Hi peeps! Luna here with Chapter 3. I got bored and started working on it just a few days after I finished writing Chapter 2, but I didn't feel like posting until now. I'm sorry! Please don't hurt me!
The first part of this chapter is a little serious and angsty-ish, but I honestly could not put much humor into it. The humor will return, though, never fear. Just let me have my fun.
One reviewer--I'm pretty sure it was Kearin--was kind enough to point out that it was Shaidar Haran, not Shayol Ghul itself, that blocks out the One Power. Thanks, Kearin, I am well aware of that, but it slipped my mind when I started writing this fic. So thanks for reminding. I'm going to explain away my error by saying that Shaidar Haran was being disagreeable and wouldn't allow any use of the One Power. ^_^'
Well, anyway, hope you enjoy the chapter. And do the kind thing and review.
Remember that I started this fic before I read Crossroads of Twilight, so I am disregarding events that happened in the tenth book. Well, the books kinda blur together after a while, but I'm fairly sure I didn't use anything out of CoT.
I'm sorry for the long-winded author notes all the time, really I am. But go ahead and read the new chapter. I'm done for now.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 3 - Glimpses of the Trio and a Meeting
*~*~*
Aviendha, Elayne, and Min sat glaring daggers at the short, silver-haired woman who was holding them captive. The three women were bound by what seemed to be flows of Air, yet that was impossible since Elayne and Aviendha were unable to sense the True Source. Their captor had not bothered to gag them. Then again, there really was no reason to. They had no idea where they were, and they could not think of any way to escape.
Min was in denial. How could this have happened? Elayne and Aviendha should have been able to fend off the woman. Both of her friends could channel, and Aviendha was Aiel to top it off. The auras Min was seeing around the woman only served to confuse her. She did not know the meaning of any of them, but she was certain this woman was Black Ajah. She dearly wished she had her knives.
Elayne was reduced to frightened despair, but she was not about to reveal that fear. She could not channel in this place, wherever it was, and could not feel the True Source at all. That frightened her. If she had been stilled, she would still be able to sense the Source. Yet here it seemed there was no Source. She feared for the safety of her sister and Min, and for the well-being of her unborn twins. But she had to keep up hope that by some stroke of ta'veren luck Rand would be able to rescue them. And if he didn't, well, they would just have to get themselves out.
Aviendha was neither in denial nor frightened. She was angry that she, her first-sister, and Min had been stolen by this short little woman. She could not help being impressed by the woman's luck, but it still angered her. Had Aviendha realized a moment sooner what the silver-haired woman had planned, she would have channeled their kidnapper into oblivion. Had Aviendha not been bound by these odd weaves of Air, she still would have been able to kill the woman. Without the aid of saidar, there was no way for Aviendha to break through the weaves, but she would find some way to free herself, her first-sister, and her near-sister.
***
A/N: I think that Aviendha could probably consider Min her near-sister, don't you?
***
"Oh, don't fret, girls, I'll let you loose eventually. It's not like we have any use for you other than to lure that bloody Dragon here," the short woman said, sneering at them. "You were so easy to kidnap, girls. And Lews Therin will meet his death trying to rescue you."
Elayne glared at the woman. "It was sheer dumb luck you managed to drag us here! And Rand will come to our aid!"
"Don't make me laugh, girl. Whether it was luck or not, you are here, here to lure Lews Therin to his death," the woman snarled.
Aviendha stared coldly at the woman, trying to think. There was something that seemed remotely familiar about their kidnapper. Aviendha knew she had never met their captor before, but the woman's manner made her remember something else, an event that had happened while she was still in the Three-Fold Land.
Min tried again to decipher the meaning of the auras around the woman. That glow, those colors, that image. It meant death, but that was so broad. What did a snake have to do with anything? And a doorframe, especially such an odd one? It made no sense to her, so she was quite puzzled when Aviendha hissed, "Shadowsouled, it was you in the Three-Fold Land!"
The silver-haired woman smiled a cold, humorless smile. "Yes, you are the girl from that Light-forsaken Waste, aren't you? Aviendha, was it?"
Aviendha bared her teeth, hate now burning in her eyes.
"Who is she?" Min asked.
"A Shadowsouled who hid in the Three-Fold Land. She try to kill Egwene and me, then Rand before Moiraine Sedai pushed her through the doorframe ter'angreal," Aviendha explained, never shifting her glare from the Forsaken.
"Very good, Aiel. It is I, Lanfear, now known as Cyndane. I killed your dear Moiraine. It would not have been necessary if she had not interfered. But she did and paid the ultimate price," Cyndane sneered. "Obviously, I was killed, too, but the Great Lord is good to his Chosen and gave me a new body."
Min could not think of an insult horrible enough to express the hate she now felt for their captor. She struggled against her bonds. She wanted nothing more than to put her hands around the Forsaken's throat and choke the life out of her. "You killed Moiraine! You'd better hope I never get loose or you'll be needing another body from the Father of Lies!"
Elayne gave a startled cry. "It's Rand! He's here!" She, like the other two, had felt the sudden shift in the bond as Rand Traveled.
"Yes, but how long will it be before he is able to come for us?" Aviendha murmured.
*****
"Well, Cyndane has the three girls, and Shaidar Haran has just informed me that al'Thor is here to rescue them. And he knows about the Chambers of Doom." Moridin paused, glancing at his fellow Chosen. So few remained, thanks to al'Thor. That was good, though. Fewer Chosen mean fewer challenges to his position as the Nae'blis. "So, any ideas about what the Chambers of Doom are?"
"Torture," Semirhage said promptly.
"Thank you, Captain Obvious," Graendal said sarcastically. "I think we should use Compulsion."
"And turn al'Thor into one of your witless puppets?" Mesaana said, sounding contempuous. "We should do something that will completely fry his mind."
"Maybe his head will explode," Semirhage said hopefully.
"It would be nice, wouldn't it?" Aran'gar said from where she lounged on a large couch. "Moridin should use the True Power to give him a monstrous headache before he enters the Chambers."
"The way you use saidin to give that girl Amyrlin her terrible headaches?" Graendal asked. "Oh, that still sounds odd."
***
A/N: Okay, think about Egwene's nasty headaches. Only Halima/Aran'gar can relieve them. I think that she does something with saidin to cause these headaches, and no one suspects it because a woman isn't supposed to be able to channel saidin. Was that a little farfetched?
And I'm sure I'm stating the obvious here (a bad little habit of mine), but Graendal is commenting on the fact that Aran'gar is a woman channeling saidin, and it just sounds odd to her.
***
"Maybe you should sic that girl on him, Semirhage," Mesaana suggested.
"That bloody gambler stole her away, remember?" Semirhage snapped, seething. "Just the thought of all the plans he ruined..." She made an angry sound. "If I ever get my hands on him, I'll make him regret the day his father first kissed his mother!"
***
A/N: Many people, including me, think that Semirhage is disguised as Anath, Tuon's Truth-Speaker or whatever it's called. So that's where I get that, okay?
***
"Later, Semirhage," Moridin told her. "Remember that we have a task on hand. Now somebody had better give me an idea before I make all your heads explode!"
Moghedian, who had been silent during the discussion, spoke up. "Since none of us can agree on one idea, perhaps each of us should have his or her own chamber in which to use our own individual talents against al'Thor." She looked almost fearfully at Moridin.
Moridin glanced at her, surprised. He had only had her at this meeting in case he wanted a cup of spiced wine or the Seanchan's ingenious kaf. "Moghedian has an excellent idea," he said at last, and Moghedian exhaled audably. "We will each have our own chamber in which al'Thor will face us. Remember, I want him to leave here crying. But don't kill him. That's the Great Lord's direct order."
"Which part?" asked Aran'gar.
"Which part what?" Moridin said, looking confused.
"Which part is the Great Lord's orders?"
"Um, the don't kill al'Thor part."
"Oh."
"Since Shaidar Haran is being a butt and won't allow any use of the One Power right now, I got permission from the Great Lord for all of you to use the True Power. But only for this task! Use it afterward and Shaidar Haran will eat your spleen for breakfast!"
"Since when do Myrddraal eat?" Semirhage asked, but there was a sadistic gleam in her eyes as she imagined someone having their spleen eaten by one of the Eyeless.
"It's a figure of speech," Moridin told her, looking exasperated.
"Oh." Semirhage looked disappointed, then brightened when she remembered she could use the True Power to torture al'Thor to her heart's content if that was what she wished. But, no, she didn't need the True Power. She had something even better in mind.
"Okay, now all that is left is to decide the order in which we will face al'Thor." Once again, Moridin looked around at the other Chosen.
The gathered Chosen spent a good hour deciding the order, but at last all was ready. Everyone left to prepare for their turns at facing the Dragon Reborn.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Well, that was... um... odd?
Demandred wasn't present because, um, I don't know. He just wasn't. I guess I have a problem with all the theories about who the heck he's parading around as. I'll give you a better explanation later. Maybe he'll appear in later chapters. I haven't decided yet.
Well, hey, look at this. Semmy has decided to join me for a moment even though I've retired her.
Semmy: I don't like the way you portrayed me in this chapter. I'm not THAT sadistic.
Luna: Too bad. I'm the author using Robert Jordan's characters, so just deal with it.
Semmy: *pouts*
Anyhoodles... sorry about all the author's notes. Again. Do they annoy you? Really? Well, like I told Semmy, DEAL WITH IT. They come with the fic, so you'll just have to put up with them.
I have a website-type thing now! The link is on my profile. If you have looked at my profile and wondered where all the lists went and why my muses are different, visit the site. Parts of it are still under construction, but it's mostly done now. If you wish, email me and let me know what you think of it, okay?
Well, please review. I'll try to have the next chapter up as soon as I can. Or when I take the time to write it. Whichever... Is anyone even reading this fic? I didn't get any reviews for chapter 2... Maybe I should just quit writing this thing...
The first part of this chapter is a little serious and angsty-ish, but I honestly could not put much humor into it. The humor will return, though, never fear. Just let me have my fun.
One reviewer--I'm pretty sure it was Kearin--was kind enough to point out that it was Shaidar Haran, not Shayol Ghul itself, that blocks out the One Power. Thanks, Kearin, I am well aware of that, but it slipped my mind when I started writing this fic. So thanks for reminding. I'm going to explain away my error by saying that Shaidar Haran was being disagreeable and wouldn't allow any use of the One Power. ^_^'
Well, anyway, hope you enjoy the chapter. And do the kind thing and review.
Remember that I started this fic before I read Crossroads of Twilight, so I am disregarding events that happened in the tenth book. Well, the books kinda blur together after a while, but I'm fairly sure I didn't use anything out of CoT.
I'm sorry for the long-winded author notes all the time, really I am. But go ahead and read the new chapter. I'm done for now.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 3 - Glimpses of the Trio and a Meeting
*~*~*
Aviendha, Elayne, and Min sat glaring daggers at the short, silver-haired woman who was holding them captive. The three women were bound by what seemed to be flows of Air, yet that was impossible since Elayne and Aviendha were unable to sense the True Source. Their captor had not bothered to gag them. Then again, there really was no reason to. They had no idea where they were, and they could not think of any way to escape.
Min was in denial. How could this have happened? Elayne and Aviendha should have been able to fend off the woman. Both of her friends could channel, and Aviendha was Aiel to top it off. The auras Min was seeing around the woman only served to confuse her. She did not know the meaning of any of them, but she was certain this woman was Black Ajah. She dearly wished she had her knives.
Elayne was reduced to frightened despair, but she was not about to reveal that fear. She could not channel in this place, wherever it was, and could not feel the True Source at all. That frightened her. If she had been stilled, she would still be able to sense the Source. Yet here it seemed there was no Source. She feared for the safety of her sister and Min, and for the well-being of her unborn twins. But she had to keep up hope that by some stroke of ta'veren luck Rand would be able to rescue them. And if he didn't, well, they would just have to get themselves out.
Aviendha was neither in denial nor frightened. She was angry that she, her first-sister, and Min had been stolen by this short little woman. She could not help being impressed by the woman's luck, but it still angered her. Had Aviendha realized a moment sooner what the silver-haired woman had planned, she would have channeled their kidnapper into oblivion. Had Aviendha not been bound by these odd weaves of Air, she still would have been able to kill the woman. Without the aid of saidar, there was no way for Aviendha to break through the weaves, but she would find some way to free herself, her first-sister, and her near-sister.
***
A/N: I think that Aviendha could probably consider Min her near-sister, don't you?
***
"Oh, don't fret, girls, I'll let you loose eventually. It's not like we have any use for you other than to lure that bloody Dragon here," the short woman said, sneering at them. "You were so easy to kidnap, girls. And Lews Therin will meet his death trying to rescue you."
Elayne glared at the woman. "It was sheer dumb luck you managed to drag us here! And Rand will come to our aid!"
"Don't make me laugh, girl. Whether it was luck or not, you are here, here to lure Lews Therin to his death," the woman snarled.
Aviendha stared coldly at the woman, trying to think. There was something that seemed remotely familiar about their kidnapper. Aviendha knew she had never met their captor before, but the woman's manner made her remember something else, an event that had happened while she was still in the Three-Fold Land.
Min tried again to decipher the meaning of the auras around the woman. That glow, those colors, that image. It meant death, but that was so broad. What did a snake have to do with anything? And a doorframe, especially such an odd one? It made no sense to her, so she was quite puzzled when Aviendha hissed, "Shadowsouled, it was you in the Three-Fold Land!"
The silver-haired woman smiled a cold, humorless smile. "Yes, you are the girl from that Light-forsaken Waste, aren't you? Aviendha, was it?"
Aviendha bared her teeth, hate now burning in her eyes.
"Who is she?" Min asked.
"A Shadowsouled who hid in the Three-Fold Land. She try to kill Egwene and me, then Rand before Moiraine Sedai pushed her through the doorframe ter'angreal," Aviendha explained, never shifting her glare from the Forsaken.
"Very good, Aiel. It is I, Lanfear, now known as Cyndane. I killed your dear Moiraine. It would not have been necessary if she had not interfered. But she did and paid the ultimate price," Cyndane sneered. "Obviously, I was killed, too, but the Great Lord is good to his Chosen and gave me a new body."
Min could not think of an insult horrible enough to express the hate she now felt for their captor. She struggled against her bonds. She wanted nothing more than to put her hands around the Forsaken's throat and choke the life out of her. "You killed Moiraine! You'd better hope I never get loose or you'll be needing another body from the Father of Lies!"
Elayne gave a startled cry. "It's Rand! He's here!" She, like the other two, had felt the sudden shift in the bond as Rand Traveled.
"Yes, but how long will it be before he is able to come for us?" Aviendha murmured.
*****
"Well, Cyndane has the three girls, and Shaidar Haran has just informed me that al'Thor is here to rescue them. And he knows about the Chambers of Doom." Moridin paused, glancing at his fellow Chosen. So few remained, thanks to al'Thor. That was good, though. Fewer Chosen mean fewer challenges to his position as the Nae'blis. "So, any ideas about what the Chambers of Doom are?"
"Torture," Semirhage said promptly.
"Thank you, Captain Obvious," Graendal said sarcastically. "I think we should use Compulsion."
"And turn al'Thor into one of your witless puppets?" Mesaana said, sounding contempuous. "We should do something that will completely fry his mind."
"Maybe his head will explode," Semirhage said hopefully.
"It would be nice, wouldn't it?" Aran'gar said from where she lounged on a large couch. "Moridin should use the True Power to give him a monstrous headache before he enters the Chambers."
"The way you use saidin to give that girl Amyrlin her terrible headaches?" Graendal asked. "Oh, that still sounds odd."
***
A/N: Okay, think about Egwene's nasty headaches. Only Halima/Aran'gar can relieve them. I think that she does something with saidin to cause these headaches, and no one suspects it because a woman isn't supposed to be able to channel saidin. Was that a little farfetched?
And I'm sure I'm stating the obvious here (a bad little habit of mine), but Graendal is commenting on the fact that Aran'gar is a woman channeling saidin, and it just sounds odd to her.
***
"Maybe you should sic that girl on him, Semirhage," Mesaana suggested.
"That bloody gambler stole her away, remember?" Semirhage snapped, seething. "Just the thought of all the plans he ruined..." She made an angry sound. "If I ever get my hands on him, I'll make him regret the day his father first kissed his mother!"
***
A/N: Many people, including me, think that Semirhage is disguised as Anath, Tuon's Truth-Speaker or whatever it's called. So that's where I get that, okay?
***
"Later, Semirhage," Moridin told her. "Remember that we have a task on hand. Now somebody had better give me an idea before I make all your heads explode!"
Moghedian, who had been silent during the discussion, spoke up. "Since none of us can agree on one idea, perhaps each of us should have his or her own chamber in which to use our own individual talents against al'Thor." She looked almost fearfully at Moridin.
Moridin glanced at her, surprised. He had only had her at this meeting in case he wanted a cup of spiced wine or the Seanchan's ingenious kaf. "Moghedian has an excellent idea," he said at last, and Moghedian exhaled audably. "We will each have our own chamber in which al'Thor will face us. Remember, I want him to leave here crying. But don't kill him. That's the Great Lord's direct order."
"Which part?" asked Aran'gar.
"Which part what?" Moridin said, looking confused.
"Which part is the Great Lord's orders?"
"Um, the don't kill al'Thor part."
"Oh."
"Since Shaidar Haran is being a butt and won't allow any use of the One Power right now, I got permission from the Great Lord for all of you to use the True Power. But only for this task! Use it afterward and Shaidar Haran will eat your spleen for breakfast!"
"Since when do Myrddraal eat?" Semirhage asked, but there was a sadistic gleam in her eyes as she imagined someone having their spleen eaten by one of the Eyeless.
"It's a figure of speech," Moridin told her, looking exasperated.
"Oh." Semirhage looked disappointed, then brightened when she remembered she could use the True Power to torture al'Thor to her heart's content if that was what she wished. But, no, she didn't need the True Power. She had something even better in mind.
"Okay, now all that is left is to decide the order in which we will face al'Thor." Once again, Moridin looked around at the other Chosen.
The gathered Chosen spent a good hour deciding the order, but at last all was ready. Everyone left to prepare for their turns at facing the Dragon Reborn.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Well, that was... um... odd?
Demandred wasn't present because, um, I don't know. He just wasn't. I guess I have a problem with all the theories about who the heck he's parading around as. I'll give you a better explanation later. Maybe he'll appear in later chapters. I haven't decided yet.
Well, hey, look at this. Semmy has decided to join me for a moment even though I've retired her.
Semmy: I don't like the way you portrayed me in this chapter. I'm not THAT sadistic.
Luna: Too bad. I'm the author using Robert Jordan's characters, so just deal with it.
Semmy: *pouts*
Anyhoodles... sorry about all the author's notes. Again. Do they annoy you? Really? Well, like I told Semmy, DEAL WITH IT. They come with the fic, so you'll just have to put up with them.
I have a website-type thing now! The link is on my profile. If you have looked at my profile and wondered where all the lists went and why my muses are different, visit the site. Parts of it are still under construction, but it's mostly done now. If you wish, email me and let me know what you think of it, okay?
Well, please review. I'll try to have the next chapter up as soon as I can. Or when I take the time to write it. Whichever... Is anyone even reading this fic? I didn't get any reviews for chapter 2... Maybe I should just quit writing this thing...
