KKC Theory Wiki

Auri Is Dead Before Book 3 — That's Why Kvothe Speaks Freely of Her

plausible motive · popularity 425 · 1 source thread

Kvothe's willingness to tell Chronicler about Auri signals she is already dead, likely contributing to his broken state.

About: Auri, Kvothe

Also involves: Chronicler, The Underthing, The Doors of Stone

The theory§

This theory reads Kvothe's openness about Auri in the frame story as a sign that she is already dead by the time he speaks with Chronicler. While at the University, Kvothe guarded the secret of Auri's existence and her home in the Underthing for months, going to great lengths to keep her safe and unnoticed. Yet in the Waystone he freely describes her to Chronicler, whose written account is destined for the presses and wide readership — an exposure he would never risk if she could still be harmed. The simplest reconciliation is that Auri is beyond danger because she is no longer alive, her death being a plausible source of the guilt that has hollowed Kvothe into Kote. If Auri is in truth a displaced highborn — the lost Princess Ariel of related speculation — her removal or death in the final volume gains further weight.

Evidence§

  • Auri is definitely going to die.
    OP states the core claim of the theory. — u/Sarcherre
  • Kvothe kept her existence and whereabouts secret for months while at the university, just to make sure she was safe.
    Establishes Kvothe's prior secrecy to protect Auri. — u/Sarcherre
  • Why would he be mentioning her at all to the Chronicler—who is likely to publish Kvothe’s story, sending it to the presses for all to read about—if that could put Auri in danger?
    Core argument: telling Chronicler contradicts earlier secrecy. — u/Sarcherre
  • Simple reason that he’s not worried about it: Auri is no longer there to be in danger. It’s possible she’s only displaced, but I think it much more likely that she’s dead.
    Resolution: she is beyond danger because dead. — u/Sarcherre
  • We know Kvothe is a broken man in the third book. Being responsible for his little moon fae’s death—directly, indirectly, or even only blaming himself—might be the thing that does it.
    Links her death to Kvothe's guilt and broken state. — u/Sarcherre
  • If Auri is Princess Ariel then she is certainly getting "displaced" in book three. Chances are pretty good that she dies too
    Comment ties theory to Auri-is-Ariel speculation, supporting her removal. — u/AllWiseMenBeer
  • Kvothe may not intend for the Chronicler to live past the telling of his tale either.
    CounterCounter: secrecy logic fails if Chronicler won't survive to publish. — u/MendPand
  • Or she could be somewhere else? Maybe she got better, he found a way to help her?
    CounterCounter: alternative that Auri is displaced or healed, not dead. — u/[deleted]

Book refs: NOTW, WMF

Tier reasoning§

no change

Contributors§

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