"Chapter 5"

A/N: For all of you who've read so far, here's another chapter for you! We'll see a slight confrontation between Thorin and Elrond, and finally a one-on-one meeting with our grumpy Dwarf-king and the Ringbearer. Thank you all again for all you're wonderful reviews and support: and the person calling themselves "Ringer"—I'm glad I'm giving you something to do in your free time. I'll try not to ruin it for you! Vana Jedi, I know exactly what you mean, your comment made me laugh. Irony! Bright Watcher, thanks so much for your lovely review, it means a lot, and I'm glad you like the humor and the short comments about the Shadow. creepyLOTRfangirl55, I'm really afraid of screwing up now! xD

And for all of you out there who are struggling with life in general, and you feel dragged down by burdens, here's a word of encouragement: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."- Jermeiah 29: 11.

Onward, my merry band of followers!

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When it was decided that Thorin would accompany the Ringbearer on his Quest he brought the decision to Elrond himself. Young Gimli came with him, walking along his king silently but attentively; not as a bodyguard but simply as company. Thorin didn't mind—Goin was one of his oldest friends, even before the Adventure to take back Erebor, and he had seen Gimli grow into a respectable, robust Dwarf able to hold his own in battle. Any bitter thoughts Thorin had about Fili and Kili he kept only to himself, refusing to speak of their end to anyone. It had been difficult talking to Bilbo about them but he knew that the hobbit had genuinely cared for Thorin's nephews and had been truly sorrowful about the Dwarf-king's loss.

Of course, having a beloved nephew of his own, a nephew who had just struggled with a life-and-death experience, had probably made Bilbo realize all-to-well the terror and sorrow of the thought of losing "his lad". Thorin had been unable to hide the jealousy he had felt for Bilbo the night they had finally met again, seeing the deep care the two hobbits clearly felt for each other; but he had also been caring enough to be grateful, too, that at least Bilbo had had his own nephew saved.

Saved from an undead existence…

Elrond was clearly expecting Thorin at some point because he did not seem surprised in the least to see him. He merely allowed the two Dwarves entry with a genuine greeting and closed the door softly behind them.

"What help can I give you, Master Oakenshield?" he asked, stepping behind his fine desk, though he did not seat himself. 'Must enjoy looking down at us,' Thorin sneered to himself. He fought to keep his contempt from his expression and knew he was only partly successful.

"I've come to tell you that I have decided that I am joining the Ringbearer on his Quest," he answered shortly, daring the Elf to object.

Elrond merely raised a dark eyebrow and pondered him for a long moment. "What of your kingdom, Master Oakenshield? The road to the Black Land will be a treacherous one. There is a chance one or several will not survive the journey."

So he knew that the Quest was most likely a suicidal one as well, Thorin realized; and in that moment his already-fierce hatred of the Elves burned even hotter. So this Elf-lord was just going to sit back and allow others to do the dirty work, was he? He was willing to sacrifice as many lives as it would take just to see the One Ring destroyed.

"I would rather die trying to protect my homeland than simply sitting back and doing nothing," he growled; his words were a deliberate barb at Elrond's lack of action. Beside him he felt Gimli stiffen as if preparing for battle and knew that the younger Dwarf understood—and agreed with—what he was saying.

Elrond's stormy grey eyes flashed with anger as he realized what Thorin was implying, but with an effort of will he forced down his own biting reply. "Very well," he said instead. "I will inform—"

"I would ask to accompany the Ringbearer as well," Gimli spoke suddenly, the deep rumble of his voice startlingly loud; his words seemed to echo in the sudden silence that filled the room. Thorin turned to look at his companion, startled, and Elrond looked at Gimli as well, both eyebrows now raised. Gimli met both of their surprised gazes head-on, stubbornly refusing to back down.

"Gimli, Gloin will—"

"My father knows I am well and capable enough to go should I wish it," the red-headed Dwarf replied evenly. "I would be honored to be one of the Ringbearer's companions on his journey. And you know that if I do not go with you then Father will," he added when Thorin still looked unconvinced.

And Thorin couldn't help but chuckle, knowing that with Gimli's words he had effectively lost the argument before it had even begun. "Indeed he would," he conceded, and turned back to Elrond. "It appears that my mind has been decided for me, Master Elrond."

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Following his meeting with Elrond, Thorin sought out Frodo himself. His realization of Elrond's actions, or lack thereof, had made him slightly defensive and maybe a little opposing to the hobbit's taking the Quest on his shoulders. Hidden beneath that he knew that he was more than anything else afraid that Frodo had agreed simply because he had felt that sacrificing himself was not so tragic at all. Thorin didn't want to see Bilbo's nephew play in the Elves' games.

Frodo, he found, was seated by himself in one of the side gardens near his rooms, reading a thick tome that he had clearly borrowed from Elrond's extensive library. He seemed almost made from stone, a decorative effigy set there, from the amount of movement he made. He seemed nary to even breathe. Thorin didn't think that that was a normal habit of the Small Folk but remembered Gandalf's words that Frodo Baggins was a rather peculiar soul of his kind. He certainly seemed to read well—his blue eyes roved the page almost hungrily, finishing a page quickly and moving onwards with a speed that said that he had a high level of intelligence and comprehension for reading material. Thorin had a moment of wondering what the hobbit would make of the Dwarves' collection of books at Erebor—the library was just as large if not in as best of shape—before he reminded himself that he was not here to talk about books.

The hobbit seemed completely immersed in his reading; Thorin was able to come within feet of him and he had not yet stirred from the page he was on. Certainly not something Thorin had seen from the other halflings, apart from Bilbo of course, who had lost himself in a book now and again. He cleared his throat.

"Master Baggins."

Frodo jumped slightly in his seat, clearly startled, and the book slipped from his hands to fall with a loud 'thump' onto the grass below. The spine of the book, however, had bumped his arm—the injured one, Thorin noticed, and he heard Frodo's quick hiss of pain as his healing wound throbbed. Feeling a mite guilty that he had caused the hobbit pain, Thorin bent and retrieved the book for him and set it on the bench. Frodo looked up at him curiously, and again the Dwarf was surprised by how much the hobbit looked like an Elf. Blue eyes met blue in silence until finally Thorin spoke again.

"I am sorry for disturbing you, Master Baggins—"

But Frodo waved a dismissive hand. "It's not the first time I've been caught off-guard by reading," he replied with a self-chagrined smile. "And please, if you are going to address me, call me Frodo."

"Very well—Frodo. But you must call me Thorin."

The hobbit's grin turned humorous. "No 'Your Majesty' or 'my king'?"

Thorin nearly smiled himself. Such spirit. "As Bilbo's nephew I see no reason why you should. Bilbo himself never did. Hobbits in general do not seem ones to go much in for royalty, I've found."

Frodo nodded. "Indeed we don't." He looked at Thorin closely. "What is it? You look like you have a question."

Perceptive as well. Thorin inclined his head. "I came to tell you that I will be coming along on your Quest."

He was surprised when Frodo did not protest like the others had. There was no asking what his kingdom would do while he was away, no saying that he had to go back to Erebor and not endanger his life. He merely continued to look up at the Dwarf as if he understood why Thorin was coming until finally the he spoke again.

"I would be honored to have you with me, Thorin," he said.

And suddenly Thorin couldn't keep silent about his resentment of his new discovery. His fear. "Why did you decide to claim this Task as your own?"

That did surprise Frodo. He stiffened and his eyebrows drew into a frown of confusion. He blinked but Thorin could tell he was thinking seriously about his answer. Finally, the hobbit shook his head. "I felt like it was my duty," he finally said softly. "Like… it was something I have to do." He took a deep breath. "I'm not doing it because I'm brave, because I'm not. I'm doing it because I feel I should."

And Thorin found that he couldn't argue with that.