Born to an Admiral in the Royal Navy, Josef Temple, and his wife Anah, she is the oldest child of four. Her sister, Serah, was a lady in waiting to Princess Ciarrah Aberdeen until her death. Her remaining siblings are all living: Josie (sister) age 13, Hann (brother) 15, and Seranno (brother) age 8. Brought up like any other noble child on Fairisle, she learned to read and write, studied the arts in general but her talent showed up in poetry. While she is not possessing of a singing voice nor do her hands fly across the strings of a graceful instrument, she does dance quite well. She was always more serious than her siblings, being the eldest, even though a girl, she felt responsible for them all. Her parents were somewhat distant, often busy with the responsibilities of their positions, he as an Admiral in the Royal Navy and she as the Lady of a House whose Lord was often out on the seas. Giarrah helped with her siblings, mothering them, growing up faster than some with that weight on her shoulders. Serah and Jennah grew very close and were best friends as well as sisters.
Xavier Ai'Alona rose through the ranks of the Sea Rangers and made a name for himself. He passed his trials without a single dot of imperfection, so much so that even those who don't believe in the gods, thought him touched by one. He was the middle son of noble parents and nephew to the Count, Jennah's parents could not have been more proud and worried at the same time. Xavier had Josef's favor, though the Reshin people did not. It was a promotion for her in position, depending on who you ask. Naval officers would say he was the one promoted, allowed to marry an Admiral's daughter. They crossed paths on the celebration day of him passing his trials, she found him arrogant, he thought she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. She was only fifteen and he was eighteen and the next year was a flurry of meetings and awkward conversations. He'd never had to actually woo anyone, he was handsome and well known among his people, having his pick of women but he chose this one. This one who was not impressed, that is, until her sixteenth birthday.
She had accepted her parents' choice of husbands for her and while the thought of living on Zauria was unsettling it was also exciting. She would miss Serah most of all. Her best friend and confidante, even though she was younger, Serah was always there, always Jennah's sounding board. It was a simple thing really, but it changed Jennah's heart forever. Serah had not quite grown into herself and at fourteen was still mostly a gangly girl, struggling to balance what would someday grow into stunning beauty. She was awkward at times and had no suitors. The party was standard faire with music and dancing, food and drinks, and a lonely Serah watching it all happen until.. Xavier. His request took her by surprise, could he dance with her sister? She looked so lonely and he couldn't stand it. This tough, cunning, fighting man.. was tender? She could only nod then smile and step back and watch as he led her sister to the dance floor. Serah and Xavier laughed and talked and while it was completely platonic, they forged a bond that sealed Jennah's fate to desperately love this Sea Ranger.
After that night, she could not beg her parents to set the date soon enough and the wedding became a celebration rather than a duty. She loved him and he adored her. He taught her to be a Reshin woman and she was so eager to make him proud that she spent much of her time studying while he was at sea-the shipping business, using a knife and defending herself, at least at little, if not as good as women who'd done it since birth. She was pregnant within mere weeks of the wedding and they were overjoyed to have a son, Xavros. She learned while Xavros learned. In three short years she grew into her position, wise beyond her years and strong. The second pregnancy was a welcomed blessing and they were so happy. For a time.
Xavier went out to sea often and always came home. He was more than capable, he was magnificent on the water. She'd sailed with him, watched him in action, she knew he was destined for the Navy. It never occurred to her that the sea could turn against him and swallow him up like a little fish. She remained in complete denial and disbelief for almost a week after they told her he was gone. She simply would not accept it. The only way she kept her sanity was to look into the face of her son and rest her hand on her growing belly. For them, for their future and Xavier's legacy, she had to be strong and lead until Xavros was of age. She was ever thankful that her husband's brother, Stevros, was willing to help her, even if in her grief she did not see through his facade of helpfulness. It is hard to lose someone you love. Jennah was almost to full term in her pregnancy when she came down with a fever and awoke two weeks later to an empty womb and empty nursery. With barely time to come to terms with that loss, she suffered another just a six months later in the death of her sister.(6 ic weeks ago)
Her recovery has been difficult. She has no closure on her losses. The only thing worse than losing a child is simply the absence of what you had dreamed about with no confirmation, no baby to hold in your arms, no goodbye. She was just gone. As was Serah. As was Xavier. Stevros continued to help handle things. He's never liked her, he couldn't have liked any woman his brother married. It solidified Xavier's heir and Stevros craved that seat more than anything. Jennah was too distraught to realize, too trusting to see that over the last eight or so months, Stevros has been working his own angle, drawing support, and he's not about to give up. So he's hatched a plan to send her to Stormvale and get her married off and out of his way under the guise of her being needed on the far end of shipments to see what is happening and inquire of her sister's death. Xavros will remain with Stevros for schooling and training as he will one day lead, unless Stevros can get him out of the way too, which will be much easier with Jennah gone.
Family Tree Information:
Parents: Josef and Anah Temple, both living.
Sister: Serah, deceased
Sister: Josie, 13
Brother: Hann, 15
Brother: Seranno, 8
Husband: Xavier Ai'Alona, deceased
Xavier's Family
Parents: Xander and Maelynn Ai'Alona
Brother: Stevros, 23