Lady Arella
Played by Olivia Giroux
Actor Bio
Lady Arella Talbot of Oxford was born into a wealthy noble family that owned a vast estate in the center of Oxford, England. Although she was not the son and family heir her parents had been praying for, Lord and Lady Talbot were nonetheless delighted at the birth of their first child. Childbearing was, after all, a blessing granted directly from God, and Lord Talbot remained optimistic that his wife would yet give him a son. Lady Talbot would later have two more children, both of them boys. The first died not six months after his birth and the other was a stillborn. Frustrated, angry, depressed, and desperate, Lord Talbot began building up his daughter Arella’s dowry into a very handsome sum. If Arella was to be the sole assurance of the Talbot family’s survival, her transaction of marriage had to be worthy of the King himself. Fortune smiled upon the Talbot family, though, and Lady Talbot managed to conceive and birth two more sons, both of which would survive.
Arella’s upbringing was standard to any girl’s of noble birth. She learned to read and write; how to sew, sing, dance, play the harp, and all the etiquette expected of a noble lady. She was a kind, generous, and obedient soul who did all she could for those around her. By the time her sixteenth birthday dawned, it was very obvious that she had grown to be a very promising lady and, eventually, wife. Although she was very well past the normal age at which girls are married off, her father had not bothered to seal an engagement for her. Now that he had two heirs, there was no doubt of the family’s survival. This was secretly very fine by Arella. However well she hid it, deep down she was very frustrated with her situation. She loathed the idea of being groomed and educated for but one purpose: to be wed to an unknown man who might be old enough to be her grandfather or young enough to be her son just so that her family’s name would survive. Besides, her two brothers could ensure all that far better than she could when they married – their marriages would help the Talbots’ gain more land and wealth for strictly their name, not force them to give it away along with Arella. Besides, Arella wanted to maintain the freedom and bliss that unmarried life granted her. She’d rather enter a convent than marry anyone.
In the winter of that year, Lord Talbot hosted accommodations for the Knights of Gore, who were traveling en route from London. Arella had met the Knights of Gore once before, but she was only six years old then and hardly remembered them. Now Arella stood outside on her father’s right side, along with her brothers and other members of the household. Wimpled and garbed warmly against the cold, she awaited their arrival. From out of the winter mist, the Knights of Gore approached on horseback. They dismounted and Lord Jeffery, their leader, greeted Lord Talbot warmly – old friends that they were. Lord Talbot introduced his two sons, Baldwin and Luther, and then Arella – now Lady Arella upon inheriting the title when her mother died two years prior. Lord Jeffery bowed and kissed Arella’s hand appropriately, telling her it was a pleasure being “reintroduced.” Arella agreed with a smile. She also met Sir Hamish Macleod – Lord Jeffery’s first knight – a fine, strong Scottish man who appeared uncivilized, but was ultimately compassionate and loyal beyond imagining. Over a welcoming feast Arella met the rest of Lord Jeffery’s knights and squires, including Kitrae, a gypsy who from the beginning eyed Arella and her family with a dark look that Arella couldn’t understand. She learned later that Kitrae’s mother had been persecuted by nobles for witchcraft, and for that she never again looked upon nobles favorably.
A few days later, Arella was sitting at her window, wrapped in furs against the cold and staring out at the snow-covered courtyard. Lord Jeffery, Sir Hamish, and the rest of the Knights of Gore were all out there training and sparing, talking and laughing with each other. After a few hours, all the knights except Lord Jeffery left the courtyard for the warmth of the Talbot’s manor. He began sharpening his sword, and Arella decided to bring him a comforting goblet of mulled wine.
Lord Jeffery was knelt in prayer by the time Arella stepped outside with the goblet of warm wine. He turned his head at the sound of her feet crunching in the snow. Quickly, he finished his prayers, stood, greeted Arella warmly, and she approached him with her gift. The two sat together in the courtyard and talked for hours thereafter about everything in their lives. Hours that would last for the rest of the Knights of Gore’s stay. By the time they left a week later, they all had changed Arella’s mindset beyond recognition. They were everything Arella had always secretly wanted to be: free, strong, determined, steadfast, loyal, and fighters. Arella wanted so desperately to be just like them; to join them and be one of them. She shared this with Lord Jeffery, who offered to train her, but she declined knowing her father would disapprove, friends though the two men were.
The following summer, Lord Talbot held a grand party in celebration of his eldest son’s betrothal. Luther was to be wed to the daughter of another wealthy family from the north of London. The marriage itself wouldn’t occur for another few years, but Lord Talbot was delighted beyond measure, and wanted everyone of note to know it. The entire Talbot family was at the feast, along with a whole roster of honored guests, including the Knights of Gore. Arella rejoiced at seeing her new friends and heroes again. But it was not in the faintest thoughts of anyone there that a murderous assassin was amongst them.
Just before supper, Lord Talbot picked up his goblet of wine and insisted everyone else do the same so that they may toast his son’s betrothal. The toast was made and a great cry of “Huzzah” echoed through the Great Hall. Just as Arella was lifting her goblet to her lips, Lord Jeffery dashed over to her, knocked the goblet out of her hand, drew his sword, and pointed the blade at her uncle Sir Magnus’ throat – who was standing just behind her. When Lord Talbot furiously demanded an explanation, Lord Jeffery, still at the ready, said he saw Sir Magnus slip something into Arella’s wine. Sir Magnus denied the accusation, and to prove his falsehood, Lord Jeffery asked for one of Lord Talbot’s dogs to be given some of the tainted wine. A dog was brought forth and made to drink. Sure enough, a minute later the animal began convulsing and foaming at the mouth, dropping dead in a matter of seconds. Lord Jeffery advanced on the would-be assassin Sir Magnus, who also drew his weapon just as several of his well-known supporters stepped forward too. Sir Hamish and some of the other knights followed suit and a fantastic brawl ensued.
After a struggle, the Knights of Gore managed to disarm Sir Magnus and his cronies, leaving them battered and shamed. The other guest, who had backed away against the walls for safety, began stepping forward, confused. In a voice more loud, terrifying, and furious than anyone had ever heard from him, Lord Talbot ordered everyone away and off his lands. The still bewildered guests gradually filed out until only Lord Talbot, Lord Jeffery, Sir Hamish, and Arella remained in the Great Hall. Arella was shaken and dazed from the fight and the unexplained attempt on her life. She walked over to her father who was crouched over one of the long tables seething fiercely. As Arella drew near him, he backhanded her so violently that she fell to the floor. Sir Hamish rushed to her side and Lord Jeffery half-drew is sword. Then in a voice that must have been Lucifer’s, Lord Talbot spoke to his daughter for the last time.
“You couldn’t do the only decent thing and be born a boy, could you? Thereafter you couldn’t do the next decent thing and die, could you? People die everyday, why can’t you? If ever a man has a cross to bear, it is when he has a daughter. They aren’t good for anything except for the loss of land and wealth. You are a disgrace to me, daughter. ’Tis why I commissioned your uncle to assassinate you – so that I could at last be free of the restraints you place upon me. There’s so much more use your dowry could be put to, thus I need you dead. You are a complete and utter disgraceful, dishonorable wretch and you mean nothing to me. Oh, how I should like to disown you and never look you in the face again.”
It was then that Arella realized a terrible truth about her father: he was nothing more than a businessman, uncaring and corrupted by his wealth, willing to go to any length to make a profit, even if the price was a life. There was no more reason for her to stay in Oxford. Arella stood up and said calmly, “You may take comfort in those words, Father. For now you have indeed lost me.” Then she turned and walked calmly away, up the long winding stairs to her chambers. There she removed her wimple, changed into the simplest gown she owned, put on a plain black cloak, picked up her little harp, and made her way back to the Great Hall. On the way back, she encountered her brothers Luther and Baldwin, who had been eavesdropping on their father’s monologue. She embraced them, wishing them well, and returned to the Great Hall, where the scene was exactly as she had left it. She walked over to Lord Jeffery, who seemed to know exactly what she was thinking and held out his right hand. She took it, and just as they and Sir Hamish began to leave, Arella looked at her father and spoke her last to him, “May God have mercy on you, my Lord.”
And thus Lady Arella Talbot of Oxford joined the Brotherhood of the Knights of Gore. She befriended each and every member, and there’s not one knight, dame, or squire amongst them that she wouldn’t unthinkingly lay down her life for. From now until the end of her days, Arella knows that she may carry out her new dream of protecting others just as the Knights of Gore had protected her. She rejoices in her training to fight, and was very honored on the day when she knelt before Lord Jeffery and Sir Hamish and was knighted Dame Lady Arella of the Brotherhood of the Knights of Gore.
Arella’s upbringing was standard to any girl’s of noble birth. She learned to read and write; how to sew, sing, dance, play the harp, and all the etiquette expected of a noble lady. She was a kind, generous, and obedient soul who did all she could for those around her. By the time her sixteenth birthday dawned, it was very obvious that she had grown to be a very promising lady and, eventually, wife. Although she was very well past the normal age at which girls are married off, her father had not bothered to seal an engagement for her. Now that he had two heirs, there was no doubt of the family’s survival. This was secretly very fine by Arella. However well she hid it, deep down she was very frustrated with her situation. She loathed the idea of being groomed and educated for but one purpose: to be wed to an unknown man who might be old enough to be her grandfather or young enough to be her son just so that her family’s name would survive. Besides, her two brothers could ensure all that far better than she could when they married – their marriages would help the Talbots’ gain more land and wealth for strictly their name, not force them to give it away along with Arella. Besides, Arella wanted to maintain the freedom and bliss that unmarried life granted her. She’d rather enter a convent than marry anyone.
In the winter of that year, Lord Talbot hosted accommodations for the Knights of Gore, who were traveling en route from London. Arella had met the Knights of Gore once before, but she was only six years old then and hardly remembered them. Now Arella stood outside on her father’s right side, along with her brothers and other members of the household. Wimpled and garbed warmly against the cold, she awaited their arrival. From out of the winter mist, the Knights of Gore approached on horseback. They dismounted and Lord Jeffery, their leader, greeted Lord Talbot warmly – old friends that they were. Lord Talbot introduced his two sons, Baldwin and Luther, and then Arella – now Lady Arella upon inheriting the title when her mother died two years prior. Lord Jeffery bowed and kissed Arella’s hand appropriately, telling her it was a pleasure being “reintroduced.” Arella agreed with a smile. She also met Sir Hamish Macleod – Lord Jeffery’s first knight – a fine, strong Scottish man who appeared uncivilized, but was ultimately compassionate and loyal beyond imagining. Over a welcoming feast Arella met the rest of Lord Jeffery’s knights and squires, including Kitrae, a gypsy who from the beginning eyed Arella and her family with a dark look that Arella couldn’t understand. She learned later that Kitrae’s mother had been persecuted by nobles for witchcraft, and for that she never again looked upon nobles favorably.
A few days later, Arella was sitting at her window, wrapped in furs against the cold and staring out at the snow-covered courtyard. Lord Jeffery, Sir Hamish, and the rest of the Knights of Gore were all out there training and sparing, talking and laughing with each other. After a few hours, all the knights except Lord Jeffery left the courtyard for the warmth of the Talbot’s manor. He began sharpening his sword, and Arella decided to bring him a comforting goblet of mulled wine.
Lord Jeffery was knelt in prayer by the time Arella stepped outside with the goblet of warm wine. He turned his head at the sound of her feet crunching in the snow. Quickly, he finished his prayers, stood, greeted Arella warmly, and she approached him with her gift. The two sat together in the courtyard and talked for hours thereafter about everything in their lives. Hours that would last for the rest of the Knights of Gore’s stay. By the time they left a week later, they all had changed Arella’s mindset beyond recognition. They were everything Arella had always secretly wanted to be: free, strong, determined, steadfast, loyal, and fighters. Arella wanted so desperately to be just like them; to join them and be one of them. She shared this with Lord Jeffery, who offered to train her, but she declined knowing her father would disapprove, friends though the two men were.
The following summer, Lord Talbot held a grand party in celebration of his eldest son’s betrothal. Luther was to be wed to the daughter of another wealthy family from the north of London. The marriage itself wouldn’t occur for another few years, but Lord Talbot was delighted beyond measure, and wanted everyone of note to know it. The entire Talbot family was at the feast, along with a whole roster of honored guests, including the Knights of Gore. Arella rejoiced at seeing her new friends and heroes again. But it was not in the faintest thoughts of anyone there that a murderous assassin was amongst them.
Just before supper, Lord Talbot picked up his goblet of wine and insisted everyone else do the same so that they may toast his son’s betrothal. The toast was made and a great cry of “Huzzah” echoed through the Great Hall. Just as Arella was lifting her goblet to her lips, Lord Jeffery dashed over to her, knocked the goblet out of her hand, drew his sword, and pointed the blade at her uncle Sir Magnus’ throat – who was standing just behind her. When Lord Talbot furiously demanded an explanation, Lord Jeffery, still at the ready, said he saw Sir Magnus slip something into Arella’s wine. Sir Magnus denied the accusation, and to prove his falsehood, Lord Jeffery asked for one of Lord Talbot’s dogs to be given some of the tainted wine. A dog was brought forth and made to drink. Sure enough, a minute later the animal began convulsing and foaming at the mouth, dropping dead in a matter of seconds. Lord Jeffery advanced on the would-be assassin Sir Magnus, who also drew his weapon just as several of his well-known supporters stepped forward too. Sir Hamish and some of the other knights followed suit and a fantastic brawl ensued.
After a struggle, the Knights of Gore managed to disarm Sir Magnus and his cronies, leaving them battered and shamed. The other guest, who had backed away against the walls for safety, began stepping forward, confused. In a voice more loud, terrifying, and furious than anyone had ever heard from him, Lord Talbot ordered everyone away and off his lands. The still bewildered guests gradually filed out until only Lord Talbot, Lord Jeffery, Sir Hamish, and Arella remained in the Great Hall. Arella was shaken and dazed from the fight and the unexplained attempt on her life. She walked over to her father who was crouched over one of the long tables seething fiercely. As Arella drew near him, he backhanded her so violently that she fell to the floor. Sir Hamish rushed to her side and Lord Jeffery half-drew is sword. Then in a voice that must have been Lucifer’s, Lord Talbot spoke to his daughter for the last time.
“You couldn’t do the only decent thing and be born a boy, could you? Thereafter you couldn’t do the next decent thing and die, could you? People die everyday, why can’t you? If ever a man has a cross to bear, it is when he has a daughter. They aren’t good for anything except for the loss of land and wealth. You are a disgrace to me, daughter. ’Tis why I commissioned your uncle to assassinate you – so that I could at last be free of the restraints you place upon me. There’s so much more use your dowry could be put to, thus I need you dead. You are a complete and utter disgraceful, dishonorable wretch and you mean nothing to me. Oh, how I should like to disown you and never look you in the face again.”
It was then that Arella realized a terrible truth about her father: he was nothing more than a businessman, uncaring and corrupted by his wealth, willing to go to any length to make a profit, even if the price was a life. There was no more reason for her to stay in Oxford. Arella stood up and said calmly, “You may take comfort in those words, Father. For now you have indeed lost me.” Then she turned and walked calmly away, up the long winding stairs to her chambers. There she removed her wimple, changed into the simplest gown she owned, put on a plain black cloak, picked up her little harp, and made her way back to the Great Hall. On the way back, she encountered her brothers Luther and Baldwin, who had been eavesdropping on their father’s monologue. She embraced them, wishing them well, and returned to the Great Hall, where the scene was exactly as she had left it. She walked over to Lord Jeffery, who seemed to know exactly what she was thinking and held out his right hand. She took it, and just as they and Sir Hamish began to leave, Arella looked at her father and spoke her last to him, “May God have mercy on you, my Lord.”
And thus Lady Arella Talbot of Oxford joined the Brotherhood of the Knights of Gore. She befriended each and every member, and there’s not one knight, dame, or squire amongst them that she wouldn’t unthinkingly lay down her life for. From now until the end of her days, Arella knows that she may carry out her new dream of protecting others just as the Knights of Gore had protected her. She rejoices in her training to fight, and was very honored on the day when she knelt before Lord Jeffery and Sir Hamish and was knighted Dame Lady Arella of the Brotherhood of the Knights of Gore.
