Alynne Connington

Alynne Connigton is the current Lady of Griffin's Roost. She serves as Lady in Waiting to Queen Myrcella II Tyrell

## Appearance and Character

With the typical red hair, Alynne looks every part a Connington.

## History

Alynne Connington was born in 356 AC to the heir of Griffin’s Roost, Selwyn Connington, and his wife Alysanne Mertyns as their first child. At the time of her birth, her grandfather Rogar Connington ruled the Connington lands as Knight of Griffin’s Roost, and while Ser was left to still wait for a grandson, Ser Selwyn, despite his father’s lessons on a lifestyle of warfare from the very beginning wished for his daughter to become a great lady with stately skills, be it of Griffin’s Roost or of a husband’s keep.

The years that followed did not bring a son for the heir to Griffin’s Roost, only another daughter in Ravella Connington, who was born in 361 AC. Meanwhile, Alynne grew up, and when she came to sufficient understanding, the Septa and Maester at Griffin’s Roost both taught the girl that with every year that passed became more and more likely to become Lady of the castle one day, as Lady Alysanne’s womb did not quicken again.

Alynne’s lessons did not only include those for noble ladies, but also ones pertaining to statecraft. While not concerned much with matters of warfare, Alynne learned all the more about diplomatic matters, which she came to treat as her craft to master. Mayhaps the Septa alone would have taught the young lady manners and agreeableness that might have gained her favour at all courts of Westeros, with the lessons from the Maester and her father, Alynne learned how to effectively use knowledge and skill to influence decisions, seeing diplomacy more as a purposeful endeavour than a byproduct of a pleasant nature. Among the skills often taught to young women, Alynne’s favoured one, however, was one quite practical, as well, namely that of healing and medicine.

Thus, Alynne grew into a young woman, and while a search for matches was conducted both by her and her kin, for most of the time, it remained a priority to prepare for her rule in her own right, rather than for marriage and motherhood. Now it was all but certain that one day Alynne should be the heir to Griffin’s Roost, to some extent to the dismay of Ser Rogar, who would rather have wished for a grandson to grow into a skilled warrior, it also became imperative that her future husband would be a non-inheriting scion.

That decision, when it came to be made, was not witnessed by Ser Rogar, however, for his very death in the year of 376 AC was the instigator for it. Ser Selwyn Connington, now the Knight of Griffin’s Roost, travelled to Storm’s End to swear his fealty as the newest vassal of Lord Arlan Baratheon, met at the Capital Lord Ronald Lonmouth, with whom he arranged that Alynne should marry Lord Ronald’s younger brother Ser Rickard Lonmouth, and within the year, Ser Rickard moved to Griffin’s Roost and the couple was married.

In 378 AC, House Connington welcomed a new member, as Alynne gave birth to a son named Maldon Connington, an heir to succeed her one day, but for now, she still was her father’s heir, and more than ever involved herself in matters of diplomacy and statecraft. She took leadership of the household at Griffin’s Roost, even proving her station among the knights and men-at-arms, while the liking she took towards poetry as a pastime combined with her diplomatic endeavour, leading to a propensity for oratory.

Only a year later, though, war broke out. Ser Selwyn rode off to the War of the Last Dragon, accompanied by Alynne’s cousin Armond Connington, a young man newly knighted. Armond’s father Ser Arstan remained behind as Castellan of Griffin’s Roost, but to the same degree, Alynne involved herself in the administration of the castle and the settling of minor disputes, becoming known for a silver tongue. While Alynne raised her son, Ser Selwyn remained away at war, until at the battle of Stoney Sept in 381 AC, he was among the many knights that did not survive their challenge to Daena Targaryen, the Last Dragon herself.

The hero of that fight, Ser Alaric Seaworth, who ended up slaying the invader, proved his great honour in retrieving the body of the late Knight of Griffin’s Roost and bringing it to King’s Landing and eventually to Griffin’s Roost together with Ser Armond, who had survived the battle and first sent the message that House Connington’s titles had now passed to Lady Alynne. When the party arrived from the battlefield, a sombre feast was held, the first one that Alynne opened in her new function, to mourn the passing of her father and to celebrate the heroic deeds of her countryman Alaric Seaworth.

Alynne departed from Griffin's Roost alongside her husband and son in 382 AC, however, leaving the castle to her uncle Ser Arstan as Castellan once more. The reason for that lay in meeting Queen Myrcella II Tyrell upon her Royal Progress as she introduced herself to the Realm. When the Queen made her stop at Griffin’s Roost, passing through the Stormlands, Alynne hosted her and came to grow fond of the young woman. They shared many similarities, in how they viewed their stately duties, and in their ambitions towards good rulership. While Alynne had been prepared for her role her entire life, though, the Queen had more suddenly come to her Throne, and thus, Alynne offered her counsel and support. That day, a companionship was struck, and when the Queen continued on her Progress, Alynne joined her in her travels.

After the Queen’s arrival back in King’s Landing at the end of her Progress, Alynne did not return to her home, but rather stayed with the Queen in the Red Keep as her Lady-in-Waiting. And like Alynne had learned her skills as a craft, rather than part of a ladylike nature, she became more than a companion to Myrcella, rather functioning as an advisor on matters of statecraft, despite her absence from the meetings of the Small Council.