Anna t'Haron is a pivotal historical figure within Robert Jordan's epic fantasy series, The Wheel of Time. She is remembered as one of the last queens of the Aiel during the Age of Legends and the tumultuous period known as the Breaking of the World. Her story is central to understanding the transformation of the Aiel from a peaceful people dedicated to service into the formidable warriors they are known as in the Third Age.
During the Age of Legends, the Aiel, then known as the Da'shain Aiel, were a people bound by a strict oath of non-violence, serving the Aes Sedai and the Dragon, Lews Therin Telamon. They carried the ter'angreal known as the Covenant, which contained their ancient vows. Anna t'Haron was a leader among them at the cusp of the Breaking.
As the world shattered around them due to the male Aes Sedai going mad and wielding the One Power destructively, the Da'shain Aiel continued their sacred duty of protecting the Aes Sedai, even as they were brutally attacked and their numbers dwindled. Anna t'Haron, witnessing the systematic slaughter of her people and the failure of their peaceful ways to protect them, made the agonizing decision to break the ancient Covenant. It is said that she gave the Aiel the "spear," releasing them from their vows of non-violence and allowing them to take up arms in self-defense. This act, though necessary for survival, was a profound and traumatic turning point for the Aiel, marking the beginning of their warrior culture and their adherence to the Way of the Leaf, a philosophy that dictates their conduct in battle and their relationship with violence.
Her legacy is complex and deeply ingrained in Aiel culture. While she is revered for ensuring the survival of her people, her decision to abandon their ancient ways is also remembered with a sense of sorrow and loss, underscoring the tragedy of the Breaking of the World. The Aiel of the Third Age live by the principles she laid down, carrying the memory of their peaceful past and the sacrifices made to forge their present.