Work Text:
At last
My love has come along
My lonely days are over
And life is like a song
If Moiraine could keep herself busy with simple pleasures, she would. If she had time to write music, she would. If she could stay in her saddle forever with the wind at her back, she would. If she could love without inhibitions, she would. If her love were not the Amyrlin Seat, perhaps she would have. But this is not the case. Her deepest love was indeed the Amyrlin Seat and there was no changing this.
“You’re like a pufferfish,” Siuan says.
Moiraine laughs, “I don’t know what you mean.”
“You’ve got spikes that come out when you feel stressed out or like you have no control,” Siuan responds with a look of contemplation gracing her features. “Just like a pufferfish.”
“I have no spikes when I’m around you,” Moiraine can’t help the smile that creeps along her face as she leans in and kisses Siuan. It was sweet and innocent. All that a first kiss should be and more because, at last, Moiraine knew she found the one she wanted forever. All the kisses after remained just as sweet.
Siuan recalls this memory fondly as she sits in her room. The painting on the wall, an ever-present reminder of Moiraine. She misses her dearly, as she has been gone for years, while Siuan was stuck at the tower with the seat everyone wanted. Of course, she wanted the seat at the beginning. But now, she realizes too late, she would rather have a seat next to Moiraine. No matter the place or conditions, she wishes she were at her side. Damn the power, the comfort, the resources, and the wealth. It’s a lonely life and all Siuan wants is Moiraine.
Moiraine is in some town she cannot name, far from the White Tower, far from Siuan. She has heard nothing of the whereabouts of the Dragon Reborn. She doesn’t know whether to be relieved or terrified at this prospect. But all the same she misses her lover. One night after a particularly talented gleeman has finished his tune she feels inspired. In the past, she has not had time to even contemplate music. But now as she sits on a log next to the crackling fire, her bond with Lan masked, and her emotions open and raw, she decides to try.
A letter arrives for Siuan months later. Moiraine does not normally send word without ample cause so naturally, she is worried. When she opens the letter, however, she finds nothing worrying at all but rather a letter.
My dearest Siuan,
I hope the arrival of this letter did not cause hardship, I meant no illness to befall you. In fact quite the opposite. While in the White Tower and while traveling I seldom find time to do anything but a Blue Ajah’s work. Though this hunt has been filled with adventure, it has also been filled with empty nights. Attached to this letter you will find the product of many empty nights toil.
Love,
Your pufferfish
Siuan takes the accompanying piece of parchment out of the envelope and smiles. Moiraine had sent her a song.
At last
The skies above are blue
My heart was wrapped up in clover
The night I looked at you
I found a dream that I could speak to
A dream that I can call my own
I found a thrill to press my cheek to
A thrill that I've never known
You smiled, you smiled
Oh, and then the spell was cast
And here we are in Heaven
For you are mine at last