#this was kicked off by merry and pippin

[lifeofmarvvel]

Supremely underrated but iconic dynamic is cousins who are close. Like, no, they're not technically siblings, but they're just as, if not more, close than any siblings they may have. Yes, they're willing to do anything for each other, to die for each other. Yes, it's going to make me sob my eyes out no matter what

[playitandmakeitsincere]

throam!Ryan when Brendon gets sick

[live-laugh-legolas]

Do you have any headcanons on the fellowship and their sleeping habits? Who snores/kicks/drools etc? Blanket hogs, always wakes up on the floor? Is anyone unlucky enough to sleepwalk? I'm guessing poor Sam probably needs like 10 pillows to fall asleep comfortably (he works hard though he deserves it)

You always send in such fun requests! Some of my favorite headcanons I’ve done were ones you sent in <3

The Fellowship’s sleeping habits

Aragorn:

-He sleeps like a log

-Actually more like he’s dead in a coffin

-Always on his back

-Snores softly sometimes but only when he’s fully laying down

-He often sleeps propped up though to avoid this when he is in the wild

-Can’t be drawing too much attention to himself while he’s unprotected

-If he ever is sleeping on his side though he will drool

-Not a morning person by choice

-He can get up when he needs to but when he’s in the comfort of Rivendell or somewhere nice he will sleep in

Legolas:

-I think it’s so funny that elves canonically sleep with their eyes open

-And they can be walking around while doing so

-Very spooky and possibly has caused rumors among men that elves are actually possessed

-A very light sleeper because of this; but won’t wake to little sounds because he knows it’s nothing of importance

-He possibly sharpens arrows or something while “sleeping”

-Once again, very creepy

Gimli:

-He snores

-But it’s not so much loud as it is low and drawn out

-Could be mistaken as growling

-His snores also aren’t always consistent so it leaves you worried he just took his last breath before you hear him again

-Snort/grunts when touched in his sleep

-Pippin and Legolas may have made a game of lightly kicking him or throwing pebbles to see how long it takes to wake him and who can get the loudest snort

-Sometimes he sleeps on his stomach and his face is buried in a pillow and you don’t know how he hasn’t suffocated

Boromir:

-He is not good at sleeping

-And by this I mean he can never fall asleep and when he does it is interrupted

-He is very used to running on just a few hours of sleep

-That’s what coffee is for; which he drinks a concerning amount of

-He runs warm in general so he definitely sweats in his sleep

-He sometimes sleeps naked because of this but he always at least starts the night in pajamas

-Goes to bed late but also always wakes up early

Frodo:

-Can and will sleep anywhere

-Maybe this headcanon comes from the fact that apparently Elijah Wood is like this and would fall asleep if you left him alone for a few minutes

-If it’s his little cat naps he is very peaceful and just curls up

-However when he sleeps in a bed he takes up the whole thing

-Starts curled up but wakes up a starfish with his feet at the top of the bed

-Doesn’t have a consistent sleep schedule

Sam:

-Definitely needs a very plush bed if you don’t want him being a little grumpy and sore in the morning

-The type of person to judge a hotel room by the comfort level of the bed

-He sweats in his sleep but won’t leave his cocoon of blankets

-He does not move in his sleep but he definitely mumbles

-Rarely is it anything understandable

-“mmhmmmsms blueberrys hhmmmgggmmm *smacks lips*”

-Always ends up holding something in his sleep; could be a teddy bear, could be another person, could be a rabbit that just happened to hop over and get unconsciously grabbed

Merry:

-He definitely talks in his sleep

-Can vary between little mumbles to full conversations

-He occasionally sleep walks but never does anything too crazy

-More just creepy if you happen to see it

-In modern day he would sleep shop online

-He doesn’t think to check his charges to his card ever so he just gets packages of random things he doesn’t remember getting

-He always sleeps soundly and wakes refreshed and it’s annoying to everyone else; how rude of him to be so perfect

Pippin:

-Moves a lot in his sleep

-Cannot just roll over; it has to be an aggressive almost wrestling like jump

-Often falls off the bed

-Also doesn’t make his bed ever; if he grabs a fitted sheet that is too small he will just have half the bed covered

-Major blanket thief

-Will kick, slap, and lay on top of you in his sleep

-Drools a lot

Gandalf:

-He has no problem falling asleep but unlike Frodo he doesn’t get a good sleep just anywhere; he needs to be in a bed to get a good nights rest

-Scary to wake up

-Once when I woke my dad up from a nap for dinner he jumped awake and very sternly said “that was VERY rude” ; and to make it worse he listening to a movie and literally Gollum was talking in his ear; so this is where I get the “scary to wake up” from

-Anyway

-Gandalf doesn’t startle awake often but his eyes flash open and he stares into your soul

-Pippin especially is afraid to wake the wizard

-He doesn’t really snore but his nose does the little whistle thing

-Likes to cover his eyes to keep it as dark as possible; his hat, a cloak, or a fancy silk eye mask

[shirefantasies]

This is kind of dumb but I gotta ask could you write about the hobbits with a reader is quite a bit shorter than them? Like a bit below their shoulder kinda short? I know it’s and off request but I gotta ask. Thank you and I really love all your writing by the way. I start smiling and kicking my feet every time you post something lmao ❤️❤️❤️

Nah, it’s not dumb! I mean statistically it seems like female hobbits are shorter than guys just like in the other races so that makes sense! Reader is a beautiful hobbit lass :) posting again so soon because I woke up with some distressing stuff happening surgery wise & I need some fluff ok 😔

Little Things- The Hobbits x Shorter!F!Hobbit!Reader

Frodo

✧ When he invited you on one of Bilbo’s little out-of-town adventures, the first place he wanted to take you was the bookshop, and that was before he realized how adorable you looked standing on your tiptoes trying to reach the higher shelves, some of which Frodo could help you pluck from and others he needed a ladder for too.

✧ Never lets you lift a finger when your family hosts dinners, rising and insisting that you’ve done plenty in preparation, let him at least get down the dishes and serve you up. Besides, he remembers all your favorites and dishes you extra!

✧ The way his hands run through your hair upon every embrace.

✧ As winter draws near, he enlists members of his family to craft a pair of gloves perfectly in your size, presenting them to you before the first snow and gently aiding you in pulling the soft warmth on, eyes shining at your gratitude.

✧ Comfortingly rests his hand upon your shoulder, which he can't help but thinking is the perfect reach away, whenever he sees concern bloom across your beautiful features.

✧ Feels heat rush to your cheeks when your smaller hand rests upon his, not quite covering it but blanketing it in the greatest warmth nonetheless.

Sam

✧ Sam hasn’t a strong preference for height, so you won’t see so much of a difference in the way he’s attracted to you…

✧ …you will see it in how much he loves the way you make him feel needed! He gets the softest smile on his face when you ask him to help you reach things.

✧ One day he sees you carrying a sunflower that’s even taller than you and his heart bursts with the realization that you’re his sunshine, you’re all he wants.

✧ Jumps between you and danger any chance he can get- even things as small as an apple tumbling off a cart toward your head have him rushing forth to catch them, check if you are ok.

✧ Insists on helping you put your trellis up, a great arch marking the entrance to your beautiful little home, doing all the hardest parts for you and letting you focus on your flowers.

✧ Loves the way your hands reach up for his shoulders to take him up into hugs!

Merry

✧ Teases you just a bit, occasionally resting an arm gently stop your head just to enjoy your reaction.

✧ Always lends you a hand to help you climb up the farmers’ fences, making sure you’ve gone over before he does anything else.

✧ Pulls you a little extra close to his chest when he hugs you, a hand going around your waist and his head resting atop yours.

✧ One of his favorite memories is of the day you two passed a field a few days after a new lamb was born, her young shepherd letting you hold her in your arms. Your gentle smile and how big even such a small creature looks in your grasp just has him softer than anything. Merry can't help himself imagining the sight of an even smaller animal or maybe even a baby.

✧ Lifts you up with both hands around your middle after daring you to try and reach the highest-hanging delicacies of your favorite apple tree.

✧ Feeling bold, he'll take the opportunity to reach up beneath your chin, tilting your head up to meet his gaze.

Pippin

✧ “That’s quite a nice ring. Can I see if it fits me?” “I doubt it, but you can sure try.” Pippin finds it’s a bit too small for his ring finger. “Guess so. My hands aren’t so much bigger, are they? Let me see.” Holds up his hand palm-out just to feel the press of your slightly smaller one against him, smiling with the contact.

✧ Stops by randomly with treats in hand for you, especially things like tartlets from his cousins' house or little cupcakes because even if you don't realize it, those small sweet treats never fail to remind him of you!

✧ It flusters him that much more if he trips in your presence, bringing you, the smaller of your duo, to be the one catching him. At the feeling of your arms around him, though, he will never complain.

✧ He always stays by your side, even to the point of you two falling asleep next to each other. Your head droops to his shoulder, and his rests atop yours.

✧ Forgets himself in his typical habits, slinging an arm around your shoulders when he gets too focused on the topic at hand; when he comes to, he cannot help noticing what a perfect height you are for the pose!

✧ Lets his head fall down the little distance to connect your foreheads when you share an especially fond goodbye or comforting embrace.

Bilbo

✧ Becomes quite the guard dog around you! Will never tolerate a single slight to your character, which has shown to be the very highest thank him very much.

✧ Shyly walks by your hobbit hole when he knows you’ll be picking from your orange tree, hoping you’ll invite him to join you. Fetches the higher-up ones and only keeps them at your insistence. Marvels at the size difference of your hands as you hand him a jar of the marmalade you recently made.

✧ Loves playing up the heights of things in all his wild tales that much more, whether they are trolls or towering cliffs, because surely they are many times your size, right? He thinks with a grin as he spins his yarns.

✧ Gets pushed into a dance with you at some party or another; glancing down to meet your eyes, he cannot help darting a brief gaze to your lips, flushing at their proximity and the feeling of your hands in his.

✧ The first time you grab him into a hug, his hands freeze for a moment before he finally lets them settle at the small of your back, daring to rub a soothing circle there.

✧ "Here," he gets your attention quietly, reaching down, "let me get this for you." Gently his fingers brush your hair, removing the leaf that had gotten tangled in a curl.

Taglist: @lokilover476 @fuckyoumakeart @mossthebogwitch @kilibaggins @ibabblealot @joonies-word @stormchaser819 | Reply/Ask/Message to join!

[southfarthing]

lotr soundtrack parts that make me lose it:

houses of healing intro

the bit that plays in the breaking of the fellowship when it's just sam's hand in the water

the bit that plays when merry and pippin see each other for the last time before shadowfax kicks off

the first part of the last debate. it's so grand but so doomed

the flute part towards the end of the houses of healing

(from the hobbit but the first ten seconds of mithril)

the beacons of course

when the string equivalent of the beat drops in the mouth of sauron

again but in the pelennor fields

heroic part in osgiliath invaded. looooove to daydream to it about faramir riding his horse like jaime lannister in front of his troops

all of theodred's funeral. eowyn's lament is like a thousand knives in my heart. and then gandalf consoling theoden who just breaks down......

opening of farewell dear bilbo

the start of the fellowship reunited

the fellowship reunited when they get back to the shire

...all 12 minutes of the fellowship reunited

the hobbit flute on the slopes of mount doom

the last march of the ents

let us risk a little more light!!! in moria

[mushroomates]

fellowship fav disney rides:

pippin: tower of terror. if not buckled in properly he will hit the ceiling. likes to make faces for the camera and tickle people with their arms up mid ride.

merry: space mountain, he will wait extra for front seats. once got a nose bleed on the ride. enjoys the stars, music, and of course the coaster. pretends not to know it only goes 20 mph. if you tell him, he will ignore you.

sam: small world. he will hum the song days after and everyone hates it but pretends not to. he takes lots of pictures during the ride every time he goes.

frodo: indiana jones! sam will go with him but will be squeezing his hand the whole time. says his favorite is small world so sam doesn’t feel bad about dragging him there over and over again.

legolas: tea cups. likes to make as many people throw up as possible. pippin is the only one who will still go with him. thinks snow white is hilarious.

gimli: star tours. gets sick every time. one time he was picked as fugitive and he still boasts about it to this day. is personally offended by snow white.

boromir: jungle cruise. laughs at every joke, even if he’s heard it a million times. will retell said jokes given any opportunity for weeks after. also enjoys turtle talk with crush.

aragorn: brings the hobbits to sawyer island. genuinely loves the canoes and will drag boromir with him.

gandalf: ferris wheel. if he’s feeling spicy he will even do the swinging carts. likes to watch the fireworks from above.

bonus:

bilbo: soarin’ over california. will make everyone go on it with him. has opening video memorized.

gollum: pirates of the caribbean. attempts to steal fake jewlery and drinks the water. has been kicked off several times

[spinningalbinoturtle]

Fellowship Marriage and Wedding Headcanons

Aragorn + Arwen

As we see in the movies and books their wedding is a very big to-do in Gondor. Arwen has a great eye and has picked out excellent design choices. If Aragorn had his way they would have been married in a small ceremony in Rivendell outside years ago but also Elrond saw to it that didn’t happen

They very much co-lead and have a fairly equal relationship. I say fairly because ultimately Arwen always has the last say

Aragorn genuinely and intensely worships his wife and will not hesitate to bring her or her opinions up at any given time.

They fuck A LOT. Aragorn absolutely knows how to please a woman and enjoys doing so

Sam and Frodo

Yes they’re married, no he didn’t go to the undying lands, no Sam doesn’t marry Rosie what are you talking about?

I think it would be wildly funny is they got married at Bilbo’s birthday party- but realistically I think they got married in Rivendell on their way back from the quest.

When Sam becomes Mayor he appoints Frodo as his deputy so they can work together

They have a very affectionate and loving relationship to the point where other hobbits (Merry and Pippin) get annoyed by their gratuitous displays of PDA

They have sex like once a week but cuddle everyday

They’re very protective of one another

Eowyn and Faramir

I’ve said it before I’ll say it again, Faramir is a trans woman-they are lesbians

Have a very equal relationship although Eowyn appears more dominant (and kinda is)

They share political power very equally though

They both are scared to be parents but also really want kids: spoiler alert they had nothing to worry about they are excellent parents

Eowyn is very open about sex and will discuss it or go at it in semi public spaces, Faramir is more shy so Eowyn respects this but encourages her to be more confident

Pippin and Diamond

They met at the strip club where Diamond is a dancer

They instantly fell in love

They are super devoted to one another

They are ALWAYS going at it and have evidence of their sex life displayed around their living room-this makes guests very uncomfortable

Pippin takes pole dancing classes to impress Diamond. He also takes her to the male strip club so “she can enjoy it”

His parents are a little disappointed but they keep it to themselves because they’re just happy Pippin finally settled down

Merry and Estella

I hate to say this but their marriage is low-key arranged. Merry’s dad wanted him to get married and Estella’s family wanted connections

At first they kinda like eachother and get along but Estella rapidly becomes annoyed with Merry’s constant being high and having Pippin over

She eventually divorces him. He goes to crash on Pippin’s couch for an extended stay

Eventually he goes back to Buckland. Estella gets rich off the divorce

Merry is happy with his bachelor lifestyle and has plenty of various boyfriends and girlfriends over the years. He teases his friends for being “tied down”

Legolas and Gimli

Their wedding is held in Dale in an attempt at neutrality but a fight breaks out between the dwarves and elves at the reception and they sneak away

They love to travel together

They have tried everything. And I mean everything. They never run out of ideas to spice up their sex life

They do sleep in separate rooms though because Legolas kicks and Gimli snores

They do not want kids but like being the weird uncles of everyone else’s kids. They don’t want the responsibility

Credit for the Diamond is a hobbit stripper headcanon goes to @diplomatson thank you my friend for that excellent idea

[eloquentsisyphianturmoil]

Legolas had a barbie phase.

Aragorn had a pirate phase.

Boromir had a cowboy phase.

Pippin wanted to be an astronaut (he was a space kid). Merry also wanted to be an astronaut, but mostly because he wanted to kick some alien butt.

Frodo wanted to be a vet. (For this reason, Sam wanted to be a puppy dog).

when Legolas discovered jojo siwa bows, he would put the all in his hair at once (and the remainder on his cuffs)

Galadriel selectively gives off grandmother, great aunt, hippie aunt, cool older cousin, and Chic I Cheated On My Gf With vibes.

The only thing that makes Boromir more uncomfortable that formal wear is Galadriel.

Gimli makes sandcastles. (Even if there isn’t any beach, or sand).

[cauliflowertree]

faramir - kiss me like you want to be loved.

summary: a long-awaited confession.

word count: 2.4k

fanfic no. 041

a/n: boromir lives because i say so.

it was a difficult farewell between the close brothers of gondor. but both were optimistic they would reunite not too far in the future—both were astute and praised warriors, trained from the day each of them could hold a sword upright.

between you and faramir, the cautious goodbye was somewhat tainted in awkwardness. neither of you were brave enough at the present moment to admit the feelings that plagued you both, effecting judgement, sleep and the completion of even minor tasks for many years now.

“farewell, y/n,” he spoke softly, a hitch in his breath, hesitantly raising an arm, wondering if he was crossing the delicate line of propriety.

“farewell, faramir,�� you replied, abandoning predetermined notions of decorum as you finished what he had started, pulling him into a quick embrace, the first you had ever shared. and perhaps the last.

when you released him from your hold, his gaze was fixed upon you, awestruck from the emotions that arose within him from such a simple gesture, beginning to regret that he could not take his brothers place and curse the father that did not trust him with the task. with his mouth agape, and eyes almost sleepy, and heart in torment, he watched you back away from him, stepping into line with his older brother.

he was the last citizen of gondor to remain at the city’s uppermost region, watching you and his brother ride off into the horizon. as such, he felt an abyss form within his stomach, guilt rousing it all the more from the words he left unspoken. he had waved his brother off jeopardy, but of his life he was not as concerned as he was with yours. all his youth and adulthood, he had admired you from afar, shadowed you everywhere you ventured, unstable when he was not near you.

and now, you crossed middle earth without him, courage and bravery in your heart as you promised to fight for those who could not, if the task should fall to you. he had failed to seize the opportunity to reveal to you the object of his desires. and now, as you disappeared into the distance, he feared it was too late for another opportunity to present itself.

he may see no tomorrow, what with the armies of mordor inching closer to minas tirith, each time leaving gondor with fewer men to defend its borders.

but he hoped, he let himself hope.

｡+ﾟ☆ﾟ+｡★｡+ﾟ☆ﾟ+｡★｡+ﾟ☆ﾟ+｡★｡+ﾟ☆ﾟ+｡

the trials of the fellowship had taken much of your spirit, only to be stressed by the fall of gandalf the grey. the elderly wizard had provided you with much wisdom and a perfected skillset, and his absence was dearly felt, but by no one more than yourself, someone he might have considered his family.

frodo and sam had begun the disbandment of your company, leaving you behind to pursue a trickier path, but one they must face alone. boromir had been seriously injured, almost fatally, enough that merry and pippin had been captured by an orc pack. but they had now returned, safe and sound where they belonged. though, dear pippin could not stay out of trouble for long.

and gandalf, it seemed, could not stay fallen for long.

“what’s going to happen to me?” asked pippin gloomily, kicking pieces of hay in the barn as you waited for gandalf.

“nothing is going to happen to you, dear pippin. you are safe from sauron if you remain with me and gandalf,” you assured him, ruffling his loose, curly locks.

“how long have you known gandalf?” asked pippin curiously.

“oh! a long time now—since my infancy. he took me under his wing long ago, and i have much to be grateful for,” you smiled fondly.

“i don’t think he likes me,” pippin frowned. “but then, i suppose, i am very accident prone.”

“i think sometimes you do without thinking. but you are young, and gandalf knows this. but he has lived many years, and can sometimes forget what ails the youth, such as yourself,” you explained, and added: “he cares for your safety, otherwise he would not get so angry.”

pippin seemed to accept this truth with a sunny disposition, his mood greatly improving upon hearing your explanation, taking it for nothing but the truth.

“merry!” he cried, rushing off to greet his friend.

“y/n,” called boromir, offering you a full water canister, in addition to your own. “do send my brother my well wishes.”

“of course, boromir. i am sure he will be delighted to hear of you.”

boromir laughed lightly. “yes, a brother’s bond is strong. though, i am sure he will be much more inclined to be delighted with your return.”

you smiled bashfully, turning away as heat crept into your cheeks. a hearty laugh sounded from behind you, and boromir clapped your back. “i see much,” he reminded you. "safe journey!" he called as he exited the barn in search of aragorn.

with a weepy send off between merry and pippin, you, gandalf and pippin set off for minas tirith. a flutter in your heart arose at the chance of seeing faramir again, barely entertaining the thought that he had fallen to an orc’s sword or axe. faramir was the best of his ranks, no doubt he was alive and well. and boromir’s encouragement did little to settle your nerves—the thought of reciprocation was almost too much to bear.

three day’s ride felt like nothing, despite the tribulations you’d been through these past months, for faramir awaited at the end of your journey. as the white city peeked above the distant horizon, shaded with hues of pink and orange, you pushed faster through the expanse that kept you from your destination.

pippin slept against gandalf’s chest, somehow unbothered by the erratic journey. and before long, your two horses were climbing the streets of minas tirith, warning passersby of your coming. the white tree in pippin's vision stood strong, undead—a ray of hope remained for frodo and sam.

you were home.

some hours had passed in gondor, no faramir in sight, and within that time the steward had made perfectly clear he would not call for aide, nor would he accept the ranger as king. but it all temporarily came to naught as the cries of nazgûl sounded from beyond the city walls.

hundreds of horses raced from osgaliath across the grassy expanse, fleeing from the fight they could not win against such forces. the winged beasts took them from above, grasping several men and horses between their talons and launching them through the air.

your sank through your chest, palms instantly bearing sweat as you feared for faramir’s safe return. he was, quite clearly, outnumbered by many, though he had proved to make a rational decision in the midst of war by ordering his men to fall back. still, the terror that gripped you was all-consuming, almost enough to bring you to your knees, for you could scarcely bear to watch.

you turned to gandalf in silent, desperate worry, and he understood the urge you felt to flee the castle walls and help in some way if you could, if it meant they would be saved.

you and gandalf rode out. a light from gandalf’s staff, bright and unrelenting forced the nazgûl away and brought the army of men to safety, faramir included. you could see him, almost clearly in the ranks of his men, riding fast to the city gate. he dared to turn and meet your gaze. the fear had subsided, though the adrenaline remained, and you breathed a heavy sigh of relief, closing your eyes and letting the wind whip through your hair as you silently thanked silent forces for this fortune.

when the danger had slipped away, faramir dismounted his horse and wasted no time in approaching you. he was breathless, tired, but alert. it was a quick, silent moment you thought he might break with a laugh or a welcoming embrace, but instead, questioned you of his brother, to which you informed him of his safety and health. he turned to pippin with a start next, filling you and gandalf with unbridled hope as he revealed he had seen two halflings alive and well not so long ago.

and afterwards, with as much decorum between the two of you as distant strangers, he walked with you and gandalf to meet his father. quietly, he fell back in line with you, conversing with you rather formally, despite that not ten minutes before he almost deserted decency to embrace you without hesitation. but he restrained himself, for what reason he could not quite remember.

entering the castle, feeling, finally, much safer now that he was deep within the city, he let himself look at you. you seemed well, and he hoped that was how you truly felt too. he thought of you often in your absence, though over time, little details and intricacies of your features had slipped away from memory. but now that they were before him again, he smiled familiarly, admiring you for all that you were.

“i must replenish myself,” faramir informed you, hoping you might follow him so he would be blessed with a moment alone with you.

“yes, of course,” was your meek response.

he hesitated slightly, unaware if you had caught onto his subtle indication and were politely refusing or whether it had passed over your head completely. and so he left without another word, jaw clenched and shaking his head at the fool he had made himself look.

“well, aren’t you going to follow him?” asked pippin in disbelief when he was far enough away that his little comment would go unheard.

“whatever do you mean, little one?” you asked with a scoff.

“that is clearly a man who wishes to be followed!”

you trailed his gaze, catching faramir looking behind, but laughed it off instantly. “i- no. you’re mistaken.”

“i am not!” replied pippin, looking to gandalf for approval.

you looked to the old wizard yourself too, hoping for assurance on your behalf, but found nothing of the sort as he smirked at pippin and raised his eyebrows. with nothing leaving his lips, you understood perfectly the meaning of his silence.

most embarrassed by the scene, you hurried off in pursuit of the gentlemen who had left you behind in the hopes that you would follow. but for all your desires that he might wish for you the way you wished for him, catching the signs of this reciprocation was much more complicated than you might have imagined.

you turned down many passages, walked through several corridors, completely in the dark as to where he might have gone. you were so caught up in looking for him, in fact, that you missed him completely, and only found yourself face to face with the man when he called you back.

he had been staring at an old piece of art in the castle, one he must have seen and admired a dozen times before, but had needed something with which to occupy himself as he waited and hoped to see you.

“i was looking for you,” was all you spoke, unsure of how to begin.

“you found me, it seems,” he laughed. “with a little aid.”

he let his smile fade slowly, searching for the words in his crowded mind so that he might perfectly convey all that he thought in regards to his feelings for you. he gestured to an empty bench before the painting that hung tall, sitting close beside you.

“i have been meaning, for some time now, to tell you that which i have kept from you,” he began, keeping you on the edge of your seat. “from our youth, though i did not know it then, i have felt for you something i have never felt for another. and…” his breath was trembling, his eyes fixed to his hands. you took them warmly into yours, and this forced him to meet your eyes, where he found the utmost encouragement. “and when you left those weeks ago, i have regretted every moment since that i did not tell you then exactly how i felt.”

“and how do you feel?” you asked him, needing to hear it after so long.

“i feel…i feel as if- as if you- no. when i am in battle,” said he, “and my sword is kicked from my grasp, the enemy bearing down upon me, it is not, though perhaps it should be, for my men that i find the strength to stand again, to fight with my bare hands if i must. it is not for the approval of my father, nor even for my brother. when i am an inch from death, i find my strength in you, i find my courage in you. my hope, in the thought that i would see you again.”

“faramir,” you whispered through a breath of disbelief, that an honourable man such as he would care for you so deeply, a wayward soul under the influence of a wandering wizard. “i could not wish for a better man to have said these words to me. you are the best i could hope for, and truly i did hope for you,” you laughed through your tears, struggling to find breath under the weight of this joyous revelation.

“my y/n,” he chuckled, his teary eyes following the down-turn of your head as you pulled his hands up to your lips.

cupping your jaw delicately, he raised your eye-line to meet his, gazing upon you like a revered work of art. softly, he brushed your tears away with the pad of his thumb, leaning in cautiously but eagerly for something which the both of you had craved for an eternity. his mouth brushed yours tentatively, opening your lips to accommodate his own. and the pair of you were set ablaze, suddenly and feverishly reaching for each other as if you were not close enough already—his tunic gripped between your fingers, your hand over his neck while his arm snuck around your waist and fingers tangled into your hair.

distantly, he heard his father’s bellows, and it pulled him from you reluctantly. resting his forehead against yours, he regained much of the breath he had lost in your shared embrace, taking a moment to recover.

“i must go,” he said lowly, the baritone in his voice causing you to shiver.

“come and find me when you are done.”

“i would not think to do anything else,” he whispered, kissing the crown of your head before stoically marching towards his father’s inevitable disapproval.

though his approval, in comparison to yours, was trivial.

🏷 @velvetcloxds @entishramblings

[balanceoflightanddark]

"Nonetheless, ease and peace had left this people still curiously tough. They were, if it came to it, difficult to daunt or to kill; and they were, perhaps, so unwearyingly fond of good things not least because they could, when put to it, do without them, and could survive rough handling by grief, foe, or weather in a way that astonished those who did not know them well and looked no further than their bellies and their well-fed faces. Though slow to quarrel, and for sport killing nothing that lived, they were doughty at bay, and at need could still handle arms. They shot well with the bow, for they were keen-eyed and sure at the mark. Not only with bows and arrows. If any Hobbit stooped for a stone, it was well to get quickly under cover, as all trespassing beasts knew well."

-J.R.R Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, Prologue 1. Concerning Hobbits pgs. 5-6

This paragraph fascinates me for a few reasons. Often in fiction, a long period of peace is often used for explaining why people are so slow to react to a rising threat. That prolonged prosperity dulled the senses and breeds complacency. Indeed, Frodo himself does express some exasperation and almost wishes for a dragon or some evil force to invade the Shire to shake the Hobbits out of their complacency.

Which to some level is true here. It's a known fact that Hobbits like to keep out of the affairs of the "big people". Yet at the same time, even if they want to keep themselves isolated, it doesn't mean the world won't march into the Farthings regardless of what they want. After all, there wasn't a whole lot stopping the Nazgul or Saruman from entering their borders.

Yet at the same time, the paragraph does illustrate that just because Hobbits have grown accustomed to peace, doesn't mean they're pushovers. Consider Bandobras "Bullroarer" Took and the Battle of the Green Fields. When a goblin warband led by Golfimbel descended from the Misty Mountains and broke through the Dunedain's encirclement to invade the Shire, Bullroarer charged straight at the goblin ranks. He then proceeded to knock Golfimbel's head off and shatter the morale of the warband.

The story was repeated in the Battle of Bywater when Saruman decided to set up a criminal ring in the Shire after his defeat at the hands of the Ents. Long story short, once Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin returned, the Hobbits proceeded to raise up a sizeable force and effectively kicked Saruman out of the Shire. Mind you, Saruman used to be the greatest wizard in Middle-Earth, and the Hobbits led to his final defeat. That's two accounts of invasions of the Shire going badly for the invaders.

And that's not even getting into the adventures that Bilbo, Frodo, and his friends got into during the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings respectively. Bilbo was able to save the asses of Thorin's Company multiple times, discovered Smaug's weakpoint and indirectly relayed that to Bard via the Thrush, and risked life and limb to forestall a battle between the Dwarves, Men, and Elves till Bolg showed up. Frodo and Sam were ultimately able to destroy the One Ring, while Merry and Pippin were able to rouse the Ents into attacking Isengard. That's not even counting Merry being partially responsible for the death of the infamous Witch King.

So even though the Hobbits were accustomed to peace, they weren't complacent enough to be pushovers when presented with a threat. Personally, I think part of the reason this is so is because the Hobbits never forgot the basic necessities of a good life: a comfortable home, friends, family, and basically everything needed to live simply. They never indulged too much in luxury to become lax like Smaug, nor constantly scheming to take more power like Sauron or Saruman. They were happy with living simple on the farm.

It turns out, that's what gave them their edge. They were down to earth, so they had a good sense of morality thanks to living humble lives. Safeguarding their farms from wild animals meant that some Hobbits could recognize a threat when they realized it. And their sense of community and friendship got them through some of their hardest trials, like when Frodo almost succumbed to the Ring and Sam never gave up on him. Their sense of community and toughing it out through the hardest times such as during the Long Winter when Gandalf began to really warm up to the Hobbits, seeing the value and courage in them.

So while they're not the flashiest or most "badass" of Middle-Earth's free peoples, the Hobbits are some of the hardiest and "purest" races. And how ironically, peace never dulled their senses but served to toughen them up for the dark times ahead.

[ass-deep-in-demons]

✦ Healing Touch ✦

Fandom: Lord of the Rings Pairing: Boromir x OC  Tropes: awkward bedsharing, hurt/comfort Length: 4352 words Rating: T+ Warnings: blood, injury, canon-typical violence, Legolas being a little shit

This story takes place in the Wandering Birds AU (main fic currently in the making). It was originally posted as a WIP, in response to scyllas-revenge's wonderful Bed Shortage series. I've since developed it a little. Last edit: 12 Dec 2023.

[AO3] [MASTERPOST] [MORE WANDERING BIRDS]

The Wold, Rhovanion, Middle Earth, 28th of Nénimë 3019 TE

Boromir could feel little save the sizzling rage pulsing through his veins, as he hacked at one of the last two remaining orcs, shearing the creature’s head. The other one charged at him with a spear, but Boromir managed to grasp the weapon just under the sharpened tip, deflect it and use it to pull the monster forward, effectively skewering it on his sword. At once the creature screeched and punched its shield right into the man’s face.

Boromir cursed, as he went deaf and tasted blood. He staggered, but managed to stay upright. It was no easy thing, to fell an Uruk, as the beasts remained kicking even stuffed with iron. They feel no pain, fear no foe , Boromir thought with horror. He envied the vile lowlife, then, even if just for a fleeting moment. The orc raised its shield to slam it again, and Boromir realised belatedly he had nowhere to hide from the blow, not without giving ground and losing his sword, so he braced for the impact.

But suddenly the orc stumbled, and Meriadoc’s curly head peeked from behind the orc’s shoulder. The brave halfling jumped on the Uruk’s back and was trying to slit the creature’s throat. Orcish skin was hardened and almost impossible to pierce without strength and momentum backing the blade, so the hobbit’s dagger slid awkwardly and drew no blood. Boromir was going to have a good long talk with the young Brandybuck after this adventure, a talk concerning proper bladework techniques and also how unwise it was to climb up an enemy thrice one’s height. However, at the moment Merry’s antics worked in their favour.

Profiting from the Uruk’s distraction, Boromir pulled with his body weight to wring his sword from the Uruk’s bowels and… THUD! He slipped and landed on his back in a puddle of ichor. The orc landed on top of him, suddenly limp and very dead, driving the hilt of Boromir’s sword straight into the man’s solar plexus. Boromir’s eyes watered from the impact but he wasted no time pushing the monster aside and rolling onto his hands and knees. He promptly retched. There went his breakfast. Ouch . He hoped his padded gambeson protected his ribs this time, but he wasn’t so sure.

“Boromir!” shouted Merry, who had rolled down the orc’s back during their fall, landed on his arse, and now was the first back up on his feet. “Are you alright?” The hobbit knelt beside the Gondorian and winced at the sight of his battered face.

“I’ll live,” Boromir grunted, breathless and not entirely convinced of his words. Still heaving, but slowly regaining his senses, he spotted an arrow with white feather fletching sprouting from the Uruk’s eye. So that’s what killed the ugly bastard, he thought. Normally Boromir would be annoyed at Prince Legolas for once again showing off and stealing his kill, but this time the archer had likely saved his sorry mortal life, so Boromir decided he would not complain.

He sat up and brushed back his sticky hair, unwittingly smearing orc blood over his forehead in the process. His surcoat, breeches and to some extent his gambeson, were also soaked with ichor. Maimed Uruk-Hai bodies surrounded them, all of them felled by Boromir with the occasional well timed assistance from Merry - hobbitish mischief aside, after weeks of practice they made a good team. Pippin was nearby, trying to free his dagger from under a fallen foe. A few yards to the right he noticed a mightily angry Gimli. Fuming and grumbling, the dwarf was stomping around the battlefield to retrieve his various blades and hatchets from orc corpses. Boromir could very well guess the reason for the dwarf’s grumpiness: the elf stood in the centre of the battlefield, carefully cleaning a bunch of retrieved arrows, tall and smug and without a spot on him. Blasted Edhel , he thought, not a hair out of place. He did not dwell on the comedic potential of Legolas’s blonde mane actually getting ruined in a fight. (If he had learned anything about elves during his time in Imladris, it was that they could be indeed very vain and prone to dramatics). No, he turned his head to scan the perimeter further, searching for someone, some thing in particular.

Where is it, he thought, as he scanned the battlegrounds for signs of Frodo. Immediately he felt a wave of guilt wash over his noisy mind. His first thoughts should be not for the wretched Ring, but for the safety of his companions: of Lady Joanna, and of Frodo, who were the most vulnerable of their party. Alas, he could not help it. Thoughts of the Ring occupied his mind these days more often than not. So long as the Ring is with us, there is yet hope for Gondor, he thought frantically.

But Boromir could not spot the rest of their company on the battleground, and was growing more and more anxious with every heartbeat that passed. When the Orcs had rushed at their party, Boromir had bid Joanna to take refuge between the trees with Frodo and Sam. She was a brave and sensible one, his Lady, and so he knew she would lead the hobbits to safety and defend them if need be. Since when is she my Lady , he chided himself, but he did not get to finish that thought.

“Oh, no!” whined Merriadoc, “look there!” He pointed to the farther end of the clearing that served as their battleground, where Aragorn was crouched between the trees, in a spot somewhat hidden from sight.

Boromir felt bile rise to his throat once again. Aragorn was kneeling, flanked by ashen-faced Frodo and panicking Sam. He was bent over a collapsed figure, pressing cloth to torn flesh.

Joanna.

No, nonononono, please, no! Boromir was not prepared for how deeply the sight of her in peril affected him. He jumped to his feet a little too abruptly and felt his head spin, but he still hurried to where she lay. She had to be alive, she had to ! When he reached the spot, he dropped to his knees beside Samwise, and took in the sight of her, words failed him.

Joanna lay pale in the grass, unconscious, hair and limbs in disarray. Were it not for the belaboured breathing, she would be the very picture of death, and Boromir shuddered as he beheld her. Aragorn had cut open part of her bloodied tunic, exposing a nasty gash just above her hip. It was seeping steadily, and Aragorn was trying to quench the bleeding. Boromir could not take this sight in for long and quickly averted his eyes. He spotted a fallen Uruk-Hai to the side, its body full of slashes that were the telltale mark of Aragorn’s neat bladework.

“What happened?” exclaimed Gimli, who was the last one to rejoin the group, after Legolas and Pippin. All were now surrounding Aragorn, willing to know what had befallen their Lady companion and to be of help. But the ranger did not respond immediately and instead gritted his teeth in quiet frustration.

“One of them spotted our hiding place,” Samwise stammered. “We called out to you lot, but you were engaged in the fight and the clamour was so loud…” The young hobbit trembled. “Lady Joanna wanted to give Mister Frodo a chance to run, she did!”

“… and I got here too late,” finished Aragorn. “Blast it, she’s losing blood!”

Everybody in the party held their breath, as it became apparent that the ranger was about to give his prognosis. Boromir would pray to the Valar in that moment, but for his recent crisis of faith. He no longer believed the so-called Powers of Arda could be of help in this, or in any other matter close to his heart. That, of they simply did not care for the fate of mere mortals. He briefly wondered if the Ring’s magic could somehow heal her, but he dared not ask this out loud. No! He shook his head as if to get rid of that thought. Aragorn would tell us if the Ring could be of help in this, he reassured himself. Alas, they could only rely on the mundane skills of the quiet ranger and Boromir supposed he had to be grateful for even that much.

“I will bind her wound for now, so we can move, but I will have to stitch it properly, and soon, if she is to have a chance,” said Aragorn finally. Boromir released a breath and saw others relax as well. So, she had a chance. He would take what hope he could have from that. Aragorn got down to work promptly, putting pressure to her wound and binding it with bandages, with the aid of fumbling Samwise. Boromir understood that his job at that moment was to make sure the ranger could work in peace. He was startled when he realised that he had forgotten to retrieve his sword from the battlefield, so he went back to the site of the fight to rectify that without delay. Gimli and Meriadoc joined him on the watch, as he cleaned his weapon and monitored the perimeter, glancing over in Aragorn’s direction from time to time. Legolas, however, remained by Aragorn’s side, watchful, growing seemingly more and more tense. That boded ill, Boromir knew.

“We truly cannot remain here, Aragorn,” said Legolas after a while. “It is not safe. I can hear more of them crawling around in the woods, tracking us even now as we linger.”

“Good thing I am done, then,” said the ranger, as he tied the last loose end of the bandage. “This should hold for some time.” He stood and waved the party over. “Legolas, you run ahead and scout for a spot where we could set up camp,” Aragorn commanded with ease. “Boromir, will you carry Joanna, so I can mind the trail? Try not to jostle her too much. Gimli, you guard the rear and make sure no one sneaks up on us.” By that point in their journey it came naturally for them to follow the ranger’s lead, so the party promptly assumed order. 

Boromir picked Joanna up the gentlest way he managed and propped her head on his shoulder. He supposed he could pretend she was just asleep if he really tried, but even then the ghastly pallor and her laboured breathing would give away her grave condition. If he could kick himself without tripping, he would. And then kick again, and maybe punch himself, for good measure. Just how could I let that happen? He had thought she and the Ringbearer would be safer in the forest, away from the skirmish, and apparently so had Aragorn. Well, they had thought wrong.

If only it weren’t for the accursed Ring and the foolish plan to bring it to Mordor! he thought bitterly. Once again, he vowed to himself that he would bring the Ring to Minas Tirith and end this madness once an opportunity arose. He chose not to dwell on the fact that doing so would antagonise his comrades, whom he had come to regard with warm feelings and great respect. Maybe he could convince them, sway Aragorn’s judgement… But he had tried that already, and failed. His guts twisted unpleasantly with guilt. Enough about the Ring! There were more pressing problems at the moment. He looked at Joanna’s pale, dewy face and his heart trembled. And what if she doesn’t… Boromir couldn’t bring himself to finish that thought. He focused on following the ranger’s footsteps through the forest and minding the path under his feet, to make Joanna’s journey less uncomfortable. 

The march in search of a safe camping spot was passing slowly and every moment was torture. The skin on Boromir’s back crawled, as he fought off the grim thoughts threatening to overwhelm his mind. No one was talking for fear of attracting unwanted attention. Even the ever cheerful hobbits were in gloomy moods, exhausted after the fight and worrying over the party’s safety. Gimli marched beside Boromir and took to touching Boromir’s elbow from time to time in silent reassurance, likely seeing his distress. He would not be so friendly if he knew my heart, Boromir thought, but he was grateful for the gesture all the same, because it helped him resist despair for a little while longer. She will survive this, he would repeat to himself time and time again. Finally they saw Legolas approaching from the path ahead.

“Come quickly, my friends!” the elf signalled them, “I’ve found a sheltered place that will serve us well.” Boromir’s shoulders sagged with relief, but he saw Joanna grimace in her sleep at the movement, so he promptly adjusted his position again.

They followed Legolas, and before long arrived at a small ravine between bulky rocks. The entrance to it was partially concealed by low hanging spruce branches. Boromir carried Joanna into the ravine, careful to avoid the trees’ needles, and set her on the ground. Aragorn was upon her again in an instant, and Sam kneeled down to assist him.

“Boromir, Legolas, could you fetch water?” the ranger ordered absentmindedly and started recovering some obscure herbs from the pouches in his backpack.

Boromir would rather stay at Joanna’s side, and not to lose sight of the Ringbearer if he could help it, but the elf tugged at his arm, and he dared tarry no longer. He and Legolas gathered the canteens from everyone and left the camp in search of water. Their trek was silent initially. Boromir had no idea where the elf was leading them, but he was likely following the murmur of a stream from afar, because his steps were sure.

“Aragorn will mend her,” said Legolas after some time, unprompted. “No need to brood so much.”

Boromir gritted his teeth. “I am not brooding,” he said, and immediately felt embarrassed at how silly he sounded.

“You are consumed with worry, my friend, and you look dreadful” said Legolas to that, in a cheerful tone that somewhat belied the bite of his words. “At this rate, when she wakes, she will faint again from terror when she sees the state you are in.”

“Oh, go fuck a tree,” Boromir snapped. Legolas chuckled at first, clearly glad that his prodding got a reaction, but then grew serious.

“I might just do that,” the elf said and nodded solemnly, then continued walking on the path ahead, leaving the Gondorian flabbergasted. Damned elves and their weird ways and their stupid word games. Most of the time Boromir couldn’t tell if Legolas was being serious or pulling his leg, and he certainly was not going to start seriously pondering whether the Edhil could indeed couple with trees. 

When they finally arrived at the stream, Boromir had to admit that, all in all, Legolas’s tomfoolery managed to wrangle him from his bad mood somewhat. He felt the fog gradually lift from his mind. They quenched their thirst first, then Boromir washed away the grime of battle from his head and his hands, while Legolas stepped into the stream with his bare feet and splashed for a little in childlike glee. They both immediately felt better, and the tension dissipated somewhat. They returned to the campsite in companionable silence amidst the creeping dusk that brought the night’s chill with it.

Back at the ravine it became apparent that while they had been gone, the hobbits had been busying themselves with chores. While Aragorn had worked on Joanna’s wound and Gimli had stood watch, the halflings had worked to remove debris from the ravine’s floor and prepared a space for the Fellowship to set down their bedrolls. Boromir and Legolas unburdened themselves and reported to Aragorn. He was just finishing binding Joanna’s midriff with a broad bandage. Boromir resolved to look away to preserve her modesty.

“I have stitched her wound,” said the ranger, “and she bleeds no more. But she has lost a substantial amount of blood. Still, I am almost positive she can make it through the night with our help.”

Hearing that, Boromir was ready to cry with relief. The ranger reached out his hand and Boromir passed him one of the full canteens. Aragorn carefully poured a few drops of water into Joanna’s mouth and massaged her throat to make her swallow. He repeated this a few times, and then stopped and covered her with blankets.

Then he addressed Legolas. “What’s the situation in the woods?”

“Orcs are still about. I could hear them from afar on our way from the stream,” said Legolas. “They are not too close, but they could be drawn here if we are not careful.”

“We cannot risk fire, then,” said Aragorn, as he sank deep in thoughts, frowning. Boromir observed the man keenly, and, to his surprise, Aragorn looked right back at him, with a strange expression. For a second he saw something like a smirk chase through Aragorn’s face and disappear momentarily. Boromir’s trying to deduce the ranger’s thoughts was cut short, as Aragorn announced the evening meal. “We’ll have to make do with dry rations tonight,” he said. Immediately he and Boromir had to shush and appease four whining hobbits, who were decidedly not happy about having to forgo a warm meal. 

Samwise compiled a meagre supper - bread, cheese and some vegetables. Each of the Fellowship took their share and they munched together in silence. It was getting chillier as the night swiftly approached, and the party started preparing for bed. The hobbits huddled together in a small hollow at the back of the ravine, a bit secluded from its entrance chamber. The big folk set out their bedrolls in the main space, where Aragorn had earlier organised the healing station for Joanna. Boromir decided to finally ditch his bloodied surcoat as he prepared for sleep, and donned a woollen tunic that he had been carrying in his backpack for the colder weather. He sat down to sort through his things, hoping to find a brooch to clasp it with…

“Boromir,” said Aragorn quietly, as he sat beside, “you and Joanna must share a bedroll tonight,” he announced without much ceremony.

Boromir felt as if someone dumped a bucket of hot water under his collar.

“Pardon?” he said, and his voice sounded pathetically squeaky. He felt his face grow warm and he was suddenly thankful for the darkness. He hoped that Aragorn would drop the issue hearing his indignation, but the ranger persisted.

“She has lost blood, her circulation is weak at the moment. Without a fire she will certainly lose too much warmth during the night, especially come dawn, and run a fever,” he explained patiently. “One of us must sleep near her to fend off the cold.” Aragorn paused and then added, “It should be you, because out of us four I figured she would object to your closeness the least.”

That she would prefer him, and that Aragorn acknowledged it, made Boromir feel warm inside. At the same time it did little to reduce his mortification.

“That makes it more inappropriate, not less,” he groaned.

“Oh?” said Aragorn, this time not even hiding his smirk. “And which one of us would you rather took your place?”

Legolas chuckled. Boromir wished the elf would stop doing that. Joanna was a Lady, it was unfair and improper to laugh at their predicament. Then again, properly, we shouldn’t be having this conversation in the first place, he thought angrily. At the same time, Boromir had to admit, a distinctly unpleasant sensation uncoiled in his stomach at the thought of either of his companions cuddling with Lady Joanna throughout the night. It wouldn’t be right. He could not let that happen, he decided.

“Very well, I will do it,” Boromir drawled.

“I thought as much,” said Aragorn dryly and patted his shoulder. “You take the first watch and let her rest in the meantime. When the time comes, wake me and I’ll help you arrange her on your bedroll.” Aragorn paused and looked Boromir in the eyes. “Do not worry. This is for healing purposes. You are a gentleman, all of us will be here, and one will be on the watch at all times, and so it will be right proper,” the ranger declared with finality.

Is he reassuring me, or lecturing me? … Or was that a threat? Boromir decided he was better off not knowing. He was very much tempted to respond with something snarky, but instead opted to just nod. Suddenly bone-tired, cold, alone and at the mercy of his anxieties, desires and regrets, Boromir sat at the entrance to the ravine and commenced his watch.

✦✦✦

When the time came, Boromir quietly woke Aragorn up. He lay down next to Joanna, and then Aragorn turned her onto her good side, and propped her head on Boromir’s chest, so that she was snuggled to his side and held in place by his arm. Aragorn nodded, satisfied, and covered them both with a blanket. 

“Remain like so, and try to get some sleep,” he ordered. Then the ranger took his place by the entrance to the ravine and began his vigil.

Boromir could feel more than hear Joanna’s unsteady breathing, as her soft body was pressed to his side.

Think of unappealing things, Boromir commanded himself. Like… orcs. He thought of how orcs walked. How their blood would splash when he would cut them down with his sword. Wait, that was actually not a little satisfying. Orcs eating the flesh of their victims, then. Oh, that was indeed mighty unappealing. Like Gollum. Boromir thought about the creature’s loony eyes in the dark, about its slimy skin wrinkling over measly bones. He was determined for his thoughts to stay as pure as could be, so he would be able to look Joanna in the eyes when she would come to her senses.

When have I started to think of her like that , Boromir wondered. What did it? Was it the way her flaxen hair would dance in the wind? The healthy glow, the softness of her skin? Was it her sharp wits? How she would often challenge him in unexpected ways… Or was it her kindness? Her capacity for understanding, which had been his saving grace during this journey many a time?

Not for the first time, his mind betrayed him. Unbidden, thoughts and images flooded his consciousness. What if instead of this orc-infested, Valar-forsaken forest, they were in Minas Tirith? In Boromir’s quarters in the Citadel… In his bed… They would be safe from peril, washed, fed and well rested. The Ring would be tucked safely inside Boromir’s shift, and Joanna fast in his arms. Perhaps it wouldn’t be their first night spent like this. He felt his blood warming. Perhaps it could be one of many such nights. It would all come true, if I could but secure the Ring, end this mad quest and this senseless war…

But no! She would not stand for it… Boromir’s throat clenched. Joanna believed in the Fellowship’s quest, she’d been vocal in its support. Would she hate him, if she knew his mind? Would Aragorn? Would Frodo? Such thoughts were almost too painful to bear. Why must Valar test me so? Boromir asked silently. Alas, no answer came.

At least I have this moment, he thought, feeling a bit pathetic, but he could not help it. He let himself savour her warmth and listened to her quiet breathing, which had turned calm and regular. Even if she was unconscious, and even when he was valiantly trying to ignore the images that were coming to him unbidden, prompted by the prolonged physical contact with the woman who held his heart, there was something about Joanna’s quiet presence that soothed Boromir’s nerves. Gradually, he abandoned the thoughts of the Ring, of his conflicting loyalties, and of the loss and drama that likely awaited him. Being near her, having her like this, it turned for Boromir into a silent, meditative moment of respite, one for which he was infinitely grateful. He didn’t even notice when sleep overtook him after the day’s exertions and adventures.

✦✦✦

Boromir awoke startled when Joanna stirred in his arms, her breathing turned erratic, and he could feel her tense and jerk. Is she plagued by bad dreams? he wondered. He hoped she wasn’t re-living the attack from yesterday in her nightmare.

“Shhhhhh,” he tried to calm her, and instinctively squeezed her lightly with his arm to hold her down. It made her hiss in pain and he quickly relaxed his hold again. “Forgive me,” he whispered.

“Boromir?” she asked weakly, “what is happening?”

For a heartbeat Boromir wanted to sing. She was awake! He could kiss Aragorn right then and there for stitching her up yesterday and applying his weird weed to her wounds. Or, better yet, he could kiss her, for coming back to him. Then he regained awareness of his exact current position and the delicate task of breaking the news to her, which he was now facing.

“Joanna, you were wounded and we set camp for the night… and I… and Strider…” he forced himself to halt his panicked blabbing.

She paused her stirring. Her head was on his chest and he realised that she could likely hear how fast his heart was beating. Was she confused? Afraid? Appalled? Or… was their closeness welcome to her? The uncertainty of her feelings fuelled his anxiety.

“Boromir, why are we…?” she asked slowly, very deliberately leaving the question open ended. Her small hand tightened around a fistful of his woollen tunic.

Boromir was no stranger to women, and there had been a time in his life when he had even considered himself well-versed in their ways. Alas, perhaps due to all the recent pressure he was subject to, in that moment his wits failed him. He blurted out the first thing that came to his mind.

“Aragorn made me do it.”

Legolas’ irreverent snort of laughter coming from the next bedroll was his only immediate response.

[lttl3babybug]

Something nice and sweet with Pippin perhaps? He’s my favorite 🥰 sorry if this isn’t that specific

PIPPIN!! AHHH!! Pippin is my favourite Hobbit!! Idk if you’d noticed but my blog is pretty Pippin centric :p But I’m gonna do some headcanons for him as a regressor and caregiver bc I see him as both!! TY FOR THE PIPPIN REQUEST!!

Flip!Pippin Took Headcanons!

Regressor Pippin

🥞Regressor Pippin is either a handful or not a bother at all

🥞Considering the fact that Pippin is the youngest of the 4 Hobbits I imagine he’d probably regress to the youngest out of them as well

🥞I’d say he’d probably be more of a toddler regressor than a baby regressor but if he’s had a rough day he’ll happily be your little baby boy

🥞Give him like a regression range of 1-6

🥞Mud. That’s a whole point. Expect this little one to come back covered in mud after playing out with Merry all afternoon

🥞He’s very clingy, if you got out in public and he regresses he will not let go of your hand at all

🥞Try and put him down for a nap, I dare you. He will bite

🥞Then he’ll cry about biting you because he feels super bad that he hurt you

🥞He’s a very loving little one (when you’re not trying to put him down for a nap), he’ll draw you pictures and let you cuddle his beloved stuffies

🥞Speaking of stuffies he has thousands upon thousands. He kicks them all off his bed in his sleep other than his favourite one

🥞He takes this stuffie everywhere with him. Everywhere.

🥞Sometimes when Pippin does eventually go down for his naps he gets bad nightmares about what happened during his adventure.

🥞He’ll wake up with tears following down his cheeks as he calls out for you while clutching his favourite stuffie

Caregiver Pippin

🥞Pippin as a caregiver is a little hectic

🥞He’s not irresponsible but he’s not exactly responsible

🥞Can be cook for you? No. Let’s be real no he cannot. Will he bribe Sam into cooking for you? Absolutely

🥞Pippin may not be the most practical Caregiver but he’s a great playmate!

🥞You want to read stories? He’s totally down to sit and help you sound out the words

🥞You’re having a stuffie tea party? Count Pippin in, he loves the taste of your imaginary tea

🥞Playing outside? He’s already covered in mud and ready to join you

🥞As childish as he is he does very much care for you, he loves you after all, if you get hurt he’s rushing to your side to comfort you

🥞If you bumped your head on a doorframe or something like that he’ll tell off the doorframe for hurting his precious baby

🥞He’ll cuddle you until you’ve stopped crying and ask him if you can continue playing now

🥞He loves every picture you colour in for him, keeps all of them. Your favourite ones go on the fridge because he can’t pick a favourite, he loves them all

🥞Merry often helps Pippin look after you, he’s over a lot, he watches you while Pippin bribes Sam into helping him cook

🥞Merry Will also happily play in the mud with all of you, he loves holding you and telling you stories of how brave Pippin was when he was on his adventures

🥞Pippin sees taking care of you as a way to prove that he is responsible, he went months with being called a fool and being underestimated so taking care of you is proving that he’s not a fool and that he can be responsible

🥞If he’s having a bad day, he’ll still try his best to take care of you but might not be as enthusiastic about everything. He’s happy to just sit and watch you though!

🥞Don’t think just because Pip is having a rough day he won’t do his best to look after his little one

[adamwatchesmovies]

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is the definition of “epic”. The climax is on a scale so massive it’s legendary. You see it and cannot imagine how the series could top itself in the final chapter. It also contains great, quieter character moments, just enough comedy to give you the emotional breaks you need before the action kicks up again and some romance too. The special effects were spectacular for the time and hold up today. Yes, the extended edition is long - you basically have to dedicate an entire evening to it – but it never feels long. As soon as it's over, you'll debate whether you have time to sit down and watch the next chapter.

As Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) and Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin) make their way toward Mordor to destroy the Ring of Power, they discover that its previous owner, the creature called Gollum (Andy Serkis) is following them. Though treacherous, Gollum may be the key to fulfilling their quest. Meanwhile, Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) arrive in the kingdom of Rohan to find its King, Théoden (Bernard Hill), corrupted by the wizard Saruman (Christopher Lee). In the forest near Saruman’s tower, Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd) try to convince Treebeard (voiced by Rhys-Davies) to join the fight against him and his army of Uruk-Hai.

Before we dig in, let me clarify that we’re talking about the Extended Edition of the film, which is 45 minutes longer than the already lengthy 179-minute theatrical version. Yes, that’s a lot of time spent in Middle-Earth. No, it doesn’t feel like too much. The pacing is the key. We begin with one story, see how dire the situation is, get to a turning point and are then whisked away to the next plot, where the cycle repeats itself. As the middle chapter in a trilogy, this film is not contained, but it feels complete. There are character arcs, clear stakes, and a beginning, middle and end within each of the three stories and for the picture as a whole. Even more than before, the action feels like it’s happening in a real place. You can see the history of the fortress of Helm’s Deep, of the people of Rohan, the realms in faraway lands that are choosing to either ally themselves with the great, never-blinking eye of Sauron, or against him and his forces. In the sets, costumes and weapons, you notice details that show how much love and dedication was poured into this project. When there is comedy, it’s not the kind that undercuts the action, it’s the kind that makes what comes next feel even more dramatic, exciting or tragic.

Director Peter Jackson has a knack for raising the stakes. You know it’s only a matter of time before Gollum betrays Sam and Frodo. You think that’s all the hobbits have to worry about but then they meet the late Boromir’s brother, Faramir (David Wenham). You figure the journey Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli will make to the fortress at Helm’s Deep will be perilous, but then we see what’s brewing in Saruman's lair. The journey there is the least of their problems. There’s a glimmer of hope in the form of Merry, Pippin and Treebeard but the more we learn about tree-like Ents, the less you have faith in them. Those are all part of the big picture but within the individual characters, we have engaging stories too. In the kingdom of the elves, Arwen (Liv Tyler) is told by her father, Elrond (Hugo Weaving), that the elves are abandoning Middle-Earth, and that she would be foolish to stay, particularly for love. Frodo and Sam are at odds when it comes to Gollum, with Frodo sympathizing with the creature and Sam believing they’d be better off without him. In Gollum himself, there is conflict, as the creature’s twisted mind cannot decide whether it should act as a loyal guide to the hobbits or kill them in their sleep.

Whether swords are drawn or sheathed, you’ll be gripped by the picture but what you’ll probably remember best about “The Two Towers” are the big, special-effects-heavy scenes. Most memorable is Gollum, a character created entirely by motion capture. It’s common nowadays, but this is a rare example of a pioneered technique that still holds up. As soon as Gollum enters the frame, you just think of him as a character, never as a trick of the camera. You might even forget there was a person, not a creature on set. Equally capable of knocking you off your feet is the big battle at the end of the film. This gigantic siege, set at night, in the rain, is so well-lit and well-directed that you’re never lost or disoriented. It feels like everything's been building up to this and in some ways it is, but in others, it hasn't. There's still more to come in The Return of the King.

Like its predecessor, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is a significant achievement in filmmaking. The performances are excellent, the production on a scale we seldom see, the story and plot make you forget there’s a world outside of the movie itself. The only flaw in is that you can't sit down and watch this movie on its own, but it was never meant to be seen that way. (Extended Edition on Blu-ray, April 27, 2023)

[live-laugh-legolas]

Hi it’s me again 💀 anyway my request—

The fellowship reacting to reader dancing and singing on a table then asking them to join them up there?

So fun! Idk if I need to put a warning but I imagined these being in a pub so alcohol is mentioned (please drink responsibly)

Tabletop Dancing

Aragorn:

-He watches with a smile behind his cup of ale

-Kinda like the smile he gives when he sees Merry and Pippin high as hell in Isengard

-He is very amused and loves watching you have fun

-But he was not expecting to be asked to join

-I don’t think he is much of a dancer and although he does sing, he doesn’t necessarily do it in a pub sort of fashion

-He won’t get up on the table with you

-But he will hold your hand and walk around the table with you

-Another reason he won’t get on the tables is because he is too tall

-I’m pretty sure he is canonically 6’6

-His head would bust a hole through the ceiling and scare the living shit out of the people in the room above

Legolas:

-He’s a little shocked at first

-Elves party different from other races; and this seems a bit… uncivilized

-But he is nothing if not open to learning new cultures and traditions

-He finds it very fun to engage in; much to his surprise

-I think movie Legolas may not want to get on the tables; but if we are going by the books then he absolutely will jump up and will walk around on the backs of chairs because he’s a show off

-He does fancy twirls with you

-He possibly accidentally throws you off the table doing this

Gimli:

-Ok; he is fully accepting of this and has no hesitation to join

-Dwarves love a good party, and especially this dwarf

-Even more so if he’s had a bit to drink

-Maybe don’t pull him up on the tables though

-Dwarves may be short, but they are solid and should not jump on tables if you want to have a table afterwards

-He will sing his heart out with you

-He is so loud it drowns you out but that’s alright

Boromir:

-He is clapping and singing along the whole time

-Like Aragorn he also is a bit too tall for table dancing

-However he is not deterred once he’s drunk enough

-He’s definitely a light weight though so it’s doesn’t take long for him to get up there and belting his heart out with you

-He steals the show if we are honest

-He will fall off the table

-Every time

Frodo:

-We know this Hobbit will get up on a table to perform

-He’s not shy to having a good time

-He is happy to be pulled up onto the tables with you to dance

-He definitely kicks a few cups over because he’s a little clumsy

-But no one can even be mad at him because he is so cute

-Seriously that smile is even worse than puppy eyes

Sam:

-Probably the hardest to convince to join you

-He’s just not one to enjoy being the center of attention

-But he loves watching you having a great time

-He will need to be a few drinks in to join

-He is more worried about you falling off the table

-He will kind of dance around the table but really he’s just there in case you trip

-He will be singing whatever song you were singing the next day

-It is stuck in his head and he’s much more open to singing when not in a crowd

Merry:

-It all depends on his mood

-He doesn’t want to say no to you and he does enjoy a good table tap dance

-However he also likes just observing the joyful scene

-He will sing duets with you

-He is less involved as Pippin though, and instead favors hyping you up over putting on his own show

-He joins in with cheers to call and response type songs

Pippin:

-You don’t even have to ask

-He’s already up there with you

-Every table is this a stage for this hobbit

-You two are absolute menaces but the life of the party so it evens out

-Full choreography

-You always get a standing ovation

-This is like a weekly thing for you two at least

-You guys have loyal fans

Gandalf:

-This old wizard loves a good jig

-At first I was thinking he would never get up on the tables

-But then I realized he absolutely would if he was drunk enough

-Idk why but I have decided he knows how to break dance but will complain about how sore he is the next day

-He will deny ever dancing on the tables or belting out songs

-He’s too old and dignified for that…

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————

I hope this is a good enough response. I realize this isn’t really their reaction to the reader as much as just how they join in lol.

[glorf1ndel]

You Remind Me of My Brother (~900 words, gen)

For Day 1 of @tolkiengenweek, inspired by the prompt "mentorship." Peregrin Took, as seen through Boromir and Faramir's eyes. Or: the time Pippin kicked Boromir's ass.

Read on Ao3 or below!

In early January of the year 3019, on an outcrop deep in the wilds, Peregrin Took and Boromir spar on the long journey to Mordor. The rest of the Fellowship is eating breakfast, but Pippin is anxious to learn the art of swordsmanship. Besides, he’s already scarfed down three helpings of rabbit. When Boromir knocks the hobbit down for the third time in a row, Pippin almost regrets eating. (Almost.) He leaps to his feet and brushes himself off, ready to try again.

Boromir lands another blow, and Pippin falls to the ground.

“This is ridiculous. I could kick Boromir’s ass,” Pippin whispers to Merry – a bit too loudly, because Boromir himself bursts out laughing and says,

“With a little more practice.”

Pippin swerves around.

“Oh, you don’t think I can do it, can you?” He asks, then bats at Boromir’s leg with his wooden sword. “Take that!”

Boromir, to his credit, collapses, still chucking. Merry rolls his eyes, but he, too, is smiling. Pippin extends a hand to Boromir in triumph, helping him to his feet.

“You have a determined heart, Pippin of the Shire,” Boromir marvels. “In fact, you remind me of my brother.”

“Really?” Pippin beams. “What’s he like?”

“His name is Faramir. He is a good warrior, but what he is best known for among the soldiers of Gondor is his desire to better himself. As a child, he constantly sought our father’s approval. I think he still does,” Boromir says with a sigh. “Our father is… Not the most reassuring man. He appreciates strength, not effort, and he has always gone out of his way to make that clear to Faramir.”

Pippin purses his lips, brow furrowed in thought.

“But what is significant about my brother,” Boromir continues, “Is that he is always striving to do more, to be more. He longs to live up to our father’s expectations, but more than that, his goal is to look in the mirror and feel proud of himself. That’s what makes him a person of quality.”

At this, Pippin nods.

“I think I understand,” he says. “Your brother never gives up.”

“That’s right. It’s why I admire him so.”

“I hope I can meet him someday,” Pippin muses. “And when I do, I’ll tell him all about the time I beat you in a fight.”

“Will you?” Boromir grins. “Then you’d better keep practicing!”

As it turns out, their practices are cut short, and neither of them makes it to Mordor.

After Amon Hen, Pippin mourns Boromir. Continuing the Fellowship’s journey feels wrong when they’ve lost a fellow. Aragorn explains that such is the nature of grief, a hole in one’s life that expands and contracts but never goes away. Pippin has never felt an emotion as big as this before –

Until he gazes into the Palantír and sees the Eye, and he understands fear. Pippin tells the enemy nothing, save for a constant plea to get out of his head. (And a few choice curse words.) Still, the disappointment in Gandalf’s eyes is evident, so when the wizard insists that Pippin travel with him to Minas Tirith, what can the hobbit do but oblige? Besides, Pippin is curious about the capital of Gondor, and it’s not the same sort of curiosity that drove him to look into the Palantír.

Minas Tirith, Pippin thinks, was Boromir’s home.

When Pippin meets Faramir, he sees the truth of Boromir’s words: his brother is determined, and their father, the Steward of Gondor, doesn’t appreciate him. Gandalf doesn’t know what possesses Pippin to pledge his allegiance to Denethor, but Pippin sees the sad look in the man’s eyes, and Aragorn’s words resound inside his head: grief never goes away.

The war goes on. Pippin continues to train. He walks beside Faramir as Guard of the Citadel, and he befriends this man whose gaze is an echo of Boromir’s: softer, but fierce at its core.

Then the siege of the city begins, and Denethor goes mad. Pippin stands in the funeral chamber, unsettled. He knows what it’s like to feel an all-consuming feeling – but when he sees Denethor climb onto the pyre and the guards drag Faramir’s body into the chamber, he realizes that something is wrong. For Pippin can see the rise and fall of Faramir’s chest, weak though his breathing is. Would Denethor take himself and his only living son to the grave?

“No,” Pippin sobs, clawing at Denethor’s robes. “Don’t do this to yourself. He’s alive – he’s alive!”

Pippin is promptly kicked out of the chamber, but he doesn’t yield. Gandalf will know what to do,he thinks. Sure enough, with the wizard’s help, Pippin rescues Faramir. They are unable to do the same for Denethor, and the sight of him on fire, running toward his own destruction, burns itself into Pippin’s mind more deeply than the image of the Eye ever could.

Days pass. Pippin does not leave Faramir’s bedside until he wakes. The hobbit has been more loyal to Faramir than anyone else in the man’s life, save for Boromir. Yet Pippin still does not expect it when Faramir opens his eyes, smiles at the sight of him, and murmurs,

“You, Peregrin Took, remind me of my brother.”

Pippin laughs – he even cries, a little – and then he says,

“Well, then. Let me tell you about the time I kicked his ass.”

****

Thank you for reading. ♡ If you'd like, leave a comment or kudos on Ao3, or like and reblog this post!

[carolinekatze]

Lord of the Rings Characters Playing Mario Kart

Inspired by the fact the my father literally begged me to play Mario Kart with him last night.

----

Aragorn-Honestly is very bad and can only come above last place with the bumpers on, but still has fun. Gets excited when he gets a cool power up like Bullet Bill or whatever that thing is that makes you rainbow. He throws a lot of blue shells cuz he's always in last.

Merry-Horrible winner. He's really good and will let you know. Convinces everyone else to turn the bumpers off. Has literally no self control during Mario Kart, will say or do anything. If someone does manage to beat him he is a sore loser. Always plays as a classic character like Mario or Luigi.

Pippin-Insufferable if he manages to win or even comes in the top five. He's really obsessed with those mini battle games and will make everyone play them because he's good at them. Plays as Cat Peach

Frodo-Pretty average and doesn't take the game too seriously. He only uses the cars that look like real cars. Always uses the same character and that character is Lakitu

Sam-Sam is that guy that acts like he doesn't really know how to play and then kicks everyone's ass. He's very humble about it and sometimes lets other people win cuz he feels bad. Uses Shy Guy

Gandalf-Would rather be playing Sonic Riders (does anyone else remember this game or just me???) Yoshi enjoyer. Comes from behind for the win.

Boromir-Thinks that playing with the bumpers on is cheating and ruins the game. Picks his car by actually looking at the stats. Probs plays as Bowser.

Legolas-Really chill and very good at pelting people with items. Plays as Isabelle from Animal Crossing cuz that's his favorite game.

Gimli-Angry, enjoys Wario's Gold Mine. Will yell at someone for throwing a shell at him. Constantly runs into his own banana peels. Has thrown a remote and suffered the consequences

Faramir-Mid Mario Karter. Usually would rather just hang out and watch than actually play. He gives good commentary. When he does play he's always Koopa Troopa

Éomer-Has no idea what is happening. Has never played this game before. Falls off of the edge constantly because he doesn't know how to turn the bumpers on.

Éowyn-Only uses the baby characters. Kicks Merry's ass. Best trash talker. Always in the top three at least.

Arwen-Picks her vehicle based purely on how cute it looks. Not at all interested in stats, doesn't want to hear about it, leave her alone. Enjoys speeding past Boromir on her Yoshi scooter with button wheels.