Hinka woke up slowly. The first rays of the sun were coming through her window. She was feeling sleepy but stood up. She had got to bed late last night and even after that couldn't go to sleep for at least an hour. Today she was going to be bonded to Velieen Tamarla. Excitement replaced the dizziness. They were going to meet favourite oak in the Gardens. The first place they met out of class. Velieen tried to startle her appearing as another Hinka then. And managed,thought Hinka with a grin. But a lot of time had passed since then. Hinka was no longer a siswai and Velieen a novice. They had gotten older and today was the day she'd been waiting for so long. Hinka understood that she would bond her from the very beginning. She washed up quickly and took her clothes from where she had left them yesterday--on the chair. She had to learn how to be more tidy. She was going to become a Gaidar after all and wasn't sure that Velieen would like her untidy room. It took her a minute to put on her snow white shirt, black trousers and boots. Hinka stopped a little, staring at her Warder cloak, and then took it. She wasn't going to need it but it was showing that she was a Warder and she liked that. Hinka took a deep breath and stepped out of the room. Their meeting was at dawn and she didn't want to be late.
Velieen woke up from the slight and repeated sound of footsteps in the corridors. Her sisters had already gotten up and started their work. The Tairien got up and went to the window. The raising sun was shining happily on the Blue sister's hair, in her eyes and on the trees. It was going to be a beautiful day. A slight waft of breeze curled Velieen's straight auburn hair and she smiled. Her green-blue eyes were sparkling not only from the sun but also with excitement. She had slept well after some thinking and was now feeling wonderful. Velieen went to the mirror in one of the corners of her room and started brushing her hair. Today was the day she was going to bond Hinka--her first Gaidar. And maybe last. They had been friends for a long time and each knew that this was going to happen someday. Velieen had met Hinka the day after the girl's Raising and talked to her about that. They arranged to meet today and do it. There weren't going to be any guests--just her and Hinka. Velieen took off her nightgown and put on one of her favourite blue dresses--with silver stars on the neckline,the end of the sleeves and skirt. She looked at the mirror again and found that she was looking good. Velieen was pleased with her look and just smoothened her hair a little leaving it falling loose on her shoulders and back. She smiled at the Velieen at the mirror and walked out of the room.
The corridors weren't full with people but there were already some Warders walking around. Hinka nodded to the ones she knew but didn't stop to speak to them. There wasn't any sound from her steps although she was wearing boots. Something else learned from the training. Making sounds could be deadly sometimes. She went out of the Tower and directed herself towards the Gardens. Meanwhile the sun was already up and shining. There was nobody under the oak so Hinka sat down and waited. Velieen wouldn't be late if she knew her well.
Velieen went down the corridors greeting the sisters she met and smiling encouragingly to the novices and Accepted she saw on her way. When she got out of the Tower the sun embraced her and made her feel welcome and wonderful. Smiling and trying to repress the urge to hop on her way Velieen walked quickly with her own rhythm. The Gardens looked magnificent--they had already been the Tairien's favourite place outside the Tower. Inside her favourite place was the Library. She finally reached Hinka's favourite oak only to see that the Ashanderei had arrived before her and was waiting beneath the tree. Maybe she had spent a little more time dressing and preparing than needed. That was the only reason she could think of for not arriving earlier.
Hinka looked at Velieen and smiled. "You're not late if that is what you fear. I just was too early." She looked at the ground. "How do you feel? After all these years waiting for that moment and it finally arrived?"
Velieen sat down next to her friend and replied, "I've somehow always known that we would bond someday. Even when we argued and fought." The Tairien giggled remembering those moments. "I feel alright. Excited of course. I hope I don't forget the bonding weave." The Blue sister winked at Hinka.
Hinka laughed remembering their fights. "Oh,I understood that we will bond exactly because if them." She smiled again and her face became more serious. "Listen,you know I've always loved you as my own sister. You have my love, my life and my sword. That's all I can offer you and I hope it's enough."
Velieen looked at Hinka seriously and scolded her but not too harshly. "After all these years you still think I expect something more? No, you're seriously mistaken. I want you to be my Gaidar and all I expect is to work as a team. I won't ask you to obey me or anything like that. I know you're too stubborn for that. I am stubborn too. I just hope we will listen to each other and colaborate."
Hinka hugged her friend and then giggled. "Yes, you know me. The sun will rise in night before I start obeying. I'm glad you don't want it because it could be serious problem." Hinka sighed and stood up. "Well, as I always say, better start so that we could finish. I know that usually you have to be solemn or other bullshit I'm for doing the job. I want you to become my Aes Sedai, you want me to become your Gaidar so why wait? I've waited all these years and I don't want to do it any longer."
Velieen stood up with a serious look in her face and not saying anything put her hands around the Shienarian's head and carefully but quickly wove the necessary weaves. After she released her Hinka staggered and leaned on the oak. Velieen looked at her new Gaidar with a sly smile. "You wanted it to end faster. So I did it. How do you feel?" Velieen wasn't very certain how she herself felt. It was strange. And she felt that Hinka was feeling the same way as her.
When Velieen bonded her she staggered. Bond her-alright but have anybody told her to knock before opening the door? She leaned on the oak and looked at her. She could feel her in the back of her skull. "Light! What? You want to kill me? Don't you ever warn before you bond, woman?" She took a deep breath and gave it out. She was a Gaidar now. So quick. She looked at Velieen again and shook her head. The girl was even more crazy than she was.
"Well, I didn't think it necessary to warn you since you yourself asked me to proceed. And it's the first time I bond so you can't judge me." Seeing Hinka's look at the words "first time" she smiled and added; "Maybe last." Now Hinka was irritated and Velieen felt it. "Shall we go to have a cup of tea and clear our minds? And some breakfast too. I haven't had breakfast yet. And I'm beginning to feel hungry." Velieen felt that Hinka approved the idea but let her reply.
Hinka sighed again but then smiled. The feeling of the other person in her head was nice but when that was Velieen it was even nicer. "Alright. Let's have tea. And I'm hungry too." She looked at Velieen and they both headed towards the Kitchens...
