The Mirror World Switch
Submitted by Light in the Night
Posted on 10/8/2002 11:59:30 AM
Introduction

Ever since reading TGH, when Rand, Hurin, and Loial meet Selene in the mirror world, and she tells Loial about their nature, I have been waiting for RJ to employ it in the story. In case you have forgotten, this is Loial's quote:

"She says there are worlds where it is time rather than distance that changes. Spend a day in one of those, and you might come back to find a year has passed in the real world, or twenty. Or it could be the other way round. Those worlds-this one, all the others-are reflections of the real world, she says. This one seems pale to us because it is a weak reflection, a world that had little chance of ever being. Others are almost as likely as ours. Those are as solid as our world, and have people. The same people, she says, Rand. Imagine it! You could go to one of them and meet yourself. The Pattern has infinite variation, she says, and every variation that can be, will be." (TGH, chap.16, HB edit., p. 217).

This seemed to me like a great plot device, too good for RJ to throw in and not use. But, as the series progressed, and Traveling became the preferred method of rapid transit, Portal Stones and mirror worlds became almost forgotten. Then, after many rereads, I started noticing inconsistencies. These "mistakes" are the basis for my theory.

Here's my hypothesis: RJ has been telling the story from a mirror world perspective, at least part of the time. That is to say, the characters we are sometimes seeing are people in a mirror world. Different world, same people. But since it is a reflection, there are changes. Some are minor, some are major, and we have only the occasional clue to tell the difference.

Dark Moraine

This first one is the hardest to believe, but I think all the evidence is there. If you have doubts, I suggest you go back and read the first part of the chapter “The Shadow in Shienar” again, and keep in mind Moiraine is hiding what she is, and she can lie. Pay attention to her PoVs.

In the mirror world, I believe Moiraine is BA. The following is from Moiraine and the Amyrlin's meeting in Fal Dara. Moiraine says, "His two friends, Matrim Cauthon and Perrin Aybara, are ripe to see the world before they sink back into the obscurity of the Two Rivers. If they can sink back; they are ta'veren, too, if lesser than he. I will induce them to carry the Horn of Valere to Illian." (TGH, The Shadow in Shienar, HB edit., p. 58; emphasis mine). Further down same page is this: "Moiraine smiled, but it did not touch her eyes. "They will think worse of me before I am done. Mat will leap at the chance to be so big a part of the legend of the Horn, and Perrin should not be hard to convince. Rand knows who he is - some of it, at least; a little - and he is afraid of it, naturally. He wants to go off somewhere alone, where he cannot hurt anyone." Yet further down the same page, she says, "Offered the chance to leave AS behind and still stay with his friends a while longer, he should be as eager as Mat."

On the next page, we have this PoV from Moiraine: "Besides, my dearest friend, I cannot tell you everything, and I cannot risk letting you know I am holding anything back." Further down, same page, this quote appears: “‘The morning,’ Moiraine agreed. ‘In the morning I will tell you everything you need to know.’”
Next page. "The hour was growing late, and there was much to be done before the morning came. Much, before she spoke to the Amyrlin Seat again. Quickening her step, she moved deeper into the keep."

We now go to the end of the same chapter: Fain is in the dungeon, alone with the two other prisoners, who are asleep. "The door to the outer guardroom opened, spilling in a flood of light, darkly outlining a figure in the doorway. Fain stood. "You! Not who I expected."

After the attack, and the Horn is stolen, Rand finds Mat and Egwene inside the dungeon. Liandrin and Moiraine are close behind him. "Liandrin reached Rand first and began to bend toward Egwene, but Moiraine darted in ahead of her and laid her free hand on Egwene's head." (TGH, chapter titled Dark Prophecy HB edit., p. 80).

Further down same page. “‘She is sleeping, Rand. She will be well, but she must sleep.’ Moiraine shifted to Mat, but here she only touched him for a moment before drawing back. ‘This is more serious,’ she said softly. She fumbled at Mat's waist, pulling his coat open, and made an angry sound. ‘The dagger is gone.’

“‘What dagger?’ Liandrin asked.”

Later, in the same chapter, p. 84, Lan is talking to Rand. “No matter, now. Moiraine sent me to tell you. You can leave anytime you want to. Even right now. Moiraine had Agelmar exempt you from the order.”

Why were Egwene and Mat not killed like the guards? Why was the dagger stolen? Who would Fain recognize in Fal Dara, and be surprised at being his rescuer? Why do Egwene and Mat have no memory of anything later?

This was all Moiraine's inducement. The dagger is the bait for Rand to follow the Horn. He only wanted to go off alone, and he has no desire for the Horn. But, Mat will die without the dagger, and this is why he goes. Only Moiraine knew of Mat's link with the dagger and would be recognized by Fain and could have used the OP on Mat and Egwene to make them forget what she did and would leave them alive. Trollocs or myrddraal would have killed them. Liandrin didn't know about the dagger. The Amyrlin knew about the dagger, but had never met Fain. As far as we know, none of the other AS knew of the dagger or Fain.

More confirmation comes later. With trollocs and myrddraal involved in taking the Horn, one would expect them to head north, to the Blight, to SG. That is not the case. TGH chapter titled Leavetakings, HB edit., p. 130, Hurin is talking “‘That way my Lord Ingtar.’ He pointed south. Ingtar looked surprised. ‘Not toward the Blight?’” Skip a line. “‘She was right, then, the Amyrlin Seat,’ Ingtar said slowly. ‘A great and wise woman, who deserves better than me to serve her.’ Take the trail Hurin.” Moiraine was supposed to tell the Amyrlin her plan; we will assume this is how she knows.

There’s still more in TGH, “Glimmers of the Pattern,” HB edit., p.160-161. “Ingtar hesitated, shaking his head, then pushed the big bundle at Rand. ‘Here. Moiraine Sedai told me to give you this at the first camp south of the Erinin. I don't know what is in it, but she said you would need it. She said to tell you to take care of it; your life may depend on it.’

Moiraine definitely knew they would be going south.

This is from TGH, “The Dragon Reborn,” HB edit., p. 105-111, where Moiraine tells Rand all about his history of being born on Dragonmount and being the DR, as well as about Tam. We assume that the room is warded, since they had done this the day before, and the nature of the conversation, with other AS in the next room and in the hall. Later, when Rand is in the mirror world, Ba'alzamon appears to him. “The AS called Moiraine told you who you are, did she not? Did she lie? Or is she one of mine? The WT means to use you like a hound on a leash. Do I lie? Do I lie when I say you seek the Horn of Valere?” (TGH, “Kinslayer,” HB edit., p.204).

We also know that Moiraine is gone from Fal Dara at the time of the DFS. Plus the fact that in tDR, when they arrive in Illian, Moiraine leaves Easing the Badger, and returns a short time later, with the knowledge that Sammael is ruling there. Who told her this? No one in this age knows what any of the Forsaken look like. Only a DF would have known. The same thing would have been true in Tear, with Be'lal.

Some people might ask why all of this is done. I will remind you that the DO needs Rand to proclaim himself and become the DR. He needs the DR to break him free. If the Forsaken could do it, they would have. You should always remember this is a one-shot deal for the DO. He will sacrifice anyone or anything, if it will get him out.

Let's move on to other discrepancies.

Other Inconsistencies

In TDR, “The Hunt Begins,” HB edit., p. 63, Perrin is talking to Min. "Uh...Min, you know I like you. I like you, but...Uh...I never had a sister, but if I did, I....I mean, you..."

That contradicts what we see in TSR, “Beyond the Oak,” HB edit., p. 336: "With Faile holding his head beneath her breasts, Perrin lost track of how long he cried. Images of his family flashed in his thoughts, his father smiling as he showed him how to use a bow, his mother singing while she spun wool, Adora and Deselle teasing him when he shaved the first time, Paet wide-eyed at a gleeman during Sunday long ago."

It appears this Perrin has not one sister, but two.

In TFoH, “News Comes To Cairhien,” HB edit., p. 609, Moiraine has just delivered two letters to Rand, one from Elaida and one from Alviarin. He reads the letters, then hands them to Moiraine, who hands them to Egwene. “‘She must have heard about your swelled head,’ Egwene said softly. He did not think he had been meant to hear. Shaking her head, she said more loudly, ‘This doesn't sound like Alviarin at all.’
“‘It is her hand.’ Moiraine said. ‘What do you make of it, Rand?’”

In TcoS, “A Pair of Silverpike,” HB edit., p. 178, Egwene is talking to Leane. “‘He says he has a letter from her.’ She could still see Rand gloating over receiving letters from Elaida and Alviarin both, back before she left Cairhien. ‘Maybe her ambitions make her think she can replace Elaida with him on her side. That's if she really wrote it; if it exists. He thinks he's clever, Leane - maybe he is - but he doesn't believe he needs anyone.’”

The first Egwene not only reads the letter, but Moiraine tells her it is Alviarin's writing. This second Egwene not only hasn't read the letter, she doubts the letter even exists.

In TFoH, “Choices,” HB edit., p. 624, Rand meets Moiraine in the hallway, before they head down to the docks. “‘More letters?’ he said. One bore his name in an elegant hand that he recognized immediately. ‘From you Moiraine?’ The other carried Thom Merrilin's name. Both had been sealed with blue wax, apparently with her Great Serpent ring, impressed with the image of the snake biting its own tail.

In TLoC, “Courage to Strengthen,” HB edit., p. 460, Rand comes to the camp of the Band of the Red Hand, and talks to Mat. “‘Thom Merrilin should be with Elayne.’ Rand produced a letter from his pocket, folded and sealed. ‘See that he gets this.’ Shoving the letter into Mat's hands, he hurriedly left the tent.” Skip down a paragraph. “Still, it was no concern of his. He turned the letter over in his hands. Thom's name was written in a feminine hand; the seal was one he did not recognize, a spreading tree topped with a crown.”

Rand does not say that the letter is from Moiraine, however, we know of no other letter written by a female that he would have for Thom. We also know that he wouldn't open it if it were, because of the warding she put on his letter. Besides, Moiraine had promised Thom information about who gentled his nephew Owyn, and he apparently recognizes the seal of House Damodred. It is generally agreed that this is Moiraine's letter to Thom, with a different seal.

In TGH, “Wolfbrother,” HB edit., p. 195, Verin catches up to Mat, Perrin and the Shienarans. “‘Moiraine Sedai sent me, Lord Ingtar,’ Verin announced with a satisfied smile. ‘She thought you might need me.’

However, in TGH, “What Was Meant To Be,” HB edit., p. 572, we see this: “‘I did not send Verin.’ Moiraine frowned. ‘She did that on her own.’”

These two statements have come under much debate. Is it AS double-talk or not? You decide.

In TGH, Verin and the Shienarans meet up with Rand, Hurin, and Loial in Cairhien. She goes to the party at Lord Barthanes with Rand, Loial and Ingtar. They ride to stedding Tsofu together, and go through the Portal Stones to Toman Head together.

But in TSR, “Assurances,” HB edit., p. 345, Mistress al'Vere takes Perrin, Loial, Faile and the Aiel to meet Verin and Alanna in the old sick house, and makes introductions. “‘It's quite all right, Mistress al'Vere,’ Verin interrupted in a soothing tone. ‘You did exactly the correct thing. Perrin is in the right hands, now. Also I will enjoy the chance to learn more about the Aiel, and it is always a pleasure to talk with an Ogier. I will pick your brain, Loial. I have found some fascinating things in Ogier books.’ Loial gave her a pleased smile; anything to do with books seemed to please him.

This passage always struck me a little strange. From the way Loial and Verin act, it is like they had never met before.

In TSR, “An Offer Refused,” HB edit., p. 554, Lanfear, disguised as Keille Shaogi, the peddler, is talking to Mat and Rand. “‘Tell him, my Lord Dragon. I have a feeling you know something of the dangers of scorning a woman. That Aiel girl who follows you about, glaring. I hear you belong to another. Perhaps she feels scorned,’

‘I doubt it Mistress,’ he said dryly. ‘Aviendha would plant a knife in my ribs if she believed I had thought of her that way.’

In TFoH, “Choices,” HB edit., p. 629, Rand and co. are at the docks in Cairhien, and Lanfear has started her attack. “‘One of them?’ Lanfear snarled. ‘Which one of them is Aviendha?’ Egwene threw her head back and wailed, eyes bulging, the world's agony shrieking from her mouth. ‘Which?’ Aviendha rose on tiptoes, shuddering, howls chasing Egwene's as they climbed higher and higher.

Lanfear had travelled across the waste, day after day, seeing Aviendha by Rand's side, had heard her talking about Elayne to Rand, knew her name even. And now she doesn't recognize her from Egwene? The height difference alone should have distinguished them apart, aside from the hair length and color.

In TFoH, “To Teach And Learn,” HB edit., p. 592., Nynaeve, Elayne, Birgette and co. have arrived in Salidar. Nynaeve and Elayne have just come from meeting Sheriam and her council. Thom, Juilin and Uno are talking to them. “Birgette was leading Jaril and Seve to their mother, keeping her out of it. Min knew what the men were up to, too, by the rueful look she gave them; she seemed about to say something, but in the end she only shrugged and joined Birgette.”

In WH, “A Lily In Winter,” HB edit., p. 296, Min sees Birghette again. “Coming toward them was an apparition that made Min's jaw drop. Consternation pushed Rand beyond awareness. From comments she had known that the Captain-General of Elayne's Guards was a woman, and Elayne's warder to boot, but nothing else. This woman had a thick, intricate golden braid pulled over one shoulder of her short, white-collared red coat, and her voluminous blue trousers were tucked into boots with heels as high as Min's. Auras danced around her and images flickered, more than Min had ever seen around anyone, thousands it seemed, cascading over one another.”

This one hardly needs any explaining at all. Could this Min not recognize Birgette with all those auras if she had met her in Salidar?

In TEotW, “Dust On The Wind,” HB edit., p. 260, Rand, Mat and Thom, have escaped Shadar Logoth, made it on board the Spray, and are introduced to Bayle Domon. “‘I am a gleeman, you understand, Thom Merrilin by name.’ He shifted his cloak so the multihued patches stirred, as if the captain could have missed them.’” They were on board for days, With Thom playing his harp and flute and telling stories.

In TSR, “A Cup Of Wine,” HB edit., p. 446, Nynaeve, Elayne, Thom and Juilin disembark the seafolk ship in Tanchico. Before they go very far, Bayle Domon yells at them. “‘You! It do be you!’

“‘Master Domon?’ Nynaeve said after a moment, giving her braid a sharp tug. ‘Bayle Domon?’

“He nodded. ‘Aye. I did never think to see you again. I...did wait as long as I could in Falme, but the time did come when I must sail or watch my ship burn.’”

Skip ahead to p. 447. “She half expected some protest out of Nynaeve, yet the older woman only nodded thoughtfully and made introductions among the men. Thom's cloak made Domon's eyebrows rise, but Juilin's Tairen garb brought a frown that was returned in kind.”

Here we have Bayle Domon recognizing Nynaeve and Elayne, whom he met once in Falme, and call out to them. Yet, when he sees Thom, wearing his gleeman cloak again, a man who spent days on his ship entertaining his crew, he has to be introduced to him. And not a mention of, or indication of recognition on Thom's part either. It's obvious they have never met.

Those are the "mistakes" that I have found. Taken individually, they don't seem to amount to much. Collectively, they point to a pattern. We never know when RJ switches from the real world to a mirror world, unless we catch the subtle clues he has left. The real brilliance, I thought, was starting it early in TGH, before he told us about the possibility. That way, we would look for it later, and catch us unaware.

There is also the possibility that when Rand used the Portal Stones to go to Toman Head, the mirror world Rand used them at the same time, and the two switched places. This might account for that surge of the OP. This might be employed for that "Twice Dawns the Day" prophecy.

A little more Light in the Night!
Burr says: From the quotes you provided, I'm not sure the Merillin-Domon part is actually a discrepancy. The fact that Thom was introduced does not, by itself, mean that Thom needed to be introduced. Could not Bayle Domon have been raising his eyebrow because he recognized Thom and his cloak?

And I have strong doubts about the Moiraine part. It seems simpler to me to say that there's something in this world that we don't know than to say that the problem must be solved by dragging in a new world. Fain could have told another person about the dagger, so all we really need to explain is how Fain came to recognize someone other than Moiraine. Maybe Liandrin snooped about and had an opportunity to talk with Fain. Moreover, if all this happened in another universe, then everything from Fain's stealing of the dagger to Mat's regaining of it must be in another universe. If that is true, then, in the other universe, how and why did Rand get to Falme where he had his very public fight against Ishamael?

Nevertheless, I suppose the universe-switch idea could be true for the definite discrepancies. If it comes to that, though, RJ is going to have to do something pretty extensive to convince me that he's not just trying to explain away his mistakes.