Aviendha

Kariada Kunai and Napolde Surion

Books 1 - 4 By Kariada Kunai

Books 5 - 10 By Napolde Surion

Basic Information

Aviendha is of the Nine Valleys sept of the Taardad Aiel (ACoS Ch13). (Aviendha's claim to the Bitter Water sept in TDR Ch38 is an error which has since been corrected in all later editions of the book.) Once Far Dareis Mai, a Maiden of the Spear, she is now training to become a Wise One (TSR Ch23).

Tall with blue-green eyes, Rand describes Aviendha as a "more than pretty woman" (TFoH Ch4). He also thinks she has a haughty unsmiling stare and is as "proud as a green-eyed hawk" (TSR Ch22). Even Amys tells Aviendha she has too much pride (ACoS Ch13). According to Mat, she has "a viper for a tongue and a temper to make Nyneave look meek" (TSR Ch26).

As a Maiden, Aviendha wore her hair short, with a tail in the back which hung to her shoulders, and the Aiel cadin'sor (TDR Ch38). Since giving up the spear to become a Wise One, she has been growing out her hair, which is covered by a scarf and still short of her shoulders, as well as a shawl and skirts (TFoH Ch4).

Aviendha was born in NE 980 (TPoD Prologue). She has the ability to channel born in her, and has the potential to be as strong as Egwene (TSR Ch23). She knows almost nothing about Healing, but has the Talents of Unweaving and Reading Residues (TFoH Ch32) (TPoD Ch2).

Relationships with other Characters

When Aviendha first meets Mat, he asks her if she can "do any dances without spears." Her response is apparently less than satisfactory for Mat. (TDR Ch56)

Aviendha, in a group with Jolien, Dailin, Bain, and Chiad, is among the last of the Aiel sent by the Wise Ones to hunt for He Who Comes With the Dawn. It is during this search that she first meets Egwene, Elayne, and Nynaeve. Aviendha asks for their help to Heal Dailin, who has been injured. Aviendha finds it strange that three Aes Sedai would make their way to Tear, so she follows them to see what they will do once Nynaeve Heals Dailin. When the three are captured, Aviendha goes for help and rescues them. (TDR Ch39)

As per Moiraine's order, Aviendha stays close to Elayne, Egwene, and Nynaeve in the Stone of Tear. Egwene thinks that if the two got to know each other better, they could become friends. (TSR Ch5)

Aviendha visits Egwene in her rooms while in the Stone of Tear, and the two spend time together laughing and talking. Though they don't always understand each others' ways, the two become friends. (TSR Ch9) Aviendha also helps Egwene prepare for her journey into the Waste (TSR Ch16).

When Egwene tells Elayne that Aviendha has the spark, she is not surprised. Elayne says she feels a kinship for the Aiel just as she does for others who can channel. Both Egwene and Amys think that Aviendha will be very strong. (TSR Ch35)

When Rand asks Aviendha why she doesn't like him, she first tells him that as He Who Comes With the Dawn, she cannot like nor dislike him. She then hints that she may spite him for going to Rhuidean for honor and yet still be "free", while she must go and be tied to the Wise Ones, studying. She also says that he treats Elayne badly, but since Egwene still likes him, and she is friends with Egwene, she will give him a chance. (TSR Ch22)

Later, Rand sees Aviendha on her return from Rhuidean. He is happy to see her, even though she dislikes him, for her dislike does not stem from who he is. She dislikes him simply because she feels he mistreats Elayne. Aviendha, however, stares at him with pure hate. Rand realizes that, having just gone to Rhuidean, she would now know of the prophecy stating that he would destroy the Aiel. Mat warns Rand not to turn his back on her. (TSR Ch34)

Aviendha tells Rand that Elayne is the woman for him, saying that she is a wetlander like him and, much to Rand's embarrassment, describes Elayne's body in blatant detail. She then goes on to scold Rand for rejecting Elayne after she "bared her heart" to him in letters. (TSR Ch36)

During their journey through the Waste, Aviendha is adamant about Rand's relationship with Elayne. When she catches him looking at another woman, she scolds him, saying "You belong to Elayne." (TSR Ch37) She even tells him: "If I could, I would take you gai'shain and give you to Elayne!" (TSR Ch48)

When Rand snaps at Aviendha for her lack of respect for him, Rhuarc intercedes that he will not be treated as a "wetlander king," although, he says, "Some do push the bounds of honor." At hearing that, Aviendha tenses up and holds her tongue. (TSR Ch37)

After a few days of travel, Egwene approaches Rand and yells at him, telling him to stop doing whatever it is that is upsetting Aviendha so (TSR Ch37).

As Rand retires for bed, Aviendha follows him to his tent and then is there the next morning when he wakes. Rand is happy to see her, because he knows who she is and what her feelings for him are. (TSR Ch37)

For the majority of the trip, Aviendha walks besides Rand's horse. Sometimes Rand walks along with her, but he is not able to walk for as long as she can. Occasionally he has been able to get her to ride along with him, saying he gets a crick in his neck from looking down at her all the time, although even the slightest laugh from any Aiel gets her off the horse and walking once more. (TSR Ch48)

Aviendha lectures Rand on Aiel customs as they travel, and he finds it enjoyable at times. Whenever she realizes that they begin to talk as two normal people would, she snaps at him and returns to her stony self, as if having been caught in a trap. (TSR Ch48)

Of all the Aiel traveling with them, Aviendha is the only one who talks with Rand at any length (TSR Ch48).

Rand thinks he sees compassion on Aviendha's face once, when the Wise Ones approach him to see how he is, although as soon as she sees Rand looking at her, it is gone (TSR Ch48).

Keille mentions to Rand that perhaps Aviendha shows contempt for him because he belongs to another. Rand disagrees with her, saying: "Aviendha would plant a knife in my ribs if she believed I had thought of her that way." (TSR Ch48)

When Rand tells Aviendha that he does not know what he ever did to her, she replies "You have done nothing to me, and you never will." (TSR Ch49)

Rand tries to give Aviendha a bracelet in thanks for her teachings. Aviendha at first does not want to take the gift, but eventually does. When she finds out that he got it from other Maidens, she realizes that they think he is trying to get her interest and approve. She will not let Rand take the gift back after this, saying it would take away her honor, and instead says they must think what they do, even if it means nothing. (TSR Ch50) Throughout the rest of the journey, however, Aviendha tries to hide the bracelet from the other Maidens (TSR Ch57).

During that same encounter, Aviendha apologizes to Rand for her attitude at dinner earlier. Rand later learns that this apology was not forced by the Wise Ones, but sincere and voluntary. (TSR Ch50)

Becoming a Wise One

Aviendha was almost not allowed to go across the Dragonwall to hunt for He Who Comes With the Dawn, as she had other duties to begin training as a Wise One (TDR Ch39). As it is, she is late to begin her training (TSR Ch23).

When Aviendha is finally summoned to Rhuidean, she is very reluctant to go. Moiraine tells her she has received a message from the Wise Ones telling her to report at once. Aviendha instead wants to go to Tanchico with Nyneave and Elayne to hunt for the Black Ajah. (TSR Ch12)

Aviendha does not want to become a Wise One, and refuses training at first, wanting to remain a Maiden of the Spear. When Aviendha does agree to go to Rhuidean, she runs the whole way, determined to beat Mat and Rand there (TSR Ch23).

Aviendha, as well as Moiraine, is still in Rhuidean by the time Rand and Mat return. Rand suggests going back to Rhuidean to look for Aviendha and Moiraine, but Melaine explodes, telling him that he would not come back out alive. Later that afternoon, on the seventh day since everyone left, Rand sees a very sunburned and weary Aviendha scrambling up the mountain (TSR Ch34).

Upon Aviendha's return, the Wise Ones take her into a tent, where she later emerges wearing a bulky brown skirt with a loose white blouse, and a shawl looped around her arms. She looks less than happy, and when she sees Rand, she gives him a look of pure "animal rage." (TSR Ch34)

Later that evening, Aviendha is in the sweat tent along with the other Wise Ones, Moiraine, and Egwene when they discuss Rand. She tosses water into a kettle, creating steam for the tent, and has a sour look on her face. Egwene empathizes as she remembers the chores she had to do as a novice in the White Tower. (TSR Ch35)

During this meeting, Bair orders Aviendha to watch Rand for the Wise Ones. She is to get as close to him as she can and talk to him, to see if he will let anything slip. This may get in the way of her training, but the Wise Ones believe it is the only way. Aviendha refuses, bursting out, almost in tears, that she hates him. The Wise Ones threaten her with chores, expecting to be obeyed, and some of Aviendha's stubbornness recedes. It is not until Egwene asks her to do it for her, and to look after him for Elayne, that Aviendha finally says "I will watch him for Elayne." (TSR Ch35)

The next morning, Aviendha waits for Rand outside his tent and stays with him the entire day. Rand describes her as she walks beside his horse: "Stalking. If she were a cat, she would be lashing her tail." (TSR Ch36)

During his training with Lan, Rand asks how to defeat an Aiel attack. Aviendha explodes, demanding to know why he would want to fight his own people, and why he would ask a wetlander instead of an Aiel anyway. Rhuarc approaches and scolds Aviendha for sulking so long, telling her there is a limit even though she suffered a disappointment, and that her obligation to her people will not be fulfilled by her petty tantrums. Aviendha glowers as if blaming Rand for being scolded. (TSR Ch37)

That evening, the group gets attacked while at the campfire by Trollocs. Though she has given up the spear, Aviendha uses a corner of her shawl to veil her face and fights along with the rest of them. (TSR Ch37) She is later scolded by the Wise One's for her actions (TSR Ch48).

When Rand tells Egwene how he is uncomfortable around Aviendha, the Wise Ones have a talk with her. Upon her return, Aviendha demands that she teach him about Aiel ways and customs. (TSR Ch48)

Aviendha's nights and parts of some days are spent with the Wise Ones, during which she learns about channeling and becoming one of them (TSR Ch48).

One of Aviendha's first times channeling is a giant ball of fire, which tumbles out ahead of the Wise Ones' party before winking out on the horizon. The Wise Ones are very excited when this happens. (TSR Ch48)

When the group reaches Cold Rocks Hold, and it is apparent that Rand does not know everything he should about the Aiel, the Wise Ones threaten to scold Aviendha in private. Rand intercedes in her defense, saying that she was a good teacher. He asks that she remain as such. (TSR Ch49)

Aviendha shows a temper during dinner that night, and is told to dust carpets in order to work it out. She says it may take all night. (TSR Ch50)

Quotes

"I do not argue- when you make sense, Rand al'Thor." (TFoH Ch32)

"Laugh while you can, wetlander. When this land begins to break you, it will be a fitting punishment for your treatment of Elayne." (TSR Ch37)

"It is stupid to anger Aes Sedai." (TSR Ch48)

Miscellaneous

Aviendha has a first-sister, Nielle, a weaver, who always wanted Aviendha to wed rather than take the spear. Nielle was recently taken gai'shain by Chareen Maidens. (TFoH Ch32)

Aviendha's sister-mother, Lian, is sister-wife to Amys (TSR Ch12).

Before crossing the Dragonwall, Aviendha used to visit Cold Rocks Hold, where Rhuarc, Amys, and Lian live (TSR Ch12).

General

Once a Maiden of the Spear, Aviendha is an Aiel of the Nine Valleys sept of the Taardad Aiel. She has given up the ways of Far Dareis Mai, although she is still struggling to come to terms with this fact, to study as a Wise One. She is currently an Apprentice. Aviendha is strong in the One Power. Her Talents include Unweaving and Reading Residues and she is known for weaving particularly strong Wards (CoT, Ch.14). She has had hostility attracted to her from other Aes Sedai due to the fact that she is a Wilder (CoT, Ch.11) .

Strongly muscled but softly curved (FoH, Ch.31), Aviendha stands taller than an average woman due to her Aiel blood. Her hair is a dark red hue and shoulder length, growing out from her Maiden's cut. Her eyes are a deep blue green that blaze with fire to match her personality and nature.

"He had given her the ivory bracelet she wore, roses amongst thorns, suiting her nature." - LoC, Ch. 16

Abandoning cadin'sor, the chose attire of the Maidens, Aviendha dresses in the garb of a Wise One; bulky gray skirts, pale blouse, thick woolen shawl and a dark head scarf folded around her temples to keep her growing hair back. She is never without three favored pieces of jewelry; a necklace of silver snowflakes given to her by her Near-Sister Egwene al'Vere (TFoH, Ch. 7), from Rand al'Thor an ivory bracelet carved with roses and thorns, and an amber brooch in the shape of a turtle that is known to be an angreal. Apart from these pieces she wears no other ornamentation. However, Aviendha harbors a secret love of silks and velvets. At first she shies away from them, but grows to love them when Daughter-Heir Elayne Trakand encourages her to get used to wearing them, although she would never admit this! (CoT, Ch.13)

Aviendha, like all Aiel, takes the law of je'e'toh very seriously, and is constantly bemused and frustrated at wetlander's inability to follow suit. She believes she has incurred a great toh towards Elayne for her intimate relationship with Rand (TFoH, Ch.31).

Aviendha is currently residing in the Sun Palace of Caemlyn with Elayne. She is present at many of the affairs of State that Elayne must see to, such as status reports from Norry, Brigitte and the First Maid (CoT, Ch.11), dealing with the Athan'an Miere (CoT, Ch.12), meeting High Seats of Houses (CoT, Ch. 13), as well as continuing her studies to become a Wise One. It is during this time at the Sun Palace that both Aviendha and Elayne feel the tremendous channeling to the West as Rand attempts to cleanse saidin. (CoT, Ch.12)

Strengths and Talents

Aviendha is involved with many events that demonstrate her strength in the One Power. Many Aes Sedai are amazed to find an Aiel who can Channel when Aviendha arrives in Salidar with Mat Cauthon and the Band of the Red Hand (LoC, Ch.38).

Her Talent of Unweaving is discovered when she Unweaves a Gateway, an act that shocks all channelers present as it is meant to be a very dangerous and almost impossible feat (TPoD, Ch.2). She is also a member of the circle that uses the Bowl of Winds to amend the strange weather cycles that have been gripping the lands (TPoD, Ch.5).

Relationships

Aviendha tries to push Rand away from her as she believes that is the only way of clearing her toh to Elayne. Finally, she succumbs as she knows her heart is true. She saw in the arches of Rhuidean that she would be romantically linked with Rand and she knew that she could not deny the truth (FoH, Ch.31). Elayne and Aviendha both realize their love for Rand and realize it is a blessing, not a curse upon them both. They both then undertake the ceremony to be bonded as First-Sisters, under the midwifery of the Wise One Monaelle (WH, Prologue).

Aviendha and Elayne now decided that they will Bond Rand as their Warder. Despite his initial protests for their safety and sanity, he agrees. Recognizing Rand's love for Min as well as themselves, Aviendha and Elayne include her into the weave, and therefore the Bond (WH, Ch.12). Aviendha, Elayne and Min will be sister-wives in the Aiel way, if they all are to marry Rand. Min also has a viewing that Aviendha will bear Rand's children. Quintuplets! (WH, Ch.12). While Elayne is pregnant however, Aviendha has appointed herself, along with Elayne's Warder Birgitte, as her First-Sister's carer and takes this job very seriously.

Quotes

"Yes, Rand al'Thor. I hate you with all of my heart. And I always will". (Aviendha tries to hate Rand and push him away as she feels that Rand really belongs to Elayne. She has been asked to watch over Rand and feels guilty for loving him; TFoH,Ch.4).

"My sister has you by the ear, Zaida din Parede. Hung up by the ankles in fact." (Aviendha makes fun of the Sea Folk. Hanging people from the rigging by their ankles is a punishment of the Sea Folk that is a constant source of amusement for Aviendha. She possesses the strange sense of humor that is typical to an Aiel that "could be rough at times." (CoT, Ch. 13) She can also be very blunt as she has never learned that words can cut as deep as one of her Maiden's spears; CoT, Ch.12)

"Always assume your enemy will do what you do not want. Decide what you least want them to do and plan on that." (Aviendha speaks to Dyelin about which houses will ally themselves with Elayne; CoT, Ch.14)

"Men cause trouble even when they are elsewhere." (Aviendha and Elayne comfort each other about Rand's absence and safety after feeling the massive wave of Channeling in the West; CoT, Ch. 14)