A Warder is Made

by Aelric Gaidin and Niniane Sedai

Aelric Calrillian looked critically at the shine on the boot held in his hand. Its partner had just been vigorously polished to military specifications and he wanted both to gleam as if the two were mirror images of one another. He sat the one boot next to its mate and looked over the entire ensemble laid out on his bed. Black leather boots now ready to pass any inspection, soft woolen socks, dove-grey woolen hose, a serviceable black leather belt with the golden buckle bearing the Calrillian coat of arms, white silk shirt (made sparkling white by a bit of saidin-wrought cleaning), dark forest-green doublet, and, hanging from the post on the door, a dark-grey woolen cloak. Yes, this would go well with his scapular-length black hair and grey eyes. Aelric did not imagine himself handsome, but he had his own sense of style and he meant to do Niniane Sedai honor by looking his best.

Padding over to the tub he had constructed in his quarters in the Ashandarei hall, Aelric channeled flows of fire to heat the water and settled himself to a quick bath. He contemplated the long white streak in his hair that originated in a scar at his forehead. Aelric remembered back to that horrible day and choked back the emotion that the memory brought. He had never determined what had happened to his beloved sister that fateful day when the Myrddraal and Trollocs had attacked their travelling party. Only a frail scholar at that time, he had been unable to protect himself much less his sister. The scar at his forehead, and the lock of white hair originating from it, had come from the touch of the Shadowspawn's foul blood shed when a rescue party arrived and drove off the Halfman with crossbow fire.

Aelric wondered what his birth parents would think of what he had made of himself; now a scant hour from being bonded as a Warder to Niniane al'Valon Sedai, Sitter for the Green Ajah, of the Jhirad Sept of the Goshien Aiel. His father had always wanted him to follow in the warrior tradition of Arafel and had never been satisfied with Aelric's youthful pursuit of life as a scholar. 'Well', thought Aelric, this would have to do, though he did not affect much in the way of traditional Arafellan dress. Aelric stood from the bath and dried himself with a soft towel. On the other hand, neither did he look much like a Saldean, the land of his adoption. The Fade's blood upon his forehead had erased his memory and he had been adopted by a Saldean soldier. Only years later had Aelric's memory been restored, when healed by a passing Yellow Sister, Iliana Sh'mur Sedai - the current Keeper of the Chronicles. The sword lying in its well-worn scabbard at the foot of the bed however, was of Saldean make - a gift from his adoptive father when Aelric had been promoted to Ashandarei. Though not power-wrought, the blade was forged by the finest craftsman in Saldaea and made of an iron ore found in an unusual crater located in the extreme northwest of the country. The blade held a unique orange-blue cast and was incredibly sharp and resilient compared to most metals. Aelric again wondered how his adoptive father could have afforded the blade; only the wealthiest nobles typically bore them.

Looking at the water-clock on his dresser, Aelric made haste to complete his dressing. The last item to complete the picture was the beaten silver ring used to hold his hair at the base of his neck. It was the only item he owned from his mother. He only vaguely remembered her, for she had died while Aelric was still quite young, but its nearness seemed to keep her memory alive. He had not yet told Niniane Sedai, but he had arranged to have several emeralds placed into the silver ring to honor her and the Green Ajah. Aelric though it fitting that an item from the woman who had given him life should become one that would call to mind the woman he was about to pledge that life to protect.

Taking a last look around the room, for he would now move to quarters for Gaidin in the Halls of the Green Ajah, Aelric made sure all was ready. As he finished his final self-inspection, a knock on the door heralded his escort. Opening the door, Aelric looked at the friends he had made during the intense training each had received over the past few years; other Ashandarei and senior Dai-Katanas of the White Tower. Garic Lisown of Kandor, Davian Aereas of Amadicia, Tarrent Elderoni of Malkieri, Sorhan al'Danielle of Mayene, Arifis Koren of Shienar, Ryu Hayabusa, and Gantoris, Anthonius, Malkier, and Gavin. Acting as Aelric's man-at-arms was young Cordazar, a new Katana to the Tower. Nodding to these men with whom he had shared the rigors of the practice yards (and not a few adventures with a variety of novices), they turned about in order of seniority and lead Aelric to a room deep in the root rock of the White Tower.

Aelric took a deep breath as their column approached the open broad double doors. Here, one could feel the weight of the White Tower, and the responsibility thus borne by all Aes Sedai. As each man in the escort entered, he turned right and left in sequence joining others that would witness the bonding. As Aelric arrived at the door, he paused awaiting the sign to proceed and looked at the spectacle before him while doing his best not to be seen doing so.

The room had a large vaulted ceiling giving an ambiance of space. The whole chamber was dark, broken only by strategically placed torches or lights wrought by Saidar. Aelric's aesthetic sense was pleased by noting that lighting was most effective against a backdrop of its absence. Immediately before him, forming a double line through which he must pass, stood the Gaidin of the Green Ajah. Among them stood Darshan Barshavrem, Fared, Saateph, Balak Halfhand, Palis Santhan, Usal, Kalin, Jaim, Rajara Tiger's Claw, and Gawaine. At the head of either line stood Janus Kirin, the Tower's Master-of-Arms and Hilarion Gaidin, bonded to Niniane Sedai, who shortly Aelric would call brother, joined by a bond of loyalty to the woman who sat upon a chair situated atop a broad dais.

The Accepted standing at the doorway nodded to Aelric having received the signal to begin. Aelric was pleased to see Kirasu Terelon whom he had met soon after entering the White Tower. Aelric then proceeded to walk up to the foot of the dais, between the double line of grim-faced men, men sworn to Aes Sedai of the Battle Ajah, men who together stood ready to fight at Tarmon Gai'don, the Last Battle with the Dark One. Aelric and Hilarion exchanged nods as the former passed and Aelric could at last look upon Niniane Sedai. She was flanked by her Sisters, standing in rows to either side. Among them stood Ariakas, Dalina al'Maerian, Miera Songer, Kharo'lin Beregon, Fariinya En'Drangor, Kasera Madreni, Kerilaine Ellorien (the Mistress of Novices), Ninaeve Demodred, Leanna Anshar, Sora a'Desaan, Catalina, and Jendaia Rhiannon.

Niniane Sedai managed to maintain her calm Aes Sedai exterior, but it was a difficult task.  Was she ready for this so soon?  It seemed like Ji'an and Quester had just left her.  True, she was in need of more than one Warder, and she and Aelric had always gotten along well. She had intended to ask him to bond with her before the death of her other Gaidin, but it just seemed to be happening so quickly.

Glancing at Hilarion she was somewhat reassured.  He too had been shaken by the deaths of his brother Gaidin, but thought that this was a necessary and, more importantly, a good match.  He liked and respected Aelric.

Unconsciously Niniane smoothed her skirts.  She wasn't comfortable in these heavy gowns that wetlanders wore, although she had to admit that they were beautiful.  The green silk Andorean dress was lovely, but a bit much for her tastes; she longed for her simple white cotton skirt, or better yet her cadin'sor. The occasion however, demanded a great deal of formality.  Quickly, before Aelric entered, she smoothed her red/gray hair, making sure it was staying in its tight bun.  She glanced at Kerilaine who smiled understandingly at her.  She ignored the fact that Hilarion was unsuccessfully trying to hide a smirk.

She briefly touched the pendant that her first Warder, Sasha, had given her.  His loss had faded with time, but would never be healed completely.  She knew the pain of losing Quester would also fade with time, however the emptiness left by Ji'an, who had also been her husband, would never fade.  The bracelet angreal he had given her at their wedding seemed to weight a thousand pounds, but she took comfort in the fact that Ji'an would have approved of Aelric.  It seemed that she had held and lost too many Gaidin for one person - she was determined it would not happen again.

Deciding it was now or never she raised one finger to the Accepted by the door. She watched as Aelric walked towards the dais, passing the battle-hardened men bonded to her sisters.   Was it fair of her to make him join their ranks? Bonded to a White or a Brown, she knew he could also pursue the intellectual life he loved so well.  She watched as he and Hilarion exchanged nods, and then he looked up and met her eyes.  She knew in that instant that this was a man now destined for battle, who would have never bonded with someone who wasn't also devoted to the direct destruction of the Shadow and his loathsome minions.

She touched her bracelet and pendant again, this time for a different reason.  Although Aelric was the one taking the oath, she privately swore that she would not live to put another Warder in the ground.   They would stand, all three of them, together at Tarmon Gai'don and she would make the Shadow pay for what he had taken from her, from all of them.

This good man was pledging his life to protect her yet little did he know how hard his job was going to be, considering her resignation to die before she lost another Gaidin.  He was willing to give his life for her, and she was willing to die to see that wasn't necessary. As he approached her, her fears were quieted.

The ceremony was itself simple and yet eloquent.  Aelric stood at the foot of the dais.  Speaking out in a clear voice "I, Aelric Calrillian, son of Tehan and Arwen Calrillian of Arafel, Ashandarei to the White Tower, do now come to offer my life and my sword to the service and protection of Niniane al'Valon Sedai, Sitter for the Green Ajah, of the Jhirad Sept of the Goshien Aiel.  To this I so pledge my hope of Salvation and the Sight of the Light Eternal."  Then ascending the dais to kneel at Niniane's feet, Aelric pulled forth his sword laying it upon her lap.  As Aelric placed his hands with palms together, Niniane Sedai took them between her own saying, "thus do I accept your covenant under the Light.  Together, we will fight the Shadow for as long as Life breathes in us."  Then taking Aelric's head between her hands, Niniane embraced Saidar, the female half of the True Source, and weaving the complex flows bonded Aelric to her.  Momentarily, a look of wonder came across Aelric's face as he became AWARE of Niniane in a new and wonderous way.  "Rise Gaidin"  said Niniane softly, and Aelric arose, a newly made Warder.