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Chapter Text

"You either die as a villain, or long enough to see yourself back as a hero." 

- - -

- Tar Valon, Afternoon - 

The whole people in the room were stunned. Egwene, Mat, Nynaeve, Perrin, Aviendha, and Elayne. But not for Rand, Moiraine and Lan. Moiraine knew Lanfear and Rand was or maybe still in relationship. It's as far what Rand told Moiraine anyway. Nynaeve was the one to raised the objection. As if her whole disgust can be seen in her eyebrows perking up like a hawk. "She is a forsaken, and how exactly any of you had no common sense at all, and you said you were the one is wise to me?" her voice can match Mat's horn for that matter. So loud. Meanwhile Egwene, she saw the tall forsaken, Lanfear she wore dress that is white, she had her black coat on her and she wore moon necklace, she let her long hair down with those big wavy curls, she.. she was beautiful. Perhaps the most beautiful woman in the room, and she thought Moiraine was the most gorgeous woman she had seen in her life. It was up until she saw Lanfear. 

Lanfear saved her from Renna. If the forsaken hadn't, she is long gone. But the reason is still unclear. Was she just doing it for Rand? Did she owe Rand anything? Which she thought was ridiculous. "Do you want to live? then run!" Lanfear shouted at her when they both were in the dungeon. Because it was matter of time before Ishamael knows that someone killed Renna. 

For one last time she looking back at Lanfear. The eyes. Were strangely somber. Why? Why? Egwene wondered. It's not like Lanfear ever know her before, or that she love her. Lanfear hate her, Egwene thought that much is certain. But that one look Lanfear gave was sadness but also ease somehow, that Egwene felt the forsaken glad she can escaped.

Rand was pulling Nynaeve back. "If it wasn't for, Lanfear. I'd be dead. So was you, and all of us here. And the least we can do is to protect one another. Only light knows how many forsaken are there losen now?" the voice that came from the dragon reborn was stern as rock. Which in Lanfear surprised, he trusted her. Just because she betrayed Ishamael for him. "11 forsaken scattered across this world." Lanfear stand next to Moiraine. "If you all want to live, you shouldn't traveled in one pack." 

"This is getting too absurd! There is no way I will.." Nynaeve said. But Moiraine cut to the woman first. "Egwene, Rand, Lanfear, Lan and Me. We are going to the Aiel Waste. And the rest of you will stay in the white tower, continue your study to become Aes Sedai." Moiraine was not playing because she knew bringing the whole kids in one pack might lure all the forsaken to just attack them all at once and she was not that naive. 

- - - 

Egwene was walking behind, looking at Lanfear and Rand walking ahead. Sometimes they talked. About the smallest detail, or Lanfear would tell the story about how Age of Legends was. And it was indeed.. interesting. Even Moiraine couldn't help sometimes to eavesdrop Rand and Lanfear. Lan on the other was just enjoying the view as they leave Tar Valon. He'd sure miss the place. And missed.. Nynaeve. 

Rand and Lanfear looked close to one another. Egwene thought maybe there is love there somewhere that her mind couldn't comprehend. That how can Rand love a forsaken, Is there a side that he knows about Lanfear? Or their bond was just based on sexual desire. And nothing more. She was sure that she want to know, how Lanfear as a human? 

It was not long until night came and they has to rest in a cave in the way. Rand was studying with Moiraine about the prophecy, or some old tongue lesson. Which sometimes he would learn with Lanfear back in Falme, after Rand defeated Ishamael. Lan was going for a walk. And the one who are left, just Lanfear and herself. The moon was eclipse. The insects's voice was like a peaceful symphony in there. Egwene was first hesitant to talk. But she knew she had to say something to the forsaken. 

"I never said thank you, for.. saving me." The voice was low, softer. Egwene look at Lanfear, her blue eyes. She totally understand if Rand fall for this woman. She was beautiful. Lanfear tilted her head slightly to lean it into her own shoulder, playing with her finger tips on her own upper hand and looking at Egwene. And, she was smiling. It was totally something Egwene did not expect at all. Egwene thought she would just mock her. But no, she had to look gentle, kind, and beautiful. She is a forsaken! Egwene thought in her own head. It would be embarassing if Lanfear can read her mind. 

"I saved you because, Ishy was too cruel. And I hate to see someone who are talented, wasted being collared. You have potential, Egwene." Compliment. And it was sending Egwene's face to be red as apple. Did Lanfear just flirt with with her with those beautiful eyes or she gone mad already, It was supposed to be Rand who gone mad. Not her. "So is there some kind of rule you broke because you are kind now, and you are a forsaken.." 

"That doesn't mean my feelings for you are not real." Lanfear said. And again why she always managed to stunned her. Egwene was truly just being a ninie in front of the forsaken. "What feelings?" Egwene said she tried to laugh it in front of Lanfear as if nothing happened. As if Lanfear hadn't just flirt with her. 

"Admiration. You reminded me when I was an aes sedai. Perhaps someday you will be a good one." And just like that Lanfear stood to get to Rand, perhaps for a time alone in the woods, sleep under the stars, Lanfear had said she love to sleep under the stars before they got to the cave. Meanwhile, Egwene can't help but to see how graceful the forsaken moved with Rand with on her side, how Egwene thought about Lanfear praised her minutes ago, how Egwene..like.. Lanfear now. It is not so hard after all she was so.. beautiful. And it drove Egwene herself insane for a moment because she never.. had this feeling towards a woman. 

- - -

Chapter Text

“ Now I'm caught between the black and blue

And you've tied me up oh, I'm forced to choose.”

- - -

So far the journey to Aiel Waste was nice, or so that’s what Lanfear felt. No fight between her or Egwene and Moiraine. And the strangest thing was, she even adjust so easily, bonded so easily with Egwene. She liked the girl, furthermore Lanfear had been a teacher for the two river girl just basic skills about Tel’aran’rhiod. She saw something in Egwene like she saw something in Lilien years ago. Or now who was called Moghedien. Egwene had the potential to do great things. And Lanfear was one of the many people who saw that, Moiraine saw it first. Moiraine and Lanfear had the conversation the other night. When all others were asleep. Two women just enjoying each other company near a river. It was late night already. 

“Yes, I understand that how all the forsaken want Rand dead. Or maybe Egwene too. They will hunt down those kids.” Moiraine said. Her eyes were elsewhere. Not focusing on Lanfear. The tall forsaken only playing a wave with the river. She was bored. Moiraine was so annoying when she wants to be. “Aren’t you a clever one, Aes sedai. Congratulations.” she replied to Moiraine, mocking in sassy manner. Egwene was silently just smiling, Lanfear’s attitude was far from well her as forsaken. As if she was no longer wearing mask. She smiled. A lot. Mostly when she was with Rand but so when she was with Egwene as well. Lanfear looking at the short haired girl. And then awkwardly the tall forsaken, shared a fruit she gathered from the woods earlier with Lan, Lan was glaring the whole time when Moiraine sent Lanfear to go with him. It was hilarious for Lanfear to tease Moiraine’s warder. 

“You want some? I still have 1.” Lanfear said flat. But not really that flat actually, she just doesn’t know how to act around Egwene. It was sweet. Egwene shared a look to Moiraine. Did Lanfear just being nice again? “Is a poison in there. If so. Rand won’t even forgive you.” Moiraine fix a smirked on her own face. Lanfear rolled her eyes. She cut the fruit with a dagger from her chest. She could use true power or one power. But she never did. She only used power when she was in danger. That is what Egwene, Moiraine of even Rand.. observed. 

“Here. Just.. eat.” Lanfear said as she munch the fruit in her own mouth and then to Egwene she feed. Also then she walk to Rand to feed the dragon reborn as well. “What is this obsession with you feeding..” Rand said but got interrupt as Lanfear put the fruit in his mouth. Lanfear chuckled slightly. “Want some too?” she said to Moiraine. The blue aes sedai was raising her eyebrow. “Eversince you joined us in this journey. You are completely changed as a person. Was there a reason you changed? Or if we all sleep then you would just cut our throats and leave.” It was a play. Moiraine was bored. And Lanfear finally had no patience over this and also feed Moiraine with the fruit. “You talk a lot.” The forsaken said and sit beside Egwene. And in the first time ever. Egwene was laughing as if it was the funniest thing she ever see in months. And she thought Mat was the only one who is funny in their team. Rand was glancing at Moiraine, back to Lan and then to Lanfear. Meanwhile Lanfear only smile thinly to the girl “Want more apple?” she offered again. 

Age of Legends, Glass House 

Mierin Eronaile. People love her. Sure. She was kind, smart, came from a respectable family. Lews’s childhood friend and also girlfriend. Perhaps soon to be wife if Lews so desired. Latra on the other hand as much as she observed anyone. She knew Mierin could be the brightest and most talented Aes Sedai the age will have in that era. So one day she invited the black haired for tea, in her study. It was The Amyrlin Headquarters. She had the meeting arranged in secret. Not even Lews knew about it. Latra was on her usual white attire, gold modern stripes on the clothes or jumpsuit. 

As for Mierin, the aes sedai also wore white, but.. A dragon earpiece catches Latra’s attention, hair was bun half, the rest she let it down wave long. Mierin bow down to Latra, to bend nearly 90 degrees. “Mother. Forgive me for coming a bit late, your keeper said you wanted to talk to me..” she said in old tongue. Latra only smile and move her hand gently to the right where she pointed a chair so Mierin can sit in front of her. 

“Elan said.. Well, some of your professors said to me that you are a promising Aes sedai. We perhaps are lucky to have you here.” Latra said. The voice was so soft, but holding so much power. “You have potential, child. And I admired your courage.” Mierin was stunned she never.. Thought the Amyrlin Seat would see something in her. Sure.. she came from a respectable well mannered family, but not Rich as Lews’s family. 

“I am honored, mother. I.. feel.. I have been dreaming for years. To see you in person. I think it is so honorable to serve the people too. You see everyone as your equals. You never.. Treated them any different than any other. Including me or Lews.” Mierin said giddy. If someone would have told Latra that this girl in front of her would turn to the dark side, and become so hateful and evil. She wouldn’t believe any of it. 

“Would you like a tour to my library, Mierin?” Latra offered. She smile. Mierin, smile even brighter. She loves to read. She LOVE to read anything. 

- Third Age, Morning - 

“Well whose up..” Moiraine said as she and Egwene was going for a stroll. Then they just look at Lanfear who sit in the ground, with book in hand. Not focusing on Rand for the first time in her life. “Did you not sleep for whole night?” Egwene said rather a bit came out strong. Lanfear looked up and chuckled. “You think I need a sleep? I am a forsaken, child.” 

“Still doesn’t explain why you did not sleep, why you read,, this old tongue book Rand has..” Egwene said. Lanfear looking back at Moiraine, as if she was strange being scolded by a 22 year old girl. Meanwhile Lanfear herself is probably more than 400 years old, if counting the sealing then makes her even more older. “Well when I was sealed, I slept long enough.” 

“Perhaps too long now that you have lost your sensibility.” Moiraine commented low. Lanfear looked at Moiraine and then hit the blue aes sedai with a true power wave. She got into the river. Egwene looked at Lanfear, shocked. “Why did you do that!!” she said a bit loud. Perhaps it may have woken Rand and Lan. 

“Well she needs to wash herself, I only helped her.” Lanfear looked at Egwene as if she was completely innocent. She smiled like a child in front of Egwene. Which makes both of them laugh.  “AND IF YOU TWO ARE DONE LAUGHING IN MY FACES, CAN YOU HELP ME UP?” Moiraine shout trying abit hard to getting up, she had to channel to get back to the road again. 

[ Hidden Place, Falme ]

“She betrayed you and you still not want us to kill her. Why is it I do wonder.” It was a whole forsaken meeting. Ishamael, was present. Not.. dead. Yet. 

“I said leave Lanfear alone for me to handle. And yes we should let her play housewife with Rand for a moment. After that, she will come home. Back to us. She will served the dark once more.” Ishamael said. Moghedien and Semirhage were not having that argument. Meanwhile only Rahvin smiled thinly to the leader of all forsaken. He knew why Ishamael was hesitant to attack Lanfear. Even if one from the forsaken ladies would attack Lanfear, he would not hesitate to kill. Lanfear meant things to Ishamael and which none of the forsaken can understand. 

“You do realize if you keep her long, with those light fighters. Might as well have your Mierin back.” It was Asmodean now who chimed into the conversation. With such an ease. Ishamael was not having it. He slam the door with one power. He was angry. He was angry because well Lanfear betrayed him for Rand, second.. When Lanfear was with him in here, In Falme. She was softer. She was kind. Even to him. All he sees in her was Mierin Eronaile. Somehow, Lanfear was fading away and there is nothing he can do to stop it.  “You need to send us to pick her up. Can’t go another day like this.” Graendal said. E Messana was agreeing with the blonde as well. Asmodean snorted then. “You do realize she has the dragon reborn with her, furthermore if they get into Aiel Waste first, it’s hard to attack from there.” 

“There is always a way. But for now.. No one.. Touches her. Or you will have me cut your head. Is that clear?” Ishamael made the pack of the forsaken went silent. Some sighed. Rahvin only the one just smirked once more. And once the others were leaving, Ishamael and Rahvin the only ones in the room..  “You are certain Lanfear is only there to deceive Rand and the rest?” Rahvin started. “What if she did not play with your plans and turned to the light? Just like Asmodean said. Rand is not Lews. And… your little blue aes sedai.. Might also change Lanfear’s mind..” Rahvin keep.. Fueling anger to Ishamael. Ishamael turned. To face his friend. “Well.. there’s only way to find out.” he said as he disappeared into a portal. To.. the dreamworld.