Chapter 2: Reunion

Egwene smiled gratefully at her mother as Marin set a hot cup of tea in front of her. She had come back to Emond's Field to see her parents one final time before Tarmon Gaidon was upon them. There could be no doubt that the final battle was just on the horizon now; all the signs had indicated that it was so. She really shouldn't have come here at all. After all, she had a world to prepare and not nearly enough time to prepare it. Elaida had been deposed about three weeks ago now, after a unanimous vote from the hall. Egwene had finally been officially raised Amyrlin a week later, and the Aes Sedai were reunited at last. She had not told her parents that she was the Amyrlin Seat, or even that she was Aes Sedai. It would simply be too awkward, and she wanted this to be a happy day, not an awkward one.

Sipping her tea, she greeted her father and Tam as they entered the room, but frowned slightly when she saw that they were not alone.

"Yes, what is it Bazrat?" Bran asked impatiently of the Taraboner in front of him. "Make it quick, as you can see my daughter, Egwene, who I haven't seen in far too long, has come home at last." He said this while smiling in delight and wonder at Egwene, as though he still couldn't quite believe that she was there.

"Well, actually, Mayor, my message is for Tam." Bazrat replied somewhat uncertainly.

"For me?" Tam asked in confusion, "what is it?"

"Th-there's an Ae-Aes Sedai outside asking to see you", Bazrat stammered out.

Egwene was on her feet at once, all icy calm and cool command. "An Aes Sedai?" she demanded. "Who? What's her name?" Everyone stared at Egwene in shock for a second, before she rapped the man named Bazrat sharply on the forehead and commanded him to speak at once. He did, eventually, amidst a disgusting amount of stammering and staring. But he was not the only one staring. Egwene was staring too, At Bazrat, in shock. Surely the man had gotten the name wrong? What could the Cadsuane Melaidhrin want with Tam of all people? Unless…

"Is she alone? Is Cadsuane alone?" she demanded.

"N-no Mistress," he stammered after a moment's thought, "there were o-others with her, one who claimed to be T-Tam here's son."

"WHAT?!" Tam yelled, disbelief in his voice, "RAND!" And with that, Tam lunged toward the doorway.

"Wait", Egwene hissed, but he was already halfway across the room. Turning to her parents, Egwene opened her mouth, but she closed it again with a vexed sigh when she saw them both hurriedly following Tam towards the door.

Quickly composing herself and smoothing her dress, Egwene followed them. Gliding across the floor like a Queen in her own palace, she stepped outside after her parents.

Rand's eyes widened slightly when he saw Egwene step out of the Winespring Inn. He wasn't the only one surprised. Min let out a delighted squeal and clapped her hands over her mouth. Logain had stiffened in shock, while Nynaeve was gaping like a fish. Bashere didn't know Egwene, and to the best of Rand's knowledge neither did Cadsuane, although he was willing to admit that he didn't know all that much concerning her. Lews Therin was also surprised, Rand could tell, although he remained silent.

"Rand, lad, is that really you?" Tam asked, walking slowly towards Rand. "You look so different".

"It is me, father", Rand said quietly, looking Tam in the eye. "And as to why I look different, that is because I am different, entirely different, from the boy you once knew."

Tam put a hand on Rand's left shoulder and then gasped in shock and grabbed Rand's hand. Or, more accurately, what remained of it, which wasn't much. "What happened here?" Tam whispered hoarsely.

"Just an accident," Rand explained dismissively, "Semirhage destroyed it."

"Semirhage?" Tam whispered, staring at Rand, "so it's true then? What Perrin said? You really are the Dragon Reborn?"

Rand nodded. Tam sighed and raked his hand through his hair. "Well, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. I always knew you were special, lad."

Rand cleared his throat. "Father, there's someone I'd like you to meet." He motioned for Min to come forward, and she did, smiling lovingly at Rand. "This is my wife, Min Farshaw".

"Your wife?!" Tam exclaimed. For some reason this seemed to shock him far more than finding out that his son was the Dragon Reborn.

Min and Tam greeted one another, and Rand turned and locked eyes with Egwene. She was wearing a slight smile that disturbed him, as though she knew something that he didn't.

"Why don't you all come inside, there's plenty of room. No point standing out in the cold now, is there?" Bran offered in his booming voice.

After Cadsuane had graciously accepted on behalf of everyone and ushered them all inside, Rand drew Egwene aside and asked her what she was doing there. To which she answered in a typically mysterious manner, avoiding his question as smoothly as any Aes Sedai. Before he could demand a better answer, Cadsuane appeared, telling Rand that she was sure he would like to speak to his father some more and immediately drawing Egwene away. Rand gritted his teeth in barely controlled fury. Cadsuane would not control him! He started to follow, but Bashere caught his arm and warned him to leave them. Reluctantly, Rand conceded that he was probably right. He would speak to Egwene later, when Cadsuane was not around to meddle. Repressing a sigh, he strode back over to his father and Min.