(no subject)

[lastgunslinger]

Roland was reading The Lord of the Rings, and he got bogged down in Book IV. He's done too much walking himself -- Frodo and Sam's problems along the way to Mordor aren't anything new or interesting. His eyelids were getting heavy.

So now Roland is taking a nap.

Comments

[lastgunslinger]

He shakes his head. "Sue -- I remember. 'Twas only a short time ago for you, but 'twas years ago for me. But I remember. If my mind were to split, it would have happened already."

[sai_delgado]

Susan freezes, looking up at him.

"Thee-- thee remembers, Roland? Everything?"

[lastgunslinger]

He nods, expression never changing.

[sai_delgado]

Silence, while the meaning of this spins into her mind. When Susan speaks once more, her words are carefully steady.

"Then thee already knows what I'd tried, what I'd wished to tell thee before."

And had said nothing of it. Foolish girl, Susan thinks, ye should have known, somehow.

[lastgunslinger]

Roland studies her.

And shakes his head.

[sai_delgado]

Years ago, for him, distant and far -- mayhap it is only to be expected that he doesn't realize, even if it strikes a sharp pang for her now.

Quietly, Susan says, "'Go yer course in as much peace as thee may find,' I told thee, and for thee to go with my love. I knew -- ye'd told me here of yer choice -- that thee would leave for the Tower then. And I know that thee will again."

"I won't stop thee, nor stay thee; I won't interfere, Roland, say true."

[lastgunslinger]

She couldn't stop him. Not then. Not now. But it would be an unkindness to say so.

"You were ever kinder than I deserved, Sue." Quietly.

[sai_delgado]

She smiles at him then, does Susan Delgado, and if it is not bright then at least it is sincere and true-felt.

"Nay, Roland. Say not so."

[lastgunslinger]

Roland just raises an eyebrow.

Nap or no, it's rare when he doesn't feel tired, these days.

[sai_delgado]

In the silence and amid the strange stillness that fills her, Susan rises and curtseys to Roland once more, saying,

"I'd not trouble thee overlong, Roland -- we've said what were needed, mayhap."

[lastgunslinger]

Roland nods, and rises as well. "We have, Sue. It is well."

The courtesy done him by her bothers him, somehow -- but he can't blame her.

[sai_delgado]

Is it well? She can't be certain, but she can hope. And so she looks up at him and says, "... I'm glad of that, then, say true."

Susan moves to the door and pauses there, looking back at him.

(go yer course in as much peace as thee may find - and go with my love)

"Goodeven, Roland. I'll see thee again soon, mayhap."

[lastgunslinger]

"You will. Long days and pleasant nights."

Looking after her, now, that same expression still on his face.