Lan remembers a stubborn Moiraine from their first days of knowing each other.

Lan realized his feet had brought him back to the small well where he and Maksim had pulled up the water for the bread.

I know the others will tell you you can't go back to Moiraine. But I'm proof that you can. If you want to.

Sighing, Lan sat on the edge of the well, staring at his hands. Would Moiraine take him back? She had threatened him to pass his bond to Alanna if he didn't obey. But would she go that far and do it? Could she release him against his will?

Moiraine has many sides. She has weaknesses, can be vulnerable... but she can also be a force of nature if she wants to. Powerful, persistent, and headstrong.

The best example was their first meeting. Lan had never met anyone as stubborn as Moiraine Damodred.

Lan ensured to keep an eye on the woman in the blue dress at all times – even when she only appeared in the corner of his eyes. No. Not woman. Aes Sedai. That woman belonged to the bloody women who could call down thunder and lightning. Shuddering, he remembered the feeling of tons of water hitting and drenching him to the bones. It had been days since she did that, yet Lan couldn't forget it. His clothes had been damp for days! Why hadn't she introduced herself as Aes Sedai?

Blood and ashes! All those years, he had stayed away from those women. There weren't many Aes Sedai in the Borderlands. And whenever he had heard there was one close by, Lan had ensured to be busy – mainly with his friends in a dark tavern with a cup of ale. Aes Sedai didn't seem to like that kind of building.

So, why did he run into an Aes Sedai now? At first, he had assumed she was a mercenary since she kept following them all day and didn't even try to hide it. But now… Would Edeyn use an Aes Sedai to kill him? Would Aes Sedai get involved in such kind of things?

"You don't trust her."

Bukama appeared beside Lan, letting their horses ride side by side. It gave Lan the opportunity to have a better look at the dark-haired woman who rode beside Ryne. The young man from Arafel was excited about Moiraine's presence and couldn't stop talking to the Aes Sedai.

"Of course, I don't trust her!" Lan hissed. "She is an Aes Sedai!"

The older Malkieri chuckled. "Careful, boy. You already angered her once. Do you want a repetition of that night?"

Suddenly, Lan felt Moiraine's eyes on him, and his eyes automatically found hers. What was she thinking? Her blue eyes seemed to look deep into his soul, and Lan found it hard to break their eye contact. What was it about that woman that she had such an impact on him? Why was he so captivated by her gaze? He didn't even like her. What was she looking for?

Cursing inwardly, the uncrowned king of Malkier tore his eyes away from her, focusing them on the road ahead. Only a few women had managed to get under his skin over the years, but that annoying woman… she had done it faster than anyone before her. Who was she?

"She watches you," Bukama stated in amusement.

"Do you have an idea how to make her stop? I'm open to suggestions."

"Well." Lan could still hear the amusement in the old man's voice. He enjoyed seeing Lan struggle. "You could try talking to her. Let her see that you're not just a grumpy man."

"I want to get rid of her, not bind her closer to me."

"We promised to accompany her to Chachin."

"YOU promised her," the uncrowned king of Malkier growled angrily. He was still not happy about Bukama offering their help.

The old man raised a skeptical eyebrow at Lan. "al'Lan Mandragoran. Do you want to tell me you would have let that lone woman travel alone? Where she could be found by bandits or worse?"

"She is a bloody Aes Sedai," Lan murmured, but it was audible that he had a bad conscience about his careless words. "She doesn't need our protection."

Smiling, Bukama touched Lan's shoulder. "It doesn't matter who she is. She asked for our protection, and a Malkieri stands true to his word."

"Hm."

Lan's eyes moved back to Moiraine. Blood and ashes! She was still watching him! Why couldn't she leave him alone?! Quickly, he returned his gaze back to the road.

"And why is she staring at me? Ryne does his best to entertain her, yet she doesn't stop looking at me. It's like she wants to drive me crazy."

Bukama laughed and patted Lan's shoulder friendly. "I'm afraid it's simpler than that, boy."

Silence fell over the two Malkieri while Lan waited for his old mentor to continue. When he didn't, the younger man growled, "Do you want me to beg for the answer?"

"Oh, come on, Lan," Bukama said, smiling. "You know the answer, too, if you think about it."

"I'm not in the mood for riddles, Bukama."

"Have you never seen the fury of an angry woman?"

Lan snorted. "The fury of an angry woman? I haven't done anything to her. If there is someone who should be furious, it should be me. After all, she emptied the pond over my head." And then there were all those sleepless nights because she sent all kinds of insects into his clothes.

"You didn't do anything to her? What about her incident with the pond? Did she stumble into the water accidentally?"

"She brought that on herself! It's unwise to try separating a man from his sword!"

Bukama rolled his eyes. "You're a fool, Lan."

"She-"

"Stop before you bring the next misery over you. You don't want to get drenched again, don't you?"

The uncrowned king of Malkier growled. Blood and ashes! Why was he now the one who did something wrong? Sighing, Lan tried to count how many days they would need until they reached Chachin. In his eyes, they couldn't get there fast enough.

Moiraine's eyes seemed to bore a hole in Lan's head, but the Malkieri refused to look at her again. He would ignore her. That annoying woman wouldn't crack him.

When the light started to fade, the little group made camp. Ryne was out hunting their dinner, while Bukama and Lan prepared the fire. Moiraine watched them for a while, then started to wander off.

"She stopped watching you," the old Malkieri stated in amusement once Moiraine was out of earshot.

Lan grunted, agreeing, and rearranged a burning log. "For now. She probably thinks about how else she can make my life miserable."

"Don't you think you're a little overdramatic?"

Lan glared at his former mentor. He hadn't told Bukama or Ryne about the insects in his clothes, yet he was sure they knew about it, though no one said anything. "No."

Smiling, Bukama's eyes turned to Moiraine. "Maybe she would warm up to you if you talk to her. Make her a compliment."

"I don't want to encourage her in any way, Bukama!" Lan hissed. "Those Aes Sedai are all the same. Always searching for a fool who ties himself to them, listening to their every word. I won't be such a fool. I will never be tied to an Aes Sedai. And especially, not to that insufferable one."

"Look at her. Does she look like a bad person to you?"

Although he didn't want to look, the Malkieri's head automatically turned around. The Aes Sedai had stepped away from their camp and stood with her back to them. Her arms were crossed before her chest, and her gaze fixed on something distant.

The sky had turned reddish by now, letting Moiraine's body shine like it didn't belong in their world. Her dark locks moved slightly in the wind and shimmered in the last sunbeams. She was… breathtaking.

If only she wouldn't be a bloody Aes Sedai! Cursing inwardly, Lan lowered his gaze to the ground. He had done it again! Without wanting it, that insufferable woman always found a way into his thoughts. When would that stop?!

A movement caught the Malkieri's trained eye, and immediately, he was on high alert. What was it? The grass around Moiraine was moving. Was it the wind? Or did that woman use the One Power to trick him? But she didn't seem like she was channeling.

Slowly, Lan stood up and walked over to Moiraine. Bukama didn't stop him. His former mentor probably assumed Lan had changed his mind. But the uncrowned king of Malkier only had eyes for the grass. It was still moving, and the movement got closer to the Aes Sedai. Was that some kind of trick?

Suddenly, Moiraine took a step forward, then kneeled. Her fingers reached out toward a beautiful flower. Now, Lan was certain – the woman wasn't channeling. Whatever moved through the grass wasn't a trap for the man.

"Get back to the fire," the Malkieri said roughly.

Surprised, the Cairhien woman turned her head and looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Are you giving orders now, Master Lan?"

"I don't like to repeat myself."

"And I don't want to return yet." Instead of getting up, Moiraine's slender fingers touched the petals of the unknown flower softly. Lan wanted to strangle her.

"Get back to the fire," he repeated harsher this time. His eyes followed the movement of the grass. Whatever it was, it was coming for Moiraine.

"It didn't look like you needed my help with the fire."

Slowly, Lan drew his sword. Moiraine must have heard the sound of the blade because she turned her head toward him. Her eyes darkened when she saw the drawn steel. "Really? I didn't take you for a man who uses a weapon to make people do what he wants."

"Stand up." The Malkieri wanted to shake the stubborn woman. Couldn't she see what was coming for her? "Now."

But the Aes Sedai was unimpressed by his anger. Calmly, her eyes returned to the flower. "No."

At that moment, Lan saw the skin of the moving creature, and his eyes widened. Blood and ashes! Quickly, the uncrowned king of Malkier grabbed the woman's arm and pulled her to her feet.

"What-?!"

There was no time for explanation. Lan wrapped his arm around Moiraine's waist, pressing the shocked woman against him.

At the same time, a snake lifted her head out of the grass, hissing dangerously, then leaped at Moiraine. Lan's blade hit the poisonous creature with its long side and sent it back to the ground. The Aes Sedai gasped when she realized the danger she had been in, but Lan's eyes followed the snake's movement. He hadn't hurt nor killed it, and it looked like it would prepare its second attack.

The uncrowned king of Malkier had been right. Quietly, the snake prepared her second attack, but Moiraine got in her way this time. She lifted a hand – her palm facing the poisonous creature – then the snake hit an invisible wall and was thrown back. Surprised, Lan realized Moiraine had placed a protection shield around them. The snake wouldn't get past it!

Finally, Lan tore his eyes from the snake and back on the woman he still pressed against his body. He hadn't expected her to react that quickly. How long could she hold that shield? Did it include him? And if it did… why had she saved him?

Confused, the Malkieri furrowed his forehead. Why did she help him, though he had snapped at her? He hadn't had a friendly word for her since they met.

Angrily, the snake hissed at the shield, and her head moved, searching back and forth and trying to find a way around it. The two human beings stayed where they were, silently waiting for the small animal to give up.

Finally, the snake realized she wouldn't get to any of them, then hissed at them one last time before she turned around and left.

Moiraine didn't let go of the shield or lower her hand. Lan heard the woman beside him panting, and her eyes followed the snake's movements. He was sure her heart was racing at the moment. As brave as that woman was, she also felt fear when her life was in danger.

Carefully, the Malkieri placed his hand on the outstretched arm of the Cairhien woman, using light pressure to make her lower her arm. "It is gone," he said gently.

The Aes Sedai swallowed, then suddenly, it seemed like all tension had left her body, and she leaned against Lan heavily. Surprised, the man from the Borderlands tightened his grip around her waist, holding her upright because he was afraid her legs could give in while a small part of him enjoyed the feeling of her soft body melting against his. Not good!

"Don't you feel well?"

His question must have hit a nerve because she suddenly straightened and stepped out of his embrace. Her chin lifted automatically, and Lan recognized the arrogant posture of a noblewoman. Her eyes were calm and cold when she met his gaze. "I'll be all right."

Angrily, Lan gritted his teeth. Damn arrogant Aes Sedai! Why did he even bother and ask?! He sheathed his sword. "Very well." Lan tore his eyes from her, then rounded her to return to Bukama. His tone was biting when he said, "Once you're done attracting snakes, feel free to join us at the fire."

"Thank you."

He almost missed those quiet words and stopped dead in his tracks. No, he must have misheard her. She would never thank him for…

"I didn't see the snake."

The uncrowned king of Malkier turned his head slightly so he could see her from the corner of his eyes. The arrogant posture was gone. When she turned her head toward him, Lan saw there was no fire in them.

"Thank you," Moiraine whispered again.

Sighing, Lan noticed his anger fading. Bloody woman! What was she doing to him?! Why couldn't he stay angry with her? Since he didn't trust his voice, Lan nodded as a sign that he had heard her and grunted as an answer before he returned to the fire. He needed distance between him and that confusing woman.

Blinking, the uncrowned king of Malkier returned to the well. Moiraine and the snake. That had been the first night he had slept peacefully without any insects in his clothes. Saving her from a possible snake bite had earned him some bonus points, though she hadn't shown it when she talked to him. Stubborn woman.

Back then, Lan had never imagined agreeing to become Moiraine's Warder. He had been so certain about his plan to stay away from her, not realizing how she pulled him closer with every passing day. From the first moment they met, she had caught him in her net. Her headstrong personality had amazed him. He hadn't met anyone like her ever before.

An Aes Sedai can… call down lightning, raise mountains.

How many battles had they fought throughout the years? There had been Trollocs, Myrddraals, Whitecloaks, and some old-fashioned bandits. Together they had fought side by side, always having each other's backs. Lan had never thought about his life when he threw himself at their opponents. As long as Moiraine was safe, he didn't care about his own life. She had always been his priority.

It had taken him years to understand how powerful she was. The Malkieri's Aes Sedai wasn't a low-ranked woman in the White Tower. No, he had bonded himself to a very powerful one and never regretted his decision once.

We've never been equals.

Well, perhaps that wasn't true. For a single moment, the Malkieri had felt something like regret. There had been even pure hate and rage toward the woman he had dedicated his life to. But now?

What about Moiraine? What does she want?

Moiraine. She had never lied to him about her mission – finding the Dragon Reborn. Lan knew what the young man meant to the world. Without Rand… the Shadowspawn got stronger with every passing day. More soldiers died, and fewer men could take their places. Even the Aes Sedai… Moiraine had mentioned many times that fewer women went to the White Tower each year, and even fewer had the potential to become Aes Sedai. The Emond's Fielder had been the first strong channelers they had seen in years.

After Rand's presumed death and the loss of Moiraine's powers, the uncrowned king of Malkier had assumed that Moiraine would need a new plan – a new purpose. But the sheepherder wasn't dead. He was still alive, and the Cairhien woman had known about it. Which meant… their fight against the shadow wasn't over. Moiraine still intended to fight without the One Power at her fingertips and her Warder by her side. The foolish woman was ready to go on with her mission, no matter how many hits she had to take.

I know the others will tell you you can't go back to Moiraine. But I'm proof that you can. If you want to.

What did he want? Could he return to a woman who didn't want him by her side? Could he live with a woman he couldn't feel any longer? Could he protect her like he used to?

The uncrowned king of Malkier took a deep breath, then closed his eyes and listened to his heart. What do you want, Lan Mandragoran?

Moiraine's face appeared before his eyes. He saw the version of an arrogant young woman who tried to separate him from his sword, with her beautiful locks hanging down her face. The fire in her eyes ignited a spark within Lan's heart.

Another Moiraine version appeared. That woman looked exhausted and tired, and her cheeks seemed sunken. Her body needed food and water. A hot tea would also do the trick.

Lan's thoughts moved on, letting a new version appear before his eyes. Tears rolled over her cheeks, and she looked awful. The poor woman needed a hug and someone who looked after her.

More and more versions appeared before Lan, slowly forming a new Moiraine. The body started to glow when she was complete, showing the former Warder moments when his Aes Sedai had been weak, felt vulnerable, or acted like a mighty whirlwind. Moiraine was all that. She was a complicated human being, and Lan loved every part of her.

The glow faded, leaving a complete Moiraine behind, who gave Lan her beautiful smile. A familiar warmth filled the Malkieri's heart and every cell in his body. He knew what he wanted. What his heart and soul had longed for since Alanna and her Warders had arrived on that terrible night.

Moiraine.

Lan didn't want a simple life. He didn't want a calm life in the White Tower. But most of all, he didn't want to be handed over to another Aes Sedai to bond him. His bond belonged to Moiraine Damodred, Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah, and Lan's personal pain in the ass.

Relieved, the uncrowned king of Malkier opened his eyes, and for the first time in a very long time, the man could finally smile again while his thoughts already worked on a plan to escape Alanna and her Warders. Running away wouldn't be enough. He needed someone to help him with his stubborn Aes Sedai.

And there was only one person he could go to, Siuan Sanche. The hardest part was finding someone to direct him to the Amyrlin Seat.

Well, for now, I have to use Alanna for that. Hopefully, she can give me a possible route. And if she can't, then I return with her to the White Tower. Someone will be able to help me. And then I find my Aes Sedai.

Satisfied with himself, Lan tilted his head back and looked at the beautiful moon shining above him. Moiraine. He wouldn't give up until they were reunited again. He would show her she could trust him. I'm coming, Moiraine.