The Dresden Files > DF Spoilers
True Love's Protection
earthexile313:
I've been assuming for awhile that the instance where Harry burned Lara at the end of White Night was a reveal hidden in plain sight. Lara finds it strange and unbelievable that Harry still bears the protection of Susan's love from years ago... but it wasn't from her at all. It was from only moments before.
Because we now know that Harry and Lash 'conceived' Bonea in a moment of love and connection that gave rise to new life. Harry has love for Susan, but the being he went home and wept for that night was Lash. And she let herself be destroyed for the love of him, saving him from Lasciel's damnation. That interaction was what shielded Harry from the Hunger that night.
This new idea about Harry's self-loathing interfering with the protection just seems to make that fit better, to me.
LaraBeck:
--- Quote from: Torsten on January 28, 2026, 09:58:10 PM ---I've been wondering if all of his self loathing makes a difference here. He doesn't think he deserves anything good, let alone love. Maybe that makes a difference.
--- End quote ---
That's what Mab's explanation was about.
Mira:
--- Quote ---This new idea about Harry's self-loathing interfering with the protection just seems to make that fit better, to me.
--- End quote ---
Yeah, but... That's why there has been problems with the concept from the start! How do you define true love? Harry may feel self loathing at the moment, he is grieving, he feels guilt about all the people that died under his banner that allowed him to fight. He feels guilty because he wasn't able to keep Murphy physically out of the fight, though it was Mab's banner that made it possible, and ultimately Murphy's choice.. Having said that, what does that have to do with true love? Harry still believes he truly loved Murphy, and whether he thinks he deserves it or not, how does that change Murphy's supposed true love for him? I say it doesn't, true love isn't a logical emotion, often it defies logic!
So no, I don't think Harry's current feelings of guilt and self-loathing over what has recently happened to him and his actions have anything to do with him not being protected. In my opinion it was Mab's answer when Harry told her that Murphy truly loved him.. She said, "perhaps." Lots of wiggle room in that answer without Mab having to lie about it. If she said that Murphy did, then she would have to explain why Harry wasn't protected. If she said that Murphy didn't truly love him then she'd make matters worse as far as her knight goes. She says she didn't have access to that part of Murphy's mind, but that could be avoidance on her part as well. Mab is good at that, it serves her purpose without having to lie.
I also think this is the set up for Mirror Mirror, Harry states at one point in 12 Months that he wishes he could go back and redo the part where Murphy get's shot. I think this is his motive for going back, and that's when he is going to learn that what Murphy felt for him was love, but not true love.
g33k:
--- Quote from: earthexile313 on January 29, 2026, 01:23:25 AM ---I've been assuming for awhile that the instance where Harry burned Lara at the end of White Night was a reveal hidden in plain sight. Lara finds it strange and unbelievable that Harry still bears the protection of Susan's love from years ago... but it wasn't from her at all. It was from only moments before.
Because we now know that Harry and Lash 'conceived' Bonea in a moment of love and connection that gave rise to new life. Harry has love for Susan, but the being he went home and wept for that night was Lash. And she let herself be destroyed for the love of him, saving him from Lasciel's damnation. That interaction was what shielded Harry from the Hunger that night.
This new idea about Harry's self-loathing interfering with the protection just seems to make that fit better, to me.
--- End quote ---
It's an interesting theory but I don't think it holds together, for two reasons:
In the book, Lara can tell that the protection was years-old, not brand-new.
And WoJ has stated that the "True Love" protection can only arise between two equals, not from an unequal relation (such as parent/child, etc); any form of dependence prevents it. I don't think Lasciel's Shadow -- nor "Lash" -- can in any way be a "equal" to Harry, as she was wholly-dependent on Harry for her very existence.
Bad Alias:
--- Quote from: Mira on January 29, 2026, 02:03:09 PM ---I also think this is the set up for Mirror Mirror, Harry states at one point in 12 Months that he wishes he could go back and redo the part where Murphy get's shot. I think this is his motive for going back, and that's when he is going to learn that what Murphy felt for him was love, but not true love.
--- End quote ---
Mirror Mirror isn't a time travel book and our Harry doesn't choose to go. The alternate Harry pulls him. Book 22 is going to be the time travel book so Jim can go back and fix all the continuity errors.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version