The Mystery of Ashara Dayne (ASOIAF Theory) 

Simple, Ned Stark died at the Tower of Joy, and the Ned we follow in the first book is secretly Ashara.

Obviously the true parents of Jon Snow are Ashara Dayne and Lyana Stark.

“ASHARA LEFT THE TOWER AHORSE” -GRRM probably hopefully

6:30 I swear, GRRM answers basically every question of ASOIAF like this, just listing what the in-setting knowledge is rather than giving an out-of-universe definitive answer. Even a question like "What colour is the sky on a sunny day in Westeros?" would be met with "Well when people look at it they see a blue" rather than "The sky is blue"...

8:38 Ashara Dayne clearly is Aegons father.

Ashara is Jyanna Reed, Howland Reed's wife. H+A=M&J Howland was bunking with Ned in his tent at the tourney, which is where her and Howl could've first hooked up. Witnesses would see her entering Ned's tent, yes, but that wasn't who she was there to see. Greywater Watch is a moving castle - a reference to Howl's moving castle - and in the book and film Howl catches a falling star (Starfall). Also, Howland names Meera his heir to Greywater Watch. Although Meera is older, a daughter inheriting over a son would still be out of the norm in the North, even with Jojen's constant death premonitions telling him he isn't gonna live to adulthood, but it would be perfectly acceptable in Dorne.

I can't believe you made a whole Ashara video and didn't mention the popular theory that she's Howland's secret wife

Darkstar is not only ashara and Brandon’s kid but the Minotaur/jahaerys the son of queen rhaella. At this point he is the very game of thrones itself.

I go with the Jyanna Reed theory. There's literally no other reason the Reed kids would be told the Harrenhal story if it's not a How I Met Your Mother story. No one else ever mentions The Knight of the Laughing Tree. Whymention Ashara at all in the story if it's just some woman who died over a decade ago. There's also the fact that Meera, not Jojen is mentioned as Howland's heir. That's a Dornish custom.

I wish this touched on the ashara+howland theory. It is super speculative but I love it! (and what kind of name is jyanna?) It makes sense then that Jojen and Meera essentially share with bran a "how I met your mother" story told by their father, and why they've heard the story so many times but Ned never thinks or talks about Ashara. In deep geek has a good video laying out the evidence, would love your take!

Ashara is secretly every character in fiction

Darkstar is actually Ashara Dayne (and is secretly a time traveling fetus, child of a future adult Ned Dayne)

Bruh, Ashara Dayne is most definitely alive and she's definitely shacked up with Howland Reed (who's children definitely related a story to Bran that CERTAINLY sounded like Reed was viewing a lady he was infatuated with as he told this story to this children).

The strongest evidence by far of Ashara not being Jon's mother is that Cat believes she is. But I do wonder about her place in the story. Barristan bringing her up that much all the way in book 5 only as a tie back seems so thin.

Ashara actually fell in love with Howland at Tourney and not Ned and/or Brandon, and faked her death after the war to runaway with Howland, and Jojen and Meera are Howland and Asharas children. Thats my headcanon and no one can tell me otherwise. I do hope its actually true though.

The wait for TWOW is long but these videos make it more bearable, my breakfast and coffee pairs so good with content!

I think Ashara was more involved than we could tell at present in Rhaegar's pre-Rebellion scheming. As Elia's only named Lady and Arthur's sister, she would be the perfect go-between and confidante. Martin also commented that Ashara wasn't nailed to the floor during the Rebellion, so I wonder what that was about? Jon is definitely too young to be Harrenhall baby, that's just simple maths. Yet, Ashara was sent away from court because she was pregnant (or was that a good lie to have a loyal ally placed back at Starfall?). She was probably at Starfall for months afterwards while the Rebellion got started. And if she had a daughter that wasn't stillborn, my guess would be Allyria Dayne, who is clearly much, much younger than her siblings. Maybe her grandparents secretly adopted her? Or she could a child from a second wife, and a half-sister to Ashara and Arthur (and their unnamed older brother). Martin also confirmed that Brandon Stark left no illegitimate sons, but there could be a daughter (I am paraphrasing). So, Allyria could be the Stark-Dayne baby, if we really need one. I can also see her as the point of contact between the Tower of Joy and Starfall- I mean, someone had to be supplying the group of 4 with food and laundry, etc. It is also possible that she was the source of information about Lyanna's whereabouts. As Ned going there resulted in Arthur's death, this could be another misery for her that led her to jump off the tower. It's possible that the great love of Ashara and Ned is a story at Starfall only because Ned went there to return Arthur's sword. Because in the same breath that little Ned talkes about their great love, he asserts that Jon Snow was their servant's son. This sounds like a mix of gossip that was repeated many times. Some people favouring Ashara as the mother, say that Jon being half-Dayne would give him rights to Dawn, and thus be narratively valid. However, it is far more likely that Ned Dayne was supposed to be the one to wield it after the 5 year time skip and bring it North with him. Jon can pick up Dawn and use it, even if he's not a Dayne, it won't burn his fingers. Now it's more popular to think that Darkstar will steal it and be the way the sword leaves Dorne as Ned is still a boy of 12. Also, deconstructing overused tropes requires you to do them first, so Jon not being a secret prince, only to turn out to not be a secret prince, is not it. Jon being Rhaegar and Lyanna's son is not 'too obvious', and Martin's treatment of this fact will be the deconstruction and subversion of expectations. But Jon being half Dayne has no bearing on the plot, so there is no reason whatsoever to keep it secret, even from Robert. Ashara was pretty, Bobby B would probably congratulate Ned and move on. I don't see a point for Martin to make such a secret from information that's irrelevant completely. And if Jon's mother doesn't matter, why not make him a straightforward bastard of Ned's by the fisherman's daughter. His hero journey would still be different to all fantasy tropes then because we know 100% he's nothing "special" to start with. I also don't believe she is the true mother of Dany (who is 8-9 months younger than Jon even; and Rhaella was stuck on Dragonstone her entire pregnancy witnessedby Viserys, who never, even at his worst, accused Dany of being a bastard or a changeling) or F(a)egon's. And although, I find the Howland/Ashara theory interesting to listen to (In Deep Geek has a good video on it), personally I believe she is really dead, like many other people who actually did die.

The other speculation I've read concerning Ashara Dayne is that Allyria Dayne is really her daughter not her sister. I don't know if the time fits, but it is an interesting idea. I am inclined to think that she might be Septa Lemore & that Fake Aegon is her son, but I'm not sure about the father.

I don't know if I'm crazy or something like that, but to me it was very clear while reading that Ashara and Ned had a thing, like everytime she is mentioned is because of this supposed romance between the two. Cat and Cersei think she is Jon's mother, Arya learns about her as this tragic woman who loved Ned, and Meera and Jojen telling that story to Bran never felt like a "How I Met You Mother" story as some people say, to me they mentioned Ashara and asked Bran about it because in their minds Ashara was the woman Ned loved before Cat, so they were surprised that Ned never mentioned her or told that story (also the story had a lot important stuff related to the Starks that go beyond Ashara, so it would make sense for Ned to tell his kids). I do find it odd that Ned doesn't think about her, however he as a character was all about honor and duty, I can easily see Ned moving on from her after marrying Cat. Also, Ned was a very problematic POV character because he knew too much and had a lot of answers for a lot of things that could not be revealed at that point in the story, like he never thinks about Jon as a Targaryen, and even when he is alone in prison at the verge of death his memories about the Tower of Joy and his promise to Lyanna are all vague, and it's vague on porpuse because, well, it was the first book and George didn't want us to know about any of that yet.

WHEN Winds of Winter comes, it’ll be interesting to see which theories turned out to be right

Hmmm, Darkstar is the anti-Jon. Makes some sense.

Nice video covering Ashara. One point I disagree with you on, is her character overall being a red herring. My main reason for this is Beric Donadarrion's squire, Edric Dayne. He's a Dayne, and he's named after Ned. The Dayne's should hate Ned for killing Arthur, yet they name the heir to the House after him. I don' t know what it could be that earned Ned such respect with the Dayne's despite killing Arthur. A red herring doesn't address this at all, and Martin writes in Edric specifically to bring our attention to it. My guess is Brandon is the one who impregnated Ashara and Ned's the one who cleaned up after him. If we ever get future books from Martin, I definitely expect to get more on Ashara.

"Ned thinks about her brother more." A simple matter, my friend: You see, Arthur and Ashara are actually crossdressing alternate identities of the same Dayne and also both secret Targaryen horses.

I have a feeling that Ashara wasn't the victim of a surprise baby or secret marriage (you can only have so many tbf) I think she knew ALOT more than people assume she did. A common throught for another character she was close to, Elia Martell. I believe she had Rhaegar's private confidence (as shown in Dany's vision with him telling her about a Song if Ice and fire which NOONE knew about) and that Ashara may have been the go between Lyanna. Because of a Stark had dishonored her, why would her older brother nickname his son Ned? Why would Edric/"Ned" be told that Jon Snow and him had the same wetnurse "Wylla"? Why have so much respect for Ned when he supposedly killed a family member and drove another to suicide? The only way it makes sense is because Ned and no Stark were responsible in any way, she either died because of other reasons (heck she lost her brother, Elia and her children) or she might still be alive.

Eddard actually said to Kat:. "never ask me about Jon". Jon? The subject matter was Ashara, not Jon. Why mention Jon unless the two are somehow connected?

Jon being half Dayne would have a HUGE impact on the story.. mainly, he would be eligible to be The Sword of the Morning, and carry Dawn. Which is possibly Lightbringer. Just saying. It def would have an impact on the story either way.

I don’t think Ashara had a kid, or at least not one that lived. I think her and Ned had a romance at the Tourney but were soon forced to opposite sides of the war. Then Ned has to marry another woman, ruining any chance that they might have. Then Ashara presumably loses her brother to the blade of the man she loves. In her grief she kills herself. It’s the kind of tragic doomed love story that George likes to write. The Dayne’s respect Ned because Ned paid proper honors to Arthur and their house by coming to Starfall with Dawn and not claiming it as a prize as most people would have done.

Personally, I think that Ashara and Howland Reed got together. We're told that Ashara and Ned danced at Harrenhal, but fail to remember that she danced with several people. In Howland's story of the event to his kids, everyone is described by their house sigil, except for himself, "The Crannogman" and Ashara, "The Maiden (with purple eyes)." Ashara was a lady-in-waiting to Princess Elia, and was the brother to Rhaegar's closest friend and kingsguard, Arthur, so it's not unreasonable that she was aware of what was happening with him and Lyanna. After Robert's Rebellion and his subsequent crowning, Ashara would have to disappear for her own protection, like many other Rhaegar supporters, so it's not unlikely that she had her death faked, the story being that she threw herself into the Torrentine river with greif in her heart for her brother and deceased child. Although we are told that Arthur would've killed Ned "if not for Howland", we're told that Ned took the fall for killing Ser Dayne, clearly to divert the blame from Howland to himself. It stands to reason that it could be arranged that Howland and Ashara run off to The Neck together, where they would sire two children together. Note that whilst we haven't met Howland in the story yet, we also haven't met Meera and Jojen's mother, either. Admittedly, we are told that Howland married a Lady "Jyana" Reed, but considering how there is literally no information about her, for the purposes of this theory, and with other characters such as Griff, it's not unreasonable to suggest that Jyana may actually be Ashara in hiding. Their names do also sound similar. The ancient Northern blood of the Reed's, as well as the Dayne's could also go some way to explain Jojen's aptitude as a Greenseer. Take into consideration also that it's Meera, not Jojen, who is the heir of Greywater Watch. Everywhere else in Westeros, it's the eldest male who inherits from their lord-parents, except for Dorne, where it's simply the eldest, regardless of gender. Perhaos something that Ashara, who hails from Dorne, might've wished for. I've had these thoughts for a while, but there's an excellent video by In Deep Geek, which goes into even more detail regarding the theory, and Ashara's whereabouts.

The one narrative element I like about Ashara being Jon’s mother is it makes him a candidate to be the new Sword of the Morning, which solves some holes in the Azor Ahai prophecy (and maybe creates some new holes?)

The wording of the Barristan POV kinda stands out to me. He thinks about how Ashara threw herself from a tower “mad with grief for the child she had lost and perhaps for the man who had dishonored her at Harrenhal” . He thinks “might she have looked to me instead of Stark?”. “Looked to” implies turn to for aid, advice or comfort. So it seems to me that “the man who dishonored her” is someone else. Barristan appears to respect Ned. He tells Dany how Ned disagreed with Robert about having Dany killed. His interactions with Ned and thoughts about him show no hint of resentment. I would think if Ned “dishonored” Ashara, Barristan would think ill of him. Also I want to point out that Ned was so shy his older brother had to ask Ashara to dance for him. Then Ned slept with her shortly after? Doesn’t seem too likely. Then there’s the conversation between Ned Dayne and Arya. Put it together with what we know and we get: Ned Stark kills Arthur Dayne at the tower of joy, then heads to Starfall, tells the Dayne family he killed Arthur, gives them back their ancestral sword, introduces Willa the baby momma and baby John, tells them he’s gotta get back to his wife and their true born son. Okay, bye. Ashara was so in love with Ned that she then jumped off a tower to her death. Fast forward a few years and Arthur and Ashara’s brother has a new baby and goes “think I’ll call him Ned”. Seems off…Anything Ned Dayne thinks comes from his family. His family are in a position to actually know. They are spreading the idea that Willa is Jon Snow’s mother, but if that were true it would be unusual that they respect him enough to name the heir of house Dayne after him. Also the fact that Willa went back down to Starfall and was Ned Dayne’s wet nurse implies that they knew her. She was from there so she just came back to them. They know she’s not the mother. They are trying to cover for Ned, they know who Jon actually is. They probably know who the father of Ashara’s baby is. My thought is that it’s Oberyn. Elia and Oberyn were close, Ashara was Elia’s lady in waiting, they knew each other. They danced together at Harrenhal and we know that Oberyn had lots of bastards. Somebody on a RU-vid channel suggested the possibility of Allyria being Ashara’s daughter instead of her sister and I think that kinda fits with my oberyn idea. We don’t know much about her other than her being engaged to Beric. Beric doesn’t even remember what she looked like. Her age isn’t mentioned. Maybe the Daynes claimed her as their own so Oberyn wouldn’t take her. By that time he’s had the first four sandsnakes, maybe it’s a known thing that he takes them. There’s quite a few mentions of Ashara, I kinda doubt she’s just a red herring. I still kinda like her as septa Lemoore despite that theory’s problems.

"Ashara could be Aegon´s father" now that's a plot twist

I think, out of all the theories, the Howland Reed and Ashara Dayne theory works the best. Like, it’s such a good theory. Shame you didn’t mention it.

I am very fond of how you Chapter out your videos. I always watch start to finish, but it just feels nice, you know? You have nicely paced scripts and patter

Thank you for the Sunday treat Ser Quinn!

8:39 "Maybe Ashara Dayne could be... Aegon's father?" I know you just misspoke but Ashara x Elia = Aegon VI is a great crack theory. Maybe THAT'S why Rhaegar left her for Lyanna! 😂😂😂

I think what the truth is is that Ned and Ashara genuinely really really liked each other, maybe even loved each other as much as they could based on how much they interacted, but they could never act on it. I like to think Ashara in a moment of grief and pain following the death of Elia and Arthur (and potentially Brandon Stark earlier?) wanted to run away with Ned. Raise Lyanna's (and maybe baby Darkstar to acknowledge your off the cuff theory) child together and marry far far far away from Westeros. Ned being a man of honor could never do that to Catelyn and Robb. That was the final thing she thought she might live for and threw herself from Starfall. Would make sense why the Daynes don't have a problem with Ned and why Ned refuses to let anyone to speak about her. Ned couldn't have known she'd do that so the Daynes aren't mad and Ned is still hurt by it so wants nobody to speak on it.

ashara warged into a fish , then warged into patchfaces ... think about it , makes perfect sense

Her role is to introduce one more mystery baby to the story. Her lovers could be Ned, Brandon, Rhaegar or Aerys (she was Elias' handmaiden after all).

I knew you had it in you! Great video!

What I find interesting (and I say this as a rather casual fan) is that part of the R+L=J story as seen in the show GOT is that Catelyn thought Ned had screwed around and brought home bastard Jon, but in the end, it turns out Jon isn't Ned's son, so Ned was innocent. It complicates that "redemption" story if the truth is that Ned did have an affair with Ashara, did father a bastard, so he feels guilty that Catelyn's suspicions are true--but Jon is not that bastard.

I know you don’t think Ashar is Sepra Lemore since Tyrion doesn’t mention her purple eyes, however if you look at Tyrion previous chapters, he barely mention color eyes from women, including to people he slept with.

A + M = J Ashara + Mord = Jon George came to me in a dream and told me

I like the theory by In Deep Geek. It surmises that Howland Reed and Ashara got together, but it was in Ned's tent. Hence the rumor about Ned and Ashara. It goes on that Ashara faked her death so that she could live with Howland (a man of a lesser house) in the Neck. The theory also suggests that Meera is the daughter that was "stillborn" and later they had a son, Jojen. This is why she is relevant enough for a few mentions. She was the mother of Bran's friends and guides.

One thing Ive not heard a theory about is what the plan was for Jon before the tower of joy. Surely something was being planned for one of the last royals. It's possible the Daynes disagreed on what should be done and Author was in on a different plan than Ashara. They may not have been on great terms.

This video is pointless, if you rearrange the letters of Ashara Dane and Google translate it into 617 different languages and then back to English, you get LIVER AND ONIONS, meaning Ashara Dane is actually STRONG BELWAS

I've heard your take on the Blue Rose, and I've got to disagree. The Blue Rose doesn't hint towards any parentage. What it does speak towards is the situation north of the Wall. The Blue Rose is about Bael the Bard and how he plucked the rose of Winterfell. The Starks and Wildlings are one, which by virtue of northern loyalty to the Starks means that the North and everyone beyond the Wall are one. The rose is about unity and removing of bias, not parentage.

Maybe the "Ned would be dead if HR hadn't saved his life" is not a literal fight with Arthur, but maybe in another way, like "he stopped Ned from doing or saying something that could have ended his life".

I’m a R + L = D person and the hardest part to explain is the blue rose thing. I do have a roundabout explanation that checks out, but it’s probably too long for a comment. But my key point that I wanna push: Why is Lyanna the only one who can like blue roses? What if Ashara liked blue roses too? What if in taking down the ToJ a bunch of blue roses filled the air and make Ned think of Ashara. What if this is the catalyst for Ned to decide to do a baby swap. This would put Jon and Dany of the paths they’re currently following, where as without the baby swap they’d be very different people.

Your opening statements were funny, totally made me laugh 😂

Arthur Dayne and Ashara Dayne were in an incestuous relationship. Ned found out and didn't tell anyone, hence why they like him so much. It would also explain the stillbirth and why Ashara killed herself after finding out about Arthur's death. Plus they are of Valyrian origin so it's not unheard of in their ancestry. Arthur and Ashara were both at court for a time so logistically it makes sense and it could also mirror Jaime and Cersei's relationship. It could also be why Ned decided to show mercy to Cersei, because he recalled how it went down with Ashara and Arthur.

Great video! The Darkstar thing is interesting but we just don't have enough information about him. I had another thought about who or where Ashara might be if she's still alive. And yes it's dangerously close to tin foil dragonhelm territory but Lysono Maar is quick to point out, maybe too quick, that he is not a woman despite that he looks and dresses like one.

Arthur and Ashara traded places - like that one Shakespeare thing

Darkstar would mirror Jon in a variety of ways which makes me think he is the bastard son of Ned and Ashara, or maybe Brandon and Ashara. The main issue though is that Darkstar is allegedly a trueborn Dayne, but Jon is a bastard. It almost works as a theory. Brandon/Ned runs off with Ashara, she gets pregnant, then her elder brother Lord Dayne raises the child as his own. Same deal with Rhaegar and Lyanna. Darkstar has Dayne/Valyrian features, unlike his northern father, whereas Jon has northern features, unlike his Valyrian father. Both Darkstar's parents (Either Ned or Brandon, and Ashara) and Jon's parents (Ned/Wylla or Rhaegar/Lyanna) are dead, too.

Good vid 👍

It’s important to consider, regarding the Tourney of Harrenhal, that Barristan Selmy is from one of the main Stormlander houses in the Dornish Marches. It’s all well and good that he thinks back to the tournament and wonders whether he could’ve averted the rebellion by winning in the lists, but I’d wager this is more likely regret of knowing that as the greatest knight of his generation, he should’ve won, and he didn’t because he knew he couldn’t name Ashara his queen of love and beauty. Whether he took a dive because he was facing the heir apparent or was otherwise distracted due to this is up to the individual’s interpretation, but I think the whole point of Barristan’s thoughts about the event is to highlight that even the bravest knights can be found to be craven in a different battlefield (that of love).

0:30 What if the reason Davos keeps having fake deaths is because of his lucky finger bones? Instead of dying, his finger bones have held off the Reaper due to their luck, and maybe even due to Melisandre's magic if she still has his finger bones in her possession

Enjoy the channel. Have you considered doing any long-form theory discussions where you compile multiple 10-12 videos into one series to cover a specific nuanced topic?

Ashara knew a lot what was going on between R+L for sure and it makes sense she faking her death to live somewhere else. Cannot tell if Ned talked to her about jon but we have to scenarios: 1 - he told her about jon only to find out she knew it; and since rebelion was over and Twin won he decided to hide jon for his protection and she decided to "kill" herself and avoid questions or 2 - they never talked about jon and she knew everyone on the tower of joy was dead, so decided to fake it and live somewhere else avoiding questions Don't know about her being with howland, but it would be fun and fit the story

Thanks for making a video on Jon Snow’s Mom.

Given what’s been established about Brandon’s relations with women - it seems very plausible that Ned was the one who wanted to court Ashara and they liked each other, but Brandon knocked her up as another conquest, which led to Ned emotionally letting go of her before she died (or “died”)

I like the theory that Ashara is Jon’s mother and Ned is his father. Ned was planning to bring her to Brandon’s wedding to present her to his father and ask for permission to Marry. She is the “fisherman’s daughter” that survived the storm with Ned and was with him when he learned of his father’s and brother’s deaths. They were in love, and since he was now the Lord of Winterfell, he did not need permission, so they married in secret, consummated (conceiving Jon), parted, and he went north to raise the banners to help Robert. Upon returning to Riverrun, Hoster demanded a marriage to Catelyn in exchange for his support in the rebellion causing Ned to set Ashara aside (to his grief). Jon is older than Rob, making him the true Heir to Winterfell, and the only Stark child who is not a bastard (hell of a twist there). Narratively, this gives Jon Dayne blood, in theory allowing him to wield Dawn, which may be the real Lightbringer. The child born at the Tower of Joy is Aegon, son of Rhaegar and Lyanna, who Ned swears to protect, swaps Aegon with Jon and Ashara (Septa Lemore) secrets him across the Narrow Sea to be raised… Shout out to @theorderofthegreenhand

I love the B + A = G (Brandon + Ashara = Gerold) theory with Brandon being a womanizer and Ashara maybe liking Ned but being blown away and infatuated with Brandon at the Tourney of Harenhal BUT theirs two reasons the theory it doesn’t work: 1- Darkstar is presumed to be born in 270-274 AC or be in his late twenties by ADWD timeline, pretty much the same age as Jon Snow, Dany or Young Griff. 2- that silverish « very targaryen or lyseni» colored hair with a stripe of black . Both Brandon and Ashara having dark brown hair. The eye color works though with brandon being grey eyes and ashare purple, Darkstars eyes are very dark purple i believe so maybe a greyish mix?

I think Ned and Ashara had some sort of interest in each other, potential lovers, but Brandon dying really shut that down. Besides hearing her brother die, seeing the man she loved have a child in his arms could've motivated Ashara to jump off the tower even more. Ned not really recalling Ashara too much could just be from it being 15 years ago as young love

If Septa Lemore is Ashara, the big thing I think it would potentially mean is that Aegon/Young Griff, is NEITHER Aegon Son of Elia as claimed OR a female-line Blackfyre pretender as is implied. What it would mean is he’s Jon’s twin. He’s the son of Rhaegar and Lyanna who’s features couldn’t be passed off as Stark, and Ned entrusted him to Ashara when he went to Starfall after the Tower of Joy, and she took him to Essos.

I always like to imagine that Ned had a thing for Ashara, but Brandon hooked up with her anyway. A few people close to the crown would have or could have known. I see Ned as someone who is quietly bitter than Brandon and Lyanna did as they pleased, but he was forced to become Lord and marry someone he didn't want to because of it. "It was all meant for Brandon." Also the whole war thing. Realistically speaking, Ned barely knew his siblings. He spent eight years in the Vale, returning to Winterfell only to deliver Robert's offer of marriage. He was seventeen and still fostering? Robert was older than that, the Lord of Storm's End, and still living in the Vale? Something pretty suspect about that entire scenario.

She left Starfall with Ned and Howland Reed then married Howland Reed. She lives at Greywater Watch in the present timeline.

It's in Ned's best interest to fan the flame on the rumor that Ashara is Jon's mother. He knows Jon is Rhaegar's son and that house Dayne has Valyrian features. So if Jon grows up to look like his dad, Ned can just shrug and say "ok y'all got me the rumor about Ashara is true" and nobody would look further into it.

You left out the best theory, and the one that’s probably true: she’s Howland’s wife and the mother of Meera and Jojen

So a few main things. Ned and Ashara had to have had an ongoing relationship. Cat and Cersei both thinking she could be Jon's mother wouldn't make sense unless they were together. Jon was born at least a year and a half after Harrenhall. Neds thoughts aren't really reliable. Aside from the fever dream thoughts he also apparently thought of Rhaegar in years, despite Jon living with him. That would even seem to point to Jon not being Rhaegars. Tyrion also never comments on Shae's eye color. That at least to me seems like foreshadowing as to why he doesn't for Lemore. The blue rose could be an indication that Aegon goes north. The entire story makes more sense if when Ned gets to Dorne that there is a Targaryen looking baby at the Tower of Joy, Aegon, and then a Stark looking baby at Starfall, Jon. He takes his son home, and gives his nephew to someone he trusts, the mother of his son.

I think that, after Ned having zero thoughts of Ashara in his POV, the other greatest argument against him having an affair with her is that speech Harwin gave combined with Ned's own character. Harwin points out that neither Ashara nor Ned was engaged to someone else at that time, so if they had slept together, why did they not simply get betrothed? Is Ned really the sort to sleep with a highborn girl and then head back to the Vale as though nothing had happened? Consider Robb and Jeyne Westerling. Robb deflowered a highborn girl and, despite already being betrothed to someone else and having extremely good reason NOT to break off that betrothal, he still felt honor-bound to marry that girl. Based on what we know of Ned, would it be in character for Ned to do differently in the same situation when there were no prior attachments on either of their parts? Ned and Ashara would have made a decent match socially and politically at that point as well. They were not yet on opposite sides of a war. He was a second son of a high lord, likely in line to become lord of a castle as his brother's bannerman. She was the eldest daughter of an ancient, respected house, and a handmaiden to the crown princess. They would have been plenty attractive to one another's families. If Ned had any reason to suspect that he'd gotten her with child, I have zero doubt in my mind that he would have married her at once. Brandon on the other hand... Well, he already had a betrothed at that point, and we know from Barbrey Dustin that he had no qualms about lovin' em and leavin' em, so to speak. In conclusion, I think simple character analysis makes it obvious that Ned was not the one who slept with Ashara. My money is on Brandon. Also, on an unrelated note, I have money on the fact that it will turn out Ashara was somehow involved in what went down between Rhaegar and Lyanna. Was escorting her home to Starfall after her pregnancy was discovered Rhaegar's excuse for abandoning a post-partum Elia so that he could meet up with Lyanna? Did Ashara actually facilitate their affair in some way, perhaps by sending and receiving letters to arrange their elopement? Was she at the Tower of Joy, or sending food, servants, etc. to the tower from nearby Starfall? I just feel like she's too conveniently placed not to have had some hand in it all.

Ashara Dayne wasn't killed, she died, there is a significant difference between the two...

my personal tinfoil around Ashara: Ned is never specifically named as the Stark that Ashara danced with at Harrenhall. We just hear about Brandon asking on behalf of a shy younger brother, and Barristan repeatedly only refers to Stark. So I think it was actually young Benjen who was in love with her. And after her miscarriage and death, he was so distraught that he joined the watch. But I also want her to be Jyanna, and those two theories can't both be true...

B+A=D That's funny.^^ Also, a minotaur?

I feel like at this point we need an Annotated ASOIAF where the footnotes are just relevant fan theories.

I believe she is important simply because of how early on she is mentioned, like Mance for example, or even Lyanna and Rhaegar. We get false information concerning all these characters initially. George wanted to set the stage for things to come as early as possible, which is why people go over the prologue so much too.

8:24 Ashara being Lemore could add to the story because perhaps when Dany and fAegon finally meet Barriston will betray Danny and side with the woman he used to love… though I agree this is unlikely given Tyrion never mentioned her eyes being purple

My favorite evidence for Jon Snow’s mother: There is a big focus on the children clearly taking after their mothers, Cat’s kids all look and act like her (With exception of Arya) Cersei’s kids all look and take after her in their ways Lysa’s kid takes after her Who could Jon Snow take after??

not only ned froze up at the mention of ashara but told catelyn to never ask about JON again.. they might not be mother and child but are definitely close topics in ned's head

Ashara Dayne was paramour or Rhaegar before Lyanna and is mother of Daenerys Targaryen and she is hiding either as Jyanna Reed or Quaithe being close to Daenerys

If Ashara is his mother.... it makes him worthy of Dawn. So that's compelling enough to me.

I do think Ned may have had a crush on Ashara & she may have reciprocated which would have worked for Rickard's Southern Ambitions but given how things were going it wasn't able to be worked out for them. And as for Ned not thinking of a long lost love...well when you get married or are in another relationship you don't really spend your time reminiscing on past loves

I don’t think Tyrion pointing out stretch marks is the big tell, it’s her eyes. GRRM does not often, very few times in fact describe eye colour. There are however two characters with violet eyes described and that’s Ashara and Septa Lemour. Why go to the trouble of such detailed description. Coupled with the marks and Tyrion describing her “handsome” looks (once upon it was synonymous with beautiful for a woman), AND thirdly she travels with a half Maester that is the same age as your missing one from Winterfell that disappeared when Ned called his banners. There is definitely something of significance with Ashara and the people on the Shy Maid (Ashara WAS the shy maid at Harrenhall) considering GRRM deep decisions on names. There is something afoot, if it’s not revealed it just GRRM cutting plots to get done but he had or has something cooking here.

I was kinda stuck in my ways on theories about Lyanna, Jon's parentage, Ned and Ashara. I've calmed down a lot and just think let's just wait and see. There are just so many potentials baby swaps. so many thoughts or no thoughts where there should be on many theories. Things that don't make sense etc.

What about the song being sung in Dwd about the woman that throws herself from the tower when her prince(RHAEGAR) is killed?

Ashara is Ned's wife and Jons Mother (still alive as Septa Lemore)

Well obviously Rhaegar, who was in Lyanna's body, warged into Ned, which shocked Ashara to death

I think the only thing narratively that could come out of Ashara being Jon's mother is that he might inherit the sword Dawn because of it? Something something, Azor Ahai, something something Lightbringer.

One thing that your forgetting about septa la mord is wasn't she skinny dipping when she met Tyrion which was an obvious attempt to distract Tyrion from her eyes. I'm pretty sure she says this herself. I think that when Lyanna passed Ned visited Asha Dayne and swapped the babies. Taking either his or Brandon's bastard child back to Winterfell leaving the Taegaryan behind with Asha and that is Asha on the boat with Faegon. Tyrion is so wrapped up in trying to find out who the boy is he doesn't realise who the woman in disguise is. Also think about it. Lyanna's child is going to be far more safe hidden away with Asha than hidden in plain sight in Winter fell. Maybe I'm wrong but there are just to many hints. Like, this female septa who might be Asha is caring for a Taegaryan. And if Jon Snow turns out to be Brandon Stark's child or Ned's it won't be a bad thing for him.

If Ashara is Jons mother he could be the Sword of the Morning. the true story is not about the iron throne…giving him Dawn would have a huge impact on the story as it’s likely Lightbringer

I always like Brandon secretly married ashara because he got her pregnant. As secret as the Starks didn't know. Ned is actually sending Jon to the wall to steal his birth right as the rightful heir to winterfell. Because Ned isn't as honorable as everyone thinks. Most of the Starks aren't, they are as big of bastards as most other houses.

There's a theory that Ashara came north with Howland and married him. Howland was infatuated with her, even remembering who this supposedly random girl danced with a lot of years later. There's a mention in a Barristan chapter that she got dishonored by Stark in Harrenhal, but we know that Howland was sharing a tent with the Starks. Furthermore, Meera might be the daughter of a Dornishwoman specifically since she is the heir to Greywater Watch over her brother which isn't a northern custom but specifically a Dornish one. And they would have met again as Ned and Howland travelled to Starfall before going north. The theory suggests that the the stillborn baby was that of a servant girl(specifically Jon Snow's wetnurse Wylla. She's mentioned by Edric Storm in an Arya chapter) and that she, Ashara and Howland travelled to Greywater Watch and got married and since then lived there in peace.

What about the theory that Ashara is the mother of Meera and Jojen? I believe InDeepGeek made some videos about the theory and it was pretty compelling. Might not have as much narrative purpose but it’s an endearing story of the hot Ashara and the nerdy weird Howland Reed running away into the swamp lands to be together lol

Ashara faked her death to be with Howland Reed . Meera is her daughter that allegedly died at childbirth

I don't think Ned would be thinking about Ashara after 15-16 years of marriage, 5 children later and a complete ban on mentioning her name. Also, the blue rose isn't connected to Lyanna, but rather the story of Bael the Bard, who shows the connection of the free folk with the Northerners. That is the story line of Jon Snow in the books as well - trying to understand and learn about the free folks and accept them as fellow humans. This is why I hate the whole Rhaegar, Lyanna, Jon story connection. It cheapens the entire storyline into a simple "Jon has a claim on the Iron Throne, and there are snow zombies to kill". Really, from the four books this is what people picked on?

The problem with the Darkstar idea is that he is an actual Dayne, not a bastard. So his parentage is legitimate, even if we readers don't know what that parentage is. Just because we readers don't know that doesn't mean it's a secret, it's just something that no one has talked or thought about, that's all. In order for him to be a Dayne his birth can't be a secret, his parentage can't be a secret. You can't have a member of a noble family just pop up out of nowhere, in order to get the name there has to be an official record of them. So for Ashara to be his parent she would've had to have been married officially before he was born, people would know about that marriage and birth. The problem with this is that if it had happened then someone like Barristan would absolutely have heard about it, everyone with a passing interest would know about it. But no one thinks about it at all when they think of Ashara. But of course, as with Darkstar's parentage, just because no one has thought about it doesn't mean she didn't get married officially.

It was likely Ashara and Ned, Ned fought a war, became a father, and a world leader after harrenhall im pretty sure he would have forgotten a fling.

7:28 was that ‘Aegon the [sic] Targaryen’ if so I am impressed

This is a theory I believe in heavily. Jon and Rob both did things that Ned did. The baby swap and the dishouring of a woman. There's much to support it in the story. It's crazy people don't see it.

In Deep Geek has the best Ashara theory

I'm unsure about your thoughts about the Shy Maid theory. I don't remember Tyrion mentioning Sep Lem's eyes at all, and even so, he doesn't recognise Aegon's eyes being purple either. Also if she was Aegon's mother then I think she would probably be a bit more protective of Aegon during the attack. Although it's been a while since I've read dance I may be wrong about these facts. I feel like if GRRM had Ned thinking about Ashara in book one, it would kind of give the game away, although when Ashara is mentioned to Ned he gets pissed off. But in any case, characters in book one think quite a bit less than in the later books as GRRM's style morphs. And Ned only starts 'thinking' about Lyanna after he's been stabbed, which to me come off more as dreams or hallucinations, and even then he obsesses over the promise slightly too much, like he promised but failed to uphold it, and it's only when he knows he's losing the game does he start for it to nag at him. Anyway I'm thinking aloud, great video though! Sep Lem is secretly Lem Lemoncloak.