A/N Made some edits. My word processor merged a few words together (Track changes). I tried to separate them all, but I might have missed some, sorry about that. Nevertheless, hope you enjoy.

Moiraine silently slipped through the growing crowd forming around a single tent in the middle of the field. From the quiet murmurs going around she knew the Amyrlin Seat to be judging thought of Egwene as Amyrlin had surprised Moiraine when Mat told her. Then the more she thought about it, the more she came to terms with the idea. She had always known the girl to have the potential, just not at such a young age.

Walking through the mass of bodies, the Aes Sedai around Moiraine neither looked in her direction nor made any comments. The fact both infuriated and pleased Moiraine at the same time. A few months back nearly every head would have turned when they sensed her power. Not that she liked the attention, on the contrary, but her power did give her authority, which was always beneficial. If she wanted the attention then the small angreal bracelet in her pocket could be used. At the moment, however, anonymity was exactly what she wanted.

Mat and Thom walked somewhere behind her. The occasional mutterings coming from Mat told her as much. The man, she could hardly see him as a boy anymore, still felt slightly uncomfortable with his missing eye, and so he hid behind the hood of his cloak. He had surprised her the most of the three ta'veren. Even if all of Mat's stories about Rand and Perrin were to be believed, Mat still went the furthest of the three. She had known Rand would follow his destiny, he was the Dragon Reborn after all and Perrin had a good head on his shoulders. Faile would have kept him in line, while she plotted to improve her husband's standing. Mat on the other hand had been nothing more than a little scoundrel. She could not deny she would miss the boys' youthful ignorance of the world. All three had grown old too quickly.

Moiraine desperately wanted to speak to Rand. This growing crowds, however, drew her attention. A gathering such as this meant something important. The crowd grew more dense nearer the front and the Egwene's voice grew steadily louder. Not wanting to hold onto saidar, Moiraine heard little of what the woman said. "Lan would be useful know," she muttered under her breath as she shouldered her way past another tall man.

"... Death by execution." Egwene proclaimed. They were the first words Moiraine heard. A feeling of wrongness passed over her. The sky darkened a fraction and the breeze began to pick up. Lifting her skirt, she bustled through people with renewed vigour.

"Serves the fool right. Never trusted Whitecloaks myself." A woman spoke loudly to a man beside her.

"That you did, my dear" The man next to her replied with anexaggerated nod.

Up ahead people were jeering and mocking. The dynamic of the crowd told her the person was being dragged away from where the Amyrlin sat. She lifted her eyes, where they fell upon a raised execution block. The growing unease within her intensified. She cursed her short stature. Lan would definitely have been useful.

With a final push, she broke through the last line of people. What she saw shook her. A man pushed Galad down onto his knees before a block. The insignia he wore proclaimed him Lord Captain Commander. Galad did not surprise her. His persona had always pushed him to the men in white. For some reason she approved, Galad was what the Whitecloaks needed to get them back in line. What angered her was the fact that Elayne and Gawyn stood there not willing to put an end to this nonsense. Light! And she had called the three boys from Emonds Field fools. The Lord Captain Commander could not be judged like this. Besides, Galad would never knowingly do anything wrong. Even now kneeling on the platform he upheld his values. She was not even taking in Galad's relationship with Rand into account.

"Elayne!" Moiraine spoke loudly. Egwene sat up drawn to her the use of her first name. Her eyes widened, though her expression quickly morphed back into Aes Sedai impassiveness. Then her hand waved and the executioner halted. Lowering his sword he moved away from Galad. "By the Light, what are you doing?"

Egwene's back stiffened at the reprimand. "We are doing what should have been done years ago. The Whitecloaks need to be stopped. The leaders of the world agree and so we have deemed it necessary to..."

Her words were cut off by Moiraine. "Did you think? No, you did not by the looks of things. How could you think murdering Galad would stop the Whitecloaks. Light, he is the best thing to have happened to them."

Elayne and Egwene bristled with anger and maybe a hint of embarrassment. "How dare you speak..." Egwene's shout was interrupted.

"Moiraine!" A loud voice called from her right. She spun, only one man had such a voice. Though it sounded different.

Turning she faced Rand who came towards her rapidly. Berelain and Min followed close behind. A pair of Maidens flanked the group. Moiraine almost smiled, at least some things were still the same.

"Rand, how dare you interrupt me like that!" Egwene demanded petulantly.

Rand stopped and Moiraine feared an outburst from the young man. To her surprise, he calmly turned to face the Amyrlin. His eyes remained on Moiraine. He could not get enough of seeing her. It was only then that Moiraine really began to feel his presence. The world seemed brighter around Rand. His eyes, which had been impressive before, held years a man so young should not have.

Slowly he swivelled his face to look at Egwene. The world fell silent. He sighed and began in a calm voice. To Moiraine it sounded like he was speaking to a child. "When fools are left to their own devices then I dare to interrupt. When fools plot and scheme to the ruin of us all then I dare to interrupt. When girls gossip and make choices based on hearsay then I dare to interrupt." His voice remained calm as he patiently began to put Egwene in her place. Moiraine stifled a laugh. Behind her Mat sniggered loudly. A few heads turned and so did Moiraine's. Mat pulled his hood tighter over his face and fell silent.

Egwene stood from her seat. "I am the Amyrlin Seat and you shall respect me and my position Rand!" she said heatedly to Rand. Despite her growing frustration, she managed to sound composed, a true Aes Sedai.

"Respect is not something gained by being raised to a certain rank." Rand explained slowly again. Moiraine could see the anger building within Egwene. Nearly all the Aes Sedai appeared to be as insulted if not more, and every last one embraced the source. "Now free the Lord Captain Commander."

Cries of outrage and dismay ran through the Aes Sedai and the watching people. Egwene stood, her entire body language spoke of fury, the Aes Sedai cool near breaking. Then there was Rand who continued to surprise Moiraine. There were over a hundred women who could channel standing around him, obviously petrified and infuriated, and yet he casually turned his back on Egwene and closed the distance to Moiraine. He believed his demand would be adhered. Looking at the boy made her smile. His eyes had grown old and wise, but beneath it all he smiled and the joy reached those ancient eyes.

"Moiraine Sedai," he said again. He stopped a pace before her and gave a graceful bow. "Light, it is good to see you again."

"I am glad to be back, Rand Al'Thor," she replied, giving a bow in return. With a swift stride he closed the gap and lifted her in the air, laughing. Before she knew how or why, she was laughing as well. Everything around and about him felt right. No darkness or wrong could survive so close to him.

"I missed you and your council," he said when he finally placed her back on the ground.

"You seem to have done well without me." Rand grimaced and his eyes grew haunted.

"The road has not been easy and without you I fear it was much longer and harder than it should have been." She did not know how to reply. Instead, she did the one thing that went against everything she had always done, yet it felt pulled him into a hug. Her head barely reached his chest. "Thank you, Moiraine Sedai," he whispered to her.

She fought back tears. "It's my pleasure and duty, Sheepherder," she smiled using Lan's words. The crowd around them gasped at the supposed insult.

Rand laughed richly. When he calmed, his eyes grew serious. "Moiraine, would you do me the honour of holding Callandor with Nynaeve and myself when I go to Shayol Ghul?" This was said softly so only Moiraine could hear.

"It would be an honour," she replied. At her words, a weight seemed to drop from his shoulders.

"Thank you. You do not know what a relief your return is for me." His words were said with such sincerity and obvious tiredness that Moiraine truly began to understand what he had been going through. Here was a man trying to save the world and he could not trust the Amyrlin Seat, a woman he had once thought to marry nor any other woman except his old Wisdom.

"I made an oath to you, but even had I not, I would be there for you." He nodded at her words.

"Will the two of you stop talking to yourselves. Will you disrespect the Amyrlin Seat even more!" Egwene shouted. "You dare to come here and make demands of me!"

"Keep quiet, fool girl!" a new voice spoke up from the crowd. People parted around the woman who had spoken. Cadsuane. Egwene's mouth worked furiously. "I think it is you who should show proper respect."

"I will not show respect to some foolish boy who thinks he knows how to save the world."

"Boy! You call him a boy when he is my senior," Cadsuane spoke firmly. "Do you know who you are talking to? This boy," she pointed at Rand. "Is the only man among us who has been officially raised an Aes Sedai. He wore the Ring of Tamyrlin. Egwene, it is you who should be showing proper respect."

"That is nonsense, who could believe such nonsense!"

Queen Tenobia stepped away from the crowd. She was quickly followed by all the leaders of the Borderlands. "I believe." They chorused together. Egwene's stood stunned.

Gathering herself she stared them down saying, "You have all been fooled!"

"Silence!" Rand bellowed. It was the first time Moiraine had seen him angry. A faint shadow seemed to fall over the land for a moment, then it lightened again. Everyone, including Moiraine, shivered. "Now, would you please let the man go or do you want me to walk up there to bring him down myself?" His tone held a touch of amusement at the idea.

"I will not, and you will not!" Egwene replied with a rigid back. Her jaw was set in determination. Her tone was such that Moiraine frowned when Egwene did not stamp her feet in indignation. The girl was a tough one when she wanted to be, but still a village girl.

Rand snorted softly, before he turned casually to Berelain. "Shall we?" Moiraine glanced at Rand who waggled his eyebrows at the three women with him. He clearly enjoyed all of this. Egwene did not realise the size of the mountain she had tried to overcome. To fight Rand she would have needed to be harder than Cuendillar.

Berelain nodded nervously, her eyes scanning the Aes Sedai around her. It was the first time Moiraine gave the woman more than a glance. The First of Mayenne seemed oblivious to Rand's power. Her presence with Rand was still not clear to Moiriane, but Berelain stared up fearfully at Galad. The pieces fell into place and Moiraine knew something had developed between the pair.

"Yes," Berelain answered softy. Then ignoring everyone, Rand together with Berelain and Min, walked up the platform. Moiraine waited for the resulting explosion from the Aes Sedai, none came. Brilliant auras shone from each. Each women held as much of the One Power as they could manage, and still they did nothing to stop the group approaching Galad. Perhaps they could, Moiraine wondered.

All eyes were upon the trio as they made their way up. Egwene stood unable to do anything. The look on the girls face made it all worth it in Moiraine's mind. She had liked Egwene, but doing things so wrong just to gain support was not something she had thought possible of her. Then again, Egwene had been ruthless and had lied for a long time to the Wise Ones. The thought begged the question. Had Egwene even told the Wise Ones? Moiraine would have to remember to ask. Perhaps she should ask a Wise One, she thought with a smile.

Turning her attention away from Egwene, Moiraine studied Rand again. He had reached Galad and was busy helping him to his feet. Berelain moved in and wrapped herself around Galad. The kiss they shared was nothing short of scandalous. Moiraine almost cheered, though she did smile. Galad deserved someone who loved him. For Berelain to kiss a man, especially a Whitecloak, so publically definitely meant she loved him.

A few quiet words were spoken before they descended. Rand led the group towards Moiraine. "Care to join us for a short while?" He asked when they returned. "Mat and Thom can come as well."

"What!" Mat shouted. "You knew I was there and you said nothing! Blood and Ashes, Rand."

"Good to see you too, Mat," Rand laughed.

"Yeah, you too," Mat grumbled falling in step alongside Rand. He made no comment about Mat's face being hidden by a hood. The way Rand touched his missing hand made her think he knew about Mat. She would have to ask Rand about how he lost his hand and how he knew about Mat's eye. Perhaps Mat's ramblings of visions about Rand when he thought about him were true. It was so difficult with Matrim to know when he spoke the truth. Then again, he had done nothing since her rescue to make her believe he lied. However, he begged Moiraine to keep his marriage a secret. When she agreed she began wondering about what other secrets the man kept?

"Elayne, Gawyn, your welcome to join us as well," Rand spoke loudly in order for his voice to reach the Amyrlin Seat. Egwene stood to follow. "I did not say you could come, Egwene," he placed emphasis on her name. "This does not concern you."

"Of course it concerns me. I am the White Tower. I am the Amyrlin seat," she replied haughtily.

"Precisely, this has nothing to do with you."

Egwene sat down again. Trying her best to look dignified. The only visible sign of distress were her faintly red cheeks. "Very well, we will be waiting for you to return."

"Of course," Rand replied and then he left. The crowd parted before him and the group followed in silence. Moiraine had an inkling as to what Rand wanted to discuss.

Inside Rand's tent they all made themselves comfortable. Moiraine was about to relax fully for the first time since going through the ter'angreal when the tent's flap opened. Nynaeve stepped through. It took a moment for the Wisdom's eyes to adjust to the dark interior. When they did, her eyes opened wide in horror.

"Lan's mine!" Were the first words to leave her mouth. "You cannot take him from me!" She cried out in near hysteria. "Rand, she cannot."

Moiraine stood calmly from where she sat on the floor. "I am not here to take Lan. He is yours and has been since the day he first saw you in Emonds Field."

Nynaeve looked perplexed. Then she sagged under the relief. "You don't know what that means to me, Moiraine Sedai," she replied. Before Moiraine could react, the former Wisdom wrapped her arms around Moiraine and began to cry into her shoulder. "The guilt, knowing he was supposed to be yours..." she sobbed.

"It's alright Nynaeve. Lan had never been mine. He is his own man, he was my Warder to fight the Dark One. I would have passed the bond to you on the day you became an Aes Sedai." She pulled back slightly, looking Nynaeve up and down. "You are an Aes Sedai, aren't you?"

Nynaeve snorted in disgust, "I am an Aes Sedai."

"Nynaeve," she said, getting the woman's attention. "I would never do anything to hurt Lan. Withholding his freedom and his choice to be yours would have destroyed him in the end." Nynaeve made no reply.

When they moved apart Nynaeve finally took in the others in the room. "Matrim Cauthon! Remove that stupid hood from your face this instant! Your inside and among friends."

"Leave him be," Rand spoke quietly from the corner where he sat watching Nynaeve and Moiraine. "He will remove it when he's ready."

The inside of the tent fell silent. Rand was the centre of attention. Min and Elayne were close by him, both trying hard not to hate the other. Gawyn stood erect, and still angry at the way Rand treated his sister and Egwene, his Aes Sedai, whom Moiraine could only guess would be his wife soon. Mat sat hunched as far away from anyone as he could, Thom sat next to him though. Nynaeve and Moiraine stood in the middle of the tent, Nynaeve's one arm still around Moiraine's waist.

Finally, Galad entered the tent with Berelain. He had gone to the Whitecloak camp to ensure them he was not harmed. The men had apparently gotten ready for a battle. Thank the Light everything had been sorted out before they could get ready or before Galad had been executed. Moiraine, could only shake her head and wonder what had gotten into Egwene's head to go through with such idiocy.

"We are all here, finally," Rand said at last, breaking the spell within the room. "Firstly, I want to congratulate Galad and Berelain with their engagement." Gawyn and Elayne recoiled in surprise.

"Your engaged?" Elayne asked getting to her feet.

"Yes, Elayne. I am engaged to Berelain," he answered his half sister slowly. From where Moiraine stood, she could see his hands tighten around the sword, which had been returned to him.

"Well congratulations, Galad," Gawyn said moving to shake Galad's hand. Galad took his hand reluctantly. "About earlier... You know I would never do anything to harm you personally. Elayne and myself, we tried to help, but the opposition was to strong. There was nothing we could do."

"I understand," Galad said softly. There was a hint of disgust in his voice. "Thankfully I have other family to help me."

"Other family, as in Moiraine?" Elayne asked pointing a finger at Moiraine. "She merely delayed things till Rand saved you." Moiraine spared her a glare and the Queen of Andor wilted under Moiraine's scrutiny.

"Yes, my other family saved me." Galad said again. For the briefest of moments his eyes flicked towards Rand and he nodded. The look went unnoticed by those standing.

"Blood and Bloody Ashes!" Mat exclaimed. "Your Rand's brother! Light, burn me!"

"Thank you for revealing everything so tactfully, Mat," Moiraine laughed. The rest of the room remained silent.

A/N Hope you enjoyed the chapter. So what do you guys and girls want from the next chapter. Caemlyn... Saenchen invasion... Please take the time to comment and crit. Thank you