Disclaimer: I do not own any part of The Wheel of Time series.
All Else Is Nothing
Part II
I suppose it was worth it, though I had to wait for longer than I expected to finally get what I wanted. Leane and I both had our own tents, so it was quite easy for Moiraine to slip in with very few noticing. They thought she was sharing with two fellow Blue sisters.
It was late when she appeared in the entrance of my tent. Leane had left minutes before. She must have been watching and waiting. We had been traveling all day and I allowed no stop 'til it was nearly dark. I hadn't much sleep the past couple of nights and I was looking forward to a nice sound sleep tonight. But seeing Moiraine standing there some how gave me new found energy. Oh how that woman could inspire me!
I scribbled the last bit of my work on the parchment and tossed it and my pen to the side. Moiraine glided over to me, where I sat cross-legged on my bed. I looked at her looming over me and noticed she seemed to be clutching her cloak more than was necessary. I opened my mouth to ask why but received my answer before I finished my thought. She had let it fall, revealing her perfectly pale figure. My eyebrows rose and my mouth stayed open. My heart once again skipped a beat.
Moiraine clicked her tongue. "Oh, don't sit there gaping as if you've never seen me like this before, Siuan." I wet my lips and swallowed. As I was about to respond, she had moved quickly and was pressing her lips against mine sitting my lap, straddling me. I returned her kiss and began running my hands up and down her thighs. As our kiss continued, I felt her hands wander to my back and undo my dress buttons. I moved my kisses to her neck as she pulled my dress off my top half. Her hands trailed up my forearms, and her hand stopped on the bandage from the arrow earlier. She gave it a slight squeeze and I instinctively tightened.
"I don't know why you didn't get Healed. Really now, I could still do it for you..." Moiraine offered while fingering the bandage.
I sniffed and took her hand in mine. "I'm fine, Moiraine. It's like I already said, I've cut myself worse cleaning fish. I'll live with a small scrap."
She gave me one of her looks she would only give to me. She had used them many ties on me when we were novices, and I almost always gave in. I smiled, holding back a laugh. "I said I'm fine! And that doesn't work well naked, you know."
"Oh very well then. I'll just have to Heal you by other means." She smiled slyly while pushing me onto my back then pulled off the rest of my dress. I looked up at her in just my shift now, wondering what she was going to do next.
She slid her hands up my legs, taking the remainder of my clothing with them. As she was slowly crawling atop me, she started to glow. She had embraced saidar and was weaving a ward. Another ward, actually. I had already set one earlier. Apparently, this wasn't going to be a quiet night. I smirked up at her and opened myself up to the True Source as well. I instantly became so much more aware of the smooth body that lay on me. As she laid her lips on mine, it was like our first kiss all over again. And then some. I could feel every line on her sweet mouth. The sensation alone was more than I could begin to describe. We had never made love while holding onto the One Power before. Tonight there would be screams of pleasure. Lots of screams.
I awoke in the morning to find my bed with only me in it. Of course, it wouldn't have been proper for Moiraine to enter the Amyrlin's tent at night, then leave in the morning, well if any had seen. We took enough chances as it was. I sat up looking for my shift and desperately needing some strong tea. I half snorted to myself. Lots of screaming indeed!
As we broke camp and headed on our way, I caught sight of Moiraine. She flashed me a quick smile and showed the slightest tint of pink. She had been the one to scream louder after all. I smiled back satisfyingly.
That night was just as good, if not better. We laid there; our legs twisted together, my arm protectively across her stomach, head resting just about her breast. Her one hand gently stroked my back; the other was weaved in mine. I inhaled softly, taking in her familiar scent I had come to know so many years ago.
"Moiraine..." I whispered, hesitating. "Moiraine, I love you." She gave my hand a gentle squeeze before answering just as softly in my hair, "I know." It wasn't exactly what I expected, but I didn't have much time to think on it before I drifted off to sleep.
My morning was the same as the previous. But this time, there was a letter next to my pillow, in that signature over-flowery hand. I scooped it up and stuffed it in my belt pouch. I sighed while walking into the sunlight, wishing the night could have lasted forever. I scanned the camp, looking for my beautiful porcelain doll. I frowned at not finding her, though I was sure she was around somewhere.
Just before we were about to head out, Leane came up to me, looking rather nervous. "Mother," she said bowing.
"Yes, yes, what is it daughter?" I asked in a distracted tone. I still hadn't spotted Moiraine, and my eyes were still searching.
Leane wet her lips. "It's Moiraine Sedai, Mother." My eyes snapped instantly to my Keeper. "It's been discovered that her and her Gaidin, Lan, left early this morning, with not a word to anyone. She was followed by Liandrin Sedai, then Verin Sedai. She didn't even take her Warder, nor told him—."
"That is enough. Thank you, Leane. You may leave." I nearly bit the words off, my eyes a blaze of blue fire. As soon as Leane was a good few paces off, I tore out the letter, nearly ripping it in half trying to open it, and began to read:
My dearest Siuan,
I'm sorry it had to be like this, but it is for the best. We never did do well with goodbye partings.
It is a crucial time right now, and we both have our parts to do. Yours lies in the White Tower, mine away. It is how it has always been. Perhaps one day, when this is all over, things will be different for us. But until that time comes, we must go on. I will send word when I can.
My love for you, always forever,
Moiraine
I hastily shoved it back into my pouch, scrubbing the tear that managed to escape. Fool! Pull yourself together! You're acting no better than a girl who's gutted her first fish! She will return before long. She always does. With a reassuring nod to myself, I climbed into my palanquin to prepare for yet another day of hard traveling. We will see each other again. We will.
End.
