Back on wotmania, I read a theory about Aviendha time-traveling to her tryst with Rand. As far as I know, that theory hasn't been disproved. So that leaves me to this wacky idea: what if Nakomi is Aviendha... FROM THE FUTURE!

I know, it sounds really off-the-wall. And I don't have many quotes to support it. That whole scene was surreal. Here are the oddities:

- Aviendha doesn't hear Nakomi until Nakomi is just outside her camp
- Nakomi seems to have an insight into Aviendha's fears
- coals for the fire mysteriously appear
- Nakomi prepares deepearth roots, as Aviendha's mom did (I know from experience that without intending to, children often grow up to be much like their parents)
- Aviendha thinks about Nakomi, "She did not wear the clothing of a Wise One, but there was something about her..."
- when Aviendha asks Nakomi where she's from, Nakomi wistfully answers:"I am far from my roof, yet not far at all. Perhaps IT is far from ME. I cannot answer your question, apprentice, for it is not my place to give this truth."
- the roots were done remarkably quickly
- Nakomi and her pack and plate disappear

Do you think it's possible that Aviendha from some time in the future communicated with present-day Aviendha to get her thinking about the ramifications of the Last Battle? An older, wiser Aviendha knew exactly where to find present-day Aviendha, knew exactly the thoughts that may have troubled Aviendha.

Nakomi has gray hair, Aviendha doesn't recognize her, and apparently Nakomi can't channel, but those things could be changed with an inverted weave. Given the mysterious appearance and disappearance, it's possible this whole interaction occurred in some other place, like Tel'aran'rhiod. Before Nakomi arrives, it's possible Aviendha drifted off, "She smiled, settling back and closing her eyes for a moment, letting the day's fatigue melt away."

Anyway, it's just a thought. It reminded me of the Hyperion-Endymion books (a fantastic quartet of books. I was bawling at the end of the Rise of Endymion). Given that there's already a theory out there about Aviendha time-traveling, this supposition is just an extension of that.