Only a day after the Hobbits left for the Shire, they too started their way home. She found it very hard to say goodbye to her brother because she wasn't sure if she would ever see him again. But it also wasn't easy to bid the rest of their new friends farewell, especially Faramir and Éowyn. But as everyone else, they promised to come and visit them in Erebor. She found it hard telling the Hobbits goodbye and a day later everyone else. At around the same time also Elrond and his sons were leaving for Rivendell. The Dwarves were glad that the Elves had taken their ponies from Rivendell which they obviously would use to get back home. Gimli on the other hand decided to stay in Gondor a bit longer with Legolas and her brother. Legolas promised that next time he went home to the Woodland Realm he would talk to his father about making better trade arrangements with the Dwarven kingdom and Gondor. Gandalf had already left, After promising he was looking for a way that could be saving her and would let them know if he found something. Then finally the time of goodbye had come and she didn't mind the tears that rolled down her face.

Luckily the way home was eventless, except for a group of five Haradrim that crossed their way. But they didn't seem intent on attacking them, as if they had realised that Mordor was defeated. So they just let them pass without a conflict. Needless to say that Fíli was relieved about this since he was worried about her, sensing danger at every corner. Every night he took the first watch voluntarily and the brothers never let her take watch, at least alone. So sometimes she just joined whoever was staying awake and told them they could relax a bit. While she knew they never would go to sleep, they at least lay down a bit. But their worries were justified, after all there were rumours that hoards of Orcs and Easterlings were wandering the country and wouldn't acknowledge defeat, killing whoever they met. Given the newest insights, they figured that perhaps they were still looking for her, maybe hoping that like that Gundabad could be saved. About a week after they had left, Erebor was visible in the distance what made her really happy.

"What do you think is expecting us at home?" Kíli wondered

"Perhaps the last enemy troops but as soon as we tell them of Sauron's defeat, if they don't know yet, they most likely will leave. All I want is to make sure that they do not see you or try to seize you. And I am certain that Dáin has done a well job as regent" she didn't doubt that either, the Dwarf really was a good leader to his people and hopefully also Erebor's people. She wondered how long it would take them until they finally were home and she started calculating how long she had been gone.

Her estimation that the way home would last another five days wasn't that off because after that time they reached the other side of the lake shore, the one closer to Erebor. The army that still was gathered in front of the mountain was not to be overseen and they had already spotted it almost hours ago, ever since wondering how they were supposed to get into the mountain. Also they asked themselves how long the Orcs had been there, sieging the mountain. After another day of deciding what to, they figured they would just try their luck and walking around the army at daytime, hoping the Orcs would be asleep then and not even notice them or just kill people what would notice them. And if the army did wake up, surely the Dwarves would come to their rescue. They even left the ponies, hoping they would be quieter without them and almost on their tiptoes they passed at the edge of the camp, also on the lookout for Dwarves in the mountain that could mistake them for enemies and try to kill them. But luck wasn't fully on their side and a watchguard, an Easterling as it seemed, noticed them but Kíli managed to shoot him before he could warn the others. So, they reached the mountain unharmed and almost unseen. Obviously, the Dwarves must have already seen and identified them because the front gate was opened to let them in. Before they did so, Fíli took her hand, giving it a squeeze with a little smile. Once inside of the mountain, a weird feeling of happiness flooded her; she was so glad to be back home and safe. And with her family on top of that. Only now she noticed the many Dwarves that were gathered in the front hall, and there even were Men too. As soon as they saw them, they opened a path for them and as they walked through the crowd everyone was looking at them, most also whispering.

"Where is that darned lad?! I will kill him myself" they heard a familiar voice behind them and they turned around. Only a moment later, Fíli was in the strong arms of Dwalin "Thanks be to Durin, you have not fallen, you are alive" the two of them parted but not completely but they included Kíli into the hug "All of you are doing fine"

"Of course, what did you think happened?"

"The enemy told us about your death; that you had fallen in the final battle against Mordor. But you're back healthy and happy? How? What happened?" if she wasn't mistaken, the usual unwavering Dwalin had tears in his eyes.

"I almost died but almost in last second they could help me because a bite wound on my leg was overlooked. Perhaps the Orcs and Easterlings didn't know I have not died on that battlefield right away"

"Don't you dare doing something like that ever again" Dwalin said "None of you, do you hear me?" she only looked down, feeling remorse because of the prophecy. She had to talk to Fíli about it that they shouldn't mention it to someone else if it could be helped.

"My king, it is a great pleasure to see you back alive" they heard someone who stood closer to the gate as ell

"Thorin" the brothers called and Lhindril was confused for a moment. A second she believed a miracle had happened but then she saw that they were hugging a Dwarf that looked vaguely familiar and was definitely not Thorin Oakenshield. Throwing a critical glance at Dwalin she then stared at the three Dwarves, wondering if she should know this Thorin. Obviously, Dwalin must have noticed her confusion because he leant closer to her, whispering

"Thorin III. Stonehelm, son of Dáin" suddenly she remembered him from the coronation. They had even introduced him to her, how could she forget him?

"Thorin, I am happy to find you up well and about but please tell me, where is your father?"

"I am sorry my king but my father was slain by the enemy as he defended to body of Brand. Together with his son and the people of Dale we retreated to the mountain, and they started a siege. I was in charge of the troops after that but now that you are back I gladly and willingly give you back your command, my king.

"It pains me to hear that. May I speak with Bard II. instead since I believe he now is the Lord of Dale?"

"That is true, your majesty. He is in the tomb hall and has not left for days because he refuses to leave his father. I will bring you to him"

"Thank you but if he prefers to be alone for now, I will respect that. There is no reason to burden him further and what I want to discuss can wait"

"I cannot say what he wants, he never said something. But he feels well being down there, he believes he is responsible for his father's death"

"I understand. In that case I will try to see if I can talk to him and help him get over the remorse"

"Very well, your majesty. Do you have any other orders?"

"When I return, I wish for a full report of what happened and how we are with deaths and wounded. And food rations"

"Of course, we will see to that. If you will follow me now, my king? I shall bring you to Bard" her husband nodded

"Kíli, in the meantime get a short situation report and plan first measurements"

"Of course" Dwalin said he'd help Kíli and would deliver the rough report. Lhindril insisted that she too could help something and then decided to help treating the wounded. Or more taking care of them because the injuries had been treated days ago. But before she started, she knew there was something else she had to do first and it was quite convenient that her brother-in-law and Dwalin still were there and the older one addressed her

"Something I always loved about you husband. He only just returned and the first thing he does is trying to get the situation under control. He truly became a great king despite all of his troubles and worries at the start. And yet he still stayed the same; sometimes I can still see the small lad in him and Kíli. Although I must say, growing more mature these decades really helped you a lot Kíli" Kíli grinned and shrugged shoulders

"That my brother could start reigning like that without too many troubles is thanks to you and your brother, Dwalin"

"I agree. But the two of you" he looked at her "have been there for him no matter what. It made things easier for him too. In difficult times, friends and family is the most important thing" the words felt like a stab and she wished she didn't have to tell him the bad news. But she found she better let him know sooner rather than later.

"Dwalin" she started "We have to tell you something… as you know we were part of the fellowship of the ring. Our way led us through the mines of Moria" the older Dwarf's face lit up while Kíli knew what she was gonna say and looked down

"And? How are Ori, Bifur and my brother doing there? I am certain he does great work as Lord of Moria"

"Listen… I am so sorry to have to tell you this but… Khazad-dûm was attacked by Orc hoards of Moria, no one is alive anymore. I'm so sorry" for a while, shock and disbelief were in Dwalin's face but then it was all over for him and he started crying for real. She didn't know what she should do, if she should try to comfort him or not. In the end she decided to place a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it and told him that they had mourned him too. To her surprise, he hugged her, almost squashing her but she let him. It almost took him two minutes until he had calmed down, not letting go of her once. A few years ago he still had been the same height as her but now he was already a bit smaller. After all, Dwarves grew smaller as they got older as she knew. Which meant that one day, she would also be a lot taller than her husband and his brother. At first they had been abut the same size but for the last few years she had been at tiny bit taller already; not even an inch but still. Then suddenly, Dwalin let go of he, wiping the tears away and then started giving Kíli the report in a monotonous voice. So she took her leave, trying to find the wounded instead that she could help them. Once she was there, she wondered if it was such a good idea to help because everyone was looking at her. Of course, she had helped the wounded in other places too but that were places where she had not been the queen. Everyone tried to bow and she quickly told them to stop and also assured them that she wanted to help when people tried to tell her she didn't have to. Then suddenly, she almost got knocked down because someone fell round her neck.

"You're back and alive. For a moment I thought to have lost you too" her best friend yelled "But I'm so sorry for you"

"I'm happy to see you too but what are you talking about?"

"About Fíli… that he didn't make it" she didn't know what to say and just hugged her a bit tighter.

"No, it doesn't have to. Listen" she lifted her head, letting go of her friend and turned to all the people in the room, thinking they probably didn't know the good news either. "Everyone listen. We have been told what you heard about our king. But that's not the case, luckily. My husband, Fíli, did not fall in battle. He got hurt but recovered and he came back with me. He is alright and already back to work" it was silent for a while

"How can it be?" a younger Dwarf on a stretcher asked

"Believe me, we all thought we had lost him for a while but he could be saved" obviously everyone needed to hear what had happened and she started telling them of the battle and what exactly had happened. By now talking about it wasn't that bad anymore because everything had turned out well. At least what concerned her husband. Carefully, she then let go of Dalía and turned to one of the healer "Can I help with something"

"You do not need to, your highness" she said with a bow

"Can be but I would like to help"

"You can help me by telling me everything you have been through" Dalía said "Then I can stop worrying because something tells me you did a little more than being in the Shire with your friend all these months"

"You are right about that. But I can tell you that another time because I should help treating the wounded"

"With respect, your majesty, I believe that everyone would be happy to hear what has happened in all details. Distraction is good and it seems you have been underway a long time with your husband, the king" the healer said "And you, Dalía, should lie back down" at these words she swallowed. She had thought maybe her friend only had been here to help

"Are you hurt? What happened to you?"

"It's nothing. But my father…. he fell" she hugged her friend again

"I'm sorry to hear that, really. May I still ask how you got to be hurt?"

"My brother forbade me to join the fight but I didn't listen. Still I tried everything to help my father when I saw what had happened to him but I was too late. At least I managed to kill the bastard that killed him and I could save Thrárr and get him to safety. Well, I got hurt during that because someone had to slice my leg open" in another situation Lhindril may have laughed because she knew the story all too well; not listening to someone who didn't want her in battle and then saving his life. After her friend assured her that the wound was healing well Lhindril turned back to the healer, again asking what she could do to be of use.

"For now the most useful would be if you could get your friend to lie down again. And if you wish, you can tell about your adventures, my Lady. That surely will cheer everyone up. If there is something else I need your help with, I shall let you know" she doubted that sshe would ask for help but didn't say a word

"That sounds good. Dalía, you heard what she said. Get back to your stretcher and lie down or I tell you nothing" there was a smile on the Dwarrowdam's face as she walked to an empty bed and lie down before patting the edge of it that Lhindril could sit down which she also did.

"Your majesty, there is a chair over there I could bring you?" a young man from Dale offered

"No, I'm fine, thank you"

"Of course, there is no reason to thank me" sometimes she felt weird thanking people but she would never stop doing it, just like Fíli did. Because she didn't like the answers that told her that she didn't need to thank people. She changed her position a bit that she faced the people better and considered where she should start her tale and finally decide to start at the beginning but sum up her visit to the Shire in a few sentences. After all, it was the reason she had left the mountain and got entangled in the things. Just when she reached the part where they were shortly before Rivendell someone interrupted her.

"Your highness" she looked at the Dwarf, asking what he wanted to know but in that moment everyone bowed. But not to her and she just wanted to jump up telling them not to do that when her glance fell to the door and she saw her husband standing there.

"Oh" she muttered, of course that made sense and her husband glanced at her with smile. Only when someone started talking did he look at the person. The young man told him how happy he was that he was back safe and sound. Giving Dalía's hand a gentle squeeze she got up anyways and joined her husband. After everyone seemed done expressing their delight at seeing him, he waited for some moments before turning to her, asking if she wanted to be present for the report he was about to get.

"If you need me, I shall come. But if not, I think I would like to continue my story here about the fellowship"

"Your majesty, do not bother yourself on our account, I'm certain you have more important matters to attend to"

"No, please stay" her husband said "I just thought perhaps you wanted to be there and hear what happened but I can have it summed up for you" she sighed not sure what to do. If she didn't go, someone would need to do the extra report for he and maybe knowing what had happened was good. But at the same time she knew how happy she would make the injured if she stayed and could distract them with her tale.

"Well, I think I will finish here. Do you mind if I might join you later in case you're not done?"

"Of course, see you later" for a moment he seemed like he wanted to leave, then he leant closer, pressing a kiss to her cheek before he left the room. She sat back at the bedside of her friend who was grinning broadly.

"Save your comments" she muttered with a smile. Then she took a deep breath and continued her story.