Okay. So sorry for not updating in the last few days, but my brother came up from Charleston to visit and I've been making Christmas cookies (and eating them too). But here is the chapter. I know this is more Rand-heavy story wise so far, but Sam'll be brought into it more in upcoming chapters, so just bear with me. I think once I finish this story I'll go back and fine tune it all. Right now I just want to get it out there and let you guys enjoy it now, then later. So again bear with me.

Also, I'm still working on the in-between stories between this one and The Beginning, so that'll explain more with the whole Rand growing up and Kira learning how to channel and whatnot.

I own nothing...:tear:

The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass...

What was, what will be, and what is, may still yet fall under the Shadow...

Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time...

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Rand painfully came back to consciousness, all sense of where he was and what day it was skewed. He tried to push himself up, but his arms wouldn't listen to him. He flopped back down on the bed and clenched his fists in anger.

"How are you feeling?" he heard Kira ask.

"Fantastic," he said, his voice muffled from the pillow. "How long have I been here?" he demanded.

"Two days. You…you have a bad infection from your wounds. Mom and Cassie can't stop its growth." Kira knelt down in front of him. "Unless you ask a sister to Heal you, you'll die."

Rand closed his eyes and remained silent for several moments. He sighed and opened his eyes. "Is there a sister you trust?" he asked.

"Nynaeve. She's a Yellow and knew your mother when they trained here."

Rand's eyes hardened at the mention of Sam, but Kira didn't see. "Fine. But..." he began.

Kira rose to her feet and walked to the door of her room without hearing Rand saying 'But'. "Dana, can you ask Nynaeve Sedai if she could come here immediately?" she asked a young girl.

"Yes Kira Sedai," the Accepted said and scurried away.

Several minutes later Nynaeve walked into the room. "So he finally agreed?" she asked, looking at Rand.

"Yes Nynaeve," Kira confirmed.

Nynaeve knelt down and looked at Rand. "This will probably feel uncomfortable," she warned him.

"Just waita bloodyminute," Rand said.

"Hold it," Daniel said, walking into the room. "If you don't mind, I'll do that," he said, glaring at the Yellow.

Nynaeve stood up and glared at Daniel. "He needs to be Healed by someone who knows what they are doing."

"How can we trust you not to bond with him to bind him to the White Tower?" Daniel shot back.

With a painful grunt Rand pushed himself to a sitting position and glared at the two. "I will take my chances…with an Aes Sedai," he began.

"Rand…" Daniel interrupted. Nynaeve beamed.

"Who didn't know my mother," Rand finished. "I don't trust either of you two," he added to Daniel and Nynaeve.

Kira frowned. "Rand…" she began.

"My decision is final Kira."

"Do what he says Kira," Daniel said, seeing Rand's look.

"If you're going to be stubborn about this, then the next best Healer is a Green sister named Sylvanas. She's had experience in dealing with wounds such as yours on the battlefield," Nynaeve said.

"So be it," Rand said.

Kira walked out of the room and returned a few moments later with a woman only a few years older than Rand. She had reddish-gold hair, soft green eyes, and the air of a warrior. She stopped a few paces in front of him. She wore soft brown leather boots, dark brown, nearly black leggings, a dark forest green tunic, and a pair of bracers rested on her forearms.

"So this is the Dragon?" she asked, her voice almost musical.

"Spare me the sarcasm," Rand muttered.

She shrugged and cupped his scarred face in her hands and Healed him. His body felt like it had just been plunged into icy water and he shivered. After several minutes she released his head and stood back.

"I did the best I could, but the marks will still scar. Hope you're not too vain," she told him.

"Look who's talking," Rand retorted quietly.

"With a few more treatments, the scarring should be minimal. If he'll allow it," she added, folding her arms.

"Whatever gets me back on my feet faster," he said.

Sylvanas nodded, looked at him one last time, then left the room. Nynaeve also left, muttering something about stubborn, wool-headed men. "Kira, could you excuse us for a moment?" Daniel asked.

Kira nodded and quickly left the room, not missing the angry look in her father's eye. Daniel folded his arms and stared at Rand. "What do you want Daniel?" Rand asked coldly.

"What the hell is up with your attitude? I've been bending backwards to help you and you snap at me when I try to tend to your injuries," Daniel said.

"Forget it," Rand said.

"I'm not leaving till you tell me what's wrong."

"I said forget it," Rand snapped.

"Tell me what's wrong Rand, then I'll leave. Until then, I'm not going…"

"Why the hell did you lie to me?" Rand suddenly roared, glaring at Daniel with hatred in his eyes.

"What?" Daniel asked, confused.

Tears of anger and frustration poured down Rand's face. "Why the bloody hell didn't you tell me I had to face my mother?"

"What the hell are you talking about Rand?" Daniel demanded.

"My mother's the god-damned Dark One you asshole!" Rand shouted. Janet had just come in and stopped in her tracks when she heard his words.

"That can't be," Daniel said, shaking his head. Neither man noticed Janet. "The Ancients would've told me, or at least have given me some clue."

"Well they gave me a clue," Rand said. "Back in Rhuidean, when I was going through the archways. The Dragon Reborn came and told me 'Life can be cruel. It takes things we hold most dear and steals them away or changes them until they are no longer who we thought them to be'. But I know you knew. You had to've known."

"Rand, we didn't know," Janet said, sitting down next to him. "If we did we would have told you."

Rand's shoulders finally slumped and he bowed his head in defeat. His body began to shake with silent sobs and Janet carefully held him. "I can't do this anymore. I can't stay here. I want to go home. I can't face her…I can't…" he choked out. He slowly fell into unconsciousness.

Janet looked up at Daniel. "We can't tell anyone Daniel," she said.

He nodded. "I agree."

Janet gently laid Rand down on the bed and carefully covered him with a soft, light blanket. "At least we know who took him," she said bitterly. "But how could Sam do that to her own son?"

"She hasn't seen him in over eighteen years Janet. She probably thought him dead," Daniel said.

"That still doesn't make it right," Janet said. "No matter how you justify it."

Hope you guys liked this chapter. I'm trying to make sure everything is somewhat clear, but I still want some mystery...and cliffhangers cuz I'm evil like that. Hehehehehehehe...