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A brief treatise on why Elayne Trakand is unfit to rule Andor (spoilers)

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Jason R. Peters:
Throughout the series, and specifically when she believes her mother dead, Elayne takes for granted that she will assume the throne of Andor.

Yet when Rhavin conquered Andor from within, Elayne was not present to fight the threat. Rand was.

When Andor faced anarchy and poverty after Morgase and Rhavin were both gone, Elayne did not govern for the benefit of her people. Rand did.

These prior two points can potentially be laid to the fact that Elayne-as-Accepted did not possess freedom to return to Andor. However, it's pretty clear that Nynaeve, Egwene, and Elayne pretty much do whatever they wish and go wherever they want after book 3.

But even if that argument did hold water...

The minute Elayne was declared Aes Sedai by Egwene, she did not return to Andor. She went the complete opposite direction, to Ebou Dar.

When Elayne reached Caemlyn, she did not publicly denounce the rumors of Rand killing Morgase.

In fact, so grateful was she for Rand's help in defeating the Forsaken ruling Andor, and keeping Andor from the civil war that tore other nations apart that she took down all of his banners.

Of course, one could claim that Elayne was ignorant of these events, but had she behaved like an heir should and returned to Caemlyn at the first hint of trouble, she would know all of it.

Instead, she shows up johnny-come-lately to assume the throne, taking advantage of Rand's goodwill towards her without so much as a thank you. She doesn't even acknowledge that if the Dragon Reborn WANTED, he COULD conquer Andor which is extremely weak at this point, and only Rand's goodwill keeps the Aiel, other armies, and Asha'man from treating Andor like a rebellious nation which hasn't acknowledged the Dragon Reborn.

Tasslehoof:
Yeah, I dislike Elayne because everyone preaches her abilities as a leader, but she basically abandons her country in its time of need.  I realize that finding the Bowl of Winds is important, maybe more important than keeping a strong nation whole, but other people were available to locate it.  Nynavene could have easily done it with the help of Mat, and the other Aes Sedai.

She has always bothered me, and I take Mat's stance on it, nobles are bad news and royalty is the worst of them.

Stormblessed:
How can you know that the Aes Sedai they sent isn't a Black Ajah? The only one's they know that are 100% not are more busy than they are. Combine this with Elayne believing that her country is being ruled strongly by her mother (she knows nothing of what is really happening), her strong ties of friendship (she is probably unused to having proper friends, and cherishes their presence) and her teenage rebellious nature, I'm not surprised she ran away. She's young and wants to have some fun, without thinking of the consequences. But her journey has shaped her, i think, into a better ruler.

As for her not acknowledging Rand, she's in love with him. Acknowledging him would make her feel weaker in the relationship. She is definitely the commanding one in that relationship :p

Tasslehoof:
She knew before she left Salidar that her mother was dead (or isn't currently ruling Caemlyn since Rand asked her to come rule Andor for him).

Stormblessed:

--- Quote from: Tasslehoof on June 23, 2011, 05:46:40 AM ---She knew before she left Salidar that her mother was dead (or isn't currently ruling Caemlyn since Rand asked her to come rule Andor for him).

--- End quote ---

Ah yes, quite true. The scope of this series makes me forget when exactly stuff happened, and in what order. However considering the Dark One's touch on the world, the drought which was literally killing everyone, and the importance of the quest, I can still see why Elayne went on it. Andor was no longer in the hands of the forsaken, and she could trust Rand to be better than Rhavin. And if she did not get the bowl, her kingdom would suffer, and her ruling Andor would not change that. Once again, without anyone to trust, why not go herself. It's the best thing to do. And of course, she is still young, and probably wants a bit more adventure before calming down, but just because she is a bit selfish, does that make her a bad ruler? She would still be better than most.

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