Anla the Wise Counselor

Anla the Wise Counselor is a character who features in many of the stories within Thom Merrilin's repertoire. Tales of Anla are ancient, dating as far back as the First Age, and are vastly numerous. In fact it is believed that there may be over a thousand different tales of Anla and her wisdom. In many instances she is described as being the sister of Elsbet, the Queen of All. The many tales of Anla are examples of historical accounts that over time evolved into legends which further changed and faded into myth. This is common for all stories that transcend multiple ages as the Wheel of Time turns. Eventually the myth of Anla the Wise Counselor will disappear from memory and will be long forgotten when the age that gave rise to the original stories comes again.
Thom Merrilin refers to Anla on multiple occasions. He mentioned Anla to the villagers of Emond's Field. He also told stories of Anla while traveling on the road to Baerlon, and to tavern patrons in Tanchico. At the manor house of Lord Barthanes Damodred Thom told several stories of Anla to guests who neither understood the tales nor appreciated Thom's expert storytelling ability. During Rand's second vision on an alternative world in his final confrontation with the Dark One, he sees a statue to both Anla and Thom Merrillin in the future Emond's Field.
==Parallels==
Anla is a hidden reference to the 20th century advice columnist . The "thousand tales" of Anla is a reference to the vast multitude of articles Landers wrote during her lifetime.
Category:Legends
Category:First Age
Category:Parallels
Category:Short pages
Category:Women