#rote spoiler

Like Fitz said hi to Shun (whom he disliked so plainly I'm still amazed Bee couldn't see it, when she could read all his emotions) & Bee was like he's being disloyal to my dead mother! How dare he! I know he doesn't love me anymore! he probably thinks of me as an inconvenience he must want to ride with shun into the sunset and leave me behind HOW DARE HE i will shut myself off to him he can't leave me if i leave him first *seethes*

And i think what it must've meant to her when fitz said he would always take bee's side. Always put her and her words first.

And how it must've meant to her when fitz left her for a random beggar (I'm sorry beloved but that was who u were at the time)

& how she must've hated Beloved whom had stolen her dad from her, to be alive and care for her when her dad was dead. Worst, when Fitz had given Beloved all his strength & healed him when Bee so desperately wanted to be healed by her Da, but he was dead.

How it must've hurt her when she knew Fitz wanted his Fool to share his eternity with, not her.

I think if she hadn't felt, time and time again, fitz's love through the skill, and he hadn't travelled for months for the sake of avenging/rescuing her, if he hadn't fought for her and if he hadn't (almost) died for her so willingly so many times she wouldn't have ever believed that Fitz loved her.

And I think all of this shows in:

“I lied to hurt you. For letting him be dead while you lived. For being loved by him more than he loved me!” I took a breath. “He loved you more than he ever loved any of the rest of us!”

There seems to be an implicit convergence of thought in the fandom that Beloved is a man? And as such, that Fitz and him eventually constitute a male gay couple?

I’ve never read any commentary by Robin Hobb or anything, so maybe she’s made it clear somewhere on the net, but in the books, it’s heavily insisted upon that we do not know Beloved’s gender. And they systematically refuse to answer the question.

So sure, in the books, Fitz uses the pronouns he/his/him to talk about them, because they’re King Shrewd’s Fool and they present as male. And clearly, transphobia, as much as homophobia, is a heavy subtext of the books.

I am just surprised to see so many people defending the queerness of their couple, going to bat for them, and yet no one raising that subject, and everyone assuming Beloved is a “he”.

He did spend a good deal of time as Amber, and he seemed very comfortable in that position too. Maybe even more than the Fool or Lord Golden.

So, I wonder. Have I missed something? If someone can light up my lantern for me, please.

Burrich is a deep and interesting character and there is so much to say about him.

But Patience managed to say it better than anyone else : if it doesn't have four hooves, he can't understand it.

Even if "it" is his child, or foster child.

I really wanted to add Pard to this drawing because cat. Pard, you were the best member of this journey, I know it for a fact.♥

Oh, every time I draw a thing about this moment, I have to remember that Fitz is shaved, thanks to the Pale Lady's servant. Every other time he has some beard EXCEPT that moment. I don't know why, I always take a moment to remember it but it is classified as "very important" in my brain.

I was clearing out old drafts from my overflowing gmail and found some correspondence with Robin that included my reactions after finishing the series. I won't include her replies, but here's some excerpts of what I said to her.

"I'm trying to remember which movie this quote is from: "Are there any happy endings?" "No. Because nothing ends."

"Even if you never return to the Realm of the Elderlings (which somehow I doubt) there is plenty of fodder for our imaginations. The surviving characters are fascinating people with feet placed on the trailheads of the rest of their lives, doubtless with many more nexus moments to face - whether or not that ends up being documented."

"This morning I'm enjoying late breakfast with my daughters on their first day of summer vacation, finishing my first reread of Fool's Quest and Assassin's Fate. I've read so many different reactions on the unrestricted chat Facebook page, and I think those who didn't get what they wanted will find more richness, more solace when they come back knowing what to expect. I'm glad you stayed true to your vision." "I hope you are basking a bit. Ending a series is bound to arouse every reaction under the sun from your fanbase. For me, having Fitz/Beloved/Nighteyes become the Wolf of the West was just the perfect resolution. Their circle forever joined at last. They are still alive in my head every day. I also love how much agency Bee seized for herself. Amazing, powerful girl!"