Missing and extended scenes of Wheel of Time - TV series

3x02 - Story C - Welcome to the Waste

The little group finally reaches the Aiel Waste.

Moiraine stumbled over a silly rock for what felt like the millionth time that day, almost falling to her knees. It was only thanks to her balance and Lan's quick reaction that she stayed on her feet.

"I could ask for a break," he whispered.

But Moiraine freed herself and ignored his offer. She wouldn't ask for a break! Although Aviendha had said that they were close to the Aiel Waste, they were already walking for at least three hours now – if not more.

We're almost through the Spine of the World, but the pass is too far ahead. Aiel would make it before night on foot, but... we'll camp here.

Had the Aiel woman been lying? Moiraine had heard that Aiel were fast, but even they were human beings. Not even they could run for hours.

"Stubborn as a mule."

Angrily, the Aes Sedai swirled around, glaring at her Warder. But the arrogant man wasn't scared. Calmly, he returned her gaze.

"Prove me wrong," he said. "Allow me to ask for a break."

"We're almost there," Moiraine responded, then kept walking.

"That's what Aviendha said yesterday, and yet, we're not 'there'. Your 'almost' could still be hours away."

The Cairhien woman didn't want to admit that the Malkieri was right. It was possible that they would walk for two more hours before reaching the Aiel Waste.

"Come. We're losing them if we don't keep going."

Lan snorted. "The only one we're constantly losing is Aviendha, and she always returns when she notices we fall back behind. That woman has a remarkable energy."

"That's one way of putting it," Moiraine mumbled, putting one foot in front of the other.

Light! She was tired! She should've listened to Lan getting some sleep last night. But her silly head had been too busy thinking about her situation with Rand.

"What did Rand want from you this morning?"

Are you going to keep ignoring me?

Moiraine remembered how the young man from the Two Rivers had wanted to talk to her. Since they had left Tar Valon, she had refused to talk to him since she was angry with him for not going to Tear, though she had explained to him how important it was that he got Callandor.

"Talking."

It's so sweet. But it's poison too. It fills my stomach with filth. So... bitter. But I don't care. Cause I just want to taste the sweetness forever. Do you understand that?

Moiraine still felt nervous when she thought about Rand's words. The boy could feel the madness. How much longer did he have before it changed him? He was clearly not ready to face the Dark One yet, and Moiraine feared they had to take care of the Forsaken before the Last Battle would happen. Could Rand fight against the madness for that long? How could he embrace Saidin without getting mad? Logain Ablar, the false Dragon, had also not been able to escape the madness.

"Talking about what?"

"What?"

Confused, the Aes Sedai focused on her Warder. She hadn't paid attention to what he had been asking?

"What did Rand want to talk about?"

"Oh. He wondered if I would keep ignoring him."

Lan chuckled. "Did he?"