It was the dead of night when Mara found her meditation interrupted by a ragged cry. She bolted to her feet from where she had ensconced herself in the armchair before the fire, coming to a concerned halt at the sight of Thorin thrashing wildly. He was utterly delirious, his fever creeping ever higher, and yelling incoherently in the same language she had heard spurts of earlier. Gathering her resolve, Mara hurried towards him, hands held out in a peaceful manner as she tried to get close enough to wake him. He was flailing his arms around, and one solid fist caught her a glancing blow to the nose with a sickening crunch that was followed by a spurt of blood. Cursing, Mara grabbed the rag she had used on Thorin earlier and held it to her face, trying to stop the flow as it streamed into her open mouth. She nearly shrieked when Thorin appeared to catch sight of her and no recognition entered his eyes. He reflexively reached down near the edge of the bed, and Mara paled at the sight of his sword lying well within reach. She lunged forward, kicking it across the room and wincing when her foot let her know how it felt about being used in such a fashion.
"Thorin stop!" she cried fearfully. "I'm not going to hurt you!" He continued to yell, albeit weakly now as his voice cracked and faltered. Her heart stopped at the next sound to reach her ears.
"Uncle?" Mara whirled around to see the trembling forms of Fili and Kili hovering in the doorway.
"Boys stay back, he cannot see you," she yelled in warning. "He is trapped in a bad dream, please go wait in the other room. I will come get you when I have calmed him." Fili nodded miserably, dragging his sobbing brother away from the painful sight. Once they were gone Mara tried to approach again, but Thorin was even more hysterical after hearing the voices of his nephews raised as they were in fear and worry. Growling in frustration, she did the only thing left available to her. Grabbing up the bowl of now very cold water still on the dresser, Mara splashed the lot over his face, sending him reeling back with a gasp of shock. Thorin blinked rapidly, his eyes regaining their focus as the nightmare left him. He stared at her in recognition and confusion, swiftly moving on to worry at the sight of the bloody mess on her face. She had dropped the cloth sometime during the scuffle, and with her hair whirling around her in tangles she was now a right mess.
"What happened?" Thorin whispered.
"You were having a fever dream," Mara explained.
Trying to get his bearings, Thorin glanced down, shivering slightly from the water dripping off his face and covering his shirt. "Why am I all wet?"
Mara flushed slightly. "Ahh yes, well, I'm sorry about that but it was the only way to waken you. I was rather worried you were about to go for your sword."
He nodded in understanding. "What happened to your face?" he asked bluntly, his brow furrowed in concern.
Mara snorted. "Like I said, you were rather disoriented. I think you believed I meant to attack you."
Thorin instantly looked full of regret. "I did that?" he murmured in horror. "Mahal, I... I am so sorry."
"Oh piffle," Mara waved off his broken apologies. "I've survived worse. You did not do it on purpose." She noticed quickly as his shivering started to worsen. "We must get you out of that wet shirt, it's not really doing you much good." The distraction worked, for Thorin was now forced to focus on assisting her with the removal of the sodden piece of clothing. They soon had it off, and Mara used a corner of the blanket to dry his skin. She felt a twinge of admiration at the sight of the broad chest and rippling muscles, but was sobered at how they glistened with fever sweat. Shaking off the immoral thoughts, she hurriedly procured another shirt from the wardrobe and had it on him within minutes. She swept out of the room then to fetch the waiting dwarflings, bringing them back to see their uncle more his old self.
"Oh boys," he croaked out sadly. "I hope I did not frighten you." Both shook their heads furiously, not wanting to cause him further upset, before rushing to him and enveloping him in a tight hug. They stayed like that for a time until yawns started wracking all three of them. Mara chuckled, sweeping the two back up into her arms again.
"Time for little ones to go back to sleep," she murmured, carrying them to their beds and tucking them in like before. They were out as soon as their heads hit the pillow. Mara reentered Thorin's room to see the dwarf tossing restlessly. She sat next to him, laying a cool hand on his brow and humming a soft melody that soon had him drifting off to sleep.
Once she had ensured that the other occupants of the house were asleep and comfortable, Mara returned to her meditation. This was her peoples way of recharging their energy levels. Having never slept, she was not certain how it compared, nor did she have to do it daily if she did not desire to, but it was comforting none the less. It afforded her a measure of calm after a hectic day, a feeling she desperately needed right now. Her mind roiled with conflicting emotions, leaving her mentally drained. In the space of a single day she had found the town her visions showed her, become nanny to a pair of children reminding her far too much of things she'd lost, and been attacked by a delirious patient. It was enough to make anyone's head spin she reasoned, thanking Yavanna that she had managed to maintain her composure.
Author's note: I'm sure some of you may be wondering what exactly Mara is by this point, as I have been quite ambiguous with the details. All I will say for now is that it will be revealed in due time, and no she is not a dwarf. Happy guessing, and I hope you are enjoying the story so far!