Two Years Later
Moiraine holds Egwene Mandragoran against her, humming tunelessly, and when that fails to calm her completely she starts talking. Why didn't she think of it before? Egwene al'Vere would never have stood to be condescended to: Moiraine doesn't know why she thought Egwene's namesake would be any different.
"It's alright, you know," she murmurs to the infant, who does fall silent. "There are guards everywhere, and your mother, and your father too. He isn't bad with a sword."
Egwene lets out a little questioning noise, or so Moiraine assumes. She is learning childcare, but she has never counted it amongst her skillsets.
"Yes, I'm here too. I have you."
Egwene stares up at her, apparently entranced. Moiraine supposes it could be the light glittering off her red kesiera, but she chooses to believe Egwene is listening to her.
"I will always keep you safe," Moiraine tells her, the softest, most sincere promise she may ever make. She glances around, but Lan has fallen asleep sitting up against the headboard and Nynaeve is face first and spread-eagle on the bed, taking up most of the mattress and no doubt all of the pillows. Moiraine smiles at the sight and holds Egwene closer, curling over her as if she can keep the whole world at bay.
She can't, she knows. It wouldn't be good for Egwene or Malkier, just as it wouldn't have been good for the first Egwene, who had only wanted to learn. But she can do this. She holds Nynaeve's daughter – and Lan's daughter, and her daughter too – close.
Moiraine closes her eyes, and she wishes.
Okay so I MEANT to have Elayne show up, I did, but this just seemed like the natural place to end it. Also planned but never actually written: Moiraine/Nynaeve/Lan scene edging into smut. I kind of regret it not existing. MAYBE ONE DAY.
Thank you so much to all my reviewers and kudos-ers. I'm really glad you enjoyed this.