I Bow To No One

Chapter 23: Unsettling Fears...

*Artrain's P.O.V*

The company made it into the city with little complication. The only major threat we faced were the guards surronding Bard's home. We managed to find a way around it, much to the dwarves discontent. Lets just say that when they found out they had to enter through the family's toilet they werent overly thrilled. Dwalin was the most vocal about it, he mummbled curses and profanities the entire time. I however thought it was quite an amusing sight, watching the dwarves emerge from the tiny hole in the flooring, each of them scowling and grummbling. I luckily didn't have to join them, Bard just had me shift forms and walk in with him as his pet dog. Once everyone was saftely inside, one of Bard's daughters and his son worked quickly to provide the company with blankets to dry off while the oldest daughter started a fire in the fireplace. I thanked the youngest one, whos name I belive was Tilda as she handed me a blanket. She was a curious looking little girl, her big blue eyes seemed to pierce through your soul and she had brown locks that bounced with every step she took. Unlike her older siblings Bain and Sigrid, she didn't bear much similarity to her father. I assumed that was because she inherited her mothers features rather than his. From what I could tell, they were all three very well mannered and kind. I however was acting quite the opposite. I sat in a corner on my own, avoiding any and all conversation with the rest of the company. This was of course including Thorin. I knew that speaking to them would only mean thousands of questions and I needed time to think. "It's clear to see that this journey will be the death of you. And not because of a dragon." Those words from my exchage with Bard constanly rang in my head. Deep down a part of me knew he was right, as much as I dreaded to admit it. I was only getting worse and I doubted that anything would miraculously change. It was clear at this point that I had been poisoned and the vile substance was coursing through my veins, fighting to do it's job. And at the moment, it seemed to be winning. I could hardly move. Obviously I needed help, but this was far beyond the abilities of Dwarf healing and I definitely wasn't going to get help from the Elves after our last encounter with them. I was going to die. That much was clear. By now it was just a matter of where and when. My hope was that I would be able to hold on long enough to complete this quest, but I wasn't sure that would be possible. Every moment I spent thinking about it, the slimmer my chances became. And then there was the matter of telling the company. There was no doubt that they wouldn't take it well, Thorin especially. Of course, they would find out eventually. I wouldn't be able to hide this forever but deep down, a part of me wished I could. It's no secret that I was dreading telling them, it was my job to protect them and I would just let them down... "Artrain..?" A voice pulled me from my thoughts. I looked up to see a curious Bilbo Baggins. "Hmm? Oh, Hello Bilbo." I said, forcing a smile as I did. The hobbit returned the smile and sat down next to me. "You don't seem well, is everything alright?" He asked quietly, looking at me with a concerned gaze. I hesitated for a moment, I wasn't entirely sure what to say. "I'm fine, why do you ask?" I finally said. This earned a disbelieving look from him. "Artrain, I've spent enough time with you to know when something isn't right." He said sternly, meeting my gaze. I sighed and smiled slightly, he used to do this to me when I stayed with him as a child. "Its nothing I cant handle mister Baggins I assure you." I chuckled, wincing slightly at the movement. Unfortunately, the Hobbit noticed this movement and looked at me with a sudden realization. "You're hurting more than you're letting on aren't you?" He asked with wide eyes. "Hush!" I hissed, making sure no one else could hear him. "Artrain y-" He began but I held up a hand to stop him. "Bilbo, I am fine." I said, sounding as if I was convincing myself more than I was convincing him. I knew he wasn't convinced, but thankfully he dropped it anyways and just nodded slightly. There was no point in arguing anyways, at this point there was nothing that could be done for me. The sooner I accepted that, the better it would be for everyone around me.