The broken wolf = Lan, and how Rand comes to save the day

[Arcimedes]

The dark prophecy from ToM states that the broken wolf will die, and it will cause great despair to the forces of Light.

 

These prophecies have a tedency to be fulfilled, just as the light-side propechies. I'm of the mind that only the real and final conclusion -either a propechized dark or light victory in the end is changable. Everything in the prophecies leading up to the final moment of the Last battle will come to fruition, from both sides of the coin.

 

Now, why Lan? Rereading The Eye of the World, I noticed the continued referrals to Lan as a wolf...there are endless quotes on it. Perhaps not as prominent in later books, but it sends a powerful signal. RJ planned on a shorter series, so it fits in well with some early foreshadowing. He is also practically destined to die fighting the Dark One, it has seemed like a given before he went all family man. He is well known, a legend in the borderlands, and the death og the last Malkieri royal will surely be a hard loss, and create hopelessness. Adding to this, he is last seen charging into an army of trollocs totally outnumbered.

 

He will have his heroic and tragic death, buying enought time for the Merrillor group to stop the invasion.

 

Yet, there is a different plotline involving Rand that we have not seen in quite a while. Back in Tear, he tried reviving a girl, dead from Trolloc wounds. He almost succeeded...yet failed...Lanfear informed him that such a feat was impossible...without the Creator. Rand has had quite a few flashbacks to this event.

 

Now, Rand seems imbued with a different sort of power since his Zen-moment. He has the ability to bring dead plants to life...life springs up all aroound him. Reality changes around him, as a shield from the Dark One. Why would not his new ability work on people? He can fix every wound with the One Power, all he needs is the spark of Life, which he seems to be able to call upon. What better way to inspire humanity to continue fighting? And, is not Rand a Jesus-character, who was also able to revive the dead? That Rand is something more than a mere extremely powerful channeler is evident, and further hinted at through him not being a weapon, and that "all that he is" can be seized at a crucial moment.

 

It will fit in very well, fulfilling the dark prophecy, but also giving the Light a chance to show that is imbued with a power equal to the destructivness of the Dark, and inspirering the hope and fighting will in humanity that will be essential to winning the Last Battle.

[Amandera]

Way too many people are referred to as a wolf in the series. Perrin, Rand, Bashere, Ituralde and Elyas come to my mind. Only Rand's death would cause the effect in the prophecy. If anything, Lan and his Malkieri charging against ten times their numbers would inspire people.

[Rubberninja]

"In that day, when the One-Eyed Fool travels the halls of mourning, and the First Among Vermin lifts his hand to bring freedom to Him who will Destroy, the last days of the Fallen Blacksmith's pride shall come. Yea, and the Broken Wolf, the one whom Death has known, shall fall and be consumed by the Midnight Towers. And his destruction shall bring fear and sorrow to the hearts of men, and shall shake their very will itself."

 

The broken wolf = Hopper. Simply, because Hopper IS a wolf, and Death has known him (can't read this without thinking Moridin=Death and 'known him' in biblical terms *snigger*)

 

Also, I'm hoping the Aes Sedai will come to Lans' aid, making up for their failure when Malkier first fell to the shadow (as described in New Spring I believe). In my estimation it would fit in nicely with Lan embracing his title, crown, and ultimately kingdom.

More of a wild stab in the dark though, I believe Lan will live on to at least the middle of the book, because only two people heard Jain/Noal tell Matt to inform a Malkieri that he died clean, and Matt is traveling to Ebou Dar again in chapter 11, and I don't see Tom meeting up with Lan and having a heart to heart.

[skalors3]

"In that day, when the One-Eyed Fool travels the halls of mourning, and the First Among Vermin lifts his hand to bring freedom to Him who will Destroy, the last days of the Fallen Blacksmith's pride shall come. Yea, and the Broken Wolf, the one whom Death has known, shall fall and be consumed by the Midnight Towers. And his destruction shall bring fear and sorrow to the hearts of men, and shall shake their very will itself."

 

The broken wolf = Hopper. Simply, because Hopper IS a wolf, and Death has known him (can't read this without thinking Moridin=Death and 'known him' in biblical terms *snigger*)

 

Also, I'm hoping the Aes Sedai will come to Lans' aid, making up for their failure when Malkier first fell to the shadow (as described in New Spring I believe). In my estimation it would fit in nicely with Lan embracing his title, crown, and ultimately kingdom.

More of a wild stab in the dark though, I believe Lan will live on to at least the middle of the book, because only two people heard Jain/Noal tell Matt to inform a Malkieri that he died clean, and Matt is traveling to Ebou Dar again in chapter 11, and I don't see Tom meeting up with Lan and having a heart to heart.

 

I, at first glance, thought the same as you. However, the second part of the prophecy cannot be fulfilled. The world of man did not know Hopper, aside from Perrin and Elyas. Therefore, his death cannot bring sorrow to those who neither knew, and therefore, couldn't care about his passing.

[Rubberninja]

I, at first glance, thought the same as you. However, the second part of the prophecy cannot be fulfilled. The world of man did not know Hopper, aside from Perrin and Elyas. Therefore, his death cannot bring sorrow to those who neither knew, and therefore, couldn't care about his passing.

I'm gonna go out on a limb here, since I also found the last bit confusing. That Perrin felt fear and sorrow, and that his will was shaken seems beyond a doubt, especially in the scene in TAR where Perrin tries to remake Hopper and fails. I could stop here, and say that as long as one man feels these emotions, the last bit holds true, but I'll go a step further out on my thin branch here, and say that Perrins feelings as ta'veren and leader would spread trough his followers. If Perrin went on a "screw the world, Hopper died so what's the point?" mope for the last book, what shape would his armies be in?

Even further, Perrins (and Rands, possibly Matts) ta'veren power seems to grow with the individuals self image and confidence, and if Perrin hadn't pulled his act together after Hopper died, I dont think he'd have convinced Galad to join up.

As a last point, please note that the dark prophecy doesn't state the will of men will break and their courage will fail under the weight of sorrow and fear, it states 'his destruction will bring fear and sorrow to the hearts of men and shall shake their very will itself." shaken. not stirred. (or broken :) )

[Andrew the Asha'Man]

I Originally thought that the wolf would be perrin.... since his whole shebang is about being a wolf brother. But i believe you are right Arc. i dont have my books on me right now (being at work and all) but i believe in EotW some says Lan courts Death as a man courts a women... or something to that effect. If you look at the prophecy it only mentions each chacter once. One-Eyed fool= mat,,,,, First among Vermin=Rand..... Fallen Blacksmith=Perrin (i know we already know those 3) but why would there be 2 prophicies about perrin. Perrin really hasn't know death first hand. I mean you could be picky and say he knows death because of his family. But Lan strives to be consumed by the blight. To die fighting those he hates. But hey thats just what i think.... *throws down 2 coppers*

 

Edit: I had forgotten about hopper.... I don't want to think about hopper.... o how i miss him. But yea perrin knows death that way 2. But my orginal theory still stands

[skalors3]

I, at first glance, thought the same as you. However, the second part of the prophecy cannot be fulfilled. The world of man did not know Hopper, aside from Perrin and Elyas. Therefore, his death cannot bring sorrow to those who neither knew, and therefore, couldn't care about his passing.

I'm gonna go out on a limb here, since I also found the last bit confusing. That Perrin felt fear and sorrow, and that his will was shaken seems beyond a doubt, especially in the scene in TAR where Perrin tries to remake Hopper and fails. I could stop here, and say that as long as one man feels these emotions, the last bit holds true, but I'll go a step further out on my thin branch here, and say that Perrins feelings as ta'veren and leader would spread trough his followers. If Perrin went on a "screw the world, Hopper died so what's the point?" mope for the last book, what shape would his armies be in?

Even further, Perrins (and Rands, possibly Matts) ta'veren power seems to grow with the individuals self image and confidence, and if Perrin hadn't pulled his act together after Hopper died, I dont think he'd have convinced Galad to join up.

As a last point, please note that the dark prophecy doesn't state the will of men will break and their courage will fail under the weight of sorrow and fear, it states 'his destruction will bring fear and sorrow to the hearts of men and shall shake their very will itself." shaken. not stirred. (or broken :) )

 

I could buy that. Especially since the prophecies of the Shadow are like the prophecies of the Light. They may or may not happen.

[Rubberninja]

I could buy that. Especially since the prophecies of the Shadow are like the prophecies of the Light. They may or may not happen.

As to prophecies, I'm pretty sure both sides will come true, but not in the way any of the sides expect. Remmember that Graendal and to some extent Moridin both took the quoted dark prophecy to mean Perrin would die, but in the end the only bit about Perrin was "the last days of the Fallen Blacksmith's pride shall come".

(Perrins pride was his pride in being a simple blacksmith, and shedding that false pride, he has embraced the leader within him, which was about bloody time, given that its taken him 9 books!)

[skalors3]

I could buy that. Especially since the prophecies of the Shadow are like the prophecies of the Light. They may or may not happen.

As to prophecies, I'm pretty sure both sides will come true, but not in the way any of the sides expect. Remmember that Graendal and to some extent Moridin both took the quoted dark prophecy to mean Perrin would die, but in the end the only bit about Perrin was "the last days of the Fallen Blacksmith's pride shall come".

(Perrins pride was his pride in being a simple blacksmith, and shedding that false pride, he has embraced the leader within him, which was about bloody time, given that its taken him 9 books!)

 

It is likely that you're correct. I still think the Broken wolf will be Rand. His death will allow the DO to free himself.

[Rubberninja]

It is likely that you're correct. I still think the Broken wolf will be Rand. His death will allow the DO to free himself.

Perhaps, I believe that's a RAFO if ever I saw one

[Morden]

Still think its Jaina Farstrider. He has known Death(Moridin) And he was broken by Moridin to an extent. And he died in the Tower of Ghenji(i.e the Midnight Towers as there are 3) He is one of the most famous men of all time, a legend in his own lifetime and I think more people know him than know of Lan by a large margine. I just think the prophecy was hoping that he would fail or act cowardly. But he did not so...

 

Either that or its something to do with Logain and the Black Tower and we have not seen it happen yet. How would Lan be consumed by the Midnight Towers? Just dont see it really same for Hopper, not a wide enough appeal to dishearten mankind and didnt die in or be consumed by the Midnight Tower.

[skalors3]

It is likely that you're correct. I still think the Broken wolf will be Rand. His death will allow the DO to free himself.

Perhaps, I believe that's a RAFO if ever I saw one

 

I agree, that is why "I think" was a part of my sentence. :)

[Rubberninja]

Still think its Jaina Farstrider. He has known Death(Moridin) And he was broken by Moridin to an extent. And he died in the Tower of Ghenji(i.e the Midnight Towers as there are 3) He is one of the most famous men of all time, a legend in his own lifetime and I think more people know him than know of Lan by a large margine. I just think the prophecy was hoping that he would fail or act cowardly. But he did not so...

Makes some sense, but it seems a great leap of faith to go from Broken Blacksmith to Jain Farstrider.

 

Either that or its something to do with Logain and the Black Tower and we have not seen it happen yet. How would Lan be consumed by the Midnight Towers? Just dont see it really same for Hopper, not a wide enough appeal to dishearten mankind and didnt die in or be consumed by the Midnight Tower.

I feel like im missing something here. Are the Towers of Midnight definately the 3 towers of the Aelfin and Eelfin? I've always tied the title of towers of midnight to the Forsaken, especially after Egwenes dream of towers crumbling one by one, where one almost crumbles, then is rebuilt taller and stronger than the others (Sammael is my bet)

[skalors3]

Still think its Jaina Farstrider. He has known Death(Moridin) And he was broken by Moridin to an extent. And he died in the Tower of Ghenji(i.e the Midnight Towers as there are 3) He is one of the most famous men of all time, a legend in his own lifetime and I think more people know him than know of Lan by a large margine. I just think the prophecy was hoping that he would fail or act cowardly. But he did not so...

Makes some sense, but it seems a great leap of faith to go from Broken Blacksmith to Jain Farstrider.

 

Either that or its something to do with Logain and the Black Tower and we have not seen it happen yet. How would Lan be consumed by the Midnight Towers? Just dont see it really same for Hopper, not a wide enough appeal to dishearten mankind and didnt die in or be consumed by the Midnight Tower.

I feel like im missing something here. Are the Towers of Midnight definately the 3 towers of the Aelfin and Eelfin? I've always tied the title of towers of midnight to the Forsaken, especially after Egwenes dream of towers crumbling one by one, where one almost crumbles, then is rebuilt taller and stronger than the others (Sammael is my bet)

 

If you look at the title from as a literal meaning, the ToM is a fortress in the Seachan empire. The city started with an "I" I believe. You can go anywhere if you look at it figuratively.

[Morden]

Most of the prophecy to me reads like it is setting the timeline("In that day, when the One-Eyed Fool travels the halls of mourning, and the First Among Vermin lifts his hand to bring freedom to Him who will Destroy, the last days of the Fallen Blacksmith's pride shall come") and the part after that is the main bit. Could be that the Towers of Midnight are references to the Forsaken (I think the larger tower is Moridin now that he's Nae'blis though as he's been raised above.) but to me it doesnt quite fit unless someone is going to be killed by them all working together.

 

Though I suppose it depends if the one eyed fool travelling the halls of mourning is Mat or not if it is, then the chances are the prophecy hasnt been fulfilled yet. If it is Mat then maybe he has to go to the ruins of Tar Valon to get the horn?

[Arcimedes]

I Originally thought that the wolf would be perrin.... since his whole shebang is about being a wolf brother. But i believe you are right Arc. i dont have my books on me right now (being at work and all) but i believe in EotW some says Lan courts Death as a man courts a women... or something to that effect. If you look at the prophecy it only mentions each chacter once. One-Eyed fool= mat,,,,, First among Vermin=Rand..... Fallen Blacksmith=Perrin (i know we already know those 3) but why would there be 2 prophicies about perrin. Perrin really hasn't know death first hand. I mean you could be picky and say he knows death because of his family. But Lan strives to be consumed by the blight. To die fighting those he hates. But hey thats just what i think.... *throws down 2 coppers*

 

Edit: I had forgotten about hopper.... I don't want to think about hopper.... o how i miss him. But yea perrin knows death that way 2. But my orginal theory still stands

 

Nice point about the courting Death...Lan's only bride was Death before Nyneave, and he courted her often. This is again and again referred to in EoTW, it is something he is very much known for. Now, Hopper, despite his amiable nature, is like others pointed out NOT known to man. And, one dead wolf might even make more people rejoice than cry. Having Paerin transmitting hs grief on to his followers seems a bit more far-fetched...As for other candidates, Perrin, Rand and Mat er prety much excluded, with them being referred to by other names in the prophecy. And Jain Farstrider has already been thought dead for years, and it is quitte unlikely that Mat will proclaim his death to the whole world in the last days of the world. He probably has other more useful things to do;)

[Rubberninja]

If you look at the title from as a literal meaning, the ToM is a fortress in the Seachan empire. The city started with an "I" I believe. You can go anywhere if you look at it figuratively.

 

The Towers of Midnight form a fortress complex located within the city of Imfaral, located on the northern landmass of the Seanchan continent. There are thirteen towers in the fortress. The Towers of Midnight are first noted in history as the place where Deain, the creator of the a'dam, was imprisoned after being betrayed by Luthair Paendrag Mondwin during The Conquest.

The Towers of Midnight and the city of Imfaral were captured early during Luthair's invasion, and were the primary base of operations for the invaders before they took Seandar later in the war.

Since the Consolidation, the Towers have remained unoccupied. Legend has it that when a time of dire need comes, the Imperial family will return to the Towers and "right that which is wrong".

 

Aparently this was explained by RJ at dragoncon 2005 - I've been missing a lot of info by only reading the books I guess. Anyway, that last bit sounds promising :)

Note that there are indeed 13 towers of midnight, one for each of the Forsaken sealed up at the Bore by LTT. I'll put it in the same bucket as Egwenes dream about 13 towers and call it plausible for now