Egwene Al'Vere - Love and Power

Love and Power

In their hometown of Emond's Field, the townsfolk widely understood that Egwene and Rand would be married to each other, though they were never formally betrothed. After leaving Emond's Field, however, their romantic interests with each other wane as they each begin to pursue their own interests and destinies. With mutual feelings, Egwene and Rand formally sever their romantic relationship in The Shadow Rising, unbeknownst to Rand allowing at the same time Elayne to court Rand. After going to the White Tower, Egwene becomes enamored of Gawyn Trakand, Elayne's older brother. For a short time in Lord of Chaos, Egwene and Gawyn are able to be with each other in Cairhien, where Egwene tries to find proof for Gawyn that Rand had not killed his mother, Morgase Trakand. At Dumai's Wells, Gawyn vows to Rand that he will see him dead for killing his mother. On the trip back from Dumai's Wells, Gawyn is denied re-entry to Tar Valon. Because of this, he is not in Tar Valon at the time Egwene becomes a prisoner in the White Tower. Ironically, Gawyn does not know that he is aligned with the Aes Sedai faction that is opposed to Egwene's Rebel Aes Sedai.

Egwene is one of the most powerful channelers discovered by the White Tower in more than a thousand years. Those stronger or equal to her in the One Power, or even near her, make up a short list: Nynaeve al'Meara of the Yellow Ajah; Elayne Trakand of the Green Ajah; Aiel Wise Ones Aviendha, Tamela and Viendre; former damane Alivia; Sharina Melloy (a sixty-seven year old grandmother, now a novice); and Sea Folk Windfinder's apprentices Talaan and Metarra, along with several other Aiel Wise Ones. These may be the only women alive other than the Forsaken that have the same general strength in the One Power as Egwene.

She is also the first Aes Sedai that has the Talent of Dreaming since Corianin Nedeal, who died approximately 475 years prior to the events of the series. It is later learned that the Forsaken also have this ability as well as four Aiel Wise Ones. Egwene demonstrates enough skill as a Dreamer to break out of an illusion orchestrated by Moghedien in the World of Dreams. Moghedien is considered, arguably with Lanfear, as the most talented of all in the World of Dreams. On her summons to Salidar, Egwene discovers the ability to travel via the World of Dreams and later adapts that knowledge, combined with tidbits from the captured Moghedien, to rediscover the lost Talents of Travelling and Skimming. Noted as rare for women, she also has exceptional ability with weaving the Power Earth, as well as good strength with Air, Water, Fire and Spirit. She independently rediscovers the ability to create cuendillar and displays extraordinary affinity for this Talent when she uses it to great effect on the harbor chain in Tar Valon in Crossroads of Twilight just before she is captured.