10 Wheel Of Time Mysteries The Books Never Solved (That The Show Can)

The Wheel of Time television series has the unique opportunity to solve 10 fascinating mysteries that were never resolved in the book series. The Wheel of Time season 3 will continue adapting Robert Jordan’s massive fantasy novel series of the same name, which includes 14 lengthy volumes. With such a massive series, it’s unsurprising that there are some mysteries left over at the end.

The Wheel of Time season 2’s ending already proved one fan theory correct by making Uno a Hero of the Horn, so it’s possible the show will continue to answer theories and solve mysteries from the book series. As The Wheel of Time‘s cast completes filming on the show’s third season, it’s worth taking some time to examine 10 fascinating mysteries from the book series that the show could potentially solve in future seasons.

10
How Did Rand Light His Pipe At The End Of The Series?

In The Final Wheel Of Time Book Rand Lights His Pipe Without Channeling

There are plenty of burning questions about The Wheel of Time, but the question of how Rand was able to light his pipe without channeling in the epilogue of the final Wheel of Time book is probably the most talked about one. Unfortunately, Jordan wrote this scene before his death, leaving no explanation for his wife/editor, Harriet McDougal, or co-author, Brandon Sanderson. Sanderson has confirmed that he has no idea what the answer to this question is, and it seems Jordan intended for it to remain a mystery.

However, Prime Video’s Wheel of Time adaptation is unafraid of making changes, and it’s possible the show could opt to confirm one of the many theories surrounding Rand’s unusual power. This seems unlikely, considering Jordan seems to have wanted it to remain a mystery, but show and book canon are separate entities, so it’s possible to have an answer to this question in one canon and not the other. Still, this mystery ever being definitively solved is a long shot.

9
Who Is The Mysterious Nakomi?

Nakomi Appears At Shayol Ghul After Rand Fights The Dark One

Another mystery The Wheel of Time‘s remaining seasons could unravel is the identity of the mysterious Aiel woman, Nakomi. Although Nakomi’s identity was somewhat loosely revealed by Wheel of Time co-author Brandon Sanderson, her purpose and identity are never revealed within the books themselves. Further, the information fans have been given about Nakomi remains somewhat vague, so the show could take the opportunity to expand more on her identity.

What is known of Nakomi is that she was born of the Jenn Aiel — an ancient, supposedly extinct faction of the Aiel — and that she is somewhat of an avatar to the Creator, as the Myrddraal called Shaidar Haran is to the Dark One. As such, it’s somewhat surprising that Nakomi’s role is so limited in the books. The Wheel of Time show should take the opportunity to provide a bit more explanation as to who Nakomi is and what her role is within this fantasy universe.

8
Where Are The Jenn Aiel?

The Ancient Jenn Faction Of The Aiel Is Thought To Be Long Extinct

Another Wheel of Time mystery — which is closely related to Nakomi — is what happened to the Jenn Aiel. The Jenn are the only faction of the Aiel who did not abandon the pacifist Way of the Leaf after the Breaking of the World, and they were believed to have died off many centuries before the main series. However, Sanderson confirms in the glossary of Origins of The Wheel of Time: The Legends and Mythologies that Inspired Robert Jordan that the Jenn are still around. See the full quote on Nakomi and the Jenn below.

I decided that [Nakomi] was the Creator’s version of Shaidar Haran, something Jordan had explained a little in the notes. A vessel, kind of an avatar, but not quite. Shaidar Haran for the Dark One. Nakomi for the Creator. But again, not actually the Creator. Something else, something close to the Creator—and inhabited in part by something of the Creator. As many have guessed, her birth is Jenn Aiel. Yes, they’re still around. A few of them.

Sanderson revealing the continued existence of the Jenn Aiel is somewhat of a shock for book readers, as the Jenn never appear besides Nakomi, and her identity remains a secret in the novels. With that in mind, it would be great to see The Wheel of Time show expand on this storyline and provide some clarity as to how and why the Jenn survived for so long in hiding.

7
What Did Artur Hawkwing Tell Tuon?

Tuon And The Seanchan Are Descendants Of Hawkwing

One moment from the books that would be incredible to see in The Wheel of Time show is the conversation between Artur Hawkwing and the Seanchan Empress, Tuon/Fortuona. Artur Hawkwing is a famous conqueror in The Wheel of Time‘s world, and he is one of the Heroes of the Horn. The Seanchan claim to be the descendants of Artur Hawkwing, who sailed west to form their empire after the conqueror’s death. After The Last Battle in the books, Hawkwing — who is present via the Horn of Valere — has an undisclosed conversation with the Seanchan Empress.

The Seanchan live in an incredibly cruel culture, highlighted by their enslavement of channelers, and though Hawkwing was far from a saint in his day, the expectation among fans is that he severely chastised the Empress for the customs they practice in his name. Sanderson has confirmed that their conversation is not a happy one for Tuon, but exactly what’s said remains a mystery. The Wheel of Time show could easily include their conversation, giving fans what would likely be an extremely satisfying scene.

6
Where Does The Name Dragon Come From?

There Are No Animal Dragons In The Wheel Of Time

Another fascinating mystery that’s never explained in The Wheel of Time books is where exactly the name Dragon comes from. It only seems to exist in the context of the Dragon Reborn, and Jordan stated outright before his death that no animal dragons exist in his world. This makes it impossible to know where the name Dragon comes from in-universe, and makes it even more difficult to decipher the dragon-shaped creature on Lews Therin’s banner, or the dragon-shaped tattoos on the arms of those who return from Rhuidean.

The Wheel of Time show could provide some clarity on this mystery in a variety of ways. It could introduce the idea of dragons living in another age; imply that they are simply folklore, as they are in the real world; or make up something entirely original. This would be a fairly easy mystery for The Wheel of Time show to solve if it chose to do so, but with Jordan refusing to provide details on the issue before his death, it’s probably more likely that this is left alone out of respect for the legendary author.

5
How Did Luc And Isam Merge Into Slayer?

Slayer Becomes Perrin’s Greatest Adversary

One of the most exciting characters to expect in The Wheel of Time season 3 is Slayer, also known as Lord Luc or Isam. The origins of this villain are murky, but it’s known that Luc and Isam were once two different people who walked into the high passes near Malkier and left as a single individual. Luc/Isam comes to be known as Slayer to Perrin, as he is constantly killing wolves in Tel’aran’rhiod.

Slayer seems to have parts of both Luc and Isam within him, and he is capable of entering Tel’aran’rhiod — of which he is a master — at will. However, beyond the fact that two men entered the high passes and one came out, little is known about how their souls were merged. It’s obvious that the Dark One is responsible, but the how of it remains a mystery. This would be another great storyline for The Wheel of Time show to explore in greater detail.

4
What Happened To The Mysterious Sharans?

The Sharans Come From The Far East Beyond The Aiel Waste

The Sharans are perhaps the most mysterious culture in The Wheel of Time books, as they do not appear until the final novel, A Memory of Light. They come from a land east of the Aiel Waste and have little to no interaction with the Westlands. They are known to trade with Aiel on occasion, and Jain Farstrider/Noal claims to have spent time in their country, but they are otherwise absent from the novels until The Last Battle.

What’s more, it remains unknown what became of these people after their defeat at the Field of Merrilor. Presumably, some of them would have lived through the battle, but how they are dealt with afterward remains a mystery, as does nearly everything about them. The Wheel of Time show has a chance to include the Sharans a bit earlier, perhaps allowing them to take on an expanded role that could include a real conclusion for these mysterious people.

3
What Happened To Lanfear After Faking Her Death?

Lanfear Was Presumed Dead Until Sanderson Revealed Her Death Was Faked

One of the most shocking aspects of The Wheel of Time books that’s been revealed since the series concluded is the fact that Lanfear faked her death at the end of the series and escaped Shayol Ghul unharmed. In the final book, Perrin arrives at Shayol Ghul to protect Rand, resulting in an encounter with Lanfear in which he snaps the Forsaken’s neck, apparently killing her. Lanfear is not seen in the books after this scene.

This makes it difficult to understand either how Lanfear managed to survive this, or what happened to her afterward. It can safely be assumed that this encounter was something Lanfear planned — that she wanted to fake her death — and it’s reasonable to assume that someone that powerful and knowledgeable would be capable of such a feat, but the question of why remains. Why did Lanfear want to live, and what did she do with her life? The show should strongly consider further fleshing out this mystery.

2
Was Ishamael Ever Truly Locked In The Dark One’s Prison?

Ishamael Appears Sporadically Throughout History After The Dark One’s Imprisonment

Although Ishamael dies in The Wheel of Time season 2, there is still plenty of room for the show to explore his character, especially if he is resurrected as he is in the books. In the show, Rand accidentally frees Ishamael at the Eye of the World, but it’s important to point out that some part of him was already free because he was able to command ravens and send dreams to Rand and his friends. This begs the question: was Ishamael ever fully locked away? In the book series, this question is even murkier.

Ishamael seems to be able to sporadically leave his prison in the books, popping up throughout history to incite war and chaos. With that in mind, it doesn’t seem like Ishamael was ever imprisoned completely in either the show or the books, but it’s impossible to say for sure. This is another area in which The Wheel of Time show would do well to provide some context on Ishamael’s imprisonment and why it differed from that of the other Forsaken.

1
Where Did The Horn Of Valere Come From?

The Horn Of Valere Calls The Spirits Of Legendary Warriors To Battle

With the Horn of Valere appearing in The Wheel of Time show much like it does in the books, there is some hope that the Horn could be explained further in the show than it is in Jordan’s novels. The Horn’s origins remain a mystery in the novels, and it’s unclear if it’s some type of ter’angreal, or something entirely unique. The Horn is at least as old as the Age of Legends, as it was initially hidden during this age, but it’s impossible to determine much more about it.

Even though the Horn of Valere has already been blown in The Wheel of Time show, it will return to play a crucial role in the final season if the show follows the books. With that in mind, Prime Video’s The Wheel of Time has several seasons to expand on the Horn’s backstory. It wouldn’t necessarily need to provide concrete answers about the Horn’s origins, as any extra information about this mysterious artifact would be welcomed.

Sources: Origins of The Wheel of Time: The Legends and Mythologies that Inspired Robert Jordan by Michael Livingston