Recap-

Young Gwaeneth ran into her fathers arms, trying to comfort him some, but he was mainly focused on his wife.
The two Dwarves remained in the doorway.
Northon (Northa-on) held his daughter loosely to him, her head tucked under his chin, sitting in his lap. They both sat on her mothers bed, she was covered in sweat at times gasping for breath. Other times yelling out in pain. Gwaeneth took her hand. "It'll be okay mum." She said through tears.
Mithan (Mith-ann) smiled at her, and squeezed her hand. "I know, darling. Whatever may come...stay strong. Never stop fighting." She spoke.
Another wave of pain hit her before she could speak to her husband.
He held his daughter tighter, tears hitting her head.
"Northon, keep our daughter safe. Hold on, for me."
"I'll try, my love." He repeated.
Gwaeneth slowly got off her fathers lap, and headed to the two Dwarves.
"Thank you for trying, Óin."
"I wish I could've done more."
"And thank you for bringing him here, Thorin." She smiled through her tears.
Once more, he knelt to eye-level. "If you ever need our help, or wish to play with my nephews. Just send word. We're honored to have a race such as yours here. You'll be trained to fight with your wooden sword too, don't worry."
Gwaeneth smiled before hugging them both. They were a blessing in her life.

Both had good hearts, that she sensed. That is why she grew so close to Thorin so fast.

Sadly, Mithan was like this, for another week. Before she passed.

~*~*~*~*~

* apostrophe in 'italics are thoughts'
- Example: 'I had no idea where to go now...'

* Bold asterisk symbol * symbols are a translation in Elvish.*
- Example: "Mae Govannen." *Well Met.*

* Italics without apostrophes give more emphasis it the word(s)
- Example: Run. Run!

* Dreams will be within Bold dash and asterisk symbols
- Example: -* She drempt of the night it happened. *-

* Memories will be italic and within bold colons ::
- Example: :: Gwaeneth remembered the day her father made her wooden sword. ::

~*~*~*~*~

Song: All The Pretty Little Horses
Artist: Ashley Serena

~*~*~*~

Gwaeneth laid in bed, looking out the window hugging her teddy bear close to her as tears rolled down her cheeks. She felt numb for the first time in her life.
Memories flooded her mind, :: she remembered her mother sitting on the side of her bed, tucking her in a fond smile on her face and she began singing...

Hush-a-bye
Don't you cry
Go to sleep my little baby
When you wake
You shall have
All the pretty little horses
Blacks and bays
Dapples and greys
Dancing through the sky
When you wake
You shall have
All the pretty little horses
Hush-a-bye
Don't you cry
Go to sleep my little baby
When you wake
You shall have
All the pretty little horses
Blacks and bays
Dapples and greys
Dancing through the sky
When you wake
You shall have
All the pretty little horses
When you wake
You shall have
All the pretty little horses.... ::

Her father was sitting in their bedroom, looking at the bed she use to lie on. That now was empty.

In most terms, Gwaeneth was alone in raising herself. Her father, saying that he'd try not to fade to his wife... To stay for their daughter, was failing. He was succumbing to the sadness. And she knew this. Gwaeneth was a flower, alone in the dark.

Or was she?

Miles away, in a mountain were three Dwarves.
Two were young, one older. They were currently trying to find time to visit their friend in Dale. The three Royals had heard news on her mothers passing, and had been anxious on wanting to visit her. But lessons were holding them up.

The brother's mother made an excuse for them and their uncle to visit the poor girl.

Soon, there was a knock on the door of her house. The 7 year old awoke from her light, troubled slumber and looked toward the door but didn't bother to move. 'Maybe father will get it...' She thought.
More knocks. Gwaeneth groaned.
She looked out the window with no will to move.

Gwaeneth's interest was perked when she heard grunting, propping herself on an elbow, she saw nothing out her window, but soon fell out of bed in shock seeing Kili on top of Fili's shoulders. She got back up to see Thorin walking into view, looking solemn. Giving her a sad smile. She waved at them with a very small smile. And went to open the door, still in her nightgown.

"Hello." She greeted, "what brings you by?"
"We wanted to check on you, Gwaeneth." Thorin spoke.
Fili and Kili ambushed her with hugs. "We're sorry. We heard what happened."
She returned the hugs, it felt nice to be hugged again.
Thorin smiled at them.
"Come in, I'll get some food. - And change."
"Thank you, Gwaeneth."
She nodded.
Kili wrinkled his nose. "What do you think of the nickname "Gwen?" Your name is very long."
Gwaeneth smiled. "Only if you three use it."
Fili and Kili smiled as if in victory.
She shook her head. 'Boys.'
Running over to Thorin, who she was beginning to look to as an uncle, or even a father-figure. She asked if he wanted something to drink or eat.
He assured her that they came here to make sure that she was alright, and to keep her company. He knew about loss. His mother died from childbirth.
"How is your father doing, Gwen?" Thorin asked.
A teary look was his answer.

Thorin hesitantly went to the bedroom where she had been. Gwen's mother. Sure enough, he found her father. Thorin sighed. This was not good. His face was sunken looking, body skinny, hair dull. She was going to be an orphan. Unless Gwaeneth had other relatives.

"Fili, Kili? Why don't you take Gwen out to play?" Thorin asked from the bedroom's doorway.
The brother's face's lit up. "Yes, uncle." Fili answered.
"Lets go, Gwen!" Kili pulled her out the doorway, making her smile.
"-And stay out of trouble!" Thorin ordered.
"Aw..." Kili whined.
Thorin couldn't help but smirk.

Now, to talk to her father.
"Northon? I'm Prince Thorin. I'm sure your aware of what's going to happen... What is happening. You're fading. My question is, what is your wish for your daughter after you leave this world?"
The half-elf looked to Thorin with sunken, dull eyes. "I care for my child, but Mithan was my world. I can't keep her wish." He looked down, ashamed.
"Thank you for caring for her, Prince Thorin. There are few who care in Dale. My wish, is for her to grow up happy, know how to fight, and be strong in this cruel world. If you could achieve that...I'd be forever grateful. I'm fading fast. Maybe a month left?"
Thorin nodded. "Aye, I'll do what I can."

Fili and Kili were actually able to get the poor girl to smile. And laugh. She was laughing so hard, she was crying.

Despite Thorin's warning to behave, Fili and Kili decided to play some pranks on people - to make her smile if even a little. And it worked. Obviously.

Fili and Kili grinned at one another. Mission accomplished.

They decided to go back to her house, starting to get hungry.

Entering they found Thorin at the table, hands clasped together and in his thinking pose. - Gwen didn't know what his pose meant.

"Uncle? What's wrong?" Gwen looked to the two, then to Thorin.
"It's nothing, boys."
"We don't have much to eat, but will this do?" She asked pulling out cheese with crackers.
Gwaeneth knew Dwarves were accustomed to eating meat.
The boys nodded. "Yes, Gwen. Thank you." Fili spoke.
They all ate rather hurriedly. Gwen liked when they were over - manners didn't matter.
Thorin studied the girl, 'where would she go?' He couldn't help but wonder.
She was beginning to feel like family.
He tried to hide his concern by smiling whenever one of the children looked at him.

Something would be figured out, that was certain.

~*~*~*~*~

-Edited: January 29th, 2020-