Unlike Rand, Egwene did not "go dark." I and her fans agree that she has been more or less consistent from day one. She does not need Bran and Marin to pull her back from the bring, they are the ones who gave her license to think she's the Queen of Special. Besides, this is Egwene. New Friends, Good. Old Friends...who? The latest example of this is Siuan. Silviana = New Friend; Siuan = Old Friend. Siuan is the Dickensian orphan huddled in rags in the snowy night peering in through the frosted window panes at the cheerful and merry holiday feast being set before Egwene & her current favorites. Silviana is seated at Egwene's right hand, sniffing at her boyfriend in the doghouse and flattering her domination of the Tower.