#wot-prime

Dismounting, you handed off the reins to the kind Warder, and moved to meet Moiraine. "Did you feel something?" you asked, as the sun was still illuminating the world very well. The sky wasn't even tinged yellow. 

"Yes," Moiraine answered, a rarity. But that was all you got before she reached over and took your hand. "A need," she elaborated. 

Despite the exclusivity of these happenstances or perhaps because of it, you were unable to hold back your smile. Even with the vows you all took, you knew not to expect perfect honesty from any Sister. Despite having known and experienced and courted Moiraine, you still didn't expect it from her. Moiraine made her living off of secrets and half-truths. She gathered information; she didn't give it away. Except for you. It made you tingle. So when she kissed your hand, it made you fly. You slipped your fingers from her hold, twisting your wrist to hold her cheek. "Oh, my princess," you cooed. You retook her hand. "Shall we take a walk, then?"

Moiraine smoothly transfered from her prim Aes Sedai in the wild personality to the softer version you'd come to know. "That was the plan," she retorted dryly, earning a little glare from you. She couldn't help, but  laugh darkly, earning a little glare from you. She chose the direction, pulling you along, to which you followed obediently. 

"Be back by midnight," Lan stated as they passed. He was setting up their beds, alone now. 

"Is that an order?" Moiraine asked mockingly. 

But the Borderland Warder just stared at them with now very serious brown eyes. It gave you chills. "Did it sound like a suggestion?"

Moiraine smirked, unaffected by his broad stature and stern expression. She simply pulled you along, pulling you close once it was just you two. You were pretty sure she wasn't concerned about Lan seeing, since he'd seen worse, but you didn't necessarily mind only touching in private. It made every encounter seem more intimate, and you felt special. Her other arm came around you and one of yours circled her waist. Once Moiraine deemed the environment safe and good enough for you, you came to a stop. 

This particular environment was a relatively open clearing that you never could have camped because of how far it was into the woods. The trees gave you both a wide berth, letting you see straight up at the twinkling stars. You were so captivated by how clear the sky was, you didn't notice Moiraine staring at you. She very suddenly pulled you down to sit beside her. You very suddenly looked at her and saw that bright and brilliant smile, suddenly wondering why you bothered looking up. You reached out and held that gorgeous face. Letting the back of your finger trail her face, Moiraine caved first, surging forward to capture your lips. You moaned into her mouth and fell into her in return. 

Suffice to say, you weren't back until dawn.

It was a slow process, Moiraine learned to allow, waking up. She had fallen asleep with her arms around you and she came back around warm, safe, and loved. She felt swarmed by pillows, and she could still feel her arms holding something, her love. The older Blue had had to re-learn how to be vulnerable, how to let her guard down, but you'd been unknowingly patient and the perfect little role-model. So she pulled you tighter against her, burying her face down, and slowly came around to the sounds of a still crackling fire. She coyly peered around... your breasts to see Lan cooking breakfast on a spit. 

"Oh, thank the Light," you groaned, stroking her hair quickly. You sat up and stood, admitting, "I have to pee!" and you ran off. 

Smirking amusedly, Moiraine was still half-asleep. She willfully ignored Lan's knowing stare. She crawled out of her blanket skin, folding it up dutifully. "I thought we might make for Baerlon today. The Tuatha'an's solstice will be in full swing. I think it'll be a fun-"

Moiraine's romantic plans were cut off by a shrill scream echoing from the heart of the forest. The Bonded pair shared half a look then took off for the source of your voice. From the sound, you wandered further into the woods than was necessary to urinate. But as the pair reached where you should have been, they found scorched earth and kicked dirt. The brunette fell to knees, grasping at the ground disturbed by your struggle. A lifetime of fears threatened to overwhelm the witch, but she called herself to focus and find you. Her Power stirred in the air, gathering Earth. Dirt and dust, soil came together in front of the powerful Sedai. The worries slowly trickled away, fading into nothing as a furious focus was gifted to Moiraine. Every speck you touched was brought together and Moiraine scooped an amount into a small vial. She set her jaw. "I'm coming, love. Where are you?"

*

Somewhere dark. Besides that, you couldn't answer. You were ambushed and never saw your attacker. Now, you were powerless and didn't know where you were. 

Whereas Moiraine was a madam on a mission. She called an all-in alert. She had all of her spies looking for you. Her double agents held the most of her hope. Finally, she sent the dirt you had touched to her Seer friend. So far, no one had any answers. As it had been two days since you'd gone missing, this was unacceptable. Moiraine hardly slept, not that she usually did, and she'd become right irritated. The few Sedai they encountered had offered her their aid and they searched even now, combining powers in case a stray weave gave Moiraine the information she wanted. She had the Tower feeling for you yet she refused to return. It was an odd experience, Moiraine who was supposedly no better than any other Sister showing her power and commanding... everyone. Even the Amyrlin aided her. She directed everyone without having to be there and without taking the time it usually took to communicate so far away. 

It went so far Lan tried to rein his witch in. It was day three without you. If you were injured, you'd be dead by now. If you'd been taken, your kidnapper had plenty of chances to contact Moiraine. The woman was driving herself and her Warder crazy. Lan merely suggested she take a break. "Moiraine... It wouldn't be an abandonment to just return to the Tower. We need full support, full assistance-" 

The Blue Ajah was a controlled one. To gather so much information and keep so much secret put its women through tremendous stress. It took so much strength to manage it all and not crumble. So when Moiraine moved slowly (so unlike her) to gaze upon her Warder with the glare she'd snatched from the Dark One. To see the blatant rage, the full unhinged Moiraine, Lan felt as though his heart had stopped. "Need... assistance?" she repeated. Lan didn't say a word, just slowly retreated from the slowly approaching woman. "Not only did you suggest we leave, but you believe I need the help. You don't think I can save her?"

"You've yet to even find her, Moiraine," slipped out before he could stop it. Lan felt the mistake as he said it. He watched the mysterious Blue be washed away by a murderous pupil.

Moiraine, for once, could not help the emotions boiling under her skin. Perhaps you had weakened her hold on feelings, or maybe it was just when it came to feelings about you. Either way, Moiraine could feel everything slipping out of her control. First had been you: hers and then gone in a blink. Next went her emotions. First, the terror had chilled all of her skin then she'd been burning from the inside. First, she'd been afraid for you, but you were a full Sister, filly capable of defending yourself under long-term (three days of) stress. Finally, she'd lost hope in all who she'd once relied on. From her Sisters, to her spies, to her Warder, no one could do what she needed the one time she had a true need. No one had found you. Moiraine wouldn't let you lose faith in her like she had in everyone else. As long as you were alive when found, Moiraine would forever have faith in you. Even abducted, you would never leave her. 

With the perfect timing only a Seer could annoyingly deliver with, Moiraine's favorite (especially now) friend found her and Lan. 

*

You didn't eat or drink. You could hardly see and didn't dare to move. You still couldn't channel. You saw no one, heard nothing. Weakness filled your limbs like the stones of the White Tower itself held you down. Your stomach had transcended past pain in these hollow days. You feared you were dying. Perhaps you were already dead and you'd earning some horrendous torture for the rest of time, until the Wheel turned out your soul again. You'd never hoped more for that reincarnation to be real. 

Moiraine, however, hoped that you could hear her prayers to hold on. With a vague idea of a location, Moiraine rode for you immediately, almost leaving Lan behind. There was hardly a thought in that strategic mind besides the fantasy of finding you and the very real ideas of how to deal with who took you. None were subtle. 

Hardly a day's ride, Moiraine was in the general vicinity in no time. From there, she could sense the malicious presence. It was bitter and hateful and familiar. It was a Sister, but her Power had been corrupted heavily. Through an outside influence or her free will, Moiraine couldn't tell. But Light is Light and this Sister had turned Dark. She had to get you and get you away. Following the trail Moiraine was officially in denial of the Source of, the Blue did find you. In an inn of all places. You were unconscious or enchanted, limp on the floor and paler than snow, and Moiraine didn't have the chance to approach before she was flung across the room. 

It was a harsh landing, but the Blue got back to her feet fast, already preparing a protective deflector which was used instantly. The wall suffered the brunt of the net weave. The cracks distracted the Sister, giving Moiraine time to identify her. She was young, from your class Moiraine recognized, well one of them, and now a Red. She didn't seem to have harmed you, but Moiraine was still dangerously protective. Your classmate had still gone Dark, though she still wore the Ajah and ring. She didn't seem the diabolical type, and she didn't throw another weave, preferring to stare at Moiraine. "You're here," she commented dumbly. 

Moiraine held back the scathing remark, but her expression... expressed. "So are you." Moiraine merely flicked her wrist, sending the baby Sister a weave of her own. The foolish woman was not tossed, but suspended. She would not meet a common end, as her Maker's anger was rare. "Stupidly."

The young ex-Red was forced to speak her entire piece, forced to watch Moiraine remove her ring. From her Novicehood, she'd noticed Moiraine. She who rarely came home stood out so when she did. But the Blue had only ever had eyes for you. You didn't even push your limits, didn't even see Moiraine until the Blue introduced herself. Even with her, you didn't try. You just were, and your not-friend would never understand how that was what attracted her so.

Moiraine's active power reacted to her emotions as she endured this spiel. Her go-to with lightening evolved to a full-blown storm. Wind beat the windows of this little inn and rain leaked through the ceiling. Perfect white teeth gritted and bare as Moiraine closed in. Her prey could not flee, and the brunette held her chin, well, the entire bottom half of her face. "Thinking about it, none of your answers matter. No reason is acceptable to take who I care for. Sisters should never stab another in the back." Now, Moiraine's Power was inside the room. Whips of flames struck at the demented ex-Red. She was attacked and could not summon the strength to combat her superior. That's when the little girl paused. She had retreated from as far as she could and all Moiraine had to do was toss her aside as she had been flung. With any luck, she'd take the hint and relinquish the Shawl. Publicly. 

Moiraine dove for you, holding your face. She sent her Power along you, inside you. She smiled hopefully, expectantly until your eyes fluttered open. She ran the back of her fingers down your face, alternating between using that and her palm. Once you'd come around, the brunette glowed. "Hello, my girl," she greeted. 

You smiled faintly up at her, but it was enough. 

"How does a peaceful Way of the Leaf faire sound?" she offered, laughing a bit hysterically. 

You frowned, now concerned. You cupped her face and wiped away the tears she was crying. You held her for a moment and she let you. "Don't cry," you croaked out. 

Moiraine laughed again, but the corners of her lips pointed downwards, depressingly. "We have to get you food, water." She held your face securely. "Can you stand?" she asked in an also depressing tone. Her voice cracked as badly as yours did. 

You were still heavy, still laden with Dark magic. Every limb ached. Everything Moiraine didn't touch stung. It hurt to grit your teeth. Still, in the face of your love, you moved your legs. Moiraine would move mountains for you, you were sure. You could walk beside her, especially if she asked. 

The taller woman stood behind you, helping you stand. You fell against her, but Moiraine wouldn't have it any other way. She would have had you walking as one person anyway. She kissed your neck and you walked to the door together. 

Still, the stupid girl decided to step in the way of your safe exit. 

"Elexca?" you asked in surprise. 

Moiraine didn't even blink and Elexca was flung out the door she tried to block. You walked out beside her and your love, your mentor's arm rose beside you, tearing the girl further across the ground, one way then the other. You raised your hand to hold her wrist, your weak Power joining with hers. Together, you Stilled the bitch, under your direction. 

The people were helpless, but they were broke and so you and Geralt were sent to collect taxes or souls. It broke your heart to set an innocent village on fire. Tears even silently built in your eyes, but you refused to let them fall. You watched the desperate people run for safety or water, but no retardant would work on the fire you conjured on your master's command. He turned and brandished his sword, battling one-handedly. He had his bound wrist behind his back to keep the rebel from severing the chain. He sent faint suggestions to you to help him, but he was distracted enough that you could do nothing. 

Something pulled at your sleeve. Turning, you looked down to find a small child coated in soot, but unaffected and uninjured. She looked up at you with wide, childish eyes, but there was something distinctly adult, more mature in those orbs. "My muma said damane can't help what they do. You do what you're told."

You slowly sunk to squat by the child, focus entirely off Geralt. "Yes," you admitted, but you said nothing else. Your hand rose to fiddle with the collar you'd never adjusted to, but you dropped it before you could inflict harm on yourself. You didn't dare mention to the girl that this could become of anyone. 

Small hands reached up for your head and you assumed the sweet girl wanted a hug. Instead, the metal fell away from your throat and you looked down in awe. Your One Power automatically reached out to fix what you'd been regretting since you'd done it. The fires went out and Geralt suddenly flew straight up into the air. You kept his momentum for a moment then let go. You urged the pair back into their homes. No one would want to be around when he met the ground again. 

*

You were something of an expert in your craft once free and it was all too easy to be invisible and stow away. The boat docked in the Westlands and you took off for freedom. 

This land was very different from your own, you soon came to realize. The plants, temperature, climate, people! While they were suspicious of anyone they didn't know, you had somehow gained their respect. Perhaps you gave off power or they knew you hailed from Seanchan. But you were never anywhere long enough to be found out. 

You always thought travelling a lot would keep you safe, but it was by going in the opposite direction of a wandering Aes Sedai that you were put in more danger than you had been in. Your heart was at risk the second you spotted the stoic and tall blue-clad woman atop her horse. Much of her was covered by clothes , but you saw nobility in the way she carried herself, you  knew from experience you could daydream about those hands for days, and an odd feeling washed over you as she caught you staring. You looked away quickly, abashed to have been seen. It hardly mattered; you would be taking the road they arrived via in a few short hours. You averted your gaze and picked up a device you'd never seen before. Putting it back with a grimace, you turned and went to escape into isolation. 

Instead, you bumped into a stoic blue-clad form. She didn't give, but rather caught your shoulder when you jumped and nearly lost your footing. "Are you okay?" she asked before you had the chance to apologize. 

Looking up, you discovered it was the woman now off her horse. You gulped, now recognizing the feelings. She could channel, just like you. "Yes," you answered too quickly. 

A single brunette eyebrow rose suspiciously. "I'm Moiraine," she barreled through. Now under a foot away from her, you could see every crevice of her face. You wouldn't guess she smiled very much, or at all in public, but she saw more without the blinding expression. Her eyes were a calm blue you could cling to in the midst of a crisis. "You're not from around here," she noticed, a genius.

Did you give away an accent with a single word? "No, I'm just passing through." 

Moiraine nodded, familiar with the sentiment. She looked you up and down. "Have you  a free place at your hearth?" she asked despite having just been told you didn't live in this town. 

You looked over at her shoulder. Her white horse and her companion's were bound by the inn. "I have been staying where your friend currently is, but I'm leaving tonight."

She smiled in a persuasive way, and also teasing. "Then, share our hearth. You could use the food," Moraine mused, picking at your silver dress, your damane attire which you'd cut. "We can talk," she offered, arm out. "Please." 

You got the feeling she was acting out of character, asking politely and all, so you took the extended hand. The strange feeling increased twenty-fold at the contact. Warmth flooded your insides and you followed Moiraine into the inn and found her male companion. 

He sat at a table with food and he didn't seem surprised that Moiraine had brought a stranger with her. She introduced you to him and Lan to you. "Where are you from?" was the first thing Lan said once you knew his name. 

You stared at him, waiting for him to realize you weren't going to answer. You also wanted him to know that wasn't a question you were comfortable with. "Where are you from?" you deflected, both of them staring you down. Was that their default?

"The Borderlands," he answered immediately. 

"Cairhien," Moiraine also replied, without hesitation. 

You stared at both of them, excuseless. "Seanchan."

Lan's jaw dropped, but Moiraine looked validated, like she'd already known. Her all-knowing lapis orbs fell to your neck, bared for all the world to see, and she raised her chin in second-hand pride. 

"You must've fought your way to freedom," Lan guessed. 

You wrinkled your nose, remembering all the harm you'd inflicted, entirely with your curse. It had all been without your consent and you knew you would never hurt anyone again if you didn't have to. 

The pair shared an impressive look. "Were you bound?" Moiraine asked. 

You stood very suddenly, a survivor not a spectacle. 

Once you attempted to leave,Moiraine quickly held your wrist. You flinched so she let go and stood. "You have our apologies. I knew you were special. We were only trying to decipher how. Now that I know, you can come to the White Tower to-"

"No." You didn't shout or give away any emotions, but you'd been bound to an organization with their own ideas of how and why you should channel long enough. You were done. 

Moiraine smiled again, but not like she knew your plan. More like she saw a bit of herself in you, but you expressed it more. "Very well." Lan rose and retreated to their shared room, after telling Moiraine - and inadvertently you - the location of the said lodging. 

You weren't sure you wanted to remain, but the blue-clad woman was drawing you in by not breaking eye contact. She was neither scared nor targeting you. But it was still odd. "You are an Aes Sedai?" you asked. It was hardly a question, as she'd given herself away by associating with the White Tower. You knew damane supposedly descended from them, or at least the Aes Sedai in Seanchan when they'd separated from the Westlands had set up the laws for their enslavement. The blue nodded. It was a tragedy, the way girls who could channel were treated worldwide. "But I rarely return to the Tower." She was almost coy in the way she looked up at you, through her eyelashes. She didn't want you to feel like she would make you - or could since you had full control - or that she was some sort of trap. She could only imagine how you were feeling. Paranoia, she assumed, would be the most prominent. 

Not tired, was another. Moiraine vowed to stay awake until you left, if you decided to. Luckily, you didn't. Talking with Moiraine seemed to be enough encouragement and just like that, you were able to trust one woman, the first person you would ever trust. Perhaps the last. She didn't seem like the type to tell everyone everything. You almost believed you were the first to know half the stories she told you that night; she had said as much, after all. 

Words only went so far, though, and it felt like a breakthrough when Moiraine rested her hand on your arm. You didn't flinch, nor when she scooted to sit right beside you. You even leaned your head on her shoulder, feeling sleepy, too sleepy to travel. And the hand touching your hair, playing with it, wasn't helping. You looked over at Moiraine to find her already staring at you. She wasn't that tiny bit embarrassed that you were. In fact, your insecurity amused her. She cleared your face of any hair in front of it, hand resting on your neck. 

You shivered at the unexpected warmth where you'd only felt cold metal for so long. 

Of course, the Sedai noticed. She swept it all over your shoulder and pretended she'd missed a few strands, doing so again and again. You were hardly breathing, and you kept swallowing uselessly as your throat was already so dry. But you said not a word. You weren't sure what to say, not exactly minding, but this didn't seem public appropriate. 

You had displayed such power that a Yellow had brought you to the Tower and presented you to the Amyrlin. So many Sisters had been stunned at your power that it was insisted that you stay at the Tower, study as the oldest Novice in the history of the Aes Sedai. For that, you were ridiculed by the students: called Bloomer for how late you discovered your powers. You didn't care for the opinions of power-hungry adolescents. You'd discovered your powers long before that Yellow you. You just wanted to be left in peace. 

You were incapable of even traversing the halls without drawing stares. Of course, even the Novices felt they had the right to bully you. Not that you were truly affected. But as an Accepted, with your hollow Serpent Ring, you were aware of more than you saw. So the hateful little girl trying to spook you from behind ended up plastered to the wall with her grievance against you burned into the hem of her dress. You passed the Seating Hall just as your next enemy attempted to ambush you. This girl was a part of your introductory class and you'd progressed mere days before her. She made the mistake of believing she could conquer you with her Power alone. It was loud and obvious, but perhaps only to you. Ricocheting back and forth between walls, it was aimed straight for where you were walking. All you had to do was stop walking and the weave barreled on, breaking open the large set of doors to the active Seating. 

It was all called to an immediate halt and the Amyrlin Seat stood to glare outwards. "Who dares to interrupt a Seating with irate emotions?" she demanded. 

You looked back on your little enemy. She looked guilty, so you didn't need to say a word. 

"Enter, then," the upset Amyrlin called her in. With the wave of her hand, you were dismissed, trying to suppress a grin. 

*

Many of the students thought it would be an honor to join in on a Seating at their point in their education. How wrong they were. She was sure to tell her student sisters how she was forced to participate. From binding to execution, the brat held the weight of the collective One Power channeled by every Sedai in the Seating Hall. She was still sore and exhausted and she was warned she would be punished for real if she ever did what she did again. 

You were in an odd position at the Tower. You didn't have the usual chores, since you obviously differed from the others. They cleaned the floors, fireplaces, dusted, and served the Aes Sedai their food. You... tended to the Amyrlin Seat, who the other girls now knew to fear. It had been considered a reward or favoritism, but Siuan had taken care of that. You were more pitied that night, leaving the students living quarters to clean the Amyrlin's space. You didn't mind these responsibilities. But that night, you would initially pity yourself. You detected nothing amiss as you entered the massive set of rooms where the Amyrlin resided and began to pick up after the usually clean woman. Once the garbage was disposed of, you began picking up clothes. Odd; she never undressed as she walked. Even more odd, there were two sets on the floor. Picking up the linen, you were startled by a low moan followed by a giggle. You turned and found your Amyrlin going down on Moiraine, one of the most well-known of the Aes Sedai. You gasped then turned away, knowing the sound would draw attention. "I am so-"

Two sets of eyes found you, but the bluer set stayed on you. She moaned louder, taking your wrist when you tried to leave. "Stay. Ooh, you as well, Siuan," commanded Moiraine. 

"Moiraine, this is hardly-" the Amyrlin went to scold. 

The secrets of centuries were locked in blue eyes that rolled. Unashamedly, Moiraine wrapped her legs around Siuan's shoulders and pulled her back where Moiraine wanted her. Her back arched as Siuan resumed her work, arm bending to bring you closer. She kept pulling on you, even after you stood directly beside her, leading you to hold her breast. 

You gasped and went to pull away. 

"Shh..." Moiraine cooed. She ran her fingertips up the back of your hand, blunt nails scratching lightly. "I know you enjoy us, particularly Mother." Siuan growled, causing the Blue to dig her nails into your hand, eyes falling shut. "It's ok."

Your eyes flashed down to your highest commander, but she was busy and hard at work. Curiously, you twitched the fingers cupping her mound. You tested your grip and tested how far Moiraine would let you go... by pinching. 

She came immediately and you tried to escape. This time, the Amyrlin reached for you. "Stay. We must speak." This was not a request, you detected. She got Moiraine all put back together and you three converged on the living room couches. They sat together and you were awkwardly opposite. 

"I didn't-" That lie wouldn't work so you tried again, defensive. "I would never tell anyone."

"Good," came Moiraine's automatic response. 

She went to continue, but Siuan nudged her. More people persony, she turned to you. "We would thank you to keep it to yourself, but that's not why we're having this conversation. Do you know the requirements to be the Amyrlin's servant?"

You had a smart response right on the tip of your tongue, but wisely chose to simply shake your head. 

Siuan smiled and it was like clouds parting after a month-long storm. "Power. Enough to be elected Amyrlin."

Your jaw dropped. 

Both women looked amused at the reaction. "But a more pressing possibility presented itself to us." Moiraine was staring you down again, eyes not quite as dark as before, but still serious. "I've had visions about an all-powerful legend. They implied he was reborn, but reveal nothing else. Until you took the first test. Yes, the night you became Accepted, the nightmares stopped. We have the Dragon Reborn, but no one can know."

This was a lot to take in. The hypothesis was a lot, but their certainty was terrifying. And why keep it a secret? Surely there was some way to test it. They must need more than two who believe such. You tried to formulate a response, but all that escaped was a horrible croak. You just stood, overwhelmed by the sex and now the magic. 

Both woman rose after you, their primary fear for telling you come true. They surrounded you before you could flee. "No, no, no," Siuan stammered insistently. 

"Stay," Moiraine urged once more. "It's alright." They were both touching you, trying to soothe your discomfort. 

The Amyrlin helped you sit again. "We just have to do this right." 

"And the others are too many unknown elements," Moiraine added. "We have to keep you safe." 

"And on the right track. With Light," Siuan vowed, touching your hair. You helplessly leaned your head back for her. 

"With love," Moiraine added, kissing you. 

She was like a drug, they both were; all you could see, feel, think about. 

You got lost in the sensation, feeling a little dizzy, but you'd only just started to kiss. The other woman gently pulled you away, turning your face to her so she could capture your lips with her own. Between two beautiful women making beautiful promises, you felt safe. "Doesn't the Dragon have their own responsibilities?" you asked, finally able to form sentences. The women chuckled at your mind. 

*

The Dragon Reborn did have special duties, usually carried out by the reigning Amyrlin, but Siuan started training you in the invisible ones first. You lightened her load little by little until she had time to actually court. This wasn't uncommon when the Dragon was active, you found. But usually the Amyrlin falls for the Dragon Reborn. You assumed Siuan would use her personal time on Moiraine. 

No, the leader of the Aes Sedai used her every free moment to use some of yours and Moiraine's. You were walking toward the book collection, but felt yourself be yanked into an alcove. The woman you didn't yet have to call Mother snogged you within an inch of your life then pulled you away to privacy. In her quarters, Siuan talked about anything she could think of from her positioned head on your lap. You toyed with her hair and gave your opinions when she asked until Moiraine entered. She greeted you both as she approached, bending down to kiss her pillow-friend. 

Watching the two of them always made you warm in the chest and... other places. Seeing the Blue tuck her hair behind her ear, you felt her piercing gaze long before you met it, preferring to watch her rise. She didn't straighten all the way, turning halfway to lean in and kiss you next. It was surreal to see the confident and teasing smirk from the pucker, the beautiful Blue coming closer to you, to press her lips against yours. You couldn't help reaching out to hold her face every time you kissed, like you had to check she was real. And at the touch, Moiraine couldn't resist running her tongue across your lips, pulling on one of your lips - she didn't care which - as she leaned away. Off she went to change and then she was back, sitting with you both. Where you had Siuan's head, Moiraine took her feet onto her lap. 

In this room, you were nothing. Not a channeller, not the Dragon, not an Accepted. Alone with Siuan, and Moiraine, you were just with them. 

The relationship stayed secret, but it went no further. You weren't around them when any of you were naked ever again and you wouldn't more than kiss. And you wouldn't open your mouth when you kissed them or likewise. You were learning so much, progressing so fast, you just wanted the comfort, the stability. You hadn't explained this to the girls, but they didn't push. You were relieved to be still, to be loved as is. 

To become a full Aes Sedai, you had to show clear conviction to the Tower (which the Seat claimed to have witnessed, though your priorities had to be more than the Sedai) and a massive channelling test. You aced it with barely a bead of sweat. A few Sedai were suspicious of your strong One Power, but Siuan immediately, publicly took you under her wing. You didn't have to pick a color that night, thanks to Siuan, but she revealed she had to tell the Tower, the world now. But not that night. On your first night at full power, your girls seduced you with two mouths and four hands. You didn't have to make any decisions. 

It was you on your knees beside a man with swollen and bright crimson legs. Your silver magic returned complete bloodflow and he soon got to his feet, with your help. You cured an entire town of its ailments. It wasn't much of a surprise given you'd rebuilt another town you'd passed through. This was becoming too common.

Moiraine was sharp abrupt, and silent, when she approached you. Conveniently only after the last was healed, the Aes Sedai took your elbow and guided you out.

"Hey- I- What's wrong?" you demanded staggeringly. You were shown to the horses and didn't hesitate to mount your horse "What?!" 

Lan was there too and only after you all set off again, did Moraine explain: "We want to travel subtly."

"You want to travel invisibly," you retorted in a mumble. "I once had to make my entire village's crops grow because of the drought. I just heated the crops because manipulating weather isn't my right, but don't underestimate how far I'll go for others." 

Moiraine awed at how you didn't see your Light. If anyone had the right to command the heavens it was you. The Dragon Reborn, savior of puppies & Defender of Light, limiting herself. It was laughable and commendable. But nonetheless, you slept in the woods from then on. Moiraine loved you a little bit, and she adored how the change in surroundings didn't affect your disposition. Unfortunately, that disposition prompted you to wander. You loved all things in nature and they loved you. You walked while the Towerinians road; Lan got to horse-sit when Moiraine dismounted to join you. Well, it started as her trying to wrangle you back onto the trail, but your will was stronger. She traversed the woods easily, but lacked your advantage. Moiraine wondered if you know how the dangerous plants shifted away from you, your entire path cleared from anything that could trip or harm you. She felt humbled to know the Dragon, one with nature that came alive in her presence.

You were hunched over, eyeballing every shadow, nook, and spot of sun for herbs you'd never seen before.

Moraine called your name. "We really should go back. We're losing daylight."

You plucked a blue petaled flower, twirling it, beneath your nose for a whiff. "And where are we going?" Turning to the Sedai, you stepped closer to tuck the flower behind her ear, petals against her brown hair. You let your hard fall down her hair, ending the contact with a twirl to the tips of her hair.

Blue eyes were wide despite Moiraine's best training at maintaining a neutral expression. Her breaths were coming in in pants and she was hyper aware of your every touch. The Tower," she answered as neutrally as she could.

You smirked at her, shaking your head. "The Aes Sedai severed the last Dragon's One Power connection to the source." 

The brunette sighed sympathetically. "He was a man, and he had gone mad from his Power. The Sisters will be ecstatic the Dragon is a woman!"

Bu you stared at her with narrow eyes. "I'll have to take the training."

Moiraine shut her eyed, but opened them quickly. "Of course. You only know what you taught yourself." That was more of a hope then a put-down and she could tell you knew from the look on your face. You were the Dragon Reborn; she had no idea what you knew. While you stared at her, flowers bloomed all over the back of the trees. They were bright red, slowly transitioning to orange then yellow as it got to the core. You turned away with that same expression and seemed stunned by your own creation. You picked it next, before following her guidances back to Lan. Smelling the flower released a pollen that you both unintentionally inhaled. Both of your eyes glowed in unison, going bright red, orange, then yellow. "Do you hear that?" Moiraine asked, hearing a distant sound.

But you were the Dragon Reborn, one with nature. You looked in that direction, senses expanding on their own. "Waterfall," you answered, looking at her again as your eyes faded back to their normal colors. Finding the flowing water and the pool beneath it was a breeze, like it was destined.

With an unhindered grin, the Blue pushed you in. She laughed at your scream and jumped in just to your right. You splashed her once she resurfaced. Though stunned, she recovered too quickly and dove under. Bitch pulled your legs, paying no mind to your clothes. She felt better than she had since joining the Tower, Damn, since she'd begun nobility training. Like this, her constant awareness of what she said and where she was was gone. She wasn't the tactful Blue, the superior Sedai. She was a girl, floating in an endless sea of innocence. 

Your experience was different. You felt out of control the whole time, like you were just falling through the air, toward the water, but you never hit it. Like every move you made was just you falling in another direction. It was a bittersweet feeling, but it soon turned entirely sour. Darkness took over your vision, leaving you entirely in shadows. Two amber embers stared you down and Moiraine's touches against you felt like ice. That ice further weighed down your clothes and yourself. The air left your lungs it felt and frozen... in the literal sense.

The film over you shot down to and dripped off your shoes. You opened your eyes, coughing from the force of oxygen re-entering your lungs. You strained to cough more, but a pat on the back put a stop to the suffocating feeling.

Moiraine was kneeling beside you, amidst the blooming trees. Neither of you were wet, but she was deeply concerned, face urgent. "You passed out. What happened?"

You blinked up @ her, taking in the sudden change. "Saw-" You swallowed to soothe your sore throat.

Enigmatized blue eyes bugged, now more afraid. "What? You must tell me. Dreams have power."

You sat up, thinking. You looked up at the flowers, but didn't touch one this time. Standing abruptly, you pushed through the spinning in your head. The waterfall was exactly where it was, but Moiraine didn't push you in and you didn't want in, frankly. You just stood in the water up top, watching the symmetrical symbol form out of bubbles and endless deep blue water.

Moraine stood on the grass, watching the formation with more surprise then you, but less understanding.

You could feel the One Power wash over you, kinder and easier on you than your... vision. But it still threatened to wash away, down into the pool. You didn't even realize you were rocking into the waves, or channeling, until Moiraine joined you in the stream and pulled you out. Her own, Power pushed yours back into you. "You must be careful. Your Power is too great for your baly to conduct it all. You are definitely coming to the Tower."

You grumbled nonsensically, but plainly in protest.

You tied her sleeves together in a sorry excuse of a knot, but it kept her occupied while you snuck your lips against hers. "Shut up," you ordered your Sedai, pulling the rest of her dress down. "About Moiraine." You pulled back, holding her face in firm palms. "Look at me! Me. I'm here. You want to spill your secrets, be close with someone? Look at me," you begged. "Please." 

Liandrin stared back at you like you had three heads. Her stark blue eyes bored into you, but she didn't see you. Not like she always had. Now she was looking at you, into you. 

You saw emotions, but you couldn't decipher them. And you didn't have the patience to wait for her to. You didn't dare overstep, didn't push boundaries, but you held her shoulders and you peppered her face with kisses. You were begging, pleading with your whole soul for this woman to look at you in the same light she did Moiraine. Maybe, for a second, she could see the brunette wasn't all that. The blonde was your sun. 

She was short tempered but strong. A dangerous combination, but Liandrin wielded it well. She settled into the moment and returned to herself in a moment. 

You gulped, feeling the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. 

It whipped you up and away from Liandrin. You landed on her bed and felt leaden in your bones. Fully awake, yet your body was as inclined to move as it would be when you first awoke. You struggled against the paralysis, but secretly reveled in the turn. Your heart had stopped when you'd been flung, as you'd feared the woman was rejecting you and sending you out the door, or worse a window. Now, you saw the nearly stripped Aes Sedai saunter towards you. Her half pinned up hair swayed with every step, held away from her back by the raised chin she used to show she commanded the room: you. "Oh, I've seen you." Her calculating eyes searched your still dressed frame, slowly untying the ribbon around your waist. You were lifted up into the air by this odd power and you couldn't help but get wetter at your helplessness. You were slowly undressed, slowly revealing yourself to her eager eyes. Her thin bottom lip was caught between her white teeth, pulled so you swore you could see into her mouth. You let out a groan and those accusing eyes sought you out. "Skulking about worse than Moiraine."

You held back a growl at the mention of her sister, of whom she was obsessed. 

"I had to pick up the habit just to catch you off guard." She stepped right up beside you, tucking a strand of your hair behind your ear. "Though, I suppose, I could have just undone your clothes. Would you have fallen at my feet?" One hand trailed just over your nude flesh, then down it.

You swallowed again. "Had you requested it," you retorted with attitude. 

Liandrin let you back onto the mattress, crawling atop you. You were still unable to move any of your limbs, but the blonde didn't let you focus on that. She forced your eyes shut by tugging on your nipples, watching how you couldn't react. She was tickled at the control she had. She never had control. Yes, in the world, among her lessers, her prey, of course she was the victor. Here, in the Tower, she was just another Sister. They were all trained to have that be their only want, but Liandrin couldn't resist the spark she got when you averted your eyes with a blush. "Did you think you could hide it?" She flicked her hair over her shoulder, lording down at you. She positioned herself perfectly with one of her legs over one of yours. Each of you straddled a thigh. "Seven years as my personal servant, learning the curtsy, no social life to call your own." The almost naked Red started rocking against your leg, stiff as her Power still manipulated you. Her  hands trailed down your abdomen, nails scratching beneath your naval. "So eager to please me, always there when I call. I saw you. Every part." The days you thought you couldn't handle working at the Tower, she'd been there for you just as you had supported her on her worst days. The blonde nudged your useless knees apart not that her Power couldn't do that for her. Her blonde locks tickled your collarbones, your stomach. Two firm fingers sunk into you. 

Your back arched at the maddening pace she set. As low moan bubbled over your lips as hers wrapped around your nipple. Her hair splayed all over your upper half. It was a mind-bending opposition. She was so soft but she was so rough. Your eyes rolled back as she curled her fingers. 

You mounted your horse, leaving before he was gentled. The scream followed your cowardice. You could never take on three full Sisters - let alone of the Red Ajah - and Moiraine would take it to mean "save him. He's the already mad Dragon". You wouldn't lie, but you really didn't want Moiraine to have any excuse. You mounted your horse and rode off into the Woods. When on a real mission, you would trace the weaves of nature because anyone who channels interacts with their surroundings on a fundamental level. But the Dragon Reborn had not walked these woods or any other you'd crossed in a thousand years. But after Moiraine had you continue your channeling proclivities, you could feel the fire of a thousand lives, the Power of the sun so absolute in its Light. And you finally understood the bad dreams and tempting whispers in the back of your mind. It was the Dark One, waking and stirring a new army. He wanted anything and everyone, and you were easy pickings all alone. But you weren't one to surrender. 

"We're stopping for the night," Moiraine commanded suddenly. She knew you could and would ride all night, but the time for that would come. She led on instead of you, reclaiming control of the mission even from the seer. She purchased two rooms, one far away from everyone, so of course you went in that direction. 

What you didn't expect was the Aes Sedai to follow you. You were coatless and in your simple tunic and trousers, but you felt naked. "Were you planning on taking this room?" you asked in a clipped, but not rude tone. 

The brunette stared you down. "Oh, we're talking now?"

She, however, did have some sass. It grated your nerves. "Who's fault was our silence? Oh, yes, she who only asks questions," you snipped back. You took a deep breath, reminding yourself not to let her under your skin. 

The ever-wise, all-knowing Blue Aes Sedai followed your lead and took her own deep breath. "I was hoping we could talk," she offered. Moiraine Sedai was a force of nature. She did as she pleased when she pleased. She brought lightning and threw Trolloc armies. So how was was she so nervous? She stood before you, hands joined in anxious expectancy. 

You waited until you huffed, turning away. "So, talk," you ordered. "I did my fair share." You didn't mean for that to slip out.

The beautiful blue eyes that you loved narrowed with a wince. No you did not feel bad. "I deserve that," she muttered but nothing else. 

Eventually, your patience ran out as it always did. You threw your hands up, done with her continued silence. "I'll get my own room!" No, your voice was not strained, certainly not from emotions. You didn't have any for her anymore. 

Moiraine grabbed your wrist. "No." She stared at you with the intensity she'd looked at you with as novices. But she'd had the current Amyrlin in those days. She lowered her chin, holding your gaze. She rarely spoke so you had been used to her long looks. You loved them as much as her, just like your kisses. "Twenty years ago, I left without a word. Written or verbal. Cowardly of me, I know. I'm usually so eloquent, words and phrasing coming to me as if I was destined to say them. But if I loved you any less, I might be able to speak of it more. Or at all."

You stared at her, frozen. "L-love?" you repeated poorly. 

"Don't make me say it again. It was hard enough the first time," Moiraine snapped strainedly. 

"You don't get to do that! I tried, and tried. But you couldn't give any. I needed to know. Well, now I don't. I don't love you and I don't need your words. You went to walk past her, but the stubborn, spoiled woman caught your wrist again. You wanted to argue, but you were a bit busy refamiliarizing yourself with her taste after she dragged you against her.

Her lips pressed against and pulled at yours and you found yourself living in the emotions. It was like no time had passed. But it had. Twenty lonely years had left you cold and closed off. And anyway, she only wanted you for your Talent. Once she had the Dragon, her renewed feelings would fade. 

You stopped moving against her and said nothing as she pulled back, hurt. Still you didn't react, besides leaving the room. 

Moiraine had many an idea the next morning and the mission was all she mentioned. Her Warder likely felt the sting of rejection and needed no explanation. Now that they had an immediate Dragon detector, they would strategically travel the continent and visit every city, town, village. You liked your plan better and you'd had nothing to track. 

Luckily, you were already fairly close to the Mountains of Mist and you felt a pull out that way. "I'd like to start out by Baerlon. Even if we just pass through on the way to the coast."

You didn't expect the Aes Sedai to listen to you, prepared to follow the feeling alone, but it was a whole surprise to find her looking at you. She had that intensity again, making your stomach flutter. "If that's what you want," she consented in an earnest tone, with an honest expression. That felt manipulative. 

But, in any event, you got what the world needed. And where you were actually looking for, you felt out, was the Two Rivers. The people were wary of outsiders and most refused to acknowledge the wisdom and superiority Moiraine carried herself with. There was the usual fear and respect, but the public's awe had diminished to nothing since your day. Lan had an aura which made people give him a wide berth. You looked neither wealthy or war-torn so you blended best. There was a Beltine celebration in full swing when you arrived so the whole village was there. Having multiple Ta'veren, people deeply connected to the Wheel, in the same room blew you away. Five young people had weaves binding each to their respective fates, but one drew took it in and he shone gold. You saw the essence of Light. You stared into the auburn Sun. 

The Dragon Reborn was a man again. Your heart sunk. He would be vulnerable to the madness again. And, again, Moiraine paid for two rooms. Lan traveled to his alone. You wanted to argue again, but you had results now. This was an ok idea because you had something to say. The owner of the inn led you to your shared room, and your mind was understandably occupied. You didn't say anything in the immediate isolation, taking a petty page from your ex's book. You took your coat off, tossing it onto the bed. You paused and stared. There was only one bed. 

You turned to look at Moiraine over your shoulder, ready to argue, but she stood naked before you, beside a bath. Your jaw went lax and you were defenseless when she came toward you. "I knew you'd seen the Dragon when you didn't notice I got us a single room. Plus you were quiet." She began undressing you, but you were caught, stuck like a fly in a web. "Words have never worked with you. Nor actions so you'll get both. I've spent two decades on a mission, sacrificed too much, and almost lost hope, and then I saw you in a dream. The whole package, the Mistress had said to describe you. And you are. Everything. You're the answer." Your eyes were a bit misty, but you held firm. "I loved you then and I love you now. And I will tell you that every day, for the rest of your life, because I plan to be there."

You were naked and crying and, over the course of her speech, the bath behind her had heated up substantially. You gasped out your attempt of a response, which ended up just behind defensive stutters. "Shut up," you finally huffed out, exasperated at herself. 

It was like you were novices again. She looked so happy with that pure smile. "Make up your mind," she mockingly ordered, pulling you with her as she neared the tub. 

Your brain worked at the speed of tar, stalling until it finally clicked. You were sat beside your old lover by the time you realized you were both naked and in a bath, in a room with a single bed. "Manipulative..." You quit fighting. You moved to straddle her, cupping her neck, "Aes Sedai," you rolled your leg between hers, watching her fall apart under you, "of the Blue Ajah." The mighty former heir to the Sun Throne, powerful Sister, squirmed as you teased her with your lips almost touching hers, one hand fondling her breast, rolling against her cunt with your thigh. She was whining and moaning loudly, head limp against the rim of the tub. "Entitled to so much, following your Order, taking what you please!" you sang in your own mocking. You pulled away, knees on the inside of hers, prying and holding them apart. You massaged her thighs as you plied her neck with your lips. "Take it," you growled out, plunging two fingers into her slick channel. She ground her hips, but you held your wrist so she received no friction. She was a sweet, weak little thing once you had your hands on her. You wondered if she'd gone so long without it or if.... No, she'd gone too long without it. You were much the same. You added a third finger and Moiraine pulled you closer by the back, fingernails raking hot red marks down your back. 

Her breaths came in brief and in part. Heavy lidded eyes looked down her nose at you, sophisticated and superior as ever. They fell shut as her eyes rolled back. She was broken beneath you, held in a perfect point right before she would crash. Her swan-long neck arched and your lips marked her as you pleased. 

You kitten-licked down her neck, along her chest, and sucked on her tit, biting briefly. Then your thumb lightly flicked her hard, untouched clit. She jerked with each surprise touch. You kissed her lips for the first time in 20 years and cupped her precious slick cunt, rubbing the heel of your palm where she wanted friction most and curling lightly but gradually harder. Full contact broke her brain a bit, making you smile at every sexy, unabashed reaction. She was so rarely unrestrained. She bucked wantonly and without care for her appearance. The prim princess had a mess of her brown hair, covered in a layer of sweat, moaning and arching against you. You bit her bottom lip as you began pounding her throbbing hole, swallowing every moan. You were slow and gentle as you moved to hold and pet her as she came down, chest heaving. You easily lifted her from the tub, setting her on the side of it to dry her off. 

You moved often from then on. There was much of the world and you'd always wanted to see it all. Now you had the motivation. But your isolation backfired. Even travelling, it seemed you made friends easily. They constantly chatted you up or bought you drinks or just tried to take you home. You didn't know who was friend or Darkfriend so you trusted no one. The more you traveled, the more you heard of the Dragon Reborn. He wasn't always mentioned, usually in vague references to men channeling or the Breaking of the World, but there were whispers. Rumors as to how you would turn out the next time you emerged. You couldn't tell anyone who you were. But you were also used as a word for rebellion. The people wanted someone to fix everything for them.

You couldn't do that. The longest you'd stayed anywhere was in the Mountains of Mist, but once the season changed, it was time to move on. Only the marketers knew she was there and would know if she wasn't. Your hair had grown in the two years you'd been away from home.

The isolation helped you with your Power, something you couldn't ask anyone for help with. You had struggled at first to even summon it, but you'd sensed it breaking through the air when your would-be bandits overwhelmed you. From then on, you just had to remember the feeling of something cutting through air, pulling everywhere. I was quite heady and terribly easy. Moving things around and starting fires seemed to be the logical start, eventually making your way to finding the heart of your power. It took very little time in retrospect, ignoring the days of frustration and surrender, to channel like you'd always done it. Perhaps it was a side-effect of being the Dragon Reborn. Your life was destined to be so short, after all.

But isolation also had a downside. While you understood the magic you'd been reborn into, you were alone with your intrusive and aggressive thoughts and they were not kind to you. Without other people to focus on or reassure you, you began to believe the worst thoughts you'd had about yourself this entire life. You walked in silence along the roads. Your map was folded into one of your hands as you walked, deep in thought. You made camp at nightfall and had a fire deep in the forest.

Hoofbeats stirred your thoughts from inside. You looked outward finally and saw the duo of horseriders heading straight for past your camp. It was a relief, and they were riding fast enough - and in the opposite direction you were walking - they may not notice you while simultaneously you didn't have time to snuff the flames. A flowing bundle of blue clothes jerked with every step the horse jumped. They slowed at a deep voice's call. Your guess was that was the escort. He rode slightly behind her, and slowed when she did.

"Do you have room for one more?" another voice called.

Fear curdled in your chest. You looked around and realized you'd found a decent space. You held out your hands.

The couple ventured through the trees and came to sit on the log adjacent to you. The man tied up the horses first. "Thank you. We feared we'd not see a settlement for hours. It's been days since we stopped," the woman began explaining. She had a smooth voice, controlled, and you could hear the wisdom in it. You hoped they weren't more gleemen.

"Who's fault is that?" the man retorted.

His woman glared at him. It softened and she turned to you. "Are you alone? These trails are treacherous."

You didn't want to answer her. You didn't want to give any strangers any information, but you saw the massive blue ring on her finger. "I know." You hated how frail your voice sounded. Like you were scared. You were, but you definitely didn't need them to know that.

She smiled as an attempt at kindness. 

You appreciated the effort, but it did nothing to ease your stress. 

Eyes a special complicated blue color examined the area, finding no horse. "How long have you been traveling?" 

You needed a backstory, now. "All my life. My people follow the Way of the Leaf?" It shouldn't have been a question. Your voice shouldn't have broken. "I left, but I still travel." 

The woman frowned, not suspicious but pitying. It was worse to be alone out there. You had to be very capable in combat, foraging, trading, and you didn't seem to be any of those. You hoped she didn't assume you could channel and that's how you were keeping yourself safe. It was a regular assumption for many, even in your own... old village. "It is much safer to travel in a group."

Your head bobbed. "Yes. And slower." You tilted it. "And you can't go everywhere, do anything, interact. You just walk the path, stop at nightfall or when the horses tire." You were guessing. You hoped she hadn't interacted with the Tinkers. 

It appeared not as neither habitant spoke further. 

You wanted to lie down and go to sleep and sneak off in the middle of the night. Unfortunately, you knew that would not be well received and they would quickly catch up on their horses. Perhaps you could leave some footprints in the road then step on them backwards, enter the forest, and go the other way. 

"My name is Moiraine; this is Lan." The broad figure nodded. 

You grimaced your best smile and introduced yourself, really wishing you could go to sleep to avoid this interaction. 

"Where are you headed now?" Moiraine asked. She had plenty of questions. 

You shrugged. You truly didn't know, just marked the towns you'd visited and would never return to. "I just left the Mountains of Mist." 

Moiraine nodded, saying little more. 

You turned around and pulled out your food sack. You dug out two kebabbed squirrels. "I killed and cooked these only earlier this night." You would never eat them all. One would last you a day. Perhaps this was fate. The thought made you sick. 

Moiraine's eyebrows rose, from shock or being impressed, you didn't know. She was quite talkative, raising Lan's eyebrows. She wasn't revealing anything, but it was a sweet conversation about residing long-term in the forest. Lan laid down, taking his moment. 

You and Moiraine were up all night, eventually lying down for the sake of your backs. You pointed out the stars, telling her what your village - you told her it was what the Tinkers - called each beam of light. A few connected on certain seasons. The warmest one held the brightest stars, a constellation named after the Dragon legend. But as this was the cold season so you saw the blackness of night. The gap in stars where the Dark was trying to close around them and crush them. You fell asleep against her, close for the sake of seeing the same stars, but awoke with hands joined, heads against one another. You were in your own spot, thank the Light, and distant from the woman. You woke with light in the sky and found your sleepmates still sleeping. You could easily collapse the camp and run, but you very much doubted you could outrun an Aes Sedai. 

Instead, you covered the woman with your own blanket, noticing her subtle shaking, and went to hunt breakfast. It was mostly cooked and your supplies and utensils were put back in your rucksack. Ironically, that was something you usually practiced your Power doing, but you so weren't today. You sat on a log, eating your half of a rabbit. 

The other two stirred the instant the sun hit the horizon. They noticed you'd changed and the horses were eating and you looked very much ready to go. 

Moiraine lifted her head. "Good morning." 

You just smiled. 

She put a half gloved hand on the ground and pushed up, seeing the food cooking on the fire. "You've been busy." 

You said nothing, just stood. "I didn't want to leave without a word, but I'd like to continue on."

The Blue pushed her hair from her face, trying to pull herself awake enough to talk you out of that. It was rare she felt a connection like this with someone. "I understand and respect that. Thank you- uh.... We're going West, if you'd like the company. I'm sure there are a few towns you've not been to." She smiled kindly, but with limited power. 

You frowned down at her. "I'm walking." 

She tilted her head, an amused smile hopping up onto her face. "You may ride with me." With her mussed hair and sleepy eyes, she was adorable. You'd already combed and braided yours so the mess was offset. 

You smiled weakly. Uh oh. 

*

You rode in front of Moiraine, the taller woman easily seeing around you and not having to strain for it. You usually mumbled little thoughts you were having, toes curling and uncurling in your boots with your anxiety. When Moiraine answered your unintentional comments with her own remarks or asked you questions, it slowly unraveled from your chest, terror seeping from your pores. 

The Aes Sedai truly didn't enjoy the fear of the commoners. Her family had been corrupted and dreaded. She pushed for more and she was going to start with this petite Leaf, drifting far from home and into the land of meat eating. She truly wondered if you could channel, but hoped not as her hand rested on your side, thumb easing comfort into you. Lan was looser, though you couldn't tell much change in Moiraine, so you figured they were going through some emotions between them and their strange bond. Sometimes she slept while you held the reins. Then, she was in the front. Sometimes, she rested her chin on your shoulder, breath tickling you. They camped some nights, stayed in village inns rarely. When you were in the wilderness, you were much more at ease. Those nights, you and Moiraine rarely slept. 

She had an odd book on drawings that she'd received from her uncle far in her youth. You felt honored that she shared them with you and stunned she was so sentimental. You didn't notice the arm around your back as you both examined them in the firelight. Many were animals, nature. You liked her uncle already. One somewhere in the middle was a stoic woman who authoritated even from the page. You shuffled back against the woman. 

Moiraine laughed. "Yes, Nadain had that affect. She was a cruel, awful woman. An Aes Sedai who visited my father in my youth. Anything she told my father, he ate it right up. He was weak," she mumbled, the amusement gone. 

You wanted to raise her spirits. You didn't want her to be sad, though you weren't sure as to your stake in it. You decided to just change the subject and you already had so many questions. Mean and manipulative? You hoped not. Opportunistic, sure. "Why did you become an Aes Sedai, then?" 

That didn't help matters. Moiraine was already sour faced, but it hardened a bit into a similar expression to the woman in the photo. "You don't have a choice if you can channel. Certainly if you can channel enough."

You would have to stay at the Tower if they found you out, was what she was saying. Maybe it was different for the Dragon, Savior of the freaking world (hopefully), but it was not a fun thought. The One Power was a sentence and it couldn't be avoided. Maybe it could, by the Dragon Reborn. You resolved yourself to keep your secret. Perhaps folly, but you had to until you had a better idea. "But you got out of the Tower," you whispered. 

Moiraine grinned up at you. That was much better than the seriousness she had before. "No. My Ajah is made to take a goal. Most just survey the entire world. I seek prophecies." 

A chill spread through your veins. Prophecies were legends. You were a legend. She was looking for you. You never should have come with her, and now you were trapped. You had to fake some sort of fight, find someone you claimed you knew who really needed you. You had to get away. Moiraine was not the way out. 

Your silence for a great deal of the trip was alarming to Moiraine, but she felt confident when she felt your heartbeat against her on the horse. She always felt you, felt your heart, and it usually wasn't so fast. She tried what you usually did, light banter to amuse the pair, but she felt you falling asleep more than entertaining her attempts. No matter, you could use the sleep and the brunette - oddly enough - enjoyed the sight of you sleeping. How stressed were you and how old were you?

You didn't know what it was about being in nature that made you feel at home. Like you could drop the weight from your shoulders. But you couldn't around the Aes Sedai who could sense your ability so like hers if you let her in your walls for a second. Still, she and you ventured into the woods. You were following an instinct, though you'd been here before and led her to believe you'd been to where you were going before. You stepped another step down an odd natural makeup of structures. It felt like a building, a cavern, all rolled up in one. You stepped down roots and as you reached the bottom of the structure, Moiraine was ready to channel in an instant. 

She felt paranoid and a strange protective urge. She wanted you where she knew you were mostly out of danger. The Dark held mysteries none could master save its Master. But light lit up the inside of the cavern, shining with a blue-green energy. Your foot on the cement - yes, building - floor had activated the swarms of iridescent bats living in this so-called cavern. You watched the reflection of all the animals in her blue eyes, bringing them to glow. She gaped in wonder and you couldn't look away from the beautiful woman enough to be enraptured by the natural beauty. You felt that uh-oh dread pool again, feeling a weakness in the face of Moiraine. 

A bright smile- too bright- It went manic and wild and her eyes were entirely black when she turned to you. Pure white light entered the area, pouring out of you as the One Power knew she was possessed to kill you when even you didn't. Everything was white. You were blind to anything else until it faded back into you and Moiraine slumped into your arms. Your heart stopped. Had you killed her? Hurt her? Was your instinct wrong? Maybe it wasn't an instinct so much as a dream you'd had and it was bizarre how the surroundings had lined up. You didn't have much experience carrying people so it was a struggle to lug her back, boots mostly dragging on the ground behind you. 

Moiraine was entirely dead weight and you both ended up on the ground more than once, though you used your body to cushion hers. You were bruised and frustrated and never going to trust your instincts again. And, of course, Lan was unconscious too. You truly were adapted to nature. You knew the herbs the pair needed to wake up from... pretty much anything. If they aren't dead, this'll get them moving. 

You were right, of course. You were all moving again before nightfall, and this time you all slept in your own beds in a tavern's inn. You also all took a bath, but that would never be mentioned again. You were stirred when someone joined you in your bed, despite there being three and you slipped asleep all too easily with the fresh smell in her wet hair. 

Dark was still closing in, still reaching out for you. Perhaps it sensed a weakness, her. For a suspicious Blue, she didn't ask many questions regarding what happened. Perhaps she thought you didn't know or if she asked, you'd get scared off. Perhaps she did know what happened and didn't have to ask. Perhaps it was almost time to make your getaway. 

Visiting the ocean was a treat. You'd never been before. It rose up and curled in on itself, creating waves that sprayed the air with salt. You didn't notice the short time you were left alone, entranced by walking the beach, seeking shells you'd never imagined. 

Moiraine sighed when you all convened back in the inn. She bemusedly wiped at your face before clicking her tongue. "You did nothing to protect yourself from the sun." 

You shrugged, wanting to keep moving. The coast's inns were different in every way imaginable. You were intent on exploring when you felt the cool wisps of silver Power skirting the air. You'd yet to see Moiraine channel much so it was a surprising turn of events, even more so when it wrapped you up and you felt a soothing wetness across your skin, particularly your face and shoulders, until the heat faded. 

The backs of Moiraine's fingertips trailed down your face. "You must take better care of your precious skin." She was nearly pouting at your lack of selfcare and she was very close. You didn't know if that was necessary to heal you or now that the healing was done. A pink tongue skirted between thin lips, wetting them, and you blurted, "I'd like to see the ocean at night. Before we go." 

Moiraine blinked. Like she was coming into herself again, she smiled and nodded. "Okay." 

You'd yet to get in the water, a hope for another day, but enjoyed the powerful waves crashing however they pleased, with no regard for those in it or in its way. You knew both you and Moiraine could willfully change the direction of the water or even seize the waves to make them stop, but the power of nature alone was without comparison. You stared out at the miles of water folding in on itself and crashing against other water, making new waves. It was all beneath a sky growing darker, but it was beautiful. You and Moiraine walked hand in hand along wooden piers. The water was no longer so far out that there was sand to even walk on. It was even pushing up between the wooden slats they walked on, but it was all so beautiful and a special kind of serene. 

"You've never been out here?" Moiraine asked from right beside you. 

"People are at beaches. People not Tinkers means danger. I have so much to see," you mumbled. A hand moved along your back. 

Moiraine stood right beside you, close enough it shielded you from some of the harsh wind. "I'd like to show it to you," she confessed in a quiet voice. Her fingers were gentle as she explored. She walked her fingers up your back, hands moving over your shoulders. You faced her in a moment of weakness, caught in her stare. So deep and mysterious and, for some reason interested in you, for your personality it seemed. You slipped into the moment and slid from the pier, making contact with freezing water. Not only that, you were in that perfect range where the waves were constantly crashing and going out and coming in and it was all happening at the same time. You could hardly tell when your head was above water to take in a breath and soon you would run out of it to release to protect your nose. After being thrown under and spun under the water, a strong hand reached in and pulled you from the waves. You were coughing something fierce trying to get simply oxygen into your lungs. A familiar warm body came around to sit beside you, pulling you close against them. When you were able to breathe without a fight, you noticed you were shaking like a leaf. Your coat was pulled off of you and then you were brought to your feet. "You'll freeze- dear girl- come- change you." You couldn't tell if Moiraine was speaking steadily and it was you blinking in and out or if she was mumbling and cutting herself off. Either way, you were herded into the room, pants and garments pulled down your legs before she settled you onto the floor before the fireplace. 

You were coming in and out of consciousness, and Moiraine was worried sick, stripping you and wrapping you in blankets. That was the longest Moiraine had stayed anywhere in 20 years and it was purely because she wanted you awake before they moved you. She held you to her, in front of the fireplace, and constantly touched everywhere until it felt a normal temperature. You were weak and soft, and it was the prettiest thing she'd seen, a Darkness twisting her heart at the macabre realization. 

But you did wake eventually, still weak and lips less blue. You were completely dry, a contradictory result considering your last memory. But it was a relieving one. Your vision was bleary as you took in the room. It was the same one and Moiraine appeared to have been wearing the same clothes since the incident. Yes, they even looked air-dried from moisture. Her hair was an oily mess, but you thought she looked flawless as ever. You were laying against her, mostly naked and mostly flushing from the skin to skin contact. 

Soft fingertips traced up your bare side, coming to hold you just under your breast. "How do you feel?" Moiraine asked in that soulful voice. 

Your eyes slipped shut and your head rolled back against her shoulder. "Normal, just weak." 

The brunette nodded. "I healed you the best I could, but freezing wounds are an inexperience of mine." 

You mouth the first word, failing to speak 'you', "did good," you finished in a praise. 

Moiraine trailed her fingers down your shoulder, your arm, then ran her palm back up. You turned your face into her neck. 

"Thank you," you whispered, looking up at her with heavy eyelids. 

"Of course." That felt disingenuous as they hardly knew one another, but you still felt things you oughtn't. 

Your gaze fell to her lips and you lifted yourself to finish the act she'd begun twice. Your lips met and all outside input ceased. Time stopped and you were floating, tether to this woman. 

Moiraine gasped, pleased yet surprised by this change of events. She was starting to believe she'd been assuming your emotions falsely. Her eyes fluttered shut and it seemed a trick of the light moved the room around. Mid kiss, she re-opened her eyes to find every object in the room suspended by a subtle orange light, glittering in the firelight. It glittered like firelight. In that moment, Moiraine could feel what she couldn't before. She wasn't sure if you could channel before, but in the face of it, she felt the depth of it. It was like a raging sun forced to simmer in peaceful delights. The Blue knew she was kissing her mission and cupped your face, deepening it as she realized. She was taming the Dragon. 

The force and passion of the kiss weakened you to lower the object of the room, you falling to sleep soon after the interaction. 

Moiraine couldn't sleep that night, just like all the others. She watched you the entire time, never letting her life-long mission out of her sight. And to have it in her arms for so long and not know. You truly were something else. The brunette rose to her feet, watching you carefully. She inched closer, taking in the view of your spent form limp on the mattress. Unbeknownst to Moiraine, the Dark One called his way into your brain, plaguing you with visions of Moraine betraying you. 

*

It seemed Moiraine was wandering the map with no more direction than you as once they were done in that corner of the world, they ventured back in the direction of the Spine. Then South. You tracked where you were on your own map, growing concerned when you were getting very close to the White Tower of the Aes Sedai. 

Your suspicions were proven correct when Moiraine admitted it in the room she'd purchased. She didn't seem to feel as safe in the woods as they neared her town. "I have to make a report to my Sisters and possibly the Amyrlin Seat so I'll be in Tar Valon a few days." 

You nodded. "And then what?" 

Moiraine cursed her vows. By how secretive you were, you weren't open to accepting your destiny. She'd have to lie without lying. She met your eyes and smiled, kissing you to distract your keen senses. "We'll cross that bridge then." Moiraine knew what she had to do. 

There was no bridge to cross. You were in the Tower, bound by the Power of a thousand Aes Sedai, and you were pissed. The women avoided you. No servant would enter your room and only Lan had the balls to bring you your food. If you couldn't jump from your window or even get on the sill, walk out the gates, or tear the stones to smithereens, you weren't leaving your room. You didn't take lessons, didn't regard any who did try to sway you. Mistress of Novices, the Keeper of the Chronicles, the Amyrlin Seat had all come to you and you'd flung them from the room. 

You knew this was an insult and could get you killed, but after living independently pretty much your entire life, you'd rather die than be locked anywhere. 

Even Lan had hardly withstood your wrath directed at him - when he brought you food and you weren't starving to the point of unconsciousness - and you'd only raised your voice at and physically forced him from the room. His own stubbornness gave him that shattered elbow and broken nose. Moiraine had yet to come see you. Wise choice. 

You were bored and alone and trapped and frustrated. Most days you cried in your solitude. Others, you tested the Wards keeping you in. You were the freaking Dragon Reborn. How could an organization your past life created overpower you?

Still, you had the texts. You studied what was given to you about you. Not only that, the other legend as big as you, and they'd given you those books too. You asked for nothing, hardly spoke at all anymore, so it was their choice to inform you of your past and your enemy. Unfortunately, it worked. You understood what had to happen. 

*

Months passed in training, grueling stuff, and you were a bit more refined, you could admit. You no longer had to come up with ideas on the fly, well practiced and able to channel longer before tiring. And exhaustion didn't hit like it used to, not until you were tapped and you knew. You were trained to know when your Power was too much for your body. 

The women enjoyed how you conformed. It broke your heart and you hated Moiraine with a fiery passion, but you became the young Accepted they wanted. They were pushing you forward still. They wanted you to become a full Aes Sedai. You didn't know if you'd have to chose and Ahaj or if the Dragon Reborn had their own, but you were too anxious to go any further. 

It was hard work and you passed the tests with ease, ego stroked with the information that you'd beat Moiraine's time. Moiraine. She had been reverse-exiled, constrained to the Tower, to Tar Valon. She was always within reach, but you avoided her. She was clever and determined and she knew the Tower better than you, easily cornering you. But you simply didn't speak to her. You ignored her presence when you could, but when you couldn't.... When no one else was around and Moiraine was there and you were tempted, you just shut your eyes. If you peeked and she was still there, now smiling at your antics, you just shut them back. 

She eventually grew frustrated and left you alone. You didn't know what to do, but it couldn't be with her. She was a distraction, a weakness, and you wouldn't want to do what you had to if you were in love. You weren't already, no sir. 

But you were an Aes Sedai. The color of your clothes didn't matter and you couldn't believe you were so dumb as to not notice you hadn't received a serpent ring. You had a pin to go over your left breast that showed you as the Dragon Reborn. You were colder now, face a mask for none to see through. You'd been personally tutored by every Ajah, the ideals and methods trained into you. You were a Master of the craft and no one stood a chance against you. 

So, naturally, you were called to the Amyrlin. The Seat had spoken with you a few times, first being flung away from you then to accept your humiliating apology for the action. You weren't sorry. Maybe a little. She was more human and normal than you'd expected. She was funny, but also powerful. "I have visions," she confided in you in the security of her personal home reached through a personal WayGate. You wondered if you could take hers to the Eye of the World. "Before your arrival, I'd seen Him stir. He's been gathering Power and followers for a year now so I'm not sure you'll be enough to stand-"

"I will." It was a simple statement, stated firmly and calmly. "My apologies for the interruption." Siuan nodded her head for you to continue. "I have been considering this since you presented me with the texts." She nodded again; that had been their hope. It had been obvious, but perhaps that's what you had needed. "I have a plan on how to deal with the Dark One. I hope it will solve the problem... permanently."

That shocked the Amyrlin Seat. She wasn't under the impression it was possible for the fight between the Dragon and the Dark One to end. "How?" 

You would have made a decent Blue from the smooth smile you forced on your face. The less anyone knew, the better. And the Amyrlin Seat did not have the authority to question the Dragon Reborn. You'd been communing with your previous lives and the Seat herself had trained you to be better than her for months now. As was expected and it had come easily so that softened the blow. Or perhaps made it worse. In any event, you had a plan to not break the world. 

"Shall we deliver you a Warder? Or a sister. I've spoken with Moiraine. No Aes Sedai should-"

"Any who come between the Dragon and the Dark One will die," you quoted, standing from the seat you'd been offered in her home. You shook your head. "I have to deal with this. I won't fail, Siuan." 

The woman nodded, pleased to be on a first name basis with you, potentially right before you disappear forever. "I know you won't." 

*

You could get there through a WayGate and it took you straight to your enemy. He was broad and Dark even physically. He tried to seduce you to his side, but you'd had training so his magic tricks failed. "There's only one way this ends, stupid. Light and dark fight."

The Dark One thought for too long. "That's not an end." 

"It is for us. Eternally at battle. You wanna go, I'll go. You'll get your wish. We'll break the cycle. No more you and no more me. These poor bastard will only be able to blame themselves because we'll be so caught up with each other."

You could tell the idea appealed to the Dark One, but he also wanted to continue bringing mayhem to the world. 

You stepped closer, now the seducer. "It won't be a prison. We'll channel forever. No limits, no burning through, no more dealing with these people. Wanna fight?" 

Brown eyes bored down at the ground, considering deeply. "Yes." He looked up at you. "You and me forever?" 

You raised your chin determinedly. "The light and dark symbols are supposed to be together. That's the Wheel." You held out your hand, One Power wrapping around your wrist to seal the deal. "Best way to start a fight is fair." 

The Dark One raised his arm to meet your hand, his Power reaching to encircle his too. But as his palm met yours, his mist faded backward, like sucked in by a wind. His very presence, merely an essence now, was drawn away from any contact to be made with your presence. He was halfway mist before you saw the being behind him. It came faster now, the Dark One dissolving into another vessel which wasn't born because his soul wasn't rejoined to the Wheel. A being which chose to become the harbinger of Dark. 

Moiraine, still in her deep blue clothes, necklace fastened around her forehead, arms out to her side. Her eyes turned completely back, even the whites and the blues. 

Unbeknownst to you, your own turned pure white. You gasped. "Moiraine, what have you done?" 

She stepped closer to you, ignoring your retreat. "You were wrong. There are two ways." She suddenly jerked out her hand and took your wrist. Her Power, now a trillion times stronger, wrapping you up. She squeezed you with the sin of lust and watched you melt under her touch. She laughed. Regular eyes met, Moiraine's arms under your back holding you up. "Light and Dark stay together, forever," she slowly lifted you up, her Power helping so her other hand could trail from the front of your throat down, "at peace, together." Her hands joined at your lower back. 

You were drawn closer to her and were paralyzed by this change of events. Like you'd said, she was a weakness. "You said together twice." 

"It's the crux of the Wheel, yes?" She kissed your neck tenderly. You wondered if she'd done her research to come to the same conclusion you had or if she'd just guessed after hearing the plan. "Merits repeating." She came back up to kiss your lips. 

You leaned away, away, stepped away from her to gain distance, but she didn't let you get far. "You have no idea what you've done," you muttered condescendingly. 

"Teach me. Roles are reversed. Be with me," she pled, demanded. This was the only choice now. 

"I won't fight you," you huffed out defeatedly. 

"I know," Moiraine crooned out lovingly. She quit lifting and scooped down to capture your lips again. Your arms wound up through her shoulders. Light and Dark. Together.