The Wheel of Time/Heartwarming
The Wheel of Time: with a series this long, it ought to have some moments that just make you feel warm and fuzzy.
- In Towers of Midnight, the emotional reunion between Rand and Tam, where Rand tearfully embraces and begs for his father's forgiveness, finally shows the warmer, loving side of Rand that has not been seen in a very long time. This scene not only reinforces the strong bond that exists between Rand and his adoptive father, but also shows how human and young Rand still is.
- Actually, a great deal of the most heartwarming moments in the series seem to revolve around Rand and his strong relationship with his adoptive father.
- A Crown of Swords, when Lan rescues Nynaeve from drowning and they finally reunite.
- The end of The Gathering Storm with Rand's catharsis, wrapped up by the last line of the book:
Storms will come. But for now, I am here.
I am here.
- In Shadow Rising, Rand clearly states that although Tam is not his father by blood, he is still his father in every other way and that's all that matters in the end.
My father is Tam al'Thor. He found me, raised me, loved me. I wish I could have known you, Janduin, but Tam is my father.
- Near the end of Towers of Midnight, when Perrin meets Boundless. For most of the series, he's been terrified of losing control and becoming like Noam, the Wolfbrother who had become a wolf in his mind, and rejects his ability for fear of becoming a monster. When he meets the wolf that was once Noam, he realizes that Noam only became a wolf because he didn't want to be human anymore; each Wolfbrother's path is whatever he chooses to be, and Perrin was never in danger of losing his humanity. It's the perfect resolution to Perrin's character arc and helps him find the middle ground he seeks.
- The first chapter of Towers of Midnight, where Rand is able to use his newfound epiphany to give hope back to an old man and his village. The fact that it's a minor Call Back to a scene from the first book helps- it really brings to light how far Rand has come in two and a half years: from terrified shepherd boy to Messiah.
- Rand introducing Min to his father in Towers of Midnight. One of the most humanizing moments in the entire series.
- In Shadow Rising, Faile comes in from helping Mistress al'Vere bake bread, and tells Perrin she actually enjoyed it and wants to do it again. His response, that that makes sense as they won't want to just keep buying food forever, puts a delighted smile on her face that puzzles him. Faile understood, even though Perrin hadn't, that he wants to be with her for the rest of his life.
- Rand chasing Aviendha into the snow via a gateway, rescuing her, finally causing her to breakdown and admit her feelings for him.
- Aviendha, Elayne and Min bonding Rand in Winter's Heart.
- Also in Winter's Heart, Rand leaving a flower on Elayne's bed, a call back to the flower he attempted to make from some feathers back in Tear in book 4 (feathers which she had kept as a memento in the following months)
- In The Gathering Storm, Siuan finally bonding Gareth Bryne.
- Fandom Example: A long-standing member of a fansite died of cancer in the summer of 2010. When Brandon Sanderson found out, he agreed to use her name in the next book. Then Towers of Midnight was published and her friends learned the character was one of Rand and Aviendha's daughters and a POV character.
- Morgase and Tallanvor's marriage in Towers of Midnight.
- Egwene and Gawyn bonding.
- Siuan being healed from stilling.
For a moment Siuan only stared, expressionless. Then the glow of saidar enveloped her. Gasps filled the room. Slowly Siuan leaned forward and kissed Nynaeve on either cheek. A tear leaked down her face, then another, and abruptly Siuan was weeping, hugging herself and shaking; the gleaming aura around her faded away.
- Towers of Midnight All the lan perspective bits were great, but the best is easily in the chapter "Stronger Than Blood"
Burn that woman, Lan thought as he heard the call being raised through the fortress. He'd been outmaneuvered. Curse Nynaeve.Aand bless her, too. He tried to send a sense of love and frustration through the bond to her.
And then, with a deep sigh, he gave in. "The Golden Crane flies for Tarmon Gai'don," Lan said softly. "Let any man who wishes to follow join and fight."
He closed his eyes as the call went up. It soon became a cheer. Then a roar.