(no subject)

[lastgunslinger]

In his room in the Dreaming, Roland sits, smoking a cigar and thinking.

Colored light from the stained glass window washes over his face.

As he exhales, the smoke catches the colored light and swirls; there is an airiness, an etherealness, to the room that one would likely never associate with the gunslinger...but it suits him.

Comments

[lastgunslinger]

Roland doesn't look away, either, but his eyebrows rise slightly.

"Have you read it too, then?"

[blue_ajah]

*Her answer is serene and without hesitation.*

Before he died, I had spoken with Joe at some length, on several occasions. *A pause.* Including one very interesting discussion about a poem called "The Waste Land."

I would trust his judgment in this matter, I believe, particularly as it has been confirmed by my lord Dream.

[lastgunslinger]

"You speak no word that is not true." Roland shakes his head slightly...but he has a half-smile. "All right. No more questions."

[blue_ajah]

*She smiles very slightly back at him, and inclines her head a fraction, perhaps in acknowledgement.*

It is one of the Oaths.

No more questions, then, perhaps, if you are content. *She looks out the window, herself, as if considering the view.*

[lastgunslinger]

"No reason not to be." His words are light enough, but as the colors play across the room, the words seem to hold a deeper significance.

[blue_ajah]

*She nods to him, although she does not reply to that in words, and looks out the window once more. Silence between them, for a time, and then the Aes Sedai speaks, softly and apparently casual.*

It was real, Roland; I think you may consider it so, at any rate.

[lastgunslinger]

For a moment he does not move at all; then, slowly, he turns his head to face her.

A hard road. But thee has done as well as thee might on it, I think.

Softly: "It is well."

And he looks away. "He was a hard man."

[blue_ajah]

Sometimes it is required that one be hard.

*Calm certainty, showing nothing of inner turmoil, if there were any to be seen. Her tone is academic, or very near.*

This does not necessarily mean that one might care any less.

[lastgunslinger]

"No." His voice is still low. "As I know all too well."

Joe, again: Don't lose the damn horn. But if you lose your friends over a romance or a change in life or hurt pride, you might as well throw it away right now.

[blue_ajah]

*She tilts her head, studying him.*

I know that you do.

*Still calmly.*

As do I.

[lastgunslinger]

Roland inclines his head. "We are colleagues." A very, very slight smile. "It is fitting."

[blue_ajah]

It is, perhaps. *A pause.* The Wheel weaves.

[lastgunslinger]

There is silence for a moment -- not uncomfortable.

Roland looks at the window, and says quietly, "I should return, I think."

[blue_ajah]

Then I shall take you back, if you wish it so.

*She does not yet move, but remains seated, watching him.*

[lastgunslinger]

Roland looks at the window for a moment longer --

Killing and not being killed. Awful lot of that in your life. Not so much of that in Milliways. Lot of things you left behind in the dust are there. Shouldn't only treasure the one of them, to my mind.

-- and stands. It's time.

[blue_ajah]

*She rises, and holds out her hand to him. Moiraine does not remind him that he is welcome to return; he knows.*

[lastgunslinger]

He does.

Roland takes her hand; the last thing he sees as the Dreaming disappears is the window, brought suddenly alive by more light.