Disclaimer: This is simply my opinion. I don’t claim to be an expert on anything by any means, and while I don’t ship this particular ship, I don’t look down on others who do, nor am I saying “don’t ship this” or “you are wrong to ship this.” These are just my thoughts on it, which I’m posting because I have been asked on more than one occasion to explain my viewpoint on the subject.
First of all, canonically, Dacey is in her mid-to-late 20s. Robb is 15. On a basic level, I don’t think that Dacey is interested in someone who is at least ten years her junior. For that reasoning, let me delve into….
What we know about Mormont women and sexuality:
- GRRM himself has said that we don’t even know if Maege has a husband. Even the Northerners who know her best call her Maege Mormont because they have no idea if she’s married. There may be multiple fathers of Maege’s daughters, with who-knows-what origin—and yet she rules as Lady of Bear Island (and is even admired by Catelyn Stark at one point). The North, as far as we know, accepts this, despite the fact that it would be unacceptable pretty much anywhere else—indicating that Bear Island is its own somewhat matriarchal society, where women have the freedom over their own sexual exploits, without too much fear of repudiation for their actions. (Or, more than not fearing, they just don’t care).
- Alysane Mormont is a prime example of this—she’s younger than Dacey (early 20s, likely) and has two children—including a nine year old, meaning she was probably 14 or 15 when she had her first child, out of wedlock. Yet post-ASOS, she is the heir to the island (and women inheriting is a deal in itself—to that end, I think the Mormonts can be compared to the Dornish, but that’s another post for another day), no questions asked.
Therefore, it’s safe to say that Dacey is likely not a maiden—having presumably grown up with relative sexual freedom compared to the rest of Westeros. A fifteen year old inexperienced boy is not going to hold much interest for her. In addition, her primary concern is protecting him as King and serving the North.
She’s proud of serving the North, proud of being part of the King’s Guard—it’s an honor for the North and for House Mormont. When she dances with the King at the Red Wedding, it’s out of pride and duty and even friendship—not, I don’t believe, desire. I think that she (and Maege and Aly) can be compared to a knight, even if she isn’t one in name and I see her in the same way that we see the other Northern warriors who support Robb. It’s telling that Maege is amongst the first to raise her mace when the Greatjon declares Robb the King in the North.
I think it’s interesting, too, that Catelyn mentally compares the Mormont women to Brienne of Tarth—a woman who does harbor romantic love for the king she protects—but that’s a different situation, and I’m not familiar enough with Renly and Brienne to make any deep sorts of comparisons or contrasts.
If I have to conclude this in some sort of fashion, I’d say, based on all of the above, I just don’t see why 15-year old Robb would appeal to a woman of her experience and I don’t think that as his sworn protector, her mind would even go there, therefore that is why I do not ship it.
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Why I don't ship Robb Stark/Dacey Mormont
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