He narrowed his eyes at her, considering a moment. "Now you're just fishing for compliments." He flashed a grin. "You said it yourself, I'm probably just inflating your ego to manipulate you -- so you ask me a question like that, where the only possible answer is more flattery." He leaned his head back on the tree, and he found himself thinking of the long night to come, stuck here, sick and hungry and in pain until dawn -- and he selfishly wanted her to stay here and talk to him.

"Honestly I don't know if you're brave enough," he went on, his smile fading. "But I never said anything about doing this alone. You have the princess, and the numbskull dwarves, and they'll follow you if you stand up and lead. Bravery's moving forward despite fear -- and you've got fear, so you're halfway there at least. It's easier with a sword. It looks like I won't be needing mine anytime soon."

Dorothea stood up, worried and impatient. "Sam? Come on, we should get some sleep."