Several times she opened her mouth to answer, yet she knew not what to say. Her mind too wrapped up with her own questions.
Where am I? Why am I here? When did they grow so tall? How did we shrink?
Just as Thorin took another step closer to her shaking form, a loan moan made everyone pause. All eyes turned to the man who still lay prone. Snapped out of her thoughts, Maya's eyes grew wide as Anders began shaking.
"Anders!"
No longer concerned about the intimidating leader, she rushed to Anders' side. Slowly kneeling down, she hesitantly reached for his hand. Yet just as her fingers touched his, Anders eyes snapped open causing Maya to gasp, retracting her hand. As if possessed, he began to convulse, eyes rolling in the back of his head while he began muttering in a language that Maya was unfamiliar with.
"Anders!?"
"What's happening with him?"
She ignored Kili's question. Try as she might, she couldn't stop from panicking as she tried to think of what to do in this situation. All answers pointed to calling an ambulance, but considering where they were, that wasn't going to happen. So instead, she did the only thing she could think of. A few seconds of hesitation, she grabbed hold of his hand. His grip tightened around hers. While she was hopeful that it was because he was conscious of her presence, she knew it was more than likely a reflex to the convulsions. Still she tried to stay positive.
"Anders. It's ok. You're going to be okay. You have to be okay! You can't leave me! You have to be okay!"
Her voice just above a whisper, she wasn't sure anymore who she was trying to console, herself or the man she barely knew. As she continued to whisper to Anders, she gave up on control and let the tears fall freely down her cheeks. Allowing herself to accept her fears and feelings of helplessness.
The light of the sun slowly began to peak from beyond the forest. The men snoring, fast asleep as far as Maya knew. Anders had finally calm down sometime during the night. Around what time, she didn't know, nor did she care.
She was so relieved when he finally calmed, but the relief and happiness she felt when she felt his fever had broken and pulse grew stronger were beyond words. But it wasn't enough to make her fear, that he would start up again, disappear.
She stayed by his side. Stroking his hair when he seemed to be having a bad dream, or wiping the sweat from his brow with the sleeve of her shirt.
He can't die...He just...God! Why the hell should I care!? He's a dick! First he tells me I have to pay for his suit! Like I asked him to jump in with it on!? Then he says I'M the one causing trouble when that guy basically called me a prostitue?! Sure he saved my life, but he's mean and insensitive and just a pain in the ass who does nothing but complain...
Maya jumped when a hand landed on her shoulder. Without thinking, she jumped to her feet and spun around, hands up as ready to throw a punch at the person who snuck up on her. Her narrowed eyes meeting old blue eyes that held surprise and amusement.
"Forgive me. I meant no harm." The giant man said with a slight chuckle.
Letting out a sigh of relief, her shoulders slumped. "Sorry...I'm just jumpy..."
He nodded as he watched her. It wasn't that she didn't trust him, in fact out of the entire group, inlcuding Anders, he was the only one she liked. Still his focus on her at the moment, made her uncomfortable. Biting the inside of her cheek, she cast her eyes at her feet.
"Did you get any sleep?"
The deep voice of Thorin caused her body to tense up. Slowly Maya lifted her gaze to find the dark haired leader walk up next to the old man. His gaze locked onto her, as if trying to see through her. She opened her mouth to say yes, however when his eyes narrowed she realized lying would be the worst thing to do at this point. With a small sigh, Maya let her head fall.
"No..."
"Earlier you said you didn't know this man's name. So you do not know him."
She gave a small shake of her head, not bothering to look up at the man.
"Why did you stay by his side all night then?"
The question caught her by surprise for she kept asking herself the same question and the truth scared her the most. She didn't know.
"Answer me."
His voice was soft, but the command was still very much apparent. She took a shaky breath, slowly letting it out as she lifted her gaze. There was no amusement, no emotion what-so-ever in his face. A shiver ran down her spine, once again at a loss for words.
"I...I don't. know..." The response got a glare from the man. Swallowing around her fear, she continued. "We met the other day...I was drowning and he saved me...I owe him my life..."
Looking down at the leader, the old man lifted a brow and with a sympathetic smile, gave a small shrug. Irritation and reluctance were easy to see in Thorin's face before he gave a heavy sigh. Returning his gaze upon Maya, his jaw tensed and eyes narrowed before turning back to the group.
Maya let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding as he walked away. Only after a few steps did he stop.
"We leave in one hour. Be ready by then."
Her jaw dropped. "What..."
"You will be given a pony and accompany us to the next town."
Again she was speechless. Folding her hands in front of her, she bowed at the waist. "Thank you. How can I repay you're kindness?"
Thorin tensed as he turned to face her. "I do not do this out of kindness. Your loyalty to a man you barely not is admirable and for that I will offer our help. But do not think it will not come with a price."
Maya swallowed and nodded as Thorin continued to lay out the rules of their stay.
"My company nor I will be accountable for your or his safety. I will give you a pony, food and water. We shall leave you to the path that leads to the nearest town and from there you will be on your own. Most importantly, you will not rely on help from my men. I will not risk their well being for a human."
She perked up at the word 'human'. What the hell...
"Is that understood?"
Snapped out of her thoughts, she nodded and with that he walked away to wake the others. Scratching her head, she turned her attention back to the old man and bowed.
"Thank you."
"For what? I did nothing."
"So you didn't convince him to help us out?"
He scoffed. "My dear child, I haven't the faintest idea what you are getting at."
Maya chuckled and shook her head. Riight. Whatever, I'm too tired to argue with him.
"I'm Maya."
With a smile, the older man bowed his head. "They call me Gandalf. Gandalf the Grey."
"Pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Maya."
Stretching her arms above her head, she let out a yawn. "Well I guess I should find out which pony is mine. Can you-"
Her smile faltered remembering Thorin's words. "... you will not rely on help from my men."
Letting out a nervous laugh, she scratched the back of her head. "Uh...Sorry, almost forgot. Soo I'm gonna just go."
Another nervous chuckle and a quick bow, Maya quickly walked away.
The men shuffled back and forth from the campsite to the ponies. Some still groggy with sleep. Others like Thorin, Kili and Fili, were more alert. Careful about not getting in the way, she slowly made her way over to where Thorin stood, talking with the large man who had grabbed hold of her earlier. In the low light of sun rise, she was able to see him better. A larger taller man whose balding head was tattooed with what looked like some kind of tribal symbols and muscular arms that would intimidate any man.
Stopping just a few feet behind Thorin, Maya coughed to get his attention. Neither man took notice. Biting her lip, she lifted a hand to tap him on the shoulder. Unable to bring herself to tap him, she swallowed.
"Sir?"
The two continued talking. Her shoulders slumped in defeat.
Really!? Ok one more time...Come on Maya, you can do this!
"Sir?"
The talking stopped, and Thorin slowly looked behind him. She could feel herself shrink away from the man's intimidating glare. Giving a nervous smile, she meekly waved.
"H-hi...Uh sorry for interrupting...I was just wondering which pony you wanted me to use..." Quickly she straightened up and bowed. "Sir."
For a moment, she wasn't sure if he was going to respond, but after some thought he smiled and said. "The brown one."
Thorin and the others, who had apparently been listening in, began to laugh at Maya's expense. Looking over at the ponies, five of them being different shades of brown.
Oh ha ha. That's funny. Yeah let's make this more awkward for the girl.
Turning her attention back at Thorin, she smiled and bowed her head. "Thank you."
With that, she went to get a pony. She figured it was all just a process of elimination and sure enough, she managed to find the one brown pony that was used to carry goods and supplies. Since he didn't say specifically which one, and as long as no one else claimed it, she was safe.
Packing the bed rolls and blankets was easy for Maya. Getting Anders up on the pony while he was unconscious was the difficult part.
Standing over his sleeping form, she scratched her head as she looked around. Almost everyone was packed up and ready to go. Those who had finished sat atop their ponies, watching her in amusement.
"Ok, Maya...Lifting Anders isn't going to be a problem...but how am i gonna get him on the damn horse...pony...Ugh screw it, I'll figure it out over there."
Place a foot on either side of him, she reached down and grabbed hold of his arms to pull him into a sitting position. Gently, she placed each arm around her neck, allowing her to wrap her own arms around his waist. A quick shift of her feet and bend of her knees, Maya slowly lifted Anders butt off the ground. Satisfied he was lifted enough, she quickly switched her feet and thrusted out her butt to ensure his upper body would rest on her back.
"Oh my god. Anders you so owe me after this."
Catching her breath, she lifted her right arm above her head and maneuvering it around Anders head, and under his limp arm. Once she felt he was well on her back, she held on to the back of his legs as she slowly straightened a bit. The first step nearly caused her to loose her balance. Bouncing him up a bit higher, Maya carefully carried the unconscious man over to the pony.
Gasps and hushed voices, she knew they didn't expect this and she knew they were all staring. Still she pushed on, ignoring the strong desire to do nothing but runaway and hide. Upon reaching the pony, Maya paused, letting out an exasperated sigh.
"Now how am I going to do this..."
She chewed on her lip as she stared at the saddle. If I were a bit taller...like my normal height, this wouldn't be such an issue. I hate being short.
"Hurry up. We can't stand around here all day."
Her face fell at Thorin's command. Wow, really? I'm carrying a full grown man and you tell me to hurry up.
She shifted Anders on her back as she weighed her options, before Thorin spoke again.
"You have five minutes until we leave without you."
"Isn't that a bit harsh?"
"This matter does not concern you Burglar."
Burglar? I thought his name was Billy...or something that started with a B...
The smaller man hushed up, turning his attention back to Maya. His brows furrowed with concern. Still having enough strength and not wanting to test his patience any more, Maya bent lower to grab hold of the reigns with her right hand, before grabbing hold of Anders leg once again. Straightening up a bit and with a quick tug of the reigns, she and the pony walked together, each carrying their own load.
"What do you think you are doing?"
Slowly she approached Thorin and Gandalf. Lifting her head, she smiled. "I'm ready to go."
Figuring he was a man of little if not any patience by now, his anger came of no surprise to her. "I have had enough of your games!"
"What makes you think I'm playing a game!? For the first time in a long time I was happy. But oh no, that couldn't last. I had to nearly die in the ocean only to wake up to find myself here and that my savior is the biggest jerk I've ever met who just complains or makes you want to punch him. And then! He has the nerve to get sick and fall unconscious and make me feel like it was my fault cause I made him walk almost all night after he risked his neck for me! So now I'm here with you! And thank you for helping, honestly. But no! I'm not playing some stupid game because I'm tired and thanks to our agreement I can't ask for help and because I can't ask for help, I'm here carrying this man on my back, like a pony. So now that we've cleared that up, let's move!"
With that being said, she began walking down the path. The sound of several hoof steps the only confirmation to her that the others followed. She didn't actually mean to say any of that. She didn't quite know what it was about Thorin's statement that made her break. All she knew was that she's never spoke like that to anyone, especially a person of authority and while she did feel horrible about it, the dumb founded look on Thorin's face was priceless.
Hi everyone! I'm back! Soooo sorry it took forever for the next chapter to be put up. Writers block is an evil evil thing. But anyways, I know that some of you think I'm killing off Anders, or those who know who Anders is feel he's not so godly...Do not fear, his godliness will come with the next couple chapters. I have my reasons for him being in an unconscious state, just be patient with me. I hope you all enjoy my new chapter.