Who is Arlbeth from The Hero and the Crown and what is their importance?

Arlbeth is the king of Damar. Arlbeth is twice widowed. Arlbeth's first marriage did not result in a child. Arlbeth's second marriage caught his people by surprise because a widowed king does not normally remarry unless he has a need, such as a mother for his children. For this reason, people question the motives of Arlbeth's second wife, especially when it becomes known that she has come to Damar from the north, a region thought to be the home of witches and demons. Arlbeth's second wife produces one child before his wife dies of unknown causes.