Hummingbird Heartbeat

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Maranda yawned and she wriggled between two warm bodies. Damned twins.

"Ben, geroff," she murmured pushing slightly. There was a low growl.

"Stop it, Fi." She opened one eye and saw Kili's face inches from her own. She smiled faintly and closed them again, only to leap up with a yelp as Fili squeezed closer. No one woke up as she untangled herself from the boys and stumbled away from camp.

"Where was that river?" she mumbled. She staggered down to the bank and plunged her hands into the water, staining the cuffs of her sleeves with water, she splashed her face and gasped for air. "Great. Wet and cold." A twig snapped behind her and she turned to find a sword in her face. She screamed and jumped, launching herself into the river. She kicked sputtering to the top and grabbed the hand that was trying to help her.

"My apologies." Thorin, dammit. "I heard a noise and came to investigate. I was unaware it was you." He sounded upset and Maranda waved a hand as she shivered.

"It-t's fine. A little water nev-ver hurt anything," she said, teeth chattering just the smallest bit. Before she even knew what was happening, a huge warm coat was wrapped around her and she was blushing bright red. Her back hurt. Like a lot. "I'm fine, really," she stammered and he frowned.

"Let's get back to camp," he said and she nodded.

"S-sounds good," she stammered and the two set off. She was soaking wet and when they got back to camp, Fili and Kili attacked her with hugs and blankets. Soon it was time to head out. Maranda went over to Thorin and Minty to return his cloak, but he just hefted her onto his pony.

"I can walk," she said through gritted teeth, still bright red. He grunted disinterestedly as they set out. Being this close to him was not doing anything for her embarrassment or the fangirl part of her brain telling her to snog him, for fuck's sake! His armor felt weird too. Like he had armor plates across his chest rather than the mail she knew he wore. "What are you wearing?" she asked curiously and he grunted. "No really, because whatever it is, it freaking hurts," she said grumpily and he seemed to stiffen as if considering something.

"You have something on your back," he said at length and Maranda raised one eyebrow.

"No I don't," she said and he shook his head.

"Beneath this shirt. It's strange." She turned her head and she did indeed have something large and strange under her shirt, pressed tight against her back.

"What the hell?" she mumbled and tried to reach one hand around. But Thorin grabbed her hand and she looked up at him. His eyes were fixed on the road ahead.

"Wait until Bree. We don't have time to stop again," he said and she sighed.

"Fine." She pulled out the strange purple box and inserted the tiny rocks in her ears. One side of the box lit up and Thorin stared in wonder as she moved her thumb across it, touching things to make other things appear. Magic. Clearly. She started humming and the screen went black. She leaned against him and closed her eyes. He stiffened and tried not to look at her. Dwalin was smirking at him from one side and Gandalf kept glancing over his shoulder to smile knowingly. Balin too thought that it was a spectacular sight and soon the whole Company was laughing quietly and watching the King and the Seer.

They came into view of Bree around noon and Maranda shifted in front of Thorin. She opened her eyes and they widened at the city in sight. Wow. It wasn't fancy or pretty, but it was real. It was Bree! They rode down to the gates and a young boy watched in interest. Maranda beamed at him and he smiled kindly. Envy swirled in Thorin's chest until Maranda leaned back against him and started humming about something 'going timber'. His heart was beating too loudly to be envious. They stopped at the Prancing Pony, which Maranda was way too excited about, and they all filed up to their room. Maranda disappeared to go take a bath, because apparently Dwarves 'made her feel gritty'.

They were all settling when a loud scream rang from the bathroom. In a half a moment they were all ready for battle but Maranda just poked her head out and gave everyone a tight smile.

"No need to panic. I just...uh..." she trailed off and looked over her shoulder into the room. "Gandalf, what exactly is the proper procedure when you find out something awkward?" she said a bit tightly and he frowned.

"Whatever is the matter, my dear?" he asked curiously. She sighed and closed the door. A moment later she stepped out, her shirt clutched to her chest. She turned slowly and the whole room stared. Her back was covered in scratches and cuts, long healed and scared over, but what drew their gaze was the pair of brilliant emerald wings settling comfortably on her back. The tips were tinged with blue and they shuffled on her back, small enough to rest along her frame, but still obviously powerful. She was still in her boots and pants and was visibly uncomfortable, the wings forcing her to take of her shirt.

"Wow," Kili said and she glanced over her shoulder at him.

"That bad?" she asked.

"They're beautiful," Fili said and she blushed turning away, tugging her shirt on over the wings.

"Um...what now?" she asked and Bilbo gaped at her.

"You're a Fairy," he said and everyone turned to him. "One of my old Took family took a Fairy for his wife. He always said...wings like a bird...and on her ankles." He eyes fixed on her legs and she glanced down.

"No way," she mumbled and sat down. She wrenched off her boots and rolled up the cuff of her pants. A single wing sat just above her ankle bone, pressed against her skin. As she gaped at it the little thing, it shook and spread out. She frowned and the wing fluttered slightly. "Nope," she said and stood up "Gandalf. Smart one. Explain," she begged and he shrugged.

"I don't really know what to tell you, my dear. As far as I knew Fairies died out centuries ago. Very secretive people," he nodded. "Though I know of one who may know. He is in our path so we may speak with him on this." He looked thoughtful and Maranda looked lost

"I didn't See this coming," she muttered and left the room. Kili and Fili went after her. She was in the bar downstairs sitting in the corner alone, eyes glazed.

"Hey," Kili said looping one arm around her. "It's alright. No one will look at you different because you're a Fairy," he said and she looked at him in a lost way. "Promise," he said and she leaned against him. Fili looked like he was thinking.

"Hey, Ki? What was it mum always did when she got upset?" he asked and Maranda looked at him in confusion. Kili, however, grinned.