Lanfear

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Author: Estyrien al'Halien

LAAN-fear

General

Lanfear has many names; some are her own while others belong to the disguises she often wears. Her name in the Age of Legends was Mierin Eronaile; she was neither well known nor famous enough to have a third name, a symbol of prestige (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 6). Lanfear means "Daughter of the Night" in the Old Tongue and she chose this name herself, unlike the other Forsaken (TGH, Ch. 7). The wolf name for Lanfear is Moonhunter, though known by very few people (TDR, Ch. 43) She uses several disguises in the Third Age; Selene (pronounced she-LEEN), a Cairhienin noble (TGH, Ch. 16), Sylvie, a Tairen servant in Tel'aran'rhiod (TDR, Ch. 27), Else Grinwell, a novice in the White Tower (TDR, Ch. 25) and Keille Shaogi (pronounced KEYEL-lee shah-OH-ghe), a merchant in the Aiel Waste (TSR, Ch. 36).

Lanfear is considered to be the most beautiful woman alive, maybe the most beautiful ever (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 6). She is tall, with black hair and eyes, contrasting with her pale skin (TGH, Ch. 16). She likes to wear unadorned white with silver jewellery, most often in the shape of moons and stars (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 6), This is the appearance she uses as Selene, though Selene compared with Lanfear is like a bud to a flower (TSR, Ch. 36). As Sylvie, she is very old and ugly, with pointed features and hairy warts (TDR, Ch. 27). She appears as Keille Shaogi and is very fat and short, with black hair and eyes, yet she speaks with an oddly melodious voice (TSR, Ch. 36).

During the Age of Legends, Mierin working in the Collam Daan, the centre for research about the One Power (TSR, Ch. 26). Though she was respected by her peers, her work was not enough to secure her the highly sought after third name. (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 6) Her team, the only other known member was a male Aes Sedai called Beidomon, discovered a new source of power that could be drawn upon by both male and female channelers. At that time, the restrictions of the female saidar and the male saidin were beginning to annoy the Aes Sedai; they thought that drawing from the same source would allow channelers to achieve more than they already did. Mierin and her team decided to drill into this are of the Pattern in order to allow all channelers to draw upon the unrestricted power. Unfortunately, the Bore set the Dark One loose and destroyed the Sharom at the Collam Daan (TSR, Ch. 26).

When Lanfear discovers that Rand has slept with Aviendha, she attacks Rand, Aviendha and Egwene. She doesn't know who Aviendha is and attacks Egwene instead. During the fight, Moiraine surprises Lanfear and as they fight they both fall through the red twisted door frame (TFoH, Ch. 52). We are lead to believe that they are dead, not least because Moiraine's bond with Lan is broken (TFoH, Ch. 53).

Timeline

  • Age of Legends: Mierin and Beidomon, create the Bore, releasing the Dark One from his prison (TSR, Ch. 26).
  • Age of Legends: Lanfear declares the Dark One is her new master in the Hall of Servants (TDR, Ch. 36). Lews Therin is present, though she doesn't realise it (AMoL, Ch. 2).
  • The Third Age: Lanfear disguises herself as Selene and seeks out Rand al'Thor (TSR, Ch. 9).
  • The Third Age: Lanfear partially shields Asmodean so that he can be Rand al'Thor's teacher (TSR, Ch. 58).
  • The Third Age: Lanfear attacks Rand al'Thor, Egwene al'Vere and Aviendha of the Taardad Aiel in a fit of jealousy. Moiraine Damodred pushes her through the red twisted doorway ter'angreal and it is believed that they are both dead (TFoH, Ch. 52).
  • Moridin rescues her (This passage needs a reference) and she is given a new body as Cyndane (WH, Ch. 35)

Strengths and Talents

Lanfear is extremely strong in the One Power; in fact, it is thought by some that she might be only second in strength to Ishamael among the Forsaken (TGH, Ch. 7). It is possible, however, that there is a woman in the third age, the Seanchan ex-damane Alivia, who matches or at least comes close to Lanfear (WH, Ch. 35).

Since Lanfear was an Aes Sedai in the Age of Legends, she has a vast knowledge of the One Power. She knows about the Portal Worlds, (TGH, Ch. 16), and is able to Travel. (TPoD, Ch. 12) Lanfear has some skill in Healing (TGH, Ch. 48) and it can be assumed that she knows Balefire since the Forsaken were wary of using it during the War of the Shadow (TFoH, Ch. 6).

Lanfear claimed that Tel'aran'rhiod was her domain (TDR, Ch. 36) though Moghedien is superior there, preferring not to challenge Lanfear's claim. (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 6) During the War of the Shadow, Lanfear used her skill there to create riots and perform assassinations. Lanfear used Tel'aran'rhiod to drive people mad and caused people to commit suicide through this ability. Suicide rates in her territories were especially high because people could not even escape her in their dreams (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 6).

Relationships

During the Age of legends, Mierin had a relationship with Lews Therin Telamon. Lews Therin broke off the relationship because Mierin cared more for his power and prestige than she did for him. Mierin never got over the break, blaming Ilyena Moerelle Dalisar, who he later married, for the split. (TSR, Ch. 9) Mierin tried to stop them marrying but failed. It was almost certainly the rejection from Lews Therin that turned Mierin to the Shadow, where she proved to be very useful (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 6).

When Lanfear was released from her prison after three thousand years, she searched for Lews Therin and attached herself to Rand al'Thor. She believed that he had a connection with Lews Therin, if not that he was the reincarnation of the Dragon, and so placed all her feelings for Lews Therin onto Rand al'Thor (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 6). When she revealed herself to be Lanfear, she tried to persuade Rand to support the Shadow, hoping that he would rule with her under the Dark One (TSR, Ch. 9). When she found out that Rand had slept with Aviendha, she became furious and attacked them both. (TFoH, Ch. 52)

None of the thirteen Forsaken are friends with the others and so it can be assumed that it is true for Lanfear too (TFoH, Ch. 3). In particular, Asmodean hated Lanfear for shielding him for Rand and betraying him. He was very glad that she was dead, as many believed her to be (TFoH, Ch. 56). Relations between Lanfear and Semirhage are also presumed to be tense because Semirhage always wears black because Lanfear wore white (LoC, Prologue). There is also tension between Graendal and Lanfear (TFoH, Prologue).

Lanfear hates the women in Lews Therin and Rand 's lives, particularly Ilyena and Aviendha. Lanfear believes that Lews Therin, and thus Rand, loved her and so the women in his life were to blame for the break in their relationship (TSR, Ch. 9). Lanfear was furious when Lews Therin and Ilyena married (TWoRJTWoT, Ch. 6) and also reacted badly when she discovered that Rand had slept with Aviendha (TFoH, Ch. 52). Her jealousy of the women involved with Lews Therin controls her sometimes.

Miscellaneous

  • Lanfear, disguised as Else Grinwell, convinces Egwene, Elayne and Nynaeve to search through the Black Ajah's 'belongings' in order to lure them to Tear (TDR, Ch. 25).
  • Lanfear was part of a plot with Rahvin, Graendal and Sammael to capture Rand, though it is not clear what her motives were and what she hoped would happen (TFoH, Ch. 54).
  • Lanfear is not particularly cautious but even she appears watchful when compared to Aran'gar (LoC, Prologue).

Quotes

"Lanfear (LAN-fear): In the Old Tongue, "Daughter of the Night". One of the Forsaken, perhaps the most powerful next to Ishamael. Unlike the other Forsaken, she chose this name herself. She is said to have been in love with Lews Therin Telamon." (The Great Hunt, Glossary)

"I have guided his steps, pushed him, pulled him, enticed him. He was always stubborn, but this time I will shape him. Ishamael thinks he controls events, but I do."- Lanfear to Min about Rand (The Great Hunt, Chapter 48).

"You were mine, and you are mine. Any other is no more than a caretaker whose time has passed"- Lanfear to Rand al'Thor (The Shadow Rising, Chapter 9).

"Lanfear wanted him. The Daughter of the Night, used by mothers who only half-believed in her to frighten children. She certainly frightened him"- Rand al'Thor about Lanfear (The Shadow Rising, Chapter 10).

"I do not kill without cause, Lews Therin. I do not even hurt without cause" - Lanfear to Rand al'Thor (The Shadow Rising, Chapter 57).

"You were always ambitious, Mierin. Why do you think I turned away from you? It wasn't Ilyena, whatever you like to think. You were out of my heart long before I ever met her. Ambition is all there is to you. Power is all you ever wanted. You disgust me."- Rand al'Thor to Lanfear (The Fires of Heaven, Chapter 6).

"I seem to remember Lews Therin lead you by the nose, not the other way around. Squelched your little tantrums. Sent you running to fetch his wine, in a manner of speaking? You were so obsessed with him you'd have stretched out at his feet if he had said 'rug'."- Graendal to Lanfear (The Fires of Heaven, Prologue).

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