Rand's origins?

Potential spoilers here!




In Eye of the World, I seemed to get the impression that Rand is significantly taller than anyone else in his village, and has much darker skin.

I seem to recall wondering why no one ever seemed to consider this especially strange, especially Rand.

Did I misremember this?

Also, presumably Rand has a hidden heritage - is he the son of a king, by any chance?

If I remember correctly he is the son of Tigraine Mantear daughter-heir of the Andor throne before Morgase!

http://wot.wikia.com/wiki/Tigraine_Mantear

Some royal blood, yeah, but the tanned skin, blue eyes and tallness comes from having an Aiel father -- the desert type people. His fake-mother died when he was young so it was mostly explained that these odder attributes came from her, if I'm remembering correctly.

Also if I'm remembering correctly, the whole royal blood thing doesn't really come into play all that much -- it's more his Aielness that's the significant bit.

Cheers for the replies! I did wonder if Jordan had played the heir card - glad to hear he didn't.

I think both his Aielness and his being the heir of the daughter heir play their part in fulfilling the profecies for the dragon reborn and that's the only part they play in the series.