Ok, i have now reread the books about a million times each, and the more and more i read, the more and more tiny things i find which both seem very important and explanatory, but theseare the sorts of things i never noticed.

Ok, my theory is that everything that happened that day at the docks in Cairhien was set up by Moiraine.

We know Moiraine went through the rings and saw her own future over and over, and all the possibilities, she even stated that that day had three outcomes after the info. of Morgase's death reaches them that three distinct possibilities could have happened.

The optimal one happened, in that Moiraine sacrificed herself and took out Lanfear. Rand wasn't turned by Lanfear, and the other result was his death. Ok, now my theory becomes a little more intricate.

Moiraine knew about the importance of the doorway ter'angreal and even Rand, Kadere, and Egwene pick up on her interests in the doorway, but not just the doorway but all the ter'angreal. Also, she wrote out the two very descriptive, informative, and insightful letters, one to Thom and one to Rand.

Now Rands letter, told alot! She knew that Asmodean was posing as Jasin Natael and that he was training Rand. She also knew that she would be captured by the Finns.

Some more important things, Moiraine also mentions specifically to Rand not to trust Verin or Aviarhin. Now in my own opinion, Verin ain't bad, but we all know Aviarhin is very bad, and i think Moiraine knew she was a Darkfriend.

Moiraine also says that Lan would one day understand her choice to switch the bond to Myrelle, i think she also forsaw that giving it to Nynaeve would be disasterous. Maybe coz one dies or something, i dont know, but it sounds pre-determined.

But more importantly, we know that Min foresaw that Moiraine would help Rand win, and if she died, it could never come true, hence the reason everyone thinks Moiraine will be rescued by Thom which Egwene foresaw pulling the blue stone out of the fire.

Moiraine says in the letter to Rand, "I hope that Egwene and Aviendha have survived unharmed. You see, i don't know what happens in the world after, except perhaps for one small thing which does not concern you."

I think this is evidence that Moiraine knows there is a chance she will survive, and i think something about this is in Thom's letter. Because Rand's letter had a ward on it making the words fade, whereas Thom rereads his all the time, meaning his didn't have a ward.

I think there could be detailed instructions on it. and a exclaimation for her love for him, but thats unimportant.

I think Moiraine foresaw that she could come back, and that she would do something crucial again at Tarmon Gaidon.

So knowing this, i think Moiraine again, planned even further ahead into the future.

My theory is Moiraine is behind Lanfear's death/and her severe drop in strength in the One Power.

How? ok, if anyone has "The Fires of Heaven" turn to the chapter "Choices" where this battle scene occured, and right at the end of the chapter from Moiraine's viewpoint she is watching Lanfear, blaze like the sun with saidar, and she sees Lanfear turning the ivory bracelet on her wrist. We know this is an angreal of sorts, and it helps Lanfear best Rand easily. Moiraine makes a few quick remarks about the bracelet which i find very important.

1. "an angreal, she [Lanfear} should be able to crush him [Rand] with that.

2. "Moiraine did not like that age-darkened circle of ivory."

3. "...it seemed to be an acrobat bending backwards to grab his ankles. ..a closer look would show his wrists and ankles are bound."

4. "she [moiraine] brought that from Rhuidean, and the day before had taken it out of a sack of odds and ends and left it there by foot of the doorframe"

5. after climbing the wagon, and "surpressing a small bubble of hope". She embraced saidar and through herself at Lanfear ..."clawing the bracelet away".

It is in my opinion that Moiraine delibrately retrieved the bracelet and left it there for Lanfear to find and use.

So reading into all these hints and clues a bit more. I am of the opinion that Moiraine saw into the possible future if she was saved by Thom, and she saw that Lanfear/Cyndane would be at Tarmon Gaidon and she also foresaw that this one point could be crucial to victory or defeat. Also Cyndane's strength in the one power is a crucial element likewise.

I think the angreal of the bound "acrobat" doubles as some sort of power weakener or inhibitor of sorts. We know that angreal and ter'angreal were often made with some hints as to their use, i.e. the tel'aran'rhiod ter'angreal has a sleeping woman inside, or the Choedan Khal where the people hold spheres of power, symbolic of the world. I think this angreal when ripped off the wearer while holding saidar or something along these lines lessened Lanfear's ability.

Now, the reasoning behind all this is because when Lanfear died, is the Dark One brought her back, and then trapped her, why would he proceed to lessen her strength. This argument is null.

Now maybe Lanfear gave up some of her channeling ability to the Finns either willingly or un-willingly, but again i think this is preposterous. example, how did she still die, and why wouldnt the Finns ask for or take all of her ability instead of just some of it.

And also, we know Moiraine just like Lanfear was holding the Source when they fell in, so why would Lanfear suffer a much worse fate (i.e death, and lesser power)

i think Moiraine is either held captive or in a new body (doubtful) and she has full ability still. she also foresaw that if Thom saved her, she will probably be the one that bests Cyndane in TG, because she has less ability, and this will be one of many key turning points in TG.

But this is my in-depth theory for something not to important, but it is something to consider. Why would Moirane do anything with this angreal if it mattered not at all to the final outcome of the event. And in my opinion what other purpose could the angreal have served besides either killing lanfear or lowering her ability.

Thank you