lie out, his head cushioned upon a sack of flour, only if Bilbo and Frodo walked along beside the wheels. At this slower pace, the three of them spent longer in the darkness than Bilbo would have preferred.

And now it was clear that Frodo had not been unaffected by their time in the Mirkwood. Even as Thorin recovered his health, sitting up and taking tea and cram at mealtimes, the little hobbit yet looked as pale and drawn as ever. Bilbo thought he might be coming out of his funk, but it was not happening very quickly. He had noticed the boy looking around himself with his usual awe the day before, as they cleared the cover of trees and darkness and saw the pink light of a sunrise before them. It had been beautiful, after so long in the woods--Bilbo was not ashamed to be brought to tears. His husband had handed him a handkerchief. Frodo also smiled just that morning, when Thorin nearly toppled from his seat in the cart after the ponies led them over a low boulder. He'd made such an outraged expression that the Bagginses in front of him could not be blamed for laughing.

Excepting these brief moments, Frodo had traveled the road from the Mirkwood to Dale in silent contemplation, something his guardians were unaccustomed to. Their charge was still young and viewed each new day with curious eyes. Meaning, they routinely answered excited questions about all manner of things, which numbered so greatly once they'd left the Shire that Bilbo and Thorin had begun a habit of turn-taking, signalling with a glance when one or the other of them should like to give up the responsibility. They'd been exchanging looks of a different sort since the forest, heavy with worry and care for their young nephew. It was Bilbo who broke the silence first, determined to lift Frodo at least a moment from his far-away mood.

"It's a good one, I promise," he continued. Thorin raised an eyebrow at him, but Bilbo did not mind him, his eyes fixed on the smaller hobbit.

"It was quite the adventure-- bandits, revenge, mulberry jam. And your own dear mother was there." Frodo tilted his head to the side. Choosing to take this as encouragement, Bilbo went on.

"It was before you were born, mind. Before the lass had even thought of marrying, I'd wager. Yes, this was a fair few years ago, when your uncle had first come to me, complaining about his sad old hill."

"The Lonely Mountain," Thorin grumbled. Frodo's mouth twitched up as it always did when they had this argument. It was an old one.

"Well, what's the difference? Lonely or sad, hill or mountain?" Bilbo affected a pompous academic air. "I think you'll find that a mountain is nothing more than a very large hill. Hobbits know about hills, you are aware."

Thorin leaned in. "And dwarves know their mountains, Master Hobbit."

The old hobbit tutted and wagged a finger. "Be that as it may, Master Oakenshield, there is a tale to be told. I'll not let you distract young Frodo."

At this, he leveled the young hobbit with a serious look. "However much I wish to tell this story, I must warn you: your uncle may come off a fool in the recounting. Do you still wish to hear it, knowing it may forever change your view of the dwarf who raised you?"

Frodo seemed to perk, humor finding him at last after days of malaise. Thorin huffed a laugh which he disguised with an annoyed look. The boy's response was all too predictable. "Well, I wouldn't want to embarrass him. But I respect your wish to tell me, and can have no objections." He was fighting a smile, matching his hobbit uncle's expression feature to feature.

"At least allow me the dignity to interject here and there, Bilbo. Your love of drama can at times surpass your regard for the truth, especially when you are telling this story," Thorin insisted. Bilbo nodded graciously, and then began.

"After the business with the dragon, your uncle wanted to return to the Shire and live with me. He had to stay in his kingdom for a while yet, as he was the king. But you know this already. What is really interesting is what happened the first time he came back to the Shire after he'd been settled with me for some time.

He was visiting friends and family in Erebor and he'd been gone nearly a year. I missed him terribly. Counting the days, nearly ready to hop onto a pony and fetch him back. This was Halimath, so I was growing worried that I would not see him again until the spring. The chill of those solitary mornings, looking out to my frosted tomato plants, was colder even than the bite of the icy wind."

"I was gone all of summer and into mid-autumn. I was home before the plows had even left the fields." Thorin's voice was dry as he interrupted.

"Yes, well, the sentiment remains. I was desperate to have you home again. Nothing was the same now that I'd known what it was to have you with me. The food I cooked never tasted as rich, the sun never came out as far. I think that was the grayest summer we've yet seen in Hobbiton."

"You never remember to open the curtains."

"Do you know what your dear uncle was doing, while I pined away to nothing for the want of him? In those last few days as I cried myself to sleep alone in our bed?"

Frodo's eyes were wide by now, taken in by his uncles lovelorn expression. "What was he doing?"

"He was losing a fight to Esmeralda Took in Buckland, that's what." Despite his tone, Bilbo was unable to resist smiling at his husband.

"Merry's mum?!" Frodo cried, nearly unseating himself as he fell backward. "Why were you fighting with Merry's mum?" He was looking at Thorin too now, mouth wide and eyes bright.

The dwarf shook his head. "She was nobody's mum, then, pebble. She was younger than you are now and likely to bite somebody's ear off if she wasn't minded close enough. A wild thing."

"Yes and, as it happens, Primula Brandybuck was charged with the minding."

"My mum!"

"Yes, the very same. But, you see, she had the misfortune of minding the entire lot of visiting Took children. Can you imagine it? The yelling and hair-tugging that went on? How was she supposed to keep track of each child that day? There were at least forty of them!"

Frodo made a face. "Uncle Bilbo, that can't be right. I don't even have forty cousins."

"I'm sure you do, don't forget you are a Took, a Baggins, and a Brandybuck. Anyway, it's about the sentiment, my dear boy. Do not let the facts distract you." Thorin looked at him askance.

"As one might predict, Esmeralda and a band of her roughest cousins slipped free of their handler. They roved north along the road to look for mischief and spied a traveler not very far from Brandybuck Hall. He was riding a pony and wore shoes on his feet, like a man. Something about this man told the children they had met their mischief at last. Everyone save Esmeralda hid in the Hedge, while she stopped him to tell him her sad story. What was it again, dear?"

"I'm dreadfully lost, won't you please help me get home?" Frodo smiled to hear him recite her words in his gruff and unimpressed manner.

"But, Uncle Thorin," he said after a moment. "What were you doing on the road to Buckland? You should have been on the main road toward Hobbiton."

"Oh, remarkably well timed, my boy. Go ahead and ask him what he replied."

"What did you say?"

Thorin gave his husband a withering glance. "I said, 'What a pair we make. I too am lost along this path.' I was trying to calm the poor girl. You did not hear the way she was wailing."

"Telling her you do not know the way may not have been the most reassuring course of action, had she really been so upset" Bilbo countered with a laugh.

"But what happened next, Uncle?" Frodo urged.

"Yes. Well, the young hobbit girl used her pathetic story to compel him out of the saddle, which allowed the other children their opportunity to strike."

"They struck him?"

"No, no. They robbed him! Untied his saddlebag like they'd done it a hundred times and went running on down the path toward Brandy Hall. Esmeralda showed him her tongue, and then flew away, too."

"Robbed him?! The bandits!" Frodo fell forward laughing. "Uncle Bilbo, I did not think you meant hobbit children! Did you retrieve your bag, Uncle Thorin? Bilbo mentioned revenge, too."

Thorin's face was soft and fond. "I gave chase to the beasts until I realized at last there was no hope. Although they were small, their legs moved faster than I could believe. Worse, they threw the bag to and fro among themselves, that I never knew which child possessed it."

"A classic game of keep-away," Bilbo agreed. "It was a hilarious success for the Took children in Buckland that day, who returned to Brandy Hall to stash their treasure. Thorin arrived not long after they'd disappeared back into the hall."

"Like rabbits in a warren," his husband grumbled.

"Yes, dear. They had utterly vanished by the time he came upon the hill. Your uncle had no choice but to knock on the front door, dripping in sweat, wearing his dirty traveling clothes and a great big scary sword. You can imagine how much he frightened them, but the Brandybucks were never the type to be terrified, especially in their own home. After they invited him inside, my cousin Gorbadoc eventually recognized him as my husband and took him by the arm to the dining room. To make him feel welcome (and Brandybucks are very much a welcoming group!) he sent in Primula with one of the children."

"Not Esmeralda!"

"Yes, your cousin Esmeralda came through the door and when she saw your uncle, her eyes went round."

"As the saucers on the table." Thorin chuckled.

"What did you do?" Frodo asked.

Bilbo answered. "He did nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing as course and affronting as accusing a Took girl of tomfoolery." The hobbits shared a moment of humor. "No, instead he allowed Esmeralda and Primula to bring him courses of fine food. They brought him sweet cakes and rich loaves of buttered bread. He ate fish and game and piles of seasoned potatoes. At the end, when they asked if he'd like a dessert, he looked at Esmeralda Took, who was almost certainly trying very hard to avoid drawing notice from the dwarf, and told her he'd like something special--the best thing they had in the house. Primula at once urged the girl to the pantry.

She returned with the finest Buckland jam you've ever eaten. Sweet and dark and without a single seed. It tastes like climbing a mulberry tree in Wedmath. Served warm on a crumpet with butter, it is more than a taste--it is a sensation."

Thorin sniffed. "I liked it fine."

"And although he liked it, your uncle ate only one bite of his crumpet, before setting it down again. 'This isn't what I'm looking for,' he told the girl. She and Primula hurried back to the pantry to find something else. They came back to the dining room with a nut pie."

Frodo groaned. "Oh, Uncle. I'm too hungry for talk of the food in Buckland." And Bilbo could see that he meant it. An uncomfortable-looking line was forming between his eyebrows.

"Never mind the pie. Never mind the next three dishes they brought out to please him. Know only that they tried five times to find what the dwarf was craving and five times he was not satisfied. When he refused the fifth plate, Primula finally spoke her mind. You can imagine how she esteemed your uncle by then."

"What names did she call you, Uncle Thorin?" Frodo asked between happy giggles.

"The kind that are best not repeated," he replied gravely.

"When he responded, he looked not at Primula, but at her young charge. He said, 'You know well that what I am looking for cannot be found in the larder or the pantry, although I am sure they are very well stocked with the finest ingredients. (By this time, he was aware enough of hobbit customs to know what an insult he gave and he did very well to try and soften it.) He pressed on.

'I believe you know what I'd like to find, little hobbit. Do you disagree?' he said to her. Now the searching eye of Primula Brandybuck was on Esmeralda Took, which is a frightful feeling for a person of any age or race." Frodo nodded in agreement. He could remember well enough. "It is no wonder the bandit Esmeralda gave up the act, then and there. She did try to run, but your mother had captured her arm before she even took a step. After some questioning-"

"And yet more of her false tears," Thorin added.

"-Esmeralda led Primula to the treasure. Your uncle did not follow. Why did you stay in the dining room, my love?"

"So that she might walk there and back to me. I will not waste energy in rushing to reclaim that which has been stolen, if I may instead let the thief bear its weight back to me." Frodo looked appropriately awed by this pronouncement, but Bilbo only cleared his throat.

"And the real reason, dear?"

After a moment, Thorin admitted, "There may have been a.. strategic aspect to my reasoning. For Brandy Hall is very large and I knew already that Esmeralda Took could run much faster than I. If she had outmaneuvered me again, in that tangled den of tunnels--"

"You did not want to get lost," Bilbo said, in summary. His nephew was grinning with delight, as he always was when they teased his dwarven uncle in this fashion.

"It is a fair concern," he insisted. "After all, Uncle Thorin can get lost on a straight road like the one from Bree to Hobbiton. What should happen to him in a place like Brandy Hall?"

"Precisely!" Thorin said, and then narrowed his eyes at Frodo. "That is to say--I should be at a disadvantage, in one of your great hobbit halls. Your people seem to have an affinity for dirt and digging holes, like moles. Or badgers."

Bilbo sniffed and turned his body away from Thorin. "Because Esmeralda Took had been to Brandy Hall many times since she was born, and not at all because she had the characteristics of any rodent, as some might claim, she was back again in very little time, your uncle's saddlebag in her hands.

Primula of course had shaken the entire story from her on the way and her shouting had even compelled a few of her relatives to tag along behind them. So it was that Thorin had his revenge on young Esmeralda--forced to trudge through the corridors, the criminal bearing evidence of her crime before her cousins, brought to trial in the only way a child can be."

He turned back to his husband and gazed at him admiringly. "He did not know it, of course, but it was just the kind of scheme that any Took or Brandybuck worth the name might enjoy. So after they fed him spirits and kept him laughing long into the night, they convinced him to stay another day. They had not heard enough about the brigands he'd faced on the road, they claimed. He must stay at least until lunchtime. What was the hurry? Indeed, he had nowhere urgent to be. His husband could wait another day. He had waited so long already and he did not have to know about the delay."

Thorin broke in. "They convinced me of nothing. Your strong hobbit ale convinced me to stay when I woke in my own grave the next morning."

"Your weakness in this regard is a fault I am still working to accept," Bilbo said, sighing. To this, his husband wrapped an arm around his waist and drew him in to whisper something in his pointed ear. Frodo could not hear what was said, so he did not know why his uncle blushed so deeply.* After coughing once or twice to clear his throat, the hobbit simply straightened and continued his story.

"And so your uncle dithered there in Buckland, while I thought of nothing else but seeing him come down the lane to Bag End. When he eventually showed his face, of course I asked him about the delay, for in his last letter to me, he said he would arrive before Trewsday and that day was Mersday.

'There was no delay,' he told me. 'I must have been mistaken when I counted the days before.' And then something about how the hobbit way of keeping the days is too confusing, I'm sure. In any case, I believed him. I had my suspicions, of course, but they weren't important. My husband had returned to me. The sun was shining on the hills. The fish I stewed that evening was the best I had ever eaten."

"So how did you find out about Emseralda?" Frodo asked.

"It came in a letter, from reliable old Gorbadoc. See, while your uncle was out of the smial a few days later, the post came for him--a message from Buckland. I was curious. And, you know, I'm a Took too, on my mother's side. It is in my nature to open intriguing envelopes, and who can fight their very nature? That evening, Thorin arrived at Bag End to find me reading over the letter for what may have been the hundredth time."

"I was only gone an hour."

"It was a short note. It was a simple benediction from my cousin and a brief line from the bandit herself. Do you remember the wording?" Bilbo asked the dwarf.

"Not as well as you do, I'm sure,"

"Yes, I did read it rather a lot. I still keep it in the study. I can show it to you sometime when we're home again. Just remember to ask, because it is totally out of sight--hidden from your uncle just the way Esmeralda hid his saddle bag! I often forget it's there."

"But what did the letter say, Uncle Bilbo?"

"Oh yes. It said, 'Dearest Cousin Thorin, After the to-do here at Brandy Hall yesterday, I am writing to inquire after your health and safety. I will admit to some concern, now that you have left us, that you may not find the way to Bag End on your own. When you fell from your horse today, I was truly worried I may need to call upon my cousin to fetch you himself. Simply remember this and you shall be home by tomorrow evening and, what's more, with all of your belongings!: Stay your pony upon the wide road to Hobbiton. Follow signs to Hobbiton. Do not stymie your own progress along any more side roads. Be assured--you shall be safe from little bandits if you do. Your friend and cousin, Gorbadoc Brandybuck'"

"And what did Esmeralda write?"

"She wrote, in the clumsy hand of a child: 'Please forgive me, Master Dwarf. If I didn't do it you would still be lost in Buckland. --Esmeralda Took. p.s. Please don't tell Master Bilbo about it, he is my favorite cousin.'"

The hobbit grinned as he finished his tale, looking from his husband to his nephew. "And then the truth was out, Frodo. He told me the story as you've heard it today."

"Not exactly as you heard it today."

"Close enough, I'd say. And all that really matters is that our dear nephew found it inspiring."

"Oh? Is Frodo inspired by tales of my misfortune?" he asked drily.

"When they're funny," Frodo said, covering his mouth with his hand. "You have to admit, Uncle Thorin--it is fun to imagine you chasing after little hobbits. And my mum!" He giggled anew. "She must have been so cross with you!"

Thorin smiled and reached to pull the young hobbit into his side. "She was, pebble. Your ears would have bled."

"I think I would have liked to see it," he said. "Imagine if my mother were here. She could tell us what they thought in Buckland after you left, and everything that happened with the rowdy Took cousins." After saying this, the boy went quiet for a long time, his smile dimming to a thoughtful twist.

"I am sorry I've been… distracted since the Mirkwood," he said at last, his voice low. Thorin squeezed his nephew tight against him. "I was only thinking… I have lost my parents once already."

"Oh," said Bilbo, scooting around to sit on Frodo's other side. "Did it scare you, when Thorin fell ill? It was scary for me too."

He nodded and cast his eyes to the straw at the bottom of the cart. "I could not help but think of the worst while we traveled in the dark. It got better when we left the woods, but I can still feel the weight of those thoughts even now."

"It is always that way, when one enters the Mirkwood," Thorin assured him. "It steals all the light from your mind, leaving your thoughts in darkness. I do not wonder that you feel ill at ease." Bilbo hummed in agreement.

"And if it will help you dispel the gloom--you must know that our dangerous days are over, nephew. Your uncle and I have faced a dragon once already, we are due our share of peace and safety."

"What about bandits?" Frodo said, his lips drawn up to one side.

"Oh, don't waste your time worrying about bandits. Haven't I told you how your uncle deals with that kind? We are perfectly safe there." He smiled back at him. "No, my boy, I think that he and I will be with you for a long time. You shall see."

Frodo still looked far too contemplative when he answered, but his smile was genuine. "I think so too, Uncle Bilbo."

*[Thorin whispered to Bilbo: "Strange. You seemed to accept this fault of mine with pleasure on the evening of my name-day." Basically: "Is that so? It seemed like you accepted it when you got me drunk on my birthday and couldn't keep your hands to yourself." ]

[batmanqa12]

The King of Flowers

"What is it?" asks Thorin one day, when he notices Bilbo standing above him whith outstretched hands and something looking like a circle made of flowers.

"Ermmm... It's a crown. For you." answers the hobbit nervously. He is afraid of the king's reaction. What if he won't like it? Oh, how stupid of him to even try giving him the flower crown. What can he think of Bilbo?

"And where is gold and rubies?" dwarf asks again, even more confused. He has never seen in his long, long life a crown made of flowers.

Bilbo starts shiftint his weight from foot to foot.

"This is a different kind of a crown. Would you like to try it on?"

The dwarf nods and kneels on one knee. Bilbo carefully puts a flower crown on his head and makes a step back to admire his work. Indeed, the flowers he had chosen were perfectly made in aspect of colors and pattern. It was worth it to stand up earlier that morning and go to the nearest meadow near a rivulet. Dozen of ceratostigma willmottianum, a bunch of striped squills, two cornflowers and a nigella damascena in the middle surrounded by amaryllis and daisies.

"Why did you give this to me?" another question comes out of still surprised dwarf.

"You will be a King, and every king deserves a crown. You especially, my lord."

Thorin laughs softly.

"Thank you for such a noble gesture, I will keep this in my heart." he takes off the flower crown and puts it into his pocket. "I don't want to damage it." he explains to the questioning look Bilbo gave him. Both of them look at each other with hints of sparkles behind their eyes.

°°°

"TAKE THIS HOBBIT AWAY! I will never again befriend a wizard or a traitor." while saying that, he pushes halfling away.

Bilbo with his eyes full of tears, climbs down the rope. He notices that Thorin is taking something out of his pocket and throws it onto a ground, into a puddle.

The flower crown.

Bilbo runs quickly, takes damaged wad of flowers and squeezes it hard, keeping it close to his heart. His back is hurt after hitting a hard rock but it is nothing compared to the pain of his soul. Ruined hobbit rushes to Gandalf.

Thorin is watching a whole scene feeling baffled.

°°•

He wants to grab for flowery crown just as always when he needs to make a decision. In his pocket there is nothing but a golden coins. He is walking on a gold floor, sees golden ornaments, watches golden sapphires.

Gold is crushing him. It becomes cold, this kind of yellowness unbearable.

In the blink of an eye, he starts to drown in the floor, collapsing into it, getting covered by gold from everywhere. He wants to get away, he doesn't need gold anymore. I don't want this chains, take them off me!

He would give anything for the blues and whites of flowers!

He drowned.

°••

"Forgive me, my dear Master Burglar."

Thorin smiles despite the pain and blood in his mouth. Bilbo is holding his friend's hand, full of sadness. He pulls out an old flower crown and tangle it between their wrapped hands.

"You don't have to apologize for anything! It was the greatest honor any Baggins couldn't have ever dreamed of!"

Thorin knowing he doesn't have a lot of time, looks at their locked hands.

"If everyone cherished music, food and happiness above gold and power, the world would be a merrier place."

He once again squeezes Bilbo's palm harder.

"Farewell, Friend!"

"Nnno, Thorin, no!" Bilbo starts nodging the dwarf in vain. He can't do anything.

Thorin... is gone.

•••

Bilbo stands next to Thorin.

His tears stream down his face.

He takes out a crown and places it on dead dwarf's head.

Crowned in flowers, a sword and an arcenstone, ready to rest. Beautiful like a King of Flowers, deadly as a dragon. Dead as a Death itself.

Oh why does it have to hurt so much?

[lucigoo]

Weekly Roundup: 4th Feb - 11th Feb 24

I thought it was Saturday. It snot and ive lost a day soomewhere..... Never mind i guess. So ive written 23,644 words this week, with 6 fics posted this week too. But first, rec's as always. We have:

“I’zigh ‘Akshith” (War Surprise) - Ticklesivory @tickles-ivory (Bilbo/Thorin, the slow burn is beautiful and the idea is so clever and unique imo)

327 Blossom Street - Ticklesivory (Bilbo/Thorin, Tickles does modern Bagginshield so well)

Slow Dance: A Bagginshield SMAU - Ticklesivory (Bilb/Thorin, Modern dau social media fic, its awesome)

The Bunny Saga - alkjira - The Hobbit (Bilbo/Thorin, its so cute and clever) sway through the crowd (to our empty space) - littleoldrachel @littleoldrachel(Sirius/Remus, Autistic, trans Remus and dancer on Stirctly Sirius, watch the tags but its amazing!)

Of Bookshelves and Baby Carriers - poppunkpadfoot (StormVandal) - (Sirius/Remus, Wolfstar raising Harry is one of my fav tropes. muggle Au) Hope you like one of the 6 <3

Now for my fics, 1) “How rare and beautiful it truly is that you existed, and that you existed with me, for me - So, sad Bilbo, canon compliant and he is an old hobbit. I worte a peom for it .... 2) Dwarven Tickles make Hobbits Prickle (and cry) - Bilbo/Thorin woth little Frodo. Part of my Bagginshield-tober series from @smolestboop's prompts in October (im getting there lol) 3) Only me in the limelight - - gen fic, watch the tags. It was publihed before, but as part of the comfort zone fest it was revealed this week. 4) Hoot like a Barn Owl - Another part for my Bagignshield-tober series, this one is just pure fluff. 5) Are you a werewolf? - James/Regulus, this is E, and part of the @hpknotfest 6) Is part of the Tolkein Slashy Valentines Fest, so whilst I posted it, it wont be revealed until Valentines day. So, thats this weeks fic, enjoy and have a good one 🧡

[marietheran]

LotR reread - book 1, chapter 2 - The Shadow of the Past

This is where things start to get darker, and Tolkien was very vocal in reminding that it got written well before September 1939

"Merry and Pippin suspected [Frodo] visited Elves at times, as Bilbo had done"

"There were rumours of strange things happening in the world outside... Elves, who seldom walked in the shire could now be seen passing westward through the woods in the evening, passing and not returning; but they were leaving Middle-Earth and were no longer concerned with its troubles. There were, however, dwarves on the road in unusual numbers. The ancient East-West Road ran through the Shire to its end at the Grey Havens, and dwarves had always used it on their way to their mines intbhe Blue mountains... But now Frodo often net strange dwarves of far countries, seeking refuge in the West. They were troubled, and some spoke in whispers of the Enemy and of the land of Mordor... That name the hobbits only knew in legends of the dark past, like a shadow in the background of their memories; but it was ominous and disquieting." - Oh, this passage used to move me so, for some reason, though I'm afraid it's grown stale!

"But it was an old tradition that away over there stood the Gray Havens from which at times elven-ships set sail, never to return." :(

Though it is strange that it feels so so sad that the Elves are leaving... when for many it is a return home, and to kin they haven't seen for thousands of years, once dead and now living... but we see it from the perspective of Middle-earth.

"Lestways" is a neat word I should remember.

Tolkien's work with sound... the silence and Sam who can be heard working in the garden... is marvellous in this chapter.

Oh, and here comes the first allusion in the LotR tradition... "chance, but not chance", "meant to find the Ring and not by it's maker" indeed!

Tbh even the Silm which is usually more open about things, goes "a great Doom was upon him" or something whenever matters of Providence are discussed, so that's just a peculiarity of Tolkien's.

Not that every single time "fate" is discussed it means that, imo, but never mind.

"What a pity that Bilbo did not stab that vile creature, when he had a chance!" "Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy not to strike without need"... "He deserves death." "Deserves it! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement." - very student-of-Nienna-coded.