#v. tolkien

[troublemakerstm-a]

𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓱𝓸𝓫𝓫𝓲𝓽𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽

or ; hobbits always read terms and conditions

[troublemakerstm-a]

@swordoaths​ 

She’d been tending the flowers in the little garden by her front door when the unexpected visitor made his way up the hill to Bag End. And like most who lived in the Shire, Mary couldn’t ignore the nibble of curiosity; pretending to continue her task when really she was watching as the tall figure in grey begin to speak. Hobbits, after all, were quite prone to gossip. And while she wasn’t one to actively partake, she did find it enjoyable to be seeing something first hand instead of hearing about it in the market the next morning. 

Of course, she lived a bit too far down the lane to actually hear what Bilbo Baggins and the man in grey were saying -- save for when he introduced himself as Gandalf, and that rung a bell but she couldn’t quite remember where she’d heard the name before.. But then, just as quickly as the encounter had begun, it seemed to be coming to an end as the other hobbit made his way back into his home. Mary shrugged, intending to return to her garden now that the intrigue had finished, but then she watched with a small amount of alarm as the one called Gandalf strode up to the green door and began carving a symbol into to.

As he turned to leave, Mary scurried back into her own home, not even pausing to wipe the dirt from the hem of her dress, rushing to her library to search through her books. Not only for the name Gandalf, but for any clues on the symbol he’d carved. Perhaps it was curiosity, as she was often taken in by, or maybe it was more than that. A sort of sense of something bigger..

It was nearing sundown by the time she’d found her answers, and Mary knew she had to share her findings. Only taking a moment to tidy herself up, the little hobbit made her way up the hill to knock on Bilbo’s door, apology ready on her tongue. “Sorry to bother you, Mr. Baggins, but there’s something I really must speak to you about.”

[troublemakerstm-a]

just a lil tolkien verse headcanon dump --

Mary’s family used to live in Hobbiton as well, but her brother moved to Bree after he met a woman there (and married her a few years later) and her parents followed after him once Mary became old enough to live on her own

Her collection of books is so impressive, people of every sort come from all over the Shire - and sometimes farther - to borrow from her

She might look timid but do not doubt she will wreak hellfire upon you if you mistreat her books

The little garden in front of her home has all of her favorite local flowers, though she also has a small patch for vegetables and a spot for her midsummer strawberries 

She has handled a sword before! But not in any proper way, just an old sword that was more rust than metal against the Bracegirdle’s old scarecrow

Her neighbors do find her a bit strange, living all on her own with no prospect of a husband, spending all that time tucked away in her books. But they mostly just leave her be since she doesn’t actively cause any trouble

[troublemakerstm-a]

@orcristwielder​

The hobbit doesn’t know if she’s ever witness anything like the rowdiness of dwarves before. Not even when old Mister Hardfoot had too many ales down at the Green Dragon on the last day of harvest season. Though contrary to poor Bilbo, who looks like he might either pop the vein in his forehead or beat one of the unexpected guests with the one block of cheese they hadn’t devoured yet, Mary finds them to be quite jolly. She’s hiding a grin behind her hands as they find a way to clean up after themselves while still riling up their unwitting host.

However, the atmosphere changes suddenly when there is another knock at Bilbo’s front door. And as curious as she is, she stays behind everyone else when they all move to greet the last addition of the night.

Of course, that doesn’t last long. As the table is once again filled, Mary steps closer with her fellow hobbit, peering at the map laid out over the shoulder of the apparent leader of the group. The Lonely Mountain... Delicate hands grip at her skirt as it all clicks. She’s read tales aplenty of the Erebor in its glory and of the dwarves who lost their homeland in a terrible attack by a dragon called Smaug...

Hazel eyes are wide as she looks from the map to catch the eye of the wizard in the corner, letting out a soft breath of disbelief when he quirks a brow and gives an almost imperceptible smile. Her gaze dances across all the faces sitting around the table before landing back at the head of the table. 

“I volunteer to aid in your quest.”

The words come out before her mind has fully wrapped itself around the decision, but in her heart she knows it’s what she wants. Mary may not be the burglar they were here to acquire, but she has no experience in adventures. But she knows she can be of some use, with her vast knowledge of the many different lands of Middle Earth and the dangers hidden in myths and maps. 

[troublemakerstm-a]

(what do you mean Mary isn’t a canon part of the trilogy?)

[honorforged]

@ranasta >> cont.

Afraid to spook him, Arwen filed the information he revealed away for later. Of course him being Fire Lord, at the height of power, many people curried his favour and vied for his attention. He had no way of telling who was a real friend and who just wished to use him. In a way Arwen understood this. At times she too could not tell who her friends were and who merely benefitted from her station, or she watched her father attempt to navigate the jungle of supporters, admirers and possible charlatans. "I wanted to go my usual rounds anyways. I might as well take you along." She figured he would have an easier time accepting her offer if it did not seem like it caused her any bother. Arwen gestured for Zuko to walk along with her, and the pace was a leisurely stroll. Imladris was especially beautiful at this time of the year, with spring having just coaxed all the flowers in the meadows, the gardens and on the trees open, to display their colourful beauty and spread their alluring scent. The valley also had a calming quality on most mortals, so hopefully Zuko may find peace. Along the way Arwen was greeted by many, and she greeted them in return, gifting them with waves and smiles. "As peaceful as our beautiful valley is, war is on the horizon and darkness encroaches the world around us," she murmured to Zuko. "If my presence brings the people peace and stability, then I am happy to be of service." She was certain that this was one of the reasons Elrond had asked her to come back to Imladris, aside from keeping her safe under his watchful gaze. Perhaps Zuko had seen the enemy's forces with his own eyes? Or bands of marauding orcs? "How much of Middle-earth have you seen before you came here, my lord?"

Zuko walked beside her in thoughtful silence for a while, his hands loosely clasped behind his back as he took in the surrounding valley. Everywhere he looked there was life; green hills rolling beneath sunlight, flowering branches stirring in the breeze, songbirds’ voices carrying softly through the paths of Imladris, and the way Arwen moved through it was as though she were peace itself. Every smile she offered was returned with genuine warmth and every greeting met with affection. Zuko found himself watching her more than the valley, quickly looking away whenever he realized he’d been staring too long.

When she spoke of darkness encroaching on the world, the faint ease in his expression dimmed. That, at least, was familiar territory. “I know what that’s like,” he said quietly. “Being the one people look at when they’re afraid. Hoping you’ll have answers even when you don’t.” A small breath escaped him. “I used to think being Fire Lord would feel… easier by now. Like once I was settled for a few years, I’d know what I was doing. Turns out it mostly means paperwork, impossible decisions, and pretending to be a lot more confident than you actually are.”

Her question was a welcome redirection in conversation and Zuko answered without hesitation. “I haven’t seen as much of Middle-earth as I’d like to,” he admitted. “Mostly the lands between here and the coast where I arrived. Forests. Villages.” His brow furrowed slightly as memory surfaced. “I saw places that looked… ravaged by war.” His gaze shifted toward the distant hills beyond the valley. “Where I come from, I helped end a war that lasted a hundred years. I thought once it was over, things would finally stay peaceful.” He let out a soft, humorless laugh. “Guess the world doesn’t really work that way.” Zuko glanced back at her, “Though… I can see why people feel calmer around you. Around this place.” His ears warmed slightly the second the words left his mouth, realizing how personal that sounded. “I mean—not just because it’s beautiful here. You just…” He faltered, immediately looking ahead again. “You make people feel at ease.”

[troublemakerstm-a]

thinking about those moments on their journey where Bilbo slips through the cracks and Mary wouldn't.

like when they're captured by the goblins, Bilbo is able to just crouch down and wait for the hoard to pass. Mary wouldn't be so lucky I think. Not only because I do believe Bilbo is just more sneaky (which is why he's the perfect burglar) but also because I imagine a female would stand out amongst all the men in the company and wouldn't be so easily ignored.

then of course after that, Bilbo has the ring which only sets them further apart. so Mary would be captured by the woodland elves as well, stuck in the cells below while Bilbo is hidden and free.

and when Bilbo sneaks out, once they finally make it to the Lonely Mountain, with the Arkenstone..

[troublemakerstm-a]

character questions || accepting @swordoaths​ :  For Mary! Put us in your muses house! is there a specific squeaky floorboard? what does the house usually smell like? is it messy/clean? if they have more than one bathroom, which one do they use the most? list what the vibe is usually like there or any headcanons about their home!

I’m gonna talk specifically about her lil hobbit house bc I haven’t gotten to talk about it yet lol

like most houses in the Shire, Mary’s is overflowing with cozy vibes. her living room is almost always lit with the warm glow of candles, some with pretty little glass covers in different shades or embossed with shapes of flowers. there’s a sofa, well loved but still very comfortable, that has a quilt draped over the back which was made by her grandmother. beside it there is an old rocking chair, complete with a pillow that Mary embroidered herself. and closest to the fireplace is a reading chair that has an obvious indent from how often she finds comfort in it, a crochet blanket folded neatly on the floor underneath a little table where she often sets a cup of tea and the book she’s currently reading.

the kitchen is always clean -- her mother instilled it in her from a young age that the place one prepares food should always be tidy. the table however does have a leg that’s just a bit shorter than the others, so Mary has taken to using letters from people she doesn’t particularly like to jam under the leg to keep the table from wobbling. in the summer time, there are baskets with fresh fruit and vegetables. and as summer fades, the fresh fruit becomes jars of preserves. 

between the kitchen and the living room is a quaint bathroom. in it is a toilet, a basin to wash hands, and a small tub to bathe in. the ceiling is covered by a vine plant that gives Mary no small amount of joy every time she sees it spreading further. 

her bedroom has the best natural light, with a window facing just so. her bed is soft, but not too soft, and laden with blankets and quilts and pillows -- some she’s made herself and others that have been gifted to her. on her bedside table is a beautiful candle holder made of brass with little floral designs, and always another book for her to read before she falls asleep. against the wall opposite the door, an old but sturdy wardrobe that holds all her clothing. right beside it is a row of hooks that hold her different aprons and handkerchiefs. the walls hold a few different paintings, or maps, or family portraits. on the other side of her bed is a full length mirror with a small crack in the lower left corner that she has painted over with a small dandelion.

and of course, the main attraction, her library. not just a few shelves with a handful of novels but the largest room in her house with rows of shelves that are full to the brim, even a few neat stacks of books on the floor that she swears are going to get a proper place as soon as she finds the space. there is a modest chandelier hanging from the ceiling, and a few covered sconces on the walls. on each end of each shelf is a handwritten label for genres. between all the shelves are two comfortable chairs, in case someone wants to read a bit before committing to taking out a certain book. and in a little cupboard on the wall by the door is a ledger where she has each person write their name and the book(s) they’re borrowing.

at the end of the hall is a guest bedroom, set similarly to her own room, the floor in front of the wardrobe does creak in the winter, so she’s set a small rug over the spot to help damped the sound. there is also trunk at the foot of the bed in case her guest is staying longer than just a few nights and needs more storage. the room is most often used by her parents when the come to visit for her birthday, so she’s also painted two small hearts on the headboard.

most of the house smells of candlewax and honey and parchment, save for the kitchen which mostly smells of herbs and whatever she’s cooked or baked last. is she is expecting guests, she will put some fresh sprigs of lavender in the guestroom and bathroom.