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[blue_ajah]

[From here.]

*Desire leaves her by the lake. After the Endless departs, Moiraine looks out over the water for a few minutes, waiting for the link in her mind to finish adjusting once more. Once it does, she turns the amethyst key and vanishes into the Dreaming.

The Aes Sedai appears in a room that she has been using as a study, near a window overlooking the Garden. She glances quickly out at Avendesora to reassure herself, and then begins to pace, thinking.*

Comments

[lord-of-dreams.livejournal.com]

He is present, of course, but rather than being there he waits just beyond the taste of evening for her to call.

Everyone needs time after dealing with Desire.

[blue_ajah]

*To deal with Desire, among other things, as it happens... but Dream knows her well. It takes a while -- an hour, maybe a little more. But eventually, finally, Moiraine looks up into the air and speaks softly.*

Morpheus?

[lord-of-dreams.livejournal.com]

"I am here, Moiraine."

And now he is, with a hand out in offer of comfort toward her. Perhaps comfort for her, perhaps for him.

[blue_ajah]

*It is possible that they both need it. She takes his hand and looks up at him with a faint smile.*

Your Sibling has quite an interesting realm indeed.

[lord-of-dreams.livejournal.com]

"Yes, it does."

He echoes the faint smile, and touches her face with his other hand.

[blue_ajah]

I have promised to describe my vision of it to you, have I not? *She seems thoughtful, recreating the experience in her mind.*

The red clouds and black land is disconcerting to me; it makes me think of prophecy overmuch-- but the golden sky is lovely, and we moved very quickly indeed into the ... the statue, I suppose, and into the heart.

*Her smile turns very wry.* Desire likes to make an impression, I believe.

[lord-of-dreams.livejournal.com]

"That is its stock in trade."

He traces her jaw, gently, as she speaks.

"It is called the Threshold, Desire's structure. Wherever you are in Desire's realm, you are on the threshold."

He lets her talk, he had asked her to tell him. And it is disturbing, oh, disturbing to remember it through Daniel's eyes. Morpheus as an aspect of Daniel, and what will this mean?

Somewhere in the Dreaming the weather is murky and dim.

[blue_ajah]

I was not certain before if the Threshold referred to the structure and the surrounding lands, or... *She dismisses it with a small wave.*

Desire demonstrated the ability to show a number of images on screens, and then led me on a tour through the Threshold that spiraled down through innumerable passages. *Suddenly, she looks amused.* There are a number of frogs that dwell there, as well. It appears to be due to Delirium.

Eventually, we arrived in a... a hallway. *Moiraine stops, looking up at Dream. At Morpheus.*

[lord-of-dreams.livejournal.com]

"The Gallery."

Quietly, so very quietly. He dips his head, and closes his eyes.

[blue_ajah]

Is that what it is called, then?

*Her grasp on his hand tightens slightly.*

You may already know; or it may become clearer for you as I speak, I am not certain.

*She is quiet for a moment, then says very simply,*

Desire called Daniel, and introduced him to his wife. *A beat.* He was... surprised.

[lord-of-dreams.livejournal.com]

"I know."

His voice is gentle. He doesn't respond to the rest of her statements. It would be a little like talking about supper while Rome burned.

[blue_ajah]

You know.

*Somehow, she is not surprised. The link in her mind has changed again, with the true awareness of this third aspect; although Morpheus -- Dream -- stands before her, Moiraine knows that if she looks at the deepest levels within herself, she will find not one, but two quiescent presences now.*

*She does not look. The knowledge is enough.*

Well. Then -- he has said he will not try to come here, Morpheus.

[lord-of-dreams.livejournal.com]

"I know."

Again, and so quietly. After a moment he pulls her close with the hand that holds hers, sets cheek to her hair, and rubs her back with his other hand in soothing circles,

"I know, beloved."

[blue_ajah]

*She nods, slightly, and does not pull away -- but she tips her head back to look up at him.*

And then... you also must know that I have said I will visit him again.

*And Moiraine is not at all certain what Morpheus will think of this.*

[lord-of-dreams.livejournal.com]

"He is also me. Or I am also him. As you said, beloved, you are both his wife and widow."

Just do not leave me, the bond cries. Do not leave me for good, I am not so understanding of emotions as Daniel.

Do not leave me, Moiraine, I do not know how I could survive it if you spurned me.

[blue_ajah]

*She frees her hand from his, and the reason for so doing is immediately clear as she slips both arms around his waist and lays her head on his chest.*

You are Dream. And you, mashiara, are Morpheus as well.

*Mashiara. Beloved, it means, in the Old Tongue. A love lost, and yet a love that still exists, enduring ever.*

[lord-of-dreams.livejournal.com]

He breathes with relief, and creates a heart beat for her.

Perhaps he echoes her endearment, perhaps it is just a soft sigh. Regardless, the tension relaxes.

"Thank you."

[blue_ajah]

*Her turn, now, to soothe as best she can. For some minutes, then, she stays quietly in his embrace, listening to his heart beat, arms around him-- comforting and being comforted both, by his familiar presence.*

*But there is yet more to discuss, and it is something that cannot be avoided. At length, and with some regret, Moiraine pulls away once more to look up at him.*

After... he... departed, I had a most interesting conversation with the Sibling.

*She cannot help it, she tenses as she speaks, and so she pulls away from him entirely, moving to stand by the window and looking out at the Garden.*

[lord-of-dreams.livejournal.com]

He lets her go, and follows to stand next to her at the window. Not so close that she feels crowded, but close enough to touch if she wants to.

The silence invites her to speak.

[blue_ajah]

*And speak she means to do, but carefully, now. Very carefully. Moiraine takes a slight breath, and her tone is controlled and outwardly calm when she says,*

I believe Desire was not best pleased with ... earlier events concerning the Rose Bride.

[lord-of-dreams.livejournal.com]

"How displeased?"

He will accept what comes, and without anger. He just wants to know.

[blue_ajah]

*She shrugs slightly.*

We discussed a number of things. *Moiraine is staring out over the Garden.* Educational experiences and images; games and rules.

*Perhaps especially those latter two.*

And the truce between you, as well. *And now she does turn from the window to look up at him, studying him carefully.*

[lord-of-dreams.livejournal.com]

"Does it wish an end to the truce, my lady?"

His voice is neutral, but soft. He gazes down at her without any displeasure at what may come.

[blue_ajah]

I do not believe so.

*A long pause.*

But Desire asked me if I sought to break the truce you made. *A beat.* It appears to have been a misunderstanding, and I believe matters are settled now.

*Another pause, as dark eyes meet star-eyed gaze.*

I do not now, nor would I ever, seek to do such a thing.

[lord-of-dreams.livejournal.com]

"I did not think you would, my love."

He reaches out and touches the corner of her jaw once more,

"I am glad you worked things out."

[blue_ajah]

*The tension finally fades from her slight frame as she sighs.*

As am I, Morpheus. As am I.

[lord-of-dreams.livejournal.com]

"I am sorry that my Sibling distressed you, Moiraine,"

His fingers slide around to the back of her neck, and he rubs at the tension gently,

"but, at the same time, I thank you for having gone."

[blue_ajah]

*She shrugs very slightly, and looks up at him with a faint smile.*

I was, perhaps, more concerned for the ramifications of the situation could matters not be resolved than for any distress that might have been incurred on my own behalf.

*All the same, she does not see the need to mention the subtle warning and sense of vague threat that the other Endless had seen fit to instill in her at the time; it is part and parcel of Daes Dae'mar, she thinks, and so not truly important.*

Still, it seems that they have been, and so all may be considered well.

*A pause.* And I will return, if Desire invites me again, of course.

[lord-of-dreams.livejournal.com]

"Yes. You promised me Daniel that you would."

Accepting. He never thought he could accept anything like this. She loves him, even when he is someone else. Its an awkward situation, but...she loves him.

He kisses her, lightly. A daisy's petal soft touch against her lips.

[blue_ajah]

*Awkward indeed, but Moiraine is not thinking about that now. Instead, she stretches up to him, returning his kiss with her own and deepening it for a moment as her arms go around him once more.*

*When the kiss ends, she smiles at him.*

I did. And I shall.

But I will always come home, my love.