Does Siuan have a solution for Moiraine's situation? Or does she make things worse?
Also, I want to apologize to kawaiibobby and Haldir Potter: didn't send me an email to inform me about your reviews, so I totally missed the last ones. I am very sorry about that.
kawaiibobby: I totally agree. The unmasking of the bond scene was absolutely incredible, and I loved it soooooo much. I can't get enough of it and keep rewatching it.
HaldirPotter: When I saw the scene of Rand and Logain together in the garden in one of the teasers, I thought about a way of how they could meet, and that scene is what my brain came up with. And yes, I totally understand your longing to beat up Liandrin. Sometimes, she is truly annoying.
Siuan smiled when Moiraine agreed to listen to her. The Cairhien woman could see the nervousness in her lover's features.
"Well, I actually have two plans. For the first one, I'd like to delve you."
Immediately, Moiraine stepped back, but Siuan followed her, sighing. "Hear me out, love. No Aes Sedai has looked at you since you returned from the Eye. Maybe your condition can be fixed with a simple healing or a special weave."
"What is the other plan?"
"Let me try this first."
"No."
The Amyrlin sighed heavily. "You are as stubborn as a mule."
Moiraine gritted her teeth. "I don't like to be delved. It is nasty. Besides, Alanna delved me only a few days ago. She would've healed me if there was anything to be healed."
Siuan raised an eyebrow. "Did Alanna know about the loss of your powers? When Moiraine winced, she continued, "Did you tell her where to look? – What had happened to you?" Moiraine lowered her head. She couldn't look her lover in the eye. "And why, in light's name, did Alanna delve you? Where you in need of healing?"
"It's a long story," Moiraine said.
"Well, then give me a short summary before Liandrin returns, interrupting us."
The woman of the Blue Ajah gulped. She didn't want to talk about the incident with the Fades. Siuan wouldn't be pleased after she heard about Moiraine's solo ride. "Didn't you want to tell me about your plans?"
"Summary. Now."
The two women stared at each other until Mo finally sighed, defeated. If she didn't tell Siuan about her fight with the Fade, Lan would definitely tell her. Those two liked to team up as soon as it had to do with Moiraine's safety. It was annoying sometimes!
"I stayed with my oldest sister, Anvaere. A few nights ago, Fades attacked us. One knocked out my sister and took her with it. So, I followed to save her, but the Shadowspawn was too strong. It tossed me around like a puppet, which I can't recommend. A day later, Alanna arrived and healed me. End of story."
Siuan's facial muscles were moving like she was chewing on her own words. "Full report!" She finally barked.
"We don't have time for this."
"Fish guts! Make time!"
Moiraine smiled at her lover. "It's in the past. Like I said, Alanna healed all my injuries. Can we now talk about that second plan of yours?"
Suddenly, the Amyrlin placed her hands on either side of Moiraine's head and closed her eyes.
Gasping, the Cairhien woman freed herself before the woman of Tear could get started. "I said 'No', Siuan!"
"After what I just heard, I will delve you personally! Alanna is good, but I want to check on you to calm my nerves!"
"Can't you just take my word for it?"
Siuan shook her head. "Not after knowing about your last decisions. You're acting recklessly about your own well-being, pufferfish. Now, let me delve you."
Again, the woman of Tear lifted her hands but, this time, waited for Moiraine to give in to her request.
Quickly, Moiraine threw a glance at the door. Now, she wished for the blonde snake to storm the room again to save her from that conversation.
"You're just drawing out the inevitable, love. I'm a fisherman's daughter. I'm used to waiting until the fish catches the bait."
"Well, in that case…." Moiraine turned around and walked to the door.
She managed to take three steps before she couldn't move anymore. Weaves of air wrapped around her body, legs, and arms. Then Siuan stepped before her with an apologetic look in her eyes.
"Forgive me, pufferfish. I promise I'll be quick."
"No. Siuan, please."
But it was too late. The weaves of air reached her head, so she couldn't move at all, then the Amyrlin prepared the delving weave. Moiraine's eyes started to burn with tears, so she closed them. She couldn't stop her lover.
The Amyrlin's hands were gentle when she placed them on either side of Moiraine's head. Tenderly, she rubbed her thumbs over Moiraine's forehead to smooth the furrow, then got started.
The woman of the Blue Ajah shuddered when the delving weave hit her and moved through her body. Alanna's delve had been quick, only searching for injuries that required healing. But Siuan was different. Although she had promised to be quick, she took her time to analyze every part of Moiraine. The Cairhien woman felt like standing completely naked before her lover, though she could feel the fabric on her skin.
Finally, Siuan released a frustrated sigh, and Moiraine felt the delving ending. In the next moment, she could move her body again.
"Fish guts!" Restless, the Amyrlin walked up and down the throne room. "I really hoped it would have been solved with a simple healing."
Moiraine's hands trembled, and she wished Lan would come back in. She was longing for his embrace. "I told you it wouldn't work." Light, her voice sounded raspy!
"I still can't believe you're stilled!"
"Can we please ask Lan to- "
"But I have a second theory." Siuan didn't even hear Moiraine's quiet question. She was already thinking about her second plan. With a flick of her wrist, the privacy shield fell. "Leane!"
The Keeper of the Chronicles opened the door and stepped in. "You were calling, Mother?"
"Please send Logain in and him alone. I can deal with him should he not behave."
"As you wish."
Moiraine opened her mouth to ask Siuan to let Lan back inside, but no word crossed her lips. Leane had left the door open, so she had to play her role of the exiled Aes Sedai.
Maksim and Ihvon appeared at the door, pushing Logain inside, then closed the door behind themselves.
"Logain Ablar. Step closer," Siuan said in her best commanding voice.
The False Dragon eyed the two women warily. "What do you want from me?"
"As a man who had been able to channel the One Power-"
"You Aes Sedai took that from me!" Furious, Logain took a step toward Moiraine. "She was one of those women who helped gentling me!"
Quickly, the Amyrlin placed herself before Moiraine, drawing Logain's attention back on herself. "I didn't summon for you to talk about your lost abilities or what my Daughters did to you." Her voice was as cold as ice. "You are here because I want you to- "
The door of the throne room opened with a bang, and everyone winced. Lan stormed in, not caring about Siuan's evil eye. "I'll stay in here if he stays!"
Weaves of air stopped the uncrowned king of Malkier in his tracks. Leane stood in the door, shooting daggers at Lan's back. "Forgive me, Mother. I assumed the Gaidins could handle him, but he refused to give up. He pushed a Gaidin at me when I tried to stop him."
Sighing, Siuan turned to Moiraine. "Daughter, tell your Gaidin to- "
"I beg you, Mother." The Cairhien woman's body reacted on instinct. She sank to her knees, then leaned forward until her forehead almost touched the floor. It was the exact same position she had held in the Hall of the White Tower. "Please, allow him to stay."
The Amyrlin sighed, frustrated. Moiraine imagined her lover hadn't assumed the meeting would turn out like that. She saw the hem of Siuan's dress when the woman of Tear stepped before her.
"Stand up, Daughter." Siuan grabbed Moiraine's hands and pulled her back to her feet.
"Please," Moiraine begged again. "He won't bother us."
There was pity in Siuan's eyes. "Leane?"
"Yes, Mother?"
"Release Lan Gaidin. He can stay."
"But, Mother, he-"
The Amyrlin turned to her Keeper of the Chronicles. "He worries about his Aes Sedai. Let him stay, Daughter. He will take care of Logain if necessary."
Leane was obviously not convinced but released her weave with gritted teeth.
"And you, Lan Gaidin, apologize to Leane Sedai for causing her such trouble and pushing one of your brothers at her."
Lan grimaced at the woman of Tear but obeyed ultimately – not risking for Siuan to change her mind about his stay. "I apologize for my behavior, Leane Sedai."
The Keeper of the Chronicles nodded sharply, obviously not believing a word Lan had spoken, then turned around and left the room.
As soon as the doors closed again, Siuan addressed Lan, "You will stay right where you are, Gaidin. If you interrupt me again, I will send you out, and Leane will wrap you into a tight package for the rest of the day. Perhaps I allow her to keep you from your Aes Sedai for the next few days."
Lan shot daggers at Siuan with his eyes. He never had a problem with the Amyrlin, but her threat had hit a nerve, and Moiraine saw the hatred in his eyes. He didn't even answer her but simply crossed his arms before his chest.
"Good." The Amyrlin turned to Logain. "Where were we?"
"You wanted to explain to me the purpose of my presence in this room." Logain's snarky comment was meant to anger Siuan, but the woman ignored him.
"Right, I have a task for you." The Amyrlin took a step aside so Logain had a clear view of Moiraine again. "I want you to look at her. Tell me if you can see any weaves on her."
"Men can't see Saidar," Logain responded immediately.
"I don't want you to look for weaves created by a woman. Tell me if you see weaves woven by Saidin."
Surprised, Logain raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected that. "Saidin? You found another male channeler? Who? The boy who talked to me?"
Siuan moved her hands, and a string of air hit Logain's butt.
"You're not here for a friendly conversation, Logain Ablar. Look at her and tell me what you see."
Logain growled but obeyed. His eyes moved over Moiraine, who didn't dare to move. Finally, she understood Siuan's plan. It was clever, yet she doubted he could help them. After all, the man had been gentled. Could he still see the weaves?
"I don't see anything unusual. But I have been cut off from Saidin. Maybe if I take a closer look…." He left the rest of his sentence unspoken and raised a questioning eyebrow at the Amyrlin.
The woman of Tear thought about his words for a moment, then nodded.
Logain crossed the distance, then started to circle Moiraine with a scrutinizing look. Slowly, his circles turned smaller, and Lan shifted anxiously.
Moiraine held her breath when Logain brushed her shoulder. She wanted to push him away. In the next heartbeat, she felt his hand on her back and shivered.
"Is that necessary?" Lan asked, growling.
Siuan held up her hand to stop the furious Warder from intervening, yet couldn't stop herself from grimacing when she saw Logain's hand on her lover's back. "I'm certain I told you to LOOK at her, Logain Ablar, not TOUCH her."
Logain looked at Siuan innocently. "Do you want me to be thorough? Or do you want me to stop?"
The Amyrlin bit her lip. "Continue," she growled finally.
As if that had been the approval he had been looking for, the False Dragon used both hands to examine Moiraine – and he wasn't gentle. He grabbed her arms roughly, pressed his fingers into her skin, and pulled at her dress.
Moiraine searched for Lan's eyes, then focused only on him. She blended out Logain and his rough treatment. Even Siuan disappeared from her view. No, she needed Lan to calm herself. Emotionlessly, the Aes Sedai watched the rage and disgust moving over Lan's beautiful face. Her overprotective Warder probably thought of a thousand ways to kill that man who dared to touch her.
Suddenly, Logain stepped before Moiraine, blocking her view of Lan. Quickly, she closed her eyes. She didn't want to look at him! Light, how much longer did she have to endure that torture?!
"So?" Siuan's voice was sharp, and the woman of the Blue Ajah imagined a grim line around her lover's mouth. "Can you see anything?"
"Well… there are no weaves around her. At least, none which are visible to me."
Siuan cursed silently, and Moiraine heard her walking up and down again. Both her plans had failed.
Fluttering, Moiraine's eyes opened again. Logain still stood before her with a mad smile on his lips.
"But I thank you for the opportunity," the False Dragon whispered.
Before anyone could react, Logain placed his hands around Moiraine's throat and squeezed.
It was too late to step aside, and her arms took too long to react to the threat. Gasping, she tried to pull off his hands, but Logain was strong.
From the corner of her eye, the woman of the Blue Ajah saw that her lover had her back to them. She didn't see what was happening.
"Moiraine!" Lan's yell alarmed the Amyrlin, but Moiraine's vision was already fading. She needed air!
"Moiraine!" Lan's worst fears became true. Logain had used the opportunity to attack his victim, and Moiraine had no chance against him without her power.
Fortunately, Lan's body reacted immediately, storming to his Aes Sedai. Siuan swirled around when she heard his alarmed yell, but the uncrowned king of Malkier didn't bother. His priority was Moiraine, rescuing her from that psychopath!
"You took my power! You deserve to die!
Lan cursed when he saw how pale Moiraine turned. Why hadn't he moved closer to her as soon as that psychopath touched her? Logain could've had a hidden knife to slice her throat!
The uncrowned king of Malkier reached out his hand and grabbed Logain's shoulder before he moved between his Aes Sedai and the madman. His free hand pulled back, then hit Logain right in the face. Lan felt the nose breaking under his knuckles.
Logain yelped and released Moiraine's throat. Blood ran over his face when he stumbled backward.
Meanwhile, Lan heard Moiraine hitting the floor, gasping for air behind him. He was by her side in an instant, having forgotten about Logain immediately.
The woman of the Blue Ajah kneeled while one hand protected her throat. Slowly, the color returned to her face.
"Let me see!" Lan knew he sounded harsh, but his worries had taken over. Moiraine had been injured, and he had done nothing to prevent it!
"Don't!"
Surprised, the uncrowned king of Malkier faced Logain when he heard the man's scream. Logain flew through the air toward the door, where he finally hit the floor hard. He landed before Leane, Maksim, and Ihvon's feet. Everyone outside must have heard the screams since Lan hadn't seen Siuan channeling a privacy shield and had stormed the room to help them.
"Take him back to his room!" Siuan's voice sounded cold as ice. When Lan looked at Moiraine's lover, he saw pure rage on her face. She clearly didn't like this development. "And don't you dare heal his nose! The bastard deserves the pain!"
Moiraine coughed and pulled Lan's attention back on her. Carefully, the Warder pulled her hand away to look at her throat. He didn't see any damage, but that didn't mean there wasn't any.
"Can you breathe?" Lan asked gently.
Moiraine nodded, though she was still gasping. Relieved, the Warder pulled his Aes Sedai in his arms, rubbing soothing circles on her back. She was alive. Logain hadn't been able to kill her.
"Move!" Siuan nudged his shoulder. Apparently, she had left Logain to the other Aes Sedai. "I need to heal her! Move, Gaidin!"
Lan growled. "You can heal her while you're standing, but I'm not moving an inch."
"That is an order, Gaidin!"
"She is my Aes Sedai! I won't let you push me out again!"
Lan tightened his grip on Moiraine. He knew how powerful Siuan was and that it was a stupid idea to anger her, but he wouldn't leave Moiraine. His Aes Sedai held on to his arm while her head leaned against his shoulder. She was curled up on him, and he wished he had a blanket to wrap around her.
"You're lucky she likes you so much," Siuan hissed, kneeling beside him.
Lan thought about responding, then decided it was for the best to shut up. Siuan was already preparing the healing weave, and he shouldn't disturb her – not when she tried to help his Aes Sedai.
Moiraine gasped in his arms when the Amyrlin started to heal her, so the uncrowned king of Malkier continued to rub soothing circles on her back.
"What happened?" Leane appeared beside them.
"He choked Moiraine, trying to kill her for helping gentle him," the Amyrlin explained once she let go of the healing weave, then stroked Moiraine's hair tenderly. "How do you feel, Daughter?"
"I'll be all right." Moiraine's voice sounded normal again, though quiet, yet Lan could hear a slight tremble in it. And from the look in Siuan and Leane's eyes, they heard it too.
"Get her back to her room, Gaidin. She needs to rest. I'll check on her later." Siuan sighed heavily, and Lan saw how exhausted she was. "Perhaps the next few days will be better."
"We leave today," Lan announced. The next few days? They wouldn't stay in that city!
Siuan put her calm Aes Sedai mask in place, though her eyes were full of rage. "Leane, please inform any sister who had helped gentle Logain to stay away from him. I don't want a repetition of today."
"Of course, Mother."
The Amyrlin waited until her Keeper of the Chronicles was out of earshot before she hissed, "You stay for as long as I say you stay!"
"This is Cairhien!" Lan hissed back. He wouldn't step down. "Worse even, Siuan! – This is the Sun Palace! How could you call her here?! Why couldn't it be somewhere else?!"
"Stop," Moiraine whispered, but no one listened to her.
"I didn't have a choice! I'm the Amyrlin Seat! I can barely take a step without a sister following me! So, I disguised my visit by pretending to check on the king! And since you wrote me she stayed with her sister, I took the closest place, and that was here!"
"I wrote you so you wouldn't worry about her well-being and not to order her to the Sun Palace!"
Siuan gritted her teeth. "I worry about her all the time!"
"We leave today!"
"You stay, and that is my last word! Now, get her to her room and ensure she gets some rest!"
The Amyrlin stood to her full height, staring down at Lan, who wasn't happy about her decision.
"Siuan," Moiraine whispered, but her lover didn't react.
Carefully, the Warder helped his Aes Sedai to turn on her back before he placed a hand under her legs and the other around her waist to lift her from the floor.
The Amyrlin steadied Moiraine's head when Lan stood up, but Lan took a step backward as soon as he stood.
Anger moved over Siuan's face. "Careful, Lan. Don't push me too far. You might regret it."
"You hurt her by keeping her here. I won't act like I don't care about this."
"Please, stop," Moiraine begged again but was ignored a second time.
"She better be in her room when I check on her later." Siuan smiled when Lan glared at her. "You won't like what I will do to you if she isn't there."
"Siuan, don't-"
"Mother." Lan tilted his head respectfully. "If you excuse me now, I need to take care of my Aes Sedai." He didn't wait for an answer. Instead, he left without looking back once.
The next chapter will be uploaded on Sunday.
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