Cast of Characters:
Raemira
Micana
Ellorin
Various Things Within The Arches

Setting: Testing Chamber: White Tower, Tar Valon

Ellorin enters the Testing Chamber from the hallway of the basement.

Ellorin looks around with wide, confused eyes.

Micana steps into the testing chamber, Novice following her. She turns to face the novice. She studies her a moment then speaks, her voice slow and measured, "You are to be tested for Raising to Accepted. Before you undergo the test, you must search yourself and decide whether or not you are truly ready." Her expression is quite serious, "You may refuse now, and twice again, without shame. The third refusal, and you will be put out of the Tower for good. Do you understand?"

Raemira's eyes turn to the newcomers, watching them quietly as they enter. She stands beside a pedestal with three silver chalices resting upon it.

Ellorin curtseys to the Amyrlin, awestruck. Then she listens carefully to Micana's words. At the end, she nods, swallowing hard. "Yes, Keeper," she says in a tiny voice.

Micana nods just once, her expression somber as she studies the girl intently. "Then remove your clothing, Novice, that you may enter the testing unfettered."

Three Aes Sedai move to points at the intersections of three arches and lower themselves to sit amid the pillows. Their skirts arrange themselves around the Aes Sedai till they look as if they are flower petals surrounding the heart of a flower.

Ellorin's fingers tremble as she unbuttons her dress, but she manages, and after a moment the dress falls to the floor. She stands there shivering, her face beginning to turn red as she looks down, trying not to look at any of the Aes Sedai.

Micana 's expression grows more empty of emotion. She says "Now I will tell you two things that no woman hears before she stands in this chamber. Once you begin you must continue through to the end. Refuse at any point and you will be put out of the Tower just as if you had refused to begin for the third time."

Ellorin nods. "Yes, Keeper," she responds, her voice barely above a whisper.

Micana says "The second is that to seek, to strive, is to know danger. You must know that some women have entered and never come out." The word 'never' is unmistakably emphasized by a tone in Micana's voice.. "When the ter'angreal finally was allowed to grow quiet, they -were not- there. And they were never seen again. If you will survive, you must remember to be steadfast. Falter, fail, and..." She trails off in a meaningful way as she watches Ellorin without hint of expression on her face. Micana awaits a response to the second chance to withdraw from this testing."

Ellorin's gaze moves slowly to the ter'angreal, then away. She looks up at Micana, then, and nods. "I will be steadfast," she says.

Micana studies Ellorin for a moment more. "Then if you are sure." She offers the third chance to decline as she turns toward Raemira and inclines her head to indicate this portion has been completed.

Ellorin closes her eyes briefly, swallows, then lifts her head. "I am sure," she says, her voice still quiet, but resolute.

Raemira watches everything quietly, observiing the young woman before he with a stark gaze, as if delving deep into her soul to assure herself the girl is ready. After a few moments she nods her head, then starts to chant, "Whom do you bring with you, Daughter?"

Ellorin flushes, darting a quick glance down at her nakedness, but not faltering under the Amyrlin's scrutiny.

Micana answers, in a formal toneless voice, "One who comes as a candidate for Acceptance."

"Is she ready?" The Amyrlin's voice returns as she continues to watch Ellorin, her eyes not falling upon the girl in a suggestive manner at all, just an assessive manner, as if trying to decide whether or not the girl has the right to continue. Her voice resounds about the room, sounding as if it were a deep, methodic intonation.

Micana replies, "She is ready to leave behind what she was, and passing through her fears, gain Acceptance."

A brow lifts at Micana's words, though Raemira's eyes never leave Ellorin, "Does she know her fears?" Somehow she seems doubtful, or is that sympathetic?

At this question, Ellorin swallows again. She seems to be making an effort now to keep her head high and her gaze steady on the Amyrlin.

Micana says "She has never faced them, but is now willing."

"Then..." The Amyrlin speaks with confidence, "Let her face her fears."

The three Aes Sedai at the intersections embrace the source and begin to channel into the arches. They begin to gleam silvery, the space framed by the curve glows and becomes opaque. A humm that is more felt than heard fills the room.

Raemira leads the novice toward the first arch. "The first time is for what was. The way back will come but once. Be steadfast." She looks into Ellorin's eyes searchingly then steps back.

Ellorin meets the Aes Sedai's eyes for a moment, nods once, and steps into the arch.

A bright light flashes before Ellorin's eyes as she enter the first arch, then the Tower is wiped from her mind completely. She finds herself in her hometown within Cairhien, amongst her peers. Instead of the ridicule and despair she's been used to most of her childhood life, she finds that she is respected and looked up to, the exact opposite. This somehow seems right, as she moves among the other girls and boys of her 'class' within the local 'school' that was set up recently. In fact... everything seems right, even her leg... that seems odd though, does it not?

"Ellorin... come on, hurry, we'll be late..." Her best friend, Martha, decrees, "Jennar is going to show me how to go ride today." Her eyes twinkle within the sunlight, bursting with eagerness.

Ellorin grins back at Martha, sharing her joy. She accepts everything for what it is - after all, right now, her life has never been any different than the happy simplicity it is here. "Really?" she asks excitedly, hurrying to keep up.

Martha nods eager, grinning slightly, "I'll race you!" with that she takes off running toward the stables in which Jennar, Martha's latest crush, works as an apprentice. Every now and again, in between dodging others, she glances over her shoulder to glance at Ellorin to see how fast she's catching up.

Long distance to Micana: Raemira decided to do something different. Elly has a condition with her leg that makes her lame. Decided to make her whole in this... going back should be hard for her.

Ellorin runs. She ducks in and out of the crowd of her friends, chasing Martha, and nearly over taking her, giggling breathlessly the whole way.

The sounds of Martha's giggles can be heard as well. So well that she's nearly run into a person here and there a few times and stumbles, but she keeps up the race. Soon enough, she arrives to the stables and there's Jennar,as promised, with two horses; one for him and one for Martha it seems. His brow lifts as he spies Ellorin, and a smile flashes on his features for her, hidden from Martha, "Good day, girls."

Ellorin stops to catch her breath, her cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkling from the exertion of the race. She grins back at Jennar, and says "Good day."

Jennar pauses a moment more to nod to Ellorin, then turns his eyes to Martha, "Ready for that ride?" He flashes a smile of his own to her, though somehow it does not seem as special as the one that went to Ellorin, or is it? Perhaps in its own way.

Martha nods her head, glancing back at Ellorin, "Gonna watch, or go get Ben and ride with us?" Ben is the gelding that had been given to Ellorin recently on her naming day.

Ellorin thinks about this, then smiles at her friends. "I think I will go get Ben," she decides. "I'll just run home to get him." She turns to go, giving Jenner one last look, a hint of a question in her eyes.

Jennar casually glances away from Martha for a moment, nodding his head, "We'll wait for you..." He agrees, that secretive look still within his eyes... perhaps meant so only you can see it. Afterwards he turns to Martha, then starts whispering various things to her about the care and grooming of horses, handing her a bunch of brushes as he does. He then pauses a moment, then glances over his shoulder, "Hey... Elly, if you wait up I can walk with you..." He glances to Martha, "Have Jessa groomed by the time I get back, shouldnt take too long, then I'll show you the rest..."

Marthan nods to Jennar, an odd look coming to her features, though she quickly goes back to her work.

Jennar steps into place next to Ellorin, "I hear you will be going to the city soon, with your father..." A wistful expression comes into his features, "I wish I could go to, it must be a wonderful thing to get away from the farms." He wrinkles his nose as he makes small talk, pushing his hands in the pockets of his trousers.

 A silvery arch flickers in the periphery of vision, light glinting on the
 rising arc.

         Be steadfast
         the way back comes but once.

Jennar nods enviously, "Pa says it's not worth it going to the city. He says if you even think wrong you might get killed in the streets." There is no helping the disappointment in his voice as he casts a sly glance in Ellorin's direction, "I take it you like it there and disagree?" He tilts his head to the side, wiping away a lock of hair from his blue eyes.

Ellorin wrinkles her nose. "Nobody cares what anyone thinks in the city. Nobody can tell!" She giggles. "They're all too busy shouting and pushing and buying and selling - it's so _exciting_!"

Jennar lifts a brow, then wrinkles it slightly "Blood and blo-" He blinks at what he's about to say, then blushes crimson almost immediately. They are close to the barn of Ellorin's farm at this point in time, "Sorry Elly, like pa, my mouth speaks quicker tham m'mind."

Ellorin giggles, pleasantly scandalized by Jennar's language. "Don't worry about it."

 Against the wall of the barn stands the stolid curve of an arch as large
 as a doorway. From it comes a hum which is more felt than heard.

         Steadfast
         Be Steadfast
         Once
         The way back comes but once.

The young man with you seems to shift feet from side to side, looking nervous suddenly. "Elly... I was wondering... Sunday is coming up soon and well, you know how they have dancing and everything...." He begins, once again glancing at Ellorin.

Ellorin snaps back to reality. "Me?" she asks in surprise. "Why...I..."

Jennar nods his head slightly, a hopeful look within his eyes, "Erm...well... um..." He stammers, looking almost horrified he's asked, "Yeah... I guess, you..." He looks almost shy at this moment, having been an outgoing boy all his life.

Ellorin repeats, "Me?" incredulously. "But - what about Martha?" she blurts.

Jennar glances in the direction where he left Martha, "I like her and all... but not in that way... She... she's like a sister...." He admits, painfully even. He turns his eyes back to Ellorin, almost expectantly and oh so hopefully, "So.... will you?"

Ellorin blinks, a slow, wondering smile spreading across her face. "Yes!" she says happily. And then out of the corner of her eye, she catches sight of that silver again. The arch. Her eyes wander towards it again, drawn to it...

 The silver arch shimmers and the humming starts to fade.

 The way back
         Comes but once.
         Be steadfast.

"You will....!" Jennar's voice almost squeaks, though he lowers it. "I mean, you will....?" He shuffles his feet back and forth once more, still seeming awkward and shy, not like himself at all.

Ellorin looks back at Jennar...then whispers, "Steadfast," the word coming from nowhere. One last glance, and then she turns and begins to walk towards the arch...and then to run.

"Elly?!" Jennar blinks, surprised at her sudden turn around, "Did I say something wrong!?"

Ellorin cries, "No!" and it's not clear whether it's in response to Jennar, or a protest, or just an outpouring of emotion. She runs faster, towards the arch....

...and out through the arch, into the cold of the basement chamber. Her leg no longer holds her up, and crumples as she comes down on it hard, bringing her falling to the stone floor.

As soon as Ellorin makes her way out of the arch, a chalice of water is poured over her head, not giving her much time to react to whatever happened inside... perhaps the only kindness she may remember as a child.

"You are washed clean of what sin you may have done," The Amyrlin's voice echoes throughout the room, "and of those done against you. You are washed clean of what crime you have committed, and of those committed against you. You come to us washed clean and pure, in heart and soul." She stands there watching Ellorin expectantly, as if to see what she says or does, either that or just waiting to see if she'll continue onward.

Ellorin stays there for a moment, slowly coming back to reality. She shivers, not quite knowing why...and then as the water hits her, she is shocked into herself again. "No..." she says again, a whisper now, bowing her head so that her face is hidden.

Ellorin puts her hands to the floor, and begins to struggle to her feet. Her head lifts, and the tears that stand in her eyes do not fall.

Micana steps forward to help the girl to her feet and guide Ellorin to the second arch. She places her hands on the novice's shoulders, completely lacking in any sort of compassion, and steers her firmly toward the second arch. "The second time is for what is. The way back will come but once. Be steadfast."

Raemira continues to watch Ellorin, then turns her eyes to Micana, as if waiting expectantly for the next part. In the background, several of the Aes Sedai present watch with quiet and careful eyes, not once shedding a bit of emotion for the girl.

Ellorin stands up on her own, not taking the assistance offered. She allows herself to be directed, though, and looks towards the second arch. She lifts her chin, takes a deep breath, and steps forward.

Ellorin enters Arch Two.

The happenings of the previous arch, or those within the chamber seem to wink away as she steps through the second arch; the arch representing the present. She finds herself wearing Accepted Whites, and somehow that seems just right. She is walking along the streets of Tar Valon, for the first time in a long, long time. Just as she is about to turn the corner, she notices something different. Odd... isn't that Marelain out there? And who's that she's talking to? Ellorin stands there for a few moments, curiosity marring her features before she sees something occuring in slow motion, or what seems to be such. Marelain gives out a rather loud scream as the person she is talking to pulls a knife, grabs her and starts to take her away, while another attempts to cover the incident by screaming himself and pointing down the road as if some other event happened.

Ellorin claps a hand over her mouth to stifle a scream before it happens. Instantly, she snaps into action, looking up and down the street for anyone who could possibly help.

Most people are just scattering about, too intent on trying to figure out what it is the man is pointing at. Meanwhile, the one with Marelain continues to get away, disappearing around a corner.

Ellorin shouts, "Help! Someone, help!" Then she turns to follow Marelain and her abductor, still looking frantically around for somebody, anybody, who can save her friend.

Help does not seem to be coming Ellorin's way, though she does find something else she does not want.... the attention of the companion helping the man taking Ellorin away. "What have we here, missy." He moves to step in her way, looking her over up and down, "Yet another to add to our collection?" He has such an evil smile on his features. "So nice of you to aid us in our little endeavor. Come quietly, and we might even keep your friend nice and safe."

Ellorin stops short. Her eyes widen as she looks up at the man and realizes that she has made a mistake. "Don't hurt her," is all she can manage to say, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Ah... good... so then you have come to your senses... Come come..." The man holds out an inviting hand, "Come with me and she'll stay safe." His words are meant to soothe, though there is a menace behind his eyes that suggests she will not be safe if cooperation is not found.

Ellorin says warily, "You're sure?"

 The way back
 The way back
         Once
         Once
         Once
   The way back comes but once.
           Steadfast
         Steadfast
     Steadfast
   Be Steadfast
 Words echo in memory, faint whispers in Ellorin's mind.

"Of course, of course my dear.... You can trust me..." The man speaks in an animated manner, as others still continue to look for what exactly happened, addled in confusion.... "Just think of what will happen, should you not." A slight grin touches his features, not entirely one that would sooth. He keeps his hand extended.

Ellorin nods. "All right," she says finally, moving to follow him, but not taking his hand.

The man drops his hand, though makes no move to grab at Ellorin. After all, she is coming in a cooperative manner, "Turn down that alley...." He insists, motioning with his still free hand. "And we will catch up with them...." He assures Ellorin, watching her carefully. Whether or not he is telling the truth remains yet to be seen.

Ellorin nods, not taking her eyes off him, then turns.

Down the alley, they do indeed see Marelain and the other man, about to turn yet another corner. Her feet are kicking back and forth, and she appears to be struggling to get away. There is one thing that is certain... she is quite frightened of her situation. The man walks behind Ellorin, making certain to herd her down the same alley, "Come come, musn't waste any time. We've deadlines to keep, things to do, places to go...." He leaves the last more obscure than the rest, as if neither of you will be staying in the city long.

Slowly something starts to flicker a few paces away. Silver glints in and out of vision as if there and yet not there before it solidifies into a silver arch. An almost imperceptible hum fills the mind and words echo in memory.

 The way back
         Comes but once.
 Be steadfast.

A hand gently touches Ellorin's shoulder, attempting to hold her back. A sneer emerges, "Keep quiet and walk casual like." She sees there are doors on both sides of the alley, leading to various shops. He rounds her about the corner as well, as she sees Marelain being put into a wagon of sorts, still struggling. The man down the end of the street with Marelain slaps her as if to quiet her. There is a whimpering, though she grows still, truly frightened. A voice sounds behind you, from the man, "I told you...." It hardens, "Not to lay a hand on that girl unless we needed to."

Ellorin flinches at the sound of the slap, but dutifully slows down. She shivers, pressing her arms tight to her sides, trying not to show her fear.

The man pushing Ellorin along seems to walk by a silvery sturcture in the alley so close his arm brushes it. Unique as it is, he does not seem to see it.

         The way
         comes but
         once.....

The one beside Ellorin slows to a stop, halfway down the alley, stopping her with him, "All the same, we discussed what would happen should you not follow my instructions to the letter. They are not to be harmed. Do you understand?" His voice grows cold, like ice.

Ellorin's attention is caught by something off to the side again, and her head turns to keep her eyes on it as she walks past. "Steadfast..." her mouth says, although no sound comes out.

The other man grumbles and acquiesces to the first's wishes, "Aye... as you say, but if we are to go, we are to do it now. There is no waiting." The first nods in agreement, then starts to push Ellorin to the wagons, "Come on you. Lets go, now." From inside the wagon, she might catch a glimpse of Marelain looking out, eyes widening as she notices Ellorin, "Elly....?" She whispers, very quietly, so only that Marelain herself can hear... Ellorin stumbles forward, propelled by the push, and pushed back into reality. "I'm here, Mari," she whispers back.

Marelain appears to whimper again, looking at Ellorin. Her eyes seem to implore something, as if to say 'run away, before it's too late'. Of course, it already is too late, is it not? The man continues to move Ellorin forward, "Come on, up into the wagon..." He seems so intent on what he's doing, he does not see the other moving around with his dagger. Perhaps he did not like how he was told to do things, or maybe he has other things on his mind.

Ellorin glances behind her, desperately, as if maybe some help had come when she wasn't looking...and she catches sight of that flash of silver again. "Sh..." she whispers to Marelain, but does not look at her.

Seeing the other man attempting to come up behind the the one with Ellorin, Marelain lets out a deep scream again, sending it down the alley. Ellorin's guard turns to see what is going on, and lets out a muttered curse just as the dagger grazes his arm. A dagger flashes in his own hand and he attempts to attack the the one attacking him, or at least defend himself.

 The Silver Arch hums as it beacons by its very existence. The color is
 intact, but is seems less substantial somehow.

 Be Steadfast.
 The way back
 comes but once.

Ellorin moves towards the arch, forgotten by the men now fighting amongst themselves. "Be steadfast!" she shouts back to Marelain, her steps quickening as she approaches the arch, tears falling despite herself.

So the fight ensues between the two men, however Marelain seems too struck with fear to react to anything, just watching horrified as an arm here or there moves into her view, or stikes at the cloth of the coverned wagon....

Ellorin steps into the cold once more, her face wet with tears. "Be steadfast," she repeats again, a whisper and not a shout this time. "Be steadfast, Mari..."

"You are washed clean of false pride." Raemira speaks as she pours the second chalice of water over Ellorin's head, giving her just enough time to get out of the arches, but not enough time to think overly much on what just happened, "You are washed clean of false ambition." As the last drop drips on Ellorin's head, she steps away from the girl, letting the last of her words echo through the chamber, "You come to use washed clean, in heart and soul."

Ellorin shivers, the cold water mingling with the warm tears as both pour down from her face.

Micana's gaze rests consideringly on Ellorin, her expression devoid of emotion. She moves to stand in front of the third arch, waiting without any show of impatience. After a moment she takes hold of the novice's arm when the girl nears her, and directs her to the third arch. "The third time is for what will be. The way out will come but once. Be steadfast."

Ellorin lets herself be guided once more, moving towards the third arch before she can start thinking again, thinking about what she has done...

The third and final arch moves before her view, and she finds herself stepping into it. As she does, a blinding light flashes, hurting her eyes for the briefest of moments. A haunted feeling lingers in the air, however soon it goes away. She finds herself deep within an alley, alone. She is wearing normal clothing, though a quick check of her hands shows that she wears the Great Serpent Ring. The alley leads to the library, deep within the recesses of Cairhien. She had promised to go there for Raemira to get information regarding Stasis Boxes, after having found one recently. Oddly enough, this particular library had a book on just those things. She is close to getting to the door just when she hears something rattling behind her. She was alone last she checked, was she not?

Ellorin glances casually over her shoulder. She is not nervous - if anything, she is annoyed that this disturbance is distracting her from her work.

As she checks the alley, she does appear alone... yet at the same time she gets this feeling that she is being watched. It's like there are eyes all over the place.

Ellorin shakes off the feeling, frowning at her reaction with rueful self-reproach. "Jumping at shadows like a Novice," she mutters under her breath, and steps towards the door again.

As she steps toward the door once more, there is another sound within the alley; like wood rattling against the cobblestones. Shadows flicker here and there, all around.

Ellorin stops, turning around all the way this time. She narrows her eyes, trying to see in the dim alley.

Tiny rats, several of them, can be see in the alley, no... rather ...swarming into the alley. What in light's creation could this be, or mean....? Or is that tiny book so important that the Dark One had to send little watchers, ones that bite, to come after her.

Ellorin stands still, just watching for a moment. A shiver runs through her, as she mutters, "Rats." Then she says again, "Just rats. Nothing to be afraid of." Still, she says this out loud, and sounds almost as if she's trying to convince herself.

Ellorin turns towards the door again.

Then, just as suddenly, all grows quiet, too quiet. A shadow flickers before her, stopping.... too much of a shadow, for it seems to start to take a form, walking straight toward her and blocking her path to the door.

Ellorin's voice is low, but steady. "Who's there?"

A chuckling resounds from the Shadowfigure. "Your worst nightmare, my dear.... a little too nosy about things you should not mess with, I see...." That chuckling is deep and dark rooted.

Ellorin says "Who are you?" There is a slight tremor in her voice now, but she keeps her eyes on the figure. "Show yourself."

 Back
         Back
              Back
 The way back
     Comes but
   once
   once
   once.
         Be Steadfast.
 Fragments of memories not Ellorin's own tickle and play in the back of her
 mind.

The shadowfigure chuckles, letting it resonate about the alleyway, "I am what I am, standing here before you...." Is that a glint of steel in its hands? It has hands? So it must be humanish, right? Or something close, "And what you are is a nosy little Sedai about to stumble on something she need not know. Go home, girl..." Yes, he just said girl, "Before you die this day." With that the shadow winks out of existence, but that horrible feeling of being watched remains.

Ellorin waits until the figure is gone...then lets herself sag against the wall, shaking in earnest now. "Imagination," she tells herself in a frantic whisper. "I've been working too hard...just my imagination playing tricks..."

"Yessssss, believe that, you will...." A whisper echoes through the alley..." You are too overworked to do what you must.... go home... before that imagination gets you killed...." Another chuckle resounds, this time very, very close to Ellorin's ears. "Leave the staaaasissss boxes be and you will be freeeee to live."

Ellorin jumps at the sound of the chuckle right next to her. "Go away!" she cries, looking around in agitation for the source of the voice.

That chuckle continues down the street, "Go away, go away, go away, Go Away..." It seems to sing, in and out, back and forth, up and down, all around really, "Yeeesssss do that, Ellllllloooorin." Yes, it even seems to know her name.... "Go hooome to Moooootheer." Is it her imagination, or does the air seem to thicken somewhat?'

Ellorin shrinks back against the wall, as if the building could protect herm from this intangible danger. "Who are you?" she shouts, her breath catching in her throat.

 Without warning a glint of light sparkles along the upper curvature of a
 silver arch which was not present a moment ago.
 Once
     Once
         The way
     Comes but
 Once

      Be Steadfast

A whisper seems to dredge itself once more within Ellorin's ears, "Your woooorrrrst night mare." A cackle enfolds the area, making it reverberate back and forth in a menacing manner, "If I count to five and you are gone by then, you will live. If not... well, who knows if you will live.... or die." So casually is that spoken, it might chill your bones. "Either way, I get to play." The voice seems pleased as it moves about, "Either way, you fail your misssssion."

Mission. Yes. She was here for a reason! Ellorin's eyes dart towards the door to the library again, leaving the silver edge of the arch. Does she dare try to go through the door? Slowly, she turns her head to look at the door again.

The shadow flickers between the door and herself again, that glint of steel within the shadow's 'hand'. "Coming to play with me, my pretty?" It seems to grin in a dark manner, its eyes glowing within the darkness, "Come play, come play, come play....." Now it pleads, almost in a heart wrenching manner. "Puuuhlease?" Of course, the game it wants to play could be deadly. "One.... " It begins.

Ellorin embraces the Source, holding it ready. "Keep away," she says, her voice sounding much less strong than the words she speaks.

Another chuckle resounds, and the shadow winks out of existence once more, even away from the heightened senses the power gives when holding it. "Twowowowowoowowoowo......" It wails, as if promising some horrid fun for himself later.... "I do so love to play...." It seems to dance about, a sense of movement around you, "Don't you...?" It whispers into your ear once more.

Ellorin whips her head around to look at the place where the voice is coming from now, taking a step backwards away from it. "Keep away," she repeats.

Once again, as if this were a merry dance, the shadowed voice starts to sing, "Keep away, keep away, Keep away, keep Away.... yessssss..... dooo that and live... or come to plaaaay. I know what it be you look for....." It taunts and teases, "And so do he....."

The silver arch hums, felt deep in the bones and very being of Ellorin.
The graceful curve is distinct against the dimness adjacent to Ellorin.

Be Steadfast
The way back comes but once.

Ellorin squints, trying to see the shadowy figure...but her eyes are caught by the silver light of an arch. "Steadfast," she murmurs, the word coming from nowhere.

The shadowfigure lingers within the air, hovering by the door, as it once again comes into fruition, "Threeeee.... come play with me?" It wails sorrowfully.

Ellorin spins around, reaching out to steady herself with a hand against the wall, lashing out with the Power as soon as she sees the shadowfigure take form.

And just before the power gets to it, the shadow disappears, and whisks away, "Naughty, naughty, playing keep away that way...." It seems to chuckle, "But now I see you like to play.... FOUR!" It calls out, amusement lining its voice in a dark, menacing manner, "Only one more, before you will be mine....."

Ellorin scowls in frustration. "Where _are_ you?" she asks, as if the thing would answer her. She looks around frantically, once more beginning her search for the figure.

"Wherever I be...." comes a jovial laughter, delighted in keeping Ellorin from her task at hand. "I be near thee, then far away again... back and forth, up and down, all around, tickle you now." With that a light brushing hits Ellorin's sides....

 The silver begins to fade as if becoming part of the dimness. The hum
 drops till it is hardly felt. After a moment it seems to regain some of
 its strength.

 Be Steadfast
 The way back comes but once.

"Keep away, keep away..." It starts its merry tune again, as if bored, "Or stay and play.... I choose..... stay." The way that word sounds, it sounds as if it's about to come straight at Ellorin, "Five.... time to take thee to the hive....." And the air starts to grow even thicker, as if attempting to hold her in place.

Ellorin screams, "No!" as clarity returns, and she knows what she must do. She pushes her way towards the silver light, heedless of the shadowfigure and its words.

The shadowfigure can be felt trying to come after Ellorin, chasing her down..... or maybe it's the rats moving about... all a flicker of the imagination, trying to keep her trapped within this world.

Ellorin repeats, "No, no, no, no," as she pushes her way towards the arch, desperately trying to move more quickly over the uneven cobblestones.

The shadow appears to be getting closer and closer, as the hum starts to die and fade away, and with it the silvery splendor of the arch. It nips barely on the edge of Ellorin's heels.

Ellorin shrieks one last desperate, "No!" and dives for the arch...

...landing bruised and weeping on the cold hard floor, still sobbing, "No, no, no."

The third and final chalice is poured over Ellorin's head as she exits the arch, giving her time, this time, to catch her breath before the cold water dribbles onto her bare body. The Amyrlin starts to intone, with a voice that sounds rather flat and emotionless, "You are washed clean of Ellorin Andasar from Cairhien." She speaks in a tone that holds a small note of approval? " You are washed clean of all ties that bind you to the world. You come to us washed clean, in heart and soul. You are Ellorin Andasar, Accepted of the White Tower. Welcome, Daughter." She steps forward and gives Ellorin a kiss on each check, letting her reminisce, for once, in being called Daughter, instead of child.

Ellorin lets herself be pulled to her feet, lets the water pour over her, lets her still-naked body shiver in the cold room. Slowly, slowly, she focuses on the words of the Amyrlin, and by the end of the speech she is firmly back in this world.

Ellorin speaks, but her voice is so soft that it is hardly audible. "Thank you, Mother." There is no emotion in the whisper...all feeling seems to have drained away in the tears she has shed.

"It is not over yet, child...." Raemira speaks, so soon to child already. What more could there be? Though soon you will find out, it seems. She speaks quietly as the others press forward with their greeting, "It is custom at the Tower that you do not speak about what happened in the arches. I trust you will keep with that custom." It is not really a request, but more of an order. Raemira waits to see if Ellorin complies, even if her mind may be numb at the moment.

Ellorin nods...her mind is clearly not numb, even if her emotions are right now.

Raemira nods to herself before continuing onward, "You will have the next two days free of chores and classes, to recuperate, then the next two weeks will you meet with the hardest training you've had within your life. If you thought your Novice years will bad, you will find them a vacation to those of your Accepted years." She pauses, once more waiting to see if Ellorin understands, her eyes watching the girl intently. She then looks up briefly at Micana, to see if the dress and towel are being tended to.

Ellorin nods again, still silent, too exhausted to speak...or to feel.

"Good." Raemira speaks, then continues, "You may not teach until you've had your spirit class, and been observed by an Aes Sedai for the first time." She then pauses once more, watching quietly as she speaks the words upon the new Accepted, perhaps too much for her to absorb at the moment. Raemira pulls something out of a tiny pouch at her waist. Her eyes narrow slightly, as if considering something, though she murmurs, "Hold out your left hand please." She waits for the simple action.

Micana comes forward with large warm towels to lay over the new Accepted's shoulders. In her hands is a new dress with bands of color.

Ellorin nods at everything the Amyrlin says. She flinches away from the touch of the towel at first, then relaxes, and closes her eyes gratefully. She holds out her left hand when the Amyrlin instructs her to.

A golden ring, carved with the image of the Great Serpent is produced and placed upon Ellorin's ring finger on her left hand, "On this finger, and this hand alone may you wear this ring. Once you are raised to the shawl, may you wear it where you wish, but not until them" Raemira's voice holds a warning note, what is done to those that claim to be Aes Sedai, quite evident to those through the Tower. Her eyes even harden slightly. "After you are settled you are to report to Atalanta Sedai's office to talk over your new classes."

Ellorin nods again, but her eyes stay focused on her left hand, staring at the new ring.

The sisters at the rings rise to their feet to observe the remainder once they release the source and the glow between the spaces fades. Each step forward to welcome the new Accepted and leave, using care to not interrupt, curtseys to Raemira properly given.

Raemira inclines her head slightly, "You are dismissed child, go get some rest. You look as if you need it." Her eyes continue to carefully watch Ellorin as she holds the dress, not yet donning it.

Ellorin shrugs the towel off and slides the dress over her head, fumbling at the buttons with fingers numb from the cold and clumsy from exhaustion.

Raemira watches Ellorin quietly, as the other Aes Sedai, relief within their eyes, start to move out of the area. She keeps her arms folded, and her gaze neutral.

Ellorin finally reaches the top button, and looks up at the Amyrlin for further instructions, her expression still neutral and blank, except for her exhaustion.

Raemira nods once to Ellorin, having already dismissed the young woman.

Ellorin nods back, accepting the dismissal. She curtseys to Raemira, wincing as she notices her bruises for the first time, her eyes filling with tears. Before the tears can fall again, she turns to go, walking painfully towards the door.