13/03/2025
By Herself, She Was Everything
Tywin Lannister’s infamous words—“By herself, Elia was nothing”—are among the cruelest ever spoken about her, made even worse by the fact that he was the one who ordered her death.
Elia Martell remains a largely unknown figure despite her crucial role in A Song of Ice and Fire. She was the wife of Rhaegar Targaryen, the sister of Doran and Oberyn, and the mother of Rhaenys and Aegon, yet we know little about her thoughts and feelings—especially during key moments like Harrenhal or Rhaegar’s departure with Lyanna Stark.
Elia was described as kind, intelligent, and warm-hearted. She was deeply connected to powerful figures, including her uncle, Prince Lewyn of the Kingsguard, and Arthur Dayne, Rhaegar’s closest friend. However, she was often judged for her delicate health and her inability to bear more children, a flaw in the eyes of a society that valued women for their fertility.
Her tragic fate—murdered alongside her children—became the driving force behind House Martell’s quest for vengeance. Doran Martell still mourns her, and the supposed survival of Aegon is met with skepticism and pain. Her death also shaped key political decisions, from Robert’s hatred of the Targaryens to Ned Stark’s eventual mercy toward Cersei’s children.
Despite being a figure shrouded in mystery, Elia’s legacy is undeniable. She was not nothing. Tywin Lannister’s words were a lie.
By herself, Elia Martell was everything.🧡
