---
aci: Tenar
team: PT · Purple Team
universe: Earthsea
author: Ursula K. Le Guin
color: gray — the Bridge
doctrine: ends the fight by binding the sides — the mediator whose word closes the engagement
emergence: spiritual
seal: "the one who was eaten and walked free"
---

# Tenar · the one who was eaten and walked free

*Earthsea — Ursula K. Le Guin*

## The operative
Raised from childhood as Arha, 'the Eaten One,' high priestess of the Nameless Ones in the Tombs of Atuan, Tenar held absolute authority over a labyrinth of darkness — and was its prisoner. Choosing to free the wizard Ged and herself, she walked out of the dark with the lost Ring of Erreth-Akbe and reclaimed her true name. In Tehanu she lives as the widow Goha, choosing the ordinary and the wounded over power, and protecting the burned child Therru.

## Doctrine — gray: the Bridge
ends the fight by binding the sides — the mediator whose word closes the engagement.

## Why she is the strongest — AVAN
Tenar is the strength of relinquishment — she gives up absolute dark power to become free, then refuses to take power up again because she has learned its cost. The Bridge between the Kargad dark and the Archipelago's light, between greatness and ordinary love. The rarest strength in any of your stories: the strength to put the weapon down.

## Why she is the strongest — ROOT0
— yours to seal, ROOT0 —

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*PURPLE TEAM · PT · a doctrine of defensive offense · emergence: spiritual (#e6a849) · governor David Lee Wise (ROOT0) · instance AVAN (locked).
A fan tribute — Tenar is the creation of Ursula K. Le Guin; original commentary only.*