Warning: Spoilers for The Wheel of Time season 2, episode 8

Summary

  • The Wheel of Time season 2 introduces the Heroes of the Horn, who play a significant role in the show's storyline and are linked to the Horn of Valere.
  • The Heroes of the Horn are souls who have been chosen by the Pattern and spend their days in the World of Dreams. They are summoned by the Horn to fight for the Hornsounder.
  • The Heroes, including Artur Hawkwing, Amaresu, and potentially Birgitte Silverbow, are not just nameless soldiers but distinguished figures from history who possess free will and will only fight for the right cause. They should return for the series' ending.

It took a full season, but The Wheel of Time’s world.

The Horn of Valere plays a crucial role in the Dragon Reborn saga. But due to it being in the hands of Padan Fain, there was no opportunity to actually see its power in action for most of season 2. Not unlike what happened in the second Wheel of Time book, The Great Hunt, it wasn’t until the final episode that the Horn of Valere’s full capabilities were unleashed. With the Seanchan closing in on him, Mat blew the Horn in The Wheel of Time season 2 finale, bringing to life several mysterious soldiers, including Uno, who died in a previous episode. These characters, who helped turn the tide in Falme, are engrained in Wheel of Time lore.

Where The Heroes of The Horn Come From In The Wheel Of Time

Mat blows the Horn of Valere In Wheel of Time

As Lord Yakota explained in the Wheel of Time season 1 finale, using the Horn would call forth “the Pattern’s greatest heroes,” which is a fair description of the Heroes of the Horn. In the various ages associated with The Wheel of Time’s heroes, there were countless warriors who made names for themselves with their deeds. For reasons that have long remained ambiguous, the souls of many of these men and women became directly linked to the Horn of Valere. People in the current era can become Heroes as well, as evidenced by Uno's cameo. Apparently, he proved his worth through his heroic acts and has been chosen by the Pattern to be a Hero.

The books have shed further insight on what happens to them when they become Heroes and where they go in between death and being summoned by the Horn. The Heroes of the Horn spend their days in Tel’aran’rhiod a.k.a. the World of Dreams, which The Wheel of Time officially introduced in season 2. When the Horn is blown, their spirits are drawn out of Tel’aran’rhiod and given form in the waking world. If a Hero is spun back into the Wheel (or reincarnated), they'll leave Tel'aran'rhiod and get a new life. When that happens, they'll be unavailable to called by the Horn.

When the Heroes are summoned, their purpose is to fight for the person who blows it, who is then dubbed, “the Hornsounder.” They won’t answer any other call until that person dies, thus ending their role as Hornsounder. In the show, High Lord Turak claimed that with the Horn, the Seanchan would be able to take over the world, clearing believing he could be the Hornsounder. However, this opinion is contradicted by the books. In A Memory of Light, it was revealed that the Heroes possess free will. They will only fight for the right cause, meaning they wouldn't consider helping the villains even if they did blow the Horn.

Major Of The Heroes Of The Horn

The Heroes of the Horn in Wheel of Time

Though The Wheel of Time's Uno was the only existing character from the show’s canon to be summoned by the Horn of Valere, it’s important to note that the Heroes of the Horn are far from just nameless soldiers from the past. Several of them are distinguished figures in history whose names are often dropped in the books and in the show. Played by Adrian Bouchet, the bearded man who spoke to Mat was identified in the credits as Artur Hawkwing, a hero likely inspired by King Arthur. In the books, Artur Hawkwing is one of the most celebrated heroes and is depicted as the leader of the group. He also knew the Dragon himself, Lews Therin Telamon.

The woman in red, played by Helene Tran, was Amaresu, a Hero known for wielding a legendary weapon called the Sword of the Sun. Amaresu was shown using the sword against the Seanchan during the big fight. None of the other characters had their names confirmed in the credits, but one - a blond-haired female archer – closely matches the book description of Birgitte Silverbow, a hero idolized by women centuries after her death. Some of the others in attendance may or not be live-action interpretations of Gaidal Cain, Jain Farstrider, Shivan the Hunter, and Rogosh Eagle Eye, who were all Heroes of the Horn in the books.

The Heroes Of The Horn Should Return For The Wheel Of Time's Ending

Mat and the Heroes of the Horn In Wheel of Time

The Wheel of Time season 2 finale shouldn’t be the last time the Heroes appear in the series. However, it’ll likely be years before most of them make another appearance. It’s already been said in the show that the Horn is supposed to be blown at the Last Battle, which is the name of the war fought between the Light and the Shadow at the end of the Dragon Reborn's story. With that in mind, the Horn of Valere should re-enter the picture for one of the final episodes. Unless additional changes are made, Artur Hawkwing and company should return for The Wheel of Time’s ending, in which they’ll get to help battle the Dark One’s forces.

1 Hero Of The Horn Is A Major Wheel Of Time Character

Wheel of Time Heroes of the Horn Birgitte Silverbow

While the Heroes of the Horn – as a group – are unlikely to return until the Last Battle, one Hero in particular is in an excellent position to become a major character in her own right. In The Shadow Rising, the book The Wheel of Time season 3 is pulling from, the aforementioned Birgitte Silverbow was pulled into the lives of the main characters. Navigating Tel’aran’rhiod caused the main characters to meet Birgitte, who wound up being pulled out of Tel’aran’rhiod by Moghedien. As a result, Birgitte became active in the main story, serving as a ing character to Egwene, Nynaeve, and Elayne.

Based on this history, Birgitte is vital to The Wheel of Time's story in ways that the other Heroes aren't. Whereas the others were only relevant when the Horn was in play, Birgitte Silverbow was able to take part in multiple adventures. Something similar happening in the TV show is a strong possibility, especially since the tools needed for her debut - Mogehedien and Tel'aran'rhiod - are already in place for The Wheel of Time season 3.