Hummingbird Heartbeat

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

They didn't see her until noon the next day. She soared down from the trees and hovered towards the back. It wasn't until they stopped to wash up at a wide stream that anyone really noticed her. It was Bilbo.

"Maranda!" he cried and fell off his pony, scrambling towards her. She dropped to the ground and winced as her foot hit the ground. She hiked it up slightly and smiled winningly as the Hobbit hugged her tightly. "Are you alright?" he asked in worry and she nodded with a smile.

"Just needed to clear my head," she said softly. Bombur and Bofur stopped to see if she was okay, and Dwalin grunted when he passed her. Ori tried to go over but Dori dragged him away, glaring coldly at Maranda. She kept her eyes on the ground as Bilbo admonished her for flying off like that and Kili and Fili lingered by, checking their bags. Balin winked at her and Gandalf wandered over, leading her away and putting an end to Bilbo's lecture.

"Are you well, my dear?" Gandalf asked softly and Maranda nodded.

"I'm fine," she mumbled and he turned to her, eyes dark.

"You must keep control. Seeing is one thing. But spouting prophecies like that will bring you only trouble," he cautioned and she nodded, hugging herself.

"I don't usually do that. Usually it's a dream, or I just see it. In my head. I never say it like that." She looked up at him, tears staining her eyes. "What's happening to me?" she said softly and Gandalf kneeled down.

"I don't know. I don't have any answers. But once we get to Rivendell, I am sure Elrond will," he nodded as she rubbed her eyes.

"Thorin's going to love that," she said dryly and placed a hand to her head in pain. "Great now I know he's going to hate it." There was a shout of joy and a very naked Nori plunged into the river. Maranda squeezed her eyes shut and walked resolutely away from the river. Someone tapped her shoulder and she turned. Kili stood with a small smile, holding out her guitar. "OH!" she gasped and took it gingerly.

"Yeah. I grabbed it when you didn't come back," he said and Maranda drew his dagger out from her belt.

"I took this I'm sorry. I needed it..." She stopped and looked away.

"This has blood on it," Kili said at once and she looked at it. She clearly hadn't cleaned it well enough. "Where did you go last night? Flying? No, it's something else," he said looking at her teasingly. Fili was running towards the water, stripping as he went. Maranda looked at Kili carefully.

"Can you keep a secret?" she said suddenly and his smile faded. "Even from Fili? Even from Thorin? Especially Thorin," she said forcefully and Kili frowned slightly.

"Yes," he said firmly and Maranda grabbed his hand, dragging him away from the others. She sat in the grass and he sat next to her.

"In my world, your story is famous. But it's just a fairytale. And above all. It's a tragedy." She picked dejectedly at the grass. Kili nodded.

"Who dies?" he said calmly, voice even and unfeeling, far more mature than she would have expected. She sucked in a deep breath and prepared herself for the pain.

"Only Durin's line," she said and clutched her head. Kili took in a deep breath, a frown on his face.

"So, Fi, Uncle and I," he said and Maranda nodded once. "Then we'll just have to change that," he said forcefully. Maranda looked at him, eyes wide.

"I don't think I can. I couldn't stop Bilbo fainting and I couldn't stop Balin telling the tale of Moria. I don't think I can change anything," she said and Kili looked at her seriously.