A + H = M & J

Fan Theory
Fan Theory:	A + H = M & J
Synonyms:	Ashara + Howland = Meera & Jojen
Origin:
Fandom(s):	A Song of Ice and Fire
Dates:	2010s -
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A + H = M & J is a fan theory in the A Song of Ice and Fire fandom that posits that Ashara Dayne faked her death and has been living in the Neck under the name Jyana as the wife of Howland Reed and mother of Meera and Jojen.

This theory was suggested by the user maidenandwarrior on June 2, 2013. It's not the most popular theory, but there's a fair amount of evidence for it.

It is related to a larger cluster of theories that hold that Ashara faked her death, as well as the death of her baby daughter, and is still alive. It's also related to wishful thinking that Ashara deserves better, and that the idea that she's living a nice life with a cool husband and cool kids makes people happy.

Evidence

Harrenhal

Meera is thought to be born the same year as Jon and Robb. If Jyana were a local crannogwoman from the Neck, Howland would've had to return home after Robert's Rebellion, get married, and conceive Meera very quickly. It's not impossible, but it's a pretty tight turnaround. Meera being conceived at or shortly after the tourney at Harrenhal fits more comfortably into the timeline.

Ashara is widely agreed to have conceived a daughter at the tourney at Harrenhal. Various theories suggest nearly every man present at the tournament as the child's father. The quiet and unassuming Howland was rarely considered as a serious contender, especially with womanizers like Robert Baratheon and Brandon Stark also on the list. But there's really no reason why Howland couldn't be the father.

"The crannogman saw a maid with laughing purple eyes dance with a white sword, a red snake, and the lord of griffins, and lastly with the quiet wolf... but only after the wild wolf spoke to her on behalf of a brother too shy to leave his bench."

Meera, A Storm of Swords, Bran II

Meera tells Bran a story tourney at Harrenhal, a story her father Howland told her. The story includes an oddly specific list of Ashara's dance partners, suggesting Howland was watching her very closely. This could be less of a political story and more of a how-I-met-your-mother story.

"The quiet wolf had offered the little crannogman a place in his tent that night,"

Meera, A Storm of Swords, Bran II

If Ashara and Howland hooked up in said shared tent, and Ashara was later spotted leaving said tent, this could explain the mainstream rumor is that Ashara and Ned were a thing.

Dornish inheritance

Meera and Jojen are first introduced as: "The Lady Meera of House Reed, with her brother, Jojen, of Greywater Watch." Meera is the one who leads the oath fealty. While not explicitly stated, Meera certainly acts like she, not Jojen, is their father's heir. If true, this would be Dornish inheritance — exceptions are unheard of. Where could this come from, except for perhaps a proud Donishwoman marrying into House Reed and insisting on it?

Barristan

The theory also draws heavily on this quote, which Barristan Selmy says about Dany, but which is thought to perhaps actually be more about Ashara, whose memory he kind of projects onto Dany.

She wants fire, and Dorne sent her mud. You could make a poultice out of mud to cool a fever. You could plant seeds in mud and grow a crop to feed your children. Mud would nourish you, where fire would only consume you, but fools and children and young girls would choose fire every time.

Barristan Selmy, A Dance with Dragons, The Discarded Knight

The name Jyanna

The name Jyanna seems to be a mashup of the names Jon + Lyanna, perhaps suggesting that she was involved in that somehow.