Woiven Marie Holdston

Lady Woiven Marie Holdston (born 25 February 9 L.C.) is currently a knight of the Alterac Silver Hand chapter that has become known as The Citrine Eagle and is the Marchioness of Avonmore She is also a veteran of the Shattered Sun Offensive and Argent Crusade.

History Abridged
Born to Jaren Holdston and Aubrey Barow in 9 L.C. Woiven grew up on her family's estate in Avonmore, just west of Southshore, where she lived the fairly normal life of an entitled only child. As a young girl, Woiven was very curious about the world around her and would often slip away to explore the forests or hide away with a good book. Fueling her curious nature, her parents spared no expense on her education and spent a small fortune on tutors from all over Azeroth. By the time she was 12, Woiven could hold her own in political and economical debates. Her family couldn't have been prouder and saw a bright future for their daughter. During a family visit to Southshore a growing side of Woiven's personalty would come to light. After arriving, a young stable boy was instructed to help Woiven from her horse. As he reached up to help her down, she slapped his hand away, claiming she could manage on her own. Of course, being only Thirteen and just under five foot tall, she could not. In her attempt to dismount, she slipped and came crashing down on the unsuspecting boy forcing him to fall in the mud with her landing on his chest. After the two were able to stand, a red faced Woiven slapped the mud covered boy claiming him to be a moronic peasant and a stupid child before storming off. Woiven's parent's were deeply embarrassed by the actions of their daughter. Later that evening, once again home in Avonmore, her parent's engaged in a heated exchange about Woiven's recent behavior and what to do about it. Her mother claimed her to just be high strung and she only needed to be grounded. Her father. disagreed completely citing that this was not the first occurrence of such behavior. They had spoiled their daughter and for that reason she had no clue what an honest day's work was. So Jaren decided on something completely different and completely against his wife's protests. The following morning Woiven was rushed through breakfast and whisked away to the docks in Southshore. It was here she learned of her fate. She was being sent to live and apprentice with her aunt in Theramore. Her aunt, Marie Holdston, was the blacksmith of Theramore. Woiven begged and pleaded her parents not to send her away but to no effect. She along with a modest amount of personal belongings boarded the vessel that would take her to her dreaded new life.

The Journey Begins
The trip across the Great Sea took months giving Woiven an experience she never expected to have had. An arrangement made by her father insured that Woiven would earn her passage on the vessel. She was put to work like any other deckhand but having no experience she was often given the most mundane of tasks, at least for a while. To start with, she was expected to scrub the decks,peel potatoes, clean fish, and clean the galley. To a little rich girl, this was the definition of torture and she hated her family for doing this to her. The crew continually looked down on her as a spoiled brat and would add to her torture by ruining her work. She had never experienced this. Back home people treated her with respect because of her family name but here, no one cared who she was, much less what her name was. Despite this, her attitude never changed and she continued to view the crew as lowly dirty peasants. Time would pass and she would eventually arrive in Theramore.

Theramore
She was greeted by Marie on the docks of Theramore who gave her a crushing embrace. Woiven had never met her aunt until now and was a bit surprised by the woman's appearance. The first thing she noticed was her aunt looked much like herself. The same hair and eye color, the same high cheek bones, and even their noses were similar. If not for the way she was dressed she would have been beautiful. She was dressed in stained trousers, a discolored linen shirt, both covered by a heavy leather apron, and on her feet she wore battered leather boots. Her auburn hair was pulled back in a high pony tail and was matted with sweat. Woiven thought her manner of dress to be appalling and grumbled as she was lead to Marie's home. Marie lead her through the streets of the port city with a slow relaxed pace, pointing out shops and places her niece may find of interest. Woiven was excited by all the new shops and though she would never admit it, she couldn’t wait to explore them on her own. Theramore was completely different from her home. It was a fort to start with but it was also a busy shipping port and bustling cultural hub. Woiven was put to work in Marie's forge the day after her arrival. She was given work clothes that consisted of an outfit not to unlike her aunt's and she hated them. Her first weeks working were strenuous and at the end of each day she would collapse in her bed barley able to cover herself with a blanket before sleep overtook her. At first, she took no real interest in the work of a blacksmith until Marie had her help make a beautiful saber for a visiting noble. It was the end result of many hours of hard sweaty work and she had made it with her own hands, or at least she had helped. Her outlook had changed and once again her natural curiosity took over and like anything else, she wanted to learn everything about metal working. Marie was an excellent teacher and Woiven was becoming an exceptional apprentice. Soon she would be making armor and weapons on her own. She now enjoyed her work and the company of her aunt, who turned out to be a very funny and compassionate woman. She didn't even mind that her soft hands had become callused, her nails short and blunted, and her body lean and muscular. Being humbled by honest work and the sense of satisfaction that it gave her, Woiven finally noticed the people of Theramore. It didn't matter what their family name was or how rich they were, they all worked together to make Theramore the great city it was. Even Lady Proudmoore would help with the toils of her city. This only proved to further Woiven's humility as she had realized this is what true nobility was. A leader willing to roll her sleeves up and jump in where needed. It's at this point she became fully aware of the lesson her parent's were trying to teach her. She wrote a letter home one year after arriving in Theramore.

"Dear Mom and Dad, I hope that this letter finds both of you well. I wanted to thank you both (even though I know this was more of daddy's idea) for the lesson you have taught me. I have found a new meaning of the definition of noble. At first I was very angry with you for sending me away but I understand why you did now. I recently saw Lady Proudmore stop what she was doing to help a thatcher load bails of hay onto his cart. She thanked him, smiled, bowed, and continued on her way. Surely if a woman of her caliber and beauty doesn't mind doing "peasant work", I shouldn't either. I know now that nobility has the responsibility of helping those less fortunate. I am deeply sorry for acting like a spoiled brat. The two of you raised me better. Marie and I are getting along great. She is not like dad, she... is actually funny. She tells the best jokes and has the funniest limericks. She promised me that if I continue to do well, she'll ask Lady Proudmoore if I can use her library, as long as it doesn't interfere with my responsibilities. That's all I have for now. I love you both and thank you for caring enough to teach me this lesson. Your loving daughter, Woiven Holdston."

True to her word, Marie introduced Woiven to Lady Jaina Proudmoore. It is an event she will remember for the rest of her life and at that point, Woiven had found a role model. A strong, independent,, compassionate, beautiful and highly intelligent woman as well as the leader of a nation. Jania would continue to influence the young woman and often suggest books that were "good reads" or "helpful.". It was a book that Jania had recommended that changed Woiven's view on the world. The book was a recount of the events of the rise of the Lich King and that with the recent lessons of leadership and nobility, changed Woiven's perspective. She viewed the tragic suffering as a calling to aid the people of Azeroth. Many times, she would discuss her thoughts and feelings with Marie. Two years after her arrival in Theramore and during Nobel Gardens, Woiven was introduced to the next person that would change her life. Marie practically drug her over to robe clad man named Brother Karmen and thus begin the next chapter of Woiven's growth. Brother Karmen was a retired paladin and had taken an interest in Woiven's development into a leader. After their introduction, Brother Karmen offered to train Woiven in the ways of the Light, which Woiven gladly accepted. For the next five years, Woiven would endure the extreme tutelage of her mentor and learn the three virtues, the ways of paladins, and the art of war. She was a quick study and advanced in skill rapidly. Woiven stood at the alter in the church of Theramore humbly accepting her anointment. It was the happiest day of her life. Brother Karmen swelled with pride for his student, Marie had tears of joy as she cheered for her niece, and Jania clapped excitedly. Both Jaren and Aubrey stood behind their daughter, never could they be prouder of her and the families first paladin. War looms over the world again and for a change Woiven is not deaf to the call. Giving a heartfelt good bye to her family and friends, Woiven joined the Second Alliance Expedition to Draenor. After going through The Dark Portal she was stationed at Honor Hold with the Sons of Lothar. Many of the veterans thought her to be too small to be of any real use, but every time she helped quell an orc skirmish, more and more of their doubts faded. She had become a trusted ally and compatriot, garnering respect from veterans and recruits alike. She had become well know for her quick wit, strategic mind, and her dirty jokes. Force Commander Trollbane, who had received many after action reports commending Woiven’s military aptitude and heroic deeds, promoted her to the rank of Sergeant and placed her in command of nine subordinates It was now that she would find her calling, not as a healer but as a protector. She would stand between the enemy and her comrades with her mace and bulwark, attacking with a ferocity that gave no respite and caused the most hardened warrior to rethink their motivations. Now it would be her to call the charge bringing her forces smashing though enemy lines. She made a name for herself as a defender, a warrior, and a leader. Her unit became renowned for their success and thanks to their unusual and daring tactics, were nicknamed The Undaunted. They were fearless in battle and at some points, would take the fight to the orcs attacking Thrallmar on repeated occasion with staggering results.