I need to apologise for the lack of updates since November. I went on a five week holiday and I have been focusing on trying to get a job so I just put off updating for a while.

Sorry for any mistakes in the chapters, thank you for the reviews and for reading this fanfic. I really appreciate the support that I have been given for this story.

So enjoy the chapter!


VII

ARIANNE

ROLLING over to the opposite side of the bed, Arianne frowned when she hit a warm body. That was not her plan, that was not what she wanted. Pushing herself up, she looked over to the person who was lying down beside her and found some relief that it was Tyene lying beside her rather than a man. Still, Arianne did not like sharing her bed with anybody. She preferred to be sprawled across it, with the ability to move and not have someone attached to her. It was what bothered her about men, who wanted to cuddle her after they had sex.

That was not what she wanted.

"Tyene," Arianne hissed as she reached across, shoving at her cousin. Tyene did not move. Rolling her eyes, Arianne pulled off the sheets to reveal Tyene's body in a night dress.

Which was considerate as usually her cousin slept in the nude.

Rising her arm, Arianne brought her hand down right onto the ass of her cousin. It was a loud smacking sound, a harsh crack that echoed through the room. Immediately Tyene shot up, reaching over to grasp her ass as she let out a loud cry and turned over to look at her cousin. Through teary blue eyes, she stared up at Arianne who was hissing, shaking her hand back and forth to get rid of the throbbing pain that was now in her hand.

"Arianne," Tyene complained. "Why would you do that? It hurts!"

"Why did you sneak into my bed?" Arianne demanded, glowering at her. "Your chambers are further down the hall."

"I was tired and wanted to speak with you, but you were sound asleep," Tyene was still rubbing her ass. "I did not think you would mind. But obviously you did."

"And I thought you were into getting your ass smacked," Arianne raised a brow. "But I see you cannot take it."

Tyene pushed her blonde hair away from her eyes and rolled them. "I am not often woken up to someone smacking my ass, but do it again," she wiggled it.

"Get out," Arianne could not help but laugh. She reached over and grasped one of her pillows, bringing it over her head only to smack it down on her cousin.

"I am going!" Tyene squealed as she quickly slipped from the bed. "Do you want this?" She asked as she motioned to the night dress that was almost see-through. Arianne often used it when she invited a man to her chambers who was unsure whether or not he wished to be seduced by her.

"You can keep it," Arianne waved her hand at her cousin. "I do not think I want it now that it has been on the body of a whore."

"A whore!" Tyene snorted, "It is not as if you can talk cousin! Still trying to seduce Ser Arys? I would think the rejection would be getting to you by now."

Arianne glowered at her cousin. "Get out!" The rejection was getting to her, it was badly bruising her ego and she spent most of her time attempting to seduce the knight. He did not appear interested, he ignored her attempts and did not once look at her breasts when she almost, accidentally, exposed them in front of him. He seemed immune to her charms, and it was bad. It was starting to make her feel unwanted, and it was bothersome.

Soon after her cousin had left the room laughing, Arianne's maids entered. "Your bath has been drawn, Princess," one of the maids said, curtsying as Arianne turned to them.

"Thank you, Bela," she said to the young woman. "I think I will wear one of my blue gowns today. The more skin showing, the better."

"If that is your request," Bela turned to the two young women behind her. The two of them nodded, hurrying into Arianne's wardrobe to collect the dress she had requested.

She then went into the adjoining bathing chambers where a steaming bath was prepared in the deep tub. Arianne dropped her night dress and moaned as she sank into the bath. It was there where she began to scrub herself, reaching over to bath herself in essential oils and run them through her hair. She relaxed against the side of the bath, a smile on her face as she looked toward the open window that allowed her to look out at the sea that lapped against the shore of Sunspear and the dock with the ships that gathered.

"Princess," Bela said, and Arianne turned her head. "Is this dress acceptable?"

It was less of a dress, more a scrap of silk. "Perfect," she could not help but smirk. She was on a mission to seduce Arys Oakheart, and she would get him with that dress and her own seduction skills.

Once her bathing was done, she was dried and then her hair was placed up in a towel. She stepped into the dress and smirked at herself when she saw herself in the glass screen. The dress really was a scrap, that showed off most of her breasts and most of her legs. It also revealed her back, only with gold chains hanging down to keep the material together. If she did not manage to seduce the man in such a dress, she doubted that he would even be interested in women.

Her hair was dried and styled, her dark inky curls hanging down. Only half of her hair was hung up, pinned back and she leaned forward to draw a line of kohl around her eyes. She even made sure her lips were plumper by placing a sticky oil substance on them.

"Is this acceptable enough to seduce a man?" She asked as she turned around to face her maids.

"The man would be a fool not to give in to you, Princess," one of the young women complimented, cheeks flushing as her eyes strayed for too long on the Princess's bosom.

"I am afraid he is very much a fool," Arianne muttered as she stared at herself. Then she turned, headed out the bathing chambers and back into her own chambers where she slid her feet into some sandals and headed toward the door. "We are finished here, yes?" She asked, turning to face the maids as she stood by the door.

"Yes, Princess," Bela nodded.

"Good," Arianne rolled back her shoulders. "Because I must see a man about… something," she muttered and, in her determination, left her chambers in an effort to find Ser Arys and finally seduce him.

"Sister," Trystane's voice cried and she stopped as soon as she came to the dining hall. He was smiling at her. She was not particularly close with any of her brothers, choosing to spend more of her time with her cousins. But her brother seemed genuinely relieved and excited to see her. That had Princess Arianne pausing, gazing at her brother as he stared at her.

Beside him Princess Myrcella sat dutifully, shoulders back with her hands on her lap. Her golden curls were left loose in a Dornish style. She was very beautiful, Arianne thought as she strode closer to the table and placed her hands on the back of a chair. But Princess Myrcella Baratheon was not the one she was interested in, she wanted the Princess's knight who appeared nowhere to be seen. That left her feeling disappointed, but she had to eat so she pulled back her seat and sat down slowly.

"Is there something you wished to discuss with me, Trystane?" She asked as she poured herself some wine and looked at her brother.

"A letter arrived from Father," Trystane nodded. "It is addressed to you."

"Oh, good," she replied quietly. "A letter from Father, I wonder what he demands of me this time?"

Silence fell over the table. It was a rather awkward silence as Trystane loved their father and did not understand why she hated him so. Princess Myrcella was naturally quiet and did not give her opinions, she was raised to be a proper lady and Arianne found it boring. She wished the girl had some sort of personality – to throw a tantrum, have an attitude or to at least do something. But for some reason she did not, she was perfectly content, and it made Princess Arianne incredibly uncomfortable around the girl.

"Are you not going to read it?" Trystane asked as he noticed his sister placed the letter underneath her plate.

"I will read it later," she answered. "Did he write you a letter?"

"No," Trystane shook his head. "But he does not need to write me a letter."

"Of course not," Arianne pressed her lips together. "Why do you not show Princess Myrcella the beach today? I am sure she will love it."

"Of course," Trystane grinned. "But we must wait for Ser Arys and my guards, they are sparring down at the training ground with Obara and Nymeria."

"Are they?" A glint appeared and Arianne's eyes. She rose from her seat, "Excuse me."


The humidity seemed to rise as Arianne made her way outside and down the steps of the keep. Her guards followed her closely, as did her ladies as she made her way toward where the men and women trained. The sound of metal was exciting as she rounded the corner and let her lips part as she gazed upon Ser Arys sparring her two cousins. The two of them were going hard on him, who must have been sweating under that heavy, hot armour. It had to be cumbersome.

"Princess Arianne," one of the soldiers nodded at her when he noticed her presence. "Have you come to join us?"

"No," she smiled. "You and I both know my talents do not lie in weaponry." She smiled as her eyes trailed over him. "How is the knight doing?"

"Rather well," the soldier let his eyes roam inappropriately over his princess. "But I do believe Obara and Nymeria are going easy on him."

"Yes, they are," she could see that as the two of them danced away from his attempts. They were trying to tire him out, then they would go in for the killing blow.

"Princess Arianne!" A rather cheery voice came from behind her and Arianne turned her head quickly, gazing at the man who was coming toward her.

"Ser Daemon," she blinked at him in surprise. "You have returned from Godsgrace."

"Yes, I am to meet with your uncle," Daemon rolled back his shoulders. "I am to be one of his companions to attend the wedding of Joffrey Baratheon and Lady Margaery Tyrell."

Arianne rose her eyebrows, "That has gone through? That is rather surprising, I had not thought such a thing would occur."

"Those Tyrells are an ambitious lot, according to my father," Daemon grinned at her. He then reached out, touching her cheek briefly and she closed her eyes in the comfort it brought her. "It seems such a shame that I will miss out on watching you attempt to seduce the big oaf."

Arianne opened her eyes and grinned up at her friend and long-time lover. "I am sure you will have much more fun with my uncle in King's Landing. Part of me wishes I could go, but I know that Uncle and Father would never allow such a thing."

"You are much too hot tempered," Daemon agreed. "You would say the wrong thing and be killed. You do not want to end up like Lord Eddard Stark, Arianne, you are much too beautiful."

"And my father is much too old and crippled to wage war," she agreed as she nodded her head. She gazed up at her friend, "Do try to seduce Queen Cersei, Daemon, that would greatly amuse me."

"I do not believe she would want to lay with a dirty, Dornish bastard," he sneered. "But I will try to the best of my abilities, for you, my Princess."

Suddenly she grasped his hand that he slipped away, and she pressed a kiss to the back of it. "Visit my chambers before you leave," she requested.

"If you insist," he smirked at her but then nodded to Ser Arys Oakheart. "But I would be careful with your flirtations, Princess. If you are not careful Ser Arys will not want to lay with you if you continue to flirt with others."

"Perhaps," she then frowned. "But I do not want to change who I am."

"Then how do you expect to seduce him?"

"He will give in to me, eventually," but she sounded much more unsure of herself.

Silence fell over the two of them and she looked over to Ser Arys Oakheart who was thrown onto his back. Obara was pointing a spear at his privates and Nymeria was laughing, her head thrown back as she held her stomach. Her older cousin nodded, moving away from the man who huffed and pushed himself to his feet. He nodded at the two women, offering them his hand which they both rejected. The two Sand Snakes turned, heading away from Ser Arys pushed his fingers through his hair and turned his head.

He stared right at Arianne who could not help but smirk at him. The man straightened his shoulders and turned from her quickly.

"If I did not know any better I would say you are affecting him, Princess," Daemon said from beside her, observing Ser Arys who was hurrying away.

"I would have to agree," she smirked. "I do believe it is not going to be so difficult."

"I wish you luck," Daemon came to rest his hand on her shoulder. "I would recommend you head after him. He's riled up, perhaps he'll take you against the wall in the armoury."

Arianne shivered, "Do not tease me, Daemon."

The two of them left each other, Arianne following after Ser Arys and Daemon heading off somewhere else. Arianne made sure to keep her movements quick, until she got to the armoury and watched as Ser Arys removed his armour. She leaned against one of the wall, arms crossed over her chest to make her breasts pop out more. She smirked, watching as his bare back was removed. It excited her as he was large and strong, much larger than her short frame.

"Ser Arys," she purred.

He turned to her quickly, dropping his armour to the ground with a clang. "Princess Arianne," he cleared his throat. "Do you need help?"

"I do need help," she said as she strode forward, closer to him with her hips swaying. "I was hoping that you would help me."

"Of course, anything," his cheeks were colouring as he kept his eyes on her eyes. "Please allow me to dress and I will help you."

"You do not require clothes," she said as she came even closer to him. He backed up away from her, "In fact, if you do not wear any I would prefer that."

"P-Princess," Ser Arys Oakheart stepped back suddenly, blinking at her rapidly.

"Ser Arys," she moved even closer. "You cannot possibly believe that this was not what I came for. I have been pursuing you in such a way that must have become obvious to you."

"Princess..." the knight shook his head quickly, "This is entirely inappropriate."

"It is not inappropriate," she assured him with a smirk, moving even closer. She did not touch his body, but she noticed how tense he was, and he was moving to back up against the back of the wall.

"Y-yes," he gasped out as he stared at her. "You should not be speaking to me in such a way. You are a princess and deserve much better."

"Do not speak to me on what I deserve, Ser Arys," she rolled her eyes. "You are what I want."

"This is entirely inappropriate," he gasped out, shock in his system as he attempted to turn away from her.

"But it is not," she urged him. "There is nothing wrong with what you are feeling," Arianne finally placed her hand on his arm and he flinched, jerking back from her and leaving her hand dangling in the air.

"Excuse me," he said suddenly, shoving passed her. Arianna stumbled as the man hastened out of the armoury and she stared at him.

"I cannot believe…" she whispered as she stared at the open door.

"Arianne," someone said, and she turned to look at Obara who was smirking, arms crossed over her chest. "I guess your plan is not going well."

"Quiet," Arianne snapped. "I thought it would work."

"Your seduction needs to be a lot better," Obara shrugged her shoulders. "Because you are not going to get him in the typical way, Princess Arianne." Obara's voice was mocking and it bothered Arianne.

She scowled at her cousin, turning suddenly to head out of the armoury. The embarrassment was awful, her hands shook as she headed away from the armoury and back to the keep. The sun was hot in her back and her body was hotter, she would need Daemon in the night as he would be able to get rid of her pent-up energy that had come from being rejected by Ser Arys. She wished the large knight would forget their difference in status and his vows, that he would take her.

But he was too weak to do so.

Once she got inside the keep, she ordered for wine and she went to stand on the balcony. There she spotted Princess Myrcella Baratheon and her brother Trystane playing together. The two of them were laughing happily, Myrcella squealing as Trystane splashed water at her from the fountain. It made Arianne feel worse, she clenched her hands tight around the railing of the balcony as she stared down at the two of them. It was not a good thing in her opinion, that Myrcella and Trystane were together, a Lannister had no place in Dorne.


"Princess Arianne! Princess Arianne!" Someone cried loudly, and she frowned, turning over to look at the person running frantically toward her.

"Is there an issue?" She demanded of the stout, balding man in front of her who seemed to be having an attack of some sort.

"It appears a letter was lost," the man said, breathing frantically. "Lady Allyria Dayne has arrived on the shores of Sunspear and she is coming this way!"

"Lady Allyria Dayne?" That was curious, Arianne's brows rose. The girl had not left Starfall in all her years, she had been keeping it safe for her nephew.

"Yes!" The man cried, "The letter must have been lost but she claims your cousin insisted she come here!"

"My cousin? Which one?"

"Sarella!" The man sobbed as he reached up to cover his eyes with his hands. "Many apologies, Princess. We have not prepared a space for her and you did not know she was arriving."

"I do not mind," she waved her hand. "I admit I am rather curious about her arrival. Send her to me as soon as she is washed up from her trip, I would very much like a chance to get to know her."

The man looked as if he wanted to be swallowed up by the ground beneath him. But he quickly nodded and turned, hurrying away from Princess Arianne who left to find her cousins. It was the least she could to have them with her, but she would also need to have her brother and his betrothed with her. Straightening her shoulders back, Arianne went on the hunt for servants who would collect all the people she asked for. She then headed to one of the large parlour rooms where she would meet with Lady Allyria Dayne.

"Why did you demand my presence?" Tyene asked as soon as she moved into the room, stopping to pour herself some wine and then seating herself across from her cousin.

"Because," Arianne looked up as her brother, Princess Myrcella, Obara and Nymeria filed into the room. "Lady Allyria Dayne has arrived in Sunspear."

"And that requires us…?" Nymeria motioned to herself and her sisters, her brows raised.

"Because Sarella apparently urged the girl to come," Arianne leaned forward to pull off a grape and pop it in her mouth.

"Sarella went to Starfall?" Obara snorted, "She said nothing of the sort to us, or even to Father."

"I would like you all to be here when I greet her," she looked straight to her brother. "You must be here to greet new arrivals to Sunspear."

"I know this," he answered her quietly. "I would like to meet Lady Allyria."

"Good," Arianne placed her hands together. "We will all make her feel welcome."

"Of course, when do we ever make someone feel unwelcome?" Tyene asked suddenly, stretching out across the lounge she was seated on.

"All the time," came Trystane's smart response and the three older women turned to the young boy.

It was then that laughter broke out among the room. But it was soon broken up by the clearing of a throat, Arianne turned her head to the door way where one of her servants stood. She made no effort to move, she was the Princess of Dorne, after all. She watched as the servant stepped to the side and looked directly at her, before clearing his throat.

"The Lady Allyria Dayne," the man announced and the girl of six and ten stepped into the room.

Appraisal broke out in the room as they took in the girl's appearance. She was very beautiful, Arianne had to commend. Her skin was paler than Arianne's, Trystane's and the Sand Snakes' skin, but it was darker than that of Princess Myrcella. Long black curls fell from her hair and came to a stop at her waist, half of it was braided up with violets placed in her hair. The violets matched the depth of her eyes and the violet colour of her dress that was loose and came to tie up around her neck. She wore little jewellery and she wore no makeup, but she was still a very stunning creature that was appreciated.

"Lady Allyria," Arianne motioned, "Please, come sit."

"Princess Arianne," Lady Allyria stumbled a little as she moved closer to her. "It is an honour to meet you."

"Oh," Arianne said nothing more as she sipped her wine.

Lady Allyria took a seat beside Tyene who smiled at her and introduced herself, "I am Tyene Sand."

"Sarella's sister?" Allyria asked and received a nod, "It is lovely to meet you also."

"Then you must know these are my older sisters, Nymeria and Obara," Tyene motioned to the two who sat beside her. Nymeria sent a sultry smirk that she used to seduce, Obara only nodded.

"And this is Prince Trystane," Arianne motioned to her brother who grinned at the older girl. "And Princess Myrcella."

"Myrcella Baratheon?" Allyria peered at the girl curious, a little surprised. "I did not know that the Princess was sent to Dorne."

"She is betrothed to Prince Trystane," Tyene explained kindly.

"She is to repair the broken relationship between the Lannisters and Dorne," Arianne replied carelessly. She waved her hand but nodded at Myrcella, "I would say that she is doing quite a fine job. Would you agree, Trystane?"

"Yes, sister," the prince turned to look at his betrothed who smiled and blushed.

"What brings you to Sunspear?" Nymeria suddenly pressed Lady Allyria.

"Your sister urged me to consider," Allyria admitted as she rubbed her hands together. "And I must agree, it is rather beautiful here. And she was right, I do not regret the fact that I left Starfall. It was very lonely, I am happy to be able to spend my time here."

"And we are happy to welcome you," Arianne rose to her feet. "Would you like me to show you around the palace?"

"That would be wonderful, thank you Princess Arianne."