Drabbles of life after

Day 31 MANETHEREN

WoTtober 2023 #31 MANETHEREN

Moiraine came into the room and closed the door before shedding her official face. The day got progressively more and more tiring and Nynaeve stopped the meeting demanding Lan come and assist her. She was tempted for hours to mask the bond and only the promise she made to her husband kept her from it in the end. In the meantime both their frustrations fed each other and she hoped they would mitigate that now.

"My dearest Thom," she murmured into his ear, sliding with grateful ease into a space behind him on the windowsill. One that became her usual one after that first week. If Thom had his harp in his hands, she would take a back space. "I'm sorry for your day. What were you working on?"

She looked at papers scattered over the side table and the amount of crossed out parts. Ideas for his next ballad. He was on track when they travelled, and then she agreed to stay here, in one place...

"It's not your fault, my love," he said, turning his head and laying a sweet, short kiss on her lips. "I am happy to be here with you."

"What about these?" She nodded to the array of failed attempts. "Don't recall you having a block like that before, when we travelled. You even managed a new piece at Anvaere's."

"That one was short but good, wasn't it." She liked that feeling of pride coming off of him. It lifted her spirits as well. "No, that one was easy. And I could spout a light piece like that without preparation even now."

"So where is the problem?" She felt a pang of annoyance from him, then he laughed a small laugh and kissed her again. "Thom?" Maybe that was why they meshed so well – he got over her small and bigger flaws in moments. "Can I do something?"

"Do you have any idea for a new song about Manetheren?"

"Awfully specific."

"It can't leave me alone." He put down his harp and turned to envelop her in his arms, while she felt a lump forming in her throat. "What is it, Moraine? Is there anything wrong with that theme?"

There was no use pretending it was nothing, but for her it was more than surprising. "I've been meaning to bring it up for some time, but I didn't know the bond can influence each other that much."

"You mean to say my creativity is influenced by your ideas now?"

"I would - " she started to say.

"Don't you dare say you would hate that." He touched her face with just calloused pads of his fingers – a gesture that never failed to endear her. "It might be a special adventure if it is. Anyway, what was it that you wanted to bring up?"

She knew he could feel her hesitation. The good thing was he was fine with waiting. Usually. Today his hands wandered until she got hotter and hotter. She knew he needed a way to turn his mind from the earlier frustration. He also knew what always made her tongue loosen and her inhibitions vanish.

"I thought Egwene deserved her own ballad at least," she said at last, with her heart almost breaking. "After her... She grew up so splendidly. I know the Tower would write about her, but she deserves to be recognized and remember outside the Tower too."

She felt Thom's hands still just like his emotions. She waited. Had she made a mistake? Was this too much to ask?

Then she felt him almost melting inside, she couldn't explain it any other way. The he pulled her tighter and she felt warm and secure. His mind went into overdrive.

"A child of Manetheren" he said at last with a warmth she could feel filling her deep into her body. "Following in the footsteps of queen Eldrene. Saving, sacrificing, showing the overwhelming hope to all people dependant on her."

At that moment she was grateful for the bond, especially sharing the creative mind.

"I will write it," he murmured the words later in the night. "And you will help me show justice to Manetheren."