Nyctophilia|Game of Thrones

3.29

Months had now passed and Joanna lay in a bed with Jamie sitting on one side and Tywin sitting on another.

She screamed out and groaned in pain as she had been for the past two days.

Midwives scattered the room getting things ready as at least two wet nurses sat nearby everyone awaiting the birth of Benedict Martell.

But they all worried as it had been two days since she had begun her labors.

Soon after, a Maester, fresh from the citadel, walked in with a fresh bowl of water.

Joanna, however, was covered in her own sweat as tears also fell down her cheeks. She had her father and grandfather but all she wanted was Oberyn.

Cersei waited outside the room as she knew Joanna would do nothing but yell at her until she left, so she stood there, outside of the room, waiting and hoping that her daughter would ask for her mother.

Cerenna, Eddard, and Lyanna, all sat in the room playing with their toys as a midwife watched over them.

Greywind lay behind his owner wanting to be as close to her as possible for support or comfort but not wanting to be in the way.

"I can't do this... I don't want to do this..." Joanna spoke in between breaths

"You have to Jo. This is your child. Oberyns child. If not for yourself, then for him." Jamie whispered to his daughter who breathed heavily.

"No... I need my mother... I can't do this again. Not without her." She cried out and immediately, at the words, Cersei stormed in, going to kneel on the ground by the bed.

She placed a hand under Joannas head and another on her arm and leaned in close to her so that her chin was resting on Joannas shoulder. "I am here my love. I am here." She whispered "you can do this. I know you can." She finished backing away to look at the girl.

"It hurts. Worse than before." Joanna told the woman.

"Well, that's because before you hand them in the cold and your body was freezing," Tywin replied causing the girl to slightly laugh.

"Just breathe Joanna and do what the Maester tells you. I promise once that baby is born, you will be happy and content." Cersei spoke in a soft comforting voice and Joanna nodded her head and did as told.

She pushed when told to.

Breathed when told to.

Screamed as she pushed.

Breathed heavily when told to stop.

A few more hours passed and finally, Joannas child was fully out but the room grew quiet.

Cersei, Jamie, Tywin, the Maester, the Midwives, and the Wet Nurses all looked up and at each other as well as at the baby and Joanna who had quickly either fallen asleep or passed out.

A tear fell down Cerseis cheek as Jamie and Tywin let go of Joanna's hands.

They handed the baby to a midwife who took the baby but stood there in shock as the maester finished up on Joanna.

Cersei walked up to the midwife with a small blanket and took the baby as she wrapped the blanket around him.

The entire room was in shock, not knowing what to do or what to say.

"Everyone out. Except for the Maester" Cersei finally said after a long moment. Everyone did as told but Joannas children, Jamie, Tywin, the Maester, and Cersei, stayed.

"She's going to be devastated..." Jamie trailed

"Devastated? She's lost so much in such a short time. This will kill her." Tywin corrected his son who took his daughters hand and pressed it to his lips.

"She'll blame me. I can't be here when she wakes." Cersei spoke not wanting to leave the room or her daughter.

"It's alright. Go. We have her." Jamie told the woman who nodded, handed the baby to Tywin and left quickly to avoid anyone seeing her cry.

"I need you to try everything you can..." Tywin whispered to the maester who nodded his head reluctantly as he grabbed the baby.

...

Hours later, Joanna had finally woken up. Jamie and Tywin still sat at the sides of her but no one said a word as she looked around the now-empty room.

"Where is everyone?" She softly asked in a hoarse voice.

Tywin and Jamie looked at each other for a moment before looking anywhere but at Joanna "where is everyone? Where is my son?" Joanna asked in a louder voice that was full of concern and worry.

"Joanna... I'm sorry... I'm so so sorry..." Jamie whispered confusing the girl.

"Sorry? For what?" She asked sitting up but as she did, she looked over to the bassinet to see her son but immediately noticed that he wasn't breathing and the realization hit. "No..." she whispered as tears immediately filled her eyes and spilled down her cheeks.

"Joanna..." Tywin spoke up in a soft voice

"Stillborn?" She asked as they both nodded their heads. "Leave me," she told the two who did as told not wanting her to lash out at them at the current moment.

Immediately Joanna broke down in tears as Cerenna, who woke up and heard her mothers cries, ran to her mother and joined her in the bed.

Cerenna hugged her mother tightly as Joanna hugged her back. "Why are you, sad mama?" Cerenna softly asked her mother

"Because your baby brother is gone..." Joanna truthfully told her daughter

"Where did he go?" She asked

"He's with your father and Oberyn." Joanna continued not wanting to lie to the girl

"At least he will be happy and safe." Cerenna finished as Joanna did nothing but nod her head.

She looked up at her son and had the same feeling she had the day Oberon died. The feeling that something was off. Something wasn't right.

Suddenly there was a knock on her door and she sighed heavily "come in." She reluctantly spoke

"Do you need anything?" Tywins voice spoke up

"I need to be far away from here..." Joanna whispered closing her eyes as a single tear escaped down her cheek.