Dyelin Taravin
Author: Estyrien al'Halien
General
Lady Dyelin is the High Seat of the House Taravin of Andor (WH, Prologue). She is one of the most powerful nobles in Andor (LoC, Ch. 28). Her father was killed when she was 15 and so Dyelin became High Seat. Since then she has commanded her forces to victory against Murandian and Altaran raiders (CoT, Ch. 13).
Dyelin supports Elayne for the Lion Throne even though several powerful nobles- Arathelle, Aemlyn, Ellorien, Pelivar, and Luan- believe that she herself should be queen (TPoD, Ch. 28). When minor nobles proclaimed for her in Aringill, Dyelin had two of them hung for treason against Elayne and others flogged. When news that Colavaere had been crowned reached Andor, Lady Naean and Lady Elenia both tried to claim the throne but Dyelin had them arrested for treason. She was then named Regent until Elayne returned to claim the throne (ACoS, Ch. 7). When Elayne arrived in Caemlyn Dyelin was the first to greet her and she told Elayne of her support (TPoD, Ch. 28). She tried to help Elayne cement her claim by bringing four houses- Mantear, Haevin, Gilyard, and Northan- to her side (CoT, Ch. 13).
Dyelin has golden hair streaked with grey and lines at the corners of her eyes (TPoD, Ch. 28). She is quite beautiful and has a strong face (LoC, Ch. 16; CoT, Ch. 13).
Timeline
- 999 NE: Dyelin meets Rand in the Royal Palace to discuss Andor (LoC, Ch. 16).
- 999 NE: Dyelin, along with Aemlyn, Arathelle, Ellorien, Luan, and Pelivar, meet with Rand. He tells them that Elayne is on her way to Caemlyn. They are doubtful. Rand dismisses them when Min arrives (LoC, Ch. 41) .
- 999 NE: Dyelin meets with Kairen Stang, who implies that only she can help ensure the return of Elayne (LoC, Ch. 43).
- 1000 NE: Dyelin is made Regent for Elayne after news of Colavaere's coronation reached Andor, and other nobles tred to take the throne. She had them arrested (ACoS, Ch. 7).
- 1000 NE: Dyelin greets Elayne in the Grand Hall of the Royal Palace and informs her that she supports House Trakand but many of the other nobles support Dyelin (TPoD, Ch. 28).
- 1000 NE: Dyelin talks to Elayne about the Queen's Guard (WH, Prologue).
- 1000 NE: Dyelin is injured defending Elayne when Darkfriends try to kill her (WH, Ch. 9).
- 1000 NE: Dyelin and Reanne are sent by Elayne on a mission to drum up support among undecided Houses (CoT, Ch. 11).
- 1000 NE: Dyelin brings the High Seats of four Houses to Caemlyn (CoT, Ch. 13).
- 1000 NE: Dyelin is off negotiating with the High Seats of uncommitted Houses (KoD, Ch. 14).
- 1000 NE: Dyelin returns to the Royal Palace (KoD, Ch. 16) .
- 1000 NE: Dyelin believes she may have convinced Aemlyn, Arathelle, and Pelivar that she doesn't want the throne and that Luan and Abelle may be swaying towards Elayne (KoD, Ch. 17).
- 1000 NE: Dyelin is sent to hold off Arymilla's attack on the Far Madding Gate by Birgitte, who was organizing a rescue party for Elayne (KoD, Ch. 32).
- 1000 NE: Dyelin announces to Elayne that she has published her support for her, while Elayne holds an audience with High Seats Abelle, Aemlyn, Arathelle, Ellorien, Luan, and Pelivar. When Dyelin tells them she has published her support for Elayne, all but Ellorien acquiesce and throw in their support as well (KoD, Ch. 35).
- 1000NE: After Elayne takes the throne, she stays in the palace and attends the performance of The Marriage and Death of Princess Walishen (ToM, Ch. 19).
- 1000NE: Elayne asks her to find the Cairhienin nobles who could be a threat to her (ToM, Ch. 45).
- 1000NE: When Elayne learns Morgase is alive, she asks Dyelin to let her allies know (ToM, Ch. 45).
- 1000NE: She is present when Elayne strips houses Sarand, Marne, and Arawn of titles and estates (ToM, Ch. 50).
Relationships
Dyelin supported Morgase for the throne during the last Andoran War of Succession (TPoD, Ch. 28). She is also Morgase's cousin (TDR, Ch. 47).
Elayne was suspicious of Dyelin when she was newly returned to Caemlyn; she thought that Dyelin wanted to take the throne (TPoD, Ch. 28). However, Dyelin nearly died defending Elayne when Darkfriends attacked her (WH, Ch. 9). After that Elayne believes that she is loyal (WH, Ch. 10).
Dyelin and Birgitte do not like each other and don't agree on anything. Dyelin knows that Birgitte is lying about her past but doesn't know anything more than that (WH, Prologue).
Dyelin is bemused that Elayne adopted Aviendha as her first sister (CoT, Ch. 13).
Dyelin continues as one of Elayne's most trusted advisers after Elayne takes the throne (ToM, Ch. 11).
Miscellaneous
Dyelin was a child when Tigraine left Andor (LoC, Ch. 16).
Dyelin likes to wear a pin depicting Taravin's Oak and Owl (CoT, Ch. 13).
Dyelin and Arendor of House Haevin are the same age (CoT, Ch. 13).
Quotes
As she went on, Dyelin began to laugh. Elayne wished she knew whether it was from delight over her plans or because Dyelin saw her own path to the Lion Throne being made smooth. (Elayne about Dyelin; The Path of Daggers, Chapter 28)
The High Seat of House Taravin was a proud woman altogether. Grey streaked her golden hair and fine lines webbed the corners of her eyes, yet her face was strong, her gaze level and sharp. Her mind was a razor. Or maybe a sword. A plainspoken woman, or so it seemed, who did not hide her opinions. (Elayne about Dyelin; Winter's Heart, Prologue)
Elayne had never read of any queen being forced onto the throne- That sort of thing might not have made it into the histories in any case- yet Aemlyn, Arathelle and Pelivar seemed willing to try, and not for hope or power for themselves. Dyelin did not want the throne, but she would hardly be a passive ruler. (Elayne about Dyelin; Crossroads of Twilight, Chapter 14)