An upcoming book storylineThe Wheel of Timeoffers a great solution as to what the show should do with Anvaere. Introduced as Moiraine’s estranged sister, Anvaere Damodred was an unexpected yet welcome addition to Prime Video’s adaptation ofRobert Jordan’sWheel of Timebooks. Prior to the series, Anvaere was little more than a name mentioned inThe Wheel of Time’sprequel novel,New Spring. Moiraine’s sister never actually had a role in the narrative in any capacity.
The show’s approach to Moiraine’s family differs considerably from what the books did. In fact, it made Anvaere one ofThe Wheel of Time’smain charactersin season 2, giving her plenty of screen time and a meaningful role in the Cairhien arc. Interestingly enough, it doesn’t provide closure to her story, which suggests that Anvaere could continue to appear in the series. Whether or not that’s the case is unclear and is admittedly difficult to predict based on the books since she wasn’t around. However, there are events in the books that could be reworked to make room for her.
Why The Wheel Of Time May Not Be Done With Anvaere
Because Of Liandrin, There’s Still More For Anvaere To Do
The big twist involving Barthanes lays the groundwork for Anvaere to come back into play later. She knows from eavesdropping on her son that a member of the Aes Sedai - Liandrin - is secretly a Darkfriend. This puts her in an extremely precarious position, especially since it makes Anvaere one of the few people aware that those loyal to the Dark One have infiltrated the White Tower. She also exposed Barthanes, which could lead to Liandrin finding out and making a move to silence her. Whether she does it personally or sends a member of the Black Ajah to do it for her,Liandrin targeting Anvaere makes a lot of sense.
The Wheel of Timetaking this direction could enable Anvaere to return as early as season 3, regardless of where Cairhien fits into the show’s near future. Based on what’s known aboutThe Wheel of Timeseason 3’s confirmed locations, there’s no urgency for the show to return to Cairhien, but knowing a secret about a Black Sister could easily change that. The danger this poses to her could force her to leave her home, thus creating a path for her to reappear in one ofThe Wheel of Time’supcoming storylines, which will be set in Tanchico, Two Rivers, the White Tower, and the Aiel Waste.
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There’s nothing in the books (or the show) that would justify Anvaere appearing in the Two Rivers or the Aiel Waste, but being pulled into the White Tower or Tanchico plots isn’t implausible. Neither connects with Moiraine, but could be relevant to Anvaere’s current story due to the Liandrin connection. The information she possesses would obviously be of value to the Aes Sedai in Tar Valon, and Liandrin is expected to go to Tanchico next, considering that’s where she is inThe Shadow Rising.
Anvaere Could Join The Aes Sedai Rebellion In Salidar
Anvaere Could Be A Supporting Character In The Aes Sedai Rebellion Story
Of all the places where Anvaere could wind up, none feels like a better fit than Salidar, the place that will become the headquarters of the Aes Sedai rebels. In the books, Elaida of the Red Ajah succeeds in having Siuan Sanche overthrown and installing herself as the new Amyrlin Seat. Consequently, several Aes Sedai break away from the White Tower and form a rebellion.A village in Altara, called Salidar, becomes the base of operations for the rebel Aes Sedaiwhile they figure out how to remove Elaida from power and replace her with a new Amylrin Seat.
The rebel Aes Sedai camp served as a haven for a number of displacedWheel of Timecharacters, including the stilled Siuan Sanche, Logain Ablar, and Min Farshaw. In other words, not everyone there was an Aes Sedai. For that reason, there’s a chance Anvaere could head there as well. Her intention could be to find and warn Moiraine about Liandrin. If that happens, she could link up with the rebels and earn a place there. Her connections a noblewoman and a member ofWheel of Time’sHouse Damodredcould be key to shoring political support for their cause and to ensure others officially recognize their chosen replacement for the Amyrlin Seat.
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Although Anvaere currently has no motive for helping the Aes Sedai,having her there could still be a way of properly continuing her season 2 arc.In having her turn against Barthanes,Wheel of Timeeffectively proved where Anvaere really stands: against the Darkfriends. For as much as she wanted the power and prestige of being the mother-in-law to Queen Galladrian, she valued doing the right thing more. Her decision to oppose the Shadow could position Anvaere to be at odds with the Black Ajah in the future, and that could seep into the Salidar plot since the Black Ajah have their hooks in Elaida via Alvarin.
Elaida isn’t Black Ajah, but functions as an arm of them since her actions serve their goals. Alvarin, the secret leader of the Black Ajah, manipulated Elaida and used her. In this sense, the Black Ajah are the true villains of the story, hence why Anvaere could now fit into it perfectly.
Anvaere Could Be Key To Wheel Of Time’s Political Storylines
Anvaere Understands Daes Dae’mar Better Than Most
Of course, the Aes Sedai rebellion would only provide a short-term role for Anvaere, since it would inevitably result inThe Wheel of TimefulfillingMin’s vision and annointing Egwene as the Amyrlin Seat. But that doesn’t have to be the end of Anvaere’s arc either, not with politics being so integral to the later books in the series. After all, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Anvaere was part ofWheel of Time’sintroduction into the concept of Daes Dae’mar a.k.a. The Great Game.
With Cairhien being one of the many nations to become involved in these storylines, it’s not hard to imagine Anvaere, as a representative of House Damodred, having a hand in all this.
Because having strong allies is so important to both sides of the conflict, Daes Dae’mar a.k.a. The Great Game factors heavily into several of the books, with characters like Rand, Elayne, and Perrin interacting with several authority figures across several world powers. With Cairhien being one of the many nations to become involved in these storylines, it’s not hard to imagine Anvaere, as a representative of House Damodred, having a hand in all this. Depending on the relationships she may cultivate with Rand and the other power players, she could become an important political ally inThe Wheel of Time’sfuture.
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.
