Wow, as always, I am blown away by the follows, faves and reviews, especially as I totally messed about with the movie plot there!

This chapter is dedicated to Angel897, decadenceofmysoul, Jo, Belladu57, Painted Heart, and Hainbuche

So, how will Thorin take these latest developments? How will Freya bear up? I should just get on with this and stop procrastinating!

So even though I am writing this fic, I too hope that Freya and Thorin will reunite soon... so there's a 'treat' in this chapter for you. If however you would prefer not to read particularly steamy bits, skip the section that is italicised, I have demarcated it so that you can skip the first part where the steamy bit is and just read the second bit if you prefer! Don't worry it's nothing too graphic, I don't want to get kicked off of FF!

As always, I own nothing except Freya!

~ G

Chapter 35: Scouting and love

Bilbo shifted uncomfortably as Thorin surveyed the room again, searching for a glow among the glittering gems and precious metals. Thorin had not been himself since Smaug had left the mountain. He had barely eaten and had not slept, electing instead to remain within the treasure hoard. For what seemed like the thousandth time, Thorin had just questioned him on the whereabouts of the Arkenstone. Thorin's gaze was as intense as always, as though those sapphire blue eyes never missed a trick and could always tell a lie. There was something else in Thorin's gaze now though, something foreign to the dwarf's usual intellect, it looked like an insatiable hunger and it put Bilbo on edge.

Thorin turned and paced away, clasping his hands behind his back while heaving a frustrated sigh. He had quickly discarded the patched and repaired clothing that the people of Laketown had provided them with in favour of rich fabrics and furs from the royal wardrobe. He looked regal and imposing; the clothes once more matching his personality and mood. He said nothing, but motioned for Bilbo to follow him back into the treasure hoard. Bilbo hurried to follow on tired feet, his legs like lead weights protesting at his lack of rest and proper sleep.

Hope flared briefly for Bilbo when Flil, Kili, Oin and Bofur arrived safely. Thorin seemed delighted and a flash of the Thorin he had met in Bag End was visible under the newly donned rich fabrics and raven crown. He had welcomed them to the mountain and asked how they had survived. But Thorin barely listened to their animated account of the Orcs attacking, his glazed eyes staring over their shoulders and into the hoard of gold and gems with a distant and longing look.

Again Bilbo's hope had flared when Thorin's full attention suddenly snapped back to Fili at the Mention of Freya's name. "Freya? She was there?" He demanded in an urgent tone. His eyes suddenly sharp and focused again as they bored into Fili's.

"Yes, she came with the elves. She ignored the prince's order and stayed to heal Kili's leg." Fili grinned as he noted the pride in Thorin's expression and Bofur took up the tale.

"Thorin, she was magnificent! You see, I had gone to get the athelas when I was set upon…" Bofur launched into yet another animated explanation and Thorin forced himself to concentrate for the sake of hearing news of Freya. "… so after we had killed all of that group and got back to the house, she damn near shoved the princeling on his royal arse and told him he could stick it and she was saving Kili! Well, in not so many words." he finished the tale with a flourish and grinning in a way that only Bofur would, a mannerism Thorin found endearing, particularly given the topic.

Thorin smiled as he felt another gleam of pride, he could picture in his mind the fiery and determined look in her eyes, her hair slightly wild from the battle with his braid prominent. He smiled wider as he paced away, imagining her forcing the eleven prince aside so she could tend to Kili's nearly fatal wound. Presently his smile faded and his attention was drawn way by the sparkle of gold as the flames from the brazers that now lit the treasure hoard danced across the surface of multiple coins and precious objects. With great effort, he regained his focus and turned to question Fili. Bilbo had not missed the distracted look of longing as Thorin had been focused on the gold that even thoughts of Freya had not been enough to abate for long before he had been distracted and appeared to mentally shake himself.

"So she was there in Laketown. Fili, please tell me that she survived the Dragon's attack." Thorin demanded, fear creeping into his voice.

"She survived uncle, but she will be punished for disobeying the prince and staying to save Kili. She was not able to return with us."

"Punished?" He demanded angrily.

"Aye, the poor girl looked like it cost her everything to walk away from us." Fili supplied in a morose tone. Thorin watched as the flames did another odd dance across the gold making it appear as though scales were moving on a great glittering beast. It was as though he could hear a very faint voice in his head, barely audible, but softly slithering through his mind and instilling doubt nonetheless.

"But... She walked away willingly you say. Why is she not here? She could have gone with you, she is strong, they could not have stopped her. And here... She would have been rewarded here... I would have kept her safe!" Thorin asserted, his voice getting angrier as he spoke. His suspicions were starting to get away from him again and though he tried, he could not shake the idea that Freya seemed to have a natural affinity for the elves. She even spoke their accursed language.

"The elves were staying to help the wounded, there is still a chance she will be released and able to join us." Oin finally spoke up for his fellow healer, concerned at the sudden change in his king's demeanour. Thorin shrugged the comment off and begun pacing again in frustration. Oin was beginning to fear the worst and one look at Bilbo told him he was not the only one.

Thorin finally stopped pacing and straightened, resuming his regal bearing.

"You will find the others in the council chambers. Bilbo will show you the way. Thank you for this news, and for your loyalty and service to Erebor."

Thorin turned as though he were dismissing them, but Kili stepped forward nervously.

"There is another thing. We have brought someone else with us." Kili stated, sounding more bold than his body language portrayed, though choosing his moment poorly. Thorin's eyes narrowed in a scowl and Bilbo felt sympathetic towards whomever it was that had accompanied Kili.

Tauriel stood at the ruined front gate, patiently awaiting permission to enter the Kingdom by it's king. As Kili approached her, Thorin could not help but notice the look they gave each other, cursing to himself that Freya's instincts seemed to have been correct. He also silently cursed the she-elf for her impeccable manners; she displayed the proper respect and deference that was due to him as Erebor's monarch, from her waiting to be invited into the newly reclaimed kingdom, to her appropriate eye contact and the respectful bow she greeted him with.

Thorin tried to listen patiently as Kili introduced his intended. He questioned Kili in Khuzdul about his intentions towards the she elf and the circumstances that had led to her being there with him. Kili blushed and stammered his replies while Tauriel watched warily but politely and he knew that Freya had spotted it first; Kili had found his one. Of all the beings on middle earth to have been the match to Kili's heart, she was an elf. He directed questions to Fili, Oin and Bofur and each were able to confirm Kili's story.

Switching to the common tongue he summarised the conversation for the benefit of the she elf.

"So Kili, you would like me to give my permission for Tauriel to reside within the mountain." He stated, folding his arms across his chest.

"Yes." Answered Kili bowing his head in deference. Thorin thought for a moment, he did not trust Tauriel, but Kili had insisted that she had been present at his healing and had helped Freya, a fact that the others had confirmed. This surely showed she was different from the others of her race.

"And you seek my approval of your courtship." He stated looking first at Kili, then at Tauriel.

"Yes uncle." Kili confirmed again holding his head high, his demeanour sure and strong. Thorin felt proud of his nephew despite himself. He sighed, resigned.

"Mahal knows I am in no position to judge your unconventional relationship, Kili... but she is an elf and one of Thranduil's closest servants. What if she has been sent to spy on us." He had asked this already in Khuzdul, but this time he wanted to see Tauriel's reaction. Tauriel was calm, but her eyes and jaw showed a determined set that Thorin could not help but respect.

"I am not a spy, but I know you will not trust me easily. I am willing to do what it takes to earn your trust. I should also tell you that it is likely that Thranduil will seek to punish me should I join you. He will already have issued a punishment for my disobedience thus far. If I join you, he may even banish me, a punishment reserved for the most grave of offences." Thorin nodded and paced away running a hand over his beard thoughtfully. Kili fidgeted nervously as the silence lengthened.

"It is not our way for me to insist that you part from Kili now that your hearts have made their choice, but neither can I fully trust you. There are those who will resist your partnership and even try to sabotage your relationship..." he paused looking at each of them again. He thought of Freya and smiled. "But Mahal knows I would be a hypocrite if I took such an action myself." Kili beamed at his uncle as Thorin touched his forehead to Kili's affectionately. "Tauriel may stay."

He waved away their thanks as he strode past a startled looking Bilbo and called over his shoulder "...but she is on probation, one offence and she is out! Bilbo, with me."

Predictably he made his way back towards the treasure room, his good humour fleeing and his mood darkening with every step. Balin, Ori and Nori were waiting nearby the entrance to the council chambers and Thorin called orders to them without stopping.

"Nori, organise a search of the treasure room. The Arkenstone must be found." Thorin ordered as he strode pass while the rest of the company joined them. After emotional and heartfelt greetings were exchanged, a search was quickly organised with surprising logic and efficiency; Bilbo supposed that a former thief would be the most skilled person to find a missing jewel. He stood by Thorin's side and shifted uncomfortably again as Thorin watched the company searching for the missing Arkenstone. After over an hour searching, Bilbo left to help Bofur and Bombur to prepare some refreshments, much to Thorin's chagrin. Bilbo later rejoined Thorin, who had not taken any refreshment himself, he had instead insisted that some remain to continue the search and go for their refreshment later. After another hour with no sign of the missing king's jewel, Thorin was irritated, calling our for the search to continue even as they begun to slow from exhaustion.

"Any sign of it?" The king called to his men, only to be met with faint yet negative confirmations from all over the treasury. When all had reported that they had yet to encounter the jewel, he clenched his fists and ground his teeth in such frustration that Bilbo could feel it as much as see it. "Keep searching!" Various grumbles met his order and the last of Thorin's patience seemed to snap. "The Arkenstone is in these halls, find it! All of you! No one rests until it is found." Guilt clawed at Bilbo's gut as there were several exhausted moans from the company, who despite their need for rest continued to search at the King's order. Eventually the company had to stop searching due to exhaustion. Thorin reluctantly ordered an early start in the morning, and Bilbo was certain that Thorin was going to continue searching alone late into the night.

Bilbo made a mumbled excuse about needing air and the smell of dragon, upon receiving only a grunt in reply from Thorin made his way to the balcony overlooking the ruins of Dale. Slumping against a large pillar he tiredly rubbed his hands over his face and heaved a deep sigh, his eyes fluttering shut as a wave of physical and emotional exhaustion swept over him. What would Freya say about this? He thought, trying not to despair. Thorin is getting dangerously obsessed with finding the Arkenstone, it is all he thinks about, that and the gold. Would Freya be able to help? He heaved another deep sigh as he looked around, checking that he was alone. Satisfied, he reached into the inner most pocket and felt the odd cold yet rippling warm smoothness of the Arkenstone. He took the glowing stone out of his pocket and stared at it for a moment. I cannot trust Thorin with it, Smaug said it would drive him mad and given Thorin's behaviour I have every reason to believe it would… What should I do? If Freya were here, then I could talk to her. I would give her the Arkenstone. Bilbo shook his head, realising the absurdity of his own thoughts carefully tucking the stone back into his hidden inner pocket. No, she would take the Arkenstone straight to Thorin, she is wise but I am sure her loyalty to him would win out… Perhaps it is better that the Arkenstone is simply 'not found' for now. Thus resolved, Bilbo stood, straightened and smoothed his clothing before marching back into the treasure room to continue the pretence of searching for a priceless and unique gem that was currently very carefully hidden on his person.

Freya stumbled slightly as she dismounted her weary steed. She and Legolas had been riding at a canter throughout the day, with Freya healing the horses weariness periodically. She wondered if Legolas would have insisted that they continue through the night had her own slumped posture not given her exhaustion away. Legolas had reluctantly called a halt, and Freya had chuckled wearily at the twin sighs of relief from the horses, which matched her own. The dog yawned and stretched as she placed him on the floor, shaking to wake himself. She had ensured he was tightly wrapped in her cloak all day, and the poor exhausted creature had taken the opportunity to sleep.

While Legolas ensured the horses had food had water, Freya gathered a little dry wood from the forest floor and started a fire using her magic. They had stuck to the outskirts of Mirkwood to make the ride easier on the horses and now they strung their cloaks against the nearby trees to make a shelter. Freya knew Legolas did not need this, but she was grateful for his sensitivity to her clear need.

In short order, Legolas had foraged enough food from the forest to provide them with a small meal. Freya guzzled the food greedily, giving no thought to manners or decorum. Legolas smirked at her amused.

"Your race is so curious." He said, still smirking. "For instance, Freya, you always eat as though you are starving!" Freya snorted in an undignified manner.

"That, your highness, is because after yet another day of keeping pace with an elf, I am starving!" Legolas raised a brow at her inviting her to elaborate. "I find that using magic in the way I have recently makes me very hungry, I used a lot to heal Kili, and before and after that I have used my magic to heal my exhaustion as well as the horses. So I suppose the hunger is to do with replenishing my energy."

Legolas nodded thoughtfully and handed her some more food. Freya knew she had already eaten her share, but the way Legolas forced the food into her hands was insistent and Freya was too tired and hungry to argue. She smiled thankfully at him as he placed some food in front of the dog and took a bite from the fruit Legolas had given to her, this time in a more dignified manner while the dog sniffed the food and gave Legolas a disgusted look. As she and Legolas ate sedately, and the dog sniffed his dubiously, Legolas talked to her about the food he had gathered, some of the sweet nuts and mushrooms were new to Freya and so she listened, aware of the rare chance to gain knowledge that would be useful to anyone attempting to pass through Mirkwood and survive. The dog eventually ate his food, a meagre mixture nuts and berries Legolas had foraged.

"Personally I would prefer not to hunt for meat, but for the sake of your little one there, I think you may have to." As usual, one one to one basis, she found Legolas pleasant company, and she wondered why he had been so different around his Mirkwood kin.

"I will find some coneys in the morning. My magic will help." Freya finished her food and wiped her hands and face edging closer to the warmth of the fire. The dog snuggled closer to her and she wrapped her long coat tightly about herself placing some of it over the dog.

"I believe I must name you, little one." She said Legolas cocked his head and thought.

"What about ~little one~?" Freya repeated the words and the dog hung its head making them chuckle.

"No, I do not think he likes that name." She thought, chuckled again and asked "Lindir?" Legolas let out a musical laugh though the dog gave the same response. "Well that's a shame, I rather fancied having two Lindir's following me around like puppies!" Legolas continued to laugh, clutching his sides in mirth. "So you are the maid he had set his hopes on? Interesting!" Freya gave Legolas a shy look

"Oh, how much do you know about all that?"

"Only the gossip Tauriel reported from my father's last visit to Imladris. She said that she noticed that Lindir was pining after somebody who had left a few weeks before father arrived. She had managed to find out that he was enamoured of a young woman studying healing with Lord Elrond who had left with Gandalf the Grey. He pined after her until Lord Elrond announced he would be visiting Lothlorien, which seemed to lighten his mood. Though she takes it with caution, Tauriel has an ear for gossip, a knack for finding out secrets and a long memory!" Legolas concluded. Freya shifted slightly uncomfortably.

"I will remember that. It sounds as though Tauriel was made captain of the guard for more than her fighting skill." Freya mused.

"Yes, she is a skilled investigator as my father would put it. She was useful to keep near. He favoured her for it above all others, it is the reason he so often placed her on patrols with me, hoping that I would somehow acquire her ability to gather useful information."

"I understand... it would be very useful." They lapsed into a brooding silence, Freya thoughtful and Legolas somber. Freya's thoughts did not dwell on Tauriel for long, the need to pull Legolas out if his dour mood driving her to change the subject.

"Hum, how about Carver?" She asked watching the dog. The dog gave a happy yip and wagged it's tail.

"Carver? I have not heard that name before." Legolas said curiously.

"It was my brother's name, the only one who accepted me before I went to live in Lothlorien." She whispered, though she knew Legolas would hear. Though curious, Legolas did not pry, and Freya appreciated that. She already felt awful enough about being separated from Thorin and the company, and guilty about Legolas' pain at his separation from Tauriel without becoming morose over the loss of her brother over a century ago. She would prefer to think of her new furry companion's acceptance of the name as a happy remembrance of the companionship and trust she had with her brother.

Freya took a deep breath and cleared her mind to meditate, but found that before long a wave of weariness washed over her again and she almost fell asleep where she sat, a nod of her head giving her away.

"Take some rest Freya, you need it more than I." Legolas said gently giving Freya a sympathetic smile as Carver the dog placed his head on his paws and got more comfortable next to her.

"No, we should take turns on w-w-watch." Freya protested weakly but gave herself away with a shuddering yawn that cut off the end of her sentence. Legolas did not attempt to hide his amusement, giving another musical laugh that warmed Freya and made her feel safe in the familiar way typical of Elven laughter. She attempted to give him a scathing look for his teasing nonetheless, but the ferocity of it was diminished by another yawn.

Giving in to the signals of her weary body and ignoring Legolas' chuckles, Freya edged away from the fire and under the shelter of their cloaks. She watched Legolas add another log to the fire as he hummed a tune that Freya recognised as an elven lullaby. Oh he's so smug, she thought as she caught the upturned corners of Legolas' mouth. I guess I will have to let him have that one. She closed her eyes and drifted off into a well earned sleep.

Arms encircled her body making Freya feel safe and loved as a hand moved to gently brush her hair away from her neck. Breath tickled her sensitive flesh as her hair stirred slightly. A tickle, pleasant and gentle setting butterflies flying in her stomach as lips touched her skin, brushing from the base of her neck and down to her shoulders. She realised she was naked and a hard body pulled her back closer to his chest, pressing his nakedness against her. Freya sighed as the closeness allowed a familiar spicy smell to fill her nostrils. A strong yet gentle hand brushed the sensitive underside of her breast and a soft beard brushed against her cheek while planting a kiss on her shoulder.

"Thorin." She moaned, arching her back in pleasure as his fingers ghosted teasingly along her breast. The action pushed her breast further into his palm and her bottom closer to his hardness. A pleasured groan was her reply, giving her another pleasant flutter in her stomach and sending heat throughout her body.

She tried to turn over to look at him but his strong arms tightened slightly and held her still. "Freya". His husky voice whispered in her ear. Another kiss to the side of her neck as his hand left her breast and travelled slowly down her ribcage and very slowly downwards. "Come back amralimne, come back to your king. With me you will be will be the envy of every kingdom. Nothing shall be beyond your reach." He said as his hand stopped before reaching the place that she yearned to feel it.

Freya did turn this time and amongst the darkness she could just make out the face she so loved.

"Very soon my love. Not long now." She vowed.

"I can shower you with gold and jewels." He whispered.

"I do not need riches my king. All I need is you and your love, if I have that, I will be content and will neither need or ask for more." He chuckled.

"I shall do it anyway." He vowed planting a soft kiss on her lips.

"Stubborn dwarf!" She chided with a grin as she kissed him again.

"Obstinate woman!" He retorted and chuckled again.

He kissed her deeply then, making their tongues dance as she kissed him back. Moving her hands from his chest, Freya wrapped her arms about his neck and pulled him closer. He applied gentle pressure to her shoulders and she rolled onto her back, met by a soft mattress. Thorin followed as he continued the kiss and positioned himself above her.

"Freya." He whispered, her name a prayer on his lips, full of longing and love. She allowed a welcome feeling of hope to blossom. "Soon, my love."

"Yes, soon, I swear it." She vowed. He kissed her again pulling her leg up and wrapping it over his waist. She could feel him against her, there was nothing between them now, nothing stopping them becoming one. Freya's nerves responded and though nervous she could feel her body was ready for him. Thorin hesitated looking into her eyes.

"Soon, amralimne." He vowed, leaving Freya wondering what he meant; their reunion, or this consummation.

She wanted this, could not wait any longer. Every fibre of her being was crying out his name wanting to become one with him. Yet even as she realised this, the comfortable weight of his body started to recede, the darkened room became even darker until she could no longer see him. She called his name but her voice was muffled. She called his name again but could no longer hear her own voice.

The room shifted and gradually revealed itself as an enormous room with a gold covered floor. Banners and enormous pillars decorated the walls. Bright brasiers lit the room shining off the golden floor making it glitter and giving the appearance of flames dancing beneath the surface. Freya stood in its centre, covered only by a thin tunic, her hair spilling about her shoulders. She became aware of another presence but that was not what scared her. A malice seemed to fill the room. As she realised this and wished she could leave, those familiar comforting arms wrapped around her from behind and she felt his body close, pulling her into an embrace.

Thorin turned her in his arms and Freya looked upon the crowned king under the mountain. His clothes were sumptuous, heavy velvet cloth trimmed with expensive furs and thread of gold. His heavy winter cloak was made of pure black fur, and he wrapped it around her to keep out the chill. The raven crown of his grandfather looked heavy on Thorin's head, but he wore it with pride. He smiled, observing her face as she did his and for a moment Freya felt safe and she knew that these dreams were a message... he was alive.

She spoke his name and he smiled again, answering with a kiss. They broke apart again as the malice in the room grew until it was pressing in on them. Thorin stepped away giving her a searching look. Freya reached out with her hand and he retreated another step looking afraid. Freya shook her head.

"Thorin?" He took another step away. "No. Thorin, come back, please do not leave me. My love. What is wrong? No, Thorin don't go, I love you!" She pleaded, her heart breaking as he turned away and strode from the room. A cry of anguish and despair burst from her lungs and she sank to the cold floor weeping for her lost love. She could make out the figure of the king stepping purposefully around the balcony high above the room, but she no longer had the strength to plead, she could only weep in despair.

Disliking this pathetic form she made, huddled on the floor and weeping, she forced herself to look up to where the king watched from a the grandest of the balconies. She stood, mustering her dignity, wiped the tears from her eyes and held her head high before turning on her heal and striding from the room. She heard a scuffle of feet far behind her echoing off the empty room and his whisper of her name. A sea of fabric curtains parted for her as she passed, brushing at her face, some becoming wet with her tears. Her feet no longer met stone and she started to float, all feeling and senses receded, though the feeling of wetness on her cheeks remained along with the feeling of the curtains brushing at her.

Freya woke to find Carver the dog licking her face and wining. Legolas glanced at her noticing that she was awake, but resumed his watch giving her some privacy. Freya pulled Carver into a hug and sat up, wiping her eyes and gathering her composure as her tears abated. Sleep would no longer come to her, and she estimated it was an hour before dawn. She relieved Legolas of his watch, but he took only a little longer than that hour to rest himself.

After so long in the company of Dwarves, the strange open eyed dreaming rest of the elves was almost a surprise and Freya supposed she would need to get used to it again. She used a little magic to catch and kill a brace of coneys which she prepared and cooked while Legolas slept so that when he woke, Freya and Carver were eating their meat. In short order they had gathered their belongings and set off in silence, Carver the dog once more wrapped in her lap.

The morning found Bilbo in the Throne room, along with Balin, Dwalin and Thorin. The king had woken after only a few hours sleep, and was already in a towering rage. Bilbo once again tried to make himself small and inconspicuous, keeping his own council for fear that his words would betray his secret.

"It is here in these walls. Thorin ground out as he paced, glaring at the setting above the throne where the arkenstone should be displayed. If will alone were enough, Bilbo was sure it would be gleaming in its intricately carved setting at this moment.

"We have searched and searched..." Dwalin reasoned.

"Not well enough!" Thorin cut him off with an angry growl.

"Thorin we all would see the stone returned!" Dwalin protested but stopped as Thorin rounded on him his voice rising to an angry roar as he spoke

"And yet it is still not fond!"

"Do you doubt the loyalty of anyone here?" Asked Balin, his voice thick with emotion, his eyes wide with shock. "The arkenstone is the birthright of our people." Balin asserted firmly as though that closed the discussion.

"It is the king's jewel." Thorin stated, as though explaining to a very stubborn toddler. "Am I not the king? How am I to unite the clans and demand justice without it? Freya sacrificed her freedom and I will not see that sacrifice go in vain! With a united army of dwarves at my back I could demand that rat Thranduil release her and he would have no choice but to comply!" Thorin ranted. He paused staring at the throne again, his eyes glancing to the side in the direction of the treasure hoard. "Know this, if anyone should find it and withhold it from me, I will be avenged!" He stated his voice dangerously quiet but still echoing from the walls. As Thorin returned to the treasure hoard Bilbo followed Balin and Dwalin in the direction of the council chambers. Before he joined the others in their quiet breakfast, Dwalin punched the stone door with such force that Bilbo wondered he did not break his hand.

Balin made his way into the council library and Bilbo, for once and unusually for a hobbit was not hungry, so followed Balin. The elderly dwarf was wise and Bilbo was so full of doubt, he decided that the best course of action would be to seek Balin's council before getting some breakfast himself. The site that greeted him was not encouraging, Balin was secretly weeping for the state of his king.

"Dragon sickness. I have seen it before. That look, the terrible need. It is a fierce and jealous love Bilbo." Balin regained his composure with great effort. The word love however gave Bilbo hope.

"If Freya were here..." Bilbo asked hopefully before Balin cut him off.

"I know what you are going to say Bilbo, but even love such as theirs would not be enough to stay the sickness. It sent his grandfather mad." Bilbo was crestfallen, but persisted nonetheless.

"Balin, if... if Thorin had the arkenstone. If it was fond, would it help?" Balin gave him a suspicious look before answering.

"That stone crowns all, the summit of this great wealth, bestowing power on he who bears it. Would it stay his madness where his love for Freya could not? No laddie. I fear it would make it worse. You heard him, his first action would be to go to war with the woodland realm to get Freya back. Then who knows... Perhaps it is best that it remains lost." He finished giving Bilbo a pointed look.

After several days of travel, now going slightly easier on the horses, Freya and Legolas had been able to cover a great distance. Freya found that so long as she replenished her energy with food and rest, her power the following morning would have restored itself and in some cases even increased. It had been much like this when she had been training with Gandalf and Galadriel, and she was grateful that Legolas was only too happy to help by foraging and occasionally hunting. Food had become more scarce in the day since they had left the parameter of Mirkwood, and Legolas had worked much harder to find increasingly smaller amounts of food for them.

Freya's dreams had returned each night. At first, the intimate dream came back to her but would always stop before they consummated their love. However these blissful dreams had stopped so that now she would only see the crowned King.

The intimacy and affection never lasted long when she saw him thus, and he was always surrounded by gold. With the gold always came that feeling of malice and the dream ended with Thorin walking away from her, further into the mountain, or further into a massive treasure hoard. But as time went on, Thorin's image in the dream started to look more unwell. He was loosing weight and there were bags under his eyes as though food and sleep were eluding him. Freya concluded two things from this recurring dream, taking them as a warning; Thorin was alive, but he was far from well.

Freya dismounted giving the desolate and rocky landscape a sweeping glance with all her senses. Whatever happened next she would need to be on her guard, for they had reached mount Gundabad.

Freya and Legolas left the horses and Carver in a concealed spot while they sought a higher vantage point. Kept low to the ground, lest their silhouettes against the darkening night sky give them away, they huddled close together as they observed the hulking and foreboding fortress that had been hacked out of the granite cliff face. The stone had been hewn with some skill and Freya wondered if dwarves had been involved in its construction. The plan was simple; gather information for King Thranduil, who may very well be contending with two Orc strongholds on his doorstep - one in the north, one in the south. Legolas knew this was likely, but he wanted evidence to convince his father that the orcs were prepared for war.

"So what lies beyond Gundabad? It looks as though it guards a pass?" Freya whispered to her companion. The fortress looked uninhabited and desolate, Freya knew however that this meant little, and that there could be an Orc pack or even a legion hidden within.

"An old enemy, the ancient kingdom of Angmar. This fortress was once its stronghold. It is where they kept their greater armoires, forged their weapons of war." Legolas whispered back, not taking his eyes from the behemoth building.

"Look, a light. I just saw movement." Freya breathed. They watched as the briefly visible light flickered out from a high tower then vanished again.

"We must wait for the cover of night, it is a fell place Freya. In another age my people waged war on those lands." Legolas said heavily. He turned to Freya, weighing his words and judging whether to tell this darkest of memories to the woman from the race of man he had only known a few short weeks. As she turned a curious gaze to meet his, he went on. "My mother died there. My father does not speak of it. There is no grave, no memory, nothing." He finished. Somehow telling Freya this had helped. It had been almost like having Tauriel back at his side, for she too would listen and be able to judge when he just needed to disclose something important without interruption. It was what had made him hope for more than friendship with Tauriel. The effect with Freya however was quite different, it strengthened him and his resolve. They were companions, comrades and friends, but that was where it ended. Freya's heart was already given to another, and it was this knowledge that made Legolas feel safe and secure talking to Freya in a way that he had not felt in many, many years.

Freya gave Legolas a sympathetic look. She understood a little better now why Legolas and Thranduil were so cold and aloof. With this knowledge, Freya mused that Thranduil wore his aloofness like an armour lest he fade from a broken heart. Could Thranduil have been different before his wife and queen had died? If he had indeed built a wall of ice around his heart, he had saved his son the burdens of becoming king by continuing to rule. When she thought about it this way, Thranduil seemed less self interested and more like a wise monarch and concerned parent. However Freya had a hard time picturing Thranduil this way after his malicious attitude towards her relationship with Thorin and his treatment of Tauriel. Either way, some of this defence mechanism had clearly transferred itself onto Legolas, but there were moments when she saw the real Legolas, and his heart was still pure, if a little bruised. The real Legolas she saw was sure to find his own path in life, with or without his father's protection and patronage.

They waited patiently as the last rays of the sun faded behind the grey clouds. Freya's patience was wearing to a thread and she turned to her stoic companion.

"If we are going in we should move now." She whispered. Legolas gave a nod and shifted to move from his vantage point. As Freya shifted her arm to follow she saw a swift movement from the direction of the fortress and quickly made a move to grab Legolas' arm. He had already stopped however and was watching the rapidly approaching black swarm of giant bats that swooped over the field below, the very one they were about to run across. The bats circled the fortress getting more and more rapid with each pass and swoop.

"They are swarming." Freya whispered in a voice full of disgust. Legolas watched, an equal look of loathing on his face as he answered, a scowl marred his features as he spoke and the figure of Bolg upon his warg stepped out on a raised area of the plane to oversee the activity

"These bats are bread for one purpose. For war." Legolas beheld the terror in Freya's eyes as they both turned as Bolg issued a gruff order. The sound of Orcish war horns echoed throughout the valley and beyond, bouncing off the cliffs. The gates of the fortress opened and Freya froze in terror as legions of orcs and goblins spilled forth, armoured for war and carrying pikes and torches. Legolas chanced another glance at Freya and he noted her continence; her mouth was slightly open in terror and a tear was making its way down her cheek.

"Merciful Valar, we must warn the others!" She breathed regaining herself. Legolas nodded, turning to move.

"We may already be too late. Hurry."