The Aiel didn't cause the civil war- or they contributed, but that was 20 years ago. We're talking about Rand if he hadn't gotten the Aiel vs. Rand, He Who Comes With Dawn.
If Rand tried to take Cairhein without the Aiel, it would've come down to Tear vs. Cairhein- not a good way to get the loyalty.
The other thing was that Rand needed a group he could be sure of- the various lords and ladies were always scheming, but (other than the Shaido), the Aiel have been completely loyal- and the Shaido didn't do any scheming other than their fake Car'a'carn.
The Aiel are bodyguards, policemen, and a huge army that resonates with memories of the Aiel War. They're intimidating, and numerous. They allow Rand to wander away from Cairhein for a while, confident that the laws he's changed and people he's put in power will stay that way.
They're definitely not as relevant as they were back in the middle of the series, but they form the core of Rand's support- and it's a pretty gigantic core.
Thought experiment: Without the Aiel, would the lords of Tear and Cairhein have been so amenable? Would his policies and laws stayed in place as easy? Or would any joker with an army think he could easily take down the "False Dragon?"
If Rand tried to take Cairhein without the Aiel, it would've come down to Tear vs. Cairhein- not a good way to get the loyalty.
The other thing was that Rand needed a group he could be sure of- the various lords and ladies were always scheming, but (other than the Shaido), the Aiel have been completely loyal- and the Shaido didn't do any scheming other than their fake Car'a'carn.
The Aiel are bodyguards, policemen, and a huge army that resonates with memories of the Aiel War. They're intimidating, and numerous. They allow Rand to wander away from Cairhein for a while, confident that the laws he's changed and people he's put in power will stay that way.
They're definitely not as relevant as they were back in the middle of the series, but they form the core of Rand's support- and it's a pretty gigantic core.
Thought experiment: Without the Aiel, would the lords of Tear and Cairhein have been so amenable? Would his policies and laws stayed in place as easy? Or would any joker with an army think he could easily take down the "False Dragon?"
I amuse myself.
Just how badly does Rand really need the Aiel anyway?
- 24/02/2010 03:47:26 PM
1220 Views
I think you've understating Cairhein
- 25/02/2010 01:57:12 AM
700 Views
Good point, I guess. But "boogeymen & placeholders" is a long way from "hard core of mighty army" *NM*
- 25/02/2010 11:18:50 AM
281 Views
It's just that Rand doesn't do much army stuff any more
- 25/02/2010 06:28:39 PM
555 Views
Actually the Seanchan advantages go much deeper than that, and it ties in with Rand's "crippling"
- 25/02/2010 11:06:30 PM
750 Views
Reply
- 26/02/2010 08:52:18 PM
523 Views
Rumors. Completely unsupported by anything done or said since the lie-capable Darkfriend told him
- 01/03/2010 03:40:10 PM
618 Views
Re: Just how badly does Rand really need the Aiel anyway?
- 26/02/2010 05:53:54 PM
544 Views
totally agree. Rand did loads of unnecessary stuff just for prophesy 
*NM*
- 27/02/2010 12:57:01 PM
264 Views
*NM*
- 27/02/2010 12:57:01 PM
264 Views
Moiraine: Rand needs to be near the Stone, so he can take Callandor...and fulfill the prophecy.
- 04/03/2010 11:16:57 AM
507 Views
The Point of the Aiel is yet to come
- 01/03/2010 11:50:13 PM
540 Views
Here's hoping, but...
- 02/03/2010 12:09:02 PM
540 Views
*NM*