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lathalea · 1 year

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Hey, I'm the anon who was asking why people are writing Thorin with all these modern quips.

Thank you for your answer and your awesome pictures of Thorin!

I sadly think you may have misunderstood where I was coming from, though.

I never am against people being creative..I have no problem with people expanding their minds to come up with so many different ideas and scenarios. The people reblogging from you made me look like a complete heartless jerk saying that people should be free to write whatever they want and I'm just an oppressor, pretty well.

If anything, my point is, people are always writing fanfic with the same narrow minded ideas..they really aren't as creative as people think.

They are filled with utter political correctness and Marxism. This stuff is more narrow minded than being creative, as we see it in every tv show, movie and video games, even! It's everywhere! But, this is considered creative when this is all we ever see in storytelling? This is why I felt you misunderstood me, and so did everyone else.

If people are being truly creative, they wouldn't keep putting these same ideologies in stories. You know how many Thorin stories I couldn't finish cause the women are usually written as the same tropes over and over again? Always feminists, and just knows how to fight, somehow, or always has an attitude..this is how women are written in pretty well any type of entertainment, these days.

Hope this helps you understand more where I'm coming from.

(Mandatory Thorin swooning material here.)

Hi again, Anon!

I’m glad you’ve read my reply. Rest assured, I understood everything very well – including the fact what kind of fanfiction tropes you like the most and the ones you don’t. As for the latter, I simply hope that doesn’t include the Thorin fans who have fun together with me whenever I open Thorin’s Ask Box and reply humbly ask our King Under the Mountain to kindly reply to everyone’s questions.

It’s good to know that you didn’t mean to come off like “a complete heartless jerk”. It happens sometimes that we write certain things under the influence of strong emotions and click “send” before taking a deep breath and re-reading what we wrote. I understand, no worries. But I’m sure you see how your words can be interpreted by others. And I’m certain you know — probably even better than me — that proper wording matters a lot, especially in English. Because it is not my first language, I’ve learned to be ultra careful when putting my thoughts into words here on Tumblr (or anywhere in the Internet) — otherwise I can come off as the aforementioned “complete heartless jerk” and no one wants to be that person, right?

If anything like this ever happens again, I’d like you to know that you can always drop in to my ask box and clarify further what you had in mind. I will be happy to convey your reasoning to my followers as I’m doing it now.

Anyway, I’m glad that you decided to clarify your thought process and we went from the initial confusion of “strange gender ideologies” to the problem of the Original Female Characters and their portrayal in fanfiction — which is a very interesting issue worthy of a separate discussion (another one I’d love to have). But let’s dive into your ask.

(Just look at his majestic profile!)

“If anything, my point is, people are always writing fanfic with the same narrow minded ideas..they really aren't as creative as people think.”

(I have skipped the part about the main popculture categories because it’s a separate topic, but I’d love to discuss it with you on another occasion. I think it would be a very interesting exchange of opinions.)

Let’s focus on fanfiction for now, specifically, Thorin fanfiction because I see we both care for this character a lot.

I’m glad that in your ask you decided to challenge the fanfic writers and encourage them to broaden their horizons and try harder! It’s always good to improve. And speaking of improvement, remember when I said “proper wording matters”? I hope you don’t mind, but I’d like to offer you a piece of advice I got from a good friend once: I’ve learned that it’s best to avoid categorical statements containing words like “always” or “never” when discussing things in public to avoid being misunderstood or coming off as confrontational. Some of the people who will read this may think that you are either offending fic writers on purpose (which I’m sure is not the case) or have a limited knowledge of fanfiction (and you seem like a well-read person). It is much better to say “It feels to me that many people write fanfic with the same narrow-minded ideas because…” (I’d like to hear your reasoning by the way!)

Let’s leave dealing in absolutes to the philosophers and theologians, okay? :)

Now, let’s get back to Thorin fanfiction.

(Just look at that hair!)

"If people are being truly creative, they wouldn't keep putting these same ideologies in stories. You know how many Thorin stories I couldn't finish cause the women are usually written as the same tropes over and over again? Always feminists, and just knows how to fight, somehow, or always has an attitude..this is how women are written in pretty well any type of entertainment, these days."

I must admit I’m a bit sad that you happen to find only this type of Thorin x OFC fics. At the same time, I have to agree with you that there are certain repetitive tropes and traits that make many OCs boring, or worse, make them look like a Mary Sue. In mainstream media, it is very common to portray a female character as “strong” by putting a sword or gun into her hands, but for me, it is much more interesting to see either this type of physically strong character, but marked by flaws or torn by conflict, or a more feminine type of character whose strength that comes from within. At the same time, I realize that this type of character (“badass girl with a sword”) has become very popular and perhaps that is why I get easily bored by it nowadays, because the world of popculture is oversaturated with them, as you said it yourself. But I believe that a good writer can write a character like this and keep me engaged if there is interesting depth to that OC.

Either way, I totally understand that you may feel tired when seeing this trope, but I also know there are tons and tons of various stories available online though browsing through them may feel like a chore sometimes. But don’t worry, I happen to have read quite a few Thorin fics (it should be clear to you by now that I have no life ;)), and some of them were really good. I have prepared a short list of Thorin fics with interesting protagonists from many different places (ff.net, AO3, Tumblr) — you’ll find it below. I hope that after checking out these stories and reading those stories, you can perhaps feel a bit of relief knowing that there are quite a few interesting female protagonists around.

Here we go (a general warning, many of the fics below contain NSFW scenes):

💕 @technoelfie - check out the Thorin masterlist - stories like The Long Dark and its sequel contain an OFC that is everything but badass, even though she comes from the modern times. And the story is very much canon in all the right places.

💕 Kkolmakov’s fic Me Without You - a perfect example of how you focus on canon, provide the readers with a feminine OC (and Wren, the protagonist, is very far from a classic Mary Sue), and weave an engaging story inspired by Thorin’s works. Check out her other Thorin stories on ff.net, they are full of great ideas!

💕 @legolasbadass - check out the Heart of Gold fic on AO3! The OC is a very complex character and the story of the secret love between her and Thorin in a restrictive Dwarven society relies heavily on canon. Dania, the protagonist, shows us a quiet, resilient type of feminine strength.

💕 @fizzyxcustard - see Fizzy’s Thorin fics here on Tumblr and A Rose at Twilight on AO3. This is a story about a young woman capturing Thorin’s heart against all odds. Again, far from a typical swashbuckling Mary Sue, it focuses on a rather vulnerable character who gets a chance at a new life.

💕 @middleearthpixie - this very prolific writer has more than just a few longfics under her belt. See the whole list here. Stories like In Time or Where I Belong, among others, contain well-rounded OFCs free from the repetitive traits you mentioned.

💕 @thorinstorieswoman - this blog contains a 2-part longfic where the OC is an elf from Rivendell and the issue of elf-Dwarf animosities is addressed in an interesting way without straying outrageously from canon.

💕 @frosticenow wrote A Thread of Life, a companion piece to my art (yes, I may be biased here) that includes another really interesting OFC, a seamstress, and Thorin falling in love with her. You will find great worldbuilding ideas here too and strong focus on the Dwarven culture!

💕 The Queen by Heloise Durin - the story of how the love between Thorin and Queen Heloise blossomed. It is somewhat inspired by real-life events, as the author admits, and the readers can see that a queen can be a strong female character yet her strength does not come from wielding a sword nor from sassy remarks.

💕 Other writers who are known for Thorin fics are @legolaslovely, @deepestfirefun, @dumbassunderthemountain, @fromthedeskoftheraven, @averil-of-fairlea, @xxbyimm, @i-did-not-mean-to, @shiinata-library, @scariusaquarius, @guardianofrivendell @ruthoakenshield and more (if you’re a Thorin fic writer and you’d like to be added here, please let me know!).

💕 Oh, and if you’re tired of the issues you mentioned, like “feminist OCs” and “badass girl OCs”, feel free to check out @lordoftherazzles stories. The main focus is Bagginshield and this is a ship based solely on canon characters free of those characteristics so maybe it will interest you too? Here is Razzy’s AO3 page.

And if you're searching for a classically feminine OFC whose greatest trait is being passive and ogling Thorin, see my story Springtime at the Lonely Mountain.

I hope you'll like at least some of these stories. Feel free to share your thoughts with me! I’m always eager to discuss fanfiction :)

(Well hello there, handsome king!)

Before I click “send” on this post, I’d like you to ask you something, if you don’t mind. You wrote: “They [fics] are filled with utter political correctness and Marxism.”

I must admit, I’m a bit confused here. Would you be so kind and please explain to me how Thorin fics you encounter (because I assume you were still talking about stories containing this character here) are filled with Marxism? And if you could provide me with some examples/fic links, that would be great! I must admit I have never encountered a truly Marxist Thorin fic (or Dwarf fic) yet. I’m always on the lookout for fresh worldbuilding ideas and uncommon takes on social and economic issues in fanfiction, especially in stories where Dwarves are the main focus. Revolutionary Dwarves? Labor issues, capitalism and communism as concepts developed by the children of Aule? That would be a very interesting read!

The same goes for “political correctness”, by the way. I remember you mentioned earlier that it bothered you when people inserted modern ideas into Middle Earth fics so I’m guessing this is another example of this issue - please please please feel free to give me some juicy examples! I’d really like to hear your take on things and see how you would rewrite such stories or their elements to fit your tastes better! And apart from removing anachronisms from stories, that’s a great exercise in creative writing. By the way, forgive my curiosity, are you a fanfic writer yourself? If so, I’d love to read your stories if you’re willing to share them with me :)

All the best,

Lathalea 💙

#thorin oakenshield #lathalea speaks #ask box #thorin #the hobbit #tolkien #fanfiction #thorin x oc #original female character #lotr #fanfic writing #character headcanons #Marxist anon

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fizzyxcustard · 2 years

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A Rose At Twilight - MASTERLIST

Read on AO3 here

Notes/Housekeeping: I'm bringing this fic back to Tumblr after taking it down and deciding not to continue here. But as of 20/10/2022, this fic is officially coming back to Tumblr.

Fandom: The Hobbit

Summary: You notice that someone has been visiting you at night; things have moved and roses start appearing on your dresser. Your nightly visits with none other than Thorin Oakenshield start becoming more intense, passionate, and he is eager for you to return to Middle-earth and be his Queen. However, your abusive boyfriend Ryan stands in your way, intent on making your life hell. Will you and Thorin overcome all the obstacles to begin your new life together as King and Queen? And is your past with an abusive boyfriend the only challenge you now face in a new world? Your new friends and family help you uncover all your strength that you never realised you had. But will it be enough to fight away your past and the rising opposition of you becoming the Queen of Erebor?

Pairings: Thorin Oakenshield x fem!Reader, fem!Reader x original Male Character, Kili x Tauriel.

Warnings: Physical and mental abuse, hospitalisation, smut, fluff, bad language, violence - more warnings will come as the story progresses.

Soundtrack listing

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

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thewarriorandtheking · 9 months

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First of all, I want to say I freaking love your character!!!! She's so cool and creative! Secondly I appreciate that I found one person who also doesn't understand the Bagginshield ship, I have read the Hobbit and LOTR books and I don't understand it either. My question to you is, what is your characters backstory? And how does she play into the role of the Hobbit? Does she save Thorin?

Thank you so much! I'm very fond of her myself...

I often worry she comes off too much as a Mary Sue, which was certainly never my intention. She has a very long and complicated backstory - I originally developed her as the hero of a sci-fi trilogy (which I will never write). A part of it made it's way into my third book in the Warrior and The King trilogy: Beyond Erebor. Very briefly, she is a genetically engineered super-soldier from another planet, and the lord she serves (who is also her engineer) has a deep connection to Middle Earth.

She doesn't take part in the journey of Thorin's company. That story had already been told, by a much more talented writer than me :-) They meet near Rivendell then part ways. Thorin doesn't see her again until after the Battle of the Five Armies, when she shows up to save his life.

I always hesitate to talk about Bagginshield. It's brought me a fair share of hate and got me thrown out of a discord group. In my defense, I grew up in a different age, when people could agree to disagree. Back then I was involved in fandom discussions that almost came to blows, but it never meant we couldn't still be friends. What amuses me is these people who claim to be all about inclusion yet can't tolerate any viewpoint different than their own. It's not my personal vision for the characters, but if you feel differently - good for you! There is no shortage of Bagginshield fics and fanarts - go enjoy them! However, it might be nice if you could appreciate there are people who have a different opinion.

Anyway, thanks for the ask!

#ask #thewarriorandtheking #thorin x oc #fanfiction #original female character #thanks for the ask!

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fromtheboundlesssea · 2 years

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Family of Choice Chapter 1

Fíli I

#the hobbit #fili #kili #female bilbo baggins #bilbo baggins #original hobbit character #briar baggins #thorin oakenshield x fem!bilbo #thorin oakenshield x oc #thorin oakenshield #my writing #family of choice

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ally-holmes · 1 year

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Lion and Fire | Fili x Original Character

My Fanfic Masterlist | Multifandom

Fandom: The Hobbit

Pairing: Fili x OC | Background Thorin x Bilbo

Rating: Mature (just in case).

Content Warnings: canon divergence, everybody lives/nobody dies, the Durins are bad at romance, fighting tournament, misogyny (we’ll fight against it).

Summary: When Thorin tells Fili that Dáin has offered to introduce him to his goddaughter Maen and that expects them to get on good terms and, maybe, end up married, Fili decides that he’s going to hate her. Little does he knows that she’s not only beautiful, but she’s also smart and strong. He expected to be the one with an opinion on the matter, yet she confessing that she won’t marry him hurt his pride deeply.

Word Count: 8012

Also available on AO3

This work was created to be part of the Deanobingo2023 event by @deanobingo It fills the Character Card with Fili and the General Prompt Card with Hurt/Comfort.

Lion and Fire | Oneshot

It's common knowledge among dwarfs that less than a third of their population are females and that pregnancies and deliveries are highly complicated and dangerous, therefore their children and dwarf ladies are cherished and cared for. However, a young dwarf lady in the Iron Hills turned the tables by giving birth eleven times, always quickly and powerfully. Among those eleven babies, seven of them were females. Those rarities gave the family high recognition among the population of the Iron Hills up to the point in which king Dáin pleaded for the couple to be the godfather of their youngest.

Their fame allowed them to marry their first daughter to a well-off smith. They loved each other, of course, but if the daughter hadn't been the first of eleven children the possibilities of marrying someone with a better position and income than them would've been remote at best. She gave the smith five children, four of them females, and two of them in one go. There was no such word in khuzdul for siblings that shared the womb although, in the common tongue, it was 'twins', apparently.

The success of that union helped the second daughter marry the son of the head of the guards. That was an impressive jump. Four wonderful daughters followed their marriage and the rumor of the magic of those dwarven ladies spread.

As the siblings of the youngster kept growing and marrying, she rolled her eyes with disgust and complained when her family insisted that because of the gift they obviously had she was meant to be kept indoors learning how to knit, sew, cook, and work in other small works like woodwork for tools or toys, and metalwork for jewels.

"Maen!" she heard her name being called and stopped in her tracks. Comically slowly, she turned her body to face the voice. King Dáin was looking at her with an arched brow. "What are you doing in the armory? Again."

"I rather not answer that, sire."

Shit. She shouldn't have said that because then the piercing look of Dáin noticed the axes she had tucked in a blanket. He sighed and approached the twenty-seven-year-old, "We've talked about this, Maen. You are a lady and–"

"I can fight as well as any other dwarf!"

"That's not the point. The point is that female dwarves are so scarce that the danger of the battle would reduce their number and it may cause our extinction."

Her frown and the fire in her eyes made Dáin smile. That young dwarf was like a daughter to him and he couldn't resist the pride swelling in his chest due to her determination.

"Very well. You'll be trained," her eyes lit up. "But do not expect any help just because you're the goddaughter of the king. You'll face the training like the others and if you fail you'll retreat."

"I won't fail!"

And she didn't. In fact, Maen became the best warrior of her generation. She was fast and strong with great coordination; her oldest brother-in-law forged her axes, sword, and knife with extra care. Maen's family had not taken greatly Dáin's decision to allow her to learn how to fight and smith among other things, but her bright smiles and good mood pushed them to accept it and help her the best they could.

Nevertheless, she grew up and the perspective of her marriage was smothering. Being the last of the sisters in line for marriage awakened a dark monster among the Iron Hills' population as every single male dwarf, despite their age, sent their intentions of courting the young dwarf once she was of age. Dáin cut that nonsense when the harassment became increasingly dangerous and he stated that whoever put his hands on his goddaughter without her proper consent would face a death sentence.

Kind of luckily for Maen, the year she became legally suitable for marriage was when the company of Thorin Oakenshield reclaimed Erebor successfully with the help of Dáin's army in their last moments. Not many people knew that Maen had an influence on Dáin's political decisions, but she did. When Thorin's letter begging for help arrived, she started thinking about the war machines they could carry to the Lonely Mountain to face the dragon, yet Dáin refused and put his foot down in that decision. She didn't let the topic drop, though, and thanks to her the Iron Hills' army was ready to part when Thorin's cry for help arrived. She had overpowered Dáin's stubbornness with her own.

The battle of the five armies was bloodshed. She fought back to back with Dáin and his second in command. Maen killed with both hands, not stopping until all their enemies were down, even if her arms were hurting badly or if her armor was soaked in blood. Once the battle had been won, Dáin looked at her across the battlefield and nodded highly pleased with her performance. Maen was a warrior and that day she proved to her fellow dwarfs that if they wanted to court her, they had a long battle ahead.

Prince Thorin and his nephews had been badly injured, but not deadly, which was great news for them. Winter was upon them and they had a decision to make: either they went back to the Iron Hills leaving the Oakenshield Company and the men of Laketown to their own volition, or they stayed trying to help and tending their own injured warriors.

Maen accompanied Dáin to the meeting with the elven king, Bard of Laketown, the wizard, Thorin, and a hobbit. While Dáin took a seat, she stood behind him with a hand carefully placed in the grip of her sword. She listened quietly while the discussions developed. The elven king was being a royal ass, Bard was a great leader, while Thorin and Dáin were being stubborn dwarves unable to see the privilege of a short alliance with the elves as they were able to provide them with food for the worst of the winter; no more than three months.

She cleared her throat when everything was starting to get ridiculous and Dáin closed his mouth immediately. Maen felt Thorin's eyes on her, but she didn't say anything, she didn't even move. Dáin sighed leaning back in his chair.

"Fine. Fine, you're right. Before the roads become intransitive, I'll send the healthiest injured dwarves back to the Iron Hills with word of sending back some of our resources for the winter. In doing that, we'll reduce the number of people in need in Erebor," Dáin conceded to everyone's surprise.

Gandalf studied Maen as if he was able to see through her soul.

"We need a place to stay as the dragon burned Laketown and Dale is inhabitable just yet. However, we understand that our number, although reduced after both the dragon attack and the battle, is still an inconvenience for Erebor and Mirkwood. I propose to divide our number and if you have room for us, king Thranduil, some of us would go with you, and the others would stay in Erebor, if possible." Bard was diplomatic and careful with his wording, but he wasn't giving any alternative. His people needed help and he was going to get it, he was willing to bend but not to break.

Maen fought her need to smile, but Dáin could sense her good mood and nodded to the man.

"Cousin, what are your thoughts? I haven't seen the mountain yet."

"I– I have not explored it in its whole. I do not know the extension of the dragon's damage," Thorin explained.

Bilbo, the hobbit, twisted his nose, looked around the table, and pressed his lips together before finally deciding to speak. "Um… I did. I came and went. Not much, really. I didn't want to get lost. The mountain is huge," that seemed to please Thorin. "There are a few large rooms whose structure is sturdy and it could keep all of us safe and such. Um… It might be like camping, but inside the mountain, though. We might need to build some tents inside to isolate and keep the warmth close to us because those rooms have very high ceilings."

"Huh… It can be done," said an old dwarf with red clothing and a white beard. Balin, if Maen remembered correctly, had been standing between Thorin and Bilbo's chairs, listening and not really talking, until now. "The forges were almost destroyed when we fought with the dragon inside, but the fire is still working and I'm thinking we might be able to use the old calefaction system. We can also get some fires in those rooms. And if some of the Iron Hills' dwarves are staying, they can guard the delicate parts of the mountain."

"My people would be under your orders, cousin, don't fret. I could go back if you don't need me here."

"We have a solution there. That's interesting," Gandalf noted with a controlled tone. "However, there's also the need for food. Even if Dáin gladly sends something from the Iron Hills, it wouldn't be sufficient."

"The lake is not incredibly far, but fishing can be dangerous depending on the weather," Bard explained.

"And Mirkwood is still dangerous to go hunting there. Plus, is farther than the lake," Bilbo pointed out.

"I guess there's no other option but to help you. However, if you expect this help to be–"

"It must be free or it wouldn't be 'help'," Bilbo spat with cold politeness.

Maen smiled then before biting her bottom lip. Thorin had seen her reaction and he looked at his cousin searching for answers as she had not been introduced at the beginning of the meeting.

"It's not like we can starve, and–"

"Then you must keep all the men in your realm," Maen cut him piercing his iced eyes with her own brown ones.

Dáin smiled smugly. "She's right, elven king. If you won't help the men that stay in Erebor, then you must take care of more of them. I'm sure I could take all my healthy dwarves and only leave here the badly injured ones, plus the company. It would be much easier for the Iron Hills to aid less than thirty people than three-hundred."

Thranduil was about to make a smart remark, but Gandalf's soft chuckle made him keep his mouth shut. His son, prince Legolas, accepted the previous conditions in his name. He was about to leave for the north, but he had stayed by Gandalf's plead to help with the negotiations.

"Beorn had offered to provide Erebor with flour and honey before the paths got cut due to the weather. If your majesty needs some aid with those ingredients, I'm sure he'll–" Gandalf was cut sharply by Thranduil dismissing the offering.

"We'll be ready to settle in half of the men. I'm sure some scouts would be able to hunt for the ones remaining in Erebor to survive the winter."

"Thank you, king Thranduil," Bard nodded to him.

With everything solved for the moment, the dwarves exited the tent with the hobbit. Bilbo seemed to have taken great interest in Maen, as he was glancing at her but trying to be subtle about it.

"May I help you, Master Hobbit?" She inquired with a playful smile.

"Oh! I'm… Uh… It's just, I…"

"The little guy must be intrigued about what's a dwarven lady doing here, are you not Mister Bilbo?"

"Sorry."

"Don't apologize. Most females don't do war, as it's supposed to be extremely dangerous."

Thorin arched an eyebrow at her, "It is extremely dangerous."

"Funnier than knitting."

"This is my goddaughter, Lady Maen, the Fire of the Iron Hills. I did not have time to introduce her before, cousin. She's responsible for our quick answer."

Confused, Thorin looked at her. "I kept pushing Dáin to come to Erebor and help you with the dragon. We were about to go out of the Iron Hills when the news arrived."

"She's a handful, cousin, a handful. Although, I have a proposal to make you," his tone and the fact that he was wrapping an arm around Thorin's shoulders made him tense.

"What proposal?"

"Are you interested in an alliance between Erebor and the Iron Hills? Stronger than the one we already have, of course."

"I won't be marrying her."

"Mahal, no! You're ancient for her!"

Bilbo snorted at that. Thorin shot him a look.

"Your nephews, on the other hand… Fili's the heir, is he not? Maen is Kili's age, so it wouldn't be such a difference between her and Fili. What do you think?"

"I won't impose a marriage upon my family."

Dáin laughed in good spirits, "If you believe I can make Maen do anything she's not comfortable with, you're highly mistaken. All I'm asking is if you think they could meet, and see what happens."

"Couldn't you have talked to me about it before?" Maen sighed.

"Now, where would the fun be in that?"

Things got settled then without any promises or concessions. Maen assisted Bilbo in tending the survivors and arranging the mountain for the winter. She wasn't as close-minded or prone to prejudice as her fellow dwarves, therefore she immediately took a liking to the hobbit which made Bilbo feel at ease in her presence. Before the worst of the winter fell upon them, and once the Iron Hills' supplies were well stoked in Erebor, Maen left with Dáin.

Five years later, Thorin reached out to Dáin accepting the proposition of having Maen and Fili meet, but he was clear enough that Fili had the final decision, not him.

That's how five years after the battle of the five armies, a caravan of dwarves from the Iron Hills closed the distance with Erebor once again. Rumors about Maen had been spread among the Ereborians; they knew about the good luck of the females in her family and that she was Dáin's goddaughter, yet even if they believed that they couldn't comprehend that she being a warrior was just as true as the other things. When she showed up in the throne room with a gorgeous magenta velvet dress with golden embroidery, intricate braids in her hairstyle, and beautiful jewelry designed for a princess more than for the youngest child of a poor family, the rumor spread that she was well educated, feminine, and, in no way, a warrior.

The throne room was occupied by king Thorin, his consort Bilbo, and his advisor Balin. Dáin stomped happily forgetting all about protocol much to Thorin's amusement.

"Cousin!! It's good to see you where you belong. Up and healthy, no less. Good. Good," he nodded vehemently.

"I hope the journey had not been too difficult for you, Dáin."

"Nothing can break us, Thorin. Ah! You better remember Lady Maen," with a gesture of his hand, she made a small bow.

"Impossible to forget. Welcome, Lady Maen. I hope your stay in Erebor would be pleasurable."

"If I may, sire, allow me to compliment the state of the mountain. In only five years, it has changed too much I can barely remember where all the debris was."

"Indeed. Time flies and we've been using it wisely. My consort has taken special care in the election of your rooms, and I've been warned that you would need free access to our library if you are to be happy under our roof," Thorin stated with a mischievous glint in his eyes that contrasted with the deepness of his voice.

Maen blushed violently as Dáin laughed, "There are two places that cannot be kept away from Maen, cousin, one of them is the library and the other is the arena. Don't let her fool you, she's as much of a handful as your nephews when she's determined. Not as mischievous, perhaps."

"I'm standing right here," she deadpanned.

She had been thinking about this meeting since Thorin's letter arrived at the Iron Hills, yet she never, in her wildest dreams, imagined Thorin Oakenshiel burst into laughter at something she'd said. Maen stopped breathing due to the surprise, and when she locked eyes with Bilbo, she relaxed as the consort had a familiar welcoming and caring air surrounding him.

"Well… Where's the lad?" Dáin asked then.

Thorin seemed nervous then, glancing at his consort. "We might have misplaced him," Bilbo pointed out.

"But don't fret, Dáin, Dwalin, and Dís are looking for him at this very moment," Balin added.

"He knew I was coming, didn't he?" She asked Bilbo directly.

The hobbit cleared his throat changing his weight anxiously. "Of course! We– Um… We told him this morning."

"This morning."

"Then we could prevent him from going out of the mountain," Thorin explained.

Before she could say anything else, the door burst open with amazing strength. A dwarf lady wearing a rich Durin's blue dress and an impressive braided upsweep, with mithril beads on her beard, appeared stomping in furiously; on one hand, she was carrying a heavy hammer while the other had a firm grip on the back of the clothes worn by a blond dwarf being dragged by her. A few steps behind them, a huge bald dwarf full of ink had another dwarf on his shoulders carrying it like a sack of coal. The dwarf lady didn't seem put off by the presence of the Iron Hills dwarves, it mostly fueled her anger if Maen had to go by the way her frown deepened.

She dropped the blond dwarf to the floor, right at Thorin's feet. The bald dwarf hadn't dropped the other dwarf that was fighting with all he had kicking and punching him without result. Thorin closed his eyes a moment before grunting an 'Up' full of ire.

The blond dwarf stumbled to get to his feet, when his blue eyes found his new audience, he ran a hand through his messy mane and stood excessively self-satisfied. Maen arched an eyebrow utterly unimpressed.

"Lady Maen, allow me to introduce you to my sister, Lady Dís. This is her son, and Crown Prince of Erebor, Fili," when Thorin noticed Maen's eyes glancing at the other two still struggling, he sighed. "And that's the chief of the guard, Dwalin, and Fili's brother, Kili."

"We do apologize for this terrible first encounter," Dís rapidly assured.

"Please, do not worry. I had been warned that he had been misplaced."

Fili rolled his eyes and Maen fought her urge to just push him. She had made a long journey to come and meet him!! The least he could do was behave like a proper dwarf.

"I was also told that I share a birth year with Kili," she looked pointedly at the dwarf on Dwalin's shoulder. The young dwarf stopped fighting to get free. "I must say I beg to differ."

Thorin snorted, "You and I, both."

"Why don't we show our guests their rooms?" Bilbo asked looking at Balin.

"Great idea! I'm sure you must want to rest before supper is ready," the advisor smiled at them.

"That'll be great, Master Balin," before following him and the others, Maen took Fili's look on with an enigmatic smile. The prince twitched under her scrutiny. "It would be impossible for us to get to know each other if you keep running away, prince Fili; and here I thought you were called Lion for a reason…"

As she left she could hear Dís loud laugh and a pleased, "I like her already!"

The quarters Maen was placed in were beautiful and cozy, they had a clear hobbit influence and she loved it. Bilbo had left a small stock of books in her room with a nice note. She felt moved by Bilbo's easy way of making people around him feel taken care of one way or another. Thorin's good humor was a total surprise, yet incredibly welcome. The brothers' stunt had hurt her, however. She couldn't understand how someone could just be so disrespectful to someone they didn't know. Maen understood that maybe Fili had already someone he wanted to court and he hadn't talked to his uncle about it, but they could've talked about it at least. There was no need to run away and reject her like that. Perhaps Fili had heard about her humble birth and that was a dealbreaker for him even though it didn't seem to be the case with Thorin or Dís.

As she considered the possibilities of the prince's behavior her mood soured. Something heavy sunk into her stomach.

When supper was ready, she walked to the dining room next to Dáin. Thorin's company was there, as they were now noblemen. Fili and Kili kept mostly for themselves although their mother confronted them with harsh whispers every now and then. Maen took this opportunity to get to know the others and she found herself charmed by Ori's shyness as he explained how he was now the head of the library and he'd been taking extra care of the books with Bilbo. Maen shared her love for books and complained about how scarce her library in the Iron Hills was compared to what she'd heard of the one in Erebor.

Ori's older brother, Dori, complimented her on her dress and she immediately explained that the intricate work had been made by one of her sisters.

"I'm not as good with fabrics and threats as I am with the sword, I'm afraid."

"The rumors are true, then?" Nori asked with a glint in his eyes. As far as she had been able to perceive, Nori loved all kinds of digressions of the norms. That included the fact that Maen was a warrior.

"Without having listened to the rumors myself I'm not able to confirm nor deny them, Master Nori. However, I am in fact a warrior. I came here five years ago a helped in the battle."

A snort made her turn her head sharply. Kili, bright red, was choking on his food.

"Seriously?" Bilbo muttered tiredly as he approached the young prince to clasp him in the back, "This is a divine punishment for trying to make fun of her. Just so you know," the hobbit whispered to him; it was so loud, however, that the whole room heard it.

Maen approached Dwalin after dessert had been eaten, and she started a conversation about axes and their different forms. It immediately engaged the warrior in an enjoyable chat about the advantages and disadvantages of long axes, short axes, extra curly axes, and so on. When Maen told him that his brother-in-law was the smith that made her weapons, Dwalin immediately showed interest in giving them a few blows and he even invited her to the arena.

Before the night was called off, she approached the princes. Without the ceremony and respect that she should show them due to their rank, she sat in front of them with an eyebrow arched and her arms crossed on her chest.

"Well? Anything you want to say to my face or you two rather whisper each other's ears off like a couple of grannies?"

"What are you doing here, exactly?" Kili wondered with a frown.

"I've been asked to come and meet with you guys. Dáin's idea is that, if Fili and I like each other we could get married."

"And if I don't want to marry you?" Fili spat straightening his back.

Maen snorted rolling her eyes, "Sweetheart, right now I'm the one who won't marry you. You haven't even been nice enough for me to be able to consider you a friend in the future. I'm going to stay here as long as Dáin wants, so you better grow up and face the fact that I'm not going anywhere anytime soon."

"What if we make you leave?" Kili whispered in a poor try at being menacing.

She giggled. "Ow, you're cute. I won't leave. It's refreshing being somewhere where I don't have to be looking over my shoulder for someone to shove courting gifts in my face."

"Are you that popular in the Iron Hills?" Fili seemed skeptical and Kili was blushing so hard that his brain was going to melt.

"Dáin had to make a decree for them to leave me alone. It worked… for the most part."

Two weeks after that terrible first day, the princes seemed less ridiculous around her, which was great, but they still treated her like a pest. When Dís or Thorin agreed that Fili would accompany Maen to the market, he made her wait for at least an hour before showing up sweaty and dirty from fighting in the arena, Kili close behind him; as might be expected, the fact that the brothers were together implied that they lead her to the market and then ignore her in favor to talk to each other, the shop owners, or cute lady dwarves that walked through the market.

Maen kept feeling unwanted, disrespected, and hurt. The murmurs around Erebor saying that there was no way she was a warrior because she was too delicate, too soft, too nice, too girly… didn't help to improve her mood at all.

On the second day of the third week, she was invited to witness the tournament between warriors from the Iron Hills and from Erebor in the arena. Apparently, Thorin and Dáin had decided to rescue that form of healthy entertainment in order to cheer her up. She, boldly, asked Thorin if Fili was going to participate, to which he assured her that he would.

The day of the tournament rolled by and Maen was nowhere to be found. The rules were simple: no biting, no hurting in extra sensitive areas, and no killing; the local fighters would walk to the center of the arena and a visitor fighter would decide to duel him. Usually, the best warrior or, in this case, the prince, was the last one in moving to the center of the arena as it was the big show to close the tournament. As the time to start came close and all the visitor fighters were in their place, Fili approached his uncle with a concerned frown.

"Where is she?"

"Clearly not here."

"Uncle, we're doing all of this for her entertainment," he complained.

"No. We're doing this because you begged for a chance to make it right with her."

"While showing off, of course," Bilbo chimed in.

"That too. However, we cannot force her to come and see you fight after how badly you've treated her."

"This is not fair!"

"Shut your mouth and go to your place. I didn't raise you to whine like this, Fili," Dís snarled.

Dáin had listened to the exchange with a pleased and smug smile on his face.

The tournament started strongly. Dwalin was one of the first participants and he demolished the Iron Hills' fighter in less than ten minutes without breaking a sweat. Fili paid half attention to the arena as his eyes kept searching in the audience for someone familiar hoping that Maen's curiosity pushed her to go down there even if it was camouflaging herself to blend with the Ereborians. Kili, who wasn't a participant in the tournament, approached his brother from behind the fighters' bench.

"Nervous? You're next."

"No. I don't care. She's not even here."

"Does that mean that you're going to perform badly because your girlfriend is not here to see you win? Pathetic."

"Oi! She's not my girlfriend."

"Of course not," he scoffed. "Maen said clearly that she wouldn't marry you if you keep being an ass, and you've been even worse than an ass. Now you like her, though, and you cannot stand the idea of her marrying one of his many, many, many, many–"

"Shut your mouth."

"–many, many, many suitors in the Iron Hills. Who knows? Maybe Dáin offers her to marry his son."

A spike of jealousy bloomed in Fili's eyes and Kili smirked.

"If you perform greatly I'm sure Ori would talk to her about it."

Kili was a mastermind… on occasion. He knew that Fili had grown wary of the little librarian due to the amount of time he spent with Maen talking about books, and it was the right amount of fuel needed for his brother to stomp to the middle of the arena when his turn came.

The visitor fighters looked directly at one of them, one who had stayed in full armor –helmet included– since the beginning; it seemed as if they knew that fighter wanted to destroy the heir of Erebor. What if he was one of Maen's suitors? Fili was screwed. Kili gave his brother a thumbs-up and ran to his mother.

"Fili's going to die."

"Perhaps," she smiled.

The fighter faced Fili with a long sword in hand, and a couple of axes stored on his back. He bowed to the prince as requited and then waited for the signal to begin.

Fili took the initiative of the first blow. They shared some tentative blows, not really revealing their strength, and suddenly Fili used all this strength on one blow that the fighter wisely dodged, he punched the prince in the face with the hand holding his sword and Fili stumbled to the side. Fili's helmet allowed me to see his face and hair, but the fighter's blow hurt nonetheless. Grunting, Fili charged against him and, this time, the fighter responded with similar strength pushing his body against Fili's not allowing him to take any advantaged position. When Fili punched the fighter in the guts he didn't emit a sound, the dwarf was tougher than expected.

The fighter gained an area against Fili. As their swords were pushing against each other, none of them ready to yield, the fighter crushed Fili's foot making him lose some strength in his attack which gave the fighter room to disarm him, go around him, and kick his back throwing the prince to the floor.

Instead of taking that point of advantage and winning the battle, the fighter receded, threw his sword to a corner of the arena far away from him, and pulled his axes from the back. He gave them a colorful twist in his hands before turning to the prince. Fili had taken off his helmet with fury, his hair was a mess, and his eyes were lit with determination and ferocity. He couldn't see the features of the fighter, but the small bow was mockingly enough to fuel the prince's anger.

Fili took his throwing knives from their hiding place and threw them in quick succession; the fighter hit every one of them with precise movements of his axe while approaching the prince. Without anything else to throw, Fili launched himself to the floor made a turn, and grabbed his sword just in time to block one of the axes. He rejected the attack and ran to where his discarded shield was; how had he been so cocky as to believe he wouldn't need it, he didn't know.

The audience held their breath, the arena was in complete silence apart from the fighters' weapons crashing. One of the axes got blocked by the sword for the seventh time, but this time the position prevented Fili from pushing it back; the other ax hit his shield repeatedly, over and over and over and over. The hits were fast and strong, never hesitating nor showing tiredness. Fili's shield arm felt every hit like a jolt until a particularly hard hit shocked him from the wrist to the shoulder provoking a spasm that made him drop the shield with a painful moan. The fighter then kneed him in the uncovered side throwing him onto the floor once again.

As the prince fought to stand up, the fighter kicked him again before throwing his sword far away from his reach. The fighter stood proudly next to the whining prince and slid his ax under the blond's chin waiting for him to admit his surrender.

"I yield. I yield!!"

Fili's words made the arena break to sound again. The fighter retreated his weapon, yet he didn't move and Fili was too tired to try to get up.

"That's my girl!!" Dáin's yell overpowered the other voices.

The fighter tilted his head to one side, still facing Fili. He put his axes on his back again before pulling the helmet off. Maen's face appeared then and Fili was unable to produce a word.

"Fili, the Lion of Erebor, had been defeated by Maen, the Fire of the Iron Hills. This tournament has been–" Thorin kept with his speech but Fili couldn't make sense of his words.

Maen nodded at him and turned leaving him on the floor of the arena.

Fili sat heavily in a chair by the fire. His body ached horribly after the fight, bruises had been blooming on his torso, and his shield arm was stiff. Kili handed him a mug of warm ale with a cheeky grin.

"She kicked your arse."

"Of course she did," Thorin claimed. "Lady Maen is one of the best warriors of the Iron Hills."

"But she's a lady!!" Fili complained.

"Excuse me?" Dís looked pointedly at her son, who immediately cowered in his chair.

"What I don't understand is why you don't just ask her to spend some time together. You clearly like her," Kili pressed.

"Durin's are bad at romance, lad," Dwalin laughed.

"What do you mean?" Kili was suddenly interested while Fili just sipped his cup.

"Do you remember how Thorin treated Bilbo during our journey?" Balin asked in his calmer voice. "He was insufferable just because he thought the hobbit was cute."

"I did not!"

Dwalin snorted at Thorin's outrage.

"It was sad to see."

"It happened the same with Dís. She made your poor father bleed and cry before accepting his proposal," Balin added.

"Why did you shove me into this mess?" She complained and punched her brother's arm when he laughed.

"I didn't treat Tauriel badly when I met her," Kili thought out loud.

"That's because you're more like your father," Balin explained, not allowing the others to jump at the mention of the elf.

"Well, what am I supposed to do now?" Fili claimed the attention was on him again.

"Stop being an ass to her would be a good start. Although if you really do not like her that much I could always ask her out–"

"Kili don't mess with your brother when he's clearly suffering."

"Yes, mother."

"I have to say you're quite lucky, lad. Maen's not like any other lass; not even like any other dwarf. She wouldn't hold a grudge for long. It's up to you."

Dwalin's words echoed in Fili's mind as his eyes looked over the flames.

Not far away from the royal quarters where they were having their little chat, were Maen's. She had taken a very long bath, and dried carefully her bushy mane of dark brown hair before tying it in a careful braid whose sole objective was to avoid it tangling in her sleep. She sat next to her own fire with a romance book in her hands. Her focus wasn't the best at that moment, hence her relieved sigh when her torture was cut short by a knock on her door.

Bilbo Baggings was on the other side of the door with understanding showering his features. Maen invited him to enter the living area, pleased by the tray with backed goods and tea that Bilbo placed carefully on a small table.

"I hope you like scones, Lady Maen."

"I cannot say I've had them before, Mister Bilbo, but please, call me Maen."

"Bilbo for me then." After taking a few bites with a meaningless conversation, Bilbo twisted his nose, cleared his throat, and brushed the crumbs away from his fingers. "I wanted to apologize."

Maen blinked in confusion, "Please no, do not do such a thing. You've been nothing but nice to me, Bilbo. There's nothing you should apologize about."

"I beg to differ. I– I presumed that because you're a dwarf you'll have it easier here, that you'll click with Fili faster than– Well… I'm a hobbit, not a dwarf, and you know how reserved dwarves could be; I had it hard with the company for a big part of our journey, and when Thorin confessed his feelings I could only think about the council opposing and the Ereborians just hating me.

"I'm not entirely sure how I managed to have the position that I have now, but I'm certain that I own the company a big deal of it. Especially to Thorin.

"I shouldn't have presumed that you wouldn't feel left out or unwanted by your fellow dwarves. I guess you and I are alike on that front as I had been pinned down as an oddity by my fellow hobbits back in The Shire. I didn't quite fit there."

"Female dwarves aren't meant to be warriors, there's too little of us and pregnancy is a deadly risk on its own. The armory called for me daily, nonetheless, and Dáin was kind enough to consent to my training instead of pushing me to the knitting room. Even if that can be seen as an oddity in the Iron Hills, my family is well-known there, and I received offerings for courting way before I was of age. It wasn't ideal, of course, but being here makes me miss it. At least there I'm not underestimated."

"Fili likes you. He really does, Maen. He's just as stubborn as his uncle when it comes to facing his feelings. Did I tell you that the first time Thorin saw me, after arriving late I may add, he looked at me, head to toe, and said 'so, this is the hobbit' as if making fun of me? The audacity!"

"I expect you've made him resent that, Bilbo."

"Why, of course!! Soft, he said. Me! Ha! You've been way too nice to Fili, never losing your temper or chewing his head off. It's time for you to put your foot down, and let me tell you that your performance today was spotless. Everyone in the mountain is talking about it. There are rumors about 'the Lion and the Fire of Erebor'."

Maen laughed anxiously, her face warm with blush.

Three days after the tournament Fili offered Maen to spend a morning in Dale as she hadn't seen it since the battle and their market was interesting. That led to her waiting at the front doors, as usual, two days later, although this time she had taken the precaution of inviting Ori with her. Nori was obviously close, but he appeared to be ignoring them.

Ori was explaining with great enthusiasm the rich quality of Dale's paper and ink when Fili approached them. Maen glanced at him with an arched brow.

"Are we in a rush?" She questioned in lieu of a greeting.

Fili hesitated in his septs frowning, "Not that I'm aware of. Why?"

"You're on time."

"Yes."

"You're never on time. Usually, I would have to wait for at least an hour for you to be here."

Fili cleared his throat lowing his face with shame, "Yeah. I apologize for that. Um… Shall we go now?"

"Aren't we waiting for Kili?" She looked around in confusion.

"He's not coming."

Maen stared at Fili as if he had just shaved his beard. "On time and without Kili. I'm afraid to ask if Lady Dís had some sort of conversation with you."

"She did not."

"Huh… Well, I appreciate the changes, of course, yet I had already taken the precaution of getting my own companion as I was expecting you and your brother to be busy with each other. Ori here is going with us."

"I'm sorry Fili, I would leave you two alone, but Dori has given me a list of things to purchase in Dale. And you know how Dori can be if he doesn't get what he wants."

"No. It's– It's fine, Ori. The more the merrier. Shall we go then?"

Maen shared a conspicuous look with Ori before following Fili and some guards toward the ponies. Ori had been her ally in the mountain as well as Bilbo, and when she voiced her worries about the journey to Dale becoming just another day of being mistreated, Bilbo had suggested bringing Ori with her and the little scribble had beamed with the prospect of visiting Dale's market again.

Tables had turned and Fili wasn't happy about it.

Dale was impressive and richly decorated, their buildings were colorful and stunning; some of them had kept most of their past structure and there were marks of orc weapons on some walls. Ori explained to an astonished Maen, that Bard had rebuilt the city wanting to keep the memory of past times; like a homage. She understood the sentiment, there were claw marks in Erebor still and she already assumed it was a reminder of what could happen if they weren't careful with their greed.

The market was crowded, full of men, but also a good amount of dwarves and elves. Maen was bouncing on her feet excited to see, touch, and buy whatever came across her. She did not ignore Fili on purpose, although she must admit that having been used to being ignored by him she stopped thinking about reaching for him long ago, therefore her mindset was sure that he was just ignoring her as usual. Ori and Maen enjoyed every second in the market, they bought some books, paper, ink, quills, fabric, yarn… It was ridiculous.

After long hours waiting in the market, the dwarves started to feel hungry and then Maen turned to look for Fili and found him frowning, his mouth pressed in a sad thing line.

"Should we come back to the mountain to eat, or should we find a tavern here?" She asked him.

Fili scowled. "Let's go back."

Ori gave Maen a guilty look.

It wasn't until they were back in Erebor that Maen approached Fili, she crossed his path impeding him to run to his quarters. She waited until he gathered the patience and courage needed to look her in the eyes.

"How does it feel?" To her question, Fili frowned deeper in confusion. "Did you enjoy being ignored? Did you feel unwanted? Disrespected? Hurt?" Fili's expression opened up with a glint of awareness in his blue eyes. "Yeah. Is not very nice, is it? I did not intend to ignore you today, yet I expect that with you discovering how that behavior of yours hurt me, you'd be more careful in the future."

Not waiting for an answer, Maen nodded to the prince and left.

He didn't ignore her again.

Fili was running but he was not advancing and right before his eyes, Azog stood fighting against Maen. The frustration built up inside of Fili, he needed to reach her before the pale orc hurt her, he had to– he had– he–

"NOOOOOOOOOOOO" he screamed as Azog skewered his spear across Maen's torso.

He woke up with a jolt of pain in his own wound. A sheet of cold sweat covered his skin. He traced the long scar from his chest to his belly with his fingers still in a daze when a hard knock on his quarters' door awakened him completely. It was the middle of the night, there probably were five hours before dawn. Fili put on a gown and padded towards the door, opening it with caution. A young guard stood there uncomfortable.

"Sire, my apologies for the disturbance."

"What's wrong?"

"It's Lady Maen, sire, she's in the arena and we don't know how to proceed. Master Nori order me to ask you."

The prince frowned registering the information, "Leave her alone. I'll– I'd be on my way. Do not disturb her."

"Aye, sire."

Fili got dressed faster than ever, he grabbed his sword and headed to the arena. He nodded to the guards and to Nori, but they didn't share a word. There, in the arena, was Maen training with her axes, only a couple of torches illuminating the room. Fili recognized the tension in her shoulders and the determination in her frown, she'd had a nightmare.

He approached her with determination. Maen glanced at him and stopped her movements, but she didn't say anything, nor did he. With a nod of acknowledgment, Fili and Maen started sparing although not as violently as in the tournament as neither of them was wearing armor.

Tired to the bone due to the exercise, Fili got himself stuck in the same position that pushed his defeat in the tournament. Instead of kneeing him in the side as she did that time, Maen swapped her foot under his forcing him to lose his balance and fall to the floor on his back. She smiled at him, openly and sincerely. Fili laughed, offering his hand for her to take expecting her to help him get up. Maen threw her axes to the side and grabbed his arm, yet before she could pull him, the prince pulled first, making her fall against his chest.

Maen let out a surprised gasp before laughing at the childish move. Fili pushed his luck just a little farther, turning them in the arena until she was under him. She stopped laughing and arched an eyebrow at him, challenging his next move. Fili blushed violently; his eyes darted from her eyes to her lips. Sighing, the prince rolled to his side until he was on his back looking at the ceiling next to Maen, who was now looking at him. Fili noticed the movement in the shadows in the corner of his eye and he was sure that Nori was ready to intervene if he had done what he really wanted to do.

Instead of that, Fili pulled out a richly decorated mithril bead and handed it to Maen.

"I, Fili son of Dís, Crown Prince of Erebor, solicit permission to court you, Maen, goddaughter of Dáin Ironfoot, with this courting bead I had made myself."

Maen burst into a childish laugh, "Only you could ask with such a posh manner while both of us are sweaty and tired from a spar session in the middle of the night."

"That's not an answer," Fili singsonged twisting the bead in his fingers.

"Yes, you idiot! But beware, if you behave like an arse again I can call it off anytime."

"I won't."

Their laughs echoed in the arena ignoring that they had Nori win a huge amount of money.

It wasn't until that night, at supper, when with all the company and their families reunited around the table, Fili approached Maen with a wooden box.

"This is the first courting gift of many. Although I'm aware of what tradition requires for me to give you, I expect to know you better than to gift you some expensive fabric for embroidery."

Maen pressed her lips to avoid smiling too soon and she opened the box. The typical courting gifts a dwarf lass received were focused on her alleged skills in textile matters, some woodwork, maybe jewels… Fili had gifted her a dagger whose grip and sheath were engraved with loving care and decorated with precious gems.

"Fili made it himself. All of it," Kili explained filling in the silence. "He had been a pain in the ass for the last three weeks because–"

Dís hit her son in the ribs to keep him quiet.

Maen looked at Fili, his smirk had become a shy little smile and his eyes were bright with nerves and hopes. A small movement of his brows made her understand that she hadn't accepted the gift properly yet.

"I accept the gift. It's perfect, Fili. Thank you."

The tension abandoned Fili's body to the point of him needing a chair before fainting.

At one point, in the future, people would remember Fili and Maen not as the King and Queen Under the Mountain, but as the Lion and the Fire of Erebor.

The End

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hellothereobi · 2 years

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Looking for Hobbit fanfic on AO3

It was a Thorin x original female character where he teaches her about sex/pleasure. It starts off at Beorns house I believe. It was superrrr smuttty

#thorin x you #thorin x reader #thorin oakenshield #fanfiction #ao3 writer #richard armitage x reader #smut #the hobbit #lord of the rings #hobbit fanfic #thorin x oc

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ao3feed-thehobbit · 1 year

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A New Chapter

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/Fi5AzSO

by Multifiiction

What you didn't expect was a bunch of dwarves in your home.

Words: 1418, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: The Hobbit - All Media Types, Beorn - Fandom, X reader - Fandom, The Lord of the Rings - All Media Types

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M

Characters: Beorn (Tolkien), You, Reader, Thorin's Company, Gandalf | Mithrandir

Relationships: Beorn (Tolkien)/Reader, Beorn (Tolkien)/Original Female Character(s), Beorn (Tolkien)/You, Beorn/Beorn's Wife, Beorn (Tolkien)/Other(s), Beorn x Reader, Beorn & You, Beorn & Reader

Additional Tags: Love, Marriage, Domestic Fluff, Domestic, talk of children

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/Fi5AzSO

#IFTTT #ao3feed #fanfic #the hobbit

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bluewolven · 2 years

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Beyond the Shadow of Doubt (Read on AO3)

Summary:

The Dwarves told me their previous burglar didn’t work out. So they needed to hire a new one. Coincidentally, I needed money--a lot of it. But there's a part of me I kept hidden from the light of day, a part of me that not even the kindest of Dwarves will overlook. Yet every day I pressed my chances, because I would follow their King to the end of everything.

The Hobbit AU, Thorin Oakenshield x Female OC, First Person POV

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence

Relationship(s): Thorin Oakenshield/Original Female Character

Characters: Thorin Oakenshield, Original Female Character(s), Thranduil (Tolkien), Gandalf | Mithrandir, Elrond Peredhel, Bard the Bowman, Thorin's Company, Fíli (Tolkien), Kíli (Tolkien), Balin (Tolkien), Dwalin (Tolkien), Bifur (Tolkien), Bofur (Tolkien), Bombur (Tolkien), Óin (Tolkien), Glóin (Tolkien), Ori (Tolkien), Nori (Tolkien), Dori (Tolkien)

Additional tags: Slow Burn, Canon-Typical Violence, POV First Person, POV Original Female Character, Alternate Universe, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Alternate Universe - Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Thorin Is an Idiot, Character(s) of Color, Romance, Angst, Dwarf/Elf Relationship(s), Implied Kíli/Tauriel, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Additional Warnings In Author's Note

Chapters 1-3 are now live!

#bluewolven ao3 #the hobbit #lotr #thorin oakenshield #trevadril shadesulk #thorin x oc #ao3 #original character #art and whatnot to be added later

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i-drink-and-i-write-fics · 4 months

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Kings & Queens

Chapter 9: Allies

Summary: After her declaration to the Master of Lake-Town, Ladi finds herself wondering if she can keep to her promises. She comes across an Elf wondering the same thing for herself.

Chapter found here.

Chapter 10

Tagging Crew:

Everything

@multifanworld

@blackgaladriel

Thorin

@cauliflowertree

Thranduil

@harpers-ramblings

@errruvande

@entishramblings

@stuckysdaughter

#kings & queens #kings and queens #thorin #thranduil #original female characters #thorin x original female character #thranduil x original female character #the hobbit #alternate universe

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ao3feed-tolkien · 11 months

Text

Drabbles of Thorin

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/d1M7kwz

by Local_Peanut

small one-shots of thorin oakenshield x reader (mostly read braiding his hair without knowing what it means) ♡

Words: 736, Chapters: 2/?, Language: English

Fandoms: The Hobbit (Jackson Movies)

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: F/M

Characters: Thorin Oakenshield, Bilbo Baggins

Relationships: Thorin Oakenshield/Original Female Character(s), Thorin Oakenshield/Reader

Additional Tags: soft thorin, Campfires, Hair Braiding, Thorin is a Softie, thorin's hair being braided

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/d1M7kwz

#IFTTT #ao3feed #fanfic #Tolkien #JRR Tolkien #Tolkien works #ao3 #fan fiction

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writingfromkitchenator · 3 years

Text

A Starlit Moon

Masterlist

Thorin Oakenshield x Original Female Character

Series Warnings: Typical violence, magic, fluff, angst, mutual pining, slow-ish burn?, insecurities, major character death, possible smut (at this stage I am undecided, will update when I get to that point)

Chapter 11

Words: 1,719

Over the next few days, Louisa was determined to never put herself through that again, the pain a constant reminder of what happened. She taught herself to rest her mind, to tune everything out except herself. She wondered why it had taken her so long to do this to begin with and was more than relieved to discover that it assisted with the pain as well, keeping it almost entirely at bay.

There were more than a few awkward looks as bruising appeared along the bridge of her nose and under her eyes, none of them comfortable with the image. She was almost glad that she couldn’t see herself, what she was feeling from the others was more than enough to tell her that it looked a lot worse than what it actually was.

With her head starting to get clearer, she decided to return to her studies with Gandalf, who was more than pleased to see that she seemed to be improving. The others didn’t agree so much, especially when they all watched a small flame appear in her hand, but they kept quiet on the matter, just happy that she hadn’t let the incident slow her down.

Sirius was also learning quickly, and while he still seemed unusually small, he now followed most directions that Louisa gave, much to the amusement of the company. Some of them weren’t about to admit it, but they were impressed she’d managed to train the wolf pup, no matter how attached he was to her. Although, they still had to chase him away from their packs on occasion, Dwalin being the only one that had learnt to just give him some sort of treat to keep him away.

With improvements showing, it was clear that Louisa was a lot happier, and that put a lot of them at ease, no matter how much further she still had to go. Some of them hadn’t even realised how worried they’d been getting, but being able to take a breath of relief improved all their moods.

Thorin waited for the pain to fully fade before he approached her about further training, and while she was still reluctant, the dark colouring under her eyes still a reminder of what had happened, she agreed.

What she didn’t expect was to be taken out of sight of the camp, and it took her a moment to realise that the two of them were alone. They had not been followed.

“Is Fili not allowed to train me anymore?” She asked, a little hesitantly.

There was an emotion that she couldn't pick buried beneath a small chuckle. “This is not against Fili's teaching capabilities, I promise, after all, I taught him. I simply believe that we need to change how we teach you.”

Louisa stared at him, unsure of what to think of this, but Thorin just raised an eyebrow. “Unless you would prefer to continue with everyone else watching?”

“No,” she said, maybe just a little too quickly, breaking away from his gaze. “I just...” She had nothing to finish the sentence with, suddenly unsure of her own emotions, and this time, not because there was too much noise around.

“We will take this slow,” Thorin said calmly, deciding it best to leave wherever that discussion had been going. “Get you used to holding a sword before using it. Once you are comfortable enough with that, then we will continue onto the movements.”

Louisa glanced at him. “How quick were you to realise I was that uncomfortable?”

Thorin gave her a gentle smile. “You mean apart from your outburst when you saved Sirius? Very quickly.”

“I still feel like I'm validated in saying that.”

“Well, that's what I'm hoping to change,” Thorin said and drew his sword. “Here.”

Louisa looked at him a little nervously, slowly and cautiously taking the sword off him. It was heavier than the one she'd been practicing with before, but Thorin seemed aware of this too.

“Relax,” he said, his gaze flicking for a moment to the bruising under her eyes. “It's not going to spring out of your hands and hit you.”

“Well, I would prefer that that didn't happen again.” She said it lightly, but the nervousness was still there.

“That's why we are taking this slow.” Thorin's hands gently rested on hers. “Now, adjust your grip like this.”

Louisa hadn't been sure what to expect, but it certainly wasn't this. With patience and understanding, Thorin slowly adjusted her grip and stance with the sword, his touches gentle and guiding. She found herself more than surprised when she suddenly found she could hold the sword evenly and strongly in front of her without feeling over balanced and off centre.

“Good, now, try a swing.”

She glanced at him a little apprehensively.

Thorin gave a small, reassuring smile and nod. “Go on.”

Taking a small breath, she did as he asked, the sword cutting cleanly through the air, and while she still felt a little awkward, for the most part it had felt a lot better than anything that she'd done before.

She couldn't help it, a smile creeping to her lips. “Wow.”

“You should not doubt yourself so,” he said, holding out his hand so she can pass back the sword. “Anything can be learnt with enough time and patience.”

Louisa handed back the sword, feeling a little odd without it now. “I wouldn't have thought the road was the time or place for such a thing.”

He chuckled. “Not normally, no, but then, you are a faster learner than what you let on.”

She doesn't say anything to this, not wanting to let on that he was probably right, and after a few more minutes, the two of them started to head back to camp.

“Thank you Thorin,” Louisa said softly as the noise of camp returned, feeling like she should say more. “I appreciate it.”

He glanced at her, but just nodded, the two of them quickly going their separate ways in camp.

A routine started over the next few nights, alternating between learning with Gandalf and learning with Thorin, and while questions were asked on how things were going, no one seemed to want to give an answer to the rest of them. No one had missed, however, that Thorin’s gaze would often look over the bruising under Louisa’s eyes.

Another thing they had noticed was that the book Louisa had been reading had been put away. Her other book was now coming out more frequently, and while she did sometimes flick through the earlier pages, most of the time she went to the page with the sketch she was working on, or a new page to start another sketch. They all knew that she could draw, but none of them had yet been brave enough to ask her about it.

Everything then seemed to change one evening as they decided to camp in what appeared to be a destroyed home.

Louisa was almost instantly anxious. Something about this place was not right. She stood staring at the forest, trying to work out what it was, but it was either too far away, or something so new that she wasn't sure what to expect.

Gandalf was quick to notice her discomfort, and on top of what he saw, approached Thorin about moving on. Thorin would have none of it, but it wasn't until she felt both Gandalf's and Thorin's annoyance grow that she turned to pay attention to the discussion.

She was more than stunned when Gandalf started to storm off.

“Gandalf-"

“Stay here Louisa,” he snapped a little. “They will need at least some warning should something be coming.”

She frowned after him, watching him go. “I'm not a warning bell.”

There was nothing any of them could sat that would ease Louisa away from the edge of camp, occasionally glancing the way that Gandalf had gone, but mostly watching the forest. She had also tried to protest putting the ponies out of sight within the forest, a protest that got worse as Thorin ordered Fili and Kili to watch them, but no one seemed willing to listen.

Bilbo took her over a meal, following her gaze after a moment to the darkening ground around them. “What’s out there?”

“I don’t know.” She said, frowning a little. “It’s nothing good. I wish they’d listen.”

Glancing back, Bilbo found Thorin watching them. “It’s been a fair while since we’ve all had a good night sleep in a decent bed. I wouldn’t hold it against them too much.”

Louisa sighed and took the bowl off of him, feeling Thorin’s gaze more than seeing it. “Thank you, Bilbo, I just don’t like feeling useless, and so far, I feel as if I’ve just been more trouble than they expected.”

“You are learning,” Bilbo said with a gentle smile, looking back at her. “They understand that, even if they don’t say it, and even if they argue with you every now and again over it too.”

It took Louisa a moment but she smiled and chuckled, giving Bilbo a grateful look.

Bilbo grinned and nodded. “Don’t let it all get you down so much, Louisa. We still have a long way to go yet, I’m sure.”

She nodded and looked back out.

He hesitated for a moment longer. “Are you going to be alright here?”

Louisa nodded, glancing back at Thorin, who finally looked away. “Yes, of course, although I’d feel a lot better if Gandalf came back. Whatever is out there, I feel like he is going to be needed in dealing with it, or at least, I’d feel better if we have to face it.”

“He’ll be fine,” Bilbo said. “Just as we will I’m sure, and you can only do what you do. No one should expect anything else from you.”

“Let’s hope you’re right,” she said quietly, her unease growing. “I’ll be fine Bilbo, maybe go and give Fili and Kili some supper too, I’m sure they’re more than hungry.”

Bilbo watched her for a moment and nodded, moving off, leaving her be. She kept herself still and as focused as she could, her own meal forgotten as she waited for whatever it was to show itself. She wasn’t sure, but she thought it was getting closer.

#the hobbit #a starlit moon #thorin #thorin oakenshield #thorin x original female character #thorin oakenshield x original female character #long reads #fic series #mondays deserve this

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thewarriorandtheking · 2 years

Text

Mistakes

A bit of The Warrior and The King hair-braiding fluff...

for @fellowshipofthefics March Madness

Characters: Thorin x female oc

Warnings: None

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

“That was not the first of your mistakes.”

“And what was the first, great king?” Kaylea looked back over her shoulder. Thorin laughed and gently straightened her head, running his comb through her hair a few more times before setting it down. She loved the feel of his hands in her hair, separating and braiding, almost in the same movement. There was a thrilling, quiet intimacy to it that was hard to explain.

“When you let me braid your hair, that day at the river,” Thorin told her. “I did warn you it meant there was an understanding between us.”

Kaylea smiled. She fingered the beads that had started the conversation, the ones he had given her shortly after they met. Mithril, decorated with many runes. After all these years, they were still her favorites. She remembered asking him at the time if it meant they were married. “I knew hair-braiding was important to your people, but clearly I didn’t understand all the intricacies. I had the feeling you were up to something.”

“You let me touch your hair, that was your undoing! You had already accepted the favors I offered, letting me braid your hair was as good as announcing we were to be married.”

“I don’t think that is entirely true,” she chuckled. “Lord Elrond would certainly have mentioned it when I wore your beads to dinner.”

“Elves don’t care to know our customs,” Thorin scoffed. “He probably thought you had taken leave of your senses.”

They laughed together. “I’m sure he did,” Kaylea said. “You know, there is something I have wanted to ask you.”

“And what is that, my love?”

“I remember getting many knowing looks in Erebor after you gave me your braids. Why is it that your wife never wore them?”

Thorin did not answer at once. He finished the two intertwined braids along her temples and began joining them together at the back. “Customs differ, even among the families. Shurri’s family originally came from Belegost, where they don’t follow the tradition. Anyway, if two people wear the same braids it doesn’t mean they are married, though they are used that way sometimes. It is a way of saying you will have no other.” He held his hand out for the beads.

“So, you were putting words in my mouth.”

“Aha! So, there was someone else you fancied?” He leaned forward to smile slyly at her. “An Elf, perhaps?”

“Don’t make me get up and slap you. You know very well there was no one else.”

“I believed you, though I will admit to a tiny doubt,” Thorin chuckled. “Of course, the idea was to let everyone know we would one day be married. But also, you had told me of your plans to leave Middle Earth. I wanted a part of myself to go with you, to remind you of your promise to come back to me.”

“And it worked. Every time I touched them, I thought of you. I felt guilty I had not left you something more personal.”

“Ah, but you did! You gave me your flask when we parted for the first time, at the river…”

“Hardly a meaningful gift!” Kaylea exclaimed.

“Not by itself. But it was wrapped in a scarf, you may remember, and caught in the knot were several of your hairs.” Thorin finished attaching the last bead, he swept her hair aside to kiss her neck. She turned to face him, brows furrowed in curiosity. For answer, he took out the pendant he wore on a fine silver chain. She had often admired it; a small cylinder, adorned with intricate designs and tiny gems, almost jewel-like in its beauty. Thorin gently twisted it and the carvings parted to reveal her golden hairs suspended in crystal. “I keep them with me always.”

Kaylea shook her head. “You have been wearing that all this time and never said a thing! You never stop surprising me!”

“Then I am glad. I don’t want to make the mistake of being predictable,” he closed the cylinder and tucked it away. “Now, let us get ready for dinner. Will you wear your red dress, and that necklace with the tiny rubies?”

“Of course,” she could not have refused those puppy-dog eyes, even if she wanted to. “I must not make the mistake of disappointing my King.”

#thorin oakenshield #thorin fanfic #thorin x oc #thewarriorandtheking #original female character #thorin fluff #fotfics #fotficsmarchmadness

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bluebellhairpin · 1 year

Text

Thorin Oakenshield X Fem!Reader

Summary; Retrieving missing ponies, exploring Troll caves, being hunted by Orcs - Oh My!

Warnings; Pregnancy used as a bluff. Character death mentions. Canon-typical violence. Reader is female-body-coded, uses she/her pronouns, and is Human.

Listening to; 'Solider, Poet, King' Instrumental Cover by Cullen Vance

Part 1 || Part 3

Series Masterlist || Masterlist || Ko-Fi

This is a re-write of a old series! If you'd like to read the original, you can find it Here.

“I should've seen this one coming,”

Your mumbling came out breathy, almost like it wasn’t spoken at all. Beside you were the Durin brothers, Fili and Kili. On your watch, ponies had been stolen - by Trolls was your guess, of all the beasts this land had to throw at you, it had to be them - and now you had to deal with forming a plan to get them back.

Between the three of you, nothing was happening very quickly.

A curse broke behind you, and you turned to see Bilbo approaching - juggling three bowls of stew between two arms, and almost making a mess of it. You looked at him, and an idea sprung.

“Bilbo could get the ponies.” You leaned over to Kili, whispering so the Hobbit couldn't hear. “He’s small and quiet - those giant’s would barely have time to think!”

"Strapping idea -”

“Master Boggins!” Fili said, surging forward and clapping the poor Hobbit on the shoulder to pull him forward. “We’ve found ourselves in a bit of a mix.”

“See we’re meant to have fourteen ponies -”

“But there’s only twelve -”

“We know where they are -”

“But we need your help.” They both said. How they managed to sync up so well was astounding - they weren’t even twins - but you knew sometimes siblings are just like that when they’re close enough.

Eventually Fili and Kili wandered off, chasing the direction where the ponies would be, you followed, with Bilbo behind. Bilbo was urged forwards, Fili disappeared, and soon you were the only one left watching the Hobbit try - and fail - to free the ponies. It wasn’t that he was getting caught - but you felt you were going to burst at the amount of times he ‘almost’ was.

Then he was.

You quietly yelped with him - almost jumping from your hiding spot. You stayed still, biting your lip in indecision at what to do when Kili and his brother appeared at your sides. The others came up behind you soon after, and when they decided Bilbo had been tortured with trying to stall in conversation enough, they all surged forwards, crying ready for a fight.

You were less enthusiastic. Much less. You’d barely had a hand on your sword to draw it when it was all over. A short-lived battle indeed.

The Trolls, three of them, were corralling you all into bags - big hessian, dirty things - you did not want to be put in one of those things. Despite your thrashing protests - and your contemplation of resorting to biting (which fell through, those were horribly gross looking fingers) - you were thrust into a bag alongside Thorin.

The damn thing didn’t even cover your shoulders - if the drawstring wasn’t so tight, you might’ve been able to wiggle out. You’d give the trolls credit, they knew how to tie a good knot.

“Human’s good for stews, not roastin’ like Dwarf.” One said, drawing your attention and making your eyes go wide. “Chop her up and put her in, that’ll fix the mess yous made of it.”

“Roast Dwarf, Human stew - we gonna eats good tonight!”

“Hey no! You can’t eat me!” You squealed, kicking your feet in the bag - Thorin made a grunt beside you after you kicked his shin in your panic, but said nothing of it aside from hissing out a quiet ‘watch it’. Especially after a troll picked you up and paid zero mind to your screaming. “Listen, you can’t eat me! You can’t!”

“Why not? You’ve got nothin’ special about you.” He looked at you with a sideways head-tilt.

“I do! I’m not like the others, you couldn’t eat me yet.” One of the smarter Trolls looked over, noticing the extra fight you were putting up.

“Why wouldn’t we eats yous yet? We says a Human’s more tasty than a Dwarf anyways.” He said.

“Aha see, that’s the thing. I’m…” you swallowed, thinking of some excuse you could do that the others couldn’t. Then it hit you. “I’m with child!” you blurted. But it phased the Troll none.

“Meanings you’re extra, extra tasty. More meats on you.” He took you from his friend, grabbing his knife and bringing it far too close to you for your liking.

“No, wait, wait! Just think! Once I get bigger and give birth you’d have an extra Human to eat. I’ve heard babies are even more delicious than full grown Humans - you’d have it and me to eat then!” you spoke quickly, wasting no time in trying to lie your way out of being eaten. “In fact, you should probably let me go.”

“We ain’t stupid.” The Troll said. “We got no reason to not tie yous up lie the rest,”

“No see, listen, tying me up would restrict the growth of the child.” you bluffed, knowing all you needed to buy more time. “If I’m not tied up then the child will be bigger than normal.” you added, nodding as if to convince them.

The Trolls seemed to buy your excuse and put you down in the pen with the ponies, but made no effort to free you. But you did.

You wiggled you arms - thrashing like a madman as if it’d make any difference. And it did. Soon you had one arm free, but the rest would have to wait. You didn’t have enough time to free the rest, you needed to help the others - time was of the essence.

You looked over at the pile of Dwarves and Bilbo, catching Thorin’s eye as you slowly moved towards the back of the pen in hopes you could just slip away to get help. Gandalf was out there somewhere, and maybe if you could get away - pray he was close by and find him - then he could help much more than you. The Trolls were too busy trying to stop one of the Dwarfs from squirming to notice you clumsily slide out of the pen and back further into the forest. hobbling and finally shedding the bag as you went.

Thorin watched you. His mind told him you were slipping away to save your own skin. But his heart told him to stay silent and wait. Even though he thought you disliked him with a fiery passion, you held both his nephews in very high regard, and became almost like a daughter to Balin. Not to mention how you effortlessly had the likes of both Dwalin and Ori wrapped around your little finger.

He believed you wouldn’t leave those you liked to die simply because you thought one person you disliked deserved it.

You found Gandalf within ten minutes, and you managed to not get caught again as you watched on as he saved the others.

What a wizard.

The Trolls were turned stone in the first light of day, and you set to quick work of helping the others out of their restraints. You’d already unbagged Fili, and Dwalin when you reached Thorin. He looked at you intently as you worked on the bag.

“How’d you come up with that idea? To fake yourself being with child?” he started, “If Gandalf didn’t save us and we were stuck, you’d only prolong your own suffering.” Once he finished talking you were also finished with his bag, letting him get himself out fully as you leant back on a stone. “You’d have watched us all die.”

“I guess I was with child once, in a way. That sort of thing doesn’t leave you very quickly.” You mumbled. You played with your hands as he looked over at you with a slightly shocked face. “Technically it wasn't mine, but by the time our time together ended it really seemed like he was.”

“What happened?” His question made him seem genuinely interested. You couldn’t help the feeling in your stomach that made you want to share everything with him. A deep breath left your nose.

“Long story short, I passed through the Misty Mountains, a group before me wasn’t so fortunate. A young boy was the only survivor, and I couldn't just leave him there to die, so I decided to take him with me until I reached the next village or town.” You said, watching as the others untied and dressed each other. “I tried my best, but trolls have to make sure they ruin everyone’s best day.”

Thorin remembered Gandalf had said you'd come across Orcs and Trolls before. This was your encounter with trolls, but what about Orcs? He decided to ask, leaning beside you as you both looked over the others.

“If you don't mind me asking - and I don't want to come across as prying - what exactly happened?” He asked gently, keeping his eyes forwards and off you. You glanced over at him, noting that there was still not a single punch of aggression in his words or demeanor.

“It was a little ways back towards the mountains from here.” you started softly, “I had the child strapped to me, had to tuck my pack under my arm - I knew it meant I couldn't get to my sword quickly if an attack came. I knew it was risky, but the boy couldn't walk, he was too small, I had no other choice. Out of nowhere, a Troll came. It got the child and I.” You let out a shaken sigh, eyes watering slightly, and your hands wringing each other in your lap. “I barely got away from them, but Orcs came after, and in the confusion I couldn’t get away in time for the both of us. If I’d moved faster it would’ve been fine.”

Thorin felt a sudden guilt wash over him for how much of a arse he’d been to you. He took in a silent breath of courage, then - as if possessed by someone who hadn’t been ignoring you for the past three days - took one of your hands in his, letting his thumb brush over your knuckles. He felt himself relax when you didn't object to his actions.

You looked down at him, and he looked up at you.

“I'm sorry.” He felt himself saying, although what happened to the child was no fault of his own.

In fact, it was either orcs or frostbite, not the King of Durinsfolk. Orcs certainly would have been a much quicker death, frostbite would've been much slower. Orcs may be cruel, but they prefer the quick death of children since they weep more than they scream. Oh, how Orcs loved to hear people scream.

“I guess it wasn’t one of those things meant to be changed.” you said, shaking your head lightly. “He must’ve meant to die. I only changed how and when. But at least he’s with his family now.”

Thorin and you shared a look, one that passed understanding between you both for a few long moments. He needed you - something really was going to happen on this journey back to his homeland. You needed him - so you could get home too.

An unspoken agreement was formed - one that would turn out to be much more effective than your old one. You’d help each other. No more pushing each other's buttons. No more getting on one another's nerves.

You’d finally get along.

Close by to where you were almost made into a Troll's dinner, was a Troll hole.

The fellows in your Company were almost happy to venture in despite the smell - but you could see a few of them didn’t mind needing to say outside to keep watch though. You wanted to join them, real bad, but something deep inside you told you to go in.

Like you needed to.

It was so dark, and the smell only made your eyes water - blurring your vision even more. You pushed past it all, including the Dwarves around you making long-term investments. Something drew you towards one of the furthest corners.

You looked, seeing nothing. Kicking the dirt though proved fruitful when the sound of metal scraping along stone reached your ears. Down at your feet, among the dirt and leaf litter was the hilt of a sword.

Reaching down, you took it and brought it level to your eyes.

It’s hilt was leather bound, with a blade cover that was the length of your arm. Both were worn, old. But you took the cover off to reveal shining steel. The metal was uncarved, untouched by anything other than a forges hammer.

“You should take it.” Gandalf said. You turned to see him watching you from under the brim of his hat. “Such an unnamed sword has no history. An unwritten past. It can serve you well in the future.”

You looked down at the weapon, cradling it in both hands like a single wrong move could slice your fingers off. Gandalf was probably right - usually he was, as unfortunate as that could be sometimes. Your current sword was good, it served its purpose well and you intended for it to continue to do so, but it wasn’t made for you. It wasn’t made like this. Finely forged, and strong. This one was a better fit for you than your old one - it was too short, too heavy - this was longer, lighter.

So you took it.

Stepping out of the cave was a breath of fresh air - literally.

The smell of wet moss and dirt was so welcomed after being in that hole, even the brightness of the sun shining through the trees above was a welcomed pain to your eyes. The moment you took to appreciate the piece of world around you didn’t last long.

Panic rose in the dwarves, and you took forward to Dwalin to ask what was wrong.

“Thorin, he saw someone coming.”

“Orcs?” You asked. Maybe the new sword wasn’t a good idea - you were unable to figure out which sword to reach for now.

“Not sure what or who,” Dwalin said, “But whatever it is is coming fast, be prepared for a fight, lass.”

To be completely honest with yourself, you’d thought you’d prepared very well. Strapping your new sword across your shoulder quickly, with your old one drawn - you felt a rush run through you as if you could take on an army. But when a sled came into view - being pulled by a group of rather large hare’s, the Company met the man at the helm with confused silence.

Until Gandalf shouted out a name and moved past the group to start a hushed conversation.

“Whose that?” You asked, arms going slack at the signs of no immediate threat.

“I’d guess some other wizard by the looks of his funny hat.”

“You're one to speak Bofur.”

“He’s a strange one,” you mused, watching as Gandalf pulled a stick - a bug? A stick bug? - from the mouth of his friend. “Is it normal to see two wizards together in one place?”

“You think seeing one wizard is normal?” Kili asked in return, looking up at you with a smirk. You shoved his shoulder - their rough love was rubbing off on you.

“You are a cheeky one.” You said with a smile.

Everyone dispersed slowly, still weary of the new company and the news he might be bringing, but ready to relax with no immediate danger. Then something changed. The wind, maybe, and in the distance was a howl.

Your ears perked up, and so did everyone's guards. Shouts of warnings - Wargs and Orcs approaching - rose, and a ripple of panic went through the Company. With nowhere to hide, and your ponies spooked off into thin air (Gandalf's horse and Phar Lap included), it seemed like you were trapped. A fight was coming, and the future didn’t look so bright.

“What’s happening?” You heard. Bilbo was behind you, timidly clutching a sword - new, his, Gandalf given too no doubt - and looking none like the burglar who tried to free the ponies from trolls just hours earlier.

“Orcs, by the sounds.” He’d never seen dangers like Orcs before, you realized as you watched his eyes blow wide open. “Don’t worry, stay close to me. I’ll keep an eye on you.” He nodded, reassured by your words.

But you weren’t feeling so confident. You hadn’t really fought an Orc before - avoided blows, and ran yes, but not fight. You didn’t know if you even had the strength in you to do it. Though no time like the present to find out.

You liked this plan. It was working.

But you were running out of breath, and each time you had to be pulled - or pull others - back to hide behind a boulder out of sight of the wizard Radagast and the Orcs following him was getting to be exhausting. It was like you were going round in circles, only a matter of time before someone saw and knew the wizard was just a distraction.

The Company was running out of time.

Such a hiding place was where you found yourself. You had your sword drawn, concluding that it wasn’t a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’ you’d need to use it. Bilbo had listened, stickling close to you - if he wasn’t, then he was close to someone else instead, never straying far from the group.

A breath of wind brought close the sound of a Warg approaching, and you pushed closer to the rock behind you. Thorin was beside you, your head level with his. You watched as his nose flared - from the running, maybe, but he could’ve been scared like you too.

“What do we do?” You whispered, but the noise made him turn to you with a deadly look.

‘Be quiet.’ his eyes said. You swallowed thickly, and turned back to face the lands in front of you. At least if that thing bit your head off, your last sight would be a pretty golden field. Then Thorin’s shoulders slumped beside you, pressing into yours. ‘It’ll be okay.’ the action told you. ‘Stay calm.’

So you took a deep breath in, as quiet and slow as you could manage, and decided to trust him. Right now what was needed was cooperation, not panic. Following what Thorin said hadn’t served anyone wrong so far - it couldn’t fail you now.

And for a while, it didn’t. But that ‘while’ didn’t last long.

The Company was trapped.

You all crowded together, forming a circle, readying to fight Orcs and their Wargs until breath left you no more - even you, your hands weren’t as shaky as you thought they might’ve been.

Kili was shooting riders left, right, and center. Dwalin was charging towards them like he had zero value for his own life - really, you reckoned it was just him trying to get this ordeal over and done with, and honestly good for him. Bilbo was looking quite lost. You were trying to keep track of everyone while not getting in the way. And Gandalf - was nowhere to be found.

“Where is that wizard?” Fili asked. His voice travelled well.

“Left us to die by the looks.” Thorin yelled back.

“Over here you fools!” Gandalf said, suddenly popping his head up above some small rocks behind you.

“Thorin!” You yelled, pushing Bilbo towards the hiding hole as you saw you’d gained the dwarf’s attention. “Get everyone over here now!”

You ran over to Gandalf, standing on the other side of the hole and counting as each dwarf (and lone hobbit) slid inside.

Nine, ten, Bifur made twelve - but there were meant to be fourteen. Thorin was practically right in front of you, two agonizing strides and he’d be in and safe - but Kili? Kili was far, far too far away for your liking.

Thank the gods he always listened to his Uncle.

“Kili!” Thorin yelled. You watched as his nephew turned, then turned again, then - finally - started running your way.

Gandalf was in, then Kili. All that were left were you and Thorin. He turned to you, and you’d bet your life he was going to get you to go in first, but you wouldn’t have that. You wouldn’t let him.

“Age before beauty, your majesty.” And you pushed him in, sliding in right after.

Inside, everyone was huddled together, still weary, still prepared for the Orcs to follow, but a commotion started above.

The sound of a horn, horses hooves. A body rolled down in front of you, the dead body of an Orc. Nori poked it with his hammer, but it didn’t move. Then it was quiet. They were gone, and it was over.

You looked up, almost dreading the would-be climb back out - the steep slope, and the borderline mud-dirt had a picture of you covered in filth flashing over your eyelids. With your hands on your hips you were almost psyched enough to do it when Dwalin said something about a tunnel.

Slope be damned, a tunnel would be like heaven in comparison.

It took little to no convincing from anyone for you to follow it - joining the long line of travelers with Dori at your front and Balin behind you. Even Thorin’s words of aggression-lased hesitancy weren’t putting a dampener on you enjoying the walk out, rather than a climb.

Eventually the darkness gave way to light, and the tunnel opened wide. Beyond was a sight that had you standing still in awe.

Rivendell.

#the girl who knew the end #thorin oakenshield x reader #thorin x reader #thorin x you #the hobbit x reader

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luv4fandoms · 5 years

Text

Of Wood and Steel-CH1.

So this story was originally inspired by this post from @tolkien-fantasy that I agree 100% with lol.

So here is chapter 1 of my story, you can also find it on ao3 if you prefer reading there.

I do not own the canon characters, but I do own Elizabeth, Abby, Benjamin, and Thistle.

Part 2

Chapter 1- Coming home again.

Warnings- None

Word count-2,078

The song used in the story can be found here

“Go Belstram I'll hold them off!” I yelled to the young man beside me, though we were so close, our voices were faint amongst the roar of our enemies.

“I can't leave you here Elizabeth!” He yelled back, stabbing yet another foe.

“You have to! I'll hold them off, you complete our mission! Now go!” I yelled, pushing further into the throw of enemies, if their attention was on me, Belstram could escape easily. My axe came in contact with enemy after enemy, one blow after another as I watched the crowd begin to thin, but it was not without price. My body began to tire of blocking blows from every angle, and just as I sidestepped one sword, I had to block another. But alas...A sweet sound rang through the air, one louder than the roar of enemies I found myself amongst...The victory horn.

“Not again!” One of the men cried out, all of our weapons lowering, the ones who had “died” stood from their fallen places upon the ground, some mumbling curses, some patting my shoulder and saying “good game”, yes, good game.

“Who knew capture the flag could be so brutal” my friend Abby or “Ava” as she was known in our larp group, said as she walked up to me, water bottle in hand.

“Well when we both want to win,I suppose it can get competitive” I laughed, nodding my thanks as I took the bottle and drank.

Benjamin or “Belstram” soon came jogging up to us while we made our way back to our camp.

“You did it!” Abby cheered, jumping into her boyfriend's arms.

“I had to protect my queen, if they would have gotten our flag, they would have gotten you” He replied before leaning down to kiss her.

“Please excuse me, your majesty, I must go before I lose my lunch” I laughed while making my way to the woods for our next game.

“Are we 23 or just 5 Elizabeth?” Abby called after me, laughter in her voice.

“I don't know, are we 23 or 15?” I called back before disappearing into the brush. Abby and I had been friends for several years, but it's only the past three years that I have been part of her LARP scene. The factions that usually partook in the event were the Orcs, Humans, Dwarves, and Elves…Abby, or rather, “Ava” is the Elvish queen, and though my character is only human, I am in the Elvish faction, though you will find other races scattered amongst the other factions, except the Orcs...Nor will you find any Elves on the Dwarf faction and vice-versa.

Games usually consisted of all out battles, Capture the flag, Raids, and my favorite...Quest of Glory. A game where the brave follow quests given to them by “NPCs” where they must battle a tiered party member before advancing...Why is this my favorite? Simple, as a high ranking party member, I'm the last they battle before going to Abby, and it's rare that people get that far, So I get to rest.

Climbing into my claimed spot, aka a 100 year old tree that resided on the oldest trail in our state park, I made myself comfortable and waited...Maybe drifting off into a light sleep.

“The journey's over; another's just begun

Beneath moonlight, but by the warming sun

I seek to hold you in sunshine or rain

Beneath the heavens, I'm coming home again”

The soft tune drifted along the wind that blew past, and though I hadn't heard the voice or song before, I chalked it up to just another player singing.

“So far we drifted, like ships upon the sea

Horizons fading, we lost to destiny

Storm clouds hover; our vanity like pain

Which held back the winds that bring us home again”

The song struck a strange cord within me, it was almost...familiar...and yet I knew that I had never heard it before. I watched as scenery flashed behind my eyelids, an open field of lush green grass, small mounds adorning it, and upon closer inspection, the mounds had windows to the houses that resided inside. Next a beautiful waterfall that ran alongside a breathtaking city, finely sculptured architecture making it stand out from the trees that dotted the land...And lastly...A mountain, tall and intimidating, yet the face of it showed detailed and beautiful stonework, two large statues of dwarves flanked the entrance.

“What are these places?” my mind wondered as I stared at the scenery in my mind, but my vision was soon disrupted by another voice, this one male, a soft sweet tone that spoke in only a whisper.

“amrâlimê” the voice was so quiet, almost as if the person didn't want to be heard, or hadn't meant to say it. But the tone was so full of longing, and a promise of happiness.

“ Could I see, now, the swallows in their flight

Watch the moon dance on oceans in the night

The trees reach upward to help the birds to fly

And of the creatures who'll hear them when they cry”

The scene changed once more, to that of a deep and dark forest, a forest that seemed old as if time itself never touched it...And yet it felt very...Alive.

“We walk the hillside like lost souls in the night

And in the darkness, we're searching for the light

And in the morning, like freshly fallen dew

Much like a moon's breath, I'm coming home to you”

From the dark of the forest a soft orange glow took over, the crackle of a fire could be heard before I swear I felt a light kiss being pressed to my cheek.

“amrâlimê” the voice whispered again, so sincere, so full of admiration, a tone that would be reserved for a lover.

“This journey's over; another's just begun

Beneath moonlight or by the warming sun

For I remember that if my heart be true

Just like an eagle, I'm coming home to you”

A snow covered landscape came into view, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. Not from the cold scenery, but from the dread that made my stomach uneasy.

“amrâlimê” The voice whispered one last time, the tone stained and faded at the end, as if spoke with a final breath.

“NO!” I yelled, bolting upward into a sitting position amongst the tree limbs.

“What?” I reached up and felt my cheek and the hot tears that rolled down it.

“No” I whispered, unable to fathom why a simple voice made my heart feel like it had been torn from my chest.

“Interesting...You saw it too” A female voice spoke, startling me and causing me to turn my head towards the voice.

“Who's there?” I asked upon not seeing anyone anywhere.

“I wonder...If you could be the one?” The voice spoke again, this time the voice came from the other side. Upon looking around, I was only met with the same forest I had been in...alone.

“Show yourself!” I demanded, standing up and balancing on the branches.

“Feisty one aren't you?” The woman giggled, the voice now in front of me as a woman stepped out from between the trees. Her pale skin was covered loosely by sheer green fabric that pooled around her bare feet, her smile and face were youthful, but the wisdom in her Lilac eyes made her appear older. Her short green hair did nothing to hide the long pointed ears, and I wondered how I hadn't seen this girl on the battlefield earlier, surely she couldn't fight much with that long of a dress.

“Who are you?” I asked, her smile only grew, and in a blink...she was in front of me. I stepped back, my hand grabbing at a branch to steady myself.

“W-What? How?”

“My name is Thistle, and I'm a forest Nymph, on a mission from Yavanna to find the one, and I think you are who I am looking for” the girl smiled.

“A forest...Yav….what?” The girl simply rolled her eyes at my confusion, as if everything she just said was the simplest thing that I should be able to grasp.

“You saw the visions did you not?” she asked, my mind flashing back to the different scenery.

“The different landscapes?” I asked, to which she happily nodded.

“Those are places in my world, if you were able to see them that means that you are connected to my world, and so far, you are the only one of your world that I have found that has seen them.

“How long have you been looking?” I asked, Thistle stopped for a moment, her finger resting on her chin while she thought.

“How old is your world again? I've honestly lost count of the years” she replied.

“Holy hell” I breathed, was this really happening? Or was I dreaming right now.

Wait.

“Whose voice was that?” I asked, remembering the soft whispers.

“Singing? That was me” she beamed before adding.

“I know, I have an enchanting voice don't I?”

“Well yes” I laughed

“But I meant the man's voice”

“Man's voice?” She asked, her expression just as confused as mine.

“Yes the man whispering that word...Am...Amra-lime...I'm not sure how to say it right.” I told her now beaming face.

“I don't know to be honest, but if you also heard a voice that surely confirms that you are indeed who I am looking for!”

“To do what?” I asked

“You have told me nothing besides your name, who sent you, and that you are here to find someone” I added.

“I...I don't know” she confessed, her smile falling.

“I was simply told to find the one and bring them to our world, that it was very important for our future” she replied, looking like a small child who had been reprimanded by a parent.

“Our?” I asked

“The forest”

“Oh”

“Please come with me, I know that you are who I have been searching for!” Thistle begged. I looked into her pleading Lilac eyes for a moment before looking around. Go to another world? My family, my home was here though...My parents...Who were always visiting family that lived out of state...My brothers who...Had their own families and lives...My friends who...I really only saw during our larp events...Oh…

“amrâlimê” That sweet whisper rang in my head, a promise that perhaps...perhaps there was a reason I always felt off in this world, perhaps my happiness was somewhere else.

“When would you like to leave?” I asked, turning back to Thistle, her pleading expression turned into one of pure glee.

“Right now would be good, just try not to scream” she replied.

“Scream? Why would I scREAM?!” I yelled as I felt the branch move out from under my feet causing me to fall backwards. I waited to hit the hard ground, but I just kept falling..Surely I should have hit the ground by now shouldn't I? So why hadn't...Suddenly a hard impact struck my back and I felt the air leave my lungs...Ah..There was the ground.

Opening my eyes I gasped for breath and noticed that I was next to the tree I had been sitting in...But I was not alone, nor was I in the same forest.

“Thistle...Who is this?” A large tree...creature spoke, his golden eyes bore into mine and as I found my lungs filling with air, I tried not to scream.

“I finally found the one!” Thistle beamed as she stood beside me.

“This is the one?” The tree asked.

“Yes Treebeard, I know she doesn't look like much, but she saw the visions..and also...she heard a voice from this world” she replied, whispering the last bit rather loudly.

“Hmm” the tree hummed as he reached out and grabbed me, the scream escaped me before I even thought about it...well..looks like I couldn't keep it in.

“Loud one isn't she?” He asked sitting me upright.

“Yeah she is” Thistle giggled before looking at the tree she called Treebeard.

“So, should we start her training now?”

“It would be wise” Treebeard stated

“After all, we only have a couple of years as of now according to Yavanna” he added

“Training?” I asked, finally finding my voice

“For what?”

“Your destiny!” Thistle smiled.

Thank you all for reading! I hope you all enjoyed the story, let me know what you think 😊

#the hobbit #fili x oc #fili #kili x tauriel #thorin x bilbo #kili #thorin #original female character #fili x human #druid #original story #chapter 1 #of wood and steel #fili imagine #fili drabble

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