Somehow, Lhindril was only relieved in the first moment when she learned that she was not with child, then sadness hit her. After she bid the other woman goodbye she left the tent, returning to her husband who had been impatiently pacing. Once he saw her, he stopped, looking at her questioningly.
"And?" slowly she shook her head and hugged him, feeling tears run down her cheek "You are not pregnant?" he asked to be sure
"No, I'm not. I… don't even know what to think about it. I'm relieved but also really sad"
"I understand. I feel the same" she looked up happily, placing a hand on his face
"This means you want children too?"
"Of course. But at the moment I am relieved you're not pregnant. Because so much happened that is neither good for the child or you. And it would be too dangerous for here to be here"
"I know. I'm still sad"
"I know" he stroked her hair, kissing her forehead and then she saw their brothers coming towards them
"What happened? Where have you been?" Kíli scolded but got quiet when he saw her "You… no pregnancy?" she felt a little embarrassed that everyone who had been in Isengard now knew of it and she had to tell them the news.
"No, you two needn't worry to be an uncle soon" she answered, to her surprise with a smile.
"A pity. Somehow" her brother-in-law muttered. Aragorn stepped next to them, placing a hand on her shoulder and Kíli did the same with his brother. In that moment she realized this was her family. Everyone who was still left. She couldn't help but pull the other two into a hug as well and they hugged back. Maybe Aragorn was the only one not feeling too comfortable because he didn't know the Dwarves that well. And her too, she remembered. After all he probably didn't remember her much from her childhood and then she had disappeared for over seventy years. Now more tears started rolling down her cheeks
"I love you so much. You're my family" she whispered "You're all I have and I couldn't lose any of you" Fíli looked at her in confusion
"What about your mother?" suddenly she felt bad because she had not told him of her death yet. She was glad that Aragorn said it and while it hurt to hear it, it would have been worse to say it herself. "I am so sorry to hear this" he was silent for a while "And I am very happy to have met her, even if it only was very short"
"You met her?" Aragorn asked in surprise and Lhindril explained how it happened
"It must have been fate that we met her or perhaps I wouldn't be here" Fíli mused "If she had not made me aware of my feelings for your sister I would have realized them too late and Thorin would have noticed. He has not been fond of the idea at first and would have been quick to talk us out of it. So much would have happened differently and I cannot say if I would be alive or not" his last words sent another wave of sadness through her body and shortly after they dissolved the hug. But no one left and so they just kept standing there.
"Do you think it is destiny or coincidence that we're all here" Kíli asked
"Difficult to say. Both, probably; a sequence of everything" Lhindril suggested "I mean at first so much needed to happen like it did that everyone is alive. And then even more that everything came as it came so it led to this" Aragorn continued.
"If in the War of the Last Alliance Isildur had destroyed the ring instead of getting corrupted by it everything would have ended then. But I doubt we'd be alive because so much would have changed since then"
"That' is too complicated" Kíli laughed "let's just start with events after we were born. So we can focus on just our decisions. So… what do you think is the root cause that everything came to be as it did?" she didn't have to think long because she had often considered it.
"Probably when I decided to accompany my father and Elrond's son on the day he died. Because like this I saw his death and met Azog for the first time. And we wouldn't have gone to Rivendell which I eventually left because Elrond wanted me to take over responsibility and I lived in the wild and finally in Bree" she glanced at the two Dwarves that started laughing.
"Don't forget it was my idea to go there. You didn't want to go to Bree" Kíli again teased his brothers as he already had the past years.
"Well, I admit that this has been a good idea for a change. Perhaps the best idea you ever had" he took her hand, making her smile.
"Then there were some coincidences that we even landed in Rivendell. Because only like this we met my mother who…"
"What are you doing?" she hard Gimli call as he came towards them and they turned to him
"Enjoying ourselves and philosophising about life" Gimli let out a grunt
"Anyways, the feast is about the start" he announced. The feast to honour those they had lost in the battle of Helm's Deep and celebrate victory. Slowly, they headed to the great hall and somehow Lhindril didn't know how much she looked forward to it. But once she realised that even Rohan's women and some children were present, she started to find it quite pleasant. With a happy smile she stood with some of the women, watching the children run about in the room and reporting to each other their mothers what they had seen when they returned. Although she kind of enjoyed the atmosphere she was glad that some people stayed sober too. Merry and Pippin, however didn't seem to fall into that category because they jumped into the table with their jugs, singing a song from the Shire. Suddenly Aragorn joined his sister.
"If I was you, I'd have an eye on my husband"
"Why that? Is he drunk?"
"He is. And yet it didn't' stop him from joining a drinking contest"
"Oh great. Who else is in it?"
"Gimli, his brother and Legolas"
"Legolas? Are you kidding me?"
"No I'm not. First only he and Gimli wanted to do one, then the Dwarf couldn't help but challenging his king and well so also Kíli couldn't resist"
"Oh these Dwarves are gonna drive me out of my mind" she muttered "Thank you" she placed a hand on his arm and then searched the contestants. She soon found the table with them because quite a group had gathered around them. She swallowed when she saw the many empty jugs on the table and it looked like there were at least ten per person, the Dwarves seemed to be in the lead. If she had to guess she'd say Gimli had drunken most and as it seemed Fíli was already struggling to keep up but wouldn't give in, seeing he was the king and the oldest Dwarf. One of the men noticed her glance and explained her the rules; that the beer mustn't be spilled or otherwise wasted and you weren't allowed to make a pause. And of course who vomited or fell lost too or if someone gave up but she doubted that was gonna happen. At least for the Dwarves. Legolas suddenly stared at this hand.
"I feel something. A slight tingle in my fingers. I think it's affecting me"
"Oh great. Never been drunk before, Elf?" Fíli laughed in between two gulps. Gimli too made a mean comment before he slumped backwards and fell back over. Her husband started laughing wherewith he spit out all the beer he currently had in his mouth, most of it landing in Kíli's face. In anger the younger Dwarf splashed the rest of his beer on his brother. Legolas shrugged
"No spilling. Game over" he said nonchalantly. The two brothers exchanged a glance and before he knew it, they spilled their drinks on the Elf, after Kíli had grabbed Gimli's half full tankard of course. From their subsequent laughter, Kíli fell off his chair and Fíli probably would have too because she hurried towards him, trying to help him sit back up but in the end both of them fell down too. At this she started laughing too until her stomach and jaw started hurting.
-oOo-
After the feast was over, they went to sleep in the throne room. Lhindril suddenly awoke in the middle of the night and most men in the room and their snoring made falling asleep again almost impossible. In addition to that, Fíli was holding her tightly to his chest that she couldn't breathe properly, let alone move. When she tried to free herself, he woke and let out a little moan. Because she didn't know how much the alcohol still affected him she pretended to be asleep but of course he had already noticed she was awake. He rolled her onto her back and when she opened her eyes she saw his grin before he started kissing her all over the face and she instantly knew he still was very intoxicated and tried to push him away. Not just because he was drunk, more because they were not alone here.
"Stop it" she hissed but he only let his lips wander to her neck so she pushed him away and at the same time sat up too, taking his hands in hers "Did you really think that's a good idea? We're not alone" she silently scolded him
"So what? You wanted a baby"
"So what? A baby? Are you serious?" he only gave a nod "Look. Your brother is here… my brother is here…"
"Well perhaps we should encourage them a little. After all, your brother seems to be close to Eowyn, maybe all he needs is…"
"Forget it. And besides, you're drunk"
"No, I'm not"
"Yes, of course" she muttered and he didn't understand her sarcasm or didn't care because he kissed her neck again. For a moment she froze then leant closer "Also, there is an Elf in the room and they don't really sleep deep. If they sleep at all" that did the job and he shot up in shock. With a smile she lay back down again and pulled the blanket up. After a while, Fíli did the same
"Do you know what? I don't even see the Elf. Maybe he's outside" his hand was on her hip again and she just considered if she should hit him or if they really should go find a quiet place when suddenly Pipping got up and sneaked over to Gandalf. With a little growl, her husband let go of her and she sat up, asking what Hobbit what he was doing. He seemed to check if the wizard was asleep and suddenly someone else, Merry, asked what his cousin was doing too.
"I just want to look at it, just one more time" he took something from Gandalf's grip and knowing this probably couldn't go too well, Lhindril got up too, just to see how Pippin unwrapped the dark orb he had found in Isengard earlier.
"Pippin no, that's not a good idea. Gandalf says it's dangerous" in that moment the orb looked as if it started burning and the Hobbit let out a cry. Gandalf woke, Aragorn, Legolas and Kíli ran into the room and everyone tried to take the orb from the Hobbit's hands, what Lhindril had already been trying before and succeed. The moment she had it in her hands, her vision almost faded and her body felt like it was burning up. There was a voice in her head, talking in Black Speech, more like hissing and the pain intensified that the scream that was at the top of her lungs finally left her mouth. Someone took it from her hands and she saw how Aragorn must have take it, sinking to his knees but managed to drop the thing and Legolas supported him.
"Are you hurt?" Kíli asked her and also Fíli had joined them, helping her sit up and pulling her into a protective hug. She almost had the impression that Kíli was less drunk than his brother even though he drunken more.
"What sort of devilry is this?" her husband growled, staring at the orb which Gandalf covered with the cloth again. No one answered and Gandalf, who obviously knew turned to Pippin only addressing them after their short talk of what he had seen.
"It is a Palantír" Gandalf announced "One of the Seven Seeing-Stones. A very dangerous tool that cannot be used lightly" he threw a warning glance at Pippin "Everyone get up. Now" he called waking up the rest of the men that hadn't woken yet and they only listened reluctantly.
"By the way, our brothers and the Elf weren't in the room earlier" Fíli whispered at her as they left the room. They gathered with Theoden to discuss what they had to do now. It seemed like Pippin had managed to get a glimpse of Sauron's plan; to attack Gondor because he had realized men were not as weak as they seemed.
"Well, so we use it again and see more?" Kíli suggested
"No, that is unwise. The Palantír is no toy and very few can use it correctly"
"I guess that's you, so you do it" Fíli muttered
"Simply because I'm a wizard does not mean I can do it" he warned
"And who can use it then?"
"That does not matter. And we should rather destroy than use it"
"I just meant theoretically. And how to destroy it?" Kíli defended his brother. For a while Gandalf said nothing, taking a deep puff from his pipe
"There are only two that can use it and they might be the only ones to destroy it too"
"Well then" Gimli cried "Let's find them"
"That is not necessary" the wizard said
"So you have found them already?" Theoden asked.
"Not really"
"But you said we need to destroy it? Is now everyone able to do it?"
"I always knew what drove me inside about you Dwarves. Your stubbornness and impatience. It will be your downfall. If you hadn't interrupted me, Fíli, I would have already told you who is able to use it"
"And I now know that the past decades I have not missed wizards. Who does he think he is?" even though Fíli had only muttered it and it wasn't supposed to be heard by Gandalf he did it anyways and paused for another while.
"The Seven Seeing-Stones were created be Fëanor und distributed in Middle Earth by Elendil. Only his rightful heirs know how to use them"
"Maybe we Dwarves only show impatience towards wizards. Talking too long and no one knows what they're even talking about. There is no time to listen to your circumlocutory tales. Our enemies close in on us while we spend the time discussing and talking in riddles"
"True words of a king, brother" Kíli agreed "So, who are these people that can destroy or use the Palantír?"
"Fool. They have been in the room all this time. Only the heirs of Elendil and his son Isildur have the power for correct dealings with the stones" when she heard the words she felt a little overwhelmed and knew she definitely would not touch it again, neither to use it, nor to destroy it. Having experienced its power once she didn't want to again.
"You can use this stone?" Kíli asked in surprise "Did you know?"
"No, I didn't. And I also don't plan to touch it again" she made her point clear
"But everyone needs to admit that it could be very useful. If we could only get a small glimpse…" Fíli couldn't speak further because Gandalf straightened himself and interrupted him
"No. The Palantír will not be used because I will not allow it"
"And then they say we Dwarves are stubborn and irascible"
"That is enough, Gimli, Glóin's son. I will not have this argument"
"Who says it's an argument? You're the only one who's in a bad mood with a different opinion" she really hoped that alcohol was the reason for her husband's words.
"I am weary of your argument" Theoden spoke up and it was silent for a while until Gandalf explained he needed to go to Gondor with Pippin, as soon as possible.
"Great, then we'll finally be rid of this old grouch. I don't need a wizard's advice and could live very well without it and even reign a kingdom" that was too much for her and she pulled Fíli outside by his arm. Then she started to scold him for his behaviour and how she had enough of his drunkenness and she wouldn't speak one word with him until he had apologised to Gandalf and was sober again. Without leaving him a chance for a reply, she left and ignored his calls. Shortly after Gandalf rode out of the stables with Pippin, Merry and Aragorn following them and since she had nothing to do currently she decided to follow them, joining them at the edge of the city and glancing after them.
-o0o-
The following days sometimes were a bit boring because all they really did was smaller discussions, taking care of the wounded or simply waiting. But Lhindril used the time to spend some time with her brother and to get to know him a bit better, often joined by Fíli and his brother. Sometimes she also felt very much at home here and was glad to have found her brother again. Something that surprised her bout also brought her joy was the fact that Fíli seemed to have buried his conflicts with Legolas and as on good terms with at least one Elf. Kíli seemed to have accepted him some time ago because it had been weeks since she had heard him making comments.
Then, some days after Gandalf had left, Aragorn suddenly rushed into Edoras' throne room and announced that Gondor had lit the beacons; they were calling for help. After short consideration, Theoden decided to go answer the call. Almost immediately everyone was getting ready and sent some of his men to get help from other places of Rohan.
"Let me too go find help" Fíli asked but before he could answer, Legolas spoke up
"There is no need for your people to go into war at another place. I fear it may have already spread to Erebor." when they were on their horses, Lhindril wanted to know if her husband was worried about what was happening at home.
"I cannot say and a part of me feels obliged to be back with my people and help them wherever I can. At the same time I know that Gondor needs us too and Erebor is in good hands with Dáin. Kíli joined them, not looking happy at all and he pointed at Merry
"Why is he allowed to ride a pony?"
"Because it's no pony but a young horse." Fíli corrected "And I doubt it's strong enough to carry you"
"Oh, very funny"
-o0o-
Two days later they had reached Dunharrow where they would meet up with the other warriors of Rohan but as it seemed their numbers were smaller than they had hoped for. There was a weird atmosphere in the camp, probably because of the upcoming battle. But it also had to do with the place since there was rumoured to be an army of undead soldiers that were hiding somewhere in these mountains as Gimli had said.
One night, Gamling entered their tent and said that Theodon was awaiting her in his tent. With a frown she got up, decently dressing again and wondered what was going on and why the king wanted her and not her husband. In Theoden's tent she also found her brother and almost as soon as she had entered, the king took his leave. She glanced after him with a weird feeling but then she discovered that someone else was here who was now getting up. Soon she saw it was Elrond and at first her insecurity rose before she was happy to see him.
"You ride to war but not to victory. Sauron's armies ride on Minas Tirith, this you know. But in secret he sends another force, which will attack, from the river. A fleet of Corsair ships sails from the South. They will be in the city in two days. You're outnumbered Aragorn. You need more men."
"There are none"
"There are those that dwell in the mountain."
"You mean that army of the undead? Why should they come?"
"Murderers, traitors. You would call upon them to fight? They believe in nothing. They answer to no one"
"They will answer to the heirs of Isildur" he took out a sword. "Andúril, the Flame of the West, forged from the shards of Narsil" he said as he handed the weapon to her brother. He took it from the sheath to have a look at it. And even Lhindril was impressed because it was such a legendary sword and she felt happy and pride that it now belonged to her brother.
"Sauron will not have forgotten the blade of Elendil" Elrond nodded
"Gondor needs a king or a queen. One of you has to claim the throne. Do not be afraid. Men have hope because of you, they hope for better days to come" then he turned to Aragorn, talking to him in Elvish before turning to her "I heard you too have been gifted a special blade. Gildin has been lost for a long time but now it is in the best hands. Take good care if it, since it is an exceptional blade"
"Thank you. I will and really appreciate it."
"The man who can wield the power of this sword can summon to him an army more deadly than any that walks this earth" he said back to Aragorn "You must convince them to follow you" with that he pulled up his hood again and left the tent. Aragorn sheathed the sword again, looking at her
"Ready?"
"As good as. Need to get my things but then I'm ready. We shall meet at the edge of camp" he nodded and they returned to their tents. She considered if she should tell Fíli and Kíli or just leave them a note. She feared that they could stop her and so she quietly packed her things before writing a short letter and once she wanted to leave the tent she heard Kíli's voice
"Where are you going?" feeling caught she looked at him, not sure what she wanted to say but knew it couldn't be the truth
"Elrond was here and gave Aragorn and me as task. I have to leave. But I will be back" she said.
"What task?"
"It's difficult to explain. Can you tell Fíli I'm sorry for just leaving and that I love him?" her brother-in-law got up
"Of course. But you promise to come back, do you hear me?" she nodded and wanted to leave but then changed her mind, turning back to Kíli who was a brother to her too and hugged him
"And I really love you too, don't forget that"
"Judging by your behaviour I believe whatever you must do is something dangerous, right?"
"It is" she finally agreed, hoping he wouldn't stop her
"Don't you dare to break my brother's heart" he warned and with a sigh of relief she finally left the tent but not before stroking her husband's face. When she joined her brother she saw he had already freed the horses and handed her the reigns. Before she could mount up, he placed a hand on her shoulder
"Are you sure that you want to come? I can do it alone"
"I would doubt that, laddie" she heard Gimli who appeared next to them
"Not this time. This time you must stay Gimli" Aragorn insisted as she mounted her horse
"Have you learnt nothing of the stubbornness of dwarves?" Legolas said, showing up with Arod.
"You might as well accept it. We're with you in this one" with a smile Aragorn mounted his horse and Gimli and Legolas did the same. As they left camp they heard murmurs and sometimes calls about what they were doing and where they went and somehow Lhindril felt bad for making them think they would abandon them and tried her best to ignore them
"Did you really think you could leave in the middle of the night like this… without us?" she bit back a sight. Of course she knew that once her husband was awake he would insist to come with them. Aragorn and she exchanged a glance and both shrugged. If she was honest, a part of her was glad that they were with them but at the same time she got worried. What if the undead accepted her brother and herself but not the others? She shook her head to get rid of the thoughts. They surely wouldn't be gotten down that easily. On their way, Legolas told the story of how the undead army had come to live in the mountains. In the Battle of the Last Alliance Elendil had asked for their loyalty and when they refused later on, his son cursed them to never find rest until their oath was fulfilled. They had reached the entrance and Legolas read what was written on top of it
"The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead and the dead keep it. The way is shut" something like a hiss came from the inside with an air draught. The horses got scared and ran off.
"Lovely" Kíli commented.
"I do not fear death" Aragorn spoke as he entered and Legolas followed him straight away
"I don't fear a mountain. I live in one" Fíli said as he took her hand
"Surely it cannot be worse than Smaug" Kíli agreed and the three of them entered the mountain. Gimli let out a curse on the outside but then ran after them. The place didn't look very cozy, there were skeletons and skulls all around. It got worse when green hands of mist tried to grab them and instantly, Fíli drew his sword to fend them off but all it needed for them to go away was to touch them. Gimli tried it with blowing air at them.
"Do not look down" Aragorn suddenly said and of course with that he encouraged them to do exactly this which of course wasn't a good idea because the path they were on consisted of thousands of skulls that were crunching dangerously with each step, as if any moment the floor would give in. But finally, they had reached solid rock again and she let out a breath of relief which only lasted shortly.
"Who enters my domain?" the words made them turn and a greenish ghost appeared in front of them. And more and more came from all sides until they were surrounded. Instantly, she put her hand on the hilt of her weapon and the one who seemed to be the leader spoke the words that were written above the entrance too after Aragorn had told them what they wanted. The ghosts came even closer "Now you must die" then he hesitated for a moment "Who do we have here? Another king under the mountain?"
"What do you mean 'another'? There only is one and only, you dog" Kíli protested. Legolas didn't seem to trust words anymore and fired an arrow at the king of the dead but it just went through him like nothing. Kíli seemed very surprised for a moment and then approached one of the undead to touch his face. Or more like test if they really were bodiless. But as soon as his finger touched, more like went through, his face, the Dwarf was grabbed and the soldier put his blade over his throat
"Let him go this instant" both her and Fíli yelled.
"We do not take order from the living"
"You will" Aragorn said, taking out his sword and in the next moment he got attacked by the king of the undead but luckily for them all Andúril could block the other blade and because the ghost was surprised, Aragorn could defeat him, threatening him with the blade "Fight for us and regain your honour. What say you?" the army started laughing and Gimli mentioned it was fruitless to reason with them. Aragorn repeated his request but the ghosts just started to disappear and with that also the laughter slowly stopped. There was a rumbling from above.
"What was that?" she asked not liking the sound of it and before someone could answer a huge amount of skulls was raining down on them, almost burying them. They hurried out and Lhindril was almost surprised they had made it back outside at the fresh air. "I will never say one word against Erebor again" she swore, trying to get her breath under control.
