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

26-My Armâlimê

By morning, after refreshing from a small stream nearby, I headed back rejoining the company. It has been almost a week since we have been here. My wounds have almost healed, thanks to Anya & Oin. During those days I could still hear those little whimpering sounds yet I could not find the source, could be a small animal, wounded perhaps. For a couple of days I've noticed Anya moving about the valley, looking at herbs & plants. Usually she would take hours, Bilbo told me that she was gathering them for medical purposes. She had prepared a small fire & had placed a small cauldron on it for the past 3 days. She would place them in it for brewing. With Bofur & Ori's help she had made 16 small wooden cups. I was feeling protective for her, for there could be wild animals nearby. I told my men that at least one of them ought to keep her company & they agreed. Gandalf in the distance, I noticed had a small smile on his face, I just shrugged & ignored him. We had decided to hunt for food, Anya's snacks had been eaten. As the food was being prepared I glanced at the girl who by then had taken the cauldron off the fire & Gandalf was sitting next to her. They were chatting with each other, although I could not tell what they were talking about. I sighed as I gazed at her face, oddly though from this distance I could tell that her eyes were slightly reddish. The usual pinkish tinge on her cheeks were gone, I did not like that. Almost as if she wasn't sleeping well yet she took her meals. I could not help but worry about her, my Armâlimê. At the back of my mind I feel that I ought to talk to her yet I can't, still keeping my distance. Next to me I heard someone clear his throat, flinching I turned my head, it was Bilbo Baggins.
Bilbo: "Pardon me for asking, Thorin, but how long are you planning to keep this up?"
Thorin:(Frowning)"Keep what up, what are you trying to imply, Master Baggins?"
Bilbo:(Chuckling)"You know what I mean, this. The way you've been staring at her yet keeping your distance. What is going on?"(I bowed my head, not answering him)"Thorin, look I'm not prying or anything just giving you a friendly advice. Don't you think its about time you should talk to her, tell her how you feel about her?"
Thorin:(Staring at him in surprise)"What do you mean? How did you & how long have you known?"
Bilbo:(Smiling)"Come now, I'm not blind, Thorin, I have eyes too, you know. I have seen the way you looked at her back in my house in Bag-End. I can see you are attracted to her. I'm sure she feels the same."
Thorin:(My heart beating a bit faster)"How do you know? Did she say anything to you?"
Bilbo: "Relax, Thorin, she did not need to. I can see it in her eyes, she really does care. I have grown fond of her like a brother would to a sister. She has a soft heart behind her tough face though. She never left your side, Thorin, after the eagles had rescued us from the pale orc."
Thorin:(Slumping my shoulders)"That makes me more of a heel, Master Baggins. I just can't seem to find the courage to look at her. You saw what happened back there, Bilbo, I lost it. I simply blew it & just went onwards to attack Azog. Without thinking of the consequences. She must think of me as this old fool who simply went charging to his doom."
Bilbo:(Shaking his head)"That is not true, Thorin & you know it. Look, like yourself everyone was in shock at seeing your old enemy alive, the same as you did. I'm sure that either one of us would react the same so would Anya. Listen, I may not know much about women but to me their hearts are like this deep ocean. They are also filled with many secrets & wonders, not many can reveal them I mean us men. But if they are treated with care, who knows they might let you in."(I could not help but agree with him)"Thorin, I know you care about the girl & I know if you tell her how you feel then there is no harm. I know, I know, we are in the middle of the quest & everything. Like I said there is no harm."
I glanced back at those two, talking comfortably with each other. Maybe Bilbo is right there could be no harm. Then Bilbo suddenly stood up & began to walk towards them. A little alarmed I wanted to stop him but Bilbo turned to smile & slightly waved his hand as if to say that my secret was safe for now. I slowly breathed out, relaxing, I could trust him. He sat next to Anya, as usual she gave Bilbo her same sweet smile. I decided to join them, I stood up & went over, that must've caught the others attention for I could feel their eyes on my back. I sat next to the girl to her right side as both she & Gandalf started laughing. I could feel her warmth even though I wasn't wearing my coat though.
Thorin: "What is so amusing, Gandalf? Let us in on the joke."
Gandalf:(Chuckling)"No jokes, my friend, just remembering old times."
Thorin: "I see, so what is it you've been brewing, lass? It has an odd fragrance."
Anya: "Just a little something to bring new life, I brew this once in a while to drink."
By then the others had gathered around us.
Kili "Looks interesting, Anya, but what is it?"
Dori: "Looks more like a brewed tea, from those herbs she had been gathering."
Anya: "You are right, Dori, it is a tea, a special one!"
Dwalin:(Folding his arms)"I never did like tea. A cupful ale would do, lassie."
Anya: "Sorry, Mr. Dwalin, no ale would do for now, this shall not only refresh you but also boosts your immunity system."
I turned my head aside to hide my amusement once I saw Dwalin scowl. Good thing he was standing behind her.
Gandalf: "I shall have your special tea, my dear. Its been a while since I've had any."
Smiling, she began to pour them in those 16 wooden cups. One by one she handed them around, handing one to me but I was skeptic, looking in her eyes.
Anya: "Trust me, Thorin, it will help you. Gandalf may have healed some of your wounds but this shall make them heal faster. Besides I've been drinking them for years!"
Bilbo: "Oh for heaven's sake, I trust her. So you know what they say bottom's up!"
Quickly we all drank the whole contents at once, it did taste like muck at first but surprisingly it went down easily. Oddly though the slight stiffness I was going through due to my wounds began to ease away. Strange, a little pleasant still strange.
Balin:(Clearing his throat)"Well I must say, lassie. It wasn't that bad at all. I like it, what do you say, lads?"
They all mumbled in agreement, I saw Gandalf & Anya exchanged slightly amused glances. But I caught her trying to sneak a peek at me. My shoulders slightly shook due to my silent laughter. This cheeky little minx could be this devious. She bit her lip to stop herself from laughing as well. Bilbo Baggins looked back & forth between us then he smiled. The sun had just begun to set, the company began to discuss about Azog the Defiler. He may have been persuing us by now these past few days. So Bilbo volunteered since not only was he quick on his feet but small as well. Quickly he made his way up the rocks, Anya & I were standing at the back of the group. I decided to talk to her tonight, I owed her my life. I gently gripped her left wrist, she turned to look at me. I noticed that those redness she had around her eyes & mouth had faded. This medicine of hers worked then, returning her color. I gestured to her that we should move away from the group to talk privately. My heart began to thump a little wildly as I lead her away & she obliged. Not that I've never been with a female alone in my past but with her this felt different, exhilarating even.

1438 words!