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Lan stood in the shadows of the pillars surrounding the hall, unseen he watched servants drift among the waiting nobles, not just from Andor. Lan could see Shienarians, Carhienians among those closest to him, there were others too, Elayne was Queen of Andor now and Aes Sedai too, and they awaited her arrival. It would be soon, he could feel his wife through the bond; his beautiful Nynaeve and Elayne were coming closer
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Elayne frowned. She knew the awaiting nobles would begin to complain at her absence soon, Andormen always disliked being kept waiting. "Be calm Elayne." The Amyrlin smiled, "I once heard Moraine say that the first art of Kings - or Queens - was keeping people waiting." Egwene laughed when Nynaeve sniffed. Her husband's former bondholder was always a touchy subject.
"What with the Ball tonight and the fireworks, they will soon have forgotten a late arrival. Although they may notice if you fail to arrive at all." The Amyrlin continued, "Why as I see it, a ruler is never late to one of their own functions, it was just that everyone else was early." That did bring a smile to Elayne's lips.
I still wish Rand were here. "You know he couldn't have come Elayne, he can't just turn up to the Queen of Andor's ball. Even if Invited he would still be of too much notice, you must keep the babes safe. He is not the point of this ball, you are. Saidin is clean now, he is as safe as Cadsuane can keep him" Nynaeve said softly. Drat Nynaeve for knowing her thoughts! He could have worn one of those infernal disguises, thought Elayne, no. Nynaeve is right, he would have been of too much notice… but he still could have..
"The time comes" sighed Nynaeve " we have been waiting out here too long." Elayne nodded, collecting the Arms women around her she gestured to Egwene and Nynaeve. "The Amyrlin and Aes Sedai are guests and should arrive first" Both woman kissed the Queen and nodded. Egwene even went as far as to whisper in Elayne's ear " Tai'shar Andor!"
The nobility of Andor meet me as queen for the first time. Light! Queen! After all this struggle, finally queen. A kick from her babes brought her back to the present quickly, and a voice announced the Amyrlin and Nynaeve into the ballroom. Smoothing her white slashed red skirts she straightened. It is time.
Reaching the door Elayne put on her most regal bearing. " Under the Light, I announce Elayne Trakand! Queen of Andor!" The mans voice boomed out beside her. The ripples of bows and curtsies followed her to the lion throne, before she sat she turned and faced her guests. "Today, I was crowned your queen. In a few months the heir to the throne will be born. I can only hope for her sake, that in that case she is rightfully crowned after me!" There were a few murmers from the Andorans, and even Egwene raised an eyebrow.
"Trakand succeeds Trakand! I should not have had to fight for this throne as I have. Andor failed my rights and for that I confess myself disappointed. The last battle comes soon! Death shall render many families asunder! Those we love may die, and the dark one will destroy much of what is dear to us. I can only pray to the Light that when that day comes! When the Dark One breaks free that Andor will not fail us. For if she does we are all doomed. For now let us not dwell on unpleasant thoughts, let us enjoy the company of friends and family that may not last much longer, let us remember what we have. Tonight let us dance!"
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Lan continued to watch the crowd throughout Elayne's speech. Perhaps the woman had done well, she certainly highlighted her point but she also drew attention to her and Rand's children. Light protect them; children should not be brought into these battles. Lan had heard Nynaeve announced but a crowd around the door had barred his view.
He could see her now, she was resplendent in deep green silk with golden cranes embroidered among vines on the sleeves. A symbol of what was lost, Malkier might never rise again. He had given her the dress, a name day present. She wasn't wearing her ter'angreal, but he knew she was wearing a bracelet with four flat chains connected to rings - an angreal, she'd said.
Stepping out of the shadows he saw Elayne and Gareth Byrne start to the floor. Egwene had brought him with her, If she had chosen any noble for the first dance everyone would have thought she favoured them. Byrne was a neutral choice; even those who despised Morgase and her daughter could find no fault in him.
Approaching his wife's back he saw hundreds of small emeralds in her braid, no wonder she was frustrated earlier, that must have taken hours. Nynaeve was currently in conversation with a fussy-looking short man whose eyes almost popped out of his head at the appearance of Lan at Nynaeve's shoulder. Bowing to Nynaeve he entoned "My lady wife may I have the pleasure of the first dance?"
She smiled and joy flowed through the bond, and amusement. "Dance my lord? Why I did not believe you were a man inclined to dancing?" Before he could speak a reply a Carhienien appeared beside him and bowed elaborately with many flourishes.
"Oh beautiful Lady, your radiance attracted me from across the room, for surely there is no woman as beautiful as you in here, excluding our fair queen of course. Now may I request your first dance my Lady... " The rude man was tall, though not as tall as himself, he was also wearing dark clothes in the Carhienian fashion. He looked as though his sword was only decoration. I doubt he can even use it. Fool!
Lan's anger flowed across the bond and he felt the same mirrored back. In a less than entirely warm voice she replied. "I am Lady Nynaeve Mandragoran Aes Sedai of the Yellow Ajah. I have already accepted my Husbands request for the first dance." The Carhienian peacock's face grew paler with ever word. Lan could almost see his thoughts behind his eyes; She was Aes Sedai! Lady Mandragoran's Husband, the uncrowned king. The Carhienian's eyes flicked to lands sword. Yes, he knows who I am. With a final cold glare to the man he turned to his wife. His wife!
"My wife? Shall we take to the floor?" she smiled and took his hand, they began dancing and quickly lost track of time. Lan lost himself in her smiles she was truly beautiful. Once he had thought he could never have her, how wrong he had been, he loved her. Completely and utterly with all his heart, she truly had made flowers bloom. The amount of couples dancing decreased slowly, Elayne was now dancing with a fat Tarien, while the Lady Birgitte, something was not right about her, watched over the shoulder of the ugly man she was dancing with.
Hours, minutes, moment, the dance went on and on. The finale, he held one hand and brought her to his chest, light she was beautiful! Spinning her out she smiled; he would do anything for her. A man in a grey coat knocked into Nynaeve, disrupting the twirl she had begun. Pain shattered through the bond, Time moved slower. Red blood bloomed across her back, she fell - eyes wide open – to the floor.
Drawing his sword swirling between patterns Lan attacked the grey man, he must be – I barely saw him till… Emotion and thought drained out of him and Ko'di took over. A woman screamed in the background. He was as hard as stone, Boar rushes over the mountain, kingfisher over the pond, heron wading in the rushes the man dropped to the floor. Dead, his throat cut. NYNAEVE!
Lan fell to his knees at her side; she coughed blood onto the floor. She was alive, relief cascaded through him before he was struck by her pain. Alive but very ill, she was dying. He remembered what he had said to her all that time ago, about widow's clothes. How harsh he had been. NO! We have each other now. I can't lose her, I can't … Tears grew in his eyes, he had never cried and now he was doing it in public! Remembering the people surrounding them, he started. Aes Sedai could heal!
"Elayne! Egwene! Help her, please Elayne… help" his voice trailed into nothing. Touching Nynaeve's cheek he looked up. Everyone stared, he could she Egwene force her way towards them. Light Nynaeve, live! You need to live!
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Egwene turned as soon as she heard a woman scream, Lan had his sword drawn, a man was falling to the floor. The floor! Nynaeve! She lay like a doll crumpled her breast red with blood. NO! As soon as she saw her she began to force her was through. Nynaeve just lay there, helpless. A cough! She is alive. Then she heard Lan's voice cry out, emotion drenched his words, usually so hard and calm he was crying. "Elayne! Egwene! Help her, please Elayne… help"
Light! I can't heal her; I am better than Elayne though. She saw Elayne and Birgitte rush forward too. Nynaeve can't die. No the woman was so strong she could fight Moghedien, no Grey man could stop her. Light I hope not. Egwene fell to her knees beside her. Ready to do what she could, praying that it was enough.
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At the back of the ballroom a short woman stood next to the Carhienian peacock, the woman wore a grey veil to obscure her features; it would be to dangerous using saidar to disguise herself. I am black Ajah now; they wouldn't welcome me as they once did. What must be done must be done. I cannot afford pity. The uncrowned kings voice travelled across the ballroom. . "Elayne! Egwene! Help her, please Elayne… help".
A sudden wave of pity flowed over her. Why should I pity him? It needed to be done. The Carhienian was a Friend of the Dark too, signalling to the doors and the departing crowd, he nodded. It was past time to be gone. Taking the Carhienians arm she turned and glided serenely to the doors. Over and over she told herself it needed to be done
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Please let me know what you think. The next Chapter will be longer, I hope. If not by much, I hope you like it alot.
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Good luck to everyone.
Get better soon Mr Jordan, we are all praying for you.