Courage ✔

Chapter 12

Just before Alyssae reached the dwarf, she stumbled on a root. A few moments she floated through the air, before she hit the ground and banged with her head against a tree trunk.

'Are you alright?' a worried voice sounded.

Alyssae looked up confused. That wasn't Fili's voice.

'What are you doing here?' she asked baffled when she recognized Bofur, while she rubbed her head.

She let him help her to her feet and hugged him tightly. He was alive and kicking. And he was here, with her.

'Thorin didn't want to wait,' he said shortly. 'Did you find Fili?'

Alyssae shook her head regretfully, but she showed him the sword she had just found. 'I just pulled it out of a dead spider. He's near,' she spoke convinced. Now she had found Bofur, she was encouraged again.

'Where are the others?'

'The path is near.'

The fact that the dwarf took her in hesitating as if he was afraid she could collapse at any moment, didn't escape her.

'Don't worry about me.'

His worrying look however showed that he nevertheless did so. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder to help her and since Alyssae was dead tired – unless her former protests – she allowed thankfully his help. As soon as the others saw her, he let go of her.

'Kili!' she yelled when she noticed him. He ran to her and she wrapped her arms around him.

'I was so worried!'

Alyssae saw he looked hopefully behind her and she sighed softly. 'I just found his trail! He's near!' She let go of him and looked into his sad, brown eyes. 'We'll find him, Kili. We'll do.' She took his hands and squeezed his fingers encouraging.

The dwarf smiled carefully, but it seemed he didn't dare to hope anymore. Before Alyssae could look around, she felt two large arms around her, which hold her so close it hurt.

'You're back!'

'You're almost killing her,' Bofur chuckled and the arms disappeared quickly. Alyssae turned around and saw Bombur's cheeks had turned a little red. He looked crestfallen at her.

'Good to see you,' she smiled. Her eyes started to tear. She couldn't believe they were still alive, while she had seen them dead on the ground not so long ago. Killed in a brute way.

'Where is the rest?'

Alyssae saw three more dwarfs were missing: Gloin, Dwalin and Thorin.

'They will come back soon,' Dori answered. 'They went into the forest to look for you.'

Alyssae looked awaiting at the trees, hoping to see them, but deep inside she was afraid somebody would be missing again. Even she could barely escape from a gigantic spider after her awakening.

'Sit down,' Balin insisted after he had come to greet her. 'You look like you can't bear much more.'

Alyssae followed his order and took place on the path. Someone pushed a water bottle in her hand, which she finished empty-minded. It eased her throat, but still, she got the feeling her glands were swollen.

'This is for you.' Bombur gave her a part of his food, of which wasn't clear what it was. She however didn't care – it couldn't be worse than dead leaves.

Grateful Alyssae ate. She just swallowed the last part when she heard new voices and the three men appeared. From the ground, Alyssae looked up to Thorin. Although she knew better, she still hoped he would hug her in relief, just like Bombur and Kili had done, but he just nodded at her.