Midnight Fae (GXG)

Friends for eternity

४

"And, done."

Frostine wiped the sweat off her forehead as she forged the weapon the blacksmith told her to. This was her job, which allowed her to buy food and supplies for herself and her mother.

"That's too sharp, Frostine!" The old man smiled and handed her a cloth to wrap around the weapon's blade. She scratched the back of her neck and laughed nervously. "At least it didn't melt." Frostine's hands trembled slightly as she carefully wrapped the cloth around the weapon's blade, taking extra caution not to cut herself. She admired the craftsmanship of her work, knowing that her skills had improved over time. With a sense of pride, she handed the weapon back to the blacksmith, ready to receive her payment and continue providing for her family.

He gave her more than usual.

And being the loyal and trustworthy person she is, Frostine warned him. She needed the money, but the old man was half blind, and she felt bad.

She placed a hand on his shoulder, and the old man only smiled.

"Keep it. It's yours. Even I, in my 87 years of blacksmithing, couldn't forge a sword so sharp and stable at the base." He closed her palms around the money and closed the blacksmith.

"You're a talented one, Frostine. The future awaits your loyalty." The old man said it with a twinkle in his eye. "See you tomorrow. Hurry! Go cheer your mother up! Tell little Amy that old bastard Amon says hi." And with that, Frostine hurried out of the blacksmith's shop, excited to share the news with her mother. She couldn't wait to see the smile on her mother's face.

She opened the door and locked it with fast movements. Her eyes widened as she took the sight in.

Her mother was standing on her legs, looking as healthy and vibrant as ever. Frostine's heart swelled with joy as she realized that her mother had made a remarkable recovery. Overwhelmed with emotions, she ran towards her mother and enveloped her in a tight embrace. Tears of happiness streamed down Frostine's face as she whispered, "I can't believe it, Mom. You're standing! This is truly a miracle."

Amie smiled and wrapped her arms around Frostine's neck. "You work so hard every day, Frosty," Amie whispered. "I wanted to surprise you, my love. And now, I can finally stand on my own two feet again." She smiled as she wiped Frostine's tears away.

"Mom!" She held her close, as if she would disappear. Frostine's heart swelled with gratitude as she held onto her mother tightly, never wanting to let go. The feeling of having her mother back, healthy and strong, was a gift beyond words.

"Your hands are burned, Frosty." Amie gently took Frostine's hands in her own, examining the burns with concern. "You've been working so hard to take care of me; it's time I took care of you," she said softly.

Frostine still couldn't believe her mother was moving and walking with her legs after months of being deadly sick.

Amie made her sit down on the bed, grabbing some gauze and alcohol. She ripped it with her teeth and began cleaning the wounds on Frostine's hands. They were burned and overworked, scratched, and resting on her palms, their skin torn apart.

"You're so hardworking, Frosty." She whispered. "Mommy's little soldier." Amie felt a tear run down her cheek. She bit her bottom lip and tried to hold back her emotions. Bandaging the ugly-looking wounds on Frostine's hands, she placed a small kiss on her frozen nose. "Your father would be so proud of you, Frosty." Amie's voice cracked as she spoke, her words filled with a mixture of pride and sorrow. Frostine looked up at her mother, her eyes reflecting the pain she had endured. Amie's heart ached knowing that Frostine had been carrying the weight of their family's struggles on her young shoulders.