Ok so way out there and not thought through theory.

Assumptions:
1. Balefire creates paradoxs which wreck havoc with reality. As a concept it's been used throughout the series, but such a powerful concept I imagine it'll be used in some form for the sealingof the bore/completion of the story.

2. Rand uses TP in the last leg of the series, big indicator that it'll be used in some fashion by Rand toward sealing the bore/completion of the story. He pretty much says this in his thoughts at times. Otherwise why give Rand this new ability. (I'm talking purely from a plot perspective).

Theory:
TP could be used from outside the pattern i.e. inside the DO's prison to help seal the bore.

So my thought is that in some horrible time altering paradox the TP is used to balefire the DO's presence which is holding open the bore thus removing that presence and allowing it to heal (maybe with the help of the OP).

I know the obvious points about the TP being the essense of the DO and that he wouldn't "allow" it, and using oneself to destroy oneself with a power which would destroy itself before it was used on itself... anyway you get the point, but thats the joy of paradoxs.

All it has to do is hold up the DO long enough for the One Power to be used from outside the prison to heal the bore. Also as a final point this would probably require Rand being trapped outside the Pattern as well... not good, maybe some TAR trickery would save him

flame away