Page 241 (1/2)

"Which s now," Elayne said "I offered you a boon so that you could ask for forgiveness I’d pardon you, and I’ll be certain to send troops so that your people are protected Accept this, and we can all go back to life the way it should be"

"That isn’t going to happen," Perrin said softly "The Two Rivers will have lords, now I fought it for a ti"

"Perhaps," Elayne said "But recognizing you would be to agree that a man can just claiathering an army It makes for a terrible precedent, Perrin I don’t think you realize the predicah," Perrin said in that stubborn tone he used when he wasn’t going to budge "I’ ood, Faile thought, opening her mouth to jump in A clash here would not serve them well

Before she could speak, however, another voice cut in "Daughter," Morgase said softly, drinking her tea "If you plan to dance with ta’veren, be sure that you know the proper steps I’ve traveled with this man I’ve seen the world bend around hiht the Pattern itself is to try toat her ase continued "But Elayne, I promised these two that I would speak for the, but I fear it could break itself against this man He does not want your throne, I promise it, and the Two Rivers does need supervision Would it be such a terrible thing to let them have the man they themselves have chosen?"

The s hiht," Elayne said "I assume you’ve come with de that can be done"

"No demands," Faile said "An offer"

Elayne raised an eyebrow

"Your ht," Faile said "Perrin does not want your throne"

"What you tant et an idea in their minds"

Faile shook her head "They love him, Your Majesty They respect him They’ll do what he says We can and will put down ideas of Manetheren rising again"

"And ould you do that?" Elayne asked "I kno fast the Two Rivers is groith those refugees co in over theof the Last Battle You have no reason to give up the chance to forood reason Andor is a strong nation, and prosperous The towns in the Two Rivers un to want a lord They’re still farlory; they want their crops to survive" Faile paused "Perhaps you’re right, perhaps there will be another Breaking, but that’s only more reason to have allies Nobody wants civil war in Andor, least of all the Two Rivers folk"

"What do you propose, then?" Elayne said