The Aiel War took place eighteen years before the beginning of the story, when four clans of the Aiel, under Janduin, invaded Cairhien in retribution for King Laman chopping down Avendoraldera. The war ended when the Aiel killed Laman, near Tar Valon. Rand al'Thor was born at the end of the war, on the slopes of Dragonmount.