Moiraine and Lan find out what had scared the horses.

kawaiibobby: I've watched the three episodes by now, and surprisingly, I didn't cry. I just wanted to strangle Moiraine a few times. Thank you for reading and your review ❤️

When he opened his eyes again, Lan didn't know how long he had slept. Something was bothering him. His body was tingling, and his senses screamed. What was going on? Moiraine slept peacefully in his arms. She didn't have a nightmare or a panic attack. She wasn't crying or plotting something without him. So, it couldn't be her he was worried about. What had woken him?

Tiredly, the Warder lifted his head. Had it been a sound which… the nervous neighing of the horses reached his ears, and Lan's eyes widened. What was wrong with the horses? Hadn't Anvaere and Eliza calmed them hours ago? What was going on out there? Well, whatever it was, Lan would have to take a look.

Carefully, the uncrowned king of Malkier freed his hand from Moiraine's grip, then slipped out of bed to put on his clothes.

"Lan?"

Of course, his disappearance didn't stay unnoticed. It was like Moiraine could sense him moving – or when he left her side. She turned around, her hand searching for him until she opened her sleepy eyes and saw him standing beside the bed, putting on his clothes. Lan didn't want to know how this had to look to her.

"Don't leave."

Sighing, Lan crawled back onto the bed, kissing her. There was no other way to make her believe he was real. "I'm not leaving you, Moiraine. But something doesn't feel right, and I need to check it out. Go back to sleep."

Confused, she furrowed her forehead. "What's wrong?" She was fighting against sleep, slowly waking up again.

Lan kissed her again. "Sleep. I'll be back. I promise." He left the bed and reached for his sword.

"The horses."

Why did he even try? This woman would do whatever she wanted to do. And now that she was awake, she heard the noises too.

"I don't understand. Anvaere and Eliza calmed the horses."

"Stay here. I'll be back."

"Lan-"

He didn't wait for her reply. Quietly, the Warder closed the door behind him. There was no need to wake Anvaere and Eliza should they still be asleep. He didn't know Anvaere's horses very well, so he didn't know what was scaring them. Maybe it was the wind moving through the barn, creating a strange sound that drove them nuts.

The house was quiet while Lan walked through the corridor, down the stairs, and moved to the front door. Everyone was asleep, and there was no one else in the house. Yet, he had this strange feeling that something was off. What was it?

It was a quiet night outside. In the distance, Lan heard the laughter of drunk men, but it was barely audible because Anvaere's house was built at a distance from the rest of the houses. So, the nervous neighing of the horses was the loudest noise. Even the wind was quieter. There was nothing that could explain why the animals freaked out. Or had someone entered the stable? Had the horses detected an intruder?

Lan drew his sword, then went to the building beside the house. The door stood open, and he saw light shimmering inside. Someone WAS with the horses!

But when he entered – ready to kill the intruder – he stopped in his tracks. Anvaere stood before a horse box, stroking one of her horses while whispering at the four-legged animal. She raised an eyebrow when she saw Lan.

"My lady." The uncrowned king of Malkier lowered his sword and tilted his head politely. "What are you doing here? It's in the middle of the night."

"My horses needed me. Something makes them nervous." She patted the now calmer horse and moved on to the next box. "The same thing happened a few hours ago, and I don't know what it is."

"Could it be the wind? Is something broken which could create an unnatural sound when the wind moves?"

"Nothing is broken!" Anvaere was clearly offended by Lan's suggestion. "If something breaks, I make sure to fix it immediately so none of my horses gets hurt!"

Lan held up his hands in defense. "I didn't mean to insinuate you don't know how to take care of the horses. I'm just trying to find an explanation for why your horses are nervous."

"It's not just my horses that feel a change. Your horses are spooked too." The oldest Damodred sister pointed at Aldieb and Mandarb.

Frowning, Lan watched the horses dancing nervously in their boxes, though the white mare neighed scared from time to time. What was going on? It was unlike them to be scared. Both the mare and the stallion had seen countless battles during their years. Not once had they showed… fear.

"That's odd," Lan murmured, approaching his stallion.

Mandarb had placed his head over the door of his box, tilting toward Aldieb like he wished he could reach her. He turned his head when his owner reached him and snorted. Lan stroked his head gently. "What is bothering you?"

Aldieb neighed quietly while continuing to dance nervously in her box. The Warder watched the mare worried. What was he missing?

"Does your horse get easily scared?" For the first time, Anvaere sounded honestly interested.

"No." Mandarb nudged Lan's chest, then nibbled on his sword arm. He wasn't hungry. But what was he trying to say? "Usually, they are calm. They are used to dangerous situations."

"Dangerous situations? What do you mean by that?!" Anvaere's voice sounded sharp. She didn't like the sound of Lan's description. "What are you pulling my sister into?!"

But the uncrowned king of Malkier ignored her. He didn't care what she was thinking of him. He was more concerned that Mandarb and Aldieb were also affected by whatever was scaring the other horses. What was going on in this stable?

Suddenly, he heard someone opening the door of the stable, and his body reacted automatically. He didn't like Anvaere, but she was Moiraine's sister. He would protect her if she liked it or not. In an instant, the Warder was ready to attack whoever was coming through that door and cursed when Moiraine entered.

The Aes Sedai eyed his sword questioningly, then approached him. Meanwhile, the uncrowned king of Malkier relaxed and lowered his blade. Stubborn woman!

"What are you doing here, Moiraine?" Why had she left her room? He had promised he would return to her. "You should be in bed."

"The horses are nervous." The woman of the Blue Ajah ignored his question on purpose. Instead, she moved to Aldieb's horse box.

The mare pressed her head against Moiraine's body as if she was longing for contact and released a soft neigh.

"Oh, you poor thing," Moiraine said tenderly, pressing a soft kiss on Aldieb's forehead. "It's all right. I am here. Nothing will happen to you."

Lan stepped beside her. "I don't like it," he whispered. "If even Aldieb and Mandarb are nervous, something bad must happen."

"Could it be the village?"

"I didn't hear anything out of the ordinary. Just a few drunken idiots."

"But there is nothing else here. Why are Aldieb and Mandarb acting like that if there isn't an attack on the village or us? They don't get spooked by the wind or shadows."

"I know."

Both winced when they heard a frightened scream and a loud crack in their backs. Eliza's horse had panicked, trying to break free from her box. Sadly, the brown mare was hurting herself in the process.

"No!" Anvaere left the stallion she had just calmed and rushed to the next box. "Easy, girl. There's nothing to be afraid of."

"Help her," Moiraine said, nodding at her sister. "I will put Aldieb in Mandarb's box. Perhaps it will calm them when they're together."

Lan sheathed his sword and nodded, agreeing, then crossed the stable to help calm the scared mare.

The Aes Sedai opened the door of Aldieb's box, and the white mare came to her, pressing her head against the woman's chest. "It's all right, Aldieb. Don't worry. Shall we get you to Mandarb?"

Aldieb released a quiet neigh, which sounded like she would agree. Smiling, Moiraine patted her flank lovingly, then led her out of the box.

Mandarb had placed his head over the door of his box again and snorted softly when he saw Aldieb.

"Move, silly one," Moiraine said, laughing, pushing the stallion's head gently out of the way. "I can't open the door if you block it. Move."

The black stallion blew hot air into the face of the Aes Sedai but obeyed. As soon as the door was open, Aldieb walked inside, aiming for Mandarb. Both released a soft neigh as a greeting, then the mare stepped beside the stallion and placed her head over his back. Mandarb copied the gesture by putting his head over Aldieb's back.

Smiling, the Aes Sedai watched the four-legged companions from her position at the door. Their need for close contact reminded her of herself and Lan. Hadn't she longed for Lan's touch only a few hours ago? Apparently, the horses were no different than their owners.

"Moiraine!"

Anvaere's panicked scream made the woman of the Blue Ajah swirl around, then freeze. In front of her stood a Myrddraal! The Eyeless opened his mouth and screamed at her. Moiraine winced but otherwise couldn't move a muscle. She hadn't felt the creature!

"Moiraine!"

Lan! She wanted to look at him – wanted to see him one last time before the Myrddraal would kill her – and there was no doubt it would.

As if the monster had read her mind, it lifted its poisonous blade, ready to behead her.

"Run!" She couldn't. Her feet refused to move. No, this time, it would be her ending.

Suddenly, someone grabbed the back of her tunic and pulled her backward. Moiraine stumbled and fell to the ground. The blade of the Myrddraal missed her by an inch, and she released a trembling breath.

"Come here!"

Lan was there before the creature could try to attack her again, pulling its attention to him. But Moiraine's savior wasn't done yet. He kept pulling her away from the fight, deeper into the horse box, not caring that he had to pull her all the way since she hadn't been able to stand up.

Moiraine saw a black leg from the corner of her eye and felt the warm breath of Mandarb on her neck. The stallion had bit into her collar to save her from the Myrddraal!

"Mandarb, let go," Moiraine breathed, but the stallion didn't listen. She tried to pat his jaw – a sign which should tell him to let go – but it was useless.

The stallion pulled her all the way into the furthest corner of the box – far away from the fight. Then he released her.

Growling, Moiraine got back to her feet, only to be blocked by Aldieb. The white mare shielded the woman of the Blue Ajah with her body while Mandarb stood before them, protecting them both.

"Aldieb, get out of the way!" The Aes Sedai tried to push her horse backward, but Aldieb tried to bite her instead of moving.

Shocked, Moiraine took a step back. "What are you doing?!" An angry snort was the only answer she received. Then Aldieb tried to push her deeper into the corner by nudging her softly.

"Stop that!"

Frustrated, Moiraine tried again to push the mare's head or butt out of the way, but it was useless. Light, her horse was stubborn! Growling, she took the only way left to escape this situation and dove under Aldieb's belly.

Aldieb neighed protesting but couldn't stop her owner. Moiraine saw that Lan was still fighting the Myrddraal. Light, she had to help him!

But the horses had different plans for her. Mandarb noticed her and bit into her sleeve.

"You can't be serious!" Moiraine glared at the stallion. "Let me go, Mandarb!"

The Myrddraal screamed in her back, but she could do nothing. First, she needed to free herself from their stubborn, overprotective horses.

"Are you all right?"

Moiraine flinched when Lan appeared beside her. The Myrddraal lay dead on the ground. How did he…? She had turned her back on him only for a moment!

"Are you hurt?" Panicked, she let her eyes move over his body, searching for injuries.

She suddenly realized she couldn't heal him should a poisonous blade hit him. There was no Aes Sedai close by, and she couldn't go to Tar Valon to beg for help. She was still exiled from the White Tower. Her panic weighed heavy on her chest, so she could barely breathe.

"Moiraine," Lan said softly, cupping her cheek with his hand. "I'm unhurt. Did the Myrddraal touch you?"

Trembling, the Cairhien woman held on to the Malkieri's hand, then shook her head in denial. "No. Mandarb…." Her voice was heavy with emotion, close to crying. She couldn't finish the sentence.

Luckily, Lan didn't need anything else. Wordlessly, he wrapped his arm around her, stepping close to her and kissing her cheek before placing her head in the crook of his neck. He couldn't feel her panic attack without the bond but knew her well enough to recognize the signs.

Moiraine used her free arm to hold him close while her other arm was still awkwardly caught between Mandarb's teeth. She took deep breaths, inhaling Lan's scent to calm herself. He was alive and unharmed.

"Warder? This guy brought friends!"

Lan didn't hesitate when they heard Anvaere's voice and swirled around. "Stay here!"

"Lan!"

Moiraine tried to follow him, but Mandarb pulled her back. A frustrated scream escaped her lips, and she glared at the stallion. "For the last time – let go of me." Her voice sounded cold, yet Mandarb didn't care. He pulled her back into the corner against her will, and Aldieb helped him by pressing her head against Moiraine's back and pushing her forward.

"Stop!" She stumbled against the wall of the box when Mandarb finally let go of her. Cursing, she turned around, but Aldieb was in her way again. "Aldieb!"

"Moiraine!" Anvaere appeared in front of the horse box while keeping a worried eye on Lan, who fought against two Myrddraals. "Are you all right?"

"Yes. The stubborn horses think they need to protect me." Moiraine tried to move to her sister, but Aldieb gave her a nudge with her head, making her stumble back. "Would you stop that?!"

"Good." Anvaere stepped aside. She kept a bow and quiver for hunting only a few steps away, and there were also a few swords. She put the bow and quiver on, then grabbed a sword and returned to her sister.

"What are you doing?" Moiraine asked when she saw what Anvaere was wearing.

"I'll try to help your Warder. You'll stay where you are while-"

A Myrddraal emerged from the shadows behind the oldest Damodred sister and sent her to the ground before she could finish her sentence. The sword landed beside her.

"ANVAERE!"

Aldieb and Mandarb moved closer together, as far away from the Shadowspawn as possible. At the same time, Moiraine was pinned against the wall by Aldieb's warm body, unable to move. "Anvaere!"

The Myrddraal turned its pale face to Moiraine, tilting its head like it was thinking about something before it released one of those painful screams and reached for the groaning woman on the ground.

"No! Leave her alone!"

Of course, the creature didn't listen. Without looking at the Aes Sedai again, it walked toward the exit. When it passed the open door of the horse box, Moiraine saw her sister being pulled over the ground by the ugly monster. Where was it taking her?!

"Anvaere!"

Finally, she managed to push her mare one step away from her. Immediately, she used her new freedom to duck under Aldieb's belly and then under Mandarb's, too, before she sprinted to the door of the horse box. She had to save her sister!

But as soon as she stepped out of the box, a Myrddraal crashed into the outer wall of Aldieb's box – almost crushing into the woman of the Blue Ajah. If she had left the box only a heartbeat earlier… And the creature wasn't dead!

Quickly, Moiraine stepped back, watching the monster get back on its feet and attack Lan. He and the two Myrddraals used the entire stable for their fight, making it impossible for Moiraine to pass them!

A movement outside caught her eye. The doors of the stable stood wide open, so Moiraine could see the horse of a Myrddraal waiting for his owner. The monster which had dragged her sister outside stood beside its four-legged companion and threw a dazed Anvaere over the back of the stallion.

"Anvaere!" Why wasn't she trying to free herself?! She was always so strong and tough. One punch couldn't knock her down. They were Damodreds, after all. They were used to worse.

Frustrated, Moiraine opened herself to the One Power. She wouldn't lose her sister to those monsters. She… Realization hit the Aes Sedai like a bucket of ice-cold water. She couldn't touch Saidar anymore! "No."

Helpless, she had to watch how the Myrddraal mounted its horse behind its prisoner. She had to do something! "No, please."

One last scream – maybe a signal for the remaining Shadowspawn – then the horse moved away from the stable.

"Anvaere! ANVAERE!"

Her sister was gone. She had failed her. All those years of fighting against the Shadowspawn, and in the end, she couldn't even save her own sister. Silent tears ran down her cheeks, which she didn't notice.

A gentle touch startled Moiraine, but it was only Aldieb. The mare felt her owner's desperation and wanted to offer her love.

Suddenly, the Cairhien woman lifted her head. She could still save her sister. There was still a chance. She didn't have the One Power, but a horse to follow the Myrddraal. She couldn't give up like this!

Moiraine swirled around, aiming for Aldieb's saddle, when her eyes fell on the sword Anvaere had dropped after the Myrddraal's attack. Carefully, she picked it up and weighed it in her hands. She rarely had held a blade in her hands – though Lan had done his best to teach her some basics. There was no way she could defeat a Myrddraal with this, but maybe her skills would be enough for Anvaere to escape. It was worth a try.

The Aes Sedai put the sword on her back, then Aldieb gave her a nudge, making her stumble. Obviously, the mare didn't like Moiraine's plan. But Moiraine had enough of her protective horse.

"Listen," she snarled. "You have two choices. Allow me to saddle you, or I will take another horse. Either way, I'll go after my sister."

Aldieb snorted and showed her teeth, then moved to her saddle. She wouldn't let her owner leave without her. They had been separated far too long in the past month.

Moiraine released a relieved sigh. It was time to save her sister.

A few minutes later, Aldieb was saddled, and Moiraine ready to leave the stable. Mandarb stepped in her way, blowing hot air in Moiraine's face.

"I have to go, Mandarb."

He gave her a nudge against her shoulder and snorted again. He didn't like her plan.

"You stay with Lan."

Determined, the Aes Sedai pushed the stallion aside, not even wondering why it was so easy this time, then searched for Lan. His fight with the Myrddraals was far from being over, but they had moved to the other side of the stable, leaving a safe passage for Moiraine to leave the stable.

Without thinking twice, the Cairhien woman led her mare to the exit. Everything was quiet. The villagers didn't know anything about what was happening up there.

The scream of a Myrddraal made the Aes Sedai turn her head. One of the creatures had noticed her departure. It turned its back on Lan, which was a terrible mistake. The Warder used the opportunity and ended his opponent. At the same time, he noticed Moiraine.

"Don't!" Lan swirled around to face the last monster.

Moiraine was certain her Warder would kill the last one in no time, but she couldn't wait that long. Anvaere was in danger, and she had to help her.

Regretfully, she mounted Aldieb. Of course, she was no idiot. She knew her chances would be better with Lan by her side, but he was occupied at the moment. No, she couldn't wait for him.

"Moiraine!"

She heard the anger in his voice and decided to ignore it. Without looking at him, she gave Aldieb the sign to move. She had to save her sister!

The next chapter will be uploaded on Tuesday since I'm taking a break. I will be on vacation for a week.

I would appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave a review.