Short analysis regarding the Skill bond
One of my favourite exchanges between Fitz and the Fool from Fool's Errand, Chapter V: The Tawny Man.
He lifted one slender finger as if in a warning. Then he turned his hand and extended it to me as if he proffered an invisible gift on those outstretched fingertips. I closed my eyes to steady myself against the temptation. I shook my head slowly. "It would not be wise," I said thickly. "And a Fool is supposed to be wise?" "You have always been the wisest creature I've known." I opened my eyes to his earnest gaze. "I want it as I want breath itself, Fool. Take it away, please." "If you're sure… no, that was a cruel question. Look, it is gone." He gloved the hand, held it up to show me, and then clasped it with his naked one.
"Thank you."
Such a scene laden with meaning:
1. The Skill bond between them that is only specific to them and that helps them communicate what they cannot with words (because of their avoidant communication styles); A connection that makes them truly seen and vulnerable and whole as we later see on. A connection both of them want eagerly but Fitz is not yet ready to accept the encompassing freedom and love that becomes limitless when they Skill link.
2. A scene that shows Fitz's respect for Beloved's wisdom, how he has always seen him and what high regards he keeps him to be always the wisest between them. Nighteyes mentions that Fitz thinks clearer when they are together.
3. Beloved's respect for boundaries. If Fitz says he does not want this, he will respect it. A pattern that happens again and again. The Skill bond is also suggested at least twice more in Assassin's Fate and Fitz says no again and Beloved respects that.
The only instances this boundary is broken is in dire situations from both sides: In Fool's Errand, Nighteyes and Fitz almost get stuck in the same body and it would have been miserable for both of them so Beloved saves them with the Skill;
In The Golden Fool, the Skill bond happens to Skill heal Fitz from dying;
In Fool's Fate, Fitz uses Beloved's unmoving silver fingers to connect with him before Beloved's resurrection even though the link is almost dead so in this case I read it as a mix of both the Skill and the Wit;
In Fool's Quest, Beloved uses the Skill link forcefully to bring Fitz's shattered soul back;
In Assassin's Fate, Fitz uses it in the Clerres tunnel to heal Beloved fully.












