Jedediah POV

Chapter 17: One simple reason

After I heard Octavius mumble my name I turned around. I could see how he made one last step before he fell over.

"Octavius!"

I called his name out loud and ran towards him, just in time to catch him before he would fell on the ground. Immediately I felt there was no strength left in his body.

"Octavius, wake up," I said and shook his body. Nothing changed, so I decided to carry him to the shelter. I lifted him on my back, picked up his sandals and dragged myself through the snow. The cold wind cutting through my clothes, the snow freezing my hands and feet.

Out of breath I finally reached the bushes and I crawled beneath it. I could feel some sticks pricking through my socks. Underneath the bushes it was less colder, but you could still feel the wind. And Octavius still hadn't moved or spoken. Carefully I laid Octavius on the ground and threw his sandals besides him. I knew that when I would do nothing Octavius would possible not survive this night. And I knew the only source of warmth right then was me. So I sat besides Octavius and slowly pulled him towards me. I made sure his cape was still wrapped around him and I pushed him closely against my chest. I held him tight for a long time, while I swore I would do everything to save his life.

Afterwards I find it hard to realize what I've done. There was no need for me to help him. I'm not even sure if us miniatures can die, but if Octavius had died I would only take benefits from it. The giants would have been in a lot of trouble, I'm sure of that. And the general of the army and people that I want to defeat so bad would have been gone. I didn't do it for myself. I didn't do it, so I could help myself or my folk with it. I have done it for one simple reason: I didn't want Octavius to die. I could walk away, keep myself warm to try to climb up the staircases again, but I stayed with him. I held him tight to keep him warm. I talked to him and hoped he would wake up. I won't quit on him.

"Hello? Little guys?" I heard it vague, but I was sure I could hear a voice. I laid Octavius carefully on the ground and came out of our hiding place.

"We're here," I shouted immediately. The same man with the moustache we had met this night looked at me. "Please, help me," I continued shouting. "Octavius is in a really bad shape." The man started to move towards me.

I pointed at the bushes and he reached carefully inside. His hand came back with a still unconsciousness Octavius. I walked beneath the bushes again and took his sandals again, I almost forgot them. And walked back and then the man took me up, much more gentle then I'm used to. I looked at Octavius, who laid with closed eyes in the hand of the man. He still had my boots and my gloves on. It is an imagine I will not forget soon.

The moustache man walked up the stairs and took us inside the building. Inside he carefully putted us on a table. I immediately ran towards Octavius when I was putted down.

"Your friend doesn't look so good," the man said.

"He isn't my friend," I replied and on that moment I thought I spoke the truth. "We're enemies."

"Very strange enemies," the man said.

"Are you going to help us or not?" I asked and started to get angry. Quickly he took a handkerchief out of his pocket.

For him it was just a handkerchief, for us it was a large blanket. I took the blanket gratefully and laid it on Octavius. My boots were cold and wet, so I took them of Octavius and wrapped the blanket around his feet. My gloves were still dry, so I let Octavius keep those. I laid his sandals besides him and putted my boots back on. After I sat quietly besides him I noticed how cold I was myself. I shivered, but I refused to leave Octavius' side.

"What is your name exactly?" the man asked suddenly behind me.

"Jedediah," I said curtly.

"Theodore Roosevelt, at your service," he answered me enthusiastic. "And what is the name of your eh… enemy?"

"Octavius," I said softly and on that moment I finally understood.

That stupid Roman, who lie unconsciousness before my feet, became my friend. It was the reason I didn't want him to die. It was the reason why I was so worried about him. All this time I was afraid Octavius would die, because I don't know how I would continue fighting without him by my side. And on that moment, when I sat beside him, I finally understood.

"You don't have to be so worried," Theodore said. "He will be alright." I wanted to reply and say I would be amazed if Octavius would ever give up, but then Cecil and Reginald came walking towards us.

"Why did you take those two back inside?" Cecil immediately started to yell at Theodore.

"Those two little guys were freezing to death outside," he replied calm.

"It doesn't matter," Reginald said. "We're taking them back. You take the Roman, Cecil." I immediately stood up and stood before Octavius.

"You're not gonna take him to a place without me," I said angry and tried to look imminent.

"Just come with me," Reginald said and reached out to me. At the same time Cecil already reached out to Octavius. I tried to push away Cecil's hand, but I already got lifted up, away from Octavius.

"Theodore, protect him!" I yelled, while I got taken away. "Theodore, protect Octavius!" But the man didn't do a thing.

Cecil lifted him up, but he walked the opposite way as Reginald. I went straight back to the room of the miniatures. When I was back in the Wild West Jacob immediately came at me. He worriedly asked me if I was alright, but without saying I thing I walked right pass him and fought back my tears.

Maybe this chapter is not that interesting, but still... :S Pretty proud of it.

I just wanted to say thank you for all the reviews I've got so far. Thank you for sticking with me and thank for the support. I really means the damn world to me! :D