Natti entered the Winespring Inn, looking around. She went back into the kitchen where Marin al'Vere was working dough for the day's bread. "Have you seen Matrim's wife, Tuon, today, Marin? I was just going to check on her." It was a few days after the big party and things had settled back down to normal.

"Matrim came down earlier and got her a breakfast tray. I didn't see her for lunch, though. I think your son went over to Lord Perrin's to see the manor house."

Natti looked at her friend with concern. "Marin, do you think there is something strange going on? Those men with Matrim, they don't really act like friends, but more like soldiers. And Tuon herself... I am sure that girl has never worked a day in her life. She didn't even know how to set a table."

"I have seen some strange things, Natti and I was going to talk to you about it. You know that older man, Captain Musenge?"

Natti nodded, "The one with graying hair? I have seen him around. What about him?"

Marin got cups and poured their tea, and said, "More than a few times I have heard him call Tuon 'Your Highness' and once he called Matrim that, too. He also bowed to her when he thought no one was watching. Very strange. The other men have called your son 'Lord Mat' once in a while, especially the child, Olver."

Natti agreed, nodding. "That's really odd. And where are they really from? Matrim says Altara, but they have these strange accents, that slowed down way of talking. Also they act like they have never been in a village like this before. I think Matrim and Tuon are really married, though, and that must be his baby, the way he is so protective. My son has always been irresponsible and never serious, but not now. He seems very worried about something."

Marin lowered her voice, "Um... I am sure they are married or at least they are intimate with each other. They spend a lot of time in that room of theirs, if you know what I mean. The vows they made at the party were pretty strong words, too.

Natti nodded, "Tuon definitely wasn't shy about shedding her clothes with him in the room when Mistress Reed saw her the other day. A very strange girl. Maybe we could get information from the child, Olver? I saw him just outside."

"Good idea. Let me get this bread baking, then we can find him." She quickly formed some loaves and put them into the oven. After washing her hands, she joined Natti in her search for Olver. They found him in the stable, talking to the boy, Sal.

Natti asked, "Olver, is it? Do you know who I am?"

Olver nodded, "Yes, you're Mistress Cauthon, Lord Mat's mother. I mean, Mat." he corrected quickly.

Natti smiled at him, "Olver, would you come with us for a few minutes, we want to talk to you a little. I think Mistress al'Vere has some pie in the kitchen. Do you like pie?"

Olver smiled broadly, as only he could. "Oh, yes, it is my favorite, especially apple and berry pies!" He eagerly followed the two women into the inn.

Marin did happen to have a berry pie and she gave him a slice at the kitchen table. "So Olver," she said taking a seat at the table, "How long have you been with 'Lord Mat'? Where are your parents?"

"I joined the Band in Cairhien, when Lord Mat rescued me." Olver said, as he dug into his pie. "The Aiel killed my Papa and my Mama died, too. I've been with the Band ever since. I am Lord Mat's messenger. I earn my own way." He said proudly. "I even have my own horse and take care of him myself. His name is Wind."

"What is this Band? Is it an army... or?" Natti asked with interest.

"It's Lord Mat's army, The Band of the Red Hand. The biggest and best army ever! We win all our battles." Olver said proudly as he finished his pie.

"Matrim has his own army?" His mother asked, startled.

Olver looked up. "Umm... I'm sorry... I wasn't supposed to say anything about that. Lord Mat might get mad."

Natti assured Olver, "He won't get mad, Olver, I'm his mother and I just need to know a few things."

Marin added, "We need to know about Tuon, too. Who is she? Where is she from? When did they get married? And why are you all here in Emond's Field? Do you like cookies? I have some with oatmeal and fruit bits."

Natti nodded for Olver to continue. "That is if you know anything. Maybe you weren't even there?"

Olver took one of the cookies. "Oh, I was there, all right." he said, taking a bite. "When the High Lady Tuon said the words in front of everyone. 'Matrim Cauthon is my husband.' She said it three times and it was done. Mat became the Prince of the Ravens, but he won't ever let me say so. If I was the Prince of the Ravens I would tell everybody, and wear a crown, too." He reached for another cookie.

Natti and Marin just looked at each other. They still did not know what any of it meant. Natti finally asked, "Matrim is a Prince? Where was this? In Ebou Dar?"

Olver shook his head, "No, it was after we left, when the Deathwatch Guards found us. They took her back to Ebou Dar."

Natti took a few deep breaths and tried again, "So, Tuon is a 'High Lady'? What is that, Olver? Is she a noble or a queen or...?"

Marin handed him a glass of milk.

"Thanks for the milk. I was gettin' thirsty." Olver took a long drink and then shook his head, "No, she isn't the High Lady any more. When that Forsaken killed her mother, the Empress, Tuon became the new Empress. That's what Lord Talmanes told me, anyhow."

"Empress!" breathed Natti. Then she looked at Olver questioningly. "Empress of what?"

He looked at her and blinked. "Everything. She is Empress of Seanchan and they have everything." He took one more cookie.

Marin and Natti just looked at one another, stunned. Natti came to herself and told Olver, "Thank you. You have been a big help, Olver. We don't have any more questions right now, maybe later."

"All right," he said, taking one last cookie for his friend Sal, and bolting for the door.

The two women sat at the table for a while. Marin said finally, "Do you believe any of his story? It's incredible!" She suddenly remembered her bread and took it from the oven. It was nicely browned, and smelled delicious, as usual.

Natti shook her head, bewildered. "I just don't know and now I am more confused than ever. It all kind of fits, in a very strange way. Matrim has a way of getting into all kinds of trouble, that's for sure. But an army? And an Empress! What was that boy thinking? Well, I will let you know if I find out anything more, Marin."

She smiled and rose. "I should go check on 'Her Highness' and make sure she is all right."

Natti went through the common room and then up the back stairs. At Tuon's door she knocked and asked, "Tuon, are you there?" She heard a muffled reply but couldn't make out what was said. "Are you all right?" She opened the door and entered. Tuon was curled up in a chair with a tight look look to her face. Her breakfast was still untouched on the table beside her.

"Are you all right, Tuon?" Natti repeated. "You don't look too good. Are you having labor pains?"

Tuon grunted, "I don't know about labor pains, but it has my attention. I felt sick earlier and now my stomach feels tight. I have been having some muscle spasms. I think the water broke, too." She indicated some damp cloths on the floor.

Natti unwound the girl from the chair and felt her big belly. "You feel as hard as a rock. You're in labor, Tuon!" She smiled warmly, "This will all be over soon and then you will have your new baby to hold."

Tuon gave her a weak smile.

Natti studied her for a minute, then added, "Tuon you can't stay here by yourself. I would like you to come over to my house where we can help you deliver and then give you a hand with your new baby. Most women need a lot of help at the start, until they feel well enough to care for a baby."

"Thank you," Tuon replied, "I am grateful for your help." She picked up a cup from the tray and drank deeply. She asked "Mother Natti, will you please help me to dress, then I can go with you?" She stood up slowly and went to one of the chests, pulling out a thin silk shift and a deep teal dress.

"You have some beautiful things here, Tuon. This robe is very nice." She helped Tuon out of the embroidered robe and into her shift. Tuon took a few deep breaths and bent over for a minute. When she straightened up, Natti pulled the dress over her head and began to do up the buttons. It was another of the high waisted dresses that mostly concealed Tuon's pregnancy. "Your dresses are lovely, too. Are they from Ebou Dar?

Tuon nodded, "My seamstress is from there. I was not in this shape when I was in Ebou Dar, but she was able to adapt my dresses, as time went by." Tuon sat down on the bed for a minute, holding her stomach.

Natti had a look of concern on her face as she watched Tuon. "Do you think you will be able to make it to my house, Dear? It isn't very far."

"All I can do is can try," Tuon said, She found her shoes and put them on, then stood, took a deep breath and headed for the door.

Natti made sure to take Tuon's arm as they went down the stairs. She saw Marin in the common room, and asked her, "Marin, can you please send for Aby and Matrim? I think we are having a baby. Soon. We are heading to my house."

Marin replied quickly, getting her wrap, "I'll go myself. You said Matrim is at the Manor house? I'm not sure where Aby is, though. I think she was seeing someone in Watch Hill today."

Natti and Tuon slowly made their way up the street. Tuon was making slow progress. Once she had to stop for a minute, holding her stomach and breathing heavily. Natti just put her arm around her and and rubbed her back a little.

One of the Matrim's soldier friends, the tall one with light colored hair, came running over. He had a very concerned look on his face. "Are you all right, Your Highness? Is there anything I can do for you?"

Tuon took a few deep breaths, then she straightened, still holding her stomach. "Yes, Sergeant Symon. I am going to Mistress Cauthon's house, just up the street. I guess my baby is coming. I would be grateful if you could carry me. I don't know if I can make it on my own."

Natti had her confirmation of Tuon's nobility, as the Sergeant bowed deeply and then gently picked up his Empress, cradling her in his arms. Tuon was a light burden that he easily carried to the Cauthon house.

Natti had him wait while she went upstairs and checked Bode's room, making sure it was ready. Bodewhin had gone back to the White Tower, and the room was empty again. Natti fluffed the pillows and pulled down the bed's covers and sheet. Then she pulled back the curtains and opened the window for a little fresh air. All was ready.

Natti went back downstairs and said, "Come on up, this way." She led the way upstairs and the Sergeant followed, gently laying Tuon on the bed. She moaned a little and immediately rolled into a ball.

Natti told Symon, "Thank you, Sergeant. Your Empress will be fine. You are welcome to stay downstairs and wait. Matrim should be here soon."

"Thank you for your kindness, Mistress Cauthon." To Tuon, he leaned over and said, "I will be just downstairs if you need me, Highness. Be strong in the Light."

He left the room and Natti heard him going down the stairs. She sighed and took a seat.

After a couple of minutes, Tuon unrolled from her ball and sat up, taking a deep breath and asked, "Mother Natti, can you help me take off this dress?" She stood up shakily, hanging on to the bed post. "Do you think Matrim will be here soon?"

As Natti undid the buttons, she told Tuon, "Marin al'Vere went to fetch him from Lord Perrin's Manor. He should be here soon. It's not far."

After her dress had been removed and hung on a peg, and her shoes tucked under the bed, Tuon gave Natti a calculating look. Her voice was low and serious "So, you finally figured out who we really are." Her grip on the bedpost tightened, but this time she did not give in to the pains. She sighed. "My men are too well trained to give up a lifetime of habit. Forgive us for trying to deceive you. Matrim and I did not think it would really work, but we had hope. Does anyone else know?" She doubled over and grunted. When she finally straightened, there were a few tears on her cheek, and she panted lightly, catching her breath.

Natti went to Tuon and put her arms gently around the girl. She gave her a warm hug and said encouragingly, "It will be all right, Tuon, if I may still call you that?" Tuon nodded. "Marin and I will keep your secret, for whatever reasons you have."

Tuon returned the hug. "Thank you, Mother Natti," was all she whispered, and held on tightly. They heard boot steps running up the stairs, and Mat burst into the room. He was all out of breath, since he had ran all the way.

"Oh, Tuon!" He panted, "Mistress al'Vere told me you were here. Are you all right? Is it time for the baby?" He looked from his mother to Tuon. She broke off her hug with Natti and fell into Mat's arms. He just held her tightly, and then looked at his mother.

Natti smiled and said, "Yes, Matrim, your baby is finally on his way. We have sent for Aby Reed, but we are not sure where she is. Tuon, is there anything else you need from your room at the inn? I will have Eldrin run over and bring your robe back."

Tuon nodded and said "Maybe a few more of my shifts, and my slippers would be nice. Oh, and some things for the baby." She doubled over again, hanging on to Mat. He didn't know what to do. He gently rubbed her back and whispered to her.

Natti watched them for a minute, then went downstairs. Maybe she had underestimated Tuon and she really was tough, like Matrim had said. To be a ruler at her age she must be very strong, smart and level headed. Well, this would test her, as having babies was not for the faint of heart. She went to find Eldrin to go get Tuon's things.

Upstairs, Tuon had moved to sit on the bed. Mat had taken off his coat and sat down next to her. He still massaged her back, trying to ease whatever pain he could. There really wasn't much he could do, though. Tuon shook her head and said, "Guess what, Matrim? Your mother has figured out who I am." She laughed a little at the look on his face.

"Who else knows?" he asked worriedly. "How did she find out?"

"Just Mistress al'Vere, so far. I think they overhead a few too many 'Your Highnesses'" She took some deep breaths and then closed her eyes. A tightness came over her face, as she concentrated on the pains. When it had passed, she stood up. "I need to walk around some. It's better than just sitting here." She got up and began to pace around the room.

"Is there anything I can do to help you?" Mat asked with concern.

"I don't think there is much you can do." She gave him that hanging judge's look. "You did enough nine months ago!" Then she smiled at the stricken look on his face. "No, I don't mean that at all. It was according to the prophecy, that's all."

Mat thought he needed to explain..."Tuon, I never meant for this to happen. If you remember, it was mostly the Pattern's doing. That's why we are married... not that I don't want to be married," he hurriedly corrected. He smiled lamely, "Also I recall you were a little like a child with a new toy. Tried to wear me out. Did, in fact. On more than one occasion." He grinned, remembering his time in Ebou Dar with her when they were first together. Good memories.

Tuon smiled weakly, "You're right, Matrim, I am as much to blame as anyone. That part was fun, this part, not so much."

Mat put his arm around Tuon and walked the floor alongside her. She slowed again, but did not say anything. After a few minutes, she asked "Matrim, can you distract me? Tell me some of your tales, your stories. It will take my mind off things."

"What stories?" He asked. "I'm not a gleeman."

"Oh, I can think of a few" Her eyes twinkled as she mimicked, "Your Highness, what about the duel with the Aiel King... Did you blow the Horn of Valere, Highness?... That you never lost a battle and were once hung from the Tree of Life for knowledge? What was the other? Oh, and killing a Forsaken and dicing with the Dark One! I won't ask about battling the Snakes and Foxes under Old Hob's hill." She smiled and looked at him with interest.

Now Mat remembered the conference with the commanders back at the Seanchan camp. He smiled and shook his head. "Tuon, my Precious, where do you get those strange ideas?" He thought for a moment. With a grin he answered her... "Yes, yes, yes, yes, no, no, yes. Now you know!"

She just looked at him in amazement, then doubled over again, with a grunt. "I need... to... keep... moving!" He had told her before about the Horn of Valere, being hung, and the trouble with the Snakes and Foxes. But, she still did not really know anything about these other tales, except that most of them were true! Light! Who was she married to?

Mat walked with her a bit more then stopped. He asked her, "Tuon, do you know how to dance?"

"What? Me dance?" She was puzzled "Who would I ever dance with, even if I did know how?"

Mat grinned, "Well, Me. I am the Prince of the Ravens and that is one of my official duties. Dancing with the Empress, that is. Here, let me show you." He took her hand, placed it on his hip, then took her other hand and held it out. They faced each other.

"You move on a count of four, step to the side, then back then side and forward. Try it." He hummed then counted, "One slide, two, three slide, four back." It took a minute then she figured what to do. His hand on her hip guided her around. He sped up his counting a little and they glided around the small room. Soon she was smiling.

"This isn't so hard." She gripped him tighter as a pain started, but it did not seem as bad as before.

She asked. "Can we try another? Maybe a little more complicated?"

Mat taught her another dance step, and they whirled around the room. Tuon was smiling as she danced her first real dance, even though there was no music except for Mat's humming along to a beat. She was able to mostly ignore the pains when they came.

A little while later, Natti entered the room with a tray of tea and some food. She stopped at the door in amazement. "Light, Matrim, what are you doing?" She asked in a surprised voice.

Mat ended his dance with a deep bow. "Mother," he said in his best imitation of a snooty noble, "Allow me to present my wife, Her Highness, Fortuona Athaem Devi Paendrag, Empress of Seanchan, May She Live Forever."

Tuon, looking sweaty and rumpled in her shift did not feel very presentable, especially with milk leaking from her breasts. She slugged him hard in the ribs, and heard a satisfying grunt.

"Mother Natti," she said as she curtsied awkwardly, "I would like to present my Consort, the Prince of the Ravens, General Lord Matrim Cauthon, the esteemed Battle Leader of Shen an Calhar, The Band of the Red Hand. She took Mat's arm and clung tightly as another pain came.

Mat looked at his mother, who had set the tray on a trunk and now sat in a chair, just looking at the two of them. "That is the worst curtsy I have ever seen, Your Highness." She said. "I guess now I know why."

Mat said apologetically, "We're sorry we tried to fool you, Ma. We didn't really tell any lies. Like the Aes Sedai, we just left a few things out."

Tuon nodded, "I really have been traveling with the army. Not Matrim's army, but my own."

Natti shook her head "I wouldn't exactly call that being a camp follower, Tuon."

"And I said I was a soldier, and I am." said Mat, "but mostly I plan, then tell my Generals what to do, and try to avoid any fighting." He gave her a small grin.

Tuon made her way to the bed and sat down. "When your grandchild grows up, Mother Natti, he will be a leader and will rule the world, at least my realm. If he survives and isn't a fool, that is."

Natti just shook her head. "My grandchild, a ruler? An Emperor? That is just incredible. Matrim, how did all this happen? You left with that Aes Sedai, who said she was taking you to Tar Valon for safety. You end up back here with an army and a royal wife. Light, I'll never understand."

"You're right, Ma." he agreed. "Burn me, It's so complicated it would fill ten books just tell the tale. Then you still would not believe most of it. It's just the way the Wheel wills and we never know what will happen next.