Elyana Dayne

Elyana Dayne, the current Lady of Summerhall, is the eldest child of Aemon Dayne and his wife Lady Ellyn Lannister.

Following her meteoric rise in social status after wedding the so-called 'Hero of Dorne', Aerion Targaryen, Elyana has come to be recognised in the capital for both her cunning wiles and unruly temper.

Commonly known as 'The Queen's Thorn' by court mainstays, the informal title references her role as the right hand of the Silver Queen, Visenya Silvermoon.

Appearance & Character
Largely does Elyana possess the typical Stony Dornish cast. True to her Dayne heritage, the tan of her skin is muted and the blonde of her hair is naturally flaxen. Much like her father it is Elyana's eyes that serve as the most immediately alluring facet of her appearance; yet unlike his, hers are a deep blue hue that contrast strikingly against fair features.

The rest of her features lack any true sharpness, remaining full and soft even against the test of time. Tall and lithe, the Lady of Summerhall is devoted to maintaining an appearance crafted in the shadow of the Silver Queen. There has not yet been an occasion where she did not wholly embrace the finest jewelries of silks, and despite her pious nature is partial to the styling of her Dornish homeland.

Outwardly gregarious and partial to a naturally warm nature, Elyana has never struggled to find friends. Above all else does she value her social status, and cultivates it as one would wealth. It takes few souls long however to discern the cunning intricacies to the personality beneath, or to learn of the volatile temper that seems to have constant kindling under the surface. Kindness can be quick to turn to ire, and gossip runs rampant on her heels.

Where Lady Gael Targaryen has been recognised as the diplomatic facet of Visenya's council, delivering the warmth and geniality of the Queen, it is Elyana that protects her political interests with fearsome zeal.

Early Life
Beloved as a firstborn daughter, Elyana's early years were simple and wholesome in her native Starfall. In every respect an average child, only her beauty surpassed expectation. Many had expected Aemon's children to inherit his piercing violet eyes, but Elyana's were as blue as could be. This made them no less striking, and their intensity did not fade with time, becoming the focal feature she was recognised for.

An active child, Elyana was a rambunctious tyke from the moment she could walk. Never happy to sit still, Ellyn was often given to chasing her daughter to acquire her for the most menial of things; sitting Elyana down for a meal was little short of a chore, and even then her family were subject to the cheek of her tongue. Often was it noted that she only ever truly behaved for her father, with whom she shared a close bond from childhood.

The Bloodstar
Through her six year old eyes, Elyana beheld the beginnings of Summerhall's tragic tourney as Aemon Dayne's lance pierced the helmet of Leyton Hightower, bringing the Oldtown patriarch to his mortal end.

In quick succession did her life unravel. No longer was her father a vaunted knight, the Sword of the Morning - his title was stripped and his name defiled as the Bloodstar. The political, and moral, ramifications of his actions were lost on a child of six, but his absence was not. Nor the sudden loss of her mother, in the weeks that followed.

These events shaped Elyana in some of her most crucial formative years, forever altering the woman she would grow to become. Aemon was above reproach in his daughter's eyes, and even as her aunts condemned his actions, Elyana retained an unbreakable loyalty to his memory.

In public, she has learned to convey the opinions expected of her. In private, she remains convinced her father was an honourable man who acted for the greater good in all things. Whatever reason brought him to end the life of Leyton Hightower, surely was it a justified one.

The concept of the 'greater good' is perhaps what first led Elyana to the arms of the Faith. Recognised since childhood for being notably pious, in adulthood her acts of charity and kind overtures have always belied the manipulative traits inherent in her personality.

Family Ties
With the future Dayne heir set to be raised in King's Landing, Elyana was relegated to Starfall to be raised by her mother and aunt. Now essentially an orphan, the expectations set for her were not overly high. Given a great deal of leniency, there was all too ample an amount of room for her behaviours to deteriorate beyond what was expected of a young lady. When discipline was enforced, Rhaella and Ashara tackled Elyana together, imposing upon her a joint influence of their will.

The two women became the dominant figures in her life, and if nothing else, instilled in her a deep desire to protect her own as she grew. Vorian was a rare sight, but Elyana did all she could to tend a close relationship with Ulrick.

When questions rose about Aemon and Ellyn, stern and condemning was the answer. His exile was justified, his choices were the cause of their seperation. Her mother, too, had brought upon herself the terrible series of events that befell her. Regardless, no matter how hard they tried to stress her parent's stupidity, Elyana's mind resolved to justification, if only as a means to cope with her entrance into court being marked by murder.

A Future Obligation
Often did Elyana sojourn to Sunspear, even at thirteen a social butterfly who imposed upon Rhaella to allow her to exercise her naturally gregarious nature. In 425 A.C, the Water Gardens saw a visit from the future Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, Visenya Silvermoon.

Where Elyana was but thirteen and Visenya herself seventeen, the slight gap in age was not enough to deter an immediate friendship. Both shared in projecting kind amiability, but were quick to turn to gossip - the young Dayne was all too happy to introduce Visenya to the workings of Sunspear for the short duration of her trip.