In the end she stayed in the Shire for a couple of months. First she just wanted to wait for Fíli's answer to know he was alright and had heard that she too was fine. But she got his answer rather quickly and he said that she should let him know before she left the Shire. But she wasn't too fond of the idea of going back. The only reason she wanted to was Fíli and her friends. After all the whole atmosphere in the Shire was different and she felt more welcome. Of course it had gotten a lot better in Erebor but just after the first Dwarves of Ered Luin arrived it had been very bad. Guards thought she had lost her way and didn't belong there and felt obligated to let the future king know about an intruder and would drag her through the whole mountain, hoping to be rewarded when in fact they almost risked their position (or even their lives). Even after they had made it official that she belonged with Fíli and would be their queen it didn't get better and a lot of Dwarves felt that she was not worthy. There were gossip, bad rumours and whispers about her in the corridors of Erebor. Of course it had gotten better but some people still didn't seem to accept her and she had only felt comfortable in Erebor for about ten years. So she was also glad to be away from Dwarves for a while.

-oOo-

But finally it was time for goodbyes anyways and after she wrote to Fíli, letting him know she left now but would make a few stops in between, she packed her belongings and after saying goodbye to her new friends she left. Her first stop would be in Bree which she reached pretty soon. In front of the inn she had worked as a young woman she stopped, planning to spend a few nights here and see how things had changed and to just be there without needing to work. A part of her just wanted to show the people that something had become of here. That she didn't have nothing anymore but was one of the richest people in this world. Maybe her time here in Bree had also made her doubt her royal origins because no one had treated her with respect or even friendly. But after bringing her pony to a stable, she walked around the corner of the building and lovingly stroked the stony wall against which she had been pressed decades ago. Where she had met Fíli. Now she felt glad that these men who bothered her had entered the inn so that she had no choice but to leave with the Dwarves. Suddenly she felt tears in her eyes because she realised how much she missed the two brothers. And there was another feeling. Fear. Fear of entering the inn after all this time. But she knew she had little choice, she wanted to see the place and it was already late and she knew she had to sleep somewhere. Once she opened the door, the smell of alcohol and tobacco filled her nostrils, just like years ago, accompanied by the noises that she had heard almost day and night. Well seemed like not much had changed at first glance.

"Good evening" she greet the older man at the counter where her superior had been and got drunk almost every day when she worked there "I would like to rent a room"

"Of course, of course" he hesitated when he saw her height "Would you like a room in Hobbit size?" maybe that would have been enough but she insisted on a big room. After all she had been sleeping in a small chamber decades ago. "Very well. Shall I show you to your room?" she smiled

"That won't be necessary, thank you. I used to work here. Sixty years ago but well…"

"Sixty years?" he frowned then smiled "That was you! I knew I have seen you before! Do you remember me? You sometimes had to watch me. I was just a little boy, the younger son of the owner at the time" she thought and tried to get her thoughts into order and yes there was something. She really had to watch a child sometimes

"Of course! Now I remember. I was supposed to watch you on the day I left"

"But you didn't come. I was only six years old but I have never forgotten you. My father grew so angry when you didn't come and he went looking for you, probably to punish you. Then three men, friends of his, told him that two Dwarves had abducted you after assaulting you" she swallowed "I bet he only pitied it because he wanted to marry you to my oldest brother. He seemed to fancy you. Do you remember him?" he let out a laugh "Now imagine you had stayed. Then you would now own all this after he died" she threw him a glance

"But I did leave… and now I am queen under the mountain" with that she left and went to her room, preparing for bed. But once she lay there she couldn't sleep and instead her thoughts mulled over what she had just learnt and so spent almost the whole night awake.

The next two days, after breakfast, she spent strolling around the place. Somehow, she was glad that she managed to dodge the new owner to avoid talking to him even though he had never done anything to her. But then, on the third evening, she ate at the Prancing Pony the owner brought her the food and then sat with her.

"May I ask how you came to be queen under the mountain? And how come you still look the same and haven't aged?"

"The two Dwarves that allegedly assaulted and then abducted me actually saved me from those three men that probably had planned exactly this. The first one. So I accompanied the Dwarves and was part of a company that wanted to reclaim the Dwarvish kingdom of Erebor. And well during the quest I fell in love with one of the Dwarves, one of those that saved me and who was heir to the throne of Durin. And I look so young because I'm one of the Dúnedain that have a longer lifespan than other Men. Up to two hundred years, though it used to be more centuries ago" after she had ended she took the jug and smelled it. Beer. "Oh well, even sixty years among Dwarves didn't make me like beer, I'm sorry. Same with pipes" she chuckled. Giving a nod the man took the jug and left with an apology and then didn't return. A part of her felt like she had insulted him in a way or said something wrong. She just considered going after him when she saw four Hobbits march into the inn and couldn't believe her eyes. Frodo, his friend Sam and two other Hobbits she had met too but couldn't quite remember the names. Obviously, it was raining because they wore their hoods and were wet. Suddenly they seemed to have noticed her and joined her with smiles, asking what she did here. Now that they were closer she also recognized one of the Hobbits to be Pippin and the other probably was Merry since the two of them were inseparable. Instantly they got some ale and drank it eagerly. Merry then left to get himself a pint and his friend wanted one too. She could only laugh at the antics. Then Sam leant to Frodo, telling him that apparently a fellow in the corner was watching the Hobbits ever since they arrived. Subtly, she turned to have a glance at him and instantly realised who Sam meant. When the inn's owner walked past, Frodo wanted to know who he was.

"He's one of them rangers. They're dangerous folk they are. Wandering the wilds. What his right name is, I've never heard, but round here, he's known as Strider" involuntarily, she felt her hand grip her sword handle and hoped that his staring at them was only a coincidence or meant nothing bad. She was pulled from her thoughts when Frodo got up and went to the bar too where Pippin was talking to some people and seemed to be talking about Frodo. When the latter reached them, he grabbed Pippin then fell and once he was on the ground he disappeared suddenly. That would then be Bilbo's ring. But he showed up again only moments later but then was grabbed by Strider who yanked him away. Instantly, Lhindril jumped up and Sam did the same, while Merry hadn't even seen what was going on but was on his legs very quickly too. Luckily, Sam had seen where Frodo was brought and the Hobbits grabbed anything they could find as weapons while she took out her sword and then barged through the door. Instantly there was a sword in front of her nose.

"Who are you?" the ranger asked brashly.

"I'm not answering while you're threatening me. And who are you if we're at it?" maybe the words weren't the best idea because he had a weapon right in front of her face. But he only threw a glance at the little group of rescuers and Lhindril looked at Frodo. At least he seemed alright.

"My name is Strider" he continued a little friendlier and put his weapon away "And you are?"

"Well, if you insist on that name. Linnie, at your service" she too sheathed her sword again.

"I take it 'Linnie' is not your real name?"

"As long as I don't know yours, you can call me Linnie. Which I do find a nicer nickname than Strider by the way"

"You can no longer wait for the wizard Frodo. They're coming" Strider turned to Frodo again.

"What's going on?" Lhindril asked, glancing back and forth between the man and the Hobbits. "Who's coming and what's Gandalf got to do with it. I mean I assume it is him"

"Not here" Strider said "Come. Are you with them?"

"With them? Well, not really but I guess I am now until I know what you've got planned, Strider" he looked at Frodo who only gave a nod and it seemed that convinced Strider to take her out of the inn into another one as well. "Now" she said as they were in a new room "What's this all about? Starting with who we're even running away from"

"The Nazgûl. The Ringwraiths"

"Ringwraiths? Would that have anything to do with Bilbo's ring?"

"Bilbo's ring?" Strider asked

"Well yes, he found a ring that makes him invisible and he gave it to Frodo. And seeing that you acted right after Frodo used that ring and these things are called Ringwraiths I figured that's got something to do with it. Though I don't understand what they could want with just one ring. Magical or not"

"It's the One Ring" before Lhindril even could say something Strider went on explaining that after the ring had been lost for centuries it had now been found again and the Dark Lord Sauron was back. Of course Lhindril had heard of this but always thought it was only a legend as most people. But already on the quest to Erebor she had to discover that things she thought to be a legend actually existed.

Through the window they later could see how these Ringwraiths came into town and then went into the Prancing Pony. Probably to find and kill the Hobbits. Or Frodo at least. Frodo wanted to know more about them and Strider told him how they were king of men that got corrupted by the nine rings Sauron gave them.

-oOo-

The next morning they left Bree (as Lhindril had planned anyways) because it wasn't safe anymore. At first she had wanted to leave the group and continue her way on her own but then she heard that they were headed for Rivendell and so decided that she would accompany them until there. Even though the Ringwraiths were after them it seemed safer to her. And maybe she could even help the Hobbits somehow.

And so it was a couple of days later, when they reached an old watch tower and Strider said he would have a look around and ordered the others to stay there. He offered the Hobbits weapons and when he tried to give her one as well, she declined, almost a little offended. Frodo soon went to sleep and Lhindril decided to take the watch until Strider returned. Then suddenly she heard a sound, a weird shrieking and needed to check it out. By the time she returned, Merry, Pippin and Sam had lit a small fire and just wanted to fry some food.

"What in Manwë's name are you doing?" she hissed, as she put out the fire and glared at the three Hobbits "No fire!" they weren't pleased at all and started complaining which also woke Frodo. "Oh great" she muttered and then the shrieking sound was back and black figures approached the Weathertop "And that's even better. Well done" they all grabbed their weapons and were already hurrying to the top. She wasn't sure it was such a good idea but still followed them and drew her sword as well. The Ringwraiths came from all directions and followed them to the top as well. She grabbed her sword tighter, took a deep breath and tried to remember the most important things Fíli had taught her. Just a couple of days after he could leave the bed, he started help her practice her combat skills. It was a wonder he had not instantly given up with how even she accidentally hit him, stepped on his feet or even made them both fall.

Once the figures came too close for her liking she attacked but just like the Hobbits she was roughly pushed aside while they approached Frodo who fell once again and then put on his ring. She got back up and tried to surprise them from behind but again she was pushed to down again. This time so hard that she couldn't breathe for a second. One of the wraiths looked like he stabbed the air where Frodo had disappeared and she hoped he wasn't there anymore. She didn't see what happened next because the enemy closest to her came towards her and raised his sword. Years ago, she would have just stayed there like frozen but now she raised her sword and managed to redirect his blade away from her body and scrambled away. Someone else lunged at the Ringwraith and of course it was Strider. Letting out a relieved breath she got back to her feet and tried to help him. But the ranger did more damage with his torch. Frodo was now visible again and seemed in pain, obviously had had been hurt anyways and she only hoped he would survive it. Instantly she joined him and the other Hobbits and wanted to examine his wounds when also Strider managed to drive away the last attacker and came over to them as well. He grabbed the sword that lay next to the Hobbit

"He's been stabbed by a Morgul blade" he explained as the blade turned to dust and he dropped the hilt.

"Morgul?"

"This is beyond my skill to heal. He needs elvish medicine" Lhindril just nodded and was reminded of the quest to Erebor where Kíli had been healed by Tauriel. After the battle, she had thought Kíli was dead and decided to go to Valinor. They learned this from Thranduil when Kíli delivered their white gems and asked for Tauriel to let her know he was alive and ask her once again to come and live with him. Of course he tried looking for her but then decided it was in her best interest to go to the undying lands to be with her people. For some months he had been almost inconsolable but then he had soon gotten over it slowly. Lhindril had never dared ask if she had been his One. Strider lifted Frodo up and wanted to get him to Rivendell as fast as they could.

-oOo-

A few days later, after having hurried through the wild (at least as fast as they could with just one pony, a horse and an injured Hobbit) they decided to rest at the place where the three Trolls, now covered in moss, stood. In an ecstasy, Lhindril ran around, with so many memories of when they had been captured by the trolls sixty years ago and she even found remains of the sacks they had been in. Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Now listen, Linnie we have serious issue here. So, if you could postpone your little dance of joy and help me find Athelas. That could help Frodo"

"I'm sorry. Just wallowing in old memories, Strider" she explained while she got her dagger to find and cut the weed.

"Do you even know what we're looking for?"

"Yes. Athelas. Kingsfoil and if you believe it or not, I have even witnessed an Elvish healing of a Morgul wound before"

"You do know you are rather insolent for someone of your size"

"Oi that's not my fault. It comes from lack of food during my years in the wilderness. So I do know wilderness too. And I bet I'm older"

"I bet you're not"

"Good well if you're 93 or older you're right. Because I am 92"

"Fair enough, you do win the age. But I'm still taller" with that he left and also Lhindril started looking for Athelas. But soon upset voices made her turn around shortly after. At least she had found a bit of kingsfoil and only hoped it wasn't too late. When she reached the group she saw that Strider was talking to an Elf who lifted Frodo onto her horse and rode off. He must have seen her incredulous look because he explained that she could get Frodo to Rivendell much safer and quicker now that the Ringwraiths had almost caught up with them. The other five wanted to continue on foot after a short rest.

Obviously, Dwarvish stubbornness had rubbed off on her because she insisted to lead the group, planning to show them the secret path they had taken on the quest to Erebor. She even led them to the Troll hoard and encouraged the others to go in if they wanted gold or Elven swords. Strider looked at her as if she had just suggested continuing their way naked and then decided to lead the group himself, thwarting her plan of taking the hidden path. He also didn't want to hear anything of it when she tried to tell him about it. But maybe it was better because their steeds could have not taken this path.

-oOo-

A couple of days after they arrived in Rivendell also Gandalf was there too. From what Lhindril heard he had been a prisoner of the White Wizard who had betrayed the free folk and was in league with Sauron. Although she knew this was serious Lhindril still was shocked to hear about this and that all this was happening now. To her dismay, Elrond was pretty busy and had no time for her that she spent one day writing a long letter to her husband and brother-in-law, telling them all that had happened and that she might stay in Rivendell another couple of days. The rest of the time she wandered about the place, hoping to find some of her old friends but it seemed like no one could tell her where they were. Not that she had asked. Another part of the time she spent with the Hobbits and she even met Bilbo again who looked like he had aged years in these couple of weeks. They talked a lot and he even started reading his book to her, which now was finished. It was interesting to hear his thoughts or version of certain events and to learn what had happened when she had not been with the group or another part of it. There even were drawings in the book that she could have stared at for hours.

When Elrond did have time for her, she first told him everything she had experiences since they last met sixty years ago. Somehow she felt really bad that she had never let them know how she was doing or even invited them to her wedding. Just when she wanted to place all her questions, about his sons, her mother and everything about the ring, Gandalf and Strider came and needed to talk to the Lord of Rivendell

"What's the matter? Where are you going?"

"It is imperative that we react to the threat placed by Mordor. There will be a council tomorrow morning. You are most welcome to attend it if you wish" in confusion she glanced after them and decided to just walk around a little more. She even considered going back home right now without going to that council. But she knew it was very important and she also was curious and so couldn't just leave and pretend it wasn't her business. With a sigh she sat down on a bench near a little fountain to consider what she wanted to do. If she should just return home after the council? Or was there anything she could do to help save Middle Earth? Suddenly, her thoughts were abruptly interrupted, when someone grabbed her from behind. With a scream of panic, she didn't hesitate and started trashing about, trying to get free or at least get her weapon. Why would she even be attacked here, in peaceful Rivendell?