#ilyena

So I'm finally writing the beginning section of the Ilyena/Demandred (Barid Bel) fanfiction I've wanted to write for years. Or rather I'm at the first chapter that dynamic appears in my larger Age of Legends fic. I've written quite a bit of them later on, but fixing down the dynamic here is quite important.

One thing that I find exciting is Ilyena is virtually a complete non-entity in canon which used to irritate me, but now I find presents an opportunity as a writer. Although, you can infer quite a bit about her between the lines (cough if you want to check out the meta I did on her cough) and I generally like to stick to the spirit of canon in a lot of my works unless I'm particularly inspired another way. So aside from the obvious 'sunhair' colouring, I think we can say she's generally a warm, compassionate woman who enjoys conversation and socialising to a certain extent (from the Eye of the World prologue and LTT's ravings) and RJ confirmed she was Aes Sedai and gaining the Third Name says she was talented, intelligent and altruistic to a high degree at least in a certain field. But that leaves a lot to work with - for example, I've always loved the fanon idea she was a ter'angreal maker like Elayne. LTT also mentions her temper and I don't think one can write an RJ heroine without making her a little feisty, even in the AOL utopian setting. So yeah, she's hitting my sweet spot of an altruistic heroine who is creative and devoted but with a fiery side.