Author's Note: I split the Sunday chapter in half because the end kept growing longer. Then, as I just kept finding things to write about, the second part of Sunday kept growing until it became this monstrosity that is twice the size of the previous part. I decided to keep it all together rather than split it once more. Hope y'all enjoy.
Sunday, 998 NE (June 22nd)
It took half an hour to get everyone out of the ship, groups gathering and heading to my father's home, as Mat and Perrin helped soldiers coax the horses back up the ramp and out of the hold. My thoughts hung heavy about the fate of Aes Sedai amongst the Whitecloaks, and what other secret channelers existed out there, like traps littering a dark room waiting for an unsuspecting fool, for me, to stumble upon them. And when I wasn't thinking of the secret horrors of the Children of the Light, I was worried about our upcoming meeting, about meeting people who knew the old me, that I could not remember. Would they even believe me? Would they accept the sailors? Would they think me mad?
After about twenty minutes of this, Moiraine decided we both needed to relax, and led me off to stable Aldieb, her mare, and Red, my stallion, in the half-repaired barn, before taking the opportunity to drag around the corner, daintily hopping onto a barrel and pulling me close without a word, threading her fingers into my hair as I bent down slightly to kiss her, our mouths meeting. My hands roamed her dress, her little squeaks and deeper moans had me only moving quicker. Soon enough all thoughts were gone and there was only Moiraine and her body. My Aes Sedai wife, beautiful and wanting the comfort of touch, of someone who cares, to rid us both of our persistent thoughts. For long minutes we kissed, our hands on each other, roaming and touching, before Min coughed loudly, interrupting us.
"I understand the need to get his mind off, well, everything. And your mind as well. But behind the barn? Really? Anyone could have found you two. And you were loud, Moiraine. Light preserve me from two lovesick fools."
Moiraine flushed immediately, a wave of embarrassment drowning her sweet trills of satisfaction, and the deep roar of lust. I was crimson as well, quickly backing away, while I adjusted my pants and Moiraine adjusted the bosom of her dress and pulled her skirts down. Min's cheeks were the brightest red and she wouldn't quite look at us.
"I had meant only for Rand to steal some kisses, to… to distract him from his worries," Moiraine tried to explain, as she stood from the barrel, legs slightly trembling. "It was him that moved beyond what I intended. He acted quite indecorous to an Aes Sedai. He took… I was not… I did not…" She frowned, unable to say the words she obviously wished to. "It was risky of him to do so, and I wish…" She then glared at me as if I had done something wrong. "Rand al'Thor, you are a fool who makes me a fool. You are dangerous and I should be more careful around you. Who knows what unseemly thing you will do next?"
I couldn't help my exasperated groan. What does that mean?! You're the one who put my hands on your bosom, woman! "Hey, I did nothing you did not ask or teach me to do, Moiraine, my Teacher."
Moiraine glared at me without real fire, her cheeks two spots of red.
Min set her hands on her hips and eyed the Aes Sedai with a knowing gaze. "Excuses is all I hear. Next time, bind his wandering hands if they're so 'dangerous'. You're an Aes Sedai, are you not?"
Moiraine did not have a response to either of us, her face flushed pinker still. It was quite an amusing sight, and I simply had to take her into my arms. "I forgive you for trying to blame this on me, my Aes Sedai wife," I whispered into her ear and she gave a loud huff but kept her mouth shut, sinking into my arms and hiding her face in my chest.
Once we were put together again, and faces calm, the next hour was spent separating supplies between the Vasil's group, and the Illian group, making sure sailors didn't fall asleep in mine or my dad's bed, getting rations to all the sailors and soldiers—just bread and cheese, since they may very well be joining the feast later—and right after we finished, Moiraine had a brilliant idea. Test the Elemental Blade ter'angreal against Lan's royal blade, a Power-wrought sword, in a spar. She meant it as a warning to the First Mate and the so-called 'non-believers' to stick around and not try anything, but I thought we should do it to raise the morale, after the attack and our less-than-uplifting speeches. A display of swordplay between two Warders would be just the thing. I didn't really think they needed a warning, since they saw me earlier this morning, tearing through Fists of Trollocs, but I had wanted to try the ter'angreal ever since I saw it, and I leapt at the chance.
It was about noon when I held the long pale sword hilt without a blade, the guard a series of thin golden wires woven into a curved screen to protect the hand. Gems in the shapes of red flames, and blue waves, of yellow clouds, and green mountains, and a white heart, decorated the hilt. It was a Sport-grade Elemental Blade, whatever that meant, and instinctually I knew how to use it once I laid hands on it, a muscle memory from nowhere. I tried not to think about that.
Lan and I stood before a couple soldiers and sailors on the stretch of grass Moiraine cut yesterday for my training spar with my father, facing one another. Channeling a thin thread of Fire into the ruby flames on the hilt caused the thread to get sucked tight by the ter'angreal, and a blade the size of a dagger appeared. I tied the weave off, but the blade died instantly. Frowning, I channeled again into the ruby, this time a thicker thread of Fire, and a blade the size of a shortsword appeared, made of flames. Increasing the thickness of a thread made the blade grow, and thinning made it shrink, and never could I tie it off. I always had to be providing a flow of the One Power. A few more soldiers were standing and watching avidly.
Once I had that figured out, I shifted to Earth, the thread touching and getting attached to the emerald mountain, and a blade of green jade-like stone grew to mimic my Power-wrought sword. It had a nice weight to it, unlike Fire which felt like I was wielding a thin stick and not a sword. As I released the flow the blade disappeared into green and black dust, swiftly blown away by the wind. I then grasped a thread of Air, touching clouds of yellow tourmaline, and a blue-white blade appeared, solid air formed into a cutting edge. It hummed when I tested the blade, and similar to Fire it felt near weightless, though not as floaty as Fire did. I would have to be mindful.
Water touching the sapphire waves gave me a single-edged blade of pure ice crystal that nearly seemed to freeze the air every time I swung it, and like Earth it had a solidity and weight to it that felt more like a normal sword, more familiar. By this time a crowd had gathered, word spreading I would spar with the Warder, and the murmuring grew louder with each blade I demonstrated, awe spreading through the crowd. Men had not bared such a blade in over three thousand years, and now I would wield it in a spar with Lan Gaidin. What is my life? I thought with a huff.
"Are you done playing, scales?" Lan asked, breaking me from my reverie.
I nodded with a bit of chagrin. "Yes, Lan Gaidin."
I had not touched Spirit, but I wouldn't be using that in a spar with Lan, anyway. If Spirit Swords had showed me anything, it was a blade of pure Spirit was very dangerous and nigh-impossible to stop. I was still in so'shan, the Lord Form offering an enhanced physicality that nearly matched a Warder, though not outstripping him. When you factored in the Warder bond's benefits, however… I would take every advantage I could get. With the Flame and the Void, with ko'di, I achieved the Oneness. The blade of frozen Water one with me, my feet planted solid, one with the ground, and my body tense as a wire waiting for Lan to move, our blades bound by an inescapable gravity.
He moved faster than I had ever seen him except in true battle, blurring into motion with an obvious Unfolding the Fan being the only saving grace of his speed. When his Power-wrought blade met my Elemental Blade a ringing sound echoed while blue sparks flew and a chunk of ice crystal cracked. My thread of Water, held tight by the sapphire waves, tugged on me and pulled more of the One Power, repairing itself in a moment of respite as I leapt back and watched in fascination. The crowd thundered in awe, but I ignored it. So it repaired the blade automatically, but inevitably will drain me. So I have a time limit and my blade cannot stand up to a Power-wrought sword. The real question is, would it stand up to the sword of a Myrddraal?
Lan did not let me retreat long. He wore a look of solemn concentration on his stony face, and in swift short motions our swords met again and again, a ringing sound like clarion bells echoing through the yard, and the cracks grew deeper and longer on my blade with no time to take a pause. The tenth consecutive strike shattered the blade, and I reeled back from the sudden pain in my head as the flow of the One Power forcibly disconnected. The ice of the blade melted into water in seconds, but not before Lan got a cut on his cheek from a stay shard of ice, bright red blood beading, a brief look of frustration crossing his face. In shock, my Oneness also melted.
He did not give me more than a moment of stunned staring, my head throbbing with pain, before he stabbed at me, Eel Amongst the Lily Pads, and instinctually I reached for Fire and pumped the Elemental Blade full, as a greatsword of flames erupted from the hilt to meet the blade. At first the Power-wrought sword cut through the blade of flames, until it hit the thin white-hot core, blue and white sparks filling the air that suddenly felt like a furnace had been opened. I shoved Lan back, our blades locked, and he went reeling to avoid the errant flickering flames.
With the brief moment of respite, I once more settled myself in the Oneness and for one long, seemingly endless minute I kept him at bay, adjusting to wielding the greatsword of Fire. The more wild a swing, the more Lan had to dodge, and soon small burns littered his face and forearms. By the end Moiraine felt a bit annoyed, presumably because of the burns she would have to heal, and the heat that was making the crowd back off. After one last flaring of my sword, I let the flow go, retreating a couple steps back. Lan stared warily at the bejeweled hilt bereft of a blade.
A nice, round thread of Earth gave me a blade slightly longer and broader than my own Power-wrought sword and I felt immediately more comfortable, a familiar weight and length in my hands. Low Wind Rising in a diagonal cut for Lan's chest, our blades locking, and The Grapevine Twines, breaking the lock. Thin cracks run through the blade of Earth, stark black against the bright green of the jade. Our blades meet again and again, Lan still faster than I was, and once again after the tenth blow my blade shattered. This time it shatters into a cloud of green and black dust that sets us both coughing, while I reach for Air.
I Unfolded the Fan with a cool blue-white blade that seemed to fade in above the golden basket hilt. Lan's sword easily met it, and sliced through the top third of the blade, turning it to mist. The rest of the blade whistled on its upwards trajectory, and sliced a deep cut across Lan's upper left arm with nary a sound. After a moment of shock that I actually managed to cut Lan, I felt the chill of saidar and I was locked up tight in invsible bonds, while Lan took his time sheathing his blade, staring at the wound with annoyance visible.
Moiraine glided over to us, an amused look worn, her own annoyance gone, and the bright flare of worry slowly fading, while pride glowed like the rising sun in the bond. "Lan Gaidin, I cannot believe you let the young man made you bleed twice, even by sheer luck. Your gray hairs must be getting to you."
He simply grunted and said, "Unfamiliar weapon. Won't happen next time." and let Moiraine Heal him. The crowd watched, and I half-listened as they chatted about the battle, about their favorite moves, and how fast we fought, and the way that Lan's sword could destroy mine. Arguments formed about which sword was better. I still hung slightly above the ground on bonds of Air, held tight.
"You can let me go, now, Moiraine Sedai." She glanced at me, as if she had not realized I was there, and there was a teasing glint in her eyes, and she adopted a mock-frown.
"Oh, you're still hanging around? You should have said something, dear." Then she giggled, releasing me from the bonds of Air. A few in the crowd chuckled, and soon others joined them, cautiously laughing at the joke an Aes Sedai made. Then she grabbed my arm and raised it. "Rand al'Thor is the winner of this little spar, reaching first blood and wounding Lan Gaidin's left arm, defeating my Warder of nineteen years. May that luck carry him through these next few weeks!"
Lively cheers rang out—I could hear Mat whooping and hollering—people still in wonder at seeing blades of fire and ice, stone and air, like out of a tale. I grinned and basked in the cheers. It may have been a fluke of my weapon, but I won, against a Lan that was more powerful than he normally was in spars, faster and more deadly. There was no way he was going all out against me, but nevertheless, it was a win and I would take it.
I felt proud and happy, that was, until I saw Verin Sedai examining me as if I was a strange new bug she wanted to pin and my mood soured. She had been quiet all day, and apparently had not even realized we were under attack until Moiraine dragged her away from her reading she had supposedly been doing all night. Even now she looked a little bleary-eyed, and occasionally yawned absently. It made me suspicious, and from the doubt and worry of Moiraine, it had made her suspicious too. Awake all night, yet somehow doesn't notice the ship under attack, nor the saidar of the weaves, nor even the beaching, leaving only Moiraine and I to deal with it? I shook my head as the cheers died down, and stepped through the gaps in the crowd to get ready for the meeting.
Nearly a half hour later, sweat wiped from my brow and body and new clothes on, I mounted Red, Moiraine mounted Aldieb, and Min, Perrin, Mat and Lan joined us on their own horses. Masema approached our group armed and armored, alongside four other men including Ichyo and Koto.
"Lord Dragon, if you give us five minutes, we will be ready and mounted beside you."
I frowned. I thought I told Uno that they were to refer to me as Lord Drake. "Why?" It seemed like Masema and his cronies just couldn't stop popping up today, like mushrooms after a rain.
Masema looked taken aback that I questioned his actions, as if it were obvious what he meant to do. "To guard you and your companions, my lord."
I frowned deeper and stared at him for a long moment, before I spoke slowly, as if to make it easier to understand. "This is my home. I do not need guards, and Emond's Field certainly doesn't need soldiers in it, not until I have approval from the village government."
"But my lord—"
Moiraine interrupted him. "He has spoken, Masema."
He bowed his head, first to me, then to Moiraine and said with resignation. "Yes. I understand Lord Dragon, Moiraine Sedai. Forgive me my impertinence." Reluctantly, the soldiers backed off, bowing, before turning and leaving us.
The servility, the bowing and scraping that had been growing since before I was even announced in Fal Dara as Lord Drake and there were only rumors of my lordship, had gotten so much worse today and it made me want to scream. But I could only push or burn such feelings away. I would be king sooner than I thought. I would have to get used to it. Eventually.
We were all dressed in our Sunday best, and I had finally shed my armor and no longer was in so'shan, nor holding saidin, though I longed for it. I wore what had become Moiraine's 'uniform' for me, the scarlet and gold jacket with embroidered dragons. Underneath I wore a white silk shirt, that was new to me, embroidered with red roses and green thorns climbing from the hem, while my trousers were black, embroidered with golden dragons curling around my calves. These were new, light linen and perfect for the summer heat.
Min wore snug white breeches, a red silk shirt and a black coat, cut for her figure. Rubies dangled from her ears, and she had found the time to put some blush to her cheeks, and shared a smoky-eyed look with Moiraine, who wore her deep blue dress, with the sun in gold-thread, and the moon in silver, with silver bangles inset with tiny sapphires and gold hoops for earrings. Mat wore a silk coat of green and brown embroidered with red and white foxes over a nice white linen shirt and cream trousers, with a grumble of course, while Perrin wore a dark red jacket, embroidered with yellow sunflowers, with black shirt, and dark red trousers. All clothing was Moiraine-approved and it showed. We all looked good, more like young lords than country boys. Emond's Field would be in for a surprise when they saw us.
The ride into the village, which took about three quarters of an hour at a trot, was filled with chatter from Mat and Perrin as Min asked questions and they spoke about past Sundays and winners of games, and whether my father or Mat's father would win the longbow competition. Mat wanted to take part in the quarterstaff this year, as he felt 'lucky', and quite excited after watching Lan and I spar. That was something I hadn't realized as I was battling, but apparently Mat and Perrin were shouting their heads off for me to win, cheering me on, Min had told me. That made me feel warm, and gave me a bit of relief from my nervousness to know. They asked about how it felt to fight against a real blade, and also how each different Element felt as a sword, and I happily chattered back, describing them in detail, along with the spar. Lan snorted a couple times at my more flowery phrases, but denied no part of my tale.
As we rode into the village on the Old Quarry Road, we easily could see the Green, covered in families sitting and eating on blankets, and tables piled high with food and drink. I recognized none of them and even the village did not look familiar, for all my memories of parts of it. My home is as unfamiliar as any small village we passed through, I couldn't help thinking, a bit morosely, and Min moved her horse closer to mine and reached out a hand that I squeezed, then let go. We were seen easily enough, and recognized a minute after, as two teenage girls ran across bridge that crossed the Winespring Water, the second girl's dark brown hair flowing like a sheet in the wind, and they crossed the rest of the Green to the road, shouting "Mat! You're back!"
Mat, meanwhile, had leapt off his horse with a look of happiness and gathered the girls into a long hug. "You are in so much trouble, Mat," said the first girl, with mischievous eyes so like Mat's, plump and pretty, her hair braided, wearing a pretty white dress embroidered with yellow sunflowers around the hem, and blue birds around the neckline.
"Mother was so upset." said the second, younger sister who looked near a twin to her older sister but with her hair unbraided, and looked positively gleeful, wearing a nice green wool dress with tiny silk flower buds adorning the cuffs and hem. Mat groaned and let the hug go, before starting as he noticed his parents approaching.
A man that looked like an older Mat, and a cool, collected, handsome woman with dark brown hair braided, a streak of gray at her temple, followed the two girls. Bran al'Vere, and my father came quickly behind them, as well as Haral Luhhan and a stout, strong looking woman as tall as Perrin who must be Alsbet Luhhan. A distance behind them came a family comprising a slim man with dirty-blonde curly hair, and a beautiful woman of above-average height, two inches taller than her husband, wearing a pretty smile and wore her raven black hair in an intricate braid. A teenage girl, a preteen girl and a young boy followed them, the boy with the same curly hair Perrin and his father had, the girls matching their mother. When Perrin noticed them, he got off of his horse, and moved steadily, slowly, cautious almost.
He looked around and caught my eye, before turning and shouting at them. "It is all Rand's fault, I swear! Turns out he caused all the trouble, not me, promise. Swear on the Light."
I laughed and dismounted my stallion, walking over to Mat, holding out a hand to the closest girl, the second, slightly younger looking sister. "Hi, I'm Rand. I sort of lost my memories and don't quite remember your name. Are you Bodewhin or Eldrin?"
She stared at me as if I were a joke and rolled her eyes, limply shaking my hand. "Mat, this has to be the dumbest prank yet. You know who I am, Rand."
"No prank, dear sister. The wool-head really lost his memories of a bunch of stuff. Its wild. That little witch is Eldrin, and the other is Bodewhin." I heard an offended huff, and a muttered 'telling mom' from Eldrin.
"It's nice to meet you both, again. I apologize for just showing up without notice, but Mat just couldn't wait to see you two again. He even shouted at me," I said with a grin.
Mat looked flabbergasted at me, as the sisters turned nearly as one at Mat and cooed a "Mat, you didn't".
"That- that isn't- Rand! You know that isn't why we are here! And I did not even tell you I missed them! I- I mean…" A hand on his shoulder stopped him, as Abell Cauthon stood behind his son.
He gave me a broad smile as he spoke. "Calm down, Mat. Rand's only trying to get your dander up."
His mother, Natti Cauthon, came round giving him a good look over and examined his clothes. The Moiraine appointed clothing seemed to pass muster, and she embraced him in a hug he melted into for a long moment, before she stood back with her hands on his shoulders, looking him over with a cool face. Then she boxed ears, nice and tight. I winced.
As Mat howled, she kept a grip on him and stood him straight through the pain. "That is what you get, Matrim Cauthon, you unrepentant ox-brained fool of a boy. I am glad you are back, of course, but you will leave again on your fool adventure, will you not? I can see it in your eyes, in your new fancy clothes and boots, and that fine saddle of that horse of yours."
Then she hugged Mat again, and this time Mat, much more reluctantly, gave her a hug back, before moving out of her arms and rubbing his ears as he nodded, reluctantly.
"I cannot stay, Ma."
Moiraine had also dismounted and spoke up then, from beside me. "Matrim is ta'veren. Unless you wish the trouble of the world to come to the Two Rivers, then it is better that he not stay. But he will return. I will not tell you how, but he will."
Mat's mother frowned at the Aes Sedai, seemingly unafraid of her. "And who is an Aes Sedai to tell us where our son may or may not stay?"
"I'm not going to question how you got here from the Old Quarry Road," said Abell. "We don't want any trouble with Aes Sedai business, but we want our son to be safe and he won't be safe with you. It can only be a blessing of the Creator that he came back on Sunday, and I think it's best if his adventure ends here."
Beyond our knot stood Perrin speaking quietly with the Luhhans, his family waiting somewhat impatiently. My father and Bran stood a little bit away from us, and seemed to be content with watching what played out. I made to move over to my father, but Moiraine latched tightly to my arm, stopping me.
Moiraine made to speak once more, taking a deep breath as a kernel of frustration budded, but Mat is the one who beat her to the punch. "No! Da, no. I promised I would stay by Rand's side, until he… well until he married…" he said, suddenly sounding embarrassed, looking away. This proclamation delighted his sisters, who listened eagerly.
His father looked at him, then at me. "Is this true, Rand? Did Mat really make such a promise?"
I nodded seriously. "He promised to stick by my side until I married a certain woman, Master Cauthon. And I'm making him stick to it." Abell Cauthon grinned at that, slapping his son on the back, and Natti Cauthon shook her head exasperated, muttering 'men'.
"You still intend to marry Egwene do you? We'll see after Marin handles you for running away with her, Rand. We'll see," Cauthon said, shaking his head ruefully.
Mat's mother looped an arm through his and spoke authoritatively. "Let's get you fed, you're looking a little skinny, Matrim. You too Rand, and bring the Aes Sedai and the… young woman along. You all can join us on our blanket, there is plenty of room. You must have been traveling long and hard to reach here from Tar Valon, and the clay ducks are divine this year! Fat and juicy, tender as can be. A sign that summer will be long and fruitful, or so Mistress al'Carr claims, after that horrid winter. The good Warder, Tam, and dear Bran can put away the horses, I suppose." And with that, it was decided. We would be sitting on the Cauthon's blanket for this Sunday.
There was wolves close by. Perrin could feel them ever since he stepped through the strange Door of Rand's and back into the Two Rivers. He had pushed their questioning thoughts away, the strange images and smells that seemed to make up the language of wolves, closing himself off. He felt guilty he still hadn't told Rand or Mat, especially after today, after he had gotten upset with Rand over him not telling them about how they could travel across the world in hours, could travel home anytime Rand wanted. Yet I do not trust my friends enough to tell them of my eyes? I should at least tell Rand. He would understand, at the very least. He shook his shaggy head, taking another bite of gooseberry pie.
Sometimes, and he felt bad every time, Perrin really wondered how much Rand was still the Rand he used to know, and how much was the Dragon Reborn. He was so different now; he had only taken Perrin to Sunday, to see his family, because Rand had an argument with Moiraine Sedai about how to move forward, or so he overheard some Shienaran's say. For his quest, for his duty, not for Perrin and Mat themselves, whatever the benefit. Though Perrin did believe Rand when he said he would have told them soon. It's just… did that mean days, or weeks?
Still, Perrin thought he could not rightly complain aloud. Seeing his family again, seeing his Da and Ma, little Paet and swiftly growing Deselle, and Adora nearly an adult, growing tall like Ma, tall like Perrin, it filled his heart near full to bursting. And Rand had mentioned visiting once a week to check on the sailors, adding that he would be willing to bring Mat and Perrin along. He even mentioned stopping by the Ayabara farm to set out a spot Rand would 'Door' to, so Perrin could choose to see his family, and not just the Luhhans. But it all tied back to how he was Rand the Dragon Reborn most of the time these days, not to Rand, the friend of Mat and Perrin. Most things now about Rand tied back to what he was these days, not who he used to be.
It was amazing and terrifying the things Rand could do, just with his mind and will and the One Power. Perrin had seen the full extent of Rand's training from Moiraine and it shook him to his core. And any other man would almost assuredly be beginning to go mad if they tried to channel as much as Rand had today. Almost made Perrin's problems look miniscule, Rand's did. Perhaps Perrin really should tell him about his golden eyes? He took another bite of pie, the tart green gooseberries tickling his tongue as he gazed at Rand, sitting and smiling on the blanket next to them, the smell of relaxation wafting from him. It was good Rand felt relaxed, after such a morning, but he leaned a bit too close to Moiraine as he and Tam sat with the Cauthons, and enjoyed themselves. That did not matter though, not right now. Soon the whole village would know the truth about Rand, even if it was only rumor and hearsay from drunk, bored sailors, and Cenn Buie, who certainly won't keep his mouth shut. And they would believe it too, when Rand and Mat and Perrin kept coming back without crossing the Taren, every week.
"Perrin, dear. You seem lost in your head, would you like to speak about it?" his mother, Joslyn Aybara, asked, in that soothing tone of hers, smelling of acceptance, and a little worry. Paet was off running around with the young al'Carr and Thane boys, the three thick as thieves, like Rand and Mat and he were at their age, though Egwene was always there too, in those days when they were younger. His father was talking with Master Luhhan, and Adora, fascinated by Min's clothes, was over at the Cauthon blanket talking avidly with Rand's third wife, not that she knew who Min truly was. Of his immediate family, only Deselle still sat on their blanket, idly chewing nuts baked in cinnamon and honey, at ease.
Perrin always used to talk to his mother about his problems, before he left at age twelve to apprentice with Master Luhhan. He tried it a couple times with Mistress Luhhan, and she attempted to help, but it just wasn't the same. She didn't have the kind understanding of his mother. So he had started thinking things through more and more—especially as he grew larger, and hasty actions meant someone could get hurt—sometimes coming to Master Luhhan for help if it was a matter the blacksmith could assist with. But it had been over seven years since he last sat with his mother and spilled his problems to her, talking them out, figuring out what to do. He suddenly missed it, missed that comfort, the solid presence of someone who knows better, and cares about you, giving advice. Moiraine was the first but certainly not the second. She only cared about Rand, girls who could channel, and Lan, probably. Everything else was just a tool on her tool belt, and any advice she would be tainted, Perrin felt.
After nearly a minute of thinking, Perrin spoke with a low rumble. "Yes, I think I do."
Joslyn Aybara nodded once as if she expected no other response, and stood, reaching a gentle hand down to lift Perrin up. She took him over by the Winespring Water, where the babbling spring would cover up any conversation they had. They took their boots and socks off, dipping their feet into the water as they sat on the mossy bank. The cool water felt refreshing on his feet. "So what has my eldest tied up tighter than bark on a log? Something about Rand? You kept glancing over at him."
Perrin nodded, sheepishly. It felt good though, to know she could still so easily read him. It would help. "Ma, I don't know how to say this, without just saying it."
"Then tell me, Perrin. I'll accept you, no matter what," Joslyn said with a soft smile and searching eyes, and Perrin could smell the refreshing smell of sincerity on her, still mixed with worry, and a hint of shame.
Perrin took a deep breath, and looked his mother dead in the eyes. "Rand is the Dragon Reborn."
His mother looked flabbergasted at the completely unexpected statement. Then worried, before ending with thoughtful. Her smell was a roil of emotions in his nose, causing him to wince involuntarily.
"Tell me why you think this, Perrin. That is a very… bold statement to make, and not even close to what I thought you were about to say," she finished, with a small, rueful chuckle.
That piqued Perrin's curiosity, I wonder what she thought I was going to say?, but he decided to ask later. For now, he mustered up the prophecies that Moiraine Sedai had spoken, the signs and symbols that meant Rand was the Dragon, choosing to not tell his mother about the spirit or Rand's…. revelations. Sailors were still arguing whether or not Rand was mad when they left the al'Thor farm, though Rand had not seemed to notice. No need to worry his mother further than he had to.
"One thing you have to know is that Rand is adopted. He wasn't born to the al'Thor's," Perrin said, carefully, eyeing his mother's face.
His mother nodded. "I know," she said simply, then at Perrin's look of confusion, explained. "Kari al'Thor didn't produce much milk, for it was not her natural babe, so I stayed at their farm for every other week as a milknurse when they returned from the Aiel War. Natti Cauthon was the other. You three have been together one way or another ever since near the beginning, Perrin. But what does that have to do with Rand supposedly being that man, honey?" Her last sentence spoken carefully, with concern.
The words poured from Perrin, his mother's mouth gaping the more he spoke. "He was born to an Aiel woman, a soldier, one of their Maidens of the Spear, and the prophecies say the Dragon will be reborn of a maiden wedded to no man. Born on Dragonmount, just like they say, and he is marked now, with a heron and a dragon. Once to set his path, and once for memories lost, like the memories he lost when he fought... It does not matter. Moiraine Sedai told us all today he was the Dragon Reborn, but I've known for over a month." He stops there, shuts his mouth and waits.
"The Aes Sedai said he was… that Rand is… Can he channel?" She must have seen the answer on his face, because his mother, always kind, looked disgusted right then, her face twisted and strange, her scent bitter and sharp, making his nose burn. "Light, Perrin, do not tell me he has.. has he channeled around you?" The word came out in a sharp hiss. Fear is the most obvious scent, a sour smell, followed by disgust.
Perrin frowned, but stopped his mouth from angrily replying without thinking. This was his mother. She would understand. She had to. "Rand is… different, Ma, different from other men like him. He has some kind of protection from it, from the Taint. He's still Rand. He's done good and he won't go mad," Perrin explained, a little desperately.
"You have." His mother stared in horror at him. "Light protect me, you have."
Perrin felt unmoored. This wasn't going how he planned. His mother wasn't responding in the way he thought she would at all. Will everyone in the Village Council and the Women's Circle act the same way? "He saved our lives today, Ma. I would have died aboard a burning boat, or to Trollocs. And twice before, he saved our lives. Three times he's gone out and fought dozens if not hundreds of Trollocs and three times he's beaten them back." Perrin paused. "He's… he's still Rand, he is. It's just that he has to be the Dragon Reborn as well. And that's kind of the issue I have. It seems like he's mostly the Dragon instead of Rand. I… miss him, Ma."
His words wash over her, and her eyes appeared to be looking beyond Perrin. "Lews Therin Kinslayer, reborn as poor Rand. This is true, you're not pulling my leg? Mat is not about to appear and declare this his greatest prank?" His mother's disgust had receded, and now she looked simply looked shocked, and sickly curious, with a lingering sour fear..
Perrin felt desperate and the words burst like a torrent as he spoke faster than he had in years. "Mother, yes this is true! Light burn me, I'm not playing a prank,"—"Language!" his mother said forcefully.—"I've had to deal with this basically alone the past month, and Mat is no help to talk to because he got all riled up about Rand and wasn't thinking straight, and the Ogier merely wants to research and record, and Egwene was some help, but she loves him so I couldn't talk about everything, and Nynaeve was no help at all, the sourpuss. Rand's so busy with all his training to become the Dragon Reborn that he rarely has time for me and I certainly cannot discuss him to his face. I just wanted to talk like we used to, and figure it all out, but then your face twisted and…" he said, slumping, dejected. His mother hated Rand now, and it was all his fault because he couldn't keep a secret. You oaf, Perrin. You ox-brained oaf.
After a minute of quiet silence, with only the noise of the Winespring and the far off chatter and shouts of Sunday games. His mother sighed and put an arm around him, pulling him into a warm embrace. "I'm sorry, honey, for how I reacted, it's just… difficult to hear. It sounds like you've had a hard month. And you'll have to tell me about this Ogier later. But, yes. I think I can… I can try to just listen and give advice. Just… poor Rand."
"Poor Rand," muttered Perrin. "I don't know about that. He seems to be enjoying his new life, even though he's the Dragon Reborn! He's become different from who he used to be, really serious. He's stronger, faster, smarter, and he's stubborn, but in a dutiful way. Completely head over heels for the Aes Sedai, maybe even more than Egwene, and will do anything she says, nearly. I couldn't have imagined it when we first left. He was as scared of her as we all are."
"Rand's in love with the Aes Sedai? That's cute. Dangerous but cute." his mother said, trying for an amused grin that only looked slightly off. She glanced over at the Cauthon blanket in the distance. "She must consider him like a puppy, fun to pet and play with until it makes a mess all over your rug."
If only… "That is the thing, Ma, that is the thing! She does love him back. They got married through some kind of One Power thing, and so did Rand and Egwene."
"He married… both of them? How? Why? Does Tam know?" His mother looked puzzled, as if she could not quite grasp the concept, and a little lost.
Perrin just sighed and set to work explaining the insanity that was living in the wake of Rand al'Thor's life these days. It would be an hour before his mother finally stopped asking questions, and another half hour before they finished speaking. The others were long gone to hold a meeting in the Winespring Inn without Perrin. In the end, talking with his mother had settled his mind. Rand had a duty now, a job even, as the Dragon Reborn, and Perrin would try not to feel jealous or distant from Rand because he didn't have more time for Perrin, nor should he blame Rand for enjoying what he can about his life. His mother explained that it was simply part of growing up, another part of childhood lost, and would have happened in some form in the next few years, anyway, as wives and children and their livelihoods took up more and more time. That in time they will find a new equilibrium for their friendship. He even told her about his eyes and the wolves, in the end. She wasn't scared of him, but for him, he could smell it, and that made all the difference to Perrin.
I entered the empty common room of the Winespring Inn, looking far smaller than it felt in my memories. In front of me the Village Council immediately grabbed chairs and went to sit, before a woman with a graying braid and kind eyes coughed, Bran suddenly stood straight, and delivered the same chair he was about to sit in to that woman, Marin al'Vere, his wife. Haral Luhhan delivered a chair for Alsbet Luhhan, a large woman taller than most men with a sour look on her face, and a tall man with a practiced smile grabbed a chair for the third woman, a stern-looking woman with grey streaking her curly black hair, while Abell Cauthon got a seat for a slim horse-faced woman with gray hair in a braid.
Soon enough they were all seated, while some of us still stood. Mat wouldn't look at the Council straight, staring at his feet and looking sheepish and all of twelve years old, while Perrin was off having a heart-to-heart with his mother I could not bear to interrupt. Min had taken a seat at a table nearby, while Lan went and grabbed a chair for Moiraine. An older man, who must be Cenn, made to protest, but a look from Bran al'Vere stopped him. I stood straight and wore a genial smile, examining each person in turn, matching them to the descriptions Mat and Perrin provided..
Soon enough everyone introduced themselves. Four women composed the Women's Circle. They were Marin al'Vere, wife of the Mayor, Alsbet Luhhan, wife of the blacksmith, the stern woman was the Wisdom of Deven Ride, Marva Mallen, and was temporary until Nynaeve returned—unfortunately I had to be the one to break the news about her—while the last was the village woman, Neysa Ayellin.
The men of the Village Council numbered eight. Brandelwyn al'Vere, Mayor of Emond's Field and innkeep of the Winespring Inn, a round and happy-faced man who looked surprisingly serious today. Tamlin al'Thor, my father and a retired soldier turned farmer. He also looked serious, not having expected to see me for another week, so he knew something was wrong, though I had not had time or space to take him away alone, and speak with him. Haral Luhhan, the village blacksmith whom Perrin was apprenticed to before he left. A large man, taller than I was with arms like tree trunks and a stern look on his face.
There was Cenn Buie, local thatcher renowned for being cantankerous and distrustful, according to Mat and Perrin. The old man was as gnarled and dark as an old root, with a scratchy voice, beady eyes and thinning hair. Today he used a walking staff as tall as himself to move around with a steady thump.
Jon Thane, owner of the mill adjacent to the Winespring Water, a man of average height and darker coloring, with deep brown hair tied back in a ponytail. He was known, apparently, for his exacting personality, requiring his workers to do everything right the first time or face his wrath.
Rowan Hurn, farmer, a man nearly as tall as Perrin but much thinner, with a winning smile. Neither Mat nor Perrin knew much about him, except that Master Luhhan enjoyed his company, and that the Hurns were a solid, reliable family.
Samel Crawe, farmer, a shorter man, horse-faced with a long nose, tan skin and rough hands. A stolid farmer that speaks for much of the farming families. A quiet man, reliable and boring according to Mat.
And finally, Abell Cauthon, farmer and horsetrader, who resembled an older graying version of his son, Mat. He was well known as being an expert in both the quarterstaff and the Two Rivers longbow, and better than my father in quarterstaff, but worse in the longbow. Emond Fielders regarded him as the finest horse trader in the Two Rivers; always seemingly able to secure a superior trade with either outlander merchants or Taren Ferry men.
To these twelve people I would once more tell the truth of my nature, the curse and blessings I bear. I could only hope that any bonds between us would hold against the horrible truth. I took a deep breath, in through my nose and out through my mouth.
"Why have you gathered us all here today, Rand?" Bran asked leadingly.
"Before I speak on that, there is a truth about me all must know first, to understand. Da, if you would be willing to explain how you found me?"
Tam stared me in the eyes, and I nodded. With a sigh, he spoke. "Rand was not born of Kari and I, truthfully. Some of you know that already. I found him, on the third morning of the Battle of the Shining Walls, next to a dead Aiel woman—one of their women warriors, a Maiden of the Spear—squalling his head off. His hair was red though, red like Kari's and I took it as a sign. He was our miracle baby, after she…" He paused, trailing off, eyes distant.
Moiraine took up the slack. "On that same day, before dawn, I was an Accepted of the White Tower, attending to the then Amyrlin Seat and her Keeper of the Chronicles. That Keeper made a Foretelling, a prophecy using the One Power. She saw the Dragon would be Reborn that morning, on Dragonmount."
Marin al'Vere had a look of horrified realization and disbelief, as did Bran and Haral. My father looked sad, regretful. Cenn Buie looked like he needed to spit, and others simply look scared, scared of the mention of the Dragon, scared of the idea that the Dragon was Reborn. But they hadn't realized the full truth yet.
" 'On the slopes of Dragonmount shall he be born, born of a maiden wedded to no man. He will be of the ancient blood, and raised by the old blood.' These are the words of the Karaethon Cycle, the Prophecies of the Dragon, which all must heed if they are to recognize his coming. Rand was born of a Maiden of the Spear, of the Aiel who have lived in the Waste since the Breaking of the World, and raised by Tam al'Thor in the Two Rivers that was once Manetheren, of the Covenant of Ten Nations." She held up my arm, baring my right palm and forearm. " 'Twice and twice shall he be marked, twice to live, and twice to die. Once the heron, to set his path. Twice the heron, to name him true. Once the Dragon, for remembrance lost. Twice the Dragon, for the price he must pay.' Rand is marked once by a heron and once by a dragon, a creature serpent-like, with the mane and four legs like a lion, after losing parts of his memory. Rand al'Thor is the Dragon Reborn, this I swear on the Light, and the hope of my salvation and rebirth, and Tarmon Gai'dan looms. We require your—"
The room had erupted in chaos, fear, and denial at Moiraine's words. Cenn Buie was yelling, Alsbet looked ready to punch someone's lights out, Jon Thane was red-faced and trembling. They looked at me as if I were a wild animal stuck in the room with me. Only Bran and Harral and my father had any kind of sympathy, amongst the Village Council, while Marin and the other women looked at me with varying states pity and fear. For the men it was disgust, like I was a pile of dogshit, or a rotted corpse covered in flies being presented before them. How quickly they turned.
"SILENCE!" Lan shouted into the cacophony, cutting it short. "You will listen, when Moiraine Sedai speaks."
The room quieted down, staring worriedly at the Warder they suddenly realized stood amongst them, hand casually holding the hilt of his sheathed swords. Still they stared at me. Watching me.
Moiraine continued as if no one had spoken. "We require your aid, men and women of Emond's Field. I told you the truth of Rand so you would be prepared for your charges, and the words they will inevitably speak, for they know the truth, just as you do now, and have seen Rand al'Thor call upon fire and lightning. Fifteen sailors and the First Mate of the ship the Seamaid's Kiss will be arriving this evening to spend the next few weeks in your village. This is non-negotiable, they must stay in the village and cannot leave. To do otherwise would risk disaster." I reached for the Oneness, burning away all my roiling emotions, until my mind lay as smooth as glass.
Cenn Buie stamped his staff and barked a laugh. "And you think just because you're an Aes Sedai, and that fool boy of Tam's is a False Dragon, a madman, that you can tell us Emond's Fielders what to do?"
My father glared at the man, but Abell Cauthon spoke up as well, his tone frustrated. "I'm not one to agree with Cenn, but Moiraine Sedai, as I said before, you cannot simply tell us what to do. This is the Two Rivers and we are far from your White Tower." There was a hint of a threat in that statement that Lan frowned at.
Moiraine plowed onwards, the nigh-unstoppable force that she was, simply smiling at the men but not acknowledging what they said. My wife, folks, came the errant, silly thought. I squashed it like a spider and held on to the distance the Oneness afforded me. Their fear, their worry, their pity, their hate. All of it could not reach me. "I will be paying, of course, as my, as Rand so graciously offered. One gold mark a week for each sailor. Fifteen gold marks, Borderland's weight."
Marin al'Vere spoke up, before any men could speak, specifically . "As a member of the Women's Circle, I must agree that taking in fifteen unknown men, and sailors to boot, is a… unpalatable proposition, normally. But I think a gold coin for each sailor is more than generous enough to pay for any damages such men cause, don't you dear?" She gave her husband a piercing look for a brief second. Bran startled, but quickly agreed.
"I will be visiting each week, with Mat and Perrin, to check on the sailors and make sure they are behaving. If any cause trouble they can come back with me, and face the Shadow by my side, as they ungraciously spat on my kind heart, and on the compassion of Emond's Field." I said, trying to win them over. It did not work. The idea I would be coming back seemed to strike fear in a number of the villagers.
"You'll be visiting through the One Power?" asked Rowan Hurn, cautiously, a look of disgust crossing his face as he said the words.
I nodded, and the man flinched as I looked at him, but met my eyes. "Through the One Power I can travel across the Westlands in hours."
Cenn Buie laughed, a bitter hacking sound, standing up to make to leave. "What a load of cow manure and rotten worms. Why are we listening to this madman? We should be throwing them out!"
The Wisdom spoke up, voice stern. "Sit down, Cenn Buie. The boy shows no signs of madness, no talking or twitching eyes, no shakes, no hallucinations, no sudden mood changes or disorientation. He may be a fool, but he is not mad. Not yet, at least. And the stories say Aes Sedai used to travel the world in a single step. The Aes Sedai now cannot, but they did before, and for all we know, young Rand has figured it out again. Perhaps it is easier for men. The stories say there is little an Aes Sedai of the Age of Legends could not do."
"The black Door." Haral Luhhan stated, his voice low and gravelly and full of realization. "The black Door I saw yesterday, the Aes Sedai did not make it, did she?"
That caused confusion, and I clarified. "I visited my father yesterday, while Master Luhhan and Master al'Vere were visiting." Marin and Alsbet frowned simultaneously, and their husbands flinched. I continued before either woman could speak. "As for today, we were attacked, our boat beached on the bank of the river. Rather than risk a forest filled with shadowspawn and certain death, I opened a Door to travel to Emond's Field, and later tonight, when the moon is high in the sky, we will be moving on from Emond's Field to our true destination. The sailors who are staying with you are those who chose not to accompany me, for various reasons. It is almost certain they will spread rumors about me being the Dragon Reborn, and telling tales of the battle, despite my telling them not to. That is why we told you who I am. To prepare you, and to prepare you for the news when I announce myself. It is sure to shake Emond's Field just as much as it shakes you all."
Samel Crawe spoke up in the silence, a quiet voice with a touch of fear. "What do you intend to do, as you go around claiming you're the Dragon Reborn? Where does Emond's Field figure into you and your Aes Sedai's plans?"
I looked straight at him, and he wouldn't meet my gaze, looking away. "I have no plans for Emond's Field or the Two Rivers other than regularly visiting my father, and defending my home if needed, from any who would attack it. As for my plans as Dragon Reborn, I intend to save the world, as much as possible. Dark days lie ahead of us, and I intend to be the Light that leads the way."
From there Moiraine took lead once more to discuss the exact terms of the agreement, mostly with Marin and Bran, and it was decided that half the gold would go to the village fund, and half to the Winespring Inn. Once that was finished, then came the questions about what exactly we've been doing since we left, and why we never returned with the Wisdom, and how I knew I was the Dragon Reborn for sure. After nearly two hours of answering questions, and each of us, including Mat, telling parts of our tale so far, while I demonstrated the so'shan and channeling, all the women, and some men—Haral, Samel, Bran, Tam of course, and maybe even Abell—believed I might really be to the Dragon Reborn, and moreover the al'Vere's and the Luhhan's seemed to believe me when I said that I could keep the madness at bay. Or at least said they did.
I felt wrung out to dry as I left the Winespring Inn, any good feelings from the feast gone from dealing with people who sometimes acted as if I was a step away from slaughtering them, or destroying the village, when I wasn't a fool boy tied up in an Aes Sedai plot. Cenn Buie was the worst, and Jon Thane was not far behind. Even Abell Cauthon didn't seem to complete believe me, nor was he sure how to treat me now. This was not the official return to Emond's Field that I wanted, nor the looks of pity from the women, and disgust from the men. I thought, perhaps, they would be able to look past it. And some did. It is just… it took them long enough that the hurt set in. I would be glad to be in Whitebridge after nightfall.
I was in a mood for the rest of Sunday, and so was Moiraine, which wasn't helped by having to dodge more and more questions in between the games held on Sunday afternoon. The Council and the Circle had agreed to let the sailors and soldiers visit the Green and hints of our strange tale had begun to spread amongst the Emond Fielders, from sailors unwilling to speak quietly or away from others despite my request. That all these men showed up not from the north, but the west, yet claimed to be sailors from Tar Valon, and soldiers from Shienar, it made no sense to folks, and Cenn Buie's grumbling about a 'fool boy caught up in the White Tower' helped none, as did Jon Thane bitter looks, or the look of fear on Neysa Ayellin's face whenever our eyes met—she believed, but it made her no less terrified of me. I was glad when Moiraine gave me the choice to scout ahead—as the setting sun outlined the Mountains of Mist and the bonfires were to start shortly, the last of the games finishing—and find a better spot to open the door than in the square. I just about fled into the nearby woods and as I was about to open a Door I paused, noticing Min had followed my escape. Soon enough she tromped through the woods and gave me a little smile and a wave.
"Thought you might want company, sheepherder. No need for you to be alone right now."
I gave a half smile, and my heart warmed. She knew how I felt, all the morose and bitter feelings, yet came and braved them, anyway. "Thanks Min," I said sincerely, reaching out a hand, feeling better already. She stepped forward and laced her fingers into mine with a huff.
"Of course, you lunk-head," she said with only the slightest of blushes. I stared for a moment, her big eyes, smoky and seductive, the blush on her cheeks and her bright red mouth, and the bob of brown hair outlining her pretty face. Light, a kiss would be nice right now. Something to lose myself in. I wonder if she'd push me away if I tried?
She must have seen something in me, in my face, because she swatted my arm and said, "Down, boy. I am not Moiraine. You don't get to look at me with those kinds of eyes yet." She was blushing much harder now, but she had a look of firm resolve on her face. "I won't be as easy as she is. You'll have to earn it."
"Mmm." I nodded in reluctant acceptance. "Sorry, Min. I did not mean to make you feel uncomfortable."
"I'm not uncomfortable!" she protested fiercely. "I'm just not ready yet. I need time to get used to all of this, Rand. It is still a lot to handle, to understand, everything about you."
I raised her hand and planted a soft kiss on it. "Take all the time you need, my sweet Lady Min," I could not help saying, knowing it would it her off.
"Ewww. No. Do not call me that, you lummox," Min said with a shudder, unable to hide the smile on her face.
"~Oh Lady Min, with her eyes of darkest tourmaline, and her biting tongue, how it tugs on my heartstrings~!" I sung, teasing her.
She tugged her hand out of mine, and crossed her arms underneath her breasts, trying to look unamused. "If your mood has improved, can we get going? Or would you like to continue playing a fool until you become one?"
Sheepishly, though honestly in a better mood because of Min, I opened the Door and stepped through onto the deck of the Seamaid's Kiss, this iteration of the ship with a bed on the prow. Min stepped through behind me, and the Door closed. She looked over the deck and raised her eyebrow at me. "Rand…?" her voiced said, with false casualness, a warning tone underneath.
"Not for that, not for that," I said with my hands raised. "It's just… we've never had a chance to snuggle, alone without Moiraine, and I thought it would be nice is all. When I was in Shienar they alternated, Moiraine and Egwene, but I haven't spent much time with you alone, just relaxing. And… I'd like to. That is okay?"
Min sighed, looking slightly exasperated, but felt amused and happy in the bond as much as she felt annoyed, like tinkling bells over an arythmic drum. "Fine, we can snuggle, Rand, but that's it! You better not try to cop a feel or steal a kiss."
"I'm not some horny mutt," I muttered, as we approached the bed, but wisely did not say more when Min gave me another look, with an arched brow that could have cut steel. I had chosen a recreation of Moiraine's bed from Fal Dara, and it was like sleeping on a cloud. I only got to lie on it a few times, when Moiraine wanted daytime cuddles. A sudden thought came to me, like a lightning bolt out of the blue. …Is Moiraine training me to want to snuggle and cuddle? And is it a bad thing if she is?
I dismissed such thoughts as paranoia as we lay there, cuddling underneath the bedsheet, and Min talked about the gossip of Emond's Field she had heard from Mat and Perrin's sisters, who all had seemed intrigued and confused by her clothing, and excited by her tales of 'city life'. They had latched on to Min and asked her all sorts of things, and told her all sorts of things as well. As she spoke, she idly played my coat buttons or drummed her fingers on my chest, or slipped a hand around me and pulled herself closer. It was nice to just sit and listen and not think about anything important, just the intricate web of lives that was Emond's Field, and Min's low voice, beautiful and a little husky. After about ten minutes we were there.
I opened a Door and peered out at the grand square where the titular Whitebridge touched the ground, surrounded by inns and all kinds of shops. It was nearly empty, and no one looked in our direction for the moment. Quickly we snuck through and immediately I closed the Door, leaving us in an empty corner of the square. Only a few shop owners were out to put away wares and stands in the twilight, and a handful of travelers arriving late headed to different inns. It wasn't quiet, though. The inns sounded with the roar of crowded common rooms, and the buzz of music, and almost immediately the inn closest to us opened, and a wave of noise pour out as a drunk was unceremoniously kicked out by a large man, most likely a bouncer, who gave us a nod. We came at the perfect time, it seemed. Ta'veren luck was at work.
I looked at Min, standing there so pretty in the lamplight. "Can we hold hands?"
"Can we hold hands…." she said considering, then looked at me. "I don't know, can we? It might be too much for my maiden heart, Rand," she teased, rolling her eyes.
Eagerly I took it. "I just… in case you didn't actually like it, I wanted to ask."
"Well, you don't need to ask, silly. I am your wife, supposedly, and I will hold your hand. Fool," she said fondly.
I took her slim hand in my, lacing our fingers together and taking joy in simply being near Min, as I lead her to the Whitebridge.
"Supposedly?" I asked, a questioning tone in my voice.
Min got a little flustered. "Well, you keep saying it like its true, and the Aes Sedai certainly seems agreeable to be your wife, and I'm sure your village girl was ecstatic, but I don't really know you that well." She swung our hands, glancing at me. "So it still seems a bit odd to consider us married, I guess. You and I are more like betrothed right now, than anything else. There's nothing in the prophecy that actually names us wives. That's all you."
I felt a little lost. "But I want you to be my wives, if you are to be anything. That gives you legitimacy, and it is the right thing to do. If you are to be bound to me, let it be through ties of marriage."
"Rand, that doesn't change the fact that other men don't marry multiple women, besides the Aiel who are known savages. And not with magic sticks."
"Well I'm different from most men, then." I said a bit forcefully. "I will have all six of you as my wives, and hold you all in my heart, or die trying." The image of a funeral bier flashed forcefully through my mind and Min's hand squeezed mine for a moment.
"You will not die," she added, forcefully, stopping a third of the way up the bridge and turning to face me, eyes fierce. She seemed to know exactly what I thought.
"I will not die," I agreed, tiredly.
She nodded as if that was all she needed to hear, but her hand held mine a little tighter.
"It's not even that I don't want to be your wife, Rand. It's just… it's just strange is all. I'm simply not used to it yet. Light, I haven't even kissed you yet, let alone…" She blushed.
"Take all the time you need. A week or a year or a decade, I will wait. And even if we only ever hold hands, you will be my wife still, Min. Don't feel like you need to push yourself for me."
"Mmm," she said with a nod.
We changed then to speaking of inconsequential things—and took a few minutes to gaze from the top of the Whitebridge at the fall of night over the countryside as the sun finished setting—until we found a good clearing only a few minutes west of where the bridge set down, on the western bank of the Arinelle. Then we began our return to Emond's Field, while we cuddled once more, Min with her head on my chest nestled tight against me, playing with the buttons on my coat as we lay quietly. I slowly began to dread leaving the bed, and the comfort of Min. What kind of stories had spread in the hour or so we were gone, as night fell and the bonfires were lit? Would the soldiers speak of the corpses fires in Shienar we used to as lights to leave camp after the second ambush? Would the sailors speak of a man causing a fire to disperse with the wave of his hand? Of a man who survived lightning, only to shoot it out of his fingers?
"What are you worrying about?" Min asked, interrupting my thoughts.
"The sailors. The soldiers. What stories they've told. What the village knows."
"Rand… You cannot worry about things like that."
"I cannot help but worry."
"Then try to focus on something else."
So I slid down the bed and put my arms around Min, nuzzling into the neck and collarbone as I squeezed her soft body tight against mine.
She slapped me on the head, though without much force. "I did not mean me, you big oaf!"
I took a deep breath of her scent, a lightly floral perfume, and let her go, rolling onto my back and staring into the darkness of Darkspace. "If you have forbidden wife-embracing, do you want to enter a circle with me instead, and practice channeling?"
Min looked conflicted. "I… I do, Rand, but I really shouldn't practice without Moiraine or Verin Sedai. They made it pretty clear that I wasn't supposed to channel alone with you yet."
I frowned, giving a huff of annoyance. "Well then, I guess I'll work on it alone. I don't wish to get you in trouble with Aes Sedai."
We lay there once more, as I started working on three swords of Fire, causing the dancing red and orange flames to re-enact various sword forms, perfecting my dexterity and control with the weave, an idle hand directing them in unison. This took my focus off my circling thoughts.
She looked at me, amused. "Men and their swords," she said with a huff. "Did you have fun showing off today?"
I smiled. "Lan took me more seriously then he ever has and I managed to win. Or at least force Moiraine to stop us."
We chatted some more, which made it harder to focus, making my practice more difficult, but fighting made it hard to focus too, which made it training. After we had made it back to Emond's Field the blades of flame winked out, and we stepped back out into the clearing, I realized something. I had just disappeared with Min for about an hour into the woods, and we were going to return together.
Maybe no one will notice? I thought hopefully, as we tramped through the woods into the light of the bonfires.
They noticed. Marin al'Vere did not seem to know whether to be upset or grateful I was showing attention to a woman that was not Egwene. Bran frowned and frowned deeper the more my father spoke in his ear. The Cauthon and Aybara girls surrounded Min and dragged her away in fits of giggles, and I made my way over to stand with Mat and Perrin, who stood a way off from the dancing, despite Abell Cauthon's frown.
Mat grinned at me and gave me a waggle of the eyebrows. "Had a good ol' time with Min, did you?"
"Oh stop, it's not like I have even kissed her yet, Mat. She just was accompanying me to keep my mood up."
Perrin frowned, and Mat's grin faltered, then resumed. "So you going to dance with her and Moiraine? Make the village rumors grow even wilder?"
Around a large bonfire was an ever-changing group of dancers, married couples slowly swaying, young children dancing freely, laughing, and young couples, the women with flowers in their hair, dancing closely around the fire, eyes only for each other. I was supposed to dance with Egwene, with flowers in her hair. If I was brave or foolish enough, I'd travel to the White Tower this very night and spirit her out. But I was neither. Would she blame me if I danced with Moiraine and Min? I had to hope not, because it was then that I saw a vision of beauty step before me.
The sun and stars of her dark blue dress shimmered in the firelight, and white blossoms dotted Moiraine's dark braid, done in the Two Rivers style. Her feet were bare for dancing on the Green and she had a radiant smile on her face that lit my heart. "Yes," I told Mat, "Yes, I think I am." I stepped forward and took her hand.
Her eyes were like dark pools in the firelight that drew me in, as our fingers laced together, and her melodious voice shook me from my gazing. "My dear Rand, would you like to dance with me?"
"Always."
"The Aes Sedai is wearing flowers in her hair!" came the excited squeak from Deselle, the younger Aybara girl. She was pink-cheeked from stealing sips of Min's cider, and quite the chatterbox. "And she's dancing with RAND! Min! She's dancing with your man with flowers in her hair. You must stop her!" Moiraine, you truly cannot help yourself with him, can you? Min thought, ruefully.
Eldrin Cauthon craned her neck around, sitting up a little. "Really? Oh, I see them! They're close~! Oooo, Min. You cannot let her win, after you were so daring today!"
Min scoffed, relaxed. "Let them. Rand is mine as much as I am Rand's. Let the silly Aes Sedai put flowers in her hair and braid it like a village woman." That seems a suitable Aes Sedai answer, if I am forced to become one in spirit if not deed.
Deselle pouted, quite put out. "But that means she wants to marry him, Min! And I know Rand was supposed to marry Egwene, everyone knew that, but they say she's gone to the White Tower to become an Aes Sedai, now, and Aes Sedai do not marry…" She paused, and turned back to stare at Rand and Moiraine, who were lost in their own world, swaying. "Wait. If Aes Sedai don't marry…?"
Min corrected her, slightly reluctant. "Aes Sedai usually do not marry, but some still do. Generally they marry their Warders."
Both girls gasped, faces distraught. ""Min!"" they both shrieked, before turning to each other. Deselle gave way to the older Eldrin with a pout. "Min," Eldrin repeated. "You cannot let her steal him! You have to dance with him with flowers in your hair or the Women's Circle won't even consider you in the running. It's happened before. You don't want to lose your hance"
"When two women fight over a man, things get dicey," added Deselle. "You need to make your move as soon as possible."
"I am content to let her make her mark, girls. She loves Rand and I… I do not. Not yet." But Light if the oaf is not easy on the eyes, and kind, hardworking and respectful. It is hard to not like him.
Groans of despair rang out, causing others to stare at their little group. Min blushed and wished the girls would be a little quieter. This wasn't a conversation for everyone. Light, why must my love life be the topic of a twelve- and fourteen-year-old? Burn you, Rand al'Thor!
"He likes you though! You were in the woods for an hour, and he likes your clothing, as stran- different as they are. He was staring at you all day. This is your chance to let him know! You have to take it!" Deselle begged.
Min frowned, beginning to not like how pushy the younger girl was being.
Joslyn Aybara approached their blanket, having caught a glance of the brewing argument. She was a beautiful woman, with raven-dark hair shining in the bonfire's light, and to Min she felt more like some noble lady than a farmer's wife for a moment. Her face twitched a little at Min, but she smiled at her daughter and the younger Cauthon girl. "Is there something wrong, Deselle? You're quite animated."
The girl turned and whined to her mother. "Maaaaaaaa, Min won't put flowers in her hair and dance with Rand. She's going to let the Aes Sedai win his heart!" She's already won, Min couldn't help thinking, then pushed the thought away.
"Have you considered she doesn't feel ready for something as big as marriage yet, even if she likes Rand in that way?" Joslyn said quietly, as she sat down and put an arm around her daughter. Both girls frowned at that, not much liking such a thought. It wasn't romantic.
"But… But Rand's been looking at Min all day and she at him, and they went off in the woods together," Eldrin said, confused, as if that explained everything. I should have never followed the fool sheepherder into the woods. I should have let him be morose and 'woe is me', Min thought, a little bitterly. If she had known her action would cause such a stir… Well, she probably still would have gone, if she had to admit it. It's hard to let him wallow in those feelings when she could feel them herself, in that bundle in the back of her mind. But she would have been more careful instead of just following him like a fool.
Joslyn considered Min carefully, eyeing the young woman with a knowing look. "Rand also spent all day looking at the Aes Sedai like a love-sick fool, girls." She looked Min straight in the eyes. "Normally I would be on the side of the girls, telling you that you must move quickly to secure Rand, but Perrin told me some things today, Min. Take all the time you need." Then she turned to the girls. "Have either of you heard of 'sister-wives' before?" Min groaned. The blacksmith told her that?! Light burn that hairy ox. "In certain… cultures, but not in the Two Rivers, when two women pursue the same man, instead of fighting over the man they marry him together. They become sisters, these women, as wives who share the same husband. Rand's mother is from such a culture." Light, Perrin really told his mother everything! That is an Aes Sedai answer to an astounding degree. She's good.
The girls were stunned at this information and turned to Min, wide-eyed and seeking confirmation of this outrageous idea. Min groaned internally.
Reluctantly, Min nodded, speaking quietly, "Moiraine Sedai and I will be sister-wives." And are sister-wives right now, technically, but that information doesn't need to spread.
Eldrin turned bright red and sputtered, 'two?!' while Deselle looked curious. "He must be a real good kisser, then," she decided, to a snort of amusement from her mother. "A real good kisser, indeed. Is he, Min?"
"I wouldn't know. You'd have to ask the Aes Sedai."
"Ask me what?" Min flinched and looked up. Moiraine stood on the edge of their blanket, face flush and skin perfectly clear of any sweat. She looks radiant, holding his hand. Nothing like me. A true beauty. Min held back a frown, trying to reason the thoughts away. Rand cared for her in his own way, and the man was obviously attracted to her. She could not deny that after earlier. She didn't need to judge herself against Moiraine. She took a deep breath through her nose, like Rand told her, and out through her mouth, feeling herself calm down.
Eldrin squeaked when she saw the Aes Sedai, but Deselle just grinned and spoke. "That If Rand is such a good kisser that you'll let Min marry him too."
"Perrin told me about… sister-wives, and I was explaining to the girls so they would understand your… situation," Joslyn added, obviously uncomfortable.
Moiraine giggled, a clear, tinkling sound that seemed to ring in the air. "He is a very caring, sweet and dutiful young man. As to if he is a good kisser? Well…" she bent down and whispered. "I am quite satisfied with his progress." Rand blushed and looked away, the fool. He looked quite fetching with blush on his cheeks, in the fire's light, though. Maybe she should dance with him? And get myself away from the romance obsessed teens, and the Aes Sedai. Min paused. Yes, I'll dance.
"Alright, I think it's time for me to dance with Rand, if the romance talk is going to continue," Min said, standing up and brushing off her breeches and settling her jacket. The Aes Sedai nodded, and dropped down beside Joslyn.
"Please, go ahead, I am finished with him for now," Moiraine said, as if Min was borrowing Rand. It made Min grit her teeth. I know they're closer, far closer than Rand and I, but does she have to flaunt it? As she walked past Moiraine, Min impulsively plucked a few blossoms from her braid and wove them into her short hair, giving Rand a glare.
"Well, sheepherder?" she said, when the oaf only stared at her with that dopey smile, taking her in. It is a pretty smile, unfortunately. A pretty smile and a pretty man, but I have to share him. Sometimes it made her want to scream. She had thought it bad when she had to share him with two others, but sharing him with five women, two of which he already loved? Sometimes it felt like she stuck pushing a boulder up a hill that kept getting taller, near a mountain now.
Then he grabbed her hand, breaking her from her thoughts, and lead her off to dance the night away, neither glancing over the shoulder to see Moiraine as she gazed fondly at the young couple, before turning to speak to the young Aybara and Cauthon girls. And only minutes later Min was smiling and laughing as Rand spun her around, as they weaved themselves in and out of the crowd of dancers for nearly half an hour. She danced with him twice more before the dancing died down and it was time to leave. At the end of the night, as she snuggled into the left side of Rand, as the three shared a bed in Whitebridge, she had to admit it turned out to be a pretty good Sunday, all things considered. The feast was great, meeting those girls and just having fun telling tales of Baerlon and listening to the country gossip. Getting to cuddle with him alone on that wonderful bed, able to just talk without Moiraine hovering, was amazing and soothed her soul after such an awful morning of watching him leave to face the Trollocs and Fades alone. And then the dancing! He danced freely, sometimes holding her close and other times they were more energetic, and sometimes they did silly dances to make each other laugh. It completely made up for everything and more, for watching him dance so close to Moiraine, like the older married couples. He was her man, and she was his. Maybe he deserved a kiss or two. Her aunts always said you should only kiss a man if you mean it, and Min thinks she just might mean it now. Just to make sure he knows for certain she likes him.
In the Braem Woods a lonely column of pitted white stone, nearly sixteen feet high and covered in ancient writing and symbols obscured by moss, lay untouched in a clearing near the Erinin. A trap woven of inverted saidar dissipated as a woman in white muttered irritably in the Old Tongue about 'fool men ruining sure things' and 'learning too fast'.
Soon the clearing was empty, and quiet, the portal stone alone once more, as it had been for thousands of years.