Rand al'Thor/Chronology

The following is a summary of events and activities surrounding Rand al'Thor ordered chronologically by book.

The Eye of the World

"What kind of need would be great enough that we'd want the Dragon to save us from it? As well ask for help from the Dark One."
   —Rand (The Eye of the World, Chapter 3)

On Winternight, 998 NE, Trollocs attacked Emond's Field. Rand, Perrin, Mat, Egwene and Thom Merrilin were led out of Emond's Field by Moiraine Sedai and her Warder, Lan Mandragoran, Nynaeve al'Meara following on her own shortly thereafter ostensibly to "bring the children home." Thom was not a resident of the village, but a gleeman who happened to be in Emond's Field just then. It is during this journey that hints are given that Rand can channel; when he gets goose bumps on his arms when Moiraine channels near him and when the group are healed from their fatigue but Bela is perfect as Rand already healed the horse (for which he suffers a bout of reckless bravado with a trio of Whitecloaks). His first big use of saidin is when the Darkfriend Howal Gode tries to attack Rand and Mat. Rand blasts a hole in the wall, blinding Mat temporarily. He then suffers flu-like symptoms after this heavy use of the One Power.

Lan began teaching Rand the sword; Rand has since achieved a high enough level of skill to be considered a blademaster. Along with Loial, the Ogier, Moiraine led them to the Eye of the World in the Blight. Rand killed Aginor there, tapping into the Eye's pure saidin. He then defeated Ba'alzamon and was convinced he had killed the Dark One; he also helped out during the battle in Tarwin's Gap, helping the Shienarans win.

The Great Hunt

On their arrival at Fal Dara, Rand was told by the Amyrlin Seat, Siuan Sanche, that he is the Dragon Reborn - an accusation which he did not believe at that time. It was also at this time that he was told about his true heritage.

Rand's heron-marked palm

After the Horn of Valere was stolen, Rand, Mat, Perrin and Loial accompanied Ingtar Shinowa and the Shienarans to reclaim it. During this journey, his palms were branded with two herons from the tilt of his own Heron-marked sword and by Ba'alzamon's power to fulfill the Prophecies. For his right hand "to set his path" and for his left hand "to name him true" . Having the Horn and the Shadar Logoth dagger back Rand feels to be drawn back to Falme. Discovering the Whitecloaks army Mat decides to sound the Horn to call the Heroes for help. Rand reveals the Dragon Banner, sets the heroes on their mission to free Egwene and drive back the invaders into the sea, but after he leads them into the battle he separately finds his own fight with Ba'alzamon again. This time they fight in the sky, visible to everyone around Falme in full view.

Meanwhile, down below them the Heroes and the Whitecloaks fight with the Seanchan and as the two fights are linked, with the victory of Rand they also won over the Seanchan.

Rand seated atop the Dragon Banner. Artwork by Donato Giancola

To defeat Ba'alzamon Rand uses the sword form Heron Wading in the Rushes which opens his defenses and allows Ba'alzamon to strike home with his staff leaving Rand with the incurable wound in his left side which at the end fulfills the Prophecies having his blood on the stones of Shayol Ghul. While Heron Wading in the Rushes provides Rand with a malignant wound, it also allowed him to defeat Ba'alzamon again in single combat. Driving his blade into Ba'alzamon's heart destroys his Heron-marked, Power-wrought sword. Only a foot length of it remains. As this battle proclaimed him the Dragon Reborn, Rand finally accepts his fate.

The Dragon Reborn

After the battle parchments of street artist are spread all over Westland depicting him with recognisable face fighting in the Sky above Falme and naming him the Dragon Reborn.

Rand taking Callandor

That winter, he camped with Moiraine, Perrin, Min Farshaw, and the Shienarans. Concerned for the safety of his friends upon learning that Ba'alzamon still hunted him, Rand journeyed to Tear alone, deciding this quest would end or begin his life. In the Stone of Tear, he took the blade Callandor, fulfilling a major prophecy and confirming his identity as Dragon Reborn in the minds of many, including himself. During this battle, he finally killed Ba'alzamon (Ishamael). It is after this that Egwene tells Rand that she loves him only as a brother now, for which he is relieved as he feels the same. This lets Elayne confess her feelings for Rand which Rand reciprocates and they kiss for the first time. The girls also work out that Rand can feel, via goosebumps on his arms, when a woman is touching saidar.

The Shadow Rising

Using the twisted redstone doorway in the Stone's cache of ter'angreal, Rand visits the Aelfinn and obtains answers to three questions regarding his future; perhaps due to the nature of his questions, he barely escapes alive. He then set out with Mat, Egwene and Moiraine, and a thousand-plus Aiel warriors, via a Portal Stone to the Aiel Waste, seeking the endorsement of the Aiel as their Car'a'carn, literally a "chief of chiefs."

Rand receives the dragon tattoos that mark him Car'a'carn

He was allowed to enter Rhuidean, where he learned the true origins of the Aiel; that they were once a peaceful people, sworn to do no harm, and aid the Aes Sedai. When he emerged, he was declared as He Who Comes with the Dawn with a dragon on each arm. However, his revelation to the Aiel of their past has nearly destroyed them; the bleakness continues to drive many hardened Aiel soldiers to throw down their spears every day.

He later battled the Forsaken Asmodean in Rhuidean, successfully cutting his ties to the Dark One. There he found the male and female access keys to the Choedan Kal. Lanfear then shielded Asmodean so he could only channel a trickle, and forced the male Forsaken to teach him the use of saidin. This was a desperate choice, Rand knew that if anyone discovered he was learning from the Forsaken he might lose the fragile following he had achieved so far.

Rand as Lord Dragon portrait done by John Seamas Gallagher

The Fires of Heaven

"I am the Dragon Reborn. Denying won’t change it. Wishing won’t change it. I’m not the man you knew back in Emond’s Field. Do you understand now? Do you?"
   —Rand (Lord of Chaos, Chapter 10)

Leading the Aiel out of the Three-Fold Land, he took Cairhien and Caemlyn, killing Rahvin. During this same time, Moiraine Sedai and Lanfear were both apparently killed when they fell through a ter'angreal. After taking Caemlyn, he announced an amnesty for all male channelers.

Lord of Chaos

The declared amnesty brought Mazrim Taim, a former false Dragon, into his service. Taim has aided Rand by training the male channelers who come to him. These men become Asha'man and their training ground is called the Black Tower, which is Rand's answer to the White Tower. Taim is the M'Hael, leader of the Tower, although his true intentions have yet to be revealed; it is speculated he is a Darkfriend of some authority and power.

Rand was then approached by embassies from the Aes Sedai in the White Tower under Elaida, from the Salidar faction and the Unaligned Sisters, most prominently among them the legendary Green Cadsuane Melaidhrin, who would come to play an immense role in his future. Elaida's embassy kidnapped him and shielded him. He escaped at Dumai's Wells, triggering a large and bloody battle, and has since forced many Aes Sedai on both sides to swear fealty to him.

A Crown of Swords

With all that was happening around him, he has found it too difficult to cope with if he allows his emotions to exist, and so he has pushed them down and turned himself into stone, feeling nothing. It is this that Cadsuane is determined to reverse.

Rand took Illian using Davram Bashere's army and a group of Asha'man. During the attack, he drove out the Forsaken Sammael and followed him to Shadar Logoth, where the Forsaken was killed by Mashadar. With the fall of Illian, the disappearance of Mattin Stepaneos den Balgar, and Rand's forced sale of grain to Illian from Tear, the Council of Nine declared Rand king.

The Path of Daggers

"Come against me, if you dare! I am the storm! Come if you dare, Shai'tan! I am the Dragon Reborn!"
   —Rand (The Path of Daggers, Chapter 24)

After snuffing out Sammael's Illianer followers, Rand set his focus on the Seanchan, who had conquered neighboring Altara and had set their sights on Illian. In northern Altara, Rand's forces fought the Seanchan to a stalemate, driving the Hailene back to Ebou Dar temporarily, but causing heavy losses on Rand's side as well.

Winter's Heart

Al'Thor's women by Liz Stephanoff.

Rand goes in disguise to Nynaeve using the alias Nuli and reveals his plan to her and asks for help to cleanse saidin. Elayne, Aviendha and Min all bond Rand as their warder.

Min predicts that Elayne will get with child from Rand, and the pair spend a night together after the bonding to make that come about. Elayne's other warder (Birgitte Silverbow) is a bit upset at being able to feel the heir's emotions and gets drunk to block them out. While both Aviendha and Min had consummated their relationships with Rand previously, they also politely try to block it out. Aviendha is able to do so using Saidar, but Min (who like Birgitte, cannot channel) takes the liquid route.

Rand, Cadsuane, Nynaeve and the others of his party leave Far Madding to retrieve Callandor and Travel to Shadar Logoth. It is here that Rand puts into action his daring plan to cleanse the taint from saidin, using the evil within Shadar Logoth to battle that of the taint. Rand and Nynaeve link, using the power of the Choedan Kal sa'angreal and, while Cadsuane and the other Aes Sedai, Asha'man, and Windfinders hold off the inevitable attack by the Forsaken, succeed in removing the Dark One's hold over the male half of the Source. Shadar Logoth is annihilated during the cleansing and nothing but a crater three miles across remains.

Rand using the access key to cleanse saidin Artwork by Scott M. Fischer

Crossroads of Twilight

Realizing that he can't fight the Seanchan and the Shadow at the same time, Rand later sent Loial, Logain Ablar, and Bashere to Ebou Dar to negotiate a truce with the Seanchan. They return with the news that the High Lady Suroth wants Rand to meet with the Daughter of the Nine Moons.

Knife of Dreams

The meeting, in a manor in the countryside, is a trap set by the Forsaken Semirhage, using the Mask of Mirrors to disguise herself as Tuon. As Rand is approaching, he identifies Semirhage because of Cadsuane's ter'angreal, but she attacks with the One Power before he has a chance to react. Semirhage sends a fireball in Rand's direction, and the blast hits his arm, causing him to lose his left hand. Semirhage is captured and shielded. Rand sends the sul'dam and damane to Ebou Dar to inform the Daughter of the Nine Moons that the Dragon Reborn still wants to meet with her.

Rand (from a Japanese translation book cover)

While captive, Semirhage alleges that Rand hearing the voice of Lews Therin Telamon in his head is a form of incurable insanity and is likely to end in his death.

The Gathering Storm

Most recently, Rand has moved large numbers of Aiel into Arad Doman with the intent of pacifying and re-ordering the country. He also used Sea Folk ships to supply Bandar Eban with food to combat famine. Common bandits being no match for the Aiel, he easily occupied the region. He also secured the assistance of the Great Captain Rodel Ituralde in guarding the unprotected border of the Blight. However, he experienced difficulty restoring order. He attempted to use the Council of Merchants to replace the missing king—whom he suspected of being under Compulsion to Graendal—but was unable to locate enough of them to elect a new king. After failing to reach an accommodation with the Seanchan, he leaves Arad Doman in a rage. While departing he is informed that the all of the grain has spoiled. Dejected at yet another failure, Rand leaves Arad Doman to its fate.

Towers of Midnight

While dreaming one night, he found himself in Tel'aran'rhiod. On further investigation he discovered that he had somehow been transported to Moridin's lair. While there, he had a genial conversation with Moridin who revealed to Rand that he is Ishamael reborn and that balefire is the only way one of the Forsaken can be destroyed for good. Before leaving Rand was shocked to find that Moridin didn't bring Rand to his place.

File:WoT German33.jpg

Atop Dragonmount, from a German translation book cover

Following his revelation on the summit of Dragonmount, Rand returns to Bandar Eban to atone for his previous failure. Finding the city starving and desperate, he and Min locate three former King's Guards, who he commissions to help restore order, providing them with weapons and armor from Tear. These soldiers quickly gain five hundred recruits. Rand then returns to the Sea Folk ships, which are kept under quarantine by Iralin, the dockmaster. Iralin is initially enraged at Rand's abandonment of Arad Doman, but Rand boards one of the Sea Folk ships and discovers that every unopened bag of food remains unspoiled. With hope restored, Rand appoints Iralin as his steward in Bandar Eban and names him to the Council of Merchants.

Rand continues to descend deeper into madness, attempting to become ever harder and harder, especially after Semirhage who had been freed by Shaidar Haran and Elza Penfell, bound him with the Domination Band and forced him to try to strangle Min. In a fit of desperation, Rand unknowingly reached out and channeled the True Power, possibly through his link with Moridin.

Rand protecting Min from Semirhage. Artwork by Michael Komarck

With it he wove fire and destroyed the collar of the Band. Free from its control, he killed both Semirhage and Elza with balefire. The full implications of this turn of events are not yet understood, and for her failure he banned Cadsuane from his sight, threatening her with execution (though this did not stop her scheming with the Wise Ones and her fellow Aes Sedai).

A Memory of Light

Later, Rand met with Tuon at Falme in order to set a truce. However, despite his ta'veren nature and, possibly, due to halo of blackness resulting from his connection to True Power, as well as his culminating hardness, Tuon refused to accept his conditions, causing Rand to leave. As a result, she continues to believe that the Seanchan Prophecies saying that he will have to bow to her and become controled, are right.

While in Arad Doman, his search for the King caused him to come across information concerning the location of Graendal, and, when Nyneave chanced upon one of Graendal's toys operating in Bandar Eban, he took the opportunity to attack her. Discerning her likely location, he used a disloyal and manipulative Domani noble Ramshalan to determine her presence via the weave of compulsion in his brain. Then he destroys the entire manor complex with Balefire, reasoning that all inhabitants were under strong compulsion, to the disgust of both Min and Nyneave. Nyneave confirms that the weave from Ramshalan's brain disappeared and Rand thinks that Graendal was dead.

Rand (from a Japanese translation book cover)

Ultimately, however, Rand's plans for Arad Doman met with failure, as he was barely able to re-establish the government in the region, the peace process with the Seanchan, held at Falme with the Daughter of the Nine Moons, fell flat on its face, and the grain intended to relieve the famine suddenly rotted. At this stage, it seems that "bad" ta'veren effects in Rand's vicinity are much more frequent than "good" effects. Faced with this, he abandoned the country to starvation, anarchy, and Seanchan invasion, and returned to Tear.

Rand would meet with frustration once again at the meeting with the Borderlanders. Reunited with the Sniffer Hurin for the first time in years, he greeted his old friend with harsh words, and, enraged at the Borderlanders' refusal to meet with him except inside the city of Far Madding, threatened them with destruction and once again returned to the Stone.

Rand, with sword and spear.

He returned to Tear, from where he planned to march to Shayol Ghul. He also seemed eager to attack Ebou Dar, but was delayed when he found Tam al'Thor waiting for him in his bedroom. Rand was greatly angered when Tam accidentally revealed that Cadsuane had brought him there, in his rage nearly losing all control, and almost killing Tam with the One Power. Fleeing to Ebou Dar with the Choedan Kal access key, he came close to carrying out his one-man assault on the Seanchan, but stopped short when he saw all the people of Ebou Dar's concern for him when he was gripped by the summoning sickness. He made a gateway and Skimmed to a seemingly random place, eventually ending up on the top of Dragonmount.

The fight with the Shadow

Spending hours at the top of the mountain, hiding in a crevice from the cold, Rand is slowly being consumed by the anger that has been welling up in him over the last year, and it now is not focused on one place. Angry at himself, his friends, his enemies, the world, the pattern and even the Creator himself, rationalizing his anger that everything seems to be doomed to destruction, fire and death no matter what he tries.

Drawing in as much of the One Power as it is possible to do, through the Choedan Kal, Rand screams to the heavens what is the point if everyone is doomed to die and repeat things over and over?

Its in this moment that he asks what the reason is, why everyone is in a world that repeats itself constantly and never seems to be able to end, and in that moment Lews Therin gives the explanation as to why things repeat.                             

"So we can see them again, have a chance to change things."

This revelation rocks Rand to his core, understanding finally why the world is the way it is, why people are put through things over and over, to have another chance to live, to love and to be happy again, even if things are hard and people may fail, they are given as many chances as is possible to have to better themselves and the world.

Rand calling lightning

Undergoing a considerable mental transformation, Rand destroys the Choeden Kal itself through the access key, believing that such power was dangerous, and that Callandor was all he needed. He then departed Dragonmount, with the certainty that he will never hear Lews Therin's voice in his head again, because they were not two men, and never had been.

Rand reforged

Rand holding Callandor.

Rand's transformation, as noted above, has enabled him to finally become what the Creator intended him to be: an opposition to the Dark One. Almen Bunt sees this as Rand walks down Dragonmount and into the valley, where there is an apple orchard where the apples are going rotten as soon as they are ripe because of the Dark One's taint. Rand's very presence is shown to reverse the taint and rot and allows the apples to be harvested. He then makes his way to the White Tower. While there he thanks Siuan for taking the arrow for him in Fal Dara and receives a letter delivered from Tiana Noselle. He then meets with Egwene in the Hall of the Tower and congratulates her on becoming Amyrlin Seat. He then informs her that he is intending to break all the Great Seals to the Dark One's prison and that he needs the help of saidar as well as saidin this time. As he talks he refers to Lews Therin as himself. He then tells her to meet him at the Field of Merrilor where they will discuss his terms before going on to Shayol Ghul.

Rand (from a Japanese translation book cover)

He then Travels back to the Stone of Tear. He gathers all the High Lords and Ladies of Tear in a line and looks deeply into each one of their eyes. Weiramon and Anaiyella are both revealed to be Darkfriends and are sent away. He then promises the Aiel that he will always keep his escort of Maidens from now on and that he will meet the toh he has gained. He then sees Tam and goes to him, finally weeping on his shoulder and asks for forgiveness. He then introduces Tam to Min.

Final pieces to his army

Rand returns to Bandar Eban were he suffers a severe bout of guilt for leaving the Arad Doman when it had served it's function. After being cheered up by Min he begins to reestablish the law within the city by promoting Durnham as Commander and Iralin as Steward. Rand's ta'veren nature kicks in and a large proportion of the population begin to start cleaning themselves and the areas around them and going about the routine of daily life. Rand, Min and their guard of 500 now go to the Seafolk ships in port. After asking to board Milis din Shalada Three Stars' ship the company head to the hold where all the tainted grain is held. Rand uncovers barrel-loads of untainted grain and wheat that had previously been unopened. Rand then asks Iralin and Durnham to distribute the cooked food to the starving population changing Arad Doman into a semi-functioning city again.

Rand then Travels to Maradon where they find Ituralde only just managing to hold onto the city with the timely aid and Bashere and his soldiers. Rand Travels out to the front of the city to face the oncoming invading Shadowspawn army with only his two Maiden guard. He then creates with the One Power a maelstrom of light and fire and sends tempests of destruction into the ranks of the Shadowspawn army. When the storm finally disapates, tens of thousands of Trolloc carcasses are left across the battlefield, leaving no trace of a single living Shadowspawn. Utterly exhausted he returns to Tear with Bashere and Ituralde's remaining forces. He then escorts Ituralde to Cadsuane's quarters where Ituralde's king Alsalam Saeed Almadar is being kept.

Rand by Ariel Burgess, Official Wheel of Time Artist

Rand sends Naeff disguised to the Black Tower to deliver a message to Logain. The message is that Rand was wrong and that the Asha'man are men and not just weapons. Rand then finally decides to re-meet with the Borderlander army stationed in Far Madding taking Min and Cadsuane with him. Cadsuane is chagrined when Rand corrects her on calling him boy when he is several centuries older than her. She then begins to call Rand by his proper name. Rand greets the four rulers of the Borderlands just outside the city, where each one measures his restraint with a solid strike across his face. Then standing all-to-near to Rand, Paitar Nachiman asks Rand the answer to a riddle involving Tellindal Tirraso. Paitr steps down when Rand answers correctly. They all sit down to formerly discuss matters when Rand asks for their oath of obedience in exchange for him to teach the Borderlander rulers Aes Sedai the secret of Traveling. He asks them to fight under his banner in the Last Battle or to sit in the middle of nowhere and have everyone else do the fighting.

Rand is traveling within his dreams when he hears a scream of pain. He goes to the area where the sounds of distress are coming from and finds a dark, light-less cave. Inside he finds Cyndane in agony. She begs him for help and apologizes for everything she put him through before being dragged out of the dream by her torturer.

Rand al'Thor by Ariel Burgess, Official Wheel of Time Artist

The Dragon's Peace

After being months apart, Perrin and Rand finally catch up with each other at the Field of Merrilor. Rand notices Perrin's growth and how he has become a natural leader. Perrin lends Sebban Balwer to Rand, and they go visit him. Balwer reports that all the monarchs of the world will be present at Rand's meeting on the morrow. Rand also learns that Elayne is pregnant and that he will be a father. After he has been on the Field of Merrilor for a while, Aviendha visits him in his tent and insists upon bedding him, the maidens audibly voicing approval in the traditional Aiel manner of shouting insults. Upon awakening, Aviendha asks that he grant her a boon, without telling him what it is. She explains that she will know what to request during the meeting, and he promises to grant it, whatever it may be. Rand then has a "shower" with her, channeling water and soap around them, as was done in the Age of Legends.

Rand al'Thor, The Dragon Reborn

While asleep, he is pulled into Moridin's dreamshard due to their connection. Rand reveals that he knows that Lanfear lives again. Moridin tells him that her name is now Cyndane and she now hates Rand. They debate the point to their never-ending cycle of battles. Rand releases his full ta'veren nature and causes sunlight to stream through the clouds and cause all the dying grasslands around to become lush and green again. Moridin is shocked by what he has seen and flees the dream.

During the meeting, almost every nation is represented; including some that were considered inconsequential and powerless until this time. Once everyone who is going to attend is present, Rand reveals a document that he names "The Dragon's Peace". Once he states the basic principle of it, Elayne snatches it from him, hastily reading it for more detail. Once smaller copies are distributed and the rulers begin reading, it becomes clear that they would not willingly sign such a thing, mostly because it fixed their borders where they were. Rand, being prepared for this, explains that they have no choice. If they refused to sign it, he would refuse to sacrifice himself to face the Dark One.

As the chaos proceeds, a figure enters the tent who silences everyone, Rand included. Moiraine quells the chaos, quoting prophesy to make it clear that these events were necessary and expected. As she makes it known that she is still alive, the kings, queens, and even Nynaeve express joy at her return. Moiraine manages to convince those present that the document is worth signing, but it is still unanimous that some details remain to be worked out.

It is at this time that Aviendha reveals the nature of her boon. Seeking to prevent the future she saw in her vision, she requests that Rand include the Aiel in the Dragon's Peace. Rand agrees to this when the other Wise Ones express their support, and Perrin convinces Rand to give them a further purpose. Following this line of thought, Rand assigns the Aiel to be the enforcers of the Dragon's Peace. To settle the Seanchan issue, he also adds the provision that should it not be signed by the Empress, the document would be void. With these additions, the rulers sign.

Final farewells

Rand Travels to the Andoran war-front to meet with Elayne. There they have a big discussion on how the war progresses, tactics, the art of ruling and their babies Elayne carries inside her. They both understand the pressures of ruling and politics which helps strength their connection and love between each other. Elayne asks about Rand being Lews Therin and instead of being shocked by the answer, she believes that it is an advantage to have such wisdom for their cause. Rand discusses his ta'veren nature. Due to the Dark One having such a negative effect on the world at present, Rand is the Balance, bringing out more random positive occurrences around him. Finally Rand gives her a Seed, in the hope that she can create a new angreal. In return Elayne gives him the Dull dagger. The two stay together for most of the night. Rand next Travels to Lan's camp. There he gifts Lan with the crown of Malkier for both him and Nynaeve, created from old drawings. Rand tells Lan that Elayne taught him to rule, but Lan himself taught him to stand. He then Travels out into the battle-front against Moiraine's wishes. Rand starts burning away Trollocs as he did at Maradon, until chanelers start throwing shields at him. He starts destroying the Dreadlords where they hide until he realizes that it is probably a trap. A full circle of Dreadlords throw a shield at him and he manages to hold it back before escaping the battle back through the gateway he created. Rand knows that now is not the time to exhaust himself out on the battlefield, as he needs to be full health for his confrontation with the Dark One. He realizes that chanelers are on the battle-field looking for him specifically to attack him when he appears. Rand can no longer fight the Last Battle out in the open anymore and will have to leave it to others.

The night before the commencement of the Last Battle, Rand is walking through one of his dreamshards he has created. There he finds a dark cavern not of his own creation. He walks in and finds Cyndane, apparently being tortured by Moridin. She attempts to manipulate Rand into helping her but Rand, having integrated Lews Therin's memories into his own, recognized that she was faking her torment in order to engender his sympathy. Found out, she ceased her charade and the two conversed for a short time. During this conversation, Rand offered her one last chance for redemption, and prompted her to let him see inside her mind in order to examine her sincerity in accepting his offer. Though appearing to genuinely consider allowing Rand to see into her mind, she ultimately refused, citing her recent torments as having caused her to mistrust Rand's intentions. Rand however, understood that Cyndane could simply not let go of her desire for power, and showed her his own mind in order to make her understand that the only feeling he still had for her was pity; not affection for their past relationship, and not anger or bitterness over her betrayals. As he departed, Rand simply told her to make herself scarce during the Last Battle.

Rand Travels to Shayol Ghul and tests whether the dull dagger works. While Rand is there, Perrin approaches him and asks if he can create a gateway into tel'aran'rhiod, where he will enter in the flesh. Rand warns him that it is evil but complies. The two say a final farewell to each other and embrace. Perrin asks for a gateway to be opened at the Field of Merrilor once a day at dawn and then steps through with Gaul into tel'aran'rhiod.

Rand then makes his way back to Braem Wood where Elayne's camp is. There he meets with his father for the last time. Rand gives Justice to his father, apologizing for losing his original Heron-marked blade. Tam feels the blade is to good for him, but Rand tells him nothing is too good for his father. Tam tells Rand that the flame and the void are never just about weapons but centering ones self. Tam asks Rand to practice sword-play with him. The two trade blows with each other for awhile but Rand finds it difficult to fight one handed, often reverting to forms that are two-handed by instinct and fumbling it. Tam then fights Rand one-handed as well. Rand finds it difficult to defend his father, let alone pressing an attack. He keeps making excuses for why he is finding the bout so difficult but realizes that Tam is also disadvantaged and still continues to fight well. During their bout, Tam keeps telling Rand to let everything go. Rand finally puts all his emotions away and concentrates on the duel. The men finally stop and Tam tells Rand that he had been carrying a massive weight. Rand looks down at his stump and confirms this. He reflects later on how uplifted he feels after speaking with his father.

Moiraine and Rand have a moment to catch up before he launches his attack on Shayol Ghul. She tries to probe what his plan is against the Dark One. Rand tells her that he wishes to make peace with the Seanchan first, as Mat is with the Empress now. He also reveals that he wishes to actually kill the Dark One, due to him not being apart of the Pattern. Moiraine does not believe it cannot be done. He tells her he has more wisdom over his accrued lifetime counting Lews Therin's life, but she brushes it off knowing he only has the memories. She then commands him to make him some tea, which Rand moves off to comply with, before realizing what she just did to him.

Final piece to peace

Rand appears before Fortuona, unarmed and shielded, and admits that he used Mat to track her down. While staring at possible execution, Rand and Mat begin comparing exploits, trying to one-up the other. After Rand concludes that the cleansing of saidin trumps all Mat's accomplishments, he begins to rip apart Fortuona's logic behind her right to rule; forcing her to admit that he is Dragon Reborn and that he held dominion over these lands well before Artur Hawkwing began the Consolidation, as Lews Therin Telamon. He gives her a powerful omen to support his Peace, by singing a song that causes the garden to grow right before their eyes. After disputing the borders of Almoth Plain and the Marath'damane captured in the main land, Rand then kneels in-front of Fortuona and raises his arm out to her. Rand and the Empress agree to sign the Dragon's Peace, and the Seanchan decide to enter the Last Battle by helping the overwhelmed forces of the White Tower. Before Mat leaves, he tells Rand that he saved Moiraine, thereby beating the cleansing of the source. Rand laughs.

Rand Travels from battle-front to battle-front using the Mirror of Mists weave to conceal his own identity. He uses Jur Grady's face while fighting in the Andoran front. As the clouds begin to disperse around Rand revealing his presence, he drops the weave showing himself to his men that fight in his name. While Rand waits with Min at Merrilor, he reflects on how he would have fallen during the dark days without Min. Cadsuane has a last word with Rand alone, before his strike on Shayol Ghul. She tells Rand that he should not assume he will die at Shayol Ghul. Cadsuane is also pleased with how he has turned out. She then asks about what Rand expects to do about the Black Tower. Rand knows it is a trap and is hesitant to answer. Cadsuane reveals they have freed themselves but are recovering from their ordeal.

Rand meets with Egwene before he goes to Shayol Ghul. He shows her a ribbon he had kept for her, for when Egwene was of age to braid her hair. The two embrace each other, even though they still do not see eye to eye about the matter of the seals. Rand reveals that Galad is his-half brother, which shocks Gawyn. Rand asks to see the seals one last time. He goes still when he touches them and asks if she is trying to fool them. Rand tells Egwene that what they hold are not in fact the seals but duplicates. At some stage Darkfriends must have stolen them and now have the Dark One has the keys to his own prison.

Rand's army finally Travels to Thakan'dar. Rand confirms to Aviendha that Artham worked and the Dark One couldn't detect him. The two stand side by side together and Rand tells her that the Dark Ones minions have the seals. He tells Aviendha she cannot enter the Pit of Doom with him, but instead places her in charge of the channelers at Shayol Ghul. Rand then sends Min to the Aes Sedai war-camp, where he fears some sort of attack there is immanent. Nynaeve confronts Rand over the the flaw in Callandor and warns that Rand could be trapped if he tries to use it. Rand is determined to still take it.

The Dragon vs The Dark One

While the Aiel Wise Ones, three dozen Aes Sedai and two dozen bonded asha’man, Siswai'aman, Domani, Tairen and Dragonsworn armies launch an attack on the valley of Thakan'dar, Rand takes the opportunity to enter Shayol Ghul. Perrin watches Rand’s back from Tel’aran’rhiod, together with Gaul and wolves.  The nearer to the Pit of Doom, the slower is time flow. Therefore, while Rand may fight for several hours inside, the forces outside have to endure for many days.

As Rand reaches the entrance to the Pit of Doom, Thom declares that he will wait at the entrance for them. A massive cloud of dark then covers the entire sky, blotting out the sun. Finally, the sun re-emerges from behind the dark cloud. Nynaeve notices that Rand's wound on his side has broken open. Blood pours down into his boot and onto the dark rocks of Shayol Ghul below. Rand asks Nynaeve and Moiraine to link with him and that he will control the circle. They are fearful due to the flaw in Callandor but oblige. Rand is questioning himself whether he had planned this well enough and wondering if it was the right time - a voice booms:

"IT IS TIME. LET THE TASK BE UNDERTAKEN."

Rand is not surprised and feels reassured by it.

Rand attacking the Pit of the Doom.

As he enters the cavern, the Dark One senses him, so the dagger had shielded him up until that point. The cavern is lowering as he walks and Rand announces he won’t come to Shai’tan on his knees. The rocks retreat. Rand walks on, leaving a puddle of blood behind him. He senses through the bond that one of the women is in trouble. Rand is surprised that there is no lava lake and fire at the end of their descent. Moridin waits there, with the blackness of nothing behind him. Moiraine cautions Rand not to touch this darkness. The husk of a Myrddraal lies on the floor. Rand waves Moiraine and Nynaeve back Rand asks Moridin to step aside, but Moridin mocks his "attempt to bring him back to the Light", saying that oblivion and final nothingness is what he yearns. The two begin their swordfight.

Slayer attempts to shoot Rand from Tel’aran’rhiod (near the Pit of Doom the border between worlds is thinner than elsewhere) but Perrin prevents him from this and puts the dreamspike making thus the entrance the only possibility to approach Rand .

During the duel, Rand asks Moridin if the Dark One punished him for thinking he was the Dark One himself, and he replies that he has, by returning him to life. During the fight, Rand misjudges the slope and falls backwards into the darkness of the Pit.

Rand founds himself standing outside of time and pattern. He can see the Pattern or, at least, his interpretation of it, and the emptiness around. He manages to anchor himself lightly in the Pattern to avoid being drawn into emptiness. Now he knows that this will be much more than a simple swordfight. Lews Therin had no such an experience; Rand considers this a good sign. The Dark One brings his force against Rand. The real battle starts. .

From the Nynaeve’s viewpoint, both Rand and Moridin are motionless but she hears some noise and knows that Rand is fighting. She finds a wounded Alanna chained to the wall nearby. Nynaeve realizes that if Alanna dies then Rand, as her Warder, will go mad with rage. Nynaeve takes out her herbs and uses clothing to make a bandage.

As Rand has no physical body now, the Dark One attacks his idea of a body and Rand barely resists. Then the Dark One says it was just to prepare Rand for showing him “the truth”.  He shows Rand the first vision of possible future in which the Blight has overun the world. He sees Tam, Jori and Dannil working and dying in the dangerous forest, not remembering the Dragon Reborn. He learns that, in this reality, Nynaeve, Egwene, Cadsuane and Logain have all been turned and that Elayne, Aviendha and Min are endlessly tortured. He refuses the reality of this world and it disintegrates. He takes the threads of the Pattern and tells the Dark One he will show him what is going to happen.

In Rand's first vision, he walks through a large peaceful city in what was the Two Rivers. The Dark One mocks him he hasn't eliminated all suffering and that his vision is flawed. Then the Dark One attacks and the vision disapears.

Rand resists the “wind” and feels as if it took millennia. He watches the threads of the Pattern and realizes that when the Dark One touches the Pattern, he is somehow restricted by reality. However, it is the Dark One who owns all the dead.

The second Dark One’s vision show the world with no decay and devastation of his previous vision. People are allowed to think that the Dark One was defeated in the Last Battle. However, they can kill with not even a second thought. They are completely lacking conscience. They are amazed at the idea that there would be laws against theft.  This is the world not visibly ruled by the Shadow, but it is lacking the Light. Rand resists the desperation and tells Shai'tan that now he is going to show him the world without the Shadow.

At the first glance, the world is wonderful, but people deal just with trivial things as no effort is necessary anymore. They can’t imagine the evil and don’t need to fight it. Even the smallest evil is missing; people can’t choose it. Elayne is still alive and pretty, but Rand sees a shadow in her eyes, similar to that in the eyes of someone who has been turned. The Dark One mocks this vision saying that if Rand kills him, then he will win this way. Rand realizes the world he would create, a world without the Dark One, would be horrible.

The Dark One strikes again. Rand is allowed to see many threads of human lives ending. He blames himself for this. He sees his followers, people he knows, dying on the Field of Merrilor. The Dark One suggests him to surrender and rest. He shows the last vision of the possible future – everything is getting dark.

Rand feels no shape. It takes him a while to think some words and ask the Dark One what it was. The Dark One offers him oblivion, the same thing he promised Moridin. After a while Rand refuses saying that he has made this decision once. The Dark One attacks him again.

Rand sees Egwene to die and adds her to his list. The Dark one reminds him that all the dead were his. Rand swear to save her soul. He hardly repulses another attack. He sees Elayne captured, Rhuarc under Graendal’s compulsion, Mat desperately fighting, Lan riding to death. Rand thinks he has failed, but hears his father's voice at the back of his mind: "Let it go."

Then, in his head, he talks with Egwene about allowing other people to sacrifice themselves as well. He lets go of the guilt he feels due to not protecting them and the need to do so. He gets rid of the list of people who had died for him, name by name. A giant weight has been lifted from his shoulders. He realizes that people can be born again. He stands up once more to face the Shadow.

Rand looks outside of time and sees the Dark One not as a being, but a force as wide as the universe. He (or it) attacks him through displaying deaths and decay, but Rand suddenly feels strong, knowing that the those who fight will not give in, and he will not either. He tells the Dark One that he is blind.

The Dark One tells that he can kill Rand, but Rand replies that it is not about him and it has never been. He tells the Dark One that he can only win if he breaks the will of the people and that shan’t happen. As long as there are people in the world, there is humanity. The Dark One replies he can still kill and that all dead are his eventually. Rand stretches out his palm, containing the world with the battlefield and two bodies on the ground.

The Dark One says he will kill the Son of Battles as he already killed the Lord of Nothing. At this very moment, Mat is fighting for his life. Rand tells the Dark One he was not watching closely enough and he was very wrong about one thing. Mat hears Rand whisper this in his head. Then, Rand’s voice sounds all over the battlefield, saying that the one whom the Dark One has tried to kill, from whom he took everything, still fights. Lan stands up holding Demandred's head. The battlefield goes still and silent, the Horn of Valere is heard.

Rand is gradually taking control. In Thakan’dar, plants begin to sprout and lightning freezes in the air. The black and white clouds above Shayol Ghul clash together to create the ancient symbol of the Aes Sedai.

"Under this sign shall he conquer."

The Dark One's anger boils up and Rand sees why. The battle at the Field of Merrilor had been won, against all odds, by a gambler from the Two Rivers. Rand understands why – shadowspawn and darkfriends fight because they have to, not because it's the right thing to do. The Dark One shouts that Rand shall die, but Rand says he accepts this:  

"Bring me my death Shai'tan, for I bring yours!"

Rand breaks free of the darkness and enters the Pattern again. After many minutes of motionlessness, he continues fighting Moridin, who throws a knife at Alanna. Thanks to Nynaeve's herbs, she is conscious enough to release her bond to Rand before she dies. Rand raises Callandor to strike down Moridin, but Moridin stabs his own hand with a knife, causing Rand to twitch and drop Callandor.

While from the Rand’s viewpoint this took minutes, in Thakan’dar it was six days and even more at the Field of Merrilor. The armies of the Light still defends the path to the Pit of Doom but, after Shaisam arrival, they are close to be defeated. Fortunately, Perrin kills Slayer and the Horn of Valere sounds.

Moridin grabs Callandor, realizes it is also a True Power sa'angreal and draws it through the sword. Rand tells him that to do so means death, but Moridin replies that he will have oblivion. Nynaeve and Moiraine exploit the flaw in Callandor in the way that Min had worked out and take control of Moridin. With saidin, saidar and the True Power, Rand seizes the Dark One through the Bore, using the “glove” of the True Power to prevent saidin from being tainted again. The Dark One tries to turn off access to the True Power but there is too much of it and he is unable to do anything. Light explodes from him.

The bright light is visible even from the Field of Merrilor and people know that Rand is winning. Logain Ablar sees the light from Shayol Ghul and feels channeling. Gabrelle hands him the Seals, telling him it is time. He breaks them.

In Tel’aran’rhiod, Perrin moves himself to the entrance to the Pit of Doom and goes in, where he finds Lanfear. They see Moridin holding Callandor next to Rand, Nynaeve and Moiraine. Lanfera uses compulsion on Perrin and tells him to kill Moiraine, while she kills Nynaeve. He overcomes the compulsion, reaches out to Lanfear and breaks her neck.

Rand pulls the Dark One into the Pattern and begins killing him. Then he realizes that the vision of the future without the Dark One was true, and that he must allow the Dark One to exist. He pushes the Dark One back, draws saidin, saidar and the True Power and weaves them together, in their pure forms, not as the individual five powers, and reforges the prison. The dark hole in the light before Rand shrinks and disappears eventually. The Dark One is imprisoned in the same way as he was before the Bore.

An ending

Rand is dying, slipping on his blood but carrying Moridin's body. The cave is closing behind him. Outside, an elderly Aiel woman kneels beside Rand and says

"Yes...Yes, that's good. That is what you need to do."

Now he sees the answer and knows that he asked the Aelfinn the wrong question. To choose is our fate and without a choice, we were puppets. Rand falls unconscious.

Perrin is walking through the Thakan’dar battlefield and thinks of Rand, but no colors swirl in his head. He enters the tent where Damer Flinn is trying to heal Rand. Moiraine whispers to Rand "You did well, Rand. You did well."

Flinn says he has done everything he can for Rand. He tells Perrin that Rand and Moridin were found together. Nynaeve expresses that it is not fair that Rand is dying but Moridin is improving.

Everybody is surprised that Min, Elayne and Aviendha don't seem to care that Rand is close to death. After Nynaeve announces that Rand is dead, she confronts Aviendha who is discussing her vision with the other Wise Ones. Aviendha tells her that Rand has woken from the dream, as we all must. Nynaeve feels that those three have to know something that she doesn’t. Aviendha tells the others to prepare Rand's pyre.  

In the evening, Tamlin al'Thor looks at the grass growing at Shayol Ghul and asks himself "Is this your gift to us, son? A final one?" He lights a torch and approaches Rand's pyre. He wanted to keep Rand's funeral small. Tam walks to Rand's bier, beside Thom and Moiraine. Tam lights the pyre with a reverent hand and thinks "You did well. My boy... you did so well."

Some appearance is expected from Min, Aviendha and Elayne. They step forward. Min tells Elayne and Aviendha that she saw this when she first met Rand. Elayne asks what is next. Aviendha says that now they "...make sure that everyone well and truly believes that he is gone." Min feels the Rand’s bond in her mind growing stronger.

Moridin's face, by Ariel Burgess Official Wheel of Time Artist

Rand al'Thor, without any title, wakes in a dark tent by himself. He feels no pain, he has no wounds, and even his left hand is intact. He finds a mirror and sees the Moridin's face in it. He finds Laman's sword, some cloths, and a bag of coins left by Alivia. This fulfills Min's viewing that "...She will help you die." Rand takes a horse without a saddle and chuckles that he has gone from the Dragon Reborn to a horse thief. He looks at the funeral pyre where the crowd is singing a Borderlander funeral song.

Rand sees Cadsuane looking at him. She identifies Rand, and decides that there is no need to continue watching the sham funeral.

Rand is relieved that Cadsuane did not reveal him. Thankful to Alivia, he pulls a pipe from his pocket. He tries to channel to lit it, but saidin is not there. He cannot touch the True Power either. He feels a relief. Then he thinks of the pipe being lit, and it is.

From a distance, he looks at Min, Elayne, and Aviendha and wonders which one will follow him first, if any. He tries to pick one, but realizes that he is hopelessly in love with all three of them. Rand rides south, looking forward to just traveling for a change, without being chased or having to rule. As he leaves, a wind rises around him.

"The wind blew southward, through knotted forests, over shimmering plains and toward lands unexplored. This wind, it was not the ending. There are no endings, and never will be endings, to the turning of the Wheel of Time.

But it was an ending."

Rand's pyre