1
Tamyrlin: 2004-02-10
It wouldn't surprise me, and I think I have asked myself that question before. I am guessing that there is more proof, beyond the quote in your theory. But it could be written off as being very close friends. I could lean both ways, but spend some time searching around, you might find proof either way.
2
Dorindha: 2004-02-10
The biggest problem is how would she know the weave? As far as I can tell, no one has bonded a warder in the open in Salidar - what Elayne saw seemed to be a ceremony, and this is the kind of thing I mean.
The only way I could see her knowing about it is if she got it out of Myrelle and Nisao.
3
Mairashda: 2004-02-10
Nicola was caught spying on sisters... and she was a long time around myrelle and lan. anyway...details may be extracted from my theory stating exactly the same thing.
4
Mairashda: 2004-02-10
there we go...
"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.
5
Davian93: 2004-02-10
First of all, let me say I submitted an expanded version of this theory with all the quotes already but here goes.
It all starts out for me when Nicola starts eavesdropping on Elayne, Nyneave and Birgitte. There's a pretty good chance she knows that Elayne bonded Birgitte long before she was an AS.
"In the mouth of the alley, novice-clad Nicola looked startled for a moment. So did Birgitte; then she studied her bow, looking amused."
Also she really wanted to equal Elayne and Nyneave in every way she could. Her ambition and jealousy of them could have lead her to bond someone she could trust.
"Nicola lacked the inborn spark—without teaching, she would never have touched saidar— but already her promise was spoken of, the strength she would have one day if she applied herself. Two years earlier, with more potential than any novice in centuries, she would have caused real excitement. That was before Elayne and Egwene, and Nynaeve herself, though. Nicola never said anything, yet Nynaeve was certain she was determined to match Elayne and Nynaeve, if not better them. She never stepped over the line of propriety, but she often walked it."
There is also the matter of her trying to blackmail Egwene for extra traing and her successful blackmail of Myrelle and Nisao. There is no telling what weaves they taught her to keep her quiet. I'm sure she used the opportunity to get as much as possible. Her teachers said she often "picked up weaves as if she already knew them" CoS Ch.11
She wanted to make Myrelle give her Lan's bond so its very possible that barring that she simply bonded Areina, her close friend who just happened to want to be everything that Birgitte was. "I think she had some notion she could make Myrelle give Lan's bond to her" CoS ch. 12
"Nicola stepped closer. Large eyes met Egwene's perhaps more directly than a novice's should have. "Mother, I want to go as far as I can." Her hands plucked at her dress, but her voice was cool and self-possessed, fit for an Aes Sedai. "I won't say they are holding me back, but I am sure I can become stronger than they say. I just know I can. You were never held back, Mother. No one has ever gained so much of her strength as fast as you. All I ask is the same chance.""
and also
"I know they're both Aes Sedai now, Mother, but wouldn't they still be in trouble if anyone found out? The sisters, I mean? Anybody who pretends to be a sister is in trouble if they find out, even years later." Nicola's face did not change, but her gaze suddenly seemed to be trying to fix Egwene's. She leaned a little forward, intent. "Anybody at all. Isn't that so?""
So basically we have Nicola, who wants to learn everything, has a history of learning weaves she's not supposed to know and Areina who is trying to be exactly like Birgitte down to dressing like her, learning the bow, and maybe even having Nicola bond her.
Also, Nicola has been caught trying to see the Traveling weave so even if Myrelle, Nisao or some other AS that she maybe blackmailed her didnt show her the bonding weave, its very possible she snuck and saw it. Its just a interesting possibility that struck me while reading CoT.
6
Davian93: 2004-02-10
To Mairashda:
Sorry, I never saw your old theory. I apologize sincerely. I didn't mean to copy your work. Next time I will do a better job of searching the theory archives before submitting one.
7
Daekyras: 2004-02-11
Nicola is a Darkfriend
8
Mairashda: 2004-02-11
oh, no offence taken. especially your 2nd version goes much more into detail.
and isn't it good to know that other people get the same idea? menas that you can't be too far from the truth, right?
9
dragonsceptor: 2004-02-11
I really like this theory. I think that both Nicola and Areina had the desire and will to do this. While we can't confirm that Nicola knows the weave, as has been shown it is likely she was able to learn it. This deserves a faction.
10
Cossack: 2004-02-16
There is a great chance of this being true. I support this.
Nicola has many mysteries surrounding her, she is considered darkfriend by many and many just dont like her. After all, for all we know, she could have learnt the bonding weave from a Black Ajah.
I would just like to point out the obvious
facts against what Davian said "Nicola and Areina often mirror each others emotions. Egwene comments on this mirroring towards the end of CoT."
This could be just friendly emotion. Areina might be just an overly zelous friend. Which leads me to my next point. Maybe Areina just behaves like a warder and maybe Nicola just wants to pretend that she has a warder for her own self indulgent self.
One never knows in the world of RJ
11
Korell: 2004-02-18
There is no difinitive proof that Nicola is a DF people can do evil things without being evil themselves eg children of the light. that said though it is quite possible even probable if she is not already a DF she might become one
there certainly could be support that she is a DF if not more eg "she picks up weaves as if she already knows them" that is a rather odd comment seeing how in Rands camp they are always watching for somone who learns to fast just incase he is a Forsaken just a thought
as for the bonding issue i think if she is a DF that would be where she could have easily learned it if she is not there could be another explanation but imo i think they are bonded guess we will find out
12
Davian93: 2004-02-19
****there certainly could be support that she is a DF if not more eg "she picks up weaves as if she already knows them" that is a rather odd comment seeing how in Rands camp they are always watching for somone who learns to fast just incase he is a Forsaken just a thought****
I think the picks up the weaves as if she already knew them is more a reference to her secret training with Myrelle and Nisao. They were blackmailed into teaching her so her other instructors would probably be impressed with her "learning" these weaves.
13
Mairashda: 2004-02-20
Nicola certainly seems the sort of person who would turn to the shadow because she feels held back, because she thinks it would help her become great and powerful.
BUT I don't think she has become a darkfriend yet: her blackmailing and constant nagging about wanting to learn more shows that she still hopes to advance the traditional way... ok, so she may have betrayed egwene to the tower aes sedai- but thats still "teach me what I want and I'll give you what you want...".
14
mako0424: 2004-06-01
I came to this similar conclusion. I totally believe Nicola bonded Areina, she either saw the weave when she wasn't supposed, like Elayne did, or she blackmailed it out of Myrelle and Nisao, which seems the most likely, and we also know Nicola wanted a Warder very badly, and that Areina mimicks Birgitte, the second female warder ever would wanna live up to a legen like Birgitte.
But i do not think Areina is a Darkfriend, nor will be a darkfriend, i think she will play a huge role in Tarmon Gaidon. She went to the White tower to try and get stronger, and was somehow caught by6 Black Ajah and forced to tell on Egwene's plans, which she had overheard when she wasn't supposed to, but didnt know Egwene was coming herself, hence Blac sisters were surprised.
I think Nicola learns weaves so fast , as quoted above numersous occasions, is not cos she is Dark, but coz she represents the new wave of channelers we have been seeing, Egwene and Elayne learned weaves as if they had seen them before, and sometimes did things they didnt know they could do, but seemed right, ie. in The Great Hunt when Egwene hangs her ball of light on the wall, and realizes she didnt know she could do that, and Then Elayne does it after having seen Egwene do it, but she kinda of only sees it for the firast time too then.
I think Sharina Melloy, Nicola, Nynaeve, Egwene, Elayne, Talaan and so forth represent the Age of Legends like channelers, they have amzing potential and learn quickly. and just like the Two River's old blood allows them to know things they technically couldnt ie. Old Tongue and archaic customs, so does amazing channeling strength allow you a huge adavantage.
15
Brendan Reborn: 2004-06-01
Although I like this theory and think that it is most likely true, my question is why is this important? Does RJ intend to use this information you discovered? I want to figure out what the significance of the bonding is to one of the plot lines.
16
Callandor: 2004-06-01
**I think Sharina Melloy, Nicola, Nynaeve, Egwene, Elayne, Talaan and so forth represent the Age of Legends like channelers, they have amzing potential and learn quickly.**
Egwene, Elayne, Nicola, and Avi, make up the divison of strength right below Forsaken level channelers like Nynave, Taalan, and Sharina.
They are strong, they did learn quickly, and they would be concidered AoL average Aes Sedai in my mind.
17
Paendrag: 2004-06-01
Brendan: It can matter because if Nicola is caught secretly learning weaves or manipulating Aes Sedai, she can be punished for it. Any other number of things can come from her being punished; her killing people, her switching sides to BA, etc. Up to RJ what happens to her if she's discovered or not and what happens from there.
18
Cha Faile: 2004-12-30
I think that most people are agreed that Nicola bonded Areina so the next questions are:
When are people going to find out?
How are people going to find out?
and...
What part is this going to play in the series as a whole?
Is it possible to test a person to see if they have bonded someone? Have we already met it or will it be introduced soon?
On the point of it's part in the story, i'm not sure how crucial it will become (if at all), besides, i would be very surprised if all these loose ends could be tied off neatly in two books (if ever). I'm very sceptical about whether RJ will resolve everything because there are so many things left unresolved and the series is nearly over! They are either going to be VERY long books or more than two in number ,because surely TG has to take up more a couple of pages.
19
Aendur: 2004-12-30
*They are either going to be VERY long books or more than two in number ,because surely TG has to take up more a couple of pages.*
Ah, but the plots could be tied up by TG. For instance, everyone (it worked on a small scale in WH - bye-bye Dashiva!) or whatever. I think the series is winding down, thought I expect it will take 3 or 4, not 2 or 3, to wrap up.
