Moiraine was feeling restless ever since she's made her decision known. There was a long silence between her and Thom when she announced it. Thom knew not to push too much, but at the same time there was a strange silence and the dread in the bond that refused to let go.

"Are you sure you want to do this now?"

"There's no better time, really." She smiled and approached when he extended his hands. "I was too preoccupied last time I was here, so..."

"Still, it's bound to be hard on you."

"Not going to get easier in the future."

Thom looked at her again. Their bond still felt like something very new. It offered a lot of insight, but he was still very much in the dark. They've been back in Cairhien for only several days and Moiraine barely rested after the Last Battle. He feared for her safety and sanity.

"I will accompany you if you're sure. I won't leave you alone in that."

He had no idea how they were now doing, but with the bond still so new there was no telling. Every day he got better at recognizing new things, but feared it was still very much lacking. And trying to influence Moiraine's feelings, something Elayne told him about, seemed unimaginable.

"Whis will be... uncomfortable for you, my dearest," Moiraine said. "I would understand if you decided to decline."

He didn't know how to make her understand.. The only thing he could think of now was enveloping her in a hug. And that was what he did.

"Lead the way," he whispered, before releasing her and nodding. "No need to procrastinate once the decision has been made.

#

It was clearly and old and now mostly abandoned courtyard. Typical cairhienin architecture, austere in its shapes and layout strangely beautiful for the same reason. Two wall ornaments laid fallen on the thick carpet of grass. Moss was already all over them so this must have happened some time ago. At the back, under a small tree, has saw a gathering of simple gravestones, adorned with faded gold lettering. Moiraine led him to the newest one and they both dropped to their knees beside it.

"Doesn't seem like anyone's been tending to it recently," Thom mused. He regretted those words as soon as they left his mouth and Moiraine froze. "I wasn't critical, my dear. Just… sad."

She nodded and her feelings, though still raw, started to thaw slowly. She reached to move some vines away from the name. Thom, at the same time, started cleaning away all the fallen leaves around it.

"I was still just a novice when I got the notification of his death. Elaida Sedai managed to block my coming home for the funeral. Anvaere managed everything." He could feel a well of sorrow finally letting out. "After I became on Aes Sedai and could decide where to go…"

"You were not welcome at the Sun Court, even if your quest gave you an opportunity," he finished for her. "I'm so sorry for all the Wheel asked of you."

"It was not always so heartless," she said and suddenly he knew whet to do to comfort her. He pulled her into his arms when they sat on the ground by Dalresin's grave.