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[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

[blue_ajah]

She pauses at the gate before entering the Garden, consciously attempting to summon Roland's vision of the Garden to mind. She does not dwell on the fact that she finds this and other small manipulations easier to do with each day that passes in the Dreaming; she has simply come to accept it.

After a moment, Moiraine steps through the door and into the Garden itself.

[lastgunslinger]

Roland looks up after finishing one of the tales -- they're short, and he likes that -- and sees Moiraine. He smiles slightly.

The kitten sits up very straight, and watches her as well.

[blue_ajah]

Her answering smile is serene, and she inclines her head in greeting before moving forward along the path toward them. Moiraine nods to the Kitten and then says,

"Long days and pleasant nights, Roland."

Here in this place, she offers the greeting from his world as a courtesy.

"How are matters with you, if I might inquire?"

[lastgunslinger]

"May you have twice the number, lady-sai." He appears much calmer, much more relaxed, than he did when she brought him here. "They're well enough -- I've been reading, and not much else." Thinking, of course. But no more than he has to. "And with you?"

[blue_ajah]

"Matters with me are also well enough."

Moiraine tilts her head, studying him; and as she does, the Kitten scampers off down a path deeper into the Garden, in apparent pursuit of a butterfly.

"I have been studying, and speaking with people, as is something of a habit." A pause. "But I thought that you might accept company, after some time had passed."

[lastgunslinger]

"Of course." Roland marks his place in his book and puts it aside. "Your studies are progressing well, I hope?"

[blue_ajah]

"They seem to be," she says, seating herself on the edge of the fountain once more. "They are progressing, at least, and I continue to learn things that add to the comprehension of the whole."

"You have been enjoying your stay, I trust?"

[lastgunslinger]

Roland looks around the Garden -- the roses of all kinds and colors, the morning-glories (these new to Roland's vision of the place), the trees both sturdy and graceful.

And he smiles.

"Oh, yes."

[blue_ajah]

"I am glad."

Simply and calmly stated, but the Aes Sedai can speak no word that is not true.

"And you are always a welcome guest here."

[lastgunslinger]

Roland's smile fades a little.

He loves the Garden.

It's a shame it takes events like this to get him here.

"And I say thankya for that." Quietly.

[blue_ajah]

She does not miss the faded smile, and Moiraine tilts her head slightly.

"Always," she repeats. "Perhaps you might even visit when things are more peaceful elsewhere, as well."

[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?"