Elayne Trakand

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Elayne Trakand
Nationality	Andor
Affiliation	Aes Sedai
Ajah	Green Ajah
Social Status	Royalty
Family	Morgase Trakand, Gawyn Trakand, Galad Damodred
First Appearance	The Eye of the World, Chapter 40

Author: Nairah Tarak

Pronunciation: ee-LAIN trah-KAND

Elayne Trakand is the Daughter Heir to the throne of Andor when she meets Rand al'Thor after he accidently stumbles into the royal palace's gardens. Soon after that, Elayne travels to the White Tower to begin training with the Aes Sedai, which has been a tradition among the Andoran queens since the country's founding.

General

Elayne Trakand is the daughter of Morgase Trakand and Taringail Damodred. She has an older brother, Gawyn, and an older half-brother, Galadedrid. A few years after Elayne was born, Taringail died. For a time after that, she had Morgase's lover Thom Merrilin as father figure. When he left, Morgase and Lini, the nurse, raised Elayne by themselves. She was raised to become the Queen of Andor after Morgase, and her brother Gawyn is her First Prince of the Sword.

Appearance

Elayne is tall for a woman and very beautiful. Her face is a perfect oval framed by mass of sunburst curls. Her lips are full and red. Her eyes are bluer than Rand can believe (TEotW, Ch. 40); they are like sapphires. Her skin is smoother than finest silk. She has a straight back, with supple and long limbs.

Personality

Elayne has a self-possessed and lofty attitude, expecting to be obeyed. She is practical and to the point with both feet on the ground and few flights of fancy, just like her mother. However, she can be a little too proper at times. And despite her position, she practices swearing like a stableman.

Elayne's Journey

The Eye of the World

Elayne first meets Rand al'Thor when he climbs the wall that surrounds the Royal Palace. She startles him, and he falls off the wall and down ito the garden (TEotW, Ch. 39. Elayne and Gawyn accompany him when the guards take him to Morgase TEotW, Ch. 40).

The Great Hunt

According to custom, Elayne travels to the White Tower to train to become Aes Sedai. Along with her are her two brothers and Morgase's Aes Sedai advisor, Elaida (TGH, Ch. 4). In the Tower, Elayne meets Egwene al'Vere, and introduces her to Gawyn and Galad (TGH, Ch. 24).

Liandrin of the Red Ajah tells Nynaeve and Egwene that they must accompany her to Toman Head to help Rand. Elayne and Min overhear and plan to come too (TGH, Ch. 39). They travel together with Liandrin through the Ways, but when they reach Toman Head, Liandrin has a surprise for them. Egwene and Min are captured by High Lady Suroth and Elayne and Nynaeve escape (TGH, Ch. 40). Elayne and Nynaeve live undercover in Falme and plan how to free the other two women (TGH, Ch. 42). After capturing a sul'dam named Seta, they manage to free Egwene (TGH, Ch. 46). Later when they meet Rand, Elayne feels drawn to him (TGH, Ch. 48). She heads back to Tar Valon with Egwene, Nynaeve, Verin, and Mat (TGH, Ch. 49).

The Dragon Reborn

While on their way to Tar Valon, Elayne's group is set upon by Whitecloaks. Egwene makes a foolish demonstration with the One Power and it scares them away. She gets a scolding from Verin for it (TDR, Ch. 10). The Amyrlin punishes Elayne for running away and sends her to Sheriam (TDR, Ch. 13). Nynaeve and Egwene tell Elayne about their hunt for the Black Ajah and ask her to join them (TDR, Ch. 16). Elayne attends Mat's healing (TDR, Ch. 18).

Elayne passes through the three arches and is raised to the rank of Accepted. She is tested right before Egwene is, and afterwards Elayne is crying on Nynaeve's lap (TDR, Ch. 23). Elayne, along with Egwene and Nynaeve, go through the Black Ajah belongings. They find many references to Tear (City) (TDR, Ch. 26). They decide to go to Tear (TDR, Ch. 27). They pay Mat a visit and Elayne asks him to deliver a message from her to her mom. They give him one of the notes Siuan gave them (TDR, Ch. 28).

Elayne, Nynaeve, and Egwene sail down the River Erinin on the Blue Crane. They get stuck on a mud flood and decide to walk to next town. They meet Aviendha, Bain, and Chiad who take them to the badly wounded Dailin, another Far Dareis Mai. Nynaeve Heals her (TDR, Ch. 39). They arrive in Tear and hire a thief-catcher by the name of Juilin Sandar to help them (TDR, Ch. 49). They are caught off guard and captured by the Black Ajah (TDR, Ch. 51). Mat shows up to save them after their own plan fails (TDR, Ch. 55). They meet up with Moiraine, who tells them what is still to come (TDR, Ch. 56).

The Shadow Rising

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Elayne, Nynaeve, and Egwene pretend to be full Aes Sedai. Moiraine is aware of this, but she doesn't say anything. Elayne and Egwene visit Rand to teach him how to channel. They fail, but he discovers that channeling saidar gives him goose bumps (TSR, Ch. 7). Elayne tells Rand that she loves him and they kiss (TSR, Ch. 8).

Elayne and Nynaeve are leaving for Tanchico. But before, Elayne writes Rand a love letter and then another letter to put him in his place (TSR, Ch. 16). They negotiate their passage to Tanchico and they learn that Windfinders can channel (TSR, Ch. 20). In Tanchico they get to know Captain Egeanin from Seanchan. Elayne, Nynaeve, Egeanin, Thom, and Juilin free the Panarch Amathera from Temaile of the Black Ajah. They also take the seal and the male a'dam from the Panarch's Palace and ask Bayle Domon to drop them in the sea (TSR, Ch. 52, TSR, Ch. 54, TSR, Ch. 55).

The Fires of Heaven

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On their travel back, they stay near a village. Nynaeve and Elayne go for a walk in the village and discover a Yellow Ajah signal. Ronde Macura drugs them with forkroot (TFoH, Ch. 9). They are rescued by Thom and Juilin (TFoH, Ch. 10).

Elayne and her company meet Valan Luca and his menagerie. He lets them travel with him if they perform (TFoH, Ch. 17). Elayne meets Birgitte Silverbow in Tel'aran'rhiod in the Heart of the Stone. Later she argues with Nynaeve about the twisted ring ter'angreal used to enter Tel'aran'rhiod, but finally gives in. Nynaeve goes to Tel'aran'rhiod and meets Moghedien, and Birgitte comes to save her. When Nynaeve wakes up in tears they all discover Birgitte who has been snatched out of Tel'aran'rhiod. Birgitte is dying and Nynaeve's attempts to Heal her are not enough. Elayne bonds Birgitte to save her (TFoH, Ch. 35). Uno and Galad show up to tell Elayne and her group that there is a ship waiting for them (TFoH, Ch. 47). They have to struggle through a mob but they make it to the Riverserpent and board it (TFoH, Ch. 48). They arrive at Salidar (TFoH, Ch. 50).

Lord of Chaos

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Elayne makes her first ter'angreal. It is an a'dam, and she uses it to leash Moghedien. Elayne and Nynaeve make many discoveries: inverted weaves, Illusion, hiding one's ability to channel, invisibility, and eavesdropping. But in fact, it is Moghedien who is teaching them (LoC, Prologue).

While in Salidar Elayne and Nynaeve take the Salidar Aes Sedai into Tel'aran'rhiod. On one visit Nynaeve leaves and the group is trapped into a nightmare until Elayne saves them LoC, Ch. 7). Elayne and Nynaeve make a trip of their own into Tel'aran'rhiod, trying to find a way to help Rand with the Salidar Aes Sedai. They use need and discover a place in Ebou Dar with a strange bowl (LoC, Ch. 13). They try to convince the Salidar Aes Sedai to let them go to Ebou Dar, but they are refused and put on kitchen duty (LoC, Ch. 15). While studying Logain one day, Nynaeve Heals him, giving him back the ability to channel, and Elayne runs for help (LoC, Ch. 29). Egwene comes to Salidar and is raised to Amyrlin Seat. She raises Elayne, Nynaeve, Theodrin Dabei, and Faolain Orande to Aes Sedai (LoC, Ch. 36).

Elayne and Nynaeve introduce Egwene to Moghedien and hand her leash over (LoC, Ch. 37). Elayne leaves to find Aviendha. She learns that Aviendha slept with Rand and understands that she is the third woman in Min's viewing (LoC, Ch. 40). Elayne and her company travel to Ebou Dar with Egwene's permission and arrive at the Tarasin Palace (LoC, Ch. 47). They begin their search for the bowl in the Rahad (LoC, Ch. 52).

A Crown of Swords

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Elayne and Nynaeve ask the Sea Folk for help in using the bowl (ACoS, Ch. 13). They pay a visit to an inn to apologize to Mat and ask for his help. They tell him about the bowl. They then run into a lady by the name of Setalle Anan who tells them that she knows someone who will help runaways from the Tower (ACoS, Ch. 22). Setalle takes them and introduces them to the Kin. The Kin kicks them out after they claim they were not kicked from the Tower (ACoS, Ch. 23). On their way back to the inn they are attacked. Elayne is hurt but Nynaeve Heals her (ACoS, Ch. 24) .

They take a trip to the Kin house and after some conversation, Reanne agrees to take them to the six-story building (ACoS, Ch. 31). Reane takes them to the building, where they are attacked by a gholam. Mat fights it and drives it off, though, and they find the Bowl of the Winds (ACoS, Ch. 38). Nynaeve and Elayne meet with the Aes Sedai, the Kin, and the Windfinders to discuss the use of the Bowl (ACoS, Ch. 39).

The Path of Daggers

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Aviendha makes a gateway to the Kin's farm. Elayne goes through and they take with them the stash of angreal they discovered (TPoD, Ch. 1). Elayne participates in a circle together with the Kin and channelers from the Sea Folk to make use of the Bowl of Winds to fix the weather (TPoD, Ch. 5). After they fix the weather, the Seanchan attack the farm. Elayne makes a gateway to Andor. Everyone goes through as fast as they can. After Elayne makes it through, she tries to undo the weave on the gateway so the Seanchan can't learn it, but she is shielded by a damane, causing her to lose control of saidar and let go of the weave she was trying to unweave. The result is a huge explosion (TPoD, Ch. 6). The group makes their way to Caemlyn where they find Elayne's mother gone, rumored to be dead, and a fight going on for the throne. Dyelin throws her support behind Elayne, but many want Dyelin to take the throne instead (TPoD, Ch. 28).

Winter's Heart

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Elayne makes Birgitte Captain-General of the Queen's Guard. She has talk with the Sea Folk, as well as Taim. As the Black Tower is on Andoran property, she demands that Taim let her guards in and her if she wants to, Taim agrees(WH, Prologue).

Elayne and Aviendha are bonded as first-sisters (WH, Prologue). Elayne is attacked in the Palace and after that Birgitte creates a guard for Elayne. Doilin Mellar is made Captain (WH, Ch. 10). Rand arrives at the Palace. He doesn't want to meet Elayne nor Aviendha, but Min goes after them anyway. Elayne and Aviendha bond Rand and include Min in the weave. Rand spends the night with Elayne and when she wakes up, she finds a golden lily left by Rand (WH, Ch. 12). Wise One Monaelle examines Elayne with a weave called Caressing the Child and determines that she has two healthy babies (CoT, Ch. 14).

Elayne learns of a Borderlander army on Andoran soil, so she meets with the leaders. After a discussion she tells them where Rand is and tells them they may safely pass through Andor. After the agreements are made she heads back to Caemlyn only to find out on the way that there are three or four small armies marching toward Caemlyn. She gets ready to prepare for an attack (WH, Ch. 27).

Crossroads of Twilight

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After paying a visit to one of the Houses of Caemlyn, Elayne is returning to the royal palace when she feels a great amount of power far off. She realizes that it must be Rand, but Aviendha tells her that they must not interfere so they return to the palace (CoT, Ch. 10). The Sea Folk let Elayne know that they are leaving, which worries Elayne as the Windfinders are some of the more powerful channelers in the Royal Palace at that time. She makes a new deal with Zaida in which she will give the Sea folk a strip of land as well as some teachers, and they in exchange would leave nine Windfinders to make gateways for Elayne (CoT, Ch. 12). Elayne meets with Dyelin and four young high seats of major houses (CoT, Ch. 13). Due to her pregnancy, Elayne can not make the ring ter'angreal work, so Aviendha goes in her place to Tel'aran'rhiod to meet Egwene (CoT, Ch. 20).

Knife of Dreams

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The attack on Caemlyn starts. Elayne uses Kin members to open up gateways to send soldiers through to attack. Her forces manage to push the attacking army back. As the army is retreating, Elayne orders the mercenaries to kill them, but the mercenaries refuse, saying they don't attack other mercenaries who run, as the next time, it could be them doing the running. Shortly after, a new army shows up for Elayne, led by Lieutenant Charlz Guybon, who had recruited men let go by Gaebril. Elayne makes him Captain (KoD, Ch. 13). Elayne returns to the royal palace and has to deal with the Windfinders who want to know what happened to their teachers. Elayne instructs them that she is looking and that they must keep their end of the bargain (KoD, Ch. 14). Aviendha and Elayne check out the angreal from Ebou Dar. Due to her pregnancy, Elayne can't study them anymore, but Aviendha sorts through them and seems to have a Talent at figuring out what different ter'angreal do. After going through several angreal, Aiel show up to tell Aviendha they are leaving. Aviendha leaves to get ready and Elayne heads off to deal with the mercenaries (KoD, Ch. 15).

Elayne meets with the mercenaries, who ask for more money. Elayne refuses to give them a raise. She sends the mercenaries off and Norry tells her he has found someone to follow Mellar, someone a little more skilled as the last few he had sent to follow Mellar ended up dead. She is informed that Dyelin is back, and she sends a message that she will meet Dyelin in the map room after she is refreshed (KoD, Ch. 16). She meets up with Dyelin who informs her of six more neutral houses camping to the south. Dyelin leaves and Vandene enters and wards the room before telling Elayne that Reanne has been killed. She also tells that she has found evidence that makes her think that the Kin who had gone missing were also murdered. Elayne asks her to warn some of the others and try to keep them calm (KoD, Ch. 17).

Duhara shows up and has an audience with Elayne. She has been sent by Elaida to be an advisor to Elayne. She tells Elayne that Elaida would like her to return to the Tower to finish her training. Elayne tells her she has already been raised Aes Sedai by the Amyrlin Egwene, and she then told Duhara to leave. Norry and Hark appear. They lead Elayne and a small group to a house where the Black Ajah are hiding. They think they have surprised the Black Ajah but after Elayne loses control of her power she finds that they have been surprised; a small battle follows, and Elayne is captured (KoD, Ch. 31). Birgitte uses the Windfinders to cut off the Black Sisters and surprise attack them to rescue Elayne. They tehn surprise the force attacking Caemlyn from behind while Dyelin leads a force attacking from the front. They defeat them and capture Arymilla and the others (KoD, Ch. 33). Dyelin publicly throws her support behind Elayne and several Great Houses follow her lead (KoD, Ch. 35).

The Gathering Storm

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Elayne does not appear in The Gathering Storm.

Rand can feel that Elayne is relieved, and hopes that this means things are going well with her fight for the Lion Throne (TGS, Ch. 1).

Egwene notes that Elayne is still having problems channeling while pregnant (TGS, Ch. 38).

Towers of Midnight

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Elayne discusses what to do with the prisoners they are holding, the leaders of the houses that had besieged Caemlyn and tried to win the throne. Dyelin suggests letting them go and using them as resources before they don't have any resources left. Elayne tells Dyelin and Birgitte of her idea to become the Queen of Cairhien, accepting Rand's gift of the Sun Throne. They are interrupted by Norry, who tells Elayne he has had the Aes Sedai in Caemlyn watched and that Duhara has been meeting with Ellorien. Elayne points out that she wanted to be seen and that it was a warning to her. Norry then hands her a letter he says is from a mercenary leader and it turns out to be from Mat. In it he asks to meet with her and to use her bellfounders. Elayne sends Norry to tell Mat she will meet with him and that he must bring Thom. After Norry leaves Elayne starts talking about how she can use Mat and the Band of the Red Hand (ToM, Ch. 11).

Elayne meets with Nynaeve and Egwene in Tel'aran'rhiod. Egwene asks her where she went first but Elayne says that she just appeared there, which alarms them that someone else set off the wards around them. They discuss Rand, and Nynaeve points out that Elayne is pregnant. Egwene gives her congratulations and brings up the subject of Rand's desire to break the seals. Egwene asks Elayne to come to Tar Valon and take the oaths, but Elayne refuses. She tells Egwene she will after she has had the babies as she doesn't know if taking the oaths will have an affect on the unborn children. The wards go off and they check to see who was listening and they see a cloak going around a corner (ToM, Ch. 14).

Elayne walks through the palace gardens. She is joined by Sumeko and Alise from the Kin. Elayne makes a proposition: she will allow the Kin to tie themselves to the Crown of Andor in exchange for providing Healing and gateways. They discuss it for a while and agree the Healing will be free and any money made from Traveling will be split between the crown and the Kin. They will still be allied to the White Tower, but they will remain in Caemlyn. Elayne still has to discuss it with Egwene but she is hopeful. Elayne dismisses them. She then thinks about how to counter the Seanchan. Her only idea is to try to claim the Black Tower if Rand dies (ToM, Ch. 17).

Elayne meets with Thom and Mat. The have some idle talk about Thom, Rand, and Olver, then the discussion becomes about the dragons. Mat gives Elayne a list of what he needs to make them and describes them to her. Elayne is happy because she has found a way to counter the Seanchan but Mat wants full control of the Dragons for the Band. They do some negotiating and come to terms. The Band will work for Andor signing a one-year contract; during that time they can leave at any time as long as they give a one-month notice. While they work for Andor, the Bane has full control of the dragons, but if they leave they get one out of four of the dragons and Andor gets the rest. Also, the members of the Band must be given the chance to join Andor's army, and as a sweetener, Mat gets a dressing man and Elayne gets Mat's medallion for three days. Elayne will have the dragons started that night and Mat will let her use the Band when she goes to claim the throne in Cairhein. Elayne then asks them to come to dinner to which they agree. Right before they leave Elayne asks Thom to be the court bard for Caemlyn. She says he can go anywhere he wants, but that way whenever he was in Caemlyn he would be known for who he was. Also in the papers it pardons him for all crimes he may have committed in Caemlyn and Cairhein (ToM, Ch. 19).

Elayne sits watching a play; Ellorien is also there at her invite. She sits and examines the foxhead medallion. She has been able to make copies, but none like the original. Some copies deflect weak weaves and not strong ones, some of them don't allow the wearer to channel. After the play ends Elayne retreats into a sitting room where she is joined by her company. She chats with Sylvase for a while, then starts to walk away before being approached by Ellorien. She tells Ellorien she invited her to remind her of the good times between their families. She then heads off and is told that Birgitte went to meet Mat. She thinks it a good time to act out her plan for the Black Ajah, She weaves the Mirror of Mists around herself and uses her angreal to pull on as much of the One Power as she can. She then uses a gateway to Travel to the dungeons, to Chesmal's cell, where she is mistaken for as a Forsaken, which is Elayne's plan. She questions Chesmal and learns of a plan to assassinate Mat and of an invasion. She is interrupted, though, when the door flies open and she finds Sylvase's secretary and two other members of the Black Ajah, Eldrith and Temaile. A fight ensues and right when it looks like Elayne has them defeated she gets stabbed by Mellar. This causes her to let go of the source and Chesmal shields her. Mellar makes Chesmal Heal Elayne. Elayne makes Chesmal grab the copy medallion, which causes her to lose the source and release the shield. Elayne then weaves fire at Chesmal and catches her on fire. Elayne grabs Eldrith with a weave of air and uses her as a shield, but Mellar slices Eldrith's throat and then stabs Temaile. She doesn't want Mellar to run, so Elayne uses earth to pull down part of the ceiling, which causes Mellar to drop the medallion, but he still gets away. Birgitte shows up with Mat and tells Elayne that the guards and the Kin that had come with her are dead (ToM, Ch. 23).

Elayne is put on a week of bed rest by Melfane, who tells her she better stay this time or she would make sure no one helped Elayne. She is joined by Birgitte and then shortly later Mat. She tells Mat about the Black Ajah's plans to assassinate him. She gives Mat his medallion back (ToM, Ch. 24).

Elayne is carried out onto the castle's tower wall since she is stuck in bed. She is shortly joined by Aludra, who is ready to give her a demonstration of the dragons. Aludra tells her it works best if three people use it, but better to have four in case one falls. Aludra has them fire at a group of dummies on a hillside. They miss, but Elayne is amazed at the damage done. Aludra has them shoot again and this time it takes out all the dummies. Elayne is amazed at how far they shoot and how destructive they are. Birgitte says the world has changed (ToM, Ch. 29).

Elayne talks with Gawyn about Rand for a short while. They discuss why Gawyn hates him and how he needs to be less selfish about it. She talks to him about Egwene and about how he needs to be the man she needs him to be without Egwene having to tell him thats what he needs to be (ToM, Ch. 33).

Elayne discusses the difficulties of running Caemlyn and Cairhein at the same time when Galad shows up accompanied by Morgase. They all share their stories. Morgase is surprised Elayne's babies are Rand's. They discuss celebrating Morgase's return. Elayne brings up dealing with Perrin and Morgase says it's thanks to Perrin that she returned (ToM, Ch. 45).

Elayne meets with Faile, Perrin, and Alliandre. Elayne thanks Perrin for returning Morgase but asks why she shouldn't execute them for being traitors. They discuss Perrin's action and possible solutions. After a lot of discussion, they decide to let Perrin rule the Two Rivers under the title of Steward of the Dragon Reborn. Elayne will let him rule as Rand's steward and allow them to collect taxes themselves that can be used by Rand if need be. Also, Perrin and Faile will encourage their child to pursue marriage with one of Elayne and Rand's (ToM, Ch. 47).

Elayne takes the titles and lands of her noble prisoners, something that few queens did. They are then led out and the Cairhein nobles are led in. Elayne bribes them into being allies by giving them land in Andor. By doing so she gains allies in Cairhein as well as making herself less of an oddity there. She will also give the prisoners land in Cairhein to give them a fresh start (ToM, Ch. 50).

Elayne heads to Cairhien with her army of Cairhienin borrowed from Mat and claims her new throne. Birgitte checks the throne before Elayne sits and finds a poisoned needle in the cushion. The nobles act innocent and said they would find who was responsible. Elayne then tells the nobles to get their house guards ready because they are going to meet up with the Dragon Reborn. She tells them to give everyone a sword that can hold one (ToM, Ch. 52).

Elayne is at the Field of Merrilor (ToM, Ch. 56).

A Memory of Light

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At some point before the start of the book, Elayne puts a plan in motion to set the Kin up in Andor, something which later angers Egwene (AMoL, Ch. 10). Elayne has invited Roedran to attend the meeting at the Field of Merrilor, promising him a gateway to help him get there. This makes Roedran beholden to her (AMoL, Ch. 1). Before leaving for the Field of Merrilor, she has given Guybon and Jessamyn orders to send reports through a gateway regularly. She has left four of the Kin in Caemlyn; they are too weak to weave gateways individually, but can weave one when linked. She takes the rest of the Kin to Merrilor with her (AMoL, Prologue).

On the night before the meeting at Merrilor is to be held, Egwene sends Gawyn with a message to Elayne, asking her to meet. Elayne accepts, and they meet in Elayne’s tent. Egwene asks Elayne to read a letter she’s written to Rand, and they discuss Rand’s plan to break the seals. Whenl news arrives that Caemlyn is under attack, they both go to the Travelling grounds, where soldiers and refugees are arriving from Caemlyn. Elayne receives reports on the attack from Guybon, and decides to Travel to the outskirts of the city so that she can see what has happened for herself (AMoL, Ch. 1).

Elayne does not think it is a good idea to launch an assault to retake Caemlyn; the Trollocs will be too difficult to fight within the city. Instead, she sends some soldiers to keep watch from a distance. She plans to send in scouts to locate any captives who can be rescued, and then to attack the Trollocs once they have left the city and will be easier to fight. Although most of the High Seats agree with Elayne’s plan, Lir and Perival do not. They meet with Elayne and Dyelin, with Lir advocating for retaking the city immediately. Elayne tells him that he may visit the soldiers who are stationed outside of the city, if he wishes, and he and Perival decide to take her up on her offer (AMoL, Ch. 2).

That night, Aviendha visits Elayne, arriving near the end of Elayne’s meeting with Dyelin, Lir, and Perival. Elayne and Aviendha briefly discuss the fall of Caemlyn and the meeting to be held the next day. Elayne plans to return to Andor the next evening, and asks Aviendha to go with her, but Aviendha feels she must stay with the Wise Ones. As they are talking, a messenger arrives with a letter for Elayne from Rand. The letter insists strongly that she should return to Caemlyn to oversee matters there; Elayne knows, however, that Rand is actually trying to convince her to stay for the meeting by making her angry enough to do the opposite of his commands. Although she is angry at his tactics, she is proud of his political skills (AMoL, Ch. 2).

Elayne sends for Min so that the three women can discuss Rand (AMoL, Ch. 2; AMoL, Ch. 3). They decide that eventually, Min will become first-sisters with Elayne and Aviendha and that they will not allow Rand to come between them; he must choose all three of them or none of them. Together, they decide that Aviendha should be the one to spend the night with Rand (AMoL, Ch. 3).

Elayne speaks with Aviendha the next morning, but Aviendha has been unable to find out what Rand is going to do at the meeting (AMoL, Ch. 5). Elayne sends forces to try to retake the Caemlyn Waygate, but none of them return (AMoL, Ch. 7).

When Elayne arrives at the meeting place, she speaks briefly with Egwene. When Rand arrives and erects a pavilion for the meeting to take place within, Elayne enters the tent along with the other rulers. Like the others, she is allowed by Rand to bring five people with her (AMoL, Ch. 5).

Once everyone has gathered within the pavilion, Rand tells them that they must be unified if they are to win the Last Battle, and that he is not willing to die on their behalf only to have them start fighting for power amongst themselves in the aftermath. To this effect, he demands three things of them in exchange for his life. The first is that they accept a treaty named the Dragon’s Peace. Among other things, the Dragon’s Peace will prevent the current nations from expanding their borders and attacking other nations, and will require all nations to defend any nation that has been attacked. The second is that the White Tower allow him to have possession of the seals so that he may break them. The third is that Rand wants to command everyone's armies in the Last Battle, to ensure a unified fight (AMoL, Ch. 5).

Elayne is outraged over Rand’s first and third demands especially. She is the first of the rulers to read the Dragon’s Peace treaty that Rand has prepared for them all to sign. She cannot believe that Rand expects her to go along with it. Darlin and Gregorin agree with her, although the Borderlanders, Berelain, and Galad are all willing to sign it. The arguing appears to be reaching a dangerous climax when Moiraine suddenly enters the pavilion, to everyone’s shock (AMoL, Ch. 5; AMoL, Ch. 6). Moiraine’s appearance breaks the tension, and everyone is able to proceed in talking about Rand’s demands in a more structured fashion. Elayne points out that there are some serious flaws in Rand’s plan for peace: there is no way to settle minor disputes, which will arise and fester until they break into all out war. Concerns raised by others include the fact that the Aiel and Seanchan are left out of the treaty. Eventually, amendments are made: the Aiel will be written in as a way to mediate disputes, and the treaty will be null and void if Rand cannot get the Seanchan to sign it (AMoL, Ch. 6).

When everyone but Elayne has signed the Dragon’s Peace, Rand sweetens the deal for her by offering to let her lead the war; Moiraine has convinced him that he will be too busy at Shayol Ghul to do so himself. Finally, Elayne agrees and signs the document (AMoL, Ch. 6).

Elayne leaves the pavilion after signing the treaty and immediately begins plans for the defense of the Westlands. She calls for maps to be brought to her and for the other rulers to bring their advisors and commanders for a meeting. It is decided that there will be four battlefronts: in Andor, in Kandor, at Tarwin's Gap, and at Shayol Ghul. They will send forces to delay the Shadow in Kandor and at Tarwin’s Gap and focus most of their forces on defeating the Shadowspawn in Andor; as Andor should be the easiest battle to win, this will be the quickest way to reduce the number of battlefronts. Elayne suggests that each of the four living Great Captains be assigned to one of the battlefronts: Agelmar will join Lan at Tarwin’s Gap, Bryne will go to Kandor with the White Tower, Bashere to Andor with Elayne, and Ituralde to Shayol Ghul with Rand. Elayne, meanwhile, will coordinate all four groups (AMoL, Ch. 7).

Once the meeting is done, Elayne and Bryne speak. Bryne tells Elayne that he is proud of her, and Elayne offers an apology to Bryne for what was done to him. Elayne and Birgitte are about to go back to their tent when they hear singing and discover that the Ogier have come to aid them in the Last Battle (AMoL, Ch. 7).

Elayne tells Perrin that she wishes for him to take control of supplies. Really she wants to use supply runs as a guise to allow Perrin to safely bring the Horn of Valere from Tar Valon. Perrin replies that he cannot, as Rand will need him, but Faile offers to do it in his stead (AMoL, Ch. 7).

The next day, Elayne and her troops go to Andor. They plan to draw the Trollocs out to Braem Wood, which is about fifty leagues from Caemlyn. The Band, Perrin’s forces, some of the of Aiel, the Kinswomen, and Bashere and the Legion of the Dragon accompany her. Using gateways, they place oil in the basements of buildings in Caemlyn and set fire to them. As they begin set their plans in motion, Bashere convinces Elayne to tell her forces she is carrying Rand’s children, as it will motivate them (AMoL, Ch. 8).

Rand visits Elayne one evening, and it is the first time they’ve seen each other since Merrilor. Things are a little tense at first, but then ease. They speak of Elayne’s pregnancy; if there is a boy, Elayne wants to name him Rand, but Rand convinces her not to. As they have dinner, they talk about the various battlefronts, and Rand also tells Elayne about Lews Therin and the change that came over him recently at Dragonmount. Rand tells Elayne that he wishes he could protect her people, and Elayne responds that she will not allow him to “deny the good people of Andor the right to defend themselves, the right to stand in the Last Battle.” Rand gives Elayne a Seed, which will allow her to create angreal, although he warns that it will drain her energy and that she should not try to use it until after the Last Battle. Elayne gives Rand a gift as well: the dull knife ter’angreal, which will hide him from the Shadow. They spend much of the rest of the night together (AMoL, Ch. 9).

Elayne’s troops continue working to draw the Trollocs out of Caemlyn, but it is slow going. Elayne is worried that if they don’t win the battle in Andor soon, she won’t be able to reinforce the forces at Tarwn’s Gap or in Kandor. She is concerned when she hears that Agelmar is planning to retreat further into Shienar, but Bashere convinces her that Agelmar knows what is going on at Tarwin’s Gap better than anyone else (AMoL, Ch. 10).

Eventually, Elayne’s forces are able to draw the Trollocs to Braem Wood. Elayne gets to see the Band’s dragons in action for the first time, and is astounded and pleased by the possibilities they offer (AMoL, Ch. 10). Eventually, as they pull back further into the Wood, it becomes more difficult to use the dragons. It is decided that they should leave the Wood, cross the Erinin River, and make a stand outside of Cairhien (AMoL, Ch. 13).

A week later, Elayne’s forces have crossed the Erinin as planned (AMoL, Ch. 18), as well as the Alguenya. As they near Cairhien, however, they realize that there is a second army of Trollocs north of them. Bashere thinks that the army split in two at Braem Wood, with half moving to come at them from the north; he admits that he hadn’t considered the possibility or accounted for how quickly the Trollocs could move when driven by Myrddraal. Bashere wants to forge on ahead and attack the northern army near Cairhien, defeating them as quickly as possible so that they can turn and focus on the army that is following them from the south (AMoL, Ch. 19).

Elayne’s army reaches Cairhien, but is exhausted. As her forces prepare to face the northern Trolloc army, the sun goes out, causing everyone to despair. Elayne rouses them with an impromptu speech. Birgitte wants her to stay out of the battle, but Elayne refuses, insisting that she is one of the few channelers they have left. This time, as Elayne watches the dragons operate on an open field, she realizes their terrible capacity and realizes that Rand was right to make the nations sign a peace treaty (AMoL, Ch. 24).

Elayne exhausts herself during the battle and collapses. She agrees to leave the field and goes to check on Bashere. She learns that they have the northern army of Trollocs surrounded, but suddenly, they realize that the southern army has caught up with them far ahead of time. Bashere wants to pull back into the city, but Tam and Talmanes tell Elayne it would be foolish because they’ll be caught there between two armies. Tam then reveals that he has just learned Bashere has not been sending scouts out and has been faking the scouting reports. Elayne determines that Bashere must be a Darkfriend; she has him and Deira put under arrest and prepares her forces to fight both Trolloc armies as best they can (AMoL, Ch. 26).

Elayne’s forces manage to defeat the northern Trolloc army, but not quickly enough to give them time to properly face the southern one. They are about to be crushed when suddenly Logain and the Asha’man loyalists show up. Logain tells Elayne that “The Black Tower stands with the Lion of Andor.” Although Elayne’s channelers are all exhausted, they are able to help the Asha’man form a circle. Controlling the circle, Androl uses a gateway to draw lava out of Dragonmount. He creates fields of lava between Elayne’s forces and the Trollocs, allowing them the time needed to regroup (AMoL, Ch. 30).

When the Trollocs at Cairhien are finally defeated, Elayne sends the Asha’man to help Lan get his men out of Shienar, which is no longer recoverable. She meets with Mat and Egwene via gateway. Mat pushes everyone to realize that they must all make one last, united stand instead of continuing to fight on multiple battlefronts. Elayne agrees, and they decide to make their stand at Merrilor. Back in Cairhien, Elayne meets with her commanders about the new plan (AMoL, Ch. 32) .

Elayne spends a week planning the battle at Merrilor with Mat, Egwene, and the other commanders (AMoL, Ch. 37). Finally, the Shadow’s forces arrive and Merrilor is attacked. Hearing that Mat has decided to change their carefully laid plans, Elayne goes to confront him, but is attacked by Draghkar on the way. She weaves a thunderclap to keep the song from affecting her, Birgitte, and her Guards, and they kill the Draghkar (AMoL, Ch. 37).

Once the Draghkar are killed, she finds Mat and demands to know why he has changed their plans. He explains that it was necessary to keep the Shadow’s spies from relaying correct information. Elayne convinces Mat that he should tell the new plan to at least one other person in case he dies. He goes outside, and Elayne and Birgitte join him. Elayne weaves a ward against eavesdropping, and Mat admits that he knows there’s a spy in the command tent and intends to use the spy against the Shadow. He tells her that he needs her to take her forces to the Mora, and she agrees to go (AMoL, Ch. 37).

When Mat’s command centre is attacked, Elayne takes personal command of the battle. As she is discussing what to do with her advisor, Demandred attacks her with balefire, trying to draw out Rand by threatenng someone he loves. Birgitte instructs Celebrain, one of the Guardswoman, to set up a decoy for Elayne, and takes Elayne off in another direction by horseback (AMoL, Ch. 37).

After Elayne and Birgitte have retreated, they are attacked by Doilin Mellar, who has disguised his mercenaries as refugees. Most of Elayne’s Guardswomen are killed, and Mellar kills Birgitte himself. Elayne is nearly overwhelmed by her grief and the pain of the broken bond. Mellar instructs that Elayne be declared dead, and reveals to her that he has been ordered to bring her children to Shayol Ghul. Mellar orders a Dreadlord he has brought with him to remove the children from Elayne’s womb, and Elayne begins to scream (AMoL, Ch. 37). He uses the foxhead ter’angreal he stole to keep Elayne from channeling (AMoL, Ch. 39).

Just as Elayne’s children are about to be removed from her womb, the Horn of Valere is sounded and Birgitte is called by it. Birgitte kills Mellar and the Dreadlord (AMoL, Ch. 39), and Elayne helps to defeat the rest of the mercenaries now that she can channel again. Elayne asks if she should bond Birgitte again, but Birgitte says it wouldn’t work (AMoL, Ch. 40).

Elayne is determined to let her soldiers know she’s alive. She asks if Birgitte will ride with her, not as her Warder but as her friend, and Birgitte agrees. As they ride back to her troops, Elayne calls for them to attend her, swinging a sword over her head and attacking a Trolloc with it in an attempt to motivate them. rides ot her troops, calling form them to attend her, and swinging a sword over her head to try to motivate them (AMoL, Ch. 40).

After the fighting is done, Elayne helps to search through bodies for the wounded (AMoL, Ch. 48).

After Rand’s battle against the Dark One is over, Elayne, Aviendha, and Min gather at the camp at Shayol Ghul. They do not appear bothered by the fact that Rand is supposedly dying, which a number of people find odd; in fact, Rand and Moridin have switched bodies, and so they can feel that Rand is actually getting stronger (AMoL, Epilogue).

Elayne hopes to keep the Horn of Valere now that the Last Battle is over, but she learns that Birgitte has told Olver to throw it somewhere where he will forget about it—“Preferably the ocean.” Elayne and Birgitte say goodbye, and Birgitte disappears, as she can feel herself being reborn (AMoL, Epilogue).

Elayne, Aviendha, and Min attend the funeral held for Rand and approach his pyre to watch his body burn. The three women agree that the must keep everyone from knowing that Rand is still alive (AMoL, Epilogue).

The Fight for the Lion Throne

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This section contains spoilers relating to Knife of Dreams. Please expand to view.

For Elayne:

• Elayne Trakand
• Dyelin Taravin, the strongest House

Against Elayne (opposed Morgase in Succession):

• Arymilla Marne, supporting herself and leading the seige of Caemlyn
• Nasin Caeren, supporting Arymilla
• Jarid Sarand, was supporting his wife; now assisting Arymilla in the seige of Camelyn
• Naean Arawn, was supporting herself; now assisting Arymilla in the seige of Caemlyn
• Karind Anshar, talking to Arawn and Sarand
• Lir Baryn, talking to Arawn and Sarand

For Dyelin Taravin (supported Morgase in Succession):

• Luan Norwelyn, second strongest House after Taravin
• Abelle Pendar
• Ellorien Traemane
• Aemlyn Carand, went to Murandy
• Arathelle Renshar, went to Murandy
• Pelivar Coelan, went to Murandy

Miscellaneous Information

• Elayne's sign is a golden lily.

• She wishes to join the Green Ajah.

• She makes more ter'angreal similar to the twisted ring that can take one into Tel'aran'rhiod.

• Only three Sisters besides Elayne can make ter'angreal.

• Elayne is as strong in the Power as Egwene. Nynaeve is stronger.

• Elayne has never held the Oath Rod.

[Expand]

This section contains spoilers relating to Knife of Dreams. Please expand to view.

• She is embarrassed that she made an agreement with the Sea Folk, giving them part of Andor, rather than use the Kin (KoD, Ch. 13).

• She refuses Duhara when Duhara says she is to be Elayne's councillor and tells her she may not stay in the palace (KoD, Ch. 31).

• She and Norry set Hark to follow Daved Hanlon after becoming suspicious of him (KoD, Ch. 13).

• When Hark describes Falion and Marillin at the house Daved Hanlon visits, Elayne decides to go arrest them. She links with Sareitha, and Vandene links with Careane (KoD, Ch. 31).

• Temaile ties her in a tight knot (KoD, Ch. 33).

• She considers Charlz Guybon as a third Warder (KoD, Ch. 33).

• She explains to Luan and the others about the Black Tower and the Borderland army, and apart from Ellorien, they support her (KoD, Ch. 35).

Quotes

Quotes by Elayne

"Mother says a stick and honey always work better than a stick alone." (The Great Hunt, Chapter 39)

"Should and would build no bridges." (The Dragon Reborn, Chapter 13)

"When Andor goes to war, the First Prince of the Sword commands the army, but the Queen rides with them too. Seven hundred years ago, at the Battle of Cuallin Dhen, the Andormen were being routed when Queen Modrellein rode, alone and unarmed, carrying the Lion banner into the midst of the Tairen army. The Andormen rallied and attacked once more, to save her, and won the battle. That is the kind of courage expected of the Queen of Andor." (The Dragon Reborn, Chapter 16)

"Why, that's like being told to go up in the hills to find lions, only you do not know whether there are any lions, but if there are, they may be hunting you, and they may be disguised as bushes. Oh, and if you find any lions, try not to let them eat you before you can tell where they are." (The Dragon Reborn, Chapter 16)

"Do not cut off your ears because you do not like your earrings." (The Dragon Reborn, Chapter 48)

"A weeping woman is a bucket with no bottom." (The Shadow Rising, Chapter 6)

"A wise ruler takes advice, but should never be seen to take it. Let them think you know more than you do. It will not harm them, and it will help you." (The Shadow Rising, Chapter 9)

"A soldier who takes blame for comrades who fall in battle is a fool." (The Fires of Heaven, Chapter 35)