[ His heart aches to see her so distraught, knowing there is little he can do but speak comforting words and offer equally comforting touches, if she will accept them. Once again, he feels as though his efforts are not good enough, that he cannot truly help her. Perhaps another healer might be able to, but he is more a soldier and a would-be leader than anything else.

His words feel so inadequate in the face of her worries and her sadness. What can he say that would ease the weight she is carrying? For once, his ability to weave words together has failed him. And the very moment that she drops to her knees, he is quick to bend over just slightly, being mindful of how her head now rests against his knees. He wraps his long arms around her and pulls her in as close as he can given her position on the floor. ]

I will not allow them to take any more from you than they already have. Lantaa, in my eyes, you are still you: Lantaa Pahsh, lady of my house, and the only one I have ever loved.

[ He retains his hold upon her but he squares his shoulders in a resolute posture. ]

I will fight anyone who tries to take you away, in every possible meaning of those words.

[ Her place is here with him, and as for the other meaning, whether or not he believes that she is still very much herself, if she believes bits and pieces of her identity are being taken away, he will fight to prevent that from continuing, regardless of the cost.

And in the interest of comforting her, he reaches for her ear to give it a series of calming strokes. ]

They will never take you away from me, as long as I still draw breath.