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heightened, I wonder on occasion if you ever think of me, imagining that the heroes<br />
in your books wander through their lives carefree and reckless, just as I do, and I<br />
have a silly hope that you picture us together in stories, fighting dark dragons side by<br />
side.<br />
Thinking of us together has made a startling connection in my mind.<br />
My lonely hours have revealed to me that you have sat musing for years, quiet and<br />
unchanged, but I have progressed from a free-spirited, thriving soul to a repulsive<br />
invalid. It is harsh, Egaeus, but nevertheless, it is true. I have tried to bear my infirmities<br />
nobly, but I fear my silence exudes bitterness rather than the thoughtfulness<br />
or silent strength which emanates from you. My hollowed face and dripping eyes<br />
would be discouragement to even the most dedicated of suitors, yet you have not<br />
withdrawn your proposal. You have neither left me a note of retraction nor given<br />
any hints of disapproval.<br />
With this realization, I have stumbled upon another: I love your<br />
small, white mouth, your motherless eyes, and your trembling hands. I have heard<br />
you utter only a few words these many years, but your quiet faithfulness has filled<br />
me with an emotion so strong that it rushes through my ears louder than the rustling<br />
of a thousand trees before a storm. The peace I always hurried out of doors to<br />
find has been nesting inside your library, murmuring to me through the turning<br />
pages you peruse, and my discovery of this treasure has stilled all worry and suppressed<br />
my despair. This new joy renewed my energy the instant I unearthed it; I<br />
pushed myself out from the cushions into the hallway, shuffling quickly to reach the<br />
library before the weakness could fill my legs. When I burst through the heavy<br />
doors, you took in a large gasp of air and blinked your eyes at the unwelcome light.<br />
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