How Thom Merrilin Really Knows Elayne’s Family In The Wheel Of Time

Warning: Spoilers for The Wheel of Time season 3, episode 8

The Wheel of Time season 3 finale hinted at a deep connection between Thom Merrillin and House Trakand, one that surprised even Elayne herself. A gleeman by trade, Thom may not seem like someone with close relationships with royalty, but both the books and the show have proven otherwise. In fact, Elayne’s family is integral to Thom’s backstory in Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time books.

The link between Thom and House Trakand was first teased when he recognized Elayne as the daughter-heir of Andor. According to him, he once worked in her mother’s court. In The Wheel of Time season 3 finale, it became apparent that Thom was hiding something about his past, with Elayne asking him who he was to her mother. Based on this interaction and Thom’s intimate knowledge of her family, it’s fair to say that his history with House Trakand is accurate to the source material. If it is, the show could be building up to a tragic reveal.

Thom Merrilin Became Romantically Involved With Morgase (After Killing Her Husband)

Thom Merrilin Is An Assassin And A Former Lover Of Elayne’s Mother

Due to his skills as a gleeman, Thom was able to achieve a position in the court of Andor as a bard. During this time, he became close to Queen Morgase Trakand, and even became an unofficial advisor. Later on, Morgase’s husband – Taringail from The Wheel of Time’s House Damodred – died in a “hunting accident.” The books never clearly spell out what really happened that day, but a quote from Moiraine Damodred in chapter 17 of The Shadow Rising all but confirms that Thom assassinated Taringail.

Thomdril Merrilin. Called the Gray Fox, once, by some who knew him, or knew of him. Court-bard at the Royal Palace of Andor in Caemlyn. Morgase’s lover for a time, after Taringail died. Fortunate for Morgase, Taringail’s death. I do not suppose she ever learned he meant her to die and himself to be Andor’s first king. But we were speaking of Thom Merrilin, a man who, it was said, could play the Game of Houses in his sleep. It is a shame that such a man calls himself a simple gleeman. But such arrogance to keep the same name.

Moiraine’s comments strongly imply that Thom – who is much more than what he seems – killed Taringail after finding out about his plans to kill Morgase and claim the Lion Throne for himself. Afterward, Thom and Morgase became romantically involved. However, the relationship didn’t survive on account of the Red Ajah gentling Thom’s nephew, Owyn. Devastated, Thom left Caemlyn and didn’t return until the events of book 3, The Dragon Reborn.

The Wheel Of Time Season 4’s Elayne Story Could Lead To A Reveal That Wasn’t In The Books

Elayne May Find Out That Thom Killed Her Father

The direction taken by The Wheel of Time season 3 finale in regards to Thom and Elayne indicates that a massive reveal that never occurred in the books could play out on the small screen. Despite sharing many friendly interactions throughout the series, the book version of Elayne never learned of Thom’s involvement in her father’s death. The TV show, on the other hand, may take advantage of Thom’s dark backstory to facilitate a dramatic twist, with Elayne finally finding out the whole truth about Thom’s past and his connection to her family.

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Such a story could take place, especially since Elayne has a reason to return to Caemlyn now. Thanks to Thom’s warning about “Lord Gaebril” being a Forsaken, she’ll most likely head back home to investigate, and may or may not be accompanied by Thom. If both characters spend time in the court of Andor, it feels like it would only be a matter of time before the subject of Taringail Damodred’s death presents itself in The Wheel of Time.

The Wheel of Time

6/10

Release Date

November 18, 2021

Network

Prime Video

Showrunner

Rafe Judkins

Directors

Sanaa Hamri, Ciaran Donnelly, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Thomas Napper, Maja Vrvilo, Wayne Che Yip

Writers

Amanda Kate Shuman, Dave Hill, Rohit Kumar, Justine Juel Gillmer, Celine Song, Rammy Park, The Clarksons Twins, Katherine B. McKenna