Disclaimer: The Wheel of Time belongs to the great Robert Jordan, and I'm not making a profit.

Dedication: To all those with the mental affliction known as sanity.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Amy thought she was being a pretty good sport, all things considered. It wasn't exactly a common occurrence to wake up in a land that exists between the covers of a book, despite the numerous Mary Sue's clouding fan fiction. Especially when the unwitting heroine finds herself muddy and a target for insects.

She let out a mumbled curse at her new attire. Skirts had never been a favourite of hers, though the split for easier riding was a stroke of genius. A leather belt with a pouch was around her waist, filled with coin by the sound. A dark grey cloak covered her fawn coloured woollen blouse and leather boots. The only thing left from home was her grandfather's necklace.

The sun was setting behind her as she walked down the main street. It seemed her "early morning sunlight" was in truth late afternoon.

"Excuse me," she said to a young boy walking by. "Do you know where the Winespring Inn could be found?"

He regarded the traveler quizzically. "It's the big building. Master al'Vere will have a room for you I'm sure."

Mentally kicking herself for ignoring the obvious, she continued her easterly direction towards the red roofed building, sidestepping the numerous children underfoot.

*~*~*

"Welcome mistress," said the fat and balding innkeeper at the door. Despite his appearance, he moved with abundant energy, and his ready smile put Amy at ease.

"Greetings to you as well Master al'Vere. I've been told you run the Winespring?"

"Yes indeed. You are looking for a room? You're the first visitor to come by since autumn. The snow keeps most of them away, you know. The peddlers will be here soon though, in plenty of time for Bel Tine. Next week, you know."

"Hopefully, I'll be here to experience it."

"Well, come in mistress. Our beds are the most comfortable in the area."

She followed the bobbing man through what she assume was the common room. They had just made it past the roaring fireplace when a motherly looking woman emerged from the kitchens.

"Bran! What are you doing? I asked you to fetch more potatoes-" she stopped when she spied Amy.

"Hello dear, what is your name? That's an attractive outfit you're wearing, fine needlework. And that lovely shade of blue becomes you. "

"My wife," explained the man unnecessarily. Both women ignored him.

"Thank you ma'am. My name is Melime, and I was just traveling through. But this village is positively delightful. I think perhaps that I shall stay for awhile. To see this Bel Tine at least." Melime. Cute. Beloved is Quenya. She had to lay off the Tolkien.

"Where do you hail from child? You look much too young to be traveling by yourself?"

She ignored the first question. "I'm seventeen, ma'am. My father thought me old enough, though I suppose such reckoning depends on the environment we are raised in."

"I suppose it does," Mistress al'Vere replied, her tight lipped smile indicating exactly how well she thought of such a notion. "Well, you're of age with our youngest daughter, Egwene. Perhaps she will show you around Emond's Field during your stay."

Amy smiled. "That would be wonderful, though right now I am more interested in a bath and sleep."

"Of course. Travel can be tiring." She turned to her husband. "Move Bran. The child wants her room."

"But, I was-" he shrugged. "Sorry Marin. Follow me Melime."

"She'll be eating something before she goes anywhere Bran. Go prepare a bed and bath." The mayor slunk away, and Marin turned to Amy. "You'll do well with some of my tea in you. Guaranteed to refresh you more then any bath."

"Thank you mistress."

"Well, sit down child."

*~*~*

The room was comfortable, if sparse. A fireplace warmed the early spring chill from the chamber, and the mattress was unbelievably comfortable. She sat up and spotted the travel gear in the corner. Master al'Vere must have had it brought up. Amy chose to look it over before bedding down for the night.

She had to laugh when the contents of her possessions sat before her on the bed. As well as the outfit she was wearing, which was enough to make the average "real worlder" gawk. One traveling outfit, consisting of tan breeches and a long sleeved blouse in off-white, similar to the one she wore. A sword that she recognized as her grandfather's, some food, a frying pan, two dirks with ornate marble handles, a flint box, a bedroll, and a gown that would likely serve for a feast day dress, made of dark blue velvets with a silver belt. Someone had been preparing her for the reality of her new situation.

Speaking of which, perhaps a good night's sleep would shed some new light on her situation. Throwing her belongings on to the ground with the intention of putting it away come morning, she climbed into bed in a warm woollen shift Marin al'Vere had supplied. Focusing on her relaxation technique, Amy slipped into sleep.

*~*~*

Amy found herself in a long corridor with an open door at the end. Despite all caution she walked through it and saw the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. Sunlight streamed through a window to cause her hair to shine like spun gold, framing a cream coloured face of stunning beauty. But there was a permeating sense of anguish in the room, and the woman looked older then her years.

"Where is he? Where is my son? Where is Artur?" She asked, but she seemed unaware of Amy's presence, yet fearful of Amy's reply.

"How do you know my grandfather?" Amy asked, knowing instinctively it was he this strange woman sought.

"Grandfather? That is not possibly. Artur is so young, and without a wife," the woman looked perplexed. Her eyes seemed to finally see Amy though, and she gasped.

"You were sealed in the prison Forsaken. You can not come here. What have you done to my son?"

Forsaken? Was this woman mad?

"I fear you have mistaken me for someone else ma'am. My name is Amy Tayleman, and I'm not sure how I got here. I wouldn't mind leaving either."

"Only one who wore the talisman could enter, Mierin. Do not play your foolish games with me. What have you done with Artur?"

Definitely mad.

"My name is Amy. I have no clue what talisman you are talking about, nor who this Mierin is. But I would appreciate it if you explain who you are and what I'm doing here." She bit her tongue to keep from lashing the woman with it.

Suddenly, the woman was before her, one hand clasped around Amy's necklace.

"This talisman," she said, regarding Amy with cool eyes. "But I can see you are not her. My apologies. How did you come by it?"

"Not who? And my necklace? It was my grandfather's, and his mother's before that. It was his gift to me for my birthday last night."

"Mierin. Perhaps you know her as Lanfear? The Light only knows what memories are kept throughout the years."

"Lanfear." Amy found it suddenly hard to swallow. The Lanfear. This woman thought she was Lanfear. Had thought at least.

"I see you know her. Now, on the matter of this necklace? You say it was your grandfather's, and his mother's? Who, pray tell, was his mother?"

Amy shook her head slowly. "He didn't talk about her. She was killed during the Second World War, and I think it hurt him to remember. He came from a large family, and was the only one to survive."

Amy wondered where she had heard that much. Her father had told her that both Arthur's parents had been killed, but never mentioned other family.

*~*~*

A four year old Amy is sitting on her grandfather's knee, listening as he finishes reading her favourite bedtime story.

"And when the man came home that night, he stood for a long time at the top of the stairs. And then he went into the room where his brand new baby daughter was sleeping. And he sang this song:"

Amy's voice finished the line. "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be."

Brown eyes met brown eyes and the two shared a grin.

"I love you grandpa Artur."

"I love you too Amy."

"Does everyone have a mommy and a daddy?"

A look of grief briefly flashes on his face, but he quickly masters it. "What made you ask that?"

"Well, I have my mom and dad. And daddy has you and a mommy he said had to go away for awhile. And mommy has Granny Dot and Gramps. But do you? Do grandpas and grandmas have parents?"

"You, my dear, think of the most unusual questions. Yes, I have a mommy and a daddy. I have sisters and brothers too."

"Where are they? I want to see them."

"Well, they're very far away."

"Can you phone them? Granny and Gramps live far away, and mommy phones them every week."

"Well, I'm afraid they live too far away to phone them."

"Then do you write them letters, like Aunt Stephanie does?"

"No. I don't know how to get the letters to them. But you see this necklace?" He said, pointing to the chain around his neck. "My mommy gave it to me so I would remember that she loves me and that I'll see her again."

"What did your mommy look like?"

Arthur laughed. "You're just full of questions tonight, aren't you?"

"Well, if I ever see her I want to tell her that her boy is a grown up man now, and the best grandpa in the world. And then I'll bring her here so she can see you."

"I can't say I argue with that logic. Her name was… Helena. And she was so beautiful. She had long blonde hair, and such a pretty face. And she was tall, and kind. And she loved me, even though I wasn't the best son in the world. I used to give her so much trouble.

"My dad's name was Lewis. He was tall too, but his hair and eyes were dark, just like yours. And he smiled a lot, except when he was talking about mean people. He tried to protect everyone he could. He was a very brave man

"And I had brothers and sisters. Some of them looked like my mom, and some looked like my dad. And some of them looked like they were crazy."

Amy laughed. "Really?"

"Really."

"I think Josh looks crazy."

He chuckled. "Well, all babies do."

"I don't think so. I think he's scary."

"Well, if he ever gets too scary, you can come visit me."

*~*~*

"Tell me about yourself. Amy, was it? An unusual name."

"Well, all I know was that I went to sleep last night at home, and woke up in the Two Rivers. Kind of funny, since that's a place in a book series I'm reading. I'm going by Melime there. I thought it would help me fit in."

"My name is Ilyena, Melime. Your grandfather's necklace was my gift to him, when the World was breaking. I can see him in you, and I can sense your power."

"That still doesn't explain how I came here."

"It's really quite simple. The necklace is ter'angreal, designed to let people slip through tel'aran'rhiod physically. The Unseen World touches all lands that may have been, and a man could slip from this world to another, leaving behind nothing but a memory. A trick that would have no doubt been used for great evil had it fallen into the wrongs hands. But the only ones ever made were kept at the palace, safe from harm."

"I see. And I suppose it just decided that it was my turn to end up in come completely random world?"

Ilyena's voice became harsh. "No! The necklace was given to Artur to return when the sign came. But it was you that read the books, you say. Perhaps the Wheel knows more then me."

A thought crossed Amy's mind. Ilyena. She knew that name. Then it hit. "Hold on. Ilyena? As in Ilyena Sunhair, wife of the Dragon himself?"

A look of disgust crossed her face. "Lews was a wonderful man. To seal away the Dark One he sacrificed his life. He went mad to save the world."

"And then he destroyed it."

"That is one way to look at it. And I have waited for Lews to come to me all these years, looking for a way to call my only living son back. My other children, they have past through here, but I am bound to the World of Dreams by my vow."

"Could you teach me what you know?"

"About what child?"

"About my grandfather, about Lews Therin, about this world. I know nothing, but I think you may be of some help."

"I can try, for Artur's sake."

……

Reviews and feedback desperately desired.