Trolloc Encounter

Trolloc Encounter Parts III
by Merrlyn al'Dora
Silvia Fanfic Part Three

Larvin kept within close proximity to Merrlyn, she knew he was keeping an extra eye on her as well as scouting ahead for trouble or signs of passage. It was early evening on the second day and they had made good timing. Larvin had mentioned that they might reach the village by sun down or at the latest early the next morning. Merrlyn wasn’t sure what this woman Silvia would be like but anything had to be better than Larvin’s stoney silence.

He had not said more than one or two sentences in a day so far, and she would have to cut down large tree trunks with her bare hands before he would answer a straight question. The man was impossible beyond reason. Mostly it had been silent between the pair and she almost wished she was brave enough to talk to her self. She didn’t dare for fear of discovery by someone.

She wondered how Selina was explaining her absence. The woman couldn’t lie but the truth she told would be nothing recognisable as to what into the main square, so as not to be suspicious." Merrlyn nodded and followed the man, weaving through the trees to a well trodden path. It couldn’t really be called a road, more like a wide trail. They made an unhurried entrance into the settlement and there were few to see them ride in. Most were already inside with windows ablaze in light and chimneys smoking merrily.

"Where to now?" Merrlyn inquired of her fish faced companion. It galled to ask but she didn’t want to be just led by the nose and there was always the chance he would ignore her and not answer. "Down there past the inn is a small cottage with a wall of roses. We can ask for shelter there for the night." Merrlyn was pleased he answered even if he didn’t say it was Silvia’s place she guessed it must be so.

The cottage was indeed small and the fence looked entirely made from roses, with extra sharp points, Merrlyn was hasty to note when one snagged her hem. Inside was well lit and she followed Larvin’s motion to dismount in front of the dark wooden door.

Larvin knocked quietly and stepped back to await a response. There was a moment before Merrlyn could hear the shuffling of feet behind the entrance. The door opened slowly and Merrlyn could make out the outline of a woman with an apron and hair in wispy disarray. Larvin bowed, "Good evening Mistress Larna, I would ask for lodgings for my companion I. May the sun’s rays shine on you and the light protect your good home." "And who might you be young sir?" The woman inquired. Merrlyn nearly giggled, young! Compared to the woman Larvin may appear young, but to Merrlyn, or anyone else for that matter, he was more of an aged wolf and far from a boy. Larvin continued formally, "I am Larvin Deirad and this is Merrlyn al’Dora." "Hmm, I guess one night would not be too much trouble. Come in my boy and bring your young lass with you." She stepped aside allowing them to enter a small greeting area.

As Merrlyn walked past the woman she could feel the ability to channel in her and turned abruptly. The woman never blinked, just pushed her toward the living area. She was short and a little plump, very old and frail looking, yet the fingers pushing Merrlyn through the hall were nothing of the sort. They were like bits of cold stone pushing an annoying bug out of the way. Not weak at all. Who was this woman? Why had Selina wanted to bring her? That she could channel was obvious but other than that who was he?

"Would you like some tea after your journey? You can tell me all about it while I make it." She turned off to the bench along the other wall and set about tending the kettle already over the fire. "Have you come far?" She inquired conversationally. Merrlyn felt no compulsion to speak and it was the Warder who answered. "Sweetwater Mistress." She nodded, "and you child, have you accompanied Master Larvin from there too? You seem very young to be in such company." Merrlyn bit back an angry response, child indeed. Her natural shyness appeared to quell her anger and she answered timidly, despite her conviction not to be cowed. "Yes my Lady."

Larna set the kettle on the table with three tea cups, studying her visitors as she found some baking to accompany their drink. Larvin she knew, this child however was an unknown quality. Handing out cups of tea she noticed Merrlyn was studying her just as intently, while trying not to show it of course. Where Selina was she had no idea but she would find out in a day or so. They would be leaving early the next morning and there would be plenty of chance to talk on the way to Sweetwater.

As they finished their refreshments, Larna spoke, "Child, dear, you can share my bed with me and Master Larvin can have the couch." She stood smoothly and headed towards the door leading off the living area. Merrlyn hurriedly followed and was shown where she could wash and what side of the bed was hers. She sighed silently and undressed quickly, what she wouldn’t do for a real bath. It didn’t take her long to fall asleep, Mistress Larna, if that was her name, didn’t snore and her even breathing made it difficult to keep her own eyes open.

It was morning before she realised and the woman was no where to be seen. She jumped up and quickly straightened the bed before pulling on her riding dress. The wash bowl held cool water which she splashed on her face and then she stepped through the door to find Larvin and Larna waiting for her. "Did you have a pleasant sleep dear?" Larna asked in a soft voice. "Yes thank you." Larvin nodded towards Larna and disappeared outside. "We will talk on the way, for now we should make the best possible time. You can eat in the saddle." Larna turned and followed Larvin leaving Merrlyn to bring up the rear.

There wasn’t much time to talk during the ride because of having to go single file, but when they stopped that night and the fire was burning merrily Larna initiated conversation once again. "So what brings you out here child? Are you a student of Selina’s?" Merrlyn had a mouth full of food and was put off balance. "I am with her to learn about healing. Who are you?" Merrlyn nearly bit her tongue for being so forward. "I mean, is your name Silvia?"

Larna or Silvia smiled, "So she told you my name? Yes I am Silvia. Did she say anything else?" There was no need to say who ‘she’ was. Merrlyn fished in her purse for the pendant and handed it to the other woman. "She said to give you this. Ah, could you tell me what it means exactly?"

Silvia took out a gold chain and slipped the amber stone onto it and then fixed it around her neck, hanging over the neckline. It caught the fire light and seemed to glow with a light all it’s own. "A focusing stone," Merrlyn breathed the words. "Yes, now have you had any experience with setting wards?" At Merrlyn’s hesitant shake she straightened her skirts. "Well now is as good a time as any."

Silvia embraced saidar and wove a delicate flow of Spirit with a little Air and Fire watching Merrlyn as she copied. They wove the flow around where they would be sleeping and Merrlyn tied off the weave. Silvia had let Merrlyn actually set it after she had showed the girl what to do. "Very good Merrlyn. You can set the wards every night until we get to Sweetwater. After that we will see what we will see. Now I am going to sleep and I suggest you do the same." "Good night Silvia." Merrlyn intoned, obediently wrapping herself in her blankets.

She lay awake listening to Silvia’s steady breathing. The owl watched from over head and cooed at her until she saw Larvin. Standing up carefully she made her way over to him. "Larvin, who is Silvia?" Larvin considered her for a moment before replying, he seemed to be weighing how much to say. "A friend. Now you should do as she said and get some sleep." He turned away again and was gone.

Two days later the small group approached the outskirts of Sweetwater. There were few out to see their return but someone must have gotten word to the Aes Sedai because they were all in front of the inn to meet them. All except Malia. "I see you have returned and brought someone with you child. You should not have left without first checking with all of us that it was correct to do so." The last comment was directed at Selina, Laura continued, "I would have thought better of you Merrlyn. Now why don’t all of you come inside." The last was framed as an order not a request. Merrlyn glanced at Selina as she dismounted and followed them inside. Silvia following and, Merrlyn was amused to see, Larvin bringing up the tail.

They were led to the dining room and wards were set against the listening ears of the townsfolk. Laura turned as one with Benara to study them. Malia was seated in a comfortable chair to the side. "Silvia Sedai, how lovely to see you again. It has been much too long. I wasn’t aware that you were passing this way." Malia smiled and shifted with a small grimace of pain. "It is good to see you though."

Silvia nodded, "It has been a while." She turned her attention to the other women. "It appears that you were not all informed of my arrival. However I am here now and it is obvious you need some assistance. Why don’t you tell me all you know and all that has been done so that I might be able to offer some alternatives." Laura looked as though she was about to spit. "Merrlyn you are free to go. I am sure there are chores you have neglected since leaving in such a hurry, run along now and stay silent on this matter."

Merrlyn’s eyes flashed as she turned in indignation. She had done what she was told and now she was being treated like an unruly neglectful novice. It was enough to make her want to scream. She glided from the room in her best imitation of an Aes Sedai. Now she felt like she wanted to spit. It was so unfair. But since when had Aes Sedai been fair to those training under them?

Kalesha Fanfic Part Four "Don’t be so sullen child, it’s not very becoming on someone your age." Merrlyn spun around at Selina’s voice. She was upstairs in their room tidying her belongings. "I have every reason to be sullen, firstly you send me off on some trip in which I know only half the story. Then, when I get back, having done what you asked, I am treated like a disobedient novice!" She glared at Selina. She had never been so angry at any of the Aes Sedai before, but she had been given so many extra chores for punishment, and despite people recovering, none had been permitted to help her. No one had even really said what she had done wrong. "Perhaps you would like your mouth washed out young lady?" "My mouth washed out? What about you? All your half truths and concealed plans." Merrlyn nearly swallowed her tongue. What was she thinking of? This was insane. Yet her anger refused to let her back down.

Selina considered her for a moment. "Have you quite finished?" she asked coolly. "Silvia will be returning to her village in a few days and we will escort her, then you will return to the Tower where you can continue your studies. Perhaps I should mention this little outburst to the Mistress of Novices so that she can give you a study on the correct way to behave." Merrlyn stared at her sullenly. "I’ll see how your behaviour continues over the next few days. As to your extra chores, they are no longer assigned to you. Now that some of the villagers have recovered they will take on their share of the work. Carrie is feeling much better too so you can share your tasks with her. I trust I’ll see you downstairs for dinner?" Merrlyn nodded and Selina left.

She would be serving the Aes Sedai in the private dining room, that was now being used for its designed purpose. She sighed, all five of them, including Silvia, would be there. It was very intimidating and after this outburst she had to wonder what Selina might say to the others. It was going to be every bit as abhorrent as being confined to the kitchen for three hours a day as she had been. At least that ‘punishment’ had been lifted. It was going to be a long night.

Selina Left the girl looking like she wanted to chew rocks. She hadn’t wanted to admit that she had been unaware of all the additional tasks Merrlyn had been set. Laura hadn’t said much to her directly but she could punish the Accepted for bringing Silvia to help. It was unfortunate but that was howthings had turned out. Merrlyn had said nothing to her and if Larvin hadn’t mentioned it in passing then she would still have been none the wiser. Unfortunate indeed.

It wasn’t that Laura and the others didn’t appreciate the help but it was hard to swallow. Silvia, a Brown Sister, was a more powerful healer than even Malia. Silvia had decided on the Brown shawl over the Yellow one because she had wanted to study ancient illnesses, as much as ancient plants or anything else old, and didn’t want to be too confined. Well that was how she had explained it to Selina when she had been teaching in the Tower when Selina was just a novice. She was more of an authority in many illnesses that hadn’t been seen for over a hundred years than anyone else, or three hundred years as the strange ‘sweating sickness’ had been. She had also had an unusual healing Ter’Angreal in her possession which had helped greatly. Something that the old Aes Sedai had made herself evidently. A Ter’Angreal that the Tower knew nothing about.

Selina mused that if there could be two fringed shawls that Silvia would have been happy with that, she also wondered if Merrlyn was the same. Merrlyn was reasonably competent in healing yet she seemed to yearn for more. Only time would tell of course, but one thing was certain, Merrlyn would not lead a dull life. Selina shook her head and smiled to herself. When the girl had recounted the short excursion, as uneventful as it was, a certain light had entered her eyes. The girl would not be tied down, she would, without a doubt, travel. So young, so full of life. To be young again. Sighing inwardly she went out to find Larvin and see what he had discovered.

Merrlyn paced the room for some time after Selina departed. Dusk was descending and she needed to change before serving the other women, the grey dress was soot streaked and they would invariably comment on the hems state of disrepair if she did not. She turned towards the window to watch the sunset and started in surprise. The owl, who had followed her and Larvin, she was sure it was the same one, stared at her through the glass pane. It cocked it’s head onto the side and studied her. A magnificent creature, snowy white with blue eyes. Blue eyes? Merrlyn leaned closer to the window, straining to see in the growing twilight.

Something moved below and the creature lofted into the air. Merrlyn pulled her gaze away from the graceful flight. She swivelled on her toes and snatched the dress off the bed. A plain forest green dress of simple cut with flowing embroidery around the neckline and cuffs. Secretly she rather liked the simple flowing folds and the slightly flared cuffs, it had an elegant line and she thought it flattering. But she was certain, without a second glance. Definitely blue eyes. Her step was light as she left the room and alighted the stairs. She would ponder the bird’s presence later.

She went straight to the kitchen to collect the trays for the private dining party. Roast lamb, spring onions, roast potatoes, pumpkin and peas. Dessert was a dish of various berries and fresh whipped cream. These people could hardly feed themselves yet they managed to find such luxurious food for their ‘saviours’ as they called them. Merrlyn shook her head and lifted the main dish, she wanted to get this over with as soon as was mortally possible so she could go in search of ‘her owl’.

Malia was quite recovered now and she joined the other four for her evening meal. They were a foreboding group to Merrlyn as she entered, although they spared not a glance for her. She stood to one side as they helped themselves to the main course. They continued their conversation as though she were not present.

"Yes, I have decided that my being here is no longer of any importance. You can take care of the last and I’m sure you will write a sufficiently adequate account of events for the Tower report that I needn’t bother myself." Silvia said in mild tones. "Oh, but I will miss your company Silvy. It was such a surprise and pleasure to see you again." Malia was probably very nearly as old as Silvia, they may have been novices together. They both had grey strands showing in their dark hair and, for an Aes Sedai, this showed great age. Silvia, however, still had the more grey covering than even Malia. None of the others showed any such signs of age. Malia was also probably the only Sister in the room who actually liked the old boot.

"I am sure you must be tired after the last few days and getting back to your own quiet cottage would be good for you." Laura’s tone was far too even and neutral to be completely natural. Benara was silent which said as much in it’s own way as the others did with their little snippets. "Why don’t you bring us some more wine Merrlyn? I am surely thirsty and some water too please." Selina might have brought Silvia here and she might be escorting Silvia home, but she too was silent on the topic. Although her stillness on the matter was certainly for different reasons than Benara’s.

Merrlyn left the room with some of the used dishes and returned with a tray holding two pitchers. One of water and the other wine. Her table service was smooth and unfaltering, a skill learned in her life before the Tower. Selina nodded a while later when it was time for the dessert. The conversation revolved around Silvia’s departure and when their work here would come to an end. None wanted to discuss her plans after leaving Sweetwater.

Carrie met Merrlyn later as she climbed up to her room. "Merr, how was it?" She nodded indicating the dining room. "Are you going to bed so soon? Do you want to sit and talk for a while? I believe you are leaving soon, with Silvia Sedai, and I wanted to talk to you before you left." "I’m sorry, I have another errand or two to do before I go to sleep, I am just going to collect my cloak. Perhaps another time?" Carrie looked a little crestfallen yet she returned Merrlyn’s smile and shifted out of the way so the other girl could slip past.

Grabbing the cloak, Merrlyn slipped down the back stairs and out to the yard. She began her search for the owl along the branches of trees near her window. With only one tree so close it wasn’t difficult to ascertain the absence of the bird. She moved out of the inn grounds, towards the common to find Kora, never noticing the Warder who watched her go.

Kora was as comforting as always and Merrlyn’s temper and nerves were soon soothed. She felt warm reassurance tingle along the back of her mind. She could sense the feelings of horses, and dragons, with her gift. She wasn’t it, the talent she used, was Empathy or Animal Talking, yet it was incredibly useful. She straightened suddenly, aware of what she was thinking. The owl, perhaps she could contact it as she did the others.

Frowning with concentration she listened for the owl. Listening with her mind as much as with her ears. She felt curiosity slide along her mind, then vanish. She searched again and felt nothing like what she was looking for. Standing out next to Kora was pleasant yet frustration gnawed at her inability to use the gift properly. "Agh, I give up. I’ll see you later love." Burying her head in Kora’s mane she moved in the direction of the inn and stopped. There in the tree branches above her sat the owl. It cocked its head and stared, with blue eyes.

Merrlyn was rooted to the spot as truly as though she was bound by the One Power. The bird seemed to reach out to her mind as she had tried to toward it. Curiosity and acceptance flickered across her awareness. She tried to send thoughts or feelings of safety and curiosity. Understanding swept her mind and relief shadowed it as well. It was hard communicating with feelings yet, in the end, both bird and girl succeeded. The owl had felt Merrlyn’s ability and had been inquisitive as to what sort of two-legged creature could feel like she did. It felt strange to Merrlyn to find that the bird’s perception of her was a little like her thoughts on the bird. The owl appeared most insistent that it wasn’t a bird, but an owl.

Merrlyn smiled as she picked up on the last thoughts. She wondered if the owl would choose to go or stay now that it had ‘met’ her properly. At that she felt a firm feeling of companionship, apparently the owl had decided she was company worth keeping and would journey North with her, back to the Tower. It would be good to have other company other than an Aes Sedai and Gaidin. Kora snorted loudly. Merrlyn sent reassurance and love towards her pony, no one would ever replace Kora.

Kora and the owl eyed each other suspiciously for a moment, or so it looked to Merrlyn. They seemed to reach a settlement of sorts and both bobbed their heads. Merrlyn frowned, wondering if this was such a good idea. Kora could be difficult and stubborn at times with out banding together with Kalesha. Kalesha? Where had that name come from? The owl was looking at her expectantly. "Kalesha? Is that your name?" The owl, Kalesha, bobbed his head again and flew off to continue his night’s hunting.

Merrlyn left Kora soon after and made her way back to her room. The night was neither warm nor cool and she was tired, bed was a delightful thought to her weary body. Climbing the back stair suddenly seemed an effort and she clung to the rail to help propel her feet onwards. On entering her room she found Selina Sedai waiting for her. "Where have you been child? Darren saw you leave and Benara told me, you should tell me when you leave the inn grounds. It is not safe for young ladies to traipse around the night alone." Merrlyn’s eyes went wide and round with indignation and surprise. "I wasn’t aware that I was confined to these walls. I went to see Kora, she would have been able to carry me from any danger I couldn’t handle myself." She frowned. "Why are you worried? Is there something happening?" "I was concerned for you, you never know what might happen in the dark. Just be wary and tell me next time. Now why don’t you get some sleep, you look tired."

Merrlyn nodded silently. Selina had neatly avoided answering the questions and she was too tired to argue. Another question that entered her mind as she was changing was why she was sharing with her and not Carrie. When she asked as much Selina just told her to get ready for sleep and refused to acknowledge the inquiry. Merrlyn mumbled curses under her breath and folded her clothes neatly before climbing under her covers and snuffing the candles with the One Power.

Several days later Silvia, Selina, Larvin and Merrlyn made their way from Sweetwater into the forest cover towards Silvia’s home. Merrlyn wondered, not for the first time, why Silvia was out here rather than at the Tower and why she could help those who were sick better than the Yellow Sisters. It was all puzzling yet when she asked, either question, it was met with a change of subject or ignored altogether. All in all, very frustrating. But one didn’t question Aes Sedai, not even Aes Sedai-to-be.

This time the journey was more leisurely and relaxed, it was good not to rush. Each night Merrlyn was drilled in setting different kinds of wards. Silvia took those lessons and for the rest of the time she was forbidden to study anything on her own. It was like they were afraid to attract any notice, maybe there were still Trollocs around, although none had been seen for the last five weeks, or myrddraal. In either case, she had a right to know. She never mentioned it of course, they could keep their secrets and she would keep hers.

On the third night Merrlyn decided to see if she could find some thing the Warder had missed. She sent what Trollocs felt like, to her, to Kalesha, to see if the owl had seen them or similar in his travels. He was curious and lofted into the sky to search. The different Ajahs in the Tower had their own network of eyes & ears, and now she was starting one of her own, a bird admittedly, but a beginning all the same. She smiled, wouldn’t Kirlanna as Mistress of the stables be pleased to have a new member in the stable loft? She hoped so, there weren’t any owls there at present but she would have to make sure Kalesha knew to leave Jandair’s pet ferret, Denny, alone. It wouldn’t go down too well with Jandair if Denny got ripped to shreds.

Merrlyn set the wards as usual and settled into her blankets. Dinner had been cold meat and cheese, not very tasty, it would be nice to have real food again. Perhaps Silvia would invite them in for a good home cooked meal, if Aes Sedai cooked that was. Kalesha came back just before dawn. He twit-ta-wooed his findings, sending feelings and maybe, if her Animal Speaking gift was stronger, she could have seen flashes like her friend Twyla, or words like Iris Sedai. It was frustrating but, from what she could tell, there were Trollocs and a myrddraal about half a day from where they were. They would come across them on their way to Silvia’s home. They were nearly on her back doorstep.

Merrlyn rose early and moved to tie her saddlebags securely. She wanted to talk to Selina or Larvin before they went any further. Kalesha had flown off again to keep an eye on the Trolloc party. It might be a very long day. "Selina Sedai, may I trouble you for a moment?" Selina had risen a little after Merrlyn and she too was getting ready for the day’s travel. They would be in the village by mid-day, if they didn’t get killed getting there. "Of course Merrlyn. What can I do for you, you have been very uiet." "Have you seen anything of Trollocs or myrddraal? Since leaving Sweetwater that is?" >Selina never altered her expression, "Why do you ask? Have you seen something?" Larvin returned from behind the tree line, "I have." His voice was low and gravelly. "They are not more than a couple of hours away, about thirty of them and there’s a halfman with them." Selina turned back to Merrlyn. "How did you know this?" Merrlyn thought quickly, it was never a good idea to lie to an Aes Sedai, especially when they had you pinned to the ground with eyes flashing as Selina’s was at the moment. "I was just curious to see if there had been any signs. I didn’t know where they were." She stammered. Beads of sweat dotted her brow.

"Well, we should get moving, which way are they heading Larvin? If they’re going towards my village then we should try and stop them before they reach their goal." Silvia smoothed her riding dress and stared at Merrlyn long enough for the girl to rush to ready the woman’s things. Selina nodded and they all prepared to mount.

Nearly two hours later Larvin called a halt. The party was just ahead, and there were sentries. This group was more organised than the last and, while smaller it would be harder to take. They spread out, Larvin and Selina together, Silvia and Merrlyn from the other side. Merrlyn felt her stomach fluttering from an indistinguishable mix of fear and anticipation, she felt as though she were going to heave. Kalesha was obscured from sight behind a leafy branch in the knoll of a tree. He seemed to be debating something with himself, or maybe with Kora, Merrlyn couldn’t tell, she had other things to concern herself with.

She embraced saidar at Silvia’s sign and waited, lightning cut from the clear sky like a whiplash. She followed Silvia into the camp of panicked Trollocs, the halfman had already engaged Larvin while Selina was throwing balls of Fire and fists of Air. Trolloc faces, a mismatched collaboration of human and animal, feathers, snouts and horns, turned towards their attackers with varying degrees of success.

Silvia moved the ground, throwing the Trollocs down, to be trampled by horses or burned where they lay. Merrlyn threw Fire, balls flew through the air and streams left her fingers by turns. The battle was over, before Merrlyn realised, no Trolloc stood. The halfman lay thrashing on the ground, refusing to recognise its own death. That was the way of the myrddraal, to refuse its death to the last. Larvin wiped his blade on a tunic of a fallen Trolloc, he was so matter-fact about the whole thing that Merrlyn felt she wanted to empty her stomach all over again.

Silvia nodded her approval. "You did well dear. I wouldn’t mind going into battle with you again." The Aes Sedai was a continued mystery. A Brown who could heal as well as any Yellow, and better than most, and now talking like a Green. Merrlyn shook her head. "Thank you." What else could she say? The others gathered themselves without any trouble and continued as though nothing had happened. Merrlyn’s stomach knew something had happened and no one could convince it otherwise.

The village came into sight soon after and Silvia bade them farewell. She would organise a clean up detail and warn the neighbouring communities of the danger. They collected some travel rations from the inn and left within the hour. So much for the home cooked meal. Selina was right, of course, they needed to return to the Tower as soon as possible to inform the other Sisters of Trollocs in Andor. It would be a long hard ride.