It was there, but subtle. - Edit 5
Before modification by Deadsy at 19/11/2010 11:28:01 PM
but you have to keep in mind while reading it that Moiraine is Moiraine.... Aes Sedai and Cairhienin (who hate PDA). Not only is she AS, she's Blue, and she's just found the DR after 20 years of searching. Then you have to think about Thom, who hates Aes Sedai. Then see how they interact. They should be completely indifferent to each other, or dislike each other, but they don't. That's something by itself. There was about one hint per book until she went through the doorway. I happen to like their relationship and its development. I'm guessing a lot of people think these things aren't enough, but I'm going to post them anyway.
This may look like nothing, but how often does Moiraine laugh? I remember three times in the entire series (not including NS). And usually when she laughs it's in bitterness at something Rand has said.
You may as well read this whole bit, it's in book 4 chapter 17. Coming from Moiraine, all of this stuff is heavy flirting. If it was any other woman her face would have been red at how cute Thom was being trying to pretend that he was innocent, when she knows exactly what he was up to.
Thom Merrilin stepped forward grandly and held up one empty hand, turning it slowly. Suddenly he gestured with a flourish, and a dagger twirled between his fingers. The hilt slapped into his palm, and, abruptly nonchalant, he began trimming his fingernails.
A low, delighted laugh floated from Moiraine.
A low, delighted laugh floated from Moiraine.
This may look like nothing, but how often does Moiraine laugh? I remember three times in the entire series (not including NS). And usually when she laughs it's in bitterness at something Rand has said.
He paused, looking thoughtful. “Moiraine said I was still alive, did she? Is she with you, then?”
Rand shook his head. To his surprise, Thom seemed disappointed.
“Too bad, in a way. She’s a fine woman, even if she is . . . ” He left it unsaid.
Rand shook his head. To his surprise, Thom seemed disappointed.
“Too bad, in a way. She’s a fine woman, even if she is . . . ” He left it unsaid.
Thom’s eyes sharpened to almost the keenness Mat remembered. “I am not sure I expected that. Moiraine is still with him, is she? A fine-looking woman. A fine woman, if she were not Aes Sedai. Meddle with that sort, and you get more than your fingers burned.”
Moiraine straightened as if she had a perfect right to be going through the papers scattered on his table and calmly arranged her skirts as she sat on the stool. Now there was a beautiful woman, with every grace a man could want, including laughing at his quips.
“I am not thirsty,” she said in a pleasant, melodious voice. She leaned forward, and the room was small enough for her to place a hand on his right knee. A chill tingle rippled through him. “I wish a good Healer had been near when this happened. It is too late now, I regret.”
“Do you say so? I pay little attention to such things. The works of the mighty are not for a simple gleeman.”
Her smile was just short of laughter, but she spoke as if reading from a page.
Her smile was just short of laughter, but she spoke as if reading from a page.
“A quiet life would kill you, I think.” Sounding distinctly amused, she busied herself rearranging the folds of her skirt with small, slender hands. He had the impression she was hiding a smile.
You may as well read this whole bit, it's in book 4 chapter 17. Coming from Moiraine, all of this stuff is heavy flirting. If it was any other woman her face would have been red at how cute Thom was being trying to pretend that he was innocent, when she knows exactly what he was up to.
“Who’s the letter from, Thom? Another woman you rescued? Or did you leave her where she could get her head cut off?”
“I left her,” Thom said softly. Rising, he walked away without another word.
“I left her,” Thom said softly. Rising, he walked away without another word.