Chapter 3: El'Arianna Damodred Mandragoran
Later that night at eight in the evening, a crowd gathered in Widow Aynal's Meadow. Rand, Perrin, Mat and Arianna stood in a group. Perrin had on a blue silk shirt and black breeches and boots. Mat was wearing a red plaid shirt with beige breaches and brown boots. Rand had not changed his clothes and Arianna wore her blue chiffon dress. Today was Bel Tine's Eve. They held a dance for all the young folk while the older people ate and drank. Mat was right. A lord and lady had come to Emond's Field. Their clothes were better than any of their Feast Day clothes!
The lady wore a Royal Blue dress with a sky blue cape. She was fairly short with shoulder length, rich brown curls and piercing blue eyes. A sapphire dangled in the middle of her forehead. The lord was tall with broad shoulders. His long, black hair was held back by a leather band and his face seemed to be made of stony planes. He too had piercing blue eyes. They were there in Widow Aynal's Meadow, standing off to a side as the crowd mingled in the middle of the field. Mayor al'Vere stood on the far end and shouted,
"May I have your attention please!" The chatter died down. "Welcome to Bel Tine's Eve. If you would leave your children and venture over to me parents, the festivities are about to begin!"
The Ayellin's played the music and the band was preparing to play it's slow songs. The crowd parted in their respective ways and Rand placed a hand on Arianna's waist and led her to the dancing area. Perrin decided to dance with Cilia Cole and Mat settled on Adora, Perrin's sister. Egwene stood off to a side and watched Rand and Arianna like a hawk. She felt a pang as Arianna rested her head on Rand's shoulder. She swore she saw a pinkish-blue aura surround them. That was when she decided to reveal her ground-breaking secret. She jogged over to the blissful couple and tapped Arianna on the shoulder. She had to go on her tip-toes as Arianna was so tall, almost as tall as Rand.
"Psst! Arianna!" Egwene whispered loudly.
"Hmm?" Arianna sighed, raising her head from Rand's shoulder and looking down at Egwene.
"I have to tell you something!" Egwene declared.
"What is it Egwene?" Rand asked, annoyed.
"It's ok, don't mind him, just tell me." Arianna placed her forfinger upon Rand's lips to quiet his protests, then allowed herself to be led away by Egwene. Rand muttered under his breath, gritted his teeth and followed them. Egwene led them well away from the crowd, looked around for eavesdroppers, then turned to Arianna.
"Cenn Buie isn't your uncle and your not from the Two Rivers!" Egwene declared proudly.
"Egwene! How could you say such things!" Rand cried out in outrage.
"What?! It's the truth. My sister, Berowyn, told me!" Egwene shot back in defense.
"It's ok Rand, let her finish..." Arianna said softly.
"Your mother is a Tar Valon witch and your father is her Warder!" Egwene smiled triumphantly as Rand's jaw dropped.
"Stop telling tall-tales Egwene or I'll have a word with your father!" Rand warned, his voice full of malice.
"Berowyn was 13 when your parents came to the Two Rivers," Egwene was now talking specifically to Arianna, "they came with a baby girl with big blue eyes and fair hair, asking us to harbor you, that the life of an Aes Sedai was too dangerous for a baby. They wanted to keep you here till you were old enough to live with an Aes Sedai safely. My father, being as kind as he was, agreed. He asked Cenn Buie, a single man, to take you in. At first Cenn refused, but when they showed you to him, he though you were adorable and he agreed."
"So you mean, everything I've known all my life..." Arianna's voice trailed off.
"...is a lie!" Egwene finished happily. She felt so good about making Arianna miserable.
"You horrible little girl!" Rand roared as Arianna collapsed into his embrace, sobbing softly. Egwene cringed.
This is not how it's supposed to go! Egwene thought to herself. Rand shooed her away with a wave of his hand and began to stroke Arianna's hair, whispering words of comfort in her ear. Just then, the lord and lady appeared, seemingly out of nowhere.
"Arianna?" the lady inquired. Arianna lifted her head, her tear-stained face wore a look of agony. Rand looked at her in confusion, then turned his attention to the lady, shooting nervous looks at the lord.
"Yes, that's my name, at least I think it is...after what Egwene said..." Arianna mumbled.
"Don't you mind what she said," Rand said softly.
"Yes, well...I couldn't help overhearing, and I must tell you, though it pains me, it is the truth." The lady said.
"HOW DO YOU KNOW?" Rand inquired loudly.
"Because I am her mother." The lady replied calmly.
"And I am her father." The lord added.
"Wha-?" Rand began.
"Who are you?" Arianna asked.
"My name is Moiraine Damodred, I am an Aes Sedai."
"And I am Lan Mandragoran, her Warder."
"Actually, it's al'Lan, even though he won't admit it!" Moiraine added, giving Lan a wry smile.
"Mandragoran, the name of the Malkieri kings..." Arianna muttered.
"How'd you know that?" Lan asked incredulously.
"It's obvious where she got her brains from." Moiraine smirked at the look of indignation on Lan's face.
"So that means that I'm royalty!" Arianna said.
"Yes, your full name is el'Arianna Damodred Mandragoran of Carhien and Malkier." Moiraine explained.
"Carhien?" Arianna asked.
"Your mother is of the house of Damodred." Lan explained.
"Blood and bloody ashes! Light burn us all!" Rand yelled, throwing his hands up in the air.
"Arianna, will you come into the Inn? There is much for us to talk about" Moiraine tilted her head towards the Winespring Inn.
"Yes...mother." Arianna tried to get her tongue around the word. It must have been odd, not saying it for 18 years. Moiraine and Lan flanked Arianna and they walked toward the Inn, leaving Rand standing there gaping.
"What just happened here?" he said aloud, to noone in particular.