Disclaimers: Same as before, just check the former chapters.
Author's Note: I'm so sorry this took so long, but I've been very busy with perparation for my finals and oral exam, and then I got to work to earn money for my holiday trip to France. So as you can see, it left little time for writing. But I'm here now with the newest, and I promise to hurry up with the next one!
By the way, people has been asking about the sequel, and I can say that it will come soon, unless you want me to finish this story first...?
Summary: What would happen if Nynaeve discovered she was pregnant the day before the Last Battle? Will she fight or stay behind?
Rating: PG (will be PG-13 later on)
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NYNAEVE'S DECISION
Chapter Three - The Viewing
by neela
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Min watched as the other woman's face went from light pink to white in just a matter of seconds. A shocked expression mirrored her own at seeing the woman beside her let down her walls, showing the vulnerability there. One of Nynaeve's hands reached down to her abdomen, eyes staring at the flat stomach, then she looked up at Min again, the awaited question in her eyes.
"Yes, I am sure, Nynaeve. Very sure. I had a viewing," she added as an afterthought. The woman let out a sharp breath. Min bit her lip Nynaeve had a right to know she was expecting twins, but should she really tell her that now? A fleeting sensation of curiosity made her send a glare towards Rand, who didn't turn his head back as quickly as he used to do. Nynaeve's croaking whisper broke through her thoughts, and she turned back, heart tearing as she saw the woman's despair.
"Wha-" She coughed. "What did you see?" The voice was almost non-audible, and Min had to concentrate hard to hear what she said. She gave the older woman a reassuring smile before replying.
"When you and Lan parted, a golden light started flashing around your heads, and from the depth I saw seven dark silhouettes rise up, along with two hawks. It seemed very important, because I have never had one like that before. It was like I knew exactly what to expect even before the viewing disappeared." She saw the woman's discomfort, and added in a whisper, "You're going to be a mother, Nynaeve." With that last sentence, Nynaeve swayed in her chair, shaking her head in disbelief as she muttered something Min heard as " Oh no, no, no..."
Not knowing what to say next, Min took the other woman's hand, and gestured for them to go outside. Her heart broke when she saw Nynaeve look towards the generals, despair in her eyes. Lan still didn't see her, listening to Bashere's speech about his cavalry. Then the Yellow got up, her shoulders sagging and staring down at the ground. Min led her out of the tent, but feeling Rand's stare, which bore a hole in her neck, turned and just gave him a look that said 'Not a word, Rand al'Thor'. This time he did bob his head.
Exiting into the warm, humid air, the two women went to stand behind a big rock at the north side of the tent, where they couldn't be seen. An uncomfortable silence fell over them, and Min shifted her feet nervously while Nynaeve sat down, hands covering her face. Min took to staring at a bird flying over their heads. It was one of those Seanchan creatures, used as messengers between the scouts and leaders. It was quite a system actually, that whole scouting-messenger-leader thing.
First, of course, the scouts searched for signs of enemy movement, and if they discovered something or not, they reported through either Gateways (if a channeler was with them) or the flying creatures. Then the keeper of the birds sent the reports with a rider and to the generals, who then studied the messages and decided what to do. Knowing what the enemy do at all times are vital in a time of war. It could very well be what would make victory theirs.
Her eyes fell down on Nynaeve again. She felt sorry for her. Expecting a child was no doubt a blessing, but at this time... Well, Rand had already explained where his old friend would be standing when battle came. The final piece of the puzzle, he called her. She was the strongest of the female channelers, as she had developed her strength in saidar, and when linked to Rand, the Dark One would stand no chance. That was what Rand believed of course. To be honest, Min didn't know any more. The pregnancy would either lower Nynaeve's strength, or make it stronger. In Elayne's case several years ago, the Power had decreased for the remainder of the pregnancy. She could channel, but not anything that needed a lot of strength. It had been strange to see the Queen of Andor like that, but in the end it paid off. The two beautiful children and heirs certainly livened up life a bit. She smiled.
Hearing hooves coming nearer in a very hastened speed, Min broke out of her thoughts, and suddenly discovered that Nynaeve wasn't there anymore. Turning her head around and fearing the worst, she spotted the woman standing on the road, hands at her stomach while looking towards Rand's tent. To her horror she saw that the rider was closing in from behind Nynaeve, and the woman still didn't hear or see him, despite the shouts the man made.
"Nynaeve!" Min yelled as she jumped forward and grabbed the woman by the sleeves of her dress, dragging her out of harm's way. It was right on time, as the rider kept his quick speed towards his goal. The blue band around his arm recognized him as a messenger. But that didn't stop Min from stepping back onto the trampled-down road and shouting, "Watch where you're going, wool-head!" The man didn't even acknowledge her.
She turned around to check how Nynaeve was doing, and was surprised to see the woman covering her face with her hands sobbing and shaking. A lump formed in her throat as she looked at the woman she had known to be so strong and fiery, now crying her soul out because she was with child. She sat down and embraced her, rocking the small body back and forth, trying to calm her down.
"Sssh, sssh.... It's okay. It's going to be alright." She paused, thinking through what to say next.
Better not talk about the Battle first, Min thought.
"Besides, it can't be all that bad?" she said out loud. "Just ask Elayne, she had two babes. She told me how wonderful it was when she held their little bodies in her arms. Rand was happy too, Nynaeve. I had never seen him so happy before. He actually softened when the babes cried and wanted to hold them in his arms too."
Min remembered the time when he'd actually gotten his son to sleep, and had said, "I never thought a child could do so much with a man's heart." It had done much with her heart too, just being there when Elayne gave birth had been a painful, yet precious memory to her.
"Do you fear that Lan won't be happy?" she asked quietly.
"You don't understand," Nynaeve cried low from Min's chest. "It's not that; I think he'll be overjoyed, knowing his blood will live on, but." She sniffed hard and looked up at Min. Her eyes were red from crying and tears still fell down her cheeks. "But why now? The Last Battle is almost here, and I'm going to stand where the most blood will be spilled, and Lan also, and... What if I die, Min? Then there will never be a Malkier again, for Lan will die with me. I cannot stand the thought of him loosing his kingdom totally, and his bloodline being broken. I cannot!" Nynaeve started crying again, and Min did nothing else but to embrace her, her own feelings in turmoil.
Now's not the time for that, Min, you have to find a way to calm down Nynaeve. Make her think about something else.
"What do you say we pay Elayne a little visit? Maybe drink some of that liquid we both know that Warder of hers keeps close." Even through the sobbing, Min could still feel a small smile play across the other woman's face. Brigitte's drink was famous, and they'd even tried it a few times, always with embarrassing results. She gave a little laugh as she remembered Nynaeve trying to seduce her husband in front of everyone, which ended when he picked her up and carried her away, muttering something about 'needing to sleep it off'.
"You're remembering that incident, aren't you?" came Nynaeve's little voice, filled with humour. Min couldn't do anything but laugh aloud.
"I never thought you'd ever come out of those rooms and look us straight in the face!" Both women laughed, and Min sighed happily. "Shall we go?" she asked as Nynaeve lifted her face, wiping off the last tears and adjusting her clothes. Locking eyes, the woman nodded, a smile twitching her lips.
"Thank you, Min. I guess I needed it." They both stood up.
"No problem. I'm always glad to help. Though I'm sorry I scared the Lights out of you."
"You did, but it's over now. I feel slightly better." Nynaeve smiled. "Well, shall we?" She gestured to the road, and Min grinned as they began walking in the direction of the Queen of Andor's tent. The sun stood high above the sky, the air didn't feel so hot and clammy anymore, and all in all it looked like everything was going to be all right. Min felt something new radiate from the Yellow, maybe it was happiness, but she didn't know. Now that she'd had some time to think things through, perhaps she'd come to a conclusion about her feelings. At least, Min hoped so.
Life was already running at full speed in the encampment. Servants were scurrying back and forth; soldiers sat shining their armours or played games, laughing and enjoying themselves; people of all the world's nations spent the time they had left with each other, as no one knew how long it was until the Last Battle began.
After a while, they came to a halt as they approached Elayne's tent. Two Andoran soldiers flanked the opening, quietly chatting between themselves. The tent was coloured in dark red, with white patterns at the sides. Min vaguely saw what she thought was a lion. Coming closer, her suspicions were confirmed. It was a beautiful creation. The lines of white had a sliver of silver in it, shining as the sun reflected in it. It almost looked alive, like the Dragon Banner.
Suddenly, two Novices ran past them, one of them accidentally bumping into Nynaeve, sending both at the ground sprawling. Nynaeve was fuming and waved away the helping hand Min reached out before getting on her feet by herself. The Novice had already gotten on her feet, frantically trying to brush off the dust on the Yellow's dress, while apologizing over and over again.
"You insolent girl!" Nynaeve spoke loudly, waving away the Novice's hands. "Running like that, not watching where you put your own feet -only a three-year-old do things like that!" Sensing rage building up, Min tried to calm Nynaeve down, but to no avail. The other woman was already well into her tirade, at the time saying something about if they'd been in Two Rivers and she'd been the Wisdom, she would've boxed the girl's ears.
Then, if lightening had suddenly struck down, Nynaeve stopped. She went completely silent, only holding her braid in that well-known grip. The Novice stared at the ground, just waiting for whatever it was, to come. Her companion had disappeared, it seemed.
"Get going," Nynaeve spoke in a strained voice. The girl stared wide-eyed at her, and Min just smiled lop-sided. Lan certainly had had some influence on his wife. "What part did you not understand, girl? I said 'get going'." The girl ran off, shocked that she didn't even get a punishment. Min stared after her until she disappeared behind a tent, then turned to Nynaeve.
"You've certainly changed a bit, Nynaeve." The other woman just smiled.
"Shall we go in?" She gestured towards the tent, and Min noted her whole being seemed calmed now. She nodded and one of the soldiers greeted them with a smile as they entered the dimly lit tent.
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TO BE CONTINUED
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