Starfall was built right into a cliff in small bay on the eastern side of Dorne; the keep had stood as long as anyone could remember, perhaps as long as there had been men in Dorne. The Daynes, the current occupants of Starfall hoped to keep it that way. The past few years had been incredibly hard on the family; the building had changed little, however. It had all started with Robert's Rebellion, or the better known in these parts as the War of the Usurper.
There was a saying among the small folk and lords alike that you could flip a coin when a Targaryen was born; heads they are sane, tails they are not. Aerys had turned out spectacularly insane, making him both the mad king and the lost of the dragon lords. Starfall had been called to support Prince Doran Martell's banners and also the king's forces. The crown princess being a Martell by birth, but with Ser Arthur Dayne amongst the king's guard the men had had a great desire to fight alongside him too. Not that it had done either of them any good, Dorne and the Targaryen cause was lost and so to was the Sword of the Morning. Arthur's older brother Garlan was slain at the trident along with Lewin Martell and the Prince Rhaegar.
When the war was over one of the rebel lords had the decency to bring back their bones, and also house Dayne's ancestral valaryian blade Dawn, which Arthur had carried with him. Now, Lord Alban Dayne had only daughters left; the very beautiful Ashara, and the much younger Allyria who had been a surprised to everyone. But even this was not to last. Ashara, who had always seemed so strong behind those dark violet eyes, let her grief engulf her. The very afternoon Lord Stark left Starfall she climbed to her towers and jumped. Ashara had not screamed or cried out as she fell into the ocean; as such no one suspected anything for many hours. When there was no sign of her after dinner a search party was organized. It was Darrion, so of the steward who found the body. The boy had gone down to the caves beneath the keep, knowing the girl rather enjoyed the vast emptiness of the place and had perhaps gone in search some solace there. Ashara had been face down on a rock, her legs floating in the shallow water. Where skin was visible it was as white and even as milk. The sight left little doubt to whether the lady was alive, but Darrion did hope, he hoped against logic and reason, he hoped and he prayed to all the seven that the god's would save his lordship this tragedy.
He held her limp and lifeless body that was turning blue from the bruises of crashing against the rocks; the water had also swollen and distorted her features. In life she had been so beautiful, Darrion and some of the other boys used to daydream about her. Now he felt nothing but nausea and sadness. He began to cry as he waded through the caves trying to carry her back home.
Summer had come back in full force to Dorne then, but even in the stifling summer heat Darrion shivered. He was glad he had brought his cloak with him, though refused to thank those cruel gods. He tried to wrap her in it, concealing as much as he could, but there just wasn't enough cloth. He argued with himself about covering her face. "If I cover it," her, he silently chided himself, "they would be unprepared for what they would see. If I don't everyone between here and them will see, even Allyria." He decided to not risk inflicting that sight on a four year-old, Darrion gently brushed the hair off of Ashara's face; wet strands of it clung to his fingers. In life the tresses had been a rich brown with smooth large curls, now it was black, tangled and filled with flotsam from the sea.
He couldn't wait any longer, the Lord and Lady would need to know, and in truth would want too. When they were presented with yet another body they could not contain themselves any longer, they wept openly. Many people of the castle wept with them, Ashara had been loved by all who knew her.
Years passed and everything was done to give their only surviving child happiness, still the shadow of the losses sometimes loomed large over the small family. All too quickly eight name days had gone by and Allyria was almost a woman grown. She was strong curious and bright-eyed, the same color as her father and siblings before her. Allyria was smart and spent many joyous hours in library with the maester, who taught her about the noble houses and histories of Westeros. She even had a good hand for stitches, especially for her age, but rarely had the patience to sit still long enough to really accomplish something.
Another year passes, and so to did her mother. At thirteen Allyria became Lady of Starfall. Though her father was still there she did much more then he in the daily running of the keep.
Three more years and Allyria was a woman long since flowered, she had the same small waist and gracious hips her mother and sister had had. In fact, Allyria had become a very fine looking young woman with long blonde hair that fell mostly straight, she was an average height, being slightly taller then most of the regions women. As such there had been many offers for her head she knew, but her father had rejected them all. Lord Alban did not share his reasons for this, and Allyria did not ask. She suspected that he did not want her to marry and leave him, fearing being alone. Since she had no desire to leave either she lived as if completely ignorant, and it was rather blissful. Here, she was free and there was no man to order her about; Allyria did think favorably on having children, but not enough to desire some lord husband to order her about, telling her what to say do or wear.
The Lord and his daughter were sitting in the library near the fire place, it wasn't lit but that's just were the nicest chairs were located. It was peaceful in the large room, which looked over the yard and small forge of the keep. Allyria was sewing, repairing a small tear in a green riding dress. Allyria repaired almost all of her and her father's clothes and made a great deal of them as well, living her maids with much less to do then other ladies maids. She noticed her father staring rather intensely at her, a habit he had picked up after his wife's death.
The room was lit by the orange glow of the sunset, it was high summer and these were the longest days in Westeros' seasons. So even by nine the room was still light enough without any candles. The gentle light played on Allyria's hair making it seem almost silver in one moment and the next a right gold color. "Father," she whispered in a way that marked it as a question. A letter had come from the capital today with his name on it, though she was very curious Allyria decided against reading it.
"What do you know of the Lannisters?" he asked. It was a strange question for he knew as much as she did, probably more. Even with all of the maesters lessons. They passed a long look, as Allyria hoped the question would change, but it did not.
"They are the lord paramount of the westerlands, wardens of the west, and hold the ancestral seat of Casterly Rock, which is the richest in the entire realm, as it sits on a literal goldmine. Gold is even reflected in their coloring, tanned skin and blonde hair. Some have joked that the current lord Tywin is so cold and hard that he shits gold." Allyria couldn't help smirking knowing her father had an eyebrow cocked in disapproval without glancing to see him.
"And," he called back. And, she thought, what else was there to tell.
"The lions are proud; every house to slight their honor has been destroyed. From their banner men the Reynes or Tarbecks and even the Targaryens." Lord Alban cut her off, "the Targaryens are not destroyed. Allyria couldn't help but laugh out loud "the two in the narrow sea? Yes, they are a great match for Robert. They call the boy Viserys the beggar king." "Better a beggar king then a dead king." her father said. Her father had no forgiveness for the current king and had been sloppy in concealing that contempt. She was glad when he changed the subject, even if it was only to avoid being chastised by her.
"What of the heir?" he asked. The light had finally faded and it was to dark to just sit without candles. Servants entered quickly to light the rooms quickly, it took only a few seconds and they were gone again. "Tyrion is his name, I know next to nothing about him. He is a dwarf, they call him the imp though I am sure hates it. Of course he rather earns it frequenting brothels and taverns. I think he lives in Lannisport, beyond that I know not."
Alban was silent, perhaps finely satisfied. The evening air was full of chirping crickets and the songs of the areas sunbirds. The pine rocking chair creaked occasionally as Lord Alban sat in it. It gave one last low creak as he got up out of his seat walking towards her. In the candle light she looked much more like herself, though she still looked like an angel. Allyria was the lightest of all the Daynes; she had the classic coloring, violet eyes and milk white skin, but most of their line had brown or dark blonde. In the light of the setting sun her hair had looked silver but Alban was so thankful it wasn't, that her hair was to yellow and dark for that. He pulled into a close embrace, stroking her hair and wordlessly handed her the letter.
"It's past time for me to fulfill a promise; I think your daughter would be a good match for Lannister's heir. I ask that you come to Kings Landing so we can discuss some possible arrangements."
"He is kind enough to make it seem like a suggestion instead of a royal command," Allyria said after reading it, folding the letter back up rather nervously. "I suppose I will help the servants pack tomorrow, and we will need to reply. How long should I say? A month or is that two long." Allyria was talking fast trying to distract herself, to keep her mind of her soon to be forced marriage. She rushed towards the door continuing to occupy what little of her brain was still functioning.
"I won't make you marry him," her father said, snatching her hand as she passed him. "Oh papa," she kissed his temple, "one man is pretty much like the rest, no matter the size." She had tried to say it with a smile, convincing him that it really didn't change anything. It didn't work, perhaps because Allyria was scared; she wished that she had the ability to reassure herself.