Bugglesley, Wow... I love it. A response like that is exactly why I made the post. Thank you for the thorough reply, honestly. I'm really quite swayed. I know I said "It's very clear" that Compulsion was used on Rand here but i've got my doubts now. I disagree with the idea that Lanfear is too proud to use the Power as one of her many tools to manipulate LTT, but that might be the only thing I disagree with. The rest of what you said was pure fact, most relevant being RJ's consistent description of the goosebumps around the channeling of saidar. If I may adjust my theory a bit. I think it's possible that, as Selene, she attempted to influnence Rand with the Power, even if it wasn't all out Compulsion, and failed because he was stronger than she anticipated. Selene has various reactions during those chapters where she seems continually surprised and frustrated by what she calls Rand's "stubborness" and is at times shocked that he doesn't just fall in line with her suggestions. I think she tries certain "tricks" that she thinks will work, and is surprised when they don't. That being said, I think you're right and Rand consciously went to retrieve the Horn and dagger for Matt- and as an added bonus it wouldn't hurt to impress the beautiful damsel in the process. With saidin beckoning within the void, Rand trying to ignore his fear and Loial's, the tension of the sleeping trollocs/darkriends, it's an intense scene. It's also a very dreamy and disassociated. I feel like there's a missing element which might make sense of Rand's odd perspective other than the facts that RJ makes obvious to the reader. I recently listened to that chapter for the first time audiobook style, which might've sparked the new thoughts.

I agree and definitely think it's foreshadowing and no mere coincidence. It's not at all outside the realm of possibility or RJ's intention (why else add the shiver or tingle at all?). I disagree with the idea that because he hadn't consciously (or unconsciously) channeled yet, he could not sense female channeling. Part of what clued Moiraine to the idea of Rand being the Dragon Reborn in the first place was his natural resistance to her influence, which she implies at the end of book 1 was in part to him being able to touch the Source. "...After I gave you the token, the coin, and made that bonding, you should have been willing to fall in line with whatever I wanted, but you resisted, questioned. That told me something but not enough. Manetheren blood was always stubborn and more so after Aemon died and Eldrene's heart was shattered. Then there was Bela." etc. etc. So if Rand had an innate resistance to the influence to Moiraine's Power from the day they met, before he ever channeled (that we're aware of), it would make sense that he would feel the shiver and tingle being around a female actively Channeling saidar.

This is tough. Martin Scorsese passing away mid project could not possibly compare to this. What Sanderson had to do is literally unheard of. Someone please give me one historical comparison to having to complete a series as popular and highly respected as this? There are so many characters, perspectives, plots and nuance. I can't think of a single comparison in documented human history, and that's no exaggeration. It's almost like saying "King James" didn't do "The Bible" justice compared the ones who directly talked to God. Please don't take me literally, just acknowledge the metaphor.

If you really like Rand, then read ALL THE BOOKS! That's the only way to truly understand the character you claim to "like". Rand doesn't even understand himself until the end, how could you possibly? It sounds to me as though you like the actor who plays Rand Althor. Especially if you thought The Eye of the World was "ok". Sounds to me like you would be better off Google imaging "Josha Stradowsi", the Dutch actor, than delving into one of the most nuanced and intricate fantasy stories of all time.

That feeling only exists with things worth spending time on. That void left by the end of something engaging, captivating, delicious or intriguing is not a flaw of the creation, but the nature of one who appreciates the lack. When you're constantly thinking "what happens next!?" What happens when there's nothing left??

Re- reading The Great Hunt (doesn't matter how many times). It's very clear after re-reading the series, that Lanfear (as Selene) used Compulsion on Rand. Or at least tried to. The sexy scene where she convinced Rand to inspect the fire that was Fain and his darkfriends/trollocs with Loial. Rand internally describes the chill down his spine which he attributed to Selenes laugh, and throughout that scene credits Selene's looks and legs in the moonlight as what makes his mind so cloudy and heavily influenced. We later learn that this "chill" around women who can channel is not mere coincidence. Rand's behavior while in the void (when he re-captures the Horn of Valere and Matt's dagger) and the way that Saidin seems to call to him more than ever makes me think that part of the sensation was the Compulsion of Lanfear, who probably wanted Rand to go down there and incinerate everyone with the Power. So Rand, who internally battled the call of Saidin while he flawlessly slaughtered trollocs in the darkness, was really battling the Compulsion of Lanfear (Selene) to destroy everyone with the Power.

SWORDSMANSHIP! I think Rand is naturally athletic and in shape from his youth and life as a farmhand. He learned the flame and the void from a secret blademaster in his father, Tam, throughout his youth and also is a genetic BEAST from his Aiel ancestry! Obviously training in between book 1 and book 2 with the most legendary Warder alive, Lan, doesn't hurt. But you know all this! I feel like Robert Jordan made a nice little recipe for a young man with amazing natural ability to become a rapidly improving swordsman. The way Rand Channels throughout all the books is very intuitive and often times out of his control and beyond his conscious knowledge, as Lews Therin reborn (madness included) , a man who also lived as blademaster for hundreds of years. So to say Rand is a "natural" is a pure understatement. So if I disagree with anything, Lexi Eve, it's the idea that according to the story that Robert Jordan tells- Rand Althor should NOT be able to beat a blademaster by the end of book 2?? Rand is questioned about rockin' a heron mark blade from the beginning of book 1, only keeps the sword as a reminder of who his father is and pure stubborness, and is finally challenged by the end of book 2. All of these factors, combined with being the most powerful ta'veren of all time! Now Matt Cauthon's ability with the Ashandarei, alongside his naturally ability with a quarterstaff! Matt's internal narrative and thoughts concede that he gained xp and skills from the memories of his past selves! His conscious memories from past lives are a tool that Jordan uses and admits are a part of that characters skillset, no need for speculation whatsoever. As far as Rand becoming Lord, soldier, General, and King. These were all roles that Rand denied, fought and struggled against until he eventually accepted, mostly due to his solid upbringing and Lan's influence in developing a deeper sense of duty. At no point in the entire Wheel of Time series is it stated that Rand is GOOD at any of these things, King OR General. He's generally feared by most and hated by many, and never loved as a king or admired as a general. His skill with the blade or as a warrior might be the only thing he truly did excel at, and i'm not sure he ever even surpassed his father Tam, let alone Lan with the Blade. Shit, Galad, and even Gawn might've suprassed Rand's blade skills by the end of the last book ( one hand or both).

Lexi Eve! I love it 🙂 The chapter where Rand reclaims the Horn of Valere and the dagger from Fain, dark friends and trollocs- while battling his internal need to use Saidin is epic! I do not think your swordplaytheory is what Robert Jordan intended, but ... reliving pretty much infinite lives could not have hurt for Rand, as far as general wisdom and maturation goes. By far the most important lesson from the Portal Stones for Rand (in particular) was the fact that he was destined to Channel Saidin, and was undeniably the Dragon Reborn. As you probably know, Rand did not accept the idea that he was truly Lews Therin Reborn when confronted by the Amyrlin seat, it just re-established his conviction that he would NOT BE USED by anybody. Ba'alzamaon or the White Tower. ' It was only when reliving all of those lives months later, living and dying matched against his ancient rival, Ishamel (whether aware or not) that the truth sunk in.