She loved someone else. Not him, and she probably never would.

Fritz looked down as she glanced back at him with pleading eyes, wondering if she should go on. When he didn’t say anything she nodded curtly and tried to get to her feet, though she was shaking. He could tell she was in overwhelming pain, mentally and physically. She limped to the fireplace and bent down next to it gracefully. She pulled out two rocks which Fritz recognized as flint and steel and struck them, lighting a fire quickly. She huddled next to it silently for a minute, curling her knees to her stomach. She shivered as the sun disappeared over the trees and he felt the slight anger leave his mind and he grabbed his thickest blanket and stalked over to her. He laid it softly on her shoulders and she glanced back at him, her expression softer than usual. He meant to go back to his hammock but she turned suddenly and gripped his hand. “Wait!” she said, a frown on her face. “Won’t you be cold?” she asked, her brow furrowed. “I don’t mean to intrude.” he shook his head, startled. “I’m fine, don’t worry.” just then a cold gust of wind blew and he shivered. She smirked, her eyes flashing. “I was correct.” She said sarcastically, ripping the blanket off and handing it to him. She winced as the cold air hit her. And he rolled his eyes at her stubbornness. Her eyes widened suddenly, “I think I’m going to be sick.” she said, and she crawled away quickly. He clenched his teeth as she gagged, he could hear her crying quietly and he felt the strange feeling again. The feeling that he would give anything for her to feel good, and be safe. He narrowed his eyes, hoping that it would help him find Esme in the dark. He saw her curled beneath a tree. He walked over to her, and gently gripped her arms. “Stop ignoring me and get over to the hammock.” She glared at him. “Fine.” she growled struggling to her feet. She gripped her head, her eyes going unfocused. Then she collapsed.

Fritz dropped the blanket and frantically bent over, slapping her face lightly. She didn’t move, she had passed out. He felt her head, it was too warm. She was much sicker than she was letting on. He scooped her up as he had done when she was injured and carried her quickly to the hammock, laying her down lightly. She stirred right away, blinking. She let out a cry of pain, and he laid a hand on her shoulder. Her eyes filled with tears and she let them spill down her face. She touched her head and let out a sob. “It hurts so bad.” She coughed. “I know, I know.” He whispered feeling her head again, the fever had not died down. He was growing extremely worried now. In his village, anyone who had reached a fever this high had died within the next few days. His breathing quickened, panicking. If she would die he would be alone, and she was his ticket to Terrilain. Not only that but he would miss her, even though he had only known her for so long. He rushed to the stream, filling his hands with the cool water. He ran to her and splashed it lightly on her face. She flushed, but her tears didn’t stop. He tossed the blanket on her, swearing that after she had fallen asleep he would pack, and try and get to the nearest citadel for help.

“Fritz.”

“Yes?”

“Thanks. I’m sorry for being a bother.”

“You're not a bother!”

“Okay…” She yawned. “G’night.”

“Good night.”

She smiled weakly up at him, her eyes drooping. They closed slowly, while she drew a ragged breath. And Fritz glanced down, tears filling his eyes as he looked down at the dying doe.