Scene 2:
[Enter Elayne]
Elayne: O what a laborsome day I have had!
Ten servants could not do what I have done.
Kiss Rand. Question the Black Ajah. Kiss Rand.
Eat the Tairen food. Kiss Rand. Discuss with
Egwene and Nynaeve about Tanchico
And Taim. Kiss Rand. At least I have a man.
Rand al'Thor, Rand al'Thor, wherefore art thou
Rand al'Thor? Deny thy father and refuse thy
Name, for thou art now worthy of mine hand.
E'en if thou didst not rule Tear, I would give
My kingdom to be thy wife. Dragon? Poh!
I have no fear of the Dragon Reborn.
'Tis nothing but a name. What's in a name?
That which we call a rose, by any other name
Would still smell as sweet. So would my sweet Rand.
If only he did not have to destroy
Our fair world. O doff thy name and be mine!
[Enter Nynaeve]
Nynaeve: Greetings. How doest thou, Elayne?
Elayne: O, I
Am a breeze racing through the land trying
To rid myself of a few bothersome
Leaves tangled among my tendrils of hair.
Nynaeve: Hast thou heard the rumors which walk the street?
Elayne: Nay, I have not. Pray, say on.
Nynaeve: Rumor says
That the Daughter-Heir of Andor hath drowned
On the River Erinin, throwing her
Fam'ly into deep distress. Though the Queen
Did marry some Joe. The name slips my mind.
Elayne: Is't true? Dost they all think that I am dead?
Nynaeve: Indeed. Wilt thou go to correct the flaw?
Elayne: To go or not to go, that is the question.
Whether tis nobler to save the life of
My love and journey to the perilous
Tanchico and stop the foul Black Ajah
Or to return to my home and relieve
The pain of my family's suffering.
A letter will not make them believe that
I am alive and well. They must see me.
But I have not the time to go. I wish
I could split into three so I could prove
To my fam'ly that I live, and I could
Save my dear heart's life, and yet stay with him.
But not e'en saidar can grant mine request.
Nynaeve, thou wert to go to Tanchico
With myself. Wouldst thou mind going alone?
I am almost afraid to request it.
Nynaeve: My friend, difficult circumstances call
For difficult choices. I do not think
It would be too hard to journey alone.
[enter Egwene]
Egwene: Elayne, didst thou hear the street rumors that
On the River Erinin thou didst drown?
Elayne: I did, and I know not what I must do.
I do not desire to leave Nynaeve
To Tanchico alone, nor to leave my
Family grieving. What dost thou suggest?
Egwene: Nynaeve, canst thou accomplish it alone?
Nynaeve: I believe I can.
Egwene: Then go to Caemlyn.
Nynaeve can take care of herself and I
Shall take care of Rand with Aviendha.
Elayne: O I do thank thee, Egwene from the depths
Of mine heart. Ay, there is much to do and
Little time. Come. The pattern waits for none.
[exeunt all]