The time for the Quest to reclaim their Homeland... has finally come...

There will be a song in this fic, so please listen to it when you are reading :")

Chapter 4: The Lonely Mountain

In a dimly lit kitchen room were two female figures, sitting across each other behind a dining table. One was crying her eyes out, while another placed her hands on the former's and consoled here. The sobs got quieter as the former calmed herself to speak "I'm sorry Frija. I know that I'm not the only one in distress about this situation…"

"No, Dis, you have every right to be upset. I know the feeling of fear when you see someone close to yourself go on a quest that no one can ensure of their safety. Especially, when they are your own children. Kili and Fili are like my own sons too, I care about them, just as much as you do."

Dis looked up "What about my brother? Will you two really not marry? Your feelings to each other would shame the mightiest of mithril armors. Everybody knows that."

Frija shook her head "He had asked me, if I would wait for him. He cannot bring himself to be selfish and find happiness for himself, when his whole nation is still suffering from exile, not really having a place to belong to. He is the most stubborn dwarf I have ever met, but I just love him so much…" she breathed "And I told him that I would wait for him forever… But not this time" she smiled assuring Dis "This time, I'm coming with him and keep him, Kili and Fili save for both of us."

Picking up the thick animal pelt, Frija helped Thorin put on his final piece of clothing, ready for his quest. "You don't seem to be in much of a protest of the quest this time." he stated quietly, adjusting his buckler.

"I am, but we have had this conversation before and I know that nothing I say would change your mind," she sighed "You stubborn dwarf King."

"That's true," he chuckled "But you also seem to be all dressed up. You are going somewhere too?"

"Yes, I'm coming with you." she stated as a matter of fact

He immediately turned around to face her "What?"

"As I said, I'm going to take back Erebor with you."

"No, I won't allow you to come. It's too dangerous." he moved away as she followed

"Why not? You are also putting yourself in danger, so why is it not okay for me?"

"Because you are not a warrior -"

"I'm not, but I can still help you," she interrupted, afraid that he might not listen any longer than this "My songs can now boost up the party's morale and strength and also debilitate the enemy, make them weaker. And not to mention I can be your healer."

"I know that, Frija, but I still not allow you to come!"

"Why not Thorin!?"

"Because I love you!" he grabbed her shoulders, starling her because of the sudden forceful contact. He took a deep breath to calm himself and rested his forehead on hers "I love you too much, that you have become my one and only weakness… I cannot concentrate on my own battle if I wasn't sure of your safety… So please, Frija… Stay here, where I know you will be safe… Wait for me… I will definitely come back for you... I promise." he begged, sounding more vulnerable than he ever was in his life.

"Thorin…" Frija breathed, placing her hand on his arm. A tear ran down her cheek as she knew she had no room for argument now…

Nevertheless, Frija had no intention of staying out of this quest. If he didn't allow her to go with him, then she will just have to do it the round way. About a week after Thorin and his company's departure, Frija also gathered her things for her venture to the Iron Hills. She had received the word that Dain has refused to help and she refused to accept that.

The journey was long and dangerous, and she had to hire some mercenaries to come with her, but she finally reached her destination.

"Oh~ Frija - the Lorelei of Durin's kin!" Dain shouted happily "What wind brought you to my humble stronghold, hm?"

"Long time no see, Dain. It was the wind of your refusal to Thorin's request that brought me here." she smiled courteously

"Oh, don't give me that again." he scoffed "It is his quest and I don't intent to sacrifice any of my people for it."

"Dain!" Frija raised her voice "Do you even comprehend what you are saying? You are basically saying that you are not willing to sacrifice your men, but you are alright with letting your own brother go into a death battle with a dragon and not providing him any help? Isn't Erebor your homeland too?"

Dain opened his mouth and shut it again like a fish when no sort of comment could escape from it. He turned away thoughtfully. He walked in circles, trying to weight his choices and decisions.

"If you want, I could always use my songs to help you make a decision. You did call me the Lorelei of Durin's kin, you know?" her voice dripped with authority

Dain's eyes went wide at her suggestion and tone of voice. He looked down and shook his head "No, I've already made it." he said "Men! We will share the burden with our brother-in-arms – the company of Thorin Oakenshield! We shall reclaim our homeland of Erebor!"

Loud cheers and applauses thundered inside the halls. Frija smiled, happy that she was able to convince Dain so easily. No matter that others said, the dwarves were a kin of utmost loyalty and bravery.

"What do you mean I can't come with you?" Frija was flabbergasted at Dain's announcement

"I say you can't and that means you can't!" he got onto his pig

"I was the one to convince you to go on this quest, you can't leave me out now. You'd need a better reason than that!"

"I may be an idiot, Frija, but even I can see how Thorin feels about you, through my many visits to Ered Luin. He'll have my head if I led you into danger, so just be good and stay here wait for our news" he said and turned away to his men "MARCH!"

Frija was a patient person, but she was just at the end of her tether with these silly stubborn dwarves. And what was with them and their ability to strike a nerve when they need to. No matter, if they didn't allow her to go with them, she will just follow them alone.

She arrived at the lands of the Lonely Mountain just before the orcs' army started to march out of the tunnels, dug by the earth eating were-worms.

"Oh man, you can't be serious!" Dain exclaimed as he saw how Frija was running towards them with an army of orcs chasing right behind and immediately commanded his army to march to her assistance.

"Thorin! It's Frija! The lass is being chased by the orcs!" Balin called as Thorin sprung out to confirm what he had just heard "We need to help her, Thorin!"

But Thorin hesitated. He shook his head and mumbled "That cannot be her…" bringing a big question mark to Balin's expression "That cannot be her!" he repeated shouting "She promised me that she would stay back in Ered Luin and she would never go against my words! She would never betray me!" he looked around "You will all stand down! No one is leaving this mountain unless I say otherwise!" he turned back to the throne room, leaving his company of dwarves unsure of what they should be thinking.

Frija charged straight to the doors of Erebor without looking back. She had a bad feeling. However, it was not about the ones chasing behind her, but the ones waiting for her ahead.

Thorin…

Something was definitely wrong. Dain was out here fighting the orcs, but there were no signs of movement from the mountain, not to mention the wall blocking the gates. "Everyone!"

"Hurry up and climb this rope, Frija!" Balin said, running towards the rope, which Bilbo had used to climb down and she complied.

"Where's Thorin?" she looked at the elder dwarf, who had a sour expression on his face, eyes almost watery from holding back his tears. "The sickness… It has gotten the worse of him… He is changed…" and he needed to say no more.

She looked towards the inside of the mountain and made her decision "I'll go in and talk to Thorin, he must he in the throne room. During that time, I need you guys to prepare something for me…"

She found him in the throne room just as she had expected. He sat on the throne, looking distressed and mad more than ever. She got closer, but he didn't look her way at all until she was right in front of him.

"Why did you come?" he said, his voice pained and disappointed "Why did you come?" he repeated raising his voice "Why did you not listen to me? Why did you defy my request? Why? Why did you betray me too? How could you betray your King!?" his fists were held tight, slamming down the throne's arms.

Hearing his words, his tone of voice made her remember how afraid he was of this sickness more than a hundred years ago. And how ironic it was, that he had caught it himself now. She didn't want to believe Balin's words until she saw him herself, but they were the truths after all. Frija smiled bitterly "If my feelings for you are called betrayal, then I would love to betray you any day, Thorin". She continued as she moved closer to him "This sickness is not good for you. However, but a part of me is glad that you have caught this dragon sickness, because thanks to it, I know that you will stay here, inside these walls, where I know you will be safe." She touched his cheeks to lift his face up and kissed his lips softly "Because this time, I'll be the one to protect you."

Thorin gasped when he left her warmth parting from him. He reached out when she turned away, but it was already too late. She was gone.

Going back to the gate, where the company sat waiting, she saw how Balin stood up, looking at her with hope in his eyes. Though, it was dimmed as soon as Frija shook her head "However, Balin. You need to keep believing. He will come to his senses. And very soon."

"Very well, lass, we have prepared what you have asked for – a huge golden bell, without it's top, placed right on the top of the front gate."

"Thank you." she walked up and stood in front of the bell opening and inhaled a deep breath.

Owl city ~If my heart was a house~

You're the sky that I fell through
And I remember the view whenever I'm holding you

The sun hung from a string, looking down on the world
As it warms over everything

Chills run down my spine as our fingers entwine
And your sighs harmonize with mine

Unmistakably I can still feel your heart beat fast
When you dance with me

We got older and I should've known
That I feel colder when I walk alone
So I may as well ditch my dismay
(Bombs away, bombs away)

Circle me and the needle
Moves gracefully back and forth
If my heart was a compass, you'd be north

Risk it all 'cause I'll catch you if you fall wherever you go
If my heart was a house, you'd be home

The golden bell worked as a sound amplifier and delivered her song as far as Dale. Her divine voice healed the allies' army's wounds, while weakened the orc's army's strength, which lied mainly in the usage of dark magic.

Frija was so engrossed into her song that she didn't realize how her dwarf got right behind her and trapped her in the cage of his arms "*Gasp* Thorin!"

He snuggled in her hair and whispered in her ear "Sorry for upsetting you, Frija… And thank you, for always believing in me."

She chuckled "Well, I would expect nothing else from someone, who has such a direct access to my voice. Nevertheless, I wouldn't have minded if you stayed safely inside."

He thought for a bit and said "Frija, will you give me the honor of fighting this battle under the support of you singing?"

"Well, I can't exactly defy the orders of my King now, can't I?" she joked

"Alright, alright…" he sighed in defeat. The mighty King under the Mountain, defeated by the woman he loved the most… Didn't sound that bad, did it? "I'll compensate that to you later. But now, we've got a battle to win." he kissed her head and jumped down to the gate, where his most loyal and trustworthy company had been waiting - the company of dwarves, who would follow their King to the ends of Middle Earth.

To be continued...

Just4Me: that is what I wish for as well. A Forever and ever...

killthepain62: thank you for subscribing, I hope you have enjoyed this chapter too

likarian: thanks for the alert