Weave as it Will

It was well past breakfast time, and Enlan's stomach was as disapproving of his choices as Yarina Sedai. It had been a few weeks since the assassination, and news of the approaching rebel army had spread through the streets of Cairhien like a disease.

Now the city was caught under a stifling malaise. Work continued-- if at suboptimal efficiency--but the people trudged about their daily lives with no enthusiasm, no joy. The people had supported Enlan when he claimed the Sun Throne. They had praised him as a great reformer and as the shining hope for the common people. He had pushed for change and the rights of the peasant classes as much as he could. He had taxed the wealthy and provided for the poor.

As a sovereign, one could never ensure the happiness of every single person. One could, or at least should, be able to ensure the stability and happiness of the nation. The best possible for the large majority. In Andor, this was a well developed and understood principle. In Cairhien, the politics of the Houses and the Great Game took precedence over the lives of the poor.

Now, once more, Cairhien was falling apart. If Enlan could not find a solution that did not involve destroying half of his own nation then Cairhien would never recover from this. It was as if the fate of his nation had been decided by the actions of his predecessors. The Aiel War, the civil war, and now a rebellion. Each brought great suffering to the people, and Cairhien to its knees.

As Enlan placed the crown upon his head he tried to wipe the expression of worry from his face. He was about to take a quick ride through the city streets, directly out of the walls and into the twisting mass of buildings known as the Forgate. Many of the former inhabitants had been sponsored to return to their farms near the Spine of the World. However, many had also elected to stay in the Foregate. Enlan had been developing some projects there, including several free schools and safer housing construction. His favourite project was The People's Library. The plan was gigantic in proportion, and well beyond the means of his meager coffers, but one step at a time was all that was needed. Furthermore, an illusion of action was all that was required. He intended to restore some morale more than anything today.

For now, the site of The People's Library bore only a run-down old orphanage, but for now, it would have to do. Two dozen newly transcribed books were loaded up in a wagon ready for delivery. Enlan looked back at his bodyguards and the wagon, seized by a sudden surge in determination. Whatever his, no Cairhien's, enemies threw at them they would make it through. He would make sure of it. He fixed a warm, compassionate smile on his face as he set off riding through the palace gate. A simple illusion could fool anyone into feeling better, and feeling better meant working harder towards a common goal: the stability and prosperity of his nation.

~~

Enlan collapsed down onto a chair in his anteroom. Still wearing his crown and the brilliantly made and fitted coat and trousers he'd worn when riding through the city, he looked guiltily at the stack of papers Yarina held in her arms. The damned woman was giving him that motherly look again. A mixture of concern and disapproval.

"In the morning Yarina, I promise I'll be all yours in the morning. I'm exhausted!"

"Yet I am sure you will find time for your lover, my dear boy," she shot back at him, dumping the reports onto the endtable beside him. Enlan groaned, yawned and pretended to rub his eyes - all in a vain attempt to hide his blush. "You have things to do, Enlan. You need to spend less time gallivanting about the city and keeping your servants awake with the sounds of your...late night conversations and more time going over the affairs of finances and politics!"

Enlan sat up straight now, challenging the Aes Sedai, fixing her with a look of such intensity that she actually flinched. "Do not presume to tell me what I must and must not do, Yarina. This IS politics. Every thing I do is for the good of Cairhien! Every appearance I make boosts the morale of the people. They know a battle is coming Yarina, but my appearance makes them feel safe and secure! That makes the difference. It will make all the difference when those bastards finally decide to attack us! All is for Cairhien."

"And what of Dralde-"

"A man may keep some things for himself, Aes Sedai," he said in cautionary tones. Then, leaning back in his chair, he said "besides, we are indebted to his nation. A good friendship and alliance in reality is always far preferable to an alliance and debt on paper."

"You are the King of Cairhien, Enlan. You cannot keep a thing to yourself. Everything you do is important, is judged. You will make a great man, someday. For now, you must watch your back and pay attention to my advice, child."

Enlan felt the heat rising inside him like a fire igniting in his belly and bursting through his veins. Suddenly he was on his feet, "I am not a child, Yarina, I am the Ki-" His words were cut off suddenly as a gag of air filled his mouth. Yarina Sedai took a seat calmly, smoothing out her skirts. Enlan felt something grip his ear, like an angry mother about to punish a child. What in the light?.
Next thing he knew, Enlan's pants were around his ankles and he was bent over Yarina's knees. "If you will act like a child, Enlan, then I will treat you like one. You are a very rude little boy!"
Four stern, swift smacks to the backside followed as Enlan raged against the invisible bonds of the one power.

Then, suddenly, it was all over. Yarina returned him to his chair, still with his pants around his ankles, smoothed her skirts down again, rubbed her red hand and fixed him with a satisfied smile. The Aes Sedai stood, heading for the door. "Do not forget who put you on the throne, boy, and do not forget for a moment who keeps you there," she opened the door, and looked back over her shoulder at him. The room was ice. "or, you shall soon find that a spank is the least of your concerns." Then, to Enlan's horror, she smiled. "Still, I see what he sees in you."

With that, she was out the door, leaving Enlan half naked on his chair, pants around his ankles, backside aflame, shocked expression plain on his beet-red face.