‘The Wheel of Time’: Is Egwene in Love With Elayne? Relationship Explained

Elayne Trakand (Ceara Coveney) and Egwene Al’vere (Madeleine Madden) finally met in the second season of The Wheel of Time, in line with the books. However, their chemistry in the show’s second season gives shipping vibes. With the underrepresentation of same-sex relationships in the Wheel of Time, many fans wonder whether Elayne could become Egwene’s lover.

In the Wheel of Time Books, the relationship between Egwene and Elayne stays platonic as Elayne is romantically involved with Rand (Josha Stradowski). After meeting as novices in the White Tower, Egwene and Elayne become close friends and proceed to work with Rand in multiple battles to defeat the Forsaken and the Dark One. However, it is not clear whether the show will make the relationship romantic.

Elayne, Nynaeve (Zoe Robins), and Egwene form a trio of the most powerful Aes Sedai in the books, defeating many of the Dark One’s lieutenants between them. However, their romantic lives take different paths from the moment they become Accepted, as none of them develops romantic feelings for the other. The show might still introduce a same-sex couple from these three, but first, let’s look at how their relationship unfolds in the books.

Elayne and Egwene’s relationship in the books explained

In the Wheel of Time book series, Elayne and Egwene work together to defeat the Seanchan and the Forsaken Moghedien who had infiltrated the Black Ajah Aes Sedai. Their strong friendship starts after meeting at the White Tower as novices shown in the show’s second season. Through Egwene, Elayne learned more about Rand Al’Thor and fell in love with him.

After being promoted to Accepted, Alayne set out with Egwene and Nynaeve to hunt down and defeat the Black Ajah. At the time, Egwene still declared her love for Rand, but Elayne was interested in him too. The trio worked together to defeat and bind the forsaken Moghedien, whom they forced to teach them how to weave powerful spells.

At the battle in Falme, Elayne met Rand, who was injured, and helped him, effectively falling in love with him. Egwene also declared to Rand that she was no longer in love with him, allowing Elayne to become Rand’s lover.

Egwene and Elayne continued working together to find the Bowl of Winds which they used to defeat the Seanchan. Egwene actually promoted Elayne to an Aes Sedai after she was voted Amyrlin Seat by the Rebel Aes Sedai. Elayne, however, had to go back to the Caemlyn, the capital of Andor, to claim her throne after her mother was forced to flee by the forsaken Rahvin.

After bonding with Rand alongside Aviendha and Min, Elayne and Egwene stayed as close friends. Together with Egwene and Nynaeve, Elayne helped Rand in the battle with the Dark One and was pregnant with Rand’s twins when the Dragon died after defeating the Dark One.

However, just because they only remain friends and sisters in the books, it doesn’t mean their relationship takes the same shape in the show. Rand and Elayne haven’t met as of the show’s fourth episode, while Elayne and Egwene are growing closer, so even a short romance with Egwene is still possible.

Does Elayne love Rand?

Rand and Elayne eventually fall in love in the books, although their relationship in the books remains complicated as they are more of partners than lovers. As the Dragon Reborn, Rand needs Elayne’s skills and power to help her keep hold of the Westlands, while Elayne also needs Rand’s power and influence to retain control over her kingdoms.

Elayne fell in love with Rand from the first moment she saw her when Rand was just a boy who accidentally fell over the court walls into the compound of the royal palace. However, this first meeting isn’t shown in the show. When she finally meets him as the Dragon reborn in Falme, her feelings grow stronger, but Rand doesn’t reciprocate them instantly.

Eventually, Rand said he also loved her, although he went on to sleep with Elayne’s friend Aviendha. Eventually, Elayne agreed with Rand’s other lovers (Min and Aviendha) to share him as a husband and respect each other’s love for him. The polyamorous relationship is tumultuous, but the feelings are real throughout the books. Elayne is actually the least attached of Rand’s three lovers.

Who is Egwene’s love interest?

Although Rand was Egwene’s childhood lover, their paths diverged after Rand became the Dragon Reborn, and Egwene married Elayne’s brother, Gawyn Trakand. She formally ended her relationship with Rand after the battle in Falme, after which Rand went on to bond Elayne with Egwene’s blessing.

Gawyn was Elayne’s brother who joined his sister at the White Tower to train as a warder. Gawyn was destined to become his sister’s First Prince of The Sword in accordance with Andoran culture. After the coup at the White Tower, he led a group of former Warder trainees called Younglings and proceeded to save Egwene multiple times.

He stayed close to Egwene, having confessed his love for her at the White Tower. When Egwene became the Amyrlin Seat, she bonded with Gawyn as his warder and lover. Therefore, Rand and Egwene’s relationship effectively ended after they left the Two Rivers, which is sad because they were a perfect couple both in the books and in the show’s first season.