# Lina — The Princess and Curdie character guide > Lina in The Princess and Curdie by George MacDonald. **Role:** major **Also known as:** XI Lina, Poor Lina **First appearance:** 0010-xi-lina ## Snapshot A huge, solemn beast with a tail like a sloop's boom, who wakes at a word and runs errands no human servant would dare. ## Who they are Lina belongs to Curdie alone, and her loyalty is total, silent, and slightly terrifying to anyone who does not know her. She sleeps coiled and springs to her feet the instant he speaks, then flies out of Gwyntystorm's gate on his errands with her mighty legs. In a palace full of whispering servants and poisoned cups, she is the one creature whose devotion cannot be bought or faked. ## Relationships ### [Curdie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/characters/curdie) _friendship_ Curdie and Lina share a deep, loyal bond, with Lina as his fierce and protective companion. ### [Princess Irene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/characters/princess_irene) _friendship_ Lina is devoted to Princess Irene, often accompanying and protecting her alongside Curdie. ### [Her Master](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/characters/her_master) _psychological_ Her Master has a mysterious, controlling influence over Lina, shaping her actions and loyalty. ### [The Servants](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/characters/the_servants) _rivalry_ Lina is often hostile toward the corrupt servants, who fear and distrust her. ### [Curdie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/characters/curdie) _friendship_ Curdie and Lina share a deep, loyal bond, with Lina as his fierce and protective companion. ### [Princess Irene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/characters/princess_irene) _friendship_ Lina is devoted to Princess Irene, often accompanying and protecting her alongside Curdie. ### [Curdie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/characters/curdie) _friendship_ Curdie and Lina share a deep, loyal bond, with Lina as his fierce and protective companion. ## In the story ### [VIII: Curdie's Mission](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/viii-curdie-s-mission) Introduced as a strange creature who frightens the housekeeper and is given to Curdie as a servant; her paw is revealed to be a child's hand. ### [XI: Lina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xi-lina) Saves Curdie from the bird attack and proves her loyalty during their journey. ### [XII: More Creatures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xii-more-creatures) Fights and tames each creature, gathering a following of forty-nine, then dismisses them at the forest's edge. ### [XIII: The Baker's Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xiii-the-baker-s-wife) Accompanies Curdie into the city, her presence deterring potential troublemakers, and shares his bread. ### [XIV: The Dogs of Gwyntystorm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xiv-the-dogs-of-gwyntystorm) Protects Curdie from the mastiff, crunches a stone thrown at her, and is gentle with the little girl. ### [XV: Derba and Barbara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xv-derba-and-barbara) Wakes Curdie at night, escapes with a terrifying roar when the soldiers break in. ### [The Mattock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xvi-the-mattock) Causes a panic among the townspeople, gets locked in with Curdie, and helps him find a way out by scratching at the floor. ### [XVII: The Wine-Cellar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xvii-the-wine-cellar) Helps Curdie by opening the cellar door and later scares the butler with her howl, causing him to flee. ### [XVIII: The King’s Kitchen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xviii-the-king-s-kitchen) Accompanies Curdie, shows fear of frightening someone, and guards the threshold at the king's door. ### [XIX: The King’s Chamber](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xix-the-king-s-chamber) Lies on the threshold and later assists Curdie by leading him to the wine cellar. ### [XX: Counterplotting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xx-counterplotting) Introduced to Irene, who shows kindness to the ugly creature, and is trusted to deliver messages. ### [XXI: The Loaf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxi-the-loaf) Helps Curdie escape, carries the loaf to Irene, and watches over Curdie in the cellar. ### [XXII: The Lord Chamberlain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxii-the-lord-chamberlain) Assists Curdie, guarding the recess and scaring off a terrier. ### [XXIII: Dr. Kelman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxiii-dr-kelman) Acts on Curdie's command, attacking the doctor and dragging him out. ### [The Prophecy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxiv-the-prophecy) Guards the crown, sleeps with it between her paws, and is sent on an errand. ### [The Avengers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxv-the-avengers) Successfully gathered the forty-nine creatures from the wood and helps guide them through the passage. ### [The Vengeance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxvi-the-vengeance) Dashes into the hall, overpowers the butler, and leads the creatures in the vengeful purge. ### [XXVII: More Vengeance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxvii-more-vengeance) Guards the secretary, terrifying him into submission. ### [The Sacrifice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxxi-the-sacrifice) Hunts at night to provide food for the palace, showing her loyalty and resourcefulness. ### [The King's Army](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxxii-the-king-s-army) Follows Curdie with the forty-nine Uglies, part of the strange force marching to battle. ### [The Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-battle) Rages among the butchers and dogs, crushing legs with her jaws. ### [The End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxxv-the-end) Present in the queen's room, she dashes into the fire and is never seen again. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/characters/lina - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/characters