Light, the tiny room she was going to be sharing had gotten quite tense there for a few minutes. Luckily Rossa had noticed too and changed the subject. Elli had never been very good at dealing with tense situations with other people. Shelf space, however, was something she could definitely deal with. There was something else in her suggestion that her and Moa and Elli could share the shelf space, but Elli could not place it. No matter though, it was not very important.

“Well, it was nice to meet you Elli,†Moa said when Rossa finished. Elli nodded, and returned her roommates smile at the same time. The girl turned to face Rossa and continued. “I do not have much either, except for my novice dresses here and my bag,†she said. At the mention of it, Moa gripped her bag. It seemed to Elli almost as if she was being very…possessive, of it. As if she was afraid she would lose it right then and there. Strange. After a second, Moa continued, saying how she would not need any cupboard space either. That means that Elli would be able to use as much space as she wanted. Useless, of course, because she did not have much more than either of the other girls.

It was strange, also, that the tenseness was still lingering. There appeared to be no reason for it, except that perhaps each girl recalling her past was causing it. This time it was Moa that attempted to rid the room of the apprehension whilst changing the subject. “Well, I suppose I could tell you ladies how I came to be at the Tower. Since it seems we will be together for a long time, years even, maybe we should open up a bit,†the girl said, eyeing Rossa and Elli. Not the topic Elli would have chosen first for relaxing, but it might help.

As Elli and Rossa waited for her to continue, Moa walked over to the bed on the opposite end of the room from Elli’s and put her belongings and the dresses on it. Her roommate then continued, saying “I come from Tarabon, Tanchico to be exact. I was, well, I guess you can say I was “discovered†by an Aes Sedai at The Great Circle. My parents did not care much that I came. In fact, I do not think they cared at all.â€

Pity swelled up inside Elli. How could any parent not care what happened to their daughter? Well, her own father hadn’t made the most thought-out decision ever, and that had ended up leaving her alone in the world. Tears almost came to Elli’s eyes, but she fought them.

Looking at Moa, Elli felt a strong urge to go and give her a hug. She could not imagine having parents that didn’t care at all. She constrained herself though…she hardly knew Moa, and hugging might prove to be awkward. So, Elli settled with just talking. Granted, it did take her a while to decide on what to say.

“Moa, just remember that we,†Elli looked at Rossa, indicating who she meant, “will be here for the next few years, as you said.†Elli paused for a few minutes to think of what to say next, and then continued. “I know life can be hard sometimes…believe me, I know…but just remember that if you ever need to talk, I’ll be here.â€

Elli smiled, at Moa and for another reason. It was the first time she had done something like that…no shyness at all, just out in the open. And it felt good.

~Elli :D

OOC: SO sorry it took me so long to write this. I'm taking an LOA now, too. Don't know how long though, sorry.

“Open your Locket, Ellinielle.â€

Those few words seemed to carry the meaning and significance of everything her mentor had just said. It made Elli shiver. It scared her that the White Tower could change someone so much, so fast, and it seemed to scare Vera, too. Elli itched to know what she meant when she said she had gone through some horrible changes six years ago. Could I really change so much that I would distance from Vera completely, she thought to herself. She did not think it was possible.

Elli turned her attention to the chain Vera had placed around her neck, forgetting all about change. A heart-shaped locket was attached to it…that was Vera’s gift to her, and what a gift it was. Without a word, she took it in her hand and opened it, smiling as she did so. Her heart was racing, and she didn’t know why. Inside was a small key, passed on to Vera from her mentor, and now Vera was passing it on to her. The key to this garden. The beauty of it still took her back when she looked around. She had no intention of neglecting her gift at all. She would treasure it.

It will show you who you are and at the same time, who you were…Vera’s words echoed in Elinielle’s mind. Powerful words, and Elli knew that she would never forget them, no matter what changes she goes through at the Tower. How could she ever forget not only her first friend in the Tower, but her first friend in years. It just couldn’t happen.

Ellinielle closed the locket and looked up into her mentor’s eyes. Smiling, she said “Thank you, Vera. I will care for this garden and treasure it.†Elli just couldn’t hold it in any longer. Dropping the locket to let it hang around her neck, she embraced Vera in a hug, friend-to-friend. She hadn’t done that in a very long time.

~Elli

OOC: Kinda short, sorry, couldn’t think of what to write.

OOC: Girl and guy, you mean :D

“Nice to meet you, Moa,â€

Rossa spoke, and Ellinielle suppressed a sigh as an awkward silence fell upon the tiny room. That happened often, it seemed, when you meet two new people under strange circumstances within a few minutes of each other, and find out that you are going to be spending a lot of time together over the next few years. Maybe it wasn’t going to be so bad as she had originally thought it would be, with three people cramped into the unbelievably tiny room. Moa did have the same mentor as her, after all, and she thought her roommate was right about having many classes together. She thought she would have to ask Vera something though; if she had placed Moa in the same room as her on pupose, perhaps knowing that it would make things easier.

“Since we’re going to be roommates for a while, we should get to know each other.â€

Rossa said, breaking the silence with the to-the-point statement. She’s right though, Elli thought to herself. It would be very hard to live with the two girls if they knew nothing about one another. Elli waited for Rossa to start, since she had been the one to bring it up. She was startled, however, when it was Moa who spoke up first.

“I guess I will begin.â€

Elli thought it was strange…Moa, who Elli had originally taken as the kind of person who would not speak first in a conversation, had in fact just spoken first in a conversation. First impressions can be wrong indeed. Rossa, on the other hand, seemed to be trying to keep the attention away from her. Elli was wondering why that might be when Moa continued.

“Well, I guess we could start with you telling me your name. I am afraid that I did not catch it earlier.â€

Moa was looking straight at Elli, and as she finished talking, Elli thought she noticed the girl’s face start to colour. Pity swelled up inside Elli for the girl. Her eyes were still wet from the tears she had shed a few moments ago, when she came crashing into the room. Elli thought it would be best if she did not mention that little incident. “Ellinielle Iridin. You can call me Elli, if you want.†Elli smiled sweetly, and continued. “I’ve only been at the Tower for a week, myself, but in all honesty, I didn’t expect to have two roommates.†That came kind of close to mentioning Moa’s entrance, so she quickly changed what she was saying. “I am from Ebou Dar, but I didn’t live there long. Where are you two from?†Elli smiled again, and hoped that the tension in the room would dissipate a little bit after her question.

~Elli

Ellinielle stared at the teary eyed girl sitting against the door, waiting for an answer to her question. Should she have been a little more comforting? She felt extremely sorry for the girl, having been embarrassed like that. Nothing for it now, except to wait for an answer. The answer, however, did not come. The girl looked as if she didn’t know what to say. The sobbing novice was relieved of the question, however, when her other new roommate spoke.

“I’ve just arrived myself, so I know how you feel.â€

Rossa spoke in a calm, comforting voice, and stretched out her hand as she did so. The teary girl looked a bit confused as Rossa helped her to her feet. Why confusion? Perhaps it was the same reason Elli herself was confused at the moment; one moment thinking you were all alone, the next minute having two new roommates with you. If she was going to have to share this room with two other people, it was going to get very crowded. There was hardly any space as it is.

“My name is Rossa. Are you a new novice as well?â€

Her first new roommate spoke again, after her second new roommate simply stood silent at the door, staring at the ground. Elli stared at her, waiting for an answer to Rossa’s question. Suddenly, the girl looked up from the floor, and met Ellinielle eyes with her own. All Elli did was stare back, though, and waited intently for the girl’s answer. The long awaited response finally came, after the girl managed to jerk her eyes away from Elli’s and stare at Rossa.

“Yes, I am a new novice. In fact, Vera Sedai just dropped me off at my room, which I am to assume is here. My name is Moa Nachimanâ€

Elli’s lips widened into a bigger smile with every word. Vera Sedai was this girl’s mentor, or so it would seem. What a wonderful surprise! Her new roommate, which Elli now knew was who she was, had the same mentor as her. She didn’t know why that was exciting, but it was. The girl looked at Rossa and Elli, now, waiting for an answer. Uncertainty was clear on her face. Elli replied in a voice she thought was comforting. “Well, it is a pleasure to meet you, Moa,†she began. “Vera Sedai is your mentor? She is mine also!†The second part was spoken very quickly, and in a bit of a squeaky voice. She was having trouble keeping her excitement down. 2 new roommates in one day! Now that was unexpected. Elli resumed staring at Moa, this time with a wide grin on her face. She still had not reasoned out why she should be so excited. Maybe it was simply because the first part of her day paled in comparison to the events of the past few minutes.

Calming herself, and suppressing her excitement down to a controllable level, she waited for a reply, all the while thinking about how life would be like with two roommates. It would be extremely cramped in the tiny room, but she would just have to get used to it. What a day!

~Elli

OOC: I’m back! I’m a little bit tired, though, from packing/unpacking/waking up early, so this isn’t the best I’ve ever written. If you notice any parts that don’t make sense, tell me and I’ll edit :D

Yay congratz! *hugs mentor*

Ellinielle’s head shot straight up as the door to her room opened unexpectedly. She did not know who would want to see her, but whoever it was could have at least have had the courtesy to knock first. Really; bursting into a room unannounced! Who could it be, though? She was tired and she did not think she could conjure up the patience to deal with anything bothersome right now. She just wanted to rest for a little while! Was that too much to ask? She knew she couldn’t, though, and had not really expected to get much rest in the first place. Oh well. She just had to deal with the matter at hand, tired as she was. But who was at her door?

Elli’s question was answered soon enough. Striding through the door came a young girl, with long, dark brown hair and brown eyes. She wasn’t wearing the novice white, but a different dress. The girl stopped dead in her tracks when she entered the room, a look of surprise in her eyes. At what? Perhaps she had not expected anyone else to be in the room. That would explain the lack of a knock before entering. But why would a young girl just walk into a novice room not expecting to see anyone? That’s when it hit Elli. Maybe this girl was a new novice. But that would mean…a roommate! Maybe. The girl curtsied, and Ellinielle was positive that she was unsure how to act. When the girl spoke, though, Elli’s suspicions were confirmed.

“Good day to you. My name is Rossa Venye. I understand from my mentor, Aleanda Sedai, that this is to be my room.â€

Either the Aes Sedai had really messed something up, which was impossible, or Elli had just laid eyes upon her new roommate. She didn’t know whether to be excited or not. She was definitely surprised; she had thought that she was going to be alone. This could either be a really good thing, or a really bad thing. Her roommate…Rossa, so it would seem…appeared to be nice enough. Certainly very polite. She hoped they could get along…she certainly didn’t want to spend ten years sharing a room with someone she didn’t like. That was a scary thought. Nothing she could do about that if it happened, though, so she did the only thing she could do. She sat upright and introduced herself.

“Nice to meet you, Rossa. My name is Ellinielle.†Elli paused. She had never been very outgoing, and meeting new people had always been an uncomfortable experience for her. When she continued, she said “It appears that…well, I guess we are roommates now?†Ellinielle phrased it as a question, unsure of what to say. It was an odd situation. “I…†at that moment she was cut off as the door flew open. It was more surprising this time, for the girl who had opened the door lay on the ground as if she had fallen. Elli could hear a few novices laughing in the hall outside. The fallen girl noticed, too, and immediately grabbed her bag and a couple of novice dresses that had apparently fallen with her. Once she had them, the girl, who Elli assumed was a new novice, tried to shut the door, but it kept getting caught on her dress. As she scrambled to get the door free of her dress, Elli glanced at Rossa. Her roommate appeared to be as surprised and confused as she herself was.

The girl finally freed her dress, and the door slammed shut, cutting off the laughter of the novices outside. Once it was closed, she sat up against the door. There were tears in her eyes. Elli felt sorry for the girl, though it could not be seen through the baffled expression on her face. Without changing her expression, Elli said “Can I, erm, help you?†She had already guessed at what the sobbing girl’s purpose was in her room, though she doubted that life could be so coincidental so as to bring two roommates into her life in the span of a few minutes. Could it?

~Elli

OOC: I won’t be able to post again for about a week and a half, so just go on without me :D

A strong, cold, wind drifted through the air around the White Tower, rustling the dying leaves on the trees, often picking them right off the branch and letting them fall gently to the ground. The autumn chill was starting to settle in, and every day brought colder temperatures. Winter was drawing closer and closer, and Ellinielle dreaded the freezing temperatures, and the snow that would accompany them. Right now, however, it was not snow she was worried about, but rain. Dark clouds loomed overhead, confirmation of stormy weather to come in the very near future. She walked as quickly as she could across the garden, yet still tried to maintain at least some composure. It was hard to do, with the wind blowing her hair, and she was shivering from the cold it brought.

Getting caught in the rain was not something Ellinielle wanted very much right now, especially in her current mood. She had been picking weeds for hours, a chore she had been dismayed to receive. She had been very quick about the work in the beginning, but after a little while, she had grown tired and slowed down. As soon as she had glimpsed the rain clouds, though, with quite a few more weeds to go, she had quickened her pace immediately. She had finished just in time, too, with the rain clouds ready to burst very shortly. She had raced off as soon as she was done, heading for the novice quarters.

Elli reached the end of the garden, and stepped inside through a carved wooden door. She thought she knew how to get to her room from here. Having only been in the Tower for a week, she had not yet memorized the hallways. The first few days, she had had to ask for directions a number of times.

As she walked through the halls on her way to her room, she passed several Accepted in their banded dresses, and fellow Novices in plain white, just like Elli herself, as well as Aes Sedai. It was still cold inside, yet the Aes Sedai showed no sign of being affected by it. When she passed one, she curtsied as best she could, then kept on walking. She hoped she knew where she was going. The halls were starting to look vaguely familiar, but that could just be her imagination.

Ellinielle let out a sigh of relief as she rounded a corner, to find that she knew exactly where she was. From there, she walked for just a couple of minutes, this time sure about where she was heading. Soon, she was in her small room, where she had lived the past week. Though being a novice had been…tiring…she still felt a small sense of being at home when she was here. Right now, she was tired and hungry after the days work. Ellinielle threw herself on top of her bed, and let out a long sigh. She didn’t even want to think of the dirt stains in her dress that she would have to take out. Apart from the work involved with being a novice, she still felt a sense of wonder that she would someday be Aes Sedai. She did feel a bit lonely at times, though, having not made any friends except Vera. It had only been a week though, and she knew she had years yet to make friends. Many years.

~Elli

OOC: I'm going on vacation for a week starting Saturday, and I won't have access to a comp.

After she had finished speaking, Elli began to doubt. Her relief was still there, and she was still glad she had told her mentor that condensed version of her dark past, yet the doubt was there now too. It was such a relief to get it out in the open, but what would Vera think of her? They had only just met, and she had already told her about things she had said to no one in years. Well, it had all been said, and there was nothing she could do about now, except hope.

As Ellinielle finished her story, she could see a slight realization slide across her mentor’s face. Had she said something? Foolish to worry about that, for realization wasn’t a bad thing, after all. This might turn out to be a very good thing, actually. Elli knew she was right when Vera spoke, in response to Elli’s history.

“I will not ask you about what happened before Tar Valon, because it is obvious that whatever happened, was terrible. All I can say is, I’m truly very sorry it did. And also, that you’ll get past it.â€

Ellinielle knew she had been right in deciding to tell Vera about her past. If anything, it was bringing them closer, ever so slightly. For the first time, Elli began to think that maybe, just maybe, she would find a friend in her mentor. A true friend, not like the few she had had before coming to Tar Valon. And, she realized, that was exactly what she had been longing for. And so she kept on hoping. Hoping that Vera and her would get along. Hoping she had finally found someone she could trust. After all, spending just a few minutes with her had somehow made her decide to some of her deepest miseries come out into the open.

Ellinielle listened as her new mentor continued. Vera was calmer now, and more…affectionate. She was trying to comfort her, and Elli knew that it was exactly what she needed. So, she listened.

“Sometimes, things happen because they’re trying to show you the way you’re meant to go. Other times they may happen to mislead you.â€

A word of advice from someone older and wiser, or a friend comforting a friend. Elli thought it was closer to the latter. Either way, it was good advice, a lesson she was beginning to understand, as she thought about it. All the misfortunes in her life, all the poverty and losses. Had they all been for a better cause? Elli hoped that that is what it meant. She did not like the other alternative very much. She shuddered at the thought that her dark past had all been to lead her to something worse. She didn’t think it was possible, though. The White Tower was everything she had dreamed of as a child. How could that possible be something bad?

“It is up to you to make it either of the two. You make your fate. Remember that Elli.â€

As Elli saw the smile that spread across her mentor’s face at the words, she knew. She knew that all her misfortunes had not led her to something terrible or worse. They had not misled her. Instead, she realized, they had guided her to something better. To something she had always wanted. Something she had needed desperately, throughout her years of loneliness and despair and grieving. All that bad luck, had led her to a friend.

"Thank you. I...I think I know where it has led me." That was all that she could get out right then.

Elli smiled back.

~AJ

Proud mentee to Vera

Ellinielle did not know what to think. She did not know what to do or say, either, as she stared into the eyes of her new mentor. The past few minutes had been some of the oddest she had experienced. One minute she had been in Faerzyne Sedai’s study, and the next, Vera was leading her down a hallway, sprinting. She was still panting, after that run. It had been a while since she had had to run like that. However, Elli though that it was worth it.

Vera had led her down the hallway to a small garden. It was breathtakingly beautiful. There was a small cherry tree, which had been the first thing Ellinielle had noticed. Then, she had actually stopped to look, and she had seen the roses. There were roses everywhere, of all the colours roses came in. She had always loved roses, and right now she realized that it was hard not to love their beautiful scent and elegant shape.

Elli took in the rest of the garden, too. There was a vine-covered wall, behind the cherry tree, and a bench, too. The small area was surrounded by an iron gate, which Vera had led her through a moment earlier. As she looked around, her mentor began telling a bit about herself, like how long she had been in the Tower, and where she had been before that. Then she said something that wiped every doubt Ellinielle had of her mentor out of existence. Vera said that she was a fiend and a confidant. All uncertainty had vanished; Elli new she could trust her new mentor. Her new friend.

Now it was Elli’s turn to talk. What should she say? She was nervous again, now. Then, she realized something. She was being terrible pathetic. Vera, who claimed to be nervous all the time, had just spontaneously led her sprinting down a hall and into a garden. She could at least answer a simple question. So, she decided to start by making things slightly less formal. “Please, call me Elliâ€. She went on.

“I was born in the Rahad, in Ebou Dar. Basically, it just goes downhill from there.†She shuddered at the memories. “Until today, that is.†She tried to smile, but the remembrance of all her bad luck would not go away. Best to be rid of some of it, she decided. “My family was very poor, and my mother died when I was young. My father and brother were…let’s just say they fell victim to the law.†She wanted to cry, but stopped herself. “I was put into the care of some rotten merchants, and ran away to Caemlyn. From there I went to Cairhien.†She was about to say something about her previous husband, but couldn’t. She didn’t know why. “Well, some things happened there, and I came to Tar Valon.†The memory of Aralor still haunted her dreams. She thought that if she tried to talk about her deceased husband, she would cry till no end. She did feel better, though, now that some was out in the open. She hadn’t talked about it with anyone in a very long time.

OOC: YAY! (sorry, that was just some spontanious excitement);)

A million thoughts raced through Ellinielle’s head as she sat on the rather uncomfortable chair in Faerzyne Sedai’s office. Her heart pounded as the Mistress of Novices quickly read the note from Shaneevae Sedai. When she finished, she said "So you have already been tested, I see." Ellinielle gave a slight nod, thinking about the events that had led up to the present moment. Being tested, and finding out she could learn to channel. "Well then, we should see about making your stay more permanent then." The Aes Sedai took the large book on her desk and opened it. It was then that Ellinielle realized it was the Book of Novices. She had been wondering in the back of her mind what could be so large as to have to contain it in a book that size.

"Could you please tell me your name once more, your age and your place of raising." Ellinielle recited the information when the woman asked. She had to spell out her name. She knew it was a bit…tricky…to guess the spelling. When it came to saying her place of raising, though, every good thought in her mind vanished instantly. They were replaced by memories of the Rahad, a time when she had been hungry and poor. She shuddered. When she realized she had, she forced the memories of her childhood out of her head. She usually had better control over keeping those thoughts out, as well as the other misfortunate events in her life, but today she had let them run wild more than once. It was the excitement and apprehension of becoming a novice.

As the Aes Sedai finished recording the information and closed the book, it hit Elli. She was officially a novice. Sealed to the tower, now, unless she proved to be not good enough. Up until now she had spent her whole life free, going where she wanted to go, doing what she wanted. Now, she knew, she had a long way to go before she could have that freedom again. A long way until she was Aes Sedai. ‘It’s worth the wait, though’ she told herself. She knew it was.

Ellinielle watched as Faerzyne Sedai scribbled a quick note on a piece of paper and handed it to a passing novice in the hall, to deliver to someone. The Mistress of Novices then turned to a cupboard and took out two white dresses, which she then handed to Ellinielle, instructing her to keep them clean and well-mended. She then sat back down behind the desk. "I have asked for someone to join us, another whom shall mentor you, teach you." Ellinielle wondered who that would be. She hoped it was someone nice. It would just ruin the wonderful day she was having if it was someone mean or rude.

Ellinielle listened as the Aes Sedai instructed her on the rules. As she listened, she tried to store away all the information in her head. It would be terrible if she forgot something. Curfew was nine, she was not allowed off Tower grounds, and no interaction at all with Tower guards, trainees, or warders. ‘I think I know everything’ she told herself. As soon as Faerzyne Sedai finished explaining, there was a soft knock on the door. It opened by itself, and for the first time, Ellinielle laid eyes on her mentor.

OOC: Was that alright? I wasn’t exactly sure what I had to write.

Almost as soon as Ellinielle knocked, a voice answered back.

“Enter.â€

At the sound of the soft voice, Ellinielle reached to open the door, but was cut short before she could get to it. The door opened, though it did so on its own. Elli stared as the door opened itself, pure wonder and amazement on her face. It took her a minute to realize what had just happened. She realized that the door must have been opened with the One Power. That’s twice today that she had seen it being used. What a day!

Ellinielle tried to regain the very little composure she had had, and walked into the room with a smile on her lips. It was a meek one, but a smile nonetheless. Her expression did not change as she entered the office, but inside Elli was holding back an overwhelming feeling of excitement. Her stomach was fluttering with nervousness, too. She could guess that the Mistress of Novices was an important person, and she was about to meet her. Ellinielle quickly surveyed the room, trying to take in everything at once. The room itself did not interest her much, but the woman…the Mistress of Novices, she assumed…is who she was concentrating on. The woman was clearly Aes Sedai, with her ageless face. She had small bells attached to her braids, and she looked a little tired. Before Ellinielle could say anything, the Aes Sedai spoke.

“My name is Faerzyne Sedai. I am the Mistress of Novices at the White Tower. How may I help you?â€

When the Aes Sedai finished, Ellinielle studdered a bit as she spoke. “I…am Ellinielle Iridin…Faerzyne Sedai,†she began slowly. The other woman stared, waiting for her to finish. “I…have a note from…Shaneevae Sedai. I am here…to become a…a…a novice.†The Aes Sedai stared at her, as if she was waiting for something. Suddenly, after what seemed like forever, though it was only a few seconds, she remembered the note. Reaching into her bag, she pulled it out, all the while feeling like a wool-headed fool. ‘I even mentioned it already!’ she thought to herself. When she found it, she quickly strode over to the Mistress of Novices with as much grace she could manage at the moment. When she reached the woman, she handed over the letter.

OOC: I will be away for the next 4 days, until Friday, so don’t expect anything until Saturday, though I might be able to get on Friday :D.

As she was handed the folded parchment, Ellinielle could scarcely keep her excitement down, now. She was having trouble storing all the Aes Sedai was instructing her to do in her head, word for word. To think, by the end of the day she would be a White Tower novice!

“…May the Light keep you and bless you.â€

When the woman finished speaking, Ellinielle watched her walk out of the shop without another word. Well that was awfully abrupt. No matter, though. She would follow her instructions and get to the White Tower as soon as possible. No time to lose! She quickly turned around and walked through a wooden door leading to her room. She didn’t feel like wasting time packing everything, so she threw on a thin cloak and tucked away the letter in a bag. She ran out the door, and headed towards the main shop. There she saw Miss Potter, who immediately said that Shaneevae Sedai had already explained things to her and that it was wonderful and how she must hurry to the White Tower. Ellinielle offered a quick goodbye and a hug, and then she was out the door.

She walked out onto the street, where a soft breeze blew. She wasted no time admiring the nice weather, and started down the street at a quick pace. She knew where she was going…it was very hard not to be able to find the White Tower when it loomed above everything else. Elli kept staring up at it as she made her way forward. All the splendor and power that tall building contained just exhilarated her more. She turned a few corners, and in a few minutes she arrived.

Standing at the entrance was a guard, who as predicted by the Aes Sedai, asked Ellinielle what her business was. Following her instructions, she said “I have been sent to the Mistress of Novices by Shaneevae Sedai.†She was so excited that she was completely forgetting all caution. That could be bad, but for the first time in a long time, she made herself forget about being careful for a little while. The guard let her pass, and as she entered the Tower, her mouth fell open.

The entrance hall was completely stunning. It seemed to be all white marble everywhere she looked. It was the most impressive building she had ever laid eyes on. People were scattered about the room, in small clusters or by themselves. She decided she should ask someone where the Mistress of Novices’ office was. An Aes Sedai walked by her, and Ellinielle was about to ask for directions, then decided not to, when the Aes Sedai looked at her with a cold stare that said “I am too busy to talkâ€. She stood for a minute, surveying the room, before she spotted a young woman garbed all in white. She walked up to the girl and asked meekly for directions. The girl stared at her for minute, before muttering “follow me†and started down a hallway.

The young woman led Ellinielle down a few hallways, and then stopped after a short while in front of an old wooden door. The girl quickly informed her that this was the Mistress of Novices’ office, and scurried off without another word. Ellinielle gulped as the young woman rounded a corner and vanished out of site. Turning to face the door, she suppressed her nervousness and softly knocked on the door.

Ellinielle felt a pang of fear after she asked the question. The Aes Sedai looked angry. It lasted only a second, though, before it was replaced with anxiety. The Aes Sedai wasn’t angry at all…just a little bit surprised at being asked the question all of a sudden. The Aes Sedai stared at her for a few seconds, though it seemed like hours. Abrubtly the silence was broken by the other woman. Ellinielle felt even more nervous than she had before she asked. All of her emotions changed, however, at the Aes Sedai’s words.

“How long have you been in Tar Valon, child? I’m awed that you could have escaped notice this long without being tested. No matter, we shall remedy that immediately.â€

She was going to be tested! A feeling of excitement overwhelmed her anxiety, and for a quick second she forgot about the fact that there was a slim chance that she could learn to channel. ‘This is no time for daydreaming’, she thought irritably. How long had she been in Tar Valon, now? It had been a few months, already. Ellinielle cursed herself for not asking an Aes Sedai to be tested earlier.

The Aes Sedai pulled out a large emerald on a silver chain, and strode toward the other side of the room. Ellinielle followed at the woman’s beckoning, and sat across from her. This was it. This was the moment she had dreamed of her whole life. Elli just hoped it would turn out the way she so desperately wanted it to. ‘I musn’t get my hopes up. Not now’ she told herself. Oh, but how she hoped she could learn to channel. The Aes Sedai told her to hold out both her hands, and when she did, the woman placed the green gem in Elli’s cupped palms. Excitement and apprehension filled her thoughts, and she could think of nothing else.

The Aes Sedai looked at her, and told her to clear her mind of everything except the stone in her hands. Light, was that ever hard. Trying to rid herself of her anxiety and anticipation was not very easy. After all, this test would determine her future. The Aes Sedai told her to focus and leave all her other thoughts outside the room. Ellinielle closed her eyes in hopes of making that task easier, considering she was getting nowhere with them open.

She tried to suppress every thought that popped into her head. She formed a picture of the emerald in her hands in her mind. The emerald was everything. There was nothing else. She concentrated as hard as she could. Everything else disappeared, and for a brief moment, all of her troubles and bad memories ceased to exist in her mind. She had so many of those, and it was an almost overwhelming relief to be rid of them, if only for an instant. Just the gem. Light, how long would this take? She was concentrating as best as she could, now, and didn’t know how much longer she could hold it for. Finally, her deep focus on the stone was broken by the Aes Sedai’s voice.

“Congratulations Ellinielle, you have the ability to learn to channel.â€

It was as if all her deepest, most forgotten childhood dreams came floating up from where they had lain hidden in the depths of her mind. She immediately forgot the stone she had been concentrating on so intently a moment before. All she could do was stare. She could learn! She would be able to weave Saidar! Overwhelming joy and excitement was all she felt. A million thoughts raced through her head at once. She was going to be Aes Sedai! She…she was too excited to think clearly, is what she was.

Finally, Ellinielle suppressed her emotions just enough to get some words out. She couldn’t control the sound of her voice for lack of any self-control at that moment, and her words came out through her huge smile in a bit of a squeaky voice.

“Light! I am so excited! What do I do now, Aes Sedai!?â€

Ellinielle Iridin

Novice of the White Tower

“Fantastic!†Ellinielle let out a sigh of relief she had been holding in when the Aes Sedai clapped her hands and spoke that word. She was handling herself pretty well so far, she thought. The woman in front of her had seemed very powerful at first…more important than Ellinielle. Perhaps it was just the knowledge that she was Aes Sedai, that had made Ellinielle very nervous and intimidated. Now, however, she was starting to see a different side of the woman. All the Aes Sedai she had ever seen had been very…demanding. This one seemed to be nicer. A lot nicer. Ellinielle began to feel more relaxed.

Turning around, she started towards the curtains, beckoning for the Aes Sedai to follow. As they pushed away the curtains, Ellinielle leading her new customer, pure indecision covered the woman’s face as she gazed upon all the materials resting on the shelves. Ellinielle wturned to face her, and stopped what she was going to say when she realized the Aes Sedai was lost in thought. Best to wait for her customer to speak first. Moving her eyes around the room while she waited, Ellinielle realized that Miss Potter had stayed in the other room instead of following, and her heart sank. 'Oh light, now I have to do this by myself!’ The worry lasted only a second until she thought about it. This was no different than having any other customer. The retired seamstress’ presence would have been a comfort though.

“I’m sorry child. I’m easily distracted. Perhaps you could recommend something for me? If you would be so kind.†The Aes Sedai let out a laugh as she spoke. Ellinielle immediately turned to face the woman, forgetting all about Miss Potter for the moment. “That is quite alright, Aes Sedai,†she said, making her voice as pleasant as she could. “If I may say, I would suggest something in the Tairen fashion for you,†she thought it would fit the woman’s form nicely. “It would be lovely, I think.†She waited for the other woman’s nod before she continued. “If you would pick out some colours?†she said, leading the Aes Sedai over to the shelves holding some fabrics.

The woman started looking through the fabrics. As Ellinielle watched her, a memory popped into her head of another time she had seen an Aes Sedai. She had been only 10 years old, her mother was still alive, and she lived in the Rahad, in Ebou Dar. She shuddered at that last.

Ellinielle ran down the crowded street of Ebou Dar, followed by her friend, Daeria. She was racing to get back home, for it was getting late, and her mother would be worried. She had ventured out of the Rahad today, for a little escape from the grungy, dirty streets. And for a little adventure. She didn’t get away from there very much, and she had enjoyed the past few hours. Now, the sun was setting, and she new it would be dark soon.

As she turned a corner, she came to a less crowded street, and stopped dead where she stood. Daeria bumped into her, and they toppled onto the road. They quickly recovered, so as not to get run over by a cart. Ellinielle took Daeria’s hand and led her down the street at a run. Her friend kept shouting “where are we going, Elli?†but all she could do in answer was say “just try to keep up.†Elli’s full attention was on the small crowd of people on the street. She was searching for what she thought she had seen. Where did they go?

Rounding another corner, her friend in tow, Ellinielle found what she was looking for. Two people were walking down the street, a woman and a man. The man seemed to be watching every direction at once, and had a sword strapped to his waist. The woman…she was the one who held Elli’s attention. The woman was all serenity, her ageless face pointing her out in the crowd.From what she had heard, this woman was Aes Sedai! The street was very busy, the people a huge moving mass. Elli tried to move forward, to get a better look at the Aes Sedai, but trying to push her way through the crowd was nearly impossible. She glanced at the Aes Sedai, and noticed the woman’s rich and expensive clothes. Glancing down at her own, Elli sighed in grief when she saw them. They were torn in several places, and made of a really itchy material. Also, the crowd parted around the woman, to let her and her impressive white mare through the crowd.

Elli turned to her friend, and they stared at each other for a long moment. Then, Elli whispered something that made her friend gasp. “Someday, Daeria, I want to be Aes Sedai.â€

Ellinielle awoke from her daydream, and wondered how long she had been lost in her childhood memory. She stared at the Aes Sedai, and saw that she was still looking at fabrics, so it couldn’t have been that long. As she stared, her long-forgotten aspiration popped into her mind, this time as a possible reality. She wanted to ask it so badly. Finally, she worked up the courage. “Excuse me, Aes Sedai, but I…was just wondering if…maybe…you might be able test me…to see if I can channel?â€

OOC: You did not do terrible! I thought you were very good. Thank you for helping me with this, btw. this post turned out longer than I expected it to…I had a lot to write about. :D

“Ellinielle! Come out child. I have a very special customer for you.†Ellinielle Iridin nearly dropped the needle she was using when the voice called her. She recognized the voice to be Miss Potter’s, and suppressed an urge to curse the woman for breaking the calm silence that had filled the room not a minute earlier. She also wanted to curse herself for losing the grip on the sewing needle. If she had dropped it, it might have pricked or cut her. ‘What could she want, and what kind of special customer could it be?’ Ellinielle thought to herself. All of these thoughts passed through her head in little more than a few seconds, and she quickly put down what she had been working on and got up to attend to Miss Potter. She walked to the doorway leading to the main part of the shop, pushed away the curtain very carefully for she didn’t want to make it fall, and gaped in astonishment at the woman standing next to Miss Potter.

All Ellinielle could do was stare in astonishment and walk towards the pair of women. Towards the “special†customer actually-she was completely unaware of the other seamstress right now. The customer had such a…presence…and an important air about her. There was no doubt in Ellinielle’s mind why that was; the woman was obviously Aes Sedai! “Hello there. I hear that you are an exceptional seamstress and as luck would have it I’m in need of some exceptional gowns.†As the Aes Sedai spoke, the only things going through Ellinielle’s mind were excitement and fear. Fear was definitely the prominent emotion…what if she displeased the Aes Sedai?

Realizing the Aes Sedai was awaiting an answer, Ellinielle forced herself to forget her fear…for the time being, at least. She curtsied as best she could manage, which was very impressive for someone who had been born quite poor. She suppressed a shudder as her memories of her childhood in the Rahad came into her mind. Forcing the memories out of her head, she decided it would be best to say something. ‘Best to keep it plain and simple’, she thought. Even having lived and worked in Tar Valon for a while now, she did not have much experience dealing with Aes Sedai, as none had ever come to the shop looking for clothes before. She hoped she was doing it right! “Most pleased to meet you, Aes Sedai. I…am Ellinielle…I would be honored if you would allow me to sew you a gown.†She realized that her natural, always-there smile had disappeared in pure astonishment when she had seen the Aes Sedai. She quickly made it return, and tried to make it as pleasant as she could. Remembering that Miss Potter was there, she offered a meek “oh…hello Miss Potter,†and turned back towards her special customer. Light, what if she displeased the Aes Sedai!