Rand, Elayne and Aviendha in Wheel of Time

The Wheel of Time season 3 just provided an important clue how Rand’s romance could work. Like any adaptation, The Wheel of Time has changed a lot from the books that inspired the show. The latest season seems to be switching things up when it comes to Rand al’Thor’s love life; in the original books, Rand is at the heart of polyamorous relationship involving Aviendha, Elayne, and Min.

In Robert Jordan’s original books, all three have fallen in love with Rand. The Wheel of Time has already introduced a surprising romance between Aviendha and Elayne, suggesting things will work out slightly differently in the show; the implication is that we’re going to see a story where all four are in love with one another. The pattern has already been set up by Alanna and her two Warders, and it’s just been made a lot clearer.

Wheel Of Time’s New Sister-Wife Meaning May Explain The Changes To Rand’s Book Romance

Lian (Nicole Sherwin) and Rhuarc (Björn Landberg) looking at each other lovingly in The Wheel of Time Season 3 Ep 5

Image via Prime Video

The Wheel of Time season 3, episode 5 sees Rand continue to learn more about his own people, the Aiel. We see the clan leader Rhuarc with his two sister-wives, only one of whom we’d previously met. The key change, though, is that the three are clearly all in love with one another – a polyamorous relationship apparently common among the Aiel. Later, Rand starts to bond with one of Rhuarc’s grandchildren, and we see Aviendha begin softening to him.

Even With This New Change, Rand’s Book Romance Still Has Some Major Obstacles

Elayne (Ceara Coveney) watching her brothers train with swords in The Wheel of Time Season 3 Ep 2

Image via Prime Video

The idea of the sister-wife shows a way things can work out in a similar fashion to The Wheel of Time books. The relationship between Rand and Aviendha seems to have the same kind of dynamic, but Min has had little to do with him so far, and there hasn’t been even a hint of attraction between Rand and Elayne. One thing seems pretty certain; there are going to be some more changes down the road.

It’s possible The Wheel of Time will rewrite its love story so that Rand is not at the center of the relationship anymore. We’re seeing hints of Aviendha with Rand, as we’d expect, but she’s the one connected to Elayne instead – and Elayne is the one spending time with Min. The basic idea may well be the same, but the details of the pattern are different, which seems quite fitting for Amazon’s adaptation. It’s going to be fascinating to see how the story continues, and how the various character arcs intersect as the differences evolve.