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Elayne listened squirming internally to Moiraine's cool voice that was like silvery bells, as she said, " As a Daughter Heir to Andor you should be above this. Every country has its own ways and traditions, customs, Mayene is just one example. Not everything is always how it may appear from the outside. Rand belongs to the Pattern and history, as Karaethon Cycle points or could point."
Elayne murmured, recited in the High Chant as her tutors had trained her to do.
"The Stone of Tear will never fall,
until Callandor is wielded by the Dragon's hand.
The Stone of Tear will never fall,
until the People of the Dragon come.
Into the heart he thrusts his sword,
into the heart, to hold their hearts."
Moiraine's dark eyes drilled into Elayne, as she lightly glanced at Egwene's arm, which was at Elayne's waist, as she continued, " Berelain is according to my eyes and ears, despite her youth, an extremely capable and skilled politician who does everything in her power to keep Mayene independent and separate from Tear's usual power-grabbing, as countless of Mayene´s First rules have done before her. It may be that you see certain similarities between the two of you that you don't want to acknowledge."
Egwene let out a small choked gasp.
Unruffled Elayne glanced in her most stately way towards´s Moiraine as she noted, " I respect Mayene politically, but still Berelain took too many liberties, today."
Moiraine's smile was quiet and piercing as she glanced at the two Accepted, as Elayne automatically leaned into Egwene's touch. They were so young, and eager, a bit like Siuan and her had been once.
Suddenly Moiraine found herself missing Siuan's voice infinitely, her eyes and her clever quick fingers fluttering inside her, but especially her scent. Maybe it was because of where she stood now. Deep in the Stone of Tear, and somewhere down outside the inner city was Maule. The Fingers of the Dragon were close, as were hazardous schools of silver spikes, about which Siuan always spoke in such a cautious tone amid her usual flair of fish-related sayings.
Egwene's questioning voice broke the slight silence that had fallen in the interrogation room.
Nynaeve tugged at her braid, slowly.
"Have you ever been love, Moiraine?"
Elayne barely managed to hide her startlement at Egwene's question, as Moiraine was typical Blue. They customarily gave all their passions to causes. Guiding Rand was the greatest cause of all mankind. But looking more closely at the slender figure dressed in blue silk, it seemed that Moiraine was not at all flustered.
She looked at them calmly, attentively and above all knowingly.
Then she said thoughtfully, "Don't take too much meaning from my words, even when I say this. Should I ever choose a man - it will not be Lan."
Elayne was sure those words had only been said for Nynaeve's sake, as Moiraine's gaze had been thoughtfully weighing, but distant.
Slightly surprised, Elayne realized when looking at Moiraine she had enveloped herself once again in that cool crystalline calm, which was eerie, slightly dark, suitable for a Damodred. Elayne lifted her chin and reminded herself firmly that she too was Damodred, by lineage.
Under Moiraine´s cool, dispassionate utterly compelling gaze Elayne leaned back, and reluctantly explained to Egwene and Nynaeve why it was extremely important that Rand make the first move.
Wars would come, they could not be prevented. Death, destruction, could not be stopped. There were only alliances, high-level politics, and time was running out. There were Forsaken on the loose in the world, walking in flesh, perhaps in dreams too.
Elayne suppressed a shudder, so it's no wonder Berelain did what she could. Struggling to suppress blush on her cheeks, Elayne admitted to herself that First was extremely impressive, her swaying walk, those revealing silk dresses, her manner, and the skill with which she played the game of Houses, in Mayene-style. Perhaps she might be the woman who could capture Galad's interest should their paths ever cross. Perhaps even Lanfear might have found Berelain impressive, as the letter had been left in Moiraine's care. The way that Moiraine had handled Berelain that first meeting, it had been glorious.
In the sweltering heat, thick walls of the Stone of Tear´s Fortress were only mildly cool. In a room lit by an extremely beautiful glass-blown lamp of Maynene style, Egwene combed Elayne's hair, she whispered, "You seem thoughtful, not fearful, are you thinking of Rand or of Moiraine's plans?"
Elayne enjoyed feeling Egwene's hands slide through her hair, as she murmured, "No."
A little vaguely, she found herself thinking about Aviendha. Her fierceness, and grace of movement, she came and went through the Stone like a shadow. Her lovely blue-green eyes that saw everything.
Aviendha had said lightly, sharpening her knife, "Elayne Trakand, I think Berelain sur Paendrag Paeron seems like a woman who knows her own worth, if you feel insulted challenge her. But you know your worth too. I think your bosom is more beautiful than hers."
Egwene stroked Elayne's face with her slightly rough fingers.
Elayne found herself wishing that the touch would go lower.
So close, Egwene's eyes were large and dark and a little questioning.
With a inner sigh, Elayne gathered all her courage and kissed Egwene lightly, but with intent.
Egwene's delighted low laugh was sweeter than saidar as they rolled on the rich, vibrant and soft Mayene carpets.