Sparkling in the early morning sun, the White Tower acted as a beacon for Aes Sedai. The white shaft was visible for miles as one approached the island city that was at the heart of Aes Sedai power. In the distance loomed Dragonmount, a long streamer of smoke came from the broken top of the mountain of prophecy and was easily visible from the White Tower.

Sitting at a makeshift desk that had been placed upon her balcony, the petite Green let her grey eyes graze over the small leather bound book that she had been making notes in. Being a Dreamer she had long ago learned to write down any strange dreams upon waking and today was no different. Upon waking she had wrapped a pink robe about herself, slipped on her slippers that matched the robe and taken the book from its usual place beside her bed before making her way out to the desk. The desk had been set up a couple of days ago and was Warded from water damage so that it could remain upon the balcony without worry if a sudden rain storm appeared. At her right hand sat a cup of steaming tea that her maid had freshly made.

As the bells tolled the early morning hour the Green sat at the desk reading over what she had already written and was studying how her Dreams progressed over time from something so simple and yet so complex that she could not understand the meaning and as time went on the Dream was added to giving more details, giving her a glimpse of something yet to happen, something yet to come. Often times these Dreams effected her in no way but occasionally she was touched by the events. Had she understood every Dream she had she could have warned the Tower of the Shadow’s massive strike that happened months ago. Unfortunately most Dreamers did not know what their Dreams meant until much too late. Occasionally however one could tell what the Dreams meant in time and alert other Sisters.

Reading over the Dreams put the Green in a reflective mood and she could not help but think how strange dreams were and how quickly they could change, be they dreams of the heart or Dreams that haunted her mind at night. Dreams were such fragile things that could be changed within a moment and could be just as easily dashed by others. Everyone had dreams, be they the day kind or the night kind, and no one could ever live without experiencing each at least once in their life.

The Green had many dreams and had believed that those she used to have would come true one day. A few of them had come true and she would not trade the life she lived now for the crown of Andor, but she could not help but wonder what her life might have been like had her thread been woven differently. Had the Wheel not chosen her to have such a gift as channeling or had seen fit that her life was woven in different ways she could only wonder what her life might be like.

Had the Green never come to the Tower she would have been married in short order. I‘ve never been married. I wonder what it would have been like.. Closing her grey eyes she leaned back in the chair, her head resting against the padded back. Taking deep even breaths the Green was asleep again after a few minutes and the sun continued its path across the sky.

Long raven locks would have fallen to the back of her knees had she not been bent over in her saddle, her smooth face which was pressed next to the horse’s neck declared her age of eighteen as did her supple and limber body which was tensed in the excitement of the race. The sable haired beauty was a top a horse as dark as a raven and a temper to match the beauty whom was racing headlong towards the river at the edge of Ashlin lands. The Andoran beauty’s grey eyes flashed lightening as she urged the horse for more speed, her raven hair streaming out behind her. The horse’s own long mane flowed out behind it and tangled with the girl‘s that was upon its back. The two were as one with wild spirits and wild hearts that always sought excitement. Today that excitement was given in a race.

Stretching its neck, the black beast thundered down the road towards the river, careless of the dust that they were raising behind them for Kaeth to follow within. Being careless paid off occasionally as it did now, making herself sit up on the horse’s back, Lacy pulled Sable to a stop and let him prance a couple of steps before patting him on the neck. Kaeth came galloping up, his brown eyes not nearly as amused as her own.

“Lacy one day you’re going to break your fool neck, not giving a care for what might be in the road or in a field. If the Light shines on you when that day comes you’ll be lucky if you only break the animal’s neck instead of your own.” Being a bit older than his promised Kaeth acted too much like a father in some regards and not enough like a young man trying to get to know his soon to be wife. Lacy often found him dry and not nearly as exciting as the young men from a neighboring farm that often was as reckless as she when trying to prove their mettle. “Oh you always have to ruin the fun.” Lacy said as she patted the horse’s neck again and let it prance a few more steps up the road before falling in ranks with Kaeth. “Either way I win so you have to go swimming with me.”

Lacy gave him an impish grin and booted her horse to a gentle lope that it could maintain although white lather covered its chest and sides. As Kaeth agreed grudgingly she laughed softly sure of her prey. The man let his own mount gain the slow gait and they made their way towards the river for the promised swim. Lacy hoped that perhaps if she got Kaeth away from the others he would loosen up a bit.

Slowly the river came into sight and Lacy dismounted and made her way towards the river’s bank. The white sand slipped between her toes and she curled them in delicious excitement. Looking over her shoulder she gave Kaeth a ‘come get me grin’ and pulled her dress off over her head and threw it at him. The young man’s eyes widened in disbelief but he did not have long to gawk for the girl’s shift followed the dress and hit him in the face. A seductive laughter floated out and a splash followed, Kaeth merely stood there with his mouth open as if seeing the girl for the first time. “The water is fine. Come on in.” Lacy yelled as she tread the gently moving waters. Boots and a jacket went flying through the air followed by a white linen shirt and a second splash signaled Kaeth’s entrance into the river an a love for the raven haired woman that would never die.

Lacy’s mind jumped forwards a few years of its own accord.

“My Lord. You must seek out a Wisdom. She can not last much longer.” A ragged scream ripped through the air and Rose lifted her head towards the Lady Tower where the Lady of Ashlin was in bed trying to birth her first child. The small frame did not fare well under such a large child, which surely the child was given the height of the father and the broad shoulders, the way the child had carried it could be nothing other than a new Lord of Ashlin. “Now milord!” Rose screamed at the man and headed up towards the room where she hoped Lacy was fairing a bit better than her husband whose nerves had progressively gotten more ragged as the birth continued through most of the day.

As Rose arrived she pushed Christian, the Lady’s brother from the door. “This is no place for a man. Your lady wife and I have it under control. Not get down there with your sister’s husband before he does himself harm. And if he hasn’t sent for the Wisdom yet you see about doing it. Now go!” Rose gave the large Andoran a push towards the staircase and luckily it set the man to going. “Men!” Rose exclaimed as she pushed the door open to reveal Lacy in the middle of the bed, the bedding twisted when she writhed with pain. Christian’s wife held a cool rag to Lacy’s forehead and hummed a sweet song to her trying to calm her fears and ease her pain. “I’m not sure how much longer she’ll last.” The red head told Rose as she continued her ministrations.

Eventually the Wisdom arrived and easily delivered the child though the raven haired mother was completely exhausted and fell into a deep sleep the moment the child screamed after its first breath of life. The elderly Wisdom merely placed the child in the hopeful father’s arms and assured him that his wife would be fine with a little rest. After collecting her gift of a sack of gold coins the Wisdom left the child with its family and made her way back towards her cottage at the edge of the manor lands. The two men had a celebratory drink at the birth of the child and Christian winked at his wife and suggested that perhaps they finally have one to match which earned him a playful slap on his chest before the redhead returned to the Lady of Ashlin to make sure she was resting well before heading towards her own home.

Once again the years speed through her mind and suddenly stopped.

“Ramsay!” The thick Andoran accent called out across the manor lands and caught the attention of a strapping youth, his blonde hair that he had gotten from his father looked ruffled as if a hand ran through it often. The grey eyes that he had gotten from his mother looked over the fields and could see the petite frame of his mother waving in the distance, calling for him to come home. He could not hear her words but he knew well enough what his mother was saying to him. “Get your brother and sister and come inside. We have guests.” Ashlin always had guests since his mother had become the High Seat and had been called to court to be a Lady in Waiting to the new Queen.

As Lacy called her children in she sighed and smoothed her red silken skirts, the Golden Lion of Andor marching across the skirts combined with the Golden Roses that could be found on the crown of all Andoran Queens. Once again she was hosting all of the Southern Marches as they discussed the politics of the country and what would need to be done to ensure their continued survival. Feeling a reassuring hand on her shoulder, Lacy turned and smiled up into the eyes of her loving husband. They had certainly not gotten along well when they had first been betrothed since he was a few years older than herself, that day at the river had changed everything though. Now they were life long friends and often were not far from each other. The love she had for the man was blinding at times and she was glad that she had found him. They had three lovely children that were going to grow up to be fine men and women.

Lacy opened her grey eyes and blinked into the sunlight that was brighter than it had been when she had dozed off, it was close to midday. A small smile was on her face at the thought of having children. She had never been able to get married and have children as she had wanted to do when she was younger. She had wanted them desperately at one time and sometimes still found herself wishing she had stayed at Ashlin lands and had children as she had once planned. However wishing for what might be was never a useful thing and she decided to put the thoughts out of her head. She was able to channel and had always been able to. There was no changing that.

The Tower was a very large part of her life and always had been. However her life in the Tower could have differed greatly had she made different choices. Years spent as a Novice and Accepted were always important when forming one’s identity within the Tower. Friends reflected what Ajah you might possibly be when you attained the Shawl and sometimes the missions you decided to undertake when you got the freedom to do so.

Aifa had been her best friend through her early years in the Tower and had formed a lot of what she was today. When T’Roi had taken over Aifa’s body and had attacked her as an Accepted she had vowed to the Light to hunt down the Black Ajah so that T’Roi would never have the power to take her friend over again. She couldn’t imagine not having been friends with Aifa but the Green could not help but wonder what would have happened if the woman would never have become her friend. I‘ve never had a closer friend than Aifa. What would living in the Tower have been like had I never befriended the woman on that first day?

Lacy’s grey eyes slid shut of their own accord. She was lost in dreams once again, and being a Dreamwalker she was able to shape her dreams, even without her knowing.

Raven hair was tied back in a white ribbon, the white skirts of a Novice made her trim body look like a child’s. Of course the Andoran believed that was the point since every Aes Sedai she encountered insisted on calling her Child, most of the Accepted did as well.

White slippered feet took her down the halls of the Novice’s quarters and to her own door. Sniffling came from the door next to her and the raven haired beauty stopped and considered. Taking a few steps and stopping outside of the door she could hear sniffling and cursing that was muffled under the girl’s breath. The girl was also Andoran if her accent was any clue but the words that came from her mouth said that she was a commoner. Finally figuring out that the girl was cursing because she had ripped yet another dress by doing things novices were not supposed to do Lacy merely shrugged and made her way back towards her room and shut the door.

Lacy’s mind once again fast forwarded through the years.

A rainbow hem surrounded Lacy’s skirts at the hem and there was another at the neck and around the cuffs of her Accepted’s dress. Being one of the newest Accepted was not an easy task as most of the Novice’s took it as license to pull their pranks on her now. One Novice in particular liked to pull pranks on her. Aifa. The girl was lazy and liked to sneak out of the Tower at all hours of the night to do only the Light knew what and often took her best friend with her. The two were peas from the same demented pod in Lacy’s opinion.

She had just finished taking the two girls to the Mistress of Novices for pulling a prank on a Siswai, the two had been caught dueling with daggers and scaring the young man to death. The prank really wasn’t all that spectacular and Lacy could not believe the young man had fallen for it. Really how smart could this Ingtar be if he had fallen for such a prank?

The years speed forwards in a blur.

Dressed in a solid white dress of silk with silver embroidery, Lacy sat in the White Sitter’s chair in the Hall. Aifa, a woman who had made it her life’s business to drive her crazy, sat in the Green’s Sitter’s chair and made sure that anything she suggested was quickly shot down by the other Green Sitters. The Green Sitter’s suggestions were often backed by the Blue and more often than not the Yellows as well. Ingtar often stood at Aifa’s shoulder and encouraged the woman in whatever she did. Lacy could have swore on her belief in the Light that the woman and man existed simply to give her a hard time.

One again grey eyes fluttered open and looked at the sun which was further in its trip across the sky. From a distance she heard the bells marking the hour and yawned behind a slim hand. She had slept for quite a while as she dreamed of how her life may have been different in the Tower. She did not understand why the day made her so sleepy and why her dreams and thoughts had taken on a reflective mood. Guessing that it was simply a day to enjoy thinking of how her life could have been different and a day for naps since she had not classes to teach. The Green closed the book that contained her Dreams and carried it inside placing in on a table beside her massive bed. The bed looked very inviting and she could not resist removing her dress and climbing into the massive bed.

Once she was buried safely within the covers the Green turned to her side, once again reflecting on her dreams and her thoughts. It was true that Aifa and T’Roi combined had encouraged her to choose Green as her main Ajah. Lacy could only wonder what would have happened if Aifa had not had the strength and courage to beat T’Roi. What if T’Roi would have taken over Aifa’s body? Would her life have turned out differently? I’ve never considered what would have happened if T’Roi would have won. Would I have turned out to be Black Ajah as well since my closet friend would have been? I’ve never wanted to be of the Black Ajah before, and never would in this life.

Lacy’s grey eyes shut once again and she stretched in the bed.

The snowy haired woman completed the last of the 100 weaves and stepped from the Ter’Angreal as it was allowed to grow quiet. She fell to her knees only clad in her skin and her supposed belief in the Light which was supposed to lead her on the right way as an Aes Sedai. She had not believed in the Light since T’Roi had taken over Aifa’s body. If there were such a thing as a Creator or the Light it would not have let such happen. Sitting on her knees, Lacy grabbed the oath rod and took the Three Oaths. She did not worry over much about the oaths knowing that a Black Sister would eventually seek her out and take the oaths from her.

Now it was time to choose which Ajah she would become. Aifa had chosen Green as well as a new faith in the Light. Lacy could not stomach such a thought and stood contemplating which Ajah she should become part of. Finally deciding upon one, Lacy sunk to her knees before the White Sitters and received the shawl with a long white fringe. She was now Lacy al’Meraia of the White Ajah.

The years speed by and Lacy’s dream picked up years later.

Harl stood in the corner, the sour expression on his face was perpetual now that he had finally given into his calling as a Darkfriend. Lacy sat behind her desk going over reports from other Black Sisters. It had taken her years to gain the status of the head of the Black Ajah within the Tower and she took her duties seriously. One report said that a certain young Green was getting close to discovering some of the Black Sister’s identities. Lacy wrote a note that ordered the woman’s death. Alhanna Sedai had finally snooped to far for her own good an would now have to be removed as a threat.

The years speed ahead again and left the Green dizzy within her own dream.

There was a chain about her neck and she was shielded. Her long white hair had been cut and was roughly even with her shoulders. She had been discovered by the Green Ajah, Aifa, the Green Sitter, had finally lead to her downfall. As a White Sitter she should have been stilled and kept as a warning to others, however given her dark inclinations she was to be stilled then executed by the Green Ajah and Red Ajah working together. The first time in history, catching the head of the Black Ajah in the Tower was enough to make the two work together. There were many other Black Sisters standing beside her. They were all to be stilled and executed as a whole. She could almost wished they would simply kill her and skip the stilling part but the White Tower was never one to break tradition even if tradition were not needed.

The Green woke up in a pool of sweat, a scream caught in her throat. Being part of the Black Ajah was something that had never crossed her mind. The dream was more of a nightmare rather than a dream and she hoped to never repeat the dream again. She hated the Black Ajah with all of her being and despised anyone who would even think of betraying the Light for the Shadow.

She laid back on her bed, her grey eyes squeezed shut blocking out the thoughts. She would have to write the dream down simply to get it out of her mind so she would not dwell on it.

Her mind moved on from the thoughts of the Black Ajah and moved on to thoughts of Warders. The thought pervaded her mind more often than not now days and she knew that she needed at least one Warder if she didn’t need more. She had agreements with many men but those agreements did not always work out or were honored as time went on. She wondered what her life might have been like had she actually bonded someone earlier in her life. I‘ve never been bonded. What if I hadn‘t been so choosy? What would my life be like now?

Sleep once again rolled over the Green, her mind leading her on an adventure like none she had ever experienced before.

The young Andoran was knelt before her, his dark head turned down so that she could only see the sun streaked lightness as she wove the weave for Bonding. As the weave settled the man looked up at her, his grey eyes lit with a ambitious light and Lacy could feel ambition and pride in the back of her head where the man had taken up residence. Lacy merely smiled down at him. “Remember your oaths Roryan Vitan. I’ll have your Warders cloak for you this evening when you move some of your items into my rooms.” Lacy said with a grin. She knew that the man’s ambitions could possibly cause a problem for her later but she would deal with it as it came. For now she headed back to her rooms to make room for the man’s belongings.

“This is all you have?” Lacy asked as the man stood there with a couple of black uniforms and a few personal items. She was expecting much more and had made plenty of room. Many of her Sisters were still scandalized that she had Bonded her lover, and Asha’Man no less, then moved him into her rooms. The Green knew exactly what she wanted and went for it most of the time and she had wanted Roryan for a Gaidin since she had first laid eyes on the proud young man, even though he was a bit of a rogue.

Showing Roryan where he could put his things she made a mental note to order him some more clothes and in other colors besides black since they would occasionally have to hide. His Andoran accent would work well and they could simply be Andoran nobility when they needed to go out into the World. More thought had went into it than many of her Sisters thought. Still having her lover so close at hand would become incredibly handy.

Once more the years buzzed by, though the Green knew all of the events in her life until the dream once again took on a normal pace of time.

She had been bonded to Roryan Vitan for quiet some time now and the man had even convinced her to submit to his proposals of marriage and they had not only been Bonded but married for over five years now. Roryan virtually burned with ambition to become one of the best Asha’Man and pushed her to be one of the best Aes Sedai that she could be. Of course at the moment she was forced to do office work as Mistress of Novices. Forced from the life as a Green due to her advanced state of pregnancy with twins, Lacy sat behind the desk happily. She could feel Roryan to the North and more than likely in the Blight where they had spent much time together.

The kicks in her stomach reminded her that though she would love to be beside her husband in the Blight killing Shadowspawn she was doing something much more important by having the two children that were within her. Due to her own strength combined with that of Roryan her children had the possibility to be two of the strongest channelers the Tower had seen in years, since al’Thor and his friends had been discovered at the very least if they did not rival them. She was making sure that their legacy as channelers went on well after their own deaths.

Once again the years streamed forward.

Lacy stood with her children over looking a grave which was at the corner of Ashlin lands. Both girls were now Accepted and stood in their white banned dresses beside their mother dressed in Green. Both girls planned on being Greens like their mother, their younger brother planned on following in his father’s foot steps and become an Asha’Man if he could channel. Their channeling

Suffering the loss of her husband as well as her Warder was taking its toll upon the petite Green and her grey eyes were hollow, there was a shield upon her, maintained by a Green Sitter at all times. With her sheer strength combined with the Angreals that belonged to her, many were worried that when the realization of the death of her Warder and her husband finally hit that she would destroy the Green Halls. Lacy knew that she would be sad and would probably never Bond again and would maintain an office job for as long as the Tower would let her.

Wetness on her smooth cheeks woke the Green from her deep sleep and she sat up in the bed. Slender fingers went to a doll like face hidden by the darkness of night. When her fingers touched her face they found dampness and her eyes felt like she had been crying for quite some time. Slowly the woman came to realize where she was at and took in a deep ragged breath. The day had been a strange one for her and though she had spent much of the day napping, all of her energy seemed to be drained. I’ve never had such a strange day. The Green lay back down in the bed and let her grey eyes once again drift shut and welcomed a the almost normal dream that filled the rest of her night.