Send me ‘Fading to Dust’ for my muses reaction to watching yours die right in front of them.(Music: You Are My Sunshine, music box version.)Dis hadn’t seen the orc approach until it was too late. Fili was sitting quietly in the clearing of the forest, working away at a circlet of stems and leaves.“I’m making this one for you, momma, then I’m gonna make one for uncle and Kee for when we go home.”“That’s very nice of you, little lion.”The sun was dipping low on the horizon, just enough where Dis knew they had to start heading back home to miss the dark. But Fili was happy to finally get alone time with his mother, and the smile he gave her shone brighter than the sun’s reflection on his golden hair. They had been through a lot together after the death of his father and the birth of Kili, the new light of both of their worlds.Dis was just about to call out for Fili, when a sharp jab of pain entered her ribs. She held the wound tightly as she stumbled forwards. “Fili,” She huffed out, turning to look for the attacker. “Fili, go hide.”Another arrow flew past her. Dis took up her sword, trying to shield Fili from any hits. An orc appeared from the trees, firing off another arrow that managed to reach Dis’s abdomen. The pain became so overwhelming, her body seemed to block out all feeling, leaving her temporarily numb. She ran forwards in a rush of adrenaline, her sword swinging heavily at the orc, who blocked the blows with his bow. He threw hits back, - faster than Dis could handle in her condition, aiming for the arrows he had managed to hit her with, leaving her writhing on the ground.The orc stepped closer to Fili, who had been standing in a state of shock. He was unable to process the situation - and, if he did, his body wasn’t cooperating. He was trapped. As the creature was swinging his bow down at the small dwarfling, Dis managed to cut her sword deep into his spine; and with a horrid screech, the monster collapsed.Dis dropped her weapon and her attention focused back on her wounds. It would be unwise to pull the arrows out without the presence of a healer, but every time she moved or breathed, it was like she was being scrapped and stabbed from the inside. One of the wounds had already began bleeding heavily because of the orc’s hit.“Momma?” Fili finally cried, gently tugging at her arm. His eyes were wide and scared, looking up into her pale face. He could feel bile rising in his throat. She had to be alright… “Momma, let’s go home. Kee is waiting for us.”Dis didn’t reply. Instead, she took Fili’s little hand and began walking forwards, wanting desperately to make sure he got home, if it were the last thing she did.The sun was almost gone now. The forest was darkening, and the path seemed all the more winding and confusing, especially with the blood loss Dis suffered. But she had to get home, had to get Fili home. Kili was waiting for them, her little baby; and Thorin was waiting for them. Where was she, again?“Momma,” Fili called again, moving closer to Dis’s cooling body, the unfinished circlet of leaves and stems still clutched tightly in his other hand. The temperatures had dropped. He was shivering slightly, eyes squinting in the dark. “We’ve been walking a long time. Are we almost home?”Home. She had to get Fili home. Dis continued dragging along, the path they took long gone. Finally she fell to the ground, her head heavy and body hurting.“I can’t walk any more,” She slurred, voice raspy and dry. “I can’t go anymore. Hurry back, Fili, I’ll catch up.”“But I-I don’t know how to ge-get home…” Fili stuttered. Large tears raced down his cheeks, but he felt like his mind was going numb again, like it didn’t want to fully accept what was happening. “Momma?”Dis didn’t respond. She lay still in the grass, glazed eyes staring up at Fili.“Uncle,” Fili called out into the darkness, hoping they might be close enough that someone would hear. “Someone, help!”But there was no response. Fili shivered harder, his hands tightening around the circlet. The cold was cutting through him and the trees suddenly didn’t feel as welcoming as they did. There was no path to take him back to his family, no light to see, no warm face to tell him everything would be alright. The little prince laid down next to his mother, holding the crown of leaves to his chest as he curled up into a ball. Surely they’ll be found…