Warning: Spoilers for Wheel of Time season 3, episode 4
Finally, The Wheel of Time featured an onscreen acknowledgment of the connection between Rand and Moiraine’s backstories. However, it refrained from mentioning what is arguably the most significant link between them in Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time books. As explained in season 1 and elaborated on further in season 2, Moiraine hails from the once-powerful House Damodred in The Wheel of Time, a noble family that once controlled the throne of Cairhein. But Rand is not personally aware yet of just how closely his family history is intertwined with Moiraine’s.
In season 2, The Wheel of Time took significant steps toward laying out Moiraine’s personal history through the introduction of her sister and nephew, Anvaere and Barthanes Damodred. Their interacitons depicted House Damodred as a family that had fallen on hard times. What brought them to this low point was addressed in greater detail when season 3 explained the crime committed by King Laman and the start of the Aiel War.
Moiraine’s Uncle Is Responsible For The Circumstances That Led To Rand’s Birth
King Laman Unintentionally Brought Rand’s Mother To Dragonmount
Image via Prime Video
A key part of the Dragon Reborn prophecy was fulfilled when Rand al’Thor was born on the slopes of Dragonmount. His birth occurred amidst a battle between the forces of Cairhein and the Aiel. The Wheel of Time season 3, episode 4 offered a much-needed history lesson on this particular conflict, explaining a key historical event rooted in the source material. As Moiraine explained, the ruler of Cairhein was her uncle, King Laman Damodred. Long ago, the Aiel gifted a sprout from Avendesora aka the Tree of Life, to Cairhein. Laman committed what the Aiel saw as a desecration when he cut down the tree for the purpose of building a new throne.
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This act angered the Aiel, thus starting a major war. In retaliation against Laman for cutting down the tree, four Aiel clans united under the leadership of Rand’s father Janduin, and left the Aiel Waste in search of the king. Their army collided with Laman’s on Dragonmount, where he lost his life and Rand was born. Now, Rand understands that Moiraine’s uncle was the catalyst for him becoming the Dragon Reborn, “We’ve been connected since before I was born.”
Rand’s Mother Was Once Married To Moiraine’s Brother
Rand’s Mother Was Connected To Moiraine’s Family Even Before Dragonmount
It wasn’t referenced in the show, but Rand and Moiraine’s connection goes a bit deeper than just King Laman. In the episode, Rand mentioned that his mother was Aiel, but this turned out to be a misconception when it was explained to him that it was his father who was Aiel. He’s yet to discover his mother’s true identity, but she was already brought up elsewhere in the series. In Wheel of Time season 3, episode 2’s opening sequence, Queen Morgase mentioned that the fight over the Lion Throne of Andor started because of Tigraine Mantear fleeing the kingdom. This was a reference to the fate of Rand’s mother.
In the books, Tigraine’s family – House Mantear – ruled Andor before Queen Morgase, with her predecessor being Queen Mordrellen Mantear. To strengthen ties with Cairhein, House Mantear arranged a marriage between their family and House Damodred. As a result, Tigraine married King Laman’s nephew and Moiraine’s brother, Taringail Damodred. The relationship came to an end when an Aes Sedai known as Gitaro Moroso told her that the world would end if she stayed in Andor. She was directed to travel to the Aiel Waste, leaving her family and responsibilities to her house behind.
Through her Foretelling of the Dragon Reborn, Gitara Moroso shaped the journeys of both Moiraine and Rand; in addition to guiding the future mother of Rand al’Thor to Dragonmount, she is also the character who told Moiraine about the rebirth of the Dragon.
The books never confirmed whether Tigraine Mantear and Moiraine Damodred ever had any sort of relationship. As members of noble families that eventually became tied by marriage, it’s likely that Moiraine at least knew of Tigraine, and the two may have even crossed paths at one point or another. Of course, Moiraine would have had no comprehension of the level of impact Tigraine’s future actions would have on her life in the decades to follow.
Rand & Moiraine Share A Blood Relative In The Wheel Of Time
Galad Is Rand’s Half-Brother And Moiraine’s Nephew
Despite the former marriage ties existing between their respective families, Rand and Moiraine are not actually blood-related. That said, they do share one blood relative in the books: Galad Damodred. In this way, Galad represents the connection between Rand and Moiraine in The Wheel of Time books. During the brief time period where Tigraine and Taringail were husband and wife, the two had a child in Galad, making him Moiraine’s nephew and Rand’s older half-brother. In The Shadow Rising, Tigraine having a son that she loved was noted by Amys, though at the time his identity was unknown. Presumably, Tigraine’s attachment to Galad made leaving Andor harder.
Interestingly, Galad Damodred has a presence in The Wheel of Time season 3, but his role thus far has no overt connection to Rand’s mother or Moiraine’s brother. Instead, he was introduced as a member of House Trakand and one of the sons of Queen Morgase. But the credits confirm that the TV version of the character is indeed “Galad Damodred.“
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As for how Tigriane’s son and Moiraine’s nephew wound up with a place in the royal family of Andor, this too is explained by the source material. Apparently, Taringail’s aim was to be prince-consort of Andor, and this dream was crushed by Tigraine’s departure since she otherwise would have inherited her mother’s throne. But, he found an alternative path to achieving this goal when the Third Succession War happened and Morgase became queen. He married Morgase and finally acquired the title he had wanted. His son by Tigraine was brought along with him to Caemlyn after their marriage, making Galad a member of House Trakand as well.
Rand nor Moiraine have met Galad onscreen yet, and it’s unclear if the show will ever make plain either character’s blood relation to the Andorian price.
Rand nor Moiraine have met Galad onscreen yet, and it’s unclear if the show will ever make plain either character’s blood relation to the Andorian price. If the situation ever presents itself, it’ll be interesting to see if Moiraine ever reminisces about Taringail or Tigraine to Galad. As for Rand, he doesn’t even know he’s Tigraine Mantear’s son yet, but the book character does acquire that knowledge at a later date. If this happens in the show, recognition of his blood ties to Galad could occur in The Wheel of Time’s future.
