"Some women don't
ask for land, or gold. Just the man." ~Nynaeve al'Maera
I used to just dismiss Nynaeve. I
could never see what Lan saw in her, but thinking back, they have a lot
in common....
-
From the beginning of the series, Nynaeve and
Lan have both been fighting uphill battles. For Lan, his cause of
fighting the Shadow, even if alone, has never changed, but he has had to
give a lot to let himself love. For Nynaeve, her battle has gone
from returning Rand, Mat, Egwene, and Perrin safely to Emond's field to
also fighting the Shadow in her most effective form: an Aes Sedai.
-
Both characters are fierce. Lan would never
be suited by someone like an older version of Elayne; he would prefer someone
such as Nynaeve, who can adapt to ruggedness and face the Forsaken no matter
how terrified she is. Similarly, Nynaeve would never be content with
a simple man. As she said, Wisdoms seldom marry, and she probably
had no intention of marrying until she met Lan. Nynaeve needs a man
that is as brave as she is, and one whom she can draw strength from loving.
-
Nynaeve needs a man who can knock some sense
into her without actually hurting or abusing her (she would run or use
the Power against him, with the amount of bravery that she forces herself
to have through it all). Lan has the ability to make concrete sense,
and knows when to answer her nagging or complaints with a kiss that will
stop her for hours. Likewise, Lan must have someone that can be emotionally
expressive and foreceful.
-
Lan and Nynaeve are both very committed people.
Not only are they committed to their causes, they are committed to each
other. When they are apart, Nynaeve thinks about Lan's loyalty but
would never question it, and her interior monologues prove that she know's
he is one of the most loyal people in the books. I regret not seeing
more interior monologue from Lan, however, it adds to his mystery.
Perhaps it is more interesting and challenging for Jordan to write from
the female perspective, and perhaps he thinks that Lan is often direct
and simply muses on things rather than thinking them through emotionally.
-
Both need someone who can accept the other's
occupation in life. Few men would love a woman, no matter how beautiful
or ageless, if he knew that she intended to become Aes Sedai. Few
women would love a man so committed to battle and warfare, or a man with
any connection to Aes Sedai, such as a Warder like Lan has.
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