Why didn't Lanfear bond Rand?

[C Of K]

I can't understand why she didn't do it first chance she got. I know it wasn't so common a thing in the Age of Legends, but the bonding weave is not beyond her ability. I can see why she didn't use a complicated compulsion. Having a puppet dragon kind of defeats the purpose. But the bond would link them together regardless of her association with the Dark One. She could feel his emotions and would know where he is at all times. If he eventually went mad and died, she could break the bond at any time.

Instead, all she did was bite him on the cheek in some dream. Very disappointing, now that I think on it. In a more logical story, I think the Dragon Reborn would have been bonded to the Daughter of the Night.

 

[Talysia]

I hadn't really thought about it before, but bonding the Dragon Reborn would definitely have had benefits to Lanfear. As for why she didn't, I think her contempt for Aes Sedai might have had something to do with it.

The story would certainly have been different if she had, though.

 

[C Of K]

She did display a rather strong distaste for Aes Sedai, didn't she? I hadn't taken that into account. She didn't even seem to have much use for the Black Ajah. Now I'm wondering why Lanfear had so much more contempt for them than others among the Chosen seemed to.

 

[digs]

Wasn't it something to do with her not being recognised as a worthy Aes Sedai during the Age of Legends? She was extremely powerful but never given the highest rank, I think.

Wouldn't the bond have potential negative repercussions for her as well? It would give Rand the increased physical attributes of Warders, allow him to sense her presence and possibly create a psychic link between them (I can't remember all the properties of the Warder bond).

 

[C Of K]

That's true, there would be negative repercussions if Rand were killed while she held his bond. It's also true that the bond would increase Rand's physical attributes as well. But then, Lanfear always wanted Rand to reach for more and more power, just so long as she could remain the dominant force in their relationship.

Wasn't it something to do with her not being recognised as a worthy Aes Sedai during the Age of Legends? She was extremely powerful but never given the highest rank, I think.

I must admit ignorance here. I can't remember much of what is said about the individual Forsaken during the Age of Legends. That does seem to ring true, though.

 

[Null_Zone]

My vote is on arrogance.

Manipulate, control and have a person willing to die for you through love is a challange where as simply bonding is the act of someone who can't do better.

 

[C Of K]

Welcome to the Chronicles Network, Null Zone, and that is a very likely reason. Good one.

 

[JP Murphy]

It wasn't that Bonding was not common in the Age of Legends.. it didn't exist in the Age of Legends at all. It is a weave developed by primitive channellers after the Breaking. As we learn from Semirhage's POV the Forsaken, likely excepting Ishamael, did not understand it.

 

[C Of K]

Welcome to the Chronicles Network, JP Murphy.

My memory on what Aes Sedai knew of the bond during the Age of Legends is not good at all. That being the case, I'm unsure if you are pointing out that they wouldn't understand how to form the weave, or that they wouldn't understand why current Aes Sedai would use the warder bond.

Learning how to perform the bonding weave would not be difficult for the Forsaken, but Since none of them seem to have bonded anyone, it is likely that they don't see it as an advantageous action to take. Some of the reasons for that have already been mentioned.

 

[severence25]

I agree with the point about bonding not being invented during the age of legends and virtually all The Chosen ( I prefer that name! lol) have shown contempt for the primitive Aes Sedai of the third age.

The bond does give the Aes Sedai some 'Compulsive' powers over their warder but Alanna has no control of Rand at all, something to do with him being able to channel. So it's probable even Lanfear wouldn't of been able to take advantage of that aspect of bonding.

Also she seemed to be able to find Rand wherever he was anyway, even without the Warder bond

 

[C Of K]

I thought I read somewhere that there is more than one warder bond. The customary warder bond leaves him with a will of his own, but there are different weaves that are of a more compulsive nature. I'll have to check up on this when I have more time. I'm not sure I've ever read anything about there being compulsion involved with the customary warder bond.

 

[severence25]

I'm not sure if it is ever described as compulsion in the books but that was the best description I could come up with.
Several times it's mentioned that Aes Sedai can 'encourage' their Warders to do as they wish if they are being particularly stubborn.

In one of the books when Cadsuane (I think) finds out Alanna has bonded Rand she asks why hasn't she done anything to control his behavior. Alanna then goes onto to explain that it is impossible and she can't do anything.

 

[C Of K]

I believe you're right. Good call, and welcome to the forums, Severence25!

 

[Sho Pi]

If Lanfear had bonded Rand, he would have known who she was and where she was at all time. Do you really think the Dark one would allow that?

 

[Tecdavid]

I think another reason might have been due to the emotional backlash one feels when their Warder dies. Rand, being in the line of fire all the time, would likely be at greater risk of dying than any other bonded man alive. Lanfear, knowing this, might not have bonded him as she knew she'd suffer a surge of emotions as a result, thus weakening her mentally, and revealing a snippet of weakness to her fellow Chosen.