[ Well, if her strength is not in her physical attributes, perhaps even then, all is not lost. Of course, Aymeric loves her as she is and how she is, and so if she is resigned to her state of being, then the best thing he can do is simply continue to love her as he has done for so long now.

As she continues brushing her hands through his hair, he feels his eyelids growing heavier as the need for sleep continues to pull on him. How long has it been since he really slept well? His wounds might continue to trouble him, but for the first time in a very long time, he feels almost peaceful. Not that he believes someone like him deserves peace. ]

All right. [ He imagines she would not simply tell him something to appease him, and so he decides to simply take her at her word. Perhaps in doing so, she will also know that he trusts her and believes her.

It takes some movements once more to position himself properly, and he frowns and winces as the wound protests, but he manages to return to a prostrate position after a short while.

He has to stop and catch his breath because of the exertion of moving, but he still manages to say in between breaths: ]

I spent many hours looking for you, hoping that one day, I might see your face passing by, either as a lone traveler or with a group. I would have ventured out searching for you if I had been able.