Could Ashara Dayne Have Been in Love with Brandon Stark?

The possibility of Ashara Dayne being in love with Brandon Stark has intrigued fans of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. Let's delve into the context, interactions, and speculation surrounding this tantalizing theory.

Background Context

Brandon Stark, the heir to Winterfell and the betrothed of Catelyn Tully, was a prominent figure in Westeros. He visited Dorne, where he met Ashara Dayne, a noblewoman from House Dayne known for her beauty and tragic fate. While Brandon was betrothed to Catelyn, Ashara's presence strongly resonated with him, leading to some intriguing speculation about their relationship.

Brandon and Ashara's Interaction

One of the only direct mentions of Brandon and Ashara interacted together is from the Night Knight of the Laughing Tree tale. In this story, Brandon is described as the "wild wolf" who intervenes on Ned Stark's behalf and requests Ashara to dance with him at a feast during the Harrenhal tournament. This encounter, albeit brief, suggests that they had a connection.

Speculation and Evidence

The Dance of the Dragons

Some fans theorize that Brandon and Ashara had a romantic liaison or at least a strong attraction, fueled by their similar tragic fates. In the narrative, Ashara is deeply affected by Brandon's death, throwing herself into the sea, which could symbolize a deep sense of loss and possibly love.

Narrative Ambiguity

George R.R. Martin is known for leaving relationships open to interpretation. The texts do not explicitly confirm the nature of any feelings between Ashara and Brandon. The ambiguity in the narrative means that different fans can draw different conclusions based on the available lore.

In Conclusion

While there are hints and speculations about a romantic connection, the evidence remains largely circumstantial and open to interpretation. Fans can draw different conclusions based on the available lore, but definitive proof of their love does not exist in the texts.

Interpreting the Evidence

There are two passages that possibly mention both Ashara and Brandon together. The first is from the Night Knight of the Laughing Tree story, where Brandon intervenes on Ned's behalf and asks Ashara to dance with him at Harrenhal. The second is from Barristan Selmy's perspective, where he reflects on his love for Ashara and the dishonoring she suffered at Harrenhal. These references create an intriguing, albeit ambiguous, connection between the two characters.

The Only Encounter

Based on the sparse information provided, it appears that the only encounter Brandon and Ashara had together was at the Harrenhal tournament prior to Robert's Rebellion. This interaction, however, opens up multiple interpretations. Fans speculate whether they had a romantic liaison, Brandon was the father of Ashara's baby, or if Brandon raped her. Another possibility is that Barristan misinterpreted the events at Harrenhal, leading to an unreliable account.

With the limited evidence and the myriad ways to interpret it, it's highly unlikely to assume that Brandon and Ashara fell in love after one meeting. The texts provide more questions than answers, leaving the true nature of their relationship open to fan interpretation.