Moiraine and Lan get unexpected visitors. Can they help?

to Lynn Sedai: I didn't intend to make it that long, but I couldn't stop once I started. In the end, I thought I could have turned it into a separate story, but then I wouldn't have had something for episode 5, so it stayed in that series. I can't wait for Season 3.

Finding someone who sold herbs was easy. Moiraine asked the innkeeper where she would find the herbs a Wise Woman needed to refill her stocks, and the kind woman sent her to the market. There would be countless sellers having what she needed.

The Aes Sedai handed the first seller the piece of paper, ordering her to prepare it for the nervous woman. While the Cairhien woman waited, her fingers played nervously with her cloak. She didn't like being separated from Lan. Light, she didn't like leaving him with that woman! How many times had she mentioned the Malkieri wouldn't make it?

It was a relief that Lan had finally opened his eyes again, but Moiraine couldn't stop herself from checking on their bond every few minutes. The Wise Woman was a stranger. What if one of the villagers followed them to Tear and informed the citizens about the escaped Aes Sedai? How long would the citizens need to realize she was that woman?

Nervously, the woman of the Blue Ajah let her eyes glide over the crowd. She had the weird feeling that someone was watching her but couldn't see anyone. Blood and ashes! She needed to return to her Warder!

Of course, the seller tried to offer her some other herbs, but Moiraine declined. She was only interested in the herbs the Wise Woman needed. After paying and receiving the package, the Aes Sedai rushed through the crowd. The sooner she returned, the sooner the Healer could help Lan.

The feeling of being watched didn't disappear on Moiraine's way back to the tavern. She tried to ignore it – it would have looked suspicious if she turned around continuously – but when she reached the tavern, she rushed through the common room and up the stairs.

"How is he?" She asked as soon as she entered the room.

Lan forced his eyes open when he heard her voice. Moiraine could feel his exhaustion. The fever was still running through his body.

The Aes Sedai threw her cloak over the chair and dropped the herbs on the table, then went to the bed to check on her Warder. Light, he was so weak!

"He fights," the Wise Woman responded calmly. She heated water over the fireplace. "Did you get everything?"

"Yes." Carefully, the Cairhien woman cupped the Malkieri's face in her hands. Was it just her, or did he look worse than before?

"Good. Then give me some room to work."

Sighing, Moiraine sat beside Lan, leaning her back against the headrest of the bed. The Wise Woman's glare told her she had something else in mind, but Moiraine returned the glare, challenging the Healer to tell her to leave.

Surprisingly, the woman didn't put up a fight. Instead, she shook her head and continued her work. But her eyes wandered to Moiraine from time to time. "You need sleep."

The Aes Sedai kept striking over her Warder's sweaty hair. He had closed his eyes again. "I'll sleep when he is doing better."

"You can't go without sleep that long."

Slowly, Moiraine took her dagger out of Lan's hand. He didn't even notice. A beam of sunlight fell over her shoulder and hit the blade, letting it shine. "I'll be all right."

"If you kill me," for the first time, there was a slight hint of fear in the voice of the Wise Woman. "There will be no hope for him. He will die."

No word crossed Moiraine's lips while she sheathed her dagger. Should the Healer think of her as a dangerous woman. Maybe that would help so she wouldn't try to worsen Lan's condition.

The rest of the Healer's treatment was done in silence. Moiraine watched every movement of the woman and tried to remember what she did and which herbs she used, but her tired brain couldn't keep it.

Worse even, her eyes dared to close, pulling her down into the darkness, and it became really hard to open them afterward.

The Wise Woman applied a new bandage around Lan's injury, then left with the promise to return in the morning.

Moiraine thanked her – at least, she believed she did. She pulled the blanket over the uncrowned king of Malkier to keep him warm, then started to walk up and down the room. Some cold water from the water basin helped her to fight sleep for a while, but it didn't last forever.

At some point – the Cairhien woman had lost track of time – the innkeeper appeared with two bowls of soup and a loaf of bread. Apparently, the Wise Woman had given the order to bring something to their room to fill their stomachs.

Getting some of the soup down Lan's throat was a fight. The poor man was too tired to stay awake for long. At least, he managed half of his bowl before he refused to react to Moiraine's attempts to wake him for another spoonful of soup.

Heavy-heartedly, the woman of the Blue Ajah gave up and started her own soup – she didn't empty the bowl either. The bread tasted weird, though Moiraine was sure that it was due to her fatigue and not because of the baker. She simply couldn't stop worrying about her Warder.

After finishing her meal for the day, Moiraine started to run up and down the room to keep herself awake. Light, she felt so tired! How long could she keep going? An Aes Sedai could go longer without sleep, but two nights in a row? Moiraine wasn't sure she would be able to stay awake a second night.

Music from the common room downstairs reached her ear. It sounded like the citizens had started to gather for a joyful evening, not knowing about Moiraine's devastating situation. She wasn't in the least in the mood to celebrate anything. All she wanted was for Lan to get better so they could leave that terrible town. How many treatments would he need before he was strong enough to ride again?

A loud knock at the door pulled Moiraine out of her thoughts. Who could that be? She didn't expect any visitors, and no one knew who she was. Could it be the innkeeper? But wouldn't she call for her? The mysterious person didn't say anything.

Skeptically, the Cairhien woman drew her dagger, then went to the door warily. She didn't hear any footsteps. Was that person even moving? Or was he or she waiting for her reaction?

Nervously, Moiraine glanced at Lan. Her Warder was still sleeping. Whoever was disturbing them, Moiraine couldn't let that person get close to the Malkieri. She would protect them both.

Taking a deep breath, the Aes Sedai opened the door so she could look outside, but no one would see the dagger in her hand. At first, she only saw shadows, then someone turned around, and a man's face became visible.

"Alric?"

Surprised, Moiraine opened the door further to get a better look at the man. What was Siuan's Warder doing in that tavern?

Another shadow emerged from the dark in the next second, passing Alric and pushing Moiraine backward. The Cairhien woman stumbled – she hadn't expected that kind of action – and noticed that the shadow was a hooded figure before the intruder cupped her face in his hands and pressed their lips together.

Siuan's taste exploded on Moiraine's lips. The woman of the Blue Ajah wanted to protest, but the Amyrlin Seat moved her against the wall beside the door, pinning her there. Moiraine couldn't fight her lover. Her body was too weak from both the lack of sleep and the attack of the villagers. Yet, she tried to signal Siuan to stop and couldn't even suppress whimpers escaping her throat – useless.

Hungrily, the Amyrlin's hands roamed over Moiraine's body while her mouth didn't stop keeping the Cairhien woman from talking. It was like she didn't notice Moiraine's attempts to free herself.

The woman of the Blue Ajah felt like she couldn't breathe. The pain in her body was almost unbearable, and her silly arms didn't have the strength to do anything. Blood and ashes! She wanted to scream!

"This explains a lot."

Silent tears ran over Moiraine's cheeks. Apparently, Alric had followed them inside the room, but she didn't know what he was talking about.

"Siuan!" Alric hissed angrily.

Growling, the Amyrlin Seat stopped devouring her lover, giving the Aes Sedai a moment to catch her breath. "I'm busy."

"Stop," Moiraine whispered before Siuan's lips could capture hers again. "Please, stop."

Surprised, the Tairen leaned back, then cupped the Cairhien woman's face gently when she noticed the tears. "What's wrong, love?"

"I can't… not now. Please, Siuan."

For the first time since she had entered the room, the Amyrlin took a closer look at her lover. Moiraine didn't know what she saw, but the furrow on Siuan's forehead told her she saw the differences.

"You look awful. When have you slept the last time?"

"I couldn't… Lan… he…." The Cairhien woman couldn't form a full sentence anymore. Now, with Siuan standing before her, Moiraine felt her barrier breaking. It was all too much, and she was exhausted.

"Lan is injured," Alric stated.

Siuan turned to her Warder. The man had stepped beside the Malkieri, pulling the blanket aside and revealing the bandage, which was already turning red from the blood.

Moiraine wanted to scream. How much blood could that man lose before it was too much? At least, he finally had opened his eyes again. Moiraine assumed that her Warder had felt her pain and discomfort since he sat upright. He must have tried to stand up to help her against the intruders. Light, he was so pale!

"What happened to the two of you?" Siuan asked sharply. Her eyes wandered over Moiraine's body. "Are you also injured?"

The woman of the Blue Ajah intended to answer. Her mouth opened, but no word crossed her lips. Instead, more tears ran down her cheeks, then the first sob crossed her lips. "It was my fault."

Siuan's eyes widened when she saw her pillow friend breaking in front of her. She wasn't used to that sight.

"It was an accident," Lan croaked in pain.

Sighing, the Amyrlin pulled the crying woman in her arms. "Now, I'm confused. Are we talking about the same thing?"

"I wasn't thinking, and Lan-"

"Don't listen to her. It was an accident."

Siuan released a heavy sigh. "Come on, pufferfish. You're trembling. Let's get you to Lan."

The Cairhien woman didn't protest. Her legs almost gave way on the short way to the bed. With Siuan's help, she sat beside the uncrowned king of Malkier, who placed his arm around her waist like he wanted to pull his Aes Sedai close.

"And we put away that thing."

Carefully, the Tairen woman took the dagger from Moiraine's hand and sheathed it. Moiraine had completely forgotten about the blade. Then, Siuan touched Lan's sweaty forehead and grimaced. "Light, you're burning up!"

"His body fights against the injury." The Cairhien woman wiped the tears from her cheeks, but it was useless. Fresh tears simply replaced the old ones. "Can you heal him?" With big eyes, Moiraine looked at her lover. Lan didn't need a full healing. Even a small one could help him to survive that injury.

Confused, Siuan furrowed her forehead. "Why haven't you healed him?"

"He made me promise." The woman of the Blue Ajah grimaced when she remembered how Lan had tried to kill himself so she would agree not to use Saidar.

"Promise? Why would you promise something like that when you know how heavily injured he is?"

Moiraine pulled Lan's cut tunic apart to reveal the small bloody cut on his chest. The dry blood over his heart still made her shiver. "He threatened me to kill himself."

The Amyrlin glared at the Malkieri. "Are you out of your mind, Lan Mandragoran?"

"This is Tear, and the innkeeper had already called for a Healer. I couldn't let her channel."

Alric entered the conversation. "A Healer was here?"

Lan nodded weakly when his eyes moved to the other Warder. "You can't let them channel."

With begging eyes, Moiraine turned to Siuan. "Please. All he needs is a little help so we can get him out of here. I can't carry him. But if he is strong enough to walk out of here, we can go somewhere where I can heal him."

Alric shook his head while Siuan bit her lower lip thoughtfully. "We can't do that. Not if a Healer was already involved. No one will believe that miracle without suspecting you or Siuan are Aes Sedai."

"It doesn't matter if we leave this place!"

Again, Alric shook his head. "Those people are crazy when it comes to the One Power. They will kill you before you make it outside."

"I'll use Saidar to keep them at distance."

This time, it was Siuan who shook her head in denial. "Don't underestimate those people, love. Alric is not joking when he says they're crazy. Remember, I lived here before I came to the White Tower."

Frustrated, the Cairhien woman wiped away more tears while her thoughts spiraled. There had to be a way to save Lan! She wouldn't let him die! "What if Alric helps me get Lan downstairs? He rode with this injury before. He could do it again. We-"

"The pain would kill him," Alric objected. "Do you really want him to go through that pain?"

"I want him to live!" Moiraine snapped at the other man. Why wasn't he coming up with better plans?

"The best thing you can do for him now is to end his suffering," Siuan's Warder said calmly. "The only reason he is still alive is because he fights for you."

It was the worst thing he could have said. Moiraine's dagger was back in her hand. Its sharp blade pointed at Siuan's Warder while she glared at him icily. "I'll kill you if you touch him."

Alric reacted immediately by pulling his Aes Sedai behind him, out of Moiraine's reach. Apparently, he assumed Moiraine would hurt everyone around her who got close to her.

Lan cursed and tried to get the dagger out of Moiraine's hand, but the woman of the Blue Ajah kept it out of his reach – her eyes focused on Alric.

"Moiraine," Lan hissed.

"Fishguts!" Siuan stepped out behind her Warder, who immediately tried to pull her back.

The blade moved through the air when Alric took a step closer to the bed. With a curse, the man jumped back before it could touch him.

"Stay away from him!"

Now, everyone had to realize that Moiraine wasn't joking. She had fought against the Healer and would fight against Alric if she had to. No one would take Lan from her!

"Blood and ashes! Alric, let go of me!"

"She has a dagger!"

"Moiraine would never hurt me."

"Didn't you just see what she-?!"

"She attacked you – not me."

Alric shook his head. "I won't risk it. We leave."

Cursing, the Tairen woman stepped aside, blocking her Warder's attempts to pull her behind his back again. "Don't be silly. This is Moiraine, Alric. Your words scared her."

Growling, Alric pointed at Lan. "Look at Lan, Siuan. He is in deep pain and simply holds on for her. He keeps fighting for her."

"And Moiraine does the same thing. She fights for her Warder's life. Tell me, you would act differently if our roles were reversed."

Sighing heavily, the man gritted his teeth, then nodded. Every Warder would fight for his bonded Aes Sedai until his last breath.

Carefully, the Amyrlin turned to her lover, holding up her hands in defense, though Moiraine wasn't even looking at her. She only had eyes for Alric. "Moiraine, please put down the dagger."

"Leave. Both of you." Moiraine's voice was still cold as ice.

"Alric wasn't thinking. Please. No one will take Lan from you."

The Cairhien woman saw the Warder grimacing, and when she glanced at Siuan, she noticed that the woman had stepped closer to her.

"Come on, pufferfish." Siuan's voice was the complete opposite of Moiraine's. "Look at me."

It was hard for the woman of the Blue Ajah to take her eyes off Alric. Her eyes always returned to the Warder – scared he would use her distraction to get to Lan.

So, Siuan took another step forward, pulling her lover's attention away from Alric. "Look at me." Her voice was soft and calm. "You know I can't lie. So, listen to me. No one takes Lan from you."

Moiraine's grip around the dagger became uneasy. An Aes Sedai couldn't lie. Siuan had to speak the truth. But Alric… Moiraine's eyes went back to the Warder. What about him?

"Eyes on me, pufferfish."

Surprised, the Cairhien woman noticed that her pillow friend stood before her. When had she…? Siuan's right arm moved around Moiraine's back, pulling the woman into a tight embrace.

"It's okay."

Moiraine didn't know what to do. Should she push Siuan off her? Should she hug her? What if Alric used that moment to-?

Suddenly, Siuan's left hand freed the dagger out of Moiraine's hand. It had only been a distraction!

"Alric."

"No!" Helplessly, the woman of the Blue Ajah had to watch how the other Warder took the dagger. She fought against Siuan's embrace, trying hard not to lose sight of Alric, but the Tairen woman was stronger and not letting go of her. "I'll kill you if you touch him!"

Surprisingly, Alric stepped away from the bed instead of getting closer, yet Moiraine didn't stop fighting against Siuan. It had been a trap. Siuan's kindness and promises had been a trap to take the dagger from her!

"Shhh, pufferfish. It's all right."

"Please," Moiraine sobbed. "Please, don't."

"I meant what I said, Moiraine." Soothingly, the Amyrlin rubbed circles over her lover's back. "No one takes Lan from you."

Moiraine wanted to believe her but couldn't. Alric and the Healer's words rang in her ears. Both were convinced that it would be better to end Lan's suffering. They both didn't believe her Warder could survive that injury.

"Lay down, love."

"No, please."

Carefully, Siuan lowered Moiraine's weak body so she could lie beside the Malkieri with her head on his chest. "Light, you're exhausted." It was like she didn't feel Moiraine's resistance. "Lan, hold her."

The uncrowned king of Malkier helped the Amyrlin to pull his crying Aes Sedai on his chest, holding Moiraine's arm trapped on his chest while his free arm was wrapped around her back, holding her close to him.

"Hug your Warder, love," Siuan said gently while stroking Moiraine's hair tenderly until her lover started to calm down. "There you go. You're doing very well."

Moiraine listened to Lan's strong heartbeat under her ear, letting it calm her own wild beating heart. The feeling of holding that strong man in her arms while his arms held her close to him gave her the familiar feeling of safety. Nothing bad could happen when she lay in Lan's arms.

Her calmness reacted with her exhaustion, and the Aes Sedai noticed how sleep tucked at her. If Siuan continued to strike her hair like that, Moiraine didn't know if she could stay awake until the end.