#ruins of evendim

[southfarthing]

lotr on the brain again.....

[dunadaan]

Tinnudir, Evendim - The Lord of the Rings Online

       Tinnudir (Sindarin for Dusk-watch) is a settlement located within the area of Parth Aduial.

       At a well protected island in eastern Lake Evendim, this keep once used to be the estate of the royal family of Annuminas. At the south-eastern part of the island Calenglad and a party of Dúnedain Rangers have established an encampment, keeping watch over the region, sheltered by no more than ruined walls of the ancient buildings.

[thelordofgifs]

Obscure Tolkien Blorbo: Round 1

Eldacar of Gondor vs Gwindeth

Eldacar of Gondor:

The twenty-first King of Gondor, also known as Vinitharya. During his reign the conflict known as the Kin-strife occurred and he was forced from his throne for ten years.

The blorbo of all time actually. He’s the protagonist of one of the most interesting stories in the LoTR appendices, the Kin-strife, and everything about his life story is so fascinating! His father was the crown prince of Gondor and his mother was the princess of Rhovanion so not a Númenorean. As a result all the racist nobles of Gondor made noises about how Eldacar was of “lesser race” and wouldn’t live as long as a “true Dúnadan”. One of the most fascinating examples of fantasy racism in Tolkien’s works imo – the bigotry is awful but the bigots have a shield to hide behind! Obviously their concerns are actually valid because they just don’t want their king to die young! (Their concerns aren’t valid. But I think the worldbuilding here is great.) Anyway Eldacar was born in Rhovanion and given the birth-name Vinitharya, but when he returned to Gondor aged five he was obliged to take up the Quenya name Eldacar, presumably to pacify all the racists in Gondor. He’s the EMBODIMENT of mixed-race/immigrant child trauma my beloved. Eventually his father died and he ascended to the throne of Gondor, but then his shitty second cousin Castamir (all my homies hate Castamir he’s the worst) started the civil war known as the Kin-strife and usurped Eldacar’s throne. Eldacar was forced to flee north to Rhovanion but Castamir captured his eldest son Ornendil and had him cruelly put to death which is SO SAD. But Eldacar, being brave and resourceful and clever and extremely cool, put together an alliance with his mother’s kinsfolk in Rhovanion and after ten years reclaimed his throne, which turned out to be slightly easier than expected because Castamir was The Worst and all his subjects hated him. And Eldacar PERSONALLY fought and killed Castamir HIMSELF and AVENGED HIS SON which is extremely important when you consider all the cringefail elves in the legendarium whose quests for revenge didn’t really go anywhere at all. Then he lived to be 235 proving that all the idiot racists who were worried about his lifespan didn’t have any idea what they were talking about, as is par for the course with racists. Also the Kin-strife itself has such far-reaching consequences for the history of Gondor! The Corsairs of Umbar, Gondor’s long-standing enemies, are actually followers of the descendants of Castamir. And during the Usurpation of Castamir Osgiliath was sacked and burned, leading to the beginning of its decline as Gondor’s greatest city. Even though Eldacar’s story is, to me, ultimately hopeful, it’s also such a fascinating turning point in the history of Gondor. Also ALSO he’s explicitly surrounded by textual ghosts which is really fascinating. His father Valacar has “children” plural – so Eldacar had siblings!! What were they like? How did they react to it all? And his son Aldamir is described as Eldacar’s second son and third child, meaning that he had a daughter too. Who was she?? What happened to her? He’s such a blorbo and there’s so much interesting stuff to dig into around him and he has to win this entire tournament please please please ❤️

Gwindeth:

A spirit who watched over lake Evendim and the surrounding Anorian ruins in the LOTRO game. She was also known as “The Blue Lady of Nenuial”

lady of the lake! goldberry-type water spirit who lives in/keeps lake nenuial. loved elendil & hung out with the kings in annuminas until the division of arnor. will yell at you if you accidentally kill the frogs in her cave. very intense all the time

Round 1 masterpost

[dunadaneth]

continued from here

"I hope so," she said of returning to the North, wanting nothing more than to be on those fair lake shores. She almost wanted to smile at Elladan’s assuring words. Ever was he one to soothe troubles and unrest, and it had always endeared him to her. But she had been vague, and her words hid half truths long buried, and so despite his kindly meant words, they did not quite bring her the peace he sought to give, though he tried. This fate had been of her own making, despite how impossible it had seemed that it would pass; she would not regret the choices she had made that lead down this road. There was a ghost of a smile at her potential title, however. "Those days had formed us and given us life,” her words were nearly a whisper, spoken as they had been by her lover long ago, “but we will live that life, for all the good and ill it brings with it.”

       But with the thought of a potential future, one of hope and yet hidden fear, so too did her mind turn to another- one that she very well might not see at all. So much had weighed on her mind these many months. and even before their company had left Rivendell, there had been little time to think, let alone process the thoughts and worries that warred within her. There was only the singular focus of traveling south with her kin, to fulfill a destiny long in the making, from the lips of a seer long ago- a standard borne aloft, and a message given and received. But there were no words now, no prophecies foretold to give her comfort or assurances.

        It was the words of Halbarad, instead, that lingered heavily in her mind.

        She had accepted her duty held the likelihood of death, long ago. And now at the end of all days, where so many had been lost, and hope seemed such a fragile thing, a part of her almost welcomed it: twined with fear and shame and grief all at once. ‘This is an evil door, and my death lies beyond it. I will dare to pass it nonetheless.’

       Death, in the face of ones duties. Death, that had taken the lives of her kinsmen on this journey, those who would never live to see their sacrifices made. Death, that hung above them like the thick, acrid smoke of Mordor, threatening to choke out the stars that hung in the sky, one by one. Death, that had spared her, yet not her friends; their bodies left where they had been slain so cruelly, far from home, the blood on the walls and the floors glistening as the torches went out, and the war chants and cries of the dying filled her ears--

        She swallowed thickly, forcing herself out of the memories she had tried so hard to shove down, a tightness in her chest that squeezed the breath from her. In that moment, it was as though in one night many years had fallen on her head. Grim was her face, grey-hued and weary.

“Elladan, I...” He had tried so hard to bring levity to her, and she almost did not have the heart to voice her question. He had spoken of the North, of home, and she turned to face him fully, gripping both her hands in his. “I have one last favor to ask of you.”

She saw it so clearly now: the swaying of the blossoming willow trees, their tendrils and leaves perfumed with the sweetest of scents. The sunlight dappled on the blue waters, glittering like a thousand gems as the waves lapped at the shore. The city she so dearly loved, in ruins yet no less beautiful; home, as it always would be. Where she belonged.

“If I should die tomorrow, or in this war--I want to be buried in Evendim.”

@mindsmade

[the-journey-was-the-point]

LOTRO adventures!

I was supposed to go to Forochel but the Baggins Birthday quest pinball'd me to Rivendell ^^" well, at least I levelled up from it!

(^ I bet Gandalf wanted to do this in The Hobbit)

Afterwards, since I was low on coin and wanted to find more green onions, I took the scenic route through the North Downs to Evendim.

Have I mentioned I love the Fields of Fornost? So spooky!! I'm so glad my level is high enough to not get attacked anymore. Now I can purposefully go near wraiths and watch the flash effect :3

That said, I found some blueberries and raspberries, but only 1 green onion :^( well, at least I took a detour into some ruins and found loot I can sell!

Speaking of ruins, here's a view of the Midgewater Marshes while en route to the Lone Lands. I love all the ruins scattered around in LOTRO!

[icarusfrommars]

For lotro guesser!

I am confidently wrong in guessing that this is somewhere in Evendim, right? There's dozens of different ruins like that there...

[ladydwarfbadari]

New Shipwrecked Mariner's event cosmetic set

(The mission quest NPC is not in an obvious spot - go to Evendim, and look just south of the ruins of Barad Tharsir, around 16.3S, 60.6W on the map, basically across the river and a bit downstream from the shipwreck, there is nothing obvious indicating this new content. I think the event goes through the 20th?)

[ethuithel]

idk how much different they are in the books, but playing lotro has made me really like the rangers of evendim. the quests really do show that despite being a grim folk, they talk about the region with such love and its obvious just how much the rangers deeply care for their home. so much time is spent striving to not only preserve, but restore annúminas and the outlying ruined settlements. they want to save their history, but above all their home.

[worldbehind-and-homeahead]

Annuminas at Gloaming

Bonus: Annuminas as the sun sets:

[amdirfiren]

dunadaneth replied to your post:

i love this and i love you and your passion!!! this makes me. want to write my own headcanon stuff

[ BINCH DO IT TELL ME ABOUT EVENDIM AND THE GREY COMPANY!!!!!!!!

[dunadaan]

Men Erain, Evendim - The Lord of the Rings Online

         Men Erain, or "Way of Kings", is found along the south-eastern shores of Lake Evendim, leading into Annúminas. At each side of the worn road lies the tombs of ancient High Kings, and a few other ruined structures. At the mountain a few estates remain, memories of when the Kingdom of Arnor eclipsed, a history hallowed by the Dúnedain.

        For many long years these tombs remained undisturbed, but after the fall of the North-kingdom to the Witch-king of Angmar, tomb-robbers and thieves came into the lands of Evendim. It is unknown if any of the treasures buried with the kings still remain, but the Rangers of the North have long maintained their vigil over the tombs.

[thelordofgifs]

I know you said that it was easier to send via replies on the original post but I am afraid of the character limit. but here is a start to the list! I wasn't sure about Gwindeth, because the only thing that popped up was LOTRO but I added that anyways :)

Obscure Blorbos

Hareth: The daughter of Halmir, the chieftain of the Haladin. She married Galdor and is the mother of Hurin and Huor.

Belen: Younger son of Beor the old. An ancestor of Beren one hand

Gwindeth: A spirit who watched over lake Evendim and the surrounding Anorian ruins in the LOTRO game. She was also known as “The Blue Lady of Nenuial” (?) 

Ilwen: Born at Cuivienen to a younger generation. Married Ingwe, and had several children before Orome found them.

Eilinel: Wife of Gorlim, who went to fight in the Dagor Bragollach. During this battle her house was plundered and she would be killed.

Enel: The third of the original Elf Fathers who awoke in Cuivienen. The father of the third clan that would become the Teleri

Hirgon: The Messenger the Steward of Gondor sent to bring The Red Arrow to Theoden the king of Rohan during the War of the Ring.

Gelmir (Cirdan’s Messenger) : Sent by Cirdan to tell Orodreth of Ulmo’s warning of Nargothrond’s fall. He tells Orodreth to destroy the bridge which Orodreth and Turin ignore.

I will do more later but my eyes hurt right now :)

Amazing bestie thank you so so much ❤️❤️❤️ and I hope your eyes feel better soon!!

[dunadaneth]

Honestly I love Tolkien's works so much but I think my favorite part about it is playing in the sandbox- more specifically I love developing lore and headcanons that compliment and flesh out things that were there, and add in things that are missing. I love thinking about pre-fall Arnor- what did Evendim export in terms of economy? What crops did they grow, what things did they make, how the geography would inform these things, etc- a lot of these things possibly only be hinted at in old relics and records not destroyed at Fornost or the passage of time. How would reconstruction happen in the Fourth Age? What do you focus on first? How do you preserve ruins of the past and yet build upon their bones in their memory? What alliances in Eriador could you make to help bolster the economy and make trade agreements? (I am not a "hur dur what's Aragorn's tax policy type of person bc this is fantasty first and foremost and there's a balance to be had.) I love thinking about post-fall of Arnor and the Dúnedain- they're mostly nomadic with at least one canon settlement and what that would entail. The horror of your people living through what seems like multiple end of all days. The hardships endured, the harsh lifestyle that would be followed-what does their diet look like? What would they carry in their bags? How often do they go out on patrol before coming back? Is there a system put in place so no one Ranger is too fatigued, and gets time to rest and recuperate? Older generations teaching the younger- and even Dúnadain who choose not to become Rangers, and still support their community in other ways; the weavers, the growers, the metalsmiths, etc... how tight knit everyone would be! My mind just bounces around with so many ideas with little chance to really put them down anywhere! That's just a small taste of what it's like to write with me lol.

[legolasofithilien]

Tinnudir, Evendim

[dimdiamond]

Bagginshield fic list

Yeah, I decided to make one too because there are enough to cause me headaches and I'd like to have them somewhere organized. Please look at the tags before reading them!

Fix-it fics

Desperate magic by BeautifulFiction: Bilbo is left to tend Thorin as he hovers on the brink of death after the Battle of the Five Armies. Is love enough to save Erebor's king, or is this the last farewell?

Lay your troubles down by Avelera: An extended version of "the acorn scene." Bilbo sees his chance to snap Thorin out of his madness, and takes it.

The Riven Crown by BeautifulFiction: The aftermath of war is no laughing matter. Those who died must be honoured, those who are wounded must be healed, and those who remain need food and clothing, peace and sanctuary. With Thorin's life hanging in the balance, it is up to Bilbo and the rest of the Company to rule the rag-tag remnants of Erebor in his place. Then there is the matter of the gold... Can Bilbo save both king and kingdom, or is Erebor destined to fall deeper into ruin?

The Color of Possibility by lindoreda: When Bilbo puts himself between Thorin and Azog's blade, his mithril shirt protecting them both, it isn't long before some dwarves whisper that 'Oakenshield' might not be the best epithet for their king anymore. But for Bilbo, barred from Thorin's sight since the battle, this new epithet only adds to the sting. Spending his days caring for the recovering princes, Bilbo wonders how much more of this he can take, not suspecting his place at the center of a silent divide in the company.

Homesick by Margo_Kim: Five years after they've reclaimed Erebor, Thorin is sick of home, Bilbo is just sick, and neither is handling the situation ideally.

The Road Delivered Us Home by keelywolfe: In the years since Bilbo left Erebor, he has lost his respectability, gained a nephew, and gotten on with life at Bag End. He'd left aside adventure for the comforts and peace of his little Hobbit hole, and for the love of a child who needed him. Though perhaps, adventures can yet find him.

Notices in the Paper by YamBits: Bilbo returns to the Shire after his adventure, newly married, and newly homeless, after his two year absence allowed the Sackville-Bagginses to obtain Bag End. Bilbo and Thorin go to the Tooks for help, and find newly orphaned Frodo Baggins, also looking for a home.

A Royal Guardianship by ladyoakenshields: When Bilbo and Thorin return to the Shire for a sabbatical during Yuletide, they find a reason to retire the throne in Erebor sooner than expected.

The Shire's gems by awkwarng3: Thorin, Bilbo, and Frodo move to the Shire after raising Frodo in Erebor, and Frodo makes a friend.

Time travel fix-it fics

An expected journey by MarieJacquelyn: For years Bilbo has written about his adventures and told stories about his dealings with dwarves and dragons. To most it seemed like fanciful nonsense but to Bilbo it was all very real. A weight followed him home from his travels, one called regret. Now in his final moments Bilbo has a choice to make – go quietly into death’s embrace or go back again and face all the fear and pain for the chance to make things right? Of course, change is a fickle thing and not everything can be done again as Bilbo is about to find out. In the end, it may not only be salvation that he’s fighting for.

Bilbo Baggins, warrior of the Valar by Pallalalo: Bilbo raised his eyebrows. “And you’ve come to the Shire to look for this someone? My, Gandalf, I wonder if you know Hobbits at all. They would tell you that adventures are nasty, disturbing, uncomfortable things. That they would make you late for dinner.” Bilbo recalled his own words perfectly. It had been something he and Gandalf had looked back on with bittersweet laughter. This Gandalf however noticed his exact words. “Would they now? And what about you, mhm? What would you tell me about adventures?” #The Valar send Bilbo back in time, to the day where Gandalf asks him to join in an adventure. After living a lifetime of regret and suffering, he vows to change things for the better. For Thorin. For Frodo. But will he succeed?

I'll die to care for you by thehufflepuffhobbit: His gaze landed on Mahal's eyes once more. "You did your best, Thorin." It was tempting to look away; he wanted to deny that with everything he had. It certainly didn't feel as though falling into Gold Sickness and then dying was doing his best. Mahal smirked, as though he knew Thorin's desire to contradict him, and pinched his cheek before walking over to a table. "Aye, I didn't think you would believe me. I'm not lying, it certainly could have gone better. More according to my plan, but I know you really did try." "Your plan?" He didn't know if he should ask, really. Knowing that his Maker had set a course for him, he didn't want to think about the ways he had done everything wrong. There were too many examples of mistakes in his long life, too many opportunities that he had missed that had probably been planned for him from the beginning. Or:Mahal feels like Thorin fucked up his legacy and gives him a do over.

Darker times ahead by Reach4theSky: Bilbo is sailing to the Undying Lands but wary of letting go of the guilt that has been with him for many decade. His most sincerest wish is to go back and change what was done. Before reaching the lands of peace and healing, he dies aboard the ship and finds that his wish is being granted, not because he is the one to wish it but because this is the dwarves last chance to escape a fate of eternal waiting. He finds that not only is he going to be sent back to his younger body, but so is the entire Company of Thorin Oakenshield. Time is a fickle thing and not all the members have their memories returned to them at the same time. The journey on becomes interesting as the dwarves slowly remember and fight for themselves and their kin, yet new hurdles are thrown at them when they realize that more people remember than expected...

Of an arcane binding by Salvia_G: An inexplicable magic ties Bilbo Baggins, hobbit of the Shire, to Thorin, dwarven prince of Erebor.

Legends by DomesticGoddess: The fellowship has set out on its noble quest to destroy the ring and put an end to the threat that is Sauron! Just set out really, barely left the gates of Imladris, but things are going smoothly enough so far. That is until the two most unlikely party crashers fall upon their little fellowship. Uncle Bilbo and the Legendary Thorin Oakenshield?! Frodo just wants to know what's going on but the two of them won't stop hollering at each other long enough for anyone to get a word in edgewise. Suddenly, their little group is joined by Frodo's two biggest heroes and he discovers there was a lot more to Uncle Bilbo's stories than he realized.

Beside myself by bliboboggins: "What are you doing? Just who do you think you are?" Startled, Bilbo turned around slowly. And there, in a familiar patchwork dressing gown, brandishing a fire poker wildly about, was... Bilbo.

Erebor never fell au fics

The hearth doesn't make the home by Moonrose91: For things Bilbo could not change, he was condemned to a life of isolation, with the belief that none could love him. And then a Dwarf came to Hobbiton.

Clarity of vision by Mithen: In a Middle-Earth where Erebor never fell, a shadow remains in the heart of the Lonely Mountain. Bilbo Baggins finds himself drawn reluctantly into a quest that will lead him across the continent--from Bree to Lake Evendim to the icy North and beyond--with a party of five dwarves searching for an artifact that will cure the ailing King Thrór.

Ghivashel by mdseiran: The last thing Bilbo expects when he stays up late one night is company. The strange dwarf and his companion crash into his life and prove unexpected saviours. But the dwarf seems to think he will be joining them on their travels, and Bilbo has no such intentions.

The Song of My Heart by DomesticGoddess: After a failed attempt of trying to carve out a new home in the Blue Mountains for his people, Thorin finds himself beseeching the Hobbit Thain and his council for a place for his people in their bountiful land. An agreement is struck and plans in the works for integrating his people into their land. The only condition being an arranged marriage between himself and one of their family heads. A small price to pay to see his people safe and well fed. Unfortunately, he’s to marry the most disagreeable hobbit in all the Shire who also seems to hold a personal grudge against him. If only he could figure out why his new betrothed hates him so much.

Oak and Mistletoe by HildyJ: After a life dominated by a strange form of sickness, Thorin is sent to the Shire to seek a cure only Bilbo Baggins can offer.

Karkûn shukula - A Cinderella AU by harrypanther: When the Prince of the Shire visits the Kingdom of Erebor, there is great excitement. There are hopes he will choose to marry one of the Royal Family, cementing an alliance that would secure food supplies for the dwarven Kingdom and gain new allies. All eligible dwarves are expected to attend a series of Balls. Unknown to the guests, there is a third royal child, manoeuvred out by his ambitious stepmother, for whom this may be his last chance of restoring his fortunes and escaping his fate…

Alone this Yuletide by Emsiecat: 'Alone this Yuletide? Irritated with prying and nosey family members? I am an out of work blacksmith currently trying to make my way by any means necessary that does not involve my resorting to thievery (prisons are most uncomfortable, I've unfortunate first hand experience). However, if you would like me to be your strictly platonic companion for any social function, but have me pretend that we are in a serious courtship, so as to torment your family and ward off unwanted suitors then I am more than obliging...' After becoming increasingly irritated by overtures of romance from various Shire residents following the death of his mother four years ago, Bilbo is more than ready to resort to desperate measures. That is, up to and including pretending to be in a serious relationship with a certain surly blacksmith currently inhabiting the Bindbale Woods. It's a good idea after all; all they have to do is pretend to be in love over the Yuletide period and Bilbo's family and suitors will surely leave him alone after that. It's perfect! And nothing can possibly go wrong, right? Certainly nothing as preposterous as falling for one another for real...

Modern au fics

Nothing gold can stay by perkynurples: Bilbo Baggins led a rather peaceful life, thank you very much, until an old acquaintance decided to turn it upside down, and he found himself agreeing to take a job that’s… let’s say not exactly up his alley, and might eventually cost him a little more than his treasured cozy lifestyle. Who would have thought tutoring a slightly menacing monarch’s more than slightly overbearing nephew could prove to be such an adventure?

Love-In-Idleness by perkynurples: Taking Bilbo Baggins, a successful movie actor who is only just getting used to the perks and intricacies of becoming A Face People Want To See, and putting him together with Thorin Oakenshield, with his very traditional (read: slightly backwards) ideas about what constitutes Real Art and Real Talent, might very well be viewed as just some clothead’s idea of a joke. But there are jokes, and then there are carefully calculated risks the size of controversial reproductions of classic Shakespearean plays - for Bilbo, it is the chance of a lifetime to prove himself to all those who have ever deemed him too one-dimensional to even attempt stage, while Thorin has the opportunity to get out of the rut that’s been hindering his career for so long now, and shine in a role worthy of his talent once again. That is if the two learn how to share the same space for more than ten minutes without wanting to tear each other’s hair out. The course of true love never did run smooth, after all…

Candid by northerntrash: Thorin wasn't entirely sure why there was a six-foot candid photograph of him hanging in this exhibition, but he was going to wring the neck of whoever had put it there. In which Bilbo is a photographer, Thorin an accidental model, and Gandalf just likes to make trouble for everyone.

How the west was won and where it got us by stickman: Bilbo is a harried 1st year British literature Ph.D. (early 20th century fiction) who happens to have an interest in spatial narrative structures, a lack of time-management skills, and a tiny apartment with a lot of books and very little furniture. He’s stressed, always, and doesn't quite know where he belongs. He tells himself that really, this is, in fact, what he wants to be doing. But sometimes, as much as he loves books, he gets an urge to do something with his hands. Thorin is a disgruntled M.Arch. 1 in his last year who can’t be arsed to shave and frightens his students, and, frankly, his profs, but his work is top-notch so no one can really say much. They can, however, bully him into running a hands-on design workshop on Saturday mornings, which is complete crap, because he’s used to drinking his Friday nights into oblivion so showing up at Milstein at 7:45 the next morning and trying to teach in a room of wall-to-wall windows as the sun rises is not at the top of his list. Besides, no one ever shows up. Except one morning, someone does. [graduate school AU]

Butterfly effect by eyra: Yoga wasn’t for him. Yoga was for interesting people. Luminous people; people who took gap years and spoke a foreign language. People who ate lentils and burned incense and had fantastic, colourful friends with fantastic, colourful lives full of travel and silent retreats and those baggy trousers with elephants on them. Yoga was decidedly not for people like Bilbo, who wore cardigans and ate beans on toast and whose linguistic capabilities stretched only as far as a rusty Spanish A-Level. Just your regular story of boy meets yoga instructor.

Remover of the obstacles by MistakenMagic: "Dis often chided her older brother for being a misanthropist. She did it so often it had become a term of endearment. It was true that Thorin struggled with people; he struggled to form and maintain relationships. Dr. Grey had diagnosed him with this and Thorin hadn’t the heart to tell him this wasn’t a symptom of his PTSD, it was a symptom of his personality. He exercised a sense of apathy with almost everyone he met… But Bilbo was different. Thorin actually found himself wanting to know more about him."

Color outside the lines by andquitefrankly: Kindergarten has just gotten significantly better. Just ask Thorin, who's got the biggest crush on the new kid in class, Bilbo Baggins. With the help of his friends, Thorin knows that he can take back the swings from the 1st graders, show up the K-1 class in the school pageant, and win the heart of one curly haired boy. Yup. Kindergarten is going to be a year to remember.

Bran' New Suit by pibroch (littleblackdog): Andrew's description had been sufficient to recognize him— a riot of honey brown curls, short in stature, a well-favoured face with expressive features— but it hadn't quite been enough to prepare Tom for the sharp, almost painful tug in his gut at the sight of the man. They had never met before, to the best of Tom's recollection, but there was something eerily and inexplicably familiar about him all the same.

Different species au fics

I've grown a hedge around my heart by pibroch (littleblackdog): "Thorin was the essence of so many Buckland oddities, distilled into one misfortunate young hobbit, much to his infinite embarrassment. Built like a stork, his father had said once, in an example of Thrain Brandybuck’s usual tactless humour. All beak and legs." Thorin Brandybuck, just recently come of age, still lives in his family’s smial in Buckland, with his parents and two younger siblings. Thorin is an odd duck amongst his relations and neighbours-- unsociable, grumpy, shy, and awkward. And beyond that, he looks rather strange even for a Bucklander, strongly favouring the thick, dark haired build of his Stoorish blood. It defies all sense and reason why Bilbo Baggins, an exemplar of all the respectable traits Thorin lacked, would ever desire a friendship with him. Bilbo, as Thorin discovers, is not always as sensible as he appears.

In which the dwarves are satyrs for reasons by HiddenKitty What the title says basically.

Bride of the demon king by DomesticGoddess: Thorin is King of the demons, a beast-like race feared by humans. Ever since the demons and humans formed a truce years ago, the humans have sent a young human every year as a tribute to the King of demons. Thorin is tired of having to deal with the tribute that has long since lost its meaning. The only tribute he'd be interested in is the boy he met fifteen years ago on the border of the demon and human realms. Despite his fantasies, Thorin knows the chances of ever seeing the boy again are slim to none, until they're not.

Lost He Wandered Under Leaves by serenbach: Thorin son of Thrain is a struggling blacksmith descended from a fallen line of kings. In an attempt to provide for his family over the winter, he reluctantly accepts an impossible sounding task - to hunt down an enchanted deer that lives in the Old Forest that borders the Shire, and make armour and weapons from its hide and antlers. He never expected to succeed. And he certainly never expected what he found to change his life so completely.

A Dryad's Tale by Bilbo Baggins by Moongazer12: Bilbo is a dryad (think little sibling to ents). Long ago a curse was placed upon him from destroying one of the rings of power. Whenever he touches someone with his bare skin he will make them insane. But despite this, he and Gandalf have gone on many adventures to help protect Middle Earth (What was the point to destroying the ring if something else destroyed it instead?) Gandalf has called on him once again to help on a quest, Bilbo just hopes that they read his amendments to the contract.

The quest but with a twist au fics

King, come at the red morning by Tawabids: Bilbo has heard fairytales of the lost prince of the dwarves, Thorin son of Thrain, who disappeared the day Smaug attacked the Lonely Mountain. But he does not believe in fairytales until he comes across the dwarf sleeping in the depths of Erebor, and kisses him back to life. Now Thorin - a hundred and fifty years out of his time - has to confront a world in which his city is empty, his people scattered, his baby brother Frerin is king, two nephews he's never met are missing in action, and a war is brewing right on his doorstep. And as if that wasn't complicated enough he's trapped in the body of an old man and falling stupidly in love with a gossipy, grudging little hobbit.

When the sun rises by Harry1981: Bilbo Baggins of Bag End was not a very respectable Hobbit. No respectable Hobbit had a sword and crossbow hanging in their home, nor did they have Dwarves as family. But Bilbo Baggins did, and all of Shire knew of his husband, blacksmith Thorin Oakenshield. When Bilbo comes home to find his Husband earlier than expected, he learns of a quest to reclaim Erebor. It is a death mission. Bilbo knows that Dwarves are stubborn creatures, and none more than Thorin himself. But nobody said that Bilbo himself was any less stubborn. So he will follow his dearest husband across all of Middle Earth, through plains and mountains and forests, all while hiding the true nature of their relationship (Dwarven politics never helped anyone), brushing off some old wounds (and getting new ones) and finding out new things about the dwarf Bilbo calls husband (and his extended family). Nobody ever said love was easy, after all.

Small, but fierce by DomesticGoddess: As a result of a magical mishap during the trip to the lonely mountain, Bilbo is reverted to a wee little hobbitling. Only in body, of course. His adult mind is still very aware of the indignity of it all (seriously! He doesn't need to be coddled, carried, and fed like a child). It turns out, dwarves love children and there is nothing cuter than Hobbit children. Bilbo soon realizes that he can get away with just about anything in his babyish form and starts taking full advantage of it. Even the grumpy brooding king can't deny the angelic little creature anything he desires (and Bilbo's going to milk that for all it's worth).

Your song like a home in my heart by Nennvial: In Middle Earth, all creatures have a soulmate. Not all have some, but if they do, it is a bond nothing can break, not even death. The more famous story of such a bound was the story of Bren and Luthien, who even defied detath. The way someone can find out that the other is one’s soulmate is through song: when they meet and hear the voice of the other, a song sings in their heart, which feels like home and makes them complete. They may refuse it if they wish to do so, but they hence risk a life of bitter looniness. Thorin Oakenshield and Bilbo Baggins are soulmates, but they must admit it to themselves throughout their journey to Erebor.

To Dungeons Deep (And Caverns Old) by KingUndertheMountain: Bilbo Baggins was not your average hobbit. Of course, he had the wonderfully groomed and well-taken-care-of hairy feet like every other one of his race, yes, but he was not like other hobbits. He was cursed. Or, as the witch who gave him the enchantment put it, was “gifted”. She had given him the “gift” of obedience – whenever there was a direct command given to him, for example “cook a large meal” or “take a walk”, he could not disobey. Not without a lot of pain and eventual submission.

Chocolate candy one-shots

The world is sleeping (my world is you) by katheneverwrites (mandolinearts): I asked Persephone, “How could you grow to love him? He took you from flowers to a kingdom where not a single living thing can grow.” Persephone smiled, “My darling, every flower on your earth withers. What Hades gave me was a crown made for the immortal flowers in my bones.” - Nikita Gill ---“What do you mean, my friend?” There is a line of thought that surfaces in Gandalf’s mind, but he drowns it before it can take root. Surely not. But Bilbo’s chuckle sets him on edge. The small, gentle god of harvest, nature, and flowers sits up straighter, and in his crown of flowers there is a wire of strong metal, his cloak is suddenly not colorful anymore but the deepest black and he is terrifying, horrific, powerful - “I married Thorin Oakenshield, King Under the World.”

Of seasons by northerntrash: As far as he could tell, he had been kidnapped, which in itself made this week more than a little unusual. In which Bilbo steals away the Lord of Death, and Thorin can't quite bring himself to stay angry about it.

Warm up by paranoid_fridge: On one of their walks, Bilbo tumbles into a stream. They make it back to Bag End and Bilbo demands Thorin warm him up.

Royal Blue And Crimson Red by Mistofstars: Here's what happened before and after Bilbo accidentally eavesdrops on Gandalf and Elrond at night in Rivendell, as they discuss Thorin's quest and his family's history. Oh, and Thorin and Bilbo share a room, of course ;)

I was young when I left home by Margo_Kim: There was a pity clapper somewhere in the third row. Thorin finished his fourth song to polite applause from the people who noticed that the song was finished, but within the smattering of claps was someone beating his hands together like he was trying to rhythmically kill a fly. There was usually one of those, the kind who notices that no one else is paying attention and so is determined to compensate for that regardless of how they feel about the actual music. Thorin ignored him. It was easy to do so—he'd always hated looking at the audience when the singing was done.

A matter of buttons by StupidFatPenguin: “Your shirt,” says Thorin, quite out of the blue, and Bilbo looks down his front to see if there is a spot of tea or jam or anything equally embarrassing spilled on it. He is relieved to find nothing of the sort and looks up at the dwarf with an eyebrow raised in question. Thorin sits mute, his still-smoking pipe forgotten in his hand. He looks on for long moments still, seems almost lost to a thought before he shifts and lifts his gaze to meet Bilbo’s inquiring face. “It is familiar to me. Did you not wear this on the eve we met?” In which Bilbo and Thorin re-enact the evening they met.

The ladder by Milliethekitty27: Inspired from a post made by wheeloffortune-design on tumblr. Tired of his lonely kitchen in Yavanna's Garden, Bilbo Baggins wonders if the dwarven love of being underground is true in death. If so, maybe his dwarves are living (ha ha) under the very land Bilbo is weeding. With that thought, Bilbo goes and asks Hamfast for a shovel.

Love hobbit by HybridOwl: Bilbo Baggins considers himself a bit of a cock up, all things considered. He never made it out of his small highway adjacent town, can't seem to stop chain-smoking, and overall has more to talk about with the plants in his shop than 90% of all the rest of Middle Earth. So when he's reading the morning paper and a love note that can't be for anyone but him pops up, he's pretty sure - almost positive, really - that he's being made fun of. "TO the chain-smoking little stud who collects two metros from Gamgee's Goods every morning, will you be my love hobbit? - Bearded Biker." (heavily inspired by tumblr posts)

Fusion with other fandoms au fics

The Second Time by authoressjean; Sebastian Moran can't pull the trigger on John Watson to save his own hide, and what the hell is it with the doctor, anyway? Then Gandalf shows up, meddlesome wizard, and reminds him none too gently of his past life: as Thorin Oakenshield, leader of a company that had once included a small hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. One that looked decidedly like John Watson. And this would be the perfect chance to make things right with Bilbo the way he really hadn't been able to before he died, and that's when Gandalf tells him John doesn't remember being Bilbo, and to leave him alone. Right. Like that's going to happen.

And sow a star divided in us by MistakenMagic: Short summary: Gays in space! Longer summary: After his first successful solo mission, Jedi Knight Bilbo Baggins, trained by High Council member and full-time nuisance, Master Gandalf, returns to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. During an excursion to the sparring arena, he meets a group of Dwarven Jedi from Ered Luin, a mountainous planet located in the Outer Rim. Young padawans, Fili and Kili, are full of curiosity at this strange, barefoot Jedi, but Master Thorin, who appears to have the personality of a rancor and mental shields like blast doors, is less than impressed.

Comics you should definitely check

Every work by rutobuka, seriously they're criminally cute and they're not still favored by everyone without reason.

Retelling the Hobbit by Mellow_Comics: Bilbo has never been good at telling the "true" story of what happened on his journey to the Lonely Mountain. Now he's trying to turn the tale of his quest into a lighthearted children's book-- a bedtime story for his young nephew Frodo. But what really happened on his journey? And how did it actually affect him? This is a comic adaptation/retelling of the Hobbit! It's framed as a bedtime story that Bilbo is telling a younger Frodo.

For now these are some of my personal favourites! However, I'm sure my list will grow since my reading list has some gems still waiting for me to read, so be certain that there will be a part 2 of this list!

[hallothere]

@aurore-parle-de-ses-idees @isi7140

to answer your burning questions (xoxo) I did toss around a few options (Galthoniel, Ningeryn) and kind of settled for ‘familiar Bree/Esteldin Babyranger’ that may or may not have had her weekend when Candaith was visiting 😢

as for what I was going to do with Radanir and Amarion... well, you can see why it got cut

(picking up after Saeradan)

You aren’t sure, but you think you are being watched. Of course, Candaith is watching. Candaith is doing a lot of that tonight. As you’ve walked the sands, the shores of Nenuial, he’s watched. You don’t know why you’re in an audience with him here, he who must be closer to Evendim than you by now but not in it. But he has walked with you and walks with you still. Candaith, at least, has not departed. But nor has he dreamed. And that troubles you. 

Calenglad had looked upon the lake and seen something. You do not know if it was what he wished to see, thought he might see, or what should have been. There are other things lurking around on this beach that you did not like at all. And you fear this next vision shall be worse than the last. 

It is almost imperceptible, but Candaith hears it too. You can see the moment he stiffens, wills himself not to turn and look. You are curious, and whatever it is you would face it now rather than later. 

“No… Saeradan…”

You had not expected it to speak. The voice is small, but not far away. You turn now, expecting the specter to reveal itself. Instead you meet silence. And then rustling bushes. 

“He’s getting away!”

Candaith has acted as your companion thus far, you see no reason not to give chase with him now. Your quarry is fast, but given away by the sound of rustling leaves. This is not the flight of a skilled hunter, but a desperate one. 

Off to your left, you think you see a Falcon archer nocking an arrow. She is gone as soon as you blink. A scream breaks the night further into the brush. It sounds like Golodir, and you will your legs to move faster. 

There is a terror up ahead but you can’t stop yourself in time. You barrel through the shade of Britou and arrive in the island’s ruins. 

There are no brigands here, like there were in the waking world. There is overgrowth, broken pottery. There is Candaith. He stares at a small boy, huddled in the center of the ruin. It is plain as anything the child is scared. But Candaith makes no move, in fact, he seems apprehensive. This is not the troubled kinsman he expected. 

The boy looks up at the pair of you with wild eyes. You turn, expecting to see the shade of Britou come to form another wretched tableau, but no oathbreakers appear. None of the Falcons from the woods descend upon you. Golodir is nowhere to be seen. 

You wonder what place he is from. Bree? Surely not. Candaith is not so near to there, and else only Galadriel has been in your dreams from such a distance. That is a sobering thought, Galadriel’s dreams, but you have only seen those near to you, or near to you recently. This is no Dunlending boy either. You wonder more than before how he came here. 

“They’re all gone!” The boy wails and sinks to his knees, and you see this dreamer’s torments step from hiding at last. There is Britou like you expected, but also one of the Falcon archers and a jailor, a great uruk, and last of all—

Candaith gasps as his mirror image, his near twin, materializes from the rubble. Only, this Candaith is still soaked in blood and wearing the uniform he took to the forsaken road. Your Candaith gasps, for this newcomer has his sword drawn. 

“Worm” Britou speaks first, “You will not escape me a second time. And you will not be the last I bring death upon”

The archer raises his bow and his companion holds up a hand. “Make this one quick.” he says, “The more time we waste on him, the less there is for the valuable prisoners.”

The uruk merely smiles and crosses his arms. His work, apparently, has already been done. 

“Let me.” The second Candaith says. “After all, my blood is on his hands.” He steps forward with his sword, and suddenly you can see. 

There is no longer a young boy in the middle of the ruin, but Radanir, curled in on himself and pleading with the grass for some way- any way- out of this place. 

Your Candaith has seen enough. He draws his own sword and steps to the center of the crowd. With one motion, he slices his dark counterpart in two. The bloodied Candaith dissolves into the night, and vanishes as if blown away by the wind. 

“Who else would like to taste my steel? You Falcons? I have not crossed blades with you yet. Britou? I would think another bout might go in my favor.” Candaith turns to the uruk next, putting himself between Radanir and the brute. “And what of you? You have no allies here.”

At this the uruk only grunts. Candaith stares him down hard and slowly, the uruk fades. He turns. The Falcons fade under Candaith’s glare, and Britou returns the look before he too vanishes. 

You go to Radanir. 

He does not notice you at first. He mumbles into the sand still, not seeming to know anything except that the axe is due to fall. You hear names you know and ones you don’t. You hear the pleading of a man scared deeply. 

“Brother…”

Candaith has joined you. He reaches out slowly at first, and when Radanir doesn’t jerk away he scoots closer. Together, you have come on either side of your friend, and you form a tight barrier between him and this nightmare. 

“Radanir, you are well. You are safe and among friends.” Candaith is good with words. You let him speak, allowing your presence to talk for you.

He shakes even now, and all you can think of is how you have never seen him like this. This is the Radanir who has run out of jokes and brave words. This Radanir looks to the past and hurts deeply.

“They will not harm you.” Candaith tries again, but this time he’s interrupted by a hand on his arm.

“And why not?” Radanir’s question sounds more like an accusation. “Why not me when they have harmed all the others?”

You lean in then, and for the first time Radanir notices your presence. He reaches out a hand as if he expects you to be less than solid. Once more the Dream holds you still, but Radanir’s hand does not pass through your arm as he thought it might.

“I had hoped to see you again one day.” He says, mustering a watery grin just for you. “If this is-”

“Wake, brother.” Candaith orders gently, cutting him off before he can speak the words none of you want to hear, the farewells. “I will be there, and you will see your way.”

He does fall silent, but something in his shoulders untenses. In a moment Radanir is gone.

For reasons you don’t understand, you are all connected here. You are closest to Golodir, Lothrandir, and Calenglad geographically. Halbarad- you know- is troubled by this journey, yet he is not here. The path winds back to Saeradan, and to Candaith. You shudder to think you might watch Braigiar writhe under Lheu Brenin’s knife before the night is through. There are other things lurking around on this beach that you did not like at all. And you fear this next vision shall be worse than the last. 

Candaith stares at the spot his kinsman had just been. He looks lost in thought for a while. Waves lap the shore, but there is a hush over the lake that is never there in the waking world.

It is a long time before Candaith finds himself looking back at you. “I suppose I will be woken shortly. It did me good to see you, even in a dream and if only for such a short time. I... did not like my dream, I will admit.” He is silent a moment before continuing. “I can tell Saeradan I dreamed of you, and that you are well…”

You tense and can see Candaith is not relaxed either. He has not faced his own fears, unless… Could they be the same ones as yours? They might well be. You have seen things together, suffered along this southern road together…

Before anything else happens, Candaith speaks. “Are you? Well?” He pauses to give you a sad smile, “Even after this?”

You go to speak or to nod, but then Candaith is gone too.

You kneel on the beach alone.

You do not know how much more of this you can take. Why must you walk this road alone?

A lonely moon hangs over the lake. You are too far from any of them to help now. Halbarad set you on your own path, but perhaps it was yours all along. There was good done amongst the Rohirrim, and more good waiting ahead of you. But there is exhaustion, there is grief. Your path is ahead, you need not doubt this.

You were not called out here to turn back.

It is behind you when you hear it. Running footsteps in the ruins. A figure passes your inland side, hurtling through rubble then grass then brush to a rock outcropping further in. You follow. The Dream is foreign to you, though the scene before you strikes something in your memory. A ruddy cliffside, a home, a cavern. It arose while you were lost in thought, half-hidden by shrubs not native to Evendim. Bits of red and gold and rich green glisten as the cloaked figure tears them away from the rock face. 

“Please-” It starts as a cracked whisper, but grows in volume, “Please, let me in! I wanted to fulfill my oath but I was lost! I know I need to be more watchful, more mindful, but I was–”

You recognize the voice as it abruptly stops. The bushes are clear. Worn fingers drag along a bare, seamless rock face. There is no entrance, no shelter to be found. 

Amarion turns sharply. Between the two of you are dozens of wolves large and dark as night. You can barely see him as he presses his back against the rock face. His pursuers stare down at him in silent anticipation.

“Someone- Orthonn, Mincham! Help me!”

They lunge.

But You are held in the grip of a strange dream.