[Siobhan]

Well, I really don't want to think of that possibility right now so I'm going to go with my interpretation of the love Maerad was talking about ;) But you're right there are so many hints it must mean something more than just friends.

[Mrs. Cadvan]

Don't you think that that could just her saying that he's an awsome friend and using 'love' as a friendship term? I'm looking at it from all angles so at least one of them is right :)

Nah, I don't reckon so. Because if it was using 'love' in terms of friendship, then she'd of already known, wouldn't she. It wouldn't take a parting for her to realise that she loved him as a friend.
Personally in that sentance I thought the love referred to was probably more of an eros love.

[Sirion]

From what i've read Cadvan seems to feel more for her than just friendship. it has to go deeper than that! Plus, they have to get together coz they would make the best couple ever.

[Akdor 1154]

"She had loved Cadvan, and he had loved her; and, she knew now, with an unuassuageable bitterness, she had misunderstood that love"

I took that as meaning she thought that he had loved her erotically, but now realizes it's just as friends.

[alison]

Yes, more or less...what she had misunderstood was the profundity of their relationship. The romance thing scared her off, triggering all her fears; but what they feel for each other went deeper than that; erotic dimensions exist in most real friendships, whether or not they are acted on. Not _just_ friends, but _really_ friends.

[Siobhan]

so... does it mean they he didn't really love her at all? I'm just so confused now. But I think that if they really did love each other it would be better than if they were just friends

[alison]

Siobhan - the last thing I want to do is to make you confused! But this love thang is in a very great part what the books are about: and one of the things that is said often is that love is neither simple nor easy, that there are many kinds of love, and that they are all powerful and often confusing. (Sorry if that's not help at all!) :D

Here are a couple of quotes from Cadvan which might open it up a bit:

"...It is hard, to know oneself. But until we do, we cannot know why we act as we do. It’s a lifetime’s quest, and it never ends...”

and also:

“Love is one of the true mysteries... The truest and the deepest of all. One thing, Maerad: to love is never wrong. It may be disastrous, it may never be possible, it may be the deepest agony. But it is never wrong.”

and:

“Never be ashamed of your love... The only thing to be ashamed of is denying your love. That is what makes the shadow grow within your heart, that is the darkening of the Light. And we all have many loves.”

I'm pretty sure that he's talking about his feelings for Maerad there, among many other things (Cadvan seldom means only one thing when he says anything).

[Siobhan]

That helps unconfuse me alot actually... now I am 99% sure Cadvan loves Maerad... sort of... But this whole will they, won't they, should they, shouldn't they is making a shadow grow in MY heart :( :p

[alison]

Have a glass of laradhel, Siobhan - it should dispel a shadow or two -:D

It raises an interesting problem, though - now there are people with expectations (and gracious, I had no idea what passions might be aroused :eek:) I wonder how it will be writing Book 4. Maybe other writers here might have some idea...

Well, that remains to be seen, I suppose! In case you hadn't guessed, I love talking about the books; it does help me to imagine them, and I have long conversations about the series with my husband over the kitchen table in the evenings. He's very patient, and even claims to be as interested in them as I am... But in the end, I have to stay as true as I can to the story and the characters; and I guess the first reader I have to please is myself. I hate to disappoint anybody; but I also know you can't ever please everyone. I'll do my absolute best not to disappoint, though! :p

[Akdor 1154]

“Never be ashamed of your love... The only thing to be ashamed of is denying your love.” - Cadvan

But I though you said:

I'm pretty sure that Cadvan has quite deep feelings for Maerad. But I don't think he really approves of them within himself.

[hr]

the first reader I have to please is myself.
I agree, if you're not writing for yourself, why would you want to write? :)