(no subject)

[lastgunslinger]

He'd found an interesting-looking book in the Library -- More Tales From The Corner, But Only If I Don't Find A Better Title, by a man with the interesting name of F.X. Toole.

So now Roland is sitting in his chair by the fountain in the Garden, reading, with the grey kitten batting at the roses floating on the surface of the water.

Morning-glories bloom around the bottom of the fountain.

Comments

[lastgunslinger]

"Perhaps."

Maybe after they deal with the Academy -- might be possible for Roland to visit, and bring River. He'll ask later.

"Though at times I wonder if such peace will ever come." Slightly wry.

[blue_ajah]

"It is something to wonder, of course." Perfectly composed. "Perhaps with time we shall discover the answer to that question, as well."

A pause, and Moiraine turns to watch the goldfish in the fountain, then glances back at Roland. "I have had opportunity to speak with them, as it happens."

[lastgunslinger]

His face darkens.

"Have you."

[blue_ajah]

The Garden is a place of peace, and the Aes Sedai knows this very well. She tilts her head, watching Roland carefully.

"I have." A pause. "I do not wish to disturb the peace that you find here. There are other places we might speak, if you wish."

[lastgunslinger]

Roland stands and says calmly, "If you'd lead, I'd follow."

He doesn't want to talk about it here.

[blue_ajah]

She nods assent and gracefully rises from her seat. Instead of leading the way from the Garden, however, she holds out her hand to him once more and simply waits.

[lastgunslinger]

This is new.

He trusts Moiraine, though, so he takes her hand.

[blue_ajah]

As her fingers close around his, the world around them shifts and changes.

Need is the key in Tel'aran'rhiod, and Moiraine has learned some things well. They arrive on the top of a mountain where the air is crisp and clear, near a stand of evergreen trees.

The singing of birds is clear, and of several species as well.

[lastgunslinger]

And there's one cry he would know anywhere.

It doesn't take him long to locate the source...though Roland doesn't hold out his arm, and David doesn't come to rest near him.

Quiet, and full of wonder: "What is this place?"

[blue_ajah]

"There are more places in the Dreaming than you have yet seen," she tells him. "This is one of those that I have visited on more than one occasion, as has Morpheus; he is very fond of birds."

"I find it peaceful in a way, although in a different manner than the Garden."

[lastgunslinger]

Roland watches David circle.

He's smiling, a little.

"Yes."

[blue_ajah]

The Aes Sedai glances at him, noting the direction of his observation, and then calmly seats herself on a convenient rock that seems almost naturally to lend itself to such purpose. There are others as well, scattered about near and far.

From her serene manner, one might think that she has all of time to wait, and the patience to do so without concern.

[lastgunslinger]

He pulls his eyes away from David and looks to Moiraine, eyebrows raised a little, waiting.

[blue_ajah]

"As I mentioned, I had opportunity to speak with them, some time past."

A pause, and she tilts her head, studying him.

"Would you prefer that I had not?"

[lastgunslinger]

Roland considers.

"Let's say that it's not something I would have expected you to do, and that I have no preference one way or the other."

He's not angry. Just a little surprised.

[blue_ajah]

"You would not have expected it?" One eyebrow arches slightly, and then she simply inclines her head in acknowledgement. There is a pause.

"Well. Be that as it may."

There is a longer pause, and dark eyes meet faded blue ones. When she speaks again, her tone is very calm and somehow still.

"He has asked her, and she has accepted."

[lastgunslinger]

Roland nods.

"I didn't think she'd reject him."

Even.

[blue_ajah]

She nods as well.

"And yet, I thought perhaps it would be better that you know."

Before his return.

"They are concerned, I believe."

[lastgunslinger]

Quietly: "I wish them well. That's the truth. And that's what they need to hear...and it's what I'll say to them, when the time comes."

And so long as they don't press further, the conversation will go well.

[blue_ajah]

"I do not doubt that you do, nor that you will."

Moiraine studies him, seeming to deliberate over her words for longer than is usual.

"But it is still loss as well as joy, as I have said before, and I would not see you lose that which, as you have said, has been restored to you."

[lastgunslinger]

His eyes are on David again. Still quiet: "I am their dinh, and we have work to do. That won't change. It can't change. The rest may fall as it will."

[blue_ajah]

"The Wheel weaves."

Her composure does not change, but there is the sound of a very faint sigh carried on the mountain's breeze.

"Do you think they will accept that, and that only?"

[lastgunslinger]

"They may have to." Not sullenly, not with bitterness. Just a fact.

[blue_ajah]

"Has this changed how you consider them, then?"

Her tone is one of calm curiosity.

[lastgunslinger]

Roland shakes his head. "They're making a life for themselves, as Cuthbert said. It's not one I can share in. Not one I'd want to share in, either."

Pause.

Still matter-of-fact: "We were very young. She still is. And in many ways Cuthbert still is."