Erestor

・He's the type of man to be by your side no matter what. Sorry, I actually mean the type of - dwarf - to stay by your side.

・Always makes sure you've eaten before he has. If not, then he'll get you a big plate and watch you as you eat.

・He comes out with the most ridiculous things, but you've learnt to let him.

・He's incredibly loyal; never lets anyone talk badly about you.

・Bofur has a large heart, one that beats only for you. He's so sweet, honestly shocked that someone like you would ever marry a person like him.

・He would treat you so carefully, so delicately that it made you feel safe

・You always feel safe with your husband, and his friends and family.

・ Will braid your hair if you ask for it

・ Your home is covered in books and photographs, memories of times past and moments treasured.

・ There's a fire place burning, and a warm drink for any traveller.

・ You've never heard Bofur yell, truly, maybe at others but never at you.

・ He's a family man, and would love if one day he could have one of his own...

𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔

The Moon and His Star

Slow-Burn Companionship

Oblivious (You) x Constantly admiring them (Bofur)

𝑷𝒍𝒐𝒕 𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆

"You Wear The Pants In This Relationship" (You) x "Oh I Wish, I Cannot Control You At All" (Bofur)

Emotional Support Animal In Human Form

Gives Necklace x Wears It Everyday No Matter What

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆 𝑺𝒐𝒏𝒈

Take A Chance On Me by the Midnite String Quartet

Ravka by Joseph Trapanese

✧ Grows more as the door closes and he can stop putting on any kind of royal facade.

✧ “Thank you, meleth nín.” Moving across the room, he sits down next to you, “I’m afraid I probably won’t manage much more this evening.”

✧ There had been a part of you that was planning on teasing him, asking for one final request (for him to relax), but instead you take his hand to speak sincerely. “I would ask only for your presence, and for your love.”

✧ Legolas smiles at that, “You have those things, for the rest of our eternity.”

𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐫

✧ To your annoyance, it’s often hard to find out if Haldir has had a stressful day until he comes home to you.

✧ After your own long day, you take one last glance around Lothlórien before beginning to step inside your home.

✧ And then you see him.

✧ Even from further away you can see the slight tension in his movement, the stress appearing on the physical form.

✧ He’s close enough that you don’t call out to him, but rather begin the short walk to meet him half-way.

✧ Haldir sees you just as he finishes climbing, and from an even shorter distance you can clearly see him smile a little.

✧ Without hesitation, he wraps his arms around you and gently lets his head rest on your body.

✧ Leaning back into him as well, you stay there for a while; eventually you shift slightly to look him in the eyes. “Long day?”

✧ His laugh is so faint you can tell he’s doing it more by feeling him (by knowing him for so long).

✧ “Thank you for waiting for me.”

✧ His response doesn’t perfectly match the question, but after so long together you know what it means.

✧ Then, like always, he asks “And is there anything I can do to help my love?”

𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐫

✧ Lindir’s wants and needs after a stressful day depend on why the day was stressful to him.

✧ When there have been too many people in Imladris for him to be able to manage, and he wants time away, the best thing for him is just to have a place in your arms.

✧ You can see the bit of relief in his eyes when he sees you after one of these days.

✧ He’s happy to sink into his arms for as long as you’ll let him, before he eventually pulls himself up and shakes his head.

✧ If you’re willing to listen, it helps for him to go over the day as well. There’s very rarely anger in his voice, just a slight melancholic despair.

✧ Sometimes the day is stressful not because of any particular person - but because of the chaos around it.

✧ Chaos is incredibly rare in the valley, and so you don’t see him get stressed over it often.

✧ It’s hard to tell in the moment, as well. There’s organisation in him when he begins to handle it, and you can only tell his feelings by how his grip is slightly too tight. His slipping away at the end of the day with not quite impeccable manners.

✧ On those days the bit of order you provide him is his sanctuary.

✧ There are few things he can be sure of on those days - but he can be sure of your support. Of your love.

✧ Often you’ll prepare some warm drink and simple food, ready for when he walks inside and instantly lifts up slightly at the prospect of something nice and cosy.

✧ At the end of the day, you can just about make out his sleepy words. “Thank you, for always being here.”

𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐢𝐥

✧ Thranduil is the one who, out of all the elves, truly doesn’t want his stress to be noticed. To have any weakness be perceived.

✧ On days when the court is particularly hard you’re glad that he doesn’t force you into royal duties.

✧ But a part of you wishes you could help more. Help him more.

✧ Then, as he retreats to his chambers and you find guards there, you’re reminded why some of his people talk about him behind his back.

✧ It’s one thing to not want your people to see you stressed, it’s another to try and bar your betrothed.

✧ There’s a moment as the guard considers stopping you from walking up to the king’s chambers, then they step aside.

✧ Getting to the doors, you force yourself to take a breath and knock. “Meleth nín?”

✧ Despite his attempt of not wanting to see you, Thranduil comes to the door immediately as it opens slightly.

✧ “I have seen many people today.” Thranduil’s voice carries care in its subtext.

✧ Then, he says it more overtly, “I would not want to snap at you, or… do something similar.”

✧ “Do you think I would have married you if I would break at one of your comments?”

✧ The question makes him smile, and although he steps back from the door it stays open.

✧ A gentle kiss is placed upon your lips when you follow through the door.

✧ Playing its part as a silent ‘thank you’.

𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐥

✧ He’s probably the most open about a day being stressful.

✧ It’s a combination of him being away of the fact (loving the fact) you know him so well, and that it can be more obvious when he isn’t completely himself.

✧ Glorfindel enjoys greeting you with a hug as well, although he more wants to hold you in his arms than anything.

✧ You can feel some of the tension leave his body as you stay there, and a shine in his eyes returns a little when he lets you go.

✧ More than anything Glorfindel just wants someone who he can spend time with without judgement - so your presence is the only thing he’ll say he needs.

✧ That being said, the lord can’t help but melt when he is taken care of by you.

✧ It can be as simple as making sure a bath is drawn for him, or something more elaborate like a homecooked meal for him to indulge in.

✧ The gesture always puts a smile on his face for as long as he is enjoying it, and a light dust of blush.

✧ Will always very sincerely thank you after all of it.

✧ Both for doing the action, and for helping him feel like he can relax again.

A/N: And so Glorfindel appears again, finally. I'm still not very confident writing him, but hopefully some of his lore-accurate character comes through. Thanks so much for reading! (And hopefully the extra added characters were to your liking?)

Honestly I'm still a little surprised this managed to get 40% of the votes by itself. Do you people just love elves? Is it the fact these are headcanons? Should I have probably included some context as to the oneshots that were there? Maybe. Now my 7k Aragorn oneshot is in third place...

But now what if this is still early-ish, say while they stay at Béorn's, and Bilbo gets on to explaining the situation re: Bag End and Lobelia.

And all Hobbit stories should by rights begin with a pre-able that begins decades before the actual drama started (because context is everything) So Bilbo explains how his father Bungo built Bag End as a wedding present to Belladonna (the Dwarves think "wow what an impressive courting gift, and what a declaration of true love!" and Thorin thinks "I have to up my game if I am to court this Hobbit...")

And Bilbo goes on to say how his parents hoped the house would stay in the family. And how this is important because his mother was killed in the Fell Winter by Wargs who'd crossed into the Shire; "We couldn't bury... what was left of her... untill after the thaw: the ground was frozen solid as iron, you see. I don't think that sat well with Father, but then we weren't the only ones in such a... situation," Bilbo explains, quietly, sadly. But he shakes himself a carries bravely on about how his father took ill "The grief, the hunger, the cold, all made him sick. Very sick," he explains. He explains how he died a while after [a year, a half decade, I don't know] and how he got buried with his beloved wife.

"And well, by that point I was 26," says Bilbo -- to the Dwarves' absolute horror, because they've yet to learn that Hobbits age more like Men and so think Bilbo was just a little kid; Bilbo thinks their concern for him is just normal Dwarvish over-reaction and so carries on -- "And well legally I shouldn't have been able to inherit yet. But Father was very specific in his will that I should get everything. There was quite the legal kerfuffle. Aunts of mine were sent to see that I was running the house and garden well enough on my own (which I was), and I ended up having to become a quick negotiator. You see I didn't want to leave, Father told me quite often towards the end that I should keep the smial and keep the garden like he had kept it, and ... well that's all now that I think about it, so I had to do a lot of arguing that the place was mine and mine to keep. I won in the end, the Took side of the family sided with me eventually because they rathered a half-Took get the smial than anyone else.

"But Lobelia wanted the smial, so she tried to court me (planning to marry me and so steal the smial.) I saw right through her and didn't allow her to court me. So she went and married my nearest cousin (in terms of distance from Bag End, not inheritance, though I'm not sure she knew at the time that my will states that the Took side will get my things when I go off to join Mother and Father.) Anyway she thought I'd get proven mad, or die, or otherwise unfit to live alone and then she would get the smial. And given that I am still fit to run a smial she hasn't got her paws on it, and has been very very mad about it. She's gone as far as sabotaging me in a baking competition! She mixed cake flour into my bread flour and ruined my chances of winning the Best Home-Made Bread In The Shire competiton last year! The nerve of her!"

Balin

Words of Affirmation- So many years, wars, songs, evenings spent by the fire with kindred spirits and strangers alike, have granted Balin the gift of words. Situations witnessed and life under the belt. What words offered comfort to Balin he hopes bring some healing to you. To be the one to reassure you is the greatest gift back he can ask for in exchange for those words and experiences. Clearing the clouds of your mind brings forth the shiniest light that is your smile.

Quality Time- All Balin needs from you is the guiding force of your presence, a warm hand and heart to hold. Life's rich experiences are his greatest treasures, and sharing them with you guilds them beyond all worldly value. More than your vast riches or lack thereof Balin is grateful for the constant you are in his life amidst so much strife, a little chip of beauty he could carry over his heart for all his days. Companionship was the most unexpected boon, yet every time you lie beside Balin, he feels more loved than anything!

Dwalin

Acts of Service- Warrior. Provider. These are monikers given to Dwalin again and again. Never were these words empty, though— every day of his life Dwalin rose and fought for himself and others. Those he holds dearest. His actions reveal his love; they are his love, his embodied care in all choices he makes. Not only will he hold you away from harm and jump to your defense in a fight, but Dwalin remembers everything you tell him. Allergic to something? It shall never appear in your sight again. Your favorite flower? Appears in your sight quite frequently, all lined up in a vase!

Physical Touch- Now this is one that tends to shock, but there is a reason Dwalin does not partake in much touch: it holds great meaning for him. Touch is a sign of comfort, of refuge, a feeling he relishes in alongside connection and chooses not to cheapen. Dwarves have no mind showing physical affection to close friends and family, and Dwalin saves much of this until he is certain you’re his One. From that point on, you will frequently notice a protective hand about your waist or rubbing the small of your back. The way he links his arm with yours in crowds or at any sign of competition or threat. You, now, are joined.

Thorin

Words of Affirmation- Stoic of a dwarf as he is, Thorin knows the value of a well-placed word. Does not speak affirmations not well earned. Being his One has earned you praise he thought impossible. Heartbreak just the same when you struggle to see the beauty, the strength that pierces through to his eyes stronger than any sunbeam. Thorin knows no fear in sharing this with you again and again. Even in little moments of frustration, your beloved king seems to have a key to not just your heart, but your mind, which he knows exactly how to put at ease.

Acts of Service- A natural leader, Thorin is constantly surveying his surroundings, persons included. Especially, even. Awareness is never a struggle for him, as he takes note of necessary tasks and does them, often in silence. You feel constantly surprised by his quiet acts of love upon discovering them, like little gifts of ease granted to you and you alone. To be known, they say, is to be loved, and you feel both beneath Thorin’s attentiveness.

Oin

Acts of Service- Oin knows how to take your pain away, yearns to relieve you more than anything. If your back hurts, you might find a little jar of muscle balm waiting for you. After a fight, you're the first one the healer is rushing to to bandage up unless someone's gravely wounded. It's as if Oin can feel the disturbance in the air when something happens to you the way he rushes over to you with any tools to help you, weapons to fight for you, or supplies to heal you. He is well aware how frustrating it can be if his hearing loss impacts your conversations, so if there's a sea he can cross to help you feel his love, then by Mahal, he's crossing it!

Quality Time- All Oin asks for is good music, good company, and maybe a bit of learning! Nothing is more fun than hearing a new story or the latest medical treatment alike. Beyond this, though, your choice to stay by his side through everything is more than fine companionship. It is a conscious move of acceptance despite his flaws, motion he returns wholeheartedly.

Gloin

Gifts- Physical reminders of his love make and preserve their own memories. Gloin loves to be able to decorate you with all the finest things- he knows you're his treasure, but now you look like it! The craftsmanship of his people is well worth celebrating, too, and what better way than to connect you with it in the most literal sense? Dwarven riches have never looked so beautiful. Years have sharpened Gloin's mind, his shrewd senses memorizing every little thing you love. Your favorite flowers make appearances in every bouquet, the dessert you love most ends your special days, your jewelry is always gold or silver, whatever you prefer! To Gloin, frequent gifts are tokens of how often you stroll through his thoughts.

Physical Touch- What better physical reminder of his love than a protective touch? All who witness Gloin by your side will be well aware of his feelings for you! And in private? He can’t keep his hands off you! Every part of you is sacred to him and he shall worship it to the fullest. Your bond is emotional, spiritual, physical— he carries your image in a locket everywhere he goes, gently stroking the painted curve of your cheekbones when he cannot feel the flush of your cheeks for himself, confirm you are real and before him. Much as Gloin must leave for his duties, his people, coming home to you is the highlight of it all and he will hold you in his arms day and night until you both are satisfied.

Bifur

Physical Touch- Language barriers are nothing to Bifur beyond longer strides to remain close to your heart. Physical barriers in your relationship exist only in the form of personal boundaries. The feeling of your hand in his or vice versa not only exerts a grounding force but is your communication- fear as you suddenly reach for his hand, concern as his thumb runs gently over your hand, love when you hold it tight and refuse to let go, and joy when one of you takes the other's suddenly and pulls them closer. Hand contact is everything to you both, the little taps and signs into each other's palms. Beyond that, it's those other small things like the way Bifur grips your hips to signal a steamier mood or the way he teasingly slings an arm over your shoulders that show this quiet dwarf is in his element in your presence.

Acts of Service- Especially if you do not understand Khuzdul, Bifur is unable to speak his love and reassurance to you. Frustrating as it can be, he's been a fighter for years who feels little fear, especially in fighting for you! You can expect not only a dwarf who literally fights for you, but your weapons always clean and sharp as if by magic, notes in Khuzdul that read only the sweetest things, and being given hell if you don't eat! Bifur is anything but silent in the way he loves you.

Bofur

Quality Time- It may not be a secret that Bofur loves attention, but it's a push-and-pull for him. The attention he gets energizes him and amuses others, and at the end of the day smiles are all he wants to see! Your attention fuels him, warms his heart and quiets the voices swirling deep within his mind that question if he truly is making you happy. If you love someone, in Bofur's mind, all you need to do is show them you're with them. Involved. Similarly, you'll see it in the rapt attention he pays you, the light in his eyes and soft sighs of his chest as you pour out your passions with him as your willing and unending vessel. Bofur's favorite memories are of you singing or dancing together or even just that time you laughed yourself to tears over the dumbest thing he'd ever said and he swore he could never be more head over heels.

Physical Touch- Touch with friends is casual; it may seem meaningless or universal from Bofur. Such claims crumble at the base every time his gloved hands surround yours in the cold. Whenever you’re the only lap he throws his legs over even before his brother’s. When he hugs you tightly enough to intertwine your heartbeats and clothing and breath until Bofur becomes a part of you and you him. Upon even the most minute gestures like laying a hand over yours at the fire or slinging an arm over your shoulders while you laugh lies the mantel of your rule of his heart.

Bombur

Quality Time- Good company is valued above all else to the Ur Clan, not gold or a single location or even the finest delicacies. Without loved ones, what meaning does life have? All Bombur needs is time with you, to know you are there by his side. He’s never been a fancy dwarrow. All he desires is a big family, a lot of laughs, and maybe just secretly your undivided attention! The feeling of your eyes on him, of him being the cause of your smile, feels so unreal every time and he can barely get used to it. Doesn’t mean he won’t try, though!

Acts of Service- All his life, Bombur has been a provider. To love someone is to feed them, to keep their home well and inviting, to make a difficult day a bit easier. The relief on your face when you learn he’s drawn you a warm bath, the way your eyes turn up in pleasure at the taste of your hot meal, it all feels like love to him. The warmth of his provisions, Bombur hopes, mirrors the warmth in his heart he holds for you and you alone.

Dori

Quality Time- Chatting with you over tea is Dori’s lifeblood. To see you, to hear you, to catch up on everything be it your worries or the gossip you heard or your favorite fascination for an hour on end! Much as he enjoys the finer things in life, such is nothing to feeling loved as is seeing your eyes locked within his, your reflection in the blue, building a house and a home and a life together. It’s all he wanted to have a companion, a new family outside the one he headed that was just for him. That he chose himself and has the utter privilege of seeing choose him every single day.

Words of Affirmation- Tutting and fretting over you may elicit a laugh or an eyeroll, but as time passes you realize Dori only hovers over those he fears losing. Having lost his parents, he values a vocal presence of guiding; it symbolizes a love powerful enough to drive constant thought as well as action. As much as he voices concerns, he voices his care. He voices his fears and even louder your virtues. Shares as well as he listens over tea or in the kitchen together. Dori wears his heart upon his sleeve and his—surprisingly silver—tongue.

Nori

Physical Touch- Cliché? Corny? Maybe. What else can he say but that he likes the feeling of your skin beneath his? Words were never his strong suit, rather confirmation via his actions, desire and appreciation and sometimes even reverence summoned from his fingertips. In the past, these motions were never drawn out so, but his love for you has Nori relishing in taking his time, in not just enjoying but truly discovering you. Finding the sensations that make you smile, giggle, fluster, or even turn your attention completely to him are joys unmatched. He never thought it possible to so beyond enjoy someone so much before you came along.

Gifts- Ever the sneak, Nori takes great joy in not just presenting you with endless delights, but stowing them cleverly away for you to find throughout your days. Shining as your countenance and presence are, Nori is determined to be the reason that becomes literal, sparing no effort to present you with dwarven metals and gems. Knowing your preferences, if you do not wear jewelry he will not be deterred! You'll be presented with beads or other items for your hair- anything that shows your beloved dwarf has claimed you wholeheartedly. Once Nori finally gives his heart away, he finds himself ready to give everything else away, too, if it goes to you. By his hand on your knee and his family name on your bead, there is to be no doubt of his choice.

Ori

Quality Time- Character exceeds all for Ori, who only wants a kindred soul to enjoy life with. A simple dwarf, he asks not for the greatest skills, only the biggest heart. The fact that you take the time to listen to him, to share, and see him as an equal you choose to spend your time with brings his heart to bursting! That choice makes Ori feel loved more than anything. That you always sit by his side and no one else’s, that it’s him you sit down with for a cuppa and come to first with news, good or bad. Every little moment like that deepens your bond and serves a far greater purpose in Ori’s mind than some others might think.

Gifts- While he may pay little heed to how often you gift him, Ori adores showing his love for you with the many things he makes. Something about creating or finding something that's just perfect for you feels right to him, a way to show that swirling at the back of his mind always is you. Everything you love, everything you need, it is patiently stored by Ori. Your smile, the way you light up upon being surprised, is fuel to the fire of his heart for the whole day and then some!

Fili

Acts of Service- Self-sacrifice is in his nature. Fili is no martyr, his mind simply tunes into the hearts of those around him and bleeds for the many needs he witnesses. You are no different, your every plight falling within Fili’s watchful eyes. Fili has given you the shirt off his back, carried you to safety when injured, even insisted Oin teach him every method to cure your natural aches and pains. Never does he resent your needs, though; no, your needs are his, for your happiness is shared. Difficult tasks for you might be easy for him, so why not bring you joy in the process? What good would he be if he did not make your life better than when he found it? You did the very same to his. Every move he makes reaffirms his conscious decision to make you a part of his life forever.

Words of Affirmation- The glint of the stars, brighter light than the wealth of any mountain, Fili's own heart, and every one of your names shall be all the reason you seek if you question the lengths he goes to for you. Defense of you in any confrontation comes naturally, be it your character, your purpose, or any other unfounded target being aimed upon. Fili voices his thoughts as they rise to his head, uttering wonderfully intrusive praises as he sees how beautiful you look, feels a warm rush of gratitude upon reflecting on how much you mean to him.

Kili

Words of Affirmation- Kili is swift with his words, always armed and ready to unsheathe them for any purpose. They are quick, charming, but with you, romantic. Poetic, even. Statements not just of his love for you, but touting your many qualities as if you hung the stars themselves and tossed them to him as falling meteors glittering down from space. You shine such a light into his life, his eyes, that he simply must reflect it back to you in the form of sharing exactly what he loves about you and why even what you see as your worst qualities deserve redeem. After all, you do the same for him, and you look amazing while you do it! Despite the bravado you may see, Kili gives the love he needs most, and hearing your sweet and heartfelt words has moved him to tears. With you he is no second, he is whole and reminded of your shared claim daily.

Physical Touch- The way Kili’s hands trace your form aligns with his slick words, but the way his body relaxes against yours, his hands seek yours in times of fear, is a sign of something greater. Every touch of his is a silent statement of his complete trust of you, the same trust you see when he lays his forehead against those of his family. Would that you not have provided Kili a shoulder to cry on without judgment, stories unlike none he’d ever heard, laughed at his every joke and made him bellow with his own laughter, he would not feel so safe with you as an extension of himself. A hand resting upon your hip or over yours speaks volumes from Kili.

Bilbo

Quality Time- Silence doesn’t bother Bilbo, at least not with you. From years of awkward attempts to occupy its void comes sweet, sweet relief at the knowledge of your presence with no expectations. He needn’t speak, simply hold you or sit by your side while you both embark on your quiet reading adventures or perhaps do a bit of knitting or crochet. Time has passed such as to ease Bilbo’s worries as to your inner thoughts, your words and actions contradicting any apprehension he has ever held. Unlike most, your presence fuels him rather than exhausting him. How else does he know it’s love?

Acts of Service- Meek as he claims to enjoy his life, Bilbo is a hobbit of action; sitting idly is not his hobby, but his reward. Similarly, in relationships he feels complacency is the enemy and works tirelessly to prove his love and— even as you remind him he needn’t— earn yours. Housekeeping is his everything, so you will soon be used to him sweeping up your dishes into his hands to wash, organizing your things back to the way he knows you like them, repairing torn clothing. After all, neither a Took nor a Baggins leaves their beloved wanting!

Thranduil

Gifts- Lavish is an understatement when describing the Elvenking, the majestic and elegantly adorned figure who had taken you beneath the velvet folds of his affection. The finest clothing is draped over you, gorgeous jewels of your chosen color will rest over your heart, encircle your wrists and fingers. Luxury existing beyond conspicuity, for Thranduil wishes the best in life upon you, especially if you had not been raised with it. His wealth can attain meaning if it improves your life…and marks you as his in the process.

Physical Touch- Thranduil embraces sensuality. The ecstasy of your warmth meeting his. The shivers he feels upon trailing his hands along your hips or spine bring a smile to his lips unfailingly. Beyond that, however, is the physical anchor your contact provides. Tethering him to this plane despite the ephemeral nature of his life, loves prior, connection to his subjects in a time of isolation. You hold him in the more silent moments as well as the loudest moments of love and ravishing, drying tears or simply feeling your joined heartbeats sharing a loving rhythm.

Feren

Acts of Service- Manifestations of this sort come in the form of Feren’s sheer dedication to caring for you. It is his greatest joy to restore your vitality at the end of the day, to gently guide you into a state of relaxation and have a direct hand in your beauty and happiness. Cleaning and taking care of your hair is his favorite; Feren’s hand is nothing but gentle whether he is massaging your scalp and rinsing it or performing any other upkeep like oiling your hair, applying curlers or a bonnet, or braiding or tying it. If anyone knows the feeling of a long day, it is he, and lightening your burden is not just what he would want, it is a weight off his own heart to watch the smile spread across your face.

Gifts- You compare Feren to a crow the way he collects what he sees. Nearly every day your beloved is bringing you some bounty home, be it flowers or chips of crystalline stone he found or even seeds to plant your own garden from the few points of life still glimmering deep in Mirkwood’s heart. Feren’s gifts of nature show you the heart he does not always reveal, the eyes he casts upon not only intruders but the entire woods. He considers every day a promise to you, every token a sign he kept his word to return to you and build your life together piece by beautiful piece.

Bard

Quality Time- He’s lived without money all his life; material possessions are fleeting things with little capacity to craft true joy. Nothing in the world, however, can replace the unique human souls Bard has come to know. Yours beyond included. Bard will sacrifice a few more hours’ work to see the game you’re building with his children, tell others and hold up a hand the moment they interrupt you. When many more years have passed and he goes on to be with his many fathers, Bard will grasp not for any riches, but for your hand before he awaits your joining him.

Acts of Service- It takes a real man to put himself in the place of his words, and Bard will be caught dead before he is a liar to you. Keeping promises is incredibly important to him, so you will have utmost confidence in the things he says he will do being completed. Being with a tradesman means you’ll often find things repaired before you even had a chance to ask Bard about them. Such is his way of showing you never leave his thoughts even amidst work and fatherhood— you are simply your own kind of important!

Beorn

Acts of Service- Words fail him. He speaks directly, spent years alone where words were of little use to him. Sometimes he is rendered silent in your presence, unsure what he could even say or how genuine it would seem. Second nature to him, however, is work. Effort. Effort you are well and beyond worth. A hot drink and breakfast ready for you every morning, flowers left where you'll find them. At the end of a long day, Beorn takes great pleasure in sitting you down, bathing you gently and scrubbing you hair, preparing it for your sleep whatever it needs. Words may fail him, but Beorn's every motion is an ellipse orbiting the sun you've brought to his solitary life.

Quality Time- The more space you occupy in Beorn's life, the more of a fixture you become. Altering his carefully curated routine in the best way, your presence is sheer comfort. Existing side-by-side even in silence returns his energy in a way he never thought possible. Sitting there whittling while you knit, Beorn's heart swells with a warmth of home and family that once felt beyond the realm of possibility. Domesticity is the cornerstone of all he fought and bled for, and despite his former assertions that his cottage was his and his alone, he dreads any day of returning home to it void of your presence.

Bifur ᥫ᭡.

Bifur is sort of left to his devices pretty often. Sure some of the dwarves engage him to make sure he doesn’t feel left out — especially Bofur and Bombur — but he just kinda chills on his own. If you watch, this dude is lowkey Pocahontas or Snow White because you’ll just be trudging along and you turn around to see him with a bird on his finger, a butterfly on his axe, a squirrel eating out of his hands. Literally whatever little creature is around is sniffing him. I guess because he’s pretty quiet they just kinda creep up to him and he doesn’t mind. He would only be okay with the pretty, slow insects landing on him, though. I think he’d swat at a spider, grasshopper, or any kind of frantic flying insect; gives him the heebie jeebies.

I think he would also do weird stuff when nobody is looking. You know when you’re near a river or beach or something and you see a really perfect rock that kind of looks delicious? Like, yeah that is a rock, but it looks so tasty. I can just envision him at the back of the line of dwarves ambling up the riverside and he stops suddenly, crouching down to pick up a super smooth rock. He’d flip it around in his fingers as he stands to continue walking before bringing it to his mouth to lightly bite on it, just to sate the urge. Maybe even do that thing where you pull your lips over your teeth and bite it before shoving it in his pocket for funsies. The whole time you’re watching him and he looks up and makes eye contact. You just mouth to him, “What was that?” and he just shrugs because can you really judge him? He’s living his life free and you can’t take that away from him. 

Bifur really likes music. While he enjoys a catchy chorus, he particularly enjoys instrumentals. In the same way that we can convey different things through music, Bifur expresses himself in a unique way which is why I think he would like music. Whenever he’s feeling sad, he would hum a somber tune to himself, or jovially grunt along to Bofur playing the flute while the rest of the Company sings. He’d also tap on things. Whenever he finishes dinner, he’s tapping his spoon on the bowl along to the song that’s been stuck in his head all day. I think he’d also use it to communicate more specific ideas in a quicker way with the rest of the dwarves. Some sort of discussion would be taking place and Bifur would nudge whoever’s next to him and hum an iconic melody, and the other dwarves would consider the lyrics to understand what he means. Maybe he’s pointing out an old hero from a story, or maybe he’s referring to a time when they sang the song together. He would use music in that way to express himself, and everyone taking time to understand how he intended it always makes him feel appreciated for his thoughts. Just imagine you keep hearing your favorite tune throughout the day, and you eventually start humming it to yourself. You wouldn’t even realize Bifur was doing it intentionally at first, but day after day whenever your mind started to drift, you’d hear that soft humming and be brought back.

Bofur ᥫ᭡.

Just to start, I have always been obsessed with Bofur’s relationship with Bilbo. At first, he teases him out of his mind, but they really grow to have a real understanding of each other. Even when the tension was thick in Erebor, he just cheekily sees Bilbo off with reassurance and his trust that whatever the hobbit was up to, it would be the right choice. In both that scene and the one in the goblin cave where Bilbo wants to go back to Rivendell, Bofur is always compassionate. “You’re homesick. I understand.” and “Dark days indeed. No one could blame a soul for wishing themselves elsewhere.” He doesn’t dismiss Bilbo’s feelings, but validates them and recognizes that things can get overwhelming. When the times get tough, Bofur is always there to call you back to let you know he cares and that he will be there for you.

Imagine you’re traveling with the Company to take back Erebor and on some rocky incline somewhere, Bofur stumbles and his pack tumbles open, spilling countless whittled and woodcarved figures. It almost seems like that’s the only thing occupying his pack. Everyone stares at him for a while with confused expressions while you gush over every little object like they’re the cutest most precious things in the world. Slowly the other dwarves realize why he has a pack full of carvings detailing all your favorite things and chuckle amongst themselves while Bofur scratches the back of his neck with warm cheeks. Dwalin asks, “What’re you lugging all this about for? Food and gear’s a better use of space.” Bofur would grumble a bit as he stuffs them back into the bag, “Better than having them carry ‘em around.” Initially he was just passing time carving little chunks of wood to leave lying along their trail, but at some point he started keeping them to give to you once Erebor was reclaimed. Dwalin might’ve been right, but seeing your elated expression made the back pain and grumbling stomach worth it.