Alyssae got tired. For quite some time Mirthrandir said they were almost at their point of destination, but time after time they climbed another overgrown hill top. Even Mirthrandir seemed to be surprised, as if he had travelled along this road long ago and just discovered some of his memories were missing.
The dwarves glanced ever more anxiously at their leader, who was slowed down by his wounds, just like her. With a harsh expression on his face Thorin moved along, not willing to give in. It wouldn't surprise her if he would only surrender when he was about to die. His proud already had a blow and he wouldn't show his weakness again as long as his legs would carry him.
Alyssae also worried about him, especially since the snarling of the wargs was sometimes so near she turned around frightened, without noticing anything. Her hearing was better developed than that of her companions, but except for Mirthrandir no one paid attention to her sudden looks.
'We have to find a place to hide,' she whispered to him, after she had increased her speed to catch up with the wizard, who led them through the wilderness.
'I know, I know.'
Absent-minded he stared into the distance, as if he expected a shelter would reveal itself on his command, but there was nothing but a wide meadow with trees which seemed to touch the heavens.
Alyssae noticed she got goose bumps everywhere. For a moment she closed her eyes and she saw orcs, hidden in the shadows, with a demonic glance in their eyes. Their frozen fingers embraced the handles of their sharp swords. Swords with a blade that was red by dry blood. Bilbo's blood. Thorin's blood. Her blood.
She gasped for breathe when dizziness followed and her legs were shaking. Fortunately she could lean to a tree. Swiftly she opened her eyes, not knowing if the darkness was a result of her injury or an omen of what was waiting for them beneath.
For a moment she hoped her dizziness escaped the attention of the dwarves, but they all stared at her.
'She slows us down. She is too weak.'
Alyssae turned her head to the left viciously. 'You are just as weak as I am, Thorin. I bet your shaking legs will not bring you much further.'
'Nonsense.' He pushed her away to proof he was right.
'Don't.'
Her words were just a whisper, but they sounded so begging everyone was surprised, including Alyssae.
'What did you see, Alyssae?'
Carefully she looked at the wizard, who stared at her compulsory. As if he resent her for keeping her thoughts for herself.
'Orcs and wargs, merged into the shadows of the trees. It probably is my own fear.'
Thorin already turned around, purposeful to start his descent, but Mithrandir called him back.
'Tonight we will stay here.'
'And who are you to make the decisions?'
Mithrandir's face was glowing of anger, but it was clear Thorin wouldn't listen to anyone but himself.
'We will only stop when I say so.'
'Do whatever you like, you foolish dwarf, but you are warned by an elf and a wizard. In the valley you are an easy victim, while you are entering the nightfall. They will roll over you.'
Thorin snorted disdainfully.
'Please,' Alyssae said softly. She swallowed the words "I will not save you from your stupidity again" just in time. 'Don't walk into their ambush.'
He turned around and walked to her. 'Was it a vision, elf?'
She bowed her head because he didn't call her name. She had hoped something had changed between them, but a simple conversation surely wouldn't make a difference. It was just a stupid illusion.
She lost too much blood, so it wasn't odd she was starting to hallucinate. 'I don't know.'
'Nonsense.' He looked over his shoulder. 'You are frightened by some stupid shadows. We will not rest before we have reached our destination.' His eyebrows changed into a deep frown. 'And according to your calculations we should have been there by now, Gandalf.'
'I forgot the speed of dwarves.'
The dwarves objected loudly and Thorin pointed angrily at Alyssae. 'She is slowing us down.'
She looked the other way, but suddenly some sense of self-assurance appeared on her face.
'Leave me behind, Thorin, if I'm such a burden to you. Do it.'
A few seconds they stared each other into the eyes.
Certainly a moment there was a total silence. An angry frown marked his battered face, but she didn't care about it. Not anymore.
It was up to him to solve this dilemma and it surprised her it was taking so long.