Missing and extended scenes of Wheel of Time - TV series

2x02 (Story B) - Two hardheads

Quote: "Have Tomas ready my horse. You're still weak from the healing. And I don't want my saddle to slip." (Moiraine)

Quietly, Moiraine rode on Aldieb's back with Verin by her side. The Brown Sister thought it was her task to keep the woman of the Blue Ajah entertained during their travel. Moiraine had stopped hours ago to tell her sister she would like to ride in silence. Since then, she had moved on to simply riding while letting Verin do the talking, blending out her voice.

Nothing went as planned. Instead of running away from Tifan's Well, she ran directly into the arms of three Myrddraals. And now, she traveled with her two sisters, their Warder and Lan. That was not how she had imagined to get rid of them. Light, how was she supposed to get rid of them when they didn't let her out of their eyes?!

Tar Valon was a few days ride ahead of them – giving her plenty of time to think about a new escape plan – but Moiraine was no step closer to it before they had started. Her body was still aching from the injury, and sitting on a horse didn't help.

Sighing, Moiraine turned her eyes on Lan. The uncrowned king of Malkier rode before her and was accompanied by Adeleas and Tomas, though the old Warder sometimes rode ahead to check the road. Since they had left Tifan's Well, Lan hadn't looked at her – not once. Was he still angry with her for implying he was too weak to fulfill his duties as her Warder? Moiraine hadn't imagined she would see the day when Lan preferred Adeleas' company over hers.

Although... it didn't look like he was enjoying his ride. Even from her position, she could see the tension in his body and shoulders. The question was, was it because of Adeleas or the pain from his injuries? A part of Moiraine wanted to go to him and help him. It wasn't fair that he had to suffer.

But without the One Power, the woman of the Blue Ajah couldn't do anything to help her Warder. She couldn't help anyone. She was useless.

The fight against the Fade appeared before her eyes. How the creature had fooled her, only to attack after she thought of herself as the winner. Her belly ached painfully when she remembered the injury. And then that short moment when she had given up. When the Myrddraal looked down on her – ready to kill her with its blade – she had been prepared to embrace her death.

And then Lan had appeared. It had been like a dream and a nightmare all at once. Her wonderful Warder. A part of her had wanted him to find her – to save her like he had done so many times in the past. But the other part of her had feared his appearance. Fighting against a Myrddraal wasn't easy, and she couldn't warn him without the bond. She had feared for his life. Especially when the two other Fades arrived.

Moiraine's view cleared, and she saw Lan rearranging his position on his saddle. When Adeleas reached out her hand in worry, the Cairhien woman knew he must have been in pain again. And only because he had tried to protect me!

Her eyes burned, and she felt tears coming up. Light! She was responsible for his injury! Sure, she hadn't expected he would actually follow her but... it didn't mean she was happy about seeing him hurt. No, that injury was on her.

"Moiraine?"

And the saddest part was that she couldn't make it up to him. She couldn't heal him AND couldn't comfort him because she had to push him away.

"Moiraine."

But Nynaeve could help him – even without Saidar! The young woman was a Wisdom and knew how to heal someone with herbs, teas, and who knew what else. AND she could heal Lan's heart by comforting and hugging him. But how should she get the man to the White Tower?

"Moiraine!"

The woman of the Blue Ajah felt Verin's hand on her arm, pulling at her. Confused, she turned her head to the older woman. At the same time, something hit her in the face, slashing her cheek. Moiraine winced and pulled her head aside, but it was already too late.