Missing and extended scenes of Wheel of Time - TV series

3x03 - Story D - Allowed to be happy

Moiraine leaves the sweat tent and returns to her tent.

Moiraine waited and waited for Lan to return. One more time, the Aiel poured some water over the hot stones, and she tried to endure the thick heat, but her body wasn't used to it. It became harder to breathe until she had to give up and leave the sweat tent.

The air of the antechamber felt cold compared to the heated air inside the sweat tent. Moiraine shivered and noticed how she swayed when she walked to her clothes. She felt lightheaded and wished she could lie down. But first, she had to get dressed again and find a way back to the tent that the Aiel had given her and Lan. Hopefully, she could make it without falling.

Putting on her boots was the worst part of getting dressed. Her feet cursed her for forcing them back into the boots, but Moiraine couldn't walk back to the tent without them.

Three other Aiel women had left the sweat tent after Moiraine. They were murmuring something quietly while getting dressed, so the Aes Sedai left the antechamber quickly without looking too closely at the other women.

The air outside the antechamber was even colder. Without the sun burning down on them, the desert was freezing by night. The Aiel had some campfires burning, but it didn't help against the cold. Especially if you had spent some time in a heated sweat tent!

Lan's feelings through the bond felt strange. He was curious, yet Moiraine also felt anger. For a moment, Moiraine thought about going after him, but shook her head. She wouldn't be a help to him in her condition. Her feet were screaming in pain, her body was shivering, and her head wasn't feeling well. No. She would be no help right now.

Carefully, the Cairhien woman placed one foot in front of the other. Luckily, she remembered where she would find her tent. It would take a few minutes to reach it, but she was certain she could reach it if she moved slowly. She could do it.

It took her a couple of minutes before she noticed the Aiel, who closed in on her. They moved in wide circles around her, but their eyes were locked on Moiraine. And some of them... some of them were definitely veiled!

Moiraine stopped walking, watching how the circles of those Aiel became smaller. How many were there? Her head was spinning, and she couldn't keep the Aiel apart. Were there six warriors circling her or only three? What should she do if they decided to attack?

Her fingers moved nervously. She was prepared to embrace Saidar. But what would the Aiel say if she attacked them? Would Rhuarc believe her that it had been self-defense? Would Bair believe her? Or would they decide she couldn't be trusted because of her Cairhien nature?

Frustrated, Moiraine gritted her teeth. She wouldn't just wait for them to attack her. If they wanted a fight... they would get one.

"Moiraine Sedai."

The Aes Sedai winced at Bair's calm voice in her back. Blood and ashes! She hadn't heard her coming!

"Do you mind if I join you?"

Would Bair's company be enough to keep those veiled Aiel at a distance? Nervously, Moiraine looked around her. Surprisingly, the Aiel had stepped back. They were still watching her, but had brought some distance between her and them. What were they waiting for?

A gentle hand touched the Cairhien woman's arm, and she almost embraced Saidar before she recognized Bair.

"They won't attack a Wise One."

So, Moiraine hadn't been imagining. Those warriors had thought about attacking her. Bair's presence had stopped their plans. Well, she would be stupid if she didn't accept Bair's offer.