Hey y’all. So, we need to talk about the Hobbit Liveblogs, @reclaimeddurin and @quiterespectablyyours. A few months ago, in November, Thorin fell prey to the dragon sickness. Now, Bilbo has fallen to his darker thoughts with the ring. In their own ways, they are suffering from mental illnesses. Yes, there are things aggravating it - the ring and the Arkenstone - but as with many stories, these items represent something else.
They have both received very horrid messages about their actions. It happened with Thorin and is happening now with Bilbo. These messages are rude and harsh and downright mean.
Thorin and Bilbo are treated as actual people most of the time on the blogs, with the messages that y’all send and that’s fun! But, these sorts of messages are completely unacceptable. Just because you are angry at them or don’t agree with their actions or simply want a reaction from them, it does not mean that you should send things such as:
“Bilbo is not a thing. He is not yours. He is not a belonging or something to be hoarded and coddled. He'd be better off without you at this point. You're lucky he still cares.”
“Yo, man, at first I wasn't gonna say anything cause it's not really my business, but I feel like it's my responsibility to say something. I overheard Dwalin and Balin saying they were gonna off you in the night. Be careful, man. Keep a knife handy."
“You will rue this day, Oakenshield.“
“congratulations on ruining your life!”
“It was only a matter of time, I knew you wouldn't be able to resist. You're no better than that grubby little rat that lives beneath the Misty Mountains. I'll enjoy watching your gold ring consume you like it did the rat, and now you and His Majesty have something in common.”
“Should Bombur and the children mope around when you're not there? Sorry to sound rude, but that's a bit selfish thinking."
These are horrid things to say to people, especially those who are going through mentally demanding and traumatizing times. There are a great deal more that I am not including but you can understand the gist from these.
Also, Thorin and Bilbo are fictional the blogs are written by myself and @evil-bones-mccoy. We started this because we love this fandom and this relationship and wanted to pour some of that love into our work to give back to y’all. And we have gotten many lovely, truly sweet messages! Not all have been bad! I’ve honestly been brought to tears by how sweet some of y’all are.
But let me be clear. I suffer from depression, pretty seriously. Most days, I have to fight myself and argue against taking my own life. I’m not saying this to gain pity but to explain that my mind is already a dark and difficult place to be in on the daily basis. I write to feel better and express all my good feelings through characters who I want to see be happy. And I connect very deeply with Thorin Oakenshield, as Lily does with Bilbo. So, for them to be verbally attacked like this feels like an attack on us.
Your words have lasting effects on others. Please remember that. Treat these characters as you would people and treat people better. People make mistakes, they make wrong choices because they’re scared or panicked or just don’t know what’s right anymore. People are not flawless or perfect. Characters, good characters at least, are the same. They’re going to make the wrong decisions and may end up hurting each other. That does not mean that you attack them for it.
Please, just. Be nice to others. Do unto others what you would want done to you. Thank you.