I've been doing a lot of thinking about the 'Last Battle', and brushing up a bit on the Karaethon Cycle. I don't think the Last Battle is gonna be a big huge war like the Trolloc wars only bigger, with more meanies and more One Power battles. Why? Because I think the Last Battle has been going on since book 1. Think about it... What have all the main characters been doing right from the beginning? They have been fighting the Dark One and his minions, trying to fulfill the prophesies. Didn't the Cycle say that the Horn will be there for the last battle? Well, it is there, and already blown too. Sure, the books aren't the usual idea of a 'battle' which we all think of as some pitched struggle between two sides, people dead and dying all over the battlefield. Then again, what does happen in the books isn't so different. Only the battlefield is the entire world, and only a few people know they are fighting. Not only does this make for an interesting ending in the literary sense, it also makes some logical sense. All the main characters have been battling the Shadow is some way or another since the beginning, and although (as I mentioned above) the plot doesn't fit the flow of what one would normally consider a 'battle,' it seems that (if you look at everything from an all-encompassing perspective) the books have outlined a pretty complex and intense battle, wouldn't you agree?
In conclusion, the Last Battle may well end with a huge Trolloc Wars-style battle, but Tarmon Gai'don started on Winternight if not the day Rand was born (or perhaps at the Eye, really you can pick and choose cause they all fit). All the elements are present, and the prophesies (as far as we know) don't actually say 'the last battle will begin when...' and the only thing that mentions anything in a time-related sense to the last battle is the presence of the Horn. The Horn which has already been found AND blown. It was said to be present during the last battle, and it is more certainly present.
Well, that is enough of ranting for me, just thought I should get that off my chest to let everyone know what I think.
Raserei says: The fact that the horn is already found doesn't nece3ssarily mean that the last battle has begun. Also, when Min views Rand and his swirling butterflies, she has the tone of the future, like its gfoing to happen, not like it's already begin. Good try though.
Comments
I actually have to agree with the first theory. Might Min have been wrong? Her signs are allways right, but most are misentertpreted??? untill after the event happens, and then they all smack themselves upside the head for stupidity. After all, they do seem to be fighting a war, and if the horn was so important, I do think it would get more book time (instead of Olver, who I do think rules btw!). It's kinda strange to think of something that is crucial being left out. Of course, it could just be so that nobody takes it, but, well, I did it again, I managed to confuse myself.
RJ has been quoted saying that it will take at least 3 books to do Tarmon Gai'don. Unfortunetly I do not have links to the quotes. And was pointed out about the Horn that is not proff enough. And we do have Ishmael saying the Last Battle(TG) will come and the Forsaken thinking about trying to stay alive until TG. So I don't believe that it has begun. Besides what attacks have been made on the Dark One directly?
I had always believed that RJ had written the first book as a complete work. In which case TG was the fight at Falme where the Horn was blown and the dark one defeated. Only in the second book onwards do we learn that it was one of the forsaken pretending to be the Dark one. I take this as being a literary device to give a reason for writing the other books in the series.
First, Min is ALWAYS right when she is sure of the meaning of the aura. And second, RJ has said that the last battle will require 2-3 books, and thereby this theory is wrong...
Know why the nightingale sings, is the answer to everything...
The time frames fit with Tarmon Gaidon being in progress and finishing off with one big battle.
Its the end of the millineum (around 998 NE). It is also the end of the 3rd millineum since the breaking AND the 3rd age since the age of legends. RJ likes to tie in popular mythology with his stories so potentially on the turn of the millineum we'll see the big battle and the new age. (Turn of the millineum ties in the with harbingers of DOOM In Real Life saying that the year 2000 would bring armageddon).
With about 3 books to go it fits with capping off the age/millineum with a big battle to finish off all the skirmishes that have thus far happened (Tarwins gap, Falme etc etc)
This is Dumb! There's going to be a last battle or it wouldn't be called a "battle"! The would call it the last boring 10 books that are still coming out. The dumbest theory ever is Tarmon Gai'don was already begun.
the kareathon cycle states 'twice dawns the day when his blood is shed' or something like that. rand has bled many times throughout the books so for it to be mentioned in prophecy it has to be pretty important. this signifies that tarmon gaidon is upon him, the day of his sacfrice. this prophecy therefore means thay tarmon gaidon is one day that dawns twice, not a huge multi year cycle.
let the speedbart ride again upon the winds of time
Made the second post on the new WoTMB2 
ZT, this series was originally meant to be THREE books and you said AT LEAST well its been at least that many. Also, how could the Forsaken know or decide when TG begins? Besides, the theory had nothing to do with attacking the Dark One directly.
Allow the seal that cherishes the Requiem of Spirits guide you.
Five reasons to come to wotmania:
Mo (sheep the evicted)
Shanon (Delireus)
Jessie (IamFarDareisMai)
Ronnie (Lord of the Golden Star)
Emma (Narien)
Now who am I forgetting...?
I to think that the LB has begun and that it will be a on many levels that it is won,it is usually the small details that get you in the end and RJ is all about the small details,we will see,good theary.
Hmmm