The Trollocs make a final push to destroy Emond’s Field. The attack is foiled by reinforcements arriving, Tolkien-style. Perrin tells the Whitecloaks to piss off. Padan Fain runs away like a rent-a-villain, ready to cause chaos in Caemlyn and Tar Valon.
Perrin writes a letter to Faile, and it is the most saccharine bullshit I have ever read:
PERRIN: You are more precious to me than life.
PERRIN: When the sun shines on you, it is my smile. When you hear the breeze stir through the apple blossoms, it is my whisper that I love you.
Oh, I’m sorry, I was in the bushes over there vomiting.
Thankfully, Bornhald interrupts by announcing he’s moving his men out of Emond’s Field. Yes, right as the Trollocs are about to make a big push. Perrin thinks they need the Whitecloaks, so he promises not to resist arrest if they stay through the attack. Bornhald is approximately 1000% sure Perrin is a Darkfriend who killed his father, so he agrees.
Hordes of Trollocs surround Emond’s Field. They have a battle cry, which is strange for Trollocs. “ISAM!” they roar as they charge.
Cue lots of details about lots of people fighting. We’ll probably never hear about any of them again, but I guess we’re supposed to act concerned. Something like, “Oh no, the villagers are forced to fall back!” Or maybe, “For shame! Women are fighting on the front lines!”
This battle is not going well, but never fear, because Tolkien showed us how to press the easy button at the Battle of Helm’s Deep — just send last-minute reinforcements! Faile arrives from Watch Hill leading an army. And for some reason that will probably get hand-waved away, Deven Ride knew Emond’s Field was going to be attacked and they sent reinforcements of their own. It all kind of has this boring, pedestrian feel to it, almost like the Trolloc army was created from the same cardboard stock as Perrin’s recently deceased family. I suppose I should be happy this battle didn’t involve any metaphysical nonsense like Rand’s always do.
With the battle won, Perrin and Faile reunite. I’ve got to admit that for all the criticism I level at Perrin and Faile’s relationship, it’s easily the most believable and “earned” relationship in the series. Plus it finally gives Perrin’s character a believable level of sophistication.
Dain Bornhald interrupts the lovers’ reunion to call for Perrin to make good on his promise, but Perrin clarifies:
PERRIN: I said I would not resist, if you aided. If you aided, Whitecloak. Where were you?
I don’t think that’s literally what Perrin promised, but I’ll grant that was the spirit of the agreement. So yes, where were they? According to the women, the Whitecloaks spent the entire battle chilling on the village green.
So Perrin has his Weird Science moment where he tells Bornhald to get the fuck out of the Two Rivers. Bornhald leaves, but not before promising to see Perrin hang one day.
Masculinity asserted, Perrin carries Faile toward the Winespring Inn to ravish his new wife.
Meanwhile, Ordeith is upset. Everything had been going according to plan. This Isam dude was bringing Whitecloaks into the Two Rivers, but why had he stopped? It hadn’t been enough. Somehow these farmers had survived. Well, it’s time to abruptly change plans, right? Tar Valon has his previous dagger now, so let’s go get it! And since Caemlyn is along the way, why not pay a visit along the way? Maniacal laughter follows him on the breeze. Sorry, Perrin — looks like you aren’t gonna learn the truth about how your family died in this book.