#retired to the shire

[heartsdefine]

@orcristwielder — frodo starter call / accepting!

        "What if the result of this war isn’t beyond the horror?" Frodo pulls his drink closer on the tabletop. "What if it is the horror itself?"

[roseandsalt]

rewatching lotr since i do nottt have the time to reread and almost couldn't get through the fellowship bc the beginning irritated me sm for basically no reason. but i have read and watched the film before except i was like 8 and remembered virtually nothing and was remembering as it happened

[jameshayesfp]

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[thspod]

Happy new year, here's a look at the games Al and Jonnie are most looking forward to this year.

[velvet4510]

Here’s the thing.

Many Bagginshield shippers, especially in fics, focus on how Bilbo never got over Thorin, to the point where some describe Bilbo’s entire life as sad and empty and unfulfilled because of that loss.

Don’t get me wrong: I do agree that he suffered terrible loss and undeserved torment by the Ring. And the fact that he never married probably did have some connection to the memory of Thorin.

But, y’all, don’t forget or ignore the fact that, in Tolkien’s text, Bilbo does move on from grief and live the rest of his life well.

He does not become bitter from his pain. He retains his kind heart.

He is generous with his wealth, helping in every way he can the very community that ostracizes him.

He sees in Frodo a kindred spirit and takes it upon himself to be the parental figure that Frodo so badly needs as an orphan.

He and Frodo develop an uncle-nephew (really more like father-son) relationship built on trust, keeping no secrets from each other, to the level where he tells Frodo the truth about his encounter with Gollum. (And probably the truth about his feelings for Thorin, too.)

He and Frodo have so much fun, going for walks every day, studying the Elvish languages, and throwing big birthday parties to show the community a good time. It’s plain to see that caring for Frodo filled that massive void inside Bilbo, finally giving him someone to love and devote himself to looking after, after his first chance at that (albeit the first being a different kind of love) was taken from him.

He does not see himself as superior to the lower class despite his riches, and always treats the Gamgees with the utmost respect.

He teaches Sam to read and write.

He tells his story to the younger hobbits, inspiring more of them to want to learn more about the outside world and not be so sheltered and ignorant…an effort which ultimately saves Middle-earth because the Travelers learn from him to be curious and interested in the lands outside the Shire, and he inspires them daily, as they constantly say to themselves “if Bilbo could go there and back again despite great danger, so can we.”

He even learns to love having a tarnished reputation, ultimately taking advantage of being “mad” to play a fun prank.

When he is no longer at rest in the Shire, he gifts Frodo all his property which will ensure Frodo is set for life, and through all his passive aggressive gifts to his relatives, he gives the Gaffer genuinely useful items that he knows will help him, including ointment for creaky joints.

He gets a peaceful retirement among his Elven friends, which he spends writing his memoir so that future generations will know all about his lost friends.

And ultimately, he embraces the special gift of an exception from the Valar and rare permission to set foot in the Blessed Realm for one last adventure, where he will continue to look after his beloved nephew.

And the fact is, he never would’ve gotten any of these things if he’d stayed in Erebor. He would never have developed that special bond with Frodo - he may never have even met him - and consequently, Frodo may never have met Sam.

Yes, a lot of his life was lonely and somber. But much more of it, even after experiencing such a tragedy, was full of love and joy and fun and excitement. He became an invaluable caretaker and mentor to the next generation of hobbits, got a taste of fatherhood, passed on his expertise and his story, and spent his last years surrounded by friends and family.

Bilbo Baggins may have lost the love of his life, but he did not give up on life itself, and he lived a full one. Don’t forget that.

[tickles-ivory]

I’ll take that hill right there, thankyouverymuch!

Photo by Tim Mossholder

[conundrumoftime]

One of the fun things about shipping Haladriel and about Galadriel's story in Rings of Power, for me, is that we know exactly where this is going to end up. And I wanted to babble for a bit about where that place is because I have seen so many people view it as "she is retired to some woods to be a passive wife-and-mother who can do magic but in a mystical New Age-y way", and: no! No.

So a quick overview of where she will end up by LOTR:

Very much not removed from the war against Sauron.

She is constantly mind-battling against Sauron: One of the lines that inspired McKay and Payne's whole show was her talking about this: "I say to you, Frodo, that even as I speak to you, I perceive the Dark Lord and know his mind, or all of his mind that concerns the Elves. And he gropes ever to see me and my thought." In one of the versions of the Annatar story in Unfinished Tales, Sauron immediately realises she will be his 'chief adversary', and has apparently not changed that assessment 3500 years later.

She co-ordinates joint efforts against Sauron: The White Council that Elrond talks about in LOTR, the combined force of Ring-bearers, wizards and elf-lords that first drives Sauron out of Dol Guldur - she's not just on that, she founded it.

She gets Gandalf back after Moria and the Balrog: Galadriel learns what's happened to Gandalf from the Fellowship when they arrive in Lothlórien. The the Fellowship are sad; the elves of Lothlórien mourn; Celeborn loses it a bit and says Gandalf 'fell into folly'; but Galadriel sends Gwaihir the eagle to get him, returns him to health, updates him on the situation with Boromir, gives him some messages to take to the others, and sends him back on his way.

She is possibly in Lothlórien because of its position of strategic importance: from Unfinished Tales here, she 'saw that Lórien would be a stronghold and point of power to prevent the Shadow from crossing the Anduin in the war that must inevitably come' and that's why she and Celeborn go there. (There are other versions as with almost everything else in Tolkien, but this is one of them.) She's not there to hide away from Events.

2. Calmer than in TROP, but not all-wise and all-sweet and still pretty scary.

She is still tempted by power and world domination: "I do not deny that my heart has greatly desired to ask what you offer [...] In place of the Dark Lord you will set up a Queen. And I shall not be dark, but beautiful and terrible as the morning and the night!"

And, she doesn't just turn down the One Ring because it's abstractly eeeevil. She turns it down because she knows what she, specifically, would do with it. Sam sees a vision of the Shire, and tells her "I wish you'd take his Ring. You'd put things to rights. You'd stop them digging up the Gaffer and turning him adrift. You'd make some folk pay for their dirty work," to which she says that yes, she would: "That is how it would begin. But it would not stop with that, alas! We will not speak more of it."

And saying she wants to rule the world here is not me joking about! This is Tolkien describing that moment in LOTR:

It was not until two long ages more had passed, when at last all that she had desired in her youth came to her hand, the Ring of Power and the dominion of Middle-earth of which she had dreamed, that her wisdom was full-grown and she rejected it

People are scared of her: The only scary moment we directly see is the Ring temptation, but she does other unsettling things. When she meets the Fellowship she tests them by reading their minds and offering something they really want to see if it would make them "turn aside from the road and leave the Quest and the war against Sauron to others." (She offers Sam a garden; the One Ring later on tempts him with the same thing.) Even the hobbits are a bit disturbed by this and Boromir, who's already said he doesn't want to go into Lothlórien because people who do that never leave again, absolutely does not trust her.

Éomer, a few chapters later:

'Then there is a Lady in the Golden Wood, as old tales tell!' he said. 'Few escape her nets, they say. These are strange days! But if you have her favour, then you are also net-weavers and sorcerers, maybe.'

She's scary! She's ancient and powerful and people are scared of her.

3. Married, but not in the character-limiting way the nerdbros want it to be and would have you believe it is.

I am not telling anyone they should ship Galadriel/Celeborn or even find it interesting just because I do, but, the angry nerdbros fancasting Celeborn as Henry Cavill and talking about how he'll come back to tame her and tidy her neatly out of the narrative are writing their own little AU headcanons because that is not what's in the text.

She's the more powerful one. Partly because she's one of the 'High Elves' - she's Noldor and has lived in Valinor seen the light of the Trees - which for various reasons about the way Tolkien's elves work just makes her more powerful, partly because she has a Ring of Power and Celeborn doesn't. It's her Mirror; she's the one reading people's minds; she's the one locked in endless mental battles with Sauron; she's the one the Rohirrim (whose lands border Lothlorien's) tell each other scary stories about. Celeborn at no point ever seems to have an issue with this, and calls her his 'treasure'.

They work together. Even in a big-action-sequences sense: after Sauron's defeat, Celeborn 'led the host of Lorien over Anduin in many boats' to Dol Guldur, where Galadriel 'threw down its walls and laid bare its pits'. But the rest of the time, too: she says of him that 'together through ages of the world we have fought the long defeat'.

You really get the sense that they have been married for a loooooong time. An actual sequence of events in LOTR, somewhat condensed:

The Fellowship reveal there's a Balrog in Moria;

Celeborn goes "!!!!", complains about dwarves waking it up and says he'd never have let Gimli into Lothlorien if he'd known that;

Galadriel smacks Celeborn down for being rude to their guest;

Celeborn apologises to Gimli;

Galadriel tells the Fellowship that Celeborn is accounted the wisest of elves;

Boromir says something about "old wives' tales";

Celeborn, whose wife is one of the oldest beings in Middle-earth, tells Boromir not to be so dismissive because "old wives keep in memory word of things that once were needful for the wise to know";

Galadriel hands Celeborn a drink.

Whatever is going on here is clearly something that works for them, is what I'm saying! And you don't have to find their marriage interesting just because I do, of course; but what it's not is some trad fantasy of domestic subservient-wife anything.

So where her TROP story ends up is ultimately with LOTR Galadriel: powerful, important, tempted to rule the world, a bit calmer than in TROP, a bit happier than in TROP, co-ordinating big strategic efforts in the war, married to someone who's got her back and adores her and they fall out a bit sometimes but generally work pretty well together, and still having Sauron constantly trying to get into her head. I am fine with this! I am more than fine with this.

[overthinkinglotr]

People always say “Thorin could never retire in the Shire because he has to be King” — and I think the funniest way to handle that plotline would be for Bilbo to convince Thorin to eliminate the monarchy.

Bilbo has lived all his life in the Shire, where they elect their main leaders in a democratic system. Thorin is the first king he ever meets. Bilbo would initially think monarchy was very storybook-like and fantastical, like the things he’s read about in tales from distant lands…..but he would quickly find the reality of monarchy underwhelming, baffling, and annoying. Thorin/ Thranduil/Bard would make Bilbo decide that all monarchies are terrible. Being a king makes you self-important, haughty, greedy, and warlike. Kings are too powerful and use that power to fight over utter nonsense. They’ve got no one to keep their stubbornness in check. He would come to decide that the Shire really did have it right by holding elections.

I’m imagining a scene where Thorin dramatically confesses “I suffer under the burden of my duties; heavy is the head that bears a crown” and Bilbo flatly responds “don’t be king, then. >:/Elect someone else. If your people don’t want you then they won’t choose you! Im very tired of this whole affair and I wish I were back in the Shire, where folk are more reasonable >:(“

Thorin is enchanted by the strange foreign Hobbit custom of “elected leaders.” He has never considered this as a possibility. Overwhelmed by the Hobbit’s wisdom after the Battle of the Five Armies, Thorin converts his kingdom into a democratic republic and retires from public life.

This causes a domino effect. Other kingdoms across Middle Earth are inspired by Erebor’s example, and band together to reject their monarchical systems. Revolutions ensue.

Thorin’s consort “Bilbo Baggins,” known only as “the dwarf-king’s advisor who first set off this wave of revolutions,” becomes one of the most controversial and reviled people in all of Middle Earth. Bilbo becomes a figure of mythic proportions, loved by the democratic republicans and despised by the royalists, each of which invents their own wild legends.

To the democratic republicans “The Great Baggins” is glorified as a great warrior sent from Valinor to restore the long-forgotten wisdom borne out of The West— he snaps his fingers and with a poof of smoke he washes away all the old corrupt systems of the world, just as the Valar washed away Numenor.

But to the royalists, “The Mad Baggins” is a scheming shadowy monster who crawled up from the deep places of the world to burn the very foundations of Middle Earth to the ground; he’s a monster more powerful and terrible than a dragon or a balrog, who threatened Thorin into submission and brought the world into chaos. he snaps his fingers and monarchies collapse in a puff of smoke.

Meanwhile elderly Bilbo grumpily putters around the Shire with Thorin, mostly oblivious to all of this.

[wrestlingwithlife]

Task Force 141 Boys with Cowboy (Head canons)

Decided I’d write some head cannons for Cowboy!Reader with our main boys either that haven’t written about yet or have but are so cute I wanted to reiterate <3

Task Force 141 x Cowboy!Reader

—————————————————————————————————————

Soap :

#1 hype man fr 🗣️🗣️

Absolutely obsessed 😍

Will literally find any excuse to get Y/n to talk just to hear his accent

After watching Ghost get man handled by him he actually begged Y/n to spar with him

Looks up southern stuff to say to Y/n

“Y/n, will you take me to a Honkytonk? 🥺”

He tries his best but at this point he’s just doing it to get a reaction

Stumbled across the song “F***** by a Country Boy” and thought all country music was like that

Couldn’t look Y/n in the eye with hearing it in his head for a solid week

Never sleeps better then when his head is in Y/n’s lap

Literally will sleep like a rock

Soap is usually the one who falls asleep on Y/n

He didn’t realize how cuddly Y/n actually was until after one fateful night

Soap had came to watch old murder files with the southern male one night

Y/n fell asleep on Soap’s shoulder, slumbering silently

When Soap went to lean forward to grab his water he was yanked back into Y/n

Y/n bear hugged him to his chest and refused to let him go

Soap cherished that moment for the rest of forever

Added ‘Save a horse ride a cowboy’ to his Instagram bio

Has def stolen Y/n hat and tried it on

Y/n didn’t have the heart to tell him about the hat rule

But he’ll handle it eventually~

Absolute thigh guy

Has been caught staring so many times

Does not care

Continues to stare 👀

Has asked Y/n to crush him between his thighs

Y/n thought he was joking

He was not

#relatable

Ghost :

Absolutely whipped

Won’t even deny it if someone calls him out

He’s all about that Honkytonk Badonkadonk🤠

When Y/n says a word or phrase he doesn’t understand he just nods along until the male walks away, in which he will whip out his phone and immediately search it up

When Y/n mentioned there were times he missed his horses he made it his personal mission to find horses for him to pet

Ended up finding a place nearby that did horse therapy

He and Y/n both went and they absolutely loved it

The horses absolutely adored Y/n and smothered him with love

The southern male was happy to reciprocate

Ghost took a picture of it and now it’s his Lock Screen

Ghost was nervous the horses weren’t going to like him

Most animals don’t like his mask

Was elated when he realized the horses didn’t care about it

They really started to love him when Y/n showed Ghost how to feed them

Ghost was in heaven

He grew particularly fond of an old shire mare

She was all white and covered in scars but she was so impossibly gentle for her massive size

The worker said they called her Big Mama and she’d was a retired logging horse that had been rescued from going to slaughter

She adored Ghost and followed him everywhere

The workers explained she had a knack for taking the more nervous horses and animals on the ranch under her wing and making them feel a safe

Ghost almost cried when he hugged her 🥺

Now where Soap liked to sleep on Y/n, Ghost prefers to have Y/n sleep on him

Was laying in bed with Y/n one night while scrolling through his phone

Y/n was already snoozing 😴

Ghost went to put his phone on the nightstand only to get yanked back

Bro was shocked

Y/n snatched him back, burrowing under his arm

Almost cried again 🥹

Price :

Absolutely adores Y/n southern culture

Has a little notebook where he keeps stuff he learned from Y/n written down 🖊️

Occasionally uses southern slang around Y/n but unlike Soap he’s completely serious

Except the word Ain’t

He refuses to say that

When he finds out Y/n feels homesick he does everything he can to help

Gets Y/n all his favorite things

Favorite candies, books, flowers, even got Y/n a cow stuffie when he talked about missing his animals

Y/n put it next to his horse stuffie he got him last week

Price is a good cook but he doesn’t usually have the urge to do it that often

But when Y/n talked about a dish from his home town he missed??

Price spent two day’s learning how to make it and getting the stuff

Whipped that shit up like freaking master chef

The cowboy was elated and gave Price the most bone crushing hug

Snuck a little cheek kiss in there too 💋

Price’s cheeks turned pink so fast

I’m just going to say it…

Has drunk made out with Y/n before 🤯

The two got absolutely turnt on whiskey and just went for it

They never spoke about it after that but when they get close they still think about it

Price misses how the American male tastes

Something definitely awoke in him the day that he watched Y/n ride that mechanical bull

In a game of ‘Fuck, Marry, Kill’ Y/n would Marry Price a hundred times over

I mean, me too 😍

Tried southern Cajun food that Y/n made once and his heart almost stopped

It tasted good and then all of a sudden everything was on fire

Did better at holding his spice then Soap tho so 10/10

Y/n’s go to after solo missions

Y/n will stumble into his office all tired and instead of pulling up a chair just plops on the floor and leans his head on Price’s leg

Price just plays with his hair while he finishes paper work

He’d be lying if he said his mind didn’t occasionally wander with how close Y/n was to his nether regions 😜

Gaz :

Trails Y/n like a puppy 🐶

I mean this boy hangs off his every word

If Y/n ever has to run an errand off the base you best believe Gaz will be going with him

Also looks up southern slang to understand Y/n better

Also listened to “F***** by a Country Boy” and couldn’t look Y/n in the eyes for a solid week

Always offers to help Y/n when he works out

Sometimes gets distracted when he’s spotting but no one can blame the poor boy

Acts of service is def his love language ❤️

Demands to know the names of every animal Y/n owns

Made a playlist of songs that Y/n mentioned he liked

Listens to it constantly

Likes to ‘help’ Y/n cook

Really just hands him stuff that Y/n asks for

Handles the spices the best out of any of them

When it’s just the two of them going out for whatever reason he’ll just grab onto Y/n somehow

Holding a hand, the hem of a jacket or shirt, or intertwining their arms

Y/n is happy to reciprocate

People will come up to Gaz while Y/n is distracted and compliment how cute of a couple they are

Just thanks them and doesn’t deny it ever

Sleeps in Y/n’s bed more then his own

Y/n will be working at his desk and Gaz will just wander in in and plop onto his bed to sleep

If Y/n takes to long Gaz will sigh loudly till he gets the hint

Always fights Soap for Y/n’s lap on movie nights

Besides Price he’s probably got the best sense of self control

He ain’t perfect though

Is Y/n isn’t watching him he is LOCKED ON

Always locked onto those cheeks 🥵

His mind does tend to wander

Y/n could ask Gaz to fake his death and run away with him and Gaz would do it in a heartbeat

[bitkahuna]

The hobbit sighed, somewhat defeated. He understood why Thorin was concerned. Bilbo likely wouldn’t see grey hairs until Thorin is mostly grey. But another part of him couldn’t possibly understand. Why would Thorin’s age be a bad thing? He’s made it clear he finds the age and the greys attractive. “One day, you will be old. I will be, too. But not in the same way. And I will spend my days tending and caring for you, and I will be just as happy as I am now.”

Thorin looked at him, expression softening slightly. It was a sweet thought. His golden years spent with an enamored young hobbit at his side, the both of them likely still working as advisors to one of Thorin’s nephews. Frodo and his family visiting as often as possible. Or, maybe, they’d retire to the Shire and he’d try his hand at hobbit life. “One day, I will not be able to run and fuck like I once could.”

“Thorin, what is this?” He asked plainly. “Are you trying to dissuade me? Do you think I don’t know what will happen? Because I do. I do, and it breaks my heart that your body and mind may give before you pass, but damn you, I will remain by your side should it happen because it’s what I choose.” He shook his head as if giving up. “Hobbits don’t live as long, anyway. There’s always the chance I die first. Leave you with a bunch of stinking dwarves.”

Despite the hobbit’s attempt at humor, the dwarf remained silent. Bilbo shifted as the air thickened. He looked down and saw the dwarf staring up at the sky, looking at nothing in particular.

“Does it bother you?” Bilbo countered. “You act as if I’m throwing my youth away.” He blinked, somewhat bewildered before remembering something he had said earlier. “Does it bother you that I’m closer to your nephews’ ages than yours?”

Thorin took a long moment to respond, his gaze locked onto the cloudless sky above. "No.” He said finally, his voice heavy and thoughtful. "It does not bother me that yer closer to my nephews. It does not bother me that yer young and vibrant and full of life. Rather, it fills me with joy to see such spirit. Reminds me of the vibrancy and vitality of Erebor in ‘er prime." He paused, pulling his gaze from the sky to meet Bilbo's worried eyes. “But it does trouble me that one day ye may be burdened with an old, feeble dwarf who cannot be the strong husband you deserve.”

Of all things, and much to his own embarrassment, Bilbo went dark red. Obviously, he didn’t enjoy Thorin’s discomfort. He didn’t enjoy the conversation. But something about the phrase, ‘strong husband’. He liked it. He liked the idea that Thorin wanted to be that for him. That, perhaps, somehow, Bilbo deserved it.

“Caring for you will be my joy. Not my burden.” He sighed. “Thorin, I am a hobbit, not a dwarf. I am no proud warrior or sportsman like your people. Before this adventure, I already lived the lifestyle of a sedentary old man. It’s how hobbits prefer! I only do all this running around because it is how your people are, and I have chosen you and your people. And one day, it will come as a great blessing and relief to me when you finally let me live as an old man once more, even though I will not be one.” Weakly, he tried to lighten the mood with a small smile. “You’re a king, anyway. And I, your Chamber Master who’s integrated a spy network of his kin into Erebor, and swindled you of your heart. Worry less for your age and worry more for the young rake who’s made himself indispensable to your kingdom.”

Thorin stared at Bilbo, a corner of his mouth twitching as he processed the hobbit's words. In the silence that followed, Bilbo fought down the urge to babble, to fill the space with words and sounds. To chase away the uncertainty. Finally, the dwarf huffed out a breath, shaking his head in both disbelief and amusement. "I have never met a more vexing creature in all my years.” He confessed with a soft chuckle. "You charge into my life, turn it on its head, and then have the audacity to charm me into loving you.”

"Me? Charging into your life? " Bilbo laughed. "I remember it quite differently with you and your lot barging in my door for an unannounced supper." When his smile reached his eyes, the dwarf couldn’t help but note the lack of crow's feet.

“Yer so young.”

Bilbo huffed at the dwarf’s mutter. He took a deep breath, steeling his pride as best as he could before he spoke once more. His face still bright red. “I like how old you are.”

“What?”

“I like that you’re older than me.”

“You … like it?”

———

Nah I’m proud as fuck of this

Link

[voidofcourse8]

Random idea #???

Thorin, Fili, and Kíli live. And instead of Bilbo staying at Erebor, Thorin retires to The Shire and lives with Bilbo. Hijinks ensue with Thorin living a peaceful life and helping raise Frodo and the dwarves come and visit as frequently as they can.

Thorin basically gets to be somewhere green and growing and peaceful until the LOTR where he moves with Bilbo to Imladris, turns out he and Elrond have more in common and become really good friends.

[morningnoodles]

Some years after the Battle of the Five Armies and rebuilding Erebor together, Thorin abdicated the throne, and along with Bilbo (who was Consort under the Mountain) lived happily ever after unto the end of their days. These are snippets of their lives in retirement.

bagginshieldtober day 31 - retire ♡ the final piece for this month!

firstly, big thanks to @smolestboop for creating this wonderful event. it's been so fun to see everyone's take on the prompts and joining in myself. ♡

secondly, i was very much inspired by three lovely creators and bagginshield fan works for these snippets. so from left to right, top to bottom:

their exchange is from this hilarious post by @ihobbit

i was thinking about a Very Specific Chapter from the lovely @conkers-theficwriter's bagginshieldtober fic "Stealing Moments, Moments Away" whilst drawing this particular snippet. iykyk haha please please please read it!!!

the line is from one of my favourite post-BotFA oneshot by @storiesforsomeone, "Forever is composed of nows", which also heavily inspired this imagery. i've always wanted to draw a specific scene from the fic and i'm happy i finally had a go at it. please please please read it!!!

and lastly, close ups (and more ramblings lmao) under the cut ☆

the people of Erebor don't really quite know how to take their former King and Consort walking around like a normal old bickering couple but they're happy for them. ♡

i've wanted to draw clingy Thorin for a while haha! he likes to wear Bilbo's quilted robe (particularly when Bilbo is away for Consort duties). even when it doesn't really fit him well. he wears it so often that Bilbo finally had a similar quilted robe made for him which is what he's wearing there. he still likes to hug Bilbo's own robe close especially when he's not around haha

they try and visit the Shire and Bag End often. at some point Bilbo grows a bit self-conscious of his grey hair and Thorin happily takes the role of a loving husband who reminds him he was, is and will always be ever wonderful. ♡

That's an oak tree over there.

[insipid-drivel]

What's the general range of endurance for a horse doing the job(s) it's good at? Like, how long can a racing breed sprint/gallop before you start risking injury? Can a Clydesdale pull a plow all day, or do you need to get as much done as you can in the morning? Etc.

It really depends on how intense the work is on the horse's body, as well as the size, age, and breed of the horse itself, and the rider's observations on when the horse is visibly showing signs of exhaustion. A lot of these calls are dependent upon the owner of the horse to make, because it is very possible to command a horse to work itself to death without even intending to. (I know, this isn't a very helpful answer, but it's very hard to answer questions like these with exact details since we're talking about animals and not machines)

Race horses are usually lightweight breeds like Thoroughbreds or Arabian Horses, and were never bred for doing Hard Farm Labor like pulling a plow or working like makeshift tractors on a farm, will often run until their hearts give out if their rider lets them or makes them, especially if the horse has been literally pent up with no opportunities to run around for themselves in a while, or is extremely stressed.

Race horses especially can get so enthusiastic about racing that they develop mental health issues if they don't get to run and gallop frequently. Healthy running horses, like messenger horses, could handle keeping an even pace on a well-maintained road for hundreds of miles, so long as the rider gave the horse opportunities to slow down, cool off, rehydrate (hydration is a big factor, because horses sweat the way people do, and can die of heatstroke or heat exhaustion like we can), and get at least a few hours of rest before continuing to travel. If the terrain is rougher than a well-maintained horse path, then a horse could struggle and tire much sooner, and may even need the rider to get off their backs and walk with them until they hit easier terrain to avoid injury/overtiring the animal.

A Clydesdale or Shire Horse, which are in the family known as Draft Horses, are better at very strength-demanding, slow work (think cardio vs. weight training in humans; professional weight lifters have very different physiques, skill sets, and exercise/diet needs compared to a competitive sprinter), like pulling a plow, and it was often left up to the handler of the horse to judge when their horses are starting to get too tired and need a break. Horses pant, sweat, and generally show a lot of the same symptoms humans do when they're overheated and risking heat exhaustion or stress-based exhaustion. Horses that are given more rest-times tend to stay working longer in their lives than horses that are consistently overworked; again, like professional athletes. Professional athletes retire very young because of the intensity of their athletic life aging their bodies prematurely and making them more vulnerable to injury. The same applies to horses.

For pasture that's already been tilled and cleared of obstacles like buried rocks in the past, a working horse could probably do most of the morning/afternoon pulling a plow through "easy" soil and terrain as long as it's not too hot out (heat is a major cause of stress-related death in work horses), receive break-times to drink water and cool down, regular hoof checks (a sharp object penetrating a horse's foot can very easily result in a horse's death, so a major part of horse care is keeping their hooves clean). However, most farms that could afford draft horses instead of oxen would often own multiple to switch out when one or more of their horses got too tired during the day. Oxen were often the bulldozers-of-choice around most farms for such intense work like plowing rough soil (eg soil will a lot of stones in the way or a ton of clay), and generally did the jobs better than horses at a much lower cost per ox. Draft horses were incorporated into a lot of farming during the Victorian Era in particular as a sign of wealth and affluence on a farm, rather than actually employing the best animal for the job they needed to do. Oxen still tend to be better at a lot of farming-related work, but the horse breeding industry very much pushed the ox-training industry nearly to into extinction in the West.

Seeing draft horses doing the work that oxen used to do is more a product of showing off your wealth as a farmer than actually having the ideal animal for the job that needs doing, and so class perception and classism plays a large part in where and when you see horses doing the jobs that heartier animals like oxen are better suited for. Historically, a lot of farmers would sacrifice the utility and durability of oxen for the flashiness of draft horses, just like how today you'll find more specialized farming equipment on wealthier farms vs. cheaper, still-good-at-what-it-does-but-not-having-a-popular-brand-name equipment you'd find on a family farm.

So... realizing this reply is running incredibly long, the answer is: It depends on the setting, situation, the horse(s), and the care and responsibility of the owner/handler in addressing symptoms of exhaustion in the animal(s). On a cool, breezy day, a draft horse could work most of the morning and part of the afternoon, especially if the work they're being asked to do is fairly low-impact for them (again, depending on the job you're asking it to do and whether it's just one animal or multiple, how quickly a horse becomes exhausted is heavily influenced by outside factors), but may overheat and need to stop by mid-morning on a really hot, sunny day. That's the tricky thing about working with animals: They don't come with exact guarantees for how much mileage or power they can put out every day, and are vulnerable to health and environmental factors when it comes to how hard they can work and how long.

[thorinsspringforge]

TSF25: Thorin Poll Time!

The preparations for Thorin’s Spring Forge 2025 are well underway (have you already signed up?) but we're really curious about how you imagine the happy ending to Thorin's story. (We all know that his untimely death was just a case of the unreliable narrator Bilbo who just wanted to keep the sales of his book up. Thorin just took a short nap. He's fine. We promise. All is well.)

There are many wonderful stories and art pieces that show Thorin's future after BOTFA but which ending do you like the most? Let us know!

If you liked this poll, please consider reblogging it so others can see it and pick their favorite endings too! 🙏

[vee-vee-writes]

Bilbo's Little Sapling (Company x Bilbo's daughter!reader)

Request by @that-teen2003: "Reader (adult) is bilbos daughter (yes biological) readers mother and bilbo had a one night stand and reader was given to bilbo. When the company arrived to bilbos they all take notice of some things not really meant for a hobbit hole, but they don’t question bilbo. Once everyone is there they bring up how bilbo will help them, but he says no because he has his baby girl to look after. The company along with Gandalf and shocked, bilbo goes on and says his little sapling cant be alone. They all here this and slightly back off, but still persistent, but image there shock when his daughter walks through the door, taller then Gandalf and bloody from the deer she hunted. She ends up joining her father one the quest, but not without a few of the dwarfs flirting with her along the way, as well as them finding out how scary a father hobbit can be when it comes to his daughter."

Notes: I really hope you like it! I intend to write a part two to fit the last bit of your request about protective dad Bilbo :)

Read Bilbo's daughter POV

The rolling hills and greens of the Shire were nothing like this company of dwarves were used to. Here the folk seemed gentle, as if hardship and horror had never tainted a single day of their lives, and only somewhat weary to strangers. Each home built gently into the green hills and rich earth of the Shire, small well-kept gardens framing their doorways. However, one hobbit hole stood out as a stark contrast to the rest.

Bag End had all the notable features of a luxurious hobbit hole. Framed with plush greens and scatterings of blooming flowers, a large front lawn, and a twine woven fence, it was a peaceful sight that any respectable hobbit would be jealous of. However, each dwarf who trekked up the small dirt stairs noted some oddities. The most notable was the large axe propped up in the entrance way. It was far to big for the average hobbit and was most certainly not of dwarven craft. No, it had to belong to a human but what it was doing there was a mystery. By all accounts the race of man did not live in the Shire, with Bree being the closest settlement.

Yet each shrugged it off, as long as Gandalf or the hobbit hadn’t invited any unwanted guests then there was no reason to think to deeply upon it. Still, one could not help but spot similar oddities throughout the home as they made themselves comfortable. The abnormally big armchair, fine china sets that could feed two hobbits at a time, and the pair of boots that Bofur had stumbled over when he’d entered. What hobbit wore shoes?

Nevertheless, they kept their opinions to themselves after finding Bilbo to be the only occupant. Feasting, drinking, belching, and merriment ensued as the dwarven band dined in a luxury they were seldom afforded. While the arrival of Thorin certainly had muted the celebrations considerably, excitement still ran high at the prospect of beginning the journey for the reclamation of their home.

The refusal of the hobbit to join their adventure had not been unexpected either. Gandalf had warned them that Bilbo may be hesitant to join them at first but would ultimately change his mind. What no one had expected was the revelation that Bilbo had a daughter, a seemingly young one at that.

“What why on earth would I join as a burglar, I’ve never stolen a thing in my life! Besides, I have my own young sapling to look after, she can hardly be left here to fend for herself, and I certainly won’t risk her on some journey to the ends of Middle Earth to fight a dragon. I’m sorry but no, I won’t do it” Bilbo had dramatically exclaimed. Murmurs of disappointed agreement had met his declaration., the road was no place for a youngling.

Bilbo had long since retired to his private room, the excitement of his uninvited visitors having worn him ragged. The company had made themselves comfortable in one of Bilbo’s sitting rooms, repurposing couches and armchairs for makeshift beds. It was as they began to bunk down for the night that the fright of their life had come.

As the hour of the gods struck a thundering sound breached the tranquility of Bag End, shaking the walls around them. Immediately each of the dwarves had sat up in alarm. It was unlikely an orc raiding party had strayed this far, even if they had somehow caught the scent of dwarf, but one could never be too sure. Through the doorway a faint light could be seen growing closer, a single set of heavy footsteps accompanying it. There was no doubt that each dwarf was cursing having stripped of sword, mace and bow at the door.

A lone looming figure suddenly appeared in the door, the soft light of the single candle it carried doing little to light up its features. Yet even though the shadows obscured the persons finer details, one thing was for certain. This figure was no hobbit, height alone gave it away. Gandalf was tall by human standards, but this figure may have given even him a run for his money. Daring to move, Dori had struck a match and begun lighting the nearest oil lamp with shaking hands.

“Who the hell are you and what are you doing in my home” the stranger shrieked, “where is my father? What have you done to him? You’d better answer me now!” By now the oil lamp had chased away some of the shadows and the intruders face could be seen. Despite the tall stature of the woman before them, indicating human or elvish parentage, obvious hobbit-like features could be picked out. There was no doubt, you had to be Bilbo’s daughter, but you were certainly no sapling.

“I…we were invited here by a wizard, Gandalf the Grey, to meet with the hobbit Bilbo Baggins. Might I…that is to say...why are you covered in blood” Ori had stuttered out, the first of the stunned troop to find his voice. “I see, and where might my father be?” the woman answered ignoring Ori’s question. “Recovering from the shock of this evening’s news and festivities in his quarters no doubt” Bofur answered, having gathered his wits. Before the woman could answer him Thorin had interrupted. “You never answered the question, who’s blood is that and who are you” he demanded, rising to his feet.

The commotion had roused both Gandalf and Bilbo both of whom appeared in a flustered hurry behind the mystery woman. Seeming unsurprised by the scene both had relaxed somewhat upon seeing her, though Bilbo still glanced wearily at the dwarves. “For gods sakes you could at least try to clean up after coming back from hunting. Honestly, anyone would think that I hadn’t raised you to be a respectable hobbit, (Y/N)!” Bilbo exclaimed throwing his hands up in annoyance, “where’d you leave it this time. It better not be on my rug, you know how old it is. A family heirloom.”

“I left it on the doorstep once I saw all of their gear” (Y/N) jabbed a finger in the company’s direction, “I didn’t know you were expecting company, I was worried when I first saw it all. I thought some ragtag band of robbers had broken into Bag End.” Bilbo took in a deep exasperated breath, rolling his eyes at his daughters antics. “And what you thought you would come in and play the hero? Honestly what were you thinking? I know you like to hunt, even though I’d rather you not, but you’re not exactly a trained soldier are you” Bilbo snapped back. The company watched in amusement, all tension having melted away once it had become certain who the mystery woman was. If the hobbit and his daughter were to actually join them there was no doubt it would at least provide a bit of entertainment.

[littleredhotsridinghood]

Also reblog if you feel like it - I legitimately want to see where the consensus lies.