[She squeezes his hand back, despite the crushing grip he's exerting on her already.]

I think... he must have suspected it, at least. Mayhap not the full details, but when he Bonded with me, it was... it felt like he softened in sadness, a little. Like he'd gotten a glimpse of the result.

[And maybe he did; she can't be sure, having no ability to see so intimately into another's soul like that. But Hythlodaeus is no fool, and even if he said nothing so as not to concern anyone, it was easy to tell the thought quietly weighed on him.]

I never told him, either. I thought maybe it wasn't my place to. But knowing he wouldn't be long here, I think he probably wanted to leave something more permanent. For you, and for himself.

[She looks directly at him then, expression mild.]

Will you be all right?