Elayne insisted on providing a new set of clothes for Moiraine, even though, Thom knew, his wife stressed that she would be fine taking care of her wardrobe on her own. There were two seamstresses in Cairhien now, attending to the new queen and making sure all from her court were clothed properly after the devastation of those few hard months.
It was too much, he knew that. Moiraine had had enough after trying on her new travelling set and one official court dress. He would have tried to interfere, but he was having too much fun. Who would have known that a lady like her would be dreading having more dresses?
"I will have to make Elayne aware of your clothing situation, my dearest," Moiraine said with a totally unaffected face and voice. "You're having too much fun right now."
Thom smiled, feeling the playfulness in her despite the grave tone. Seamstress assistants looked terrified of her and that had only added to his amusement.
"Oh, my lady," the seamstress said, looking her over, "you look great. You're like a beautifull, ethereal doll. Perfect to make clothes for."
He could feel Moiraine slip from annoyance mixed with amusement to closing herself to almost everything.
"Leave us alone for today," he said. Unfortunately it needed some more push. "Go away, now," he said then, almost shoving the woman and her aide out of the room.
He joined Moiraine, still standing on a little pedestal in front of the mirror. She was suddenly cold like no time before.
"What brought this on?" he asked.
And waited. The silence took some time, but he was aware it might happpen.
"People used to tell that I looked like a pretty doll. An insult, really," she admitted. "It brings back some memories and feelings from my beginings in the White Tower. I was called a doll more times than I care to admit and remember."
"You're more than your stature," he said, feeling somehow what part of the confession brought her the real pain. "But let them think it. Remember. No one watches or suspects the doll to be the most worthy. You just have to show them you're much more. I think a lot of people will see it now as well. Your worth."
She smiled and he felt her drop her anger.
"You're you and that's what shows your worth. People will understand it some day," he said.