Berelain

[trakand_01]

I've got a theory about Berelain, I wanted to get opinions on.

 

She's the (very capable) ruler of the world's smallest nation. Her people love her, her army although small is devoted to her and she has a fantastic skill at negotiation and working with other rulers.

 

She has a reputation for using her looks to get what she wants. Playing one man off against another and indeed offering herself, to aid her nation.

 

In actual fact - all credit to her. A ruler's job is to safeguard her nation and her people and she does that. She's quite obviously intelligent and seems to have taken to working with Rhuarc like a duck to water. If I needed any more evidence that I should admire Berelain, it would have been the Aiel's reaction / relationship with her when co-governing Cairhein in Rand's absence.

 

Now, my theory is this. She needs to keep Mayene safe. She's tried to get Rand into bed with her, but being intelligent, quite quickly realised this wasnt going to work so she adopted a more professional 'competent ruler' approach with him. This worked, he left her to rule Cairhein in his absence.

 

Mat, she had never really met properly. I'm pretty sure if she had tried to get into his bed, she'd have succeeded - lets face it he's not that reserved.

 

So. You need to keep your place in society, you need to keep some semblance of authority. The King of the World doesnt fancy you (not that he'd admit to your face anyway, and that angry-looking ginger bird is a bit stronger than you are). You've never met Mat Cauthon and besides, he spends all his time gambling with the servants.

 

Still need to get close to the Dragon Reborn, keep under his wing.

 

I know, I'll manipulate his other friend.

 

I dont actually think that Berelain has ever had any intention of bedding Perrin, wrecking his marriage or anything like that. I think she's purely maintaining her reputation, ensuring that 'Berelain Sur Paendrag, First of Mayene' is not forgotten because if SHE's not forgotten, Mayene won't be forgotten.

 

She has had plenty of chances to 'Tylin' Perrin - not least of all when he was exhausted after Faile disappeared. Yes she spread a rumour that they'd spent the night together... but all she was doing was watching him over whilst he slept incase he wanted food (which she personally delivered) or water.

 

I think she's also trying to develop him in Faile's absense. She is also well-known for encouraging men to take every ounce of power offered to them (like Faile). I think she sees potential in Perrin and with Faile gone, is trying to mould him into a ruler, rather than a blacksmith from the Two Rivers. Hence spreading around rumours of them sleeping together - to distance him from the TR men so that he can concentrate on keeping them safe, whilst being separate from them...

 

Am I way off here?

[Bob T Dwarf]

Cleopatra.

 

Rand is obviously Caesar.  The question is, who's Marc Antony?  And, will it end as badly this time.

[RAND AL THOR]

I think the game between Faile and Berelain is just that-a game. Berelain especially seems to enjoy it and loves to agitate Faile.

 

As for Mat.........I can just imagine Tuon's reaction if she found out he had betrayed her. She would likely call in the Aryth Ocean and flood Randland.

[bRANDan]

Mat, she had never really met properly. I'm pretty sure if she had tried to get into his bed, she'd have succeeded - lets face it he's not that reserved.

 

...

 

So. You need to keep your place in society, you need to keep some semblance of authority. The King of the World doesnt fancy you (not that he'd admit to your face anyway, and that angry-looking ginger bird is a bit stronger than you are). You've never met Mat Cauthon and besides, he spends all his time gambling with the servants.

 

She has met Mat. He tried to hit on her and she whispered something like "Too much like me" under her breath and walked away.

 

But yes I agree with your theory, for the most part. Her and Faile seem to have an unspoken and grudging respect towards each other.

 

And then along came Galad ...

[maximuswynn]

Guys!The hawk is still Berelain and mIn has had two viewing in that matter. Perrin will drive her insanely in love with him. Who will prevail, not yet entirely clear, even though he loves Faile so much, we don't know where she's headin'.

[Vemynal]

Wait, isn't the "hawk" Manetherane and Faile the falcone? and didnt he already choose?

[Guest Toad]

Wait, so instead of the hawk bing Berelain, you're saying it is for Manetheran - the Two Rivers.  So he'll have to decide between ruling the Two Rivers - w/out Faile or with ruling Saldea with Faile??

[Vemynal]

yes i was sayign that Min's viewing was he would have to pick between reviving Manetheran or Faile, and in fact he did.

 

 

We had an entire chapter devoted in book 11 to Perrin meeting up with the seanchan and giving up all claim to founding manetheran so that the seanchan would save Faile.

 

 

Perrin had to choose Faile over Manetheran (the Falcon over the Hawk)

[Guest Toad]

You are correct, I remember that chapter.  Didn't think about the long term implications though...

[Mysterious]

Um, no...

 

Manetheren's symbol is a Red Eagle not a Hawk.

 

Faile is the falcon in the viewing and Berelain is the hawk. Berelain is a descendant of Artur Hawkwing.

 

Also in the viewing the hawk is trying to put a leash around Perrin's neck. Berelain's actions throughout the series is keeping in tune with this viewing, as can be seen with her attitude and desires towards Perrin.

 

 

 

 

Mysterious

[Guest Toad]

Dang, just when this stuff was starting to make sense.

[balefireruinssteaks]

The viewing didn't necessarily dictate that Perrin would have a difficult time choosing between the hawk and the falcon, just that there would be a falcon and a hawk trying to get Perrin in a sense. 

 

Perrin has obviously chosen Faile and it seems unlikely that he will leave her for Berelain.

[trakand_01]

Yeah, I'm afraid that Berelain is the Hawk. The Diadem of the First - Berelain's version of a crown - is a hawk in flight. She wears it in her hair.

 

I dont remember Min's viewing explicitly saying that she would be IN LOVE with Perrin though, or vice versa. Just that he had a hawk on one shoulder, and a Falcon on the other.

 

Both women are particularly manipulative and skilled at it. I think Faile will always be his love, but Berelain may well develop him as a ruler. She's certainly kept his emotions rife whilst Faile was away. The worst and most dangerous thing that could have happened after Faile was kidnapped would have been for despondency to set in, for him to become numb and give up.

 

His love for Faile was strong, but who knows how a pessimist such as Perrin would have reacted in the long-run had he not had a woman such as Berelain keeping him (and his emotions/nerves) on his toes. She kept him alert, reminded him daily of his love and devotion to his wife (even if that was by flirting with him) and kept him focussed on his goal - freeing Faile.