Missing and extended scenes of Wheel of Time - TV series

3x06 - Story C - Surprise (Part 1)

Moiraine is still shaken after her meeting with Rand.

Chapter 1 - Tell me

Moiraine and Lan talk.

Quietly, Moiraine walked through Cold Rock's Hold. She had no idea how much time had passed since Rand had left her, but her body was still shaken from what had happened.

Rand had lost control over Saidin. Or did he? He hadn't reacted when she had called him. Had he been too focused or not focused enough? Everything had shaken. Pots had fallen while Rand... what exactly had he been doing? Did he channel? But what had been his intention?

The young man from the Two Rivers hadn't tried to scare her - she was aware of that. It wasn't his style. Yet, Moiraine wished she knew what he had tried to do. Why couldn't women see it when men channeled?

And if he was losing his control over Saidin, did that mean he was going mad? Was he already using too much of the One Power? But how should he learn if he-

A gentle hand on Moiraine's back surprised her. Immediately, she embraced Saidar before she swirled around. Her fingers already prepared a weave to use the air, so her attacker-

"It's me."

Lan stayed where he was, not moving or trying to touch her. Calmly, he waited until Moiraine understood who was standing before her and released Saidar.

Panting, the Aes Sedai let go of the One Power. Light! She was glad she hadn't reached for the Sakarnen. She didn't wish to imagine what would have happened if she had tried to use it. The Sakarnen had so much power. Using it on the wrong person...

"Breathe, Moiraine."

The uncrowned king of Malkier couldn't see the Aes Sedai's weaves, but she knew that he always felt it through the bond when she embraced Saidar or let go of it. Otherwise, he surely wouldn't have closed the distance between them, followed by grabbing her arms as if to steady her.

"Light!" He hissed. "You're trembling."

Moiraine's body reacted on instinct. She grabbed Lan's tunic, hiding her face in the fabric. Blood and ashes! Her legs felt as if they wished to give up any second!

Lan didn't hesitate. He picked her up, then carried her away. Moiraine didn't know where they were going. Lan was probably aiming for their cave, but she couldn't get herself to look up.

"There we are."

Exhausted, the Cairhien woman opened her eyes. As predicted, Lan had returned them to their cave. Since he was carrying her, he couldn't part the pearl curtain. Moiraine felt the pearls move over her body, but didn't do anything to push them away. Then they were in.

The lamps were luckily still standing, but some pots had fallen, and Moiraine's belongings had also escaped from her bag.

Lan growled at the sight, but Moiraine just leaned her head against his. "It doesn't matter."

She heard the man snorting, but he kept walking before he placed her on the bed. "I'll get you some water."

Moiraine didn't stop Lan, though she wasn't really thirsty. What should she do about Rand? Should she be alarmed? Had it been the first sign that he was going mad? Or had it been an accident?

"What happened there with Rand?" The uncrowned king of Malkier was back, handing her the waterskin.

Sighing, the Cairhien woman took the leather object but didn't try to open it. "I'm not sure."