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Elayne had expected that they would be brought to the Stone of Tear. If Liandrin and the others with her were allied with the High Lords, then that would naturally be their point of residence. But rather than waking up in a dungeon cell, she woke up in the back of what was probably a wagon, judging by how it bumped and jostled underneath her. She was blindfolded and bound, but she could feel two bodies which could only be Egwene and Nynaeve next to her. They hardly moved, so she assumed they were still unconscious.
She tried breaking out of her bindings, but they were tied tight, so it was to no avail. She knew that she would be shielded, but she still had to try channeling. Of course, it did not work.
But she wasn’t awake for long before the wagon came to a stop. Some shouting outside, from voices both male and female, which got closer and they continued. And then there was the rustling of fabric, and the voices were before her.
A voice that seemed familiar, possibly one of the woman who had been in Ailjuin Guenna’s shop, directed the men. “Pick them up. Do be careful to not bruise them any more than they already are. Lock them up wherever they are least likely to escape. Some place without light, ideally.”
Elayne found herself picked up like a sack of grain and slung over someone’s shoulder. She could have tried to fight back, but she knew that all she would accomplish is getting herself battered.
She paid attention to each and every sound she heard along the way. The sound of dirt crunching beneath boots. A door opening, wood creaking. Footsteps on a staircase, which she could feel was descending. Then stone, and the creaking of metal, and finally the sound of her body hitting the stone. But she could have figured that last one out even if she was deaf.
Rough hands ran across her body, not to violate, but to cut the ropes on her body. She remained still, although it was clear that she was no longer unconscious; she simply just didn’t want to bring about whatever response movement might bring.
Finally, her blindfold was yanked away and she was granted vision once more. As much vision as she could manage in the darkness of the basement. There was a torch outside, but that was the most light they were going to get.
Once all three girls were unbound, the men left, leaving the door closed behind them. Before it closed completely, Elayne recognized one of the women she knew as Black Ajah sitting outside.
Despair took her. But she tried her best to let it not paralyze her. She turned to Nyneave and Egwene and set about trying to shake them away.
It only took one shake for Nyneave, who revealed herself to be pretending to be asleep, as Elayne had been. But Egwene was still unconscious, and in terrible shape for it.
Elayne looked at Nyneave and opened her mouth, but no words came out. She didn’t know what to say. It was as if their fates were already sealed. Thirteen Black Ajah sisters, and they most certainly had the thirteen Myrddraal needed for the other half. They would be Turned unless they were saved, and elayne wouldn’t dare hope for such a miracle. Many miracles had happened in her life, but this would be the hardest of all.
Some hours later, Egwene finally woke up, but it was only briefly. She was still exhausted from all the physical battery she had taken, so she was quick to slip back into sleep. In all that time, Elayne and Nynaeve never said a word together. Nothing could be said that would make them feel any better.
They couldn’t channel, and even if they could, there would surely be guards around. Still only Novices, they couldn’t fight back an army, or even a dozen men. Not on their own.
Eventually, Elayne’s own exhaustion caught up with her. So dark in there, she didn’t know what time it was, but if time didn’t matter, then she could sleep whenever. She was hungry, but providing food might be too much of a kindness to expect from the Black Ajah. But her stomach’s growls weren’t enough to keep her awake.
She woke up later, although she had no idea how much later, to the sound of the prison’s lock being opened. Elayne’s worry spiked. They might be about to be fed or they might be about to be sentenced to a fate worse than death.
The latter seemed more likely. Liandrin herself was there, all snarling and hatred. With her were several guards, which made Elayne cower back in the cell.
Liandrin looked around the cage for a few moments, then pointed at Nynaeve. “Her. The Wilder. I suspect she will be the hardest to break, but that will make her the most satisfying.”
The guards nodded and entered the cell. Elayne shied back once more, trying to avoid them. Nynaeve, however, was not so timid. She thrashed and shouted all kinds of foul language that Elayne would have never thought her capable of, but it was not enough. A quick knock to the side of the head silenced her; when she was carried out of the cell, it was with her head limp, carried between two men.
The cell was locked behind them once more. As they left, Elayne heard Liandrin grumble, “Careful to not damage her too much. Soon enough, she will be…” But after that she was too distant to make out.
This was the stuff of nightmares. They were about to Turn Nynaeve. And then Elayne and Egwene would be next. It was a fate worse than death. Elayne debated chewing out her tongue so she could choke on her own blood, but she knew she lacked the mental fortitude to go through with it. Besides, there was a sister outside. If she heard, she would heal Elayne. She would not be allowed to die.
Each minute that Nyneve was gone was dreadful, even as minutes turned to hours. At some point, Egwene awoke again, and for the first time since they had arrived in the cell, was able to stay awake for more than five minutes.
“W-where is Nynaeve?”
Elayne grimaced. She didn’t have the words to tell Egwene what was happening. If she tried, the words would feel like acid on her tongue. Instead, she simply hung her head, which was enough for Egwene to know.
The longer than Nynaeve was gone, however, the more hopeful that Elayne became. Maybe she was fighting it. Maybe this was something that could be fought. Of course, if the Turning failed, then it was likely that Liandrin would just kill her, but, of course, that was better.
Eventually, Nynaeve was gone long enough that it was time for Elayne and Egwene to sleep again, sleep more properly. A sleep more restless than she had ever experienced, but sleep all the same.
Before she could wake naturally, Elayne was awoken by someone shaking her shoulder. She turned, mumbling Egwene’s name, for that’s who she expected it to be. But when she saw Nynaeve kneeling down at her side, all the sleep still left in her evaporated.
Elayne’s eyes were wide as saucers. But that was nothing compared to what she saw in Nynaeve’s eyes. While the room was dark, and much of the detail on the other girl’s form was indistinct, her eyes were highlighted. Not for how they shone, but for how they didn’t. All the darkness of the cell seemed to bleed out of those eyes.
Those eyes, before Nyneve said a word, told her everything she needed to know. This person before her was no longer the Nynaeve she knew. It was a monster wearing her friend’s form.
All the worse that she shared her friend’s voice.
“I’ll have you know,” Nynaeve began, “That once it was over, I had never felt better in my life. As though I had slept for a thousand years in a queen’s bed. I was so scared. I fought so much. But once it was over, I realized that those Sisters were merely doing me a kindness. As I’m sure you’ll understand, too.”
While Nynaeve spoke, Egwene came to as well, and had the same horrifying realization Elayne had. They both stared at her, too paralyzed in fear to even respond at first.
“I still feel as though I am still me. I care for the things I cared about. It’s a difference in perspective, you see. Seeing the world right for the first time.” Nynaeve’s words had an edge of malice to them, an edge of hate and evil. “I still care to heal. Only that now instead of herbs and remedies, or channeling, I have another way I can heal. Heal you two, my closest friends. As soon as you join me, you will be better, I promise.”
The cage door had been left open, so Nyneve stood up and grabbed something from just outside. Trays, it turned out, with food on them. Food much better than a prisoner deserved. Perfectly normal food, unless it was poisoned in some way.
“Here. The food will be good. We’re in the estate of one of the high Lords, a little out in the country, and his kitchen is free to all of us. I asked for something good, so that I might treat you. A show of good faith. I thought you might like to eat together.”
She was being nice. That stranger in Nynaeve’s skin, the stranger using Nynaeve’s voice. When she was being nice, she almost sounded like she was really Nynaeve. Especially sounded such with her next line, when she became more stern.
“Eat. It’s been several days now. You’ll be quite hungry. The first thing I did when my Turning was complete was eat, myself, although I’m still hungry enough to eat a little alongside you.”
Elayne looked down at the tray. As to be expected from Tear, it was fish dish. But true to Nynaeve’s words, it looked good. And as if to show that it wasn’t poisoned, Nyneave reached over with her fork and grabbed one of the vegetables sitting there, popped it in her mouth.
Egwene was the first to eat. She must have been even more hungry than Elayne, with all her injuries. After watching her eat for a little bit, Elayne sighed and followed suit. Not a word was said while the three ate. It almost felt like things were normal again. As if they were just on another one of their travels, having a quick meal together. As long as she didn’t look at Nynaeve’s eyes.
Eventually, all the trays were empty except for bones and utensils. Not even crumbs were left. Nynaeve set the trays outside and said, “A servant will come around and pick those up.” Then she stood up and stretched, lackadaisically.
But once she was done with that, she reached down and grabbed Egwene by the arm and forced her to her feet. The familiar kind of force, the force of someone who had helped raise the other in their childhoods.
“Alright, it’s your turn next. Liandrin said that since us Two Rivers folks are so stubborn, that’s why we put up so much of a fight. I figure it’s true, because I fought against my Turning more than ever was necessary. But she wants to get it out of the way first. I’m sure Elayne will be much easier, anyway.” The way she talked was casual, the way one might discuss their chores or errands for a day.
Elayne knew she would be the easiest, which was utterly terrifying. The easiest, not because of any lack of stubbornness, but because if she had to see Egwene like that, then she would break on the spot.
Being alone gave her time to think, but she didn’t want to be alone with her thoughts. All sorts of evil stewed around her. She couldn’t help but wonder if Nynaeve was right. Maybe she would be happier once this was over. Nynaeve’s feelings certainly were genuine. And if Egwene felt the same way…
She had only just woken. Sleep was no option to pass the time. That was, unless she beat her head against the floor so long that she fell asleep that way. She just had to sit there in a maddening form of silence.
Eventually, time wore Elayne down as she began to tire. She had slept while Nynaeve was away, so even if it was unthinkable, she could do the same again. It might take as long, if Egwene was willing to fight.
But just as she thought that, she started hearing footsteps. Her heart fell before the door opened, for she knew what she was about to see.
Egwene was smiling and cheerful, much more so than Nynaeve had been. She truly seemed like Egwene, in as good a mood as she ever was, bright and chipper.
As long as Elayne didn't look her in the eyes.
“It really is quite a nice feeling,” Egwene said. “I'm sure you'll agree. Unfortunately, everyone needs a little bit of a break after, so you're going to have to wait. But I wouldn't want to leave such a dear friend,” Elayne knew Egwene was being genuine, but calling her that sounded so sarcastic and cruel, “down here alone. So I asked Liandrin and the others, and they agreed to let you out. As long as it's under our supervision, of course, but they don't doubt our loyalty now.” Egwene glanced behind herself at Nynaeve, who nodded and smiled back.
Elayne knew she didn't have much of a choice. And anyway, if the choice was waiting out the rest of the time until it was her time to be Turned, she would rather spend it in a lord's manor than a basement dungeon. Perhaps that was as good as giving in, but she was still a princess. Despite her time in the White Tower, there was still a level of comfort she was accustomed to.
It came somewhat as a surprise, but the manor was able to match her needs. Elayne was taken out of the basement, led by hand by Egwene, through a common room, then up another flight of stairs. Finally, they stopped in a bedroom with two beds in it. Elayne was familiar with the style, one of likely a dozen or more guest rooms that the manor would have. It has windows, too, giving Elayne her first vision of sunlight in what must have been multiple days.
“We’ll be having a servant come bring us some lunch. Is there anything you want, Elayne? Or should I tell them to make what they want?”
Elayne and Egwene sat together on one bed, while Nynaeve sat on the other. Elayne’s eyes were positioned squarely at the floor Briefly, she glanced at Egwene, whose sweet voice seemed so much like she had been— but those eyes. Her smile. The very way she held herself. It was all wrong. Corrupted. Not as it should have been.
Despite her stomach being practically empty, she wanted to throw up. She wasn't sure she could eat in the same room as those creatures wearing her friends’ forms.
“Elayne? Are you unwell?” Nynaeve spoke now. “I can prepare something for an upset stomach, if you want. But you really should eat.”
Light, they sounded so genuine, so real. But that only confirmed to Elayne what this was. A torment worse than Shayol Ghul.
When she didn't respond, Nynaeve continued, “Or do I need to treat you like some kind of child and feed you myself? I won't let you starve.”
Finally, Elayne spoke again, as a shout from the back of her throat. “Do whatever you want with me. My life is forfeit now, so what does it matter?”
Silence reigned, until Nynaeve humphed, “Fine. You'll see it our way soon enough, anyway.”
A servant came by soon after. Egwene ordered food for all three, and then he was off. They had much time to kill, so Egwene and Nynaeve started talking. Idle chatter, the kinds of things they could have always talked about. Old stories from home, recollections of their time in Tar Valon, wayward gossip they had heard at one point or another. If Elayne tried to delude herself, she could pretend that nothing had changed. She didn't much care for that delusion, though.
Food arrived eventually, but alongside it, one of the Black Ajah. While the servant went about setting the food on the table, the Sister beckoned for Elayne to come with her. Then she looked past Elayne, at the other two, and said, “You may join us, if you wish.”
Nynaeve and Egwene shared a glance, but shook their heads. “We'll see her when she gets back,” Egwene said.
Elayne would have felt better if she was being taken to the gallows. But somehow, she had come to terms with what was about to happen. Acceptance didn't mean she liked it, but she understood the futility in fighting back.
Or at least, she thought she did. But as she continued to be led to that fate, a discomfort grew. It continued to grow the closer she got, and once she could see the door to where it would happen, she found herself involuntarily screaming. The room had such a horribly toxic aura that every iota of her body rebelled against getting any closer.
She knew what it felt like to be around a Myrddraal. But the feeling was amplified beyond thirteenfold. She screamed and screamed until the terror was so much as to paralyze her entire body.
Hours later, although far less time than Nynaeve or Egwene had taken, there came a knock on their bedroom. Without waiting for a response, it opened, bringing in Liandrin and some servants carrying an unconscious Elayne.
At once, Egwene stood, moving so that they would have a place to put the sleeping body. After all, she knew plenty well from experience just how exhausting it was to be Turned. But much like any accomplishment that takes effort, when Elayne woke, she would feel better than ever.
The better part of an hour gone, Elayne began to stir. Egwene had been sitting on the edge of it the entire time, so she noticed right away.
As she watched, Elayne's eyes began to flutter, until finally they opened. Eyes as dark and deep as her friends.
Before Elayne could speak, Egwene pulled her into the tightest of hugs. It wasn't until she finally let go that Elayne could greet her.
“Good evening, Egwene… It's strange, isn't it?”
Egwene nodded. “It certainly is, at first. But it's better, don't you agree?”
Elayne hesitated and in that time, Egwene was afraid she might say no. But a moment later, Egwene smiled. “Of course. I don't know what I was thinking. I'm so grateful for you.” She turned back to Nynaeve. “For both of you. For standing by me even when I was so convinced. You truly had my best interests at heart.”
Egwene responded to that with another hug. She didn't release it quickly, and soon, Nynaeve walked over to join them.
When she was finally let free, Elayne reheated her food, still on the plate, with a quick Channeling. Once she was done, she was tired enough to sleep once more. Of course, she and Egwene might have to share their bed, since, for as big as the manor was, it was still full with all the activity surrounding it. But come morning, all three would be starting their new lives in service to the Shadow.