Valla of the Redsmiths

Valla of the Redsmiths is the daughter of Joramun Redsmith, the previous leader of the Redsmiths clan. She was briefly betrothed to Lord Roland Arryn, until the Crisis of the Crescent saw her fiance slain and she was forced to flee back into the mountains.

Appearance and Character
Though not a beauty in the traditional sense, Valla of the Redsmiths had a welcoming, simple, earthy fairness, and a smile that tended to warm the hearts of those that saw it. During her earliest visits to the Vale she was seen as fairly quiet, but subsequent trips slowly saw the wildling "princess" open up. As she became more comfortable Valla revealed a clever and curious personality, her insatiable desire to learn making her popular with several members of court, though it only turned others against her. Her skill with the bow caused something of a stir, especially when displayed whilst on horseback. Though not used to the tall horses of the Vale's fertile valleys, it was not long before she and Roland Arryn would go on long rides alone.

Early Visits
Valla began to visit the Eyrie with her father early on in negotiations, ostensibly because of the Clansmen tradition of valuing female voices during council. Many of the Andal courtiers suspected that Joramun had ultieror motives, but Alyssa Arryn was hale and well in those days, and thus the girl was deemed little threat.

She quickly took to life in the Vale, grasping Common with startling speed. She played the lute and sang, integrating well with the members of court, until such time as Roland suggested to his wife that they take her on as a handmaiden. Alyssa declined, which angered her husband, and the pair quarreled about the issue for weeks. Following the incident Valla was sent back into the mountains, and Roland left for the Kingswood Tourney without his wife.

The Princess and the Lord
Valla did not return to the Eyrie for some time, instead remaning with her clan in the mountains whilst her father headed into the lowlands to treat with the Arryns. It was around this time that she and Uric of the Redsmiths first met.

When Joramun returned in 380AC, he came with news from the valley. In private talks Roland agreed to wed the young maiden of the Redsmiths, thus uniting their peoples through blood and bonds of matrimony. Though Roland's wife was newly dead, he was eager and interested in a union with the Princess Valla. Regardless of other ties, she agreed, and returned shortly thereafter to the Eyrie. There she and Lord Arryn spent a great deal of time together, until he announced their impending marriage in 381AC.

The Crisis of the Crescent
The wedding was scheduled to take place in 382AC, on the shore of a lake not far from the Eyrie. Joramun Redsmith himself attended, bringing many of his warriors and fellow chieftains as witnesses. There was to be a traditional Andal ceremony, made in the rites of the Seven, followed by one in the way of the Old Gods, then feasting through the eve. But it was not to be.

Armed and accompanied by a dozen warriors, Alaric Arryn rose at the height of the ceremony and called out to his co-conspirators. They struck at once, shouts and cries going up across the venue, whilst Roland drew his wife close; and his loyal knights closer.

The Lord of the Eyrie placed his wife at his back, but Valla was not the sort to sit idle. When Roland and his Winged Knights met Alaric and his companions, she turned and fled down toward the lake.

Upset by the union and their ties to the Andals, Uric had been wandering the wood when the shouts began. He at once rushed to provide aid, but spotted Valla as she fled, and joined her as she slipped away. Together they escaped into the mountains, avoiding the pursuit ordered by the Arryns after them. After long, hard days in the wild, they returned to the lands of the Redsmiths, and learned that they were the only members of their party to return.

The Queen of the Redsmiths
With her father gone, and her husband-to-be slain, Valla was left adrift. Her clan looked to her to lead them into the future, for the loss of their warriors and leader left them in dire straits.

Valla rose to the occasion, taking the reins of her people, and willingly led them from henceforth. In time, it was revealed that she was with child - and after months had passed she gave birth to a healthy, fair-haired son.

She named the boy Royce and raised him with the aid of Uric, who she took as consort. She trained him in what she knew, both of the Common tongue and of the Andal ways, raising him to be everything a chieftain's son ought be.

Decades have passed, but Valla still lives, matriarch of the Redsmith clan.