Drabbles of life after

Day 8 BORDERLANDS

WoTtober #8 BORDERLANDS

Those lands have always been different than the rest of Westlands. The air smelled differently and the sense of danger and foreboding was something that Thom didn't really care for. Now, even after the events of the Last Battle, it was strange to travel though these lands without a big force for security.

And yet Moiraine insisted they didn't need an escort when they left Kandor. The Aes Sedai there, a young woman clearly awestruck with mere presence of such celebrity as Moraine, failed to push enough, even though Thom knew by now that had she done so, Moiraine would budge. Strange to think of his wife as such, but this was their new reality.

"You know," he started saying, when they finally dismounted, leaving the small, four man security force, to put up their tents, "I'm not a fan of travelling through the gates, but it would have been much faster and more comfortable." It would. He still hated the One Power, but stepping through a rip in the air beat mindless riding for days.

"I'm sorry, dearest Thom. I just needed it to..." her hesitation was almost painful. Thom came to her and led her away to a cluster of trees before embracing her. "I'm not doing this to be difficult."

"I know. Now, just let it out." He didn't think she would say everything. He knew to appreciate any words. "You're anxious about getting there." He felt her nod. "I know." He felt her fear grow with each day of travel. "He understands," he said after a moment, when he was sure Moiraine had calmed down at least a little. And Nynaeve requested your presence."

He knew what she did still plagued her on a daily basis and he understood her reluctance. This was not going to get easier, however, with avoiding things.

He could tell she was calming down gradually. She clung to him even more and he knew she was trying to process things, really. but there was much anxiety and guilt still. He didn't want to push those feelings – she did it enough on her own.

"Do you think he will want to allow me in or just humour Nynaeve?

"I know for a fact he wants you there now. This will have to do."

They both knew it was a close enough statement to be a truth, but a far one when accuracy was considered. What was important was that it was Lan who sent out the invitation. Probably on Nynaeve's insistence, to be accurate. But it was still his summons, nobody else's.

"If we don't feel good," Thom said after he thought the thing over, "we can leave as soon as your thing with Nynaeve is done. I will keep Lan away if you need me to."

They've been on the road for the better part of the year now, basically because Thom wanted to perform. He was prepared to make this trip all about her. He would welcome it, really, if she ever let him. She insisted they ride and he perform at least in every town they stayed in.

"I will be fine."

He was not sure if she would be fine. Quite the opposite, in fact, but she was fighting now and that was all he could ask of her. This was borderlands and it had to be hard on her. He would help her in this struggle. He would help her reconnect with Lan with all the might of his life.