Darne's life was a series of ever evolving circumstances while growing up. Almost before he could remember, his father had worked to improve their lot in life. He remembers the tales he has heard from his mother and some of his father's old fishing buddies of when their family barely made it by as fishermen. But, through hard work and careful planning Darne's family prospered and soon they were merchants. This was what Darne remembers the most. They weren't wealthy by any means growing up but they were never starving.
Darne joined his father on trips and voyages as often as he could, learning beside him in an attempt to live up to his father's motto, "Always Useful". He took every chance he could to learn from others and grow to help further the future prosperity of his family. Perhaps it was hard work and foresight or maybe it was merely chance but eventually the King recognized his father's deeds and thus the Naelareon line was born. But, both father and son of the Naelareon name were not ones to dawdle on success. Soon, with the help of their newfound resources as nobility, their name prospered and their lands did as well. But all things come at a cost and the cost of their nobility was his older brother's fate.
It wasn't too long after they became Naelareon's that fate would shine on them once more. A carriage overturned and it seemed attacked was left along the side of the road. His men had reported the sighting to Darne but no survivors were to be seen. But Darne refused to not give this scenario it's due diligence. It was thanks to him searching the waters close to the wreckage that he saw some of the flotsam. He pointed it out to his men and had them begin moving the boat towards the land as he dove into the water to search. It was due to his diligence that he saved the Lady of Pink Maiden, Lady Piper. It was through luck, action, and following the family motto that Darne found himself known outside of his father's shadow, if barely.
Thrust into the limelight after the event and with careful practice as a merchant under his father's tutelage. His brother, found success in the martial arts, something Darne practiced and learned due to the dangers of the time but his desire to fight did not lend past protecting what was his. But Darne's own success wasn't brought about by any deep desire or just conviction. While he was careful to never show it, fear ruled his heart and mind, and slowed his hand to action. His father's success was impressive, to go from such humble beginnings to the rank of nobility in ones own lifetime was perhaps a feat impossible to top. But such fear and determination to prove that one wasn't just lucky to be borne to another man's success is a powerful drive.
The events of the Great Tourney at Harrenhal pushed Darne into action. It seemed it was finally time that his House had begun to test the young man and his first challenge it seemed was the young Lady Aaralyn Karstark. While he hadn't chosen her for his potential bride, his Maester and his father saw her as his best fit and what was best for the House at this time. He had seen her, though he hadn't known at the time what she was to eventually be. He sighed, it was some rather impressive boots he had to fill in order to steal this maiden's heart from the young Tytos Blackwood. He cleaned his face, combed his hair, and adjusted his tunic. He couldn't stall any longer if he wished to prove he was his father's son.
