Axell Connington

Axell Connington is the current Lord of Griffin's Roost and Master of Laws under King Aenar Targaryen. He has served both as Lord of Griffin's Roost and Master of Laws for the last five years.

Appearance and Character
Axell is a plain-enough man, with medium-length red hair and a decent beard. He is a man devoted to his work and to his king, and spares time for little else.

Childhood
Axell was born in the year 363 AC to Lord Criston Connington and his wife. As the firstborn son of Lord Connington, it was expected he learn the ways of governance throughout his childhood years, but this education came sooner than expected when his father was summoned to court in 367 AC.

Since the Second Conquest, House Connington had boasted strong relations with House Targaryen, and in 367 AC, Aenar saw fit to name Lord Criston Connington his new Hand. It was a shocking decision to many, especially those at court, who perhaps thought a Small Council member would have been more suited to the task. Nevertheless, the decision stood.

Axell, only four, was brought by his father to King's Landing, the opportunity too lucrative to pass up on. At court, Axell was raised amongst the Targaryens and their dragons, had his lessons seen to personally by Grand Maester Selwyn, and eventually would come to be educated in the matters of rulership by the Small Council itself.

Lord Connington was a good hand, not great nor poor, keeping the position for eight years until his health failed him in 375 AC. He resigned from the post having earned the respect of many, namely the King. Axell, however, was permitted to remain in King's Landing to serve as ward and squire to the Master of Laws, ___. Under the direct tutelage of the Master of Laws, Axell gained an education most in the Seven Kingdoms would envy.

His place at court also meant relations with the Targaryens. As was often the case, this was most evident with Aemon Targaryen, a decade Axell's junior but the source of far more attention. Unfazed by this, Axell shadowed the prince in many ways, and developed a strong bond with the future heir to the throne. Relations with the other Targaryens at court were always amicable for Axell, as he always acknowledged his place in the world with relation to them and theirs.

Adulthood
When Axell reached majority he returned to Griffin's Roost and his family, but would make occasional trips back to King's Landing. Axell's father Criston remained a well-regarded figure in King's Landing, even many years into his retirement from court. In 388 AC he was summoned to aid the Small Council during the Hammer Uprising briefly, with Axell travelling to attend him for a short while before resuming his duties at Griffin's Roost.

Again, with war in the air, Lord Connington was summoned to King's Landing in 400 AC. The Three Thieves in the Stepstones had proven a powerful menace, and the security of Westeros' coasts was under threat. To combat such threats, the King (more likely Aemon himself) thought it wise to send a dragon south to the Stormlands, where perhaps its presence would dissuade the Essosi from future endeavors against the mainland.

To that end, Prince Rhaegar was sent to Griffin's Roost with Axell. It was said that the reason for this arrangement was for Rhaegar - aged twelve - to begin squiring for a knight, but the truth of the matter was known to those privy in the war councils. The move proved successful, however, in many ways. No further attempts were made against the Stormlands by Essosi forces, and Rhaegar learned a great deal under his new tutor. The pair even accompanied the Royal Fleet on a few occasions, participating in skirmishes that had been deemed safe enough for the young prince to be involved in, though of course this was never to be made known to him.

When the fighting finally ended, Lord Connington's age finally took hold over the man. Nearly twenty years following his debilitating ailment that had forced him to retire, Lord Connington finally passed in his sleep well into his sixties. Axell would assume the Lordship of Griffin's Roost in the year 402 AC, with the young Rhaegar Targaryen still in service within his halls.

However, this lordship was not to last long. Aemon Targaryen had been promoted to Hand of the King, and as such required a replacement as Master of Laws. The Prince of Dragonstone hand picked Axell to succeed him. There were a multitude of reasons for this, but perhaps strongest of all was the Prince's desire to have his son by his side again. So, after barely coming into his seat, Axell was once more whisked off to the capital to serve House Targaryen.

The Small Council
The Scarlet Winter hit Westeros in Axell's first year as Master of Laws. Conditions grew worse as the months passed, and the city was beginning to fall into despair. One of Axell's first major acts was to sure up the city's defences, both from internal and external threats. The City Watch was expanded upon, stricter training was enforced, and more money was devoted to their boarding, training, and arming. During the hardest months of the winter this was thought a waste of valuable coin, but the value of a strengthened City Watch has grown more apparent in the years since.

Axell's resolve had been tested greatly during the winter, and he had emerged with a strong reputation both amongst his fellow councillors and within court. The reputation would soon spread, with the Master of Laws coming to be known as a staunchly loyal and driven member of King Aenar's Small Council.

Family
Will expand properly when I find ways of filling it.
 * Axell Connington (b. 363 AC)
 * Lady Connington (b. 36X AC)
 * Heir Connington (b. 384 AC)
 * Son Connington (b. 387 AC)
 * Daughter Connington (b. 389 AC)
 * Daughter Connington (b. 393 AC)
 * Sister Connington (b. 368 AC)