Work Text:
“She… compelled me.”
Three words. Simple. True. Drowning in pain. Liandrin’s eyes close even as she draws Moiraine closer, stroking her hair gently before settling her slowly to the bed, stroking tears from tearstained cheeks.
“Stay here, my sweet one…”
Liandrin has always been hard as stone, but for Moiraine she was never too hard to love her. For Moiraine she was capable of great care. Moiraine trembles at her words and Liandrin’s sigh is soft as she leans to kiss Moiraine softly.
“Please, little dove… stay here and rest… I will not compel a thing from you.”
It's truth, a promise and she can see Moiraine understand even as she smooths the covers over her, promising to return soon. She is colder when she crosses the small hallway between her rooms and Siuan’s own.
“Lia…”
“No.”
Liandrin throws the word out as she crosses the floor, calling to her strength to push Siuan back with power, holding her there when she struggles.
“Compelling is not for you. Not for use on…. On her.”
Siuan makes to speak and Liandrin’s words come as a growl.
“You used her. Siuan. You used her as your own little toy. You know how it hurts. We both do. I would never…”
A breath then.
“Leave. Tonight. Get out.”
“But…”
“No. You broke the trust. You broke her…. We both swore. We all swore to tend to our… to the worlds… you betrayed us. Both of us.”
“I had no choice.”
“Liar!”
The word is a roar now and Liandrin’s hands ache to tighten her hold, choke Siuan, make her feel even half as powerless as Moiraine.
“To compel someone…. Someone you love? It’s a breach of trust Siuan. It’s a breach so big… none of us can come back from it.”
“How do you…”
“I compelled someone. Once. Someone I loved. I got… got them killed. I’ve never forgiven myself it. Not to this day.”
“But you…”
“I compel only when there is truly no other way. You had other ways. Telling her why. Explaining. Trusting her. You chose to hurt, to use, to betray. You chose to rip apart the one part of Moiraine that had never, not once, been hurt, been betrayed, been used like that… Go.”
Siuan makes to speak and this time she does tighten her grip.
“Go. Whilst you can still walk, you disgust me.”
She waits, of course, locks and brands and works with the home to deny Siuan her access. She will be back, Liandrin thinks, only when she accepts the truth. For now, Moiraine needs time without her, they both do.
Liandrin’s steps soften as she moves closer to her own room, slipping inside quietly and locking them both inside despite being alone. She will treasure Moiraine for her own, her fingers brushing further tears from soft cheeks when Moiraine all but runs to her, trembling, sobbing, remembering all over again.
“Oh little dove…”
The words are softly affectionate, soft fingers brushing tenderly through Moiraine’s hair.
“My precious one…”
“Can you…”
“Of course, little dove.”
Moiraine follows her willing to the bed, curls into her arms and allows Liandrin to hold her close, soft fingers curling over still clothed hips, Liandrin’s lips finding her hairline, pressing a kiss there softly.
“Rest now, little dove… it’s all over.”