He’s sturdy and solid now, but his insides…the rot in his bones, the scurvy in the muscles, the unseen damage to his organs. He has to be a realist about his health now, a middle-aged man who was poisoned and starved for years can’t possibly thrive.

But Seetha. Seetha is still young and vibrant, and yes the struggle remains for those two lovers to overcome, but he doesn’t doubt that Ram can accomplish what he set out to do. Rama seems like this invincible creature, powerful and driven, and whatever impossible things await him will be conquered.

“Not today or tomorrow…but I won’t be able to see you into old age. I’ll be here for as long as I’ll be here, but it’s not nearly…” He chokes on the words. “It’s not nearly what you deserve.”