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[lastgunslinger]

The Lady Death had said that there was hope, so Roland is sitting in a chair, smoking. Doing better. But not ready to face anyone yet.

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[lastgunslinger]

It's better than facing Eddie, or Cuthbert, or Susan.

Or Jake.

Roland opens the door.

[mr-brautigan.livejournal.com]

Ted is relieved to see that the gunslinger doesn't look too bad. Like he hasn't slept, but not desperate.

"I stopped by to check on things tonight, and I wanted to talk to you."

[lastgunslinger]

Roland nods, and crosses the room to the two armchairs. He sits in his, and nods to Ted to take the other. "Talk."

[mr-brautigan.livejournal.com]

If Ted hesitates he will be lost.

Bluntly: "You're hurting Eddie. And Cuthbert, too, but Eddie most of all. And it's a damned shitty thing to do."

[lastgunslinger]

Roland holds very still.

His voice is quiet. "Do'ee say so?"

[mr-brautigan.livejournal.com]

"I do." Ted is firm. "I was just downstairs. Spoke to them both. You're not the only one this hurts. Maybe it hurts you the worst, but Roland -- for God's sake, you're their dinh." My dinh, he thinks, but doesn't say. He's still got to process that one. "And you know as well as I do -- better than I do -- that that means father as well as leader. You've got others who need you. And Eddie -- he needs you. You're scaring him." A pause. "And there's no reason to lose hope. There's got to be something that can be done. You'll get Walter, and make him talk -- oh, for Christ's sake, Roland, you've got an in with Death herself. It's not over. Not by a long shot."

[lastgunslinger]

For a moment Roland doesn't breathe. It's never easy to be told that you're not doing your duty.

Especially when they're right, and you're wrong.

[mr-brautigan.livejournal.com]

Roland's silence makes Ted nervous.

"Maybe I went too far, but Roland -- I'm not sorry." His eyes tell a different tale, though. Except maybe it's sympathy.

Ted loves Jake, too.

Quietly: "Roland, you've got to do what's best for Jake, and that means doing what's best for your tet. If you aren't strong, they won't be, either. And we woke him up with strength. You can't fix it if you're up here and not talking to anyone."

[lastgunslinger]

And finally Roland exhales.

"You say true, Ted."

His face is resigned.

[mr-brautigan.livejournal.com]

Ted says, "I'm staying here for a while -- until Jake is better. Rosa knows, and sends her prayers." And love, he means, but he doesn't say it. "I'm in room 289 for the time being. And -- I'll check in on Jake, and talk to Moiraine and Will."

When Roland nods, but doesn't say anything, Ted presses on. "Anything I can do for you, Roland?" A sad, sweet smile.

[lastgunslinger]

Roland shakes his head. His expression has lightened, a bit. Not much.

"Say thankya, Ted." Pause. "I'll let you know."

[mr-brautigan.livejournal.com]

Ted nods, and stands. "Then I'll leave you, for now." He crosses to the door, opens it, doesn't leave quite yet.

"It'll be fine, Roland." A smile that's almost reminiscent. "All will be well, and all will be well, and all manner of thing will be well."

The door closes behind him.

[lastgunslinger]

Roland sits in his chair for a while. He rolls a cigarette and smokes it.

Then he gets up, turns down the coverlet, and goes to sleep.

It's deep, and dreamless. The sleep of the dead.