Alys Estermont

Alys Estermont is the current Lady Regnant of Greenstone, and head of House Estermont. Born in 412 A.C., she was the first of three daughters born to Cedric Estermont, and Alayne Estermont. After her father’s death in 429 A.C., she married her cousin Clifford Estermont to retain her place at Greenstone.

## Appearance & Character

Short in stature, Alys is a petite, and feminine form. Her brown hair falls in beachy waves to her mid back, framing her oval face. Piercing aquamarine eyes, and rosy porcelain skin make her an image of youth, and beauty to all who set eyes upon her.

A mix of demure and devious, Alys has a playful personality. While she presents a relaxed, and entertaining atmosphere on Estermont, she keeps her hands in darker dealings elsewhere in the realm. Using her wiles she chooses to keep these two worlds from meeting, sharing the secrets of her subterfuge with only the very few she trusts.

## History

### Childhood

From her earliest days, Alys could remember knowing she was not the child her father had wanted. As her sisters were born, it became clear to all on Estermont that their Lord desired a male heir, and his daughters were no sort of compensation. While her father continued trying for the son the wanted, blaming his wife for the lack of success, the three daughters of Greenstone were pushed to the side. He became envious of his younger brother, and the wife he had been given. While Cedric had been cursed with a trio of women, his brother Robert had already met his own heir.

Despite all efforts, and prayers, no son was ever born to the couple, and so the then Lord Estermont slipped into a depression. The blame fell upon Lady Estermont for failing to birth the heir that was needed, and through his drunken haze he reminded her often, and with much hate in his voice.

Once it had been accepted that there were no more children coming to their family, some of the focus returned to the girls. While their father cared very little about his offspring, their mother loved them despite the disappointment their births had brought. Although the feelings of their father were not kept secret from them, Alyane did all she could to fill the gaps in her children’s confidences.

### Adolescence

By the time Alys reached her maidenhood, her father had sank so far into his drinking that there was no need for the girls to tiptoe around Greenstone as they had all their childhoods. Being the eldest of the Estermont sisters, she did her best to make sure her siblings had a more pleasant youth that she had. She began sneaking sweets to their servants in exchange for information on the adult dealings of their castle, and using her sway with the help to give her and her siblings more freedom.

Although their mother knew of her devious behaviours, she chose to turn a blind eye to it all, trusting Alys to know what lines to not cross. Being young and rebellious, she did find herself in trouble from time to time, though nothing terrible enough that it was ever reported to her father.

It was during this time, in 424 A.C., that Lord Estermont’s brother lost his life at sea, leaving behind his only son. It was this terrible incident that finally put a smile on her father’s face. Although he had loved his brother, Cedric had at last been provided with the son he always wanted. Clifford was welcomed into the family, and given all the love the Estermont girls had been denied since birth.

The girls were pleased with this turn of events, having always loved their cousin Clifford as a brother it seemed only right to bring him in to mend the gaping hole in their House. Being of the same age, Clifford and Alys grew closest of the children, and soon the young man found himself at her side whenever he was not at her father’s.

Despite Lord Estermont making it clear that he did not want Clifford getting himself too closely involved with his daughters, there was little he could do to stop them from bonding. Having waited so long to gain someone he could look at as a son, Cedric Estermont simply drank away any destain he still held for his unwanted girls.

### Inheritance & Marriage

After a decade and a half of drinking, Lord Estermont finally allowed his demons to win. In 429 A.C. he was found dead in the privy, lifelessly sprawled in a puddle of his own fluids. The specifics of his death were held from the girls, but young Alys soon found a servant willing to tell her all the gorey details that had been hidden from her.

Upon her father’s death there was a great deal of confusion within the walls of Greenstone. Unaware of what this meant for her, Alys threw herself to the mercy of her mother, begging for answers as to what she was to do. There were parties on Estermont demanding that a male heir be declared in Clifford, while others were ready to fight to defend Alys’ right to the position.

With the help of her mother, Alys declare herself her father’s true heir, and hurriedly married her cousin Clifford to appease those that held doubt in her capabilities as a woman. With this decision peace was found again on the island of Estermont, and Alys took on her role as Lady Regnant, making it clear to all that it was her that now ruled Greenstone, and in her own right.

Having no romantic interest in her cousin, it took many years for the couple to produce an heir. After a handful of wine soaked nights, over just as many years, Alys finally became pregnant. In 433 A.C., she birthed a healthy baby boy, and named him Robin.