Aldieb and Mandarb had been turned out into different pastures. A reasonable choice, given that they were not really fit for breeding together. On the other hand, she knew the horses missed each other and seemed to rest better when close to each other. Now, walking through a vast green pasture she was growing uneasy. Aldieb was nowhere in sight and the pasture, though vast, was coming to an end. There was no broken fence anywhere she could see.

They were supposed to go for a ride with Lan in some time and she came to prepare everything on her own. It relaxed her. Usually, not now. Thom met her at the stable when she came back. She didn't mask the bond, so he was aware of her distress. Explaining the situation took mere seconds and minutes later they were both seated on borrowed horses, riding off to look for the white mare.

They rode around all the known pastures, checking everything. It seemed like Aldieb had just vanished into thin air. At some point Lan himself joined them, also riding some horse unknown to Moiraine.

"Mandarb is also missing," he said in lieu of welcome. "Other horses seem to be where they should. Including all these that were at the same pastures as them."

"This seems strange." Thom seemed deep in thought. "Too strange to be random."

"Any ideas, my dearest?"

"Neither of those horses are simple. People know who they are."

Lan nodded.

"It would be impossible to sell them in Malkier. In fact, I doubt it would be easy to travel with them for miles and miles."

"No, it doesn't seem they have been stolen," Lan admitted.

"Then they are lost." Moiraine's voice dropped.

"Aldieb and Mandarb went through some extreme things together," Thom said. "As long as noone did them harm, they will be fine on their own. And they would not abandon their herds."

This seemed to quieten her racing heart despite offering no explanation or course of action. She was, nonetheless, grateful.

"What do you propose?" Lan, on the other hand, seemed irritated and angry. "That we abandon looking for explanation and just wait until they come back?"

"Absolutely. These horses found their way out, they will find their way back just as easily."

Lan might have wanted to protest, but Moiraine just nodded. He offered no alternative and moved his horse towards the palace after Moiraine and Thom.

After they'd taken care of the horses, Thom led her to the still usually empty patio where the seedling of the chora tree had been planted. They both stopped in their tracks at the entry. There, grazing on the soft grass around the tree, stood Aldieb and Mandarb, calm and relaxed. Both turned their ears towards Moiraine and Thom for a moment. There was also one other, rather familiar looking horse. The small, scruffy bay mare seemed as unimpressed by their arrival as the others.

Moiraine went to the unknown horse, only patting Aldieb on her rear in greeting. Thom followed closely behind her.

"Is that?" Thom asked, coming closer. He scratched the bay behind the ear which earned him a grateful snort. "I thought she was found down."

"I guess someone must have mistaken another horse for her."

Moiraine looked the mare over, but could not find any sign that would distinct this one from her memory. Nothing.

"Bela?"

They were both too focused on the mare to notice Nynaeve coming out to the patio. The younger woman came closer and hugged the horse.

"Hot did you find her?" she asked, looking from Moiraine to Thom. "And how did you manage to bring her here without anyone noticing?"

Moiraine and Thom looked to each other with wonder, then to the horses. The three animals were still grazing comfortably without a care in the world. Just like this was how it was supposed to go from the beginning.