Four months since the wedding of Lady Brienne and Podrick Payne, and people were still talking of the event. Arya and Gendry stayed for a fort night after, and in that time, Lady Brienne and her grew closer than ever before. They began a correspondence and one day, Arya received one of the saddest letters she'd ever read.
Dearest friend,
It pains me to write this. I have lost my child. He was born three days ago. Too early to live. I am most distraught as is my husband, Pod. Oh, Arya! He was so tiny and frail. Why did this happen I ask myself? Did I do something wrong?
Pod thinks I am being too hard on myself. He says the Gods must've needed him for a higher purpose. He has not left my side for a moment, my dear husband. He tries to stay strong for me, but, at night while he thinks I am asleep, I can hear him crying, mourning for the son I lost; another man's child. He is so inherently good, and I feel I do not deserve him.
Please, take care. Enjoy every moment of your pregnancy. Do not weep for me. I will continue to keep you and Lord Baratheon's unborn child in my daily prayers.
Your friend,
Lady Brienne of Tarth
Sobbing, Arya looked up from her letter and Gendry rushed over at her side. "What is it? What is it that upsets you so?" Arya could not say it out loud so she handed him the letter and lovingly held her bulging belly, silently vowing never to complain about her pregnancy ever again. "Seven Hells! Poor Brienne! Oh, Pod must be devastated as well. 'Arry, my love." He fell to his knees and joined her in embracing her belly. Gendry kissed her belly and then spoke in a whisper to their child, "Now listen here, you stay in there for 2 more moons. Mommy and Daddy love you. Our friends are hurting right now. Arya? I'm going to get you some tea. Help calm your nerves, okay? Don't worry. I'll be right back, Mi Lady." Arya nodded.
She was glad he left. She didn't like showing weakness around him, but she couldn't stop herself. "You heard your father, little wolf. Stay put while you finish growing. We love you too much already." She would write a response to Brienne tomorrow. Right now, she just couldn't wrap her head around the fact that Lady Brienne and Ser Jaime's baby was dead. Dead and hopefully united with his father in the afterlife.
The wind rushed past them. Dany had her arms wrapped around Jon's waist as they rode Drogon to Tarth. They'd received a Raven from Pod in regards to the death of Lady Brienne's son. Within moments, Dany decided she must visit the brave woman Knight and pay her respects. They hadn't been able to attend her wedding, but she couldn't sit around and just write a damn letter. Within hours, they arrived.
Lord Selwyn greeted them and led them into Evenstar Hall. "My Queen! I am honored that you have come. Please come in and I will send for my son-in-law." Dany nodded, "Thank you, Lord Selwyn. I apologize for any intrusion, but when we received Podrick's Raven, I had to come." Jon placed his hand on Dany's shoulder and gave it a light squeeze.
Within a few minutes, a very tired, swollen-eyed Podrick Payne appeared. "Pod, oh Gods, man. Come here." Jon stood up and out his arms out and they hugged. "Thank you for coming my Lord and my Queen. It's been a rough week. My Lady wife is inconsolable. I fear I do not know how to help heal her broken soul." Dany felt tears welling up in her eyes. "Can I see her, Pod?" she inquired. He smiled slightly and replied, "Of course."
Pod knocked on the door and Lord Selwyn answered. "The Queen wishes to see my wife, my Lord father." They opened the door and left the Queen and Lady Brienne alone. Dany walked to the fireplace where Lady Brienne sat in a chair covered in a dark cloak. "My Queen, I would stand, but I fear I am too weak." Dany put her hand up to cut her off from her speech. "Don't be silly, Lady Brienne. No need for all that. I am here for you. You know, I lost my son, Rhaego. He died as he was born. My beloved Khal, Drogo, and I were heartbroken. They are together now, just as your son and Ser Jaime are, I just know this in my heart. I pray that you can find solace in that." Brienne looked deep in thought staring into the crackling fire then smiled slightly. "Thank you Queen Danaerys. Can I ask you something?" Dany smiled sweetly and took her hand, "Anything." Brienne looked forlorn, "Does the pain ever go away?" Dany squeezed Brienne's hand. "Not completely, but with time, it gets a bit easier to live again." With that, Dany kissed Brienne's brow and bid her farewell.
Jon could tell she was upset by how quiet she remained on the ride back to Dragonstone. Dany had excused herself to her chambers until supper. She came down to join him and smiled, but her smile did not reach her eyes. He stretch his hand out acossed the table toward her. "Dany, something is bothering you. Is it Lady Brienne? Has this made you relive your own loss?" Dany reached across the table to hold his hand. "I want a child." She looked up and met his eyes. "I know the witch said I would not be able to, but I want to try with you. No child could ecer replace Rhaego, but it has been many years." Jon stood up and picked Dany up into his arms. "Shall we try now?"
"Lady Sansa? A Raven from Evenfall Hall, my lady." Sansa took the scroll. "Thank you, Faerys." She walked over to the chaisse where her and Tyrion were rekaxing after a long day of wedding planning. "What do our friends from Tarth have to say? Hopefully still living in wedded bliss?" Tyrion asked. Sansa gasped and held out the note as tears began to fall. "My little nephew that would have been. Gone." he said with a tremble in his voice. He reached for Sansa and they held each other as they wept. Gone. The only connection left of his dear brother, Jaime, gone. "Poor Lady Brienne! Poor Pod!" she cried out. "We must send our condolences at once. Do you think you could write? You just have a way with words, my love." Tyrion agreed to write to them.
Our dear friends of Evenfall Hall,
Word has just reached us here at Casterly Rock of your heartbreaking loss. The child will not be forgotten. Please know that your House on our minds and will not be forgotten during our prayers.
Lady Brienne and Pod, my brother in every way that matters, we love you both and if there is anything we can do, do not hesitate to ask. Be with each other, love each other and comfort one another. Love is what you need right now and always.
Your loving friends,
Lord Tyrion of House Lannister Lady Sansa of House Stark
They sealed the scroll and handed it off to Faerys. That night, they held each other closer than ever and thoughts of their dear friends plagued their minds until they both drifted off to sleep.
Word had reached Winterfell of the loss of the future Lord of Evenfall Hall. Bran was not as affected as his siblings, as he was not close with either Lady Brienne or Podrick Payne, yet he still felt sadness in knowing that two of the saviors in the battle against the Night King were in so much pain. Lady Meera could sense his sadness and just sat in silence with him until he spoke.
"I don't remember feeling sadness when my mother and father died. Nor do I have any recollection of the feelings of loss when my brothers died. I feared that because I was the Three-Eyed Raven, I'd never need to deal with those feelings. But I feel sadness for Lady Brienne and Podrick Payne. I sat here trying to figure out why that was, and then it came to me. It's you." Meera looked at him with her eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "Me?" Bran pulled her closer and held her face in his hands. "My love for you. It broke through the shield around my heart. I have been feeling more like myself before the fall from the tower. I love you, Meera." He captured her lips with his and ran his fingers through her curls as she hugged him close. "And I love you, Bran. More than you'll ever know."
Pod came into the room and was pleased to see Brienne resting in a hot bath. "My Lady?" Brienne opened her eyes and saw him standing above with concern in his eyes. She reached out her hand to him and he went to his knees as he kissed her knuckles. "How are you feeling love?" Brienne smiled slightly, "Much better since my talk with the Queen. She'd lost a child, her and the Khal's. She says it gets easier even if the pain of losing him doesn't go away completely. How are you, Pod? Even if he wasn't your true born son, he was yours in every way that mattered." Pod had tears in his eyes. "Doing okay. I was more concerned about you." Brienne couldn't believe how lucky she had been to find love with her closest friend. "I'll need some time, but I would love to try again in a few months. Me and you. We can start our family. What do you think?" Pod showed her by jumping in the tub fully clothed to embrace her. "Nothing would make me happier."
* Sorry for the sad chapter guys *