As a child, it is said that Elissa Farman spent more time at sea than on land, sailing her own boat around Fair Isle by the age of fourteen. By twenty, she had sailed half the continent, voyaging as far north as Bear Island and as far south as the Arbor. Through these voyages, she always persisted that undiscovered lands were west of Westeros and strived to explore. It was clear Elissa’s desires were at sea and not with the bonds of marriage. She had many suitors and was betrothed twice, though neither of the boys were able to handle her adventurous spirit and were scared off.

By 49AC, Elissa’s brother, Androw Farman was to wed Princess Rhaena Targaryen on Fair Isle. Elissa attended the wedding and quickly became close to the princess and her two consorts. In a short time, Rhaena and Elissa were inseparable and oft rode the princess’ dragon, Dreamfyre, together. The maester of Fair Isle began speculating that the princess had not married Androw for his love, but the love of Elissa.

When Elissa’s elder brother, Franklyn, became lord of the Isle in 50AC, he ordered Androw and Rhaena to leave Fair Isle, with them quickly departing for Casterly Rock. Though Elissa attempted to leave as well, Franklyn confronted her at the dock and commanded she stay on Fair Isle to be wed. Elissa spat defiance at Lord Franklyn, infuriating the lord. Quickly fleeing the Isle with Rhaena’s companions on her ship, Maiden’s Fancy, for Lannisport.

Rhaena knew most lords would take advantage of her position, so her, Elissa, and her consorts drifted among different castles in the Westerlands before establishing her court on Dragonstone. Rhaena’s daughter, Princess Aerea, grew close with Elissa as both were unhappy on the island and often spoke together of exploring the western seas. Elissa petitioned Rhaena for gold sufficient to build a ship that could make the voyage, but Rhaena denied her request, dividing their relationship.

Once more, in 54 AC, Elissa petitioned Rhaena to leave. Finally, Rhaena permitted her request stone-faced while Aerea wept for Elissa’s leaving. Neither knew of Elissa’s destination, and neither knew she stole three dragon eggs from the Dreamfyre’s clutch (many believe these to be Danaerys’ eggs generations later). Then she departed for Pentos across the Narrow Sea.

Going under the guise of Alys Westhill, she made her way to Braavos by land. Managing to secure an audience with the Sea Lord of Braavos, she sold the dragon eggs, and used the gold to finance Sun Chaser, one of the finest ships to sail. The Sea Lord warned Elissa that her theft had not gone unnoticed, as Westeros’ Hand of the King was sent to Braavos to investigate the missing dragon eggs.

In Oldtown, 56 AC, Elissa (going by Alys) searched for a crew for her voyage across the Sunset Sea. Ser Eustace and Ser Norman, pledged their ships, Lady Meredith and Autumn Moon to her voyage. The king of Westeros almost caught her, but Elissa’s three swift ships evaded the twelve pursuers sent. Sailing south by southwest and blessed with strong winds, they began their journey.

By the twelfth day out, the fleet was the furthest west any known sailor had been. Celebrations were held, but these quickly turned sour when the wind stopped. Two weeks of rowing with dead air before a massive storm broke, followed by more two days later, and with no land in sight. The Autumn Moon was destroyed, set aflame by lightning and then swallowed by a monstrous wave (some swore the wave was hiding a kraken within). Lady Meredith survived, but severely damaged. The Sun Chaser had made it out of the storm and returned to help the Meredith limp to a small group of three islands just to the west. Elissa, on the considerably faster Sun Chaser, had discovered the islands several days earlier and named them Aegon, Rhaenys, and Visenya.

Ser Eustace declared this was a discovery enough and vowed to return to Westeros, but Elissa was incredulous. The three islands were smaller than a third of Dragonstone, and were not enough to justify the enormous cost of gold and life. She would press on. Ser Eustace could not tolerate further adventure and vowed to head home. The last Ser Eustace saw of Elissa or the Sun Chaser, it was sailing directly into the setting sun.

Elissa leaves history until many years later, when, during his second great voyage on the Sea Snake, Corlys Velaryon travelled out to the east. In his travels, he believed he saw the old, weathered, Sun Chaser docked in Asshai, 8,000 miles in the opposite direction of her voyage. Many believe Elissa achieved her lifelong goal and discovered what was west of Westeros.