POV Siuan

Siuan could feel her emotions tittering on the edge as she clung to her Aes Sedai calm like a drowning sailor clings to driftwood, three years since she last saw Moiraine, three years of dreading the arrival of the missive from Eyes and Ears of Blue Ajah network saying that some White Cloak got lucky in an ambush and 'Moiraine Sedai' is dead by an arrow in the back, or she is dead by hands of Shadowspawn due to Moiraines incessant forays into the Blight or perhaps there would be no word at all, one day she would just disappear like smoke on the wind, leaving Siuan forever wondering what happened to her.

Siuan did not realise words have left her mouth until she spoke them, "Three years and you wrote to me only twice", even those two letters are brief, addressed to the Blue Ajah network manager instead of Siuan, who only got her hands on those due to her climbing to the rank in record time, is left unsaid. Siuan words must have been more accusotory than she intended because she could see Moiraine hide a wince.

Softening a little at that Siuan began again with more warmth and said, "Welcome home, Moiraine".

A small smile bloomed at the edges of Moiraines lips at Siuans words before she replied, "White Tower isn't home, you are, Siuan, Lan is and perhaps the road is. Can you imagine that you are first person to say those words since I got here"

At those words Siuan could not hold herself back anymore and rushed to envelop Moiraine in bone crushing embrace, almost lifting Moiraine off her feet, it is often easy to forget just how small Moiraine is, when her demeanor often projected her as tall as Dragonmont. If not for that demeanor, Aes Sedai composure and just showing ageless look of Aes Sedai, it would have been easy to believe Moiraine as a beautifully bloomed sixteen year old young noble lady, with her slim yet proportional figure, large, doe like, brown eyes, dark brown hair hanging in ringlets and clear skin Moiraine is as sure as one of most beautiful women in the World as the lionfish is one of the most deadly fish in the sea.

"I can almost hear your beautiful mind work Siuan, what fish are you comparing to me now", Moiraine asked and there is definite note of laughter in it.

Siuan buried the sob of sheer relief and joy in her throat, Siuan just tightened her hold on Moiraine for another timeless moment and released Moiraine from the embrace and took a step back but kept her hold on Moiraines shoulders and really took her in, for all the tiredness Siuan could see in Moiraine posture, the road seems to agree with Moiraine.

"I missed you, Siuan", Moiraine said with such sincerity that it broke all her barriers and Siuan found Moiraine once again her embrace, but now Siuan just sobbing uncontrollably on Moiraines shoulder, who took most of Siuans weight without a stagger when Siuans legs seemed to turn into jelly and Moiraine slowly lowered them both to their knees.

For the life of her Siuan couldn't remember what exactly she said during her sobbing but it was most definitely peppered with missed yous, love yous, Moiraine embraced the Source for just half a minute during that time but Siuan couldn't tell what for or why. The sheer stress that Siuan was under for last three years came gushing forth as uncontrolled sobs.

After some interminable amount of time during which all that pent up emotion poured out of her leaving Siuan feeling oddly empty and content, Siuan came back to herself and lifted her head which has at some point ended up in Moiraines lap, who lovingly ran her fingers through Siuans hair to soothe her, and took in her surrounding, just as Siuan started to panic about prying ears, Moiraine seemingly reading her mind said softly, "There is nobody around Siuan, I checked and put up wards of warning and silence if any drew close."

Siuan rubbed tears out of her eyes and said, "Look at me, bawling like child on her first storm."

Moiraine gently took Siuans hands into her own and kissing them softly before saying, "I am sorry for the burden you took upon Siuan, I am sorry for not being here for you."

"Nonsense, your own burden is no less than mine, yet I do not see you crying out your eyes", Siuan said gruffly.

"I had Lan, you had no one, it is not the same Siuan. I cannot even imagine the strength it took, I am in awe of you", Moiraine said with shining eyes, planting a small peck on Siuans lips, who pulled Moiraine closer for a deeper kiss and grew hungrier more longer it lasted. With Moiraines eager response to the kiss, Siuans hands found Moiraines dress buttons in the back and started to unbutton them.


Several orgasms later, when it is well into the night, with light sheen of sweat on their skin and a well sated smile on their lips, clad in their flimsy silk shifts, laid out on their way too expensive dresses in clearing of the Grove planted by those ancient Ogier damn two thousand and five hundred years , Siuan gently ran her fingers through Moiraines silky locks, who is using Siuans stomach as a pillow and seemed to slowly slide into sweet oblivion of sleep.

While Siuan really wanted to let Moiraine slip into sleep, they needed to talk, to catch up on what progress they had made in the last three years, it is not a guaranteed thing that they will have another private moment like this, knowing Moiraine she already made plans to another journey before she even stepped foot inside Tar Valon and this visit is exactly that, a visit.

If you don't throw the net, you won't catch the fish, thinking so, Siuan asked, "So al'Lan Mandragoran, the Last King of Malkier, how did that come about?"

"Hmmm, I followed his band, he threw me into a lake and I used One Power to soak him and made him miserable for awhile, we uncovered a Black Ajah plot of killing men that they deemed 'too lucky', Merean Redhill of Blue Ajah outed herself as a Black Sister, all of it ended with Merean killing second prince of Kandor, a boy of nine, me killing and disposing her body and bonding Lan as Warder", Moiraine replied with almost nonchalantly, it was only because Siuan knew her so well that Siuan hear that hidden quiver in her voice.

"Oh Moiraine, you have suffered too, haven't you? I am sorry, dear heart", Siuan soothed with a gentle kiss on Moiraines forehead.

Moiraine took a breath to gather herself before saying, " It is done and of no consequence, the Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills."

Siuan is once again struck dumb by the sheer sincerity of Moiraines faith, ' the Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills ' a common enough Aes Sedai catechism, most mean nothing by it, something often used to misdirect, to explain away something without explaining anything, to change topic or end a discussion, yet Moiraine believed, with whole of her heart, she believed in the Light, in the Wheel, in Humanity and in the ever absent Creator. Its that belief that made her so sure in her Convictions.

"As you wish, two girls born with the Spark arrived at the Tower a year ago, saying you sent them our way, their strength in One Power falls somewhere in the middle of the pack, both donned the Novice White", Siuan said to move the subject along.

"Only two! Thats disappointing, I gave gold enough for travel to five girls, I will give their details to you later, no sense in letting girls born with the Spark kill themselves in ignorance, I never liked Tower policy demanding the girls come to them. Send someone to fetch them, Siuan. Whats happened on your end of things?", Moiraine asked.

"I was made head of Blue Ajah eyes and ears as you know. The Tower and Grey Ajah specifically are trying to hold the Great Coalition of Nations formed in response to Aiel invasion together, yet like sand clutched in fingers slipping away tighter the hold, it seemed to be breaking apart harder Tower tries. 'Accidental Deaths' among Aes Sedai stopped happening, but we already lost too much, many of the respected and powerful Aes Sedai are dead. The Red Ajah are upto something, I don't know what exactly yet, but they have become more active recently. I am trying to investigate Black Ajah, but am at the end of my rope, I don't even know where to start and have no means to accurately determine a Black Sister, the combination of the ever present threat of Black Ajah and the fear about you, not knowing where you are and whats happened to you, its not very good for my heart, you know ", Siuan vented her frustration.

As Siuan looked at Moiraine, she got that look on her face when Moiraine either got a brilliant idea or recklessly stupid idea or both at the same time, Siuan impatiently demanded, "You just had an idea, what? What is it?"

Moiraine said slowly with that same thoughtful look, "You want to know how and where I am when I am on the road, there is something that does that exact thing. Ever wonder what happens when an Aes Sedai bonds another Aes Sedai?"

Siuans mouth opened and closed as beached fishs while she couldn't find the words to speak in her stunned state, Moiraine continued in that same thoughtful tone, "Think of benefits that Warders get. Increased senses, increased awareness, faster reflexes, a bit extra strength, a bit more speed, faster natural healing, ability to withstand wounds that would kill other men and less need for sleep, food and water. I once saw Lan cut down an arrow in flight, you know, whether thats because Lan being Lan or because of the bond, I don't know, but bond surely helped. And Warder Cloaks are there as additional bonus, I swear Lan loves the damn thing, he pulls up the hood and blends into background so well, I wouldn't even be able to find him without the bond. Of course there are downsides to consider, but, hmmm", Moiraine trailed off before continuing, "Siuan, you learned the weave to release the bond, right?"

"What! WHAT?! Moiraine, are you out of your mind? Do you even understand what you are considering? It goes against every Tower tradition to even think it", Siuan almost shouted.

"Forget tradition for a bit, now answer my question, do you know how to release the bond?", Moiraine insisted seriously.

Still somewhat stunned, Siuan admitted, "Yes, I learnt the weave."

"Good, swear that you won't every use any form of Compulsion on me, and would release the bond if I asked it of you", Moiraine said seriously.

"Moiraine, this is beyond reckless, the risk is immeasurable, this is madness!", Siuan pleaded.

"We live with risk every second of every day, I trust you, now Swear and Bond me", Moiraine insisted.

Siuan sighed in defeat at the look of unwavering determination Moiraines doe eyes and swore, "By the Light and my hope of Rebirth, I swear to never to use Compulsion or any other weave of One Power to impose my Will on Moiraine Damodred Aes Sedai. And I swear to release her immediately from the Warder Bond whenever she asks it of me."

As soon as Siuan finished swearing, Siuan placed her hands on Moiraines brow and settled the most intricate weave of Spirit known to Aes Sedai on her, as soon as it touched Moiraine the Weave of Spirit wove around and sank into Moiraine and vanished.

Moiraine released a gasp and like a nail driven into wood, suddenly Siuan could feel Moiraine in her head, Moiraines presence should have bloomed, at least that was what supposedly happens with normal bonds, but this felt different, in a moment she was there, like she was always there, and it felt RIGHT from the depths of her soul, Moiraines amazement and surprise are conveyed in crystal clarity. And suddenly Moiraine threw back her head and laughed out loud and without a consious choice Siuan did the same, Moiraines glee became her own and Siuan did not know where Moiraines ended and hers started. They laughed for a long while.

"That man is impossible!", Moiraine exclaimed nonsensically.

"What?", Siuan asked confused.

"I feel like I could run from here to Caemlyn and not feel tired, like I could break bricks with my bare hands, I feel like the world came alive, just as when we embrace the Source if only a little less and I can count blades of grass ten feet away, I feel even a breath of wind as a caress on my cheek and my sense of smell is sharper. All this and Lan did not even show even a smidgen of it, not on his face or in his emotions when I bonded him!", Moriane explained excitedly and a touch absently while looking around.

Perhaps Moiraine felt that small twinge of jealousy Siuan felt through the bond, she whirled around to face Siuan and spoke gently, "You do know that I have never slept with Lan, right? He is my partner in all things but this."

Siuan in a rush to cover up her embarrassment at being caught said, "Why ever not? He is handsome enough fellow and I know you like men too?"

"I do not feel about him that way and neither does he about me. We are two people united in purpose. I have not taken up any other lovers either. And regarding liking men, so do you", Moiraine answered gently.

Siuan sighed a bit before saying, "It is not about sex Moiraine, we always understood that as Aes Sedai a husband, children and a home are unlikely for either of us. All we will have for family are each other. If either of us finds love we know other will only be happy for it, everything else about us we can discuss then. I do not have a problem if you took up other lovers either and I know you will say the same if the situation is reversed. I am just a tiny bit jealous that Lan can be there for you, when I am stuck here."

"Oh Siuan", saying Moiraine embraced her gently.

After a bit they parted and Siuan said with a mischievous glint in her eye, "Since this seems to be a day to be reckless, why don't you Bond me Moiraine, I want those warder benefits too."

"Are you sure?", Moiraine asked even though Siuan was sure she could feel her answer through the bond. Siuan nodded.

"By the Light and my hope for Rebirth, I swear to never use Compulsion or any other Weave of One Power to impose my Will on Siuan Sanche Aes Sedai. And I swear to release her immediately from Warder Bond if she ever asks it of me. I so swear", and Moiraine softly placed the deftly woven Spirit Weave on Siuan.

The moment the weave sunk into Siuan she toppled down on the grass as waves of heat and cold rushed through her, Siuan felt like she like she was a fish that bit the bait and was being reeled in fast and sea is Moiraine, waters of Moiraine entire self rushed around and through Siuan, for a terrifying instant she did not know who she was, Siuan or Moiraine. As quickly as it came, it passed and the World came alive and energy pumped through her, every bit of tiredness disappeared like fog in the sun. And Siuan sat up and then stood up with a sense of fluidity and balance she never felt before, only to see Moiraine doing the same.

"That was perhaps most foolhardy thing we ever did", Siuan said slowly while just realizing her awareness of Moiraine in her head from the first bond expanded, and that sense of rightness increased. Moiraine felt like missing half her soul, no they felt like a single soul in two bodies.

With a irrepressible grin Moiraine said, "I don't know, that time we tried to put mice in Elaidas things and got caught might have been more fool hardy."

At that they broke into peals of laughter for second time that night and this time it lasted longer.

After they settled down, with a grin still on her delicious lips Moiraine said, "I heard Greens saying sex is amazing with a bonded partner, want to test how it would be with a double bond."

Siuans lips are on Moiraines lips as soon as she finished talking and their silk shifts are irreparably torn in the first ten seconds as they got on their makeshift bed of dresses.