I think we largely agree, but it is really nice to be able to discuss the series with someone that isn't either a 'x is the most awful person in the world' or 'y is the bomb'.



What she thinks isn't as important as what she does here. I think she is smart enough to know that asking for an exclusive relation would be too provoking. Her thoughts make it clear that she is well aware that just this agreement will be tough enough. Elayne is walking a tightrope, but this may be the difference between our views, I think that it is necessary.

I agree strongly with you, and I don't know why everyone isn't talking about this, that this IS a game changer and it dangerous.



I don't think that Elayne envisions Andor-Cairhien as a center of an alliance; rather she is trying desperately to survive. (And I might add she is just as focused on winning TG for everyone.)



I think she sees it as both. Right now, she is first and foremost a Queen. As Queen, she needs to take advantage of any alliances she can make. It isn't her duty to make certain that the tower remains neutral. It is Egwene's and the Hall's.



You make some very good points here. I can also think of a few other times that Elayne has used her position as AS in ways that she probably shouldn't have.



This is a pessimistic, although possible, outcome. Further, I think it has too much of the viewpoint of the tower. In another time, another ruler doing this would most certainly cause the troubles you are concerned with. BUT, TG is here and the Seanchen are knocking on the door. Sometimes you have no choice but to roll the dice and hope.



Possibly, I like Nynaeve, but I think you are giving her too much credit.

As far as how the nations might respond, I give you a lot of credit for your analysis. Lots of nations are going to want access to chanellers now. Egwene will most likely have to very strongly assert the tower's privileges. Elayne is jumping in front of the bus and Egwene may have to run her over. But, do you really think that if Elayne didn't do this that some other leader wouldn't try to access the Black Tower or some other source like WO or Seanchen?



I don't see why it couldn't be set-up to happen outside of the series. RJ has stated that he didn't want to wrap everything up. This would be one very cool thread to leave hanging in my opinion.



Now that is an interesting idea. Nobody rules for very long in this future. I don't know what to make of it. If I read it right, though. Cairhien and Andor are separate again. Further the main problem doesn't appear to be the big opposed alliances but how the Aiel deliberately destroy the peace of the dragon. Also most of the credit for the big alliance in the mind of the people involved goes to the dragon and his descendants. Nobody cares about Elayne's contribution.



Everything I have predicted about the series has been wrong, while more than one loony theory has turned out to be true at least in part. You almost have to be a loon to be able to guess what is going to happen, even when what does happen makes perfect sense in hindsight.