Many people think that it refers to Moridin, but it could be any darkened hand... SH, Demandred, even Taim. I still stick by my original theory that the True Power is the secret to sealing the Bore. It is the only power that can deflect a retaliation by the Dark One. Moridin never planned to cross balefire with Rand, and I refuse to believe that Rand's ability to draw on the TP comes down to a coincidental accident at SL that the Shadow took advantage of. There's a greater purpose for his connection to Moridin. Maybe it only has to do with soul transfer at the last second, but it could very well be that the TP provides the mechanism for success. Maybe Rand won't use it directly, but he can perhaps give Moridin/SH such a fright that he buys some time to strike with finality.


I've also wondered whether that dagger will return, though I think it's cheating a bit. Surprise! Not really the Dragon's style, but I guess winning is winning.



Indeed, though making them seem haggard would be a bit strange in a book dedicated to Rand's victory. That said, I think they will fight as arduously as their friends. I'm pretty sure Rand will personally kill some of the Forsaken, Nynaeve seems to be on a collision course with Graendal, and Moiraine's angreal has an obvious purpose. It does seem, however, that Rand will break away with the two women at some point and Travel to SG to finish it. There is something missing as you say, but Rand will tell us about that in due course.


He cannot, it must be led by a woman. I find this to be a serious reason as to why this circle may not happen. I can't believe that Rand will merely be part of a circle and that Nynaeve, or worse Moiraine, will seal the DO away. He could lead the circle if he links with one of them, but then Callandor will remain unstable as it requires two women to stabilize the missing buffer.


Unless it doesn't come down to the Power at all. It may be all about trust, and Rand more than hinted at it when he asked Nynaeve. Her strength and abilities had little to do with it. Even if it does come down to the Power, their role in a circle with him will merely be to stabilize Callandor, though one of them will have to lead. Moiraine is a poor choice if it comes down to skill and ability - she's one of the weakest Aes Sedai around and noticibly poor in Earth and Fire, which strengthens the theory that one of those women is Egwene, overall the most naturally talented female channelers around.


I personally think this is one of those visions that will be rather underwhelming. It will come down to illusion and deception that will allow Alivia to fake Rand's death. Her knowledge of the Power is almost absent, so I find it unlikely she will perform something unbelievable like swapping Rand's soul or the like, unless she learns something rapidly in AMOL.

On another note, I have to agree with Fionwe about Egwene. I honestly think she's a closer parallel to Rand than Nynaeve was. Nynaeve has been the wild card of the series since the beginning. She was the one who didn't want to leave, she couldn't channel properly and she's got the unique Talent of Healing. She's a furious woman who's chosen marriage and struggles with duty.

Egwene and Rand have far more parallels. They both left the village together and voluntarily and both started on parallel destinies centered around leadership. Both were tutored by the Aiel, and grew to become some of the most skilled channelers alive. They are both strong in all the Powers which is exceedingly rare. They share a common affliction based on incarceration - Rand is claustrophobic due to the red ajah and Egwene because she was damane. They are both headstrong etc etc... I've never thought of Nynaeve/Rand as a team even though they worked together often. A lot of that pairing was centered around Nynaeve's power and because Egwene was absent and doing other things, but that is over and I think we're going to see the true alliance blooming for the second book. Yes, Nynaeve is going to be there, but I think Egwene and Rand for the first time are going to become an enormously powerful team.

I also agree with Fionwe that Egwene will take a personal role in the Last Battle. She's never shirked away from conflict, and even before Mesaana she tried to fight Aginor and she used the Power as a weapon against Couladin much to Moiraine's disapproval. Things have changed - she is the Amyrlin now and that is possibly irresponsible, but at the same time its also irrelevant because she's a human being fighting for survival in the great battle of an age against extinction. I think both of these aspects will play out. She's going to sit on a distant hill surrounded by the Hall commanding her armies, but at some stage everything will go to hell (thanks to Demandred, of this I am sure), and she will lead them all down into the center of the fray to battle. I find it unlikely to impossible that she's going to be a remote general and figurehead while every other main character is fighting and dying. She won't die, but she's going to show us a display similar to the one against the Seanchan.