Biodata
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Ashara Dayne (亚夏拉) 2 10 |
| Alias(es) | “Pearl of the Dornish Marches” 10 |
| Gender | Female 10 |
| Age | Twenty-two when Viserys prepares to leave Braavos on his expedition 26 |
| Origin | Starfall, Dorne 4 10 |
| Affiliation | House Dayne; Viserys Targaryen’s household and followers 10 19 44 47 |
| Occupation/Role | Noblewoman; caregiver and tutor to Rhaenys and Daenerys 14 15 45 |
| Status | Alive; accompanies the migration from Braavos to Valyria 47 48 |
| First Appearance | Mentioned in Chapter 2; first depicted directly in Chapter 10 2 10 |
Background / History
Starfall and the Red Keep
Ashara is a noblewoman of Starfall and the younger sister of Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning. She mentions having two elder brothers, although only Arthur is identified in the supplied passages. Before joining Viserys’s household, she lives at Starfall and occasionally visits King’s Landing to see Arthur and Princess Elia Martell 4 10.
Her first depicted meeting with Viserys occurs in the Red Keep’s gardens, where she notices him protecting Rhaenys from falling while the girl chases a butterfly. Subsequent encounters include conversations in the gardens and corridors, and a discussion beside the training yard about the purpose of knighthood. Ashara argues that knights should serve honor rather than pursue glory or ladies’ favor at tournaments 10.
During the Harrenhal tournament, Viserys stays close to Ashara to discourage other men from approaching her. She returns to Starfall afterward, but is back in King’s Landing when he seeks Elia’s permission to take Rhaenys to Dragonstone 14.
Dragonstone and Exile
Ashara agrees to accompany Rhaenys to Dragonstone, helping reassure Elia that the child will be cared for. On the island, she teaches Rhaenys to read while Viserys continues his sword training with Arthur 14 15.
When Viserys returns from Dragonmont carrying dragon eggs and Blackfyre, Ashara checks him for burns before examining his discoveries. During Rhaella’s difficult labor, she comforts the frightened Rhaenys; she later holds the girl through the queen’s funeral before the household leaves for Essos 17 19.
Over seven years in Braavos, Ashara and Viserys develop mutual trust and romantic affection. Their private conversations take place on the household’s lookout tower and in quiet gondolas, where they discuss their pasts, secrets, and uncertain hopes. Before his expedition, she gives him a silent promise of support and a farewell kiss, remaining behind while he sails away 23 26.
Departure for Valyria
After returning secretly to Braavos, Viserys tells Ashara about Valyria and asks her to join him in building a new home. She embraces him and promises to follow wherever he goes. His later vision of a safe home and a tower overlooking the sea gives her reassurance about their future 44 45.
While the migration is prepared, Ashara continues teaching Daenerys and Rhaenys every day. She boards the concealed fleet with them and cares for both girls during the voyage. The fleet reaches Satheryn Castle safely, bringing the household into the settlement that becomes New Valyria 45 47 48.
Appearance
Ashara is renowned throughout the Seven Kingdoms for her beauty and distinctive air of melancholy. Her first depicted appearance places her beside the Red Keep’s rosebushes in a pale blue gown 10.
- Eyes: Pale violet 10 26.
- Hair: Black, falling to her waist 10.
- Voice and bearing: A cool, lovely voice and graceful courtly manners 10.
- Travel clothing: A pale lavender gown beneath a gray cloak when leaving King’s Landing 15.
- Braavosi clothing: A plain dark-blue outfit without unnecessary adornment before Viserys’s expedition 26.
Personality
Ashara is thoughtful and principled rather than merely impressed by martial fame. Drawing on Arthur’s teachings, she distinguishes a knight’s honor from the glory won in tournaments and questions why competitors so often forget the ideals behind their vows. Her convictions surprise Viserys, whose expectations were shaped by his understanding of her supposedly tragic fate 10.
She is openly fond of children and combines gentleness with practical care. Elia considers her especially capable of looking after Rhaenys, while Daenerys values her lessons, companionship, and help arranging her hair 11 14 46.
Although composed in public, Ashara expresses her strongest feelings through quiet gestures: inspecting Viserys for injuries, comforting Rhaenys, and embracing him after their separation. Her initially melancholy reserve gradually gives way to companionship and confidence in their shared future 17 19 23 44 45.
Abilities & Skills
Teaching
Ashara provides the princesses’ everyday education within the household.
- Teaches Rhaenys to read on Dragonstone 15.
- Teaches both Rhaenys and Daenerys reading, writing, and etiquette in Braavos 45.
- Cannot provide Rhaenys’s Valyrian instruction; Viserys teaches that language instead 23.
Childcare
Ashara is a trusted caregiver whose presence helps Elia consent to Rhaenys’s departure from King’s Landing.
- Looks after Rhaenys during travel and household life 14 15.
- Comforts her during Rhaella’s labor and funeral 19.
- Plays with Daenerys and helps arrange her hair 46.
- Cares for both girls aboard the fleet leaving Braavos 47.
Relationships
- Arthur Dayne — Elder brother. His views on knighthood inform Ashara’s convictions, and she visits him in King’s Landing 4 10.
- Viserys Targaryen — Romantic companion. Their relationship develops through years of shared exile, and she commits to accompanying him to Valyria 23 26 44.
- Elia Martell — Friend and royal acquaintance. Elia trusts Ashara’s care for Rhaenys and approves her participation in the Dragonstone journey 4 11 14.
- Rhaenys — Pupil and child in her care. Rhaenys is fond of Ashara, who teaches and comforts her through the household’s displacement and bereavement 14 15 19.
- Daenerys Targaryen — Pupil and child in her care. Daenerys is affectionate toward Ashara and becomes distressed when she mistakenly believes Ashara has been hurt 45 46.
- Barristan Selmy — Viserys believes Barristan is in love with Ashara; the provided passages do not establish reciprocal feelings 2.
Notable Quotes
“For honor, not glory. A knight’s honor.” 10
Trivia
- Ashara is very fond of flowers and later reads Braavosi poetry about the sea and exile 10 45.
- Viserys suspects that Brandon Stark fathered her child in the original story he remembers. This is his speculation, not an established event in the novel’s current timeline 2.
- Viserys initially associates her presumed death with heartbreak, but meeting her makes him question whether that account was complete or whether she might have disappeared instead 10.