Realla, a woman Iridalle had befriended long ago in her travels, had invited her to spend some time in Andor and attend the wedding of her daughter Charelle. The five weeks Iridalle had spent there had been relaxing and enjoyable, but by the end of the time, she was ready to return to Tower life.
As she entered the Shining City, Iridalle smiled. It was good to be home.
She wore no Shawl, but her Great Serpent Ring glittered on her right hand, and there were those who knew her for what she was. As she headed towards the White Tower, some were quick to move away, eager to stay clear of an Aes Sedai, but the crowds did not part, and Iridalle preferred it that way.
Passing through Tar Valon's main square, Iridalle glanced briefly at some of the market stalls. They sold useless junk, for the most part, but on a few occasions she had found things worth buying. Seeing some candles, Iridalle paused at the stall that was selling them. She looked through the selection, hoping to find some nicer than the ones that had been provided for her room.
"What about this, Ta'rella?"
That name turned Iridalle's eyes to the next stall, where a slim, copper-skinned Domani woman held a delicate silver chain against her slender neck. It wasn't her who was the focus of Iridalle's attention, though. Facing the Domani was a tall woman with her back to Iridalle, her black hair in waves to the middle of her back.
"Ta'rella Shalmar." It took all of Iridalle's strength to keep her voice serene.
The black-haired woman turned at her name, gasping as she saw Iridalle. Ta'rella's eyes scanned Iridalle's face, perhaps looking for a sign of familiarity, or maybe looking for a hint of Iridalle's emotions. Iridalle knew her face was clear of both, although behind the mask that was Aes Sedai serenity, emotionless was the farthest thing from what she felt at that moment.
Ta'rella paused, hesitance written all over her face. Finally she spoke, her voice as hesitant as her face. "...Iridalle?"
Iridalle gave her a slight nod. "I go by that name."
"I don't believe this... I..."
"I have arranged to meet with one of my Sisters now." Ta'rella glanced down at Iridalle's hand, staring at the Serpent Ring. Iridalle gave her no chance to comment. "If you wish to see me, come to the Tower early tomorrow morning. If not, I have other things to occupy my time."
"I'll be there, Iridalle." Ta'rella's voice was stronger now, and Iridalle believed that what she said was true.
"As you wish. Farewell, Ta'rella." With that she turned and strode away.
That night as Iridalle sat in her room she glanced irritably at the candles. It was all their fault. Somehow. And she still hadn't found a new set.
Idly she contemplated not meeting Ta'rella the following morning. What right did the woman have to simply walk into her life after so many years? But she is my mother, she argued with herself. Iridalle had never known her mother, given to the Aiel when she was only a few days old.
The Aiel had always told Iridalle that Ta'rella had vehemently denied being Iridalle's mother, but they had not kept back that they thought she was. Any doubt that Iridalle may have had was dispelled by Ta'rella's reaction to seeing her earlier that day. Ta'rella was her mother, and she would see her again tomorrow.
Sleep came later than usual that night, and Iridalle rose a little before sunrise. Each morning she would watch the sunrise, losing herself to thought as she watched the sun appear on the horizon and share out its glow. Ta'rella had often occupied her thoughts in the morning, and more so than ever on this particular day.
Footsteps in the halls outside her room told Iridalle that the time drew near. She stood, glancing at the Serpent Ring and Green-fringed Shawl before turning away. Ta'rella knew she was Aes Sedai; she had no point to prove.
Leaving her room, Iridalle walked slowly down to the Tower's main entrance. She saw Ta'rella straight away. Making her way towards the woman, she greeted her with a nod. "Follow me."
Ta'rella's eyes clouded with disappointment at Iridalle's chill tone, but she followed Iridalle outside and to the Tower Gardens, which were, for a wonder, empty.
"Iridalle... You never once left my thoughts since I left the Aiel. I am your mother, but I suppose you already know that."
"No longer, Ta'rella. For me, the title 'Mother' now means only the Amyrlin Seat."
"You can't deny blood ties, Iridalle. You resent me, yes, and I can understand that. I know you'll never be able to forgive me. But know that I mean it when I say that I know leaving you was the biggest mistake I've made."
Iridalle glanced at her levelly. "Then why did you leave me?"
Ta'rella shook her head sadly. "I'll regret it for the rest of my life, and even in death. You wouldn't understand my reasons."
"Then why come here? Why bother talking to me? Why--"
Ta'rella cut her off with a sigh. "You have the fire that burned inside me when I was growing up." After a pause, she spoke softly: "What Ajah did you choose, Iridalle?"
"The Green." There was a note of pride in Iridalle's voice. She had fought hard for her Shawl.
Ta'rella nodded, smiling faintly. "Ah, yes, of course. I should have guessed. The Battle Ajah. I suppose that streak is strong in your blood."
"And by that you mean...?"
Ta'rella looked surprised. "You are Aiel by blood, Iridalle. I am Andoran, but your father was Aiel. ...You didn't know that?"
Iridalle shook her head, her eyes widening a touch. "Who... Who is my father?"
"His name is Adryl..."
"Adryl, of the Nine Valleys sept of the Taardad Aiel. Clan chief."
"You know him, at least?"
"Of my own clan and sept. So that's why he accepted me into the clan. That's why the Aiel accepted me as one of their own."
"Yes. Iridalle, I was young. I was afraid. I hadn't known Adryl long, but I loved him. Or so I thought. I knew Adryl never loved me, I didn't think any Aiel could love someone not of their people. I was lost, I had no idea of what to do. So I left you with the Aiel, knowing that they would bring you up better than I could on my own. Adryl had honour, as all Aiel do, and I knew he would take you in, because it was the right thing for him to do. I doubt very much that he would have told anyone that he was your father."
Iridalle stayed quiet for some time, taking in the things she had wondered about for so long now. Her eyes met Ta'rella's, and this time they showed a hint of understanding. Her mother had done what she had thought was right. And it was what a Maiden would have done if she was in the same situation. Ta'rella had not been so wrong after all.
Iridalle embraced her mother, smiling. "I'm glad I finally got to meet you. I... I hope you won't disappear from my life again..."
Ta'rella's eyes were alight with relief and warmness. "I won't, Iridalle. I must return to Andor soon, but I'll stay in contact with you, I promise."
"I'm glad."
It was no more than a week after she and her mother parted company that Iridalle received a scroll from Ta'rella Shalmar of Andor.