Chapter 2
Maya's eyes fluttered open, her vision still blurry with sleep. With a yawn, she rolled onto her back, causing her blanket to shift half way off of her.
That was such a weird dr-
She paused in mid-thought as she shifted against the hard cold ground. Cringing, she opened her eyes to a bright blue sky. She shot up to a sitting position and took in the grassy field spotted with the occasional tree or two.
"What the hell!?"
Her eyes widened as her hands grabbed hold of her blanket. Looking down, she found a familiar black blazer draping over her lap. A shifting movement caught her attention in the corner of her eye. There laying on his side still sleeping peacefully, was the man who rescued her.
5 hours Ago
I have to get back before they notice.
It was the one thought that Maya kept repeating over and over in her head as she fought to keep moving. Anders had given up trying to convince her to stop long ago after his complaints went ignored. So instead he continued on in silence, glaring at her head.
With no working phone or watch, it was impossible to know how long they had been walking, however it wasn't long before their legs were becoming too fatigued to hold them up. Despite Anders catching her as she stumbled, on more than one occasion, Maya pushed on.
Struggling to keep his heavy lids from closing and finally at his wits end, Anders snapped. "Okay that's it! We have to stop!"
Maya paused in her tracks and shot him a look of annoyance.
"Don't give me that look." Maya opened her mouth to protest, but Anders continued. "I know, I know! You have to get back. Well, I hate to break it to you but that's not going to happen. It's late, I'm exhausted. I've already risked my life for you once, and I'm certainly not going to die walking to fucking who knows where with you. Now you can keep going, but I'm done for tonight. I'm going to stay here and sleep. So when you wise up, you're more than welcome to come back and find me, yeah?"
With that, Anders walked over to a near by tree where he sat down and leaned against the trunk before closing his eyes. Anger dissolved to fear as Maya realized he meant what he said. She swallowed around the lump that formed in her through and turned back to the path. She knew he was right, but she refused to admit it. So, fighting against all instincts to stay with the man, she resumed her trek. Each step leaving the man further behind.
Present
"It wasn't a dream." Her shoulders slumped as the events from last night came rushing back. Slowly she brought her knees to her chest and sighed.
Shit. I'm going to be in so much trouble when I get back.
She closed her eyes and buried her face in her arms as she tried to ignore the fear that gnawed at her.
"Where am I?" The sleepy moan caused Maya to jump and turn her attention back to the now half awake man.
Anders rubbed his eyes and let out a yawn as he sat up. Turning his head, his eyes widened upon seeing the auburn haired girl from the beach.
"Oh bloody hell." He let out a groan and flopped back down on the grass. The dream hadn't been a dream at all and Anders wasn't sure what he was more upset about. Being lost in the middle of no where with no cell phone, and possibly no reception anyway, or being lost in the middle of no where with no cell phone and a stubborn teenager.
Opening one eye, he caught Maya biting her lower lip as she suppressed a laugh. The reaction surprised him. Opening both eyes, the smile that had intrigued him enough to sit up, quickly fell as she looked away from him.
"Morning."
Her voice held no hostility or sarcasm. He raised a brow. "Morning. How long have you been awake?"
She threw a quick glance over at Anders then shrugged. "Not long."
Anders nodded, staring out into the distance. "Thought you would have been off walking by now, since you have to get back so bad."
He could see her body tense in the corner of his eye. It was easy for him to get under people's skins and she was no different.
"Doesn't matter now. What happened with you staying back there?"
His face fell, unsure how to respond to the question. Sure he felt bad letting her walk off by herself but he wasn't going to admit that to her. So he held his tongue, which didn't seem to phase the young girl as she stood up and brushed herself off.
"We should get going."
He expected her to turn and start walking again, so he was surprised when he looked up to find her extending a hand to him. Fighting against his suspicions, he took her hand.
"Thanks." He said brushing off his pants.
"Um...Here." She held up his blazer, neatly folded in her hands. Anders nodded with a sigh and took it back. Biting her lip, she winced a smile before slowly walking away.
Of course. Only makes sense I'd be lost with a bipolar nut. If this is Mike's idea of a joke, it's not funny.
Anders stifled his groan as he tucked the blazer under his arm and walked after her.
""""""""""
Anders and Maya were traveling blind as the grass swallowed up the path. Slowly they made their way to the top of a large hill only to stop dead in their tracks. Hearing a gasp coming from his companion, Anders opened his mouth, but words failed to come out.
There before them was a valley of rolling hills. As if out of a fairy tale, several small doors spotted the side of the hills, complete with picket fences and flowery bushes. The dirt roads added layers to the hillside. A small lake off in the distance and random farm animals grazed on the grass. But while it was all beautiful, their shock lay with the many people that walked about this bizarre town. Dressed in clothing from the middle ages, they looked to be the size of small children. Perhaps no taller than three feet.
Convinced that it had to be the work of his brothers, Anders smirked and started down the hill only to stop when he didn't hear Maya follow. Looking back, she simply stood there. Brows furrowed with worry.
Now she stays.
Anders rolled his eyes. "Oi! You coming?"
Maya hesitantly shook her head. "Let's just go back."
"What?!" He hissed, storming up to her. "What do you mean go back? There's nothing back there and it was your brilliant idea to keep walking."
"I know and I'm sorry, but seriously. This...something's not right."
The raw fear in her eyes was enough to shift his anger to guilt and all he wanted to do was find the nearest bar.
"Let's just keep going...Please."
Letting out a slow breath, Anders gently grasped her arms with both handsand looked her in the eyes. "You're a brave girl, and I know you're scared. But we need to go down there. We need to get back home. So you have to be strong. For me."
She took a deep breath and bit her lip before giving a small nod. Uncertain if his powers of manipulation had come back, Anders lifted her head and stared into her scared eyes once more.
"Good girl. Now I want you to go down there and find someone to help us."
"Oka- wait. Aren't you coming too?"
"No. I'm going to wait here til you get back."
It was obvious that she was utterly confused by what happened, yet it didn't stop her from walking down the hill leaving Anders to his thoughts.
Now my powers work...what the fuck is going on?...And where are we?
What the hell just happened?
Her head was spinning, as she made her descent down the hill. There was no reason for why she had listened to him, there was only this strong compelling need to do as she was told. Spotting a little girl ahead, Maya pushed her thoughts aside and cautiously approached her.
"Um...Excuse me?"
As she looked up, Maya inhaled sharply. What looked like a young child from a far and head lowered, was really an older woman. As her eyes raked over Maya, her face contorted with disgusted and before she could ask anything, the older woman scurried off.
To distrust people, and want to avoid talking with them, Maya could understand; and yet to hurry off as if she was America's most wanted, was mind boggling. It was impossible to begin to wonder if she had done something wrong as everyone she attempted to speak with or even look at would hurry off in the opposite direction. She was quickly becoming discouraged to say the least. Spotting an older man, rolling an empty wheel barrel a head, she mustered up the remaining courage and happiness she had before walking up to him.
"Excuse me? Hi. I was wondering if-"
As the man turned around his smile shifted to frown. With a quick once over, he hissed under his breath. "Disgusting."
"What..."
"A common whore coming 'round these parts. Nothing but trouble. Your kind don't belong here."
She couldn't respond as the words destroyed whatever remaining confidence she had. Still feeling his cruel eyes on her, she wanted nothing more than to disappear at that moment.
"Oi!"
Snapped out of her daze, she turned to find the blond step up to her side.
"I think you owe her an apology and that you should beg for her forgiveness."
The small man scoffed before pushing his wheel barrel down the road.
"Huh...that should have worked...Anyway, you okay?"
No. I just want to go home.
She held her tongue as she tried to push down her emotions and nodded. He held her gaze for moment, obviously unconvinced, before he shrugged off his blazer and draped it over her shoulders.
"Put this on before you cause anymore trouble. Now let's find someone who can actually help us."
With a scowl she shrugged the jacket on. Just when I think he actually has a heart. He opens his mouth. Jerk.
While she didn't enjoy his company, she found comfort in his attitude as the townsfolk kept their distance from her. However the more she thought about it, she realized that she still didn't know his name. She didn't know anything about him, apart from his arrogance and unsympathetic nature, and yet she found herself almost glued to his side as she tried to avoid the judging eyes.
Her thoughts came to a halt when a small man with a large backpack came barreling around the corner. A split second was all she had to move aside just as he collided with her blond haired companion, sending them both to the ground.
"What the fuck!?" "I'm so sorry!"
Maya held out a hand for the blond to take. Out of anger, and perhaps a bit of embarrassment, he shoved her hand away as he stood up brushing himself off. She held back her scowl as she held up the smaller man who was rambling on about being in a hurry and something about a contract. So distraught and focused on checking the long paper he picked up off the ground, he hadn't yet looked up at Maya nor the man he knocked down. Still, Maya already liked him better than the cracky man beside her.
"Again I am so sorry. If there is anything I can..."
His mouth dropped as he looked up. "I...I'm sorry but do I know you?"
Maya raised a brow at her companion, who seemed just as confused as her. "No. Pretty sure you don't."
The smaller man scratched his head, studying the blonds face. Suddenly his eyes widened. "Fili! W-what happened to you and your...clothes? And who is this? Where is Thorin? I was hurrying to catch up but if I had known-"
Off his rambling went again. Raising a brow to the man, she bit her lip. "So your name's Fili?"
"What? No!" Holding up his hands, the smaller man quickly stopped his talking. "Look, I don't know you and I'm not-"
"Now I don't know what game you're trying to play with me, but I specifically remember you and your friends make a mess of my house. If this is Gandalf's idea because I didn't sign the contract, well you're too late. I signed. Now where is everyone?"
His brows furrowed. "Everyone?"
The smaller man looked around, like he was anticipating for someone to jump out and say 'boo!' "So...You came here alone?"
"I...What?"
The man brushed off his confusion as he readjusted his pack. "We need to hurry. Already late as it is."
Off he went, running down the path leaving behind two very confused people.
"Come on!" He cried out.
Maya frowned as she looked to her companion for guidance. He seemed just as unsure as she. The distance between them was growing as she chewed on her lower lip.
He seemed willing to help...
Taking a deep breath, she ran off after him with her companion not far behind.
The smaller man was much faster than Anders thoughts, as he struggled to keep up. He never ran or exercised for that matter. In fact, the last time he had run this much was because some psych bitch was trying to kill him and his family. Glancing over at Maya, he scowled. No sweat. Her breathing was heavy but she wasn't gasping air like he was, and he could have sworn that she actually slowed down so he wouldn't be left behind. He hated her.
"Why are we following him?...Just back there...you were practically...begging...to go back to the river..." He huffed.
"He seems. Nice. Plus, he knows you, Fili."
"Yeah, well I don't...know who...he is...and my name isn't...Fili."
He cringed as the name felt so foreign on his lips. The feeling of unhappiness was fleeting at a sudden giggle from Maya. He raised a brow at the insulting reaction. Still, seeing her smile for once was refreshing. Meeting his eyes, her smile faltered as she returned her attention to the small man.
"Sorry...So what is your name then? Never did get it before."
"Anders..." Was all he could muster. Please let him stop soon!
His legs burned and his sides ached with a cramping pain.
"Side cramps?"
Anders didn't know if she was a mind reader or if he failed at hiding his discomfort. Without getting a chance to question her, she indicated to his hand on his hip with a nod of her head. He hadn't even realized when he moved his hand there. "I'm fine."
"Ah. Well if you do feel it...Just take slow deep breaths. Should help stop the cramps."
That's stupid.
He scoffed but nevertheless, began evening his breathing. It was working, but he wasn't going to admit she was right.
"""""""""
"Wait! Wait!"
The smaller man was waving his arm like a mad man as he ran up to a group of men riding horses. They were dressed in similar clothing to the men in that one movie with about the ring, though he never did see the whole thing. Anders and Maya slowed to a stop as the group stopped their horses as waited for the smaller man to catch up. Relief swept through him as he keeled over trying to catch his breath.
"I signed it."
"Everything appears to be in order. Welcome Mister Baggins to the company of Thorin Oakenshield."
Thorin Oak and what?
Straightening up to the laughter and small cheers, Anders studied the smaller man, this Mister Baggins, smile with pride.
"I um...I just had one question...What happened to Fili after you sent him for me?"
The group went quiet. A dark haired man whipped his head around with wide eyes. "Fili? Fili has been in our company since we left the Shire."
"No, but that can't be true because he-"
"I can assure you, Mister Baggins, I haven't seen you since last night. Nor has anything happened to me."
Mister Baggins spun around to face a blond haired man sitting with his back to Anders. The stunned man paled. "But...If you're Fili...then who is that?"
All eyes shifted to Anders and Maya. With swift movements, the men all dismounted and drew out their weapons as they surrounded the newcomers. All stood no taller than 4 feet.
"What kind of magic is this?" Demanded the dark haired man that stepped forward.
A young brown haired man standing behind the apparent leader of the group, dropped his weapon as stepped up to Anders with a look of shock and awe. "Brother...I fear I have lost my mind..."
Anders raised a brow, unsure who he called brother. Though his own question when a blond haired man joined his brother. "If you have, then we all have, for I see the same as you." He said with a look of disbelief. His voice held a distinct British accent.
It bothered Anders to see so many stunned looks, yet not know the reasoning behind them. The man looked nothing like him. His hair was long, with two neat braids on either side of his head. His bead was short with a braided mustache. It was only when he locked eyes with the shorter man, that Anders blood ran cold.
"Anders...It's..."
Maya didn't need to finish. For the young man's blue eyes were not just any eyes but the same eyes he saw when he looked in the mirror. He began to hyperventilate as the man with his eyes stepped closer. With his head spinning and unable to handle the overwhelming panic, Anders fell back. Passout cold
I truly hope that you enjoyed the second chapter. I would love to hear your thoughts on the story.