One of the most important messages highlighted in both the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and The Hobbit trilogy, is the idea that even the smallest person can change the course of destiny. Every single character in the stories, whether they were Tolkien’s original creations, or a new character written in to expand context and detail, has an important part to play in the story, and in the outcome of the war that they are fighting. It’s easy to see how this is true for the leading characters, like the members of the fellowship, and like those who aid in Thorin’s company. However, this message especially applies to the minor characters. Many figures in the trilogy aren’t as immediately obvious as heroes, but their contributions determine the outcome of many people’s lives nonetheless.
Three such characters are Bard’s children. In Tolkien’s original book of The Hobbit, Bard the Bowman of Lake Town only has one child mentioned: Bain, his son. But in Peter Jackson’s movie adaptations, Bard also has two daughters, Tilda and Sigrid. There is no mention of their mother’s identity either in the original book or the films, but it is clear that all three children have inherited Bard’s fiery spirit, his sense of moral justice, and his ability to care for others even in times of crisis and peril.
Sigrid, the middle child, is the logical thinker. She is the level-headed one, who is in the background of every dangerous scene thinking about how to ensure her siblings' survival, and how to keep them away from the impending danger they face. Although she is relatively young, she takes charge when she is needed, and she is very capable for someone who has never seen battle, and has lived a relatively sheltered life, protected by their father. When the orcs invade Bard’s house, in the middle of Tauriel trying to heal Kili, Sigrid manages to defend herself and her sister, shielding Tilda behind a table and trying to waylay the goblins until Tauriel and Legolas can take them out.
Sigrid gets knocked down, but she gets straight back up again, despite the fear of facing these brutal enemies that out-match her in size and skill. She is a fighter, and she also has a lot of empathy for her people and their struggles after Smaug burns down Lake Town. Along with the direction of her father, she is one of the key instigators in organizing the screaming panicked people at the wreckage on the beach. She helps them to regroup, gather supplies, and reunite with surviving loved ones. She has all the qualities of a good leader, just like the man who raised her.
Tilda, the youngest of the three children, is much less autonomous at this age. She is much less sure of herself and of these strange dwarves suddenly invading their home. She seeks the comfort of her siblings and her father to reassure her that things are going to turn out alright. But despite this, she is also a fantastic ally when Sigrid directs her to do things in order to help, like holding down Kili so that he stops moving whilst Tauriel tries to draw out the poison from his wound. Tilda is a very intelligent child, and her lack of rushing right in to save the day affords her another gift: the ability to be able to watch and absorb the actions of those around her. She watches in awe as Tauriel defends them, and she looks up to her older sister for guidance. She too has the potential to become a fierce and trusted team member for those she cares about.
Of the three children, Bain is the one that people can learn most about, because he is actually in the original story. It is easy to both see the impact and the contribution he makes in the movies, but also to read about the heroic deeds that he goes on to do, after the story of The Hobbit is over. Bain is charged with the important task of concealing and protecting the Black Arrow, the only known weapon that can kill Smaug. He stores the arrow in a clever and safe location, then traverses a burning and overrun city to get to it when his father needs it. In the dramatic rendition of Smaug’s death, Bain can also be seen acting as the guide for the arrow, steering it towards the missing scale in the dragon’s chest. In this moment, he shows incredible discipline and bravery. He focuses forward on his father, despite knowing that the terrible beast is flying straight towards him with the intention to kill them.
In this way, Bain essentially helps save the remaining people of Lake Town, and proves himself to be a hero. He later goes on to lead the people, when his father passes away, and Bain’s own son Brand goes on to lead after that, being the king of Dale which has been rebuilt. Brand fights beside the fellowship in the War of the Ring 60 years later. Quite the family.