#pissant characterization

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The Rivendell Job (2/5)

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The Rivendell Job (5/5)

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Doilies and Your Mother’s Backstory (5/7)

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Doilies and Your Mother’s Backstory (3/7)

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Doilies and Your Mother’s Backstory (6/7)

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Doilies and Your Mother’s Backstory (4/7)

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Negotiations Awkwardslide (10/25)

Admittedly, Bard’s “Bullshit,” attitude is my headcanon, but it has a strong basis in both book and movie. In the book, Bard genuinely wants to be King of Dale, and he speaks, assesses situations, and takes action like a leader. In the movie, Thorin has repeatedly dismissed Bard: when they first encounter Bard on the shore, when Bard reveals his weapons---’weapons’ in Thorin’s and the Dwarves’ opinions---and when Bard voices concern about the potential consequences of disturbing a dragon.

So yeah, I think I can fairly claim that Bard has a low opinion of Thorin.

Too bad the movie didn’t want to use it: it would have fleshed out Bard’s character, and served to build tension in a devolving situation.

[dionetaofavalon]

Negotiations Awkwardslide (4/25)

My interpretation of book!Bard comes from The Hobbit. For starters, Bard name-drops his lineage at the drop of a hat. Second, in chapter 14, “Fire and Water,” Laketowners clamor for 

“’King Bard! King Bard!’ they shouted; but the Master ground his chattering teeth.

‘Girion was lord of Dale, not king of Esgaroth,’ he said. ‘In the Lake-town we have always elected masters from among the old and wise, and have not endured the rule of mere fighting men. Let “King Bard” go back to his own kingdom---Dale is now freed by his valor, and nothing hinders his return. . . .’ 

[Then a bit more of rabble-rousing, hushed by Bard, and] 

. . . even as [Bard] was speaking, the thought came into his heart of the fabled treasure of the Mountain lying without guard or owner, and he fell suddenly silent. He thought of the Master’s words, and of Dale rebuilt, and filled with golden bells, if he could but find the men.

At length he spoke again: ‘This is no time for angry words, Master, or for considering weighty plans of change. There is work to do. I serve you still---though after a while I may think again of your words and go North with any that will follow me.’

As for his attitude toward Thorin I get it from the way Bard parleys with Thorin---“proudly and grimly,” in Bilbo’s humble opinion---his mistrust when Bilbo delivers the Arkenstone, and the fact that he’d objected to Thorin’s quest from the beginning.

But they decided to change Bard’s personality, for some reason. For the record, book!Thorin has a better case in this scene.