Warning: Spoilers for The Wheel of Time season 3, episode 8
The Wheel of Timeseason 3 finale confirmed that not one, but two mystical races occupy the show’s world. After multiple episodes of buildup, the final episode of the season finally explained the mystery of why Min Farshaw had a Viewing ofMat hanging from a rope inThe Wheel of Time. As it turns out, his near-death experience was a consequence of one of thethree wishes Mat made to the Eelfinnin the Chamber of Bonds.
The reveal was book-accurate, but surprising all the same, due in large part to the lack of setup for the Eelfinn. The scene of Mat meeting the Eelfinn is heavily inspired by what Mat went through in the city of Rhuidean inThe Shadow Rising. It’s a pivotal moment, not because of the impact it ultimately has on Mat’s overarching story, but also the massive contributions it makes to the wider lore. Interestingly, though, the Eelfinn weren’t the first otherworldly beings to show up in the source material. The first was actually the Aelfinn. But thoughThe Wheel of Timepushed back their introduction, it’s worth noting that they are indeed around.
The Wheel Of Time Confirms The Aelfinn Are Canon
The Wheel Of Time Didn’t Cut The Snake People
In the opening sequence ofThe Wheel of Timeseason 3 finale, Elaida is shown stepping through a red ter’angreal doorway similar to the one Mat used later in the episode. But that doesn’t mean she made contact with the same character Mat interacted with; the subtitles for the episode confirm that when Alviarin asks her about what happened, the name she uses is “Aelfinn,” not “Eelfinn.” In Robert Jordan’sWheel of Timebooks,the Aelfinn are the counterparts of the Eelfinn. The two races are collectively referred to as “The Snakes and the Foxes.”
The realms of the Aelfinn and the Eelfinn are linked together by the Tower of Ghenjei, which acts as a nexus point for both worlds.
This description alone provides an idea of what to expect from the Aelfinn if and when they make their live-action debut. Just as the Eelfinn have the physical attributes of a fox, the Aelfinn resemble snakes. Both the Aelfinn and the Eelfinn live in their own interconnected dimensions, accessed by the red ter’angreal doorways. Thanks to the finale, it’s now known that people can contact the Eelfinn from Tanchico and the Aelfinn from Tar Valon.
They Didn’t Make Elaida The Amyrlin Seat, But Likely Advised Her On How To Get The Title
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The exchange between Alviarin and Elaida teases the abilities of the Aelfinn, which differ fromthe powers of the Eelfinn. In the episode, Alviarin asks Elaida, “What did the Aelfinn promise you?”, to which Elaida responds, “The Amyrlin Seat itself.” While Siuan getting what she wants at the end of the episode may indicate that the powers of the Aelfinn and the Eelfinn have the same function, it’s important to note that the Aelfinn only reveal what the future brings; they don’t grant wishes like the Eelfinn do.
Whereas the Eelfinn are to be asked three wishes, the Aelfinn are to be asked three questions about the future.
Whereas the Eelfinn are to be asked three wishes, the Aelfinn are to be asked three questions about the future. For instance, Mat asked the Aelfinn if he should return to the Two Rivers inThe Shadow Rising.The Aelfinn, being able to see where Mat’s path would take him, instructed him to go to Rhuidean instead. Heeding their advice and going to Rhuidean is what allowed Mat to meet the Eelfinn and subsequently gain the memories of ancient military generals and the silver foxhead medallion that blocks weaves of the One Power.
The Aelfinn generally don’t provide much information, which can sometimes lead to their answers sounding like riddles. However, people can use their remaining questions to get clarification on the original answer. Mat used his second question to find out why it was important that he go toRhuidean inThe Wheel of Time. Also, it’s important that all three questions get asked, as people aren’t able to leave the realm of the Aelfinn until every answer has been given, which isn’t unlike the way things work with the Eelfinn and their three wishes.
The complicated rules of dealing with the Aelfinn and Eelfinn inspired an in-universe children’s game called “Snakes and Foxes"that is built around strict rules that must be followed in order to achieve victory.
As for how it works, it’s worth noting that their ability to see the future isn’t akin to what Min does, as they don’t receive Viewings. Instead, they identify what will happen in the future by reading the Pattern. When asked a question about what the future holds by a particular person, they use their powers to see where their thread leads in the Pattern. Doing this allows them to soak up the experiences of the person whose future they’re reading, hence why they provide this service in the first place. To the Aelfinn, what they offer is more of a trade than a true gift.
Asking Questions Of The Aelfinn Comes With A Huge Risk
How these requests work tie in closely with Alviarin’s ominous remarks about the potential cost of entering the red ter’angreal doorway.The mysterious Alviarinreminded Elaida, “Too many of our sisters have entered that doorway and never returned.” This comment references the complexities that come with asking questions of the Aelfinn. They have to be phrased very specifically and with a great deal of caution. It’s mentioned in the books that the Aelfinn will punish those who ask questions they deem meaningless.
Certain subjects also have to be avoided, such as the Dark One. It’s understood in the novels that for unknown reasons, asking a question about anything related to the Dark One can potentially result in a person losing their mind, or even death. That makes sense of Alviarin’s statement about Aes Sedai not returning. Given that fighting the Shadow is a big part of their modus operandi, it’s not surprising that many of their questions would relate in some way to the Dark One.
The Wheel Of Time Now Has An Easy Way To Introduce The Aelfinn
As it stands, it’s unclear when the show will make the Aelfinn more than just an Easter egg. But, their significance to the books and their connection to Elaida - which is original to the show - does offer credence to the idea that they’ll appear eventually. With the doorway to their realm having a known location and Tar Valon being a consistent setting in the series, it’s not hard to imagine Elaida or perhaps a different Aes Sedai, such as Moiraine or Verin, feeling compelled to ask the Aelfinn about the future in an upcoming season ofThe Wheel of Time.
The Wheel of Time
Cast
The Wheel of Time follows Moiraine, a member of the powerful all-female organization Aes Sedai, as she leads a perilous quest with five young individuals. Moiraine suspects one among them could be the prophesized reincarnation of a mighty figure destined to either save or doom humanity.
