Note: This chapter was written by Ava Jeen al'Lesel Aes Sedai, Blue Sitter at the Wheel of Time RP, on November 17, 2002. Thanks Ava for being an old and fast WoT buddy *g*

With Open Arms and a Glad Heart

The Wheel turned, spinning out the age lace day by day, step by step, rotation by rotation. Invisible hands spun it, invisible hands turned it. But they aren't invisible, Ava told herself as she studied her own hands, because each of us helps to turn that Wheel, and in thus doing so, our hands are the hands that weave the Pattern.

Her mind wandered along the Bond that was shared between herself and Jeral, out to the Training Grounds, where he was vigorously practising the forms in the crisp air. She was glad to have someone to share her Bond with, and at last she felt whole, calm, peaceful. She didn't mind the work she had to do as a Sitter and as Ajah Head, and her stomach pains didn't get any worse—in fact, they had just gotten better. Her eyes were slowly declining, but spectacles perched on her nose helped to fix that. Jeral kept her awake and alive and at peace.

So it was with pleasure that she had made her way down into the depths of the Tower today, to watch as another Accepted traversed the final bridge to Aes Sedai. Even with the population explosion in the Tower, raisings to Aes Sedai were rare enough that everyone wanted to attend. The Hall usually made it out in full force. Madeline, Zhareen, and their younger counterpart, Briar, were all there, as well as Ariana and Deiree. All eyes in the room were fastened upon the youngest woman, the one who was taking her final steps as an Accepted and passing over the threshold to Aes Sedai. All Aes Sedai in the room were remembering back to their time on that floor, with the twenty five women watching them with serene and composed faces. Ava remembered it from different perspectives—as an Accepted, as a Sitter, as one of the Assistant Mistress of Novices, and as the Amyrlin Seat. She decided that she liked her perspective now more than the others.

One by one, Rayel bespoke the Oaths that lay deep into the bones of every man and woman in the room. She shivered as they settled over her, binding her forever.

"At this time," Ariana said, "you have been given time to think upon the Ajah you believe you would most benefit. Which Ajah do you choose, Daughter?"

Rayel's eyes closed briefly, but then opened her eyes wide and said in a clear, strong voice, "I choose the Blue Ajah, in the hopes that they are willing to welcome me, that I may serve amongst them to the utmost of my ability, giving my all."

Pride in her own Ajah swelled within Ava as she moved forward to select the blue-fringed shawl from the table. Solemnly and carefully, she placed it around Rayel's shoulders, lifting her to her feet.

"By the Light, the Blue Ajah accepts and finds her worthy. We welcome Rayel Markhin Aes Sedai to the Blue Ajah. May she serve us long and well." She kissed both of Rayel's cheeks, and then gave her a hug. "Welcome, Sister."