Alviarin Freidhen

A similar entry appears in the Wheel of Time Companion. Other information about the character is also included in the Companion, but we did not use it in the TarValon.Net Library.

Author: Lyssandra Darai

ahl-vee-AH-rihn FREYE-dehn

General

Alviarin Freidhen is a slim, cool-faced, swan-necked Aes Sedai (TSR, Ch. 1; ACoS, Prologue). When she first appeared, she was cool, accepting, and willing to help others learn (TGH, Ch. 12). She was always cool and calm, as was the stereotype for any sister of the White Ajah (TSR, Ch. 1); in fact, she was often more so. It was said the woman had ice for blood (TFoH, Prologue, ACoS, Prologue). When Elaida moved to depose Siuan, Alviarin backed her despite the White's traditional alliance with the Blues (TSR, Ch. 1). Alviarin's position as Keeper of the Chronicles was the price for her bringing the White Ajah with her (TFoH, Prologue. She is never commented on as being young, so it can be assumed that she has had the shawl for at least 50 years, and likely close to 100. Her nationality is unknown.

Relationships

Alviarin has never shown any friendship with anyone. She is a loner who prefers to act from a position of strength and power. She is also very cruel and skilled at hurting others (LoC, Ch. 12).

After she flees the White Tower, she bonds Varil Nensen (AMoL, Ch. 42).

Timeline

At the start, Alviarin was simply a sister of the White Ajah. She had no official rank but carried considerable weight within her Ajah. When Elaida overthrew Siuan, Alviarin brought the White Ajah around to support her, becoming the Keeper of the Chronicles (TFoH, Prologue). She claims that her status as Keeper instead of Amyrlin is by her own choice (TFoH, Ch. 19).

Her relationships with other characters are based on her power as Keeper and the hold she gains over Elaida. After the disastrous attempt to capture Rand, Alviarin exerted more control over the Tower. She threatened to expose that attempt to the others, which would have resulted in Elaida's stilling. In return for staying on the Amyrlin Seat, Elaida was forced to do only as Alviarin told her (ACoS, Ch. 32). As Alviarin was head of the Black Ajah and worked directly for Mesaana, this resulted in Mesaana's control of the Tower (ACoS, Ch. 32). Mesaana finds this a very useful place to be and Alviarin to be a very useful tool. She teaches Alviarin some new weaves, like Traveling, and has her running around and doing errands (CoT, Ch. 21).

Alviarin lost her position as Keeper when she left the Tower for a month on business for Mesaana. When she returned, she found that Elaida had managed to pin the blame of her two failures on the people leading them and had accused Alviarin of treason for having been gone so long. Alviarin was ousted from her position of Keeper and was desperate to find some way to deflect the charges (CoT, Ch. 21).

After this, she ran down to her quarters and summoned Mesaana, who refused to help. During this interview, Shaidar Haran arrived and marked Alviarin for the Dark One (CoT, Ch. 21).

After being stripped of the stole, Alviarin tried to maintain an outward calmness, but on the inside she was on the verge of hysteria, fingering her forehead constantly where Shaidar Haran marked her. She was pleased to notice that the Dark One's touch seemed to be reaching the White Tower while overhearing White sisters discussing the food spoilage. As the Head of the Black Ajah, she ordered a search to find Talene, a Black Ajah member who had fled from the Tower. Another order was to surveil Yukiri and Doesine, who were heading the hunt for Black Ajah in the Tower (KoD, Prologue).

The White Ajah felt the loss of the Keeper's stole, which made Alviarin even less popular than before. She had to tolerate glares and turned backs even from sisters of her own Ajah, nearly all of whom stood far below Alviarin in the Power (KoD, Prologue).

As a penance ordered by Elaida, Alviarin received a strapping from the Mistress of Novices every morning. The penance was theoretically private, but even the servants knew about it (KoD, Prologue). Elaida was furious at Alviarin because of her proclamation about Rand al'Thor, among other things (KoD, Ch. 1). Alviarin reacted poorly to the strappings, seeing each morning as adding more bruises to her already aching bottom (KoD, Prologue).

Egwene overheard Alviarin taking the penance and thought to herself that she was not taking it very well. Alviarin suggested the possibility of escape to Egwene several times, but Egwene declined the offer, frustrating Alviarin. (KoD, Ch. 24)

Egwene saw Alviarin going to her daily punishment(TGS, Ch. 2).

Egwene saw Alviarin's name on Verin's list. She told Meidani to have Alviarin taken into custody, questioned, and forced to re-swear the Oaths (TGS, Ch. 39).

Alviarin escaped before the Black Ajah hunters had time to apprehend her (TGS, Prologue).

Alviarin attacked Egwene, Nynaeve, and Elayne in Tel'aran'rhiod, accidentally killing another Black, Talva (ToM, Ch. 14).

Alviarin was part of the group of Black Ajah that launched an assault on Egwene's group (ToM, Ch. 37).

When Mesaana captured Egwene, she sent Alviarin to tell the others to withdraw (ToM, Ch. 38).

She survived the Last Battle and was in command of a small group of Dreadlords that got trapped inside a stedding (AMoL, Ch. 42).

Quotes

Alviarin was as cool and businesslike as a merchant come to buy wool and tabac, surprised Nynaeve was part of the lesson but accepting, sharp in her criticisms but always ready to try again. (The Great Hunt, Chapter 12)

"Talking to yourself, Elaida? I know you Reds never have friends outside your own Ajah, but surely you have friends to talk to inside it." (The Shadow Rising, Chapter 1)

With respect, I humbly beg to make myself known to the great Lord Dragon Reborn, whom the Light blesses as savior of the world.

All the world must stand in awe of you, who has conquered Cairhien in one day as you did Tear. Yet be wary, I beseech you, for your splendor will inspire jealousy even in those not toiled in the Shadow. Even here in the White Tower are the blind who cannot see your true radiance, which will illumine us all. Yet know that some rejoice in your coming, and will delight to serve your glory. We are not those who would steal your luster for ourselves, but rather those who would kneel to bask in your brilliance. You shall save the world, according to the Prophecies, and the world shall be yours.

To my shame, I must beg you to let no one see these words, and to destroy them when once read. I stand, naked of your protection, among some who would usurp your power, and I cannot know who around you is as faithful as I. I am told that Moiraine Damodred may be with you. She may serve you devotedly, obeying your words as law, as I will, yet I cannot know, for I remember her as a secretive woman, much given to plotting, as Cairhienin are. Yet even if you believe she is your creature, as I do, I beg you to keep this missive secret, even from her. My life lies beneath your fingers, my Lord Dragon Reborn, and I am your servant.

(Letter to Rand, The Fires of Heaven, Chapter 51).