#bolg

here's today's #Paleostream sketches!!!

today we sketched Zhejiangopterus, Bolg amondol, Diplobune, and Iberomesornis

I am part of the way through a new fic, a Bagginshield fic in fact. I thought I might post a bit of a WiP here to see if y'all like it so far.

I am kind of obsessed with retelling the Battle of the Five Armies and that is where I start this fic.

Let me know what you think!

Bilbo followed the deep sounds of dwarven conversation along the halls of Erebor. He limped slightly as he went, one does not simply survive a battle between five seperate armies and stroll out the other side unscathed. Gazing around him, he slowed to appreciate the craftsmanship of the Dwarves of old. The halls of Erebor were impressive to say the least, carved expertly from the stone of the Lonely Mountain, clad in a blueish green stone which Bilbo couldn’t identify, he’d have to ask Thorin about it later. Thorin. Bilbo’s thoughts strayed back to a few days past. 

Coming around, dazed and confused in the middle of chaos on Ravenhill. Stumbling and tripping through carnage, desperately searching, seeking. Where is Thorin? His eyes strained against the glare of the sun off the snow and ice. In the distance he saw Balin and Dwalin holding back a wave of goblins. Dwalin smashing this way and that with Grasper and Keeper, goblins flying into the air and raining down onto their now scrambling brethren. A cry sounded above him and Bilbo lurched backwards to look up towards the peak of Ravenhill. Tauriel and Kili were fighting a large orc, he thought it might be Bolg, Azog’s son. He could see that even as the two practised warriors fought skilfully, the orc was causing them difficulty. It looked as though Bolg may be starting to gain the advantage, when the Prince of the Woodland realm appeared, holding the claws of a Gundabad bat flying overhead. Het let go and gracefully landed on the orcs shoulders, joining the fray. 

“KILI!” A familiar voice screamed from below. 

Bilbo peered over the rocky ledge he was standing on to see Fili staring up at his brother. Kili used the break in fighting caused by the surprise arrival of Legolas to search the river bank below for his brother. He quickly fired off three arrows once he located the golden haired dwarf, felling three orcs trying to surround Fili. Bilbo turned his face skyward once more and watched as Legolas brought one of his twin daggers swiftly down on Bolg’s head, piercing his skull and felling the creature with a single blow. The elf quickly retrieved his blade and made for the edge of the peak, searching the river bank below, Killi scrambling after him. Bilbo followed the gaze of the two princes and saw Thorin. Thorin fighting Azog. Thorin fighting Azog, alone. His breath caught his throat as he whispered “No.”

“Fili, to the King!” Kili screamed, as he started to make his way down the side of Ravenhill. 

Before Fili could move Legolas called out, voice clear as the ringing of a bell “Son of Durin, this will aid the King.” he threw down Orcrist, the Goblin-cleaver. The sword landed at the feet of his dwarven prince counter part. Fili swept it up and with a slight nod to the Prince of the Woodland Realm, he turned and hastened toward his King. 

Kili had now reached the ledge on which Bilbo stood. “Come Bilbo, to the King!” He shouted as he launched himself over the edge, desperate to catch up with his brother. Bilbo scrambled to follow after, his footing was less sure and his strides not quite as long and so he was left far behind the raven haired prince. Ahead of him he could see Dwalin and Balin falling back with more shouts of “To the King! To Thorin!” 

Fili was a fair way ahead, Bilbo saw him reach his uncle. He defended a blow from Azog with Orcrist before throwing the weapon to Thorin and unsheathing his twin blades. Thorin caught the blade with ease and continued his attack. Azog was now suffering assault form two angles and as Bilbo ran he could see The King Under the Mountain and his Heir starting to wear the white orc down.

Making you all look at this, I spent two days on these...

A while back I had a dream that there was a fan-made Hobbit film (encompassing all three of the Peter Jackson ones), traditionally animated and all anthros. The plot was mostly the same (except for one big detail but we’re getting there), but had some extra scenes - Dis saying goodbye to her brother and sons, discussing why protecting Ori was definitely cultural even though he was bigger and stronger than everyone else in the Company, and Gandalf hinted at being a unicorn. The ponies and other animals were just animals, but Radagast’s rabbits were anthros. All the elves were different breeds of deer, the humans were mostly dogs and other domestic farm animals, dwarves were a mixed bag but generally families were in the same type (but not all), and hobbits were small animals, pocket sized to heftable.

So they’re at Laketown and we finally get the big reveal that Smaug isn’t a Dragon but a Monster - everyone shuddered here. Bilbo gets in and sees - Benedict Cumberbatch with scales half-shedding off of him, and an overlaid image of a snake in a very wizardy outfit. He is killed when he chases Bilbo out of Erebor, and runs directly into Bifur, Fili, and Bard, who still shoots him with the arrow, because he wasn’t dying fast enough.

And that’s where the dream ended BUT I will write an ending.

Smaug was once one of the blue wizards, who became enamored with power and began transforming into a Monster like Sauron once was. He laid waste to Erebor for the Arkenstone, and destroyed Dale with magic.

Thorin does get Goldsickness, but Oin literally smacks him over the head until he stops being a dunce. Azog is killed by Fili and Kili, and Bolg is killed by Beorn (just a bear, but can get Really Big on command). Kili and Tauriel have a long talk and have a friendship before they have a romance. Thorin is a decent king, if not a bit gruff.

Bilbo still hides the ring, and on his 111th birthday visit to the Shire, the beans are spilled to sweet Frodo…

For a moment, it didn’t even occur to Thorin to worry. He’d seen Fíli handle startled ponies before in worse weather than this. He’d seen Fíli take down bandits while guarding trading caravans. He’d seen Fíli knock Dwalin flat on his arse. 

Kíli was quick and nimble on his feet, and all the ponies plainly adored him. He had a strong grip, nearly as good as Fíli’s own.

But then Thorin’s eyes darted down to the riverbank. The rushing current, the river itself swollen by all this rainfall, the dark depths, the mud. 

He didn’t dare shout, not with a frightened animal involved, but Thorin pushed past Balin and ran.

He wasn’t fast enough. 

Had it not been raining, his nephews would have been fine. They would have gotten the pony back under control and away from the water.

But the ground was soaked and slippery, the mud was treacherous. The pony gave a sharp tug, the boys’ grip on the reins was still strong, but their feet faltered.

One more tug and the pony fell into the river, dragging his nephews with him.

Fíli’s a good swimmer, surely Kíli can-

“KÍLI!” Bilbo shrieked, utterly terrified.

And then, the worst words of all.

“HE CAN’T SWIM!”

*

The Company have begun their journey. Even the first week is not without incident; when a panicked pony fleeing results in a near-drowning, Balin tells Bilbo the tale of the Battle of Azanulbizar and how Thorin earned his name.

Meanwhile, something dark and dangerous closes in on them all...