Avalon's POV

I sat outside the tent, knees pulled into my chest. Thorin was dying, and the others that had survived wouldn't let me into the tent to see him. Gandalf walked out to get another bandage, probably the tenth one in the last three hours.

"Now can I see him?" I asked.

"Miss Avalon, Thorin is in the worst possible state! I'd be surprised if he- Just a moment." With that, Gandalf went back inside. I heard only a few of the words that he and Thorin said, like, "She...But Thorin, you... I don't care if..." then Gandalf walked back out.

"Thorin wants to see you. Demands it, actually!"

I stood up, and right before I went inside, Gandalf whispered, "Try to be careful." I nodded, then opened the flap and walked in. Seeing Thorin made me feel like a little kid again. He was so hurt that I could barely recognize him. I took a few small steps, and he opened his eyes, looked my way, and a smile lit up his face. I lost it. I collapsed, my head resting on the edge of Thorin's bed. I broke into sobs, my entire body shaking. Thorin started to run his fingers through my hair, and I looked up at him.

"I-it's al-alright, Ava...lon. I'll... be okay."

I bit my lip, horrified at how weak he sounded, his voice barely above a whisper. He reached out and brushed a tear from my cheek.

"This is all my fault," I breathed.

"...What?"

"If I hadn't been such an idiot, you wouldn't have to be saving me every five seconds, getting yourself... killed!"

"It's... N-not your... Fault. I... ch-chose to... help you. I-"

"Thorin, just stop... You're going to kill yourself if you keep talking."

"...I d-don't... care. I'd r-rather t-talk myself to... death than... n-not see you one l-last... time."

Thorin's POV

I was trying to calm her down. Keep her from shutting off. In truth, I didn't know how much longer I was going to last. It was true. I would rather talk myself to death. It wouldn't make a difference in my condition. I was dying anyway, but I couldn't see Avalon like this. I wanted to remember her laughing, and I knew she wanted the same for me. I gave her the best smile I could, and said, "Avalon, stop crying. You know we'll see each other again."

To my surprise, Avalon got up and threw her arms around me in a crude hug. I did the same. She whispered, "I'll never forget you," and I hugged her tighter. Then, I realized how dark my world was becoming. I smiled, closed my eyes, and said goodbye for the last time.