Fili's Selflessness
Fili’s selflessness is one of his most defining traits. Selfless characters are seldom seen in media and whenever they do I feel a strong liking to them. Fili is no exception to this. From the start of the hobbit trilogy this golden-haired (and golden-hearted) Dwarf has show both small and large acts of selflessness and kindness all the way through to his death at the hands of Azog. In the start of this three-movie journey Fili and his brother are seen as young and joyful, caring more for mischief and mayhem then the seriousness of the quest. But little glances at Fili show that this cheerfulness isn’t all that is to him.
AUJ
During the meeting at Bag-End Fili listens and nods at Thorin’s words, an air of clear respect to his uncle shown. And his line “We are fighters! All of us! To the last Dwarf” shows Fili may not truly understand the full extent of the quest and it’s perils (but then is any Dwarf for the company really truly thinking of how dangerous this quest is?) but he will follow his uncle anywhere.
As the Dwarves journey on, Thorin leaves Fili and Kili to watch after the ponies (which they fail at due to some pipeweed Gandalf gave them). Fili’s reaction to losing the ponies and Bilbo suggesting they tell Thorin is one of not telling their uncle, out of shame and also because he knows his uncle has enough pressure on him at the moment and learning that his two nephews couldn’t watch after the ponies and how much more stress and anger Thorin will have on his shoulders. Fili isn't just telling Bilbo no because he fears the punishment but for his uncle. He doesn’t want Thorin to deal with more stress just because he trusted his nephews to do something easy. One can only suspect that it was Fili who ran back to Thorin after the Trolls found Bilbo and wonder at the reactions of the Company (especially Thorin) when Fili tells them of he and his brothers failure and how they need to save their burglar now. We can only imagine the disposing mentioned Thorin must have felt when Fili told him of their failure and how Fili would react to it but we can all imagine that Film didn’t care at yah moment. He cared about going back, getting the ponies and helping Bilbo out. Fili could have possibly told Thorin that the Trolls came out in them and they were barely able to fight them off but one would highly doubt him eve to say that. If anything Fili is truthful and honest to all, even if it may hurt others opinions of him.
After the fight against the Trolls Fili and the Company move on, running across Narzug and his troop of Orcs Fili is one of the last of the Company to dive into secret entrance to Rivendell. Fili wait until he is sure that almost every Dwarf of the Company is in safety till he dives in (closely followed by his brother and Thorin). Fili could have easily ran past the rest of the Company (since we know he is one of the fastest Dwarves) but instead he stayed to fight and protect the Company.
After the Stone Giants scene Fili goes to help Bombur up whilst everyone else is searching for a place to rest. He was willing to help a friend (that none, not even Bombur’s own brother) would help instead of finding shelter from the rain and cold. Once they find the cave to hide in Fili checks on his brother in the background. The fact that Fili checks on his friend and his brother before himself just shows how much concern he has for others and how truly caring he is about others well being.
As the Company flees from the Goblin tunnels Fili is seen as the last, the Dwarf in the back of the pack. He calls out for Bombur worriedly in the Tunnels. He is the last one to jump the bridge, cutting it at the same time and running the risk of falling. When they escape the Goblin tunnels Fili is one of the three Dwarves who leapt out to fight Azog and his group of wargs after Bilbo. He yells for Thorin when they are being flown to the Carrock.
DOS
Fili's most notable act of selflessness, and character development, was arguably in Desolation. Fili has grown up with these tales of this mountain, a place he never could truly call home, and this journey is a chance to reclaim it. After the Company escapes from Beorn he goes to Nori and is seen in the back talking with him, possibly checking on him, even we have seen no acts of interaction between the two Dwarves before. He calls out for Bilbo to hang on as they escape from the Mirkwood Elves and Orcs during the Barrel chase. He stops to care for his brother’s wound instead of caring for drying himself or checking for any injury. But what is most notable about Fili’s selflessness comes as Thorin and Co. are leaving to the Mountain, with tools and weapons provided by the LakeTown Master. He can leave with his friends, catch a close up glimpse of his mountain as he has dreamed since the beginning of the journey.
But he stays. He stays to help his brother, the one thing in the world that matters the most to him above all else. He is willing to sacrifice his dream to protect his brother, something many people would never do. But he was seen with no regrets as he leapt out of that boat and went to his brother, at the same time finally showing defiance against his uncle’s words. This scene is not just an excellent showing of his selflessness but also very important for his character development. He has gone with Thorin’s commands with little protest the whole first movie and up till this point, all of Desolation. This scene will always be one of Fili’s most pivotal points in the entire franchise and a clear definer of what lengths the blond Dwarf will do for his family, his friend, his brother, his most important thing in life.
Later, in Bard’s house, weaponless, Fili tells Bard he must leave, leave Lake-Town because they all know what’s coming soon. Death and destruction. Fili doesn't want to see these Men die because of a now clear mistake in waking Smaug. When the Orcs attack his only thought is protecting this family generous enough to try to help his dying brother and so, weaponless, Fili fights the Orcs that come his way. He dives to protect Sigrid and Tilda, for no reason but to protect such young beings, who remind him of his brother.
BOTFA
Everyone knows the fate of Fili, Kili and Thorin in this movie but it is without a second thought that Fili was willing to risk his life to fend for his family during the Battle. But before his last act of selflessness we see the young Dwarf helping Bard’s family escape from the death and ruin set upon them by Fili’s own uncle and friends. He tries to grab for Bain when the young Man jumps from the boat to help his father but is unsuccessful. (He, Bofur and Oin should be noted as the only ones in the boat actually propelling it away from Smaug’s ruin. Kili, Tauriel and the sisters sit without helping).
When they escape from Lake Town Fili’s mind is set now on seeing if his family and friends are safe and so the four Lake Town Dwarves set out to the Mountain. When they get there Fili knows. He knows about the sickness and he has already seen glimpses of it in his uncle and that worries him. But alas he still searches for the Arkenstone for his uncle out of loyalty to the older Dwarf, no matter how much he know the Arkenstone has changed his uncle already. When the army of Elves come he stands beside his uncle and is willing to fight of these enemies. Fili may not agree with what his uncle is doing but you sure as hell can be sure he will defend his home, the home these Dwarves fought so long and hard to recover. The moment Thorin tries to throw Bilbo from the ramparts Fili fights against his Uncle, trying to save the hobbit from Thorin’s ceaseless wrath. When Dian comes he is willing to leap the wall and fight, calling for his friends to come with him too (all of which is going against his uncle’s commands).
But his biggest selfless act, and biggest sacrifice is when Thorin sends him and Kili to the tower, deep into the tunnels to find their enemy. Fili knows what he is getting into, and so he sends his brother away, hoping he can save him. We know the rest but one must look upon Fili’s death, not as dishonorable or not to character, or even not heroic because that is not what his character uis. He is selfless and with his last breaths he urged his family to run. He dies with one thought on his mind. Protect his family.
He has been nothing but a selfless, loyal, kind soul through his short life and that is why his character is so important. He is not greedy, but caring. Caring not just for his family but for his friends and even a family of Men he really does not know all that well.
He is what Thorin always wanted. Loyalty. Honor. And a willing heart.
