(no subject)
Galdor: *wanders the halls, wringing his hands, and looks in random doors, stopping when he sees Noro sleeping* .....*he steps inside and stands next to the door, just watching her*
Noro: ::is clinging to a pillow with an iron grip, hugging it tightly in her sleep::
Galdor: *looks around, grabs a blanket and covers her carefully, letting a hand linger at her chin, then goes back to his place at the door*
Noro: ::clings to the pillow tighter and whimpers as it crumples in her arms::
Galdor: *frowns and sits on the floor next to her bed, not knowing what to do*
Noro: ::reaches for something of substance, something that will stay in her arms and not break::
Galdor: *brushes the hair from her face gently and wonders what she's reaching for*
Noro: ::turning her head, still asleep, she hits his leg and CLINGS to it::
Galdor: *pulls her into his lap gently, cradling her close*
Noro: ::snuggles into him and holds him::
Galdor: *rocks her gently and hums to her, holding her tightly*
Noro: ::at the humming, she stirs, her eyes blinking open as she tries to focus on who she's holding::
Galdor: *looks at her and frowns, softly* I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you.
Noro: No, it's . . . ::tightens her grip:: Hi.
Galdor: *kisses her forehead* How are you feeling?
Noro: . . . physically?
Galdor: Any way.
Noro: . . . it's not meant to worry you. ::strokes his back lightly::
Galdor: *holds her tightly, rocking gently, whispering* I'm already worried, love.
Noro: ::half-smiling:: No, it's okay. I just need to . . . I need to hold someone.
Galdor: I'm here. *strokes her hair* Can you tell me how you're feeling, physically?
Noro: I . . . I can stand, and walk. A little. The healers were very mad at me for getting out of bed, but I knew they needed the space. Many people have been getting sick . . .
Galdor: *nods* I know, I'd heard about that. *holds her close* I'll take care of you.
Noro: ::shakes her head:: No, see, 'cause I've gotta get up and get better and help out.
Galdor: You can't help out until you're well, Noro.
Noro: Look! I'll get up and prove it. ::disentangles herself and stands::
Galdor: *gets up and stands, ready to catch her if she falls*
Noro: I won't . . . ::wavers slightly:: I won't fall!
Galdor: *sighs, picks her up and puts her on the bed, sitting next to her* I'm sorry I've never been there for you.
Noro: You were! You were just . . . your own spirit. Doing your own thing. ::picks up the pillow and holds it again::
Galdor: *pulls her into his arms again* I should have taken care of you, as your friend, if not husband.
Noro: It's really fine. Really. ::glances up at him:: Are you hungry?
Galdor: *shakes his head* Are you? Can I get anything for you?
Noro: No, I'm fine. I should check on Ulalume again . . . she's sick. She's my baby.
Galdor: I'll go with you. *stands and picks her up* To the healers?
Noro: ::facepalms:: I can walk.
Galdor: I'd rather be safe. Is she with the healers?
Noro: Yes, she's with the healers.
Galdor: *nods* All right *adjusts her in his arms so she"s comfortable and goes to the healers*
Noro: ::facepalms:: No, Galdor . . . they're busy, I'll come back later.
Galdor: I don't think they can stop you from seeing your daughter. *looks around, then at Noro* Which one?
Noro: . . . it's okay. ::buries her face in his shirt::
Galdor: *frowns* Are you all right, Noro?
Noro: Yeah, I'm just . . . if I come back, it's too tempting to just lie back down and sleep.
Galdor: *takes her outside and sits on the floor with her in his lap* Sleep, then.
Noro: ::blinks, horrified:: I can't.
Galdor: Why not, love? You're safe here.
Noro: I . . . I have to take care of people!
Galdor: You can take care of them when you're rested. *strokes her hair* You need to be rested before you can take care of anyone, Noro.
Noro: I slept last night!
Galdor: *sighs* What would you rather do, then?
Noro: I need to find things to hold.
Galdor: *puzzled* Things?
Noro: I'm scared if I stop holding something, I'm going to go mad. And maybe die.
Galdor: *frowns* Is there anything you want to hold in particular?
Noro: . . . people seem to help. I don't know. I'll hold anything.
Galdor: You can hold me. *kisses her forehead*
Noro: I don't want to hurt you.
Galdor: *gently* You won't.
Noro: I will, 'cause . . . me holding someone just means I want to take care of them. And that's all.
Galdor: *closes his eyes and hides a frown* That's fine. As long as it helps you, Noro.
Noro: ::touches his forehead:: I don't want to hurt you.
Galdor: *pulls her up and rests her head on his shoulder* Hold me, if it will help.
Noro: If what helps me hurts you . . . I can't.
Galdor: Shhh. Don't worry about that, Noro. *strokes her hair* Just get better.
Noro: . . . Galdor . . .
Galdor: *gently* Yes?
Noro: ::pulls back from him slightly:: I'm sorry about you, too.
Galdor: *pulls her back* You don't have anything to be sorry for, love.
Noro: I want to take care of you. ::moves him into a tight embrace::
Galdor: *squeezes her gently and rests his head against hers* And I want to takce care of you, Noro.
Noro: It's okay. ::strokes his hair softly:: You don't have to.
Galdor: *softly* I didn't say I had to. *holds her close*
Noro: ::sighing:: You're skinny too.
Galdor: *slight smile, kisses her hair* I've always been skinny.
Noro: I obviously didn't feed you well enough.
Galdor: Nor my mother before you. *smiles, nuzzles* You were a good wife. I should have.... *hugs her close*
Noro: ::frowns:: You should have what?
Galdor: I should have been a better husband for you. If I had, none of this would have happened.
Noro: ::eyes him:: None of what?
Galdor: *softly* This. The baby, the man you're married to now... *sighs* But I shouldn't worry you with this. You need to rest. *hugs her*
Noro: ::shivers slightly:: Galdor . . .
Galdor: Yes, Noro?
Noro: ::her eyes wide and wet:: Don't . . . don't . . .
Galdor: *strokes her hair and wipes her eyes* Don't...?
Noro: ::sits rigid in his arms:: Don't . . . don't let me dwell on the past.
Galdor: *frowns* I'm sorry, lo-- Noro. *rubs her arms gently* Sleep. You're safe here.
Noro: . . . kay . . . ::blinks once before she drifts off in his arms::
Galdor: *rocks her gently and kisses her forehead, then shifts and pulls his shirt off, wrapping it around her*