(A/N- Here is Chapter 5.  Yeah, I know.  I'm going kinda fast.  But isn't that good, cuz doesn't that mean for fan fic for u?  I'm confundled.  Hehe.  That's my personal word!  Hehe.  Well, since I don't have any reviewers to recognize thanx to the thanx pages, I'll skip right to the interesting stuff: the story.  Yeah, I've decided that there will be quite a bit of space between this chapter and Chapter 4 (Discoveries) for a few reasons.  One, it makes more sense.  Or so I think.  Two, it's easier for me, cuz I don't have to write 20 or so chapters now.  Three, it lets me write more the highlights and get to other stuff that I want to add, but can't until Ara is in the arches, and until she's Accepted/Aes Sedai.  So I'm hurrying this story!  Thanx for stickin' with me!  r+r pleeze!  And enjoy!

~Lady Arabella Sedai)

Chapter 5- Victory

Ara stomped down the dirt road worn in the ground from the countless feet that trampled it daily.  She had been told that she was ready to be Accepted.  But then told that she couldn't be until the Tower was regained.  And then told that she would still be treated like a novice until she was raised!  Burn them!  But they had been thinking regrets about those last two statements, so at least they weren't being evil.  Her ability to read minds had helped her quite often.  She had learned even faster, and had helped catch two Black sisters.  She had tipped a soldier from the army lead by Gareth Bryne about the sisters, and he in turn had notified Gareth Bryne, who in turn notified the Aes Sedai.  They had questioned them, and found them to be of the Black Ajah.  Their stilling and execution had been two weeks ago.  It was amazing to think that in half a year she had learned so much, and had helped to put a dent in the Black Ajah!

"Ara!  Ara!  Ara!" shouted Lily from behind her.  Turning, Ara glared at her.

"Why did you bother me?" she asked sourly.

"Because as soon as the Tower is regained, I'm being raised to Accepted!  So are Sa, Zelda, Stella, Vana, and Chrissy!  And what about you?"

"I will be too…but we are still to be treated like novices until we are raised!  It is so unfair!  Blood and bloody ashes!"

"Ara!  Watch your language!"

"What?  That is how I feel!"

"Whatever."

~Ah,~ thought a voice behind Ara.  ~Our star pupils.  It is really too bad that they can't be raised right now, or even right away when we capture the Tower again.  We still have the other 50 novices that need to be raised, plus about 20 Accepted that are ready to become Aes Sedai, so they will have to wait probably a week or so.  Poor them!~

Ara turned to stare at Sheriam.  Sheriam noticed Ara's stare.  "What are you looking at, girl?"

"She was just looking at our friend Sa, who is standing over there behind you, Sheriam Sedai," butted in Lily.

"Ah.  I see.  In that case, be about your lessons!"

Ara let a sigh escape as soon as Sheriam was out of earshot.  She then rounded on Lily.  "What did you do that for?  I was going to ask her why she called us poor girls, and why we will have to wait like, a week to get raised!"

"You always forget that you hear their thoughts, and that they don't know that you can."

"Oh, right.  I forgot!"

"Well, we better get back to our studies, in case Sheriam comes out again and asks what we are still doing here."

"Yeah."

~ ~ ~

Two days later, Ara woke to a loud racket from outside.  Why did everyone have to interrupt her sleep.  She kept getting less and less, thanks to the nightmares she had each night, dreams of a red-haired man, tall, who was wreaking havoc on a city, and she was forced to try to stop him as he tried to destroy her.  Dreams of a black shadow reaching for her, finally touching her, it's touch pain.  Overall, she wasn't getting enough sleep.  And now this.  Great.  She kicked off her sheets and grabbed one of her cloaks.  Even if it was summer, it was still cold in the middle of the night!  Flinging open her flap, she stared at the scene in front of her.  Aes Sedai were jumping up and down, dancing, and singing.  Running up to the nearest, who just happened to be Leane, the former Keeper of the Chronicles, she asked, "What is going on?  Why is everyone celebrating?"

"Why, Elaida is dead!  The Tower Aes Sedai were crushed just an hour ago.  Half our numbers went to go secure it.  We're moving in tomorrow!" she responded, half crying, half beaming.  "Finally, what Elaida did to me and Siuan has been avenged, as Alvairin was also stilled not 10 minutes past."

"Really?  Then I'll be raised soon!  That is so great!"

Running to find her friends, she found them in their tents, trying to cover their ears from the noise.  Bursting into their tent, she shouted, "Wake up!  Wake up!"

"What is it?" asked Stella drowsily.  "If it isn't important, then go away."

"Well, it is important.  Unless you don't want to live in the Tower and get raised to Accepted!"

Sitting up, Vana commented, "Of course I do!  Why wouldn't I?  What is the news?"

"Elaida is dead.  The Tower now belongs to us!"

"Really?" questioned Chrissy, jumping out of bed.  "Really, truly, definitely?"

"Yes.  Really truly definitely," said Ara grumpily.  Even though it meant being raised, she still wasn't happy to have to repeat things, especially in the middle of the night.  "Leane told me that we move into the Tower tomorrow."

Cheers greeted Ara's announcement.  Everyone hated having to sleep out in the cold, open space a few miles away from Tar Valon in tents when the White Tower was way warmer and comfortable.  Finally their dreams had been answered.  They were to become Accepted, and sleep indoors! 

~Yeah!  Finally we leave this bloody place!~ thought Lily. 

"And you dare lecture me about my language Lily?" retorted Ara, forgetting that Lily had only thought that.

"You read my thoughts again!  Stop it!"

"What?  I did?"

"Yes!  You need to learn to notice if what you think is said is thought or spoken!"

"Fine.  But when should I tell the Amyrlin about the mind reading thing?"

"When we get there.  Ask to speak to her.  I'm sure she won't be too surprised, after all the things you've been able to do: your power, your healing ability (A/N- Since I'm modeling her (Meaning Ara) after what I want to be, I've decided to make her a healer.  Sry I didn't introduce it earlier.  I kept forgetting.  But now it is in the story, and I think I might make it play a major role.  I dunno yet.  So just keep readin'!), which is better than even Nynaeve Sedai's ability, and now your mind reading.  She will probably thank you for it!"

"Yeah.  But won't it seem weird if I tell her on the day that we move into the Tower?  Doesn't it seem a little…odd?"

"No!  Not at all!  Just say that you finally figured out what it was, but today…well, it will be yesterday…but yesterday was too busy to tell her!"

"I guess…"

"You'll be fine!" said Sa.

"What could happen to you?" asked Zelda.

"It will all work out," offered Vana confidently.

"I guess…very well.  But we had better try to get some sleep!"

~ ~ ~

            So…how was it?  I just kinda picked the next big highlight in Ara's life: the regaining of the White Tower.  So, now will you review?  *Stares at you hopefully, pleadingly*  Pleeze???  Well, anyways, more to come!  There will probably be like one or two more chapters (Probably two) and an epilogue.  So I'm not that far from the end.  There will be a sequel about Ara after the arches.   Look for updates!!!

~Lady Arabella Sedai