I do not own the Wheel of Time, nor any of the main characters. They belong to TOR, and are the product of the genius Robert Jordan. I am simply one who was dissatisfied with the ending given in A Memory of Light, and the lack of questions answered, so I decided to answer some of the burning questions myself.
Thank you kitkitmaria for editing this!
Chapter Seven: Ji'e'toh
Aviendha, Wise One of the Jindo sept of the Taardad Aiel, sat naked in the tent waiting for Monaelle to arrive. She had been instructed to sit next to the brazier, allowing the heat to soak into her to get as warm as possible. Hessalam sat in the corner, like a cat waiting to spring at the slightest motion that Aviendha needed her.
Hessalam's face never ceased to make a knot form in Aviendha's stomach. She had been Graendal once, one of the Forsaken and feared by men, and one of the most beautiful women in the world. Her very name had once been used to scare children into going to bed. Now her face would be a thing of nightmares. Her mind was under such a heavy compulsion, there was nothing left of the woman she had been. The Compulsion had been Hessalam's doing. She had been attempting to place a weave of Compulsion on Aviendha, but it had been reflected back on her when Aviendha had picked apart a nearby gateway. Hessalam had shown no honor; placing weaves of Compulsion on Rhuarc, Sarene,and Sashalle Anderly, and using them against those whom they had loved. Aviendha herself, had killed Compulsion-riddled Rhuarc, and it had and still hurt her deeply to do so. Hessalam truly was da'tsang; she wore black now, and would never be allowed to put it off.
Aviendha had struggled with what to do with Hessalam, even having a meeting with other Wise Ones about it. They had come to the conclusion that Hessalam was to blame for Aviendha's destroyed feet and that Hessalam had brought this upon herself.
She had asked Nynaeve to delve her, to see if the Compulsion could ever be removed. Nynaeve had delved her the day after Rand's body had been burned, and came to the conclusion that if the weave was removed, Hessalam would die; since it was such a thick weave of Compulsion. That only left the problem of what to do with her. The Aiel did not have servants like the wetlanders, and Aviendha felt uncomfortable keeping one of the Forsaken in her service, even if her mind was gone. After months of deliberation, she had finally decided the only thing was to make her da'tsang. It was not something that she had done lightly; naming someone da'tsang was to strip them of all honor, all ji, leaving nothing but toh. It was not something to be done lightly, indeed.
Hessalam added more wood to the fire in the brazier, and sweat was pouring out of every pore in Aviendha's body. It had been over three months since her last menses, and three months since she had last spent a night in Rand's arms. She had to stop thinking of him as Rand; his new name was Pel. One day, if she wasn't careful, she was going to slip up and tell someone that it was Rand's baby; that would be a difficult thing to explain.
Monaelle walked into the tent, quickly closing the flap to not let any heat out. She let her eyes adjust to the darker interior, and made her way over to Aviendha.
"I see you, Aviendha." Monaelle said, sitting next to her.
"I see you, Monaelle." Aviendha said in greeting. It had been months since she had seen the Wise One.
"So, when was the last day of you last menses? " Monaelle asked all business.
"Approximately ninety days ago. It was about three days before I left to visit my first sister in Caemlyn."
Monaelle pulled out a tube, from a bag she had brought, and listened to her heart. She then pulled down Aviendha's eyelids, and checked her eyes. Once that was done, she checked the glands in her throat, having her swallow. Finally she was done with her external exam.
I am going to need you to stand up. Hessalam, come here and hold her up for me." The Wise Ones had no problem ordering Hessalam around. Even though Aviendha knew that Hessalam was under her own web of Compulsion, and wouldn't even think of channeling without an order from Aviendha, she was still uncomfortable being around her. It shamed her to think that a da'tsang could make her feel this way.
She hobbled to a standing position, putting all of her weight on Hessalam's arms; she was unable to walk far or stand for long unaided. It was not something that bothered her; she had gained much ji in the battle that had cost some of her toes. What bothered her was that she still had the former Forsaken with her; the Compulsion had tied Hessalam to her. It had taken an order from Aviendha for Hessalam to even obey an order from another Wise One.
She stood over the brazier, hanging onto Hessalam's arms, letting more heat soak into her abdomen. She watched as Monaelle wove Spirit, Fire, and Earth into Caressing the Child and laid the weave on Aviendha's womb. She watched hungrily as Monaelle wove; she had been unable to touch the Source for a month; that had been her first clue that she might be with child. Elayne had been thrilled to hear that she was expecting. It was not something that Aviendha could keep from her first sister, even though she had no confirmation from Monaelle.
"That is impossible…" Monaelle said, showing surprise for the first time that Aviendha could remember. She was normally so reserved, the perfect Wise One.
"What is wrong, Monaelle?" Aviendha asked, trying to keep panic from her voice.
Monaelle didn't answer; she just kept staring at Aviendha's womb, her hands on her slight bump.
"Monaelle? What is wrong?" Aviendha asked again, this time letting some agitation through.
As if being broken from a trance, Monaelle took her hands off of Aviendha's womb, and sat back.
"I think it would be best if you sat down, Aviendha."
She did so with help from Hessalam, and waited anxiously for what Monaelle had to say.
"I found five heartbeats, Aviendha. One of them was yours, and the other four were the babes. I have never seen this before; the most that I have helped deliver was three babes at once." Her face looked incredulous and perplexed.
"Are they alright?" Aviendha asked, as the recognition of what Monaelle had said. She had remembered having quadruplets, during her second Wise One testing, but hadn't she changed that future? Light preserve and protect her.
"As far as I can tell, they are healthy and strong. I would feel better if Min Farshaw was here, to see if they would be born. I would like to consult with the Aes Sedai in this matter, with your permission. I have never attempted to help a woman labor and deliver four babes. I need to know if it is safe, and what other options we might have to deliver them safely."
"If you think you need the help, Monaelle, I will trust you in this. We will ask the Aes Sedai that still study with us. I am not sure how much help they can be; they do not have many children themselves. Perhaps someone could send for Nynaeve Sedai, and see if she knows of anything." She wasn't sure if the shock had finally hit her. If that part of the vision hadn't changed, how much had they actually been able to avoid. She would have to speak to the other Wise One's about this.
"There is something else that I just cannot explain. I have to clarify something to you first. A babe's brain begins working around six weeks. When I place the weave, Caressing the Child, on a woman, depending on how far along she is, I can sense the brain's function. I can sense all four babe's brains working, but I could swear that I sense a spark in two of them. I'm not very strong in the Power, but I sensed it. It is impossible, I know, but it was there. At least two of your babes will be girls, and they will be able to channel; possibly as soon as they are born!"
She remembered seeing her children's faces. There was Alarch, with his dark hair, who looked more like the body Rand was in now. She could see that now; before, it had seemed odd that she would have a son with dark almost black hair. There was Padra, Janduin, and Marinna as well; their features looking more like the Aiel. She had not thought that they would all be born together. They had all been able to channel as children! She remembered them holding onto Saidar and Saidin all the time; it was never let go. They had grown knowing its embrace. She hadn't thought on the oddity before, but men and women typically did not develop the spark to channel until they hit puberty. Sometimes it was a bit sooner, but never as children or babes!
Monaelle knew what Aviendha had seen in the glass columns of Rhuidean; she had told as many of the Wise Ones as she could, and they had spread the word. They must all know what the future held if they failed to keep the Dragon's Peace.
"I saw them, when I went for my testing a second time to become a Wise One. I saw all four of them." Her voice was barely a whisper.
"We have been successful in changing the future; Bair came back reporting seeing similar things as you, but Amys has been and back, and does not see the same future any longer. We cannot rely that what you saw in the past is relevant any longer."
She placed a comforting hand on Aviendha's shoulder.
"We will do everything that we can to make sure those babies are born healthy. I will not stop until it is done. For now I know it will be hard, but you must take plenty of meals. Those four will take everything they can from you, and more. Double what you eat, if you can. I need you to try and get exercise. I know that it will be painful, but if you are going to carry these four to term, you must be as strong as possible. I'm sure that you can find someone to help you take regular walks."
The thought of walking on her ruined feet made her wince. She would do it, and she would carry these babies to term. These were Rand's babies, what she had wanted since she had first bedded him. She would do whatever it took to protect them.
"Now if you are not feeling up to joining the other Wise Ones, I will understand. I must get going to the meeting, to discuss the clan chiefs' next move. You are still welcome to join us" Monaelle said, standing up and adjusting her brown skirts.
Aviendha motioned for Hessalam to bring her clothing, and waited as the woman dressed her. This meeting was too important for her to miss. The clan chiefs, led by Ronam now, had been debating where the Aiel should go. Their reason for existing had changed thanks to Rand al'Thor. They would no longer exist to fight, to kill one another. They were to bring peace to lands that were in chaos whether the lands in question wanted it or not. The Aiel had embraced their new purpose with zeal, but it left the question of where they would put up residence. Most of the countries had offered up pieces of land for the Aiel to live. No one wanted to offend the Dragon's people, those whom he had made keepers of the Dragon's Peace, but living in the wetlands did not bode well for most of the Aiel. The Three Fold Land was in their blood; it was who they were. Many of the chiefs had talked of going back to their septs and holds, waiting to be called as peacekeepers. That would no longer do for the Aiel. The need for septs and holds as they had been was over.
"No, I will be there. This is too important for me to sit out. You go on, I will be there shortly." She was almost dressed, thanks to Hessalam's help.
"I will save you a seat, Aviendha." And with that, Monaelle left, leaving the flap of the tent open and letting all the heat out and the light in.
It was getting cooler in Cairhien, where the Aiel were now camped across from the Jangai Pass, right next to the River Gaelin. They would need to make a decision soon, on where the Aiel should go and what they should do before summer was over. Aviendha held onto Hessalam's arm, and walked slowly to where the Wise Ones were waiting. They would wait to start the meeting until she got there.
As she slowly walked up to the tent, its flaps open to let in the breeze, Melaine ran out to greet her.
"Congratulations, Aviendha!" she said, wrapping her in a hug. Melaine had been reserved once, but after having her twin girls she had lost much of her severity. It was really no surprise that Monaelle had told the other Wise Ones about her pregnancy. It would take many women to help her raise these four.
"If you are in need of a nursemaid, I will be weaning the twins off their suck soon. I will be sure to maintain it for you, if you wish help."
She hadn't thought of it before, but she would surely need many nursemaids to help give all four babies suck. There was no way she could do it on her own.
"That would be much appreciated, thank you." Aviendha replied, as she let go of Hessalam's arm and took Melaine's. "Sit outside of the tent, and wait for me." She ordered Hessalam as she was led to the tent by Melaine.
As she sat down on a pillow provided for her, she was suddenly accosted by Amys' hug, and many voices joining in at once.
"Congratulations, Aviendha!"
"Do we know the father?"
"Did this happen when you went to your first sister?"
"I am so happy for you!"
Every statement was exclaimed by a different Wise One, at the same time. It was hard to tell who said what.
"I am so happy for you, Aviendha! You will have to tell us all about the man who helped to heal the hole Rand al'Thor left in you." Amys said, speaking into her hair as she hugged her. She knew that she would have to tell them; she owed them all so much, but she could not reveal too much.
She pushed out of the hug, and smiled at Amys, then looked around the room giving each Wise One a smile.
"Thank you all. I will be more than happy to answer questions- later. But for now we need to discuss what the clan chiefs need to do, and before they decide to do it."
"I told you she would be a great Wise One, Bair!" Amys said, pride radiating from her.
"Humph, as if there was any doubt, Amys! Really!" Bair said a look of pride on her face as well.
Amys sat down next to Bair, and began the meeting.
"We all know why we are gathered. The clan chiefs have gathered to lead our people in the way that is right for the Aiel. We are to discuss what the right thing is for the people."
"We cannot let the Aiel scatter again, Amys." Melaine said, and many of the Wise Ones nodded their heads in agreement.
"But what would you suggest, Melaine? It is the way of our people, to live in the Three Fold Land and fight each other for what we need to survive." Monaelle put in.
"We cannot allow the people to continue on as we have," Melaine continued, "We have a new purpose - to keep the Dragon's Peace. How can we expect to gain the respect and trust of countries that we will do what is right, if we continue to fight amongst ourselves?"
"And what is it that you suggest, Melaine?" Amys asked
"I do not know exactly. All I know is that we can't go back to the way things were."
"I think the biggest problem is that we cannot go back to being separate clans; living in the Three Fold Land." Aviendha added, "How can we let the clans all go back to their holds? We agreed to be the peacekeepers - what if more of us are needed than one sept, hold or clan can provide? It could take days to get all the clans together to end a larger conflict."
"So you would have us settle in a land, together, and become a nation?" Bair asked.
"I do not see any way around it. We have to be united, living as one. No longer can we afford to fight each other for what we need to survive. We are to be peacekeepers, not fighters. When we lived as warrior societies, we fought for what we needed to live. We cannot do that anymore; the idea of being Aiel has to change. I propose that we find a place where the Aiel can live together. The Three Fold Land is no longer needed to punish us. It is our destiny; it is home. We cannot be scattered throughout the lands, but must be united; one people fulfilling our ultimate purpose. We are the People of the Dragon."
"And where would you suggest we go, Aviendha? Stay here in the wetlands and continue to grow soft? We would cease to be Aiel; cease to be who we should be, if we continue to allow ourselves to grow soft." Bair said, and there was fierce agreement from the other Wise Ones.
"Rhuidean. We would build the capital of the Aiel there."
The arguing began immediately between the Wise Ones, each one arguing that Rhuidean should not become the capital of the Aiel. They were not a nation, nor a people to be ruled like the wetlanders. A capital meant that they would need a ruler. Septs meant clan chiefs; many people to rule instead of just one. Everyone argued against the proposal, except for Bair and Aviendha. Bair sat there, her hands in her lap, calming studying Aviendha - evaluating her. Aviendha would have been unnerved, but she reminded herself that she was on equal footing with Bair; so she stared back, waiting. The arguing grew quiet, as the other Wise Ones realized what Bair and Aviendha were doing.
"You have great wisdom in you, Aviendha." Bair said, not taking her eyes off of Aviendha's face. "And you are right. We cannot continue on as before. We cannot allow the clans to go their separate ways, but we cannot expect them to remain near a capital, even holy Rhuidean. Not every spear would be needed, if the Aiel were called upon to fulfill their toh to the Car'a'carn. We must leave a guard of Aiel to watch our rear, in case the Sharans decide to come and invade.I suggest that we have a rotation. Every clan and sept will have to provide a turn to watch and be ready, giving the clans that are not on duty a chance to be in their septs; to protect their homes. Rhuidean will be the center of this. The clans will stay in Rhuidean when it is their turn to watch and be ready. If more spears are needed, the dreamwalkers can make sure that the chiefs know to have their spears ready for gateways."
No one would dare to argue with Bair, and all the Wise Ones agreed to the idea.
"But a capital for the Aiel; we will need a clan chief over Rhuidean, if it is to be the center for the Aiel." Amys said.
"Rhuidean will not be a clan or sept or hold, and so will not need a leader in such terms." Bair said, still not taking her eyes off of Aviendha. Aviendha had the distinct impression that Bair was trying to bore into her soul, taking stock and measuring every inch of her at the same time. "What Rhuidean will need is a leader, one who will see to its rebuilding and see that the clans are ready to be used at a moment's notice. One who the Aiel know has our people's best interest at heart, and who they know knew the Car'a'carn and what he wanted for us."
Suddenly it wasn't just Bair looking at Aviendha's face, but every Wise One.
"Me?" Aviendha asked, to stunned to realize what they were asking her.
"Who better?" Amys said, and Bair echoed her.
"We all knew what the Car'a'carn wished, but you were the one that shared his heart. The Aiel know that you only wish to see his wishes fulfilled. "
Aviendha was too stunned to speak. She sat there, as they all agreed that she was the one that would lead Rhuidean, its rebuilding efforts, and most importantly, the Clans that would stay there to wait and watch. She fought to remain calm. She was not ready for this responsibility, was she? She had not been a Wise One for very long, even though the other Wise Ones thought she was ready. Could she do honor to Rand al'Thor, and his wishes? She would have to ask her first sister for advice, if she was going to lead more than a sept. The other Wise Ones had faith that she could do this; it was her duty to her people.
"Now," Bair said, changing the subject, "We have great toh to the Samma N'Sei we sent to spit in Sight Blinder's eye. How can we fulfill that toh?"
