Shaera Velaryon was born on Hightide in 261 AC, the only living daughter of her parents. She was a defiant child, spending more time among the docks and shipyards than practicing her etiquette. She took to sailing naturally and quickly earned herself the moniker 'The Little Sea Snake', taking after her famous ancestor. Though of Valyrian blood, Shaera was denied the hand of Rhaegar Targaryen (owing to the fact that she was suggested by Tywin Lannister when Aerys refused to betroth his son to Tywin's daughter, Cersei.), much to the chagrin of her brother, Lord Lucerys. This slight did not hurt Shaera's feelings, who had long since sworn never to marry. 

Lady Velaryon quickly changed her tune in 279 AC, however, when she married her distant cousin, Ser Daeron Velaryon. Rumors say it was to cover the fact that Shaera was already pregnant with her son, Corlys, who would be born in 280 AC (and who's father was not Ser Daeron). Regardless, the marriage was a happy one, and Shaera gave Daeron two more children, Daella in 281 AC and Jacaera in 283 AC. 

Following the death of her brother during the assault on Dragonstone, Lady Velaryon swore allegiance to the newly crowned King Robert, bending the knee along with her nephew, Lord Monford Velaryon. It was no secret that Lady Shaera disliked the king however, refusing to send her children as wards and companion to Robert and Cersei's children and often remaining absent from court celebartions. After Robert's Death in 298 AC, Shaera took the opportunity to steal away to Essos, along with half of her personal fleet, her husband, and her children. 

Travelling across the Dothraki sea, Shaera pledged her sword and her ships to King Viserys, though it is said she had always favored his sister, Daenaerys. When the Khaleesi came to power, Lady Velaryon was quick to offer her more than she had given her brother. It was there her husband, Ser Daeron, perished on the journey to Qarth. Despite this, Shaera remained steadfast in her loyalty to Daenaerys, only departing from her service when her nephew Monford was slain in the Battle of Blackwater Bay. 

With her nephew and husband dead, Lady Velaryon returned to Driftmark with her daughter Daella, leaving her other children Corlys and Jacaera behind in Essos. There she declared herself her great nephew Monterys's guardian and regent, claiming the title of Lord of the Tides and Master of Driftmark for herself until the six year old lordling came of age.