1
Tamyrlin: 2002-11-12
I think Perrin would give up Rand before he would give up Faile...so, will evil forces get a hold of Faile, will he have to choose? I think it is a possibility. I think Rand will have to choose between his friends and defeating the DO in the end. So maybe some will be forced into a similar decision.
2
beslan1: 2002-11-15
Here is the caption from the CoT cover:
"Perrin Aybara seeks to free his wife, Faile, a captive of the Shaido, but his only hope may be an alliance with the enemy. Can he remain true to his friend Rand and to himself? For his love of Faile, Perrin is willing to sell his soul."
"His only hope may be an alliance with the enemy." I think it is most likely that Perrin will be forced to make an "alliance" with the Shaido: Some sort of exchange in which the Shaido will not kill Faile, but only if he will allow them to get to Rand through some deception. In other words, Perrin will have to use Rand's trust in him to set up Rand for some sort of trap that will enable the Shaido to capture him. And Perrin will agree, because, as someone pointed out, Faile has become a higher priority to him than Rand is.
And as for "Can he remain true to both Rand and himself"... I believe that Perrin will make the agreement with the Shaido, all the while hoping in the back of his mind that he will be able to come up with some plan to avoid having to betray Rand. Hence, the inner conflict within him, and the uncertainty about what will really unfold.
But in the end, he will betray Rand, to save Faile.
3
Therilon: 2002-11-22
You know, I believe that Perrin would not be a darkfriend. We've seen his POV quite often, and, what about the wolves? The wolves would NOT take well to having a Shadowrunner in their pack.
4
dionysus: 2002-12-11
To take the statement "His only hope may be an alliance with the enemy" one step farther, let's not assume the enemy mentioned here is the Shaido, but the Dark One. If Perrin's only option of freeing his wife is to switch sides, it could lend to the darkfriend theory better. just mho.
5
Therilon: 2002-12-13
How would he ally with the Shaido in any case? They are holding Faile captive. I think that "his only hope MAY" to be noteworthy. Perrin may seriously consider it, but turns back at the last moment.
I think the alliance with the enemy could be with Masema. Rand ordered him to disarm him, and Masema seems positively hostile sometimes.
6
Grizz: 2002-12-14
The word 'enemy' is kind of vague. If we step back and figure out how many enemies Perrin has it is quite a few. Mesama, Seanchan, Shaido, DO and friends and don't forget the Whitecloaks. Wouldn't that be interesting to see him give himself up to the Whitecloaks to save Faile if they help in the attack of the Shaido?
7
Therilon: 2002-12-16
In the review at DM, the reviewer says something like Perrin will do something that will make your jaw drop.
What if that is switching sides?
8
Drekan: 2002-12-16
I think the important line is
'For his love of Faile, Perrin is willing to sell his soul'
This has a certain feel of a play I know. Faust. sold his soul to the devil for his hearts desire.
If this wasn't just a mistake, I think that Perrin will damn himself and sell his soul to the DO to get Faile away safe and sound(especially if the Aiel kill her, they havent hesitated with a lot of others.) We already know that Perrin is willing to do things like this for what he thinks is right(says he will give himself up to the Whitecloaks if they help Two Rivers) but will also make sure the other side fulfils their bargain before hand, otherwise no go.
9
beslan1: 2002-12-19
Therilon & Dionysus: Where does this imply that he is a darkfriend? The problem with Perrin going over completely to the darkside is that he is one-third of the triad with Rand and Mat that is necessary for the forces of good to win Tarmon Gaidon, no?
Because of this, i still hold to the hypothesis that Perrin will be put into a double-bind situation wherein the Shaido will force him--using Faile as insurance--to betray Rand in some way. If he brings them Rand, then they will hand over Faile, or something to that effect. But this does not mean his turning himself over to the Darkside, which to me implies a mindset that is supportive of the DO. Perrin may unwittingly help the DO, but not out of direct desire to help him, only out of his desire to save Faile. His intentions are still pure--i.e. he is not acting in the interests of the DO--therefore we cannot call him a DF, imo. Yet his actions will still be strongly against the goals of the forces of Light. From this pov, Perrin's "selling his soul" will be more figurative than literal.
And Therilon: How would Masema be tied in with freeing Faile? I doubt the Shaido will not kill her if Perrin tries to free her with brute force. As for how does he ally with the Shaido--He makes some sort of rescue attempt, but it is repelled at the last minute, Faile is held with a knife at her throat, and Perrin is forced to comply.
As for your idea Grizz: I like it. But, the reference on CoT refers to the effects of Perrin's actions on Rand, more than it implies self-sacrifice. For this reason, I believe it will be something which involves Rand much more directly. His giving in to the Whitecloaks would affect Rand indirectly, but not as directly as the statement about CoT implies to me.
Finally, the new info we recently received from the review at Dragonmount seems to support the ideas we are discussing here. As to who is right about how Perrin will actually "sell his soul", I guess only Jan. 7 will tell! :-)
10
SDog: 2002-12-19
Taking one of the ideas presented earlier, and changing it slightly, what if Perrin sells Rand out to the Seanchan, to get Faile back. Recall that the Seanchan have the male a'dam somewhere in their possession. Perrin may not know this, and so may arrange a "meeting" between Rand and, say, Suroth.
He's using his trust in Rand for a purpose he knows to be less than honorable, but not to the extent that he thinks it is totally bad. Little does he know that they plan to trap Rand with the collar.
11
beslan1: 2002-12-19
Actually, sdog, yes, i've been wondering how to fit in the male a'dam into the equation. I was thinking along the same lines too, but I'm just not sure how to tie the Seanchan into rescuing Faile.
It is also clear that Sevanna has some pretty strong interest in Rand, and she already has Faile.
Guess we'll RAFO! ;-)
12
Callandor: 2002-12-20
Personally I see the male a'dam coming into effect due to Mat and Tuon. As for Perrin, I tend to agree more to him selling out Rand to say Sevanna, who wants to marry Rand to rule the "wetlands". I think shes been out in the sun a bit too much :-P. But we all have to RAFO :-( :-).
13
Underhill: 2002-12-22
I don't think Robert Jordan's writing style is dark enough to have perrin turn darkfriend on us. Its not in Perrin's character either.
I think that he's going to try and pull off a trade with the shaido. He's outnumbered and would surely be destroyed if he tried so the best way to get her back is to use his brains. Sevaana's not likely to give up her precious new royal gai'shain but perrin has something that she want's even more, Aes sedai. It's likely that he'll try to find a way to get the Hostages back and try to keep the Aes Sedai from getting into their hands too, so he'll probably give himself over -a trusted and valluable friend of The Dragon Reborn- for stakes until the exange is done. He could easily bring along onre of the Asha'man and travel out of there beforehand.
It's not perfect but I think it's far mor likely to happen then him becoming a darkfriend.
I favor the whitecloak Idea too.
14
silverwolf: 2002-12-28
Is everyone forgetting about Galina? She's BA, helping Faile, and a prisoner of the Shaido, but no one has mentioned her yet! I think that Galina will hold Faile hostage (after escaping from the Shaido) to be allowed to go free, gain access to Rand, gain access to non-black Aes Sedai, whatever. I don't know what Galina would require in exchange for Faile's release, but I bet Perrin will agree to it no matter what (remember that in TPoD Perrin said "The world can burn as long as she is safe!"
15
Callandor: 2002-12-29
But remember she is bound by the Shaido Wise Ones.
16
jason: 2003-01-07
Callandor, the Wise Ones never said she couldn't escape from them. If Galina were to escape, the Wise Ones wouldn't be able to influence her, yet she would still be adhering to the oath she took.
17
Therilon: 2003-01-08
As this theory was more of a 'what if' type of thoery, I never meant it to be literal. I thought that, in the dust jacket of CoT, what sort of choice Perrin would be faced with. As I have not read CoT yet, I do not know what is the outcome is.
Galina can escape, but she is conditioned not to. Remember, she tried about five times, and learned to obey the Wise Ones. In any case, I think that they would catch her. If anyone just said, "stop" causually, she would have to.
18
Toraal: 2003-04-28
Ok I know that I'm a bit late to participate in this debate but that won't stop me:)
Don't neglect to consider the importance of one of Mins viewings in the early part of the series. I do not remember the exact words, but she see sparks beeing eaten by darkness around the boys and know that all three of them must be together in order for the sparks to overcome the dark.
The only interpretation I see is that Rand, Mat & Perrin must all be present at the last battle in order for the light to win; ERGO, Perrin will remain loyal. If Perrin defects Mr. Jordan will have given away the ending, and that will be one of utter defeat for Rand. To me this seems unlikely. Perrin will not betray Rand.
19
heronblade: 2003-06-04
what about the finns? they trade for wishes and if matts going for M then y cant P go to ask for Falie? theres the 2 tavern thing but that could be the doorway, not the world through the tower. and wasnt that only really bad when there was the three of them?
20
rubbernilly: 2003-06-05
I don't buy the theory, nor Perrin asking for Faile back from the Finn.
The 'enemy' mentioned has to be Seanchan, showing up with Tallanvor at the end of CoT. And the 'thing' mentioned by the reviewer at DM - the thing that Perrin will do that will really flip your lid - is obviously cutting off a man's hand just to find the answer to his questions.
Now I realize that many of these posts were written before CoT was released, but this is what you get or reading too much into too little.
21
Shadow Bane: 2003-06-09
I've had this little theory for a while now. What if Perrins group met up with Galads. The Two Rivers men and Aram regard the WC with hate so Galad asks why and Perrin tells him. Then Galad because he always does the RIGHT thing feels obligated to help Perrin and co. so they work out an agreement to try and save Faile. I think is the most likely because Masema is to weak(the guys a nutcase) And it looks as though Rand and mat will keep the Seanchan busy for a while.
22
Lan: 2003-12-15
Just because it says that he will ally himself with the enemy does not mean he will become a shadowbrother. There are the whitecloaks, the Shaido, Padan Fain, and just because he allys himself with someone doesn't mean that he'll switch sides, so it is possible that he'll encounter one of the Chosen and strike a deal with them. That doesn't make him shadowsworn, but it might definately make for an tense conversation with Rand when he returns.
23
Far Aldazar Din: 2003-12-15
the enemy is the seanchan. at th end of CoT Perrin talks abouthow there are seanchan near by, also at the ed of CoT, there is talk of how the seanchan have a new powerful ally. in my opinion, the seanchen perrin mentions are the ones looking for the daughter of the nine moons,so maybe perrin is going to have to sell out mat for the seanchan's help. i also think that somehow mat and perrin meeting up to rescuefaile will lead to moraine's rescue.
24
Thousanth Son: 2003-12-15
I doubt that the enemy that Perrin allies with is the Dark One. Mostly because Faile would not except him after he freed her, she is in love with Perrin, but I am not sure that she would stay that way if he was a Darkfriend.
Perrin is Ta'veren. The Pattern will give him what he needs. It is the perfect time for Perrin to ally with the Seanchan, as Rand is about to speak with them and likely make an agreement, Mat is going to marry Tuon (sooner or later) so it makes sense that Perrin would also tie himself to the Seanchan in someway.
25
Deadsy: 2003-12-16
I don't think Perrin is meeting with the people looking for Tuon. Karede only took 120 DWG and 6 damane with him. Perrin is meeting with someone who has 15,000 Seanchan, who are hunting the Shaido. Karede wouldn't get sidetracked into a battle with the Shaido when he's looking for her.
26
Far Aldazar Din: 2003-12-16
the enemy in the cover is the seanchan. at the end of the perrin segment of CoT, perrin is talking to tallanvor about how there are 15,000 seanchan w/ damane nearby who are looking for the shaido. also somewhere in CoT (i'm not sure where or by whom its said) it is mentioned that the seanchan have a new ally. i think this is perrin. also, i think perrin working with the seanchan to free faile will lead perrin to mat.
27
Merk: 2005-04-27
I guess this one has pretty much been refuted as the books played out. But I just wanted to say that I don't think one can become allies with the DO. The DO doesn't have allies, he has servants, or vassals, or lieutenants, however you want to look at it.
Also, how would it even be possible, as the rest of the blurb says, for Perrin to become a darkfriend and still remain true to Rand and to himself?
28
Aiel Finn: 2005-04-29
The pattern probably wouldn't allow Perrin to become a DF unless Rand and Mat do too, and I'm sure that's not going to happen.
29
sarutobi: 2005-05-10
About Perrin being the new ally of the seanchan. I think this is wrong at the moment. All of Perrins POV have said nothing of this alliance. However they have talked about Mesema talking with the seanchan. I think Mesema is the new ally. However i do believe this enemy is the seanchan and he will be forced to make a deal with the seanchan. He will help them get Rand in exchange for their help rescuing Faile.
30
Traveller: 2005-07-18
I think that we need some more hints from Jordan before we can seriously consider this as it seems a little far-fetched. Also i don't think this is a very Jordanish thing to do, so there you are.
31
Ozymandias: 2005-07-18
First off, the review on the back cover may not be exactly the right material to go by in determing plot. I find those are over-dramatized often to sell more copies, since most people read that before purchasing the book. However, if we take that as fact, how about this explanation.
Perrin "selling his soul" seems to e the fulcrum here. Is it not possible that Perrin begins to love his axe, and killing, too much to stop before he gets to Faile? He has always hated violence, but just in the last book he tortured the Shaido in order to get info, and afterwards hated himself for it. If a soul is the embodiment of a person, then that qualifies as beginning to sell his soul, since he is abandoning his values to regain Faile. Just a thought, since a large part of Perrin's internal conflict revolves around that axe. Selling one's soul doesn't really entail dying, because otherwise martyrs would be DF. I happen to like the axe theory, but whatever
32
Ishamael: 2005-07-19
Perrin allies with the seanchan..that is the enemy...but knowing that..even IF he allied himself with say..the DO or one of the Forsaken..doesn't mean he is a Darkfriend. Remember Asmo?..was forced to ally himself with Rand...but that didn't mean he became a Lightfriend. He even states so just before he was whacked. He was still the same man he always was..Perrin also..will still be the same as he always was..regardless of who he allies with..he just wants his choda back..thats all..and he is willing to do anything to get that back..so yea..in short.. Perrin=Lightfriend ...TG wont be won otherwise...though a book in which Evil wins might be entertaining..but I don't think that is RJ's style... the enemy allience=Seanchan ...as to how that will negatively effect rand...we can only guess...we will just have to RAFO...patience people..the answers are coming
33
Zepher: 2005-07-19
I just read the KoD prolog and have to think that Perrin will ally with the Whitecloaks. I think that Galad will play a role in that he is not a Questioner. Byer may throw a wrench in the mix due to his hatered of Perrin but I think Byer's loyalties to Galad will win out.
