Ouroboros Spine momentum

That word — sickness had not quite settled in yet. He had imagined Vairë thin and haggard these many long weeks, plagued by the idea that he had either died or abandoned her. He did not know which he would have preferred, or if he would rather have imagined her clinging to hope that he would make it back.

Now that he'd made it, the choice seemed obvious. But it hadn't, back when he'd been praying to Ariadne to watch over them all.

But to hear that she was resting in the middle of the day, and in her mother's den no less, struck Valiant anew with dread. Of course, he knew she deserved to rest like anyone else — but he had never known her to actually do it. His eyes met moonwoman's for a fleeting moment, searching for answers he could only find at the end of this long, long road.

Valiant felt every mile of his journey as he completed the last few steps. When he saw the state of his wife, he thought he might just throw himself to the ground and join her. What else did he have the strength for? But then, crouching down close and touching his nose to her cheek, he knew he could do anything — anything — if it meant helping her feel better.

A ragged breath of relief left him when she stirred.

"She's right here, moonbeam," he said, his voice shaking. His head turned as if to look back at Kukutux, but he could not tear his eyes away from the beloved face of his wife. "Whatcha need?"

He would provide it.