Fruits of the Quill (Attn: Bella)

[Lugh]

Beron

Beron walked down the pathways of the Grey Tower, a burden lifted off his shoulders at having finally been allowed to return to his training and classes. It felt good to be sparring, practicing the sword forms and defences that would help him defend his home and its members. He had even begun exploring the possibility of teaching, Isla’s letters inspiring him when she had spoken of working in the city and how hard she had been studying.

The chattering gossip that sprouted as he walked past a group of Drin’far’ji set his teeth on edge, still he supposed with some of the wilder stories floating out there; a little gossip was small enough. He had already reminded a couple of his fellow Ji that though he had been gone, life on the farm had not allowed him to grow soft.

Sighing he realized he had been circling the fork in the path, avoiding it twice now. Taking a deep breath, he took a moment to sort through the rambling emotions he was feeling. As he took his time, he realized he was nervous, they had shared so much in their letters and now came the moment to build on the promise those letters contained.

Still, he knew he wanted to see her and guessing she would be finishing at the Infirmary, he took the path he hoped would allow him to find her and walk with her.

[Bella]

It had all happened so quickly.

Isla still didn't know what to make of it, and she could barely corral her thoughts into something that made sense. No one really seemed to care about that, however, because despite it all, she was now expected to just go on like nothing had changed...and yet like everything had changed, at the same time.

That was a dichotomy which was hard to reconcile. She knew that she would have to, but it was tricky to wrap her mind around it. At least her shift in the infirmary had helped focus and center her, even if the confusion had followed her there.

There was just too much in her mind now.

She wasn't even paying much attention to where she was going, but her distracted gaze was able to pick up on a set of boots a little ahead of her and her gaze leaped up to see that there was a person standing there. One she recognized.

"Beron!" she exclaimed, so surprised that she couldn't move for a moment.

And so there she stood, not wearing the banded dress of the Accepted but a simple gown of pale yellow, her Great Serpent ring now sitting on a different finger.

[Lugh]

Beron

Isla. Isla appeared before him almost as if summoned by his thoughts, although he had been so worried about not loitering around the Infirmary in case he aroused suspicion, that at first he had failed to notice anyone arriving.

Isla. He saw her face and felt a smile leap onto his face, although his steps registered something different before he did. Coming out of his confusion, he saw her standing there and it dawned on him what was different. Isla no longer wore the dress of an Accepted. He had only ever known Isla as an Accepted, and after his long absence to suddenly see her set him back on his heels.

His mind awhirl with surprise and emotion, he fell back on a lifetime of training. In Saldaea, Aes Sedai were afforded a large respect, as a Borderlander he had been raised to revere the women who wore the shawl and the Great Serpent. Almost without thought he knelt, bowing deeply with his hand on his heart, “Isla Sedai, congratulations on attaining the shawl.”

As the rest of the Infirmary shift walked past them, he cared not for the sideways glances or the turned heads. He only had eyes for Isla. The shawl and the ring changed nothing in his heart, but he knew it changed everything for Isla, her duties and quarters, her Ajah choice which as he looked over the pretty dress she wore he assumed to be Yellow.

The dress was something he would have imagined her in for a day spent riding or enjoying the day, long and flowing with a colour that reminded him of the pale wild roses that had grown near his home. Her waist was defined in the dress, and it gave her more figure than the less flattering Accepted dress. Buttons climbed to the top of her bodice, and Beron wondered if the dress had been a more practical choice given her time in the Infirmary. Long sleeves kept her arms covered, and he laughed as he realized his sisters prattling on about dresses had sunk into his thick head a little bit. Seeing her in a dress she chose, the ring on a new finger made Beron pause and drink in the sight of her.

“I would escort you if you desire Aes Sedai, can I aid you with any bags or items?” Beron asked as he stood and offered her his arm in the manner Andraste had showed. Light, let he have time to speak where we can go somewhere. There is to much to say to not speak plainly, Beron thought to himself as he awaited her answer.

[Bella]

Isla smiled a little. It was brief, shy, and sweet all at the same time. But she was also very aware of the fact that they were standing in the middle of a public space, where anyone could pass by at any time. Now, she was Aes Sedai and could do as she wished, but he was still a Ji'val and had already suffered for her.

She was not going to let it happen again.

"I have nothing to carry," she said, holding out her empty hands, "but would welcome the escort, Ji'val Beron." Her blue eyes danced a little as she looked at him, so happy that he was home. She just wanted to throw herself against him, but she knew that it would be, far and away, the worst of ideas. She gestured for them to start walking. "It is...so good to see you home."

[Lugh]

Beron

"I have nothing to carry," Isla said, holding out her empty hands, "but would welcome the escort, Ji'val Beron." She gestured for them to start walking, and Beron rose from his kneeling bow. Taking her arm, he was glad that he could at least share this closeness with her, though had they been far away from prying eyes it would not have been enough; he was just glad to see her again.

"It is...so good to see you home,” she said softly, and Beron smiled as they walked down the path that was slowly clearing of bustling students and their teachers. It was very much like the beehives the Farm had kept, a flurry of activity and then calm once more as the swarm settled. Walking beside her, Beron looked down at Isla, at the ring she now wore that rested on his arm.

“It is good to be home. I was only gone a single season, and yet it seems like the Grey Tower has seen some big changes,” Beron paused for a moment as he slowed to match Isla’s pace with his own. He was used to walking the brisk trot of a Ji’val dashing to chores or classes, it would not do to have an Aes Sedai walking at a scurry.

Isla Sedai, she achieved the ring and you were half a world away, Beron thought regretfully, his mind trying hard not to replay his conversation with Ravak. Instead he touched the package of letters that was nestled in his jacket, and looking over at Isla smiled. “Some birds managed to keep a little news from the Grey Tower, but I had not heard your good news,” Beron said as he walked along. He realized Andraste Sedai would have her work cut out for her as he struggled to try and convey his meaning without being overt.

“I imagine the Yellow Ajah was happy to welcome another sister home to the Grey Tower,” Beron said with warmth in his eyes as he remembered her letters about working in Hama Valon. As they turned the corner, he spied a simple bench that was set just off the path. Seeing no one close, he stopped at the bench. “One moment, there’s a rock the size of a swallow’s egg in my boot,” he announced softly as he waited for Isla to sit, then took his time to make a show of digging a rock out of his boot.

Kneeling beside her, he took his hand and brought out the letters so that Isla could see them. As he saw her nod, her bright blue eyes filled with emotion he slipped his boot back on and sat beside her. “I cannot tell you how much your letters meant. I will carry one with me always Isla,” he whispered as he leaned in close. The smell of her perfume, her graceful neck as it sat underneath her flowing hair tempted him immensely, but he stood with her and continued walking with her. Beron had more that he longed to say, but there was now her rank to consider; and he had returned from the Farm knowing that many of his feelings would need to be wrestled with as he obtained the fancloak.

Still as he walked with Isla, an Aes Sedai and Healer, he thought of her letters and the dark dreams and times she had fought through. He didn’t know if it was his love, or pride that was overflowing, but he ducked away to brush a small tear from his eye as he collected himself.

[Bella]

If Isla thought her mind had been in a tumult before, it was nothing compared to how she felt in this moment.

There was so much happening is such a short span of time, from being called for her Raising to the new sense of herself, with a new position here in the Grey Tower and in the infirmary, the responsibility...and now Beron finally being home after so many months, standing before her as he was with her as she was, the requirements of position while her heart tried to burst...

She almost began to weep when he showed her the letters she had sent him, but she managed to not do so. It was unbecoming both for an Aes Sedai, as well as for being in public.

Isla was almost relieved when they started walking again since it gave her something active to focus on. "The little bird's news was a balm to me as well," she said softly, trying to cast the occasional surreptitious glance around to make sure that they were not being listened to. "I fulfilled my promise. I worked as hard as I could, and it..." She looked down at herself with a faint smile. "It worked."

Pressing her lips together, she glanced around again and took a deep breath. When she was assured that the corridor was empty, she looked back at him and whispered, "I love you too, Beron."

[Lugh]

Beron

Beron looked down the corridor as they continued to walk, he was content to walk beside Isla all afternoon if it meant they could catch up after his forced absence.

When she whispered she loved him, Beron felt a giddy joy wash over him. He had been worried that the change in her rank, the difference between now wearing the shawl and whatever test they went through for the final step; would have given her pause. Seeing that the corridor was clear, the stones no longer echoing from the steps of others.

Grabbing her hand, he brought her Great Serpent ring to his lips and kissed it softly. “I love you to Isla. I am beyond proud and excited for you that your hard work paid off. Your letters spoke of working at the Orphanage and Hama Valon, is that something you hope to continue as a Yellow Sister?”

As they continued to walk, Beron thought for a moment and turned to Isla once more, “I am so sorry I wasn’t here to help with the work, and to see you gain your shawl Isla.
I let my emotions cloud my thinking, and when I felt cornered by Ravak Gaidin, all I could think to do was defend. If I had bent a little of my stiff neck, I might not have been gone for so long. But I promise you this, I am no stranger to hard work and I will prove to Riahana Gaidin that I am ready for the next step,” Beron finished in a whisper, toying with his jacket to keep from holding her hand once more.

“You also mentioned enjoying Hama Valon with friends, I am glad to hear you were able to get away from the grindstone for an evening of fun,” Beron said as he walked along beside her.

[Bella]

"To be perfectly honest, I haven't really had the time to think about what I want to continue doing as a Yellow," she admitted with a shy smile, even as her cheeks flushed with his words. Love... "I spent so much time as an Accepted just wanting to get to this point, to be a Yellow, that I didn't think past it."

Her eyes glinted with emotion--hope and love for him, uncertainty for the other part of her future she now had to figure out, being overwhelmed by...everything.

Isla offered him another smile. "Yes, it was nice to get out now and then, although it wasn't too often. Like I said, I focused a lot on working and progressing my studies. I spent a lot of time in the infirmary, although now I'll be spending just as much there...but it will be entirely different. No one watching over my shoulder. No training. It's strange."

[Lugh]

Beron

Beron nodded as Isla spoke of the focus and determination required simply to advance beyond Accepted. The Grey Tower could sometimes feel like a funnel, squeezing you along faster and faster until the end. But to realize that she was feeling nervous and unsure now that she had obtained the Great Serpent ring and shawl, made Beron squeeze her hand once more in understanding.

“I know what you mean. Riahana Gaidin warned me that there is going to be very little time for me ahead. I think they are hoping to keep me from my wayward Accepted. Less distractions if they bury me in work,” Beron laughed softly as he wondered what Riahana would say if she knew Isla had ranked in his absence.

As they walked down the corridor, they approached a landing that led further into the Grey Tower or would cut around and lead to the Garden Pathways. As Beron waited to see if Isla wanted to continue, a small burst of Accepted and Novices dashed along the hallway accompanied shortly after by the sound of chimes.

With a groan, Beron realized that he was expected at the stables to help with a group of Drin who had yet to learn to ride. With his background it had seemed a natural fit, although it ate into his schedule quite heavily.

Beron squeezed Isla’s hand, and kissing her cheek softly whispered, “I have to go. It’s my turn to lead at the stables. But I am glad for your news and now that I am back I will try and carve out what time I can.” After a brief caress of her arm, Beron dashed down the hallway to make his next chore.