"You see right, for I am both Queen and Elidhu, here and there, wildfire and hearthfire, forgetting and remebrance. But do not yet speak of this, for men are impatient for such things and do not brook contradiction."
A fabled Elidhu - once called the Jewel of Lirion - and ancient enemy of the Winterking, Arkan. Ardina is renowned in human legend for her strong stance against evil alongside the human Ardhor, through whom she is the ancestor of the family called the House of Karn, whereof Maerad and Hem are members. Ardina herself lives a strange, multiple life, wherein she is sometimes a playful, fey, in the forest, sometimes a wise, solemn woodland queen, and sometimes a "Moonchild" (a figure that seems to be composed partly of moonlight); wherein she might give forth useful discourse or sings such songs as describe the different and often contradictory facets of her character. The fact that she has multiple personalities is revealed only to Maerad (and thereby to the reader), because Cadvan would not "brook contradiction". She acts as a haphazard guide and savior to Maerad and Cadvan at certain points.