Difference between revisions of "Asha Greyjoy"

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{{Infobox character
 
{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[file:Greyjoy coat sigil.png|50px|left]] '''Asha Greyjoy''' [[file:Greyjoy coat sigil.png|50px|right]]
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| Character_name = [[File:House Greyjoy.svg|50px|left]] Asha Greyjoy [[File:House Greyjoy.svg|50px|right]]
| image          = [[File:Asha Greyjoy.jpg|300px]]
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| image          = [[File:Magali Villenueve Asha GreyjoyII.jpg|300px]]
| image_caption  = Illustration by Amok©
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| image_caption  = Illustration by Magali Villenueve©
| Alias          = Esgred<br>
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| Alias          = Esgred{{ref|ACOK|24}}<br>The kraken's daughter{{ref|ADWD|26}}
The Kraken's Daughter
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| Title          = [[Prince]]ss<br>Captain of the ''[[Black Wind]]''<br>Conqueror of [[Deepwood Motte]]{{ref|adwd|Appendix}}
| Title          = Captain of the ''Black Wind''
 
Conqueror of [[Deepwood Motte]]
 
 
| Allegiance    = [[House Greyjoy]]<br>[[House Ironmaker]] (forced marriage)
 
| Allegiance    = [[House Greyjoy]]<br>[[House Ironmaker]] (forced marriage)
 
| Race          =  
 
| Race          =  
| Culture        = [[Ironborn]]
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| Culture        = [[ironborn]]
 +
| Father        = [[Balon Greyjoy|Balon IX Greyjoy]]
 +
| Mother        = [[Alannys Harlaw]]
 
| Spouse        = [[Erik Ironmaker]]
 
| Spouse        = [[Erik Ironmaker]]
 
| Place_of_Birth = [[Pyke]]
 
| Place_of_Birth = [[Pyke]]
| Date_of_Birth  = {{Date|276}}<ref>Theon claims she is three years older than him.</ref>
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| Date_of_Birth  = {{Date|275}} or {{Date|276}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages#Asha Greyjoy|Asha Greyjoy]] calculation.''</ref>
 
| Place_of_Death =
 
| Place_of_Death =
 
| Date_of_Death  =
 
| Date_of_Death  =
| Books          = [[A Game of Thrones]] (Mentioned)<br>[[A Clash of Kings]] (Appears)<br>[[A Feast for Crows]] (POV)<br>[[A Dance with Dragons]] (POV)<br>[[The Winds of Winter]] (Appears)
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| Books          = ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (appendix)<br>''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (appears)<br>''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (POV)<br>''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (POV)<br>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'' (appears)
 
| coat-of-arms  =
 
| coat-of-arms  =
 
| Played_by      = [[w:Gemma Whelan|Gemma Whelan]]  
 
| Played_by      = [[w:Gemma Whelan|Gemma Whelan]]  
| TV_series      =  [[Game of Thrones - Season 2|Season 2]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 3|Season 3]]  {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 4|Season 4]]
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| TV_series      =  [[Game of Thrones - Season 2|Season 2]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 3|Season 3]]  {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 4|Season 4]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 6|Season 6]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 7|Season 7]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 8|Season 8]]
 
}}
 
}}
  
'''Asha Greyjoy''' is the daughter of Lord [[Balon Greyjoy]] by his wife, [[Alannys Harlaw|Alannys]]. She is fierce and proud, and defies traditional [[ironborn]] gender roles by commanding her own ship, the ''[[Black Wind]]'', and leading men into battle. Asha becomes a [[POV character]] in ''[[A Feast For Crows]]''. In the [[Game of Thrones|TV series]] she is named Yara Greyjoy to avoid confusion with the [[wildling]] [[Osha]] and is played by [[w:Gemma Whelan|Gemma Whelan]].
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'''Asha Greyjoy''' is a member of [[House Greyjoy]] and is the daughter of Lord [[Balon Greyjoy]] by his wife, [[Alannys Harlaw]]. She becomes a [[POV character]] in ''[[A Feast For Crows]]''. In the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' she is named Yara Greyjoy to avoid confusion with the [[wildling]] [[Osha]], and she is played by [[w:Gemma Whelan|Gemma Whelan]].
  
 
==Appearance and Character==
 
==Appearance and Character==
[[File:Asha Greyjoy Ammotu.jpg|Asha Greyjoy - by Ammotu ©|thumb|250px|left]]
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{{See also|:Category:Images of Asha Greyjoy|l1=Images of Asha Greyjoy}}
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Asha Greyjoy|Images of Asha Greyjoy]]''
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As a child Asha was a skinny girl with knob knees and a face full of pimples.{{Ref|acok|24}}{{ref|AFFC|11}} Now in her mid-twenties, Asha is lean and long legged, with dark eyes and black hair cut short. Her face is thin, with a big, sharp nose, and wind-chafed skin. On her neck is a faded pink scar.{{Ref|acok|24}} Asha's brother, [[Theon Greyjoy]], believes her hawk-like nose{{ref|ACOK|56}} is too big and sharp for her small face, but he feels that her wicked smile makes up for it.{{Ref|Acok|24}}
Asha is lean and long-legged, with short black hair and a sharp nose in a thin face.{{Ref|aCoK|24}}
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Asha is a wild and headstrong young woman,{{Ref|affc|1}}{{Ref|adwd|26}} raised by her mother to be bold.{{Ref|affc|11}} There is a boldness to the way she walks; part saunter, part sway.{{Ref|acok|24}} She possesses a sharp wit,{{Ref|acok|24}} and has no problem with holding her own against men, both in a verbal battle{{ref|ACOK|24}}{{ref|AFFC|18}} and in a physical fight.{{Ref|adwd|26}} Asha enjoys [[ale]]{{ref|ACOK|24}} and [[wine]].{{ref|AFFC|18}}{{ref|ADWD|26}} Defying the classical [[gender and sexuality|gender roles]] of [[Westeros]]i culture, Asha was appalled early on by the idea of becoming a lord's wife.{{Ref|affc|11}} After her older two brothers died and her younger brother was taken hostage, Asha's father [[Balon Greyjoy|Balon]] began to see her as his heir, treating her like he would a son.{{Ref|affc|1}}{{Ref|affc|18}}{{Ref|affc|19}}
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Asha's attire includes a brown quilted tunic,{{ref|AFFC|18}} breeches of black{{ref|ADWD|26}} or green wool,{{ref|AFFC|18}} a studded belt,{{ref|AFFC|11}} and salt-stained high leather boots.{{ref|AFFC|18}} She sometimes wears a sleeveless leather jerkin half-unlaced,{{ref|AFFC|18}} and she also owns a green leather jerkin covered with overlapping plates of steel.{{ref|ADWD|26}} Asha prefers throwing axes,{{Ref|adwd|26}} which she has been practicing with since she was just a little girl,{{Ref|affc|18}} but she also keeps a dirk with her.{{Ref|acok|24}}
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Asha personally leads her men into battle.{{Ref|adwd|26}} She captains her own ship, ''[[Black Wind]]'',{{Ref|acok|11}} and has the devotion of her crew,{{Ref|affc|11}} who take a perverse pride in the deeds of their female captain. According to Asha, half of them love her like a daughter, while the other half want to sleep with her.{{Ref|affc|11}} Regardless, Asha loves her men,{{Ref|adwd|26}} and is willing to die for them, as they are for her.{{Ref|affc|11}} Asha is also well liked by the servants of [[Pyke]] and people of [[Lordsport]].{{ref|ACOK|24}} Asha is not devoted to the [[Drowned God]].{{ref|ADWD|42}}
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While her counterpart in the television series ''[[Game of Thrones]]'', Yara Greyjoy, is bisexual, [[George R. R. Martin]] has confirmed that Asha is not.<ref>[[Not a Blog]]: [https://grrm.livejournal.com/477725.html?thread=24114205#t24114205 Season 6 is Coming (May 17th, 2016)]</ref>
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
Asha was fairly unattractive in her youth. After [[Theon Greyjoy|Theon]]'s departure for [[Winterfell]] to be [[Eddard Stark]]'s hostage and ward, Asha became Balon's only remaining child in [[Pyke]]. Asha grew into an attractive and bold young woman, and Balon effectively raised her as his heir. She lost her virtue at age 16 to a sailor from [[Lys]].{{Ref|aFfC|11}}
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Asha was fairly unattractive in her youth. Her uncle, [[Victarion Greyjoy]], remembers Asha as a little girl swimming naked in the sea and playing with her doll.{{ref|AFFC|18}} Asha's eldest siblings, [[Rodrik Greyjoy|Rodrik]] and [[Maron Greyjoy|Maron]], died during [[Greyjoy's Rebellion]], and her younger brother [[Theon Greyjoy|Theon]] departed for [[Winterfell]] to be [[Eddard Stark]]'s hostage and ward. Asha thus became Lord [[Balon Greyjoy]]'s only remaining child in [[Pyke]].{{Ref|AFFC|11}} Asha had her first [[flowering]] during the war.{{Ref|AFFC|11}}
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Asha's mother, Lady [[Alannys Harlaw]], fostered five boys at Pyke after Theon's departure. Asha experimented with [[Tristifer Botley]], the boy closest to Asha in age, during puberty, although his feels were stronger than hers.{{Ref|aFfC|11}} Tris was sent away to [[Blacktyde]] after Maester [[Qalen]] caught the youths together.{{ref|AFFC|11}}
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Asha grew into an attractive and bold young woman,{{ref|ACOK|24}} and Balon effectively raised his wild and headstrong daughter as his heir.{{ref|AFFC|1}} However, Asha preferred [[Ten Towers]], the seat of her uncle [[Rodrik Harlaw]], to Pyke. She lost her virtue at age 16 to a sailor from [[Lys]].{{Ref|aFfC|11}} In {{date|293}} or {{date|294}} Asha sailed ''[[Black Wind]]'' on a trading voyage which included stops at [[Fair Isle]], [[Lannisport]], and the [[Arbor]], where she introduced peaches to one of her lovers, [[Qarl the Maid]].{{ref|ADWD|26}} Asha was away raiding Lyseni [[pirate]]s at the [[Stepstones]] when her father exiled her uncle, [[Euron Greyjoy|Euron Crow's Eye]], from the [[Iron Islands]] in {{date|297}} for having impregnated Victarion's [[Victarion Greyjoy's third wife|third wife]].{{ref|ACOK|11}}{{ref|AFFC|18}}
  
 
==Recent Events==
 
==Recent Events==
[[File:Anders Finer Asha Greyjoy.jpg|The Kraken's Daughter – by Finer ©|thumb|400px|right]]
 
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
Upon [[Theon Greyjoy|Theon]]'s return, Asha is reported to be on [[Great Wyk]] taking messages for her father. Asha passes herself off as Esgred, a shipwright's wife, and flirts with Theon to learn his nature. Theon's naive arrogance amuses her, but Theon grows angry at Asha's deception and her position. At a feast that night, Asha takes the place of honor beside [[Balon Greyjoy|Balon]], making Theon feel cheated. When he confronts her again about her deception, she claims that she did in fact have a husband, hefting an axe, as well as a suckling babe, retrieving a dagger from between her breasts.{{Ref|aCoK|24}}
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[[File:Anders Finer Asha Greyjoy.jpg|thumb|400px||The Kraken's Daughter – by Finer ©]]
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Upon [[Theon Greyjoy]]'s return to the [[Iron Islands]], Asha is reported to be on [[Great Wyk]] taking messages for her father [[Balon Greyjoy|Balon]], [[Lord of the Iron Islands]].{{ref|acok|11}} After sailing back to [[Pyke]] with Lord [[Gorold Goodbrother]], Asha passes herself off as Esgred, a shipwright's wife in [[Lordsport]], and flirts with Theon to learn his nature. Theon's naive arrogance amuses her, but Theon grows angry at Asha's deception and her position. At a feast that night at Pyke, Asha takes the place of honor beside their father, making Theon feel cheated.{{Ref|aCoK|24}}
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During the [[War of the Five Kings]], Asha commands thirty longships for Balon's invasion of the [[north]].{{ref|ACOK|24}} After stopping at [[Ten Towers]] to visit her mother, [[Alannys Harlaw]],{{ref|AFFC|11}} Asha leads the [[taking of Deepwood Motte]].{{Ref|aCoK|24}} After the [[capture of Winterfell]], Theon sends [[Stygg]] to request reinforcements from his sister.{{ref|ACOK|50}} Asha travels through the [[wolfswood]] to visit Theon at [[Winterfell]], but she refuses to stay and help him defend the castle since it is so far inland.{{Ref|aCoK|56}} The ten men left by Asha eventually abandon Theon prior to the [[battle at Winterfell]].{{ref|ACOK|66}}
  
For her part in Balon's invasion of [[the North]], Asha commands thirty longships and [[Battle of Deepwood Motte|conquers Deepwood Motte]].{{Ref|aCoK|24}} She visits Theon after he [[Battle of Winterfell|takes Winterfell]], but refuses to stay and help him defend the castle.{{Ref|aCoK|56}}
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===''A Storm of Swords''===
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Balon, [[King of the Isles and the North]], is reported to have fallen to his death at Pyke.{{ref|ASOS|45}}
  
 
===''A Feast for Crows''===
 
===''A Feast for Crows''===
Asha returns to the isles after Balon's death to claim the [[Seastone Chair]]. At [[Ten Towers]], she informs her uncle, Lord [[Rodrik Harlaw]], that she searched for Theon at Winterfell after it was [[Sack of Winterfell|sacked]] but was unable to identify him amongst the bodies.{{Ref|aFfC|11}}{{Ref|aFfC|18}} Most of her support comes from [[House Harlaw]], the house of her mother, Lady [[Alannys Harlaw]], but Asha is also supported by Lord [[Baelor Blacktyde]], Lord [[Meldred Merlyn]], and [[Harmund Sharp]].{{ref|AFFC|Appendix}}
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[[File:Marc Simonetti Asha Kingsmoot.jpg|thumb|Asha at the kingsmoot © Marc Simonetti]]
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Asha's uncle, [[Aeron Greyjoy]], is outraged at the prospect of a woman ruling the [[ironborn]] or of his brother, [[Euron Greyjoy]], claiming the throne, so the priest calls for a [[kingsmoot]] on [[Old Wyk]].{{ref|AFFC|1}}
  
With the proposal to make peace with the mainland in exchange for [[Sea Dragon Point]] and the [[Stony Shore]], Asha achieves a surprising amount of support at the [[kingsmoot]] on [[Old Wyk]].{{ref|AFFC|19}} However, the crowd ultimately favors her uncle, [[Euron Greyjoy]]. She departs again shortly thereafter, her plans unclear.{{Ref|aFfC|19}}
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Asha returns to the isles after her father's death to claim the [[Seastone Chair]], bringing with her the captive Lady [[Sybelle Glover]] and her children, [[Gawen Glover|Gawen]] and infant [[Erena Glover]]. At [[Ten Towers]], Asha informs her uncle, Lord [[Rodrik Harlaw]], that she searched for Theon at Winterfell after it was [[Sack of Winterfell|sacked]] but was unable to identify him amongst the bodies.{{Ref|aFfC|11}}{{Ref|aFfC|18}} Most of her support comes from [[House Harlaw]], the house of her mother, Lady [[Alannys Harlaw]], but Asha is also supported by [[Tristifer Botley]] (whose marriage proposal she refuses), Lord [[Baelor Blacktyde]], Lord [[Meldred Merlyn]], and [[Harmund Sharp]].{{ref|AFFC|Appendix}} Rodrik offers to name Asha his heir to Ten Towers, though not to become head of his house. She refuses, desiring instead the throne of her father.{{ref|AFFC|11}}
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On Old Wyk, Asha realizes that she does not have as much support as she had hoped. She instead offers to share rule and back her uncle [[Victarion Greyjoy|Victarion]], the [[Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet]], if he will make her his [[Hand of the King]]. Victarion refuses, as no King of the Isles had ever had one, much less a woman, and he disagrees with her plans to end the war.{{ref|affc|18}}
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At the kingsmoot, Asha challenges the ancient and obese [[Erik Ironmaker]] to rise from his chair, his support crumbling when he cannot. When she makes her own claim, her champions are Tris Botley, Ser [[Harras Harlaw]], and [[Qarl the Maid]]. Unlike the others, who offer valuables, her gifts are cobblestones, pinecones and turnips. Asha tells the ironborn these gifts demonstrate this is all they've won so far by fighting the [[North]], losing fathers and sons for these "treasures". She offers them a chance for land, peace and victory. With the proposal to make peace and an alliance with the north in exchange for [[Sea Dragon Point]] and the [[Stony Shore]], Asha achieves a surprising amount of support. The crowd, however, ultimately favors her uncle, Euron Crow's Eye,{{Ref|aFfC|19}} and Asha flees with her crew.{{ref|AFFC|29}}
  
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
While at [[Ten Towers]] following the [[kingsmoot]], Asha learns her uncle Euron married her to [[Erik Ironmaker]] after she fled Old Wyk, using a seal to represent her at the wedding. Asha curses this but admires Euron's cunning: this move prevents Asha from offering a marriage to another lord and winning his support. She returns to [[Deepwood Motte]].  
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While at [[Ten Towers]] following the [[kingsmoot]], Asha learns her uncle, King [[Euron Greyjoy|Euron]], married her to [[Erik Ironmaker]] after she fled [[Old Wyk]], using a seal to represent her at the wedding. Asha curses this but admires Euron's cunning: this move prevents Asha from offering a marriage to another lord and winning his support. She returns to [[Deepwood Motte]] with four longships, less than two hundred men, and Lady Glover, whose children remain at Ten Towers.{{ref|ADWD|26}} After the [[siege of Moat Cailin|fall of Moat Cailin]], [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]] sends a strip of [[Theon Greyjoy]]'s flayed skin from [[Barrowton]] to Deepwood, warning Asha to leave the [[north]] or share her brother's fate.{{ref|ADWD|26}}
  
The ironborn at Deepwood Motte dwindle and begin to starve before being [[Retaking of Deepwood Motte|overtaken]] by King [[Stannis Baratheon]]'s army in an attempt to flee back to their ships.{{ref|ADWD|26}} Asha is taken captive and continues with Stannis's host toward [[Winterfell]].  A snow storm sets in during their march, however, and the army slows to a halt at a [[crofters' village]] approximately three days ride from Winterfell, with few provisions left.{{ref|ADWD|42}} Many of Stannis’s men call for Asha to be sacrificed to [[R'hllor]] in an attempt to thwart the snows.  It is there, freezing and starving, that they are met by [[Tycho Nestoris]] of the [[Iron Bank of Braavos]] and [[Theon Greyjoy|Theon]], escaped from Winterfell.  With this meeting, the siblings roles are reversed, with Theon recognizing Asha and Asha not recognizing Theon.{{ref|ADWD|62}}
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Asha sleeps with [[Qarl the Maid]] and refuses [[Tristifer Botley]]'s recommendation to flee and become a merchant, although Tris does remind her of the story of [[Torgon Greyiron|Torgon the Latecomer]]. When Deepwood comes under attack by King [[Stannis Baratheon]]'s army, Asha kills a [[House Flint of the mountains|Flint]] scout and then flees with her ironmen toward their ships on the [[Bay of Ice]].{{ref|ADWD|26}} They are overwhelmed in the [[wolfswood]], however, and defeated in the [[fight by Deepwood Motte]].{{ref|ADWD|26}} [[Alysane Mormont]] burns or captures Asha's longships.{{ref|ADWD|35}}
  
===''The Winds of Winter''===
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Asha is taken captive and continues with Stannis's host during their [[march on Winterfell]]. Alysane guards the king's prize, who is fettered in a covered [[wayn]] and thinks her ankle is broken.{{ref|ADWD|42}} Ser [[Justin Massey]] courts Asha, who thinks the [[knight]] wants to wed her to claim the [[Iron Islands]], and [[Morgan Liddle]] apologizes to Asha for having insulted her during the battle.{{ref|ADWD|42}}
Asha is distressed when she sees what [[Ramsay Bolton]] did to her brother. She is later brought before Stannis while Theon is chained nearby in the room. She tries to offer a ransom for him but Stannis refuses, stating Theon must die for what he did to [[Eddard Stark]]'s sons or Stannis's northern allies would abandon him. Asha, seeing Stannis will not relent, urges him then to kill Theon by beheading him personally as Eddard Stark would have done before a heart tree.
 
  
Asha probably makes this suggestion to at least spare her brother the pain of being burned alive as beheading is cleaner and quicker.<ref>[http://georgerrmartin.com/if-sample.html ''The Winds of Winter'', Theon's sample chapter], made available on GRRM's website as of Dec 28th, 2011</ref>
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A snow storm sets in during their march, however, and the army slows to a halt at a [[crofters' village]] approximately three days ride from Winterfell, with few provisions left.{{ref|ADWD|42}} [[Queen's men]] such as Ser [[Clayton Suggs]] call for Asha to be sacrificed to [[R'hllor]] in an attempt to thwart the snows, and she witnesses the burning of [[House Peasebury|Peasebury]] men accused of cannibalism.{{ref|ADWD|62}} Asha and Clayton are met by [[Tycho Nestoris]] of the [[Iron Bank of Braavos]], who has arrived from Deepwood with an escort made of Asha's surviving crew, including Qarl and Tris.{{ref|ADWD|62}} Also with them are "[[Jeyne Poole|Arya Stark]]" and Theon, who have escaped from Ramsay at Winterfell,{{ref|ADWD|51}} but Asha barely recognizes her tortured brother.{{ref|ADWD|62}}
  
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===''The Winds of Winter''===
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{{Warning/twow}}
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Asha is distressed when she sees what [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]] did to her brother. Brought before Stannis and a chained Theon, she offers a ransom for her brother. Stannis refuses, as his northern allies would then abandon him. While the [[queen's men]] want Stannis to burn Theon for what he allegedly did to [[Bran Stark|Bran]] and [[Rickon Stark]] after the [[capture of Winterfell]], Asha urges the king to behead Theon personally, before a [[heart tree]], as Lord [[Eddard Stark]] would have done.<ref>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>
  
 
==Family==
 
==Family==
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==References and Notes==
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==Quotes by Asha==
{{references|2}}
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[[File:Asha Black Wind.jpg|thumb|300px|Asha Greyjoy - illustrated by Amok © Fantasy Flight Games]]
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{{quote|There's my lord husband. And here's my sweet suckling babe.{{ref|ACOK|24}}|Asha to [[Theon Greyjoy]] while catching a [[finger dance]] axe and displaying her dirk}}
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{{quote|'''Theon''': What sort of unnatural creature are you?<br>'''Asha''': Only a shy maid.{{ref|ACOK|24}}|[[Theon Greyjoy]] and Asha}}
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{{quote|'''Rodrik''': Your fight is hopeless.<br>'''Asha''': No fight is hopeless till it has been fought. I have the best claim. I am the heir of [[Balon Greyjoy|Balon's]] body.{{ref|AFFC|11}}|[[Rodrik Harlaw]] and Asha}}
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{{quote|If there are rocks to starboard and a storm to port, a wise captain steers a third course.{{ref|AFFC|11}}|Asha to [[Rodrik Harlaw]]}}
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{{quote|'''Tristifer''': You and I were meant to be, Asha. I have always known you would be my wife, and the mother of my sons.<br>'''Asha''': Take your hand away or you won't live long enough to breed a son ... I am your queen, not your wife. Remember that.{{ref|AFFC|11}}|[[Tristifer Botley]] and Asha}}
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{{quote|The [[Euron Greyjoy|Crow's Eye]] is a [[House Greyjoy|kraken]]. The [[Euron Greyjoy|elder brother]] comes before the [[Victarion Greyjoy|younger]]. But I am the child of King [[Balon Greyjoy|Balon's]] body, so I come before you both.{{ref|AFFC|18}}|Asha to [[Victarion Greyjoy]]}}
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{{quote|'''Asha''': Peace. Land. Victory. I'll give you [[Sea Dragon Point]] and the [[Stony Shore]], black earth and tall trees and stones enough for every younger son to build a hall. We'll have the [[north]]men too ... as friends, to stand with us against the [[Iron Throne]]. Your choice is simple. Crown me, for peace and victory. Or crown [[Victarion Greyjoy|my uncle]], for more war and more defeat. What will you have, [[ironmen]]?<br>'''Rodrik''': VICTORY! Victory, and Asha!<br>'''Baelor''': ASHA! ASHA QUEEN!{{ref|AFFC|19}}|Asha, [[Rodrik Harlaw]], and [[Baelor Blacktyde]] at the [[kingsmoot]]}}
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{{quote|Asha Greyjoy did not intend to be [[fight by Deepwood Motte|taken alive]]. She would die as she had lived, with an axe in her hand and a laugh upon her lips.{{ref|ADWD|26}}|thoughts of Asha}}
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{{quote|'''Asha''': Your Grace's [[Robert Baratheon|royal brother]] was renowned for turning fallen foes into friends. Make me your man.<br>'''Stannis''': The gods did not make you a man. How can I?{{ref|ADWD|42}}|Asha and [[Stannis Baratheon]]}}
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{{quote|'''Tycho''': You are the Lady Asha of [[House Greyjoy]], unless I am mistaken.<br>'''Asha''': I am Asha of House Greyjoy, aye. Opinions differ on whether I'm a lady.{{ref|ADWD|62}}|[[Tycho Nestoris]] and Asha}}
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==Quotes about Asha==
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{{quote|Well, they say Asha's favorite gown is a chainmail hauberk that hangs down past her knees, with boiled leather smallclothes beneath.{{ref|ACOK|24}}|[[Theon Greyjoy]] to "Esgred" (Asha)}}
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{{quote|Let Asha keep the [[Iron Islands|bloody islands]], they're as dreary as she is.{{ref|ACOK|66}}|thoughts of [[Theon Greyjoy]]}}
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{{quote|[[Balon Greyjoy|Balon]] favored Asha, the child of his body, but a woman cannot rule the [[ironborn]].{{ref|AFFC|1}}|thoughts of [[Aeron Greyjoy]]}}
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 +
{{quote|'''Alysane''': Lady Asha is not for burning.<br>'''Clayton''': She will be. We have harbored this [[Drowned God|demon worshiper]] amongst us too long.{{ref|ADWD|62}}|[[Alysane Mormont]] and [[Clayton Suggs]]}}
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==References==
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{{references}}
 
{{EnWP|House Greyjoy|small=yes}}
 
{{EnWP|House Greyjoy|small=yes}}
  
{{Template:POV Characters}}
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{{POV Characters}}
  
[[Category:Noblewomen|Greyjoy, Asha]]
 
[[Category:Characters from the Iron Islands|Greyjoy, Asha]]
 
 
[[Category:House Greyjoy]]
 
[[Category:House Greyjoy]]
 
[[Category:House Ironmaker]]
 
[[Category:House Ironmaker]]
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[[Category:Characters from the Iron Islands|Greyjoy, Asha]]
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[[Category:Crew of the Black Wind|Greyjoy, Asha]]
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[[Category:Hostages of House Baratheon of Dragonstone in the War of the Five Kings|Greyjoy, Asha]]
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[[Category:Noblewomen|Greyjoy, Asha]]
 
[[Category:POV characters|Greyjoy, Asha]]
 
[[Category:POV characters|Greyjoy, Asha]]
[[Category:Warrior Women]]
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[[Category:Sailors|Greyjoy, Asha]]
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[[Category:Ship captains|Greyjoy, Asha]]
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[[Category:Supporters of Balon Greyjoy in the War of the Five Kings|Greyjoy, Asha]]
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[[Category:Warrior Women|Greyjoy, Asha]]
  
 
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Revision as of 21:59, 29 June 2020

House Greyjoy.svg
Asha Greyjoy
House Greyjoy.svg
300px
Illustration by Magali Villenueve©

Aliases
  • Esgred[1]
  • The kraken's daughter[2]
Titles
Allegiances
Culture ironborn
Born 275 AC or 276 AC[4]
Pyke
Father Balon IX Greyjoy
Mother Alannys Harlaw
Spouse Erik Ironmaker
Books

Played by Gemma Whelan
TV series Season 2 | Season 3 | Season 4 | Season 6 | Season 7 | Season 8

Asha Greyjoy is a member of House Greyjoy and is the daughter of Lord Balon Greyjoy by his wife, Alannys Harlaw. She becomes a POV character in A Feast For Crows. In the television adaptation Game of Thrones she is named Yara Greyjoy to avoid confusion with the wildling Osha, and she is played by Gemma Whelan.

Appearance and Character

As a child Asha was a skinny girl with knob knees and a face full of pimples.[1][5] Now in her mid-twenties, Asha is lean and long legged, with dark eyes and black hair cut short. Her face is thin, with a big, sharp nose, and wind-chafed skin. On her neck is a faded pink scar.[1] Asha's brother, Theon Greyjoy, believes her hawk-like nose[6] is too big and sharp for her small face, but he feels that her wicked smile makes up for it.[1]

Asha is a wild and headstrong young woman,[7][2] raised by her mother to be bold.[5] There is a boldness to the way she walks; part saunter, part sway.[1] She possesses a sharp wit,[1] and has no problem with holding her own against men, both in a verbal battle[1][8] and in a physical fight.[2] Asha enjoys ale[1] and wine.[8][2] Defying the classical gender roles of Westerosi culture, Asha was appalled early on by the idea of becoming a lord's wife.[5] After her older two brothers died and her younger brother was taken hostage, Asha's father Balon began to see her as his heir, treating her like he would a son.[7][8][9]

Asha's attire includes a brown quilted tunic,[8] breeches of black[2] or green wool,[8] a studded belt,[5] and salt-stained high leather boots.[8] She sometimes wears a sleeveless leather jerkin half-unlaced,[8] and she also owns a green leather jerkin covered with overlapping plates of steel.[2] Asha prefers throwing axes,[2] which she has been practicing with since she was just a little girl,[8] but she also keeps a dirk with her.[1]

Asha personally leads her men into battle.[2] She captains her own ship, Black Wind,[10] and has the devotion of her crew,[5] who take a perverse pride in the deeds of their female captain. According to Asha, half of them love her like a daughter, while the other half want to sleep with her.[5] Regardless, Asha loves her men,[2] and is willing to die for them, as they are for her.[5] Asha is also well liked by the servants of Pyke and people of Lordsport.[1] Asha is not devoted to the Drowned God.[11]

While her counterpart in the television series Game of Thrones, Yara Greyjoy, is bisexual, George R. R. Martin has confirmed that Asha is not.[12]

History

Asha was fairly unattractive in her youth. Her uncle, Victarion Greyjoy, remembers Asha as a little girl swimming naked in the sea and playing with her doll.[8] Asha's eldest siblings, Rodrik and Maron, died during Greyjoy's Rebellion, and her younger brother Theon departed for Winterfell to be Eddard Stark's hostage and ward. Asha thus became Lord Balon Greyjoy's only remaining child in Pyke.[5] Asha had her first flowering during the war.[5]

Asha's mother, Lady Alannys Harlaw, fostered five boys at Pyke after Theon's departure. Asha experimented with Tristifer Botley, the boy closest to Asha in age, during puberty, although his feels were stronger than hers.[5] Tris was sent away to Blacktyde after Maester Qalen caught the youths together.[5]

Asha grew into an attractive and bold young woman,[1] and Balon effectively raised his wild and headstrong daughter as his heir.[7] However, Asha preferred Ten Towers, the seat of her uncle Rodrik Harlaw, to Pyke. She lost her virtue at age 16 to a sailor from Lys.[5] In 293 AC or 294 AC Asha sailed Black Wind on a trading voyage which included stops at Fair Isle, Lannisport, and the Arbor, where she introduced peaches to one of her lovers, Qarl the Maid.[2] Asha was away raiding Lyseni pirates at the Stepstones when her father exiled her uncle, Euron Crow's Eye, from the Iron Islands in 297 AC for having impregnated Victarion's third wife.[10][8]

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

The Kraken's Daughter – by Finer ©

Upon Theon Greyjoy's return to the Iron Islands, Asha is reported to be on Great Wyk taking messages for her father Balon, Lord of the Iron Islands.[10] After sailing back to Pyke with Lord Gorold Goodbrother, Asha passes herself off as Esgred, a shipwright's wife in Lordsport, and flirts with Theon to learn his nature. Theon's naive arrogance amuses her, but Theon grows angry at Asha's deception and her position. At a feast that night at Pyke, Asha takes the place of honor beside their father, making Theon feel cheated.[1]

During the War of the Five Kings, Asha commands thirty longships for Balon's invasion of the north.[1] After stopping at Ten Towers to visit her mother, Alannys Harlaw,[5] Asha leads the taking of Deepwood Motte.[1] After the capture of Winterfell, Theon sends Stygg to request reinforcements from his sister.[13] Asha travels through the wolfswood to visit Theon at Winterfell, but she refuses to stay and help him defend the castle since it is so far inland.[6] The ten men left by Asha eventually abandon Theon prior to the battle at Winterfell.[14]

A Storm of Swords

Balon, King of the Isles and the North, is reported to have fallen to his death at Pyke.[15]

A Feast for Crows

Asha at the kingsmoot © Marc Simonetti

Asha's uncle, Aeron Greyjoy, is outraged at the prospect of a woman ruling the ironborn or of his brother, Euron Greyjoy, claiming the throne, so the priest calls for a kingsmoot on Old Wyk.[7]

Asha returns to the isles after her father's death to claim the Seastone Chair, bringing with her the captive Lady Sybelle Glover and her children, Gawen and infant Erena Glover. At Ten Towers, Asha informs her uncle, Lord Rodrik Harlaw, that she searched for Theon at Winterfell after it was sacked but was unable to identify him amongst the bodies.[5][8] Most of her support comes from House Harlaw, the house of her mother, Lady Alannys Harlaw, but Asha is also supported by Tristifer Botley (whose marriage proposal she refuses), Lord Baelor Blacktyde, Lord Meldred Merlyn, and Harmund Sharp.[16] Rodrik offers to name Asha his heir to Ten Towers, though not to become head of his house. She refuses, desiring instead the throne of her father.[5]

On Old Wyk, Asha realizes that she does not have as much support as she had hoped. She instead offers to share rule and back her uncle Victarion, the Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet, if he will make her his Hand of the King. Victarion refuses, as no King of the Isles had ever had one, much less a woman, and he disagrees with her plans to end the war.[8]

At the kingsmoot, Asha challenges the ancient and obese Erik Ironmaker to rise from his chair, his support crumbling when he cannot. When she makes her own claim, her champions are Tris Botley, Ser Harras Harlaw, and Qarl the Maid. Unlike the others, who offer valuables, her gifts are cobblestones, pinecones and turnips. Asha tells the ironborn these gifts demonstrate this is all they've won so far by fighting the North, losing fathers and sons for these "treasures". She offers them a chance for land, peace and victory. With the proposal to make peace and an alliance with the north in exchange for Sea Dragon Point and the Stony Shore, Asha achieves a surprising amount of support. The crowd, however, ultimately favors her uncle, Euron Crow's Eye,[9] and Asha flees with her crew.[17]

A Dance with Dragons

While at Ten Towers following the kingsmoot, Asha learns her uncle, King Euron, married her to Erik Ironmaker after she fled Old Wyk, using a seal to represent her at the wedding. Asha curses this but admires Euron's cunning: this move prevents Asha from offering a marriage to another lord and winning his support. She returns to Deepwood Motte with four longships, less than two hundred men, and Lady Glover, whose children remain at Ten Towers.[2] After the fall of Moat Cailin, Ramsay Bolton sends a strip of Theon Greyjoy's flayed skin from Barrowton to Deepwood, warning Asha to leave the north or share her brother's fate.[2]

Asha sleeps with Qarl the Maid and refuses Tristifer Botley's recommendation to flee and become a merchant, although Tris does remind her of the story of Torgon the Latecomer. When Deepwood comes under attack by King Stannis Baratheon's army, Asha kills a Flint scout and then flees with her ironmen toward their ships on the Bay of Ice.[2] They are overwhelmed in the wolfswood, however, and defeated in the fight by Deepwood Motte.[2] Alysane Mormont burns or captures Asha's longships.[18]

Asha is taken captive and continues with Stannis's host during their march on Winterfell. Alysane guards the king's prize, who is fettered in a covered wayn and thinks her ankle is broken.[11] Ser Justin Massey courts Asha, who thinks the knight wants to wed her to claim the Iron Islands, and Morgan Liddle apologizes to Asha for having insulted her during the battle.[11]

A snow storm sets in during their march, however, and the army slows to a halt at a crofters' village approximately three days ride from Winterfell, with few provisions left.[11] Queen's men such as Ser Clayton Suggs call for Asha to be sacrificed to R'hllor in an attempt to thwart the snows, and she witnesses the burning of Peasebury men accused of cannibalism.[19] Asha and Clayton are met by Tycho Nestoris of the Iron Bank of Braavos, who has arrived from Deepwood with an escort made of Asha's surviving crew, including Qarl and Tris.[19] Also with them are "Arya Stark" and Theon, who have escaped from Ramsay at Winterfell,[20] but Asha barely recognizes her tortured brother.[19]

The Winds of Winter

Content.png
Warning
This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for The Winds of Winter, and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change.

Asha is distressed when she sees what Ramsay Bolton did to her brother. Brought before Stannis and a chained Theon, she offers a ransom for her brother. Stannis refuses, as his northern allies would then abandon him. While the queen's men want Stannis to burn Theon for what he allegedly did to Bran and Rickon Stark after the capture of Winterfell, Asha urges the king to behead Theon personally, before a heart tree, as Lord Eddard Stark would have done.[21]

Family

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dagon
 
Unknown
wife
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Son
 
Unknown
wife
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lady Stonetree
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quellon
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lady Piper
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lady Sunderly
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Harlon
 
Quenton
 
Donel
 
Balon
 
Alannys Harlaw
 
Euron
 
Victarion
 
Unknown
three wives
 
Urrigon
 
Aeron
 
Robin
 
Stillborn
daughter
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rodrik
 
Maron
 
Asha
 
Erik
Ironmaker
 
Theon
 
Bastard
sons
 
 
 
Stillborn
daughter
 
 


Quotes by Asha

Asha Greyjoy - illustrated by Amok © Fantasy Flight Games

There's my lord husband. And here's my sweet suckling babe.[1]

—Asha to Theon Greyjoy while catching a finger dance axe and displaying her dirk

Theon: What sort of unnatural creature are you?
Asha: Only a shy maid.[1]

Theon Greyjoy and Asha

Rodrik: Your fight is hopeless.
Asha: No fight is hopeless till it has been fought. I have the best claim. I am the heir of Balon's body.[5]

Rodrik Harlaw and Asha

If there are rocks to starboard and a storm to port, a wise captain steers a third course.[5]

—Asha to Rodrik Harlaw

Tristifer: You and I were meant to be, Asha. I have always known you would be my wife, and the mother of my sons.
Asha: Take your hand away or you won't live long enough to breed a son ... I am your queen, not your wife. Remember that.[5]

Tristifer Botley and Asha

The Crow's Eye is a kraken. The elder brother comes before the younger. But I am the child of King Balon's body, so I come before you both.[8]

Asha: Peace. Land. Victory. I'll give you Sea Dragon Point and the Stony Shore, black earth and tall trees and stones enough for every younger son to build a hall. We'll have the northmen too ... as friends, to stand with us against the Iron Throne. Your choice is simple. Crown me, for peace and victory. Or crown my uncle, for more war and more defeat. What will you have, ironmen?
Rodrik: VICTORY! Victory, and Asha!
Baelor: ASHA! ASHA QUEEN![9]

Asha Greyjoy did not intend to be taken alive. She would die as she had lived, with an axe in her hand and a laugh upon her lips.[2]

—thoughts of Asha

Asha: Your Grace's royal brother was renowned for turning fallen foes into friends. Make me your man.
Stannis: The gods did not make you a man. How can I?[11]

—Asha and Stannis Baratheon

Tycho: You are the Lady Asha of House Greyjoy, unless I am mistaken.
Asha: I am Asha of House Greyjoy, aye. Opinions differ on whether I'm a lady.[19]

Tycho Nestoris and Asha

Quotes about Asha

Well, they say Asha's favorite gown is a chainmail hauberk that hangs down past her knees, with boiled leather smallclothes beneath.[1]

Theon Greyjoy to "Esgred" (Asha)

Let Asha keep the bloody islands, they're as dreary as she is.[14]

—thoughts of Theon Greyjoy

Balon favored Asha, the child of his body, but a woman cannot rule the ironborn.[7]

—thoughts of Aeron Greyjoy

Alysane: Lady Asha is not for burning.
Clayton: She will be. We have harbored this demon worshiper amongst us too long.[19]

References

This page uses content from the English Wikipedia. The original content was at House Greyjoy. The list of authors can be seen in the page history of House Greyjoy. As with A Wiki of Ice and Fire, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.