Three things... - Edit 2
Before modification by Crackbrained Asha'man at 08/11/2009 10:31:33 PM
To me it's very obvious that "the three" is Min, Elayne and Aviendha. Especially coupled with the fact that Callandor needs to be controlled by two channelers. In order to do this, Rand needs to trust the two women controlling the link. The only real trust from Rand will be in his three wives, who have become one after the bond (or are one when linked). Elayne and Aviendha will have Callandor, how Min will be involded I do not know. But it seems to fit.
This also means that Callandor is not flawed, but was deliberately made as such.
Just wondering, is this obvious to others? Other ideas? Anybody else annoyed with Min for not figuring this out?
Below is my post on this subject:
tGS - the three shall be one
Curie Send a noteboard - 02/11/2009 11:52:12 PM
In the "Commentary on the Dragon" by Saijus, dissertation on the Karaethon Cycle, Min found out (tGS, 48 Reading the Commentary) a proposed explanation of the prophetic phrase: “He [Dragon Reborn] shall hold a blade of light in his hands, and the three shall be one.” She told to Cadsuane and her minions, that Saijus was wrong, and "one" should not be rule of the three cities, but management of Callandor. Cadsuane didn’t think that Min discovered something new or important. Of course old bully was right, Min was wrong, but she was wrong as well. The boot is on the other foot, because "the three shall be one" concerns three wenches, Min herself, Aviendha and Elayne.
Merging of Elayne Trakand with Birgitte Trahelion was mentioned by Aviendha in COT (13, High Seats) “I think you two will make each other melt, one day”, she said. IMO, Robert Jordan by such suggestion purposely blurred foreshadowing his real intention, which is the melting of Rand’s lovers. Preparations to this process started with bonding Rand by three of them.
Whole operation may be performed in Tel’aran’rhiod or in TAR-like environment close to SG, and would happen in a final part of MoL, after Elyane's twins are born. TAR has peculiar features, that were probably used by DO (or by his minions) for merging Isam and Luc into one being. Moghedien wanted to use TAR for changing Nynaeve al’Meara into a horse, or even a cricket (FoH, 5 Silver Arrow). I suspect, that introduction of souls of the freshly dead Forsaken to the bodies of enslaved humans is also done with similar technology.
By concept of melting of the three wenches RJ perhaps intended:
i)give readers widely expected happy end of MoL with all main, good characters alive, if not completely intact, up to the beginning of the Fourth Age. Dragon Reborn “must die to be alive” by exchanging body with Moridin. Afterwards, stealthy or posing to be Naebliss, he will be able to disassemble webs maintaining the bore. To do this, if web was spun by Mierin, he will need help from Aviendha or Elayne, who both can see female flows and know how unravel them. Three girls, and one after merger, will recognize him as Rand, because of the bond. After confining the DO, I hope, he will be ready for a quiet and peaceful life with his lover.
ii)Achieve proper reduction of numerous Rand's lovers to one. It would be in accordance with social correctness, majority of us diligently observe. In the real world, polygamy in western culture countries is not accepted by the public opinion, and not permitted by the law. In the USA, male Mormons, whatever their tradition, were officially banned to have more than one wife. Possessing up to four wives, what is still allowed in some muslim societies, is perceived by others like the repugnant habit, remnant of ancient behavior of the savage Arabic tribes. What more, non equal social role of different sexes seems to be very unproductive in modern civilization. In the WoT world, bigamy of Aiel tribes was, without any doubts, established as a remedy to the deficit of young males, permanently killed in clashes with their neighbours. In wetlands, all good boys and girls are monogamic. If you not believe, it is a preliminary list of known or predicted couples:
· Petra and Clarine,
· Perrin and Faile,
· Moiraine and Thom,
· Juilin and Amatherra,
· Nynaeve and Lan,
· Domon and Egeanin,
· Berelain and Galad,
· Darlin and Caraline,
· Gabrelle and Logain (Toveine is not bedded!),
· Gaidal and Birgitte,
· Morgase and Tallanvor,
· Agelmar and Amalisa,
· Deira and Bashere
· Gavin and Egwene,
· Riselle and Yamada,
· Lamgwin and Breane,
· Erith and Loyal
· Ituralde and Tamsin,
· Suan and Bryne,
· Karede and late Kalia
· Tam and late Kiri,
· Latelle and Luca.
Some people, we think they are also waking in the light, are at the moment single (Dobraine, Talmanes, Tam, Karede, Aludra, Kirgan, Leane, Selucia), but all of them, I expect, shall find proper spouses in future. What is especially remarkable, all Forsaken and majority of the Darkfriends, and also big number of bad characters, are not married. Many of them were in debauchery with various partners of different (Rahvin, Hanlon, Nasin, Haidar Sharan, Graendal) or the same (Taim, Galina, Elaida) sex. I do not believe Robert Jordan could allow Rand and his three lovers behave sexually, to the very end of the story, on equal moral footing with servants of the DO.
iii)create personality of Rand's partner with many virtues, like beauty and responsibility (Elayne), rightness and courage (Aviendha), dedication and intellectual reflection (Min). Lews Therin Telamon, Lord Dragon, married Iliena Moerelle Dalisar, Aes Sedai famous for her wisdom, achievements and beauty. He fought Shadow with bravery and skill, but finally lost battle of SG, created disaster, become mad, slain her and their children and committed suicide. Dragon Reborn, mixture of Lews Therin and Rand al’Thor, has a second chance, he is going to get rid Dark One and save mankind. He deserves to be rewarded by the Pattern with the magnificent wife.”If I live again, then she [Iliena] might as well” he said (tGS, 50 Veins of Gold). And he will have her.
If I am right, puzzle of Aviendha healthy, but something odd babies (WH,12, A Lily in Winter) is solved. The oddness applies to motherhood, not babies.
If not, flame me.
First off I just don't see that RJ would spend years writing three different characters and several books of each one having her own adventures and struggles just to have them all be 'magicked' together instead of having distinct personalizes.
Really it would be a great injustice to Elyane and Aviendha after all they've gone through to become Queen and a Wise One that it should all be flushed done the toilet. I don't inclued Min in that because as much as I like her sometimes she's just way to clingy and other that haveing views doesn't really strive to accompish much in life other than being with Rand.
Iliena was a different person in a different time. But every person is reborn with a soul, not a third of a soul. Maybe one of Rand's three girls is Iliena reborn, but I don't think it really matters and I don't think RJ ever even hinted that there was truly something such as 'soul mates' in WOT.
Second, I think that Aviendha's babies being 'odd' with have to do with her becoming pregnant after TG. Rand and Moridin's souls will switch bodies during the Last Battle and Moridin will die in Rands old broke ass body thus for-filling the 'to live you must die' proficiency. Then Rand will be know only to his three women and thus has the glory of sacrificing for mankind and making the world better, but also the reward of being left the hell alone and getting to live the rest of his life in peace, which the poor guy really deserves.
Third; and this seems pretty minor given everything you said, but where has it ever been shown that Taim is gay? We haven't seen much of his character in the last few books but I never picked up on any clues that may have been there. I don't think I've heard anyone else ever bring this up.