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and Not Only Buys the Farm, but Elayne, Aviendha and Min Take Him Away

by Balinor: 2005-08-19 | 4 out of 10 (13 votes)

Previous Categories: Rand and the Last Battle

I'm new to the site, and I see there have been some theories regarding Rand's death before, but none seem to have touched on the evidence I have, so I thought I'd toss it in as well.

Rand will bite the big one at the end of the Last Battle, and here's why: because of RJ's copious references to other literature.

There have been a few viewings regarding Rand, 3 women and a boat. Nicola has one in Salidar, where she says she Sees the Lion (Elayne), the Spear (Aviendha), and the Woman who Sees (Min) in the boat (possibly with the Dragon Reborn, can't remember the quote verbatim right now). She has this Foretelling during the bubble of evil incident in Salidar. I believe that Min or someone else has some viewings relating to this as well, pretty much in the same vein. Does this sound familiar to anyone else?

If you've read any of the King Arthur legends, this is pretty much how it ends, with Arthur being on a funeral bier on a boat with 3 women (Guinevere, the Lady of the Lake, and someone else I can't remember). But RJ has borrowed too much else from the Arthur legends (Artur Paendrag's name and legend, Merlin = Amyrlin, etc.) not to include this too.

Another reason to believe Rand is going to die, is because he believes it. The quesion is why? In TDR Rand, after he accepts that he is the Dragon Reborn, he hopes that there is some way he can survive Tarmon Gaidon. After he goes through the doorway ter'angreal, he doesn't hope this anymore. He has a fatalistic acceptance that he WILL die. I believe that one of the questions he asks the Finn is if he survives Tarmon Gaidon. The answer he receives leads him to believe that he won't. So far, the Finn haven't been wrong.

The 3rd reason to believe that Rand dies also comes from a literary source: the Norse sagas. RJ has also borrowed a lot from Norse myth, including the idea of the Last Battle, or as the Norse called it, Ragnarok. Ragnarok is the final battle between the gods of Asgard, led by Odin, on behalf of mankind, versus Loki and the giants, who wish to enslave or destroy mankind. After Ragnarok, a new age begins, when men find new gods. Does this sound familiar? Looking at Rand's name, Al'THOR, then in this scenario, Rand is Thor, the Thunderer. Rand can call lightning from the sky, as can Thor, Rand has red hair, as does Thor (in the sagas, not the comic books), etc. Well, Thor dies in Ragnarok, killed by the Midgard serpent as he kills it. Rand will die in this last battle as well. For further confirmation, look at Mat. If Rand is Thor, then Mat is Odin. Mat has a fancy spear and a ring, Odin has a fancy spear and a ring, Mat's symbol is ravens, Odin had 2 ravens "Thought" and "Memory". Thought and Memory are both mentioned on Mat's ashandarei: "Thought is the arrow of Time, Memory never fades." Mat is a good horseman, Odin was a good horseman, Odin lost one eye for knowledge, Mat seems destined to lose an eye, Odin often disguised himself as a traveler with a large hat, Mat has a large hat which he is never without.

I haven't figured out yet who Perrin is in this scheme, but the connection to wolves also occurs frequently in Norse myth.

Anyway, these 3 pieces of evidence lead me to believe that Rand dies at Tarmon Gaidon, and Elayne, Min, and Aviendha take his body away, possibly by boat. That leads me to a couple more theories about Tarmon Gaidon as well. The Dark One will not be destroyed, but only recaptured and imprisoned. Why? Because there has never been a time without the Dark One. In the AoL, the Dark One was there, but the world was peaceful because his prison was intact and he could not touch the world at all. That changed when the Bore put a small hole in his prison. Also, in one of the books, someone (maybe Verin) is talking about all of the Mirror Worlds, and how the Dark One is imprisoned in all of them. For if he breaks out in one, then he is free in all of them. This implies that the Dark One touches all of Creation, and that leads to the possibility that he can't be destroyed without destroying all of creation.

So, the DO will be imprisoned, and this leads to my next theory, that by imprisoning him, Rand will cut everyone off from the One Power, probably by accident. In one of the books, RJ writes that the OP was discovered in the AoL, or the age before the AoL, so that implies that humans have not always been able to channel. At the end of the AoL, the DO tainted saidin, and caused the Breaking. Rand seems determined to avoid this, so why not take the ability to channel away from everyone? This would prevent another Breaking, and keep an Aes Sedai-like regime from seizing power after Tarmon Gaidon. It also seems like this would be the only way to get enough power to really seal up the DO's prison. When LTT tried it with only saidin, all they could get was a fairly temporary seal.

That's it for my theories, hope you enjoy, I'm looking forward to seeing the comments.
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Comments

1

Tamyrlin: 2005-10-03

Balinor, thanks for putting this together. I agree with you that his death is likely, you could even add in the fact that the Seanchan woman is going to help him die, supposedly. However, I am hopeful that he will somehow pull through and that the world will simply believe he is dead, but that he lives, burned out possibly, but alive. I like how you link Mat and Rand together; the discussion of the Norse symbolism used to be a big topic of the books back in the nineties, I seem to recall. As to whether the fourth Age is an Age with the power, I do wonder if it will be such. There a few different ways to look at it. Since we know the OP powers the Wheel, the OP isn't going anywhere. So, does the world change disabling the sensing of the OP, as though the world becomes a Stedding? It doesn't seem to me like all Sparkers could cease to exist, so it would have to be, in my opinion, a worldwide event.

2

therobotbadger: 2005-10-03

I don't have a direct quote, but I believe RJ has said that he gave Mat elements from Odin, Perrin from Thor, and Rand from Tyr. Also, I thought he took the name "Al'Thor" from Arthur.

3

Callandor: 2005-10-04

**Another reason to believe Rand is going to die, is because he believes it. The quesion is why? In TDR Rand, after he accepts that he is the Dragon Reborn, he hopes that there is some way he can survive Tarmon Gaidon. After he goes through the doorway ter'angreal, he doesn't hope this anymore. He has a fatalistic acceptance that he WILL die. I believe that one of the questions he asks the Finn is if he survives Tarmon Gaidon. The answer he receives leads him to believe that he won't. So far, the Finn haven't been wrong.**

Not quite -- it's not like Rand doesn't wish to keep living past the Last Battle if he could past The Shadow Rising. He still makes some references, (the "to live, you must die" interpretation he considers is telling of this -- since he was thinking it meant live on as a madman), but it's that he has no desire to live on anymore since he does not like what he has become, and the immense task that he has to do. He just wants to get it done, and be over with it. Granted, he has a few ties he wishes could continue -- Min, Elayne, Aviendha -- but he just doesn't like himself and what he has become anymore to really continue past the Last Battle.

**Does this sound familiar? Looking at Rand's name, Al'THOR, then in this scenario, Rand is Thor, the Thunderer. Rand can call lightning from the sky, as can Thor, Rand has red hair, as does Thor (in the sagas, not the comic books), etc. Well, Thor dies in Ragnarok, killed by the Midgard serpent as he kills it. Rand will die in this last battle as well. For further confirmation, look at Mat. If Rand is Thor, then Mat is Odin. Mat has a fancy spear and a ring, Odin has a fancy spear and a ring, Mat's symbol is ravens, Odin had 2 ravens "Thought" and "Memory". Thought and Memory are both mentioned on Mat's ashandarei: "Thought is the arrow of Time, Memory never fades." Mat is a good horseman, Odin was a good horseman, Odin lost one eye for knowledge, Mat seems destined to lose an eye, Odin often disguised himself as a traveler with a large hat, Mat has a large hat which he is never without.**

Yes, Rand has a few matching with Thor -- but he matches up significantly better with Tyr, than with Thor overall (though his name is more than likely a direct influence).

WOT FAQ:

**Rand and Tyr: Tyr was a Norse god of war and of justice. This is a parallel with Rand bringing strife to Randland, and with his concurrent attempts to rule justly and by the rule of law. (Note: Tyr is not connected to legality as a maker of peace or a bringer to justice, but more as the embodiment of laws as power, of the fight that is fought in court instead on the battlefield. The god of justice in the Norse pantheon is Forsete, of which next to nothing is known. [Karl-Johan Norén]) Tyr's arm was snarfled off by the monstrous wolf Fenrir (Perrin?) when the gods chained him. (The gods thus defeated one of their greatest enemies, at the loss of one of their greatest assets, Tyr's right (fighting) hand.) If this parallel is valid, then this could be evidence that Rand will lose his hand-- RJ said at a signing in Atlanta that he deliberately made Mat like Odin and Rand like Tyr. Furthermore, Tyr offered to put his hand in Fenrir's mouth as an assurance that the chains would be removed. Hence, it was a willing sacrifice. This may be analogous to Rand sacrificing his life or body parts at Tarmon Gai'don (or before).**

Yes, Mat is definately parts of Odin (aside from Jordan saying it outright).

Perrin is actually close to Thor overall due to his strength, his beard and the hammer, as well to remember their personalities. Both are mostly connected to the common man, both have a good head but are slow to use it, and both are terrible in their anger, though Thor is much more ready to lose it than Perrin. Perrin's hammer is a symbol for peace and building, but this trait is also present in Thor.

**The Dark One will not be destroyed, but only recaptured and imprisoned. Why? Because there has never been a time without the Dark One.**

Furthermore, it's impossible to kill the Dark One since he doesn't have a thread, no body known, not apart of the Wheel or Pattern, and as far as we know doesn't have a true "soul" like Randlanders do.

**So, the DO will be imprisoned, and this leads to my next theory, that by imprisoning him, Rand will cut everyone off from the One Power, probably by accident.**

To do so would require one of the following:

1. Saidin and saidar are destroyed -- end of time, since the Wheel are powered by this. The world would end.

2. All channelers die or are stilled -- this implies that all learners and sparkers are present with Rand or in conflict with him and all die or are stilled.

3. There is a "kill swtich" or however you want to describe it, that will turn humanity off from the One Power -- unknown and supposition.

**In one of the books, RJ writes that the OP was discovered in the AoL, or the age before the AoL, so that implies that humans have not always been able to channel.**

Yes, but it doesn't mean that it has to happen at the end of the Third Age. Remember, there are seven Ages; still four more to go before the First Age comes again.

I completely agree that Rand will die in the Last Battle, just not some of the other implications you've listed.

4

UberAshaman: 2005-10-04

Just a complete side-track here talking about names, but does anyone else think that Tam al'Thor is a (direct?) descendant of Aemon? Don't have exact quote but I'm pretty sure that the names are almost identical. It was Aemon Thorin or something. And the 'al' before a name was a sign of roya;ty in the Borderlands so maybe. I don't know, I could be just raving and seeing things in nothing, but you never know.

5

haertchen: 2005-10-04

I hate to add to this, but I think it might be a little bit important to remember that Norse mythology isn't the only source for Rand Al'thor. The Christology is also an important source, especially for the stigmata, and where that leaves the status of his death is more than a little unclear . . .

P.S. I personally refuse to take sides on this issue. What happens will happen.

6

penguindude: 2005-10-04

I like your theory, you did a good job plotting it. Two other connections you might want to consider for it:

The Midguard Serpent was also the protector of the Tree of Life, which is the nickname of Avendesora at Rhuidean. Since the Wise Ones serve as the protector of the tree (deciding who may enter Rhuidean until Al'Thor opens it), it makes for an interesting comparison to Egwene, who is both a serpent (Aes Sedai) and a protector of the Tree of Life (most likely to become a full Wise One). We also see when she is in the White Tower's rings that she has a vision of having to order Rand stilled.

Secondly, aside from Tyr being the name of one of the Norse gods, its also a place in Saldaea. One of the titles Davrim Bashere holds is Lord of Tyr (which upon his death Perrin and Faile would likely gain control over and add to their little empire). Given Perrin's affinity towards wolves (Fenrir), it might be a forshadowing of a future conflict between the two men.

7

Traveller: 2005-10-04

I do agree that it is a likely possibility that Rand will die, but I don't think the parallels with other stories is a good reason; in fact, I think it makes it less likely.

Jordan borrows characters and themes and storylines from other stories, but if he followed them to the end and purposefully had a similar ending, it would seem a bit rubbish. I think that he would definitely try to have an original ending, which I think is a good (if somewhat opinionated and flighty) arguement for Rand not simply dying at the end.

8

Lauric: 2005-10-04

**Looking at Rand's name, Al'THOR**

In an interview Robert Jordan stated that both al'Thor and Artur were derived from King Arthur. Can't get the exact quote, i'm at work, but it wasn't derived from Thor as I had originally thought.

9

JakOShadows: 2005-10-04

Balinor: For the most part, I like everything you brought about the last battle. I don't think Rand can live or even wants to live after the LB. But I have to agree with Callandor and the others with the parallels to the norse gods. And as to the OP, the only way I could see it happening is that the ability to be a sparker will be genetically breed out some how. However it is done, I know there are different views on sparkers and the soul/body connection. But you couldn't just destroy the OP because that's what turns the wheel. Time would be destroyed and the wheel would not turn at all. And I go so far to say it is impossible to do anyway, because it is not ours to destroy. It is the creators power. But I do think there is a good possibility off it happening in the next few ages.

10

SugarBullet: 2005-10-04

perrin is actually thor, or more appropriately: "Perun" the slavic version of the thunderer. Perun is known for the axe, hammer and arrow... and yes, kids, the mighty oak tree. I think jordan may have used the slav name as one of his clever ways of encripting these myths. What I love about it is that it works for norse or biblical; "Perrin" as "Perun" and as a diminuative of "Peter". That stinker RJ...

11

Anubis: 2005-10-04

I always thought perrin was thor mostly because of the hammer.

Rand is Shiva though, the great destroyer. And a chick. :P

12

therobotbadger: 2005-10-04

**Just a complete side-track here talking about names, but does anyone else think that Tam al'Thor is a (direct?) descendant of Aemon?**

Aemon's full name is Aemon al Caar al Thorin. I had never thought about it, but I think it could be plausible that Tam be a decendent of Aemon. I mean, if time can turn "Aemon's Field" into "Emond's Field", I see no reason that "al Thorin" couldn't become "al'Thor."

The question is whether or not Aemon and Eldrene had any kids, or any relatives at all.

13

Anubis: 2005-10-05

**Furthermore, it's impossible to kill the Dark One since he doesn't have a thread, no body known, not apart of the Wheel or Pattern, and as far as we know doesn't have a true "soul" like Randlanders do.**

You could kill the Dark One with enough Balefire. It would just also destroy everything else too.

Oh, and about the One Power killswitch...

Using the OP requres fairly intensive meditation techniques which take months if not years to master. If humanity loses these meditation techniques then the One Power would be inaccessable and sparkers would develop sicknesses like... oh lets say cancer and mental disorders..

14

Eek: 2005-10-05

In spite of the Ragnarok scenario I would say that Rand is also much like Michael, who is Jesus Reborn in the Book of Revelations in the Bible. Rand will sacrifice himself to save the world and his blood on Shayol Ghul will release the world of it's torment. Actually the characteristics of the Dragon Reborn is a twisted Messiah.

15

JakOShadows: 2005-10-05

That bit about Tam being related to King Aemon could be an interesting parallel, like he's going to greatly help Perrin bring back the glory of Manetheran, but he already has gone a long way towards that so its probably not too important. Where this comes in is in the LB, I wonder if his old blood will draw him to Rand and the LB. Or if he'll have to fight trollocs in the Two Rivers.

16

FraKcture: 2005-10-05

Some interesting thoughts in this theory. I agree with most of what Callandor said in response.

We know that TG will not be a final "end of the world" battle (like the Biblical Armageddon). RJ says so himself: "called the 3rd age by some; an age yet to come, an age long past". If sealing the DO in his prison cut everyone off from the OP, how could the bore be drilled again the next time the AOL comes around again? And certainly the OP can't be destroyed... as many have said, then the wheel would stop turning, and the 3rd age could never then become "an age long past".

I think it makes sense that humanity will lose the ability to channel at some point in the future, but it's hard to say at what point. At the end of the third age? Or way later? I think this is one that we'll have to wait and see for. But I'll give my 2 cents anyway.

If it does happen at the end of the third age, then I think it would have to be some cataclysmic event that stills all channelers perhaps. If no one living could channel anymore, then knowledge of how to channel would fade from the world, even though children continue to be born who could. It's easy to see how this downward cycle would cull humanity's knowledge of how to channel down to almost nothing, given enough turnings of the wheel. Eventually it would have to be "re-discovered". Another side of this is what if Randland is supposed to be our own world? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't know of any diseases that could be described as the wasting disease that kills channelers who do not learn to control it. But perhaps it could become extremely extremely rare, or perhaps even get to the point where people are no longer born who have the spark. I recall something about people who can channel are more likely to have children who can channel. If people with the spark keep dying, then eventually maybe there would only be born people who can learn. Where the spark comes back in, I don't know. Perhaps the wheel re-introduces the spark at the appropriate time?

If humanity's loss of the ability to channel happens way later, then there are numerous possibilities of course. I think this is more likely to be what happens. It's something that will happen after the books end so to speak, with perhaps just a hint or prophecy to suggest what happens later.

And regarding whether or not Rand dies at the end, I believe it will be a both yes and no situation. The "to live, you must die" line. I think LTT will die, Logain will be credited as being the Dragon (thus his "glory, perhaps above all men"), and Rand will live, but not as LTT. Perhaps he has a choice regarding his immortality. He can die and be bounded to the wheel, to wait in T'A'R, and be reborn when the wheel deems his time has come. Or he can give up being LTT and continue to live as Rand. LTT would then be born as someone new. I can't imagine what circumstances could arise to give Rand this choice though. Perhaps Alivia will be the one to give him this choice. LTT is transfered from Rand to Logain. Logain dies as the Dragon, to be reborn when the wheel next calls him. Rand gets to live. Okay that's pretty loony about transferring LTT to Logain.... Somebody help me out.

17

silverwolf: 2005-10-05

ummm...no. No transfer of souls between Logain and Rand--the personality is a property of the soul (one that is suppressed whenever the soul is reborn, allowing for the development of a new personality). Rand's soul is LTT's soul is the Dragon's soul. The personalities differ, but the soul is the same. Personalities are like cell-phone faceplates: they are an expression of the soul, NOT an independent entity, and have no will or desire or intellect apart from the soul.

18

Callandor: 2005-10-05

**You could kill the Dark One with enough Balefire. It would just also destroy everything else too.**

Hows that? There isn't anything to target. There isn't any thread to burn back. There isn't as far as we know anything to effect.

**I think LTT will die, Logain will be credited as being the Dragon (thus his "glory, perhaps above all men"), and Rand will live, but not as LTT. Perhaps he has a choice regarding his immortality. He can die and be bounded to the wheel, to wait in T'A'R, and be reborn when the wheel deems his time has come. Or he can give up being LTT and continue to live as Rand.**

1. Rand isn't Lews Therin (if you want to believe my version of the barrier degradation theory, Lews Therin is a construct made by Rand, so yes, he would be "Rand" in a sense, but you would have it backwards anyway then).

2. No Hero can choose not to be a Hero of the Horn, Jordan has said this.

**LTT is transfered from Rand to Logain. Logain dies as the Dragon, to be reborn when the wheel next calls him. Rand gets to live.**

No. Rand is Lews Therin's soul reborn. Rand is the Dragon soul reborn. Logain is some other soul reborn. There isn't a switcher-roo going on, unless it's a fake death, which is nothing like the exchange of souls ;)

19

wolfbrother10: 2005-10-06

I agree with most of your theory. RJ has created many parallels in his series which is why I think so many people have an affinity to it.

I have to agree with others in saying that the OP will not cease to exist. The OP turns the wheel of time itself without time there is not existence.

The idea about the OP power switch; I find it almost impossible to cut off all wielders of the OP at the same time especially when many wielders don't even know they can wield it yet.

I also have to agree with Traveller in that Rand will not die in the end of TG (officially). I believe somehow that Rand and LTT will seperate somehow. Rand continuously denounces his "dragonness" and after accepting that he is the dragon fights against LTT to remain Rand. He is always in a struggle with internal forces to show that he can remain Rand of the Two Rivers. I believe that in the end he will persevere and not be the dragon nor LTT (or the third man in Min's viewing) but Rand of the Two Rivers. RJ cannot possibly mention that the dragon has to die at TG without expecting us to think he will make an exception. If there wasn't something unique about this fight between the Dragon and the DO why write so many books about the battle?! :))

20

JakOShadows: 2005-10-06

The point of the book is circular time. RJ just brought this one up because its the one he chose. But it doesn't mean there's something special about this one. In fact, he seems to stress that the wheel will come back to this age again and events similar to this will happen again. And if RJ says in all those prophecies of the dragon that Rand will die, he will die. Ya'll are getting your hopes. And in a recent theory it has been brought up that maybe Rand doesn't want to live after he's done with the LB. It would be sad, but if I were him it would feel like that. He's had such a stressful time, it seems like the only way he could deal with would be to die. And in tGH, they repeat the saying "Death is lighter than a feather; duty is heavier than a mountain." I almost becomes the mantra of the whole book, so why when he stresses that phrase so much in the beginning, would he end up living. All right. I'll stop my ranting for now.

21

Callandor: 2005-10-07

** I believe that in the end he will persevere and not be the dragon nor LTT (or the third man in Min's viewing) but Rand of the Two Rivers.**

Rand is the Dragon soul reborn. He is the Dragon Reborn. He can't just stop being the Dragon, unless he dies.

22

Anubis: 2005-10-07

****You could kill the Dark One with enough Balefire. It would just also destroy everything else too.**

Hows that? There isn't anything to target. There isn't any thread to burn back. There isn't as far as we know anything to effect.**

Robert Jordan said you could. :P

23

padanfain: 2005-10-08

About the possibilty of Tam being Aemons descendant I seem to remember Moiraine saying (and Rand remembering) that the "al" i front of the name originally meant "son of". So just the names isn't any evidence of Tam being related to Aemon.

This doesn't mean that it's impossible - only that the name is no evidence.

24

Callandor: 2005-10-08

**Robert Jordan said you could. :P**

He's also said you can't. And, by the nature of the world, we know you can't anyway.

25

Prince of the Nine Moons: 2005-10-16

*He has a fatalistic acceptance that he WILL die. I believe that one of the questions he asks the Finn is if he survives Tarmon Gaidon. The answer he receives leads him to believe that he won't. So far, the Finn haven't been wrong.*

He could have received an answer that said that he would survive it, so that is why he isn't worrying anymore.

26

JakOShadows: 2005-10-16

He actually talks about having to die to do it after the finns though. So it can't be that. I think the fact is he has to die. Everyone keeps quoting certain instances that hint at him not dying, when it says outright he has to die. I know I've said this before, but the whole mantra of tGH is "Duty is heavier than a mountain, death is lighter than feather." It almost stresses the fact that he has to die to escape the pressure he has created on himself. So there is far more evidence for him to die than not to.

27

Davian93: 2005-10-16

It never actually says outright that he'll die. The prophecies merely strongly suggest that Rand won't survive the Last Battle. The answer from the Finns is that in order to live he must die. That is cryptic and doesnt state that he'll die at the Last Battle or how it will happen. We know that Rand will die eventually. We know that Alivia will help him die. We know his blood on the rocks at Shayol Ghul will win the Last Battle. We dont know the entire sequence and we won't until we read the next book.

28

Hammar: 2005-10-16

"The Dragons blood on the rocks of Shayol Ghul"

LTT was The Dragon

Rand is the Dragon Reborn

I would like to believe that Rand will live by killing off a part of himself (LTT). In order to live, you must die. I know it won't be that simple, but I dont see Rand dying.

29

wolfbrother10: 2005-10-17

WARNING: Knife of Dreams Spoiler







This might be a spoiler but since we are talking about the death of the Dragon reborn in Knife of Dreams Rand tells us that he asked the Finn how can he survive Tarmon Gai'don. He also says part of the response but conceals something (RAFO). This shows that the Dragon reborn is not on a suicidal mission but that he wants to survive the last battle and is acting according to the response of the Finn in order to survive.

30

JakOShadows: 2005-10-17

Then I guess I read into the clues wrong. It happens to the best of us.

31

Callandor: 2005-10-17

**It never actually says outright that he'll die.**

Yes the prophecies do, Davian. "Twice to live, and twice to die." (Note: The "twices" are about his markings, not twice living, twice dying.)

Knife of Dream Spoilers:



**This shows that the Dragon reborn is not on a suicidal mission but that he wants to survive the last battle and is acting according to the response of the Finn in order to survive.**

In the context of Rand's actions, we know he does want to die. After all he tells Lews Therin right out, that they'll both die at the Last Battle. Rand's still going with the full out death thoughts.

32

Davian93: 2005-10-18

Callandor: Of course Rand is going to die...everyone dies. All I'm saying is that the Prophecies do not state straight out that he will die at the Last Battle. It's only likely that he'll die there...not definite.

33

Callandor: 2005-10-19

**Callandor: Of course Rand is going to die...everyone dies. All I'm saying is that the Prophecies do not state straight out that he will die at the Last Battle. It's only likely that he'll die there...not definite.**

You're the one that said the Prophecies never said Rand would die. They do. With everything else, what else is Rand going to do but die in the Last Battle?

34

Realnow: 2008-07-15

Uhhhmmm, did you guys not think for a second that nearly every mythology and religion in the world have pretty much parallel themes?

Yea obviously it can relate to King Arthur and Norse myths, along with 99% of heroic tales.

read Hero with a Thousand Faces (non fiction), and become enlightened my friends: innocent hero thrust into quest, decends into "underworld", confronts guardian, achieves goal, mother goddess, etc. I can't believe you guys don't know about this stuff...basic literature knowledge