41 Old Friends and New Threats

Rand awakens injured inside Caemlyn’s Royal Gardens after falling from the wall where he tried to glimpse Logain. He is discovered by Elayne and her brother Gawyn, who tend his wounds and question him. Their half-brother Galad spots them and summons the Guards despite Elayne’s protests.

Surrounded by Queen’s Guards, Rand is escorted into the Palace. The lush garden’s unnatural greenness is noted as Elaida’s work, contrasting with the city’s famine. Elayne invokes guest-right to keep Rand armed as they are taken to an audience with Queen Morgase, with Captain-General Gareth Bryne and Aes Sedai Elaida in attendance.

Morgase chastises Elayne and Gawyn for disobedience, then turns to Rand’s presence. Elaida probes Rand’s origins, doubts his Two Rivers claim, and reveals his heron-mark sword, startling the court. Bryne observes that the blade “belongs” with Rand despite his youth. Pressed, Rand says the sword was his father’s.

Elaida weaves suspicion around Rand’s timely appearance and foretells that Andor will face pain and division, then privately adds that Rand stands at the heart of coming turmoil. Bryne advises brief imprisonment; Elaida favors it to learn more. Morgase rejects fear-driven justice, questions Rand directly, and, convinced by his answers and judgment of his speech, grants him freedom with a warning.

Escorted to the gates, Rand parts from Elayne—who hints she finds him handsome—and from Gawyn, who remarks Rand looks like an Aielman despite sounding Two Rivers. Shaken by Elaida’s words, Rand hastens away from the Palace, fearing further attention.