A Hobbit's Tale-Thorin's P.O.V.

25-Her Pure Heart-2

By nightfall, we decided to turn in early for we were exhausted. We had to sleep on the ground or on a slab of rock. I was still feeling a bit sore even though Oin managed to dress my wounds. I wasn't sure about how was I going to sleep. Without their bedrolls, the company went to sleep, surprisingly so did Bilbo Baggins. Wincing slightly, I sensed someone near me or rather a hand with two round pills. Following it towards the slim arm & directly on her face bending slightly near me. I held my breath just staring at the soft look on her face. I felt this sudden urge to grab her wrist & pull her towards me yet I forcefully held myself back. She looks so enchanting. What was she doing, then my mind clicked remembering that Gandalf did mention that she was a healer also, so these pills must be.
Thorin: "I don't need these, lass. I'm feeling much better now."
Anya:(Rolling her eyes)"Thorin Oakenshield, please, I do not wish to argue with you. These shall help you sleep comfortably at night. Your wounds are still fresh, so just take them."
We just stared at each other for a moment, reluctantly I took them & swallowed them down with some water she had with her. I grunted my thanks to her, avoiding her eyes. Satisfied, she turned to her spot to sleep for the night. My heart wrenched, as I saw her lying down on the hard ground. As a ranger I assume that she has done this before yet in my heart I believe she deserves much better. There was no denying the fact that I have fallen in love with her. Not only because of her beauty but mostly because of her pure heart. Right now I feel remorse, she was treating me normally like before almost as if what happened back there with Azog was nothing. I assumed she would feel ashamed in being my company. Yet I see nothing on her face nor in her demeanor. The medicine she gave me seems to be working, easing my pain. Slowly I laid down on my back, using my coat as a pillow, I stared at the stars. Good thing that it was a warm night otherwise I would have given my coat to the girl to keep her warm. I still could not understand why she is still single, she is so beautiful & charming any man could fall in love with her. She is strong & reliable yet fragile, innocent. She hasn't been taken either, I bit my lip as I recalled the first moment her body fell on top of me back at the goblin's cave. How she had reacted when I had held her underneath me, I was stunned yet pleased. 'No need to feel so pompous, you old fool. So what if she has no intimate experience with any man. This does not mean that you should or not. She is too innocent & soft no doubt yet she has proved herself worthy. Control yourself, you are not as young as you used to be. If she were a Dwarrowdam, you could be as old as her grandfather, as a human her father.' I visibly winced at my inner voice admonishing. Yet I still could not forget how my heart was pounding as I held her warm body close to me or how soft & dainty her hand was. Sleep soon took over me, I began to have vivid dreams about her, in my dream she was wearing a soft, flowing, white dress, with lovely flowers in her braided long black hair. She was laughing, running bare feet through a meadow in spring. Her eyes were glowing with softness, she felt free. As if she was smiling at someone was pursuing her, it was me, I was chasing her, laughing in response. I was trying to catch her but she kept dodging me playfully, sticking out her tongue at me childishly yet I found it adorable. My hand reached out & I was able to grip her hand, pulling her towards me. She squeaked out, calling my name as my arms encircling her small waist. With her back against my chest I was twirling her in a circle & she was enjoying it. Next we both fell back down on the soft grass, both out of breath laughing. Her hand was still in my grip as I turned to look at her. Her eyes were closed soaking the warm sun on her face, a blissful smile on her rosy lips. I slowly turned towards her, letting my hand slip around her waist, I was leaning over her. She slowly opened her eyes, they were gleaming like gold due to the sun's rays. Our bodies merely inches apart as our gaze locked on each other. Our eyes were talking to each other as we smiled, I let my fingers touch her warm cheek tenderly. Her hand held mine, turning her face she planted a soft kiss on my palm, my breath hitched at this wonderful touch. I buried my nose against her neck, my beard tickling her soft skin. She giggled at first when all of a sudden I heard a whimpering sound. Jerking my head up, I found myself alone on the grass, looking about me, it was dark. Anya wasn't here with me, I stood up calling her name. I became alert as I heard that same whimpering sound again, as if someone was in pain or afraid. Following the sound, my eyes landed on a small figure of a child with the long black hair. I could not see the child's face for it's face was hidden in it's arms, it's skinny legs huddled against it's chest. I could tell it was a girl, someone very familiar, I gingerly stepped closer to the child. Kneeling near her, my hand reached out, touching her soft black hair. Her whimpering stopped at my touch, she slowly raised her head & I found myself staring at the those familiar golden-brown eyes. Her innocent face was streaked with tears, could it be.
Thorin:(Holding my breath)"A...Anya Hadin? Is that you?"
She blinked at me, gazing in my eyes, unafraid. She looked about 7 or 8 years old, petite child. I felt the wind knocked out of my body as she lunged at me wrapping her small arms around my neck.
Anya: "It is you, Thorin Oakenshield, where were you, what took you so long?"
I held her against my chest as I slowly stood up, I caught the familiar scent of Wild Jasmine from her hair, it was her. She was about my height yet I gathered her in my arms.
Thorin: "What happened, love, why are you out here alone?"
Anya:(Placing her finger on her lips)"Not so loud for he might hear you. H...He could hurt you real bad like he did to my family, Thorin."
Thorin: "Who is he & what happened to your family?"
Not answering me she simply tightened her grip on me, she started whimpering again. Holding her close I looked around me, I was in the middle of the meadow, it was eerily quiet. Then suddenly a dark shadow began to creep about us, I stood rooted to the spot. I felt an icy chill running down my spine. Anya began to tug on my braid, clutching my coat.
Anya: "H...he's here, right behind you."
Her voice was fading, I could feel it too, very similar, like the last time, that rage. Turning around, I saw him, the pale orc, standing tall & pointing his weapon at me, laughing. Something does not feel right, I looked down at his hand, he was holding something. My eyes widened in shock as I saw 4 severed heads. It cannot be but is it possible? I noticed that Anya wasn't breathing nor whimpering, I looked at her. Her body felt limp in my arms, kneeling down I put her on my lap. She was wounded, her chest was bleeding, her blood had stained my shirt. I began to feel fear just like the fear I had felt when Azog had killed my grandfather. And now Anya Hadin, no, I cannot lose her, not like them. I cupped her face as I touched my forehead to hers. Her skin was turning cold, so cold. Her hand touched mine, I gazed in her eyes, which was dying like the fire in it's last bout.
Thorin:(My tears blurring her face)"My Armâlimê, please don't leave me, don't go."
Anya:(Smiling weakly)"Avenge me, Thorin Oakenshield, avenge us."
I watched in horror as a smoke she began to fade away. I began to hear different voices & faces swirling around me. The past, the present & the future. Then a few feet from me I saw another figure about my height standing there. The figure turned to show me the face, my jaw dropped in shock. It can't be, it was a boy who looked exactly like Anya but about 12 or 13 of age. He was staring directly at me just as a blast of strong winds whipped about us. Soon I realized that he wasn't looking at me but rather at someone standing besides me. I turned to look, to my surprise I saw him or rather myself when I was younger, before losing Erebor. He was looking at the boy sadly.
My Younger Self: "Run, boy, run! Return to your family, you shall be a lot safer with them."
The Boy:(Cupping his face)"But, Thorin, will I ever see you again?"
I felt my heart leap to my throat, this not only seems but feels so familiar. I turned to look at myself who was trying to hold his emotions at bay.
Younger Thorin: "It doesn't matter just go, NOW!"
The boy looked reluctant yet he turned & fled away. As for me, I saw myself heading towards the mountain. Instead of following myself, I went over to peek over the ledge. There I saw the boy running as fast as his long legs could let him, heading towards the city. Could it be? Next an ear-piercing sound came above me, looking up, I saw him the Dragon, Smaug. Before I could comprehend a blast of fire came towards me. I woke up with a jerk, my breathing laboured. It was just a dream then or a part of my memory? Then I heard that same whimpering sound again but this time I'm not dreaming. I looked about me for it sounded nearby. I saw Nori, who volunteered for the first watch next it was Bifur. I frowned as I heard it again, glancing around me but everyone was fast asleep. Gandalf, who was leaning against a tree & Anya whose back was towards the company. But who could be in pain right now & making that sound. I huffed lightly as I laid back down to sleep, I most certainly can't ask anyone about who is in pain though. Too humiliating if you ask me. Right?

1853 words!