A/N: Happy New Year everyone! Apologies for not posting a chapter in December, I'd taken a break and needed a fresh head to start things off in the new year. 2 more chapters to go until Linshara's story is done. A new story is being fleshed out and will make its way onto various archives once this one is completed.
Thankees as always to NixNox and Tyren. Love you guys.
On with the show!
It had been a good thing, she deemed to gain distance and perspective. The presence of the Mountain and the dwarves kept the wounds fresh and raw, her emotions dangerously close to the surface. Everything and everyone in that mountain had reminded her of Fili, the loss, the emptiness she'd felt when his Force signature was taken away from her.
So when Bilbo decided to make his way home, Gandalf and Linshara decided to accompany him, leaving Bilbo on the borders of the Shire before proceeding southward to Rivendell where Linshara parted ways with Gandalf.
Being back in Rivendell had brought an old sense of familiarity, something she'd tried to put out of her mind and forget, because back then it had been too painful to even consider. The decimation of the Jedi order, the infamous Order 66. Yet now, feeling the Force gathered so potently around her, she revelled in the feeling. Rivendell itself reminded her of the images of the old Jedi Temples she'd seen in the the Coruscant Archives. The one on Tython and on Ossus.
Now the distant loss provided comfort against the fresh wounds that still gnawed at her heart. The Jedi spent her time meditating, practicing, learning of the vast and long histories of Middle Earth. Elrond's presence itself had such a healing effect on her, almost as if she'd been in the presence of an old master again. Now that she'd gained much more perspective and experience in this world.
Arwen and her brothers, Elladan and Elrohir provided the lightheartedness she'd come to admire for its calm and subtlety. They weren't like those of the dwarves or the Hobbit, or the rambunctiousness of the Dwarves. They were calm, wise, subtle and a touch impish.
Three years would pass of complete immersion into her studies and focusing on the soothing, albeit intense effect the Force Nexus of Rivendell had on her. Her Force visions had considerably lessened, toned down even to a rare few.
So it was one day that Elrond found her meditating near the waterfalls. His calm, yet strong presence had an unmistakable Force signature.
"Master Elrond." She softly said, unmoving from her cross-legged pose on the ground.
He towered over her for a moment, before he too, albeit awkwardly, sat down in the same position. "Good morning, Linshara. How are you today?" He asked, that small, trademark smile in the corner of his lips.
Her hair was almost as long as Arwen's now, as she'd not cut it and it danced lightly in the breeze. "I am...well. Today is a good day, I think."
"The night terrors have ceased?" A soft question.
She wanted to say yes, but she knew deep down it was a lie. Frankly, she didn't think they'd ever cease. She hoped though that they would lessen.
"They are...not as bad as before." She said finally glancing over at the ageless elf.
"My daughter leaves for Lothlorien in the morning. Perhaps you would like to accompany her? Visit with Lady Galadriel? You both had expressed desire to meet again as I recall." He offered gently, as a father would to an aggrieved daughter.
She thought it over momentarily. Galdriel had not been to Rivendell in the three years since. A new place to explore, new lore to learn, new places to meet. Something more to occupy herself with so her mind wouldn't slither back to the Mountain.
"I would like that. I think it's time." The Jedi nodded, smiling.
She felt a firm yet gentle hand on her shoulder. Elrond squeezed it gently and she felt comforted, encompassed in the gentle yet strong power that radiated from him.
***Lothlorien, two years later***
Rivendell gave her peace and security, Lothlorien however gave her life. Everything in the Golden Wood she would feel several-fold stronger than in Imladris. Galadriel's Force signature reminded her a lot of that of Yoda and Mace Windu, immensely powerful yet immensely controlled. It was clear from the moment she met her and her husband Celeborn that they were both aware of their power and the need to keep it in check.
To keep up with her martial prowess, she often spent time with the three brothers, Haldir, Orphin and Rumul. From them she'd learned a skill, archery, she'd even taken somewhat of an interest in fletchery. However her main interest remained the blade and improving her prowess with a heavy blade.
Galadriel shared an even deeper knowledge of Middle Earth history, speaking often with the Jedi of the lands of Aman, the Kinslayings, Feanor and the Silmarils. In turn Linshara spoke of the history of the Jedi, the Sith, the Force. They'd both come to the conclusion that Feanor and Anakin Skywalker shared a lot fo similarities in the sheer force of their spirit.
One evening as she walked under the trees, something she'd taken to doing from the first night in Rivendell, Linshara was approached by the Lady of the Golden Wood. "May I show you something, my friend?" The elf spoke in her ethereal voice.
Linshara bowed slightly, nodding. "Of course. Is something the matter?"
"No child, not in the slightest," the golden woman smiled gently at her as she lead her up the side steps that lead around yet another gigantic tree onto what she'd learned was a flet.
At first, it reminded her a little of Kashyykk, with the wookie tree dwellings, but once she actually stepped onto one. It was more akin to senatorial open air dwellings on Coruscant than anything you could see on Kashyykk. It was breathtakingly beautiful. Still though, Linshara preferred the architecture of Rivendell.
"You know as well as I do, certain things are constant in life, one of these is change." Galadriel began as she lead Linshara over the golden mallorn trees then down another set of steps.
She was taking her to The Garden. Straight towards the mirror of Galadriel.
"I do not know what change lies before you, mellon. But I know it is upon you." Said the Lady of the Golden wood.
Linshara nodded, watching as the ever graceful woman padded barefoot over to the well and filled a silver pitcher of water before lightly pouring the water into a saucer shaped dish of stone set upon a pedestal also made of stone.
"Clear your mind and gaze into the water. It will show you things that are, were and yet may be." Said the elf.
The Jedi wondered at this, considering that being in Rivendell and Lothlorien came with visions as par of the course so how was looking into yet another vision inducing vehicle going to be any different? Still out of respect for the woman, Linshara nodded and stepped over to the 'mirror'.
For a moment, nothing happened. She waited patiently for the point of this to be revealed, she could sense nothing through the Force. As she was about to give up and question the elf, she saw the surface of the water change.
Bilbo sat alone in his house at Bag End. He was sat at a table, dunking a quill into ink and writing into a red book. She felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness from him. The beautiful house seemed empty save for him.
The landscape changed again, slowly morphing into a sort of journey, retracing the steps of the Company. She saw a stone bridge leading under a waterfall and a magnificent gate leading into a beautifully decorated passage further into a cave, or a mountain, she wasn't sure.
There were a lot of Elves there, she could see, the intricate patterns on and around them reminding her of the antlers of an elk. ~Halls of the Elvenking. Thranduil's realm.~
Beyond the Mirkwood lay the Long Lake and the ruins of Laketown and neary what looked like a new settlement being built. Panning to the left the scenery morphed again.
The ancient city of Dale was no longer a ruin. It was being steadily rebuilt into its former glory. There was trade going on, dwarven convoys to and fro. She could see a young woman and a young man, both with crowns on their heads talking with a small bulky red haired dwarf. The king Dain of Iron Hills.
The scenery panned again to the battlements of Erebor and the kind old Dwalin conversing with a man with somewhat long, somewhat curly hair. His clothing seemed very familiar. As his face turned a smile etched itself onto her face. ~Bard.~ Yet he wore no crown.
The images disappeared, the water returning to its natural transparency. Linshara blinked a little and looked over at Galadriel.
"I think I saw…" she began but was interrupted.
"What you saw is your own affair. I cannot interpret it any better than you could." Galadriel said. "I am curious of one thing, however."
"Yes, change is upon me." Linshara nodded.
She had hidden away too long, wallowing in self pity and pain. Her Jedi self was appalled at her. She did dearly want to see Bilbo again. Five years was a long time. The Elvenking's halls also filled her with curiosity and she would visit if she was allowed. The prospect of returning to Erebor did scare her a little, she wasn't sure it she was ready for such a drastic step so soon.
~Five years is a long time.~ She chided herself.
A sliver of curiosity couldn't help itself, what had become of Bard and his children, what had become of the dwarves?
"A path awaits you." Sagely the elf smiled.
Linshara wondered if somehow she had seen what she saw after all.
"It does. It is time I meet Middle-Earth with my own eyes, I think." Said the Jedi.
"Will you want an escort?" Galadriel offered.
Linshara smiled and shook her head no. It was time she braved it alone and saw where the journey took her.
"I will have a fine steed and provisions prepared for you tomorrow." A gentle hand on hers, grey eyes catching blue knowingly.
She knew, Linshara was sure. Or at least she had a strong idea. Maybe.
***Brandywine Bridge, two months later***
The last time she was on a horse crossing the Brandywine bridge, she'd just been stranded in Middle Earth, scared, confused and overloaded with information from the old wizard, someone without whom she didn't think she'd still be sane.
Now, she was riding confidently, decked in a fresh outfit, more or less looking the same as it usually did only of better, elvish materials. Galadriel had wanted to give her genuine elven clothing, but Linshara felt she'd fare better and get a lot less recognized if she stayed in human clothing, so they had made her a new outfit based on the old one she wore, only with stronger, more durable fabric and in earthy tones. Shades of brown and green, so she melded well into the crowds as she passed them in her travels.
Now though, being in the land of the Hobbits, she couldn't help but smile as she saw the bustling life around her. Reaching out through the Force, she touched their minds, feeding off of their good cheer and happiness. As she rode through Stock and Bywater, she grew more excited, just atop of the hill was Bilbo's house.
As she neared the Hobbiton bridge delicious smells of food filled her senses, as it was nearing lunchtime when she rode into the small town. Her stomach grumbled as it realized it was empty, she hadn't eaten since early morning and was looking forward to having lunch with Master Baggins.
She removed her hood as she climbed slowly trotted over bridge and up The Hill, her long golden hair shining in the sun. Reaching out again with her mind, she felt around for his familiar presence.
"He's home," she smiled and dismounted, tying the reins of her pony in the nearby tree.
Taking a moment to look around the lush spring countryside, she breathed the sweetsmelling air deeply, then turned back to the door of Bag End.
Taking off her gloves, she folded them over her belt and knocked on the door. She heard him grumbling inside. The grumbling stopped the instant he opened the doors however.
She grinned at the sight of her old friend's surprised face. "Hello, Bilbo."