[ChrisW]

Major SPOILERS for "The Fires of Heaven"
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I'm currently rereading WoT and just finished tFoH. Just wondering what everyones reaction was to the scene where Mat, Avi and Asmo get killed by Rahvin and then how you felt about them being alive after Rand Balefires Rahvin.

I'd say what mine was but I bloody well can't remember so hopefully some of your responses might jog my memory:). Most of the time when rereading I experience the same reaction I did the first time even though I know what's coming and some cases the lead up to those events impacts me more. An example being the lead up to Moiraine's death. Her actual death this time didn't choke me up(her letter had me on the verge again though) but her behaviour and the things she said to Rand beforehand nearly had me crying a few times as I knew why she was saying them.

[Iskaral Pust]

That was one of the bits in a book that I was reading too quickly and not paying enough attention, didn't even realise they were dead until after they came back.

[Shanoncia]

When I first read that they had died, I reread it, and then began to sob. After they were brought back to life I actually simply put the book down and walked around with a dumb grin on my face. I didn't need anymore. :)

[Richardb]

I was shocked when it happened. Totally dumbfounded...
Then, when the pattern was turned back and they were alive, I was wondering what the implications would be. As excited as I was they were alive, I wondered what this meant to their characters maturation, and to the plot. Such an turning back of the wheel surely would impact more of the story than these two, it seemed... I wondered about it until I got into the next book and realized that it was not going to be wound into the plot line in any deeper way (that I have noticed).

[Evil Agent]

You actually thought they were dead? Come on, this is JORDAN, nobody dies! And if they do, they're reincarnted! :)

[Richardb]

Originally posted by Evil Agent
You actually thought they were dead? Come on, this is JORDAN, nobody dies! And if they do, they're reincarnted! :)
Good point. I suppose that I had simply not come to that full realization yet. Damn convenient that reincarnation thing.

[Oorag]

I remember thinking that he shouldn't have killed Mat along with the rest, because I saw right through it. He's not going to kill one of the Big Three, no chance, therefore he would have to bring them back soon. If Mat had not been among the dead, I might have bought it and had a reaction.

[Matrim]

I usually don't read everything the first time I read a book(epecially RJ's loooong descriptions:)) so I somehow manged to miss that they have died. Then I read it again and was really surprised when I saw what I have missed.

[Shanoncia]

All good points my lovelies, but have we forgotten Moiraine? Surely she was both a central and powerful member to the story. Her name should be the greatest among the woman of the legends... She's not coming back.... is she?

[ChrisW]

maybe, maybe not. Here is a bit from the WoT FAQ that lists reasons why she might return.

The real evidence that convinces us Moiraine is alive is the various visions that imply that she will return.

These are: Egwene's vision [TFOH: 15, What Can Be Learned in Dreams, 214] of Thom pulling Moiraine's blue jewel out of a fire, and Min's comment in [ACOS: 35, Into the Woods, 543] that Rand would fail without "a woman who was dead and gone," which almost certainly refers to Moiraine, and her comment in [ACOS: 35, Into the Woods, 546] that "Moiraine was the only viewing of hers that had ever failed." She must have had one or more viewings about Moiraine that were not fulfilled, and since WE know that Min is never wrong, then Moiraine will almost certainly return at some point.


The FAQ should not be taken as gospel(RJ said it was only 1/3 correct years ago) but most people(those that discuss the books) do believe that she will return. Thom being the one who brings her back with perhaps Mat involved as Olver's game Snakes and Foxes has the rules for defeating the creatures on the other side of the doorways.

There is a bit more evidence but it involves WH but I didnt include that as you may have not read it yet.