A Bond of Emerald Grace (attn. Kathleen Sedai)

[Elessar]

.. The Chrysalis of a Journey North ..

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The proud banners of Tar Valon - wonderous city of the Aes Sedai -  rippled strongly in the wind atop the huge city walls as Kathleen Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah and her newly Bonded Warder Elessar Telcontar of Kandor rode out of the city and soon onto one of the six majestic bridges, more than a mile long and gracefully arching from the island to the shore, connecting the isle to the mainland.

 

The River Erinin, within sight of fabled Dragonmount, flowed by below, with urgency and intent, and reflected some of the sun's rays falling down from a cloudless blue sky above. Had it not been for the strong breeze, which made their garments - Elessar's colour-shifting cloak and Kathleen's green travelling cloak - flap behind them, it would have been perfect travelling weather.

 

They were beginning a northward Journey to the Borderlands - in the footsteps, as it were, of Kathleen's second Warder, Nevuel Gaidin, who had left, on a personal errand , for his home nation Arafel almost immediately after Elessar's Bonding with Kathleen - and they had a long way to travel.

 

●

 

Seated atop his faithful black stallion Stormbreaker, feeling the life pulsating in the graceful beast beneath him, Elessar's mind was partly on the journey ahead, and partly on his new Bond and its consequences.

 

It was only a short time - ..had a week passed, or perhaps a fortnight? time was somewhat muddled for Elessar.. - since his Warder Bond had been passed from Carys Aes Sedai to his new Bondholder Kathleen, and the multitude of strong conflicting emotions that he had felt were still inside him, though presently buried under the surface. He would have to deal with them at some point, he knew, but for now he was content to focus on the pleasure he felt to be out on the road again, to be 'Free', to feel Needed again, and to be Allowed to carry out his duty and service as a Gaidin of the White Tower.

 

He felt Kathleen in the back of his head - and he smiled inside.

 

So many changes in his life, so many paths he had walked. Now he was upon another new path - and in his mind's eye he thought he saw a Light of Destiny.

 

Once again the beautiful - and telling - poem ‘A Mirror of Emotions’ resurfaced in his mind. It spoke of life-changes. Of decisions. Of Fate. And of New Beginnings.

 

He remembered the words well, and they echoed anew in his mind:

 

 

►▼◄

 

 A Mirror of Emotions

 

Look into the Mirror of your Soul

Gaze at the Reflections of the Past

Making good Decisions is your Goal

Finding sound Solutions that will Last

 

Break the Glass of Wisdom if you Must

Do what must be Done, who can Foretell

Fate may guide your Hand and garner Trust

Throw your Darkness into Mirror’s Well

 

Listen to the Echoes in the Night

Borne on Winds of awe-inspiring Grace

Start a New Beginning in the Light

Feel the Peace within your Soul Embrace

 

►▲◄

 

 

This is indeed a New Beginning. Elessar thought. My life before yours, Kathleen Aes Sedai. To death and beyond.

 

An image of Leandreen's green eyes appeared in his mind for a moment - and in those deep pools of emerald he thought he saw a smile of approval.

 

And forgiveness.

 

He suppressed the emotion he felt - and cast a quick glance across at Kathleen, who rode slightly behind and to his right. He hardly knew her at all, in truth, despite the many pleasant conversations they had had, but this Bond felt right somehow, and being among the Green again felt like he was 'coming home'.

 

He smiled inside - and ignored the small voice deep within that threatened to admonish him about unfulfilled duties and failed service.

 

Gazing northwards into the far horizon, past the impressive arches crowning the Northwest Bridge, Elessar almost imagined he could glimpse the first traces of their Borderland destination.

 

●

 

Together, Elessar and Kathleen - Warder and Aes Sedai - rode slowly across the majestic bridge, leaving the island of Tar Valon behind. Travellers on foot, local villagers and foreigners from far off lands alike, moved aside to let them pass. A little village boy, perhaps five or six of age, with Andoran blond hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion, gazed with awe at the fearsome-looking, armed Warrior and the graceful, regal-looking Lady as they rode past. He stared after them long after they were gone.

 

Riding side by side, beneath the splendid arches overlaying the impressive Tar Valon bridge, Elessar was reminded of the many journeys he had made to foreign lands with his previous Sedais through the years. Leandreen, especially, had been on countless missions for the White Tower, often hunting Darkfriends and countering advances made by the Shadow, and Elessar had always been steadfastly at her side.

 

We were as One. He thought with fond rememberance. Just as Kathleen and I now are as One.

 

He cast another quick glance at the dark-haired, green-clad woman riding beside him - and nodded to himself.

 

They were united in spirit and purpose. They were united through the Bond.

 

Theirs was a Bond of Emerald Grace - and Elessar embraced it to fill his Soul with Light.

 

▀▄

Edited January 12, 2018 by Elessar

[Kathleen]

The hair on Kathleen's forearms stood on end as the brisk breeze grazed across them as they stretched out before her to control the reigns. The Aes Sedai trick was quickly put to use as she held her composure in statuesque grace. She still remembered her early days in the Tower and how she had studied the Aes Sedai as they were put through the fire and didn't seem to blink. She had spent countless hours stealing chances trying to find the weave that numbed the nerves or blocked the elements. In her Accepted days she had been certain the Sisters were using a bubble of air and a masking weave to hide it.

 

After all these years of finally being a Sister herself she wished there really had been such a trick; it would make the task of looking the picture of the untouchable Aes Sedai that she was expected to uphold so much easier on days like this when the wind whipped around her, or days when rain or snow fell, or days when the heat was dizzying. She had tried the bubble idea, and a number of other make shift techniques, in her early years with the shawl, but it wasn't long before she gave it up completely and simply perfected the same 'trick' all sisters did. It merely boiled down to being stubborn, and after the training in the White Tower there wasn't a Sister in the world with a shortness in being stubborn.

 

So stubborn she was as she rode through the city of Tar Valon and out onto the bridge leading north. She kept the pace slow as she moved, scanning the landscape, the faces, and the voices letting them soak into her very being. She had had too many times when she was out in the world thinking she would never see this place again to let herself ever leave again without appreciating home. 

 

It felt like so many times she had traveled out in the past, but there was a newness to it too. Their was still a bundle of emotion that wasn't her's in the back of her mind, but the one with the most prominence was not the one she was used to. And it was not the one that was filling her thoughts. She had a moment of concern over Elessar, he seemed distracted and he had for weeks now. She knew there was a level of settling into the bond, and she was expecting some trouble from her new warder on letting his past go, but she couldn't help but wonder if he was truly ready to begin their journey together. This trip would be a good test to see if he was ready to start again. This trip would be a good test for a lot of things.

 

If Elessar was distracted he had every right to be, and he wasn't alone in it. She wasn't making this leap to a new bond as smoothly as she had hoped and it didn't help that the warder she had grown used to seeing on a daily basis had disappeared just after this major change. Her thoughts should be on settling into this new bond, not on worrying over Nevuel. Light, but he was a grown man, fully capable of getting himself wherever he wished to be without the minding of a full grown woman. She knew it was true, but knowing it didn't stop her from worrying. And that worrying was a good amount of the reason she and Elessar were heading off for the north. She didn't know how far they would go or where their journey would end them up, but she hoped where ever it took them it would bring them closer together. 

 

Kathleen Vandiar

Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah

[Elessar]

.. Returning Echoes of the 'Star and Moon' ..

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They arrived at the inn in late afternoon, as a sudden break in the clouds far above let in a touch of welcome sunshine. A soft breeze from the west had fizzled out a few hours earlier, brushing the leaves on the trees surrounding their forest path as they travelled, though the sky had kept on being overcast.

They had ridden all day, having camped in the woods some fair distance north-west of Tar Valon the night before, and both looked forward to a good meal and a nice bed under a wooden roof. They had spoken little on the road, Elessar's mind distracted as thoughts of Carys and their former Bond had often slipped into his thoughts. His conflicting emotions had been kept under control for the most part, but though he had been attentive and alert, as a Warder should be, on their journey so far, he was not as focused on the task at hand as he ought to be - and that knowledge made him frustrated and disappointed with himself.

I have to regain my focus. He thought. Kathleen is my responsibility now. Pull yourself together, Elessar.

The small wood-village they had entered, in a forested region several leagues north-west of the City of the Aes Sedai, was called Ainsbury, if the dirty and worn wooden sign that had been planted in the earth alongside the road on the outskirts of the line of small wooden houses, shops and gardens was anything to go by. The rugged sign - with an unclear picture worn off by weather and time - hanging above the inn's front door proclaimed that it was the 'Forester's Court'.

A scruffy looking court by the looks of it, Elessar thought with some amusement, as he dismounted and lead their horses to a stableboy, a young somewhat haggard-looking lad with short brown hair, dark eyes and slightly pointed ears, who - for a couple of coins - took them to the stables at the back. The Warder nodded when he saw that their faithful mounts were well taken care of and returned to where his Sedai was waiting in front of the inn. He gave her a slight nod - in thatsmall gesture conveying that their horses were in good hands - and then followed her into the establishment.
 

●

It was a far cry from some of the better inns Elessar had visited in his time, but it was not quite as rough and unclean as he had feared. It would have to do. Kathleen spoke quitely to the innkeeper - a balding, somewhat chubby, apron-wearing, man of middle years standing behind the bar, a fellow with grey-brown eyes and a nervous twitch. It was obvious that she had made an impression, because soon after he was bobbing his head, leading them up the stairs to a couple of rooms on the level above. Elessar carried their belongings, placing Kathleen's travelling bags outside her chamber.

The two rooms were next door to one another, as requested; one larger for her - a room befitting an Aes Sedai, according to the innkeeper - and one smaller for him, and as the innkeeper opened them with a key he kept on asking if there was anything else they needed. He seemed very eager to please and Elessar recalled similar instances with Leandreen especially, but also with Carrain and Carys on occasion, on their travels when innkeepers had been more than happy to accomodate Aes Sedai. Some places innkeepers had been less eager, of course. Aes Sedai were not welcome everywhere in the lands, especially certain regions in the South.

 

●

Some time later, after they had unpacked their things and had enjoyed warm baths, Kathleen and Elessar met up downstairs in the Common Room and sat down at a table on the right side by the wall to enjoy a meal of roast and potatoes. They were halfway through the supper when a gleeman entered the stage and began to play the flute. The inn was almost full, mostly packed with locals enjoying an ale and some gossip, and many turned their attention to the gleeman as he played. The man - who was of below middle years with short blond hair, blue eyes and the look of a scholar - wore a cloak of many colourful patches and surely had talent, though he was younger and less experienced than some gleemen Elessar had seen on his many travels up through the years.

After a few regular songs the man put aside his flute and started to sing. He had a good voice, a voice that gripped the listener. Elessar did not know any of the songs he sang, but he enjoyed the performance. The gleeman bowed to his audience when he was finished. As always the case, some of those present then asked for a story. The older, the better. The more outlandish the merrier. The gleeman nodded, not displeased, and began to sing again, this time telling the tragic story of a southern merchant's desperate love for a northern nobleman's daughter and their cruel deaths at the hand of her angered father, and the crowd loved it.

The subsequent applause was great. The gleeman took a sip from his ale as he assessed his audience. He raised his arm for silence, and then with a flourish of his cloak he asked them if they wanted an even older story. “Giv’ us a good one!” Several in the crowd shouted. “One from the Age of Legends!” The gleeman grinned, like all men in his profession loving the centre-stage attention, and made a grandiose and theatrical bow to those gathered. More cheering followed as he said that he would give them a story. His voice lowered a touch and he drew them all in. “A story from before the Age of Legends, some say. An epic story of love and sorrow.” Elessar's attention increased. He had a feeling of what was coming. His grin grew. The gleeman whispered: “Listen then, to the eternal story of the 'Star and Moon'".

Elessar nodded with pleasure. This was one of his favourite poems - and he had been fortunate enough to have seen it performed by various gleemen on several occasions during his many travels with his Sedais. Together with his new Bondholder, Kathleen of the Battle Ajah, he listened attentively as the gleeman's voice rose slightly in pitch and he began to sing.

As he sang, a complete silence swept through the inn, every man and woman’s attention focused on the talented performer before them, as they were all caught up in the beauty and wonder of this timeless, mythical and heartwarming epic story....

 

 

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Star and Moon

Princess sweet and Prince of Light
Fell in love one autumn Night
Great were days of joy and Smiles
Both together through the Miles

Beautiful she was to See
Handsome man was also He
Perfect couple for the Lands
Wedded true and holding Hands

Then the darkness fell on All
In the war , the Prince`s Fall
Tore her heart , the Princess Sad
In her grief , she went all Mad

Heart was broken and the Mind
Death a solace , far Behind
But at last she passed Away
To the lands beyond , to Stay

Mourning hard the people Cried
Hope and beauty had now Died
Then one evening up they Stared
Wonder great , the night-sky Fared

In the sky a star was Born
Brilliant it shone , Forlorn
And the people felt in Heart
She was back , a brand new Start

Tears from heaven , from the Queen
Of the sky , of beauty Seen
She would watch the land till End
Came to all that was , my Friend

But alone she was in Truth
Missed her loved one , and her Youth
Where was Prince and all Delight
Then she saw him , moon in Night

And the moon would glow with Life
Her great Prince with his dear Wife
Both together , far Above
Star and Moon , forever Love

►▲◄

 

Great cheers of approval followed the gleeman's performance - and Elessar joined in the deserved applause.

As the gleeman picked up his flute once again and started on a new melody, the Warder looked at his Bondholder, a grin on his face. "I love that poem". He said, with undisguised enthusiasm, to Kathleen. "I have seen it performed several times through the years, and I find it just as great every time."

Taking a sip from his ale, casting a glance at the performer in question, he added. "What did you think of the gleeman, Kathleen Aes Sedai? Does he have the making of a future Court Bard?"

His use of her title - out of respect - was formal, as often was his way, but his eyes had lit up with the gleeman's performance(s) and it was easy to read in them his passion for poetry and stories.

In the back of his mind, the distant echoes of the 'Star and Moon' reverberated.

 

▀▄

 

Edited January 12, 2018 by Elessar

[Kathleen]

It seemed the inn was as pleased to see Kathleen as she was to see it. The clouds parted and the sun shone down on the brilliant sight before her. A real bed. It had only been one night without it, but she had spent so long in the White Tower before this journey that even one night of camping had her out of her comfort zone. It would cross her mind later that she had become spoiled and she would have a moment of being disgusted with herself, but at the moment the sun shone down on the run down Forester Court Inn like a beacon on the haven of protection from the elements Kathleen had no such thoughts holding back her pleasure at being moments away from the comfort of a warm bath and a bug-less bed. 

 

It wasn't long before they were in their side by side rooms. It was odd to be staying in a room alone; she couldn't remember the last time it had been, but it seemed like the right way to go. She needed her time to think, to wallow, to unwind at the end of the day. He may be her warder, but she felt she wasn't truly ready to let down her guard as completely as would be needed for her refresh her mind as she wished to this night. That didn't mean she didn't want to be in his presence for any part of it though. She was rather looking forward to meeting up with him after the bath freshened her up. 

 

With her mind relaxed and her muscles eased from the hot soak, Kathleen made her way through narrow halls to the crowded common room. She longed for ale, but too many of the people gathered were looking at her with the mix of fear and respect that meant she had play to their perceptions. She ordered a respectable drink with her meal, and though the quality wasn't that of the White Tower kitchen it was hot and seasoned well. 

 

Her eyes found Elessar's as often as they could as they enjoyed their meal. She would strengthen their bond at every chance, if she had to force it now she knew that wouldn't last forever. It would come naturally soon enough. Besides, she truly did enjoy his company. It may have been the relaxing bath after the long hours of hard riding, it may have been the smiles she had glimpsed on the face of her new warder, or it may have been the spirit of the crowd as the gleeman got them riled up that had Kathleen edging closer and closer to being swept up. Whatever it was she was prepared to go along for the ride, as the rest of the patrons were. 

 

Story after story, and song after song, the night drew on and though the bed was calling Kathleen had no intentions or desires to succumb to its calls. She was enjoying the show, the atmosphere, and watching the reaction of her warder change from the distant glazed eyes or reminicence she often saw in them to the sparkling pleasure she saw in him as the gleeman spun his tales and sung his songs. As the whole room gazed at the enchanting man on the stage before them Kathleen found it hard to take her eyes off the man she traveled with. She had seen more gleemen than she could ever hope to catch, she had not yet seen this man caught up in someone else's grand storytelling. If he was half as intensely absorbed by other people's storytelling as he was by his own it would be well worth watching him enjoy this. 

 

And enjoy it he did. As the gleeman began Star and Moon the green could see her warder being taken along the journey and pulled into the prose. It wasn't long before Kathleen herself was off on the journey to the celestial plains. Her mind pulled to Nevel, but she pushed those thoughts away. He will be back. And I will be fine without him while he's gone. Light, but I'm acting like a love-blinded child stilled in the path when the lights go out! 

 

The cheering crowed pulled her back to the present and she smiled across the table at Elessar when returned his gaze from the gleeman to her. 

 

"I love that poem". Elessar said, with undisguised enthusiasm. "I have seen it performed several times through the years, and I find it just as great every time. What did you think of the gleeman, Kathleen Aes Sedai?" he asked with a glance to the performer, " does he have the making of a future Court Bard?"

 

"A fine performance, of that piece and most of the rest tonight too. Though he seems to have too much a roving spirit to be held up playing over and over again for the same Court. Perhaps traveling from court to court would be more in his line of pleasure, though I doubt the Nobels would want to share as much as he might want them too. Imagine the coin he could make with that?" She took a sip of her own drink at that comment. "On second thought, though is quite good, if the courts were going to share a gleeman I'm not sure he'd win the spot over a small few of the performers I have seen over the years. He could give them a good run for their money though."

 

As they were speaking the men at the table beside them were grower louder and drunker. The were calling for more songs, though it seemed they could not agree on which to request first. The voices rose and as they did the chairs rocked back and forth, scraping ever closer to the table she and Elessar sat at. With the gleeman announcing taking a short break it seemed the drunken men had hit their limit. They rose from the table throwing chunks of bread at the stage in protest. The drunken man sitting closest to Kathleen, spat his mouthful of ale with dripped into his thick black beard. He had a bloated stomach which made him look shorter than he was, and it made his chair need to be pushed further out to let him rise as he yelled out a threat to the resting gleeman. The fat man's chair  tipped over as he rose and fell with intensity into Kathleen. As the impact hit her the green lurched forward from reflex spilling her drink on the table. 

 

~ Kathleen Sedai
Sister of the Green Ajah

[Elessar]

.. Drowning in Pools of Emerald ..

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Elessar was Drowning in Pools of Emerald..

..Leandreen's - oh so familiar - Emerald eyes, like Pools of power, intense and monumental in the distance, drew him in - and he was unable to stop the tugging flow, slowly carrying him toward.. the abyss.

There was no sound. Time stood still.

Feeling utterly helpless in the raging Winds sweeping his mind, the Warder closed his eyes, in pain and sadness, in grief and joy.

And readied himself for the inevitable - the welcome touch of death.
 

●

Death did not come.

But darkness enveloped him.

He felt as if he could not breathe.

Confusing images swept across his vision.

Slivers of light in the blackness.

Then those deep Emerald eyes returned in his mind.

Pools of Emerald.

They looked so sad.

They looked at him with great pity.

His heart tightened.

He was swept toward those burning green orbs.

Then..

A whisper.

A tiny whisper meant for him and him alone.

He knew the voice.

Elessar. You must forgive yourself.

 

●

He reached toward the voice, bared his soul, tears of pain and shame running unashamedly down his cheeks.

Leandreen. Forgive me.

Only silence met his words.

Endless silence.

Then..

He felt..

A soft caressing hand..

so soft..

--

My dear friend.

--

..brushed his wet cheeks for a split second of time.. and his heart stopped beating.

I know.

Then..

-like a dwindling echo-

.. it was gone.

 

●

His heart started beating again.

And all that remained..

.. were memories.

Oh Leandreen.

Memories of pain. Memories of grief. Memories of shame. But also memories of joy.

Memories of her.

Remember

..Flashes in his mind..

..Leandreen’s burning funeral pyre lit up the darkness. She seemed so regal laying there, her Emerald eyes closed and her fiery red hair embracing her so familiar face, ready for the final journey. Soon she was enveloped in flames, in a blaze of light that defied the night..

Through the dancing flames of the burning pyre he could, somehow, still see her face.
Its delicate features filled with Grace.

Then suddenly her Emerald eyes opened..
.. and stared straight back at him.

Accusingly.

 

●

With crashing abruptness Elessar was brought out of the dream wherein he had been.

That dream.

Again.

It was not the first time those painful, heart-wrenching memories had returned to haunt him.

He knew it would not be the last.

They were part of who he was.

They were his burden to bear.

Forgive me.

The Warder sat upraised in the bed, trembling slightly, his eyes wide, his mouth open, his hands holding hard onto the sides of the bed. The flashes, the deeply embedded memories, or dreams, in his mind lingered for a long while.. and then, finally, they were gone. For now. He stared wildly around in the darkness, tryng to get his bearings. Trying to remember where he was. As his pulse gradually slowed, memory came back to him.

He was in the 'Forester's Court' Inn in Ainsbury.
He was here with Kathleen, his new Bondholder.
They were travelling north.

Focus.

Shaking his head, he got up from the bed and walked across to the window to clear his mind. Outside, the darkness of the night blanketed the sky above this forested region north-west of Tar Valon. In the back of his mind he felt Kathleen resting next door and hoped he had not awakened her. Resting his hands on the window sill, Elessar breathed more slowly and gained a fair control of his emotions. The Pools of Emerald did not totally leave his mind for the rest of the night, however, remnants staying as an echo that lingered in his head until the first touches of dawn.

 

●

Had he not been so caught up in the wonderment of the gleeman's stories and tales, Elessar would have better noticed the way his Bondholder's eyes often during the evening were fastened on him rather than on the entertainer before them. Their eyes met when they talked and sometimes during the performances, sharing the moment, making him feel a little closer to her and a little less like a stranger, but for the most part the 'Warrior-Poet' from Kandor was focused on the gleeman's show and the magic that he wove with his words and music.

To his question, whether the gleeman had the making of a Court Bard, she replied that it was a fine performance, but that she thought he seemed to have too much a roving spirit to be held up playing over and over again for the same Court.

She explained further, ending with the words: "On second thought, though he is quite good, if the Courts were going to share a gleeman I'm not sure he'd win the spot over a small few of the performers I have seen over the years. He could give them a good run for their money though."

As they were speaking, the men at the table beside them were growing louder and drunker. They were calling for more songs, though it seemed they could not agree on which to request first. The voices rose and as they did the chairs rocked back and forth, scraping ever closer to the table she and Elessar sat at. With the gleeman announcing taking a short break it seemed the drunken men had hit their limit. They rose from the table, throwing chunks of bread at the stage in protest.

Elessar sensed that trouble was brewing. He had experienced this before. His eyes swept across the room, considering the situation. A couple of broad-shouldered, hard-eyed men by the entrance door, employed bouncers by the look of them, walked up to two local men - obviously drunk and not caring - who had started pushing each other and throwing obscenities, and lead them firmly outside by the scruff of their necks.

The Warder's attention was momentarily diverted - and so he was a tad slow to react when things happened all at once.

The drunken man sitting closest to Kathleen, spat his mouthful of ale which dripped into his thick black beard. He had a bloated stomach which made him look shorter than he was, and it made his chair need to be pushed further out to let him rise as he yelled out a threat to the resting gleeman. The fat man's chair tipped over as he rose and fell with intensity into Kathleen. As the impact hit her the Green lurched forward from reflex, spilling her drink on the table.

At the same time, one of the other 'guests' threw a glass of ale at the wall in disgust, earning him curses and foul words from the fast approaching Innkeeper. Another drunkard, a Southerner by the looks of him, an older man with grey hair, a matching beard and a sour look on his face drew a small knife from one of his boots and without any more ado threw it across the room. It whistled through the air, narrowly missing one of the bar-maids - a tall, voluptuous beauty with a dark complexion and long brown hair - and also one of the local men - a stout male of middle years with short blond hair and piercing eyes - producing startled cries and venomous curses - before embedding itself solidly in the wood on the side of the stage. The gleeman had disappeared and was nowhere to be seen, which was probably just as well with the increasing pandemonium.

At a corner-table, an ancient-looking old fellow in what almost looked like rags raised his drunkenly sleepy head from the table before him - a table with several empty ale-glasses - and gazed with almost mad glee at the chaos around him. Then he suddenly straightened, screaming "I am coming, Captain! We'll rout these outlaws!", but as he got to his feet and took a fumbling step toward the action he stumbled and went head first onto the neighbouring table, spilling food and drink on the startled couple seated there. His last coherent thought before darkness took him was one of scorn, that the foul, despicable outlaws had tricked him.

Light! Thought Elessar, taking in the tumult. This might get ugly.

As the chair tipped over, crashing into Kathleen, he saw from the corner of his eye that she lurched forward from reflex, spilling her drink on the table. Though taken slightly unawares, his quick Warder-reflexes made him act. He caught his Sedai, briskly pushed the chair and the fat man out of the way, gave another approaching man a hard unflinching stare which made the man reconsider, and swept her out of harm's way. She was far from helpless, taking stock of the situation, but followed his lead.

The brawl escalated below in the Common Room - another chair crashed to the floor, followed by the shattering of several glasses and the sound of more curses and screams; one of the bouncers was in a fistfight with one of the unruly troublemakers while the other dragged a half-unconcious drunkard out onto the street - as they headed up to the floor above and to their chambers. She appeared to him composed, in typical Aes Sedai-fashion, considering the chaotic situation downstairs, and it was hard to read her through the Bond. The Aes Sedai-calm had always impressed him. Elessar's gaze was focused on the stairs, in case any of the drunkards decided to come upstairs to cause more trouble, but none seemed eager to do so. Which was just as well, since the Warder had little patience for it, to tell the truth. He had seen some bar-brawls on his travels though the years, but this was certainly one of the 'liveliest' he had been in. He was not best pleased that the drunk men had spoiled an otherwise enjoyable evening. Still, these things happened - and he was certain that by morning - or early afternoon at the latest - the Innkeeper would have cleaned up the place and would have barred the drunkards from returning to his establishment - for a while. Until he needed their coins again, of course. Only until then. Business always came first.

"Well, I hope you enjoyed this quiet evening as much as I did, Kathleen Aes Sedai". Elessar said with poignant understatement, bringing a touch of humour to a chaotic situation, trying to lighten the mood. "Let us hope tomorrow becomes more eventful." The small grin on his lips seemed to him mirrored on hers, but it was hard to tell in the half-light. He then bid his Bondholder a good night - something she returned - and closed the door behind her before entering his own room. He seated himself in a chair in the corner and picked up a book to read. Distant sounds from downstairs gradually became less insistent - and finally things quieted down. Elessar kept on reading for a while, however - it was an exciting adventure story of old, featuring a fiery-haired heroine with a strong determination and a heart of gold - before going to bed.

 

●

It was some time later, when evening had flowed into darkest night, that Elessar Telcontar, Bonded Warder of Kandor, found himself Drowning in Pools of Emerald..

 

▀▄

 

Edited January 12, 2018 by Elessar

[Kathleen]

Kathleen's eyes shot wide open while she gasped coarsely inward. She lay perfectly still--silent--tangled in the sheets of the Forester's Court Inn's bed. Pulsing through her veins was the instinct to grab hold of the one power. Instead of obliging her instinct she gently exhaled and relaxed her readied muscles. She was travelling and her body knew it. It was a shocking way to wake, but it was all to common when she traveled. If she wasn't wakened by the sounds of nature or some sudden movement, this is how she always seemed to wake when she wasn't in the White Tower. It was as though her body was afraid it had missed the warnings of imminent doom, so it woke itself in a panic expecting the worst. It wasn't a pleasant way to wake, but it did shake the drowsiness out of being in a hurry. She could be out of bed, bright eyed and bushy tailed, in a matter of moments on these days. 

 

She rolled onto her side and tugged the corner of the bed-sheet out from under her so she could evacuate the borrowed bed. She peeled the nightdress off and folded it before she reached for her bag to gather her day clothes. Taking a comfortable, if somewhat plain, dress from the bag she made her way to the small washing room where she heated the water with weaves of fire and air before quickly cleaning up for the day and dressing. She looked herself over in the mirror and smoothed out the wrinkles which formed from the way the simple riding dress was packed.  She had packed only a few outfits as she always did. One of the perks of having access to Saidar was the ability to keep your clothes fresh even if you spent many days away from any modern comforts.

 

She had never really been one to collect clothes and any part of her that did find some interest in fashion all but died in her decades of the same drab dresses day after day in the White Tower. That wasn't to say she had no interest in fashion; one her first stops out of the White Tower was at a dress shop in Tar Valon to have a wardrob made. It had seemed a wonderful way to celebrate as she made her way to the city, but it proved an overwhelming experience upon entering the tailoring shop. She had no taste for matching colours and no idea on which styles would suit her. It had taken a lot of work that day not to through a fit in frustration right there wrapped up in the rolls of fabric and pins. Since that day she had only had dresses made for her when the occasion demanded it and left no other option. She would much sooner find a dress ready made that she could pull off a hook and leave with. In the store less than ten minutes and out again. That was her idea of shopping. 

 

She tidied the washing room before she left it, double checking to be sure she had not left her brushes behind. Entering the main room she found her way to the bed and stripped the sheets, leaving them folded on the edge of the bed. When the room was cleared of her belongings and her bag packed ready to go Kathleen decided to make her way to the common room for breakfast. She left the room and looked to the door she knew Elessar was behind. She hesitated in the hall unsure if she should knock and invite him down to breakfast with her or leave him to prepare and come on his own when he was ready. She reluctantly decided on the later, erring away from giving the impression that she expected him to come at her heel when she wanted to move. Still, she had enjoyed his company the night before and she found herself looking forward to having his company again. He would come eventually and she would not rush him along.

 

She carried her bag to the front desk and waited for the attendant to come. It wasn't a long wait, not after he realized it was the Aes Sedai waiting anyhow. Kathleen thanked him for the room and the good food the night before as she reached for the coin to pay for both her room and her warder's. The man's cheeks showed a rosey glaze as his eyes darted away from her at that. "I'm sorry for the outburst last night, Ms. Aes Sedai. We don't usually have episodes like that, I assure you. Those boys won't be anymore trouble for a long while to be sure. If you'll come back by on your next time through you'll see we're a much respectable establishment, I assure you Ms.  Aes Sedai." He took her coin and eyed her bag, "would you be wanting some help with your bag? Or perhaps a hot breakfast before you head on on your way, if you're in no rush? Though, I suppose you'd be in a rush though wouldn't you..you lot don't travel slow for leisure." he mumbled the last few questions nervously to himself as he rosy tint in his cheeks grew. 

 

"I would indeed enjoy a hot meal here before I go. I'm not in so much of a rush that I need travel on an empty stomach, and I'll need all the energy I can have when I get where I'm going at that," Kathleen offered, hoping it would be enough to ease the poor boys stress and still hold his high opinion of the importance of the business a traveling Aes Sedai must have. Light, but politics seemed to follow everywhere--even to breakfast! 

 

As she entered the common room she was surprised to see she wasn't there alone. It was far from filled as it was the night before, but there two other tables filled with quiet groups eating. Kathleen took a seat in the corner by the window so she could see all that was going on in the common room and in the street outside. The sun was slowly rising the street seemed to be glowing. The waitress wasted no time coming to her table and Kathleen heard the morning menu. She ordered a cup of tea and sent the girl to bring a plate of what the woman called breakfast pie. It had been described as a mix of eggs, local vegetables, and fresh diced meat in a pastry crust. 

 

When the woman left with the order Kathleen sat back in her chair looking the common room over. They had cleaned it up well from what she was sure was a large mess late into the night. Kathleen thought back on the night before, almost able to put herself back there now that she was in the room again. It had been a long time since she had a night out like it, and it had been quite enjoyable until the brute of a drunkard had bumped her. She had ended up being quite pleased that it had happened though. It was a wonderful test to see how her new warder would react in sudden danger. Not that she had felt she was in danger by any measure. Rather it seemed quite a wonderful controlled test. She could handle herself in a bar brawl, or at least she believed she could. But to know how Elessar would handle things was something she did need to know. Was he the type to step in and join the fight in an attempt to end it? Would he boast of his training and threaten the men down from their rage? Would he run Kathleen to safety like a kitten and run back to take the fight himself?

 

She was impressed overall with the actions he had taken the night before. He took the situation in and saw it was not a fight they needed to have. He elegantly lead her from the room, refraining from having it look like he was tucking her under his arm as he would a defenseless creature, and he kept calm through the whole thing. It was a good showing, and she followed his lead as he wove her through the increasingly raging crowed until they made they their way to the safety of the hall and up the stairs to their rooms. She apologized for the sudden end to the night and assured her new warder that she had enjoyed it right up until the spilled drink. She offered to clean any stains he found in his clothes, should her drink have made it from the table to his lap. It may have been an abrupt ending to the night, but there would be many more nights to make up for it. 

 

Kathleen snapped back to the present as the waitress returned with her tea. She thanked the woman for its delivery and let it sit on the table to cool as the serving girl left her once again.

 

~ Kathleen Vandiar

Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah

[Elessar]

.. Telling the Story of Days Gone By ..

►▼◄

After the intense, palpable memories and dreams of the night before, Elessar needed to clear his head. The best way to do so was to do a hard workout, to go through the sword forms. No matter how experienced, a Warder needed to hone his skills with the sword. This training session would serve several purposes.

Shortly after dawn he therefore got up and bringing his sword he left his room, went down the stairs - noticing that, as he had presumed, the Innkeeper had cleaned up most if not all of the Common Room already - and headed outside to the back of the Inn. By the stables there was a small empty area where he could practice in peace. Removing his shirt, he unsheathed his blade. He reached for the Flame and the Void deep inside him and felt calm detachment enclose him.

Focus.

Unfolding the Fan, the opening move, which flowed into Low Wind Rising, a diagonal slash which began low and rose cleanly, followed by The Boar Rushes Down the Mountain, a vertical slash starting high and which in this case altered course in midswing, paired with Tower of Morning, a vertical slash but this time beginning low and ending high.

In the Void he felt complete calmness - the distress from those painful memories and dreams momentarily a distant thing of the past - and truly felt one with his sword, a participant in a never-ending dance of motion. Pearls of sweat soon beaded on his bare chest, arms and forehead and his pulse quickened as he moved efficiently and with exertion through the many forms, his focus all on his imagined opponent before him.

The Falling Leaf, starting high, the blade sweeping back and forth before reaching its lowest point, and then straight into The River Undercuts the Bank, a horizontal slash, used to disembowel or behead an opponent. Then Elessar flowed smoothly from The Falcon Stoops to The Creeper Embraces The Oak and into The Moon Rises Over The Lakes, an effective - and potentially deadly - combination.

The Gaidin kept it going for a long while, combining sword forms in traditional - and also some more untraditional - ways, before ending the workout.
 

●

Afterwards, Elessar returned to his room, washed and put on some clean travelling clothes. As he had hoped, his head had cleared somewhat and those Pools of Emerald were distant in his thoughts, something he could ignore for the present. He would deal with them later. Through the Bond he felt Kathleen out in the hallway, he could have pointed to her blind, and he smiled inwardly. He would see her soon, but had one other thing to do first. On his way downstairs again some minutes later he went by the kitchen, got a couple of apples from the cook, and headed out to their horses to give them this little treat. Stormbreaker, his faithful black stallion, whinnied when he saw him and he gave him the apple as he patted him caringly on the nose. He repeated it with Kathleen’s mount who also much appreciated the morning treat.

Rest now while you can, my friends. Elessar thought. Soon we ride north and you will be wary by the time we stop for the night.

Returning inside, the Warder headed for the Common Room where he joined up with his Bondholder for breakfast. She was seated at a table in the corner by the window and returned his smile when he sat down opposite her. A cup of tea was before her, with some steam rising from it, and Elessar asked the passing serving girl to bring him some water.

"Good morning", he said to Kathleen with a small smile. "I hope you had a good night’s sleep after last night’s .. entertainment." They chatted a little about the erratic events of the evening before as they waited for the serving girl to return.

Soon she was back with the water he had ordered and Kathleen’s breakfast, a plate of breakfast pie which looked a mix of eggs, local vegetables, and fresh diced meat in a pastry crust. He ordered the same - and a short while after they were enjoying a decent breakfast together. Elessar told her of his morning workout, but did not mention his intense dreams - if dreams they were - of the night before. That was too personal. Afterwards they discussed their travelling plans for the day - and half an hour or so later, after the Warder had fetched his travelling bags and seen to their horses, the Aes Sedai and her Gaidin rode slowly out of the rugged forest-town of Ainsbury, in a soft breeze under a sunny ocean-blue sky.

 

●

Much later that day, in early evening, they stopped and made a small camp a little off from the road by some tall trees and bushes. The weather had turned for the worse and clouds now blanketed the sky, though no rain had come yet. The wind had also gained in force and sent swirls of dust around them and made their cloaks flap as they headed for the somewhat secluded area. Once there, Elessar tethered the horses, gave them another apple each, which he had brought from the Inn, and then made a quick scouting of the area - he did it almost without thinking - before returning to where Kathleen sat in the middle of the small camp beside a small fire. He seated himself opposite her, handed her a strip of cold mutton and some water, before taking some himself.

They sat in silence for a while, eating and drinking a little, but mainly resting, as dusk settled around them, before Elessar spoke. Putting his water-flask to the side, he said: “We have come a fair distance today.” He added. “The weather seems to be changing though.” He stared upward through the canopy of trees surrounding them. “I think it’s a good idea that we decided to rest here until tomorrow.”

He chewed noncommittally on the piece of mutton in his hand, his eyes looking toward the horses and beyond as his mind was deep in thought. Echoes of those dreams had returned in his head, but he ignored them, forcing them to silence. Trying to put his mind on other things, his thoughts refocused on their journey north. Their path went almost straight northwards and a little to the west, which meant that their present course would bring them to Kandor. He had not been told their precise destination yet, for now all he needed was their general direction, but Kandor meant ‘home’.

Or my former home.

Sometimes Elessar var not sure whether he truly believed his inner voice which said that he had discarded his homeland for Tar Valon once he had chosen the path of the Warder. In some ways it felt like it, in other ways it did not.

Tar Valon and Kandor are both my homeland. He thought pensively. Just in different ways.

Thoughts of Kandor - of home - made him recollect that he had spoken very little to Kathleen about his past. He needed to open up a little, he owed it to her to show trust. He knew from his previous Bonds how important it was that a Warder and Sedai trusted each other, only then could they function as an efficient team. Trust came from familiarity and some personal knowledge. Trust came from openness and honesty.

It might as well be now. .

Meeting his Bondholder’s eyes, across the flames from the fire, he said: “Our path leads to Kandor, my homeland. I guess I never told you how it was that I ended up choosing the path of the Warder.”

He went on to tell her his story, a story that began when he was a little boy.

 

●

“I was the second son of a minor Kandoran House”. He began. He was brought up by a harsh and unloving father and a kind but repressed mother-figure. His father, a proud man of dark skin with angry dark eyes and a hard face, insisted he become a soldier and from an early age started weapon’s training, and physical training, with him, pushing him hard and unrelentingly.

“He pushed me too hard”, the Warder said thinking back. “But that was his way. I hated him for it in the beginning.” His voice had taken on a slightly bitter edge, but it lightened as he continued. “I endured, and strange as it may sound, as time went by I came to enjoy the physical exertions and the swordplay.” His eyes took on a pensive look. “I guess I enjoyed finally excelling at something.”

The Sword became my Beacon of Light.

As he grew - he explained - he developed a strong muscular build and good fitness and in the many staged spar-fights he most often won against the other boys on the manor (boys of servants mostly). His elder brother Valdherien was more politically-minded, the heir to the estate and title, and did not care much for the weapon’s training, while Elessar’s younger brother Vehran usually watched in awe while his older brother fought.

“I was Vehran’s hero, I was.” He said with fondness, mingled with sadness.

Oh Vehran. You did not deserve your fate.

Taking a long sip of water from his flask, his dark eyes pained, he then put it aside and continued his story.

Speaking on, he explained that he had not taken much interest in politics himself, like Valdherien, but had enjoyed reading and - at times - writing poetry, something his father had deplored (a waste he had said) but his mother had approved of.

Passion came into his voice when he spoke of his love for poetry and stories. It was a passion that had stayed with him.

That passion will always be a part of me.

“Then, when I neared the age of 17”, he said, “I decided I would go to the White Tower in Tar Valon and join the Warders. I wanted to excel at swordplay, and who better to be my teachers than the fabled Gaidin?” There was a touch of amusement in his voice at that, but also warmth at the dreams - and wonder - of a Borderlander boy.

His father, he explained, had, unsurprisingly, been proud of him while his mother, though understanding - as did all Borderlanders - his eagerness to stand against the minions of the Shadow - had looked at him with pride and kindness but had expressed some worry for the harshness she had seen in her son. She knew he was kind at heart and very loyal, he had always been that, but he often pushed himself too hard and excelling had almost became an obsession with him, an obsession she was afraid would destroy him one day.

A deep sadness entered his voice. “A short time before I left Tar Valon my mother.. died of a fatal illness.” Painful thoughts. More haunted memories. “She had been sick for a while.. but I somehow believed she would pull through.” A touch of bitterness returned in his tone, bitterness and something else. “Alas, it was not to be.”

He did not add that his mother’s death had created a coldness inside him and a fury that he had not been able to save her, but perhaps his pained, stricken gaze conveyed the feeling.

Mother, Forgive me. That I could not save you.

 

▀▄

 

Edited January 12, 2018 by Elessar

[Kathleen]

Kathleen rested on a fallen log set beside the small fire in the makeshift camp. They had an early start and rode far, if not hard. She watched the flame rise and crack as the smoke pulled away from her, drifting up to the cloud covered sky. She tried not to think about the rain she was almost certain was coming. She did think for a moment on Janine, a Green sister who Kathleen believed had an aptitude with controlling weather. Selfishly, she wished the other woman was nearby and willing to starve off the oncoming unpleasant weather, though she knew full well the implications of playing with such things and it wouldn't be worth avoid a rain fall to cause more major storms elsewhere. 

 

When Elessar returned with mutton Kathleen happily accepted it, and wove the Green's secret weave to boil it. She laughed to herself at the joke she made of it to herself. This was how she had first learned that weave in her days as a Green Initiate. She was on the road and getting her training when they stopped for camp and they always used what they had on hand. It was good to keep practiced on the weaves, but it was a small hint of humor and reminiscence. She offered to heat her warder's meal when hers was sufficiently heated through. She enjoyed the meal together, though she soon found herself lost in the comfort of sitting and eating in silence. Elessar didn't seem in any rush to break that silence, and Kathleen was quite content to rest in this fashion evening progressed.

 

As dusk came, Elessar broke the silence. Kathleen almost jumped as the sound of his voice cut through her idle thoughts, “Our path leads to Kandor, my homeland. I guess I never told you how it was that I ended up choosing the path of the Warder.”

 

He opened up to her and Kathleen paid close attention as he shared his past. She could feel his pain and sorrow, if not through the bond, she could feel it from his eyes and the way his voice changed as he recalled the events he shared. When he spoke of the hardened mannerisms of his father Katheen could not help but think on her own father, who had a temper of his own and a strong passionate will which often came at odds with her. As Elessar danced around the loss of his mother Kathleen felt as though she were looking in a mirror. She had been her mother's care giver when she fell ill. She had been there with her mother as she took her final breaths. 

 

It had been long years since Kathleen had thought on her parents, longer years since she had lost the last of her loved ones to age, and years longer still since she had last laid eyes on anyone she could call a relative. It pained her to think of it. 

 

Kathleen shared her compassion and offered her comfort and her ear, late into the night. She thanked her warder for sharing his story and assured him that if he wished to stop in his old stomping ground she would be honoured to accompany him there.

 

She wanted to share her past with him. She wanted to be as open with him as he had been with her, but it was too painful, and she did not want to chance her tale seeming like an attempt to one up him. She knew it would all come out--even if it was now only to make herself face her own past. She was a run away. She was a disobedient child. She had given up everything that was important to her just as she was needed most, all to chase what she didn't even believe was real. She would need to face it, though the ones she ran from were all long gone. 

 

~ Kathleen Vandiar

Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah

[Elessar]

.. “Flames of Saidar burned her Soul” ..

►▼◄

They broke camp in early morning the following day.

Slivers of sunlight shone down on them through small gaps inbetween the clusters of heavy tree-branches above as they made their way toward the wide path leading north. Another soft breeze made their travelling cloaks flap behind them as they rode, and seemed to awaken the forestland they were entering.

Elessar’s gaze swept across the terrain they were riding through, in the subtle but very effective way of experienced Warders, but his mind was partially on the evening before and on his shared words of the past with Kathleen. He had wanted to share, but had not, in truth, intended to share quite as much - it was very personal to him after all - but once he had started his story it had felt right somehow, and though he would not have admitted it aloud, a part of him was relieved to have opened up, as it were, to have given voice to some of his enduring inner pain.

Kathleen had shared her compassion and had offered her comfort and her ear, late into the night, something he had appreciated. She had thanked her Warder for sharing his story and had assured him that if he wished to stop in his old stomping ground she would be honoured to accompany him there.

He had not been at his old home in Kandor for a long time. His travels with Carys, and before that with Carrain, had not taken him there and, perhaps subconciously, he had deliberately avoided the place. It was a place that had given him joy. But also pain. He appreciated Kathleen’s offer to stop there on their journey into the Borderlands, but his initial thought had been to decline. Now though, as he thought the matter over, sitting astride Stormbreaker as they made their way northwards, he began to reconsider. Perhaps it was time for him to visit his homeplace.

And to face my past.

He mulled it over in his head as morning approached midday, the sun peeking out from behind a cluster of clouds high above, and they had a short stop to rest their horses and to stretch their legs. Coming to a decision, he spoke with his Bondholder as they cared for their faithful mounts and accepted her offer. They would alter their northern path slightly westwards and head for Kandor and the estate where he had grown up. It was still a fairly long distance away, though, so they decided to ride until early evening and then set up another makeshift camp in the woods. Inns were few and far between in this part of the forested region and they would not be able to reach another one for several days.
 

●

Brushing down the horses, Elessar patted them caringly on their necks, giving them each a carrot - which they had brought from the Inn in Ainsbury - to enjoy. Satisfied that all was well with their mounts, he then made his customary quick scouting of the area. It was not that he really expected any danger, but it was an almost automatic routine a Warder developed when out in the wilds, one that could - and would - come to very good use if danger approached. It was better to be safe than sorry - and Kathleen was under his protection as her Warder. Bandits were known to inhabit some of these forested regions between Tar Valon and the Borderlands, and one could never discard the various minions of the Shadow. Elessar knew that from experience.

When he returned to the campsite, where Kathleen sat before a small fire, he gave her an almost imperceptible nod, indicating that he had seen nothing untoward. A short time later they were sharing some food and drink, as dusk was approaching anew. The Warder stared into the dancing flames as he chewed on another slice of mutton. They ate in silence, companions on the road.

They had made camp underneath a canopy of tall trees some way from the road, sheltered somewhat from the wind and weather. The rain that had come in the afternoon had passed, thankfully, and they hoped it would be a dry night. Staring into the trees, Elessar heard the noises of small animals moving about in the darkness. The enduring breeze also made the leaves rustle on the nearby trees and created a whistling sound in the night. The Warder and Sedai appeared caught up in their own thoughts - and the silence lengthened.

His gaze fell, across the flames, on Kathleen’s calm and collected Aes Sedai face - and he wondered for a moment who this woman really was. He did not know her well, after all. She had not shared her own past with him the evening before, something he respected and was fine with. She would speak when she was ready.

 

●

 

We all have our secrets. Our past. He thought pensively. Perhaps also our inner demons. Things are never easy.

Still, he wondered: What is your story? Who are you, Bondholder of mine?

Someone had once, many years before, told him that ‘it was men’s lot in life never to understand women’. He had laughed at the remark at the time but as he had grown older he had understood that it was far from untrue. Women were different than men and often hard to understand - and Aes Sedai no less so. Perhaps even more so. Though he had come to understand his Sedais in some ways, and had had very good working relationships with them over the years, he did not really think he had truly understood any of them. Women were a mystery. When he had mentioned to Leandreen, what mysterious creatures women were, she had looked at him long and hard, and then had erupted in laughter as if it were the funniest thing she had ever heard. It had only confirmed his suspicions.

Thinking about Aes Sedai, about the great mystery that encloaked these Women of the White Tower, made him recollect stories about the Servants of All.

He felt it was time to break the prolonged silence.

Meeting her eyes, he said. “I was thinking about Aes Sedai, and the mystery that surrounds them.“ He poked at the fire with a small stick, turning a couple of small logs. “Surrounds you.“ He added with a small smile. “I recall, when I was a boy growing up in Kandor, that I thought of Aes Sedai primarily as great heroines of the Light battling the hated Shadow at the side of their fearsome Warders.“ He grinned, thinking fondly - but as always with some amusement - back on the grandiose, glory-focused thoughts of a boy. “I have since learned, that the life of an Aes Sedai is much more than that.“ He said thoughtfully. “And often, much less eventful.“ His thought went for a moment to his former Bondholder, Carys of the Yellow Ajah, and her life in the Infirmary. He poked at the fire again. “Still“, he added, “there are some Aes Sedai in history that are worthy of the great stories that have been made of them.“

“One of my favourite Aes Sedai stories“, he went on, “is the story of Eldrene - Ellisande -, the last Aes Sedai Queen of Manetheren.” He met her eyes again. “Not all historians consider it authentic material, from what I gather, but whether fact or myth, or a mix of the two, it is a great story. I like to believe it is based on truth.”

“You may have heard of it.“ He said. “The poem is called “Rose of the Sun: The Fall of Manetheren.””

Though its author was unknown, it was an old heroic - and tragic - story about the ancient nation of Manetheren (a founding member country of The Compact of the Ten Nations, a mutual defense pact organization for protection against the Shadow, which came into being approximately 200 years after the Breaking of the World) in what was now a region of Western Andor, and its legendary, beloved last Aes Sedai Queen Eldrene ay Ellan ay Carlan (the “Rose of the Sun”). She was wife of her Warder-husband, King Aemon al Caar al Thorin, a Battle Queen of the Light who led her nation in their final valiant fight against the Shadow.

In the gathering darkness, Elessar made ready to share this story of courage, bravery and tragedy. Shifting his gaze to the dancing flames before them, he began in a soft voice. It gathered strength as he spoke.

“Carai an Ellisande!”

..Whispers carried on the Winds of Time..

Soon he was lost in the dramatic, powerful - and above all tragic - story of brave Manetheren and its fall..

 

●

 

►▼◄

Rose of the Sun: The Fall of Manetheren

“Carai an Ellisande!” For the honour of the Rose of the Sun!
The Shield against the darkness, the Hammer weight to Stun.
The Sword that could not be broken. Was shattered in the End.
As valiant Manetheren, no longer could Defend.

Brave fighters of the land. Fought with pride and with Heart.
Under Red Eagle banner, they resisted Shadow’s Start.
Until Mountain Home was taken. Noone came to their Aid.
Weep for Manetheren!, all their allies were Afraid.

King Aemon and his men ran to aid from Field of Blood.
Countless miles they covered, daring river huge and Flood.
Slaughtered beasts of Shadow. Crying battle cries of Might.
“Carai an Ellisande!” echoed everywhere in Sight.

Brave warriors, brave King! They fell to Darkness’ Yoke.
When Aemon husband died, Queen Eldrene’s heart Broke.
Woe to the Shadow! With anger, grief and Pain.
An Aes Sedai of might, she struck out like Insane.

She filled herself to bursting. The Power oh so Sweet!
The Sa’angreal beside her, glowed brightly with its Heat.
She was an awesome figure. Her arms she lifted High.
And then she threw her Balefire and Storms of Lightening Nigh!

A harbinger of death. She destroyed the Shadowspawn.
The messengers of Darkness disappeared from Battle’s Lawn.
But her body came on fire. Flames of Saidar burned her Soul.
In her agony she cried out, for Manetheren, her Goal!

The destruction levelled all. Old Manetheren was Dead.
The Rose of the Sun, she was gone, it was Said.
But she would live forever. In many people’s Hearts.
And Manetheren’s bravery, is eternal in its Parts.

Oh Ellisande! Greatest Queen, we won’t Forget!
Your fight against the Shadow and the death you Met.
Mourn for Manetheren! The bravest place of All.
Honour to the Mountain Home! Your enemies shall Fall.

►▲◄

 

●

As his voice lowered and the last verse of the poem drifted off into the surrounding dark night, Elessar remained, for a moment, adrift from the present, lost in Echoes of History.

In his mind’s eye the face of the Aes Sedai Battle Queen, however, was now Leandreen’s.

--
Flames of Saidar burned her Soul
--

Her hair was the colour of Flames.

--
In her agony she cried out..
--

So serene, embracing Death.

--
But she would live forever..
--

Her Emerald eyes glowed with an Eternal Fire.

--
..in many people’s Hearts.
--

Entwined - in a Blaze of Light.

 

▀▄

OOC: Another of my poems included (re-used) above. I wrote it some years ago, as a tribute, inspired by Moiraine’s awesome retelling of the Fall of Manetheren in “The Eye of the World”. Enjoy! :)

 

Edited January 12, 2018 by Elessar

[Kathleen]

Kathleen let the heat of the flames caress her face as she sat before the fire at the end of the long day's ride. The stops throughout the day were much appreciated but knowing she would not have to mount up again for hours was nice as well. Her horse needed a good rest, and she needed it more. Her mind had been reeling all day. She had tried to push the thoughts of her past out of her mind, but she soon found that was not going to work, so she had let them fill her for a long while as she traveled.

 

As the night drew on and the fire burned Elessar shared his thoughts. The question of Kathleen's past he had all but posed did not fade from her mind as he told the story of the Aes Sedai Queen of Mantheran. Her attention drifted in and out as he spoke, moving between memories, the idea of opening this wound up to him tonight, and then to guilt of letting her attention drift as he shared his tale.

 

"I had heard parts of that story as a girl. My mother told me of the Aes Sedai queen." She hesitated, partly the last stand to avoid the topic and partly to ready herself to truly open the wound. "My mother told me many stories in my youth, and stories was I knew of Aes Sedai. I dreamed of them as one dreams of sprouting wings and taking flight. A wonderful idea, but one that was only fantasy. My father....you know, to this day I don't know his reasoning...but he was so strongly against the White Tower and all it stood for that he would not allow talk of Aes Sedai or Warders. He called it non-sense, and my mother warned me against any provocation on the matter. All of Tar Valon was taught to me as a child's tale, and it wasn't until I was in my sixteenth year that I came to learn that such people in the tales my mother told were real."

 

She broke the eye contact she had been maintaining with her warder and looked into the flames of the campfire. "It wasn't until moments before her death that my mother told me that she had lied, and that the White Tower was real. I didn't know it at the time, but looking back she must have known all of my life that I would likely be a channeler. It would be the only explanation for her to disobey my father's wishes about keeping this subject quiet." Her eyes shot back up to her warder, "don't get me wrong, my father was not a controlling nor a violent man; he was quite mild tempered when it came to all other topics, but just the hint of Tar Valon, Aes Sedai, or Warders sneaking into conversation sent him into a rage as I have never seen. I often wondered why this was, and it is a regret I carry to this day that I never did find out."

 

She returned her gaze to the fire as she returned her mind to the past. "I had been caring for my mother in the last days of her life. She was confined to her bed, and delirious with fever. I almost didn't bother to listen when she finally told me the truth. I thought her words a fever dream. Until I looked in the box she seemed so adamant that I take." Her fingers found the great serpent ring  on her the middle finger of her right hand, "This was inside it. I didn't put it all together until I was deep in the woods, and I didn't truly believe it until I saw the White Tower on the horizon two years later." 

 

Kathleen paused, chocking back tears. Her voice had begun to quiver and she tried to pull herself together. It was hard. She felt all the emotions of those years flooding back into her as she spoke. Feelings she had never let herself process. Feelings she still wasn't willing to process. She controlled her voice and carried on, "she had told me that this ring she had had been my grandmothers. She had kept it hidden all these years. Her last wish for this ring to be returned to the White Tower and she sent me on the mission to return it. She knew it would mean leaving my father and brothers. She knew I would never get their blessing. I stayed with her until she took her last breath, and then I took the ring in its box and I ran. I don't know if she really wanted the ring returned, or if it was just that she wanted me to be tested, to be able to get the help I would need should I have the power of her mother. 

 

So many times in that two years I almost turned back. So many times I didn't believe there was really a Tar Valon to get to. Fear of what my father would do if I returned kept me moving on. Fear of letting my mother down by not completing her final wish, especially after giving up all else that I knew to try it, kept me moving on. Be the road to Tar Valon was not easy. I stayed in hiding, sure that my brothers would be looking for me. I had no money for inns, and I did many things I am not proud of to get to my destination.

 

When I finally got there I was frozen with awe at the crash of it all hitting me that these fanciful people really existed. And it wasn't until I was walking up to the Tower two years after I ran away that I realized I had no plan for what I would do next. I had spent two years with one thought--to bring this ring back. What I would do when I accomplished the task had never crossed my mind. Still, I was sure I could not go back home. I was tested, and Pia Sedai held my grandmother's ring in her trust. She returned the same ring to me upon my raising to Accepted."

 

Kathleen cut off, unable to continue the journey to her past, "Well, I think taking you from my hometown fantasies to walking through the shining walls for the first time, to being raised Accepted is quite enough for one night. We'll have many more nights to talk about the next meeting with family, the meetings with the White Cloaks that almost had me killed before I had a shawl on my shoulders, and the heartbreaks of learning what it truly is to be Aes Sedai."

 

Kathleen Vandiar

Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah

[Elessar]

.. “Fond Memories of a Charming Old Man from Caemlyn” ..

►▼◄

As they continued their northward journey, Elessar’s thoughts returned to the night by the campfire, some days before, when Kathleen had shared some of her inner pain.

Mirroring Kathleen’s response to his sharing, almost like a symbol of the strengthening of their Bond, Elessar had shared his compassion after hearing her painful memories and had offered his comfort and his ear.

Her story had left a strong impression on him and had brought to life that they both carried haunted memories deep inside and that they shared emotional scars. To him it had made their connection feel even stronger and despite their different backgrounds and different struggles in life it had made him think of them as kindred spirits.

Like with Leandreen. He now thought. They are the same. But also so different.

He cast a quick glance at his Bondholder who now was a few feet ahead of him to his right, her mount speeding up a little along the forest road, and smiled inwardly. He urged Stormbreaker on and the stallion surged slightly ahead of the Aes Sedai’s horse, before slowing a little and continuing the canter, side by side.
 

●

They spoke little as they rode, each caught up in one’s own thoughts and focused on the journey ahead, but when they stopped in early afternoon to rest their horses and to grab a little to eat and drink by the wayside, Elessar had an idea, to lighten the mood as it were. He would not be surprised if Kathleen’s thoughts had been somewhat somber of late, like his own, thinking back on the past, having shared painful memories. It made him think of Old Celter. That charming, funny old man in Caemlyn. A small smile escaped his lips. The perfect story to lighten the mood, a perfect way to brighten a somewhat gloomy day.

The Warder tethered the horses to a tree, some distance from the road, and they found a couple of old tree stumps to sit on. Handing his Aes Sedai a piece of cold meat, he took another piece for himself. Soon they were enjoying a makeshift lunch of mutton, bread and water. “You know”, he began, “I know the perfect story for this somewhat gloomy day.” He pointed upward past the surrounding treetops toward the dark and cloudy sky, blanketing the heavens that afternoon, but he was sure she got his inference to potential inner gloom as well. “I must tell you about Old Celter, a charming old man in Caemlyn - and an adept of Andoran history as it turns out - who Carys, my former Sedai, and I met on several occasions during our journeys south.” He added. “It’s been while, but I remember it as if it was yesterday.” It was evident from the persistent small smile on his lips that these were fond memories.

His strong memory for details, recaptured that first meeting in the Camelyn antiques-shop so well, that it almost felt as if they were there with him..

 

●

“We entered the antiques-shop”, Elessar began, “and it had the appearance of a place that had not seen many visitors. There was dust in the air and objects on tables all around, small plaques in front describing why they were important. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, the shopkeeper came upon us. He had been whistling a tune, unknown to me, and now he stared at us with wide eyes, holding tightly onto a plate of steaming food, his words drifting away like whispers..”

Elessar proceeded to tell the full story, each detail important to construct in entirety the ‘tapestry’ that completed the meeting..

..The shopkeeper was a very old man, wearing a woolen shirt which had once been colourful but where the colours had faded over time, and trousers which had not been in fashion for over a century. He had a prestigious girth, and a wrinkled old face, grey hair, crystal blue eyes with bushy eyebrows, big ears and a large nose. He wore ancient glasses and he looked positively shocked to see them there.

Elessar and Carys exchanged a quick look and the Warder tried for the second time that morning not entirely successfully to hide a grin. Light, the man looks like an ancient scholar! he thought with kind amusement. He must be as old as some of the books in here! Carys met the old man’s eyes and answered him that they were visiting the city and had seen his shop as they were walking by. “We’re students of history, my good man” Elessar added, his gaze eagerly taking in the room with all its objects of great age. “We’re interested in Andoran history and traditions”, the Aes Sedai said and smiled.

The old Andoran scrutinized them, noticing the woman’s fair skin and complexion, then nodded to himself, murmuring under his breath. “History and traditions you say?” he said and a wide grin came upon his lips. “Well then, come in, come in strangers”, he said as he started to walk back in the shop, bidding them to follow. “Old Celter will give you some of our history”. He chuckled a little, then added: ”Come now. Hardly anyone visits my shop nowadays anyway, so little chance we will be disturbed. Come follow me. Follow me to the back. Follow Old Celter.” They exchanged a quick glance, shrugged, and followed the old man to the back of the shop.

He placed the plate of steaming food on a shelf in the back room and it was soon forgotten as he motioned for the two of them to sit down in a pair of heavily decorated brown wooden chairs that looked as old as the Trolloc Wars. The ancient chairs creaked slightly as they seated themselves and Carys and Elessar exchanged a silent glance which read: please, let these antiques carry our weight! “Traditions... yes”, the old man mumbled to himself as he ran a finger down the side of his chair. “I don’t often get visitors”, he said and he pushed up his glasses that had fallen down on his nose. “History is all about us here”, he said, “but noone seems to care.”

He shrugged. There was regret in his voice, but then, as if a switch had been turned, his eyes lit up and he studied them closely again. “But you do, strangers”, he said and a playful grin came upon his lips. “So all hope is not lost.” He smiled in a strange way but Elessar was charmed by this old man, who, he somehow felt, was more than your everyday shopkeeper and antiques-dealer. What is your history, old man, I wonder? the Warder thought to himself. I bet you have seen many things in your long life.

“History and traditions, yes” the old Andoran mumbled and looked them each in the eye with a fixed stare. “Here is an old tradition for you”, he began. “Perhaps the oldest and most well known tradition in Andor: The Succession.” The Warder nodded, smiling inside since he had read about this Andoran tradition just that same morning. Carys also seemed interested and they sat back to listen, leaning backwards in their chairs ever so carefully so as to not put too much strain on them.

“The most widely known tradition of Andor”, the old man began, “is - as you have probably heard - that only a queen may sit upon the Lion Throne and wear the Rose Crown, never a king.” The old man paused for slight dramatic effect. “But you might not know that it was not so in the beginning”, he said. “Or rather, it was not meant to be so from the beginning. The tradition, in fact, arose when none of the royal sons survived the War of the Hundred Years.” He mumbled something under his breath about sons always going off to war only to get killed, what a waste.. but his words were not clear. Then, in a stronger voice, he continued. “The First Queen, revered Ishara, only had a daughter left alive after her sons died and so she became her heir. She in turn also was left with only a daughter many years later and so her throne was passed to another woman and queen. In time this became Andoran law and ever since only Queens have ruled Andor.”

 

●

Meeting Kathleen’s eyes, Elessar now paused for a moment in his story. “A fountain of knowledge, Old Celter was.” He said, a fond grin on his lips. “What he did not know about his homeland Andor was probably not worth knowing.” Reaching for his waterflask he drank a bit of water, his throath dry from all the speaking. Then, putting the flask aside, he continued the story.

 

●

“I listened, captivated.” Elessar began. “Always interested in history, it was special for me to hear about it in such an old and history-oriented establishment and especially from a very old man who seemed to have lived through some of that history himself..”

Recalling..

“..Now then”, the old Andoran continued, “as I am sure you know” - he said this last bit with a quick look at the Aes Sedai - “the eldest daughter is named Daughter-Heir and is by law sent to the White Tower to study, then ascends the throne upon her mother’s death or retirement.” Elessar nodded to himself, recalling the description in the book he had read. “Her eldest brother”, the old man went on, “who is styled First Prince of the Sword, is sworn to protect and defend his sister with his life. He is trained from childhood, and later in Tar Valon,” - he gave the Warder a quick look - “to command the Queen’s armies in times of war and to be her military advisor. If the Queen has no surviving brother, she appoints the First Prince.”

He mumbled to himself for a moment and reached out behind him, removing an ancient parchment from the shelf. “Now then”, he said, coughing slightly, “what happens when there is no surviving daughter? Ah well, that is when we often get.. the disturbances.. ah what you foreigners often call.. Andoran Wars of Succession.” He added the last part with slight disdain, refusing - as did all Andorans - to acknowledge that their system for selecting an heir could possibly lead to war.

He chuckled and a broad grin came upon his face. “Ah yes, the Great Houses - there are nineteen of them, you know - come into the playing field”, said the old man, his finger softly brushing the parchment that he held, “out they come to.. play.” His eyes seemed to go far away for a moment, as if in old rememberance. Then they fixed back on the two attentive listeners and his eyes widened, almost as if shocked that they were there with him. Soon though his face relaxed and he seemed to recall why they were there. He pushed his glasses back up from his nose and ran a hand through his hair. Then he spoke. “Where was I? Oh yes, the Succession.” He handed the parchment to Carys who opened it reverently - Elessar leaning over to have a look - and saw that it was a list of all the Great Noble Houses of Andor, resplendent with House-sigils and honours.

The old Andoran chuckled a little to himself again before he went on. “Yes, when there is no Daughter-Heir, the throne is given to the nearest female blood relative. But succession is based not only on close relation to the former Queen, you see, but also on the degree of blood in a line of female descent from Ishara, our first Queen. As you can surmise, this makes things very intricate.. and interesting.” He seemed to be enjoying himself now, like an old tutor lecturing in front of his favourite students. “Ah yes, matters of lineage have become quite complex, since all the Great Houses are related after years of intermarriage. There have been political reasons for this practice, of course, sons and daughters marrying for the benefit of the House.. Families craving power and influence.. always power and influence..”

Again he seemed to drift away, lost in thoughts.. but he caught himself and fixed his gaze on them once more. “And so the question of succession”, he said, “has led to intrigue, plotting and often bloodshed” - he sighed - “when the Houses do not agree.” Another chuckle escaped the old man’s lips and his right hand clenched. “Ah, they are like children.. who act before they think.. who want it all, never mind the consequences.. but so it has always been.. always..”

The old man shook his head resignedly and his eyes seemed to drift.. to go back.. into lost memories. He folded his hands and placed them on his lap, weariness embracing his features. As Carys and Elessar watched in rapt silence - and with fondness - , the old man’s eyelids gradually became heavier and heavier and finally his eyes closed, his head leaned back on the top rail of his chair to rest, and he drifted slowly, slowly into blissful sleep..

 

●

“Ah, Old Celter.” Elessar said with another fond grin on his lips. “We left him sleeping in that ancient chair of his, setting a note, which Carys wrote, on his chest before slipping silently out. That funny, slightly quirky but charming and very well versed old grandfatherly character became dear to me from that very first meeting.” He added. “We met him again a few times later, very enjoyable meetings all, but it is this first special meeting that always comes to my mind when thinking of him”.

“It always manages to bring a smile to my face.”

As if in divine answer, the first few slivers of sunshine that day streamed down from small cracks in the wall of clouds above, almost like a sign of nature’s agreement and appreciation of smiles, a good story and the need - and necessity - for some levity in life at times.

 

▀▄

 

Edited January 12, 2018 by Elessar

[Kathleen]

Kathleen was glad to be resting for the night once again, though she did enjoy riding. The wind through her hair, the beat of hooves thumping through her body as the mount moved gracefully below her, the feeling of the connection with the animal, the feeling of freedom as they run faster than she ever could move on her own, how could anyone not love to ride?

 

There was a lot of solitude in this ride, though. It seemed there was a cloud hanging over this bond for the whole journey. She knew there would be a lot to process internally for both of them, but she knew she did not want this division to last like this for long. The longer she let the silence linger the harder it would be to change the dynamic in their relationship. It wasn't all silence and dark clouds, of course; they had a history, brief as it may have been, of very pleasant conversation and budding friendship before the bond, and there had been conversations since the bond which indicated that under all of the awkwardness of the circumstances of the bonding that connection was still there. And with long days on mounts anyone would find little time to get out of their heads. In the evenings they had taken to spending meals together and sharing stories. Perhaps this was the way her bonded wished their relationship to be. Just because she had grown accustomed to joking and laughing and constant company and chatter with Nevuel did not mean that was how all bonds must be. Perhaps the  best choice was to make a conscious effort to add more ease to their conversations. Lighter topics. Show him that she may be Aes Sedai, but she could have fun as well. Or perhaps she should just break down and ask him what he wanted to build toward in their new bond. But what if he did not feel anything was amiss? She didn't want to worry him or have him change for her. 

 

When they stopped for the night again she had the feeling that her warder may have been on the same page, at least with the content of the conversation. Instead of delving further into the deep dark personal histories or battle scars he shared an amusing story of a wonderfully unique old man. Kathleen let herself relax and went on the journey with him as she tried to picture the antique shop and the events described with in. She laughed along as Elessar described the man's words on the history of Andor's queens. And when the story was done she added her own thoughts.

 

"You know, I am quite interested in politics and history myself. So much so that I was drawn first to the Browns and Greys. I even took up a mission once to end a feud between two noble families in Murandy before both of their estates were destroyed by their petty fighting. Nothing so impressive as the fighting between nobles in Andor during the disturbances, of course, but a very interesting political mission indeed." She paused to laugh and take a bite of her meal, "You know, if you'd be up for another visit with man, and we ever find ourselves in the area, I think I would like to meet with this Old Celter. It would be quite interesting to hear more on his theories of the daughter heir tradition." 

 

The weather was clearing and she was quite pleased to see the lighter mood. Perhaps all of her worry was nothing after all. Patience and faith had never been strong qualities in her personality.

 

As the night drew on conversation continued until at last a lull drew. Kathleen had yet to yawn, though she knew it would be another early morning. In stead of sleeping she pulled an old journal and  pen from her bag. It had been a long while since she had written anything but she felt the drive to get back it. With inspiration laking and having caught Ellessar looking questioningly at the book Kathleen flipped to the front in hopes of finding inspiration.

 

"It is journal I started during my days as Initiate of the Greens." She hesitated, recalling the secret position all newly Raised sisters to the Green's hold for the first months after they choose the ajah before the sisters truely accept them as one of their own, but then she recalled that Ellessar had been bonded to the  Greens and would likely know of this secret. Without explaining it she continued, "I took to dabbling in writing in many forms to sort through the many emotions, thoughts, and fears which I could not share with others. Would you like to hear some of my early poetry from that time?" she asked. When Ellessar showed interest she cleared her thoat and read:

 

Inexperienced as a newborn fresh from birth

Aged as the softwood high above the earth

 

Filled with envy for those living free.
Consumed with sickness for those wishing to be.

 

Hopes of prosperity as that of Spring's budding leaves

Fate as that of infection unhealed by the weaves.

 

Bright like the glow of an emerald gem

Deadly and dangerous like the serpent's venom

 

Soft and rooted as grass in the field

Strong as the malachite sword I wield

 

Green as a newborn, Green as a softwood

Green with envy, Green with sickness

Green as leaves, Green as infection

Green like the emerald, Green like the serpent

Green as grass, Green as the malachite sword

 

I am Green through and through

And I am bound to die for you.

 

When she finished she put the book open in her lap. "Not as good as those you've shared, nor as good as some of my later things, but there you have it, my first poem as a Green.

 

~Kathleen Vandiar

Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah

[Elessar]

.. “Into Kandor: Entwined in Reflections of Emerald”..

►▼◄

It was in late afternoon on a sunny day, under a clear ocean-blue sky, with strong winds drifting down from the mountains further north, that Elessar and Kathleen passed the frontier into the Borderland Kingdom of Kandor.

The evening before, Elessar had shared some of his knowledge about the history of Kandor with Kathleen.

“Kandor”, he had begun, “was formed early in the War of the Hundred Years, that devastating series of overlapping wars among constantly shifting alliances that erupted in the wake of the death of the High King, Artur Paendrag Tanreall - or Artur Hawkwing - as his Empire fragmented and collapsed. Born a Royal Prince of Shandalle, and the son of King Myrdin Paendrag Maregore and Queen Mailinde Paendrag Lyndhal, Hawkwing had no designated heir at the time of his death and a prolonged civil war could not be avoided. In this time of chaos and disorder the governors of Hawkwing's five northern provinces met - and agreed to form stable nations to preserve the peace and defend against the Blight..”

“Jarel Soukovni”, he had added, “the Imperial Governor for the Province of Kandor during the latter part of Hawkwings’ reign, was the first King of Kandor and its Founder. History records claim that he was a good tactician as well as a very able leader, who successfully allied Kandor with its fellow Borderland nations against both the threat of the Blight to the north and also from attack by the southern kingdoms. Some historians claim, however, that his importance has been overstated, that he had able and shrewd military and political advisors and accomplished military commanders whose efforts contributed greatly to the end result, but for whatever reason Kandor survived and persevered as a nation and Jarel Soukovni’s name will never be forgotten..”

They had spoken at length about the country - and terrain - they were travelling into, preparing for this next stage of their journey.

Kandor. He now thought, taking in the Borderland topography. The Shield against the Blight.

They rode up and down the many hills that covered this southern part of Kandor, their travelling cloaks flapping behind them in the forceful wind, their loyal mounts carrying them steadfastly onward toward their destination.

Elessar was coming home.

A prospect which, in truth, he had mixed feelings about.
 

●

He had accepted Kathleen’s kind offer to visit his homeplace on this journey into the north, having decided that it was time for him to face his past, time to meet his family again, but at the same time he felt some unease at the prospect. Old grievances could easily resurface. Old pains. Old sorrows. Even so, it was time after so many years.

For better or for worse.

Elessar came from a minor Kandori noble House, the Telcontar, which originated - through inter-marriage - from a subsection of the more famous - and powerful - Kandori House of Arrel. The Telcontar family estate was situated just outside the Kandori city of Canluum, a medium sized city that was walled, with a wide dry moat surrounding, crossed by five bridges. The people of Canluum had always taken pride in the fact that although Myrddraal Shadowspawn had struck as far south and further, none had ever made it inside the city walls. Elessar and his family had shared in this pride, and like all Kandori had staunchily been fighting the Shadow and all it stood for as long as anyone could remember.

Though he had not visited his homeland for many years, Elessar had listened with interest when rumours and hearsay regarding Kandor had reached his ears on his travels and - on occasion - from fellow (travelling) Gaidin in the White Tower. Lord Marcasiev was still the lord of Canluum, they said, ruling the city from his palace on Stag’s Stand, the peak of the highest hill in Canluum, situated at the center of the city. The guards of the city wore the red stag of House Maracasiev, an insignia that the Warder recognized. They would be well known to his father as well, as he made his yearly visit to the palace to pay his respects.

Oh Father, thought Elessar with inner pain, as he galloped up a hill with his Sedai by his side. Will you ever forgive me.. for what happened to Vehran..?

 

●

They stopped for the night in the hill town of Zimaath, several days’ ride south of Canluum. It was a small rugged town with two main roads and only about four dozen or so houses, a smithy, a couple of shops and other required establishments - and an inn. A weather-worn sign hanging above the front entrance proclaimed it to be ‘The Northern Blade’, and Elessar and Kathleen left their horses in the stables behind the establishment before entering to get a couple of rooms. The innkeeper, an aging Saldean by the looks of him - the bold, prominent nose and slightly upturned, almond-shaped eyes were clear indicators of his origins -, bobbed his head in respect at the Aes Sedai when she asked for a room and lead them quickly upstairs to the level above to a pair of adjoining rooms. Elessar brought their travelling bags - and saddle bags - and soon after they were resting each in their own room.

 

●

They had agreed to meet downstairs for a meal, after a bath and a little rest, and when the Warder was done with his bath and had clothed himself he lay down on his bed and closed his eyes for a moment. He felt Kathleen through the Bond, in the next room, and he smiled inwardly. The inward smile was accompanied with a sigh, though. Things were always complicated - and that was also the case with his present Bond.

He did feel pleased with his Bond with Kathleen. He was out in the world again, no longer ‘trapped’ in the White Tower as he had felt in his former Bond, he was doing something worthwhile, and he felt at home with the Green(s). There was something he shared with Kathleen, something he felt they had in common, something which had ‘clicked’ with her just as it had with Leandreen so many years earlier.

Even so, something was not working between them.

It was hard for him to pinpoint exactly what. They spoke and shared stories at times, but there was a certain distance between them. There were many long silences, many unshared looks. And he was often lost in thought, the emerald green of Leandreen often returning in his mind’s eye. Perhaps his lack of total focus shone through. He did not know how Kathleen truly felt though, so it could be that he was reading too much into things.

 

●

They had had a good moment together that evening, some days earlier, when she had told him of her shared interest in politics and history. It pleased him to have found a kindred soul, passionate about history and stories. From his earlier sharing of poetry and stories with her he had gotten the impression that she appreciated and enjoyed the storytelling, but it was somehow different to get it explicitly confirmed. He had listened with interest as she had told of how she had been drawn to the Browns and Grays when young and of her mission to end a feud between a couple of Murandian noble families. Her statement that she would like to meet Old Celter one day had, moreover, made him smile.

When she had brought forth a journal and pen from her travelling bag, it had made him think of Carys, his former Bondholder, who had also travelled with such a journal in which she had drawn and written on occasion. Perhaps it was an Aes Sedai thing? She had met his questioning look with an explanation that this was the journal she had started during her days as Initiate of the Greens. Elessar had immediately thought of Leandreen and something she had once told him regarding those early days. Kathleen had explained further how she had used the journal to write down thoughts, emotions and fears that she could not share with others. Then she had offered to share some of her own early poetry from that time. Elessar had nodded, excited, showing clear interest, and then she had begun telling her story. He had enjoyed the poem much, the parts about ‘green emeralds’ and ‘the green sword’ resonating especially strongly, and had given her praise afterwards.

When she had finished, she had put the book open in her lap. She had said that it was not as good as those he had shared, nor as good as some of her later things, but there it was, her first poem as a Green.

He had praised her again, appreciating the poem - and - her sharing the story with him.

For a moment he had felt that distance between them diminish.

 

●

We need more moments like that. He now thought to himself, the memories clear in his mind. We must have trust and faith.

In each other.
In ourselves.
In our Bond.

He opened his eyes slowly and stared silently for a moment around the room. It was a small room with modest comforts, but after days on the road it was appreciated. A small cupboard stood in one corner flanked by a shelf containing several books, two of which were his. A chair stood in the other corner upon which rested his colour-shifting Warder’s cloak made of fancloth and his sword. The evening was darkening outside, as he could see through the room’s one window, and it was soon time for that shared evening-supper downstairs.

Trust and faith.

Some minutes later, he heard his Bondholder leave her room and walk downstairs. He felt it also through the Bond. He nodded to himself. It was time to clear his mind. And time for some much needed sustenance.

Echoes of Kathleen’s written poem stayed in his mind, however, all through the evening and night, almost like whispers of destiny:

 

 

..Green like the emerald, Green like the serpent
Green as grass, Green as the malachite sword

I am Green through and through
And I am bound to die for you..


The voice in his mind was Kathleen’s.
And Leandreen’s.

Entwined in Reflections of Emerald.

 

▀▄

 

Edited January 12, 2018 by Elessar

[Kathleen]

The wind stung her face as it rolled forcefully over her. She supposed she couldn't expect any less in the borderlands, though. Hard wind in a hard land. She centered herself to keep from flinching as she rode through and she smiled to herself when she felt what she could only assume was pride filling her warder. Elessar sat taller in the saddle, his shoulders pulling further back the further into Kandor they got. Kathleen fell back as they rode, letting his homecoming truly be his. There was a clear mix of emotion coming through the bond, but she hoped that there were more of the good memories flooding him than the bad. 

 

It had a small town feel, but it had the distinct feel of a town waiting on battle. It was such an odd mix, really. No one was looking over their shoulders for monsters, but she knew that even the most relaxed man here was ready to take a life should anything sent by the dark sneak up behind him. She almost felt comfort there, it reminded her somewhat of a group of Greens all gathered together. Though she would never venture to make that comparison here. There are no comparisons to borderlanders, and their sense of pride was almost as hard to judge as the Aeil's. No, she would certainly err on the edge of silence and respect. She knew enough of the ways of Nevuel's culture, and though it was in the borderlands too, she knew enough to know that there were vast cultural differences from one place to the next. The last thing she wanted to do was make a fool of herself in Elessar's home town. She would never get over the shame if she made him look bad to his own people.

 

This was not her first visit here, but it had certainly been a long time since her last stop over there. They stopped at an inn called The Northern Blade and Kathleen gave her horse an affectionate petting before allowing it to be lead away to the stables. She arranged for the rooms as she had in the inns they had stayed in previously, and took some time alone in her room to relax and refresh herself before their meal. When she sensed a calm in the bond and the first signs of hunger took up in her stomach, she rose from the room she had just finished making her own. Her belongings were unpacked and laid around the room for convience and to make her feel less like she was living out of a saddle bag.

 

She went to the room beside her's and knocked gently on the door. He would know she had been standing there, of course, but she would not let the awareness in the bond turn her to being rude. He didn't hesitate long before opening the door and after a few pleasantries Kathleen posed the question, "shall we eat here, or is there a better spot for a meal at this hour?". She followed his lead as they made their way to a meal. Conversation was strong and the food was good. She was starting to feel like the arrangement between them really would smooth itself out and she could see relaxation and even a level of comfort in the future with her warder. It was a good glimpse, and just knowing they were on that track was enough to make her mind relax a little. 

 

When they made it back to their rooms Kathleen stopped him in the hall, "would you show me around tomorrow, please? If it isn't too much trouble I would like to see the sights I should see and if there is time and you are up to it, I would love to see the places which hold special life to you. I believe you'd be a fantastic guide. Your description as a whole of Kandor's history was quite brilliant. I'd like to see what you could do with more focused scenery.". 

 

~ Kathleen Vandiar
Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah

[Elessar]

.. Green Ajah: in honour of Sisters of Battle ..

►▼◄

Elessar felt pride at being back in the Borderlands.

The feeling took him, somewhat, by surprise.

Not that he had ever been anything but proud of being a Borderlander. Just that, in the many years since he as a young man had left his home and headed for a new life in Tar Valon he had made the City of the Aes Sedai his new home, had made the White Tower and his service his cause, had made serving and protecting his Sedai(s) his mission in life - and his former allegiance and love for his home country had had to take second place to all that in his heart. Over the years he had pushed his former life in Kandor away from his consciousness, albeit not always successfully, to focus totally on his new life in Tar Valon, but he understood now that his love for the Borderlands had never truly disappeared and that his soul would always be Borderlander through and through.

Riding proudly through the hills of Kandor, the region familiar to the Borderlander Warder, his back straightened, he sat taller in his saddle, his confidence strengthened and some of his doubts and inner turmoil lessened. An ambivalence remained in the back of his mind, but on the whole it was a stronger and more confident Gaidin that entered the hill town of Zimaath, in his home region, that day.
 

●

Staring around the small town from a ridge overlooking the eastern part, as morning was approaching midday and with a glowing sun shining strongly from above in an ocean-blue sky, Elessar wondered at how little it had changed in the many years since he had been a boy. It was the same place he remembered, almost as if time had stood still in this distant northern corner of the continent, but in a way it also felt a little different. Smaller in way, though he was sure that was because of the many larger cities he had seen on his travels through the years.

And everything is larger, grander in the eyes of a small boy. A small voice whispered in the back of his mind.

Yes, it definetly had a small town feel, but it also - like so many Borderland towns - had the distinct feel of a town waiting on battle. That was part of Borderlander life, and thereby something that one took for granted and hardly thought of here, but something that was often felt by visitors from Southern lands.

Standing beside him, Kathleen looked in the direction he pointed as he described a feature, and then another. Memories flooded back as Elessar spoke. Though their family estate was situated a little further north, about half-way between Zimaath and the larger city of Canluum, this whole region was in a way home to him and he knew it all well. He recalled having played with his brothers outside the old smithy on visits with their father and running headlong down the road with his brothers, shouting with glee.

Life was so much easier back then. He thought pensively, with fond sentiment. What one would not sometimes give for the innocence of childhood.

When Kathleen had stopped him in the hall the evening before, after their shared meal in the inn’s Common Room, and had asked him if he would show her around the town the next day, show her the sights, at the same time praising him for his knowledge of Kandor, he had replied truthfully, not displeased, that it would be his pleasure. It would indeed be pleasant to have a look around the town, it was a long while since he had been there last, and the good conversation they had shared with the meal that evening could be built on, could be nurtured, something he was sure would strengthen their Bond and diminish that periodical ‘distance’ between them.

"I would love to see the places which hold special life to you."

Kathleen’s words echoed in his mind as he pointed out yet another special feature of this Borderland town. The wind was picking up a little later as they walked down the ridge and onto the road that lead through the center of the town. Locals walked by, children looking at the fearsome warrior and the graceful lady with some awe - as children often were wont to - while the adults for the most part kept their eyes on the road ahead and at their business at hand. Elessar saw a few Borderlanders from neighbouring lands as well - a Shienaran man with a charcteristic shaved face and wearing his hair in a topknot hurried past them down the road while another man, an Arafellin by the looks of his clothes and the bell in his hair, strode by with a polite nod to Warder and Sedai both. None of the passersby had the hoods of their cloaks up, of course; all knew that no one may go among Borderland towns or cities with their face hidden, by law. A strict rule perhaps, or at least some Southerners thought so, but it was a necessity this close to the Blight and the deadly minions of the Shadow.

"There is something I want you to see". Elessar said, as he lead his Bondholder to the ruins of an old building-structure on the western part of the small town. It had been a stables of sorts once, paired with a small building that had housed a smithy, but now it was all worn down and had been abandoned long since. "Father used to take us here on occasion when I was a boy". He explained, gazing at the ruins as memories came back to him. "My brothers and I would play outside while my father talked with the owner inside. There were horses here and a smithy as well. I remember picking up bits and pieces of metal that had been discarded by the blacksmith and pretending it was a warrior’s sword I was holding and that I was a famous warrior, swinging the blade heroically against imagined opponents of the Shadow. " An amused smile came upon his lips at the adventurous dreams of young boys. "This was always one of my favourite places in this town and I always begged father to go here whenever we visited."

Elessar showed his Bondholder a couple of other places in town that also had special meaning for him, before they returned to the ‘Northern Blade’ inn. There they saw to their horses - the Warder gave Stormbreaker and Kathleen’s mount a carrot and an apple each to enjoy - before sharing a lunch in the Common Room and then retiring to their rooms.

 

●

They shared another good meal in the - now filled - Common Room that evening. The conversation was pleasant and, little by little, Elessar felt that their Bond was strengthening, by a combination of mutual trust, faith in each other and in their shared mission. It was a good start, he thought.

When, after a while, a gleeman appeared on the small stage at the front of the room - a Borderlander man of middle years with short dark hair, brown eyes, and wearing the characteristic cloak of many colourful patches of his distinguished profession - the assembled crowd started clapping and shouting for songs and stories. The man, wearing a broad grin on his face, gave a theatrical bow with a flourish of his cloak, like all gleemen enjoying being the centre of attention, and produced a flute with which he proceeded to play a tune. It was a jolly piece of music and the crowd, seemingly familiar with the melody, clapped along. Elessar and Kathleen, enjoying the entertainment, watched as the gleeman played several more melodies. Then, after some applause, he put aside his instrument and started singing. He had a clear voice and the story he told captivated the listeners. It was a story of men’s courage and heroism in the face of the threath of the Shadow, exactly the kind of story that Borderlanders loved to hear. The subsequent applause showed their appreciation.

The gleeman bowed to the crowd, far from displeased, and gazed around the Common Room, his eyes resting for a distinct moment on Kathleen’s face, and then on Elessar’s, before moving on. “The Fight against the Shadow is eternal”, he said then in his dramatic gleeman’s voice, his hands swept wide for added dramatic effect, knowing those words would have impact especially here in the Borderlands with the constant threath from the Blight. “Ordinary men and women, Kings and Queens, have all fought for our Freedom through the Ages”, he said, “the Borderlands have stood steadfast against the Shadow” - a roar of approval rose from many of those present - “and standing with you, with us, has always been the White Tower.” More approval and nods from the crowd. Aes Sedai were respected by most, if not all, in the Borderlands, their sacrifice for the Light and their constant struggle with the Shadow never forgotten.

“In honour - and rememberance - let me tell you the epic story of one of the greatest Aes Sedai Amyrlins of all time”, the gleeman proclaimed, “Rashima Kerenmosa , a Sister of the Green Ajah - the Battle Ajah as they also are called - who is known in history as the ‘Soldier Amyrlin’.”

There was scattered applause as some recognized the name and the story, while others waited expectantly. Elessar grinned and nodded appreciatively. This was another of his favourite stories and poems, and he recalled well how he had recited this ancient poem to Kathleen and her Arafellin Warder in one of their earlier conversations in the White Tower, what now seemed an Age ago.

The gleeman’s voice soon captured the hearts of the gathered listeners and once again Elessar of Kandor, passionate storyteller and ‘Warrior Poet’, was swept away on Winds of Time and History..

 

●

 

►▼◄

Honour to the ‘Soldier Amyrlin’

Brave Rashima Kerenmosa! Valiant Sister of the Green
The Flame of Tar Valon, boldest Leader ever Seen
A Sister of Battle, she the Shadow fought with Might
In the Trolloc Wars she battled, gave her Life for the Light

A General, a Politician - her Talents were There
She handled situations with Tact and with Care
But as a Military Leader she was Respected by All
She led the Ten Nations through Fire and Gall

When Aridhol fell and Manetheren as Well.
Rashima restored morale in the Compact, they Tell
She led the defence of Tar Valon with Strength
When Trollocs attacked the Sedai city at Length

Victories followed at Kaisin Pass and Larapelle
The Sorelle Step, Tel Norwin where many soldiers Fell
In the middle of Battle, the Amyrlin fought Strong
To vanquish the Shadow, the Evil, the Wrong

The Battle of Maighande was the Beginning of the End
For brave Rashima, though they Conquered, my Friend
The back of the invasion they Broke, the Shadow’s Plan
At Maighande, where ‘the Victory of humankind’ Began

Rashima died a hero, with her five Warders Near
Valiant as few! Battle Sister, Honour Clear.
‘Round their bodies a wall of Trolloc corpses’ Stain
With many dead Fades and nine Dreadlords Slain

Brave Rashima Kerenmosa! Valiant Sister of the Light
The ‘Soldier Amyrlin’, a Star shining Bright
A Sister of Battle, she’ll be Remembered by All
In the Turning of the Wheel, until Darkness’ Fall

►▲◄

 

●

The subsequent applause was rapturous and Elessar joined in with true-felt enthusiasm. It had been a very good retelling of a timeless heroic story. A tribute, in a way, to the White Tower, to the Aes Sedai at large, but, through Rashima Kerenmosa and her valiant sacrifice, a tribute especially to the Green Ajah - Emerald - and to their timeless courage and service for the Light.

And a tribute to you, my Battle Ajah Bondholder. Elessar thought sincerely, as he shared a look with her, meeting Kathleen’s eyes.

And to you, Leandreen.

He did not know if the gleeman had intended to tell this exact story, but with his Warder’s eye for detail he had noted how the man’s eyes had rested on Kathleen’s face for a distinct moment, in seeming recognition of what she was, as he had gazed around at the crowd before him, and he wondered if her presence had, perhaps, inspired the storyteller somewhat. For whatever reason, Elessar approved.

The Emerald Green echoed in his mind, almost like a memory within a memory, and in his intense dreams that coming night the face of the brave, battling and heroic Aes Sedai Rashima Kerenmosa, a true Sister of Battle, changed into Leandreen’s - and then into Kathleen’s - in a never-ending spinning Wheel of Change.

 

▀▄

 

Edited January 12, 2018 by Elessar

[Elessar]

.. A Warder’s Reminiscence: Learning ‘the Flame and the Void’ ..

►▼◄

Morning broke slowly over the Kandori hill-town of Zimaath, situated several days’ ride south of the city of Canluum. Elessar Telcontar, Bonded Warder of Kandor, lay fully clothed, on top of his bed in his room in the Northern Blade Inn, reminiscing.

He had been up before dawn, taking a workout in the inn’s backyard, going through the sword forms, his oft practiced ‘dance with the blade’, and after a quick shower he had returned to his room to pack his things in preparation for their imminent departure toward his family’s estate a little further north. Through his Warder-Bond he had felt Kathleen, his Aes Sedai and Bondholder, there in the next room.

A Sister of Battle.

They were to meet up downstairs in the Common Room for breakfast in a short while, before heading off in the direction of Canluum, but he had a little time to kill first and so had lain down, closed his eyes in relaxation, and was now losing himself in age-old memories..

His thoughts went back to his early Warder-training days.. to the very beginning ..when he was learning ‘the Flame and the Void’. His sharp mind for detail recalled that time, so long ago, almost as if it were yesterday..

..Memories..
 

●

“There are several paths for this”, the old Gaidin, his first Warder teacher, had said as he had looked closely at his young student, “but from what you have told me of yourself and from my impression of you, I believe your path is that of ‘the Flame and the Void’.”

Elessar had looked questioningly at his teacher, wondering what this was all about. What flame and what void? His thoughts drifted back to the spar he had done with a fellow trainee the day before. “Pay attention!”, the Gaidin said with authority in his voice, seeing the vacant look in this young man’s eyes.

He is so easily distracted, the old Gaidin had sighed inwardly. Well, we shall remedy that. In time.

Elessar focused once again on what his teacher was saying, cursing himself inwardly for being so easily distracted. But how could he help it, he wanted to learn more sword-skills, not sit and listen to what sounded like philosophy. As if reading his thoughts, the old Gaidin said: “This will help you focus, will give you what you need to become the swordsman you wish to be.” The young Elessar straightened and listened with more attention now, wondering at the same time if Warders developed a skill in thought-reading as well over the years; that could come in real handy!

“Close your eyes”, the old teacher said and Elessar complied. “Imagine a single point in front of you and focus all your attention on that point. Concentrate on that point and feed all your thoughts into that point.” This Elessar was not able to do, though he tried to do as his teacher said. “Close your mind to the world around you”, the Gaidin continued. “Feed all your emotions into this single point.”

“It is not working, Master” Elessar had said in frustration.

“Don’t worry”, the teacher answered, “this is your first lesson. You need several more before you accomplish this. The single point will for many seem like a Flame which they feed all their emotions into. Others see this as a Void where they empty all thought into. Enveloped in this coldness of focus, they become one with themselves and one with everything around them, making all distraction go away and giving them full focus on any task at hand, as the sword and man flow in the dance of the sword.”

The poetry of those final words reached Elessar and what he at first had shrugged off as strange and a little too philosophical for his taste - he wanted solid reality, he wanted to master the sword - now seemed more relevant and important. In fact, when he thought about it - in the long pause after the teacher’s last words - it sounded vital somehow.

Once again as if reading his mind, the old Gaidin said “Yes, many will say that this is the essence of the Warder”. Staring at his pupil, he added “Not all agree, of course, but you remind me of myself when I was a trainee many many years ago.. for you this will be the path to follow, as it was for me.” Elessar saw the strange mix of pride and humility in the older Gaidin and gave a small bow of respect. “That is all for today”, the Gaidin said as he dismissed the young man. “Think about what we spoke of here today, try it yourself when you are alone, and we will continue the lesson tomorrow.”

Elessar thanked him and left for the yard, hoping to find another trainee to spar with. He was going to beat with the sword whoever was there, if it were the last thing he did!

 

●

It took Elessar many lessons and many days to learn to empty all his thoughts into the Void, but as he became better at it he recognized similarities to ways he had fought in before. With the sword he had always fought without passion, coldly focusing at the task at hand and in some ways this was an extension of that, a furthering of skills he perhaps had had, a pinpointing of abilities that would help him become the warrior he wanted to be. With his teacher’s help he improved much in the next weeks of training. Then one day the old Gaidin bade his pupil follow him into the practice yard and they walked to the far end where the Warder stopped. Before him stood a huge sack of potatoes. A small smile came upon his lips then and he said: “You have improved your skills, young pupil, but now we take it to the next level. A Warder must be able to reach the Void also under, shall we say, more stressful circumstances.”

Elessar had wondered at that, but had presumed that once you were able to reach that Oneness inside you at will you could do so at any time. Of course it wasn’t that simple. What a fool I was to think that, thought the young man to himself as he stared at the sack in front of him and wondered at the difficulty of this lesson. “Now then”, his teacher began,” the object of this lesson is to reach the Void and to keep it .. whatever happens.” Elessar looked questioningly at the teacher, wondering at his choice of words. There was no response from the other and so he waited. He had become better at patience in the past weeks; the first days of training he had been impatient and stubborn and his teacher had had to correct him many times, but as the days went by and his skill in achieving and holding onto the Void grew he became more at peace with himself. Even so, he was no master at patience and when several minutes had gone by without anything happening he burst out “Well come on then, what are we waiting for?”

The old Gaidin looked at his pupil and sighed.You are learning and growing more every day, young warrior, he thought, but you still have a way to go. Aloud he said, “Well , what are you, waiting for? Did you reach the Void?” Elessar shook his head. Why should he? He had not been asked to do so. Or had he.. ? He became confused, wondering if he had made a fool of himself. Also, he was somewhat embarrassed for the tone he had used toward his teacher. The Gaidin looked at him long and hard and said, “Always be ready for the unexpected. A Warder always is. Be prepared always.” Pointing at the sack of potatoes he told his pupil to lift it above his head. Elessar suspected the sack was heavy and his suspicions proved true. He lifted it above his head and held it there, waiting for his teacher to tell him what to do next.

The Gaidin did not speak, however, he just watched his pupil and waited a long while before saying anything. He could see the strain on Elessar’s face from holding up the very heavy sack and he nodded to himself. “Now you can put the sack down”, he said and Elessar did so with a relieved sigh. The Gaidin hardly gave him time to catch his breath, however. “And now, I want you to lift that sack over your head once again, put it down on the ground and then do the same 50 times.” Elessar’s confused look made the old man add, “A Warder must also have great physical endurance and though I see from your strong build and fit state that you have strength and a certain amount of endurance in you, this will tap even your resources.” After he was finished Elessar was indeed exhuasted. Physical exertion had been a part of his life for as long as he could remember, his father had pushed him physically from early on, but even so this was hard work and he felt it in every part of his body.

“And now”, his Warder teacher said, “you can reach for the Void and hold it until I say otherwise.” Elessar focused in his mind, or rather he tried to. Every time he thought he had the Void in his grasp it slipped out of his reach. “It is not so easy when you are exhausted, is it?” the Gaidin said and it was a statement, not a question. “It is harder to reach and especially harder to hold onto. This is what you will work hard to achieve in the coming days.” And that was the truth. Slowly Elessar learned to grasp the Void also in a state of exhaustion, to get that extra strength and concentration from within him necessary to achieve this. The old Gaidin nodded approvingly as he watched his pupil work, guiding when necessary and correcting until he was satisfied. After one such lesson he took his pupil aside and said “That is good, Elessar. Continue practicing but on the whole you are doing well.” Elessar appreciated his teacher’s praise and promised inside to excel even further.

“The next step”, his teacher went on, “is to be able to grasp and hold onto the Void .. when distracted.” Elessar expected to have to work for this ability too, but had not expected the awesome creativity his old teacher was to show in the following lessons. There was anything from constant stabs from a rod from all directions to having his teacher yell at him loudly for a long period of time; anything from small animals suddenly appearing before him and above him and then crawling down his back to his teacher tickling him in several places while telling him, in a flirting womanly voice, what a gorgeous man he was. And it was all to make him lose his concentration and the Oneness.

His teacher could be a very devious man, that was for sure..

 

●

Oh, to be young again. Elessar thought with fond rememberance, a small grin upon his lips. He thought fondly also of his old Warder teacher who had stood proudly watching his student during Elessar’s Warder Raising ceremony what had seemed an Age later.

I owe you everything, Master.

His thoughts returning to the present, his features tightened slightly, but resolutely, thinking of his current duty and responsibilities. It has been a long road. But I am still a Warder. Older, wiser, more experienced. But in many ways, I am still the same man I was.

I am Elessar of Kandor.

And then he cloaked himself in ‘the Flame and the Void’.

 

▀▄

 

 

Edited January 12, 2018 by Elessar

[Kathleen]

Kathleen truly enjoyed the day's tour and hearing all the bits of secret history and significance only a true native to the land would know about all of the places they stopped at. Of course Elessar  knew much of the history the rest of the world was interested in, but it was the personal stories and memories he shared along the way that made the trip the highlight it was. She really felt they were bonding and she found herself reverting to the ease and playful nature she had shown in their early days of friendship. 

 

After a lovely lunch Kathleen retired to her room. She couldn't help but let her mind wander to all the things she had left undone at the tower before she left and all of things she could have been spending her time on if she hadn't insisted on this fruitless trip to stubbornly follow her warder. The only saving grace is that she had allowed for the detour. She hated sitting idle and traveling with no mission at the end was not something she was used to. She felt guilty. She had surely earned a vacation after serving the Tower every day since the age of 16, but somehow she felt as though she was letting down her duty to the Tower and the Greens while she was off on this pleasure trip. She tried to push the guilt away, but sitting alone lounging in the inn's rented room did not make her feel any better.

 

Throwing her book down haphasardly on the bed Kathleen rose, forced her frustration down, put on her shoes and headed out the door. At least if she was out and about there was a chance that she would find she was needed and then, even if she was not needed, she would feel as though it wasn't a total loss. She would feel like she at least tried to be present and do her duty to the Tower. She wandered the streets trying not seem out of place. Heads turned as she strolled solo down the roads she had earlier walked through with Elessar but Kathleen didn't let her embarresment at it show. She simply went on with the air of practiced purpose and the confidence of being alone. She couldn't remember the last time she had spent any really notable time alone. Surely it couldn't have been as long ago as her initiate days, but it certainly hadn't been any time in the recent years. Had she truly been so tied at the hip of Neveul? She didnt want to admit it, not even to herself, but looking around the streets in the border town she couldn't help but think of him and of how this whole trip had begun in an attempt for her to reattach herself to his hip after he left to follow his honour to his family. 

 

She tried to put it out of her mind, but when she turned the corner on her way back to the inn she ran straight into a woman coming around from the opposite direction. She instantly straightened her back and resited her urge to apologize just in time to save face as she let a cool glaze cover her eyes. The other woman stumbled backward and muttered before starting to address Kathleen, "hey! Why don't you watch where you....," her eyes fell on the Green sister and the word froze in her throat. The woman's face grew red, but that was the only real sign of shock or embarrasement she would show. Kathleen would have put her in her place and forced an apology from her, but she was too much in shock at the recognition of the woman's face. She was years older than the last time they met, but she was sure that this woman was the same one introduced to her years ago as Nevuel's cousin.

 

Kathleen instinctively focused on the bond bundled deep in her head searching for the warder, hoping to find him nearby. Sadly, he was not near. He would likely be in his hometown by now. The other woman seemed to recognize Kathleen as well. "Wait..aren't you..? Is my little Nevy here? I've not seen him in years! Are you headed to my uncle's, too, then? Well, it would be quite the family reuninon. You know I didn't think Nevy would come..." she let the sentance trail off, but Kathleen knew well enough where it was headed. Dispite the woman's rambling and her own distration, Kathleen had picked up on the notice that the woman was going to the house where Neveul was headed. After talking for a few moments Kathleen did get her apology out of the woman and more importantly she got the woman to delay her leaving of the town until she held a letter from Kathleen to deliver to Nevel. 

 

She hurried back to the inn and closed herself up in her room again, hurriedly penning a letter updating Nevel on all of the wonderful experiences she was having with newest Warder. She hoped it wouldn't cause any jealously, and she intentionally added a fair amount of talk about how she hoped his travel was no trouble, and that all was well with him. She had more to say to him than she had intended and soon her brown streak was showing as the pages grew in number. Before it was done she realized how much time had passed and set the letter aside to attend the evening meal with Elessar. She wasn't sure if she would tell him of her earlier encounter, or if she would keep it to herself so the two could enjoy the bonding of the morning into the night. It seemed the best choice, so while they dined Kathleen said nothing of her adventures.

 

*********************************************

She followed her warder into the common room. It was hard for her to give up the lead, but this was his home town, and the locals would talk after they left. Better for him if they though she may be under his thumb than for word spread around to his old enemies and friends that he's under hers. It is an honour in Kandor to serve the Aes Sedai, this she recalled in the nasal tone of a snooty Blue sister she had taken lessons from years before. She didn't recall much more from those lessons, except that she had often made faces at when the sister was looking away. Have him look honourable and not let there be whispers of being a pet on a short leash following her around. It was a fleeting thought passing before it had even formed into words in her mind. It was a passing acknowledgement that made her fall a step behind him they met in the hall and made their way to the common room.

 

She smoothed her skirts down as she sat with her back to the wall, a habit she had picked up in her years traveling solo on in her youth, running from her family looking for the mythical White Tower. She had been on high alert and needed to always know her surroundings just in case they were following. Of course, her training as a Green and her subsequent years living a life of war, stealth, strategy, plotting, and always needing to watch her back. But tonight she was letting that all go. Tonight she was off duty. She showed it with the open smile she wore when her warder spoke to her, and with the large glass of ale she had with her meal. Not so large she would end up getting foolish and embarrassing herself or Elessar, always conscious of that she was sure to nurse the single cup for the entire night's entertainment.

 

The meal was good, almost as good as the conversation. She actually caught herself pouting as the gleeman took the stage. She pulled herself together hoping now one else had noticed the pouting Aes Sedai, but she had been enjoying discussing the topic she and Elessar were engaged in. She reminded herself that they would have years to finish the debate, and that thought fought off any part of the pout remaining.

 

He took out his flute and Kathleen sat back in her chair, ready to be moved by the music. She found herself absently tapping her foot in time with the song. A few more in and she found her attention waining. The down side from traveling from inn to inn is that eventually the common rooms become common place even when the faces change every night. She had been debating asking for a second drink when the gleeman suddlenly paused and Kathleen looked up to see his eyes find hers. They darted from her to Elessar and back again, an then he spoke.

 

“The Fight against the Shadow is eternal”, he said then in his dramatic gleeman’s voice, his hands swept wide for added dramatic effect, knowing those words would have impact especially here in the Borderlands with the constant threath from the Blight. “Ordinary men and women, Kings and Queens, have all fought for our Freedom through the Ages”, he said, “the Borderlands have stood steadfast against the Shadow” - a roar of approval rose from many of those present - “and standing with you, with us, has always been the White Tower.” More approval and nods from the crowd. Aes Sedai were respected by most, if not all, in the Borderlands, their sacrifice for the Light and their constant struggle with the Shadow never forgotten.

“In honour - and rememberance - let me tell you the epic story of one of the greatest Aes Sedai Amyrlins of all time”, the gleeman proclaimed, “Rashima Kerenmosa , a Sister of the Green Ajah - the Battle Ajah as they also are called - who is known in history as the ‘Soldier Amyrlin’.”

 

Kathleen met his eyes, her smile replaced with her unreadable Aes Sedai mask. She listened intently as the familiar words flowed from him, not giving him the satisfaction of knowing if his tale gained her approval or displeasure. Whether he knew it or not, she was Elessar couldn't help but tell how she felt as the pride grew stronger in her with every word the man spoke. It had done the same months ago when Elessar had told the same tale from heart, only then he wouldn't have known just how much pride this story brought. 

 

There was no doubt in her mind that Rashima Kerenmosa had had her faults. No one was perfect, and the light would only know the extent of the negativity she must have covered up, as all Aes Sedai do. No Sister has more political blood on her hands than an Amyrlin, and Kathleen knew that. But this tale only refreshed the reasons why those not so valiant things get swept under rugs; there is more good that comes of what ever dirty deed gets you to the position to do that good. This story is the dream of every Green. Not to be Amyrlin, but to be in a position to make a strong impact in the ultimate fight, and to do it with the spirit and success that came of those battles. To lead the light in all its glory to a victory remembered long past a single person's life time.

 

When the gleeman was done and the crowd erupted into cheers, Kathleen sat stark still with her mask tightly in place. Her thoughts were not in the room with the cheering crowd, and they were no long on the battle field of Kaisin Pass or Larapelle

The Sorelle Step with the Soldeir Amyrlin. Her thoughts were back on the battle fields she had fought in. Her thoughts were in a white cloak camp where a warder and a sister of the green had rescued her from certain death at a questioning, they were at the city centre just hours later where she stood back to back with the Green sisters warder fighting off a circle of White Cloaks closing around them. Her thoughts were years after that back in amadica with the strength of her sisters behind her as they tried to save the lost journal of Rashima, the very same the story told of if she wasn't mistaken. Her memories filled with the flames she had helped to grow there, her heart pounding as she clutched the ancient book to her breast and ran with all her power for the border where she could find saftey for herself and for the history of her Ajah. Her thoughts were in a small farm town with smoldering buildings, childrens cries, and men burning the remains of a fist of trollocs that had attacked while she and Nevuel, and two more of her sisters along with their warders, were passing through. Her thoughts were in a court room in murandy with arrows flying from all directions and a stubborn boy prince who refused to leave when she tried to save him. Yes, trollocs and fades were the epitome of evil, but they were not the only foes in the greater fight. Still, her impact on the greater fight was not nearly that of the great soldier amyrlin. She had pride for what she had accomplished. Perhaps someday she would have a bigger impact, but until then, every evil she could conquor now was one less evil for her sisters to battle in the end. 

 

As the clapping died off Kathleen's gaze locked with the gleeman's. She gave him a deep nod of approval, without breaking the mask she now did not need to try to hold. He seemed to understand, or at least Kathleen thought he did, though he did not miss a beat and swept up the mood of the crowd, building off it with more entertainment.

 

Kathleen turned to her warder, sure he would have noticed her fluctuating emotions. "Not badly told. Though I have to say I preferred it when you told it. He may have glamourized it just a little too much for my liking. Perhaps I'm just a bit biased though." she smiled at her warder and relaxed in her seat.

 

Kathleen,

Sister of the Green Ajah

[Elessar]

.. A Memory of ‘The War of the Hundred Years’ ..

►▼◄

They stopped for the night in a wooded dale a few miles south of the Telcontar Estate. They had left the Canluum Road some hours earlier, heading into varied hill-country, as afternoon had flowed into early evening. They had ridden until Elessar had spotted a familiar hill-formation some way off and had lead the horses by foot the last distance. Now he was tethering their mounts to a pair of tall trees a little way from their makeshift-camp while Kathleen was making a small fire. He patted the horses affectionately on the back and gave them each an apple to enjoy. Soon he returned to where his Aes Sedai was seated beside the fire, flames reaching upward into the darkness. He gave her a nod and a smile and in a short while they were sharing some water and pieces of dried beef.

They ate and drank in silence, Elessar’s thoughts centered on the coming family-reunion. He had not spoken to Kathleen about the real reason for his suggestion that they camp for the night here in this dale, this northern valley, instead of continuing directly to the Telcontar Estate which they could well have reached before nightfall. The truth was that he needed a little more time to mentally prepare himself for the family reunion. She had accepted without question his suggestion that they stop here for the night, though he suspected she had an idea of the reason. Thoughts of his family swirled in his mind. How would his old, frail father welcome him? Bitter memories stirred inside him and he tried to push them aside, though with only partial success.

Will you always blame me for Vehran’s death, father?

Chewing the piece of beef he was holding, without really tasting anything, his mind focused instead on his elder brother, Valdherien, who now ran the family estate. They had never been the closest of brothers, in truth, but respected one another and he was sure his brother would be glad to see him again. Valdherien and Elessar had shared in the torrent of grief when their mother had died of a fatal illness shortly before Elessar had left for Tar Valon, and though a certain distance had grown between them in the years since - experienced on the few times he had visited home since becoming a Warder - he felt that Valdherien would welcome him home.

Oh Mother, forgive me for not saving you.

As always, thoughts of his dear, loving mother brought immense sadness to Elessar, but also the knowledge that he would probably never be able to forgive himself for not being able to save her.

Forgive me.

Taking a long sip from his waterflask he placed those dark thoughts in a compartment in his mind to consider later. He poked the fire with a stick and exchanged a silent glance with his Bondholder. To shift his thoughts, and to break the solitude, he started to speak a little about the area of Kandor they were in and of this dale where they would spend the night. Kathleen listened attentively and joined in the conversation and soon Elessar of Kandor felt his inner demons recede from his mind.
 

●

Their pleasant conversation lasted for a long time and covered several topics and Elessar found that he enjoyed it, feeling that it bonded them together, step by step. Soon they were speaking about Borderlander history and the Gaidin recalled that he had explained to his Bondholder some of Kandor’s history earlier on their northward journey. They had also spoken a little about that devastating series of overlapping wars among constantly shifting alliances that erupted in the wake of the death of the High King that subsequently was to be known as ‘The War of the Hundred Years’. Memory stirred in Elessar’s mind and he reached for one of his travelling bags.

“Speaking of history”, Elessar said, removing from his belongings a book he had brought on this journey, he quickly found the poem he was looking for. “There is an ancient poem called ‘Ballad of ‘The War of the Hundred Years’’ that I have always enjoyed”. Elessar said with a smile. He knew most of the epic story by heart, but it somehow gave the topic even stronger historic resonance, on this shared Journey of Discovery, reading aloud from an old text. It was somehow fitting, the Borderlander Warder thought, as he began to tell the tale, his voice reaching into the surrounding night, words of history floating radiantly among the dancing flames.

 

●

 

►▼◄

Ballad of ‘The War of the Hundred Years’

Remember the Days of War and of Strife
After Hawkwing the High King lost his Life
When Brother fought Brother for Power, for Land
As Blood flowed in Rivers, on Meadows, in Sand

The Empire Collapsed with no designated Heir
Fragmented, Torn apart, more than one could Bare
The Disorder and Conflict brought Tears and Stares
It was named ‘The War of the Hundred Years’

Plotting and Scheming arose in the Lands
Positions and Wealth swiftly changed Hands
The Stone of Tear was taken by Force
In Andor Ishara seized Throne at its Source

In the Swirls of Chaos, the White Tower’s Attempt
To end the Conflicts, civil Wars that had Rent
Met with no Success, despite years of Toil
As the Troubles escalated, with Bloodied Soil

On the Steps of Tar Valon heavy Storms Raged
As Hawkwing’s Army a grand Siege Staged
Then General Maravaile the Shining Walls Freed
When the Amyrlin Seat and Queen Ishara Agreed

In the Borderland Provinces Five Governors Met
To discuss the Situation, new Borders to Set
Proclaimed their free Nations, as Kings and Queens
And pledged an Alliance, a Pact strong at Seams

Cairhien was conquered by Deftness and Strength
By Nobles and Lords, using subterfuge at Length
In Tanchico the Kingdom of Tarabon Arose
As History was Made, in Stories and in Prose

Twenty-Four Nations from the Embers were Born
After a Century of Conflict with the Continent Torn
Few remnants of Hawkwing’s Empire were Left
His Statues and Monuments by changing Winds Swept

Remember the Days of War and of Gloom
When Hawkwing’s Empire fell to its Doom
Remember the Nations that rose to the Light
Reborn from the Ashes of Struggle and Fight

►▲◄

 

●

A strong morning breeze made the colourful red-on-white background, star-illustrated Telcontar Banner beside the Estate Main Gate ripple with abundant life - as Elessar Gaidin and Kathleen Aes Sedai of the White Tower rode through the imposing gate and onto the front grounds - almost as if welcoming a lost son home.

 

▀▄

 

Edited January 12, 2018 by Elessar

[Kathleen]

As the pair drew further from the town the tension in the bond with Elessar grew. Kathleen gave him space as the rode, and when he suggested stopping while there was still sun to ride under and while the horses were still more than able to carry on Kathleen simply dismounted and started helping to make the camp. The stopping seemed to please him and Kathleen wouldn't complain about less time be bumping around on the back of a horse. Trying to help ease her warder's stress, and embracing the chance to indulge in the joy of Saidar, Kathleen gathered wood and set it alight.  Elessar clearly did not want to talk about stopping early and Kathleen didn't want to patronize him by playing around the topic with small talk, so instead she sat in silence sharing the evening meal and soaking in the sounds of crackling fire and smells of the outdoors waiting for Elessar to sort out his thoughts.

 

It didn't take long for the man to speak and just like all their conversations of late, once the speaking began it was hard to stop it. There was laughter and debate as the night went on and topics flowed to all ends of the spectrum. It came back to the history of the lands they were in and the poetry that reminded them both of. Kathleen was hanging off every word of the recited poem; some interest in the story but more in the way her warder was telling it. He had a way about him that drew her in as well as any gleeman ever could.

 

When he had finished and she had given her praises she pulled her journal out and read him a poem she had written on her last journey to the Blight covering  heroic acts of the locals who stood by her side until the last man went down. It was a miracle she had made it out of that incident, and it still killed her to think of all the men falling at her sides while she was unable to do anything to help them. Before the emotions could take her, she had changed the topic to something lighter and they were on to continuing the story.

 

When she thought Elessar was finally at ease she motioned to end their night. She knew Elessar would have scouted well and that he'd likely be checking again, but for her own comfort she set wards around the perimeter of the camp before she went to sleep. Before the sun rose Kathleen did. She refreshed the fire and took some food from the saddle bags to prepare as much of a nice breakfast as she could to share with her warder. She knew today would be hard for Elessar and she hoped that her little gestures would make it a little easier on him. She debated all through breakfast on which dress to wear. Should she wear something simple and easy to ride in that would not cause Elessar's stress to rise at the acknowledgement that Kathleen knew their destination, or should she wear something more formal as an Aes Sedai should when making a formal visit to her warder's estate? She reluctantly decided on the latter; it would look better on them both if she were properly presented on arrival, and Elessar would feel whatever he was going to feel no matter what she wore.

 

So it was with that thought that Kathleen donned the most formal riding dress she had and wrapped her green fringed shall around her shoulders as she mounted her mare and followed her warder the short distance home to be introduced to his estate.

 

Kathleen

Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah

[Elessar]

..An Attempt to bridge a Chasm of Distress..

►▼◄

Elessar Gaidin, in his distinct Warder colour-shifting cloak, and Kathleen Aes Sedai, in her green formal riding dress with a green fringed shawl around her shoulders depicting her Ajah, entered the manor house together and received respectful bows from the members of the Telcontar family.

“Welcome to our house, Aes Sedai - we are honoured”, said a tall broad-shouldered man in a friendly and respectful voice, beckoning them inside. Valdherien Telcontar, lord of this manor, was a hospitable man. He wore silver chains over a formal dark-blue coat cut in the Kandori fashion, muted silk trousers and Borderlander footwear. His beard was in the distinctive forked style of his countrymen, he had two jewelled earrings in each ear, there were some gray patches in his dark hair, and his jaw protruded a little more from his tanned face than was the case with Elessar, but even so it was not difficult to see that the two were brothers. They clasped shoulders in heartfelt welcome, though Valdherien’s eyes were slightly hesitant, a look which the Warder returned. The moment passed and they joined the others - Valdherien’s wife Leonorah, a tall beautiful Borderlander woman who wore a stylish Kandori dress with a necklace made in an intricate pattern known as the ‘Kandori snowflake pattern’, and their two daughters, leading the way - as they headed down a hallway and into the main lounge.

“Father?” Elessar asked his brother, in an uneasy voice, as they rounded a corner, and Valdherien, with a sigh he was unable to repress, replied that their father was out in the gardens. Elessar nodded and said no more, but inside he was debating with himself whether it would be wise to postpone the confrontation with his father, or simply get it over with. He had not decided by the time they reached the main lounge and his older brother bade them seat themselves in the ancient-looking chairs in the room and have a drink. On the walls were old paintings depicting Borderland history - scenery, towns, Borderlander warriors and battles -, paintings that Elessar knew from old had been passed down through several Telcontar generations. His age-long interest in history and battles had been born in part due to these old paintings and the small but distinct library of history and story-books that resided in a different part of the manor.
 

●

After drink and some polite conversation Elessar excused himself, with a quick nod at his Aes Sedai which was returned, and headed out into the gardens. His unease increased as he walked toward a lonely figure standing some way off, tension he was sure Kathleen would feel through the Bond, but he had to get this over with. He had been in doubt whether to wait or - possibly - avoid the confrontation, but in the end had decided that this was the only way. He had to deal with his father at some point and he was tired of this chasm of anger and distrust which had developed between them.

As he neared the lone figure, standing by an apple tree, he recognized his father’s features and posture. The old man turned around and faced his son in silence. He looked just as Elessar remembered him from his last visit several years before, though perhaps a touch frailer. Saamlin Telcontar, a proud man of dark skin with angry dark eyes and a hard face, stared angrily at Elessar but said nothing. Of all the brothers Elessar had always resembled his father the most, also becoming the martial son his father had always wanted - and nurtured. Elessar, however, thought it might be this very sameness - almost like a mirror image - that had driven his father from great pride in his son, as he had travelled to Tar Valon to become a Warder of the White Tower, to great, unyielding anger at him - and perhaps himself - for Elessar being unable to save the youngest son Vehran from drowning.

It had happened on his first visit home a few years after finishing Warder training, during a forest trek in one of Kandor’s several valleys. Vehran and he had gone swimming in a Borderland river there, the currents had been strong - stronger than they had anticipated - and Vehran had accidentally slipped and knocked his head on a rock, disappearing flailing into the rushing water. Elessar had heard his brother’s scream but had been too far away to do anything, and by the time he reached his brother’s body, carried by the frantic stream further downriver, and got it out of the water, it was too late. His father had never forgiven him for not saving Vehran’s life.

“You were the older brother, it was your responsibility to take care of him, Elessar! How could you not see the danger!? How were you, a trained Warder, unable to save him!? It is on your head. You are no longer a son of mine!”

The harsh, bitter words rang in Elessar’s head still, even after so many years. And perhaps his father was right. He blamed himself for his younger brother’s death, even if perhaps unfairly, another sin weighing down on his soul.

 

●

The Warder turned away from his father’s accusing stare. He stared silently into the orchard of apple trees, flowerbeds and grassy grounds that enveloped the estate. Compared to other Kandori estates, of greater noble families, this was a fairly modest sized estate. Even so, it would have been considered a fair sized estate in some smaller countries and to a young Elessar it had, at the time, seemed the world.

“It was the world to me. For a while.”

In his mind’s eye, memories flowing, he was back in these gardens on a beautiful spring afternoon, the sun shining from a cloudless sky, a young Borderlander boy running freely around in play, face full of boyish glee, his two brothers at his heels - one older, one younger, but all three in many ways the same - none of them with any cares in the world..

..Screams of delight and childish banter between brothers reaching out from the past, echoing in Elessar’s head..

 

 

 

..”Wait for me, Elessar!” screams Vehran as he tries to catch up with his two elder brothers.
“Faster, Vehran!” shouts Elessar as he tries to get to the Tree before a panting Valdherien.
“Elessar, I will beat you..!” shouts Valdherien as he runs shoulder to shoulder with him.
“Never!” screams the ever competitive Elessar back, as he storms ahead for the narrow win.
Soon all three brothers lay laughing, gasping for air in the grass before the Climbing Tree ..

 

Sighing in fond but wistful rememberance, Elessar brought his mind back to the present.

It is time.

Without turning, his eyes fixed on the Climbing Tree of his childhood some way off, he said in a clear, strong voice. “Father, I am sorry.. but we must end this!”. His voice cut through the wall of silence between them. “This anger, this hatred.. will not bring Vehran back.” Vehran, I am sorry. My brother, forgive me. “Blame me all you wish.. I blame myself also, though I did what I could.. but please, let us end this strife. It’s been too long. It is destroying our family!” It is destroying you, he added in his mind. He clenched his fists and calmed his thoughts, trying to find the Flame and the Void. It was a struggle due to his inner distress.

His father remained silent and Elessar could feel his eyes boring into his back. Seconds stretched into what seemed forever, the Warder waiting for the outburst that would surely come, but there was only silence.

The Silence of Death.

Just as Elessar was certain his father would not respond, the prolonged silence was broken by a malevolent curse. His father spat another curse and leaving obscenities in his wake he stomped off toward the manor without looking back. Elessar sighed, shaking his head sadly, and turned in time to see the figure of his angry father in the distance, closing in on the manor buildings. I tried. He thought in misery. Blast, but I tried! He had known that his attempt at reconciliation might not succeed, that this chasm... between them was perhaps yet too deep, but he had hoped..

Perhaps his father simply needed more time.

Perhaps..

 

●

When he returned a little later to the manor’s main lounge and exchanged a quick glance with his brother, the other man shook his head slightly, in that way letting Elessar know that their father was not there but gone for the time being. The Warder nodded resignedly, releasing some tension, putting the matter aside for now, then turned to his Bondholder. Meeting her eyes, his mood lightened.

“Will you join me, Kathleen Aes Sedai”, he asked, using her formal title to give her added recognition and respect, “in the gardens. I will show you the Telcontar family estate.” There was pride in his voice and in his step - pride in his family and in her - as he led his Bondholder out onto the grounds.

 

▀▄

 

Edited January 12, 2018 by Elessar

[Elessar]

.. ‘The Winds of the Trolloc Wars’ ..

►▼◄

Darkness encloaked the Borderlands as cold winds from the north swept down on the Kingdom of Kandor. The strong breeze made the banners on top, and in front of, the Aesdaishar Palace in the capital of Chachin ripple with life. The Kandori capital was a city of wonder, often much underrated among Southerners.

In the style of many Borderland cities, made of stone buildings with glazed tile roofs that were more difficult to burn in a sneak attack, Chachin was built around several hills with three tall mountains - the highest housing the Palace atop - rising out of the center. Three tall ringwalls encircled the capital with a hundred-foot-wide drymoat located beyond that. Twenty-four bridges crossed the moat, each overlooked by a small fortress where the bridge met the city. The Bridge of Sunrise, one of the most famous, was located on the eastern side of the city, where the road from Canluum entered the capital.

The cold winds moved from the capital and onto Canluum and swept further across the hilly Kandori countryside to the Telcontar Estate, making the colourful red-on-white background, star-illustrated Telcontar Banner beside the Estate Main Gate ripple enthusiastically in response. The moon far above, a huge disc of shining white light in the mostly black northern sky, sent rays of beautiful silver down on the family estate as evening slowly flowed unerringly into night.
 

●

Several candlelights burned in the small but well stocked Telcontar Estate Library, keeping the darkness out, making for a cosy retreat for Elessar and Kathleen that evening. They had shared a pleasant meal with Elessar’s family a little earlier that evening, some time after he had proudly shown Kathleen part of the estate grounds, but even though nothing untoward had been said during the meal all present had felt the tension from Elessar’s failure at reconciliation with his - and Valdherien’s - father, who had not been present, and this had darkened the mood somewhat and partially spoiled an otherwise festive family occasion.

Afterwards Elessar had initially wanted some time in solitude, but had changed his mind and had instead decided to show his Bondholder their family estate library. Now, after some pleasant conversation, seated in a pair of ancient wooden chairs in the octagonal room which was otherwise filled with old paintings of prestigious Telcontar ancestors - among them Alin Telcontar, perhaps the most famous of them all, a dark-haired, forked bearded Kandori warrior staring harshly and almost condemningly down at Elessar from the back of a huge war-stallion - and bookshelves containing a fairly impressive book collection for such a family estate library, Elessar turned the yellow-tinged pages of the ancient book he held until he found the poem he was looking for.

“I remember reading this book when I was little”, he said with fondness, speaking to Kathleen who sat opposite him. There was an old, richly decorated, medium-sized table between them with a few books and maps as well as two cups. “It was age-old even back then”. Elessar continued. “It had many exciting poems”, there was passion in his voice now, “and stories, of history I should think, that I loved.”

 

●

His beloved mother, Arianah, a kind but repressed mother-figure, had from the beginning approved of his passion for stories and poetry and had encouraged him to read, smiling on many an occasion, finding her son seated in their family estate library with a collection of books at his side, thoroughly caught up in a story. His father, on the other hand, had disapproved, telling him oft what a waste of time it was, that he should instead focus on his swordwork and manly duties, whatever they were.

Oh father. He thought sadly. You could never understand. That I had a passion for both stories and swordplay. I wanted to enjoy both. They were never mutually exclusive. Only mother understood that.

Mother, forgive me. The memory of his mother’s cold disease-plagued face staring sightlessly up at him in death caused, as always, an ache in his heart. Why could I not save you? He closed his eyes for a moment in inner pain. His ever-present guilt was still there, even after all these years. It would always be a part of him. Some things never change.

 

●

Opening his eyes then, putting his troubled thoughts out of his head for the moment, re-focusing on the poem before him, he said: “This was always one of my favourite poems.” He said. “It is called ‘The Winds of the Trolloc Wars’, unknown author.. but believed”, a small grin came upon his lips, “to be a Borderlander.” No Kandori will tell you differently. “Let me read it to you.” His eyes met Kathleen’s for a moment and he smiled softly, appreciating the company and the attentive audience.

His voice took on a different tone then, as it often did when he told his stories, as he spoke the words - of story or myth or history, who could truly tell - immortalized in the ancient pages before him.

As he spoke, the flames of the candles in the room almost seemed to dance in the wind.

 

 

►▼◄

‘The Winds of the Trolloc Wars’

In an Age of Darkness and battling Light
A Time of Conflict, a hardened Fight
The Shadowmight came from Northern Shores
It was a Time called the Trolloc Wars

Spawn of Darkness, coming from the Blight
Brought their evil, marching through the Night
Poured in masses into Southern Lands
Slaughtered the people and killing the Clans

Trollocs, Myrddraal, Draghkar, they All
Conquered in force for the Nations to Fall
Joined in mission by Darkfriends so Cruel
And also by Dreadlords with great lust to Rule

Opposed by the valiant Forces of Light
In Jaramide and Aramaelle, the erupting Fight
Was great and bloody, as Barsine Fell
Under the yoke of the Shadow’s Spell

The Ten Nations bravely tried to Defend
With Aes Sedai, the breaches to Mend
But could not contain the poisonous Spread
As men and women and children lay Dead

The city of Mafal Dadaranell was Lost
An Ogier-fortress, destroyed at high Cost
The Shadow turned south, toward kingdoms Great
Attacked Coremanda and Aridhol Straight

Major assaults on Tar Valon Occurred
The White Tower fought back and onward Spurred
Developing new tactics, encircling the Dark
Battling with strategy, lighting a Spark

The Fall of Manetheren and Aridhol as Well
Were heavy defeats for the Light, so they Tell
Eharon’s capital, Londaren Cor Overrun
Barashta destroyed, in the Light of the Sun

From the Embers of Defeat, the Light rallied Strong
The Shadow’s Forces confused, their judgment Wrong
Were taken aback, by the new Amyrlin’s Attack
Rashima Kerenmosa, fought the Darkness, pushed it Back

A great Battlefield commander, she the Aes Sedai Lead
To victory at the Shining Walls, assaulting army, Dead
For ten years she campaigned, the many lands to Free
From evil and oppression, until Maighande’s Battle Be

The Battle-Defeat weakened Shadowmight for Sure
But remnants fought on, using forcefulness and Lure
As time went by, their dreams of Power drowned in Vain
As the Darkfriend-forces and the Dreadlords were Slain

In the end the Shadowthreath was vanquished for Man
The Conflicts were ended, and Peacetime Began
All that was left of the Shadow’s Northern Shores
Was the echo of the Winds of the Trolloc Wars

►▲◄

 

That night, lost in dreams of time and history, Elessar was a fighter in the Trolloc Wars, a valiant warrior, a Warder of the Light battling the armies of the Shadow. By his side, strong and proud, valiant as few, fought a very familiar Green Sister of Tar Valon, an Aes Sedai of Emerald Grace.

 

▀▄

 

Edited January 12, 2018 by Elessar

[Kathleen]

After days guesting with her bonded's first family the grounds of the Telcontar Estate still captured her attention around every corner. She often paused to take in the great art, decor, and landscape. It wasn't the White Tower, but nothing ever was, and after as many decades in those white walls Kathleen could give a good argument to this location being more captivating. If not more stunning than the White Tower, it did at least blow the inns and roadside camps they had stayed in out of the water. As she walked the grounds through the days she found herself imagining life here as a child. What fun Elessar and his brother surely had running through the halls and fighting in the gardens. She would ask him about his childhood days before they left. She would him of his past, and she would ask him of what his future would have looked like here if he had chosen a path other than becoming gaidan. 

 

She made herself available at her warder's request but left him to deal with what became more and more clear was long unresolved business at home. She was honoured that he would bring her here to face it all. They had only just met months before and now he trusted her enough to let her into the core of his emotial scars...then again, he had already trusted her enough to let her into his mind -- did it ever get a closer connection than that? She could feel what he felt, there was nothing more vulnerable than that. 

 

She kept herself busy with polite chatter with the staff and family while Elessar was dealing with his personal things, and when she could she would retire to her borrowed room to rest and to the room that was quickly becoming her favorite, the library, to read.

 

One night as she and her warder sat in the great library sharing stories Kathleen quieted and pulled back in chair, hoping to shift the light feel of story tellng and venture into thoughts more real. "Elessar, I have a favour to ask of you. I would understand if you are not comfortable with it, and if that is the case say so and I will not ask again. It won't surprise you to hear that I am prone to reluctance to speaking words which tell of my weaknesses; I'm sure its bred into all of my sisters to some extent at the tower, but I believe I should be able to share my emotions with you and if I should share those, then surely I should be able to share my words as well. And, if I have weakness or doubt you should know it, for you cannot protect what is vulnerable if you are unaware of its existence. 

 

I have loved every moment of our time together and our trip, and the hospitality in these halls is well above that of many noble halls I've stayed in. I have no qulams with any of that, but I feel....well I feel out of practice. It started long before we bonded, of course. In truth, I've come back from my slump significantly since we've been sharing time. But I was held up in the White Tower for years teaching and in the safety of Tar Valon I'm afraid I let my skills slip. I didn't think much of it over the years really, but lately..well, while we've traveled here staying on the sides of streets the trip has been rather uneventful in the way of needing any self defense. Not that I long for battle, of course; more that I long for reassurance that my instincts and skills are still sharp. 

 

I had thought nothing of it for a very long time, without need I didn't turn my mind to it, but lately....I've been shaky." She took a deep breath and struggled with the words. "Recently, I've found that I will reach for falling objects and miss, and earlier today I actually jumped out of my seat when your brother had walked up behind me....I didn't hear him coming. Light, but I didn't hear him enter the room or cross it!   and I can't remember the last time I honestly made real use of saidar. 

 

So, enough of the moaning and onto the favour. Gaidan, will you train with me? If you agree, I will work around your plan to sharpen my skills with reaction timing, I promise a fair fight...most of the time." 

 

Kathleen Vandiar

Rusty Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah

[Elessar]

.. Final Moments at the Telcontar Estate ..

►▼◄

It was another evening at the Telcontar Estate, with Kathleen and Elessar seated opposite each other in the pair of ancient wooden chairs in the octagonal room which was otherwise filled with old paintings of prestigious Telcontar ancestors. They had come to enjoy these daily talks in the library, a part of the estate a little secluded from the rest, a refuge - at least for Elessar - from the tension that permeated the family and its surroundings.

It distressed the Warder that his father was still - after renewed attempts - totally opposed to a reconciliation and Elessar was, in truth, beginning to give up hope that the situation would be resolved any time soon. His and his Sedai’s time in the library was a way for him to get away from his present emotional distress, if only for a moment, but he also enjoyed the conversation with his Bondholder and felt that they were, step by step, gaining better understanding - and trust - of one another.

Elessar’s hands were clasped before him as he shared another story, this one from the time just after he had passed Warder-training in the Tower, with Kathleen. After she had shared one of her own stories with him, she quieted and pulled back in chair. Then she spoke but there was a added seriousness in her voice this time. He met her eyes and listened attentively. She explained that she had a favour to ask of him, and that she would understand if he was not comfortable with it, and if that was the case he should say so and she would not ask again. As she spoke on the Warder listened in silence. He nodded to himself as she explained, attentive to the words and to the meaning behind them.

"And, if I have weakness or doubt you should know it, for you cannot protect what is vulnerable if you are unaware of its existence" , she said, and he appreciated her honesty and the truth of her words.
 

●

She spoke about how she had enjoyed their Bond so far and their journey, as well as the hospitality of his family estate, but that she was concerned that she was feeling.. out of practice, that she had over a long period in the Tower inadvertantly ‘let her skills slip’, as she put it, something which now was coming to mind during their travels. Elessar nodded, understanding well what she meant, knowing also that she was telling him this because this was something that could - and would - affect their functional work as a Warder-Sedai team.

He intuitively felt where this was going, but let Kathleen speak on, out of respect and integrity, without any interruption.

"Not that I long for battle, of course"; she added a little later in the explanation, "more that I long for reassurance that my instincts and skills are still sharp."

He understood perfectly. She was Green, a Battle Ajah Sister, and just like for Gaidin skills needed to be honed, to be polished, ready for battle.

Kathleen took a deep breath and seemed to struggle with the words then, as she explained how she recently on several occasions had felt.. rusty.. with poor reaction timing.. Elessar understood that this was difficult for her to admit, and it made him appreciate her words and the trust and faith she put in him the more. She ended her explanation by saying:

"So, enough of the moaning and onto the favour. Gaidin, will you train with me? If you agree, I will work around your plan to sharpen my skills with reaction timing, I promise a fair fight...most of the time."

 

●

Her last words produced a small grin on her Warder’s lips. Then a serious look came upon him. “Thank you for sharing, Kathleen Aes Sedai”. Elessar said appreciatively. “I also know too well what it is like to feel.. rusty.. and the feeling of insecurity and self-doubt that often follows.” His eyes took on a far-away look for a moment. In reminiscence.

“Before I met Carys Sedai, my former Bondholder, some years ago, I went through a.. rough patch, you may call it..” - his eyes gave off the impression that it had been more than just a ‘rough patch’.. but he left it at that - “and it took some time - and training - for me to return to my good ole’ self”. His eyes returned to focus on his Bondholder again. “Of course I will train with you. It will be my honour.” A small smile came upon his lips as he met his Sedai’s eyes.

He remembered training with his first Bondholder, the Green Sister Leandreen, many years before too. She also, like many Sedai - especially Greens - had insisted on learning some basic swordwork, so she would be able to defend herself in a battle or some other dangerous situation when the One Power either could or should not be used, or where she might be too exhausted to use it, and/or when her Warder for some reason was incapacitated.

Leandreren had explained, with barely hidden disdain, that some of the more ‘puritan’ Sisters in the White Tower were against Aes Sedai leaning the ways of the blade - Aes Sedai had the One Power to use, after all, swordplay was for the Gaidin - but that she, and many in her Ajah, deemed this reluctance a rather foolish notion. For a Green especially, it might in a given situation be the difference between life and death, not only for herself but also for her Warder. Fiery and passionate Leandreen, green shawl swirling on her shoulders atop her dark horse, had laughed defiantly when she had explained it to Elessar - and the memory of her brought, as always, part joy and part sadness to his heart.

He shared with Kathleen some of his memories training with the sword with Leandreen - and also of what she had spoken regarding Greens and the need, as she had seen it, for some basic swordskills besides the One Power - and afterward, when they had parted for the night, he considered how he would go about the training process.

 

●

The next morning, just after a family breakfast, Elessar went through a training session - the first of several to come - with Kathleen, teaching her the basic moves and swordforms. Correct footwork, how to hold a sword properly, how to wield it well. Balance. Reaction timing. Concentration. All were important factors when one was to learn swordwork. Elessar, as was his way, did everything methodically and precisely, as he would with a fresh warder-trainee - making his Bondholder work hard and strenuously. She trained with determination and focus and Elessar also felt that their time together training might bring them even closer together. After a long training-session he brought it to a closure. As she had promised, Kathleen had fought a fair fight.. most of the time. And so had he..

Later that day, as they shared another meal with Elessar’s brother and family, the Warder told the others that he and his Sedai would leave the day after next. His father had not spoken to him again, mostly keeping out of sight, and Elessar had resigned himself to the fact that the attempt at reconciliation had been a failure and that it would take his father more time to come to terms with the situation. If ever. Even so, it had been good to see his brother again, his family, his home, and Elessar was glad that he had brought his Bondholder to the estate. They had had many enjoyable conversations here, she had told him that she had enjoyed the hospitality and appreciated him showing her his home - but now it was time to start planning the next part of their trip or ‘mission’ as it were. The time had come to move on.

And so two days later, on a sunny, Borderland morning with pale blue skies in every direction and only a soft breeze touching their travelling cloaks, after having said their good-bys, Kathleen and Elessar rode out through the Telcontar Estate Main Gate and headed for the main road that lead to neighbouring Arafel in the east. The next part of their Journey into the Borderlands was beginning.

They were following in the footsteps, as it were, of Kathleen's second Warder, Nevuel Gaidin, who had left, on a personal errand , for his home nation Arafel some time back. It would take them several day’s riding to reach the nation of Arafel, with some stops inbetween, and they were both eager to get going while the weather was good and their horses were fresh.

It was several hours later, in early afternoon, as a few clouds were slowly spreading outward in the otherwise blue horizon, before they made their first stop in the Borderland hills of eastern Kandor.

 

▀▄

 

Edited January 12, 2018 by Elessar

[Elessar]

.. A Soul that Cries out for Redemption ..

►▼◄

 

 

Goodbye Leandreen!

 

The whisper was like an Echo in his mind.. like the soft touch of a feather.. like a drop of water falling ever so slowly onto an Emerald leaf in twilight.

 

Time was.. almost.. standing still.

 

He turned his head slightly, as if to listen. He was enveloped in darkness, but slowly the blackness was interrupted by yellow sparks which flew toward the heavens. Focusing his eyes he slowly was able to make out the contour of a funeral pyre burning bright. His face brightened at the way the pyre lit up the darkness, as if in defiance of the shadow of the night, but then he saw who lay there on the pyre - and sadness entered his soul.

 

Leandreen

 

Despite the intensity of the flames he could see her clearly, almost as if she floated a few inches above the pyre, untouched by heat or flame. She looked so regal laying there, so serene, her Emerald eyes closed and her fiery red hair embracing her so familiar Aes Sedai face, ready for the final journey..

 

Elessar clenched his fists, ever so slowly, as if to crush the anger and the pain he felt in his soul at Leandreen’s, his dear Bondholder’s, death.. a solitary tear streamed down his cheek..

 

Just then, Leandreen’s Emerald eyes opened! Elessar gasped!

 

Meeting his eyes, she said condemningly: “My Gaidin: how could you fail me?!”

 

●

 

Elessar awakened with a shock, sitting upright. He felt cold sweat beading his body, his eyes searching the encloaking darkness for something he knew he would not find.

 

Those accusing eyes.

 

His fists clenched.

 

Slowly, gradually, he calmed his mind and his body and his face lost some of its tension.

 

It was some time since he last had had that nightmare.

 

As always, it brought pain in his soul.

 

Looking silently across at his present Sedai Kathleen, resting and seemingly asleep on a blanket a little way to the side, the Warder nodded softly to himself and stepped out from his own blanket. He walked quitely - so as to not disturb her - past the extinguished fire to the other side of their make-shift camp, there in the small valley amidst the weathered hills of eastern Kandor, and stopped where their two horses were tethered.

 

Moonlight from above sent small slivers of light among the branches covering the tall trees surrounding their camp-site, partially breaking the enveloping blanket of darkness. Patting Kathleen’s mount and his black warhorse Stormbreaker on the back he spoke soothingly to these two faithful companions as he looked pensively into the night.

 

Perhaps it was all the tension back at his family estate - and the incident and worries with his father - some days earlier - that had triggered this emotional reaction, highlighting his emotional scars..

 

Perhaps that was what had brought on this intermittent, recurring memory.. or nightmare.

 

Yes, perhaps it was the stress, the tension.

 

Or perhaps..

 

..it was simply his emotional weakness, the eternal guilt over his failure, that he always carried deep within - though often hidden and submerged in his thoughts and feelings - often repressed but never truly gone.

 

●

 

His emotions were adrift in a Sea of Distress.

 

Guilt

 

Sorrow

 

Failure in his duty

 

 

Oh Leandreen. Forgive me.

 

 

A silent Tear flowing down Her face of Emerald Grace.

 

Flowing..

 

So pure..

 

Crystal clear..

 

Running, unwaveringly, like a river of Pain.

 

 

 

My life before yours, my Sedai. I promised. Can you forgive me!?

 

 

He was only met by eternal silence.

 

 

 

Closing his eyes, Elessar embraced the Night.

 

 

His was a Soul that Cries out for Redemption.

 

▀▄

Edited January 12, 2018 by Elessar

[Kathleen]

Kathleen stayed up late on her last night at Elessar's family estate. It wasn't that she was soaking in the scenery or just not tired enough to sleep. Her mind wouldn't settle. She had laid in bed hoping her thoughts would tame, but they wound around from one unresolved topic to another. Had Nev's cousin arrived with her letter yet? Would Nev be pleased to hear from her, or would he see it as her sticking her nose in? That thought wound to whether she should stick her nose into Elessar's family affairs. Their bond was new; her understanding of the tensions in the house was limited and fresh, but to walk away without trying to clear the air, without even trying to ease tensions, was not her way. There are more battles worth fighting than those waged with fireballs and spears. This was precisely the type of fight she had devoted her life to ending. Still, she could hardly march Elessar and his father into the study, lock he doors and not let them leave until the tensions broke; much as she wanted to. No, she would lose what respect she had gained from Elessar if she did that. He did not ask for her help and he had gone out of his way to keep her sheltered from the hardships of this long held strain. Wasn't it a matter pride in men to be able to take care of their own family affairs? Still, she had seen her own family fracture and she had watched all of her loved ones perish and pass without ever having attempted to mend the breach. These thoughts spiraled into how prideful and foolish men could be and then toward her own family strains. Her thoughts of family soon turned back to her first warder and the whole cycle began again until she had risen from her bed and began pacing the room thinking over what move she would make.

 

No decision was made that night; she did not wish to act on haste. Instead she forced herself back to bed when she knew she would have a few hours rest before she was to ride. When she awoke she set straight to packing to leave. She had packed everything save her stationery when she finally caved in to her untamed desire to do her part to help smooth things over. A knock came to her door and she sent the caller away. She turned the pages of stationary over until she found one where the markings from her previous note did not show through and she readied her pen to write.

 

Mr. Telcontar,

 

My thanks for the rooms your estate provided to my Warder and I  as we traveled through Kandor. The access to your studies and gardens was much appreciated and your staff kept us both well satisfied with all necessities and pleasures requested. 

 

I haven't the time to have a proper discussion with you, nor the time to delve deeply into the thoughts I wish to share with you now. I shall make this note quick, but please do not take is brevity as sign of little care for the topic about to be discussed, as I assure that I would not put in writing anything I cared little for. Do not take its short sentences and lack of sweet covered words as a signal of anger or demand; it is simply lack of time to make pretty prose. My Warder and I ride out shortly.

 

I do not pretend to know the depths of the rift between your son and yourself. What I do know is that there have been many years between the forming of this rift and its wide expansion into the destruction of your family ties. I do know that your son has come a long way in the hopes of mending what he can of the fracture. Whether he made the initial the tear or not does not matter. It was the two of you tearing at the hole in opposite directions which has spread it as far as it has come.  It does not matter how it began or how hard you fight against mending it; it took the two of you to make it as it is.

 

Even so, it changes nothing. What ever happened to begin this has happened. What was done to spread the distance has not disconnected you. Elessar is still holding one side of the rift open and you are still holding the other side. Elessar is your son and you his father. He is your legacy, whether you wish it at this point or not. This may well be the last of your chances to secure what you wish from him and for your family name.  It has taken more years to push to him away, yet the distance changes nothing. You haven't years left to waste in bitter silence. You haven't time to shorten the gap if you push it much further. I fear you have reached the end of this tug of war. This time when Elessar leaves, it may well be for good. He will be releasing his hold on this old grudge. He came to you with the intent to bury this hatchet, and whether you come to the funeral pyre or not, he will be lighting it. He will continue to walk away from you, but he will always carry the Telcontar name. He has made it his own, and he will continue to forge its meaning without you, if you make it so. If you have anything left to say to your son, any desire at all to be a part of the Telcontar legacy as it goes forward into the many more centuries I can take it than your name would ever be remembered otherwise, you may wish to think on ending this frigidity between yourself and your son. 

 

We will be traveling to Arafel, and from there I do not yet know. Think over what could well be your last contact with your son, for after this trip there is no telling whether he would come should you call. This was his last attempt to come to you. Think this over well, and if you find you have any words for him at all, send word to me and I will try to arrange for return travel through Kandor.

 

Kathleen Vandiar

Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah 

Under the protection of Elessar Gaidain of the White Tower

 

 

Kathleen folded the note and took a seal which her first warder had had commissioned for her -- a large 'V' with the symbol of the Flame of Tar Valon centered between its angled lines. She melted a small portion of her signature green ink and gently pressed it into the edge of her parchment to set the seal. She waited until Elessar had already mounted before she handed the letter off to be delivered to his father. She only hoped that her new warder would forgive her should he learn of her actions in writing this letter, and that the words she wrote would do more good than damage to him in future.

 

 

Kathleen Vandiar

Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah

 

*totally got side tracked...ment to reply to your most recent post, but this took over as I wrote..so I'll get another reply up of Kat in the camp responding to your last post*