Drabbles of life after 2 (Wheel of Time fanfiction)

WoTtober 2024 #8 Mayene

"He's in Mayene," Thom said after closing the flap to the little tent they were assigned after appearing on the Field of Merillor before the Last Battle. "He's been seriously wounded fighting Demandred, but he's alive and taken care of."

The only thing he could feel from her was an overwhelming numbness along with exhaustion. He was not surprised by any of those things.

"Will you rest now?"

"I want, no, I NEED to go and see him."

"You've been on your feet for a along time, my dear. You need to sleep, not run to yet another place."

"If you're tired, I'm sure Elayne would be more than happy to take her into her own entourage. "He knew she meant well. Otherwise he would have been offended, really. "I need to make sure..."

"I already told them we might be joining the new batch through the gateway to Mayene," Thom said with a sigh. It was worth a try even if it didn't work in the end. "We would need to go soon."

"Thank you," she said in a grateful whisper.

She moved to stand, but he didn't let her attempt it on her own. He helped her up, once again noticing how easy it was, how light her frame became. She's lost even more weight since her rescue, even though he didn't think it possible. There was, however, no use in trying to rectify it now. As long as Moiraine was focused on other things, they always took precedence.

People recognized her everywhere she went and so they made space for her. In Mayene, however, they were almost lost in the crowd. It was he who asked around and led her to a more quiet space on the upper floor, where more private rooms were set up for the wounded.

Moiraine let go of his hand as soon as they went into a room pointed by one of the yellow sisters resting in the corridor. There was a brief moment of baited breath before Moiraine moved to a bed where Galad was resting and sat by him.

"By the Creator." Her hand hovered over the bandaged leftover of his arm. "Poor boy. But you're alive. At least you're live."

He could feel her strength leaving her fast. Up till now she was functioning on stress alone and now she was done all she could her composure would slip. A very thin line have just been crossed.

"Aunt Moiraine?" Galad seemed to realise just now who has visited him. "Thom Merillin?" he asked, when Thom came closer to support Moiraine. "I'm glad you have survived, really."

"Both of us?" Moiraine added, nodding to the clean, white cloak hung by the bed.

Thom laughed. His wife was still able to make people questioned, even while barely conscious.

"A lot has changed," Galad said. "And I never..."

"Don't speak too much," Moiraine patted his other hand. "You need rest."

"I will see you soon," Galad held her hand when she wanted to stood up. "Promise me we'll see each other when I'm back to strength."

"We will see each other for sure," Thom interceded, feeling how unsure Moiraine was. "I doubt Elayne would let us out of her sight for long."

They passed Berelain on their way out, but didn't linger. The young woman was visibly shocked and didn't manage to utter anything in time.

It was, however, good to stop on their way out on one of the balconies to look over Mayene, which had been largely untouched by the Last Battle really. A moment of calmness after tragedy of Merillor.