Isabella Hightower

**Isabella** **"Bellflower"** **Hightower** was a noble lady of House Hightower.

She was the youngest child of Ormund Hightower and Ellyn Beesbury. Her older siblings were Jaubert Hightower and Maelora Hightower. She was married to Lord Slaught Drox, Lord of House Drox.

She was known for her passion for flowers and botanics and her youthful and humorous personality.

## Physical Description

Isabella Hightower, standing at 5'3", was a figure of grace and charm. Her brown hair, often styled in a way that accentuated her lively eyes, added to her gentle yet striking appearance. A notable aspect of her style was her fondness for the color red, which she frequently incorporated into her attire.

This choice of color not only enhanced her natural beauty but also reflected her vibrant and passionate personality. Her clothing, varying from elegant red gowns to more casual attire for her botanical pursuits, always carried a touch of this favorite hue.

## Personality

Isabella's personality was a delightful mix of vivacity, humor, and a touch of naivety. Known affectionately as "Bellflower" due to her love for flowers and her cheerful demeanor, she had a particular fondness for roses, which she regarded as the epitome of beauty and complexity. Her passion for flowers was a testament to her deep connection with nature and her appreciation of life's simple pleasures.

Her love for humor was another defining aspect of her character. Isabella enjoyed making jokes and often exhibited a goofy side, especially at social events, where she was known to be the heart of laughter and joy. Her ability to not take herself too seriously made her approachable and beloved by many. This light-heartedness, however, was sometimes accompanied by a certain naivety and silliness, traits that, while endearing, also highlighted her youthful innocence.

Isabella's presence at gatherings was often marked by her engaging in playful banter or amusing antics, bringing a sense of fun and lightness to any occasion. Her jovial nature was infectious, and she had a knack for making those around her feel at ease with her humor and warmth.

## Biography

### Early Age

Isabella Hightower, the youngest of the Hightower siblings, showed a distinct affinity for the natural world from her earliest years. At the age of six, she began her education at the motherhouse attached to the Starry Sept in Oldtown. This motherhouse, a sanctuary for septas, silent sisters, and novices of the Faith of the Seven, became a place of spiritual and intellectual growth for Isabella. Here, she was exposed to the teachings of the Faith, but it was the motherhouse's gardens that truly captivated her. Her time spent amidst the plants and flowers nurtured a deep-seated love for botany, shaping her into a gentle soul with a profound connection to nature.

Isabella's foray into combat training was brief and less fruitful compared to her sister Maelora's. After two years, it became apparent that Isabella's true talents lay not in martial prowess but in the more delicate and nurturing aspects of life, such as her love for plants and flowers.

During these formative years, Isabella also experienced the caring and maternal side of her elder sister, Maelora. After their mother's passing, Maelora often took on the role of a motherly figure, especially during their cherished late-night gatherings. These moments, filled with homemade desserts and stargazing from the balcony of the Hightower, fostered a strong familial bond and provided a sense of comfort and normalcy to the young Isabella.

### Young Adult

During her young adulthood, Isabella Hightower's fascination with botany and the natural world flourished in the gardens of the Seven Shrines in Oldtown. These gardens, each dedicated to one of the Seven Gods of the Faith, offered a unique blend of spiritual symbolism and natural beauty, a perfect haven for Isabella's deepening interest in horticulture.

Isabella's days were often spent in these sacred gardens, where she dedicated herself to the cultivation and care of a diverse array of plants and flowers. She imbued these spaces with a sense of life and youth, turning them into places where people could find solace and connect with the divine. Her gentle nature and profound respect for the natural world were evident in every aspect of the gardens, making them a reflection of her own spirit.

Her life took a dramatic turn with her romance with King Tywin Lannister, an affair that was as passionate as it was fleeting. The relationship came to an abrupt and tragic end when King Tywin Lannister was fatally wounded during a massive assault on King's Landing. The attack, led by a mysterious figure known as The Manticore and his forces of sellswords and Unsullied, marked one of the bloodiest battles the capital had seen in decades. The chaos of the battle, the unexpected death of the emissary, and the fierce combat with the Manticore's elite fighters, the 'Red Harpys', culminated in a pyrrhic victory for the King's forces.

King Tywin, who had been at the forefront of the defense, sustained a mortal wound. Despite the efforts of his men to rush him to the safety of the Great Sept, his reign of peace and stability came to a tragic end. Devastated by the loss of King Tywin, Isabella found herself engulfed in sorrow. In her grief, Isabella decided to leave Oldtown and travel to Casterly Rock, seeking solace in the familiar surroundings of the Lannister stronghold.

However, this journey, undertaken in a bid to find peace, led to another harrowing chapter in her life.

### The Kidnapping

Isabella was kidnapped under mysterious circumstances, an event that sent shockwaves through the noble houses and particularly distressed House Hightower.

Isabella, in a weakened and vulnerable state, managed to send a desperate plea for help. Her message, stained with her blood, encapsulated her dire situation. She sealed her plea in a bottle and sent it downstream, hoping against hope that it would reach someone who could come to her aid. This act of resilience, even in her weakest moment, was a testament to her spirit and determination.

The message reached the Reach, where it stirred immediate action. Lord Jaubert Hightower, her brother, issued a stirring call to the lords and ladies of the Reach. In his message, he emphasized the unity and collective strength of their lands, refusing to succumb to the demands of the kidnappers. Instead, he rallied the support of the noble houses, urging them to scour the realm to find Isabella and offering a substantial reward for her safe return. This call to action underscored the strong bonds within the Reach and the high regard in which Isabella was held.

The discovery of Isabella's horse at the pier in Casterly Rock, with droplets of blood leading north, added a sense of urgency to the search. The inscription on the saddle confirmed her identity, and the blood trail pointed to the grave nature of her situation.

Ultimately, it was Lord Slaught Drox who came to Isabella's rescue. Acting swiftly, he paid the ransom demanded by the bandits, securing her release. However, Isabella was found in a hurt and injured state, indicating the severity of her ordeal during the captivity. Lord Drox's intervention not only saved Isabella but also marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life, as their relationship deepened in the aftermath of this traumatic event.

### Marriage to Slaught Drox

Isabella Hightower's romance with Lord Slaught Drox evolved from her rescue and the deep bond formed in its aftermath. Their affection was captured in the heartfelt letters they exchanged, filled with expressions of love and longing.

Lord Drox’s proposal, delivered by a raven with the Drox seal, was a poetic testament to their connection. His words, expressing how captivated he was by her charm and how deeply his soul had become entwined with hers, culminated in a marriage proposal, accompanied by a gleaming redstone crystal ring. This gesture symbolized the depth of his affection and his desire to unite their lives.

Isabella’s response, although tinged with uncertainty and overwhelmed feelings due to the ongoing conflicts and her recent ordeal, still resonated with affection. She expressed her loneliness in Lord Drox's absence and her appreciation for his steadfast pursuit during her kidnapping. Acknowledging the complexity of her emotions and the situation, she suggested a conversation to further discuss the proposal, signaling her deep affection yet cautious approach.

Lord Drox’s understanding and patient reply, assuring Isabella of his unwavering support regardless of her decision, reflected the strength and warmth of their bond. His willingness to wait for her decision and continue offering his protection highlighted his commitment and love.

Their secret marriage ceremony was held discreetly in a sept within Casterly Rock. This intimate setting provided a serene backdrop for their vows, away from the public eye and the complexities of their noble standings.

In the sanctity of the sept, amidst the ancient stones that had witnessed countless vows, Isabella and Lord Drox pledged their lives to each other. The ceremony, though simple, was imbued with profound meaning and emotion.

Following their marriage, Isabella and Lord Drox moved to the keep of House Drox.

### Death

Isabella Hightower's life, filled with both tender moments and tumultuous events, came to a sorrowful end less than a year after her marriage to Lord Slaught Drox. Her demise was as unexpected as it was heartbreaking, occurring due to a common cold that rapidly worsened amid the onset of winter.

Despite the care and attention she received at the keep of House Drox, Isabella's health swiftly declined. The transition from the milder climates of the Reach to the harsher conditions of the Westerlands, coupled with the emotional and physical toll of the past events, had weakened her constitution. What began as a minor ailment soon escalated, leaving her and those around her unprepared for its severity.

In her final moments, Isabella lay in the arms of her beloved husband, Lord Drox. The serene environment of the keep, once a symbol of new beginnings and hope, transformed into a somber setting for her last breaths. Her last words, "It was worth it, I love you," were a poignant affirmation of the love and experiences she cherished, despite the brevity of her happiness.

The untimely death of Isabella Hightower resonated with tragic consequences, leading to a heartrending series of events within both House Hightower and House Drox. Overwhelmed by the grief of losing her sister, Maelora Hightower, in a state of profound sorrow, chose to end her suffering by leaping from the Hightower.

Lord Slaught Drox, Isabella’s husband, was similarly consumed by grief and a sense of irrevocable loss. In a poignant and despairing letter addressed to his brother-in-arms, Kylon, Lord Drox confessed to the unbearable pain and mental anguish he experienced following Isabella’s death. He expressed that his soul had been shredded to its final thread, unable to endure the torment of living without her. Struck by a degenerating mind and an overwhelming grief, comparable only to the sorrow he felt during the king's demise, he chose to end his life.

## Letters between Isabella and Slaught

### *A raven carrying a scroll with the Drox seal makes its way to a certain balcony of the Hightower suite. The letter contained is writ in the scrawl of the Paramount Slaught Drox. When opened, it read:*

> When I met you I was captivated by your charm and manner; you were wild and free, and your personality shared tune with mine a lady of the reach, indeed you are, with how you've reached my heart, and when you leave my presence, my heart goes with you, in hope that my love warms you as well your soothing voice and sweet laugh visit my mind when nothing else will, in times of idleness or discomfort within and with how entwined my soul has become with yours, mine begs the answer to this...
>
>
> My love, Bella Hightower, would you take your hand in mine in marriage, in the name of our love?
>
>
> *Enclosed is a gleaming redstone crystal ring*
>
>
>
>

### *A raven which carried a venerated letter with the sigil of House Hightower. Flew aimlessly around the Westerlands, finally making its debut at House Drox's keep.*

> Too be completely honest, I feel rather lonley when you're not around. Then you show up, you always find a away to brighten up my day. You always seem to know what's on my mind, and what I want. You always seem to suprise me. I caught wind, while I was kidnapped. You where looking for me, determined.... Thabm you so much.
>
>
> With all the drama and war rolling around, I feel overwhelmed. This pushed me beyond my limit... I have no idea how to respond, should I accept should I decline? Whats going to happen?
>
>
> What would Maelora and Jaubert say?
>
>
> Again, I am flustered with the offer, but in the current state I am in. I have no idea how to respond, maybe we could try to talk it out later..?
>
>
> P.S. I love the ring!
>
>
>
> Bella
>
>

### *Within hours there's a response, the same raven depositing another letter to your balcony later that night*

> It's the least I can do to watch over you, dear. And that's fine that you have not an answer for the moment; just know that I will still be here, doing as I have before, waiting and wondering; my heart will remain with you in any case.
>
>
> And sure we can talk later of it, I understand.
>
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> P.S. glad you love the ring!
>
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> With the warmth of the sun on the mountains,
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> Lord Drox
>
>
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> *At the bottom appears to be a scrawled heart*
>
>