The next day she spent in her room too with the door locked. Sometimes someone dropped by, trying to talk to her or even to get her to leave the room. But she wouldn't be persuaded and finally all of them just left if she just ignored them too much. She absolutely was in no mood to interact with someone and needed to grieve on her own because she felt herself getting worse almost every day and missed her husband even more. And she didn't know what the others wanted from her but she didn't even care. A part of her feared that they would already be getting Fíli's body back to Erebor and wasn't sure if she was in the state for the journey right now. She hoped that if she refused to come, they would just wait a few days until she was better, hopefully.

Since the others brought her meals, which she often didn't even fully eat, she only had to leave the room to use the toilet a few times a day. And she somehow to preferred to go in the night to be sure not to run into someone who would try to talk to her or something. Therefore she made sure not to drink or eat too much before the evening that she could just spend the day in the room without needing to go to the toilet all the time. The second night she left a part also considered to find Fíli and bid him goodbye btu somehow she didn't have the strength for that.

"Lhindril" she suddenly heard her name and turned around, only to see Faramir. A part of her was glad it was him and not someone else of her friends because so far he was one of the only ones who hadn't bothered her. "It's good to see you outside. How are you doing?"

"I don't know" she just said, suddenly feeling annoyed at him for the remark and the question. Why did everyone want to talk about her feelings? Or treat her like she was made from glass and could break easily? Ignoring him best she could, she returned to her room.

"Do you think just locking yourself into your room is gonna solve problems? There's something they want to tell you and why don't you listen to them?"

"What could they possibly be telling me?" she shot back, angry that he was following her. But then she finally reached the room and slammed the door into his face, ignoring his pleas to just talk to him or at least someone else. Shortly after he left and she let out a sigh. But for the rest of the night her mind was working. Faramir was right that this wasn't a solution forever. She needed to do something. Perhaps she could leave this place and go somewhere else for a while. Happy she had something to do, she started packing her bags and then considered what to do with Fíli's stuff and decided to take with her what she could and leave the rest. She also considered where to go. Erebor was out of question. Maybe she would just spend a night or two somewhere under the stars and then come back with a clearer mind. Because she really didn't know a place where she wanted to be right now. Looking back with a sigh she opened the door and left, feeling kinda weird about what she was gonna do. To her dismay it got even worse when she met her brother.

"What are you doing?"

"I… think I need some time for myself"

"Where are you going?"

"Don't know. Maybe sleeping outside Gondor for a few nights. But I can't say when or if I come back. I'm sorry. Will you tell the others where I'm going?" Aragorn hesitated for a second.

"I understand you and why you think you have to get out or want to. But I don't know if it's such a good idea. Not because of the danger that is out there. Because I don't know if I can let you go again, not knowing where you are of if you are coming back"

"I know" she sighed "I really don't want to leave or something. I won't run away, I can promise that. But I might find me a new place to life, I can't say that yet. Maybe just for a while. Maybe not even right now" he gave a nod

"What about Fíli?" she let out a sigh.

"I can't say. I might go and say goodbye. Where did they take him? And I mean they probably will get him to Erebor soon, right? Maybe I just join them if they do"

"That sounds like a plan. He's still in the healing rooms of course"

"He is? I thought they would have gotten him to another place by now"

"Where else would they bring him?"

"Don't know really" she wasn't in the mood to think about it "Well, doesn't matter, I'll just bid him goodbye" she changed direction to get to the healing rooms hoping that she would not need to look for him too long because she doubted he still was on the gurney. And she also hoped she had her peace with him and that no one would talk to her. But as she approached the place she suddenly heard Kíli's voice

"What in Mahal's name do you think you're doing?" and it made her stop dead in her tracks. Should she go back and try to leave later? She doubted that Kíli would understand her need to leave. Sadly, Aragorn was gone that she couldn't tell him to distract her brother-in-law or assure him that she was gonna come back. But for some reason she continued her way anyways, trying to figure out what to say. Finally, even though it was too soon for her liking, she reached the healing rooms and first tried to find Kíli because maybe there was a way to avoid him. However, then she saw who he was talking too and almost couldn't believe her eyes

"Fíli?" she screeched, making them both whip around to her direction. It took her mind a second to realise what it meant that her husband was standing there, albeit a bit wobbly. Tears of happiness ran down her cheeks, even more so when she saw him smile and for a moment she thought it was a dream before she caught herself a little and ran towards him, throwing herself around his neck "How is that possible?" after he caught himself, Fíli started pressing her a little closer, making hushing sounds. Then she broke away a little but only so she could kiss him before pulling him into another hug.

"Everything is going to be alright, I promise" she gave a little nod, digging her fingers deeper into the bandages around his chest.

"Look" she heard Kíli "I know you're happy to be seeing him but he really should lie down" although she didn't want to let go of him she finally did so and to her surprise, Fíli sat down himself what didn't please his brother too much but like this he could hold her better as he said. With a little smile she snuggled closer, trying not to touch his wounds.

"Where have you been these days? I missed you. Almost got out to come and look for you. Would have if he hadn't gotten into my way" he glanced at his brother

"I needed time. I mean... I was grieving. I thought I lost you" she only whispered the last words but they were still heard

"You thought I died?" he threw a glance at his brother

"Well, we had to promise not to give Linnie hope until we knew it worked"

"What worked?"

"Right, you don't even know this yet" Fíli said and she glanced to and fro between the two Dwarves.

"Do you remember when we all went to Fíli so we could tell him that we can let him go?" she nodded, how could she ever forget? But she had no idea what it was about.

"After you ran off Fíli asked what was wrong and as it seems no one told him that he was dying before. So we had to explain how none of the healers saw what was wrong with his wounds because they were healing very well and still he was getting worse and worse"

"So it turns out that none of the healers did even notice the deadly wound"

"What?" she almost shrieked, not knowing how it was possible in the first place

"What no one knew is that when I went to the ground at the Black Gate an Orc got my leg and bit me. I first didn't think it was that bad but it seems it poisoned me"

"So you're saying the wounds on your upper body weren't even that bad? Oh how could we be so stupid and blind?" he put his finger to her lips

"None of you is to blame. I thought the healers knew about the Orcbite but apparently not. If I had known they didn't know I would have asked them and they would have noticed earlier"

"So he only mentioned it after we told him he would die and well they found it and could heal it after Fíli had passed out again. However, we weren't sure if it was in time and if he would make it, So Aragorn didn't want us to tell you and get you hopes up until we knew for sure..."

"Oh" she realised that if she had just listened a second or two longer she would have heard the truth herself and then all her worries and sadness wouldn't have happened. Then again, she preferred it that way than suddenly having to lose him. And why didn't the others just tell her in the past days as soon as they noticed that Fíli would get through and she asked the question finally "Or did you only find out now that he will make it? Or-or is it still not sure?"

"No, he's out of danger. The healers confirmed it yesterday evening. I wanted to tell you but wasn't sure how and was just about to come and get you here that you would definitely believe it. But well just as I got here, this idiot thought he had to get up and come and visit you" when she saw Kíli's smile she did the same.

"I asked you to get her here before" Fíli protested

"She wouldn't come"

"Oh no" she realised that this probably was why they had tried to get her out of her room and accompany them. To see Fíli. Not to just lure her out of her room.

"Well, I suppose we all have been a bit stupid these days" Fíli said, ruffling her hair

"Not you" she said, moving closer and burying her face against his neck. "I'm glad to have you back"

"I feel the same. You know actually... since I am healing I thought maybe I could go back to our room. For some privacy and have more peace" Kíli gave him a glance

"Privacy? I don't think you should..."

"Oh Mahal Kíli. Just to be away from the privy eyes of the whole kingdom"

"I will talk to the healers about it. But seeing they haven't been around you that often anymore that should work. Maybe not today but we will see" Fíli nodded "But only if you lie down right now" his brother complied but not before rolling his eyes, making his wife chuckle. Instantly she let go of him and settled back down against the wall and let him place his head in her lap again. He smiled up at her

"Well, I can't say I'll have such a good pillow in my room. But the mattress will be better for sure"

"The gurney and floor are indeed hard"

"I mean you don't have to support my head like this"

"Ah that's no problem. I did this the past days too I will be able to do it for another while. After everything that happened I just want to be as close to you as I can. And this is a good way"

"If you say so"

"Of course I'm right" she protested with a little pout.

-oOo-

As Kíli had promised he talked to the healers and to the couple's relief they allowed Fíli to move to their room and a healer would just come and check up on him in the morning and evening and she had to promise that if anything went wrong, she needed to let them know. And if it didn't work her husband would have to come back. In a way she also was happy that she could help him take care of his wounds and redress them herself. And in the time that Fíli was in their room and couldn't leave the bed, she still stayed in the room all the time and almost never left. At least this time no one tried to make her leave. When finally the day came that he was allowed to get back up, she felt really nervous and happy about it but Fíli was calmness himself. Maybe she was so nervous because somehow she still couldn't believe that it was real as if the days she believed him dead only were a bad dream. So when she watched him getting ready she almost couldn't look away because even the smallest things made her so very happy. But suddenly, after he began braiding his beard he glanced at her and then started laughing.

"What?" she asked, feeling a bit upset about his laughter, even though it also made her really happy to just hear the sound.

"Do you know how you're looking at me right now?" pretending to be mad she gasped and took the towel she had washed herself with this morning and hit it against his shoulder.

"No I don't even want to know"

"Well, be it as it may… instead of just sitting around like this and staring and hitting me… you could make yourself useful?" he asked in amusement "For example being so nice as to get my shirt?"

"And you can't do that yourself?"

"And walk through half Gondor with my naked chest?"

"Why would you do that?"

"I assume that my shirt still is at the healing rooms with the healers or something?" now she was the one to start laughing

"If you want that shirt it's about the same as walking around with your chest naked" she showed him the cloth. "The biggest piece of it is about this size. At least at the front" he shook his head.

"The Orcs will pay for that. That was one of my favourite and best shirts" she liked he could be joking again but wasn't sure if she was really able to laugh and find it funny though. "And about the only one I had with me, not to forget"

"No, not the only one. Remember your old one you got back from the Elves? The one you wore on your journey to Erebor?"

"Right. Well, would you go and get me that one then?"

"Hm as far as I can remember this one is somewhere in the room. Or don't you even dare to cross the room half naked?"

"Will you get my shirt, please?" he stressed the last word extra hard

"Oh well why didn't you say that before? Even as a king you sometimes need to be polite" knowing him she was certain that he would grab her and therefore jumped up, trying to escape him and even went to his things, quickly grabbing the tunic they spoke of and she tossed it at him that it landed right on his head. He let go of the strand he was braiding in shock and trying to catch it

"Very funny. Now I can start over"

"Don't exaggerate now. It's just one braid you have to redo. Maybe not even all of it"

"But it was the first one. So it means I still have to start at the beginning"

"Oh would you stop being so nitpicky. After all you wanted me to bring you the shirt"

"Bring. Not toss"

"If you're not happy with my services, next time you can get it yourself" she turned away and crossed her arms with a huff. From the corner of her eye she saw him getting up and approaching her with a grin she didn't really like. And even though she knew he would never hurt her, she screamed and jumped up, trying to get away from him but didn't manage for long because soon he got a hold of her from behind. But she wouldn't just give in like this and started trashing about. All to soon she felt like laughing again and then suddenly couldn't help it and was a laughing mess, almost not getting enough air and letting out pitiful squeaks. It got even worse when he started tickling her. Usually it didn't bother her too much but today that she was already laughing it made matters worse and Fíli knew that. In fact he and her father were the only people that even knew of this weakness of hers and made use of it. Her jaw started hurting from all the laughing and also getting air into her lungs was difficult. And to her dismay her husband also started kissing all over her neck. But she still wasn't going to give in and therefore used a strategy that had saved her so often already. From one second to the other she tired her best to stop laughing and instead let out a little howl, going a bit limp. It had de desired effect

"Linnie?" he asked, letting go of her a little bit and she just continued her play

"You're hurting me. A bit" she lied and had to supress another fit of laughing. At leas this made him let go of her immediately but also helped her sit down and then joined her.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. Are you alright?" he didn't even have time to kiss her as he usually did in such situations because she lunged at him and made both of them fall and quickly climbed on top of him

"That you still fall for this. Every time" she giggled and couldn't stop laughing anymore "I thought by now you should know I do this only to get away from you during our little games" she moved so she sat on his stomach. He gasped and then tried to push her away but she wouldn't let him "Oh no, I'm not leaving you until I feel like. That's what you get when you make me angry, sweetheart"

"Linnie... please I..." she shook her head and placed a finger on his lips

"See? I don't fall for this. You can do all you want" he took hold of her lower arm, removing it from his face

"Well, in contrast to you I have wounds. It really hurts"

"Oh" she felt bad and embarrassed for having forgotten about them "I'm so sorry" instantly she got up and seat down next to him. Fíli too sat up a bit and held his chest, taking a few shallow breaths "Are you alright? Did I hurt you much?"

"I'm fine" he said "I just need a moment" she gave a nod and gave his shoulder a squeeze. Then suddenly, she saw his grin and gave her a hard push that she fell over and he climbed over her, pressing her down now.

"Get off of me" she yelled with a little pout. Chuckling, he tapped her nose a few times

"Oh, is someone a little offended?" his face just looked too funny and she was laughing again all the while protesting that he should let her go. When he didn't listen, she tried to push him off her somehow but he only caught her wrists and pinned them to the ground next to her head "And now?" he glanced down at her challenging "What do you want to do now?"

"I yield" she sighed after a while when she couldn't get away.

"And? What do I have from this?"

"A kiss?" she offered and Fíli pretended to consider it then leant down and kissed her

"Well, I can have a kiss like this too and don't need to let go. You should offer more if you want to get away from me"

"How about I kick you between the legs? Or I could start yelling for my brother? What do you think he'll do if he sees you like this? Molesting me?" she sked with a sweet, innocent smile.

"You're threatening me? I don't think that's the best idea in your situation."

"Alright, alright" she sighed "If you let me go now, I will help you with your hair and beard" finally he got up and pulled her to her feet as well

"Why didn't you say so from the beginning?" she shook her head

"So that's what you wanted all the time?"

"Not really. More wanted to teach you a lesson not to throw things at me"

"Oh you can stop waiting for that. It's not gonna happen" she muttered.

"I believe so too. Now come and fulfil your promise, unless you want to end up on the floor again" she poked out her tongue at him and let out a little growl, giving him a push so he sat down on the bed and then settled down next to him. Opening his old braids was really tedious because they often were matted.

"Couldn't you have washed your hair at least? Or at least comb them? When did you even last do so?"

"Will you stop complaining?" she thought he was pretty bold for trying to insult her while she was holding his hair and even gave the current strand a hard tug. Then she immediately apologised and lied it happened all in her zeal to help. Finally she got his hair under control and did the braids before asking if he wanted help with his beard as well "Unless you wanna get pinned down again I suggest you do it" she let out a snort, giving these hair a tug as well. "Oi leave that be" it only made her pull at his hair again and in the end she even held a few hairs in her hand and wasn't quick enough to drop them so he saw them "Oi! Stop doing that. In contrast to my brother I value my beard!" he laughed and she did the same before patting his back

"So all done. Now, if you put on your shirt, please be careful not to destroy my work right away"