The sun hung high over the Eyrie, casting its golden light over the towering mountains and deep valleys that surrounded the ancestral seat of House Arryn. The air was crisp, a constant reminder of the Vale's altitude, but within the courtyard, there was an unusual buzz of activity.

Lucerys stood amidst the throng of retainers and soldiers, feeling both out of place and oddly relieved. The journey to the Vale had been long and treacherous, especially with the weight of his younger brothers' safety resting on his shoulders. Joffrey, Aegon and Viserys were still too young to fully grasp the gravity of their situation, but Lucerys had taken it upon himself to watch over them.

They had been sent to the Vale for their protection, but the reality of their arrival was much less grand than Lucerys had anticipated. Lady Jeyne Arryn had agreed to house them, but Lucerys could tell she was more interested in the protection their dragons offered than in the boys themselves.

As they dismounted from their dragons, the Eyrie's residents greeted them with a mix of awe and fear. Arrax, Lucerys's dragon, had been particularly restless during the flight, perhaps sensing his rider's anxiety. The massive beast now perched on one of the lower cliffs, his scales glistening in the sunlight. Lucerys watched as Lady Jeyne's daughter, a girl around his age, lingered on the edge of the gathering crowd, her eyes narrowing at the sight of the dragons. She seemed uncomfortable, and before he could even consider approaching her, she turned and hurried away.

Intrigued, Lucerys decided to follow her, curious about her apparent disdain for the dragons. He made his way through the Eyrie's winding corridors until he found himself in the courtyard, where he spotted her. She was standing by a fountain, her expression a mixture of frustration and unease. Lucerys approached cautiously, unsure of how to introduce himself.

"You don't seem to like dragons much," he said, his voice cutting through the quiet of the courtyard.