Favourite small moments from the series

[Alena]

I think one of the things I like most about WoT is how well the small, less dramatic moments in the series are written. I'm guessing that most of us love to read about scenes like Dumai's Wells and the Veins of Gold, but I'd be interested to know which of the more minor scenes in the series people like. Here are a couple of mine:

 

There's a moment at the start of tSR, just after Rand has been attacked by his reflections from the bubble of evil. Moiraine tries to get him to move out of rooms and rest elsewhere, and he refuses. As they're talking, Rand glances behind him at a chest that's covered with shattered glass. A moment later, the glass is swept from the top of the chest. Rand and Moiraine exchange looks before he goes to sit down on the chest. The scene is from Perrin's POV, and he doesn't know who channelled. My personal take is that it was Moiraine, who seeing how tired Rand was, gave him option to rest without losing face from their confrontation. I think that look was telling him that she knows he's a lot more exhausted than he's letting on, and he should stop trying to be seen as invincible and rest. I love this because it perfectly sums up the two characters; Rand's stubbornness and Moiraine's looking out for his best interests, whilst also beginning to understand that she sometimes has to back down and let him at least appear to be in charge.

 

Another is just after Nynaeve heals Logain in LoC. On a surface reading, we see Nynaeve being terrified of what she's done, fearing both Logain and how the Aes Sedai will react to what she has done, whilst Logain seems very calm and collected in contrast. Re-reading the scene made me realise that Logain must be at least as terrified as Nynaeve at this moment- having been severed from the Source, believing he would never channel again, only to have it restored so unexpectedly, he is desperate not to lose it again, and sure that he will be cut off again if the Aes Sedai believe what Nynaeve has done. I find it remarkable that he manages to keep so calm and in control at that moment when he must be feeling so many conflicting emotions, and the scene is so well written.

 

Does anyone else have any small moments like these that they like? 

[szilard]

TSR FOH, chapter 44:

 

“Not them,” he muttered. “Have to find my people. They’re still out there, Sulin.”

 

 

I always cry when I read this.

 

edit: Hmm, just a few words. Just a few words.

[jack of shadows]

this quote is from the fires of heaven not the shadow rising.

[szilard]

Thanks!

[jack of shadows]

the wonderful dancing scene at the stag and lion inn made me realise how awkward and shy

rand really was.

poor rand,during his dance with nynaeve he loses his rhythm and stumbles through his steps,

when they change partners nynaeve teases him that she had thought him a better dancer,well,

our legendary hero doesn't have much time to dwell on his less than stellar dancing skills because

his next dancing partner is moiraine. LOL.

 

"I WONDER WHAT THE WOMEN'S CIRCLE WOULD SAY ABOUT THE WISDOM DANCING?"-RAND AL'THOR.

[Alena]

The line that always chokes me up is in the epilogue of AMoL

 

 

"You did well, Rand. You did well."- Moiraine

 

 

Had to put the book down for a while the first time I read that. 

[Cosmic Champion]

.

Oh man! soooo many of these gems throughout the series!

Two of my favorite small moments:

 

Winter's Heart prologue:

From Rand's POV three things are going on in this scene at the same time: While Rand is at his school going over some important news and instructions with Dobraine and Idrien, his attention is also focused on Min who is rummaging through some of Herid Fel's books;  she is cursing and then gradually her mood improves as she finds what she is looking for. Also, at the same time while looking out a window, his attention is on observing Mervin Poel's steamwagon's first trail run. It's a great little scene including Rand noticing him giving a speech before he starts it up; it ends up going only 20 paces on it's own.

 

Lord of Chaos ch 18:

As well related to the above, is Rand's first tour of the school. It's also a great scene of him looking over the inventors, and their inventions.  I LOVE how RJ wrote these parts. These two scenes could have been left out of the story to trim it down, but they are so well written I can reread them over and over again.

 

 

There are probably hundreds and hundreds of great little scenes like this throughout the series. This is the main reason that the middle books do not really bother me that much; when the many plots slooow down, there is a plethora of stuff like this to keep me engrossed in reading on. If this series went on for another dozen books, I would have little trouble keeping my interest in reading them, as long as many of these types of scenes were included in them.

[Crossplains]

I’m glad someone brought up this question because it is something I really liked and did not realize. I read to follow the big developments but the little sequences really make them up.

 

The two scenes that come to mind both involve Rands father Tam. Towards the end of the series there were two sequences with Tam that, the first was when he faced down an Aes Sedai and he said something to the effect of a bully is a bully no matter the tool. In that moment that humble farmer showed one of the most powerful people in the world that their station does not matter if they have no honor.

 

The other scene is when Tam and Rand faced off in a sparing circle and Tam tied off one of his hands to make the playing field level. Their communication had been strained since Rand left and he became the dragon reborn. I think Rand felt as if he could not afford the luxury of a parent because someone might try to hurt him through him. And Tam kind of knew that so he kept his distance so Rand would not be distracted. Yet in that time they completely reconnected as father and son, not man and boy but man to man father and son. They reconnected not by long discussion but by quality time together. I thought it was the most beautiful moment in the saga. 

[Rhuidean]

As full disclosure I'm male but I'm also a father of five daughters. The ceremony and birth of Elayne and Aviendha simply blew me away when they became first sisters. 

 

Along the same lines the bond between Androl and Pervara when they each bonded the other. 

[Willdog2322]

I have to agree with Crossplains the scene when Rand reconnects with Tam was great and I think this one was already mentioned but I just reread the dancing scene at the Stag and the Lion and it was pretty good

[HuntingOrange]

One of my favorites is in the final book. Though there are several from that point.

in conversation Rand and Moiraine are having a small chat where Rand tell her that he plans on killing the DO and Rand tries to pull the age card but what gets me best is her response saying Mat would be the Matriarch if memories made one wise.

 

Also really like the Ogier song of life that Loial starts singing when he gets tired of the death.

[HuntingOrange]

One of my favorites is in the final book. Though there are several from that point.

in conversation Rand and Moiraine are having a small chat where Rand tell her that he plans on killing the DO and Rand tries to pull the age card but what gets me best is her response saying Mat would be the Matriarch if memories made one wise.

 

Also really like the Ogier song of life that Loial starts singing when he gets tired of the death.

[mb]

there was a similar thread in the past; that seemed to be any favorite scene.

 

like I told in that other thread, I have liked the speech scenes; especially the ones that tell history.

not sure if those fit this thread.

[Jimmyboiii]

Without a doubt my favourite scene has to be after Nynaeve takes Lan up to Saldea to ride for Tarwins Gap. When she enters the Inn and confronts the Malkieri merchant and lets him know the Golden Crane has been Raised. Then all three are standing with tears yelling.

This blew me away, I would be halfway through a chapter, then flick back and re read that scene, over and over!

[Mik]

Without a doubt my favourite scene has to be after Nynaeve takes Lan up to Saldea to ride for Tarwins Gap. When she enters the Inn and confronts the Malkieri merchant and lets him know the Golden Crane has been Raised. Then all three are standing with tears yelling.

 

This blew me away, I would be halfway through a chapter, then flick back and re read that scene, over and over!

This. Goosebumps!

 

I have the same with "To Come Out of the Shadow".

That whole chapter is packed with small, very emotional scenes and sentences.

Especially at the end, that chapter has all those gems.

Ingtar's confession, Rand's tender absolvement (of you will), Ingtar finally content and his brave Last Stand right into the next chapter.

 

What I find so amazing is how I can still SEE him fight, proud, laughing, content IN the Light.... while all we have to go by are Ingtar's triumphant shouts.

 

Far behind him, Rand heard Ingtar’s voice rise. “The Light, and Shinowa!” The clash of steel joined the roar of other voices.

.../ /...

“The Light, and Shinowa!” Ingtar’s shout soared after him, sounding triumphant, and lightning crashed across the sky in answer.

 

I thought that was poetry.

Goosebumps. every. time. (even just thinking about it)

 

So emotional and so well written, with just a few sentences.

[Samm-uel]

Just about anything with Rand's schools, now that you mention it. There so much in the books that I completely forgot about them but they're great.

 

It's a great way of selling

 

1) The theme of inevitable change (turning of the wheel)

 

2) Rand's desire to leave something behind that isn't about war or violence. It's kind of sad because I think there's a scene with Rand at his worst where he thinks about visiting one of the schools and then dismisses them as a mistake, however inventions from the school keep popping up in little places through out the series. 

[muddasssir]

If I started writting every single scene it will be too much one was already mentioned the ingtar scene another was the story of mentheren and list can go on and on. However, there are two scenes from late books that stand out in my memory. one was of course Nynaeve and her "will ke ride alone". I just literally put the book down and  sat there for ten minutes. other was the watch tower scene from one of BS books. In which the son of commander gives up his place to send the son of widow as a massenger. One of these days I am going to gather enough courage to start a final reread. I just do not want to let go and beleive that story is over. Lolo I am being sentimental I guess

[szilard]

from LOC:

 

“Bode?” he said in disbelief. That big-eyed girl staring at him—when had she gotten old enough to put her hair in a braid?—was Bodewhin Cauthon, Mat’s sister. And there was plump Hilde Barran sitting next to skinny Jerilin al’Caar, and pretty Marisa Ahan ... “We could ask the same of you,” willowy Larine Ayellin put in

Rand uses an entirely different label for Bode: big-eyed versus plump, skinny, pretty, willowy.

Or not.
 

[jack of shadows]

what did you expect?

bodewhin was mat's sister after all,so rand restricted his lecherous stares

to her face only and didn't venture...southward.

[DojoToad]

tGH - when Mat is giving Loial a hard time about Erith's being beautiful and Perrin and Rand are trying to defend him.

[szilard]

what did you expect?

bodewhin was mat's sister after all,so rand restricted his lecherous stares

to her face only and didn't venture...southward.

 

I just like that taboo. That's it.

[Occams whiskey bottle]

I loved the scene in Knife of Dreams where Lan was heading off to the final battle, and Nynaeve dropped him off at Worlds End and made him promise to let anyone who wanted to ride with him to ride with. Then she travels to a distant town and talks with a Malkier merchant who dealt in messager pigeons:

 

"My name is Nynaeve ti al' Mandragoran. The message I want sent is this. My husband rides from World's End toward Tarwin's Gap, toward Tarmon Gai'don. Will he ride alone?" The chapter finishes with: "Well, Managan, Gorenellin," he demanded, "do you still remember who you are? Do you remember your blood? Who rides with me for Tarwin's Gap?" For a moment, he thought neither man would speak, but then Gorenellin was on his feet, tears glistening his eye. "The Golden Crane flies for Tarmon Gai'don" he said softly. "The Golden Crane flies for Tarmon Gai'don!" Managan shouted, leaping up so fast he over turned his chair. Laughing, Aldragoran joined them, all three shouting at the top of their lungs. "The Golden Crane flies for Tarmon Gai'don!"

 

Love that scene. Reading it again now it reminds me of the "King of the North" scene from Game of Thrones. For the most part I thought BS did a good job with the final books, but how he picked this storyline back up was...underwhelming.

[dexterryu]

For me, it was the first book where Moiraine heal's Tam. In that scene she was very open and just being a good person. She took the time to explain things to Rand... about why Tam was so sick, what she was doing with the power. At that point, if felt like she was being the most real with Rand and I wonder how things would have been through the series between the two of them had she kept that demeanor.

 

All the while Lan is there noticing the heron mark sword. 

 

My other favorite is in TGH when Lan is prepping Rand to meet the Amyrlin.

[szilard]

I loved the scene in Knife of Dreams where Lan was heading off to the final battle, and Nynaeve dropped him off at Worlds End and made him promise to let anyone who wanted to ride with him to ride with. Then she travels to a distant town and talks with a Malkier merchant who dealt in messager pigeons

 

This POV is a fuc a huge milestone!

 

For me, it was the first book where Moiraine heal's Tam. In that scene she was very open and just being a good person. She took the time to explain things to Rand... about why Tam was so sick, what she was doing with the power. At that point, if felt like she was being the most real with Rand and I wonder how things would have been through the series between the two of them had she kept that demeanor.

 

Yep. Thank Rand that we did not get her calculating POV; ofc she's Blue, but as she sees people - usually... it's very hard to like her sometimes.

[Kesiera_Sedai]

Maybe I'm a perv, but one of my favorites is Book 8, when Logain bonds Toveine and the weave he uses gives her an orgasm. Then he apologizes and tells her that's the only way he knows how to do it. Ha! The only way he knows how to bond with a woman is to give her an orgasm...I think I've heard that one before somewhere...