Queens Gonna Queen
***Spoilers for The Rain Wilds Chronicles. Mentions of the events of The Farseer Trilogy, The Liveship Traders Trilogy, and The Tawny Man Trilogy are fair game, too.***
Well, I am gobsmacked. What a conclusion. The way all of the pieces fit together at the end to complete the puzzle Robin has been building throughout this series.
I know The Rain Wilds Chronicles often get labeled as the weakest of RotE. And it’s tough when you’re interrupting the Fitz-centered series and your competition is Tawny Man, Liveship Traders, et. al. But damn. It really cannot be overstated how excellent this series is. I mean, if the criteria is “slightly less good than the greatest stories ever written,” then sure.
And it’s such an essential part of the larger saga. I’ve spent a decent amount of time discussing how RWC expands the worldbuilding and lore, but it is absolutely mind-boggling to think where we started – with Fitz fucking around in Kelsingra back in the Farseer trilogy, memory stones activating while we had no clue what was going on – to where we are now.
Have I mentioned Robin Hobb is the GOAT? I’m truly in awe of the world she’s created.
So where to even start?
I’m going to the scene that took my breath away: Thymara and Rapskal (🥺) heading down the well.
To me, this was the culmination of our whole tale. The moment our dragons’ and Elderlings’ place in the world was finally secured – the age of dragons and Elderlings restored.
And there were so many threads throughout this story that led to the opening of the well. From the time spent establishing Rapskal’s immersion into the memory stones and surrender to the tale of Tellator and Amarinda, to the numerous moments Thymara insists she will never go down the well (talk about famous last words), all the way back to our very first scene with her in Trehaug- where we learn of her climbing prowress. This was her destiny all along.
And as she unlocks the seams, filling the well with Silver once again, she saves baby Phron, Tintaglia, and unlocks the key to Kelsingra’s future.
But this triumph is not without sacrifice.
And I have to say, in an ending full of joy and satisfaction, losing Rapskal to the memory of Tellator devastated me. He’s long been a favorite here at WWS. His endless optimism and goofy demeanor were such a welcome, necessary presence in an often heavy, slogging journey. He was a light in some of the darkest moments. A beacon of faith and hope.
And he gave himself entirely in the pursuit of knowledge and skills needed to restore the Elderling race.
Tellator mostly sucks, and it’s hard not to share Thymara’s detestation of him – we mourn Rapskal too! – but it’s difficult to deny his utility in rallying the Elderlings to their potential and unlocking the Silver.
And though it’s sad, it also feels narratively necessary in freeing Thymara’s heart fully to Tats. In the end, she doesn’t have to deny her love for Rapskal or choose between them. Her love for him remains, and ultimately becomes something shared with Tats, even as she moves forward knowing he’s gone to her as she knew him.
I don’t think his contributions can be overstated.
- He alone had the enduring faith that the dragons would fly- and his dragon was the first to take to the skies.
- He and Heeby survived the flood and found Kelsingra, ultimately shepherding the others there.
- And he gave himself completely to learn what was necessary for the dragons and keepers to prosper.
He was brave and good. And I hope a glorious statue is raised in his honor.
Damn. I’m sad as hell.
wizardwordship 