I do not dispute your theory for two reasons. First of all it makes sense, and the challenging of the creator and the Dark One was merely a throw away. A plot of marketing to advertise Rand/Lanfear. It is disputable whether it would actually be possible, but I incline to believe the Creator cannot be challenged. The Dark One I disagree. First, since the Dragon Reborn is supposed to defeat the Dark One, or at least send him back to kindergarten. Rand with the most powerful sa'angreal, aided by the most powerful female channeller wielding the most powerful female sa'angreal would send the Dark One crying for the Creator in a strange moment of divine irony.

I pity the last book as the author said he admired Nynaeve who is after Cadsuane the most important of Rand's nanny/mothers in law. And she is guaranteed to be running things.

As for Rand/Lanfear, really it depends from what point you stand. Perspective is everything. You may say Lews Therin abandoned Lanfear, thus she grew jealous, you can say it was power she desired all along, you can say she turned to the shadow because of Ilyena.

The possibilities are endless. I know which theory I like.

 

The DO is a god. Remember that at even now, when he can just barely touch the world through a small hole in his creator-made prison, he is still powerfull enough to literally distort reality itself. There has never been any suggestion that Rand could come close to challenging the DO in power, the opposite infact. The impression I have infact is that if the DO were to break free entirely, he would instantly destroy absolutely everything, including Rand.

The reason that Rand can win, is that he does not actually need to fight and defeat the DO, all he needs to do is fix the small hole in the bore and the DO will again be contained by the Creator's prison and unable to affect the world. Until the next time he breaks free anyway.

We obviously won't know how RJ planned for Rand to win, but I will say that if he actually defeats the DO in somekind of power struggle, I will be astonished. I don't actually think thats going to happen though. My personal theory is that Rand's tav'eren nature will cause the pattern to "grow" over the bore, sealing it. We shall see when the final book comes out.

You dislike Nynaeve? Of the WoT women, I always thought she was the most reasonable. I suppose she can be a bit mothering, but in her defense. She is older than him so she actually saw Rand when he really was a child. That can be hard to forget. Also, unlike Cadsuane, Egwene and others, Nynaeve has never tried to hurt or control or otherwise work against Rand. On the contrary, it seems she generally has his best interest at heart. There is a reason why Rand trusted only Nynaeve enough to link with him during the cleansing.

Though I am annoyed at Nynaeve much for the same reason as I am annoyed with Rand. She too allows Cadsuane to run all over her.

Interesting. Given the way she is shown in the books, I simply have trouble seeing the love with Lanfear constantly spewing out things like:

The torture and attempted killings don't really convince me that she loved Him. As for what LTT thinks:

I cannot see anything but a crazy psycho who desires power and possession and little else. She was constantly harping about the Choedan Kal and using them. Even at the end as Cyndane, when she feels Rand using the CK with Nynaeve, it is not the fact that he does not love her that upsets her, but rather the fact that he shared the power with someone other than her.

This does not even take into account the fact that Lanfear is utterly evil with no morality who kills, tortures and enslaves others without any remorse. Despite his flaws, Rand is a good guy who wants to protect the world. For someone like him, a monster like Lanfear should be repellent. Even LTT who was the one actually in a relationship with her thinks she deserves to die.

Just out of curiosity, what is it about Lanfear and the way she behaves that makes you believe she actually loves or even could love Rand/LTT? Or that Rand/LTT could ever love her back or feel anything other than disgust. I would really be interested in your answer.

 

I must say, while we are on different sides of the argument, I do enjoy having someone to discuss WoT with. And naturally, opposing sides are more debatable.

I lost this once due to clicking backspace in the wrong place. Let the backspace key burn.

Random anger aside, I had typed a great deal and am slightly annoyed at having to redo it.

I do not dislike Nynaeve as much as Cadsuane for example. Or rather, no longer do I dislike her. I did not like her in the beginning, for two reasons. First, hypocrisy and a general negative attitude to everything. All you need is stout Two Rivers wool, while you wear silk to bed. Also, in principle, I dislike anyone with supposed or real power/authority over the Dragon Reborn. However, as the books progressed and Nynaeve settled slightly, especially after marrying Rand, my dislike shifted to other characters, and I grew to respect her, partly. That does not mean I like reading about her adventures. It is Rand I wish to read about.

As for Rand/Lanfear. I concede that in canon they are not meant to be. That cannot be argued and cannot be changed. But then again, nor are Harry/Fleur meant to be. Or Harry/Bellatrix. Such were popular at times, however, due to personal preferences.

From my standpoint, I have always disagreed with the concept that if one was on the evil side, one was devoid of normal feelings. I admit that in some universes there are part of the evil side that appeal to me. For example in Lord of the Rings I did like the Nazgul, but despised most of the others. In Harry Potter, I liked the evil side more than the light side, if you wish. In Wheel of Time, it is divided, somewhat like LOTR. I dislike Trolocs and Myddraal. They do not appeal to me. I do like some of the Chosen, however. It is really a matter of personal preference.

Thus, Rand/Lanfear. The main character is obviously what the reader identifies with, and the one through wish the fanfiction writer makes things happen (usually). In my case, I have pulled at straws regarding possible feelings Lews Therin would have had for Lanfear, imposed them on Rand and try to make them fit. Naturally, there needs to be a certain suspension of disbelief, but I think it could be pulled off, either by ignoring certain things, or by providing justification.

We know Lews Therin accused Lanfear she only loved power. But he has broken up with her, and naturally there are negative feelings afterwards, and he is more likely to exaggerate certain flaws to hurt people. Lanfear, as well might have been embittered by the betrayal (as she sees it) and turned worse for wear for that. Generally people resume just to hatred, but with great people come greater feelings and greater desires.

Naturally, everything is skewed from my fascination of the moment, but hopefully you can understand what I was trying to put forward.

 

anytime you want to debate WoT, I'm ready. but as for Lanfear, while Lanfear/Rand and Perrain/Berelain are my favored pairings, Lanfear came off as LTT groupie who refused to back down when her idol gave up on her.