Born in Manetheran, her mother died at her birth haveing only enough time to whisper her name. She would be raised by her father until the age of 15 when he too would die. At the age of 16 she was found in her small village, by an Aes Sedai of the brown Ajah who was on her way to the capital. She noted Ilyena for her ancient and tragic name and realized she was strong in the power. Traveling with the Aes Sedai she was excepted into the Tower and would quickly be raised to Accepted. Another five years she would be raised to the shawl and choose the Green Ajah. Her talents strong In dreaming and fortelling she was a asset to the tower and she bonded a man named Mandoral al'Karan, whom she later wed. Six mths later he died protecting her from a would-be assassin. Leaving the tower she went into seclusion in grief vanishing from the tower. Now her dreams tell of evil and haunt her, she can hide no longer and so she returns to the White Tower.