Hope is Born when all is Forlorn

independent original character rp account

[morningthroughshadows]

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Independent, selective, low activity original character based in The Librarian/The Librarians universe with multiple other fandom and non-fandom verses available. Mature content potentially contained within, therefore must be 21 or older to view/interact. Penned by Stark, 30+. EST. Established June 2025.

Rules 》《 About/Verses 》《 Starters 》《 Memes 》《 Headcanons

Also find me at: @dcvotionconsumes // @cxntingencies // @scarsearned // @hcavyisthehead // @hcnestwork // @quietlcfe // @drxnkingwithskeletons (some of these are works in progress)

[thoughtkick]

“You fall in love with the little things about someone, like the sound of their laughter and the way their smile forms.”

— Unknown

[morningthroughshadows]

@tealeavesandthorns

[raesource]

ship headcanon questions

make sure to include the pairing(s) you are wanting these questions to be answered for . these should work for poly ships as well as monogamous . feel free to edit these as you see fit .

💕 How did they both realize “oh wait, this is actually love”?

🌹 Who fell harder & who fell first?

🫂 What’s their favorite way to hold each other when words aren’t enough?

🔥 What’s the pettiest thing they’ve ever argued about?

💋 Who says “I love you” first & how?

🌙 Who’s the little spoon & who pretends they hate it but secretly loves it?

💍 Would they ever get married? What would the proposal look like?

🧸 Who still has the very first gift the other ever gave them?

😈 Who is more likely to start chaos “for the vine” & who films it?

🎶 What’s their song - the one that makes them both tear up / grin like idiots?

☕ Who’s the morning person & how do they lure the night owl out of bed?

🛡️ Who jumps in front of danger for the other without thinking?

😳 What’s the most embarrassing thing they’ve walked in on the other doing?

💔 What’s the one fight that almost ended them?

🩹 How do they comfort each other after nightmares?

👀 Who gets jealous more easily & how obvious are they about it?

🍳 Who cooks & who sets off the smoke alarm trying to help?

🧳 If they had to run away together tomorrow, where would they go?

😏 Who is bolder in public (hand-holding, kisses, etc.)?

🌧️ Who steals whose hoodies when it rains?

🎂 How do they celebrate each other’s birthdays?

🖤 What’s the darkest “we’ll never tell anyone” thing they’ve done together?

💌 Who leaves little love notes & where do they hide them?

🛌 Who hogs the blanket & who ends up freezing dramatically?

😴 Who falls asleep first & who watches them with heart-eyes?

🚪 Who’s more likely to say “we’re not leaving this room today”?

🌸 What nickname do they have for each other that would mortify them if others heard?

🎤 Who sings in the shower & who secretly records it for blackmail?

💞 How do they act when one of them is sick?

🩸 Who would literally kill for the other & who would help hide the body?

🌅 Do they go on sunrise / stargazing dates? Which one do they love more?

😤 Who apologizes first after a fight, even if they weren’t wrong?

🧩 What tiny habit of the other do they find unbearably adorable?

🎪 Who plans elaborate surprise dates & who just wants to stay in?

👑 In their relationship, who’s the king / queen & who’s the knight / advisor?

🌪️ What’s the most chaotic thing they’ve done together on pure impulse?

💤 Who has the weirdest sleep-talking lines that the other quotes constantly?

🧡 What color reminds each of them of the other?

🕰️ If they could go back in time, what moment would they relive together?

😶 Who’s terrified of saying “meet my parents” & why?

🍷 Who gets tipsy first & starts spilling embarrassing love confessions?

🌿 Do they want kids/pets/plants together? What do they name them?

🪞 Who takes longer getting ready & who hypes the other up in the mirror?

💥 What’s the biggest risk one of them took for the other that the partner didn’t find out about until much later?

🧣 Who steals the other’s scarf / gloves “on accident” every winter?

🌌 What’s their “we made it through hell” memory they’ll tell their grandkids?

😘 Who kisses the other first thing in the morning, morning breath & all?

🩰 Slow dancing in the kitchen at 3 a.m. - who starts it?

⚓ If one of them had to leave forever, what would they leave behind for the other?

💫 Ten years from now, what random Tuesday are they spending together?

[morningthroughshadows]

》 Okay, random thought and potentially additional background information/might work on a little self drabble. Michael Rooker as Kellan's older brother. Liam O'Reilly. Mechanically inclined but unlike Kellan, he struggled in school. Dropped out to work full time in the factory. Not only did he make the furniture, but he helped repair any equipment at the shop. He is brought back to Kellan's life by a few possible reasons. The two were the closer of the siblings, despite the age gap between them. Its closer than it is between Liam and Conor, the youngest O'Reilly. The hurt of years of estrangment, the lightness of having that reconciliation. Just thoughts I'm having today. 《

[hclygifs]

Lizzy Greene and Garrett Wareing in Ransom Canyon

[morningthroughshadows]

[tealeavesandthorns]

No one had ever gotten her anything like this, no one had ever wanted to take her on holiday before, not outside of her family anyway. She'd been so taken aback on Christmas, and suddenly her presents had felt so small in comparison.

She'd gotten Kellan some tea, which made her chuckle that they'd gotten each other tea, Maria had got him some exotic coffee's as well. A book or two, even though he had the bookstore, an old jazz record or two that she'd found on her hunt for something for him and then a basket full of his favourite snacks which she knew would probably be gone before Christmas was out. She'd spoilt Gimli too of course, toys, treats, a new blanket.

This though, the trip, this was something else altogether. She'd only been to London once and that visit had been so brief she hadn't really had chance to see anything. Now Kellan had set up everything and she was so excited.

With a hum, after finishing checking out the available tea in the room Maria moved towards him and settled in his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"I'm actually not sure. I mean I can always eat Italian, but as we're in London maybe we should go for something more British." She suggested. "Thank you, for this, for everything." She said a hand on the side of his face.

[morningthroughshadows]

He had done his best to avoid most of the more tourist type traps and wanted to shoot for something that would remain relaxing. Despite what they were there to do. As much as the process could have been thought out, he had done his best to do so. But, he also wasn't going to be bothered if something didn't work out the way that he had intended. As Maria settled in his lap, arms automatically wound around her waist, the smile growing a bit at the now familiar action. One that meant comfort and an intimacy that he had never quite been able to garner before with anyone else.

"Well, there was a pub right down the road. I am sure we could get something a little more authentic there than if we were to just randomly order somewhere." They could walk since it wasn't too chilly. Kellan leaned into the touch just slightly as the soft hand pressed to his face. Whatever she wanted to do on this trip would be what they were going to do. The thought didn't worry him much anyway, since often their interests and likes remained similar. As long as Maria was enjoying herself, Kellan would have a good time.

"If you prefer Italian, we could save the idea of something more British for breakfast." He turned his head and placed a light kiss to her palm as one hand moved lightly up and down her back. "It's all up to you. I'm fine doing whatever you want." Venturing outside would also give them a lay of the land in order to know what they might wish to try over the next few days and anything that she might have wanted to check out.

[morningthroughshadows]

Starter for @tealeavesandthorns

Technically, this was a vacation. The first one taken in an embarrassingly long number of years. The sort that wasn't talked about because it painted Kellan in a bit of a bad light. Then again, it hadn't been lack of money or a lack of desire or a lack of time even. One thing or another inevitably came up and the responsibility that he had felt towards the shop had never dwindled. Leaving while Bernard had been alive hadn't been possible and that sense of loyalty and responsibility kept him afterwards.

The shop was closed down, Gimli was settled in with a trusted colleague, and they were off. Travel wasn't necessarily new, but he always had some sort of business to attend to before heading on home. There was always a strict schedule. Having a loose itinerary was odd. Maria was excited though and that was what mattered. He would enjoy it because she was. All of those little nagging thoughts could be ignored.

The flight had been relatively straight forward and easy, minus a short delay. Bags all arrived properly. Transport to the hotel? He had at least thought ahead to make sure it was arranged. It meant things flowing and allowed them to get settled in without much hassle. Having arrived a day before everything was meant to start allowed them to settle in and recover from travel. At least, that had been the thought.

"Did you want to get anything in particular for dinner?" Of course, they had talked about everything that they wanted to do but he wasn't sure what she was feeling in the moment. Sitting down on the bed, a relaxed smile etched on his features, Kellan appeared far more at ease that he had in weeks. Something he wasn't entirely conscious.

[mournfulroses]

Fyodor Dostoevsky, from his novel titled "White Nights," originally published in 1848

[morningthroughshadows]

@tealeavesandthorns

[raesource]

ship headcanon questions

make sure to include the pairing(s) you are wanting these questions to be answered for . these should work for poly ships as well as monogamous . feel free to edit these as you see fit .

💕 How did they both realize “oh wait, this is actually love”?

🌹 Who fell harder & who fell first?

🫂 What’s their favorite way to hold each other when words aren’t enough?

🔥 What’s the pettiest thing they’ve ever argued about?

💋 Who says “I love you” first & how?

🌙 Who’s the little spoon & who pretends they hate it but secretly loves it?

💍 Would they ever get married? What would the proposal look like?

🧸 Who still has the very first gift the other ever gave them?

😈 Who is more likely to start chaos “for the vine” & who films it?

🎶 What’s their song - the one that makes them both tear up / grin like idiots?

☕ Who’s the morning person & how do they lure the night owl out of bed?

🛡️ Who jumps in front of danger for the other without thinking?

😳 What’s the most embarrassing thing they’ve walked in on the other doing?

💔 What’s the one fight that almost ended them?

🩹 How do they comfort each other after nightmares?

👀 Who gets jealous more easily & how obvious are they about it?

🍳 Who cooks & who sets off the smoke alarm trying to help?

🧳 If they had to run away together tomorrow, where would they go?

😏 Who is bolder in public (hand-holding, kisses, etc.)?

🌧️ Who steals whose hoodies when it rains?

🎂 How do they celebrate each other’s birthdays?

🖤 What’s the darkest “we’ll never tell anyone” thing they’ve done together?

💌 Who leaves little love notes & where do they hide them?

🛌 Who hogs the blanket & who ends up freezing dramatically?

😴 Who falls asleep first & who watches them with heart-eyes?

🚪 Who’s more likely to say “we’re not leaving this room today”?

🌸 What nickname do they have for each other that would mortify them if others heard?

🎤 Who sings in the shower & who secretly records it for blackmail?

💞 How do they act when one of them is sick?

🩸 Who would literally kill for the other & who would help hide the body?

🌅 Do they go on sunrise / stargazing dates? Which one do they love more?

😤 Who apologizes first after a fight, even if they weren’t wrong?

🧩 What tiny habit of the other do they find unbearably adorable?

🎪 Who plans elaborate surprise dates & who just wants to stay in?

👑 In their relationship, who’s the king / queen & who’s the knight / advisor?

🌪️ What’s the most chaotic thing they’ve done together on pure impulse?

💤 Who has the weirdest sleep-talking lines that the other quotes constantly?

🧡 What color reminds each of them of the other?

🕰️ If they could go back in time, what moment would they relive together?

😶 Who’s terrified of saying “meet my parents” & why?

🍷 Who gets tipsy first & starts spilling embarrassing love confessions?

🌿 Do they want kids/pets/plants together? What do they name them?

🪞 Who takes longer getting ready & who hypes the other up in the mirror?

💥 What’s the biggest risk one of them took for the other that the partner didn’t find out about until much later?

🧣 Who steals the other’s scarf / gloves “on accident” every winter?

🌌 What’s their “we made it through hell” memory they’ll tell their grandkids?

😘 Who kisses the other first thing in the morning, morning breath & all?

🩰 Slow dancing in the kitchen at 3 a.m. - who starts it?

⚓ If one of them had to leave forever, what would they leave behind for the other?

💫 Ten years from now, what random Tuesday are they spending together?

[morningthroughshadows]

🔥 — “don’t move. you’re warm.” - @tealeavesandthorns

Outside, large picturesque snowflakes gentle fell. The city had fallen nearly silent in the twilight lighting, accompanied by the sort of winter storm that was more often seen in the movies rather than experienced in reality. Peaceful. Truly peaceful. Even if some of that cold had crept in, keeping through the older windows of the apartment.it was something that he had learned to live with and barely paid much attention to after so many years of dealing with it. Even with the small heater, the apartment held that winter chill that could get into anyone and make life uncomfortable.

Maria had come over for the evening. A simple night in, with some dinner and some movies. It was meant to be relaxing for them both without any concerns or expectations. Dinner had already been had and the two were settled onto the couch, Kellan's arm wrapped around Maria's shoulders as she was pressed into his side. A blanket was wrapped around them but the bite of the cold still could be felt, just a hint through the comfort of the blanket.

At some point, they had both dozed off. The credits rolled across the screen when Kellan came to, the light outside having dimmed to nothing, darkness creeping through and leaving the glow of the TV the only thing lighting the apartment. It meant that it was likely time to get up. As regrettable as it was. Kellan would have much rather given into that warm haze of sleep, but they would both regret spending the night on the couch come the next morning. Deciding to try and let her sleep just a little longer, he tried to carefully shift away without waking her. When her arms tightened, he stopped in his tracks, and the mumbled words breathed into his chest were the final nail in the coffin. He chuckled softly before pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

"I won't go anywhere."

[felimemesandthings-deactivated2]

🌨️ the forced proximity winter storm meme ❄️🏠

snowed in, power outages, shared blankets, simmering tension, and nowhere else to go

❄️ — “roads are closed. looks like we’re stuck.”

🕯️ — “the power’s out… don’t panic.”

🔥 — “we’ll have to share the fire for warmth.”

🧣 — “you’re shivering. come closer.”

🌨️ — “the storm’s getting worse.”

🛋️ — “there’s only one couch.”

☕ — “hot drinks first, then we figure things out.”

🕯️ — “it’s quieter than i expected.”

😳 — “this place feels smaller with you in it.”

🛏️ — “there’s only one bed… we can put pillows between us?”

❄️🤍 — “the snow makes everything feel unreal.”

🫂 — “you can sleep. i’ll stay awake.”

🔥 — “don’t move. you’re warm.”

🌙 — “we might be here all night.”

🌨️✨ — “guess we’ll have to make the best of it.”

[morningthroughshadows]

@tealeavesandthorns : Christmas themed fluff

Christmas was just another day. At least it had been for a rather large portion of his life. The last time he had properly celebrated? Right before he left the house. It had been a rather chaotic affair, as any O'Reilly Christmas had been. Fights, laughter, too much food, too much drink. The sort of chaos that only a family used to such things could love. There was a certain aspect that he missed. The soft part of his soul that longed to rebuild the bonds that had long been broken. At the same time, he knew that it was impossible and would have caused so much more heartache.

This year, things were entirely different. A fact that had thrown Kellan when it was presented to him. Christmas hadn't been anything that he thought about at all, but when Maria had asked if he had any plans, it was a fact that had smacked him upside the head. She had dropped little hints here and there over the last few weeks, but nothing as outright as the question about plans.

What was he meant to say? Sound like a miserable human and say he did nothing? Still, the way that he was caught off guard by the question was likely enough for Maria to know the actual answer. Or at least suspect that he didn't want to say the actual truth. There had been a rather lame attempt at answering away that he didn't have much in terms of plans since he often spent it alone. Not far from the truth in all actuality. The part where he didn't celebrate was left unsaid.

There had been some discussions over dinner, sorting out what was going to be done and what any expectations were when it came to the holiday. Kellan didn't mind having something small at his place, especially since he knew it would be relatively quiet. The shop would be closed, as would almost all of the other businesses on the street. It meant trying to subtle get some supplies ready ahead of time and figure out exactly what he was going to do in terms of gifts for the woman. It was something that Kellan should have anticipated and thought about before that moment, but it had been entirely lost on him. Habits long formed that apparently were going to be hard to shake. And a mental checklist that was a mile long to try and make sure that things looked in order and it was enjoyable.

Christmas tree? Check. A few other decorations to litter around the apartment. Check. A meal to cook for the evening. Check. Christmas music for mood. Check. Everything but something to give Maria had been handled. Kellan knew that there were a few things that could work. But, he wanted the present to mean something. It was more than just a material object. He had thought and racked his mind over and over to come up with something. It was easy enough to be able to get her a few books and some tea. That was nothing. He owned a bookshop, after all. And while the few books he did get were more difficult to find, it didn't mean it was enough. Maybe he was overthinking it. It had been a number of years since he had gone since he had to buy anything. Maybe it was the fact that this meant something far more than just the surface sort of gift giving. Maybe it was the fact that he actually felt a little nervous over it all. The different factors could have been examined at nauseum, but it still didn't change the fact that he was struggling a bit.

Finally, he found something that helped to settle some of the nerves. Nerves. It was odd. For a man so used to being on his own and never getting too close to anyone, Maria had wormed her way through those defenses so easily. Here he was, worrying about Christmas gifts.

The morning came, and Kellan got to work on prepping the dinner that he planned. Everything was wrapped and waiting. When the door rang, he found himself nervous all over. It took some effort to shake off the feelings. He let her in with a good.

"Morning, Merry Christmas." He grinned and leaned in to press a kiss to her cheek. He was pleased as it was returned. The whole flow of the day seemed to just fall into place from there, as it always seemed to when he was around Maria. Nothing took effort. Nothing took any overthinking. It was easy. Easy in a way that he had never experienced when it came to the holiday. The apartment filled with Christmas music, gentle laughter, and talk that easy. The sort of exchanges that were thought of that time of year.

When the time came for presents, Kellan had her sit down first. The few small things went well, and he was beyond pleased with the smile that lit her face as she took in the books that he had managed to find. She loved the teas, but as she came to the small envelope, she gave him a questioning look. Giving an encouraging smile, Kellan urged her to open it. For just a second, he wished he had decided to record the moment. There was no asking the surprise and disbelief that was there. Inherently, he knew it was good and not negative.

"Kellan..."

"I know it hasn't really come up, and I took a bit of a shot in the dark, figuring you hadn't had the chance to go just yet." He knew that the next words would likely be about how it was too much. After all, it wasn't like a trip to the UK was all that inexpensive. Nor was the rather loose itinerary that he had established. There were a few guided tours, a visit to the Dickens Museum, British Library, and some tickets to the Edinburgh International Book Festival. "And before you say it's too much, it really isn't. Between teaching and the shop, I've saved up more than I could really use. It's entirely worth it if it's going to be something that you enjoy." All that worrying for nothing as he ended up being all but tackled in a hug by the woman. Kellan let out a small relieved breath and returned the hug. "Merry Christmas, Maria."

"Merry Christmas, Kellan."

[tealeavesandthorns]

"Oh no, no no Kellan you don't have to do that." Maria said shaking her head and then steadying herself a little. There was a residual sort of damage to vision or her head, she couldn't tell which but if she moved to quickly it made her feels a little dizzy.

When she'd looked in the mirror that morning as she struggled to get dressed she was black and blue with bruises. The evidence of that man's anger was written all over her and the only thing that stopped her braking down was the notion that it could have been worse. It could have been so much worse.

The bruises were almost foot shaped in places, the one on her thigh being the most obvious. Her wrist, collarbone and cheek weren't broken thankfully even thought they looked it. Her ribs on the other hand were and the hospital had said there was a concussion and she should take it easy but how was that supposed to be possible?

"No I just, I just need to go slow." Maria said, although she absolutely would have taken a stair lift at this point. She didn't think she needed carrying though. It would be okay. It would all be okay now she was here with him and Gimli. "Can you, can you just be there, next to me." Maria asked. "It's all I need, that and your eternal patience."

[morningthroughshadows]

That was a statement that couldn't entirely be believed. Kellan could see just how unsteady she truly was on her feet and the idea of her climbing the stairs worried him. There wasn't any way that her body could handle taking a tumble down them. As it was, she should have been seen by a doctor. A fall would require an ambulance at minimum. Still, there was a clear line that he couldn't push too hard against, not right now. If it were under any other citcumstance, he would have been less willing to let the point go. So, he had to resolve himself to staying as close as possible and ensuring she didn't end up falling.

"Yeah, of course I can." Not that there would have been much of a choice otherwise. Kellan knew it wasn't going to be an easy feat, nor would it be a quick one. She was going to need some time to make it up the flight that led to the small apartment. Gimli would have been too big to manage them all on the stairs so Kellan knew he would have to let the dog head up first. And that was precisely what he did, the Newfoundland lugging his way up them slowly before turning at the top to watch the progress.

"Just take it as slow as you need to, okay?" He positioned himself just slightly to the right and behind her, the hall just wide enough to accommodate the position. "One at a time and we will be up there in no time." Kellan's entire world had narrowed down to Maria in the here and now. His mind was racing as to what he could do once they were up there to make her comfortable. More tea. More food. Something comfortable to wear. And a soft spot to relax in while he found whatever sort of pain killers he had to offer.

He kept his spot, a gentle hand on the back and giving both encouragement and some physical help where needed as they made the difficult trek. He was half tempted each step taken to life her up and just make it easier on her. But, she hadn't wanted that and it was something he was doing his best to respect. Gimli let out a small encouraging woof as they neared the top, paws lightly tapping against the ground and tail swaying behind him. Kellan knew that she would have to be exhausted from the exertion and pain alone by the time that they reached the top.

[bookmatter]

Fernando Pessoa, The Book of Disquiet

[cryptinspo]

𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗢𝗖𝗨𝗦𝗘𝗗 𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗧𝗦 !

send me 💭 and i’ll tell you what my muse first thought of yours.

send me 🌙 and i’ll describe a dream my muse had about yours.

send me 🔥 and i’ll tell you what my muse would do if yours was in danger.

send me 💔 and i’ll tell you how my muse would handle a breakup with yours.

send me ✨ and i’ll tell you a headcanon i have about our muses together.

send me 🗡️ and i’ll tell you how my muse would kill for yours (or not).

send me 📖 and i’ll write a mini drabble about our muses meeting for the first time.

send me 🎬 and i’ll cast actors for our muses in a film version.

send me 🍕 and i’ll tell you what pizza toppings our muses would fight over.

send me 🛒 and i’ll describe our muses on a chaotic shopping trip.

send me 🧍🧍 and i’ll tell you who’s the ‘problem friend’ between our muses.

send me 🎤 and i’ll write the karaoke duet our muses would sing.

send me 👽 and i’ll tell you how our muses would survive an alien invasion.

send me 🔄 and i’ll write a body-swap au blurb.

send me 🧃 and i’ll describe their middle school energy.

send me 🔎 and i’ll describe a secret my muse would never tell yours.

send me 🧭 and i’ll map out where i think our muses would travel together.

send me ⏳ and i’ll write a ‘10 years later’ scene with our muses.

send me 🧬 and i’ll describe the alternate universe where they’re siblings/enemies/lovers/etc.

send me 🪞 and i’ll explain what my muse sees when they look at yours.

send me 🗝️ and i’ll write the moment my muse realized they trusted yours.

send me 🧊 and i’ll write a cold confrontation between our muses.

send me 🎲 and i’ll write a scene based on a random au for our muses.

send me 🌧️ and i’ll write a rainy day scenario with our muses.

send me 🛏️ and i’ll write a sleepy morning scene with our muses.

send me 🏹 and i’ll write a scene where one muse is wounded and the other helps.

send me 🕯️ and i’ll write a candlelit conversation between our muses.

send me 📺 and i’ll write a tv show au for our muses.

send me 🍂 and i’ll write a seasonal moment between our muses (you choose the season).

[tealeavesandthorns]

Maria was so glad for his steadiness right now and she nodded an okay again. It felt like she was saying it too much, like this was all too much. For tonight she could just borrow something off him she was sure. He was broader than her and bigger so there was no danger of anything not fitting at least.

She nodded when he said about getting her upstairs, face twisting slightly to try and stop more tears.

The thought of getting up the stairs was another hurdle but she knew Kellan wouldn't rush them and neither would Gimli. There were only a few steps in her apartment, it had been the lift up to her floor so she hadn't really had to navigate them in her condition so far.

Maria made a slight pained noise as she pushed herself up from the chair. Her back, stomach, ribs and leg were all on fire with the movement. "I'm okay," She smiled at him and then at Gimli, even though it hurt her face too. "My leg is, uhm- I might need some help, I don't know if it will hold on the stairs." Maria admitted, though she did leave off the fact that the footprint suggested her leg had been stamped on.

[morningthroughshadows]

She was hardly okay, and each time that she tried to make him believe it, the worry deepened. How extensive were the bruising and injuries? Worse than he was even imagining, judging by her persistence and the way that ever move made seemed to be a struggle. Kellan knew that she likely couldn't make it up the stairs from the comment alone. The man was by no means in shape. In any form of the word and he was not oblivious to the fact. A rather sedentary life had caught up with him in his older age. The metabolism wasn't like it used to be. Could he get her up the stairs? Perhaps the smart thing to do would be to get her to the hospital, but he knew she would refuse. She had shown up here after all, rather than deciding to get her injuries checked out.

The place was hardly set up to entertain, but he was fairly certain that it was at least clean. The state of his place was the least of his concerns, though. He gave a gentle command to Gimli to head up the stairs. He would have to make a trip or two between bringing her, the tea, and properly locking up down here. He would feel better and knew she would if the dog was at least with her.

"Do you think you would be okay if I picked you up?" The last thing Kellan wanted to do was cause more pain, but he didn't see any other solution to the issue at the moment. Once she was up there, it was okay. She could relax and take a few days to recover before having to face the stairs again.