Lan knew there was something wrong as soon as he woke up. It was light outside- very light outside.
On one of her good days, he woke up well before dawn. On a bad day, he may as well have not bothered trying to sleep at all.
Lan was used to being woken up by Moiraine. She wasn't noisy or anything like that, it was just that her mind was very active in the mornings.
Extremely active.
He could feel her energy through the bond. The constant whirling between thoughts, as she turned ideas over and over in her mind, always pulled him roughly out of sleep. In those first few months, he had hated that Moiraine was a morning person but now he was used to it. He no longer tried to convince her to drink sleeping teas, in the hopes her sleep would improve or that she would sleep for longer.
He had just become a caffeine addict instead and hoped and prayed every day for one of those rare nights when Moiraine would sleep a full eight hours.
Those nights had become extremely rare recently. They were near Cairhien, which meant that Moiraine had basically become an insomniac, and in addition, she had made a breakthrough with the Dragon Reborn prophecies, which meant that she often didn't go to bed until the early hours of the morning- if at all some nights.
Her eating had been pretty bad too. She had always been a bit picky and rarely finished a whole meal. But since they had started travelling towards Cairhien, Lan had noticed that she would always order the same food as him and she would always wait for him to eat first. Then, she would be filled with an immense amount of guilt, which made her completely lose her appetite.
He had to encourage her to eat. Telling her it wasn't her fault for being afraid, that he understood, that it was his job as a warder to keep her safe and that it made sense for him to test the food because she could heal him if it all went wrong… Sometimes he got through to her but she was so used to eating so little that anything more than a few bites would make her throw up.
He had noticed that she'd lost a fair amount of weight and she seemed to always be yawning. He had caught her drifting off when they were riding their horses and had to stop her falling off a good few times.
Being near Cairhien was destroying his Aes Sedai and he had developed a plan. He wasn't going to let her get any worse.
Cairhien was near Tar Valon. He knew that Moiraine hated staying in the tower. She had fled pretty much as soon as she became an Aes Sedai and had only returned a few times- mostly to pick up clothes and books or to visit Alanna or Siuan.
He remembered the first time they'd travelled to Tar Valon, he remembered the lashes Moiraine was given for running away. He remembered holding her as she cried from the pain. It was the first time she'd spoken to him about her family and about her fears. She had been terrified of being made a queen and he understood what it felt like to have everyone trying to decide what your future should be.
Moiraine hated staying in the tower but she loved the city itself. Her Damodred inheritance had given her enough money to buy an apartment, right next to her favourite teahouse and a short walk away from the city's largest bookstore.
Moiraine needed to rest and get better. She needed a break and a week or two at the apartment would be ideal. Yes, she would need to visit the tower, there was no way they could just hide away, but he had made plans for once the pleasantries were out of the way.
He had made sure that Siuan was in on those plans too. Once he had informed Siuan of just how bad Moiraine was, she had agreed immediately. They would make sure that the Amyrlin Seat would be able to "assign" Moiraine a special task which kept her away from the tower for the two weeks they planned for her to stay in Tar Valon.
Lan had planned to tell Moiraine about their change of plans that morning but when he woke up several hours after dawn he knew something was very wrong.
He got up immediately, walking over to Moiraine's bed. His Aes Sedai was still wrapped up in her blankets and fast asleep. She frowned in her sleep, as if she was trying to work out the solution to a problem. Of course Moiraine's mind would be just as active in her sleep as in her waking life, Lan thought.
He watched Moiraine for a few moments, checking to see that her breathing was normal and even, which thankfully it was- if a bit stuffy. But he was beginning to feel extremely warm, even though he felt otherwise fine.
A fever. She was running a fever. Lan but a hand on Moiraine's forehead. She was on fire.
"Oh, Moiraine," Lan said, before taking a seat on the edge of her bed, and quieting his mind so that he could explore their bond. He couldn't feel any injuries, so she wasn't dealing with an infected wound. Lan had been watching Moiraine closely at all times over the past few days- when she was tired or undernourished, she became extremely clumsy- and he hadn't noticed any pain or injuries but it never hurt to double check.
No, she wasn't hurt. Which meant she was likely ill.
Oh, no, Lan thought. He was going to be in for hell…
"Moiraine," Lan said, gently shaking her shoulder. He needed to get her to drink something.
His Aes Sedai fidgeted, wincing and groaning as she began to wake up. It was hard for her to open her eyes and she blinked several times before being able to focus them and noticing Lan.
"Good morning," Lan said.
"G' mo'nin'," Moiraine mumbled before coughing. She winced and rubbed her eyes, "Too b'ight."
Lan got up and adjusted the curtains before returning to his Aes Sedai, "Better?"
Moiraine nodded before wincing due to the motion, "Ow."
Lan sighed, "I think you're sick, Moiraine."
Moiraine shook her head, " I don' ge' sick."
"Everyone gets sick," Lan replied.
"No' me" Moiraine argued.
Lan rolled his eyes. According to Moiraine, she'd never once had a cold, cough, stomach bug or the flu in her life. Yet in the three years since she'd bonded him, he knew that she'd experienced all of those things several times. He wondered how she was able to get that lie past the three oaths…
"You need to see a healer," Lan said, "You need medicine."
Moiraine shook her head furiously, then winced. The pain shot through the bond and Lan felt a sharp pain in his head too.
"No," Lan replied, "I am insisting that you see one."
" I' be fine," Moiraine tried to argue, "Please no 'ealer."
Lan sighed, "Moiraine, you probably have the flu but I want a healer to check to make sure it isn't anything else."
"Don' ge' flu," Moiraine stated adamantly, before trying to sit up.
Lan put a firm hand on her shoulder, "Yes, you do get the flu. You've had the flu twice in the past year. You need to rest. And drink some water."
"No, no," Moiraine said, trying to fight against him but she couldn't fight against him on a good day and right now she was so tired, feverish and uncoordinated that she couldn't put up any resistance.
Moiraine gave up with a heavy sigh and a couple of coughs. She looked so miserable.
"Here," Lan said, trying to pass a cup of water to Moiraine but he gave up when he realised she lacked the strength to hold it. Instead he carefully put a hand behind her head and tried to get her to drink a few sips of water.
"No," Moiraine said, turning her head from side to side, trying to get the cup away from her face.
"Come on, Moiraine," Lan replied, "Stop being stubborn, it's just water."
"Water bad," Moiraine replied.
"I drank some of it earlier," Lan answered, "It's not poisoned."
"Water bad," Moiraine repeated, "If pois'n'd, bad fo' you."
Lan sighed, "I already told you, it's not poisoned, Moiraine. Now stop being difficult and just drink the damn water. You have the flu, you need fluids."
Moiraine shook her head, tears glistening in her eyes, "You don' under'and, I don' 'ave flu. Pois'n'd."
Lan frowned, "Wait? You think you're poisoned. How? We eat the same food, drink the same drinks. I haven't left your side since we got here…"
Moiraine shrugged her shoulders then coughed a little, "Always feel 'is way w'en pois'n'd."
I don't get sick, Lan. I've never been ill a day in my life. People in my family don't get illnesses.
Lan's eyes grew wide with understanding. Now he understood how she could "lie" despite the three oaths…
Oh, Moiraine. She had thought that every time she'd been ill that she had been poisoned. She was so nonchalant about it too. As if it were a regular occurrence…
"We don' 'ave charcoal," Moiraine continued, "So bes' sleep it off."
Lan tried to keep his voice steady, "Moiraine, if you think you are poisoned, I need to summon a healer immediately. If it's poison, you could get really ill."
Moiraine sighed, "Fine. Bu' you worry too much, Lan. I gon' through thi' so many time' before 'lone."
Lan winced, before taking her hand in his and squeezing it gently, "Yes, but you don't have to go through this alone anymore."
He finished writing his letter quickly, giving it to the young lad who had brought the healer to him.
"Tar Valon," Lan said, "For the Amyrlin Seat's attention only."
The lad nodded before jumping back onto his horse and riding off fast into the distance.
The healer was a member of the Yellow Ajah. Not much older than Moiraine. She had a sweet, calming demeanour about her. Not Aes Sedai calm- something sincere. Something which pre-dated her education. Lan felt hopeful that Moiraine wouldn't object to her help. Moiraine thought highly of the Yellow Ajah and to the best of his knowledge had no enemies amongst her yellow sisters.
Lan led the way through the inn, walking up the creaky wooden stairs and opening the door to the second room on the left.
He walked over to the bed where Moiraine lay fast asleep and gently shook her shoulder, earning a tired groan and a coughing fit. Moiraine's eyes didn't open but he could feel through the bond that she was awake.
"Moiraine, the healer is here."
Moiraine nodded, then winced, unable to speak.
The healer put down her bags on the end of the bed, "Moiraine Sedai. I'm Ryma Sedai, of the Yellow Ajah."
"G'd to mee' you 'gain," Moiraine mumbled before coughing.
"Don't try to speak," Ryma replied, before turning to Lan, "How long has she been like this?"
"Since this morning," Lan answered, "Her fever started this morning."
"Any other symptoms?" Ryma asked.
"Headache, cough, she sounds stuffy, she's exhausted," Lan replied, "She feels achy."
"Has she been eating and sleeping well?" Ryma asked.
Lan sighed, "She's been a bit off colour for a few days. Moiraine gets very into her work."
Ryma smiled in understanding, "It's the flu. She needs to rest and drink plenty of fluids. It would be best if she avoids work for a few days."
"No," Moiraine protested, "I don' ge' the flu."
Ryma frowned, "Your symptoms are typical flu symptoms, Moiraine."
"Moiraine thinks she might have been poisoned," Lan explained carefully. He didn't want to let Ryma know anything more than was necessary.
"There's no poison which could cause these symptoms," Ryma replied, "This is the flu."
Moiraine frowned, "I don' under'tand. I ne'er ge' 'ick."
Ryma smiled, "Everyone gets sick from time to time, especially if they are working too much and not eating or sleeping enough. It's normal."
Moiraine nodded slowly, trying to process the information she'd just received, but Lan could feel through the bond that she was immensely confused.
"Lan Gaidin," Ryma said as she began to pack away her things, "Please ensure she rests and drinks enough water. When she's well enough, please try to get her to eat something. She's very thin."
Lan nodded, "I will do, Ryma Sedai. Thank you."
Lan showed Ryma to the door.
"If she gets any worse," Ryma said, "Please ask for me again, I'll be in town for another week."
Lan smiled, "Thank you. I think she should be fine."
Ryma smiled before making her way down the stairs.
" 'm no' pois'n'd?" Moiraine asked in a voice barely above a whisper.
"No," Lan replied, making his way back over to her bed, "No, you get sick like everyone else, Moiraine. It's normal, very normal. You'll be better in a few days."
"F'w days?" Moiraine asked and Lan could feel panic through the bond. Moiraine was worrying about her work...
"Your work can wait for a few days," Lan said firmly, before picking up the cup of water again, "Now drink your water and get some sleep."
Lan supported her head and she gulped down the water. He couldn't remember whether she had drunk anything before bed last night but he doubted it.
"Will you stay wi' me?" Moiraine asked in a small voice.
Lan kicked off his boots before sitting next to Moiraine and pulling her into his arms, wrapping the blankets tightly around her small body, "Of course I will."
"You' a goo' ward'r you 'no'?" Moiraine mumbled. She was beginning to fall asleep again.
Lan laughed, "Thanks, Moiraine."
"You' welcome."
It wasn't difficult to find the right tavern and the right room. Moiraine was still extremely predictable when it came to choosing accommodation and their yearly thousand crowns had been delivered to them less than a month ago, which in addition to Moiraine's income from her many inherited estates, meant she could afford to be lavish.
The tavern was extremely clean. The benches were decorated with bowls full of fruit and flowers. There were soft candles dotted around the room. The clientele was civilised and extremely well dressed. They were graceful and talked in calm, polite tones rather than the bawdy and loud tones found in most taverns. The menu was very upper-class, with plenty of venison and caviar.
The landlady had welcomed Siuan warmly, although she had given the woman's woollen dress a pitying look. Siuan would never understand the nobility and their obsession with impractical clothing. She had visited Moiraine several times over the past few years and every time she had been wearing silk and complaining about the cold, yet still she refused to wear anything more suitable for the climate.
The landlady had served Siuan a glass of champagne upon arrival and informed her that Lady Damodred would cover the costs for her stay. Siuan smiled and thanked the landlady as she led her up the stairs to her friend's room. She would be having words with "Lady Damodred"…
The landlady knocked softly on the door and a second later, Lan appeared.
"Master Lan," the landlady said, before stepping to side, "Your visitor has arrived."
"Lan!" Siuan said joyfully, "Good to see you."
Lan gave her a small smile, "Good to see you too, Siuan."
The landlady nodded before departing back down the stairs.
Siuan walked into Moiraine and Lan's room. It was by far the biggest in the tavern. There were two large four poster beds with silk draped from the top of them. A large window spanned almost the entirety of one wall and overlooked the perfectly manicured gardens and fountains outside. There was small desk, that had been covered in so many books and pieces of parchment, packed in like sardines, that Siuan couldn't tell the colour of it. Two armchairs were placed next to a small coffee table and on it was placed a silver teapot, fine chinaware, a bowl of fruit and an embroidered box containing pungent smelling tea leaves. There was large armoire situated between the two beds with an ornate dressing table and long, bronze mirror next to it. On the table were yet more books and an assortment of what looked like perfumes, makeup bottles and various lotions.
Everything was so lavish and Siuan felt swamped by the opulence. As novices, Moiraine had quickly agreed that they would share everything, that what she had belonged to both of them and Siuan had agreed to the same too, that what she owned would belong to Moiraine as well. In reality, it had mostly been Moiraine sharing everything with Siuan, although she had tried to teach Moiraine how to fish once, when she was visiting her in Tear a year ago and had gifted her one of her handmade nets. Moiraine couldn't even catch a fry, let alone a full meal, but Siuan still had hope for Lan, he had managed to net a grass carp, granted only for a minute before dropping it back into the water and getting drenched in half the stream in the process…
Moiraine spent money like it was going out of fashion and thought nothing about gifting items. When Siuan had been raised to the Amyrlin Seat six months ago, she had expected Moiraine to want to congratulate the occasion. Whilst she had been pleased to see her friend at the celebrations, she had been significantly less pleased to find that the decorations in her new rooms had been entirely funded by the Damodred estates! Fish guts! So much for the Amyrlin Seat remaining neutral!
Yet, although she was loath to admit it, Siuan had grown to love her new rooms. Moiraine and her hadn't spent a night apart from the time they were accepted until the time they were raised to the shawl. Now, they only got to see each other for brief moments every few months. Moiraine's contributions to her rooms' décor made her feel like the woman was still with her, at least in spirit.
Now, they finally could be together again. Although this had been far from the way she had intended for them greet each other. Lan had written to her two weeks before her arrival in Cairhien, expressing his concerns. Moiraine hadn't been sleeping, eating or well, doing much apart from working. Her weight had dropped significantly because she was paranoid about being poisoned, she rarely ventured outside and when not reading or writing, she would often stare off into space for half an hour at a time, completely out of it. Some days Lan had had to even help her get dressed because she was so out of it that if he hadn't helped her she would have just stood there zoned out for hours…
Of course, Siuan had started her reply by calling Lan an idiot… He knew full well about the situation with Moiraine's family. What in light's name had he been thinking allowing her to go off to Cairhien? Siuan had already told Moiraine that she would send her eyes and ears to track down any potential dragon reborns in the region, which would allow Moiraine to avoid her treacherous family and any nefarious plans they had set out for her homecoming. She had no reason to be here!
But then again, Siuan thought, Moiraine was notorious for her masochistic martyrdom. Siuan had thought she'd let her off the hook when it came to chasing baby dragons in Cairhien, but Cairhein seemed to reel in Moiraine despite her best attempts to not take the bait.
Now she was green around the gills it seemed and Siuan wished she could have been surprised.
"How is she?" Siuan asked, "Has she been resting? Eating?"
Lan nodded but with a heavy sigh, "I have been able to get her to rest and eat a little, with a great deal of encouragement. She said she wanted to look presentable for you, she should be ready in a few minutes…"
Siuan walked towards a door next to Moiraine's bed, yanking it open. It seemed that her poor warder was as dumb as a sunfish at times…
"Moiraine!"
Moiraine jumped, upending an inkpot over her light blue nightgown. She looked up at Siuan and Lan with an immensely guilty look, a stack of parchment in one hand and a thick tome in the other.
"I…" Moiraine began in a raspy and slightly stuffy voice, "I was just finishing the chapter, Lan. I was only going to be a few minutes."
Lan sighed heavily, "The healer said no work. What part of no work do you not understand?"
"It's just reading," Moiraine tried to argue.
And overanalysing, losing sleep, pacing restlessly and shrieking when the eureka moment finally arrives at three in the morning, Siuan added silently.
"Moiraine, out here, now," Siuan commanded. She hated having to use her "Mother" voice with Moiraine but she could see from the dark shadows under the woman's eyes and the way she wobbled as she walked out of the bathroom that it had been necessary.
"Get back in bed," Siuan continued, watching Moiraine unblinkingly as she sat down on the bed, reluctantly placing her book and notes on her bedside table. Moiraine tried to start a weave to remove the inkstains from her nightgown but her hands were too shaky.
"Here," Siuan said, using the One Power to fix her friend's clothes, before pulling the blankets up around Moiraine and giving her friend a look which stated that if she dared to get up there would be trouble.
"Hello, Siuan," Moiriane smiled, a little sheepishly.
Siuan sighed, "Moiraine, you carp-brained fool! Are you trying to make yourself sicker than you already are? I don't need to be bonded to you to feel how tired and shaky you are. What on earth were you thinking?"
Moiraine stared at her ink-stained hands, "I was bored. Resting is boring."
"Moiraine," Lan began, "We've already had this discussion. You are meant to use this as an opportunity to sleep."
"I slept six hours last night," Moiraine admitted.
Fish guts! The woman sounded actually proud of accomplishing that.
"And when was the last time you ate?" Siuan asked, "And no, before you ask, plain tea doesn't count."
Moiraine paused. It was clear she was giving it some thought.
"Yesterday," Lan replied, "A few spoons of porridge with honey… and much difficulty."
Siuan sighed, "Moiraine, why can't you just let Lan take care of you for once?"
Moiraine stared at her hands sadly and Siuan could tell she was about to go into one of her dissociated states. She sat down next to her on the bed, taking her hands in hers, which helped Moiraine ground herself.
"I'm not good at letting people take care of me," Moiraine answered, "You know that."
Siuan nodded, she knew it only too well. Even as a novice, Moiraine had been prone to using work as a form of escapism and when her sleepless nights finally caught up with her, she had reluctantly drug herself to Siuan's room, mumbling and stumbling her way through a request for help and comfort… Moiraine knew full well that she could trust Siuan to take care of her but that didn't stop her sounding like a fish in a catch about to be sold at market every time she came to her room.
"Well, let us try," Lan begged, "We're worried about you."
"I know," Moiraine said, with a heavy sigh, and let out a few weak coughs, "I can feel your worry."
Lan looked apologetic.
"I keep telling you though," Moiraine continued in a matter-of-fact tone, "I don't think it is the flu. I'm pretty sure it was just a weak poison that was working its way through me. I feel fine now."
Siuan looked at the wraith-like woman sat in front of her, anger and worry building inside her, the damned woman!
"Your warder and I have a very different definition of the word fine. Moiraine, you look like a reanimated catfish corpse that's been gutted, salted and left to dry in the midday sun! You look like death warmed up. Fish guts! And have you even heard yourself speak? Oh, it's just a poison, like that's no big deal…"
"Well, it isn't," Moiraine interrupted, "I've first-hand experience with most common poisons and I have been able to tolerate most of them well. I don't see any reason for you and Lan to fuss about me."
"You still feel like you're on fire," Lan commented, "And you fell asleep in the bath yesterday."
"It's not like falling asleep in the bath is that unusual for me, Lan," Moiraine began, "It's hardly the harbinger of doom that you are making it out to be."
"You could have drown," Siuan said, "If Lan hadn't been there…"
"I would have been fine," Moiraine answered, "I would have woken up once my head hit the water. I never stay unconscious once submerged…"
Siuan shuddered wondering how her friend had figured that one out.
"You need to let us take care of you," Lan said with a heavy, tired tone. Fish guts, he had the patience of a saint.
"Yes, Moiraine," Siuan agreed, "You have to let us look after you now."
Moiraine sighed sleepily, "Fine. But Lan, I have one request."
"Yes, my Aes Sedai?" Lan asked.
"Don't ever read my romance novels to me again, under any circumstances. Your voice doesn't lend itself well to passionate romance."
Siuan had to suppress a giggle.
"Noted," Lan replied, "Now will you eat some soup if I order some?"
"Only if you promise to not waterboard me with it," Moiraine answered glumly, "I am perfectly capable of feeding myself, gaidin."
Siuan raised an eyebrow.
"I am perfectly capable of using a spoon," Moiraine clarified.
"Fine," Lan said, "I'll go get the soup. Siuan, please keep her in bed until I get back."
"Oh, don't worry," Siuan said, "I'll weld the blanket to her flipping bed with the One Power is she so much as dares to move an inch."
Moiraine sighed as Lan left the room, "All this fuss over a little poisoning."
Siuan winced, "Lan said it was the flu, not poison."
Moiraine sighed, "He isn't listening to me. I keep telling him the healer must be wrong. Damodreds don't get normal illnesses. My father was remarkably well until he was assassinated. He was poisoned a few times during my childhood but always bounced back quickly. My symptoms are typical poisoning symptoms- stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, headaches, fever- nothing out of the ordinary. I dealt with this all the time, even as a novice, you remember? Even the Aes Sedai couldn't protect me from the poisons, but that's understandable…There's only so much an Aes Sedai can do…"
"Moiraine," Siaun answered, "I've never heard such codswallop in my life! Everyone can get the flu, even princesses, even Damodreds. Even you."
"I don't have the flu," Moiraine argued, "I'd know if I had the flu. I know the healer said she didn't know of any poison that could cause these symptoms but new poisons are being invented all of the time."
"Moiraine, you have the flu," Siuan answered, trying to keep an even keel, "You want to know how I know?"
"How?" Moiraine asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Because I experienced the exact same symptoms as you less than a week ago," Siuan said, "And I don't have your glorious Damodred blood which protects me from lowly peasant ailments like the flu and the common cold. And I have a poison taster now, who would likely also have gotten sick had it been a poison. Yet he has been fine."
Moiraine gave Siuan a puzzled look, "I don't understand. I'm in Cairhien. It doesn't make sense, surely someone must be trying to poison me now?"
"Does Lan eat the same food as you?" Siuan asked, "He doesn't look sick, does he?
Moiraine stared at her hands with a shameful look in her eyes, "No, he hasn't been sick. I let him eat the food first. I know it makes sense. I can heal him if it is poisoned but I feel so bad about it. It's Lan… he's my friend… I don't like using him like a poison taster. Even if he insists he is fine with it."
"Is that why you've been avoiding food?" Siuan asked, "Because you don't like the risk?"
Moiraine nodded, "And the guilt."
"Oh, Moiraine," Siuan said, pulling Moiraine into her arms, rubbing her back, "Why didn't you just come to Tar Valon if it was getting too much here? I already told you I'd send people to search for potential dragons here."
"You know I don't like being in the tower," Moiraine said.
"I could have found work for you to do in the city," Siuan said, "I could have come up with some excuse to keep you away from the other Aes Sedai."
Moiraine smiled, "Why do I sense that you and Lan have been plotting behind my back?"
Fish guts! How did Moiraine just figure out things so easily? How did her mind work like that?
Siuan smiled guilty, "Don't be mad. We only want you to be happy."
Moiraine sighed, "I was going to visit you after finishing my work here. I don't want to risk leaving it to the others. We can't risk losing a single dragon, Siuan. The fate of the world rests on my shoulders and I won't leave it all up to chance, I can't. I have to make sacrifices, even if I'm tired, hungry, sick…"
"Ok, ok," Siuan said, "I understand your point, you can retract your spikes my little pufferfish."
"Pufferfish?" Moiraine asked, with a quizzical look.
Siuan smiled, "Yes, you're my little pufferfish."
Moiraine laughed, "I've been called worse, I guess I could get used to that nickname."
Siuan laughed, "Good. Because I intend to use it a lot. Now rest, or I'll tell Lan to throw you in a lake again."
It had been a good few hours since their lunch and Moiraine was fast asleep, curled up between Lan and Siuan. Her breathing was better, and her fever had broken. She was coughing a lot less and Lan could feel that her joints didn't hurt as much. He would still need to keep her away from work for a few more days to ensure she didn't relapse, but it appeared his Aes Sedai was on the mend.
"We ride for Tar Valon in two days," Siuan said, "She needs to come back home."
Lan nodded, stroking Moiraine's hair, "Yes, she needs a break from all the running around. I know she loves her work but it makes her ill so often."
Siuan nodded sadly, "I feared it was making her sick. Moiraine has never been one to do things by half-measures. We have to look out for her, Lan. She won't do it for herself."
Lan smiled sadly, "I know. I try to get her to help herself. I've set some basic rules- no books at the dinner table, stopping for dinner every night when on the road, no using the One Power to give me energy unless I'm injured, drinking one cup of water at least every four hours. Basic stuff but it's hard for her…"
"It's early days," Siuan said, "You'll figure it out."
Lan smiled, "I hope so."
"I know you will," Siuan replied, "She's lucky to have you."
"And you as well," Lan added.
Siuan smiled, looking lovingly at her sleeping friend, her dark hair sprawled across the pillows, her forehead creased slightly as if she was still working on the prophecies whilst asleep, which in all likelihood, she probably was. Moiraine gave them no end of trouble, but they loved her regardless.
"Go on, Lan," Siuan said, "Get some rest, I can tell you haven't slept well in days. I'll look after our little pufferfish."
"Pufferfish?" Lan said with a grin, trying and failing to suppress a laugh.
Soon Lan and Siuan erupted into fits of giggles.
"You know I heard every word of your conversation," Moiraine said, trying not to laugh as well, "If you ever call me a pufferfish in public, Lan, I'll find the biggest, scariest wasps and…"
Moiraine was unable to finish her threat, her resolve breaking, she collapsed into a fit of giggles too.
What a team they made? Moiraine thought. A warder who considered waterboarding a love language, a runaway nearly queen and an Amyrlin Seat who cussed worse than a fishwife.
But they were her family, and she was their little pufferfish.
And that was all that mattered to her.
