I Bow To No One

Chapter 24: The Truth Comes Out

Time seemed to pass by agonizingly slow. I was progressively getting worse,  it was to the point where I could barely stand up without wanting to scream out in pain. As the pain progressed, I slowly became acquainted with the idea that I was going to die.
"Artain, we plan to leave in a few seconds. Are you ready?" Thorin asked.
I looked up at him and nodded, forcing my discomfort away for the moment. I slowly began to stand, but the pain was so unbearable that I fell back, causing me to scream out in pain.
"Alright I've had quite enough of this foolishness Artrain!" Bilbo said, frantically rushing over to help me.
"What foolishness? What are you talking about halfling?" Thorin asked, clearly concerned.
All eyes were on me by now. My heart started to race.
"Bilbo.. d-don't you dare.." I growled through gritted teeth. The glare I gave him was deadly.
"No Artrain, this has gone on for long enough." He said, looking up at the rest of the company "Shes hurt. Ever since she got shot she's been getting worse and she refuses to get help."
Things seemed to fall silent, I kept my gaze on the ground.
"Artrain..." Thorin said softly. I couldn't bring myself to look up at him.
I felt a pang of guilt and sadness when he kneeled down and lifted my chin. His bright blue eyes showed so much pain and confusion. It hurt me to know that I had caused those emotions.
"How bad is it lass?" Oin asked cautiously.
I honestly had no idea, I couldn't ever bring myself to look at it. The old dwarf sighed some and this and kneeled down, lifting my shirt some to look at it. The eerie silence that filled the room seemed to confirm my fears. It was bad.
"Gods Artrain why didn't you tell any of us?!" Thorin exclaimed.
I looked around the room and saw a mixture of grief and shock. This was exactly the reaction I was trying to avoid.
"With all due respect Master dwarf I don't believe that now is the time to yell at the lady. Especially not when she did this to keep you all safe." Bard said as he stepped up.
I silently thanked him for this action. Thorin however, did not seem so grateful. His glare was cold and harsh as the man spoke.
"Protect us? How is slowly letting herself die going to protect any of us?" He growled low, keeping his harsh glare.
"Tell me, what would you have done if she had told you sooner? You have no way of healing her. And you would simply waste the small amount of supplies you have in a feeble attempt to try to save her." He responded calmly.
The company was silent. No one had a response. But then again I couldn't entirely blame them. The news I gave them wasn't exactly happy.
"So what are we supposed to do then?! We can't just let her die!" Kili suddenly burst out.
My heart broke some hearing his voice. There was no doubt that he was blaming himself for this mess. To me that wasn't the case. It was my choice to take the arrow and I would have done it again if given the chance. 
"Lad, I'm afraid Bard is right. I don't have near enough skill with medicine to help her." Lin said, looking at the young prince with a deep sadness.
"Then we'll take her to the elves! We watch out for our own right?!" This time it was Fili that spoke up.
"No you won't!" I snapped, causing the company to look at me "you don't have enough time to drag me back to the elves. I told you I would get you to that damned mountain by Durins day and I will not let you compromise this entire journey. Am I understood?!"
The brothers had a shared look of sadness and desperation as they looked to their uncle for some sort of support. It never came.
"So it's decided then... we're supposed to just let you die?" Kili asked.
"That is precisely what you'll do." I stated, looking up at them.
The house was silent after that...