Things that surprised you

[Charis Delphi]

I think most of the surprises for have been covered. Except, and forgive my levity here, but was no one else expecting Elayne to go into labour at like the WORST possible time of course, During the Battle. Then I was shocked she was only 6 months along. Hasn't she been pregnant for like 100 books now? Geesh.

Mogheiden was a surprise too, that she survived only to get collared again! Sucker.

Rhuarc!!! Man!!! Whhhy?? *pout*

I also think by the time Egwene died I was in GRRM mode, where I was just so used to people dying I was numb to it. Then I had this insane notion in my head that somehow Rand was going to make everything in the last few days of that Battle not happen so I plowed on. Now I'm just... Numb

Edit: Also the whole Rand/Moridin thing. Min had a viewing about that, so in a way it was always going to come down to them. Didn't see it playing out quite like that...

 

[Tazren Talamar]

Mm, I Moghedien surviving was a nice surprise. But, to be honest, I would've preferred her not to get collared. That not all of the big bad guys got defeated. Whatever her dreams of conquering the world were for that short time, she's not such a badass that she could've done it easily. Not now, with so many AoL-secrets revealed and known to the Aes Sedai and so many very strong channelers popping up everywhere. Her edge would've been very minor.

 

[Lilli O' Neeus]

Bela dying was a bit of a shock. I think it would have been fitting for Rand to have been able to ride away on her.

 

[Jeffan Caliarthan]

And Jeffy, I think the lighting of the tabac is similar to Perrin's discovery of shifting between worlds. Perrin couldn't channel yet ended up being able to use his 'power' in the real world. Maybe the power of tel'aran'rhiod, in that strength of belief in something simply being, was always true in the real world too?

Perrin's ability to shift between worlds is the only thing that he can do at-will. He can't use his will to influence things in the real world, only in TAR. I considered that, because it's the only similar thing that we've seen, but it just doesn't make sense.

 

[Belgareth Kiarc]

I agree, it was the only thing I could think of though. Unless...

"He wove something majestic, a pattern of interlaced saidar and saidin in their pure forms. Not Fire, not Spirit, not Water, not Earth, not Air. Purity. Light itself. This didn't repair, it didn't patch, it forged anew. With this new form of the Power, Rand pulled together the rent that had been made here long ago by foolish men."

Could it be that where there was the One Power and True Power, there is now another? Yes I reaching for things but I've got nothing left to do! It's over! D:

 

[Jeffan Caliarthan]

I'm still going with my theory that by being in the same place as The Dark One, The Creator, and The Pattern itself, he has gained some form of control over The Pattern that's outside of channeling.

 

[Barmacral Tigana]

The body swap has been a long time in coming. It didn't surprise me in the least, and really started when Moridin and Rand's balefire weaves collided in Shadar Logoth when Rand was killing Sammael.

 

[Jeffan Caliarthan]

That makes sense, I guess. I knew that they had a connection, but I'm still curious to know the details of it all.

 

[Keelinnea Isyne]

Mat not being bound to the Horn after all. Even after all the discussion to and for it, I felt he was still bound to it.

 

[Asandra al'Terra]

As soon as the Horn was having a hard time getting to the battle, I was sure that either Olver or Faile would blow it.

Egwene dying killed me, though I shouldn't have been surprised after Gawyn died - I don't think Jordan liked people unpaired. Think about it - other than Rhuarc's sister-wives, who was left alone? Siuan and Bryne died together; Egwene and Gawyn. Galad and Berelain stayed together, as did Nyn and Lan, Rand and his ladies, Moiraine and Thom.

The body switch surprised me.

The great generals was the biggest surprise for me, and I absolutely LOVED it.

Min becoming Truthspeaker wasn't a surprise, but I was happy it happened - so happy she found a place where her visions were revered rather than feared, or merely a curiosity.

 

[Ajailyn Morrivinna]

It is quite possible that RAND was supposed to be Bao the Wyld, but that he never got that far Seeing as he is Dragon reborn, Car'a'carn and the Coramoor already
But it is also possible of course that Demandred was the Wyld, and was finally made a hero somewhere, like he wanted...

I don't think Rand was supposed to, when Moghedien Mirrored as him, she used being able to channel (with the True Power) with no weaves (that they could see) as proof that she was him.. As Rand wouldn't have been able to do what I think was one of their prophecies I think it was supposed to be a Forsaken. Up until that point I thought he had fulfilled their prophecies just to fake them out.. but then again, if a person is supposed to fulfill a prophecy they do, even when trying not to..

I knew the Sharans were coming, it was spoken of in the previous book at least hinted at, after all you have a scene with them suddenly..

Bela's death surprised me the most...

 

[Ariadne Davion]

I'm thinking False Prophecy on that one.

 

[Ajailyn Morrivinna]

OH also another surprise that I went OMG.. OH smart thinking Mat! was the scene of those villagers up the river.. the Zombies being used!

 

[Jeffan Caliarthan]

So, am I the only one that saw the Great Generals thing coming when Lanfear told Perrin that Graendal was trying to visit Bashere's dream?

 

[arema]

I would say Bela of course but also Egwene's death. In hindsight and recollection it does seem...proper. not only was her sacrifice heroic and her life/legacy meaningful but it was her words that truly drove Rand to let go and allow the sacrifices of others to not be a burden.

I did not see a lot of the deaths coming. Suian for example....or Galad's arm. I sincerely thought Talmanes was dead...and Mat with Mashadar/Fain.

I also did not expect the end as it was. With him riding off to the sunset....but it leaves it nice and open for some fanfics I suppose. Maybe seeing a small stint as a personal guard for a certain queen in the near future.

 

[Belgareth Kiarc]

No Jeffan, I thought something was up then. Not necessarily all of them. I just didn't think of it coming prior to AMoL.

 

[Seaghan Hama]

I don't think Rand was supposed to, when Moghedien Mirrored as him, she used being able to channel (with the True Power) with no weaves (that they could see) as proof that she was him.. As Rand wouldn't have been able to do what I think was one of their prophecies I think it was supposed to be a Forsaken. Up until that point I thought he had fulfilled their prophecies just to fake them out.. but then again, if a person is supposed to fulfill a prophecy they do, even when trying not to.

I don't think them not being able to see Bao's weaves was a part of the Ayyad prophecies. This was simply something that they would be aware that Demandred was capable of from their time around him making it possible for Moghedien to use that as identification when she Mirrored him. Although they did refer to him as Dragonslayer and if that is part of their prophecies it indicates that Rand was NOT supposed to be Bao the Wyld.

 

[Muirenn Lina Alianin]

Bao the Wyld! I knew Bao's cameo was going to be good, I didn't know it was going to be that good! I'm just pleased to be married to a Chosen.

 

[Ariadne Davion]

So, am I the only one that saw the Great Generals thing coming when Lanfear told Perrin that Graendal was trying to visit Bashere's dream?

I saw it the moment Lan commented about the first "battle error". So long before. Why? Because Graendal was a live and its what she does. :P

 

[Katarianna al'Leya]

So, the thing with the Sharans surprised me and I was amazed but then realized that people only asked RJ and Brandon if we would see Shara the COUNTRY! Not the people. So a perfect AS answer, for sure!!

The rest of my thoughts shall be pulled from my texts to Sela as I finished the last chapters:

When rand breaks tdo's vision and begins weaving the Pattern. OMG!
Dammit gawyn
Rhuarc!
SIUAN!
Also, yay tinkers
Holy shit egwene and leilwin!
Yay bela and olver!
Dammit birgitte
Egwene!!!!!! (And then a FB post)
Fucking a, LAN!
Omg hes not dead!
Noal! Fuck yeah, Jain farstrider!

And after that, it all flowed so fast that I was swept up in everything. Heartbreaking and perfect.