Emond’s Field Diary - Part 1

Author: Alenya Al'Roran
Published: November 15 2019 Tar Valon Times Blog

We’ve read the journeys of those who left the Two Rivers following the fateful Trolloc attack on Winternight—but what about those who stayed behind? Here’s one imagining of what life might have been like in Emond’s Field.

Winternight, 998 NE

I have lived in the Two Rivers all my life and never thought to write a journal, but today is a special day. The Women’s Circle has decided that I can finally braid my hair. This means that I am a woman grown and am eligible to take a husband. With this sort of a milestone in my life, I think it’s time to start writing a bit about what’s going on in my day.

Bel Tine starts tomorrow, and I can’t wait! For now, I will content myself by helping with the preparations.

Bel Tine, 998 NE

Bel Tine is ruined! This was supposed to be a happy day of celebration, but it was just awful.

I’ll start where I left off yesterday. While I was working to get things ready, some strangers arrived in the village. First, there was a gleeman! He is a real gleeman with patches on his cloak and he told wonderful stories, and sang songs, and juggled, too! There was also a strange woman and man. She seems to be in charge between the two, but they’re both very mysterious, and I’m not sure why they would come to Emond’s Field for Bel Tine. The last was the peddler, Padan Fain. We were all so happy that he made it to town because we were sure he was going to be late or even miss it, and we need the supplies that he carries on his wagon.

It was after we went to bed that things seem to have started going horribly wrong. Trollocs attacked in the night. Trollocs! In the Two Rivers! It’s unheard of, but they still came and they destroyed a few houses. The mysterious woman turned out to be an Aes Sedai, and she used her magic to defend us. When morning came, Rand al’Thor came out of the woods dragging his father behind him because they were attacked, too. The Village Council blame the Aes Sedai for the Trolloc attack, but I am not sure that’s the truth. Whatever and whomever she is, she took Rand, Perrin Aybara, Mat Cauthon, and Egwene al’Vere and left to go north. Part of me wishes I could go with them to see more of the world, but the other part of me is glad I get to stay here. The outside world seems so big compared to our safe village that I don’t think I want to go anywhere.

I must go help with the cleanup. The departure of a few will not stop life from going on here in Emond’s Field.

6th day of Aine, 998 NE

Nynaeve al’Meara has disappeared—the Wisdom, of all people, when our town has been attacked and we have sick and wounded. I know the Aes Sedai healed those she could, but Tam al’Thor still hasn’t fully recovered, and now we are without our Wisdom. Mavra Mallen is coming from Deven Ride for a few days, but how long will she be able to stay when she has her own village to look after? The Women’s Circle is already whispering about what they should do if they have to choose a new Wisdom. I think it would be hard since the Old Wisdom before Nynaeve is long gone, and Nynaeve was teaching Egwene, who is also gone. It feels like our small village has paid a high price these last days and we don’t even know what we paid for. I suppose we’ll have to wait and see.

Tune in next Friday for the second installment!