Disclaimer – I don't own WoT. I wish I did though.

Ch 2

The stranger sighed impatiently.

"I will start from the beginning. My name is Alaenha. I was a Far Dareis Mai before the Wise Ones decided to send me to the Tower."

Rand wasn't surprised. It explained why she had been so familiar with him. He was the "lost son" (or brother, depending on who you asked) of the Maidens.

"As you probably know," she continued. "The Wise Ones send a few girls to the Tower each year to divert the Aes Sedai's attention from the Three-Fold-Land. You probably have never heard of me in the White Tower because my name, or that of any of the others, is not well known. The White Tower tends to skim over the Aiel women who train there, even though nine out of ten of them have Talents and are stronger than any of the others who train there. They are sent back to the Three-Fold-Land as soon as their training is complete. Most choose to cast off their shawl and ring in favor of training to be Wise Ones. I am part of that obscure group from the Tower, though I have chosen not to cast off my shawl yet."

Cadsuane broke in, "Even I didn't know about her, or any of the others. That is, not until she came to me."

Rand was now even more confused. "She came to you? And you received her? Is she really that important?"

Alaenha looked at him contemptuously. "You do not even know who I am, yet you still think you have the right to make judgments. You must learn that even the Car'a'carn is not a wetlander king."

Rand ignored that jab. Why is it that all of the Aiel were repeating that line to him, word for word? "You still have not told me who you are."

Alaenha looked thunderous. "I was about to get there when you so rudely interrupted me," she said, in the same tone that any of the other Wise Ones would have used.

She continued in a thoughtful tone, "You should know me though, Lews Therin."

Rand froze at the mention of the name. "I am Rand al'Thor, not Lews Therin. Do not ever call me that again!"

Alaenha ignored him. "You and I were so close before. Have you really forgotten me?"

"Tell me who you are!" Rand demanded, anger boiling in him.

"You will not believe me if I did tell you. I will show you instead."

Rand felt goosebumps ripple along his arm. Alaenha was channeling. He seized saidin, cautious as ever.

The air around Alaenha rippled. Her features changed. She seemed to grow shorter, her red hair lightening to a shade of gold that reminded him of Elayne, her skin lightening from dark tan to cream.

In front of him, there now stood a woman whose features were hauntingly familiar, yet infinitely alien. He knew this beautiful woman, this woman who had skin like cream and long, dazzling golden hair.

From somewhere deep inside memories that did not belong to him, a single name sprung up, unbidden.

"Ilyena?"

A/N - Sorry this chapter ended up dragging out so long. I felt that it was a really important part of the plot, as it is when Rand finally figures out who Alaenha is (or was). (Are all guys this dense?)

NOTE: pronunciation of "Alaenha" -- (ah-luh-EE-na). It is not meant to be pronounced slow (as in do not emphasize each syllable). The pronunciation is similar to "Alayna".

Oh, and also a BIG thanks to Kamarile Sedai. Your reviews made me feel loved and motivated to finish this story.

Please R&R. I want to know what you think. And also, feel free to tell me if you see any mistakes anywhere. I will do my best to make corrections. Also, do you like my new formatting? I think that separating my A/N and the story make it easier to read. Please tell me if you don't like it.