Hilgya: a redemption arc?

[hamishspence]

Their fling was mutual and they both generally broke it off. Babies can be a consequence of that, but it's not like Hilgya was upset over it when they broke it off, at least no more upset than Durkon was. I'm not saying Durkon is free of responsibility, but barring his current condition as Roy said and I paraphrase, "The man would break his leg kicking his own ass out the door."

Durkon (again barring certain vitality issues he's currently experiencing) would no doubt stay with Hilgya and raise their child even if it was entirely loveless.

"A dwarf does his duty, even if it makes him miserable. Especially if it makes him miserable!"

Hilgya is just acting like a spoiled and petulant child. She hasn't been wronged in the least. The only thing Durkon could do that would be wrong in this instance would to not take responsibility once he finds out, and knowing the dwarf that'd be so out of character it'd be terrible writing if the Giant went that way.

A man is not a monster simply because he has a baby with a woman. A woman is not a victim just because she has to raise it on her own. Sometimes people make their own beds after all.

Indeed. She's the one who made the decision in the first place, after sounding him out on whether he has a wife or girlfriend:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0076.html
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0079.html

Combine with the fact that he's a virgin and that she can tell:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0083.html

and it's safe to say that treating him as the one seducing her, gets things entirely backward.