(A/N- Through extensive research (Mainly re-reading the sections of the WoT books that is about the arches and fan fictions here on fanfiction.net that were about the arches) I have come up with some things that will do for the arches. All my own ideas that r really kinda similar to other ideas I read. For more info on where I got the info, see my thanx page #2. It isn't up yet, just so ya know. It will be though. So check it out ASAP!!! Hehe. Well, enough blabbing. Here it is! Review pleeze!!!
~Lady Arabella Sedai
PS- Now this is my longest chapter yet! A whole, um, 17 pages on Microsoft Word, in size 12 Times New Roman!!!! Wow! Hehe! Just so ya know!
PPS- Now that Crossroads of Twilight has come out, I have to clear up any questions about this story. As I started it before CoT came out, it happens before it, and any events that may happen in my story, like the recapture of the White Tower, may not occur in CoT, or may happen different! Thanx!!!
PPPS- Sry it took so long for me to do it! I got a writer's block!!!!!)
Chapter 7- Through the ArchesAra didn't get much sleep that night. She had remembered all the things the Accepted had said about the arches. One had even broken down crying at the thought of them! Tossing and turning, Ara didn't notice that she was at the edge of her bed until she fell out onto the floor with a loud thump.
"Ara? Are you all right?" whispered a voice behind her. Spinning, Ara glanced nervously around.
"Who's there?" she whispered back fiercely. If it was an intruder, he or she would soon learn their mistake!
"It's me! Lily!"
"Lily? How are you able to talk to me?"
"You silly goose! Didn't you know that there are small holes drilled between the novice rooms? I don't know why they were drilled, but what I do know is they make an excellent way to talk!"
"Oh!"
"Yeah!"
"I'm all right though. I was just nervous about tomorrow."
"What's happening tomorrow?"
"Didn't you know…" Ara stopped short as she remembered what the Amyrlin had said to her:
"Oh, and don't tell your friends. Normally the novice doesn't know she's being raised until she is summoned. Even if she does know, she doesn't know when. You're the only exception, and I intend to keep you the only exception, understand?"
Ara had gave her word not to tell, so instead of telling Lily, she was forced to lie. Well, not really lie, but not tell the true truth. "…that tomorrow is our first day using the classrooms and things here in the White Tower?"
"Of course. But that isn't that exciting, is it?"
"No, I guess not."
"Well then, good night. And please try not to fall out of bed again."
"I won't!!"
"Good. Now, good night."
Ara was already asleep.
~ ~ ~
Ara groaned as she rolled out of bed. Hitting the floor much like she had during the night, she clambered to her feet and stumbled towards the door. Flinging it open in response to the loud rap that had been bestowed to it, she curtsied unsteadily to Tiana.
"Good morning Tiana Sedai."
"You have been summoned to become Accepted," Tiana thundered as all the novices in the hall stood and stared. Ara had been one of the last novices to arrive before the Tower had been regained, and she was one of the first to become Accepted. "Come. The hour waits on no woman. The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills, when the Wheel wills."
"Yes Tiana Sedai."
Almost running to keep up with Tiana, Ara tried to ignore the stares of all the novices that needed to be raised, and would have been raised before her had the Amyrlin not allowed her to go first. Were they still going to be mad at her when they too were Accepted? Pondering that thought, Ara didn't notice when Tiana stopped and ran into her. Blushing immensely, Ara whispered, "Forgive me Tiana Sedai. I wasn't paying attention."
"Well, I very well noticed that. But we must be on with the testing." Walking briskly over to one of the four other Aes Sedai in the room, a Yellow who just happened to be Nynaeve al'Meara, she motioned for her to go instruct Ara. Ara glanced around at the other Aes Sedai. Short stout Verin of the Brown was one of the three holding the three silver arches situated in the center of the room, along with Elayne Trakand, a golden-haired Green, and Siuan Sanche, the Former Amyrlin Seat, who had been stilled, then Healed, and was now an Aes Sedai of the Blue.
"Welcome Arabella. I will tell you two things now that no woman hears until she is in this room. The first is that once you begin, you must continue to the end. Refuse to go on and you will be very kindly put out of the Tower with enough silver to support you for a year, and you will never be allowed back. Second. To seek, to strive, is to know danger. You will know danger here. Some woman have entered, and never come out. They were never seen again. If you will survive, you must be steadfast. Falter, fail, and…This is your last chance to refuse to enter. Refuse now, and you will remain a novice with only one mark against you. Twice more you will be allowed here, and only at the third refusal will you be put out of the Tower. It is no shame to refuse. Many do. Now you may speak," intoned Nynaeve.
Ara stared at the silver arches for a long moment. If she was Accepted, she would be allowed more freedom. She could study whatever she wanted. And she would get the chance to become more experienced in Healing. "I am ready."
Tiana spoke in a loud, formal voice, "Whom do you bring with you, Sister?"
"One who comes as a candidate for Acceptance, Sister," Nynaeve replied.
"Is she ready?"
"She is ready to leave behind what she was, and, passing through her fears, gain Acceptance."
"Does she know her fears?"
"She has never faced them, but is now willing."
"Then let her face what she fears."
Ara slowly stripped, just as she had been taught. You couldn't go into the arches clothed!
"The first time," droned Nynaeve, "is for what was. The way back will come but once. Be steadfast."
Ara stepped slowly into the glow of the arch.
~ ~ ~
Where am I? thought Ara nervously. Where? How did I get here???
"Ara! What are you doing here? I thought you had gone to the market!" exclaimed Corele from the doorway behind Ara.
"I'm sorry Mother. I was daydreaming, and was just standing here."
"Well, a beautiful woman standing alone on the street is the first victim for men. Got on your way!!!" With that, Corele slammed the door in Ara's face.
"Yes Mother," Ara whispered faintly. She set off towards the market, noting the scene around her. She was defiantly in Bandar Eban, but there were no Seanchan like Verin had said there were. Wait, what is a Seanchan? Ara thought suddenly. The way back will come but once. Be steadfast.
As she walked along deep in thought, she heard a screeching cry coming from far above her. Craning her head this way and that, she could see a large gray bird flying overhead. So large that there was two people sitting on it. Wait, two people?? Who were they???
Ara's answer came almost immediately as the docks exploded in a molten fireball. Ara, who had been close by, was thrown against a nearby candle shop. Struggling to her feet, she rushed over to the scene of the accident. Or, at least, it seemed like an accident. That is, until Ara noticed soldiers coming out of the ruins of the docks, accompanied by a woman in dresses paneled with lightning bolts wearing a bracelet on their arm that was linked to a collar on another woman's neck. She wore gray. Scrambling away from them, she suddenly froze in her tracks. She couldn't move. She strained against the invisible ties that held her. It had to be the women. Who else could have done that! The way back will come but once. Be steadfast.
"Tuji, can she channel?" drawled one of the women as she drew nearer to Ara. She was the one in the lightning bolt dress.
"She can channel, mistress," replied the gray-clad woman quietly.
"Joren! (A/N- Yeah, this name belongs to Tamora Pierce, cuz he's in her stories in the Protector of the Small series. I just don't want to get in trouble for using the name when I got it from her! Thanx!) Bring me an a'dam!!!
Ara just stared at her. A what???
Ara got her answer as the soldier returned bearing a leash and collar identical to the one that the pair of women in front of her were wearing. "Get another sul'dam to take Tuji," the bracelet-woman commanded.
"Yes sul'dam," he replied as he trooped off.
The lightning bolt woman, a sul'dam???, suddenly lunged forward and in one quick move fastened the collar around Ara's neck. Jumping back, she fastened the bracelet to her own arm.
"Get this bloody thing off me!" cried Ara, even though no one but the Seanchan could here her. "Get it off!!!"
A few of the soldiers chuckled at Ara's outburst, but the sul'dam wasn't amused. "You will not speak that way to your mistress. I am a sul'dam, and you are a damane. And for that language, I will punish you!"
Ara screamed as the feeling of being whipped was felt my her. She screamed as tears rolled down her face.
"Now, I have to give you a name. What is your name child?"
"A-A-Arabella, or Ara, Bella, or B-B-Bell for short." The way back will come but once. Be steadfast.
"Ah, I like the name Bell. I think I'll make it, um, Belai. So Belai, I'm going to put the bracelet over there. Don't try moving it, or moving yourself. All it will do is leave you vomiting. And trying to take off the collar yourself will not work, because you won't be able to even move your hand close enough! Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"And my name is Serana," she added as she set down the bracelet near the wall. "I'll be just around the corner, all right?"
"Yes."
"Good. Soldiers! Head out!!!" With that, Serana led the soldiers around the corner.
"Ara!" came a whisper behind her. "It's me! Niyusa!!"
"Niyusa! Can you get this thing off?!?!"
"Yes, if you give me a moment."
"But we might not have a moment!" The way back will come but once. Be steadfast.
"It's your only chance!!!"
It took Niyusa five minutes to get off the thing. "There!" she exclaimed. "It's off!"
"Well well well. What do we have here?" Ara heard Serana drawl behind her. "Looks like two marath'damane instead of one damane. Funny how things change."
Ara turned, and then jerked her head back. There. The silver arch! But how would she get there? The way back will come but once. Be steadfast.
"Niyusa, I have to get over there, otherwise I'm dead. Can you help me?"
"The only way would to let them capture me," she answered hopelessly. "If I put up a fight, you might escape."
"Niyusa! You can't!!! You'll become a damane!! You just can't!"
"Can't you see it's our only hope? If we can't both escape, hopefully at least one of us can!"
"Very well. You distract them and I'll run."
"At the count of three. One…"
"Two…"
"THREE!!!"
Ara jumped up and sprinted for the arch as Niyusa leapt at Serana. But Serana was ready. She got the collar around Niyusa's neck easily. Not seeming to notice that Niyusa had punched her in the eye, she looked around for Ara. Not seeing her, she seemed to give up. Ara just kept running. She was running from more than the Seanchan. She was running from Niyusa's screams. Crying, Ara flung herself back into the arch.
~ ~ ~
Ara stumbled out of the arch. How could she had left her friend in trouble? She shivered as Tiana raised one of the silver chalices sitting on a table in the back of the room and poured its contents, clean water, over Ara's head. "You are washed clean of what sin you may have done, and of those done against you. You are washed clean of what crime you may have committed, and of those committed against you. You come to us washed clean and pure, in heart and soul."
Ara was led to the next arch as Nynaeve intoned, "The second time is for what is. The way back will come but once. Be steadfast."
Ara quivered as she remembered what had happened in the last arch. Was this going to be worse? There was only one way to find out. Hesitantly, Ara stepped into the silvery light.
~ ~ ~
Where am I this time, thought Ara. She looked down at the white dress with the seven-striped band running along the bottom. So she was an Accepted. The way back will come but once. Be steadfast.
Suddenly, Ara heard someone scream. Sprinting down the wide corridor, she came to a halt, appalled by the scene before her: there was Tiana, writhing in agony on the floor. To any who couldn't channel and see the flows of saidar, they would have thought that Tiana was having a heart attack or something else. But any woman who could touch the One Power would see the flows that were killing Tiana. And the last person she would have guessed directed them. Delana Sedai, of the Brown. But if she can use the One Power to kill, and not in defense of her life…she must be of the Black Ajah! At that terrible though, Ara turned to sprint.
"Where do you think you're going, Accepted," cackled Galina Sedai, who was of the Red. She had been a prisoner to the Shaido Aiel before being rescued by a group of Asha'man. Imagine being rescued by the very ones you were sworn to hunt down and gentle!
"I am going to find an Aes Sedai."
"Aren't I one?"
"Yes, Galina Sedai. Forgive me."
"Well, what is the problem?"
"Delana Sedai is attacking Tiana Sedai! You must help her! Delana must be of the Black Ajah!" The way back will come but once. Be steadfast.
"Ah. So today was the day?" murmured Galina.
"Please, Galina Sedai! You must help Tiana Sedai!"
"No, I can't you escape knowing that Delana is of the Black Ajah, loyal to the Great Lord of the Dark. Or that I'm of the Black too!" She grinned evilly as she reached for the source. The way back will come but once. Be steadfast.
Ara let out a scream as she embraced the Power, forming a blade of it. She swung it a the rod of saidar flowing into the other woman, hoping to shield her. Her blade hit the rod.
The scream Galina released told Ara what she had really done. Instead of shielding Galina, she had stilled her from the One Power. Not forever, since she probably had Black Sisters who knew how to Heal, but she would never again touch the Power if she was accused of being a Black!
Ara ran for all she was worth towards the Amyrlin's study, dodging around battles between Aes Sedai. Galina had mentioned some sort of thing about how today was the day. Maybe it was the day the Black Ajah had decided to attack the Tower. The way back will come but once. Be steadfast.
Skidding to a halt in the anti-chamber to the Study, she grabbed saidar and struck out at the two Sisters the opposed the Amyrlin and her Keeper. Shielding them, she ran over to Egwene.
"Mother! Delana was attacking Tiana Sedai! Delana must be a Bl"
"I know, Daughter. Tar Valon was attacked by a swarm of Dark friends. As all the guards went to deal with that, it left the Tower unprotected, except for Aes Sedai and Warders. The Blacks must have thought us vulnerable. And we were. And many of us will be dead by the time these Blacks are captured or killed. The loss will be heavy. Like the death of my Keeper. Sheriam. Just before you shielded them, one of them, I don't know which, struck the final blow to her. They were just about to turn on me when you appeared. The loss will be heavy." The way back will come but once. Be steadfast.
Suddenly, five more sisters marched around the corner. They weaved the flows for shields for the two of them, as well as what she recognized as bindings. Turning her head slightly, she noticed a silver arch. The way back will come but once. Be steadfast.
That's the arch! I must go! But how can I leave the Amyrlin?
"Go! Go Ara! Run for it! There is nothing you can do! Go in my Study and find some way to escape! You must! GO!!!!"
Crying, Ara sprinted towards the arch. She collided with it and fell through…
~ ~ ~
Ara flinched as the second chalice was dumped over her head. "You are washed clean of false pride. You are washed clean of false ambition. You come to us washed clean, in heart and soul."
"Are you all right?" asked Nynaeve worriedly. Ara was white as a novice dress.
"Please tell me that's not what will happen! Please!"
"It may be. It may not be. What one sees in the arches may yet happen. But it might not happen either. We are not sure. Was it bad?"
"I left the Amyrlin to die at the hands of the Black Ajah. Nothing could be worse than that."
"That is what I thought when I came out of the second arch. But I was wrong. The third arch was worse. Much worse."
"That's real reassuring," muttered Ara. Nynaeve surprised her by laughing.
"It's supposed to help you face your fears, not pamper you!"
"Sure. Whatever you say," muttered Ara once more.
"You are so right!" The pair of them giggled. By that time they had reached the third and final arch. "Now, back to business. The third time is for what will be. The way back will come but once. Be steadfast."
Ara threw herself into the arch in a run.
~ ~ ~
What is it going to be this time? thought Ara. Turning around in a circle, she examined the room in which she stood. This is very orient. But where am I? Looking down at her clothes, Ara chuckled. Of course she was an Aes Sedai, and of course, of the Yellow Ajah! How could she have forgotten? The way back will come but once. Be steadfast.
"Ah. Arabella Sedai. Welcome. Or should I call you Queen Arabella Sedai? Or Lady Arabella Sedai?" said a light voice from behind her. Whirling around, she stared at the man stepping out from the door. He had light hair and light eyes, and was tall, so tall even she needed to tilt her head back. He could have been Aiel had he worn cadin'sor. Shutting the door behind him, he sat down in one of the two chairs in the room. Motioning for her to sit in the other, he stared at her.
"Who are you?" asked Ara nervously. "Where am I?"
"Stop playing the fool, Aes Sedai. You know who I am. The whole world knows who I am." Throwing back his head to laugh, he added, "And what shall I call you?"
"Um, just call me Arabella Sedai. Please. And what do you mean, calling me Queen or Lady? I'm not either?" contradicted Ara. Suddenly, memories rolled back on her, memories of the day she had received the news that the queen was dead, the day she was crowned queen of Arad Doman, even of the bonding of her Warder, Chris. The way back will come but once. Be steadfast.
"So, Arabella Sedai, do stop playing the fool and recognize who I am. Why else would you have come at my summons? And how could you not know where you are? You yourself thought of this as a good meeting place, did you not?"
I did? thought Ara, slightly panicked. Wait could it be…I've heard stories, but is he really what I think he is? The…the Dragon Reborn? Racking her brain, she remembered being summoned to a meeting with the Dragon Reborn. She had suggested this place, her private palace just off where the rivers Dhagon and Akuum joined. The way back will come but once. Be steadfast.
"I see that it is finally dawning on you, isn't it? Did you really not know who I am?" commented the Dragon Reborn sarcastically.
"I…I just forgot, my Lord Dragon."
"Ah. So, will you accept the alliance I have offered you?"
The alliance. Yes. He had agreed to not conquer Arad Doman, in return that she supported him, and supplied him with soldiers. And also allowed him and his men anywhere in Arad Doman. What a mess! And she had to make that choice for Arad Doman, forgetting her fear that the he would ravage her country, him and his Dragonsworn. She had always been afraid of him, terrified, like all Aes Sedai were of men who could channel the One Power, but he was worse. She had the choice to accept his terms, or be conquered. Some choice! The way back will come but once. Be steadfast. Ara desperately hoped the way back would come soon. Wait, what way back?
"So? Your answer?" he asked impatiently.
"Um…um…"
"Just spit it out, bloody woman!"
Ara gaped at him. Him and his language! Embracing saidar, she channeled a shield, ready to use it when it was necessary.
"You will not channel around me, Arabella," interrupted the Dragon calmly. "If you don't release it, I will be forced to shield you."
"NO! I will not!"
"Very well."
"And you will never have Arad Doman! Never!"
"Oh, then I will have to take it from you."
Ara could fill an invisible force trying to saw its way through her connection to saidar. If she lost the connection, she was done for. She flung her shield at Rand, and, without waiting to see if it worked, sprinted for it.
"You come back her, you bloody Aes Sedai!" he screamed as she ran out of the door. She had to escape, but how? Turning a corner, she saw the silver arch. The way back will come but once. Be steadfast. But another part of her mind screamed I can't leave my people to him! If I leave, who's going to stop him! She ran to the door in-between her and the arch, as it was in her indoor glasshouse that grew flowers year-round, and felt it sear into her hand. He must have put a weave on it! thought Ara angrily. Nursing her right hand, she quickly grabbed the door and flung it open with her other hand, ignoring how it burned her. Racing towards the arch, she stopped at glanced back. She had to leave her people to the mercy of the monster. Maybe if I hadn't held the Power this wouldn't have happened…well, what is done is done. With that thought, Ara flung herself through the arch, into light.
~ ~ ~
Ara stumbled through the arch, falling to her knees as soon as she was out. She cradled her burning hands as Nynaeve rushed to help her up. "What is this?" she asked sharply, noticing Ara's behavior. Grabbing her hands, she turned them palms up, and gasped. Right in the center of each palm was a sun. "How did this happen?" she questioned. "How?"
"I grabbed a door knob that burned me."
"Then why did you grab it with both hands."
"The arch was on the other side, and my right hand hurt too much."
"Well, there is nothing I can do. You'll have those scars there for the rest of your life. But I can at least make the pain go away, if you wish."
"Yes please, Nynaeve Sedai."
"What is going on here?" demanded the Amyrlin. It seemed that while Ara was in the third arch, the Amyrlin had come, along with Tiana, who was a White (A/N- I'm not sure exactly what she is, meaning what Ajah. I'm being very lazy right now, obviously! Hehe!) a Red, and Gray, to witness the final chalice. The arches grew quiet as Elayne, Siuan, and Verin let go of saidar, and stood with the rest of the Aes Sedai. "What is the matter, Nynaeve?"
"Look at her hands, Mother. They are marked with two suns."
The Amyrlin stared at her hands for a moment, and then walked back over the the final chalice. "Let us continue with the ceremony."
Ara crawled forward and knelt before the Amyrlin as she tipped the last chalice over Ara's head.
"You are washed clean of Arabella Transtiva from Bandar Eban. You are washed clean of all ties that bind you to the world. You come to us washed clean, in heart and soul. You are Arabella Transtiva, Accepted of the White Tower. You are sealed to us, now."
~ ~ ~
Folks, this is NOT the end!!! I still have a epilogue coming, and a thanx page. It will probably be put up at the same time as the epilogue. But since school has started again, don't look for anything soon! We have so much homework now, it's ridiculous!!! Anyways, I hope u liked it! It was the best I could do and still make it so that my future plots work! Review pleeze!!!
~Lady Arabella Sedai