Chapter Three
Aviendha waited impatiently in the room that
had been cleared for traveling. Rand had already arrived and was
at present with Nyneave. She woke up in fits and starts and when
she woke up, she fell back asleep after only a few minutes. In Aviendha's
opinion, that was a good sign.
Aviendha repressed the urge to shudder as she remembered
how Nyneave had looked when she had visited her. Nyneave had deep
circles under her eyes. Her voice was weak and it was an obvious
strain for her to talk. Nyneave could not even sit up by herself.
It was frightening.
Aviendha could tell the others were frightened too.
They had all known Nyneave to be a strong woman. She had a
temper and could be quite fierce at times. But, they had all seen
her tend to people who needed her healing. She was never tiring in
her devotion to those she loved and those that needed her. To see
so strong a woman so weak was a shock. She looked smaller then ever,
little more than a child by Aiel standards.
Strangely enough. The people who seemed the
most upset were Rand and Mat. Rand usually spoke of Nyneave in such
a way that made it nearly impossible to believe that he was more then remotely
close to her. Mat had been the real shock. He became so protective
and concerned for Nyneave that one would think that she was his mother
or sister.
At that moment, Aviendha's thoughts were interrupted
by the flash of light that signified a women Traveling. The woman
was of course, Egewene. As Egewne stepped through, Aviendha saw to
her amazement, Lan Mandragoran. There was something almost frightening
about the look on his face.
They said nothing to each other. Aviendha merely started walking
and they followed. As they worked their way to the room across from
Nyneave's that had become a gathering room. Every one was their,
waiting for some news. Rand had just come out of Nyneave's room.
He was sitting in a chair, crying. Min was at his side not trying
to comfort him, just giving him the reassurance of her presence.
Every one looked up at their entrance, hoping it
was the healer with some good news. When they saw Egewene and Aviendha
they gave half-hearted smiles and went back to their brooding. However,
when a moment later, Lan entered, Elayne and Rand jumped to their feet.
Lan looked at them and waited for them to make the first move.
Rand scowled and his hand went to his missing sword. Elayne was
more direct. She walked right up to Lan. She used a flow of
air to yank his head down level to hers. Then she slapped him.
Hard.
She released the flow of air and Lan's head snapped up.
Elayne then turned and calmly returned to her seat. Mat, Olver, and
Min, being the only people not knowing what was going on blinked and looked
around for some explanation. However, before they could ask what
the slap had been for, the healer came in and announced that if someone
else wanted to see Nyneave, they could. Lan whipped around and started
to leave. However, he stopped just short of the door. He tried
to move forward and stopped.
"Let me see her Elayne." His words were cold
and hard, tired and desperate all at once.
Elayne shook her head. "It is not me. Though it is a good
idea, Rand. I assume since I can not see the weave that it is you?"
"Yes. Lan, I will not let you hurt her again.
She's in enough pain right now. She doesn't need you to add to it."
This of course made since to everyone but Mat, Min and Olver. They
just looked more confused then ever.
Lan had not moved. His stance was identical
to Rand's. They were like to wolves fighting for dominance.
"Why don't you let her decide what she needs and what she does not need."
"She's in no condition to make you leave.
She can't channel and can not even sit up by herself."
"What makes you think she will not want to see me?"
That last sentence was quiet and soft. However, it was the softness
that often comes before drastic action by desperate men.
By now, Egewene was thoroughly disgusted. Just like men to waste
precious moments arguing over something that only Nyneave could decide.
"Oh for the love of the Light. I'll go see
her. I will ask her if she wants to see you, Lan. You will
abide by her decision. Both of you." Both men opened their
mouths to argue with her. "No arguing. Nyneave can decide who
she wants to see. And one of you should really explain what is going
on to Min, Olver, and Mat. They look silly with their mouths hanging
open."
With that, she swept toward the door. As she
passed Lan, she dimly recalled that Rand must have removed the block.
She opened the door to Nyneave's room and softly walked in. Nyneave
was lying in a bed surrounded by white pillows.
She looked so different. Her eyes were closed,
but that couldn't hide the look of weariness in her face. Her cheeks
were taunt. Her eyes were sunken in and they had bags under them.
She was pale and even breathing seemed to be a chore for her.
She opened her eyes when she heard Egewene coming.
She tried to smile, but the smile turned into a grimace of pain.
Egewene rushed to her side. She sat down on the bed, careful not
jar Nyneave.
"I take it - I take it that you heard." Nyneave's
voice was course and weak. Before Egewene could answer her, she started
coughing. When she stopped coughing, Egewene was slightly surprised
to see the tears in her eyes.
"Please do not cry. Every thing will be all
right. I promise."
Nyneave smiled and her mouth to talk. Egewene
placed a finger on her mouth and told her not to talk. For the next
few minutes the two women sat in silence. Comforting each other.
Ten minutes later:
Lan paced the room across the hall. After
everyone had been brought up to date on the current state of his love life,
or lack there of, they had all left. Leaving him to brood over his
mistakes and pray for another chance. He was so lost in his misery
that he almost didn't hear Egewene come in.
"When can I see her?"
Egewene just looked at him and shook her head.
She turned and closed the door. Leaving him alone to mourn his broken heart.
Leaving him alone to cry until no tears would come, and, to curse the day
he had ever met the woman who held his heart in both hands. To curse
the day that he had broken her heart. And to curse the Pattern that
ripped from him every chance of happiness.
So, what do you think?