Even though she lay away almost all night she still felt quite rested in the morning. She couldn't say what had woken her; if it was Kíli who got up, sounds from outside or just the sun. As soon as her brother-in-law noticed that she was awake he asked if she'd come to have breakfast too. Even though she was a bit hungry she said no because she doubted she was ready to meet her husband already. And if she was honest she found he could worry about her a bit and maybe thing she had really left Gondor, perhaps that would make him see things clearly again. So she waited the time Kíli was at breakfast, regretting she had not told him to bring her something but she could still get something later. A part of her even considered just leaving the city for some days or at leas getting to another part of the city to see how her husband would react to that. To her surprise, Kíli came back pretty quickly again with two plates of food.

"I hope you don't mind if I eat here with you?" she only gave a smile, thanked him and took the plate, setting it down in her lap and starting to eat. They ate in silence and before she was finished the was a knock at the door. With a sigh, Kíli got up and opened the door only a crack.

"That you even have the courage to show up here" he hissed at the visitor and got outside, closing the door behind him. Due to his tone and the comment she could guess who was at the door and the voice she then heard confirmed her thought. To her surprise, Fíli seemed completely calm and composed again. She didn't get what they were talking because Kíli started talking animatedly to him in Khuzdul and Fíli replied a bit calmer in their language. It was weird to heir their voices but not being able to understand a word they said. She again asked herself what it would be like to have two languages as your native one. Then again, Khuzdul was their language and they only spoke Westron because the were unwilling to let outsiders know about Khuzdul, better said teach them the language. And even more secret than their language were their names. Each Dwarf had a second name, or better said their real name, in Khuzdul that was never revealed to a non-Dwarf. So in a way she found it really weird that she didn't even know the real names of her family members. Of course she had always known that Dwarves had a lot of secrets and didn't tell outsiders much but still she hoped her husband would tell her more about his race. Of course, if she asked him, he explained whatever she wanted to know very detailed but he never volunteered with information unless it was currently relevant. That might be one of the biggest difference between them she found .Because even though Lhindril could be really quiet and sometimes not say much on day, the next moment she could just blurt out her thoughts any moment. But her husband could keep that back if he was not subject to strong emotions or too much alcohol, so he was the more quiet one of the two.

For a while she listened to the discussion and to her relief Kíli lowered his voice after a while and even though she didn't understand anything she was still able to tell their emotions. Kíli seemed to try and calm himself but still was angry and could burst any moment whereas Fíli seemed rueful what calmed her a little. Suddenly there was thump from the outside and she shot up, needing to know what was going on because she feared they might be hurting each other. After a short consideration she got up and went to the door but in the moment she tried to touch the doorknob, someone else opened the door and she stumbled back in surprise. Luckily, she didn't get hit by the door but still got a little shock out of it.

"I told you not to go inside" Kíli complained and only now she saw that it wasn't him who had opened the door but her husband. He at least paid attention to his brother, or more his warning and didn't enter the room. He must have seen her flinching and so asked if she was alright or if he had hurt her.

"Not with the door" she replied, crossing her arms. She was nervous about his reaction and to see if he understood what she implied but before he could say something, Kíli cleared his throat

"I'll leave you two alone to sort things out then" she only nodded and waited until he was gone then Fíli closed the door. For a moment the two of them just stood in the room, not really looking at each other until a certain point where their eyes found each other, no one knowing what to say. Fíli made the first step, literally, because he got closer to her.

"I cannot say how sorry I am for what has happened yesterday. I must have behaved like a complete blockheaded idiot and could understand if you can't or don't want to forgive me"

"I don't know when I can accept your apology. But I too am very sorry. How could we just let it come to this?"

"It was my fault. You told me to be quieter and calmer but I didn't listen. I just was overwhelmed with everything. Do you understand that? To be knowing that you won't be at my side anymore soon and I was angry at the one who would do this to you. And somehow, I must have vented my anger on you. This should have never happened. Do you know how much reproach myself for this? You are right, none of this is your fault. Neither the prophecy, nor what happened yesterday"

"Does that mean you will accept my decision to not flee? Because I can only forgive you if you accept that. It is my life and if I have to die, I want to live the rest as I wish and spend the time I have left with the people I love"

"Perhaps it even is better if we stay together because like this I can do anything for you and give my best to protect you. And I believe that staying in Erebor in general is much safer than being somewhere else. At least promise me you will never go somewhere alone. At least with out me or Kíli"

"Did you really think I had something like that planned?"

"One can never know with you" he said with a little smile. Now she couldn't help but smile as well "So we live in harmony again?" Fíli asked

"The argument is over, yes but maybe I will need more time to forgive you"

"I can understand that really well, you have every reason to. Peace?" he asked extending his hand to her. With a grin she shook her head and hugged him instead. After a while he hugged her back "I'm so sorry" he whispered again "so very much"

"It's alright" she answered automatically and realised it was the truth. Suddenly, all her anger and resentment was gone and she didn't find any reason to still be mad at him. Sometimes she hated this about herself, that she could never be mad at someone for long, especially after the person apologised.

"Are you sure everything is alright and forgiven?

"Yes I mean it. I think I already forgave you. At least there is no reason for me to be angry at you anymore. I never could do that really to be honest. Do you know how often I curse the fact that you are just too cute and lovable that I could resent you for something?"

"Even though I'm glad to hear that you forgive me I do feel offended by your words. Cute? Lovable? Are you serious?" he only laughed "That fits my brother rather than me" he talked really quickly and then kissed her passionately

"Well" she said after they parted "For him also overbold, dickheaded and chatty fit though. Don't you think?"

"All five apply. But not to me"

"Oh so that's what you think? Which words would you use to describe yourself then?"

"Which ones would you?" she thought for a while

"Brave, loyal, courageous, caring, witty, sincere, good-looking but also very stubborn and simply the best husband anyone could wish for. My one and only. In one word: perfect. Well, almost" she smiled

"Do you really think that?"

"In relation to what?"

"In general but especially courageous do you really think so?"

"Of course. In every battle we have been, you always did anything to protected those you love, Kíli and me. Twice you almost died because of that. Back then, in the battle for Erebor when you sent Kíli away that he was in safety and now again, some weeks ago at the Black Gate" his reply was to kiss her softly.

"Don't think about it if it makes you sad. Afer all you know that I am here, with you" he mumbled, kissing her again "And if you don't send me away, I won't ever leave your side again Never" he let go of her and moved his hands under her shirt "I want that we never ever fight again"

"I don't want that either" she breathed as he pulled her closer and kissed her. She instantly knew what this would lead to and indeed her husband got her to the bed while opening her shirt and taking it off. However, there was one thing both of them had forgotten about and both shot up when he door opened.

"Damn it, can't you knock?" Fíli snapped at his brother. He seemed to notice what they were doing here immediately.

"What in Durin's name are you doing? Are you completely out of your mind? Do that in your own room!" rolling his yes Fíli wrapped the blanket around her exposed upper body, picking up her shirt "I am happy for you that you're living in harmony again but honestly, guys, this is my room" with a little blush, Fíli muttered an apology and then started leading her out of the room and they took the quickest way to their own quarters where they continued where they had been interrupted earlier.

-oOo-

In the late afternoon, Elrond wanted to talk to them very spontaneously. Lhindril already had an idea what it was about but wasn't sure if she was ready to talk about it so openly and wondered who even would be there. At least she hoped there was no need to kind of publicly announce it and only keep the knowledge in a small group. Luckily there weren't too many people n the room where they had too go and they all were her friends. Gandalf, Elrond and his sons, her brother, Arwen, the three Dwarves, Legolas, Faramir with Éowyn and her brother. Elrond instantly started talking and told them why he had called them here at such a shirt notice. As she had imagined those who didn't know of the prophecy were shocked and for a while it was completely silent in the room. After a while, Gandalf got a book from his bag and placed it on the table around which they were standing.

"After the victory over Mordor, I once again went to Isengard to secure some of Saruman's belongings that may either be dangerous or useful. This book contains entries about some of us here. Especially the fellowship and those that posed a danger for Sauron." he opened the book and started browsing it to find what he needed. "In advance I should already say that the Dark Lord feared the children of Arathorn, especially Lhindril" instantly a little smile came to her face. She didn't know that Sauron had been afraid of her and she also found it funny. Even though she had an idea why he did. "Besides, it also mentions the prophecy and almost everyone who was on Sauron's side knew of it and should make sure that Arathorn's daughter disappears or even better she should be convinced or forced to join them. They spread the thought that if you could destroy two realms of Orcs you just as well could destroy two realms of the free races. And obviously they wanted to take advantage of that" she felt both hot and cold when she heard these words because what she just heard was important information but still the shock was deep and she realised that most likely she was to blame for the death of a lot of innocent people.

She remembered Balin's words which he said after he told them of the battle of Moria. It was weird that she had never forgotten them but back then it seemed like the only explanation, at least logical one, for Azog's actions. The Dwarf thought that a prophecy was the reason that Azog wanted to wipe out Thorin's family. And he never knew how right he probably was because she was sure the pale Orc knew of the prophecy too and therefore thought killing the line of During would prevent it from becoming true. But it wasn't even about them, it was about her. What if he had only killed them because of her? The second thing she realised was that the attack that had killed her father had been directed at her actually. She had been the target and she didn't dare imagining what would have happened if Elladan and Elrohir hadn't been there and had gotten her away safely. Furthermore, she also remembered that in all the years after she had left Rivendell, how often towns she was living in were attacked. Mostly she never noticed any of it while it happened because she often wandered the wilderness for hours or even days. But when she got back, she always was angry that she hadn't been there and able to do something against the Orcs. And she had always thought that there was no reason for all these attacks besides Orcs wanting to steal stuff and spread terror but after what she heard now, she realised that maybe sometimes the reason had been to find her. At least no one or only very few people lost their lives in these assaults so only after it happened for the fifth time she decided to avoid villages for a while because she thought that was dangerous. She also wondered how they had tracked her in the towns but then never again in the wilderness. Maybe it was better that way because she most likely would have had no chance. But of course back then she didn't even notice since she couldn't know that someone was looking for her even.

"Saruman's betrayal started earlier than we could have imagined. Only months after the Battle of the Five Armies he pretended to be on the side of Mordor in order to get information. Soon he decided to switch sides for good. At least that gave us a plethora of information concerning the War of the Ring. The most prominent part was to get Lhindril and get her out of their way. The worst is over now but it might still be good if we go through the information we have because perhaps there is a way to save her"

"How?" almost everyone asked

"Well that is exactly what we need to find out" and just with these words her hopes sank again. "I cannot say how Saruman got some of these information but let us not bother with that as long as they are the truth. During my visit to Isengard, after I sent Frodo and Sam to Bree I heard of Saron's and Saruman's plan to apprehend Lhindril and also these chronicles mention it a lot. From Azog's failure to the rewards that were promised for her and therefore also other plans to get to her"

"Now wait a second" Fíli protested "You knew all this when we founded the fellowship and yet you never told anyone?" he clenched his fist

"It was nothing specific that I knew. Saruman only mentioned a prophecy and that it was necessary to render your wife harmless or even better, convince them to join Sauron"

"And still you knew something and wouldn't tell"

"That wasn't necessary because I was around you and could have acted in case someone tired something. And besides if I had burdened you with the information it could have distracted you from the main mission with their worries. Besides, I found it imperative to find out more about the prophecy first before I mention it to anyone"

"Is that a joke?" Fíli cried as he jumped up. "Not a single word to any of us? Or at least warn us? I don't believe this. We trust you and you cannot even tell us such important information" to her surprise Gandalf didn't even seem embarrassed or something and still found he had done the right thing.

"As I said, it was necessary to be better informed. Because I knew that there would be questions that needed to be answered. Besides I was around you and could have acted, as already said"

"Oh? But still you keep running off every few days? Do you know what, Tharkûn? For me this is nothing more but a simple excuse. Only you believe that you have done the right thing and this only because you think you're better than us since you are a wizard"

"Don't go too far, Fíli, don't you dare to insult me" sadly, also Gandalf hat risen now and didn't speak as calmly as before.

"You endangered my beloved. Not directly but still. I will only forgive you if you apologise and tell us everything you know right now"

"I don't owe anyone an apology for I did not do anything wrong. You can acknowledge that or not"

"If you think like that I didn't do anything wrong either. Acknowledge that or not" before she could stop him, he walked over to the wizard and swung a fist at him, even hitting him against the throat. The reaction of the people couldn't have been different, from shock, over anger to support by Kíli. But no one dared to do something and only when Fíli tried to hit Gandalf again, this time in the face as it seemed did people reached and the Elven twins stepped over, trying to pull her struggling husband away from the wizard. Or maybe they just still were angry at him for what had happened at breakfast some days ago. Fíli didn't like being treated like that and yelled at the twins to let him go what only made Elladan ram his elbow to the Dwarf's stomach. At this Lhindril gasped, feeling angry at him while the other part of her thought maybe it was mean of her to only react like that when her husband was the one getting hurt.

"Let him go" she demanded with a fierce voice. "Everyone stop" she placed herself between Fíli and Gandalf, hoping that would stop her husband from getting at him again and would make the Elves let him go.

"Are you crazy? He's going insane" Elrohir only said

"And you think holding him back makes it better?" she answered angrily

"Not really but maybe if you hit him he'll see clearly again" luckily Elrond had enough of everything and talked to his sons in their language before telling everyone in Westron to get back to their seats. Luckily, Elladan and Elrohir listened, releasing her husband. Lhindril only hoped the incident would soon be forgotten and still make Gandalf tell them more about what he wanted to say and present more findings from that book. Everyone stepped apart again and the ones who had gotten up sat down again. Fíli still was throwing angry looks at the wizard and no one could stop him from that but she doubted anyone would. It was silent for a while and since she couldn't bear it anymore, she got back up and sat down in her husband's lap, making him wrap his arms around her.

"So, what else do we get from Saruman's records?"

"As I said it mentioned you and how Sauron wanted to make use of you and Azog was sent personally by him to wipe out the line of Durin and to get you to him. After a failed attempt during which your father died, Sauron placed a bounty on your head; whoever would bring you to him would not only get a great sum of money but would be offered protection and freedom. Since he wanted you alive, he reward was less if you were brought there dead. And believe me, only this kept you alive. I also don't want to insult you but it was a particular foolish idea to live in that inn in Bree, you cannot imagine the kind of rabble that meets there. A wonder the innkeeper did not know of the reward on your head because he would have delivered you, no question. And to be honest… I knew from the beginning that you were being wanted. Sauron did not only promise a price for you but also for Thorin Oakenshield. Though for him only if he was killed" she almost was a bit overwhelmed with all the new information she got.

"But if Sauron sent so many Orcs after Thorin and his heirs…. Why not after my sister who did seem like the bigger threat to him?"

"Well I am certain that Sauron thought she would be easy to defeat and therefore no great deal. He just needed to make the reward for your capture high enough and everyone would have sided against you, Lhindril"

"And you knew of this on the quest to Erebor; that Sauron was looking for her and didn't tell us? After all there you wouldn't have needed more information" Fíli asked, obviously and understandably still (or again) upset.

"To be exact, some months before the quest started I knew that it was the daughter of Aragorn he was looking for but didn't know who or where she was. The most absurd thing was that the moment I told Thorin that Azog, or rather Sauron, wants his death I was in the very inn Lhindril worked and was served my meal by just the woman I was looking for without knowing. Only during our stay in Rivendell did I learn who you were and had to inform Thorin"

"Why that? Did you want to get rid of her? He would have surely turned her in"

"As you can see he did not. Besides, your brother would have done everything he could to protect her. And what would Thorin have done with the price with all that gold in Erebor?" Kíli seemed happy with that and Lhindril wondered why he didn't make the deal during the dragon sickness. Another part of her was also surprised that Kíli doubted his uncle. Then again he had not been too friendly to her. And it also explained, finally, why Thorin thought she was not good for his nephew; he was scared she would get him in danger.

"And why did you not turn her in?" Fíli asked.

"Arathorn was my friend. I would have never betrayed him or his family and would not have known what to do with the gold either. And I think you know just as well as me that I would never do something that helps the dark lord" Kíli let out a chuckle

"A good wife you found yourself there. A wanted and hunted woman"

"And yet he did a very good job protecting her" Gandalf said, almost smiling and Fíli gave his brother a nudge "But this is not everything" the wizard said. "As much as Sauron wished Lhindril harmless, there was someone who infuriated him just as much" after a while he mumbled "What I can understand though"

"Let me guess, my brother" she asked

"Not quite. Of all the people Sauron could not stand he was only on place three, at least according to Saruman's notes. And he more feared him than being annoyed by him. However, the one he hated was you, Fíli. You constantly managed to destroy his plans and save your wife. No matter what happened or had been planned, you always were there, going in between if needed"

"Well say what you want, I find it quite amusing to hear that I have been such a thorn in the Dark Lord's side" he grinned "We have always been one of the mightiest couples in Middle Earth. The richest anyways. And now we're even the most wanted by Sauron. At least most hated"

"You should not joke about this but you are right, the heirs of Durin and Isildur have brought Sauron great annoyance if not more" Elrond added but had little smile on his face anyways. Again Fíli and her grinned. After that, the discussion already was almost over after they had asked Gandalf if the notes said anything that could help them save Lhindril but sadly there was nothing. He promised, however that once he found out something that was useful he would either let them know of travel to Erebor himself. Because he too believed the there she would be safest. When Fíli and her were back in their room, they talked about what they learned for quite a while and how contradictive a lot of the things were; amusing and sad as well.

"It's my fault that Thorin and my father died" she insisted

"It is not. And the death of my uncle is mine. Obviously the prophecy is not about him but me. Besides, I think I know now who I can attribute the death of my father to"

"Still, if I had not been, Thorin would not have died. There would have been no female heir of Isildur, no prophecy and everything. And that would have saved you"

"No. I think it's better you exist. You think you're to blame for the death of one Dwarf but instead you have saved two. You cannot deny that, only because you pulled Bilbo back to the mountain at the start of the battle could he give my brother the Mithril shirt which saved his life. That you saved my life you already knew. But not just because of that I think it's better you're here. Also because you are wonderful and kind and I could have never met you otherwise and I could not imagine a life without you anymore" he pulled her to his chest, pressing a kiss to the top of her head "I cannot say how much it pains me to be knowing that I most likely will be losing you soon. But I promise you that I will not let you go without a fight. I owe you that"

"But if you do not manage, please do not blame yourself. I would not be able to stand it even if I didn't know. All I want is that you try to make the best of the situation, being there for your people and if it helps, find yourself someone else. Just do anything that can help you find some sort of happiness again in your life.

"I would never marry someone else and no one could ever replace you in any way, not even slightly. And I don't what that even because as you know, Dwarves only fall in love one time in their lives. So it would not be the same anymore, definitely not." she gave a nod.

"Then do whatever you find best. Perhaps one day, you might change your mind or find someone who gives you at least some sort of comfort. But there is one line in the prophecy that I find weird. Heirs of Isildur and Durin united. Fíli, I'm scared I might get pregnant and that when the time comes not only I'll die" for a moment his mean was darker, then it lit up

"Or we have a child, a girl, and the prophecy is about her" she looked at him in shock

"What? Would you wish our child death so I can be saved?" even tough she waited for a while, she didn't leave him time to answer "Besides, it also mentions my brother. So we would need to have two children and our son would be king of another realm. Which would also mean that our daughter most likely would be married to the new king under the mountain which would be one of her brothers. That can't be. And it would be too many coincidences… besides, they had nothing to do with the destruction of Mordor – no it's about me"

"I don't want anyone to die but for a moment I simply thought that there might be a way to save you and have not thought what it means about losing a child. I am sorry. But what concerns all the coincidences, how many do you think were needed that we even met. How many do you think were needed, if they were coincidence at all"

"We had that talk already"

"I know. But now we know why your father was killed, the prophecy. So maybe it was predestined that we have to meet"

"I know, since I know of it, I started to question everything about my life" she told him of the attacks on villages that finally drove her out of them.

"And you never told me of that?"

"Well, until now I didn't know I was the reason for them. Or at least most of them. I thought it was normal Orcs just attack a place and thought it didn't mean anything."

"You are right that it does not really matter. You are safe and it's all that counts. What I am asking myself is if these guys in Bree knew of the reward on me"

"I don't know. But it could be. I wish I could remember what exactly they said. Because if that was the case and they knew, you would have really saved my life"

"In any case you saved mine by being stubborn and deciding you had to accompany us"

"You are talking about the battle? What did Gandalf call it? Battle of the Five Armies?"

"He did. But no, I also meant that you saved my life in another way, you gave it more sense and joy" she smiled

"I have another question. You called Gandalf something during the council. What was it?"

"Tharkûn. That's how we call him in Khuzdul"

"Does it mean something? I know that in Elvis he's called Mithrandir, which means grey pilgrim"

"It means 'man with a staff' so in contrast to the Elves we could keep his name after he became the White wizard" she chuckled

"Do you know how much I love you?"

"A very abrupt change of topic don't you think? Even though I like hearing it"

"Can be but I could never say it often enough" and she also didn't know how often she would get the chance still.

"I feel the same. And I love you too, more than anything else. Don't you ever forget that. By the way, do you remember how I told you before we left for the battle at the Black gates; that I have counted all our kisses up to the one hundredth?"

"Could be. What about it?"

"After that I have, as I said lost track"

"Oh poor you" she pinches his cheek "Did no one ever teach you how to count to more than hundred?"

"Thank you very much" he growled "But no that's not the reason. And I managed to get to the 103rd. And you ruined my plan" he had a mysterious smile on his lips

"I am gonna ask: why and how?"

"Before our betrothal ceremony I always made sure that we would have our one hundredths kiss then and I even prepared a small speech about it. But no, just before the celebration you had to pull me aside and give me that much anticipated hundredth kiss" she couldn't help but burst out laughing

"Well that's your fault. You could have saved two and then give me one shortly before your speech or whenever you wanted to do it that it would have fit again. At least I know now why you lost track afterwards"

"Do you know what I find the worst about it? I can't even remember it properly. Why did you have to drink too on that day and couldn't stop me?"

"If I remember correctly, you pushed the goblet over to me. And when I told you I had enough, you still filled it up again. So again, your fault. I remember it perfectly well, by the way" after the ceremony she was tipsy as one of the few times in her life but it had been enough to kind of ruin their wedding night. Of course that was when they had planned to make love the first time but due to their drunkenness they did it just after the betrothal when things got a bit more heated.