The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legends fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again. In one Age, called the Fourth Age by some, an Age yet to come, an Age long past, a wind rose in the Mountains of Mist. The wind was not the beginning. There are neither beginnings nor endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning.
Born below the ever cloud-capped peaks that gave the mountains their name, the wind blew east, swept past the city Baerlon, and annoyed an old man standing in front of a window in the city once called Shadar Logoth. Three hundred years and more after the city was destroyed, it was rebuilt. The new city, however, had no resemblance to the old, for it was a magnificent sight, even in the stormy weather. Snow made the hills around the city glow, even in dim light, and the cold was almost unbearable for the inhabitants of this special city. Now it was called Dragon's Den. It was here the Last Battle, Tarmon Gai'don, had taken place, and it was rebuilt in loving memory of the Dragon Reborn who everyone knew had shattered the Dark One's power once and for all. That was what everyone thought, outside this house.
"The weather is certainly not getting any better", grumbled the old man, not really expecting an answer from his companion who also resided in this particulary building. The long white hair and beard made it clear this man had seen many sunsets. The wrinkles at the corners of his mouth showed he had enjoyed many of them. But now, when looking out of the frosty window with his dark eyes, his lips did not bear a smile. The frown in his forehead added to his now grim expression. He did not enjoy this new wind that, with much certainty, would put more snow to the ground. He could change that, he could make it summer in a heartbeat, but he wouldn't, because of reasons not many were aware of. For now, at least, he was happy by pointing out the status of the weather to his friend - who definitely was already aware of it, since he had seen to it's happening.
The old man turned away from the scenery outside to glance around in the very room where he spent most of his wake hours. There was not much furniture, then again, that was not needed. The walls were covered with paintings by the other man's granddaughter, who loved to draw but was not, yet, very talented. In the middle of the room stood two leather armchairs and in between, a sturdy oak table. At the table a game of chess was in progress, and it seemed as though the white's had the upper hand at the moment. In the one armchair that had not been repaired the last week, another man rested his body. What once had been a reddish short whirl of curls, was now long, and very white hair. His former beardless cheeks now bore a white mass of hair that added to his grand appearance. But there was not a wrinkle on his skin, even old as he had become. He was dressed in a long simple green robe, and his lips bore a smile, as charming as always. His grey eyes, usually stern and hard, now glittered with amusement.
"There, there, old friend. Stop bothering the window with your useless complaints, and come back to me and finish this game."
The old man still standing nodded, and limped back to the armchair. He sank down in it with a sigh and made a little smile for his friend. "We both know you'll win - you always do - so why do you keep on insisting we play, day in and day out?" he asked.
The other man barked a laugh, but started coughing instead. When he could breath normally again, he showed his teeth in something that could be mistaken for a smile. "You know I like to gloat, Alfred."
Alfred was not his real name, Alfred was something they had both agreed on calling him. No, the old man's real name was Shai'tan, for this seemingly harmless figure had more power than most could imagine. He was the Dark One, Lord of the Grave, Father of Lies, Ruler of the Blight.. and the worst chess player in all history.
Alfred smiled at his best friend. The friend also possessed a name that was known to the most of the world. His name was Rand al'Thor, titled the Dragon Reborn, the Cooramor, He Who Comes With the Dawn, once King of Illian, and a numerous of other, lesser, not so significant names.
In this very simple and not very warm room, sat the mightiest men in the world and played chess.
Alfred did not have the time to come up with a reply, for the door sprung open, and a ten-year-old girl bursted through the opening. "Grandpa, Grandpa! Grandma says I cannot go and play in the snow, but you will let me, won't you?" Her innocent features shone with excitement, and her sparkling smile was not seldom reflected on her surrounding's lips. Rand was indeed her grandfather, and he usually let her do whatever she wanted. Some said he spoiled the lass, he himself thought he did the best he could to raise her in a mature fashion. Letting her do whatever she felt like would let her make her own mistakes and grow up under the influence of no one but herself. Rand smiled warmly at this young relative, but also he was interrupted in giving an answer. An old woman came rushing through the same door after the girl. The woman was no less than Rand's wife, the Lady Elayne Trakand, once Queen of Andor and Cairhien. In Rand's eyes, she was just as beautiful as the day they met, centuries ago. In some manner, her hair had resisted to turn white or gray, and had the same colour it always had had. The long silk cream coloured dress she wore enhanced the golden hue of her hair. It shone, even indoors. Her eyes was as blue as they always had been, an amazing blue color Rand never had seen before he met her. Her skin had refused to wrinkle since she was Aes Sedai, and no one could guess her age. Her fair features now bore stern looks that made her no less attractive in Rand's eyes. She ignored the two men, and turned to the girl she was chasing. "Don't bother your grandfather with this, young girl. I have told you no, and no it shall be."
Rand raised himself from his armchair and put a comforting arm around his wife's shoulders. "Elayne, let her play. I see no harm in it, if she dresses warm, and doesn't stays out too long." His lips wore his most persuasive smile, and even though Elayne always had been head-strong, Rand was very talented in changing her mind. He was assured he could make her look at things his way every time, and most of the times she gave in to him, not because she couldn't resist him, but because she loved him. Of course, she never told him that.
"I don't like it, Rand." She frowned, and the young girl's smile disappeared. The frown usually meant she was going to stick with her decision, and not let Rand persuade her. "It is very cold and the wind promises a new storm coming up soon. I don't want her trapped outside somewhere."
"Oh, please, Grandma. I will not be long, I promise! I have not met Kalena and Maris for almost a week now, I miss my friends. I promise I will wear my warmest coat. Please, please?"
Elayne shifted her gaze from Rand to the child, and back at Rand again. Rand hugged her shoulders, and said "Dear, let the girl meet with her friends." Elayne succumbed to his will with a sigh and a small nod, and the girl shone with excitement once again. She lifted from the floor in pure joy, and hugged her grandparents tight. Before she could thank them, Rand pulled her away from the embrace, and locked her gaze with his. "But don't stay out too long, and if it begins to snow, you will run home immediately. Is this clear?" His voice seemed stern, but his eyes sparkled with amusement. The girl nodded her head and ran away before they could change their minds.
Elayne sighed again, once the girl was out of sight. "You know you shouldn't have let her do that, love. I'm sure she'll catch a cold." But a smile was hidden in the deep pools of her blue eyes, and she was not angry with him. She never could be for long.
Her husband grinned at her, and tickled her side. She squirmed to get away, but he held her tight and whispered in her ear. "What do you say about us catching a cold? I'm sure there's some snow out there waiting to be throwed."
Alfred did not hide his amusement. Both more than three hundred years old, they still acted like they were in their teens, and newly wed. He stood up, supporting his fragile body on the cane he always bore with him. "Now, younglings, how about dinner? I do not know about the two of you, but I am most definitely going to fade away if I do not get anything to eat soon."
The Dragon Reborn put a hand on Alfred's shoulder, and smiled at him. "Certainly, old friend. I'm sure Aviendha has something on the stove. Let's go and find out." His hand dropped, and he walked out of the room, accompanied with his wife, whos shoulders he still held his arm around.
Alfred glanced at the chessboard before shaking his head and leaving the room.
Born below the ever cloud-capped peaks that gave the mountains their name, the wind blew east, swept past the city Baerlon, and annoyed an old man standing in front of a window in the city once called Shadar Logoth. Three hundred years and more after the city was destroyed, it was rebuilt. The new city, however, had no resemblance to the old, for it was a magnificent sight, even in the stormy weather. Snow made the hills around the city glow, even in dim light, and the cold was almost unbearable for the inhabitants of this special city. Now it was called Dragon's Den. It was here the Last Battle, Tarmon Gai'don, had taken place, and it was rebuilt in loving memory of the Dragon Reborn who everyone knew had shattered the Dark One's power once and for all. That was what everyone thought, outside this house.
"The weather is certainly not getting any better", grumbled the old man, not really expecting an answer from his companion who also resided in this particulary building. The long white hair and beard made it clear this man had seen many sunsets. The wrinkles at the corners of his mouth showed he had enjoyed many of them. But now, when looking out of the frosty window with his dark eyes, his lips did not bear a smile. The frown in his forehead added to his now grim expression. He did not enjoy this new wind that, with much certainty, would put more snow to the ground. He could change that, he could make it summer in a heartbeat, but he wouldn't, because of reasons not many were aware of. For now, at least, he was happy by pointing out the status of the weather to his friend - who definitely was already aware of it, since he had seen to it's happening.
The old man turned away from the scenery outside to glance around in the very room where he spent most of his wake hours. There was not much furniture, then again, that was not needed. The walls were covered with paintings by the other man's granddaughter, who loved to draw but was not, yet, very talented. In the middle of the room stood two leather armchairs and in between, a sturdy oak table. At the table a game of chess was in progress, and it seemed as though the white's had the upper hand at the moment. In the one armchair that had not been repaired the last week, another man rested his body. What once had been a reddish short whirl of curls, was now long, and very white hair. His former beardless cheeks now bore a white mass of hair that added to his grand appearance. But there was not a wrinkle on his skin, even old as he had become. He was dressed in a long simple green robe, and his lips bore a smile, as charming as always. His grey eyes, usually stern and hard, now glittered with amusement.
"There, there, old friend. Stop bothering the window with your useless complaints, and come back to me and finish this game."
The old man still standing nodded, and limped back to the armchair. He sank down in it with a sigh and made a little smile for his friend. "We both know you'll win - you always do - so why do you keep on insisting we play, day in and day out?" he asked.
The other man barked a laugh, but started coughing instead. When he could breath normally again, he showed his teeth in something that could be mistaken for a smile. "You know I like to gloat, Alfred."
Alfred was not his real name, Alfred was something they had both agreed on calling him. No, the old man's real name was Shai'tan, for this seemingly harmless figure had more power than most could imagine. He was the Dark One, Lord of the Grave, Father of Lies, Ruler of the Blight.. and the worst chess player in all history.
Alfred smiled at his best friend. The friend also possessed a name that was known to the most of the world. His name was Rand al'Thor, titled the Dragon Reborn, the Cooramor, He Who Comes With the Dawn, once King of Illian, and a numerous of other, lesser, not so significant names.
In this very simple and not very warm room, sat the mightiest men in the world and played chess.
Alfred did not have the time to come up with a reply, for the door sprung open, and a ten-year-old girl bursted through the opening. "Grandpa, Grandpa! Grandma says I cannot go and play in the snow, but you will let me, won't you?" Her innocent features shone with excitement, and her sparkling smile was not seldom reflected on her surrounding's lips. Rand was indeed her grandfather, and he usually let her do whatever she wanted. Some said he spoiled the lass, he himself thought he did the best he could to raise her in a mature fashion. Letting her do whatever she felt like would let her make her own mistakes and grow up under the influence of no one but herself. Rand smiled warmly at this young relative, but also he was interrupted in giving an answer. An old woman came rushing through the same door after the girl. The woman was no less than Rand's wife, the Lady Elayne Trakand, once Queen of Andor and Cairhien. In Rand's eyes, she was just as beautiful as the day they met, centuries ago. In some manner, her hair had resisted to turn white or gray, and had the same colour it always had had. The long silk cream coloured dress she wore enhanced the golden hue of her hair. It shone, even indoors. Her eyes was as blue as they always had been, an amazing blue color Rand never had seen before he met her. Her skin had refused to wrinkle since she was Aes Sedai, and no one could guess her age. Her fair features now bore stern looks that made her no less attractive in Rand's eyes. She ignored the two men, and turned to the girl she was chasing. "Don't bother your grandfather with this, young girl. I have told you no, and no it shall be."
Rand raised himself from his armchair and put a comforting arm around his wife's shoulders. "Elayne, let her play. I see no harm in it, if she dresses warm, and doesn't stays out too long." His lips wore his most persuasive smile, and even though Elayne always had been head-strong, Rand was very talented in changing her mind. He was assured he could make her look at things his way every time, and most of the times she gave in to him, not because she couldn't resist him, but because she loved him. Of course, she never told him that.
"I don't like it, Rand." She frowned, and the young girl's smile disappeared. The frown usually meant she was going to stick with her decision, and not let Rand persuade her. "It is very cold and the wind promises a new storm coming up soon. I don't want her trapped outside somewhere."
"Oh, please, Grandma. I will not be long, I promise! I have not met Kalena and Maris for almost a week now, I miss my friends. I promise I will wear my warmest coat. Please, please?"
Elayne shifted her gaze from Rand to the child, and back at Rand again. Rand hugged her shoulders, and said "Dear, let the girl meet with her friends." Elayne succumbed to his will with a sigh and a small nod, and the girl shone with excitement once again. She lifted from the floor in pure joy, and hugged her grandparents tight. Before she could thank them, Rand pulled her away from the embrace, and locked her gaze with his. "But don't stay out too long, and if it begins to snow, you will run home immediately. Is this clear?" His voice seemed stern, but his eyes sparkled with amusement. The girl nodded her head and ran away before they could change their minds.
Elayne sighed again, once the girl was out of sight. "You know you shouldn't have let her do that, love. I'm sure she'll catch a cold." But a smile was hidden in the deep pools of her blue eyes, and she was not angry with him. She never could be for long.
Her husband grinned at her, and tickled her side. She squirmed to get away, but he held her tight and whispered in her ear. "What do you say about us catching a cold? I'm sure there's some snow out there waiting to be throwed."
Alfred did not hide his amusement. Both more than three hundred years old, they still acted like they were in their teens, and newly wed. He stood up, supporting his fragile body on the cane he always bore with him. "Now, younglings, how about dinner? I do not know about the two of you, but I am most definitely going to fade away if I do not get anything to eat soon."
The Dragon Reborn put a hand on Alfred's shoulder, and smiled at him. "Certainly, old friend. I'm sure Aviendha has something on the stove. Let's go and find out." His hand dropped, and he walked out of the room, accompanied with his wife, whos shoulders he still held his arm around.
Alfred glanced at the chessboard before shaking his head and leaving the room.