This is probably really obvious and I apologise if all this Theory has been posted before. But bear with me.
We already can see from evidence both current and previous that the pattern will twist things to save it's Taveren whenever they are in danger. For us, that is normal, the Pattern is RJ's plot and plots always contrive massive coincidence to save the story's heroes. But in universe, it is important, as characters can notice that this is inevitable because Taveren was created to justify what most books do anyway. With Rand, this has been taken to ridiculous extremes even before ToM, especially in his fight with Rahvin etc.
We already can see from evidence both current and previous that the pattern will twist things to save it's Taveren whenever they are in danger. For us, that is normal, the Pattern is RJ's plot and plots always contrive massive coincidence to save the story's heroes. But in universe, it is important, as characters can notice that this is inevitable because Taveren was created to justify what most books do anyway. With Rand, this has been taken to ridiculous extremes even before ToM, especially in his fight with Rahvin etc.
Does the DO need to battle the Dragon at Shayol Ghul, at the Last Battle, in order to be released? Perhaps he's been guiding the Dragon since the beginning towards the conflict. The early foes were ludicrous, feeble and useless for anything but strengthening the Lightsiders. Remember how the scariest thing in EotW was that Myrddraal? Or is it just that the conflict has rules, must take place at a certain time and place. But still, why? What happens if it takes place two miles south, or a week early? Perhaps that's the handicap demanded of the Shadow, much as the Light needs to present all its shiny ta'veren unharmed, their prophecies fulfilled, if it's to have any hope of success.
But perhaps the question goes deeper than that. Does the Pattern weave the conflict between the Dragon and the Dark One to try and fight and destroy the Shadow that threatens it? Or is it a natural cycle, like day and night, sunrise and sunset, saidin and saidar, opposites struggling against each other but both necessary for their mutual existence. Ishamael seemed to think so - from things Moridin has said, and the possibly less reliable bit at the beginning of EotW that made he and LTT sound like merely the most recent avatars in an eternal struggle.
And what actually happens if the Dragon loses the Last Battle, and the Dark One 'remakes the pattern'? Does reality as we know it come to an end? The Forsaken can't have thought so; they want to be alive and existing to enjoy their power. Will the world be a dark and creepy dystopia? A plague-ridden, burning hell? And is it the end of all things, or can the Dragon still be reborn, and the Light return? How do we know that previous Ages haven't been Shadow-ages, with only more recent turns of the wheel being under the Light?
It's really difficult to theorise much without knowing what the battle at Shayol Ghul will be like. Lews Therin's Last Battle was the sealing of the Bore, the mechanics of which has not yet been adequately explained. It's a pity Rand doesn't remember what previous Dragons faced.
This message last edited by redqueen on 05/01/2011 at 02:31:32 AM
Rand cannot die except at Shayol Ghul. Full stop SPOILERS
- 05/01/2011 01:52:53 AM
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Follow up question
- 05/01/2011 02:30:11 AM
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The Dark One is the Father of Lies
- 05/01/2011 08:43:26 AM
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