"This isn't a mine, it's a tomb" Boromir hissed and ran back to the exit, ordering everyone to come too. Legolas examined an arrow and determined that Goblins were responsible for this. There suddenly was a movement from the water and then Frodo fell and was pulled out of the mine by his leg. A monster with tentacles had appeared from the water and seemed like it wanted to eat Frodo but other members of the fellowship fought it, cutting off its tentacles until it dropped the Hobbit. The wizard ordered everyone back into the mines and the monster came after them and when it couldn't enter the mine, it broke down the entrance that they were trapped inside. Gandalf told everyone to be quiet that they could go through the mines unnoticed if possible.

"Do you think someone survived?" she asked Fíli after a while "Or do you think then we'd have heard something happened here?"

"You mean to ask if there are living Dwarves in these mines?" before she could answer, Kíli chuckled

"Well, now there's three for sure" his brother glared at him

"They were our kin" he said, followed by some words in Khuzdul. "But I fear he is right about one thing" he took her hand "No one here is alive, except for us"

-oOo-

They even passed through the actual mine of Moria (or one of the many) where Gandalf explained that it was a Mithril mine. He even mentioned the mithril shirt Bilbo had received from Thorin and she couldn't help but look at Kíli who had been saved thanks to it. She was almost shocked to learn of its great worth, more than the entire Shire and then thought that it was only fair because that would then be his share of the treasure.

Then suddenly Gandalf had lost the way and they were forced to rest a while. Some members of the fellowship started fighting about what to do again but others just sat there, smoking their pipes. Lhindril leant against Fíli's chest, listening to his calm breathes and trying to ignore the fight. Finally, the argument ended and it grew silent, which wasn't much more comfortable either, so Lhindril got up, wanting to talk to someone. For a moment she even considered trying to get the Dwarves to talk to Legolas that their enmity would diminish. At least Fíli and Gimli, Kíli didn't seem to mind him too much she found. But in a way she didn't really dare to approach the Elf herself, so she was glad that he was sitting close to her brother that maybe she could just involve him in their talk.

"You know" she said as she sat down next to her brother "When I met mother in Rivendell during our journey to Erebor, she told me that you fell in love. With an Elf. What became of you?"

"We have been together for a while. But before we left… I realised that she needs to do what's best for her. Sailing to Valinor with her people"

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. But I bet you will see her again one day" she placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You don't need to be sorry, Lhindril" Legolas looked at her

"You are Aragorn's sister" she wasn't sure if it was a question or not. And she hadn't even known that he didn't seem to know. Who else didn't?

"Yes, I am. I only found out recently" she confirmed and to her surprise the Elf smiled slightly

"Do you remember, after the Battle of the Five Armies where we met?"

"Of course I remember. I couldn't ever forget that you killed Azog's son. What about it?"

"Shortly before me met, my father tasked me with going North to find the Dúnedain and the children of Arathorn. He only gave me your name and Aragorn's nickname, Strider and mentioned you would probably be out there all alone. Then, not even two minutes later we cross paths but I did not recognise you and so went on to look for you for almost sixty years" she chuckled at the coincidence "If you had told me who you are back then…" she snorted

"But of course, I'm sorry" she replied sarcastically "next time the person I love is dying and I meet someone who could help I will introduce myself; Hello, I'm Lhindril and Arathorns older daughter, Isildur's heir and therefore rightful heir to the throne of Gondor. And did you know I am married to Fíli, Son of Dís, Durin's heir and king under the mountain? What do you think would happen if I told the wrong people who I am? I'd be dead or a bargain chip before I knew it"

"It's alright" Aragorn said "He didn't mean it that way" she only nodded but still remained silent, secretly agreeing with Fíli that sometimes Elves could be very annoying. Or at least some of them because she didn't want to be someone to judge a whole race because there were some individuals she did not like. Well, except for Orcs maybe.

-oOo-

Finally, Gandalf remembered the way and relieved, the group continued their way. They reached a chamber that was slightly illuminated by a ray of light and Gimli started running towards it, breaking down in front of what seemed like a tomb. Although she couldn't read the runes, Lhindril had a feeling what it was and then Gandalf also revealed that it was indeed Balin's grave. Again, Fíli mumbled some words in Khuzdul and she leant her head against his shoulder, making him wrap an arm around her.

"What shall we tell Dwalin when we come back home?" before she could muse too much on his reaction, Gandalf picked up a large book from one of the dead Dwarves sitting at the ground next to the grave and started to read in it. Accounts of a battle that must have happened and killed all the Dwarves here. Fíli threw a glance at the book

"Ori" he then mumbled and Lhindril wasn't sure if he was just talking to himself or to someone else. In her sorrow and grief she ignored that the others were urging to go on until suddenly loud clashes and clatters that echoed through the mines disturbed her. Apparently it had been Pippin who caused the sound. After it finally was quiet again, she found it almost less reassuring than the noise and shortly after she heard drums and then the shriek of Orcs. Fíli let go of her, pushing her towards the Hobbits and telling her to lead them into safety and stay with them. The two Men and Legolas barricaded the door and then the Archers took out their bows, starting to shoot orcs through the still closed door. After she had ushered the Hobbits into a corner, Lhindril dared to go into the battle, feeling weird and scared because she had always more or less avoided fights if she could help it. On the other hand she quite enjoyed fighting and killing the Orcs. She only retreated when she saw a Troll coming into the room they were in but unfortunately, it had already seen her, coming towards her. But then it suddenly turned and looked behind where her husband was distracting the troll. Before she could help him, Kíli grabbed her and pushed her to the Hobbits, telling her to hide as well. Which probably wasn't the best idea because that was where the troll went next and she ran past him, hoping that Fíli was alright. She breathed out when she found him fighting Orcs a few feet away. The Hobbits had already fled and were evading the troll, so she decided to take care of the Orcs instead, which she did until she heard Frodo's cry and just ran towards him. Then she saw that the troll had rammed a spear into his body.

"Oh no" she shouted just as the Hobbit fell over. She also noticed her brother lying there and hurried over to him, feeling lucky that he still was alive. He opened his eyes and then a thump and a glance to the others told her that the troll was dead. Almost ignoring her, Aragorn crawled over to Frodo and everyone gathered around them. Frodo opened his eyes and took in a deep breath, telling the others that he was fine.

"But how?" he opened his shirt.

"Mithril!" Kíli smiled "Bilbo's shirt" she thanked the old Hobbit for having given it to Frodo. But there was little time to celebrate because more Orcs were coming and they needed to get away from here.

"Daylight" she breathed "that could save us" Gandalf ordered them to head for the Bridge of Khazad-dûm but suddenly they were surrounded by Orcs. Fíli grabbed her hand and pulled her closer as if that would allow him to protect her from harm.

"What now?" he shouted at Gandalf. Again there were drumbeats from the deep and shadows flickered against the wall that was illuminated by fire. She felt her legs sag in because it remembered of the battle decades ago, shortly before she had thought to have lost Fíli. Although she didn't want to see what was around her, she blinked to make the horrible images go away. And just as she thought their number was up there was a new sound. A roar that made the Orcs flee in panic.

"Ha. Right so, flee you cowards" Kíli shouted after them and Gimli joined in.

"It's not us they fear" Gandalf said and then paused "A Balrog, a demon of the ancient world. Its foe is beyond any of you. Run!" they instantly listened and ran on and the wizard asked Aragorn to lead them instead. Reluctantly, Aragorn did so and told them not to stop, which they finally had to when the stairs in front of them had a gap in it. Legolas jumped over and Gandalf did the same. Others hesitated a moment more and her brother helped the Hobbits while also shooting arrows at the few Orcs that seemed to have followed them. Finally, only Frodo, Aragorn and Lhindril were separated from the others and the people on the other side were ready to catch them. Then the gap between them got even bigger that it was too much to jump. To make it worse, yet another piece of rock hit the stair behind them that they were trapped. Fíli called out to her and for a moment it seemed like he would jump back with them. In that moment the piece they were on moved to the side as if it was gonna fall down. With a cry, Lhindril bit her hand and Aragorn placed a hand on her shoulder, placing the other on Frodo's back.

"Hold on. Keep calm" to their luck, the piece now moved forward and her brother ordered them the lean forward too. It bumped into the other piece where the others were and right in that moment they jumped forward, into the waiting arms of the rest of the company. But there was no time to catch a breath for Lhindril or calm down because they had to move on. Soon they arrived at the bridge they were headed for and since it was pretty narrow she hesitated a moment before crossing it. Behind them a big creature showed up. Seemed like it was the Balrog then. Gandalf stopped on the bridge and tried to stop it by destroying the bridge after defending himself against its attack. The Balrog fell and Lhindril just wanted to cheer when it also managed to grab Gandalf but luckily he could grab the edge of the bridge. Some wanted to go and help him but he stopped them.

"Fly, you fools" with that he fell. Frodo let out a loud scream and for a moment everyone was too shocked to move but then Aragorn urged them on until they reached the exit. There they had a short while to mourn but as Aragorn told them she knew that it was only a matter of time until the Orcs would catch up with them and they needed to be far from here by the time it got dark. Her brother wanted to reach the forest of Lothlórien until then.

-oOo-

They arrived there in the late afternoon and it was obvious that neither Fíli nor Kíli liked it too much. And after what had happened in Mirkwood, she understood. Gimli didn't seem to like it either and promised the Hobbits to protect them from the Elf-witch of the forest who could enchant everyone who looked at her.

"Well! Here's one dwarf she won't ensnare so easily! I have the eyes of a hawk, and ears of a fox!" he explained. He was barely finished when they were surrounded by Elves, pointing their bows and arrows at them. Legolas Kíli took out their bows while Fíli glanced Legolas.

"What a feeling, isn't it Legolas? Walking through an eerie forest and suddenly you're surrounded by Elves that draw their weapons on you…" Kíli grinned and luckily Aragorn managed to defuse the situation so that the Elves started leading them on. Lhindril however wasn't sure if they were their guests or prisoners and also her husband didn't look too pleased. It seemed like he now needed even more convincing that Elves weren't bad people. When it was dark, they reached a platform where Aragorn and Legolas spoke to the Elf who led the others. Gimli wasn't pleased, saying how he didn't find it courteous of Elves to speak in a tongue only few of them understood. Their host (if he was that) taunted Gimli who answered with words in Khuzdul of which she was certain were an insult. Fíli and Kíli's grins were proof to that, while Aragorn grabbed the youngest Dwarf's shoulder.

"That was not so courteous!" although she too didn't find it polite, also Lhindril smiled a little. Then the Elf, she thought to have heard his name as being Haldir, told them to follow him and they were led on into the kingdom of Lothlórien. It apparently was high up in the trees and they walked on stairs for quite a while. Soon two Elves, a male and a female approached them. The male wanted to speak to Gandalf whereupon the female already had figured out that he died. Suddenly she felt Fíli digging his fingers into her arm that she glanced at him in confusion but he only glared at the blond Elf. Once they were shown where they could sleep, she asked what he had had earlier.

"Well, I heard that supposedly she is the most beautiful woman of Middle Earth and would ensnare everyone who sees her. But as I saw her I thought it was a bit exaggerated. She's not that pretty" she frowned

"And what's so bad about that?"

Nothing really but then I heard her voice in my head…"

"Her voice? In your head?"

"Yes. I don't know how but I heard her. She told me that she found my loyalty towards you remarkable. As if she had read my thoughts. Witch"

"So it happened to you too?" Boromir asked before telling them that she had spoken to him too; about Gondor, his future and the fall of Gondor and that he wouldn't be able to find rest here.

"Me neither" Fíli promised. But then he fell asleep before his wife even lay down.

-oOo-

Two days later the time of departure had come and each of the companions got an Elvish cloak made from green-grey fabric. The others also received other gifts, mostly weapons. Then she reached, Lhindril, Fíli and Kíli

"For you two I do not have something new. Still, you shall not leave with nothing" she told the Dwarves and then looked at two Elves that led them away. Lhindril just followed them.

"Where are you leading us?" Fíli asked but got no answer but they were at the destination already. At first she didn't realise what it was but then she saw the two coats, weapons and clothing that lay on a bench. They looked at it for a while before Kíli turned to one of the Elves

"These are our belongings that the Elves of Mirkwood took from us on the journey to Erebor" it was a statement rather than a question. And now also Lhindril recognised Fíli's old coat. Kíli was quick to pack his things and soon he looked like at the time they had met, even though his hair and beard were now longer. Fíli on the other hand seemed to have a little problem; there was no room for the many weapons. Then he put on his old coat and still managed to stow all daggers. Lhindril realised she was still wearing his new coat that she wore ever since they got into the avalanche at the pass of Cahadras. Her husband approached her, asking if he could take his other weapons from the new coat. She handed it to him and watched how he took out twelve more daggers and still managed to tuck them all away. Where did he put them all? Fíli had changed into his new clothes again and they both bundled up their old clothes, putting it to the rest of their baggage. When Fíli returned his new coat to her it was a tad lighter than before

"But it's yours" she remarked unnecessarily.

"I know, but what am I supposed to do with two coats? I know you might need it more" he put it around her shoulders and she gladly put in on. After all, she had only taken a small cloak for her journey to the Shire because she couldn't know it would made her go on another adventure. After they returned to the others the blonde Elf, Galadriel, approached Lhindril and she felt bad for just having left with the Dwarves.

"For you too I have nothing more valuable than your husband's deep love but you shall receive something else"

"Thank you" she muttered, wondering why she should get a valuable gift anyways. Behind the Elf another one appeared, holding a sword "I trust you remember Mithrandir's sword Glamdring? This sword was forged around the same time in Gondolin. Its name is Gildin, the Silver Spark. It has belonged to Gil-Galad who wielded it during the battle of the last Allience. It has been lost until recently with his spear. May it serve you well"

"But I can't take it. It basically belongs to your family" Galadriel put a hand on her shoulder

"Of course you can, Lhindril, daughter of Arathorn, heir of Isildur. Your brother and you, you are the last of your bloodline. Decide against the throne of Gondor and your people will go down with you"

"Thank you" she whispered, not liking her words too much although she knew they were true. Maybe that was the reason

"Do not worry, you are both stronger than you think" they went into the boats the Elves offered them and she told Fíli about the sword she had received, then asked him how many weapons he had now

"28 daggers, nine throwing axes, my twins swords from the quest to Erebor and my new ones" he explained with a grin.

"No kidding?" she asked with raised eyebrows. "hwat do you want with all those?" his grin disappeared

"Defend and protect my family. Because Kíli and you are the most important thing to me in this world" he leant his forehead to hers "The past decades when we were in Erebor I didn't worry too much because we were safe. But now we're in the open again and in constant danger, so I can't help but being concerned about your wellbeing all the time. Even though you improved your combat skills greatly I still can't fight for a second without asking myself if you're doing alright or keep an eye on you that I can come to your aid in case you need it. At least that's how I felt in the mines of Moria"

The following hours, Lhindril contemplated his words. Did he mistrust her skills? But she had to admit that since they were in the fellowship of the ring, their bond had grown stronger again. When they were home, they didn't see each other for hours but now they were together all the time and she really enjoyed it, despite everything. It seemed to her like it had breathed new life into their relationship. And she wondered if it was because of the constant danger or simply because they were away from their usual everyday life. At dusk, they went onshore to spend the night there and continued in the early morning. Aragorn had told them that they were being followed by Orcs or worse; the Uruk-hais - a mix between Orcs and goblin men – that were more cruel and stronger than normal Orcs and didn't mind the sunlight. So she wondered why they even stopped in the night if they were indeed in such a danger. But in the late afternoon they again decided to call it a day and get some rest before continuing the following day and went ashore again. Boromir soon left to gather some firewood and a while later they noticed that Frodo had disappeared as well. They looked around the camp but there was no sign of him.

"We have to find him" Sam said "If something happens to him, all is lost"

"Split up, search in small groups" Aragorn decided. Fíli pulled his wife with him and his brother and they walked further and further away from the river. Suddenly she realised that they were probably going in circles

"Fíli, I think we've been here…"

"Shh" he listened intently and she did not like his face at all.