I'm bound to him as surely as a stave is bound to the barrel. But I can't see if he'll ever love me in return. And I am not the only one.
— Min to Perrin about Rand
Elmindreda "Min" Farshaw (pronounced: MIN) is a woman, originally from Baerlon, who sometimes views auras and visions around people, which she can sometime interpret to predict their future. Min has also recently become a student of philosophy following the death of Herid Fel. She was the second woman to become a lover to Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, and has spent far more time in his company than his other lovers.
Appearance and Abilities[]
She is considered very attractive, described as 'uncommonly pretty' if short of beautiful. She is slender with short brown hair that curls about her neck, and large, dark eyes. She has a wry, mysterious grin that is often on the point of laughter. She adamantly refuses to wear skirts or dresses, instead favoring boys' coats and breeches. She is about 5'5" tall, but likes to wear boots with large heels. She often wears snug breeches embroidered with flowers with her pants legs tucked into her boots.
She started wearing heeled boots and more distinctively feminine short tailored coats and snug breeches on her own initiative to attract and please Rand.[1] This fashion gained popularity among noblewomen in Cairhien[2] and Tear[3].
Min was always smiling, always a little amused by everything.
— Lord of Chaos, Chapter 41
She has the unique ability to see prophetic auras and images around people. When she is able to understand and interpret them, these viewings can reveal predictions about people's presents and futures. She has not always known what they meant, but learned how to interpret them with experience. Her viewings of the future always come true, and can not be circumvented in any way.
Min is also adept at throwing knives. She once saved Tuon's life by killing an assassin with a thrown knife.[verify][4] However, Aviendha thought that Min could be faster with her knives,[verify][4] suggesting Min's skill is somewhat less than that of more professional soldiers or warriors.
She studied philosophy mainly through Herid Fel's books; her study helped Rand figure out how to deal with the Dark One at the Last Battle.
Her closeness to Rand helped keep him grounded and human, so much so that Cadsuane took a keen interest in her. Dobraine took to calling her "My Lady Ta'veren".[5]
Family and Background[]
Min was born outside Baerlon in 975 NE, and her mother died in childbirth. Her father moved them to the mines west of Baerlon for a fresh start.[6] While there, Min became "something of a tomboy" accustomed to wearing boys' clothes. After her father died in a mining accident when she was about ten years old, she was sent back to Baerlon to be raised by her three aunts (Jan, Rana, and Miren[1]), who failed miserably at making a "decent proper woman" out of her.[7]
She gave up running with the street urchins at age thirteen. She knew she needed some kind of trade, but her various attempts at several trades were short-lived due to incompatibilities with her interests, personality[6], and - in the case of her stint as a tavern maid at The Miner's Rest - her aunts.[7] She chose to be a groom; her aunts argued for a year before giving permission, though she had been sneaking of to the stables when she could. She was attracted to horses because she equated them with stories of travel and adventure; only to realize that being a groom meant mucking out stables and manure. She stuck with it out of sheer stubbornness.[6]
She tried other things. She worked as a tavern maid for about a month; but she didn't like wearing dresses, and she didn't like being pinched. She tried being a weaver's apprentice, but she disliked being inside all day, doing the repetitive motions, and did a stint as a dyer's apprentice, which she hated because the dyes stank and she could never get clean of them completely. She found being an assistant in a shop selling cloth not bad, but she had to wear dresses again; she had the same problem as an assistant in a cutlery shop.[6]
Her full name, "Elmindreda," comes from a character in a story who spends most of her time sighing at men and inspiring them them to compose songs about her.[8] This clashes sharply with Min's personality, which is why she prefers to go by the diminutive version of the name. Min is fiercely independent and has a wry sense of humor.
Her viewings first manifested at age twelve, at the onset of puberty. It took a year for her ability to grow fully, and six more months before she realized what was happening. She stopped telling people about her viewings at age fifteen. Min had realized that she could not change her viewings. Once, she viewed a man with a broken neck, and knew it would happen in that afternoon. She convinced him not to go up to his roof to check the roof tiles; he complied and went to the pub, but was killed an hour later by a falling chimney pot.[6]
The incident that caused Min to stop telling people of her viewings was her seeing a man she knew, marrying a woman he was with. However, he was already married. When the man ran off with the woman, his wife took a mob to Min's house, claiming she was responsible. Her aunts saved her by advising her to claim she had learned about the man's plan by snooping. Her aunts made a big show of threatening to punish her. The mob dispersed without hurting her, telling her aunts to discourage her from snooping.[6]
When she was about eighteen, some Aes Sedai visited Baerlon. After hearing about Min's abilities, they sought her out because they thought her viewings might be a manifestation of the One Power. Min was so awed that she told everything about her ability. They concluded that Min could not be taught to channel, and that her viewings were not related to the Power at all. One of these Aes Sedai later told Moiraine about Min.[6]
By the time Min returned to the White Tower after the Battle of Falme, she believed that only Siuan Sanche, Moiraine Damodred, and Verin Mathwin knew of her ability.[8]
Only two Aes Sedai besides Siuan Sanche knew of what she could do: Moiraine, and Verin Mathwin, who had tried to study her talent.[8]
Activities[]
Meetings in Baerlon[]
Min first met Rand al'Thor at Baerlon; Moiraine knew about her viewings and consulted her on them. Min managed to unnerve Rand thoroughly; not only was she a woman who wore men's clothing and her hair cut short like a boy's, but she also had oracular visions. According to Moiraine, Min sees "pieces of the Pattern."[9] For example, whenever she sees Rand, Matrim Cauthon, or Perrin Aybara, she sees them surrounded by a vast, trackless darkness, while countless thousands of sparkling lights rushing in, trying to fill the void; when two or more of them are near each other, the fireflies get stronger.[7]
Sometimes Min can immediately interpret what her viewings mean, while at other times she is mystified by the obscure visions. Whether she knows the meaning or not, however, these visions always come true, although Min believed for a time that her visions about Moiraine being crucial to Rand's eventual success could not possibly come true when Moiraine was thought to be dead.
Viewings are always thicker around those who can channel, or are connected with channelers. However, Min's ability itself has nothing to do with the One Power; Aes Sedai have tested that theory extensively, which contributes to Min's general dislike for the organization.
Min did not tell Rand about a certain vision of his aura that involves her beyond telling him that they will meet again.[9]
Mixed up with Aes Sedai[]
After the events at the Eye of the World, Moiraine summoned Min to the White Tower so the Aes Sedai could study her ability,[10] which the free-spirited girl did not appreciate at all. She went with novices Egwene, Elayne, and Nynaeve to Falme, where Egwene was captured as a damane by the Seanchan. Min tried to fight back but was captured as well. Min was horrified at witnessing Egwene's torture, and despaired at not being able to save her. Min was given status similar to a servant and forced to wear dresses, though she was allowed some freedom of movement and could visit Egwene once a week.[11]
Min with a hood up
Elayne and Nynaeve found Min, and the three of them rescued Egwene, but they could not escape the city aboard the Spray as planned.[12] Min found an injured and unresponsive Rand. She dragged him to shelter and tried to warm him; Egwene found them and exchanged tense words with Min about Rand. Lanfear also found Min, and told her that Rand belongs to her and that Min was only a caretaker. The girls were in Falme when the Heroes of the Horn were summoned against the Seanchan and Rand fought Ba'alzamon in the sky for all to see.[13] Min stayed with Rand - who was proclaimed the Dragon Reborn[14] - and the Shienarans over the winter. Rand disappeared one morning, heading for Tear, and Moiraine sent Min to the Tower with a message for the Amyrlin.[15] A reluctant, unhappy Min complied despite insisting that she would go after Rand.
Min, wearing a dress to prevent recognition, arrived at the Tower and met with the Siuan Sanche as "Elmindreda."[8] Min informed the Amyrlin that Rand was heading to Tear and reported some viewings she'd witnessed since entering the Tower. Siuan then insisted that Min stay in the Tower and use her ability to help uncover any remaining Black sisters in the Tower. For Min's disguise, she miserably broke from her preference for men's breeches and assumed her alter ego, Elmindreda, a simpering, foolish woman who took refuge in the White Tower because she could not choose between two suitors. An annoyed Min was forced to use her full first name, which she hated because Elmindreda is famously the name of a silly, simpering character from a story.[8] Laras, Mistress of the Kitchens, takes "Elmindreda" under her wing, saying she used to be like Min as a young woman.[16] Galad did not recognize her but Gawyn, having briefly spoken with Min before she met with Siuan, knew who she was and teased her for the transformation.
Not long after Min's arrival, there was a violent coup against the Amyrlin Seat. With the help of Laras and a reluctant Gawyn, Min smuggled the stilled and deposed Siuan and Leane, and now-gentled former False Dragon Logain Ablar out of Tar Valon. The four of them found their way to Salidar, where the rebel Aes Sedai who opposed the new Amyrlin were gathering. There, Min was reunited with Elayne and Nynaeve. Min and Elayne discuss their shared love of Rand; Min confesses to Elayne that she saw that both of them, plus a third woman with a temper (Aviendha), would fall in love with Rand.
Min soon departed with a delegation of Aes Sedai to meet Rand in Caemlyn. She left before Aviendha arrived (after Aviendha had spent significant time with Rand) so the two women did not cross paths in Salidar. When Rand was first reunited with Min, he commented that she is a good friend and that he doesn't think of her as a woman. Min took exception to this and spent much of their time together over the subsequent days and weeks teasing Rand and emphasizing her womanhood.[7]
Oh, no, sheepherder. Not good enough." She wriggled round on his lap in a way that made him clear his throat, and pinned a finger against his chest. "I want tears in your eyes when you say it. I want drool on your chin and a stammer in your voice. You needn't think I won't make you pay.
— Min, to Rand, on the fact that she is a woman[7]
When Min first met Faile Bashere, the two had a mutual lukewarm aversion to each other. Faile was initially hotly jealous when Min greeted her husband Perrin Aybara warmly, but that cooled when she read the non-verbal signals of Min's romantic attachment to Rand. The two women left their men to catch up, and Faile and Min went off together to converse about things that would supposedly bore the men,[17] but they don't become friends. Min said about Faile, "Well, she wants what she wants when she wants it, and she will not take no for an answer. I pity poor Perrin, married to her."[18] Rand thought of their relationship as "cool disinterest," and "did not understand the cool looks the two women exchanged. It was not precisely animosity, or even unfriendliness exactly, but Rand suspected that if either made a list of those she would just as soon not spend time with, the other's name would be prominent."[19]
Min shared a viewing with Melaine - Melaine would give birth to twins - and the two hit it off. Due to her viewings, she was regarded as a sort of honorary Wise One and accepted by all Aiel. Min was one of a very short list of people the Maidens of the Spear allowed to see Rand anytime, even while he was bathing. The Maidens were highly amused by Min's teasing and Rand's reaction to her.[verify][4]
While on her way to the Wise One tents around the time of Rand's abduction by the White Tower Aes Sedai, Min was also abducted and forced to accompany the embassy back to the White Tower. She was tortured by Galina Casban used as leverage against Rand.[20] When Rand first saw Min, he became enraged, killed one Warder, and mortally wounded another before he was subdued. Min was beaten by several Aes Sedai[verify][4] and eventually escaped during the Battle of Dumai's Wells. Following the battle, she became even closer to Rand, fearing to spend even a small amount of time away from him.
Love at first sight[]
Al'Thor's women by Liz Stephanoff
One vision Min had upon first meeting Rand was that she would fall in love with him along with two other women. While she may have shared some of the viewing with Rand, she did not convey its significance, nor that she was one of the women.
three women standing over a funeral bier with you on it
— Min describing her viewings to Rand[9]
When she met the novice Elayne Trakand in the White Tower, Min recognized her as one of the women.[verify][4] The two became friends and later agreed to share Rand. The third face eventually turned out to be the Aiel woman Aviendha, who ironically had promised Elayne she would keep anyone from getting their hands on Rand. Struggle against it though she might, Min did fall in love with Rand, becoming the second woman to become his lover (after Aviendha). She now plays an important role in his life; she was one of very few people in the world who could get him to smile during his dark period before his epiphany on Dragonmount. Of those few, she was the only one who was consistently close to him, as Elayne and Aviendha (and Mat and Perrin and virtually everyone else who is personally close to Rand) were usually otherwise occupied elsewhere.
Cairhien[]
Min Farshaw
Rand has tried to send Min away but she has steadfastly refused. She also reports any viewings she has that might help him, but doesn't know what most of them mean. After finding Colavaere Saighan hanging in her chambers, Min seeks Rand out for emotional comfort and the two end up sleeping together. Rand becomes despondent because of his role in the death of Colavaere, and believes that he had taken advantage of Min. He sulks in his room until Min reassures him that their actions were consensual. She leaves with Rand when he first meets with the Sea Folk and creates the Bargain, and then meets with the rebels outside Cairhien, where Rand gives her an alias as Jaisi Trakand. During the last meeting, Rand is slashed by Padan Fain with the Shadar Logoth dagger and she is forced to watch him carried by Darlin Sisnera, unconscious and near death by the time they arrive back in Cairhien. He is eventually Healed by Samitsu Tamagowa and Damer Flinn.
Min is left behind in Cairhien when Rand carries out his campaigns on Illian and the Seanchan. When he arrives back she joins Rand for a meeting with Cadsuane Melaidhrin. The three of them leave the throne room just before a rogue Asha'man attack aimed at Rand destroys a quarter of the Sun Palace. Rand places her in Fedwin Morr's care. Unfortunately he succumbs to the taint on saidin and reverts to the mind of a child. She tries to keep him occupied with toy blocks until Rand arrives back. She watches as Rand slips some poison into Morr's cup putting him to sleep forever.
Far Madding[]
Min Travels with Rand to pick up some of Herid Fel's books and then to the Royal Palace in Caemlyn. She rushes off to tell Elayne that Rand has arrived.
Min, Elayne, and Aviendha jointly bonded Rand as Aes Sedai do with Warders, something previously unheard of and thus necessarily done in secret. It was at that time she also revealed that Elayne would become pregnant with twins and that Rand would be the father.
Min, from a Japanese translation book cover
She then Travels with Rand to Far Madding. She approaches Cadsuane on Rand's behalf because she believes due to a viewing Rand needs her and that she has to teach him something. When Rand leaves to find Charl Gedwyn and Peral Torval Min rushes to Cadsuane to tell her what is going on. She reports then on Rand's condition after he is placed in a small prison cell, stating that he is changing from a stone to iron due to the panic he is suffering from his claustrophobia. She is also present when Rand and Nynaeve use the Choedan Kal to cleanse saidin of the taint.
Tear[]
After Rand cleanses saidin, she accompanies him to Tear, where they stay in Algarin Pendaloan's house until Rand recovers.
Min seems to be able to interpret Rand's mood and thoughts through the bond and has become concerned with his acceptance that he will die at Tarmon Gai'don. She also dislikes Alivia due to a viewing she had that shows her helping Rand die. Min fights in the battle with the Trollocs when they try and attack the manor and even saves Rand at one point by throwing a knife into an attacking Myrddraal. Rand allows her to attend his meeting with the Daughter of the Nine Moons, who is revealed to actually be Semirhage. When Semirhage sends the fireball into Rand, he dives to cover and protect Min. She is more upset over the loss of Rand's hand than he is.
Semirhage's escape[]
Min travels with Rand to Lord Tellaen's manor in Arad Doman. She has taken it upon herself to try and find what Herid Fel had discovered for Rand by reading through all his books. She explains to Rand that he has to destroy all the Dark One's seals to the Bore. She finally gets Rand to open up about Lews Therin Telamon in Rand's head although she believes it's only a voice and not actually Lews Therin himself.
Semirhage manages to escape with the aid of Elza Penfell and snaps the Domination Band on Rand. Min throws a knife which hits Semirhage's cheek, causing a gash. Semirhage then forces Rand, via the a'dam, to choke Min before Rand reaches for the True Power and breaks Semirhage's hold. He blasts both Semirhage and Elza with balefire. Min feels foolish for thinking she could protect Rand merely with the knives she keeps up her shirtsleeves. Rand misinterprets her worry for him as a fear of him, and he starts to withdraw from her. Min speaks with Aviendha to see if she can do anything for Rand. The two women are awkward with each other but each respects the other.
Concept art for Min by Chase Conley
Rand discovers that Graendal is located in Natrin's Barrow and takes Min and Nynaeve there. Rand sends Lord Ramshalan into the manor, and he returns under Compulsion, which Nynaeve confirms. Convinced that the Compulsion is Graendal's doing, Rand destroys the entire palace with balefire. Nynaeve reports that the compulsion is gone—confirming that Graendal has been burned away. Frightened of his increasing emotional detachment, Min and Nynaeve find Cadsuane to inform her of Rand's actions. Cadsuane formulates a plan to help Rand laugh again. Min accompanies Rand when he pulls his force out of Arad Doman back into Tear.
Min is with Cadsuane when Nynaeve comes back with the whereabouts of Tam al'Thor. She has continued to read through the Prophecies of the Dragon and realizes that he will need to wield Callandor at Tarmon Gai'don, an interpretation with which Cadsuane agrees. Tam then pushes through the door after his disastrous attempt to talk to Rand. Min points out that they can't make Rand how they want him to be and that he has Traveled to Ebou Dar.
Veins of gold[]
Min waits in Tear when Rand has his epiphany on Dragonmount. She feels his presence once he returns again, which alerts the Aiel as well. She goes with Nynaeve to investigate Alanna's mysterious disappearance from the Stone. Upon returning to Rand, she notices the depth that now exists in his eyes. Rand tasks Min to find out how he can use Callandor against the Dark One. After Rand reveals that both Weiramon Saniago and Anaiyella Narencelona are Darkfriends, he then asks for Tam's forgiveness and introduces him to Min.
She goes with Rand when he returns to Bandar Eban and watches in wonder as he reestablishes the law within the city with Durnham as Commander and Iralin as Steward. They then go to the Seafolk ships in port and again she watches as Rand uncovers barrel-loads of untainted grain and wheat that had previously been unopened, managing to start feeding the starving population again. She is waiting for Rand in Tear when he arrives back from defeating the Shadowspawn army singlehandedly. She is concerned with how exhausted Rand is from the battle but he assures her he is fine. They then escort Rodel Ituralde, who arrived with Rand, to Cadsuane's quarters where Ituralde's king Alsalam Saeed Almadar is being kept.
Min is with Rand when he decides to re-meet with the Borderlander army stationed in Far Madding. They are greeted by the four rulers of the Borderlands just outside the city, where each one measures his restraint with a solid strike across his face. Then standing all-to-near to Rand, Paitar Nachiman asks Rand the answer to a riddle involving Tellindal Tirraso. Paitr steps down when Rand answers correctly. They all sit down to formally discuss matters when Rand asks for their oath of obedience in exchange for him to teach the Borderlander rulers Aes Sedai, the secret of Traveling.
The Last Battle[]
Min is summoned to Elayne's tent, where Min, Elayne and Aviendha discuss how they will share Rand in the future. She is by Rand's side when all the monarchs of the world sign the Dragon's Peace. In the days leading to the Last Battle, Min stayed with Rand while Elayne prepared Andor and Aviendha trained to become a Wise One. Just before Rand launches his strike on Shayol Ghul, he reflects on how important Min had been to him during his dark days.
When Rand went to Shayol Ghul, he sent Min to monitor the Aes Sedai camp. Rand believes that something is about to occur there. Min stayed with the White Tower's forces as a clerk to Gareth Bryne during the battle. However, in an effort to remain useful, she volunteered to bring a message to the Seanchan. At the Seanchan camp she met with Mat, now Prince of Ravens, and the Empress Fortuona. With the message delivered, Mat attempted to ferret Min away, but Min revealed that an assassination attempt would be made on Tuon.
Once Tuon learned how Min knew this, she recognized Min as a Doomseer and immediately appointed her as Truthspeaker. Tuon demanded Min remain at her side to read omens. After Mat argued that Rand would want her there, Min committed herself to her new duties.
During the predicted assassination attempt, Min saved Tuon by killing an assassin with a knife, and helped Mat get Tuon to safety. As a reward for saving her life Tuon bestowed upon her the new name Darbinda. Min was not thrilled with this.
When the Seanchan army withdrew its forces from the Field of Merrilor, Min accompanied Tuon. When Lieutenant-General Abaldar Yulan spoke out against Mat's leadership, Min's viewings showed her that Yulan was under Compulsion woven by a young, freckled so'jhin. Min dramatically announced Yulan's treachery as a distraction to throw a knife at the so'jhin, thereby provoking her to channel and flee.[21] Min never realized that the so'jhin was Moghedien in disguise.[22]
After the Last Battle was won, Min joined the camp at Shayol Ghul for Rand's funeral. While she, Elayne and Aviendha stood before his pyre, it was revealed that Min could feel Rand through the bond and that therefore he was still alive.
In the television series[]
- In the television series, Min Farshaw↗ is portrayed by actress Kae Alexander↗.
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 A Crown of Swords, Chapter 19
- ↑ Crossroads of Twilight, Prologue
- ↑ Knife of Dreams, Chapter 21
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Citation needed
- ↑ A Crown of Swords, Chapter 27
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 TWOTC - Min Farshaw
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Lord of Chaos, Chapter 41
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 The Shadow Rising, Chapter 1
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 The Eye of the World, Chapter 15
- ↑ The Great Hunt, Chapter 24
- ↑ The Great Hunt, Chapter 42
- ↑ The Great Hunt, Chapter 46
- ↑ The Great Hunt, Chapter 48
- ↑ The Dragon Reborn, Chapter 33
- ↑ The Dragon Reborn, Chapter 6
- ↑ The Shadow Rising, Chapter 17
- ↑ Lord of Chaos, Chapter 45
- ↑ Lord of Chaos, Chapter 46
- ↑ Lord of Chaos, Chapter 50
- ↑ Lord of Chaos, Chapter 53
- ↑ A Memory of Light, Chapter 37
- ↑ A Memory of Light, Chapter 41