When we last heard from Egwene she had just heard that she could never leave the Elven Utopia. She usually was able to get out of plights but how could she escape this fate? Even is she contacted the Aiel by dream they still couldn't get to her. Rand, with all his power and armies, wouldn't be able to get her either. And Gawyn, maybe his love for her was a great need but she couldn't tell him in his dreams because she would be trapped in his dreams.
The truth was that Egwene al'Vere was trapped with no way to get out.
The elves were hospitable. She was imprisoned in a room with flowers and a bed and a window. There was a writing desk and a dresser and a night table. The queen-sized bed was far more comfortable then any bed in the human world. There was even a bathroom and sink in her room. Her room was located in the palace near the queen's room. Guards guarded her doors and she was escorted to meals that were always with Opal and Amethyst. The two questioned Egwene thoroughly of the Outside World (a.k.a The Human World). Egwene always answered these questions as best as she was able to and truthfully.
Sometimes, Egwene was allowed to walk about the town and gardens, but Opal always accompanied and shielded Egwene during these walks. The Elves always watched the pair. Adults watched Egwene with distaste at a human Aes Sedai being in their homeland. The children watched Egwene with curiosity. Egwene began to grow fond of her prison yet she was always overcome by homesickness and the missed love from Gawyn. She was always shielded for Opal's weave was strong enough that Egwene still had no hope of breaking it even when it was tied off.
NOTE: I don't know about you but when I read the Wheel of Time Series, I got the impression that a tied off weave is weaker than a weave being held by the Aes Sedai who wove it. If you didn't get that impression, then you might not get the sentence above this note and other sentences within this story.
She began to weep at night. She wept for the loss of Gawyn and all her friends. She wept for the loss of Saidar. Egwene knew that she probably would never see her friends and loved ones again. She knew that she would never feel the joy of embracing Saidar again either. This prison was worse than being stilled because Saidar was still there; ready to be used, but blocked from Egwene's touch. When you're stilled, Saidar is forever gone but you can still see your friends and loved ones despite the fact that you are stilled. This prison wouldn't even let her see friends and loved ones. Sure, this Elven Utopia may be beautiful, peaceful, and free of the Dark One's touch but it was also hidden and out human reach. It was isolated and hidden. It was impossible to find.
Soon, Egwene began to feel the effects of someone being stilled. She began to stop wanting to live. She cried frequently. Her eyes were always red do to her crying. She cried because she would never see the light of Saidar again, never feel Gawyn's arms around her, and never be free.
During walks, Egwene noticed that the elves saw her tears and wondered. Once a little Elven girl came up to her and handed Egwene a beautiful, thorn less rose with the words "Please don't cry, lady." Egwene treasured that rose. She kept it in a vase and stared at it when she was alone. She remembered the little girl's words and wept. The people, who helped keep her imprisoned, for they were ready to capture her at any signs of escape, also wanted her to be happy. But how could an Aes Sedai that might as well be stilled and deprived from the privilege of seeing friends and loved ones be happy?
Days turned into months but how many months went by, Egwene didn't know. Could time also be different here? Egwene wondered one day. Could a year here be 12 days in the human world? Egwene wasn't sure and she didn't want to find out.
Did Gawyn miss her? Did he wonder about her and pray for her return? Another thing Egwene was unsure about. What about her friends? Did they miss her as much as she missed her? Too many questions, none with answers. Then Egwene decided to do something she hadn't done in a long time. She entered Tel'aran'rhiod.
Egwene was formless. She drifted about in a world where dreams surrounded her. She could see Rand's shielded dream. Perrin and Mat's dreams were close by. She saw the Aiel dream walkers' dreams and Min's dream. Egwene also found Aviendha and Elayne's dreams. But she wasn't looking for any of those dreams, the dream she was looking for would come to her. Then she saw it, Gawyn's dream got bigger and bigger as she neared it or it neared her. Then she was engulfed by his dream.
It started out in a grassy meadow filled with flowers and butterflies. Egwene was wearing a summer dress with a large-rimmed hat. Gawyn appeared with a basket of food and a blanket. So it's a picnic dream Egwene thought. She waited until Gawyn laid out the blanket, set out the food, and lay down before she told him her message.
"Gawyn, I need to tell you something," Egwene said. Gawyn looked into her eyes and listened. "I am trapped in some world that only Elves can enter. It is in every forest yet nowhere at the same time. Only the greatest of greatest needs can lead you into it and it can never be found in the same place twice. The only entrance is by the Arinelle close to the foot of the Mountains of Mist. Only Elves can enter. I think that your need and love for me should lead you to this Elven Utopia. At least it's a Utopia for the elves. They blocked me from the Source and follow me everywhere. They ask me many questions of the Human World, but they say they'll never let me go. Pray for my return Gawyn. Want me more than anything. THIS IS NOT A DREAM! I came here to deliver this message. PLEASE GAWYN, HELP ME!" at this Egwene started to cry. Her message was delivered.
Gawyn hugged her and smoothed her hair. He tried to comfort her but nothing would stop the tears. He gave her a full kiss on the lips.
"I love you Egwene al'Vere. I don't believe this is a dream anymore. Be assured that I pray for your return and will search for you. Don't lose hope Egwene," Gawyn said. And with that the dream was over.
Gawyn woke up in his bed.
"Whoa, was that real or is my imagination just gone wild?" Gawyn wondered out loud.
Wait, Egwene's safely in Tar Valon. Or is she? Gawyn wondered. I'll never figure it out if I just sit here. So he got out of bed and woke his men.
"I need one of you to ride to Tar Valon as fast as you are able in order to find out if Lady Egwene Sedai is safe and sound. Bring the answer back as soon as you are able," Gawyn yelled.
A man by the name of Garnet volunteered. As soon as he was dressed and ready to ride, Garnet was off towards Tar Valon. Gawyn watched him go hoping and praying Egwene was safe. He was sure that it was just a dream. It had to be. But if it was a dream, why did he pray so strongly for Egwene's return?
Egwene woke up crying. She knew what she had done and hoped that Gawyn would know and remember. She hoped that he would know that the dream was real, not fake. Alas, she hoped for so much but Gawyn told her not to lose hope. Maybe hope was on the way. And maybe freedom came with the hope. Would Gawyn's need be great enough? Too many things to hope for, too many maybes and ifs. Poor Egwene, she felt lost and confused in some Utopia. This was no longer her Utopia; it was the Elves' Utopia. Why did they capture her? Why? Egwene started to cry before and didn't even realize Opal's entrance.
"I could almost pity you, Aes Sedai," Opal commented. "Come on, time for your walk."
Egwene reluctantly let the collar go about her neck and solemnly watched the bracelet fit onto Opal's wrist. Egwene felt like a leashed cats. Cats aren't supposed to be leashed, dogs are. Egwene was a leashed cat; she didn't need to be leashed. She wasn't a dog. Dogs take joy in wearing their collars and beg for walks. Cats prefer to be free. She sobbed throughout the whole walk, who cared if the Elves watched her. They no longer watched with distaste, but something close to pity instead. She was no longer feared for instead of being the strong Aes Sedai she was; Egwene was a broken Aes Sedai. A cat leashed so many times it was used to it. She wasn't a damane, a person who could once channel freely but now leashed for life. Damane were cats turned into dogs. Egwene was always and still a cat, despite past and current events.
Days went by and still no sign of Gawyn she was beginning to wonder. What did he think of her message? She frequently dreamed about him and her friends and family. There was nothing to do but wait…and hope.
Gawyn could not go back to sleep, no matter how hard he tried. A few days ago, Garnet had returned with news stating that Egwene was missing. Gawyn no longer dreamt of joy with Egwene but of her imprisoned and himself right there yet far away at the same time. His dreams were haunted by images of Egwene crying. What could he do? His men and himself traveled from dawn to dinnertime. Then they would make camp while Gawyn went out searching for Egwene. The always camped near the outskirts of forests and Gawyn always searched alone within the forests. He carried a lantern and usually didn't return until midnight. He prayed for Egwene and cried out for her. Often he felt someone watching him but no one was ever there. He had searched for a week within forests near the Arinelle but never a sign from Egwene or elves. He had told Egwene not to lose hope but it was an effort not to lose his own.
"Egwene, it appears that a lover of yours is searching for you," Opal said. She had entered the room and stood by the doorway, watching Egwene stare out the window. With that Egwene turned her head towards Opal. She stared at Opal with her red eyes. Egwene had not been able to sleep to the tears that never ceased to pour from her eyes.
"Is this some joke?" Egwene asked.
"No, I'm afraid it isn't," Opal replied.
And with that Egwene felt as if she had just been told she's free. Everything would be all right because Gawyn was looking for her. His need might be great enough and that could mean freedom. Oh, how she missed him. Egwene missed Gawyn as much as she missed Saidar. A sparkle showed in her eyes and a smile touched her lips.
"His need is close, too close," Opal said to herself before leaving the room.
A new hope was found and Egwene al'Vere was the happiest she had ever been. New hope was found and help was on the way.
Yes, I know it's a cliffhanger. You see, people hate cliffhangers because they build suspense. Authors, however, love cliffhangers because they build suspense. And if a reader is full of suspense they want more to come, they want to keep on reading. Well, if you want to keep on reading. I'm sorry but you'll have to wait for the next chapter. I hope that you enjoy the story so far. Please review it when you're done reading, okay?