Chapter Text
Moiraine sat Leonin down, “What in lights name was that?” Leonin looked down shamefully, “Miane and I, we were in love for a short part of time. But that ended quickly the day she met Dalresin. He was rich, powerful, everything she ever wanted. She has also promised my town aid when trollocs and more attacked, yet she never did.”
Moiraine saw the look on his face; etched with regret, so she chose to back down, “Fine. I trust you. I heard everything you said, I shall take your word for it. But I heard mother say something about father having a way to rid her of the throne, how?” Leonin thought for a second, “That, and I do not dare lie to you Moiraine, I am not sure of. But it worries me, that means there is someone else who is either against or with us. Dalresin may just be threatening her, but there is no proof to that claim either.”
Leonin smiled faintly before excusing himself, “Moiraine, give me a few days. I will clarify this with a letter to your father.” Before Moiraine could respond he got up quickly leaving Renin and them in the room. The younger sibling looked at Moiraine confused, “What happened to him, sister?”
Moiraine simply shook her head, until she spotted something out of the corner of her eye; a painting of their family. ‘Light the things they will do to seem like good people’ she thought sourly as she looked at people she didn’t know, but shared the same frame. ‘These people. Father would never betray Cairhien law to bring someone new into our royal bloodline, but these people are extended family. Could it be them?’
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Two days passed, and Moiraine spent her time in the palace library, looking through her ancestry for any sign of these people. It was a random sheet, a rough draft of a familial tree that was then edited before being shown to the public, that gave her the answers she was looking for.
As she quickly rushed to her own room she found Leonin sitting at his desk holding some sort of letter, ‘A letter back so soon? It’s only been 2 days’ She thought and walked closer. Leonin noticed and turned to her, an expression that stopped Moiraine from saying a word, “Moiraine, your father wrote to us.” He looked at the sheet in her hands and gently took it from her, “Anevere, sit by Moiraine. You both must hear this.”
“You found the paper, I assume you have seen these extra names in it. Dalresin had a wife, before Miane, Tianra. They had a son, another Damodred, Taringrail, your half brother. Soon after he became a toddler, his mother disappeared. To this day we do not know of where or how she left, but a little while after, her son Taringrail left too. Hence your father remarried. They maintain no more than formal contact with House Damodred, playing Daes Dae’mar particularly well to gain social power. Dalresin warns us that he is coming to Cairhien once again, married to Tigraine Mantear, the daughter-heir of House of Andor.”
He stopped and sighed, “For now he is seemingly no threat to the throne, as he is married into another House which barres him from our throne. Of course, divorce or a second marriage is possible, but one can only hope that does not happen. Unfortunately, he is closely linked to Laman.”
He watched as Moiraine’s expression shifted, “Dalresin believes Laman favors him. Which means— until we find a way to send you away early, Moiraine, you must be wary of his presence.”
“Laman— favors a woman's child, but the woman is not his sister?” Moiraine’s question caught Leonin off guard but he nodded, “He is a selfish man, Moiraine. Anything for power, anything for the throne, he will ruin his sister for it as well.”
Anevere couldn’t be happier, “Thank the light.” When Moiraine looked at her she looked her back dead in the eyes and continued, “She deserves it, she hurt all of us. I hate her.” The older girl paused but then nodded as Anevere was called outside by her friends, leaving with Renin. Leonin could see Moiraine was thinking, and prompted her to say something.
“Mother does these things to save House Damodred’s glory, doesn't she? It is not right that Laman hurts the same woman who is doing what he wants. Yes— she hurts us, but she only started after she saw I was turning out like father. She wants what she thinks is good for us.” Moiraine almost instantly backtracked muttering to herself in confusion as to why she ever said that.
But Leonin smiled, “You are right, Moiraine. She wants what is best for our borders. And it is wrong what Laman is doing, I doubt Miane knows of how he plays Daes Dae’mar. As for when she began hurting you, yes, it was only after she realized you turned out like Dalresin and you liked him more. How she understood that when you were but a little toddler, worries me. But the creator has its ways. Your worry for her is fair, you are her daughter after all and you have seen when she did not dislike you.”
“I should not defend her, it simply is not right. She is an evil woman, she is even hurting father.” Moiraine mumbled back a response and Leonin took his place next to her on the floor, “Moiraine, being a daughter is different from understanding the politics of this palace. You are still her child, the first five years of your life she did not hurt you, you were quite fond of her. A child notices everything even at that age, your defence is not wrong. As her child, you do not wish her harm. That is okay.”
Moiraine looked at him for a second then just nodded. In an attempt to divert the topic she asked, “Uncle, when will Taringail reach?” Leonin’s face turned a little more grim, “Your father fears he would have been on his way as his letter was being sent to us.” “So he could be here at any moment.” She concluded as Leonin nodded.
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The guard during the next day’s late evening watch stood up, halting a carriage entering the palace. “You fool. Has Dalresin taught you nothing?” Condescending yet powerful, the source of the voice pulled the curtain aside. The guard instantly bowed and his voice shrunk, “I beg for your forgiveness pr—”
“A pleasure, uncle Laman.” Abruptly the guard was cut off, Laman stepping in front of him. Tilting his head slightly in respect,“The pleasure is all mine, my boy. And— my lady, Tigraine Mantear. Daughter-Heir of Andor.”
The man stepped out, turning sharply towards the guard, “Taringail, Taringail Damodred. Remember the name before you try to stop me again.” He turned to his wife and smiled, “This, this is royalty. Make it your home, my dear.”
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Moiraine, followed by Anevere were hastily forced to wear her best clothes, to look modest yet rich. Hearing bells ring across the palace as they often did when it was time to celebrate. Moiraine held her sister's hand, “He’s here. Stay with me at all times unless I tell you to go. Understood?”
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Taringail walked over to the young girls, having drunk more than he should and another in hand, “Moiraine, Moiraine Damodred. My— lovely, half sister.” He teasingly took her hand and kissed the back, “You have grown quite a lot, it’s been years has it not?” Moiraine smiled tightly and nodded, “Yes brother, it’s been a long time.”
“Indeed. I see you are not a girl— my apologies, a woman of many words.” He looked over to the smaller version of Moiraine, “Ah, you are the other one. Anevere was it?” Anevere nodded. “I see you take after your sister.”
He faced the both of them, “While I do admire meeting the two of you, I must instill some values into the both of you. This is no way to welcome a long gone guest now, is it?” He chuckled while Laman frowned, “They have always been this way, it hurts me to believe they are next in line for the throne.”
Taringail put on a smile which Moiraine could tell was forced, “It’s quite alright. I’m here now. I will teach them well. After all, we don't want the throne going into the hands of the wrong person now do we?”
Moiraine bristled and stepped back slightly, but he continued, “She is becoming a woman as well, 14 years old. We must prepare her for marriage within the next year.”
Light knows how Moiraine held her emotions together without slapping him. She turned to Anevere, pretending not to have heard him. They quickly slipped away to a back corner as the music began playing once again and Taringail danced with his wife. Anevere looked at Moiraine blankly, Moiraine did not know what to say.
“He is here for something, I do not know what it is, but he is here for his own purpose. If he gets me married to an unsuitable man, I will be barred from the throne. Banished from House Damodred. Laman wants me gone as is, if Taringail too hurts me, then Taringai is his way to get rid of me.” Moiraine spoke slowly, almost to herself as she tried to connect the little clues she knew of, but stopped as her headache began returning with all its force. Instead they sat there with a drink in hand, waiting for this to be over.
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“You fear for things far too much, uncle Laman. People here are uneducated, they will never find out what truly happened. It will take some time, but I play Daes Dae’mar well. I will get the throne. Have faith in the creator, Cairhien will be completely under our power and we will defeat the rest once and for all.” Taringail spoke calmly as they roamed the halls.
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Moiraine got up for the third time, this time going to drink water. This time when she walked back and sat on her bed, Anevere tapped her arm. “Who— Anevere, it's you. Do not scare me like that.”
Anevere looked at her with an apologetic expression, Moiraine sighed “Why are you awake?”
“I saw you awake.” She stated matter of fact-ly while Moiraine rolled her eyes, “That’s no reason for you to do the same.” Anevere shrugged and sat down by her. “I will stay awake with you.”
Moiraine scoffed, “Absolutely not.” Anevere looked at her innocently knowing full well she could melt Moiraine, “I do not see why I am not allowed to. You have not been sleeping properly for the past 4 days.”
Moiraine softened her tone, “Anevere— I just feel like I am unable to sleep. I do not do it on purpose.” Anevere nodded and scooted a little closer to her sister, “I know that.”
Moiraine poked the little girl’s nose, “Good. Now, off to bed with you. You have classes in the morning.” But Anevere simply shook her head and stayed put, “How much longer will you stay awake sister? Brother Taringail has called for you to present yourself in front of himself and uncle Laman tomorrow.”
She felt Moiraine stiffen almost instantly, “Why? Why has he asked you to present yourself?” Moiraine looked away for a second but quickly snapped back, “He— he hopes to examine what needs to be prepared for my marriage.” Anevere could see the fear in her eyes and how distant her voice sounded, despite Moiraine’s best efforts.
“Well, that is the first time you have given me an answer instantly.” Anevere smiled childishly, Moiraine chuckled and nodded, “A mistake, perhaps. I am tired, I suppose I should try to go to bed.”
Anevere looked at her and raised both her eyebrows, “Really sister? You think so? Moiraine hit her arm playfully. Anevere smiled seeing her laugh and wrapped her arms around her sister.
Moiraine slowly hugged her back, but felt something was off, “What’s wrong?” Anevere shook her head, “Nothing. Can I not hug my sister?” Moiraine smiled and squeezed her a little more, “Not at all. You simply— do not do so randomly. Surely there is a reason.”
Anevere hesitated, Moiraine did not like hugs since she was maybe 12, the physical contact made her uneasy.
But she chose to speak anyway, “I know you do not like hugs from anyone, so I do not give many. But you— looked sad. Worried. You are not even sleeping. Uncle Leonin said you have not been eating for a while either. A hug might help you feel a little better.” Moiraine’s eyes widened just a little and she fell silent.
She moved her hands, now holding onto Anevere's arm which lay on her chest and looked forward, seemingly into nowhere. “I do dislike hugs, from most adults. Mother, Laman, Caline, our guards, they made me hate physical touch. But you are my entire world Anevere, I will never dislike your affection.” She leaned her head on Anevere’s, “And thank you. It helps, it does.”
Anevere smiled proudly to herself and they sat in silence, realizing after a while that Moiraine had dozed off, still clinging to her arm. She slowly moved Moiraine, somehow without waking her up even though it took some effort. But it was clear Moiraine did not want to let go, neither did she so she wrapped her older sister in her arms and fell asleep beside her.
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Moiraine had not slept so well in a long time, seeing Anevere in her arms brought her great happiness. For a while she stayed, then tucked her little sister in and left to get ready.
Taringail raised his glass, “At least she is punctual. Morning sister.” Moiraine bowed, “Morning, brother.”
“Uncle Laman, she seems to treat me with more respect than you.” Taringail chuckled while Laman hid a frown, he knew why but he could never tell Taringail. “Anyway, sister. You shall go with my wife and speak to her about what it means to be marriage material. Understood? We shall see where to proceed from there.”
“Yes brother.” She curtly nodded and was taken with Tigraine. She feared what was going to happen, but as they stepped into the room the Daughter- heir of Andor sat Moiraine down and did not speak further.
“I do not know what he wants me to show or tell you.” She spoke after a while, her voice unusually soft. Moiraine nodded, unsure of how to proceed with this conversation. “I suppose I could tell you how to behave.”
Moiraine had to physically restrain herself by digging her nails into her palms, from rolling her eyes, “As you wish, Princess of Andor.”
She spoke for a few minutes, then paused, “Do not— mistake these rules for a way to live in a loving marriage. We are simply engaged to increase ties between our kingdoms. He does not love me, nor I him.”
Moiraine was slightly taken aback by her openness, but did not push further. “Your brother will try to get you married to someone powerful, even if you do not love him. Follow as I said and you should be able to hold the marriage for a while at least.”
Moiraine nodded, Tigraine showed her a couple more things such as how to dress and speak then at the very end added. “Taringail is very particular about his image, he will not get you married unless he believes you are ready. I was married young, all I can warn you is— do not let that happen to you.”
“How old were you?” Moiraine did not know if it was appropriate to ask but curiosity got the best of her. “Twelve. I was twelve. We are the same age now, Moiraine. I am simply a few months older.”
Moiraine nearly reeled backwards, “You— you are 14 or 15?” She nodded, “Yes. You are 14 if I am not wrong, a few more months and you will be 15. I am 15.”
She continued as a warning, “Behave immaturely just a little, let Taringail and Laman discipline you. Since you already live with Laman I can imagine you are used to constant rules, discipline and possibly beatings. Taringail is no different. It may hurt, but it keeps you away from the grasp of politics, and a man.”
Moiraine felt terrible for the woman— no, girl. “I apologize, Princess heir of Andor, for my family. They are not good people, but I am sure you are.” She smiled softly, “I hope one day you find happiness, and— light knows I should not wish this but, hopefully be able to leave him if one day you so please. I am sorry.”
Tigraine smiled, “Thank you, Moiraine. You need not apologize for your family, you yourself are a little girl, but still thank you. I did not know some Damodred’s object to their own families' ways.”
“My father, my sister and I do disagree— to a certain extent. Fortunately, it is not all bad.” Though she smiled she ensured to reduce the amount of distaste she felt toward her family, after all, it all reduced down to politics. She could trust no one.
Tiagraine nodded and placed a hand on her shoulder, “You seem like an intelligent young girl, follow my advice. Do not let my husband get to you.”
Moiraine nodded in agreement and they left the room back to Taringail. Tiagraine mouthed an apology towards Moiraine before facing her husband.
“She is not bad, however she needs moulding if she is to be ready for marriage. She simply does not already hold qualities men of higher power will deem fit.”
Laman sighed while Taringail frowned, “I do not doubt it. Uncle Laman was just telling me that she is a defiant child. It is unfortunate really, she looks half decent, I mean some cover up could fix it. But her attitude—.”
Moiraine rolled her eyes and Taringail scoffed at her, “Play your cards wisely child. We hold power, you do not. Now, off with you, we will discuss this further later.”