ELAENYA WAS FURIOUS

when she left the Iron Throne Courtroom, stomping through the corridors. She didn't know what came over her.

Her silver hair was an entangled mess, due to the rough morning she had and her lilac dress was covered in dust. But it wasn't her disheveled appearance that made the girl so angry, especially since she never did have wrath bubbling inside her but the discussions that had taken place at that Courtroom seemed to make her blood boil.

Septa Lorraine had oft told her that it was very unladylike for a Princess to strom off without permission, yet she did.

Elaenya Targaryen defied her morals for the first time in her life and only gods knew of the satisfaction that filled the girl, as she smirked to herself. Yet then again, the mere remembrance of her brother's words made her palms curl into fists.

She needed no protector. She was a Princess among thousands of noblemen and knights!

She returned from Dragonstone to be free, a guardian meant that she'd loose it as well. But most of all she was disappointed at Arthur Dayne, the man who had told her to be a dragon but had still taken up the responsibility to guard her.

How could she be a dragon if she needed a pair of eyes constantly studying her every move? She had deemed him too honourable to be such a hypocrite.

Perhaps it'd been foolish of her to think they could actually be friends, without him treating her like a porcelain doll. She was fragile, yes. But she'd not be domineered upon.

Elaenya's fiery thoughts had occupied a good portion of her actions, that instead of heading to her chambers she stood at one of the balconies facing the Blackwater Bay. She breathed in her past, and feared for her future. The Kingswood Brotherhood scared her, yet there she was standing out in the open, hours after her ambush.

"Princess Elaenya! I have been looking all over for you" said a a chirpy voice, making Elaenya turn to face it's owner.

It was Mace Tyrell.

"Lord Tyrell" she said with a small smile, trying to subside her previous angers. "What brings you here?"

"I believe we left our previous conversation pending, princess" he stated with a mischievous glint in his eyes. Elaenya felt the need to empty the contents of her stomach at the man's demeanor.

"Yes of course" she cleared her throat.

What could she say?

Elaenya stammered. An agreement would lead to an unhappy marriage and a declination would result in incinerating tensions.

"I suppose it is an yes on your part" he said quickly, missing no scope for her to say otherwise and all Elaenya could do was nod in response, as her jaw hung loose.

The man squeaked in joy. Taking her hand, he kissed them in gratitude.

"I am grateful that I shall have such a beautiful by my side" Mace said. He looked so happy and Elaenya couldn't say a word, except to return a smile.

Where did the dragon go?

The same dragon that'd made her fume not mere moments ago had now vanished in thin air. Elaenya was but Elaenya, yet again. Complying against her wishes, like the proper princess she was.

"I am delighted as well, to hear such a news shines as a ray of hope during our harsh times " Rhaegar said, walking into the open with Arthur behind him.

"The honour is mine, Prince Rhaegar. Your sister is a rare woman"

"That she is" he smirked at Elaenya, who let out a nervous laughter as she struggles to gather her voice.

He pulled Mace into a hug, patting his back in pride.

"My father would be impressed to hear of such a beautiful alliance. It gives me no greater joy than, being provided the chance to join our two great houses" The prince chuckled and so did the southern warden, their heads rolled back as they acknowledged their new formed relationship.

Elaenya watched them as their rich chortle filled the air around them. The skies prepared to drift away into dusk, gesturing to new beginnings only, this time the princess didn't know whether this inception would be pleasant or dreary. She was glad that atleast Rhaegar was proud of her, if the marriage did bring about peace in his life, knowing that his only sister was in capable hands then she'd walk into the relationship happily.

All she wanted was to see joy in her brother's weary eyes.

"Ser Arthur, do take my sister to her chambers while I discuss certain important matters with Lord Tyrell" Rhaegar said as he took Elaenya's hand and squeezed it in assurance.

Arthur stepped forward, his eyes not meeting hers, making Elaenya groan in irritation.

He never looked at her, properly. Elaenya doubted that he'd even recognise her if she were to be lost.

Was she so unpleasant to the man's sight?

"Princess" he said, gesturing her to lead the way. Elaenya walked back inside the castle as Arthur walked beside her, making her notice that he was indeed far taller and broader than she'd inferred.

"You shouldn't have been outside, Princess. You nearly died this morning" he said, his tone laced with genuine concern, which began diffusing Elaenya's anger towards him.

"Yes. I happen to know that as well, Ser Arthur" she said, picking up her pace, her slippers clicking harshly against the marble underneath.

"Yet you do not care-" he said with a drawl, almost confused at her actions.

The girl stopped on her tracks and turned to face the knight.

"I would probably care if I didn't have a guard assigned to me. Now that I do, that is your responsibility" she said with a smile, almost mocking the man.

Before she could turn to leave, Arthur's voice halted her.

"Someone had to be there for you"

"It wasn't necessary!" She cried "Ser Arthur, you were the one to tell me that I should be brave and here when I am trying to be brave. You are snatching that one good chance away from me. How must I survive on the land if I cannot muster up courage and fight my perils?"

The Dornish knight took a deep breath, he'd never seen the girl in such contentious state. "You seemed to have taken, my words in a complete different sense. These things are matters of life and death, Princess. I cannot let your life dangle on loose threads, just because there weren't enough knights around you. It is my duty to protect you"

"Just your duty, Ser Arthur?"

Elaenya blurted out. She quickly cursed herself for being so forward. Gods knew what had come over her that day.

The knight shifted in his position and after, what seemed like ages he parted his lips to speak.

"It is the duty bounded to me by a sacred oath"

Of course.

Arthur Dayne was a stone, inexplicable from his honour and ignorant of his peer's latent emotions. Elaenya was now completely sure that the man was indeed dead, it was just his limp body walking around, while his soul was cold and flaccid.

She was a fool. He'd but emotionally comforted her for one night and there she was imagining an endearment she could never achieve. She'd extended her arm of friendship and he'd turned a blind eye to it.

"Alright" she said, "I have a few terms" her facade, stern as ever. She was going to do it his way.

"I am listening" he said with undeviated attention directed towards her.

"I wish to learn to wield a sword-"

"Not possible"

Elaenya raised her brow as Arthur sighed in defeat. The man had to do her bidding if he wished to continue serving her.

"Fine" he signed "As long as your brother doesn't get a whiff about it. We shall begin-"

"Tomorrow morning. That is when your duty shall begin Ser Arthur" she said quietly as her face broke into a genuine smile.

"I insist on staying at your doors tonight, my princess"

"I shall manage. Do not worry" she said with pleading eyes and Arthur couldn't help but agree with her.

Elaenya did not know why she'd asked the greatest Knight of the seven kingdoms to help a scrawny girl like her wield a sword. If she wished to be brave, it would be the first steps towards it. She needed to know how to defend herself, even if it meant making Ser Arthur regret his choices.

Elaenya had decided. She would be a dragon.

Arthur wasn't habituated to a scanty slumber. He was a man who wasn't easily woken up. It was one of the qualities that Rhaegar openly envied. He would laugh it off, but that night when he twisted and turned in his bed while sleep failed to grace his eyes, he knew the true meaning of fatigue.

"You look like you could use some sleep" Rhaegar said playfully, as he found his friend sitting in the gardens in his night clothes.

"Aye, I need it terribly"

Rhaegar sat down beside the Dornishman who stared at the brightest star in the sky which now faded with the young rays of the sun- that gave out the arrival of dawn.

"What is wrong?" The Prince's baritone was earnest, as his violet eyes watched the knight shift in his position.

"Mina" he breathed out, shutting his eyes tightly while his ears were greeted with Rhaegar's giggles.

"Poor girl, she's madly in love with you"

"She forgets that I am a sworn brother of the Kingsguard, these lewd associations are not my forte" he sighed.

"What does she need from you?" The Prince asked, smirking at his friend who was already flustered under the moonlight.

"Reciprocation. A terrible task for someone like me"

"Tsk. You poor man have never been in love" Rhaegar smiled weakly.

"A misfortune, I suppose"

Arthur Dayne had spent his early youth chasing after his ancestral sword and his manhood chasing after the King. He certainly had lovers one time in his life, but none of them could evoke a purer sentiment within him.

Love.

It was a distant dream, shielded by his absolutely unquestionable loyalty and the blinding luster of his hard earned distinction. If a woman was to break through, it'd truly be a great feat. He would be lying if he said he didn't want to be loved. He was a romantic in in youth, much like his sister, but he was no more a young lad. His knighthood had provided him, a boy belonging from a vessel house with opportunities that no one could wrap their heads around. But this same honour had taken away the mirth and liveliness he'd harboured long ago.

"Ser Gerold has been appointed to look into the outlaw issue" Rhaegar informed. Arthur nodded in response.

"He shall succeed. There is no better commander than him"

"Yes. It was father's choice, an epiphany he likes to say, but I believe that epiphany was Lord Tywin" Rhaegar and Arthur chuckled under the fading moonlight, like the old times. They were two noble men, burdened with the glory of their houses and their duties. Moments like these were utterly rare for both of them. Rhaegar had to preserve his house, while Arthur was tasked to represent his from a young age. It was their reality, a tragic one that they'd come to accept.

"I must go" the Dornish knight said, as the sky lightened for dawn "Your sister will call for me anytime now" he stood up to leave.

"Arthur" Rhaegar called out to the knight, making him freeze on his tracks, "You know that if you wish to court Lady Tyrell then you are permitted to, I won't consider you a lesser man. I just want you to be happy, if Lady Mina can provide you with that happiness then I shall gladly release you of your vows"

"Yes. I appreciate your concern, Rhaegar. Thank you" the knight said with a sad smile. His Prince was truely understanding, the knight knew that he'd make a great king. Unlike his father.

Arthur turned to leave Rhaegar all by his thoughts at the garden. He didn't wish to mull over Mina any longer, she'd dominated a good part of her life.

A good few hours later, Arthur emerged from his chambers donning his white cloak as he did, with the sword, Dawn by his side. He walked up to the princess's quarters that was located far east. Heavy steps and a heavy head made things worse for the man, he'd promised to sleep well that night but thoughts preoccupied his head. Thoughts that screamed to reflect his past actions and force him to regret about them.

He was much in daze, hence when he arrived at his desired location, he payed little attention to the netted blinds that shielded the area from a passersby's gaze. The knight stumble in.

"Pri-" the knight's breath hitched in his throat at the sight of Elaenya Targaryen.

She stood under the escaping rays of the sun that danced on her silver hair, illuminating it to the highest degree. She was drenched from head to toe and scantily clad in her underclothes, that clutched to her boy lining her stature.

Her naked back was exposed to the knight, who drew sharp breaths at the mere sight of it.

Look away.

His minds screamed at him, but his eyes wouldn't move. He felt like a lowly drunkard at a tarven.

But she looks so heavenly.

He thought to himself, a thought that made thousands sentiments run through his blood, Arthur cursed himself for such thoughts. He just hoped to walk out unnoticed. It was all he wanted.

He felt a pair of eyes on him. The man looked to his side to see his sister standing, with her hands folded to her chest. Her head shaking in disbelief.

"Arthur Dayne! You and I have things to talk about" Ashara screamed under her breath, making the great knight shudder under her violent gaze. Ashara Dayne was the only woman who made colours drain from the knight's face.

"I can explain"

"You better because this is the last place-"

Arthur could call it his sister's mistake. She was too loud. Loud enough to make the princess turn with a broad smile on her face.

"Ashara. I am glad you decided-" the girl shrieked when she perceived Arthur under the shadows as her hands went flying to cover her chest.

The knight was blushing a deep shade of red and so was she.

"Excuse my impertinence. I shall leave now" he said, lowering his head to leave, without taking a second glance at her.

He knew Ashara would be furious. He was furious with himself. Never in the thirty years of his life had he been unfortunate enough to be at such a delicate position with a woman.

How could he look into her eyes now, without feeling the need to hold her close? He wished to run his fingers through her pale white hair and wished to stare into her oceanic eyes and drown in them.

Arthur was disgusted with himself. It was wrong for him to feel these things for her, she was his Princess and there he was filled with lust.

He was lusting after a woman who was already betrothed !

Before he could drown further in self loathing and repentance, Lewyn Martell rushed to his side shaking him out of his long daze.

His eyes were filled with great weightiness.

"Ser Gerold, Elia and Lady Meena have been attacked in the Kingswood"

Arthur didn't wait for another word as his sabaton rambled furiously against the floor. All thoughts of Elaenya seemed to wash away from his mind at the dreaded thought of the brotherhood. He feared for the worst, all this time they'd managed to suppress the outlaws. The attack meant only one thing-

The Kingswood Brotherhood was out for blood.