Love Till The End Of Time (Moiraine x OC)

Chapter 4

The entire camp was abuzz after the sighting of the Black Ajah heading towards them. Every Aes Sedai went into action packing things away while also setting up a defense perimeter. Liandrin and Alanna walked beside Moiraine who explained to them Athena's importance. 

"The Dragon Reborn? Her?" Liandrin questioned skeptically. 

Alanna stepped forward knowing an argument was about to happen. 

"Whether she is or not, we don't have the time to ask questions. We'll protect the girl with our lives." Alanna said, nodding to Moiraine. 

"Thank you, both of you. She is of the utmost importance and the Dark One will do anything to get to her." Moiraine sighed. 

"Relax sister. Nothing will happen to her with all of us here." Liandrin reassured her. 

"We're under attack!" One of their sisters yelled as the Black Ajah members had arrived and started attacking. 

The camp was set ablaze by multiple spells being flung around, no one caring for the tents or wildlife around them. Athena cowered behind a tree hiding from the women in black. A hand fell upon her shoulder causing her to shriek. Spinning around, she met a woman in black robes though she quickly removed her hand. 

"Easy little one. I will bring you no harm." She spoke softly. 

Athena relaxed at the comfort in the woman's voice but still watched her warily. The woman cautiously reached forward once again, extending her hand. 

"You won't hurt me?" Athena whimpered at the woman who shook her hand. 

"I will not. You have my word." The woman answered. 

Athena reached forward and placed her hand carefully on the woman's extended one. The woman carefully closed her hand around Athena's and helped her up. 

"Athena!" Moiraine yelled out. She and Lan bursting through the trees but stopping short upon seeing the woman in black holding Athena's hand. 

"Release her." Moiraine demanded, the power swirling around her. 

The woman laughed softly, "You of all people should know, that I would never hurt anyone." With that, the woman took off her hood causing both Moiraine and Lan to gasp. 

"Vanessa?" Moiraine gasped out, hand flying to her mouth in shock. Athena watched everything unfold wondering who Vanessa was to Moiraine. 

Vanessa was much older than Athena, closer to Moiraine's age. The way the two women looked at each other silently, seeming to have a conversation through their thoughts. Athena looked between the pair in confusion while Lan shook his head and placed his hand on Moiraine's shoulder to knock her out of the trance she was in. 

"Picked up another one have you? Hopefully, you won't lose her like you did with me." Vanessa spoke, though there was no venom or hatred in her voice. 

Vanessa looked down at Athena seeing the fear in her eyes but underneath that she saw the power and purity that girl contained. The Dark One, her master, would do anything to get his hands on her. Vanessa sighed to herself before releasing Athena from her hold and gently pushing her towards Moiraine. 

Moiraine grabbed Athena and pulled her against her, holding her close. Liandrin and Alanna both appeared ready to attack but froze upon seeing Vanessa before them. 

"Nessa?" Alanna questioned in surprise, happy to see her best friend once again but sad to see her in black robes. 

Liandrin watched the woman with longing though the look did not go unnoticed by Vanessa. The woman approached the blonde and rested her forehead against hers for a few seconds before reluctantly letting go. 

"You must protect the girl at all costs. The Dark One will do anything to get his hands on her." Vanessa told the Aes Sedai before walking backwards. 

"Why are you helping us?" Alanna asked. 

"You have a powerful channeler there, perhaps the Dragon Reborn. She will be extremely useful in the battle between dark and light," Vanessa stopped and turned around, "Keep her safe."

Vanessa whistled loudly as a horse ran through the trees to her. Hopping on, she rode off with the rest of her sisters following behind her leading them away from the camp. 

"We need to get back to the Tower, now. We will be more protected there with the rest of our sisters." Liandrin ordered, snapping everyone out of their gaze. 

"Moiraine, who was that?" Athena asked innocently, genuinely curious who that woman truly was and what part she played with the Aes Sedai. 

"Someone from my past, our past." Moiraine answered. 

"However, that is a conversation for another day." Alanna added hopping onto her horse. 

The others followed and the journey back to the Tower had begun. Athena rode in the middle of the procession surrounded by the Aes Sedai and their respective Warders. Her mind kept going back to Vanessa and how she could've taken her to the Dark One but let her go and took the enemies with her. 

Did Vanessa truly want to protect her or is it just a small part of a greater scheme created by the Dark One? Also, she clearly was an Aes Sedai but she was much more powerful than the rest of the women with her. Vanessa is an enigma and Athena wants to find out about the woman and her past.