Inflamed (Harry Potter & The Hobbit/LOTR Crossover) (LegolasxOC)

20- Laketown

We traveled through the water for an hour longer when the water started to slow down to a calming pace, the current slowing to a stop as well. Around this time, we had to start paddling ourselves with our hands. I was so physically and mentally drained that it took a lot of effort to propel myself. All I wanted to do was collaspe and sleep. "Anything behind us?" Thorin asked, turning his head slightly.

Balin, who was in the middle/back, replied, "Not that I can see." We all scanned our surrounds; the rocky cliffs to our left, the bay to our right. "I think we've outrun the Orcs." Bofur stated, wistful. I shook my head, putting a lot of effort in not chewing my bleeding, split lip. Most of my facial injuries were not bleeding anymore, but I was sure that I had a black eye forming. My left eye hurt, straining to stay open. "We haven't outrun them. They've fallen back." I replied to Bofur quietly.

Thorin shot me an icy glance my way. I looked away, knowing exactly what he was thinking. Unconsciously, my eyes traveled to Kíli. He met my gaze and his mouth quirked into a quick, cheerful smile. I looked away, not smiling back. I was worried about his leg. Even with the back of my head facing him, I could sense that he was frowning at me.

"Bofur is half drown." Dwalin commented to Thorin, looking a bit concerned. Thorin's eyes shifted to his injured nephew before he ordered, "Make for the shore! Come on, let's go!" With vigorous paddling, I made it to the riverbank, climbing out and stumbling to the ground.

I sighed, catching my breath, and not even bothering to get up from the ground. I panted, closing my eyes and trying to not throw up or pass out. "Come on!" Dwalin called to the ones still coming to the bank. When Kíli made it to the shore, he collasped on a rock, grasping his thigh. Sitting up, I crawled over to him. He looked down at me, pain in his eyes, as I unwrapped the hastily bound wound.

Blood was seeping through the cloth and Balin, nearby, wore a concerned expression. "I'm fine, it's nothing." Kíli said nonchalantly, shrugging. I glowered up at the Dwarf. "Nothing my ass. An arrow wound is a serious injury, Kíli." I grumbled, opening my bag. I closed my eyes, trying my hardest not to roll my eyes, as Thorin commanded, "On your feet."

I stayed on the ground, pushing Kíli back down on his butt as he tried to stand up. Thorin may have been the leader of the Company, but I was the unofficial co-healer. "Miss Paige, Kíli get up." Thorin repeated gruffly. "He needs tending to." I replied through gritted teeth. Thorin scowled deeply at me. "We don't have time, we need to keep moving."

On my last nerve, I snapped harshly, "And I said that he needs tending to!" The others, including Kíli, flinched at my harshness. Thorin glowered at me, his nostrils flared. Fíli looked over at his brother. "Uncle, his leg needs binding. It won't take long, right Paige?" I didn't reply nor did Thorin, both of us locked in a heated stare. Finally, Thorin grounded out, "There's an Orc pack on our tail; we keep moving." I shot daggers at the Dwarf, who ignored my look. "To where?" Balin asked. Bilbo pointed to the desolate peak that we were getting closer and closer to. "To the Mountain; we're so close."

Balin frowned, pointing out, "A lake lies between us and that mountain. We have no way to cross it." "So then we go around." Bilbo countered. Dwalin brought up another good point. "The Orcs will run us down, as sure as daylight. We have no weapons to defend ourselves." Thorin took all this information in, then looking to me and Kíli. "Bind his leg, quickly. You have two minutes."

As I got to work, we all heard Thorin snarl quietly, "This is all your fault. Kíli's injury. Our delay. All of it. Because you couldn't find your wand, you stupid girl." I stopped rummaging through my bag. I didn't look up from my bag, a tense silence ruling us. Everyone had been expecting me to pick a fight with the Dwarf again, but, surprisingly to them, I didn't. Because he was right. Unlike Thorin, I could and would recognize when another person was right. I felt guilty, really guilty, that Kíli had gotten hurt because of me. I pulled out clean binding cloth and said softly, "I know. I'm at fault here. I'm sorry."