The relationship between Siuan Sanche and Moiraine did not end because of anything to do with their sexuality. And (though it's been a few years since I've read the early books) I do not recall any Sister looking down on their relationship because it was "pillow friend" in nature. And I don't recall either of them expressing the feeling that leaving that relationship behind was convenient because of its nature. The cause was politics.
I recall Sisters remembering their relationship as a reason to be suspicious of their feigned distance since then. Moiraine and Siuane pretty much explicitly remembered this was a choice they made to protect the mission/knowledge they shared regarding the Dragon and the coming apocalypse from Gitara Moroso's foretelling. Leaving this part of their shared history out seems like reducing their relationship to one that is defined by their sexuality and not the incredible importance of the rest of their reality.
They purposely subdued their relationship -- which, in less horrifically political and world-ending circumstances might have gone in a different direction, we don't know -- to pursue larger ends. The circumstances overwhelm their gender/sexual identities, which is fine with me.
This is one of the best write ups here in a long time. I considered things about multiple characters I had not in a long time, from both the article and the comments!
Queer Themes in the Wheel of Time
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The relationship between Siuan Sanche and Moiraine did not end because of anything to do with their sexuality. And (though it's been a few years since I've read the early books) I do not recall any Sister looking down on their relationship because it was "pillow friend" in nature. And I don't recall either of them expressing the feeling that leaving that relationship behind was convenient because of its nature. The cause was politics.
I recall Sisters remembering their relationship as a reason to be suspicious of their feigned distance since then. Moiraine and Siuane pretty much explicitly remembered this was a choice they made to protect the mission/knowledge they shared regarding the Dragon and the coming apocalypse from Gitara Moroso's foretelling. Leaving this part of their shared history out seems like reducing their relationship to one that is defined by their sexuality and not the incredible importance of the rest of their reality.
They purposely subdued their relationship -- which, in less horrifically political and world-ending circumstances might have gone in a different direction, we don't know -- to pursue larger ends. The circumstances overwhelm their gender/sexual identities, which is fine with me.
This is one of the best write ups here in a long time. I considered things about multiple characters I had not in a long time, from both the article and the comments!