Tamyrlin: 2010-11-10

I loved the Urien additions as to how, within the books, it can be demonstrated that Verin would be familiar with Aiel concepts, but in a detached kind of way. Plus, it does connect her interests to Rhuidean. Also, I think the rambling thing is a great point, and I'd like to say it was too obvious...however, I didn't catch it when you initially posed her as a suspect, so maybe it was just the right touch. I blame the timeline for deadening my suspicions.

Concerning my Wise One theory, I won't be approaching it as they pulled her into the dream; I don't think they'd go that route simply to introduce new concepts/thoughts to Aviendha prior to entering Rhuidean. Although, I do appreciate that Verin wouldn't necessarily feel that pulling her into the dream was out-of-bounds if she thought it important enough...and I admit I'd love it if Verin did pull her into the dream. Sneaky sneaky Verin.

However, I'm sticking to my guns on it being a Wise One related incident, but I don't feel like arguing that here. :)

Myth: 2010-11-10

I like that it could be Verin and agree with Tam that the best argument is the prattling on. With the time line it is possible Aviendha would be one of the tasks, or "loose ends" she tied up. Although it begs the question of if Verin has ever met Aviendha? If not why, aside from the fact that she would have heard the rumors of her and Rand(and lets assume she believes them), she would seek out Aviendha and lead her in this way.

FelixPax: 2010-11-10

I appreciate your efforts in creating a theory about who or what Nakomi background is. Trouble is this Verin is Nakomi theory based on a bunch of loose facts, and it ignores multiple aspects of what Nakomi states and does which are unique. Secondly, the your quotations about 'prattled', 'rambling' as a tie are weak, as even Graendal has 'prattled' in the story (LoC, Ch.6 'Threads Woven of Shadow' - Sammael pov). That's just conjecture. And did Verin ever consider herself an Aiel or become a Wise One? Nope. Verin is an outsider looking in, on the Aiel Clans. Verin never got to the point of becoming apart of the Aiel Clans which Sashalle Anderly has, as a Wise One.

Chuckles, unlike Tamyrlin who believes Nakomi to be a creation of "a Wise Ones related incident" which I seriously doubt for other reasons... it feels like Nakomi's character is a person who has broken Clan and Sept to live with Tuatha'an traveling in Three-Folds Land after the events at Al’cair Dal. In particular, Tuatha'an travelers who know of the same stew recipes as Soldier Arlen Nalaam claims to have tasted in TofM book.

I believe Nakomi's character is the first Aiel character who's broken Clan & Sept not to join the Shaido Aiel which has been placed in the Wheel of Time, who has spoken. Before Nakomi chararcter various individuals have spoken about those who have broken Clan & Sept. Yet there has not been one example, in their own words why they broken from Aiel & Clan to join up with the Tuatha'an in Three-Folds Land, until Nakomi. Nakomi is a foreshadowing of what is to come.

AK: 2010-11-10

I can't tell from this theory whether the time-line issue is still open or not: could Verin already be dead?

If so, and perhaps even if not, if Verin is a Hero of the Horn, she may have been an Aiel in previous lives and thus have both the knowledge and concern to address Avienda's problem.

Another thought, WRT Verin, is that she knows at least some of the dark prophecies, and may be trying to prevent (or twist) some prophecy about the Aiel in the last battle that we know nothing about.

Another possibility is that it was a regular dream... Aviendha is already concerned about this, and a dream character representing an everyday Aiel is perfectly feasible. She's closely linked to Rand, and thus subject to his Ta'verin manipulation of probabilities.

WRT the Wise Ones theory, I'll point out that (a) dreamwalker(s) may have received all sorts of warnings what must happen to prevent what, and their warning may have nothing to do with the long-term future of the Aiel, but rather with the need for Aviendha to perform specific action in order to guarantee the immediate survival of (maximum numbers of) the "remnant of a remnant". The results of her actions trying to prevent the future she's worried about may have nothing to do with the concerns that motivated those actions.

wotfreak222: 2010-11-10

I hadn't thought about who Nakomi was at all when I read the book the first time through....but after reading through a few more times, the more I thought the encounter was very strange, yet so typical of the WoT. This theory made me think, which I like. I don't think timeline is an issue - Verin is very clearly dead when Rand visits Egwene in the White Tower, however events with Perrin clearly occur before, during, and after the unification of the Tower. Aviendha travels to the Waste some time before the Seanchan attack - therfore it's plausible that Verin learned where she was somehow, traveled to the Waste, had her conversation with her, and then traveled to the Tower. We have already learned that Verin either gave a note or left one of her notes for Alanna in Tear. She clearly travelled around a lot. Kudos to this theory....and I'm so happy that the embargo on TofM theories appears to have been lifted! Onwards, friends! :)

terez: 2010-11-10

@Felix - I love that you pointed out how weak the prattling-rambling connection was. I figured that someone was going to do it, which is why I went into the whole MO aspect of it. This is not just a random mention of Verin rambling, or prattling. She says she has developed it into a Talent because it is her favored tactic. And yes, Graendal has developed a very similar Talent, so good call on using her as a comparison. But if Graendal had found Aviendha alone in the Waste, she would have killed her. I can definitely see Verin having gotten an order from Graendal to kill her, though.

The point is, this is not a random connection, like your cape theory, for example. Verin uses prattling to achieve what she is after indirectly, so that the victim will not suspect what she was really getting at. Or perhaps, they'll know exactly what she was getting at, but they won't see it as a concentrated effort on her part, but rather a random idea that just so happened to come to mind.

@Tamyrlin - I figured you only had two options: pulling her into Tel'aran'rhiod, or invading her dream. The quote I gave covers both options. Even Egwene does not try to enter her friends' dreams; she simply hangs out at the edge and shouts in at them.

terez: 2010-11-11

Also, I forgot to fix the bit where I say Verin only has four points of view in the series. I realized as I was writing the bit about the Cleansing that I'd missed that POV on the POV index. I hope I didn't miss any others; I can't think of any at the moment. But there are five at least (all of them partial).

Lupusdeusest: 2010-11-11

I was suspicious myself at the start of the POV, but the cincher for me - if it were needed - was how she ended; it was almost identical to how she nudges Eggy towards speaking to Laras. It's after midnight here and I'm away from home, so can't get the quotes to put out for comparison. But it was exactly the same method...

Maji: 2010-11-11

well thought out theory Terez. There's a lot more evidence to support this than I originally thought! I thinking that Nakomi was Verin but you added a few more reasons why she probably is than I realized. Thanks :D

telephonesnow: 2010-11-11

I think this is a great theory! As soon as I read the Nakomi bit I was sure she wasn't who she said she was.

Ann Kalagon: 2010-11-11

When I read the chapter I was immediately reminded of both Verin and Graendal. But yeah, Graendal would have compelled her to do more than share a mysterious meal and listen to the Ramble On. And the rambling IS the only real key. (And there was something going on in the neighborhood of compulsion, that's clear from Avienda's blurred awareness of the meal.

As the time line may indeed allow for this to be Verin before she dies, I agree that it must be she. And therefore, it follows that Verin must have been planting the seeds of Avienda working on the problems of what the future of the Aiel will be, even before she experiences the frightening potential future revealed in Rhuidean.

Bravo, Terez!

FanoLan: 2010-11-11

Hi all - well done Terez. I am not a regular poster, but do lurk some. Agree with the N=V theory and wanted to suggest potential motivation. Again, well done with the presentation.

Everyone seems to assume that Verin's target is somehow related directly to the Aiel or Aviendha. I disagree. In my opinion, the true motivation for Verin to arrange this interaction with Aviendha is the same as her motivation during the Aiel tent scene - ensure the Dragon Reborn survives until TG and defeats the DO.

Varying the points of view in the two scenes was a crafty move. The readers are left with Avi's impressions of the encounter with Nokomi and to her it was all about the Aiel and the future. To me, the conversation here served the same purpose as Verin's conversation with the captive AS while in her tent - distract her subject and put them at ease so Verin could then weave her pseudo-Compulsion.

Lots of possibilities for what was specifically planted deep in the brain of one who has bonded the DR (hope it really was Verin and not someone darker).

I'm getting more and more fond of this theory every time I think about it.

Joar Addam Ness0sin: 2010-11-12

A nice theory but I find it highly unlikely for many reasons.

1) Many of you try and create a reason for Verin to have interest in the aiel. I believe her interest towards the aiel is ancillary at best. From the Great Hunt and her encounter with Urien to the Path of Daggers and her work "questioning" the Aes Sedai many of you perceive interest in the Aiel as Aiel, but that is never Verin's inclination. Her interest in the Aiel are twofold, the first being Aes Sedai interest in channeler culture outside their control. Also Verin is well aware of the Prophecies of the Dragon and is in all probabilty begining to link Rand's "ancient blood" to that of the Aiel. And the Second their usefulness to Rand, her motivation is to get Rand to the last battle not the age after, that is her gift to Egwene, not Aviendha.

2) Perhaps Verin can mask her ability, and invert her weaves . . . these are inconsequencial, because there is absolutely no evidence that she knows how to use a mask of mirrors to create a different face for herself. She is not exposed to Nynaeve, Elayne, or Aviendha after they discover this ability. When she meets Masaana, Masaana hides her face in shadow, Verin does not note to Egwene the possibility that Masaana can be using the Mask to hide in the Tower. Why? Verin is not even aware of the Talent, something essential for her to meet Aviendha, a person who would recognize her.

If there exist any Aes Sedai who have a reason to help shape the Aiel in the future it would be Egwene, or Cadsuane, due to the great respect they both have for them.

And finally my theory, Nakomi presents the very issues that Aviendha is about to face in her passage through the ter'angreal. Who have the access to the future visions brought on by the bloodlines of the Aiel? Why the Aiel do, you forgot where Aviendha is and where she is going. During Rand's passage he sees AoL Aes Sedai with the prescient knowledge to give the Green man the horn, banner . . .the same Aes Sedai who eventually travel with the Jenn Aiel into the waste, build Rhuidean, and force the Pact that bring every wise one and clan chief to take the walk through this ter'angreal. Is it not conceivable that the AoL creatures knew how to work the ter'angreal better and saw the entire path to the next age, set the columns up so the future generations would only see the past to forge them. Upon Rand's "three-fold breaking" of Rhuidean he started the chain of events the the Jenn Aiel put in place to allow the "remnant of a remnant" would have a chance to usher in a new age and avoid the mistakes Aviendha saw, Recall the mists protecting Rhuidean in Tel aran rhiod, this three fold breaking would allow a soul tied to Rhuidean in Tel aran rhiod to venture a few miles out to allow for this encounter

The most solid facts i would like to point to is this, 1)She is dressed in neither cadin'sor nor as a wise one, not a belt knife to be seen, reeks of Jenn Aiel and the way of the leaf.

2) She provides food indigenous to the waste, using Aiel terminology "Leafblighter" has an understanding of ji'e'toh that no wetlander has shown, not even Egwene or Rand. TofM p. 606 "once we have fought, we will have met that toh. And therefore will have no reason to be punished further. If that is the case, why would we return to this land? would that not be like seeking more punishment, once toh is met" This statement shows that she has an understanding of ji'e'toh that none but aiel have, that once toh is met it is as if it never happened, not mentioned, and thinking that more punishment would be them being "too prideful" as Melaine points out to Aviendha frequently. Verin would never ever grasp that concept for it is one of the most difficult ji'e'toh concepts to get ahold of.

3)Finally, TofM p.606 "I am far from my roof, yet not far at all. Perhaps it is far from me. I cannot answer your question, apprentice, for it is not my place to give this truth."

This statement has several interesting parts to analyze. She is close to her roof but has traveled a great distance in time, not physical distance. "I cannot answer your question, for it is not my place to give this truth" How many times has Moiraine said this after her trip through the glass columns? She has to be Jenn Aiel.

Lan: 2010-11-12

I'm not sure if I can agree with either this thread or the wise one idea. It seems clear to me that, according to Verin's letter to Mat, that she would have been long dead. Granted, we haven't seen her death, or anything about what she was actually doing. I find this Verin is Nakoni theory quite a bit more plausible than any wise one pulling Aviendha into a dream, mostly because (and I don't remember exactly where) I recall Egwene raising that possibility with them and they being dead set against using Telaranrhiod in that manner.

WG: 2010-11-12

Let's say the DO brought her back in much the same way Lanfear, Ishy, and the 'gars came back. Given her reasons for killing herself, why would he do that? But if Nakomi is Verin, this is really the only way.

The DO had to know what Verin did after Egwene went after the BA full force, so it doesn't make sense. Everything else does, though, and we know Verin is dead because of the BA oath she quoted.

But at the same time, it's too late to introduce new characters like Nakomi, so she must be someone we've seen before, and Verin is the only one who really fits.

This, ironically, is essentially the same problem we had trying to figure out Verin before tGS. It looks like there's one more piece of her puzzle we don't yet know, and we'll have to wait for aMoL to find out what we've overlooked.

TomDL: 2010-11-14

As to Nakomi knowing Avi can channel, you answered your own question in the passage you posted..."She wove a globe of light." Also, Avi is wearing wise one garb by now. And Brandon indicates that Avi answers warily.

terez: 2010-11-15

@Tom - go back and read what I actually wrote again.

@Asmodean - the Jenn are extinct. If their ghosts can speak to people going to Rhuidean...well, seems like some incredibly lame deus ex machina to me.

@Lan - Aviendha left for Rhuidean about 20 days before Verin died, so there's no reason at all to think Verin was already dead, but even if she was, there's still a chance it was her.

Flinn Sedai: 2010-11-15

What I got from reading that section was that Aviendha essentially changed the settings on the columns.

I think it is obvious that the Aes Sedai who set up Rhuidean used the columns to determine what needed to be done. Presumably, they wouldn't have to keep checking the past each time they wanted to check the future.

In addition, the odds of no Wise One ever going through the columns a second time, only to find the future is pretty low. Even more odd to think that if one did, they would go back and start telling everybody that they'd die if they went a second time. Even MORE odd to think that it was programmed to work one way for everybody except Aviendha.

It is POSSIBLE that it is Verin, to the same extent that it's possible it's Cadsuane, Egwene, Elayne, Nynaeve, Masuri, or pretty much any Aes Sedai who came in contact with the Aiel at all. Which is to say that it could have occurred, but there is no particularly compelling reason for them to do it, or even know that she was going (except some of those Aes Sedai I mentioned and didn't, who could have known that she was going).

It doesn't explain the Aiel perspective the person seems to have, the fact that the person NOTICEABLY has no weapon, or the fact that they know the Waste and what she's about to see. While we haven't had much experience with this individual, we do know the following:

1. This person knows that Aviendha is about to see the future of the Aiel, and will be profoundly affected by what she sees.
2. This person grew up/spent many years with the Aiel and in the Waste.
3. This person does not use weapons.
4. This person has viewed the future that Aviendha will have seen as well.
5. This person is put into context that we have previously dealt with (we know her, or know from where they come).
6. This person can channel.
7. This person has a vested interest in the future of the Aiel.

Now, those are some very hard criteria to meet. A couple of them, people can meet. One or two, almost anybody can meet. All of them, though?

Verin fits many. She doesn't use weapons most of the time. Could possibly know the future of the Aiel (she's a secretive and sneaky person). We have met her before. She can channel.

However, she does not have a vested interest in the future of the Aiel, she has not spent much time with the Aiel (yes, she spent some time, but not enough to view things from an Aiel perspective). Effectively, she has no reason for doing it, and doesn't fit the way in which Nakomi acted.

The only way that I can see all of these being fit, is if Nakomi is from the future. The first things to think of are: as far as we know, people can't do that, Aiel of the future fight, and we have no context in which to place her.

The latter can be addressed by her being a descendant of Aviendha's, and thus one of the individuals we've seen, or placed around one of those time frames (most likely just after the Seanchan drove them back to the Waste).

Aiel of the future fight, from what we've seen. However, if they rediscovered Rhuidean and saw how they used to be, I would suspect that they'd be just as horrified as Aviendha was. I would suspect they'd have the same reaction many Aiel had. Throw down their weapons, and try to repent. Give up on fighting.

This leaves the most significant obstacle. As far as we can tell, it's impossible to communicate with the past.

I can't say that I have an answer to that right now. I don't. Perhaps there is a Ter'angreal that allows one to project oneself to the past. Perhaps they discover a new trick, like the 3rd Agers figured out how to Heal Severing.

I will say that this is the only answer I can see that makes sense.

Flinn Sedai: 2010-11-15

Sorry for the double post, but I gave it some more thought, and it occurs to me that we have seen people interact with possible futures.

The rings, for example, in both Rhuidean and the White Tower.

I suppose it is possible that people MIGHT be able to adapt them to a greater scale, similar to how the Bowl of Winds did more than it was intended by having people with a strong Talent.

Lorcin: 2010-11-19

@Flynn Sedai, we don't actualy have any evidence to suggest that Nakomi can channel. The distortion of the dinner may be that Anv. may have been moved into someone else's dream or the world of dreams. Also I personaly think it was a Jen Aiel. Maybe a ghost or a stasis box like Taim. the wheel does keep balance so if it brought someone from the light back it would also have to bring a darkfriend back to.

Flinn Sedai: 2010-11-19

That's true. I think that actually makes the point stronger.

Cannot channel, appeared and disappeared suddenly, etc.... Reeks of a ter'angreal, to me.

In any event, I was re-reading it, and something struck me (finally re-reading the book).

"Interesting thoughts you raise, apprentice," Nakomi said, pouring the tea. "Our land here is called the Three-fold Land. Three-fold, for the three things it did to us. It punished us for sin. It tested our courage. It formed an anvil to shape us."

All of that is past tense. In addition, she refers to it as, "our land". She doesn't say, "This land". It's ownership. That sounds like an Aiel.

In addition, there is this portion.

"Tell me, are you from among those who went west? The ones who joined the one named the Car'a'carn?"

She is an apprentice Wise One. Every Wise One went west. Some came back later, but they all left.

"And so," Nakomi said softly, "once Sightblinder is defeated, what is left for us? Perhaps this is why so many refused to follow the Car'a'carn. Because they worried what it meant. Why continue the old ways? How do we find honor in raiding, in killing one another, if we are no longer preparing for such an important task? Why grow harder? For the sake of being hard itself?"

"The things the Car'a'carn is said to have revealed ..."

Again, everything is past tense. It isn't even questioned if Sightblinder will be defeated. It is once Sightblinder is defeated, then, switches to present tense. She is in present tense when discussing the actions after the Last Battle. She calls them the "old ways", fighting and living by ji'e'toh. When she talks about following the Car'a'carn, and the Bleakness, she is speaking in the past tense.

Compare this to Aviendha's phrasing.

"The Three-fold land makes us strong. So, by leaving it, we become weak."

Present tense.

"I am far from my roof," the woman said, wistful, "yet not far at all. Perhaps it is far from me. I cannot answer your question, apprentice, for it is not my place to give this truth."

Nakomi is far from her roof, but not far at all. Maybe she's close to where it would be, but many years from it existing. She can talk to her about anything, except where she came from. When it is asked again, she deflects the topic. Verin came from Far Madding. That's nothing impressive or causing a need for secrecy there. However she traveled to the past, though, probably has rules on it.

lslattimer: 2010-11-20

Just a thought, but didn't brandon say that a lot of the events in TOM would occur in between the events of TGS? is it possible that Nakomi could actually be Verin using an inverted mirror of mists to meet Aviendha BEFORE she went to the tower to reveal her information to Egwene?

Bond: 2010-11-21

Some additional things to consider: Aviendha eats food proffered by Nakomi and thinks it tastes delicious. Aviendha could have been drugged. Her impression of it as tasting delicious could have been implanted by compulsion. Nakomi uses the term "child" to an apprentice Wise One. Is it not unusual for an Aiel not to carry a weapon when traveling alone? Is it not unusual for an Aiel to approach someone making the journey to Rhuidean? I thought they weren't supposed to receive succor and aid? Verin traveled with Rand during that episode with the portal stone in The Great Hunt. Maybe Verin went to Rhuidean for the same reason Moiraine went to Rhuidean—to seek wisdom from the rings and find answers ahead of the dramatic step she was planning to take. Meeting Aviendha there may not have been her primary purpose but an opportunistic or suggested course from her vision in Rhuidean. Maybe the speculated suggestion implanted by Verin Nakomi is not yet known.

Boundless: 2010-11-24

Ok, ive gotta confess I was confused by Nakomi for all of about ten minutes, but then i though about it a bit and thought it was pretty clear, and i'm amazed that this seems to be such a huge mystery.....but maybe i'm just being cocky. So:

1) Despite the fact that most food in the world tastes rotten, avi's tastes amazing and grows from nothing to an amazing feast in seconds. We saw this a few more times during the book when a certain zen filled person is nearby.

2) The clouds break above avi, which is a clear sign of a certain zen filled person dropping by the neighbourhood.

3) we know that a certain zen filled character drops spends a lot of time with min, and defintitely stops by to visit Elayne too. Does NO ONE not wonder why he hasn't searched for Avi yet???? Zenboy KNOWS that Avi is on her way to Rhuidean, but that doesnt mean he'd skip the chance for a nice candlelit dinner with her.

4) Avi says she cant sense anyone channeling.....this line has been using rather frequently in the books to indicate that the person in question either cannot channel, or much more frequently, is in fact for example a man who can channel disguised as a woman....

5) A certain zen filled person has deep knowledge of the aiel and aiel ways, and has in the past suffered much pain over the concept that he will destroy the aiel, and therefore has reasons to try to minimize that damage by helping them to change quicker.

6) A certain zen filled person suddenly has a much wider perspective on life since his transformation. Its probably not too unreasonable to expect that he has also seen some glimpses of waht may come, and wnats to chane them.

So, in summary, Nakomi simply MUST be BELA........

:-)

yasiru89: 2010-11-27

Hello everyone! Haven't posted here before, but the theories have always been interesting.

Nakomi's appearance, leading in to that brilliantly done, but tragic sequence with Aviendha, was one of the most curious points in Towers of Midnight for me.

I doubt Nakomi was Verin as well, for the simple reason that she lacked both motivation and an Aiel perspective, not to mention Aviendha as the person to approach would not have been clear to her. She did of course have knowledge of the Aiel as well as knowledge of the weaves to disguise her ability and invert weaves (she was with Cadsuane until just before the Trolloc attack in Knife of Dreams if I recall correctly- and Nakomi's disappearing act hints to her being able to channel), but these are circumstantial at best. The 'rambling' manner we see from Nakomi, as was discounted by others in the course of this thread as a telling similarity that she was Verin in disguise, must also be considered with respect to what Aviendha came to think. It seemed to me that the remarks were directed solely to make Aviendha question things, whereas Verin often was prone to actually go on tangents even when she wasn't putting on a placid appearance.

As for the contending theories presented- if Nakomi was Jenn Aiel from the past, then perhaps they managed to work the glass columns ter'angreal the way Aviendha did to see coming the decay of the Aiel and note Aviendha as a tipping point. A dream/ghost explanation is again unnecessary if they knew the working of Portal Stones (the Aiel had some weaves like the first sister weave that were lost to Aes Sedai, so it stands to reason that the Jenn had their own secrets, or maybe the working of Portal Stones wasn't lost to Aes Sedai right at the Breaking), since they'd be able to pick a world where time moves much faster (a possibility noted in The Great Hunt) and have one of their number (Nakomi) appear to Aviendha at the appointed hour.

I think this possibility is a little far-fetched however, whatever method Nakomi would have used.

Then we come to the Nakomi is from the future scenario (perhaps a descendent of Aviendha's)- which is what I would have immediately subscribed to had this been any other series. But there has always been a sense of finality in the turning of the Wheel (the exception being balefire, but even then memories endure) so travelling back in time is difficult to countenance.

What's most disturbing is Aviendha's impression that the future she saw was set. Would her having seen what she did not mean anything then? Would she somehow be stopped from attempting to change things? Perhaps Nicola's Foretelling about the 'future teetering on the edge of a blade' as well as what Min implied about the Last Battle not being a set event given the possibility that the Pattern may be undone if the Shadow prevails means that there's a possibility things will turn out well after all. But now I'm curious about what will happen after the Tar'mon Gaidon more than the thing itself.

Glen: 2010-11-28

@Boundless

"The clouds break above avi, which is a clear sign of a certain zen filled person dropping by the neighbourhood."

Sorry, but you're wrong on this point. Pay close attention to what happens in various scenes of the book. For instance, when we first see Min's POV, she observes that Rand isn't back yet (although he's turned 'warm' - Min makes clear that she feels the bond somewhere in the vicinity of Andor or perhaps the Borderlands - I'm assuming he was in Tar Valon at the time), but that there's an odd circle of clear sky above Tear already. Then Rand gets back. There's also a circle of clear sky above Caemlyn, noted multiple times. And when Elayne turns up in the Fields of Merrilor at the end of the book, Egwene observes that the sky has started to clear above the field.

What's common between Min and Elayne? The bond, of course. They both hold Rand's bond. And who else holds Rand's bond? Aviendha, of course. It stands to reason that Rand's ability to repel the Dark One's influence is somewhat passed on by the bond (although it's not yet clear whether Alanna also gained the ability - the blended bond the three used may be unique in some way). As extra evidence, consider that Cadsuane remarks in her POV that the tea tastes wonderful... just BEFORE Rand returns. Min reacts at the moment that he returns, so he hadn't returned, at that moment, even though it was just moments earlier.

Obviously, your post was in jest, but I thought I'd point out this effect that we saw with the trio.

Elanor: 2010-12-05

I like this theory very much, the more because it seems to me that Verin being Nakomi would be only one more aspect of Verin’s influence in TOM. Whether Verin is still alive when Aviendha goes to Rhuidean or not is, IMO, of little importance: in many ways Verin proves that she can still manipulate people beyond death, and influencing Aviendha would only be consistent with her ‘legacy’ shown in TOM. To me, the trail of the red-blood sealed letters of hers is essential to follow. When she gives Mat his in TGS (Chapter 36 – The Death of Tuon), the letter is described as:

“a small folded piece of paper […]. It was sealed with a drop of blood-red wax.” Then a bit later Mat noticed: “She folded up the picture of him, then took a small leather-bound satchel from her pocket. She opened it, sliding the picture inside, and as she did, he noticed that she had a small stack of folded, sealed pieces of paper inside just like the one he was holding. What was the purpose of those?”

As far as I can tell, in TOM we can track three of these letters, other than Mat’s, very important in itself of course:

* The first one is given to Rand in Chapter 3, ‘The Amyrlin’s Anger’ (p.81). When Rand speaks with Siuan, she:

“was cut off as an Aes Sedai pushed though the group. Tiana?

The woman pulled something out of her sleeve and proffered it to Rand. A small letter with a red seal. “This is for you,” she said. Her voice sounded tense, and her fingers trembled, though the tremble was so faint that most would have missed it. Siuan had learned to look for signs of emotion in Aes Sedai, however.

Al’Thor raised an eyebrow, then reached over and took it. “What is it?”

“I promised to deliver it,” Tiana said. “I would have said no, but I never thought you’d actually come to… I mean…” She cut herself off, closing her mouth. Then she withdrew into the crowd. Al’Thor slipped the note into his pocket without reading it.”

Manipulating an Aes Sedai into promising to do something in the perspective of an event the Aes Sedai thinks will never happen sure sounds to me like something Verin would do.

* The second one is Alanna’s. In chapter 12, ‘An Empty Ink Bottle” (p.190), Cadsuane is:

“holding up a sheet of paper that they’d found in the room. It had been folded with a blood-red seal of wax on one side.”

It seems clear that Verin has sent Alanna on a mission. The two women have spent much time together and Verin actually manipulated her before, as proved by her thoughts in LOC, Chapter 11, “Lessons and Teachers” (p.291): “In her raveled condition, Alanna was bound to be more amenable to guidance, and Verin knew exactly how some of those questions had to be answered. She did not think Alanna would like some of those answers. Best not to let her learn them until it was too late to change them.”

When Rand arrives in Tear in the following chapter and Min tells him about Alanna being gone, Rand says she is “Northward somewhere. The Borderlands, perhaps Arafel.” He is not worried about her going, telling Min “The Shadow does not need her to find me” adding “It’s all right, Min.” I can’t help wondering if part of Verin’s letter to Rand mentioned Alanna’s mission.

* The last letter is seen in Galad’s hands in Chapter 44, “A Backhanded Request” (p.659):

“Galad was tucking something into his pocket. A small letter, it appeared, with a red seal. Where had he gotten that? He looked troubled, though his expression lightened as he arrived.”

This strikes me as a very important clue and, as of the content of the letter, my money is on family ties revelations (Slayer knows Rand is his nephew and Jordan has said “The Shadow knows a lot about Rand.” To explain how he knew it (DragonCon 4 September 2005 - Emma reporting) so there is no reason why Verin should not know about their blood ties as well). I believe Galad being Rand’s half-brother will have a very important role in the Last Battle. Literally, Galad is ‘of the Dragon’s blood’. What if the ‘Dragon’s blood staining the rock of Shayol Ghul’ was Galad’s? That would be a very nice twist on the prophecy’s meaning.

“Twice dawns the day when his blood is shed. Once for mourning, once for birth.
Red on black, the Dragon's blood stains the rock of Shayol Ghul.
In the Pit of Doom shall his blood free men from the Shadow.”

I do not doubt that Rand’s blood will be shed but his may be not the only “Dragon’s blood” shed on that day – hence the “mourning” aspect of the prophecy. To me, the prophecy of the Shadow that ends TOM suggests as much: “And the Lord of the Evening shall face the Broken Champion, and shall spill his blood and bring us the Darkness so beautiful.”

‘Broken Champion’ seems to me to fit Galad much better than Rand (who is the “First Among Vermin” of the prophecy) since Galad’s world in black and white has shattered in TOM. It seems to me that his death might be the event triggering Rand’s final actions in the Last Battle.

Anyways, sorry for the rambling, I must have thought too much of a certain Brown sister lately…

Matt79: 2010-12-05

I don't agree with this theory. It appears to be based initially on the "clue" that Nakomi sensed Aviendha's ability to channel. But if you read the passage more closely you'll see that Nakomi did not need to be a channeler at all to know that Aviendha was channeling: "She wove a globe of light."

This is a very significant difference between the Aviendha/Nakomi encounter and the Egwene/Aviendha encounter cited as supporting the theory. Egewene only *embraced* saidar and *prepared* weaves, while Aviendha actually "wove a globe of light," a physical manifestation easily observed by ANY non-channeler.

>> In the passage with Nakomi, Aviendha embraces the Source, and Nakomi tells her that she means no harm

That's not entirely accurate. Again, Nakomi's statement was made *after* Aviendha wove the globe of light.

terez: 2010-12-10

@Matt - 'I don't agree with this theory. It appears to be based initially on the "clue" that Nakomi sensed Aviendha's ability to channel.'

It's not. That's just the first thing I talked about in the theory.

Lorcin: 2010-12-10

it is possiby that this was all because of Verin (she is a manipltive bitch) as she could have given the letter to Gael or one of the many Ael Rand traveled with. maybe Sorliea

Winleigh: 2011-01-05

The theory that Nakomi is actually Verin is an interesting one, although I just don't get that "vibe" when I read the scene. It seems like more of an internal Aiel thing to me. I am more inclined to go with the Jenn Aiel theory. But when reading Terez's theory, this quote really stood out for me, even though she didn't bold and underline it.

"Urien looked at the sky as though he was trying to remember it. "Will you slay me now, Aes Sedai?"

She blinked. "What?"

"Will you slay me now? One of the old prophecies says that if ever we fail the Aes Sedai again, they will slay us. I know your power is greater than that of the Wise Ones." The Aiel laughed suddenly, mirthlessly. There was a wild light in his eyes. "Bring your lightnings, Aes Sedai. I will dance with them." The Aiel thought he was going to die, and he was not afraid. Perrin realized his mouth was open and closed it with a snap.

"What would I not give," Verin murmured, gazing up at Urien, "to have you in the White Tower. Or just willing to talk. Oh, be still, man. I won't harm you. Unless you mean to harm me, with your talk of dancing.""

Specifically:
"One of the old prophecies says that if ever we fail the Aes Sedai again, they will slay us."

I think this refers to Aviendha's visions, when the white tower finally falls to the Seanchan it will be the fault of the Aiel, and the Aes Sedai taken by the Seanchan will in turn be used as weapons against te Aiel.

purpleque: 2011-01-06

Isn't Verin dead?

Glen: 2011-01-07

Winleigh - interesting idea. It certainly makes sense, that if the Aiel allow the White Tower to fall into the hands of the Seanchan, it will lead to the death of the Aiel. I'm not sure what we get from that, though.

Purpleque - Verin is dead by the time that Egwene is raised Amyrlin... but we don't know at what point in the timeline it is that Aviendha meets Nakomi. The timelines in the book don't all line up - indeed, for a fair amount of time, Perrin's timeline was something like a month behind most of the others. Last we saw Aviendha in a known timeline, she was with Rand's group, and that was well before the sequence of events that began in Arad Doman and ended with Rand upon Dragonmount. Rand was on Dragonmount, as I understand it, not long after Egwene was raised Amyrlin.

Winleigh: 2011-01-07

Glen - LOL, I'm not sure what we get from it either! But I like finding connections between prophesies. Could what Aviendha saw in the ter'angreal be considered a prophecy? Or do you think THAT future could be changed?

Lorcin: 2011-01-08

has anyone noticed that it seems to be the children of the dragon that keep causing all the wars. maybe this has something to do with the last battle i.e the dragons blood being shead. Maybe its the children to stop these future wars.

ChubbyAiel: 2011-01-10

I think this mention of the "rambling"/"prattling" is a bit tenuous, to be honest. If there was a direct literary parallel in the speech or narration, I would give this more credence but the phrasing and vocabulary doesn't appear to be the same at all. To draw this conclusion would imply that every character who has ever gone off on one could possibly be Verin in disguise. Coming to your conclusion as you have done reminds me of when Lost was huge and in every episode you had people seeing "the numbers" when they weren't really there: first you had to add 4 and 8, and lo and behold you got 12 which was on the screen but wasn't actually one of the numbers itself.

Also, I agree with others that Nakomi speaks like an Aiel, while Verin would not. Even if she were making an effort to deceive Aviendha, I think she wouldn't have been able to do such a good job. I also agree with whoever it was above that says her interest in the Aiel, which you demonstrate, is a combination of a Brown's scholarly interest and an Aes Sedai's interest in what another culture does with its channellers. Maybe she somehow knows that if the Aiel follow the course of events that Aviendha sees it will eventually lead to the fall of the White Tower, but even that's a bit unlikely, with no previous allusion.

Lastly, consider the overall feel of the books. Isn't it better that Verin has her moment of glory and gives her life to eradicate the Black Ajah? Or is it better that her last appearance in the series is in a weird encounter in which she talks about something completely unrelated to her recent, all-important work? If I were an author, I know I'd rather go with the former - it just makes more sense and, I think, gives the character her definite moment of glory.

seasnake: 2011-01-21

Honestly, still think Nakomi was the last Jenn Aiel still, one who's been hiding among the Tinkers. But this was certainly fun read.

My only problem with the theory is this: Why? What does Verin gain from disguising herself as an Aiel, waiting for Aviendha in the Waste, and having a rambling conversation with Aviendha about the future of the Aiel? That does she think Aviendha will do in response to her rambling conversation, and why does she think Aviendha must be the one to do it?

I just don't think Verin, who's time was so short, would have gone through this elaborate charade when there is so little that she could conceivable gain. Unless a LOT is revealed in AMOL about Verin it just doesn't make sense.

Ashand4rei: 2011-01-26

A couple things: For the entrance, I think the actuality is a lot simpler than Verin doing such complex things as pulling Avi into a dream or jumping into her dream. That sound at the beginning is the key. It's the same thing that happens when Mat got attacked by DF Aiel sent by Sammael(IIRC) way back when when he was leading the Band to the Plains of Maredo(IIRC) as part of the "hammer" to crush Illian and sleeping in his tent. He hears "a sound" that actually ends up being a gateway from the sliced grass and tent ropes he later finds. I'm positive that this is the same sound, that of a gateway opening that Avi hears. What do you think?

Secondly, you probably already have seen/found this but I recently found a provisional ToM calendar courtesy of moratcolm on the dragonmount boards that shows Verin to be quite alive when Nakomi visits Avi in the Waste, I figured it might help with your evidence for the theory.

Ashand4rei: 2011-01-26

Forgot to put the actual ToM calendar link!

Lorcin: 2011-01-29

@Seasnake your forgetting that Verin chose her time of death, she could have left it to later if she had a good enough reason, but i think your dead on with the whole gateway thing and ty for posting it.

terez: 2011-01-29

Yeah, I already pointed out the evidence that Verin was still alive then. Morat'corlm's timeline is based on that evidence.

ChubbyAiel: 2011-01-31

I suppose I'm repeating myself but the issue of timeline and opportunity is surely secondary to "Why would she?" from the character's point of view and the author's point of view.

Lorcin: 2011-02-05

Verin is at heart a god person we can see that by the way she sarifices herself to tell edwind everything she knows about the black ade (sorry for the spelling mistakes) and I think from her point of view saving an entire nation would be worth the small delay. Also for her it may have been another chance for redemtion for the unknown things she did as a darkfriend

ChubbyAiel: 2011-02-07

Lorcin,
If she had that information, she wouldn't keep it to herself because she is a good person - I can agree with you there. My problem with it is that we have absolutely no reason to believe that she has been mulling over the possible future problems for the Aiel, nor has she had any access to visions of the future concerning them, as far as we are aware. For Verin to pop up in such a strange scene to give advice in this manner about something for which she doesn't seem to have had any special concern in the past strikes me as strange.

That is what I meant by "Why would she" - not a moral question, but why would she have any information or special interest in the matter. The points made in the original article strike me as incidental and not strong enough to make such a connection between Verin and Nakomi.

matisodin: 2011-02-24

i like Boundless's take. Those things ARE all representative of Rand's presence.

wantfear: 2011-02-27

I've been reading on this site for close to three years and i've only just now decided to make an account.

Well, i've noticed several people make an argument saying that verin wouldn't have known where and when aviendha would be on her trip to the waste, or wondering why she would take any interest in the aiel.

the second argument has a simple answer, "[her] soul is as white as the light itself"<-Quote from TGS. if she can do anything to fight the shadow, i have a feeling that the woman will do it.

As to how she would have knowledge abou the aiel or aviendhas location, i think back to TGH when rand takes hiself, matt, perrin, VERIN, and the shienarians through a portal stone, and they see all of their alternate lives and the different ways that things could go.

Now, lets assume that she did come across this information in one of the alternate lives, lets think about how likely that is. We know that a soul that has the ability to channel in one life will have the ability to channel in another, but just for kicks lets say that she only discovers how to channel 5 out of every 10 lives. she only becomes aes sedai and lives until the days of when the dragon should be around half of those times, the rest of the time she is killed early by the black ajah or joins the kin or something else ridiculous happens.

still, about a quarter of the time she would've become an aes sedai. we known that everything didnt necessarily have to end happily, rand could've gone bat shit crazy instead of having his awesome epiphany, and the aiel could go to war with the seanchan. now im not going to go out on a limb nd say that the seanchan are evil( even though their prophecies might've been partially written by ishidin, but in the future that we saw through aviendhas PoV the white tower still existed after the last battle, so verin could've very well been one of the aes sedai who survived in that future. if she was, then she would know all about what the aiel would go through without reverting to the way of the leaf.

Davo: 2011-03-30

I reckon Nakomi is Rand. Boundless makes some good points.

Oden: 2011-03-31

@Davo
But has Rand learned how to mask his bond so that Aviendha wouldn't feel him beeing near? Is it even possible for him to do that? IIRC the theory that Warders can mask their bond from his Aes Sedai hasn't been confirmed.

NeverEndingLurker: 2011-04-03

When I first read the passage, I initially just thought Nakomi was a wandering spirit due to the fact that one of the major signs of the weakening seals was to see the "Dead Walk Again". No one said that all the dead had to be evil and so I thought it was just that and a good moment for "spiritual reflection". But these theories are so much more fun. :-)

FROMTHEFARMADDINGCROWD: 2011-08-20

I think a big clue in the scene is that Aviendha clearly lost some time while Nakomi "rambled". She is shocked that the roots could be finished cooking so quickly. As far as we know, Verin is the only character to plant suggestions while rambling on about matters that may or may not be connected to these suggestions and in her own POV she thinks that she developed this method herself by piecing together bits that she picked up over the years. Therefore, while someone else could be doing the same thing, it seems unlikely.

I also think her reason for doing this is the trip through the Portal Stones. She learned a number of things about possible futures and her letters and errands are her way of saving the world not only up to the Last Battle but for as long afterward as she can. Certainly she would see a world dominated by the Seanchan as a bad thing for both the Aes Sedai and the Aiel.

AshamanFromTV: 2011-10-31

So, when I was reading this section of the book, my first thoughts was that Nakomi is a Jenn Aiel. Have to agree with Joar Addam Ness0sin. I mean, let's face it, they're the "true" Aiel and yet we haven't seen them anywhere except in flashbacks, and the rest of the Aiel are all hush-hush about them. As far as Nakomi sneaking up and disappearing on Aviendha, it has been referenced several times about how people have been sneaking up on her lately (especially Amys). So why not an Aiel who has remained in the Three-fold Land. What better way to prepare a Wise One to go into the glass columns, than to have a "true" Aiel show the way. Also agree with Glen about the sky clearing around Rand's girls. Anyways, that's my two cents, and now that I'm finally caught up (because I'm lame and wait for paperback editions), I'm greatly enjoying all the theories everyone has for this masterpiece of epicness.

Kamaul: 2011-11-02

How can she be Jenn Aiel if the Jenn Aiel don't exist anymore. They had ceased to exist.

The Shadow Rising: The Road to the Spear: "`Our days dwindle,` Mordaine said. `A day will come when the Jenn are no more, and only you will remain to remember the Aiel. You must remain, or all is for nothing, and lost.`"

So, we have Mordaine, a Jenn Aiel, pronouncing the Jenn Aiel's doom, at the time that Rhuidean was half finished. Why would Rhuidean stay half finished for three thousand years if people were there to work on it?

AshamanFromTV: 2011-11-04

You got me there. I had forgotten about that passage as the one stating that the Jenn are the thirteenth clan, and that they are but are not, always comes to mind first when I think about them (I think that's mentioned when Rhuarc is telling about Rhuidean the first time in TDR, but someone else is borrowing my books). This lead me to the view of the Jenn as a group of Aiel that are still around, but you never see them, only rumor (kind of like the Jedi in Star Wars 4 and 5 before Obi-Wan and Yoda show up). Thus, when Amys kept saying that, even though Aviendha could Travel right to Rhuidean to save time with the Last Battle coming up, she should still travel through the Waste, my mind placed the label of Jenn Aiel on Nakomi when she did appear. But with this comment from TSR, it could all be wishful thinking or a really cool "Surprise, still some of the originals around!" :)

Tomp: 2011-11-05

Just wanted to throw something out there.

Nakomi could be Avienda from the future.

Let me explain. After the last battle everything goes turdwise. Avienda learns that the only way to get it right is to subtly influence events in the past. We know from earlier that a channeler can mask the ability to channel. Who knows what they learn in the future concerning using the power to travel through time. Maybe they through a portal stone ends up in a world where time flows backwards or something.

Just a thought.

NKD: 2011-11-07

Hey guys.. im kinda new here.. but then again has anyone considered the option of time travelling? The portal stones are something that has been known to do just that. Rand did it in the second book if im not wrong. Now considering Aviendha who can channel will live upto 500 or 600 years. Thats 5 centuries for some smart channeler to discover the Talent of time travelling. What im tryin to tell is why cant Nakomi be Aviendha herself..but from the future!!!

Future Aviendha knows that Present Aviendha has to come to terms with the purpose of Aiel by Rand thingy for the Aiel to survive. What better way to make sure Aviendha thinks of that than by going back to the past herself. One last thing to do before she dies or something.The future Aviendha seeing the gradual destruction and strife of the Aeil realise that something has to be done and decides to go back in the past, Terminator style.

Aviendha was on a completely desolate area in the Waste when she meets Nakomi. And being an Aeil she must have hidden her fire and camp very well. In spite of that an old woman finds her camp. I feel Nakomi could do that cause Nakomi(future Aviendha) knew exactly where her past self was camping.

Im gonna stick to this theory until proven wrong. Have always loved the time travellings

Nona: 2011-11-11

The lines between truth and reality are thinning. Dead are walking among the living. Nakomi might well be Jenn.

Aviendha would have felt her channeling, had she Traveled away. The only two possibilities are, that she isn't real, or that she wields the OP (which seems unrealistic).

FarDareisMaiGrandma: 2012-05-11

I think that maybe Nakomi was a DF wise one who was simply trying to get information from Avienda. The blackouts that Avi experience during their conversation are not quite typical of the ones that Nynaeve and Elaine experienced when Moghedien questioned them in Tanchico but they are similar. None of them realized that they had been questioned, they just remembered that they had had a conversation with a woman unknown to them before the encounter. I would imagine that there are many things that the DF's would like to learn about Rand's plans. Where better to get them than from Avi? And they definitly would not want to kill her and possibly alert Rand that they were aware of what they might have learned from her.

Nocterequiem: 2012-08-31

Several things about Nakomi are strange which I don't think people are picking up on.

First is her name. Lots of names are important in WoT. Nokomis is a motherly figure, or a grandmother figure. Nakomi uses deeproot herbs on the shellback, the same as Aviendha's mother. This is important.

The way she dresses and the fact that she has no weapons are important. Not a warrior, not a Wise One.

The way that time sneaks up on Aviendha is important. T'A'R? Bubble of Good? Compulsion?

The way that Nakomi addresses Aviendha is important. She starts off calling her Wise One, then child, then apprentice Wise One. This is important.

This is fitting considering the purpose of Aviendha's journey to Rhuidean and the first page and a half of the chapter. She is so SURE of the Aiel's purpose after the Last Battle in the beginning of the chapter. The Aiel would return to the Three Fold Land. After her trip later in the book she is profoundly troubled and is unsure of what path to take. The future is awful for the Aiel. She needs to change it.

Nakomi is trying to affect the way that Aviendha thinks about the future of the Aiel. She apparently has intimate knowledge of who Aviendha is and what she thinks. The question is then, who is Nakomi?

The trolly Rand theory is awesome but doesn't hold any weight. About the same weight as a bubble of evil theory or an agent of the creator theory. All possible, but no evidence.

I don't think it's Verin. I admit that it's possible. She's apparently the Creator's agent in this the hour of need. Her letter to Mat to attempt to save Caemlyn, her books for Egwene, her letter for Rand to tell him where the king of Arad Doman is, and her letter to Alanna. Her impassioned speech to Egwene about caring for the future, not the future of a specific people, but THE future. Maybe one of those letters in her 'small stack' was to a Wise One or someone else who would go to meet Aviendha and convince her to rethink how she thought of the Aiel. That doesn't explain the Aiel mannerisms and the mother aspects or the time effects though.

Hell, maybe Nakomi is one the red veiled Aiel we see in the prologue of ToM. (Highly doubt that though)

Ukomba: 2012-11-08

Just thought I'd point out that Nakomi can be rearranged into almost perfectly into Okami, Japanese meaning "great god" or "great spirit".

Keeping the N, a better fit would actually be No-Kami. Kami being the word for divinity, No-Kami is often added to the end of the names of Names for divine beings or positions. As in, Ôhiru-Menomuchi-No-kami, "Great Goddess" or "Great Spirit Who Shines in the Heavens". Perhaps more fitting for Verin, Daigaku-No Kami, a Japanese Imperial court position and the title of the chief education expert.

So Verin, if dead, wouldn't have had to visited her in the world of dreams. If she were an agent of the Creator, a divine educator, she could be sent to the waking world. If the Horn of Valere could do it, so could the creator. Verin earned a position as hero.

Macster: 2012-11-18

@Kamaul: Just thought it worth mentioning (since others who believe in the Jenn theory have brought it up) that that quote from Mordaine doesn't necessarily mean what it seems to on the surface. She doesn't say the Jenn are dying or will die, but that "a day will come when the Jenn are no more"--as in, no longer Jenn. Such as when the Aiel all know there true past and return to the Way of the Leaf, so there will no longer need to be a distinction between them and the Jenn. And she says "our days dwindle" which could just as easily mean their days in Randland, not their days alive--as in, that they were planning to leave Randland either through the Portal Stones or TAR.

And of course none of this addresses the fact the Jenn could be dead yet still be around, if their souls are bound to Rhuidean through a ter'angreal, TAR, or a Portal Stone world. Their memory could even be preserved through the glass columns, explaining why they feel alive to Aviendha and how the change from past to future events happened. Plenty of options which still allow for Nakomi to be Jenn, whether alive or not.

Waxer: 2013-09-18

In the epilogue as rand is carrying Moridins body out of the tunnel a figure kneeling down beside him. "yes" a woman whispered. I think she is Nakomi. Maybe she is form the age of legions.