Perrin Aybara

Perrin Aybara is one of the main characters of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.

Perrin is a broad-shouldered, shaggy-haired man who was training to be a blacksmith before being forced to leave Emond's Field with Moiraine Damodred and his friends. When they became separated, Perrin and Egwene al'Vere were travelling to Caemlyn when they met a man in the woods named Elyas Machera. Elyas was a Wolfbrother, a man who had wolf-like abilities and could speak with them telepathically. He recognized the latent ability in Perrin as well, and introduced him to a pack of wolves, which included Hopper and Dapple. Perrin's wolf name is Young Bull.

Communicating with the wolves changed Perrin somewhat. His eyes are now gold. He can also see, hear and smell better than any man, even to the point of smelling the emotions people are feeling. He can communicate in a form of telepathy with other wolves, summoning them to battle. He can also enter the World of Dreams easily. On top of this, he, like Rand and Mat, is ta'veren.

While following Rand's trail to Tear with Moiraine, Lan Mandragoran, and Loial, he met a man in a small town whose brother was a Wolfbrother. Perrin went to see this man, who had to be locked in a shed and was dangerous to everyone. The man had gone too far with his abilities and forgotten his human side. He acted as if, and believed he was, a wolf. Perrin fears the same fate, although he has so far kept his powers in check. Also on that journey, he met Faile Bashere, whom he later married, thus changing his full name to Perrin t'Bashere Aybara.

When Rand chose to go to the Waste, Perrin decided to investigate rumors that Whitecloaks had been terrorizing the Two Rivers. With Loial, Faile, and his Aiel friends Gaul, Bain and Chiad, they set out to Emond's Field to find Perrin's family dead, and not only Whitecloaks, but Trollocs in the area. He united the Two Rivers region and repelled both forces; for this, he became known as Lord Perrin Goldeneyes (much to his consternation). After spending Book 5 on his honeymoon, he raised an army and led them to Cairhein to help Rand, taking part in the battle of Dumai's Wells. Rand then sent Perrin and his Two Rivers men with Berelain and her Mayeners, Wise Ones, Aes Sedai and two Asha'man to find Masema, the so called Prophet in Ghealdan and bring him to Rand. The task was harder than expected, especially since Masema insisted on bringing his own army, and Perrin was attacked by the Shaido and Faile was taken captive. It is interesting to note that Perrin was a main character in the beginning of the series, but dropped off the radar completely in book five. More attention has been given to him in the latest books.

Perrin, like Rand and Mat, has found himself in ever-increasing positions of authority. In the Two Rivers, he stepped up because he simply knew what to do; but his people wanted a leader, and he became it. His obvious favor with the Lord Dragon and stout-hearted common sense have since won the respect of many. He is the only of the three men to be married (though Faile remains childless, something which cannot be said of Elayne), but, on the whole, he has changed little from the day he left Emond's field. Aside from leading his childhood friends to their deaths and keeping Rand sane and humane, his greatest challenge is in fending off Berelain sur Paendrag, the leader of the city-state of Mayene who has set her sights on him; she is forward enough to embarrass him, he is too polite to simply turn her down, and Faile looks on with jealousy in her scent. Rand, oblivious to this, persists in flinging the three together on various assignments.