That makes no sense. With this being the last battle, and this section of the book focusing on the struggle for Rand's soul, you want to up the ante, not reduce the tension by killing off one more Foresaken.
If RJ was trying to make the point that "hard-Rand" couldn't succeed, then having Graendal escape him would drive the point all the harder.
Imagine Rand's surprise and chagrin when he realizes that all those lives sacrificed, all that stability in the Pattern lost, was for nothing.
In his current mental state, of course, he'd be able to face that defeat, but it must still be a defeat.
After all, the rules were already broken in that Rand's coming proved to be worse for Arad Doman than his absence. That is something RJ never did before.
Thus, it wouldn't be surprising at all if RJ broke the trend of Rand killing the Forsaken as well.
If RJ was trying to make the point that "hard-Rand" couldn't succeed, then having Graendal escape him would drive the point all the harder.
Imagine Rand's surprise and chagrin when he realizes that all those lives sacrificed, all that stability in the Pattern lost, was for nothing.
In his current mental state, of course, he'd be able to face that defeat, but it must still be a defeat.
After all, the rules were already broken in that Rand's coming proved to be worse for Arad Doman than his absence. That is something RJ never did before.
Thus, it wouldn't be surprising at all if RJ broke the trend of Rand killing the Forsaken as well.
RJ doesn't break trends - he's a man set in his ways. If he wanted up up the ante for the Last Battle, why did he kill Semirhage? She is undoubtedly one of the most well established characters of terror in the series, and he removed her quite casually. There's no reason to say that RJ would give Graendal a greater degree of reverence.
The Forsaken always lose totally and utterly against Rand. There is rarely a sacrifice on the part of the Light. I find it completely plausible that RJ would remove Graendal in this way. You'd think he'd hold back his strongest Forsaken for the Last Battle, but even you say that the trend is against this. He's got Demandred for the Last Battle, and I've long predicted that he will meet a pathetic end - just like the other 13. It's all very saccharin and romantic.
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Fan of Lanfear
Fan of Lanfear
So your name is Graendal...
03/02/2010 04:38:42 PM
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Nice
03/02/2010 05:46:45 PM
- 575 Views

Well we know she has a weather/temperature warding screen around her palace
03/02/2010 05:58:27 PM
- 493 Views
There's one other possibility...
03/02/2010 11:42:25 PM
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But...
04/02/2010 01:03:05 AM
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Nope...
04/02/2010 06:19:56 AM
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Point granted.
04/02/2010 06:56:19 AM
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Read the books
04/02/2010 03:47:23 PM
- 581 Views
04/02/2010 06:13:00 PM
- 601 Views
04/02/2010 06:35:27 PM
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Yeah, that's why I figured I'd post my Sidious wish-fulfillment theory below
.
04/02/2010 07:44:22 PM
- 568 Views

So your name is Robert Jordan
03/02/2010 05:53:43 PM
- 773 Views
But unfortunately and tragically...
03/02/2010 06:01:15 PM
- 546 Views
This thought is so grotesque...
03/02/2010 07:20:20 PM
- 527 Views
Re: This thought is so grotesque...
03/02/2010 07:40:01 PM
- 522 Views
Actually no Forsaken has ever beaten or outsmarted Rand in a confrontation before.
03/02/2010 08:50:41 PM
- 513 Views
Uhhh...
03/02/2010 09:01:57 PM
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Yeah, but...
03/02/2010 09:21:51 PM
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But I think you're misreading the rules of the game.
03/02/2010 09:31:40 PM
- 440 Views
O_O
03/02/2010 09:25:17 PM
- 476 Views
Yeah, and this is exactly what we see when Rand kills Graendal with a force of light. *NM*
03/02/2010 09:29:08 PM
- 196 Views
When Rand thinks that he kills....
03/02/2010 09:34:41 PM
- 467 Views
Well, then we agree, I also think Graendal is definitely dead!
*NM*
04/02/2010 10:06:31 AM
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That is not true..
03/02/2010 11:50:18 PM
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This was a typical...
04/02/2010 10:17:56 AM
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There was nothing typical about it!
04/02/2010 08:48:16 PM
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Re: That is not true..
04/02/2010 03:57:56 PM
- 666 Views
There's a difference between Semirhage's death & Graendal's (possible) death
04/02/2010 06:48:11 PM
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So your name is Sidious
04/02/2010 12:57:46 AM
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Re: So your name is Sidious
04/02/2010 03:48:52 PM
- 452 Views
You're offering me a throne? Thanks Siddy, you're my favourite archnemesis!
04/02/2010 06:16:54 PM
- 543 Views
