art by Darrell K. Sweet

Theoryland Resources

WoT Interview Search

Search the most comprehensive database of interviews and book signings from Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson and the rest of Team Jordan.

Wheel of Time News

An Hour With Harriet

2012-04-30: I had the great pleasure of speaking with Harriet McDougal Rigney about her life. She's an amazing talent and person and it will take you less than an hour to agree.

The Bell Tolls

2012-04-24: Some thoughts I had during JordanCon4 and the upcoming conclusion of "The Wheel of Time."

Theoryland Community

Members: 7653

Logged In (0):

Newest Members:johnroserking, petermorris, johnadanbvv, AndrewHB, jofwu, Salemcat1, Dhakatimesnews, amazingz, Sasooner, Hasib123,

Theoryland Tweets

Theories

Home | Index | Archives | Help

id Nicola bond Areina?

by Mairashda: 2003-05-29 | Not yet rated

Previous Categories: Miscellaneous

"Sharina raised one finger, then a moment later, a second.(...)Nicola went pale and let go of her weaves on the instant, leaping up so quickly that she joggled the bench(...)Scowling blue-eyed daggers at everyone in sight, Areina ran out of the tent after Nicola, the two women mirror images of disgruntlement and discontent. Seing the pair of them together made Egwene uneasy." - (CoT, Ch.17 p.430)

Why should Areina feel disgruntled and discontented? Nicola was the only one that was scolded. Egwene didn't even notice her before she got up...

Now we know that Elayne and Birgitte started to mirror each other increasingly ever since their bonding (Notice how RJ calls Areina and Nicola mirror images?) and even though our two troublemakers are close friends it does not seem enough for them to feel exactly alike over this little episode.

Nicola has been seen trying to get a peek at Sisters Traveling, she repeatedly states how she would like to learn more and the both of them do not feel any scruples over blackmailing Sisters. Nicola may have had the opportunity to learn Bonding when she hung around Myrelle and Nisao while they took care of Lan. She and Areina know that Elayne bonded Birgitte (Elayne herself told everybody after Egwene raised her and Nynaeve). So they know that Bonding a woman is possible... and why stop at something that Elayne could do?

well, there isn't much to prove this- just wanted to share a thought.
You cannot rate theories without first logging in. Please log in.

Comments

1

Tamyrlin: 2003-05-31

I liked your theory so much that I have found you a quote that, while circumstantial, may be useful.
<br>TITLE: Crown of Swords, CHAPTER: 12 - A Morning of Victory
<br>"Nicola wants to be another Caraighan," Nisao muttered caustically. "Or another Moiraine. I think she had some notion she could make Myrelle give Lan's bond to her. Well! At least we can deal with that pair as they deserve, now that he's out in the open. Whatever happens to me, it will be a joy to know they'll be squealing from here to year's end."
Well, she certainly didn't get Lan's bond, but obviously she was around when they were studying the subject (Lan's bond, tranfers, sickness and such), and we know that Nicola was blackmailing them (if I remember correctly), and maybe once she lost the opportunity to get Lan, and found out about Elayne...bingo, Areina is her new warder. Great idea.

2

Weird Harold: 2003-05-31

If she hadn't when last seen, she will have by the time we see them again.

I think the mirror image description is a definite clue, although Areina has been fiercely protective of Nicola almost from the start. She could hve simply been offended on Nicola's behalf without being bonded.

I do think this is an axiom that needs to be refuted rather than a theory requiring more proof. i.e. if RAFO proves you wrong, I'll be very surprised.

3

Callandor: 2003-05-31

I like this theory, but it could be the Nicola is just, well... moody, and Areina doesnt like it, but that sounds too far fetched to me. So Ill stick with this one :-).

4

juitzhead: 2003-06-01

Mairashda, great theory. I cant wait to see the development on this. I hope you can develop it a bit further.

5

Mairashda: 2003-06-02

I reread "a morning of victory" (CoS, Ch.12) and I am quite sure that at that point Areina and Nicola were definitely bonded: "Nicola backed up against the oak tree and seemed to be trying to back further. Stains on that white dress(...) Areina was still absorbed in Lan's horse, unaware of what was crashing down on her head." (CoT, p.261)

this is a severe situation for nicola: she's a novice, caught blackmailing full sisters... but areina doesn't even realize anything out of the ordinary is happening. ok, so they're not bonded at this point... but this shows us something about their relationship: once one of them gets into trouble it's every woman for herself. one would think, they grew more apart (they are basically egoistic characters...) over the months of nicola's novice training between then and their next appearance in CoT but the opposite is the case... areina reacts exactly the same way as nicola at a simple scolding that is only directed at nicola...

still, only circumstantial evidence so far...

6

Mairashda: 2003-06-08

whoops! that should be: "definitely NOT bonded". mea culpa.