"If Wisdom is the title you claim, I suggest you start using some."

After those words, Moiraine quickly left the balcony. She had no intention to get into a fight with Nynaeve. Not after she had just freed Mat from the dagger. Helping the boy had taken all her strength, and she was barely able to stand on her own feet. But she kept her composure and held her head upright, while she walked downstairs. When she reached the last step, her feet gave in. Luckily, she was able to stabilize herself by leaning against the wall.

Laughter was heard from the tavern, while Moiraine tried to regain her strength. No one had seen her weak moment, which was a good thing. Everyone in this town knew that she was an Aes Sedai. It wouldn't be good if the people would see her like that.

Light footsteps came down the stairs, then an arm moved around her waist to steady her. Immediately, Moiraine noticed Lan's presence. Of course, he had felt her struggle and had come to her rescue. She tried to straighten up but had to give up quickly.

"Take it easy.", Lan murmured in her ear when he pulled her close against him. He was sending her his strength, and Moiraine took it gratefully. They had to return to the White Tower.

After a few more minutes, the woman of the Blue Ajah felt strong enough to walk again. The innkeeper, who finally noticed her when she crossed the room, tried to talk her into staying a little longer. One look from Lan, and the man was quickly apologizing himself and retreating.

Outside, Moiraine moved straight for the tower. She needed to rest to fully regain her strength. Suddenly, a hand on her arm stopped her and pushed her gently aside. Lan stepped in front of her and blocked her from everyone, who would be looking. The disapproving look in his eyes made Moiraine feel uncomfortable. She knew that she was pushing herself to the limit. A fact, Lan didn't like, and never hesitated to tell or show her that.

Moiraine's eyes fell on the hidden object in Lan's hand. The dagger from Shadar Lagoth! Now that she had something to focus on, it was easier to pretend like everything was alright. Her back and her shoulders straightened again until she had the charisma of an Aes Sedai again.

"This shouldn't be on the street for that long. Bring it back to the White Tower. It should be safe there."

"WE will get it there."

"Don't be stupid! You know how dangerous it is. I don't want it out on Tar Valon's streets longer than needed."

"And we will."

"Go. In the meantime, I will…"

Suddenly, Lan took another step forward. Now, Moiraine was pressed with her back against the wall of a building, while her Warder's nose almost touched hers. "I'm not leaving you alone."

"I can take care of myself."

"I'm. Not. Leaving. You. Alone. Moiraine." The determined look in his eyes showed her that he wouldn't negotiate with her.

Still, she couldn't resist trying it anyway. "I can't touch it, Lan. Who knows what it will do to me when I somehow…?" She left the rest of her sentence unspoken on purpose.

But her Warder was no fool. He knew her way too well. A little smile appeared on his lips. "Then it's a good thing that I have two hands." With those words, he offered her to tuck her arm into his free arm.

Moiraine hesitated. She didn't like it to be weak. But what was the alternative? Without Lan's help, she probably wouldn't make it to the White Tower unnoticed. If she would lean on Lan, while they would walk side-by-side, no one would assume something suspicious.

"Don't be stubborn." Moiraine's eyes met Lan's pleading ones, and her resistance was gone. She couldn't deny him anything when he was like that.

She sighed heavily, then she grabbed his arm. When she spoke, she couldn't keep the exhaustion out of her voice. "Lead the way, Gaidin."

"As you wish, Aes Sedai."

Moiraine didn't know how they made it back to the tower. The rest of their way was a blur to her. She couldn't remember which path they had taken or if they had passed someone they knew. Light, she was barely able to keep her eyes open.

When Lan removed her hand from his arm, she finally became aware of her surroundings. They were standing in her bedroom, but Moiraine couldn't remember walking up there. Light, this wasn't good!

Groaning, she moved to her bed and let herself fall on the mattress. She would close her eyes for a few minutes and then…

"Moiraine." Lan's soft voice pulled her away from the darkness, which would give her a moment of rest.

His hands stroked her hair before he helped her to sit in an upright position. Moiraine growled. She didn't want to get up. All she wanted was to sleep. Why couldn't he give her a few minutes?

Lan felt her frustration through the bond and chuckled. This stubborn woman. First, she depleted her strength by saving this silly boy, and now, she was too tired to think clearly and couldn't even open her eyes anymore. If he would allow her to sleep with her leather bolero on, she would be in pain as soon as she was awake again.

So, he ignored her protests and pushed it off her shoulders and down her arms. As soon as he was done, he moved her into a comfortable position with her pillow under her head. Moiraine mumbled something, but Lan wasn't able to understand a word. Instead, he took care of her boots and freed her feet. When he was done, his Aes Sedai sighed: "Lan."

"I'm here, Moiraine. Rest." The Warder took the bed sheets and tucked her in. Through the bond, he felt how she was instantly asleep. Smiling, he watched her peaceful face. His incredible, strong Aes Sedai. Admiration flowed through the bond, though she couldn't understand it at the moment. But Lan was fine by that. She needed to rest and regain her strength.

Suddenly, he felt a strong, dark presence in the room, and his head turned to the covered dagger, which he had placed on Moiraine's cupboard. The dagger from Shadar Lagoth. Lan growled when he thought about this stupid boy, Mat Cauthom. He still remembered how he had told the Emond's Fielder not to touch anything after he had told the story from Shadar Lagoth. `But apparently, this boy hadn't listened to me. And now, Moiraine and I have to deal with it.´

As soon as Moiraine had found the dagger, Lan had had to hold himself back to strangle the boy. He hadn't just endangered himself, but everyone around him as well. Worse even, Mat had tried to attack Moiraine, while Lan had been distracted by Rand. `It is time to get rid of this stupid thing.´

The Warder grabbed the covered dagger, then he threw a last glance at his sleeping Aes Sedai. He hated it to leave her side, especially when she was this vulnerable. But they were in the White Tower. This was their home. She should be safe in here until he would return.

Moiraine mumbled again and moved her head restlessly. Even when she was sleeping, she felt his worries through the bond. If she could, she would send him calm feelings to soothe him. Quickly, Lan concentrated on Ko'di to clear his emotions. He couldn't risk it to wake Moiraine. Not now. He had to stash the dagger somewhere safe.

When Moiraine seemed calm again, Lan left the bedroom.

Groaning, Moiraine opened her eyes slowly. She didn't want to stand up. The bed was way too comfy, and her body was way too exhausted. `I could use the steam room. Maybe this will wash away my exhaustion. But Maigan has already mentioned that she wants to talk to me. Well, the steam room is as good as any other room to talk.´

Suddenly, Moiraine noticed that Lan was missing. Carefully, she got herself in an upright position and scanned the room with her eyes. There was no sign of her Warder. He hadn't left anything, and the dagger was gone as well. `Lan probably took care of it.´

At this moment, her door opened and Lan entered. In his hands, he carried a tray with a teapot and two cups. The smell of the tea filled her room quickly, and Moiraine inhaled deeply. This was absolutely perfect.

"Well, this is something I could get used to."

"What do you mean?", Lan asked, while he placed the tray on her bed. Then he purred the tea into the cups.

"You bringing me tea when I wake up."

Lan handed her a cup, wearing his usual, stoic face. "And here I thought that's what I'm doing when we're on the road."

"But not when we're here." Moiraine took a sip of the hot liquid, then closed her eyes when the tea moved down her throat and warmed her body. Lan knew exactly what she needed to regain her strength. "This is good."

A small smile appeared on Lan's lips, while he grabbed his own cup and sat down on her bed. "I didn't know that you wanted me to bring you tea, while we are staying in the White Tower."

Moiraine copied his smile, but she didn't respond. Instead, she took another sip and inhaled the smell. For the next few minutes, they sat there in silence until Lan started to speak again: "What now?"

The woman of the Blue Ajah stared into her cup, where she saw her reflection on the surface of the liquid. She was thinking about her words. "Egwene and Perrin are still missing. We need to find them."

"What else?"

"I have to meet Maigan. She wants answers."

"When?"

Moiraine tilted her head. If she had a choice, she would love to forget about Maigan's request. But Maigan was a Sitter of the Hall. She had to obey when the woman asked for a meeting. "I will use the steam room when I'm done here. If she wants to talk to me, she can meet me there."

"I will deliver the message."

"Thank you."

When Lan got back on his feet, Moiraine grabbed his arm. "Can we finish the tea first, please?"

Her Warder smiled and bowed his head. "As you wish." He sat down on the bed again, and together they finished their tea, while simply enjoying each other's presence.