Brought to you by solace. A time of joy in peace in the center of the storm.
Chapter 46: Look At Me. I'm the Big Sis Now.
Sunlight streamed in rainbow colors through the stained glass windows of the sept at Winterfell, which was extra annoying to Komekko as it was getting right in her eyes. Still, she did her best to smile big, hold up her brush, and belt out the song that Septon Tegan had made them practice for the past month.
Yes, they are all so perfect
So white and pearly
Brush, gargle, rinse
A couple sprigs of mint
My shiny teeth and me
Beside Komekko, Lyanna and Myrcella were singing as well, holding up their brushes and cups as they sang. Over with the boys, Rickon and Tommen sang as well. Most of the children in Winterfell were participating in the choir, even though few of them worshiped the New Goddesses. After all, any mother recognized the importance of oral hygiene, and a song was a small price to pay for a new brush and some special salts that would give children clean teeth for a year. Plus, the kids were really cute.
My shiny teeth will blossom
Just like your favorite song
My shiny teeth I floss them
So they grow to be real strong
In the front row, Komekko's mother sat with the dowager queen, both women smiling as their younger children sang and mimed running some string between their teeth. This wasn't the first time Komekko had sang Hestia's hymn, they did it every year. Usually Septa Cecily led the choir and played music on the organ or her lute, but as she had gone south with Komekko's older siblings it had fallen to Septon Tegan, who was not very good with a lute at all, as he was a Renewal Septon and not Axis.
My shiny teeth that glisten
Just like Madoka's Light
You know you'll walk a mile just to see me smile
(Woo!)
My shiny teeth and me
My shiny teeth and me
My shiny teeth and me
Komekko held up her brush and smiled big at the end of the song along with the rest of the children, and the parents all clapped and Septon Tegan beamed at them. He was a nice enough sort, even if in Komekko's opinion he didn't brush his teeth enough as his breath was kinda stinky.
"Thank you all for coming," Septon Tegan said, bowing to the assembled visitors. "Remember, brush your teeth twice a day in honor of Lady Hestia, Goddess of Oral Hygiene."
"SO YOU HAVE SHINY TEETH!" the children all yelled on cue, then broke up to run over to their parents.
"That was lovely singing," Catelyn said, putting her hands on Komekko and Rickon's heads and smiling broadly at them. "I remember singing that hymn when I was your age in Riverrun."
"You musta been real good, 'cause you got shiny teeth," Rickon said seriously, which made his mother laugh.
Catelyn suddenly paused, grimacing and putting her hand on her massive belly. Komekko reached out and put her hand there too. She knew she wasn't supposed to use much magic, but since her older siblings were all using magic now, she let herself use just a little. As usual, baby Bran was healthy and growing, but something had changed.
"He's ready to come out!" Komekko declared happily. "I can tell!"
"Yes, yes I think he is," Catelyn agreed, grimacing again. Komekko blinked in surprise. Was her mommy in pain? Yes, but it was kinda strange. She expected this, and didn't seem scared.
"Septon Tegan, I fear I have need of you," Catelyn called. "Someone fetch Maester Luwin."
Instantly several women were around Komekko's mother, including Cersei, and they whisked her off. Komekko turned to Osha, who had come over to gather up the Stark and Lannister children, along with Lyanna.
"It seems your lady mother's time has come," Osha said. "Come. Let's get you all something to eat."
Normally, Komekko wouldn't argue with that, but right now she was too excited. "But baby Bran's gonna come! We have to go see!"
"Mistress, it will be many hours yet before your brother takes his first breath. I would be surprised if it happens before the morrow," Osha said with a gentle smile and a shake of her head.
Despite her eagerness, Komekko did manage to eat a small dinner fit for several grown men, as without her mother there and all the hubbub about the coming child, people weren't watching what she ate as closely. When dinner was done, Hoost and Shaggy Dog began to whine, nipping at their siblings.
"What is it, Hoost?" Komekko asked curiously.
"He says we must go to the godswood," Lyanna translated. She could, of course, speak Old God, being half one herself. Komekko could understand it too, but she usually still pretended not to.
"You want us to pray for Mama?" Rickon asked Shaggy Dog, who barked and nodded his white and grey striped muzzle.
"That seems wise," Osha agreed, though she made everyone get extra warm cloaks and shoes before she would allow them out to the Godswood. Komekko didn't mind, since she was supposed to be a little girl right now she had to wear warm clothes. Besides, she much preferred to be warm than cold.
"Am I supposed to pray to a Heart Tree?" Myrcella asked, sounding worried as they entered into the woods through the gate, the direwolves bounding ahead of them.
"I don't think the New Goddesses mind that much, as long as you don't pray to the Lord of Light or the Kinslayer," Komekko said with a shrug.
"My father always said the New Goddesses were noble and kind, and had good fire safety practices," Lyanna said, but the three girls turned to look at Osha, as she was the adult.
"I am afraid there were no gods in the North beyond the Wall," Osha said, her brow furrowing. "Are there not many goddesses? You should ask the gods you keep with you if you do not know."
Komekko and her friends turned to the dolls they bore, but Regina and Maxwell remained silent on the matter. After all, they were devils, not gods. Though lots of people seemed to not really understand the difference. Komekko sort of forgot most of the time too.
"It can't hurt," Komekko decided, and they trooped off into the godswood, Rickon and Tommen running ahead of the older girls after the wolves.
They found the wolves and the boys around a large weirwood tree by the steaming hot springs at the edge of the wood. Tommen and Rickon had stopped a ways away from the wolves and the tree, and Shaggy Dog and Hoost seemed to be blocking the way.
"What's wrong, Hoost?" Komekko asked curiously, stepping forward.
The boys can't come further, and neither can my brother and me. Hoost responded. But you girls can go help. Leave your weapons though.
"Help with what?" Lyanna asked curiously, sniffing at the air.
It was Myrcella who gasped in shock first, however, and pointed to the shadow of the Heart Tree. "Look!"
Komekko peered into the darkness, then gasped. There lay the largest wolf that Komekko had ever seen, her thick auburn coat slick with sweat.
"Stay back!" Osha barked, and shoved herself in front of the children, spear raised. That prompted Hoost and Shaggy Dog to stand up, their hackles up as growls rumbled from their chests.
"There's no need for that. It is the Last Wolf," Lyanna said, reaching up and gently pushing Osha's spear down. Then her skin rippled, fur sprouting all over Lyanna's body as she nearly doubled in size. Dropping to all fours, Lyanna finished her transformation into a bear, and ambled forward, past the two direwolves, who parted to let her through.
"Osha, boys, go get blankets and the stuff you need for a baby," Komekko ordered. "Come on, Cella. I think Lady Holo needs our help."
On the other side of the Weirwood Tree, Komekko and Mycella found the panting she wolf, fully the size of a destrier. Her flanks were flecked with froth, and she was breathing hard. Komekko recognized how Holo was acting: It was the same as when the hounds whelped, and Farlen helped deliver the new pups. She'd watched a few times, though Palla always chased her off, claiming she would eat the puppies.
Komekko would never do such a thing! Well, unless she were REALLY hungry.
A few minutes later, a panting Osha returned with warm blankets and a bucket. "We'll need water when the...child? comes. For now, just make her comfortable."
Holo opened her eyes and watched as the girls placed blankets over and under her to keep the laboring wolf warm, but she didn't growl or snap like the hounds had.
"I can help with the pain," Komekko offered, holding up a hand that glowed slightly with purple light. That did get Holo to growl and snap, and Komekko blushed and lowered her hand again. Maybe goddesses didn't like Devil Queen magic.
They stayed in the godswood through the night and into the morning. Sometime around the late sunrise, both Holo and Lyanna shifted to human form. Osha grimly directed the girls in what to do, and the whole thing was both far messier and more disgusting than Komekko ever would have guessed. She decided she was never, ever having babies.
Still, at the end of it, a squalling infant with a slimy tail and wet wolf ears appeared, and Osha cleaned the baby off with warm water from the hotspring, then dried the baby girl off and wrapped her in warm towels, handing her to her exhausted mother to suckle.
"I thank thee, child of the South, for thy assistance," the weary Holo told Myrcella, who looked a lot more excited about the entire thing that Komekko felt. Holo drew the blonde girl to her, then kissed her gently on the forehead. "Once, thy kin were Lions of the Rock in truth. Be so again, at my blessing."
For a moment, Myrcella's eyes glowed golden, then she blinked and let out a small sigh. Lyanna and Komekko managed to catch their friend as she collapsed, gently lowering her to the ground.
"Thou art one of the Old Blood in truth," Holo told Lyanna, reaching out a hand and resting it on her head. "Would'st thou be thy father's heir in truth?"
When Lyanna nodded, her expression serious, Holo drew her closer and kissed her in turn as well. "Then I name thee Daughter of Bears. Thou shalt renew my kin in time, and take one of my sons as thy mate."
"Thank you, Lady of Wolves," Lyanna growled, as her ears suddenly vanished, then reappeared as two rounded, fuzzy ones atop her head. "I shall serve with pride."
Holo turned then to Komekko, who stuck her hands behind her back and smiled brightly.
"I've been good!"
"So thou hast," Holo agreed gravely. "There is no gift I can give thee. Continue to seek penance, and thou may one day be honored as mine ally."
Last, Holo turned to Osha. She smiled, and extended a hand to the tall woman. "Kneel, child of none."
Osha sank to her needs, trembling slightly, her eyes very wide. "Yes, Goddess?
"Thy kin were the prodigal, those who departed from my sight, and the sight of the Southron Goddesses. But thou returns to me. Dost thou wish to have a mistress once more?"
"Freedom cost me three children, a husband, and all my kin. Yes. I kneel to you, Goddess," Osha said, bowing her head.
"Thou shalt find my leash one of love, and that I do not collar nor cage those that serve me. Arise, and be lost no more. I name thee my Herald. One day, speak to thy kindred, and remind them that it is no ill thing to be bound in chains of kinship."
"I...I will, goddess, but beyond the Wall, the Others-"
"We shall speak not of the Ancient Foe at this time. Today is a day of joy. Now, I must rest. When I wake, I shall hunger. I would appreciate a repast when I wake." With that, Holo lay back against the Heart Tree, and closed her eyes.
Komekko and Lyanna hurried to the kitchen, while Osha stayed with the sleeping Myrcella and goddess. Rickon and Tommen were passed out in a heap with Hoost and Shaggy Dog near one of the hotsprings, snoring softly.
"Lady Komekko!" Turnip cried as she and Lyanna dashed into the kitchen. "Where have you been!? Lady Catelyn has given birth to a son, strong and hale! Everyone has been looking for you!"
"Not right now, Turnip, we need some apples for Holo!" Komekko cried, snatching up a tray of tarts and stuffing them into a basket along with cheese and a skin of ale.
"What!? No, it's not the time to eat, you have to-" Turnip trailed off and let out a gasp as she got a good look at Lyanna's new profile.
"We must attend to the Old Goddess. We shall see Lady Stark soon enough. She sleeps now, does she not?" Lyanna asked as she grabbed several meat pies and loaves of bread.
Turnip only nodded mutely, her brown eyes very wide.
"Good, I'll see Baby Bran soon!" Komekko assured the kitchen maid, and she and Lyanna sprinted back out to the Godswood.
Of course, then they had to wait, and both of them ended up falling asleep next to Myrcella, worn out from the long night.
When they awoke, the sun was glowing in the autumn sky, and Holo was eating and suckling her babe at the same time.
"What's her name?" Myrcella yawned, sitting up and rubbing at her eyes. They were back to their normal green color, though there were more flecks of gold in them than before.
"She is Myuri. The last child of my beloved Lawrence," Holo answered quietly, smiling down at the tiny babe.
"He was my super great grandpa!" Komekko said excitedly, peering at the nursing baby. "My mom had a baby too, last night."
"I know. 'Tis why I chose to bear my daughter now," Holo answered seriously. She shifted Myuri off her breast, then burped the infant gently. "Help me dress. I shall require clothes, much as I dislike them."
Komekko knew a couple of tricks from Yunyun, and hurriedly turned a few of the blankets into an acceptable gown and small clothes, and Osha helped Holo into them.
"Very well. Come. I must seal the pact while the babes are yet newly come into the world," Holo said, standing on shaky legs with the girl's help. She leaned tiredly on Osha, then walked unsteadily on bare feet.
As they passed the boys and the two wolves, they came awake, then hurriedly followed after the procession. Several people stopped and stared in shock, while others quickly knelt. They made their way to the main keep, where Cersei was waiting at the entrance, looking worried.
"Myrcella! Tommen! Where have you been, who is-" Cersei stopped, looking around at the Northerners' reaction to the group. Then she spied the ears, and took in a sharp breath. "A Goddess?"
"Aye. Know that I have claimed thy daughter, Southron. Fear not the words of the Anathema's witch. Thy children are well cared for," Holo told Cersei.
Cersei's knees buckled, and she fell to her knees, tears leaking down her cheeks.
"I...you...you know-?"
"I have not done this out of love for you," Holo said, looking grimly down at the dowager queen. "Thy sins, however, are thy own. Not thy children's. And neither I nor my cousins in the South are ones to let babes perish needlessly."
"Thank you," Cersei whispered, and Komekko remembered when Cersei had tried to kill her, and grinned, showing more teeth than most girls had. She still had a debt to call in there. But now wasn't the time for that.
Later. Komekko had plans for Cersei.
They found Catelyn laying in bed with a child at her own breast. She let out a gasp of shock and tried to sit up as Holo staggered into the room, blushing and trying to cover herself.
"Be at ease, Daughter of Rivers. I too must rest," Holo groaned, and without invitation, slid into bed beside Catelyn, reclining atop the blankets.
"Goddess, I, I did not think to see you," Catelyn stammered. She looked worn and weary to Komekko, and a bit pale.
"Hmm. And yet, I planned to see you. Thy birthing went well?" Holo yawned.
"I...yes. A son. I would say Hestia blessed me, but-"
"Do not fear; my cousin deserves credit for her work, as do her packmates," Holo answered. She held up her own daughter, who was sleeping now. "I have a cub of mine own."
"She's lovely," Catelyn whispered. She glanced at Holo, then gingerly held up Bran, who made a mewling noise as he was taken from his meal.
Holo traded with Catelyn, and, to the shock of nearly everyone there, gently put Bran to her own breast, and nodded to Catelyn to do the same with the stirring Myuri.
"Our children have shared suck; they are bound to one another," Holo said gravely once the two children finished. She gave Bran back to Catelyn, and took her daughter.
"What...what does this mean?" Catelyn asked, looking concerned and clutching Bran to herself.
"Should we survive this Winter, much shall change. But one thing shall not: House Stark is mine, and I am theirs," Holo said. "Our children will be parted for a time, but they shall seek one another out in due course. This my cousin has seen in her cards. Our bond shall be renewed again in blood, as it always must."
Catelyn nodded, looking relieved. "Then…?"
"We shall speak more on the nonce. For now, we both must rest," Holo said, and soon both mothers and infants were snoring softly.
"Come, let's get you three to bed," Osha said. "Much has happened this past day. I do not understand it all, but it seems all was well for now."
"Yes. But Winter is coming," Komekko agreed, glancing to the north. She could feel darkness gathering. Something darker than even she was. Before she left, Komekko looked back to her mother and baby brother. She'd protect them. She was the Big Sister again. And she had nearly as many friends as Yunyun, even if hers were not as nice.
Cast of Characters:
Komekko as: Big Sis, reporting! All legions, protect Otouto-kun!
Myrcella as: Can't be an imouto without superpowers!
Lyanna as: Momma Bear in Training.
Osha as: Fully compliant with workplace safety standards.
Holo and Catelyn as: Proud mammas.
And the Cast of A Song of Ice and Fire taking a day off from that grimderp.