Her touch hurtled him back into some semblance of composure, and he realized that he had been shaking mildly in his panic, his heart beating fast. His eyes locked with hers and he had to force back his tears when he noticed that hers were welling up.

And of course he was at fault, although he did not speak his guilt aloud. Instead, he took in deep breaths to further calm himself, then tried for a reassuring smile at her.

He wrapped his arms around her and shifted so that her weight rested against him. "I cannot guarantee that the pain will stop, but..." He reached out to gently brush away stray locks of gold from her face. "Can you walk, at least?"