You sit hunched over by the fire, poking at the cinders with a long stick and watching the rising smoke disappear into the leaves overhead. The stars are just barely visible as twilight descends over the woods. In the distance, a lonely wolf howls. You shiver, missing the security and sturdy walls of Beorn's home. A sharp pain runs through your abdomen, and you unconsciously wrap an arm around yourself. The cramps are coming more frequently. You aren't sure how much longer you can hide them before the rest of the Company catch on. For now, the dwarves seem preoccupied with making camp, too distracted to notice your discomfort. Bilbo sits beside you, his nervous eyes darting in your direction every once in a while. If anyone is on the verge of finding out, it's the burglar.
Gandalf left the party a week ago, mentioning some vague business he had to attend to. Now, more than ever, you wish he had stayed—he was centuries old, surely he'd have some advice. But he's gone, leaving you, a human woman, with thirteen dwarves and one hobbit. And he took the ponies, too. Your feet are in agony.
Another stabbing pain makes you grit your teeth and squeeze your eyes shut.
"Y/N?" Bilbo nudges you gently. "Are you alright?"
You force a smile. "I'm fine, Bilbo. I'm just... thinking ahead." You glance down at the book beside you. The Hobbit. The other members of the Company had clamored to read it once everyone had recovered from the shock of a young human waking up among them the morning after leaving Bag End. You refused to hand it over, and guarded it fiercely. Even if they were to read it, it'd be little help. Still, it's a comfort you take solace in, even if you can't remember what will happen beyond a few days.
Bilbo's eyes follow yours. The hobbit doesn't seem quite satisfied, but he doesn't press further. You pick up the book and thumb through its blank pages. It's about halfway full, the story only showing events that have already happened. At least, events as Tolkien wrote them. Events that didn't account for a twenty-something woman crashing into the story.
Another cramp—a bad one. You quickly turn away from Bilbo, biting your tongue so hard you're surprised you don't bite right through it. You can't take it any longer. With a sigh you get to your feet, absentmindedly adjusting your bra strap. "I'm going to get more firewood," you announce to nobody in particular. A few of the dwarves grunt in acknowledgement. You scan them, evaluating who would take the news the best. Glóin? He'd have first-hand experience, but you haven't spent much time with him. Not enough to talk about this. There's the kind-hearted Bofur, but you don't trust him to keep your secret for long. Finally, your eyes reach Balin. Perfect.
Balin was the first dwarf to readily accept you into the Company. He had taken a fatherly attitude toward you since the beginning, comforting you when the homesickness became too much to bear.
"Balin? Would you help, please?"
The old dwarf furrows his brow. There is already a small stack of firewood near the bedrolls. You put on your best pleading face. Still a bit confused, Balin shrugs and makes his way over.
Bilbo stands, brushing off his waistcoat. "Believe I'll come along, if you'll have me," he says. "I could do with a brisk walk."
Again, you bite your tongue. You consider the hobbit before you. The two of you have the most in common out of the Company, both thrust into some strange adventure and completely out of your depths. You relent with a sigh, leading your companions away from the fire until you can no longer hear voices bickering over who should sleep where and who took the first watch last night.
"Whatever you mean to tell us, I do believe we are quite far enough from the others," Balin comments.
"What makes you think I want to tell you anything?" You keep your tone light.
