Others' Island (spoilers all books incl RWC)

[Farseer]

and, lastly, Etta – the tiny figure of a serpentine baby which, to me, pointed to the fact that not only would she mother a child but this child would later become an Elderling

Do we know for a fact Etta & Kennit's child grows up to be an Elderling?

No, it's not a fact, Valarya...just one of my many, most-likely-incorrect theories!

In regards to the baby figurine, I always assumed it meant that, not only would the Serpents make their cocoons and be 'reborn' as Dragons, but that Elderlings would be reborn in to the world again. It could signify SO many things!!

I agree that it was to signify the full return of Elderlings, but I can't help and stick to my thought that it has a connection to Kennit and Etta's child. The piece was taken by Etta from the island and I therefore believe that it has to mean something personal to her, just as the items Fitz and Dutiful found were personal to them.

Unrelated to Others' Island, but:

Speaking of Etta and her baby... I was just re-reading the chapter when Kennit dies, and Etta goes over to Paragon to grieve. She's standing on the foredeck with her hands on the planking and asks Paragon if Kennit really loved her. He tells her that Kennit loved her in the only way he could, and then he hears a tiny voice, so like Kennit's, say "Thank you."

I always assumed that voice came from the piece of Kennit now inside Paragon, but this read-through I felt it was the un-born child inside Etta. Perhaps the ease with which this child spoke to the ship means it IS an Elderling?

I always just assumed that the 'thank you' came from Kennit's wizardwood charm which, by then, Etta wore after Kennit had instructed her to wear it before their son came of an age when she could pass it to him.

Forgive me if it's been brought up before; even though I've been reading this series for 8 years+, I'm brand new to these forums.. so I haven't read through everything here, yet.

We are so glad to have you here, welcome!