Drabbles of life after 2 (Wheel of Time fanfiction)

WoTtober 2024 #16 SHAWL

Moiraine walked through the Tower, noticing all the small signs of destruction that came upon it since she's been here last. A singe here, broken stone there, small signs unable to be covered by hastily thrown cloths. Everyone and everything has been touched in the last year, everyone lost even in this victory.

Her hands itched like they used to. She was almost transported back in time. Almost. She could almost feel like before. Almost forget how her life has changed. How she has changed. Some newly raised yellow passed her in the hall and Moiraine lowered her head in greeting. Those young sisters seemd less focused on old rules and niceties according to unwritten protocols, but they would soon see their might and reason.

She used to be the one most of the others bowed to. Now her only sign of belonging was... Well, Egwene made sure she had a serpent ring, when she saw her ringless at the treaty meeting, but it was not her ring. It barely fit her hand, really. With her withered ability to channel, she was barely fit to even be in the Tower.

She was walking now up to a room in the quarters of the Blue Ajah, trying to calm her heartbeat. Thom wanted to accompany her, but on this she was absolutely adamant. He was to stay away, maybe go away to the training grounds. Whatever would occupy his head while she faced the head of the Blues. The summons came at midmorning and gave Moiraine time till noon. It was enough to clean up as nice as possible. Her things from years before were still there, nothing touched, really, so she had no problem choosing what to wear. The new kesiera, Thom's gift, lay comfortably on her forehead, reminding her of his support. He would definitely not abandon her when her status changed.

One thing she did not take, and decided to give Thom for safekeeping, was her bracelet. That she paid dearly for. It was staying with her.

The room where the first selector conducted their business was always very efficient in how it was filled. Boxes lined the walls and several chairs have been set in front of the desk to settle comfortably the small council frequently advising the leader. Right now all but three of ten chairs were occupied and Moiraine felt her fate had already been decided. All that was left was for her to face it as well as possible.

She curtsied, knowing her place. Well, she was not going to miss this deference system now that she was at the bottom, but as long as the ring was on her finger, she was still bound by its preference.

Sight of Lelaine Akashi entering from the small adjoining room signalled the time of reckoning. Moiraine curtsied just like in front of the others, but knowledge of her power cut her like a knife. She was what was once Moiraine's as well, but no longer. Lelaine didn't sit down, but rather came closer to Moiraine and looked her over with her dark eyes. They were as penetrating as ever. Streaks of grey now adorned her hair, but Moiraine noticed it happened to many sisters after those last months.

Lelaine did not smile, just seemed to look deep into her mind and body. What confused Moiraine was the smile that appeared some time later. A memory flashed in her mind of standing naked, witing to receive her shawl after a night of supposed contemplation, after a successful test. She got her shawl from Lelaine, perhaps it was only fitting that the one who welcomed her into the Blues would be the one to release her from the Ajah.

"Ah, Moiraine Sedai. I'm glad you're in the Tower long enough that I managed to catch you," said Lelaine, who came back from a task set by the Amyrlin just last evening. "In the past twenty years it was a feat to catch you here." A slight jab at her years of search that the rest of the council seemed to smirk at. "There was a lot of talk and discussion about your status lately, as you probably suspected. Oh, be still, sister, we're all aware of the speculation. Know that aby idea of whether or not you're fit to stay in the Ajah should be put to rest."

"Should they?"

"The Hall has decided," said Lyrelle Sedai from her seat. "This has become officially settled. The information should be going around the Tower as we speak."

Moiraine could feel blood pulsing in her body. Was she, after all, going to stay even despite her disability?

"We talked about it and I am happy to say the others allowed me to be the one, considering I gave it to you the first time." Lelaine reached for a beautifully blue bundle resting on her desk. "I was told your things from before were lost during the war. You might need another one."

It was like a dream. The First Selector herself was just putting a new blue fringed Aes Sedai shawl over her arms.

"Welcome back, Sister."