The Wheel of Kin: A Daughter's Journey

More secrets?

After the intense events in Rand and Mat's room at the inn Moiraine couldn't shake the worry that gripped her heart for Elara. The weight of the morning's confrontation in the hall still lingered, and the concern for her daughter propelled her to Elara's room. She found Elara lying on her bed, tear-stained pillows telling a silent tale of the turmoil within.

Moiraine approached quietly, her hand gentle as she placed it on Elara's side. The touch was a comfort, a silent assurance that she was there. Elara spoke first, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"She hates me now, doesn't she?" Elara whispered.

Moiraine furrowed her brows, dismissing the idea with a soft denial. "She could never hate you. Knowing your mother, she is probably hating herself much more for having to speak to you like that. I could hear the pain in her voice," Moiraine replied, beginning to stroke Elara's hair, a soothing rhythm to accompany her words.

"Do you think she will forgive me for leaving and tampering with her dreams?" Elara looked up at Moiraine, eyes searching for reassurance.

"I'm sure she has already moved on from that past. She is just going to be glad that you made it home to her in one piece," Moiraine assured her with a wink.

Elara managed a hint of a smile before burying her head back into the pillow. Moiraine decided to take a more assertive approach, standing up and gently pulling the covers off Elara.

"Now, stop all of this moping and go enjoy the day. Your old friend Loial found some of our friends from the Two Rivers," Moiraine suggested.

Elara practically shot up, a mixture of surprise and excitement lighting up her face. "What!? And you're just now telling me this? Thank the Light, I was so worried about them," Elara exclaimed.

As Elara hurriedly put herself together, Moiraine attempted to rein in her daughter's enthusiasm."Slow down, Elara. Make sure you stay close to the Tower and come home before sunset, alright?" Moiraine cautioned.

Elara was practically out the door, already lost in the prospect of reuniting with old friends. "Yes, yes, alright, Mother. Love you, bye," Elara called back.

As the door closed, leaving Moiraine alone in Elara's room, she took a moment to absorb the peace and silence that settled in its wake. Thoughts swirled in her mind — gratitude for having her daughter in her life, and an underlying fear of losing her. In the solitude of the room, Moiraine allowed herself a silent moment of vulnerability, tears streaming down her face as she grappled with the complex emotions that came with the weight of her responsibilities.

—

The dimly lit room, shrouded in steam and adorned with twisted columns that reached toward the ceiling, held an air of secrecy. Moiraine sat upon a heated dais, tending to the coals, as Maigan, the resolute Blue Sitter from the Tower's Hall, took a seat beside her. Their conversation unfolded in the hushed atmosphere.

Maigan sighed, her frustration evident, "I wish you'd take meetings in the Tower like the rest of us."

Moiraine's response was calm, "I've been on the road for years, Maigan. Don't begrudge me this."

Maigan's tone grew more serious, "My time is limited. I don't enjoy wasting it, imagining your fate after that display in the Hall. Siuan's losing her grip."

Moiraine's question cut through the steamy air, "On sanity... or power?"

As Maigan began recounting the tumultuous events, the room seemed to close in around them. "A Green spoke on behalf of a Red today. And a novice was scolded by the Amyrlin. The whole world's gone mad," Maigan revealed with a heavy sigh. "Ships are disappearing off the West Coast. Aiel have been spotted on this side of the Spine. Trollocs invaded the Two Rivers. And an Aes Sedai sank the Taren Ferry."

Moiraine acknowledged the gravity of the situation, "Your informant network has improved."

"We've sent money on your behalf as recompense. How exactly did the Trollocs reach the Two Rivers undetected?" Maigan inquired with a penetrating gaze.

"I don't know," Moiraine admitted, a trace of uncertainty in her voice.

"The Amyrlin is not alone in wondering exactly what you're doing out in the wilderness. And you even dragged a novice into the middle of your business. I know she is your daughter, but to blatantly disobey one of the strictest rules, you could've made things much worse for Elara," Maigan reproached.

Moiraine defended her actions, "The business with Elara is complicated. Anyway, I brought Siuan the most powerful channeler in living memory, for one."

"Hate her all you want, but Siuan Sanche was once a Blue. We owe her our protection and loyalty. Old alliances are shifting, and we must present a united front. I'll intervene with Siuan on your behalf. Make her see reason. And your value to us. We need you here in the Tower permanently. Elara as well, I know you are probably still against it, but maybe it is time she became an 'Accepted Aes Sedai,'" Maigan proposed.

Moiraine questioned, "For what reason?"

"I may need to go west to track the ships' disappearances. You've traveled long enough. Time to settle down, Moiraine. Make yourself comfortable. You're home again," Maigan urged.

As Moiraine lifted a towel, a sprig with tiny flowers fell, revealing a note from Elara stating that Egwene and Perrin had been found.

"More secrets?" Maigan inquired, her suspicion evident.