Disclaimer-Okay here goes, I don't own WoT. So that said here is my story. Though Scarlet is
my percious charie.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scarlet nodded to Soraya Sedai, and wondered what it could be about. Though having to
leave the Aes Sedai's lesson on Tower Politics, was no loss in Scarlet's mind, she
couldn't help but hope that she wasn't in trouble. She racked her brain trying to figure
out what it was. As she existed the room she was meet by Serafim Sedai, an Assistant
Mistress of Novices. Scarlet didn't even get a chance to ask her question before Serafim
started to talk. "Aurora'Scarlet Como, it is time. You must ask no questions, and follow
without delay. The Wheel waits on no woman."
As they walked through the tower, going down deeper and deeper Scarlet thought. Her
mind was buzzing with memories. Had she really been at the tower for so long? Was it
really time for her to be raised? As they arrived at the great doors, her breath was taken
away. They were so immense, and she knew that on the other side would be the arches.
She met a set of green eyes just like hers and listened, "Aurora'Scarlet, I must tell you
now what no woman hears until they reach this point. The first is this. Once you choose
to begin, you must see this through until the end. If at any point during, you decide you
cannot go on, we will see you put out from the Tower, never to return, with enough silver
to last a year.
She nodded that she understood. When she started she would see it through the end, she
owned it to herself, her family, and so many more people. She listened to the second thing
with the same attentiveness. "Second. To seek, to strive, is to know danger. Some women
have entered the rings, and never came out. When the ter'angreal was allowed to quiet,
they were simply not there. And they were never seen again. If you would survive, you
must be steadfast. Falter, fail. This is your last chance to refuse, child. You do so now,
and will have two more chances to continue. It is not a dishonor. What do you wish to
do?"
"I wish to continue, Aes Sedai," Scarlet said softly, for she knew that she could not turn
back now. She had waited for so long for this, already lost so much for this dream.
There wasn't anything more she could give up, the arches could do no more damage. So
she thought as she undressed and stepped through the first arch.
Scarlet looked around, something was wrong. She was here surrounding by her family in
front of the fire. Yet she was sure they were all gone. Shaking her head she scolded
herself mentally, *Don't be a light blinded fool. Can't you see they are all around you?*
With a smile she listened as the family recounted their day. This was how life was
suppose to be everyday. Sitting here in front of the fire with her father, brothers, and little
sister Kara around her. Talking, laughing, have a wonderful time. She couldn't see her
twin Aren, he was putting the two littlest ones Bren and Kara, who had fallen asleep in
bed. But she could feel that he was happy, through the connection they shared. Aren was
part of her soul, she would be incomplete without him. She knew that, and he knew he
would be incomplete without her.
She felt him there behind her, before he said anything. She always knew when he was
there. It had something to do with them being twins. "Come Scarlet dearest, sing for us.
Make us happy men." Soon all her brothers and father where repeating what Aren had
said. And she knew, if she wanted them to shut up, so they didn't wake up the little one's
she'd have to sing.
"Okay you bloody fools, be quiet now before you wake up the little ones and I'll sing."
she said with a laugh of liquid happiness. This was how it was every evening. Her
family was perfect, and nothing could tear them apart she thought. She started singing
her voice smooth as silk. Soon Tand had joined in with her. When the song came to an
end she said, "Now, we all need to be getting to sleep. I know I need to be."
"Baking day tomorrow?" Tylan asked. With a nod she headed upstairs to her room she
shared with Kara. As she removed her dress she looked at Kara. Standing there in her
shift in the pale moonlight she thought, *Little girl I am never going to let anything bad
happen to you* With that she curled to sleep never knowing that it wouldn't last. That she
would be awaken suddenly in the middle of the night.
Some hours later Scarlet woke. She couldn't of told you what had woke her. She looked
around seeing Kara thrashing in her bed. Hurrying over to the little girl she felt her
forehead. Gasping at how hot it was. Where had this fever came from? For had Kara not
been feeling perfectly all right when she was put to bed early that evening?
She heard the door open and knew that it would be Aren. Knew that he would be able to
feel her anguish through the connection they shared. "What is it Scarlet?"
"Kara she is burning with fever, bring me a light, cold water, and my herb bag." she said
not looking up. The front of her shift was already damp from sweat, that had been left by
Kara as she cradled her.
Minutes later Aren returned with a light, water, and her bag. She took her dress which
was hanging on a hook. Tearing it into strips she dipped it in the water. Using it to sponge
off the little girl.
"Aren watch her," she said standing up. "I've got to go back some broth for her." she
said forgetting all about her indecent attire. He nodded, for even if he had not wanted to
he knew better to argue with Scarlet when she was like this. Her green eyes were the
color of grass instead of their normal emerald hued. Grass, something so fresh, nice yet
when Scarlet's eyes where that way it meant she was worried and fighting tears. Aren
watched her hurry out the doors, and heard her clatter down the stairs as he stroked
Kara's hair away from her face. The hair that was the same color as Scarlet's and his.
Scarlet clattered down the stairs, knowing she was making large amounts of noise, but not
caring if she woke everyone up. Her heart was racing, she had never seen a fever this bad
appear so fast. As she got down stairs she came to halt noticing her whole family
gathered around the fire, even Bren. As they all asked if Kara would be okay, she gave
reassurance.
"She'll be fine." she said with a smile. Her voice carrying more confidence then she felt.
Her smile a forced one, and she was sure that everyone assembled around the fire could
see that. But that did not matter, for she knew that they would believe what she said.
Knew that they would because that is what they wanted to hear.
As she moved to the kitchen she started to boil water. "Someone go get me some chicken
from the smokehouse." she said not looking up, as she cut the onion to add to the water.
Some minutes later some chicken sat in front of her. She did not look up but said,
"Thank you." Not even knowing who she had said it to. When she added the chicken she
put the lid on leaving it to simmer
She headed towards the stairs only to be stopped by little Bren. He pulled on her skirt,
"Scarlet."
"Yes honey?" she asked bending down so she was at his level.
"Is Kara going to be all right? Can I see her?"
Her heart went out to him, "She will be fine. I promise you. But no you can't see her, I
can't risk you getting sick too." she said giving him a hug.
He nodded miserably and moved back to the fire to sit in their father's lap. Standing she
went back to the kitchen. Ladling the broth into a bowl and grabbing a spoon. At the
base of the stairs she paused looking around at her family. Feeling a pang of sadness as
she hurried up the stairs as fast as she dared carrying hot broth. Aren meet her at the
door, letting her pass him without saying anything. He sat down on her bed as she started
trying to convince young Kara to drink some of the broth.
Scarlet roused Kara out of her fevered sleep. "Scarlet?" she said weakly. Scarlet nodded
with a smile.
"Yes its me. I have some broth for you. Please drink it." she asked softly. With a moan
and a shake of her head Kara refused. "Please, please take just a little." she said
practically begging.
Kara moaned but parted her swollen lips slightly. Just enough so Scarlet could get some
of the broth down her throat. Scarlet's eyes glittered with unshed tears as Kara did as she
was asked. "Light thank you." she whispered under her breath as the little girl fell back
into a restless fever induced sleep. Setting the bowl out of the way she turned around into
Aren's waiting arms.
Aren held her close murmuring words of endearment to her. The unshed tears finally
came as she buried her face in his chest. Finally the tears stopped and she looked up at
him. Her green eyes were blood shot, and streaks ran down her face as she said, "Aren...I
haven't said anything to anyone downstairs, but I am not sure if she'll make it."
"There, there of course she'll be all right. Someone will go get the wisdom as soon as the
first light of dawn peeks over the horizon" he said soothingly.
She looked at him as if he was crazy, "That is not what I mean."
"What then sister dearest do you mean?" he asked confused.
"She may not make it to morning, and if she does she may not be the same once better.
These kind of fevers can leave the brain messed up forever." she said in a broken sob.
Yet the rest was cut off as Kara muttered in her sleep, and both Scarlet and Aren hurried
over. "Get me more water." she said softly as she sponged Kara's sweat slicked face with
a strip torn from her dress soaked in cold water.
Sitting there holding her hand Scarlet felt useless. For she knew that there was nothing
she could do . That it was up to the creator. All she could do was easy the little five
year's suffering, but she couldn't make it go away. No matter how hard she tried. *How
had this happened? How had she missed the signs that Kara was getting sick?* she asked
her self as she picked up the little girl, moving her to her own bed so she could change the
soaked linens. Once she had remade the bed with fresh linens she laid Kara back into the
bed. Covering her up as she said to herself, *How could you of known? There were no
signs where there?'*
"No." she said out loud as she sat back down. She heard Aren close the door, "No what
sister?" he asked setting the desired water down next to her.
"Nothing." she said not wanting to try and explain it to him. Though if anyone could
understand it would be him, for he was her twin. She felt a fierce urge to hug him and
gave into it. All the while she was thinking, *Light I don't know what I am going to do if
anything happens to Kara, for she is like a daughter to me. I've raised her since she was
a babe. But I'd be at an even greater lose of what to do if something happened to you.
My second half.* She looked into his eyes. Eyes that mirrored hers in shade and shape.
She could read them without trouble. For his eyes like hers were mirrors to his soul.
She could see worry for her and for Kara etched in the green depths that she stared in.
"Don't worry." she said softly, "I'll be all right. So will Kara. I promise I won't let her
leave us. I'll never leave either of you ever." she said as she kissed his check. He kissed
her softly on her forehead.
"I'll never leave you either Scarlet. I'll always be here for you." he said as she sank back
to her knees next to Kara. She smiled at his words for she knew they were true. Far truer
then her own words, even if she did not know it at the time. *The way
back will come but once. Be steadfast* The voice came from somewhere in her mind. Yet
it wasn't her own voice, it was someone else's voice. Though she was sure she had never
heard those words before in her life.
"Aren?" She asked seeing if he was there, even though she knew he would be.
"Yes?" he said in reply puzzled that she had asked in such away as to suggest that he may
not of been there.
"Have you ever heard the words, The way back will come but once. Be steadfast?" she
asked.
"No, why?"
"No reason at all, just wondering." she said turning to give him a smile. Trying to shrug
it off, make it seem like it wasn't important. She knew though that she did not fool Aren
for one minute. As Aren looked at her smile he knew, that she wasn't being honest. But
he also knew that he could not force it out of her. That when she was ready she would say
something, tell him what it was really about.
Scarlet went back to tending to Kara, but not before she heard the words again in her
mind. *The way will come but once. Be steadfast.* And from the corner of her eye she
saw it. A silver arch, that beckon her to come. Standing up she looked around. Looked at
the fragile form of Kara, at her twin Aren. Her twin who, if she stepped through that
silver arch would be torn in two. Would lose his other half, as would she.
Standing there with the words, *The way will come but once. Be steadfast* She saw that
silver arch flicker as if it would disappear if she hesitated anymore. She ran towards it.
Knowing she couldn't look back for if she did she wouldn't be able to go through that
arch.
Behind her Aren yell, begging her to stay, "Scarlet come back. Please don't leave. What
about Kara. What about me? I can't go on without you. Your my twin, my other half."
As she stepped into the arch she turned around and said, "I am sorry Aren, Kara. Please
forgive me." The white light enclosed her, and she felt as if she was being torn into a
thousand pieces. But nothing could compare with the pain of losing the connection with
Aren. Of knowing that she had left Kara there to die, as well as left her whole family.
She stumbled out of the arch, everything rushing back to her. She stood there looking at
Aes Sedai gathered there, not saying anything. Instead she held her head in her hands, but
no tears came. For she knew that there would be plenty of time for those later. For she
still had two more arches to do. Which she could not do if she gave into tears, and grief
for her family that she had left behind.
"You are washed clean of what sin you may have done, and of those done against you.
You are washed clean of what crime you may have committed, and of those committed
against you. You come to us washed clean and pure, in heart and soul." The words
spoken as the water sprinkled down her head seemed like they were far away.
Pushing back wet strands of honey color hair from her face her green eyes burned with
fire as she listened to Serafim Sedai say, "The second Arch is for what is. The way back
will come but once. Be steadfast."
Stepping through the second arch she was consumed by white light. Her last thought was,
*Nothing can be worse then leaving my family. Leaving my twin, and Kara my little sister
who was like my daughter.*
my percious charie.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scarlet nodded to Soraya Sedai, and wondered what it could be about. Though having to
leave the Aes Sedai's lesson on Tower Politics, was no loss in Scarlet's mind, she
couldn't help but hope that she wasn't in trouble. She racked her brain trying to figure
out what it was. As she existed the room she was meet by Serafim Sedai, an Assistant
Mistress of Novices. Scarlet didn't even get a chance to ask her question before Serafim
started to talk. "Aurora'Scarlet Como, it is time. You must ask no questions, and follow
without delay. The Wheel waits on no woman."
As they walked through the tower, going down deeper and deeper Scarlet thought. Her
mind was buzzing with memories. Had she really been at the tower for so long? Was it
really time for her to be raised? As they arrived at the great doors, her breath was taken
away. They were so immense, and she knew that on the other side would be the arches.
She met a set of green eyes just like hers and listened, "Aurora'Scarlet, I must tell you
now what no woman hears until they reach this point. The first is this. Once you choose
to begin, you must see this through until the end. If at any point during, you decide you
cannot go on, we will see you put out from the Tower, never to return, with enough silver
to last a year.
She nodded that she understood. When she started she would see it through the end, she
owned it to herself, her family, and so many more people. She listened to the second thing
with the same attentiveness. "Second. To seek, to strive, is to know danger. Some women
have entered the rings, and never came out. When the ter'angreal was allowed to quiet,
they were simply not there. And they were never seen again. If you would survive, you
must be steadfast. Falter, fail. This is your last chance to refuse, child. You do so now,
and will have two more chances to continue. It is not a dishonor. What do you wish to
do?"
"I wish to continue, Aes Sedai," Scarlet said softly, for she knew that she could not turn
back now. She had waited for so long for this, already lost so much for this dream.
There wasn't anything more she could give up, the arches could do no more damage. So
she thought as she undressed and stepped through the first arch.
Scarlet looked around, something was wrong. She was here surrounding by her family in
front of the fire. Yet she was sure they were all gone. Shaking her head she scolded
herself mentally, *Don't be a light blinded fool. Can't you see they are all around you?*
With a smile she listened as the family recounted their day. This was how life was
suppose to be everyday. Sitting here in front of the fire with her father, brothers, and little
sister Kara around her. Talking, laughing, have a wonderful time. She couldn't see her
twin Aren, he was putting the two littlest ones Bren and Kara, who had fallen asleep in
bed. But she could feel that he was happy, through the connection they shared. Aren was
part of her soul, she would be incomplete without him. She knew that, and he knew he
would be incomplete without her.
She felt him there behind her, before he said anything. She always knew when he was
there. It had something to do with them being twins. "Come Scarlet dearest, sing for us.
Make us happy men." Soon all her brothers and father where repeating what Aren had
said. And she knew, if she wanted them to shut up, so they didn't wake up the little one's
she'd have to sing.
"Okay you bloody fools, be quiet now before you wake up the little ones and I'll sing."
she said with a laugh of liquid happiness. This was how it was every evening. Her
family was perfect, and nothing could tear them apart she thought. She started singing
her voice smooth as silk. Soon Tand had joined in with her. When the song came to an
end she said, "Now, we all need to be getting to sleep. I know I need to be."
"Baking day tomorrow?" Tylan asked. With a nod she headed upstairs to her room she
shared with Kara. As she removed her dress she looked at Kara. Standing there in her
shift in the pale moonlight she thought, *Little girl I am never going to let anything bad
happen to you* With that she curled to sleep never knowing that it wouldn't last. That she
would be awaken suddenly in the middle of the night.
Some hours later Scarlet woke. She couldn't of told you what had woke her. She looked
around seeing Kara thrashing in her bed. Hurrying over to the little girl she felt her
forehead. Gasping at how hot it was. Where had this fever came from? For had Kara not
been feeling perfectly all right when she was put to bed early that evening?
She heard the door open and knew that it would be Aren. Knew that he would be able to
feel her anguish through the connection they shared. "What is it Scarlet?"
"Kara she is burning with fever, bring me a light, cold water, and my herb bag." she said
not looking up. The front of her shift was already damp from sweat, that had been left by
Kara as she cradled her.
Minutes later Aren returned with a light, water, and her bag. She took her dress which
was hanging on a hook. Tearing it into strips she dipped it in the water. Using it to sponge
off the little girl.
"Aren watch her," she said standing up. "I've got to go back some broth for her." she
said forgetting all about her indecent attire. He nodded, for even if he had not wanted to
he knew better to argue with Scarlet when she was like this. Her green eyes were the
color of grass instead of their normal emerald hued. Grass, something so fresh, nice yet
when Scarlet's eyes where that way it meant she was worried and fighting tears. Aren
watched her hurry out the doors, and heard her clatter down the stairs as he stroked
Kara's hair away from her face. The hair that was the same color as Scarlet's and his.
Scarlet clattered down the stairs, knowing she was making large amounts of noise, but not
caring if she woke everyone up. Her heart was racing, she had never seen a fever this bad
appear so fast. As she got down stairs she came to halt noticing her whole family
gathered around the fire, even Bren. As they all asked if Kara would be okay, she gave
reassurance.
"She'll be fine." she said with a smile. Her voice carrying more confidence then she felt.
Her smile a forced one, and she was sure that everyone assembled around the fire could
see that. But that did not matter, for she knew that they would believe what she said.
Knew that they would because that is what they wanted to hear.
As she moved to the kitchen she started to boil water. "Someone go get me some chicken
from the smokehouse." she said not looking up, as she cut the onion to add to the water.
Some minutes later some chicken sat in front of her. She did not look up but said,
"Thank you." Not even knowing who she had said it to. When she added the chicken she
put the lid on leaving it to simmer
She headed towards the stairs only to be stopped by little Bren. He pulled on her skirt,
"Scarlet."
"Yes honey?" she asked bending down so she was at his level.
"Is Kara going to be all right? Can I see her?"
Her heart went out to him, "She will be fine. I promise you. But no you can't see her, I
can't risk you getting sick too." she said giving him a hug.
He nodded miserably and moved back to the fire to sit in their father's lap. Standing she
went back to the kitchen. Ladling the broth into a bowl and grabbing a spoon. At the
base of the stairs she paused looking around at her family. Feeling a pang of sadness as
she hurried up the stairs as fast as she dared carrying hot broth. Aren meet her at the
door, letting her pass him without saying anything. He sat down on her bed as she started
trying to convince young Kara to drink some of the broth.
Scarlet roused Kara out of her fevered sleep. "Scarlet?" she said weakly. Scarlet nodded
with a smile.
"Yes its me. I have some broth for you. Please drink it." she asked softly. With a moan
and a shake of her head Kara refused. "Please, please take just a little." she said
practically begging.
Kara moaned but parted her swollen lips slightly. Just enough so Scarlet could get some
of the broth down her throat. Scarlet's eyes glittered with unshed tears as Kara did as she
was asked. "Light thank you." she whispered under her breath as the little girl fell back
into a restless fever induced sleep. Setting the bowl out of the way she turned around into
Aren's waiting arms.
Aren held her close murmuring words of endearment to her. The unshed tears finally
came as she buried her face in his chest. Finally the tears stopped and she looked up at
him. Her green eyes were blood shot, and streaks ran down her face as she said, "Aren...I
haven't said anything to anyone downstairs, but I am not sure if she'll make it."
"There, there of course she'll be all right. Someone will go get the wisdom as soon as the
first light of dawn peeks over the horizon" he said soothingly.
She looked at him as if he was crazy, "That is not what I mean."
"What then sister dearest do you mean?" he asked confused.
"She may not make it to morning, and if she does she may not be the same once better.
These kind of fevers can leave the brain messed up forever." she said in a broken sob.
Yet the rest was cut off as Kara muttered in her sleep, and both Scarlet and Aren hurried
over. "Get me more water." she said softly as she sponged Kara's sweat slicked face with
a strip torn from her dress soaked in cold water.
Sitting there holding her hand Scarlet felt useless. For she knew that there was nothing
she could do . That it was up to the creator. All she could do was easy the little five
year's suffering, but she couldn't make it go away. No matter how hard she tried. *How
had this happened? How had she missed the signs that Kara was getting sick?* she asked
her self as she picked up the little girl, moving her to her own bed so she could change the
soaked linens. Once she had remade the bed with fresh linens she laid Kara back into the
bed. Covering her up as she said to herself, *How could you of known? There were no
signs where there?'*
"No." she said out loud as she sat back down. She heard Aren close the door, "No what
sister?" he asked setting the desired water down next to her.
"Nothing." she said not wanting to try and explain it to him. Though if anyone could
understand it would be him, for he was her twin. She felt a fierce urge to hug him and
gave into it. All the while she was thinking, *Light I don't know what I am going to do if
anything happens to Kara, for she is like a daughter to me. I've raised her since she was
a babe. But I'd be at an even greater lose of what to do if something happened to you.
My second half.* She looked into his eyes. Eyes that mirrored hers in shade and shape.
She could read them without trouble. For his eyes like hers were mirrors to his soul.
She could see worry for her and for Kara etched in the green depths that she stared in.
"Don't worry." she said softly, "I'll be all right. So will Kara. I promise I won't let her
leave us. I'll never leave either of you ever." she said as she kissed his check. He kissed
her softly on her forehead.
"I'll never leave you either Scarlet. I'll always be here for you." he said as she sank back
to her knees next to Kara. She smiled at his words for she knew they were true. Far truer
then her own words, even if she did not know it at the time. *The way
back will come but once. Be steadfast* The voice came from somewhere in her mind. Yet
it wasn't her own voice, it was someone else's voice. Though she was sure she had never
heard those words before in her life.
"Aren?" She asked seeing if he was there, even though she knew he would be.
"Yes?" he said in reply puzzled that she had asked in such away as to suggest that he may
not of been there.
"Have you ever heard the words, The way back will come but once. Be steadfast?" she
asked.
"No, why?"
"No reason at all, just wondering." she said turning to give him a smile. Trying to shrug
it off, make it seem like it wasn't important. She knew though that she did not fool Aren
for one minute. As Aren looked at her smile he knew, that she wasn't being honest. But
he also knew that he could not force it out of her. That when she was ready she would say
something, tell him what it was really about.
Scarlet went back to tending to Kara, but not before she heard the words again in her
mind. *The way will come but once. Be steadfast.* And from the corner of her eye she
saw it. A silver arch, that beckon her to come. Standing up she looked around. Looked at
the fragile form of Kara, at her twin Aren. Her twin who, if she stepped through that
silver arch would be torn in two. Would lose his other half, as would she.
Standing there with the words, *The way will come but once. Be steadfast* She saw that
silver arch flicker as if it would disappear if she hesitated anymore. She ran towards it.
Knowing she couldn't look back for if she did she wouldn't be able to go through that
arch.
Behind her Aren yell, begging her to stay, "Scarlet come back. Please don't leave. What
about Kara. What about me? I can't go on without you. Your my twin, my other half."
As she stepped into the arch she turned around and said, "I am sorry Aren, Kara. Please
forgive me." The white light enclosed her, and she felt as if she was being torn into a
thousand pieces. But nothing could compare with the pain of losing the connection with
Aren. Of knowing that she had left Kara there to die, as well as left her whole family.
She stumbled out of the arch, everything rushing back to her. She stood there looking at
Aes Sedai gathered there, not saying anything. Instead she held her head in her hands, but
no tears came. For she knew that there would be plenty of time for those later. For she
still had two more arches to do. Which she could not do if she gave into tears, and grief
for her family that she had left behind.
"You are washed clean of what sin you may have done, and of those done against you.
You are washed clean of what crime you may have committed, and of those committed
against you. You come to us washed clean and pure, in heart and soul." The words
spoken as the water sprinkled down her head seemed like they were far away.
Pushing back wet strands of honey color hair from her face her green eyes burned with
fire as she listened to Serafim Sedai say, "The second Arch is for what is. The way back
will come but once. Be steadfast."
Stepping through the second arch she was consumed by white light. Her last thought was,
*Nothing can be worse then leaving my family. Leaving my twin, and Kara my little sister
who was like my daughter.*
