It doesn't... if you reason like Mat.

It's totally unreasonnable to think the Queen of Andor's top priority will be to arrange to meet Mat.

He's been in Caemlyn only for a few days. Elayne dealt with the most pressing issue, which was to send Norry openly and in an official capacity to show the HS she was in control and has put her foot down with those Dragonsworn showing at her doorstep.

It's Mat who's being obtuse and naive not to have understood (as Thom seems to have, and anyone with a bit of political minding would) from the way Elayne dealt with this that his presence is causing political problems she must see too. Norry was Elayne's way to forewarn Mat she can't acknowledge him openly and to stay away from her - that she's received his letter but will have to be patient before she can communicate with him, and in the meantime remain away.

Mat is being terribly impatient. Elayne will no doubt send him a messenger, or come secretly herself soon enough. It's been mere days, and she's Queen now, and surrounded. She's no longer as free as she used to be. She needs to wait for an opportunity to leave secretely if she decides to meet Mat in person, or she needs to wait for an opportunity to send him a Kinswoman to bring him secretely to the palace for a meeting. More likely, she intends to send him Birgitte, but she has to wait a few days, so the court doesn't connect the fact she sent Birgitte on an errand with the presence of the Band. Birgitte is busy as well. Birgitte is one of the very few Elayne trusts, and who knows how Elayne really stands with Rand al'Thor and his associates. Elayne won't trust just anyone with that knowledge - any kinswoman could be a DF.

We have no idea what Elayne is going through at the moment. Her coronation is either being organized or just past, and she has the High Seats to entertain - dinners and balls maybe, while by day she must be extremely busy right now. She's stuck with a DF crisis/prisoners as well.

It's not as easy as you think for Elayne to act secretely. Mat is not alone, and his exact location is unknown, but the way he showed up, it's obvious he Travelled. Which AS are with him? Are they Egwene's or Elaida's. Can they be trusted? Can a messenger reach Mat without them knowing? If she doesn't want anyone in his camp no more than outside to suspect anything, this may take some time before she can organize somethin to communicate with Mat secretely. It's not like she knows where his tent is to come to him at night or anything like that!

Had it been weeks, that'd be worrying, and Mat would have reasons to be angry, but after just a few days, he's just being an impatient ass who understands little of the politics involved and who thinks a Queen is like the next door neighbour's...

Put yourself in Elayne's shoes. Mat shows up, he's obviously Travelled to Caemlyn, which means AS, Asha'man or Rand himself is with him, and Elayne has to takr the time to find out if it's safe to contact Mat or not. Thankfully, Mat sent a letter instead of trying to show up in person (as he would have done, if not for the fact he must keep himself hidden) but he's asking Elayne for all the foundries around, and massive amounts of metal - and it's like Mat expects Elayne to put all other affairs aside and meet him immediately! By his very apparition with the Band Mat must have put Elayne in the mood to let him stew a few days before she arranges something.




I never suggested Mat might refuse to build dragons for Elayne (though that might well take some convincing for Aludra to agree. Aludra's the bottle-neck, as she doesn,t want to share the secret of the powder and she can only produce so much herself..). What I said is that Mat/Aludra's request is not one Elayne will be able to answer positively easily. This would put Elayne in a pickle to requisition so much resources and industry for a "Dragonsworn project", all the more since other Houses than Trakand most likely control the metal producing areas, and Elayne will likely have to deal with the trade guild beside (she may even have to deal with the governor of Baerlon for this - most of Andor's metallurgic industry is there, and those people have clients to serve). Elayne will have to present this very carefully, as a commitment not for the Dragon but as part of Andor's effort for the LB. It will happen no doubt (the chapter "talk of dragons" is probably the meeting of Elayne and Mat), but it won't happen nearly as fast or easily as Mat hopes.