Dragon: hey, i live once more!! thanks youall for waiting, sorry im takin so long.. i such a mean loser... anyways... reviews! from Niani. hehe, yeah, Asmodean rules thanks for reviewing! Aria-Wolfstar, yeah, i know i took forever, im sory! REALLY SORRY!! and this cha took forewver too.. im so mean.. im sorry, ill try harder i swear! next chappie is gonna be good.. i hope.. and lastly, Frodofreak88, hehehe yeah i own it too, thats how i got the idea.. hope you enjoy this chapter.. and lets ALL hope the next one comes faster then the previous two have
Mat: yeah whatever, when do i come into it?!
Dragon: soon Mat, very very soon anyways, ON WITH THE STORY!
--
"cmon Min hurry up!" Rand urged her as they slikned out of the castle, "im comign as fast as i can" Min grumbled in reply, she wished shed changed into her silk pants, they where so much easier for walking in as opposed to her large, puffy dresses.
It was early, very, very early in the morning. Rand and Min had decided to spend the day in town, it hadnt taken long to convince his mother, she thought it was good that Rand was "getting to know his people before he came to the crown"
Nyneave, however, had not been so easy to escape. Not wanting to have her stalk them all day, they had decided to get up as early as possible (seeing as Nyneavewas definently not a morning person) and escape before she awoke. And so far, things were going smoothly.
After a few more minutes of creeping through the castle, they where out in the street. Rand smiled to himself hapily as they trotted along the large square, looking at what the people where sellig here today.
"i cant remember when i last had time for this" Rand said sadly, "your a prince" Min pointed out "you have a lot of duties to attend to" Rand sighed, "i just want to forget that today"
So Min let him. They walked along, stopping occasionally to look at things that took their intrest, chatting hapily about random things, such as the strange new fashins the people had obtained from Tanchico(Nyneave often said the women there where madwomen to wear such clothes, but they'd seen her wearing them herself once or twice) or of the Ivory carvings from Tear, even the weather. Fially, they came apon an alley that lead to the old road. a dusty old road that stood in between the edges of the marcket and the shadowed area of the city.
Rand grinned. "we could get into alot of trouble" Min muttered, hardly able to keep her own excited mischevious smile from her face. "i know" Rand replied as he took a step closer to the road. "but i also know you want to go just as much as me" his smile widened. Min, being the adventurous person she was couldnt resist it any longer. She took a cautious step towards the road. "they say the Forsaken live there" Min muttered as they bth continued to cross the road. "yeah, imagine if we met one" Rand smirked, "dont even say that" Min moaned, but even so, she followed him as he began walking deeper into the darker part of the city.
"here they come" Semirhage giggled from their hiding place in an abandoned shop.
"yeah yeah, lets just get this done" Lanfear drawled as she casually inspected her perfect nails. "I have something imnoprtant to do this afternoon" Semirhage rolled her eyes, "what, get your nails painted again? have another a foot massage?"
"I happen to enjoy treating myself like the queen i should be" Lanfear replied coldly. Oh Light, Semirhage thought to herself, here we go again.
"I should have been queen of this stupid city... I should be the one ruling these people! not some brick headed lout of a man and his pathetic blonde pleasure servant" Semirhage ignored Lanfears rant and replied " come on, lets get this done" They began following the young pair.
"did you hear that?" Min gasped as they contiued to explore the dark abandoned market square. "here what?" Rand ased as he looked about, "not getting all scared already are you?" Min glared defiantly, "No, I am not" she muttered. "Wel thats good then" he smiled at her, it really grater on her nerves when he did that, she was about to reply when she heard it again, voices. with a small jump she grabbed Rands right arm.
"
okay, i KNOW i heard that" she exclaimed as Rand glanced about. He could sense something... It didnt seem quiet right. There was something odd about it, something tainted. Hie eyes widened in shock as he realised what it was.
"F..Forsaken" Min whispered
A dark figure emegred from one of the shops. "Good day to you" the tall, beautiful woman called as she came closer. Min sqeaked and let behind Rand, just as another appeared behind them.
"It is indeed a fine day" The woman garbed in white responded. " and what are two little ones such as yourselves doing in our part of the city on this fine day?"
Rand stiffened defiantly, "this isnt 'your' part of the city, this etire city belngs to my father, your lucky he lets you stay here"
"Hah! he all but banished us!" the woman behind them scoffed, "the least wecould ask is a bit of privacy" They where coming closer, closing in on them.
" what to we do now, Rand?" Min whispered hysterically i his ear. before he had time to think, however,a voice shouted out.
"leave them alone!" all turned to see Nyneave stride gracefully into the square, the glow of Saidar surrounde dher angry figure. They where in trouble now.
" Leave them alone" she repeated as she reached them, somehow managing to place hersef in between the children and both of the Forsaken woman.
" Another little one" the woman in black smirked, the glow soon enfungled the two women as well, "well, lets deal with you first then shall we?"
"RUN!!" Nyneave cried at the two of them as the battle of the one power began. They both began to run, but as they reached the road, Rand stopped. He stared at Min, "you go back, i have to help Nyneave" Min tured to stare at him in horror, "but your the prince!" but the desperate cry never reached his ears. He had already gone.
" aaaw, given in already? hah, your just like all the other weaklings" Semirhage smirld as she and Lanfear held her n the air. It had taken so little time to subdue her, now the could begin the fun part.
"STOP!!!" a voice yelled. Semirhage only smiled wider, she knew he'd be back, he'd never leave his preicous Nanny behind.
She turned to greet the young prince. "put her down. now" he growled.
"NO, RAND!! RUN!!" Nyneave shrieked, only to be muffled by another of Lanfears weavings.
"make us" Semirhage retorted. "If you want your dear Nanny... we dare you to come and take her" it was a foolish thing to do but she knew he would do just as his father would. and it would be his end, or so Semirhage thought.
The prince took a few determind steps forward, his eyes never left the two Forseken, they waited for him to charge at them.
But then, suddenly they felt their weaves being cut off. Nyneave dropped to the ground, and the teo of them where lfted into the air, Paralysed. "the one power!!..." she heard Lanfear curse loudly, she glared at the prince as his Nanny scrambled hastily to his side, "you may have won this time, Prince, but we will meet again" she said softly.
Rand said nothing, he and his braided Nanny both turned and walked from the square. She and Lanfear fell t the ground.
Nyneave trailed Rand, running through her head all the things she'd have to say to him. This entire thing had been his fault, running away like that, hed nearly gotten all of them killed... or worse. "Rand..." she bagen, but the second the words came from her mouth he turned and pulled her into a hug.
Nyneave hadnt been so sure what to expect, Anger? perhaps, Defiance? certainly, but this...?
"Im so sorry, Nyneave" he muttered quietly, "this... this was all my fault, I nearly got you and Min killed... I should have realised... should have realised how dangerous it was.." Nyneave didnt know how to feel really, she was still a bit shaken after being saved by the young prince, she was alarmed at his sudden change of behavior, but at the same time she felt...relieved. She didnt know why, maybe because she was more familliar with this side of Rand, the one shed taken care of most of her life, comforting him after havig a bad dream, or scolding him half-heartedly for running around the palace while tending to a scraped knee... It had changed so quickly, by the time he and Min had turned fourteen Nyneave was having trouble keeping up with them, sometimes she felt as if she didnt know them. But suddenly she felt as if he had changed again. Hopefully for the better this time.
She finally pulled away from him to look him i the eyes, "it took you a while to figure that out, Rand" she muttered, trying to sound scornfull and angry. She knew shed failed. But Rand hung his head shamefully and muttered, "i know, but later's better then never i suppose... from now on i'm going to start acting more responsibly" Nyneave had heard him say those words a thousend times before, but this time, this time she felt he actually meant it.
"i..suppose you'r going to tell my father about this" he uttered into the silence that had followed. "i'd rather aviod that kid of confrontation...but..." he sighed sadly, Nyneave frowned for a second. Rand had learned his lesson, Lews was a kind man, but he could be very hard at times as well, perhaps it would be better...
"I wont tell him.. Rand" Rand looked up at her in shock. "But Nyneave..." "its not necessary, you'v learned your lesson, and i trust you enough to take it to heart this time"
Rand stared at her in dumb shock for a few more seconds. he couldent help but smile slightly at the complete Irony of this conversation, in any other situation, he would have been begging her to keep silent, whereas she would have been completely and utterly persistant. He couldent help but feel gratefull, it was one less problem hed have to deal with. "I have, Nyneave" he said solemnly, "I have"
--
"...he can CHANNEL!!" Semirhage busrt out angrily for the third time. "DAMNIT!! HOW COME WE DIDNT KNOW THIS?!?!"
"Its the Therin family secret" Rahvin said with a small smile for his lady. " there are slmost none outside the Therin family who know, except for that nanny... and that perhaps musician as well..." ever since his betrayal, Rahvin had insisted on using the term "that Musician" whenever he spoke of Asmdean. His hatred of the man ran deeper tghen oe would think. He had been so close to obtaining the throne! then that backstabbing little weasel had gone and ruined it all. Ouuh how it angered him.
"Family Secret..." Semirhage fumed. "why keep it a secret?! theres no shame in having a male channeler in a family"
"perhaps they where scared someone lie you would show up and try to kill their beloved son" Lanfear grinned
"Lanfear.. Shut up, okay?" Semirhage growled, she was soclose to burning every hair on that insolent womans scalp.
" ladies ladies, please" Rahvin cut in smoothly, they both stopped and turned to him. "theres still a way, Master Demandred has a plan and so far, things are going smoothly. This is but a minor setback, but fear not, we shall come into power again"
they both smiled at him warmly, "your right, Rahvin" Semirhage sighed.
"i never doubted you from the start" Lanfear added, sending Semirhage a haughty smirk. Rahvin sighed. Women...
"Rand!! where have you been?!" Elayne came running at him grinning broadly, "I missed you!"
"I was just spending the day out in the town Elayne, remember?" he muttered, forcing himself to smile, he had promised himself to make more of an effort with this girl, although it seemed hardy neccesary, she spent most of her time chasing him down and the rest chattering about her amasing hometown that she never had the time to notice anything, but he had still promised himself this. Besides, maybe Nyneave was right, maybe he WOULD grow to love her...
"Ah yes, with that friend of yours...what was her name again? Lin was it?"
"Min"
"thats right.. anyway come along, its dinner time, and you wouldent believe, i found the most facinating book in the library, its about those funny Aiel people who live past the dragonwall! theirs quite a history behind their..."
Rand nodded and smiled to her recount of her day, trying to listen and pat attention. He was going to get this right.
--
Dragon: erh.. exciting stuff happens in the next chappie! i swear! its gonna get better!! review?
Mat: yeah whatever, when do i come into it?!
Dragon: soon Mat, very very soon anyways, ON WITH THE STORY!
--
"cmon Min hurry up!" Rand urged her as they slikned out of the castle, "im comign as fast as i can" Min grumbled in reply, she wished shed changed into her silk pants, they where so much easier for walking in as opposed to her large, puffy dresses.
It was early, very, very early in the morning. Rand and Min had decided to spend the day in town, it hadnt taken long to convince his mother, she thought it was good that Rand was "getting to know his people before he came to the crown"
Nyneave, however, had not been so easy to escape. Not wanting to have her stalk them all day, they had decided to get up as early as possible (seeing as Nyneavewas definently not a morning person) and escape before she awoke. And so far, things were going smoothly.
After a few more minutes of creeping through the castle, they where out in the street. Rand smiled to himself hapily as they trotted along the large square, looking at what the people where sellig here today.
"i cant remember when i last had time for this" Rand said sadly, "your a prince" Min pointed out "you have a lot of duties to attend to" Rand sighed, "i just want to forget that today"
So Min let him. They walked along, stopping occasionally to look at things that took their intrest, chatting hapily about random things, such as the strange new fashins the people had obtained from Tanchico(Nyneave often said the women there where madwomen to wear such clothes, but they'd seen her wearing them herself once or twice) or of the Ivory carvings from Tear, even the weather. Fially, they came apon an alley that lead to the old road. a dusty old road that stood in between the edges of the marcket and the shadowed area of the city.
Rand grinned. "we could get into alot of trouble" Min muttered, hardly able to keep her own excited mischevious smile from her face. "i know" Rand replied as he took a step closer to the road. "but i also know you want to go just as much as me" his smile widened. Min, being the adventurous person she was couldnt resist it any longer. She took a cautious step towards the road. "they say the Forsaken live there" Min muttered as they bth continued to cross the road. "yeah, imagine if we met one" Rand smirked, "dont even say that" Min moaned, but even so, she followed him as he began walking deeper into the darker part of the city.
"here they come" Semirhage giggled from their hiding place in an abandoned shop.
"yeah yeah, lets just get this done" Lanfear drawled as she casually inspected her perfect nails. "I have something imnoprtant to do this afternoon" Semirhage rolled her eyes, "what, get your nails painted again? have another a foot massage?"
"I happen to enjoy treating myself like the queen i should be" Lanfear replied coldly. Oh Light, Semirhage thought to herself, here we go again.
"I should have been queen of this stupid city... I should be the one ruling these people! not some brick headed lout of a man and his pathetic blonde pleasure servant" Semirhage ignored Lanfears rant and replied " come on, lets get this done" They began following the young pair.
"did you hear that?" Min gasped as they contiued to explore the dark abandoned market square. "here what?" Rand ased as he looked about, "not getting all scared already are you?" Min glared defiantly, "No, I am not" she muttered. "Wel thats good then" he smiled at her, it really grater on her nerves when he did that, she was about to reply when she heard it again, voices. with a small jump she grabbed Rands right arm.
"
okay, i KNOW i heard that" she exclaimed as Rand glanced about. He could sense something... It didnt seem quiet right. There was something odd about it, something tainted. Hie eyes widened in shock as he realised what it was.
"F..Forsaken" Min whispered
A dark figure emegred from one of the shops. "Good day to you" the tall, beautiful woman called as she came closer. Min sqeaked and let behind Rand, just as another appeared behind them.
"It is indeed a fine day" The woman garbed in white responded. " and what are two little ones such as yourselves doing in our part of the city on this fine day?"
Rand stiffened defiantly, "this isnt 'your' part of the city, this etire city belngs to my father, your lucky he lets you stay here"
"Hah! he all but banished us!" the woman behind them scoffed, "the least wecould ask is a bit of privacy" They where coming closer, closing in on them.
" what to we do now, Rand?" Min whispered hysterically i his ear. before he had time to think, however,a voice shouted out.
"leave them alone!" all turned to see Nyneave stride gracefully into the square, the glow of Saidar surrounde dher angry figure. They where in trouble now.
" Leave them alone" she repeated as she reached them, somehow managing to place hersef in between the children and both of the Forsaken woman.
" Another little one" the woman in black smirked, the glow soon enfungled the two women as well, "well, lets deal with you first then shall we?"
"RUN!!" Nyneave cried at the two of them as the battle of the one power began. They both began to run, but as they reached the road, Rand stopped. He stared at Min, "you go back, i have to help Nyneave" Min tured to stare at him in horror, "but your the prince!" but the desperate cry never reached his ears. He had already gone.
" aaaw, given in already? hah, your just like all the other weaklings" Semirhage smirld as she and Lanfear held her n the air. It had taken so little time to subdue her, now the could begin the fun part.
"STOP!!!" a voice yelled. Semirhage only smiled wider, she knew he'd be back, he'd never leave his preicous Nanny behind.
She turned to greet the young prince. "put her down. now" he growled.
"NO, RAND!! RUN!!" Nyneave shrieked, only to be muffled by another of Lanfears weavings.
"make us" Semirhage retorted. "If you want your dear Nanny... we dare you to come and take her" it was a foolish thing to do but she knew he would do just as his father would. and it would be his end, or so Semirhage thought.
The prince took a few determind steps forward, his eyes never left the two Forseken, they waited for him to charge at them.
But then, suddenly they felt their weaves being cut off. Nyneave dropped to the ground, and the teo of them where lfted into the air, Paralysed. "the one power!!..." she heard Lanfear curse loudly, she glared at the prince as his Nanny scrambled hastily to his side, "you may have won this time, Prince, but we will meet again" she said softly.
Rand said nothing, he and his braided Nanny both turned and walked from the square. She and Lanfear fell t the ground.
Nyneave trailed Rand, running through her head all the things she'd have to say to him. This entire thing had been his fault, running away like that, hed nearly gotten all of them killed... or worse. "Rand..." she bagen, but the second the words came from her mouth he turned and pulled her into a hug.
Nyneave hadnt been so sure what to expect, Anger? perhaps, Defiance? certainly, but this...?
"Im so sorry, Nyneave" he muttered quietly, "this... this was all my fault, I nearly got you and Min killed... I should have realised... should have realised how dangerous it was.." Nyneave didnt know how to feel really, she was still a bit shaken after being saved by the young prince, she was alarmed at his sudden change of behavior, but at the same time she felt...relieved. She didnt know why, maybe because she was more familliar with this side of Rand, the one shed taken care of most of her life, comforting him after havig a bad dream, or scolding him half-heartedly for running around the palace while tending to a scraped knee... It had changed so quickly, by the time he and Min had turned fourteen Nyneave was having trouble keeping up with them, sometimes she felt as if she didnt know them. But suddenly she felt as if he had changed again. Hopefully for the better this time.
She finally pulled away from him to look him i the eyes, "it took you a while to figure that out, Rand" she muttered, trying to sound scornfull and angry. She knew shed failed. But Rand hung his head shamefully and muttered, "i know, but later's better then never i suppose... from now on i'm going to start acting more responsibly" Nyneave had heard him say those words a thousend times before, but this time, this time she felt he actually meant it.
"i..suppose you'r going to tell my father about this" he uttered into the silence that had followed. "i'd rather aviod that kid of confrontation...but..." he sighed sadly, Nyneave frowned for a second. Rand had learned his lesson, Lews was a kind man, but he could be very hard at times as well, perhaps it would be better...
"I wont tell him.. Rand" Rand looked up at her in shock. "But Nyneave..." "its not necessary, you'v learned your lesson, and i trust you enough to take it to heart this time"
Rand stared at her in dumb shock for a few more seconds. he couldent help but smile slightly at the complete Irony of this conversation, in any other situation, he would have been begging her to keep silent, whereas she would have been completely and utterly persistant. He couldent help but feel gratefull, it was one less problem hed have to deal with. "I have, Nyneave" he said solemnly, "I have"
--
"...he can CHANNEL!!" Semirhage busrt out angrily for the third time. "DAMNIT!! HOW COME WE DIDNT KNOW THIS?!?!"
"Its the Therin family secret" Rahvin said with a small smile for his lady. " there are slmost none outside the Therin family who know, except for that nanny... and that perhaps musician as well..." ever since his betrayal, Rahvin had insisted on using the term "that Musician" whenever he spoke of Asmdean. His hatred of the man ran deeper tghen oe would think. He had been so close to obtaining the throne! then that backstabbing little weasel had gone and ruined it all. Ouuh how it angered him.
"Family Secret..." Semirhage fumed. "why keep it a secret?! theres no shame in having a male channeler in a family"
"perhaps they where scared someone lie you would show up and try to kill their beloved son" Lanfear grinned
"Lanfear.. Shut up, okay?" Semirhage growled, she was soclose to burning every hair on that insolent womans scalp.
" ladies ladies, please" Rahvin cut in smoothly, they both stopped and turned to him. "theres still a way, Master Demandred has a plan and so far, things are going smoothly. This is but a minor setback, but fear not, we shall come into power again"
they both smiled at him warmly, "your right, Rahvin" Semirhage sighed.
"i never doubted you from the start" Lanfear added, sending Semirhage a haughty smirk. Rahvin sighed. Women...
"Rand!! where have you been?!" Elayne came running at him grinning broadly, "I missed you!"
"I was just spending the day out in the town Elayne, remember?" he muttered, forcing himself to smile, he had promised himself to make more of an effort with this girl, although it seemed hardy neccesary, she spent most of her time chasing him down and the rest chattering about her amasing hometown that she never had the time to notice anything, but he had still promised himself this. Besides, maybe Nyneave was right, maybe he WOULD grow to love her...
"Ah yes, with that friend of yours...what was her name again? Lin was it?"
"Min"
"thats right.. anyway come along, its dinner time, and you wouldent believe, i found the most facinating book in the library, its about those funny Aiel people who live past the dragonwall! theirs quite a history behind their..."
Rand nodded and smiled to her recount of her day, trying to listen and pat attention. He was going to get this right.
--
Dragon: erh.. exciting stuff happens in the next chappie! i swear! its gonna get better!! review?