Rhaegar was convinced that Arianne would decline their offer to accompany them to Kings Landing. He knew from the night she had sent him, a Prince, from her room, she was determined to keep her honour and her families name respected. Though, Rhaegar also agreed that she acted on impulse and sometimes focused on consequences after the action had been done with.

He knew, eventually, where his father wanted their relationship to go. Either marriage or like his ancestors, to produce more children for the crown and rid Kings Landing of the Martell's. Thinking of the two Martell children with them, Rhaegar let out a small chuckle, probably bewildering his parents with his trance like state deep in thought. During the second day of the joust, he had overheard his wife and Ashara whisper to each other and giggling along. Well ... he couldn't technically hear their full conversation, but he heard mentions of Dorne many times over.

On the same occasion he remembered staring intently at the back of Arianne's head, too busy to even know what was happening with the joust. Straining to listen to both his wife and watch Arianne, finally having given up and lending his wife an ear. She had whispered to him that she wished to retire, which he allowed, and asked Arthur to take her and Ashara to their chambers.

"She is a sight for sore eyes, is she not?" The foreign voice of Oberyn came. He had seated himself where his sister was and directed his gaze to Arianne.

"You have left your lady love so soon?" Rhaegar responded.

Oberyn smiled and sat back in his chair. "She has made me bored."

Rhaegar nodded his head, knowing too well Oberyn's attention span. "You already...-"

"Unlike you dragon, I work fast."

Rhaegar scoffed turning back away from Oberyn. "You are something else, Martell."

"So, what are you thinking Prince Rhaegar? Is she to be your whore or your lover?" Oberyn asked him.

Rhaegar would never really get quite used to his vulgar language and ability to turn any situation into one of great awkwardness. "She is to be my nothing. I am married she is not. She is a bastard, I a Prince."

Oberyn let out a low chuckle. "Do you know how stupid you sound right now?" There was a short silence as they stared at each other.

"What about you Prince Oberyn? Is she to be your lover or your whore?"

Oberyn laughed once again. "She is to be whatever she wants to be."

It was Rhaegar's turn to laugh. "You don't have smooth talk me Oberyn."

The door creaked open, and the clinking of jewellery entered the silent room. She smiled to the three, curtseying as low as she could and standing back up, Ser Barristan went to leave and close the door behind him but was stopped by the King.

"Stay," Aerys' voice demanded. Barristan nodded his head, entered the room and closed the door behind him. "Lock the door."

"Yes, your grace," he muttered, pushing the door closed and locking it. They were officially barred from the rest of the world.

"Sit down sweetling," Rhaella smiled. She had put powder on her face to hide the red mark that had been forming, it seemed she had carried it in her breast. Rhaegar's heart dropped when he saw her pull the tiny jar of white powder out. His own mother was forced to carry that around for the rest of her life. She was forever chained to the pain he caused her.

"Yes, your grace," Arianne's voice squeaked. Rhaegar couldn't help but let a small smile out towards her. She looked beautiful as ever, better than the night before. She wore a dress that he assumed was traditionally Northern, as he had seen many of the same fashion being worn by Northern women many times before. Her hair was tamed with a red jewelled hair piece, something Rhaegar had seen Elia, Ashara and many of the other Dornishwomen in Kings Landing do.

As she went to sit next to Rhaella and Rhaegar, Aerys cleared his throat. "I've saved a special seat for you actually, right here." He said smiling. It did not do his face any good, only twisting his face into one of discomfort.

He led her, hand on her back, to the seat he had been occupying just a few moments ago. He stood behind her and smiled yet again; but this time to Rhaegar. "We have good news for you little one." Aerys was sure at that moment, so sure, that she was Serene's. He had never been so close to her, only for mere seconds, but now that he looked at her, looked at her properly; she was his.

She had the very same birthmark situated at the middle of her forehead, just as he did. He remembered his Maester telling him that the Gods would kiss those worthy of a crown on the forehead. Rhaegar had the very same one, though he was almost always covered by his hair. She also had his and Serene's eyes. A foreign purple, one that did not belong to neither Dayne nor Targaryen. She turned in her chair to look at him. Aerys could not believe, a young girl as herself, was not fearful of him. And if she was, she had been hiding it well. She sat proudly in the chair, blinking up at him and waiting for his word.

"Befor-" Rhaella began, only to be interrupted by Aerys' voice.

"Hush now wife," he drawled, looking back down to Arianne who was now frowning at the tension. Rhaegar seemed to be scratching, clawing and clutching the couch, his jaw sharp enough to cut through flesh. "We have asked you here today because we wish for you to accompany us back to Kings Landing. Be it as a hand maiden for Rhaella or as a woman of your own accord."

Arianne could not contain the smile that spread across her lips. "Well ... I would be delighted of course your grace. I would have to ask my father first of course, but I see no reason why he should deny me this opportunity."

Aerys clapped his hands together, "music to my ears. On the issue of your father, I think it better you write to him once we reach Kings Landing. No point now, it'll reach him by the time we're gone. Besides, what Lord does not trust his King with his daughter?" The words left his lips bitterly, understanding, even in his deranged state, the consequences of spilling a secret as big as having a bastard daughter too early.

"I suppose you're right," Arianne said, twiddling her finger together and losing herself in thought. Her father would be furious if she left with the roya l family and she didn't tell him ... but then again, the King would be furious if she didn't leave with them. Arianne came to the conclusion that she preferred a telling off from her father over the consequences of upsetting a King so popular with his short temper.

"Thank you for joining us dove, that will be all for now. I hope to see you at the feast." And with one last squeeze on the shoulder, Aerys made his way to the large window in his room, dismissing Arianne. She curtseyed to him, then to the Queen and Rhaegar, before shuffling out of the room behind Ser Barristan. Once she had walked out, Rhaegar too stood from his seat and followed her, not wanting to be in his father's presence any longer.

What exactly was the whole purpose of that conversation? He thought to himself. And why was Barristan asked to stay?

Ser Barristan and Arianne had only made it as far as the end of the wooden walkway, Rhaegar quickened his pace and caught up with them. He tapped Barristan on the shoulder, the Knight turned, bowed to Rhaegar and returned to his post at the foot of the door.

"My Prince," Arianne whispered, curtseying. Rhaegar could see that she had turned red, her cheeks rosy and her ears fuming. He could not help but smile at her reaction.

Rhaegar wondered if she had grown tired of the act, she had done it so many times that day. "No need for formalities, you know me, and I know you."

Arianne let out a snort. "We hardly know each other out of formalities and dances. If you'll excuse me, I must return to my chambers."

Rhaegar laughed at her remark. "You have spent some time with the Queen of Thrones, and you grow spikes on your stem my lady."

"It seems so."

"Forgive my father Arianne; he has not been himself since-,"

But she cut him short. "You don't have to talk on behalf of your father. If he wants me to visit Kings Landing, then I shall visit Kings Landing. I can always see my siblings afterward." Arianne smiled to him, though wishing she had not.

She had tried her hardest to stay away from the young Prince, force herself to set her sights on more reasonable, eligible, suitors. But it seemed that her heart had wanted a different story, a tragic one. And now, she would be in Kings Landing beside him, seeing him every day. He wouldn't be just a Prince she danced with. He wouldn't be a story to tell her children one day.

Arianne could not help but blush at their silence, he made no shy of his wondering eyes, moving from her head to her toes than from her toes to her head. How could she worry about her father knowing that she would be able to be or even gaze upon him at a moment's notice?

Though she was sure she was going to miss her siblings, though by the time she would return she was sure not much would change. Lyanna was yet to be married, Brandon would marry Catelyn and take her back to Winterfell, Ned would return to wherever he chose fit enough and Benjen would quarrel with their father over the Nights Watch and eventually leave. She was sure of it.

She shook herself from her trance, realising that he had gone quiet and waited for her to speak again. "I'm afraid that I really must return to my chambers. I do not wish to become this evenings topic." She added, looking around and down to the courtyard where strangers eyes would dart ever so often.

Rhaegar let out a laugh. "That will be the least of your worries in Kings Landing. Trust me."

"You speak your homes name with a sound of distaste?" She frowned, confused as to why Rhaegar would speak ill of Kings Landing.

"Dragonstone is my home. Valyria is my home-"

Though he was interrupted by her laughs. "Old Valyria do you mean. The home that was doomed before seven generations of your family were born."

Rhaegar nudged her with his right arm playfully. "It is still my home."

"Hurting a lady could see you in chains, my Prince," the drawling voice of Oberyn came behind Rhaegar.

Rhaegar clenched his jaw and turned to Oberyn, smiling at him. "Don't tell my father."

Arianne looked between the two of them, stepping around Rhaegar and taking Oberyn's outstretched hand. "I hope to see you again soon, Prince Rhaegar," she said. Oberyn nodded towards him and made to leave. Rhaegar quickly grabbed his free arm and looked at him knowingly. Pleading with his eyes almost. Oberyn yanked his hand away, glared at Rhaegar and led the way down the many steps of the room chambers and to the courtyard. And as Rhaegar watched them leave, he could not help but noticed the way Arianne tucked her hand into Oberyn's as they walked through the maze of rubble towards the back of the castle.

"Sometimes, we must let the ones we love most, go," the voice of his mother came from behind him.

Rhaegar shook his head. "No, we mustn't." And with that, he was making his way back to his room.

Down below the chambers, near the ruins of the great towers of Harrenhal, Oberyn led the way around the multiple decimated courtyards. Weaving through fallen stones and forgotten possessions that lay on the floor. He led them to the smallest west side tower, the least ruined of them all and helped her climbed the many stairs. Arianne wondered why he wanted her there but did not ask any questions. Once they had reached the top, she understood though. The tower overlooked the Gods Eye, though the flowing lake was a little far off, it was still large and visible as ever from where they stood.

"The Northern shore of the Gods Eye is where Harrenhal sits. They say that the pact between the first men and the children of the forest was signed on the Isle of Faces, right in the middle of the Gods Eye. These Westerosi love their myths, forest children and dragons," Oberyn said walking to the empty, dangerous looking, window. Arianne wondered why Harren Hoare would build the tower to be for one room, with no door and just one window.

"I overheard Lord Whent asking his servants to move the stands and joust ring to be along the shore of the lake. Lady Merida did not want to climb anymore steps up and down the bear pit," Arianne smiled. Oberyn smiled with her, laughing at the young girl's sense of humour.

The setting sun made the peaceful water, shine like a sheet of beaten copper. It was the biggest lake either of them had seen, seeming to have no hint of a far shore. Oberyn cut the silence short between them. "So...what pleasure did you owe them?" He asked.

Arianne looked at him quizzically, though knowing exactly what he was talking about. "Who?" Oberyn answered her question with a playful look. She sighed and replied; "the King wishes I join the royal family to Kings Landing."

Oberyn's face turned to stone, his playful eyes losing their glimmer. "No."

"What?" Arianne frowned.

"No way."

"Sorry father but it isn't your choice."

"Kings Landing is no place for a little flower such as you," Oberyn pleaded, moving his hand to her cheek.

Arianne slapped it away. "Don't call me that." She walked away from him, circling around the large room.

Oberyn sighed, unsure of how to truly tell her of how horrible Kings Landing was. "I'm sorry if I offended you." He murmured, inching closer to her. She made no effort to move away, allowing him to stand behind her, a breath way. "Kings Landing...is no place for anyone either than the King." His words were merely a whisper. "The things we see there, they are not things that people should be seeing. I saw a cup bearer burnt to the crisp by fire for pouring too much wine for the King. I've seen great Knights and Lords fall to the ground, on their knees, begging and crying for mercy. When he does these things, he calls everyone to court, counts us all and makes sure we are there to witness. Bars anyone from leaving, looking down or closing their eyes. Trust me when I say you do not want to go there."

A silence followed his words, Arianne blinked her tears away, fearful of the place she had agreed and been forced to travel to. "On Elia's wedding night, he...made the family, us the Dornishmen, watch as his son took her. We Dornish are free with sexuality but that...that was not free sexuality. The way Rhaegar took her, it was almost inhumane. And when father and I tried leaving-" his voice disappeared for a moment. "the King laughed and congratulated us on our alliance."

"Oberyn you don't have to tell me any of that," she whispered to him, not daring to turn around and look him in the eye.

"I have to tell you, otherwise you will prance in there and suffer the same fate. It's not a fairy-tale Arianne, the only reason I stay is to watch over my baby sister." He whispered back, moving one side of her hair back and placing a small kiss on her neck.

"A King's word is his word."

"Not if he isn't King anymore."

Arianne turned to him and glared. "Don't say such things."

"What? You will have me put in chains for saying what everyone is thinking?" He responded.

"If the Queen or Prince heard you..."

"The Prince ... wants his father gone as much as the next Lord with a sensible mind."

"You think it wise to splurge out the Prince's plans like that?" Arianne asked.

"The Lords already know it. Rhaegar would've told you himself...if he had the chance to." Oberyn replied.

"What do you mean?"

"I am not the only one that wishes to make you my bride-"

Before he could finish though, Arianne was snorting at his words. "Bride. You are the first man to say that to me. The last three only spoke of different ways they would make love to me."

"What other three?" Oberyn asked, turning a soft red. He took her hand in his and asked the question once more. "Their names?

"Mind, Your, Business. Find them and tell them I say hello," Arianne smirked back.

Oberyn looked at her, the same playful look on his face as before. "Promise me you will return to Winterfell, with your family."

Arianne shook her head. "No, I can't promise you a lie Oberyn. If I go home, my father's head will be the first to roll. I will go to Kings Landing, do as the King wishes me and then go home."

"Or you could come to Dorne, with me?" Oberyn suggested.

Arianne laughed and shook her head once more. "I have no family in Dorne."

"You have me."

"A womanizer."

It was Oberyn's turn to shake his head. "You caught me there."

"Yeah I did."

...

An entire year they had been separated from one another, an entire year she spent dismissing her feelings for Rhaegar and picturing herself and Jaime together. And yet Cersei could not understand why Jaime, who seemed smitten with her the first day of the feast, had decided that his beloved sister was now not god enough for him.

She had to admit. However, she could not be jealous of his lustful taste; she had taken a liking to that Stark bastard as well, the way Jaime had. But she would not have it, Cersei did not do too well with sharing her toys; a trait her mother always shunned her for, and her father always praised her for. In Kings Landing, she shared her bed with a handful of ladies in waiting and unnameable Lannister knights, sworn to secrecy by death; but none could make her feel the way Jaime did.

None were as dominant, hungry and lustful for her as he was, and she missed his touch. Surprised they had even made it three days without a mere kiss, she prepared herself to be ravished, but all she received was a brotherly hug and push to the side as the more beautiful young girl was presented to him. Cersei remembered looking at her during the night of the opening feast. She felt embarrassed for Merida Whent, for she had been outdone at her name day. The bastard girl was too beautiful for her good, either too stupid or too smart to use her beauty.

She was long-legged, full breasted with skin so brown that the light illuminated certain parts of it. Red lips, purple doe like eyes and thick black hair. By the way that the men looked after her, Cersei knew she must have smelt like sin, like some exotic flower or spice. Of course, she was jealous, who wouldn't be. She had her Jaime's full attention; she had the hall's full attention, seven hell's even her eldest brother was biting his lip after her. But she too was long-legged, full breasted and had thick blonde hair with eyes she even had to admit she got lost in. This bastard was merely a trend that would fade away as soon as the Tourney ended.