Elara Merandus was the former Queen of Norta, mother of Maven, and the second wife of Tiberias VI.
Biography
Earlier years
Elara Merandus hoped to win Tiberias Calore VI's Queenstrial by using her whisper ability to scare the other contenders. She did it once to Coriane Jacos, during their first meeting, and continued to do so after Coriane married Tiberias. It was heavily implied that Elara gave Coriane nightmares, which resulted in Coriane's three miscarriages. Shortly after Cal's birth, Coriane's latest nightmare drove her to commit suicide and Elara was the only one to find the former queen's diary.
Marriage to Tiberias
After Coriane's death, Elara married King Tiberias, as she was the only Queenstrial favorite left unmarried. They had one son, Maven. Some time later, it is heavily implied that Elara forced Sara Skonos to mutilate herself, cutting out her tongue so that she couldn't speak the truth about Coriane's death.
In Summerton
With Cal's Queenstrial approaching, Elara and the royal family moved to Summerton. She was in the balcony when Mare Barrow accidentally fell onto the lightning shield. Later on, Elara interviewed Mare by rummaging through Mare's mind, searching for clues about the girl's strange Silver ability. When she found out, Elara informed Tiberias about it, who decided that Mare would pose as Mareena Titanos and become Maven's betrothed. For a while, Elara managed Mare's schedule and supervised Mare and Evangeline, sharing breakfast and lunch with them on numerous occasions.
Elara was also present at the Sun Shooting, when the Scarlet Guard infiltrated the Parting Ball and attempted to kill several Silver nobles. The queen seemed dazed and would have interrogated the prisoners in the morning, had Mare not let them escape the night before.
Tiberias's downfall
When Mare and Maven were caught by Cal as members of the Scarlet Guard, they were brought to King Tiberias to receive judgement. Elara stopped Tiberias before he could give out the order. She trapped both the king and Cal in her ability, forcing Cal to kill his father. When the deed was done, Elara pretended to scream and mourn for the loss of her husband, while Cal and Mare make their escape.
With Maven as the King of Norta now, Elara stood by to watch the execution at the Bowl of Bones.
As Maven's ghost
Even after her death, Elara continues to haunt both Maven and Mare. Oftentimes Maven shares his past experiences with his mother, how Elara had controlled him to become what he is. Mare despairs of Maven's creation, hoping that with Elara's death, Maven would be free of her grasp. As it turns out, Maven remains to be his mother's son.
Personality
Elara was shown to be unrelenting and ruthless to get what she wanted. She possessed the ability to invade people's minds and privacy, and often did so sometimes without the person knowing. Despite her cold demeanor, she loved her son deeply and would do anything for him.
Physical description
Elara was said to have very pale skin, a pointed smile and ash-blond hair. She had bright blue eyes and long, dark lashes. She had been pruned to court perfection since she was a child and resembled House Merandus strongly. It was noted that she looked like a wild, predatory cat.
Abilities and skills
Elara was a powerful whisper who could read and control the minds of others.