Thom Merrilin

Thomdril "Thom" Merrilin is one of the main characters of the "Wheel of Time" fantasy series by Robert Jordan.

Not much of his early life is known, although he was Bard to the young Lady Morgase of House Trakand. He helped her ascend to the throne of Andor and became her Court Bard, and was renowned in noble circles in most nations. He thwarted Taringail's plan to kill Morgase and killed him. He and Morgase became lovers. Somewhere during this time, Thom discovered his nephew was being pursued by the Red Ajah for channeling, but he chose not to seek him out because of his duties with Morgase.

The issue of Owyn, his nephew, returned and he disappeared to help him. When he returned, Morgase was angry with him for leaving- a fight ensued, and Thom said she was a spoiled baby and tool of the White Tower. He left, barely dodging the execution block. With his talents of Court Bard, he became a gleeman and journeyed across the land, performing in inns and villages. He just so happened to be in Emond's Field on the night when Trollocs attacked and Moiraine arrived. He went with Rand, Mat, Perrin and Egwene, fearing that they would succumb to the same fate Owyn had by following Moiraine, and felt he had to repay the failure he had made to his nephew. When the company was split up, he stayed with Rand and Mat, and seemingly sacrificed his life to protect them from a Myrddraal in Whitebridge. He did not die, but was left with a limp. Rand later found him in Cairhien during "The Great Hunt", and soon after Dena, Thom's lover/apprentice, was murdered by assassins employed by the King of Cairhien, Galldrian Riatin. It is implied, without being stated openly, that Galldrian's death was at the hands (or as a result of the actions of) Thom Merrilin, who did swear revenge when Galldrian's involvement in Dena's death was revealed to him.

Depressed, he drowned himself in liquor in Tar Valon, where Mat found him after escaping from the Tower in "The Dragon Reborn". They rejoined the company in Tear after the Fall of the Stone. Thom, along with Juilin, was asked to take care of Nynaeve and Elayne when they journeyed to Tanchico. They followed them on their quest until Ebou Dar, where Thom and Juilin stayed with Mat and helped him escape with Tuon.

He is described as fairly old, with white hair and a long moustache. He is hot headed, but generally kind and considerate, and hates the Red Ajah. A great player of Daes Dae'mar Thom is able to sort out what is important among the information he gathers and which is just lies. He is supposedly attracted to and linked to saving Moiraine.

It is revealed in "Knife of Dreams" that Thom knows of Moiraine's fate after her battle with Lanfear and that her rescue requires Mat's help. Most of this is made known to us in the letter that Thom received after the Blue Aes Sedai's 'death'.

Thom is highly skilled in knife combat. It is said throughout the series that he always has several knives hidden about his person. Thom's best knives were forged with the One Power, as was indicated by the flash of blue lightning when he fought the Myyddral in Whitebridge. When asked about it it, Jordan replied that "Thom's best knives are very special indeed." [http://cgi1.usatoday.com/mchat/20040106007/tscript.htm]

Using skills learned from Thom, knife fighting is a trait that is later taken up by Mat Cauthon as well.

It has also been hypothesised that Thom Merillin may be the father of Gawyn and Elayne Trakand.