Ok, I was fighting with an Orc Chief out in the woods, with Lydia at my side. I beat on him for awhile, but finally gave up because he would fall to the ground for a few after defeating him, only to rise back up with full power. I thought it was pointless to continue, so I turned around and ran back to his house (leaving Lydia still very much alive to keep him occupied while I stole stuff from his place). I ran inside, broke into the one chest, stole from the other and found some great stuff including a helmet that lets you breathe underwater! So I quickly saved (since if anything happened to me and I went back, I'm sure the items in the chest would be different) over my last save and went back outside. I came across the Orc Chief again who demanded to fight or pay a bounty. I just paid the bounty to get it over with. He went back home, happy as can be... but no matter where I go, I can't find Lydia anymore! I've tried waiting... entering and leaving a house... fast travel.... even checked back at my home. I can't find her!! I know she couldn't have been killed by this guy, since the only way she could die is if I did something to her. However, she was very much alive and fully healthy when I left her to occupy the Chief.

So where the h*ll did she go!? She's carrying some nice stuff for me, and I've had her for over 90 hours now.... I can't lose her (or my stuff) like this! WTH?!?!

And I can't load an earlier save... not unless I want to lose over 20 hours! My only other save is from quite a long while ago!

she dead...

any idea on this?

If u did not make her follow you, she should be around the camp or at least her corpse should;)
Maby the dragon shout that makes you see enemies works to find her? You could try and search for a mod making her spawn back home,
if there is such a thing.

ps. you should seriously save/quick save your game more often. I have multiple saves just
to be certain if something goes bad.

Good luck in the search!

If lydia dies her corpse goes in the home you buy in whiterun upstairs. She still had all the stuff on

Hmm that's odd. If she is stuck somewhere or waiting she should return to breezehome or to the dragonsreach after three days.

Try to hire another follower and if he/she agrees I think you have lost Lydia for good becouse if you're still connected to Lydia the follower will tell you that you already have one.

Lydia died on me as well fighting. I just took everything off her and she disappeared the next time i went in (I did not save the game but reloaded)

very strange... i'll try the shout you mentioned... I've waited three days, searched the whole area I lost her, searched my home, etc... I just have no idea. Just have to chalk it up to another strange oddity with Skyrim. Although this one really svcks! LOL