Strange Truth…

'Tis strange—but true; for truth is always strange;

Stranger than fiction: if it could be told,

How much would novels gain by the exchange!'

Don Juan

Elayne returned home in a hypnotized trance. She drove the car blindly, relying completely on instinct and routine. She was surprised to find herself in front of her house and came to a screeching halt. She waited for a while to collect herself. She still could not believe that she had to go back to Cleveland… the place where her father lived. She hated her father; she had not seen him since she was three. She knew her mother hated her father, although she had no idea why. She had never asked her mom, because she knew that it hurt her to think about her father. She knew she had a brother, she knew her father lived with his best friend, Tam 'al Thor. She was aware of their family members, but she felt strangely disconnected. She knew that was not home. She did not know what had happened between her parents' years ago, but she hated her father for it. She knew her mom would be broken, more than herself, to know that she had to go to Cleveland. She would never try to stop her, knowing that her career meant so much to her. She could not decline Mr.Bryne's offer, for he had helped them out of so many tight spots. She knew he was more of her father's friend than her moms but he had always been nice to them. He had gotten her mom a job and had taken care of them when they were new in London. He had always advised her like a parent, and had always trusted her. She could not let him down. In a way, she understood why he might want her to go back to Cleveland, maybe because he thought there was a chance her parents might bury the hatchet and let bygones be bygones, but she knew that it would not be so. She had seen the fury in her mother's eyes when she spoke of her father, so much so that Elayne had stopped mentioning his name in her presence. She went inside to tell her mom everything. She found her sitting in a chair, reading William Blake and drinking coffee. She was getting on in years, and had lots of grey in her hair. On the other hand, she seemed strangely content and pleased with life. She hated to break her mother's peace, even if it was an illusion. She went to her mom, hugged her and told her what had happened. Her mother listened quietly, and showed no emotion. She seemed to be trying to make a decision, and finally seemed to give in… captive to her thoughts. She started to cry, and finally, after twenty years of waiting, she found out why her mom hated her father.

'Your dad… never loved me. He had other women in his life. He always abandoned me. He left me alone at home to take care of you and your brother. He took me for granted, never letting me live the life I so much deserved. I bore all this patiently, for you both. I would have done so my whole life. I would have suffered happily, if not for the fact that he soon started drinking. He returned home drunk, beat me… used foul language. Still, I bore it all. Until one day, when he came home and started hitting you both for small and unnecessary things. I filed for a divorce, and he, with his contacts, proved me to be an incompetent parent. The court granted him custody of you both, but in the end we came to an agreement. I agreed to pay him a certain amount of money each month to keep you. I came here to London, and lived a happy life. I hoped that his shadow would never fall upon you, and prayed for my son. I have suffered so much, and only I know the pain I have carried inside me. If you want you can go, I will not stop you. I will never stop you, for you are my daughter and I love you. Please remember that.'

Moghedien's words were followed by a stunned silence. Elayne had no idea her mother had suffered so much. Her heart was filled with hatred for her father, she felt like murdering him. She wished he would die. Watching her mother cry silently, her face in her hands, Elayne came to a decision. She would go to Cleveland.

Her mother was strongly against it. Elayne could understand. No matter of persuasion, however, could change her mind. She decided to talk to Mr.Bryne the very next day. He was the friend of Thom Merrilin, and she would have to be careful.

She came up with a very convincing story.

'Mr.Bryne, I will go to London. I will meet my father, I will stay with him. I will do your autobiography. However, I do not think I can stand the thought of meeting my father… so suddenly… so… fast. I don't think I can stand it. I promise you, I will do my best for the reason I will go there. However, I will go there on one condition. I will not be Elayne when I go there. I will be someone else, so that they do not recognize me. I will, in time, tell him the truth, but… for however long it takes me to come to terms with the strange truth, I will be in disguise. I will be… Nynaeve. Yes, Nynaeve. I work for your company. You will tell my father I couldn't come, but someone else would. This is my only condition. You do not lose anything, but I do. It is fair. Promise me that you will not forewarn my father or anybody else of my true identity… including my mother.'

Her last words seemed to have a strange effect on him. He hesitated, and then said…

'Under the light and by my hope of rebirth and salvation, I, Gareth Bryne, promise to you, O daughter of Thom Merrilin, that I will do as you ask me, and will not inform my friend, Thom, of your true intentions… nor will I inform anyone else.'

This convinced Elayne, and when Mr.Bryne told her that her flight would leave in two days, she agreed without any arguments. The flight would go via New York, and would reach Cleveland not long afterwards. She only hoped her mother would forgive her, and understand her. She suddenly had another idea. She went home and told her mom everything, and her mom, too, seemed pleased by her plan. However, she did have a word of caution.

'Your father's a very clever man. He is very cunning. He will try to thwart you by any means. He has sold his daughter for money, and can do so again. He does not love you, but he hates me. He may lie, he may plead, but, Elayne, please do not be fooled. I know that underneath that kind face, there is a monster. Behind those calm eyes, a storm rages. The warmth in his voice is a disguise, for he is cold. Your father, Elayne, is a cold-hearted person. Please my dear, remember that.'

Elayne nodded, and promised her mom that she would be careful.