Drabbles of life after

Day 21 LESSON

WoTtober 2023 #21 LESSON

There was something clearly going on with Moiraine and Nynaeve. Thom was sure Lan saw it too as soon as he did. At first they joked that the two of them disappearing at the same time might mean explosions would follow, but they both would mask their bonds after the second day. True, Lan rushed to find them when his wife got agitated and Thom almost burst through a door to one of the small, still theoretically closed rooms when something heavy dropped on Moiraine's foot.

"You're done for today?" he asked, when Moiraine emerged from the door, looking worn out. She smiled at him, then nodded at Lan. Both men lowered their weapons and he wasted no time before he enveloped her in a tight hug. "Do you want to eat?"

"No."

"I will make sure a plate makes it to your rooms inside an hour." Thom nodded at Lan with thanks for his good thinking. "And we will see you tomorrow morning."

Thom felt Moiraine groan into his chest. He was anxious to get the bond back, but knew she would probably wait until they were safely laid down on the bed. He moved them swiftly through the palace to the suite Lan designated for them the first day and closed the door. Moraine left his arms and sat at the vanity to drag every piece of jewellery down.

"Do you want a bath?" He asked, but didn't expect an answer, really. He knew she was always up for it. "I will tell them to bring water."

He didn't get to the door, when she unmasked the bond and he & almost fell to his knees with tiredness and cold. The bath went forgotten, because he crossed the room back to Moiraine to envelop her in his arms.

"You have to stop whatever you two are doing," he said after they settled under the covers. He would need to get out shortly to collect the promised food, but for now he was massaging her aching back and legs, however far he could reach. "You're not back to yourself still and she's wearing you out."

"It's not going to be long. A week at most."

"A week? "He was not happy about that, to be honest. "You'll be completely tired for the ball if you continue that hard."

"Don't remind me. Please, just keep your hand there," she almost moaned. "Right there. Light bless talented wanders."

"Wanders?" he joked, posing as a little offended. "You mean to say Lan used to do this for you? Maybe I should ask him to come?"

"Just continue with your magic hands."

It took him minutes to put her to a happy sleep. It always surprised him how much she could react to a simple touch, how little was really needed to show her love an get her to feel safe.

#

"I think we need to intervene," Lan approached him the next morning when the women went with the Malkieri head dresser to check what was done with their gowns. "Nynaeve grows more frustrated by the day."

"They both look ready to burst after their sessions. I hear you, but see no way to do this. With their bonds masked..."

"Don't tell me you've retired, gleeman." Thom snorted at the way Lan said the last word. It was obviously one intended for the servants if any of them heard. "I have talked with the right people. We can follow them in the evening... And with the bonds masked, they will never know we're close."

He must be getting old, Thom thought. It was simple and easy. It was brilliant. Lan and Thom came when asked to evaluate progress done on their women's dresses, then the four of them went for a short ride and broke into groups after the midday meal – Thom supposed to work on his new ballad, Lau on some kingly duties.

It was almost an hour later when they managed to track the women down to an unused ballroom in the deserted part of the palace. It needed to be closed, as it was still full of rubble and there was no time to bring it up to snuff fast enough. Lan led him to a gallery, warning him to watch his step.

"Wards," was all Lan had to say when he backed from one of the door. "The air is different, you will learn to catch up."

They managed to avoid tripping any potential trap that would alert the Aes Sedai of their presence. Soon they heard Nynaeve cursing and Moiraine just saying one word, "again". Thom almost snorted at the longsuffering tone.

"It's harder without music." Nynaeve seemed ready to unleash some damage.

"I told you Thom would happily help."

"Light help me, if you tell anyone, I will find out how to balefire you to burn that information from existence." Nynaeve moved back closer to Moiraine. "Again."

"What are they doing? "Thom almost snorted again, this time at Lan's words. "Is that some kind of a new weave?"

"Believe it or not, Lau, but I think Moiraine is teaching your wife how to dance."