The Eye of the World/Chapter 4

==Summary==
:
Thomdril Merrilin, the gleeman, emerges from the Winespring Inn and entertains Rand, Mat, Perrin, Egwene, and Ewin, as well as many other villagers. He juggles many balls and talks about the stories he will be sharing during Bel Tine. The performance is interrupted, however, by the arrival of Moiraine and Lan. Ewin says that Moiraine collects stories. There is tension between the gleeman and the visiting Lady, but he assures her all of his stories will be pleasing.thumb|right|150px|"I suppose I had better give you a small sample. So you can run tell the others."
After a while, Nynaeve and the Village Council emerge from their questioning of Padan Fain. The boys ask Tam about their discussion with Fain, but Tam says it was just a lot of talk about battles in far away Ghealdan. Mat is particularly interested in the battles but Tam dismisses them. Tam informs Rand that they will be returning to their farm that night. On the way, Rand asks his father why the Village Council took Fain in for a private talk when what Fain said could have easily been shared with everyone. Tam explains that it was important for the village to see that the Council was calmly considering the issue even if it would likely not affect them at all. By doing so, it puts everyone at ease that it would be handled and nobody would be worrying about it during the festival. Rand begins to understand that being a leader is more complicated than it looks. Tam also reveals that several other village boys have spotted the strange rider, and that a watch is being mounted. That is why they are heading back to their farm early.
==Characters==
* Thomdril Merrilin
* Rand al'Thor
* Egwene al'Vere
* Perrin Aybara
* Matrim Cauthon
* Moiraine Damodred
* al'Lan Mandragoran
* Ewin Finngar
* Nynaeve al'Meara
* Cenn Buie
* Brandelwyn al'Vere
* Haral Luhhan
* Tam al'Thor
* Mandarb (animal) - as tall, deep-chested black stallion
* Aldieb (animal) - as sleek white mare with an arched neck
* Bela (animal)
* Hu Barran
* Tad Barran
===Referenced===
* Ewal Coplin
* Dragon Reborn
* Padan Fain
* Artur Paendrag Tanreall
* Green Man
* Jain Farstrider
* Dragon
* Dark One
* Jon Thane
* Lem Thane
* Samel Crawe
* Bandry Crawe
* The Congars and the Coplins
* Myrddraal - as the strange rider
==== People from Gleemen stories ====
* Anla - from Anla the Wise Counselor
* Mara - from Mara and the Three Foolish Kings
* Lenn
* Salya
* Ind
* Mosk the Giant
* Elsbet, the Queen of All
* King Darith - from King Darith and the Fall of the House of...
* Karil - from How Goodwife Karil Cured Her Husband of Snoring
* Materese the Healer
* Jaem - from Jaem the Giant-Slayer
* Susa - from How Susa Tamed Jain Farstrider
==Groups==
* Village Council
* Gleeman
* Aes Sedai
* Aiel
* Ogier
* Warders
* Trollocs
* Tuatha'an - as Tinkers
===Referenced===
==Places==
* Winespring Inn
* Two Rivers
* Emond's Field
* Green
* Quarry Road
===Referenced===
* Ghealdan
* Tar Valon
* Baerlon
* Watch Hill
* Deven Ride
* The Mire
* Waterwood
* Mountains of Mist
* Aiel Waste
* Aryth Ocean
* Caemlyn
* Forest of Shadows
* Manetherendrelle - as White River
* Taren Ferry
* Tarendrelle - as Taren
* Lugard
==Events==
===Referenced===
* Age of Legends
* Time of Madness
* Trolloc Wars
* War of the Hundred Years
* Winternight
* Bel Tine
==Items==
===Referenced===
* Lance of Fire
==Concepts==
* Dragon
* False Dragon
* Light
==Culture==
===Stories===
* Aptaragine Cycle
* The Thousand Tales of Anla, the Wise Counselor
* Jaem the Giant-Slayer
* How Susa Tamed Jain Farstrider
* Mara and the Three Foolish Kings
* The Siege of the Pillars of the Sky
* How Goodwife Karil Cured Her Husband of Snoring
* King Darith and the Fall of the House of (unknown)