The Wheel of Kin: A Daughter's Journey

~Love awakened~

Night has fallen as Elara sits up slowly, her muscles still aching from the ordeal she'd barely escaped. Her hand brushed through her tangled hair as she looked up at her mother, Siuan, hovering over her.

"Mother, I'm fine. Stop fussing," Elara mumbled, a weak smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

"Great, now that you're feeling better," Siuan said, her voice sharp yet laced with unmistakable relief. But in the next instant, Elara felt a quick swat on her arm. "How could you do that? Facing the forsaken alone. Going about Tel'aran'rhiod for months without telling us."

Elara let out a soft smile, "I didn't exactly have a choice mama."

"Nonetheless, You should have come to us for help, you little puffer fish! You're just as stubborn as your mother."

Elara winced but smirked, her heart warming at the familiar scolding. Moiraine, standing by, couldn't suppress the soft chuckle that escaped her, though she quickly turned her head to hide it.

Elara glanced around the room, feeling a strange sense of vulnerability and tension still lingering in the air. Her eyes kept flickering toward Elayne, who stood quietly by the bed. Lan noticed the lingering looks and cleared his throat.

"I think it's best if we give Elara some more time to rest for the night," Lan said, his tone gentle but firm. He subtly nodded toward Elayne, making it clear what he thought needed to happen next.

Moiraine, however, shook her head. "No, I'd rather stay—"

But Lan placed a strong, steady hand on her shoulder, guiding her out of the room with a reassuring look. "Sleep well, Elara," he said over his shoulder, "we'll see you in the morning."

Siuan leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Elara's forehead. "Rest now, love. No dream walking tonight." She then glanced at Elayne as she moved toward the door, giving her a slight, knowing smile.

Elayne nodded, staying behind as the others left. The room felt quieter, heavier. Elara's heart pounded in her chest as she sat up a little straighter, her eyes glued to Elayne's face. Now, they were alone.

They both tried to speak at the same time.

"I—" Elara started.

"Sorry, I—" Elayne stammered.

They both stopped, awkwardly apologizing for interrupting and then fell silent. For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them felt thick with unsaid words, emotions held back for too long.

Finally, Elayne sat down on the edge of the bed, her hand gently reaching out for Elara's. Their fingers intertwined, a quiet moment shared as they both took in the enormity of the moment, of being together again after so much time, so much pain.

"So," Elara said, her voice barely above a whisper, "are you here because you thought I was dead, or because you thought I was dying?"

Elayne looked down, her breath catching in her throat as her fingers tightened around Elara's hand. "I'm here," she said softly, tears filling her eyes, "because I never should have left you. I'm so sorry, Elara. I'm so, so sorry."

Elara reached up, tilting Elayne's face back up to meet her gaze. "I never stopped loving you," Elara whispered, her voice trembling. "My heart... it's always belonged to you. Always will."

Without another word, Elayne leaned forward and kissed her—passionately, desperately. The world seemed to fade away as their lips met, all the pain and longing melting into that single, fierce moment. When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless, their foreheads resting gently against each other.

Elara closed her eyes, squeezing them shut as if to stop the tears threatening to fall. "Which only makes what I have to do now... that much harder."

Elayne's brow furrowed in confusion as she pulled back slightly. "What do you mean?"

Elara swallowed, her voice heavy with the weight of the truth. "My mothers were right, Elayne. You're not safe with me. Everything I do, everywhere I go... the darkness is always there. It follows me. And I couldn't live with myself if you got caught in the crossfire."

Elayne's hand came up to cup Elara's cheek, her thumb brushing away the tear that had finally escaped. "I don't care about that. I never did."

"You're the Daughter-Heir," Elara said, her voice breaking. "There are people who need you."

"But I need you," Elayne whispered, her voice cracking with emotion.

Elara shook her head. "No, you don't. You never did."

Elayne's frustration bubbled over, her eyes flashing with fire. "Stop it! I know what you're trying to do."

"Elayne, I'm—"

"No," Elayne cut her off, her voice fierce, her grip on Elara's hand tightening. "I said stop. We're not going to push each other away this time. I know what life is like without you, and I don't want it. I can't do it again. So if you're going to die, Elara, then I'll die alongside you. But don't you dare try to push me away. Now, stop this nonsense and get some rest."

Elara stared at her, speechless, her heart aching with love and fear. But before she could say anything, Elayne shifted, pulling the blankets up and lying down beside her. She lifted the covers, inviting Elara in.

"Come on," Elayne said softly. "Get in."

Elara hesitated only for a moment before slipping under the blankets and snuggling close to Elayne. The warmth of her body, the comfort of her presence, soothed the ache in Elara's chest. She pressed a gentle kiss to Elayne's neck.

"I forgot how bossy you can be sometimes," Elara murmured with a soft smile.

Elayne smirked, closing her eyes. "Shush now. You're to rest. Those are orders directly from the Amyrlin Seat."

They both chuckled, the sound mingling with the soft rustle of the blankets. Slowly, as the tension and exhaustion of the day caught up with them, they drifted off to sleep, their bodies tangled together in the quiet darkness of the room, finally at peace—for now.