Dream Weaver: Prologue 1

Galadedrian Damodred had always followed the personal philosophy of 'doing the right thing brings order, and order brings peace'. He always had a set schedule that only changed for special events, if his siblings (from his father) needed "saving", or if he was called by his stepmother, Queen Morgase (though he usually called her "mother" or "mother Morgase" in informal situations). That was why he was certain that his request would come as a surprise.

"Mother Morgase?" Galad asked, gaining the attention of all those who ate privately with the queen for supper when there wasn't a special meeting. Meaning the Captain-General, Gareth Bryne; Aes Sedai advisor, Elaida of the Red Ajah; and the Royal Siblings, Elayne, Gawyn and Galad himself.

Morgase blinked in surprise. Galad was known to not speak unless answering a question or stating his opinion (usually involving rules and laws or some such) on a topic someone else brought up. "What is it dear?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Galad exhaled. 'Now or never' he thought. "In light of the confirmation of our departure to Tar Valon next summer, I wanted permission to take a trip to the back country. A vacation of sorts, I guess."

"The back country, as in?" Morgase asked.

"The Two Rivers region," Galad said simply. Elaida choked as Gawyn gave a low whistle.

"That would be considered back country," said Bryne said, quirking an eyebrow at Galad; a gesture usually reserved for his younger siblings. "Why?"

"Soon Gawyn and I will start Warder training while Elayne is at the White Tower, as it is custom," Galad began. "It will be strenuous, among other things, and I would like to have a break from my normal duties before then."

"Then why not vacation at one of your country estates?" Elaida inquired a trifle fretful, if you knew what to recognize as such. "It would be amazing if they even knew they were apart of Andor. If you gave them your name, they wouldn't even know what it stood for."

"That is a reason why I would like to go there, Elaida," Galad said respectfully. "They would treat me like any other person that goes there." Elaida scoffed, not understanding why he would want that.

"And the other reason?" Morgase asked.

Galad picked his answer carefully, for there was more than one way. "I wish to see their lifestyle and see if we would be able to better integrate them into Andor," Galad answered. "I have heard speculation that minerals are hidden deep in the Mountains of Mist. I feel that it would be better for us, as a country if they fought to get the minerals themselves and have us benefit from the trade rather than letting Ghealdan (or Tarabon or Arad Doman who also border them) come in and take it."

Elaida grumbled unintelligibly, while not something she would do in public, meant that she agreed that it was a good idea. Morgase gave a small frown. "Do you intend to take the land as your own?" she asked.

Galad blinked; he hadn't thought of that. "It wasn't my intention to do so," he replied. "I figured that decision would come later and be up to you, mother. But I do not think I would mind it much if that was your decision. I might have to inform the High Seat of Mantear that he may need to worry about political backlash though."

"I do trust your opinion more than many of my advisors on such matters," Morgase said before Galad got caught up in politics, a subject he could run circles in. "I guess I can arrange the necessary supplies and guards to be ready by the end of winter."

Before Galad could respond, Elayne jumped into the conversation, almost literally. "Can I go as well, Mother?" she almost begged. "Please?"

"And if Elayne and Galad go," Gawyn asked hesitantly, "could I go as well?"

"No!" Elaida snapped. "You two are the Daughter-Heir and First Prince of the Sword, important symbols, since at this point you are not much else, of Andor, you cannot just vanish out into the country side!"

"I hold my reservations as well," Galad said. "For I wish to travel with out the standard guard detail as to-"

"Absolutely not!" Elaida roared, making the Royal Siblings cringe. "You may not be in an immediate line of succession like you siblings, but you are still a lord of Andor, no matter the name you were given. The High seat of Mantear has already stated his intent of making you the next High seat. To go out without a guard is tantamount to walking over to your rivals and handing them the knife to stab in you back yourself!"

"Enough, Elaida Sedai," Morgase commanded. "Unless you have become Queen rather than just an adviser, I still make the final decision." Elaida went silent but was obviously displeased. Morgase turned back to Galad. "What explanation do you have for not wanting a guard?"

Galad took a calming breath before responding. "Going with a guard would alert the people of the Two Rivers of my importance even if they did not know of me. I would rather they see me as a common traveler. I also do not want word of a noble entourage to spread, word that would spread with a large group of people traveling that were not merchants."

Morgase nodded and turned to Elayne, eyebrow raised. "And your reasoning is"

Elayne flushed. "As Daughter-Heir, should I not be concerned with the well being of all peoples with in Andor's boarder? Two Rivers is the only region I have yet to visit in the whole country. As for the guard, ah, Gareth said that Galad and Gawyn are better than most boys their age with a sword outside the Warder trainees in Tar Valon. I'm sure that if they spend the rest of the fall and winter practicing they would be able to act as a suitable guard for myself if we keep our identities hidden."

The Queen pursed her lips as her eyes landed on the First Prince. Gawyn shrugged and said, "I just don't want to be left behind." He got hard glances from around the table.

Morgase sighed and nodded to herself, making a decision. "I will allow the three of you to go the Two Rivers without the standard if-" she paused as Elayne made a happy squeal before coming to herself and blushing brightly with a quiet apology. "-if you travel on a prescribed route I shall draw up for you and check in at the guard stations both in traveling to the Two Rivers and back, reporting on any problems you encounter." Elayne deflated some but Galad nodded his consent, it was a very reasonable request considering the fact she was allowing this trip at all.

Elaida scowled. "If you are going to do this fool born thing," she said, sounding as though she had eaten a lemon, "You three should swing by one of your country estates first, to give the appearance that you are going there. Light knows what will happen if any rivals find out the heirs to Andor's throne are gallivanting around the western boarder."

Galad gave her a small smile. "Thank you," he said with a controlled amount of warmth. The Red scowled deeper.

"Is that all Galad?" Morgase asked.

"Yes," Galad replied, inclining his head respectfully. "Thank you, Mother."

"Yes, yes," she said dismissively. "Just remember that I want a full report on what you find on this 'vacation' upon your return."

"Of course," Galad said, he had planned of writing up state related things any ways.

Supper was finished in the normal manner, at least until Elayne finished and gave everyone in the room a hug before happily leaving the dining room. When Galad finished his own supper, he returned to his own chambers and made an edited version of his usual schedule in order to have time to for whatever will be needed to be prepared before the trip to the Two Rivers. By the time Galad went to bed, he was almost vibrating with anticipation. There was only one thought on his mind as he pulled his down comforters around himself and drifted into sleep.

'Just wait a little longer,' Galad thought as sleep claimed him. 'Soon I shall find you and make you safe, little brother.'

Hello everyone, this is Aramme posting her second story in the WOT verse. I'm posting this because my first reviewer of my other story 'The Wings of a Dragon' said that he (I think he is a he) would like to read something on Galad and there weren't enough Galad stories and I felt inspired to get the first chapter/prologue up. If you have read my other story, you'll notice that this is much shorter, but that means if I have time to get my chapters typed, you'll be able to read them faster. However, when it reaches a point where it is out of the prologue sections, the chapters will get longer and take more time to get posted.

For readers of WOAD, when I get my third chapter completely written, I will post my second chapter. While I would like be able to read actual opinions of my readers, I'm happy enough with the current response to post. Just might be a while.

Thank you for reading.

Aramme.

P.S. If you find grammar or what not errors, please tell me or my Beta darkwingsoverwater. We actually want to do a good job, but we have had a lot of crap due and brains are kind of fried for those kind of functions

P.P.S. Galad will be OoC for most of this fic. The reason will be explained in the next chapter. Just know that if you stick him in a court he'll be back to his 'I have a stick up my arse and it is really uncomfortable' self before you can snap you fingers.

Edit 1: I fixed the problems with the spelling of places that was point out to me by review. Don't be afraid to tell me other mistakes.