Elaenya never liked living in Dragonstone, it was amusingly shabby for her liking. She blamed it on the salty winds that made the castle damp and soggy but she knew it was also because of the lack of people, that it was so lifeless. For a girl living amidst guards and a septa in the Blackwater she had been jubilant. Elaenya made the best out of the smallest of things provided to her and her favourite hobby had been reading people. Septa Lorraine had filled the young princess' head with tales of knights, dragons and mighty rulers which made the Targaryen believe that every person she came across had a story of their own, and that it was her sole duty to discover those tales to judge their character. She had grown close to the Targaryen guards who were posted at the castle. Hence when a raven arrived from King's Landing, requesting for Elaenya's presence in the royal court, the men grieved at the loss of her presence in the lifeless corners of Dragonstone.

The faithful day of her departure arrived soon and Elaenya was terrified. Her feet trembled as she walked to the beaches.

Infront of her stood a boat. It wasn't very regal and her septa scoffed at the sight of it's primitive condition.

"What a nuisance! Is this how a princess should arrive, with this waste of a boat and a few drunken ferrymen?"

Elaenya let out a short chuckle as she looked at the two grumpy men sitting on the boat, waiting for her to hop in.

"Considering the fact that my father never visited me, it seems well enough" Elaenya sighed, septa Lorraine opened her mouth to console the Princess but was cut off by a sweet voice.

"Father is a fool. He doesn't know of my sister's worth"

Elaenya gasped at the sound of the voice, she turned around to see her older brother standing with his arms folded on his chest and his chin held high. His silver hair blew with the breeze and his violent eyes held a glint of mischief. Elaenya's felt her chest unable to control the happiness and the shock bubbling up, so the young Targaryen ran up to embrace her dear brother. Rhaegar kissed her forehead and held her tighter as though she'd disappear in thin air, any second.

"I have missed you Rhaegar" she mumbled into his chest

"And I, you" the prince sighed.

Elaenya looked at her brother with weary eyes.

"Your last visit was many moons ago. You had said-"

"That I'd take you back and here I am, keeping my word. I apologise for having taken too long Elaenya, but these disputes in the capital have stripped me of my relief. I wish I could have come sooner" Rhaegar cupped Elaenya's face and noticed tears forming in her deep violet eyes.

Elaenya couldn't hold her emotions back. She had spent, what seemed like an eternity trapped in a godforsaken castle at the centre of a sea, for no particular reason. Eventhough she lived a content life, she never lived a happy one. The loneliness seemed to chew through her soul, and her longing to meet her family had made it worse. Rhaegar felt her remorse, his sister had been burdened for far too long, so he let her sob on his chest.

"You-you could have come sooner. I was so lonely Rhaegar" she cried.

"Hush, little sister. Every thing will be alright from now. I will take care of you" he whispered and wiped the tears off of her face.

Septa Lorraine was awestruck at the emotional reunion that unfolded infront of her. Had she known of the dearth of connections the Princess faced, she would have shipped her off to the capital immediately. But the young girl was too tight lipped for her own good, and the septa hoped that her this nature would soon be demolished once she entered the nobility.

The siblings soon broke away and Rhaegar ordered the ferrymen to prepare for the journey.

"Arthur, you are coming on our boat" he stated and the knight, Elaenya had failed to notice, nodded and walked towards them.

"Princess" he said in a gruff yet melodic voice.The knight wore a Kingsguard armour and Elaenya's eyes widened at his manners when he held out his hand and assisted her to the boat.

"We will reach before the sun sets" Arthur said and Rhaegar nodded, he sat beside Elaenya while Arthur had taken a seat right opposite to them.

"What of Septa Lorraine?" Elaenya enquired in a hushed tone as she leaned towards Rhaegar.

"Do not fret, we bought another boat" Rhaegar smiled. Elaenya looked around her to see the vast sea and felt her breath get caught in her throat. She had never seen the sea in this angle, it's beautiful mesmerized Elaenya who felt that she was drifting in the wind.

When the Princess had stopped marveling at the beauty of the seas she once loathed, her gaze fell on the knight who sat silently, while her brother discussed some important matters with him. He barely spoke more than two words. Elaenya studied the man, he too had violet eyes lole hers but he was tanned while she was pale, he had a strange drawl in his accent and she couldn't understand where he hailed from.

Rhaegar caught her sister scrutinizing his best friend, who was clearly uncomfortable with the stares the young Targaryen was giving him. Rhaegar let out a short laugh.

"You'll burn a hole in his armour, if you continue to stare like that" he whispered. Elaenya's ceeks reddened, her curiosity to know about Arthur had created an awkward situation.

"I wasn't staring" she mumbled as she continued to play with the stray threads of her dress. Rhaegar finally cleared his throat.

"This is ser Arthur Dayne of Starfall" he continued

"The greatest swordsman in the seven kingdoms, yet I beg to differ" a smirk formed on the Prince's face

"You're too kind my prince" Arthur mocked, rolling his eyes at Rhaegar's sarcasm.

"My friend here is humble. He doesn't like being praised"

"So you are from Dorne?" Elaenya asked suddenly. Arthur turned to the Princess who's haunting eyes bore into his.

"Indeed"

"I have always wanted to visit Dorne, I've heard it's beautiful" Elaenya smiled widely at the Knight.

"Aye, it is one of the most beautiful places in the seven kingdoms"

"I have heard stories about Starfall as well, is it true that the castle was built on a fallen star" the Targaryen asked with a hint of excitement in her voice, the dying rays of the sun made her violet orbs glow.

"There are many stories Princess, it is solely upon one accept it as facts, or as mere legends"

"The stories about Starfall and it's inhabitants are endless" Rhaegar interjected

"House Dayne is one of the oldest houses of Westeros, to know it's past, one has to spend an entire afternoon in the library"

Elaenya giggled, "of course, I do apologise Ser Arthur, for coming off as too foreward. I'm sure you'll tell me about Starfall and your house someday"

"Of course, Princess" He smiled weakly and Rhaegar began laughing.

Rest of the journey, Rhaegar spoke of bandits that had plagued the smallfolk of the capital and Elaenya listened ardently, wondering what starnge misgivings lay ahead of her. The capital sounded like a horrible place but Rhaegar had assured her of a comfortable stay. Soon the shores of King's Landing became prominent and Elaenya knew that she was about to step into a whole new world.