Against all Odds {Middle-Earth fanfic}

Chapter Twenty-Two

"I guess so...I don't really know much about women." Sameil scratched his chin and walked away, "I gotta go. If you wouldn't mind keeping me posted on how she is."

Nikandros nodded, "I will."

Thea's fingers twitched. She slowly opened her eyes and smiled, "Hey..." She croaked. "What's going on?"

"You are sick and are not moving a muscle until your better." Nikandros smiled down at her, "Your shoulder wound was infected." He explained.

She moved to sit up, completely ignoring him, "What? That can't be..." She looked down at her bare shoulder and gasped.

Nikandros gently shoved Thea back down. "I had to clean the wound." He explained.

She gaped, "I...oh...it really is infected." She grimaced, "Gross."

"Yah. I'm sorry about your tunic. I can sew it up if you want." Nikandros offered.

She laughed softly, "Nik, my tunic is beyond saving. Don't bother."

"Sorry."

She lightly slapped his chest, "Don't apologize. It's fine."

Ulric walked briskly around the camp, lost in thought, 'What do I do?' His brows furrowed. Looking around, he noticed the assassins.

Nikandros was looking around when he spotted Ulric. "What is Ulric doing here?" He asked Thea.

"Oh, he was caught by the men and Hammond said he could stay. Apparently something went wrong with his father. Probably because he helped us..." Thea explained. She coughed once into her hand and her eyes widened. She quickly put her hand down, acting causally.

Nikandros noticed the movement, and immediately got concerned. "Thea, show me your hand."

"It's nothing." She assured, acting pleasant.

"No, it's not. Thea, please show me."

Thea sighed and turned her hand, palm up to face Nikandros. It was slick with blood.

"Thea!" Nikandros exclaimed, "What..." He stood up, "Sameil!" He called out, "Please come here."

Sameil hurried over, thankfully hearing Nikandros' yell. "What?" He asked, his face filled with alarm.

"Look at her hand! She just coughed!" Nikandros exclaimed.

"Calm down." Thea soothed, "I'm just a little weak. I'll be fine with some rest." She assured.

Sameil frowned, "What tha...?"

"She is coughing blood! That is not okay." Nikandros insisted, "Do you know what coughing up blood would mean?" He asked.

"I'm no doctor. Let me go get Hammond. He might have a better idea." Sameil ran to find their leader.

"Nik, I'm sure it's nothing. Don't-" Thea's sentence was cut off by another cough.

Nikandros grabbed a rag and handed it to Thea, "Cough into this if you need."

She grabbed it thankfully and continued coughing. Little red spots splattered over the cloth.

Hammond followed Sameil over, "What seems to be the trouble?" He asked.

"She's coughing up blood. I don't know what the matter is." Nikandros rubbed his forehead absently and stood up, facing Hammond.

Hammond scratched his head, searching for an answer, "Hmm...my guess is she could have internal bleeding somewhere in her lungs..."

Thea got her coughing fit under control, "W-what?" She asked in disbelief.

"What do we do?" Nikandros asked, worried for Thea.

"Well I don't want to put a damper on things, but I don't know of any cure for that, Lad..." Hammond said quietly.

Thea looked down at her hands. "How serious is it?" Nikandros asked quietly, tears beginning to form.

"I...um..."

"Well? Speak up!" Nikandros practically yelled.

Hammond sighed, "It's usually fatal."

Nikandros sank to his knees, "No." He whispered to no one in particular.

Hammond placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "I'm sorry, Lad..."

Nikandros closed his eyes and let the tears come and fall. He remembered Sameil's words, and decided it was time. He stood up and turned to Thea. Taking a shaky breath, he began, "Thea, I know that this is late in coming." He started slowly, "But, I guess better late then never." Nikandros swallowed hard past the lump in his throat, "Thea, I love you. I always have. I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Nikandros got down on one knee, "I know I don't have much time, but Thea, will you marry me?" He gazed deep into the eyes of the girl he knew he loved.

Thea's eyes became wide in surprise. "I..." She smiled suddenly and covered her mouth with her hand. A choked sob escaped her lips, "Oh, Nik...I don't know what to say. I thought you didn't care for me that way...I love you too." She sniffled and a single tear slid down her cheek.

Sameil and Hammond snuck away during the exchange to give them privacy, slightly smirking to each other.

"I love you." Nikandros whispered and placed his hand on her cheek. He leaned forward, wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. When they separated he kept close to her and whispered, "I've waited a long time to do that." And kissed her again.

Tears streamed down Thea's cheeks as they kissed. She finally pulled away, grinning wildly, "I just realized, I didn't give you an answer yet." She smirked mischievously, "So...my answer is yes. Yes, Nik I will marry you and spend the rest of my life with you." She gently rubbed the side of his head.

Nikandros reached and pulled a cold metal ring out of his pocket that he had made a long time ago for his future wife. He pulled away slightly just to slide the ring onto Thea's finger, and gazed deep into her deep hazel eyes. Nikandros smiled, "Wanna get married now, or maybe tomorrow?" He asked, still grinning.

Thea laughed, "Nik, who would marry us? I mean..." Thea blinked, suddenly distracted. Still sitting, she swallowed and swayed slightly. Just then, Thea coughed fiercely and gripped her stomach in pain.

Nikandros frowned, brought back to reality by his fiancée's pain. "The day after tomorrow." He said softly to Thea, "Ulric can marry us."

Thea nodded slowly, "Okay..." She said between gasps for breath. "I...th-think I need to rest."

Nikandros nodded. Glancing around, he spotted the blanket Thea had used for him. Now, he retrieved it and laid it down next to her.

"You can lay down here." He said softly and helped Thea over to the blanket. Thea let him lead her over and willingly laid down. She instantly closed her eyes and dozed off.

Woah woah woah!!!! Lots of stuff going on in this chapter!!! Lots of feels. You're welcome! Heehee^_^

So please vote, comment, or follow! Thanks all!!!!

Ithildae, Evara, Aris

Writers:
Thea ~ Ithildae
Nikandros ~ Evara
Ulric ~ Evara
Hammond ~ Ithildae
Sameil ~ Ithildae
Random Men ~ Evara and Ithildae