The Lost Stag

Long Live House Stark

                    Jorah's body lies on an unlit funeral pyre. Daenerys mourns over his dead body. She leans down and kisses him gently on the forehead. She then whispers something in his ear. Sansa, Valen, Jon, Arya, Samwell, Rickon, and Bran stand amidst the Stark and Baratheon men, some of whom bear torches. Daenerys joins the crowd a bit further down, next to Grey Worm, Varys, Missandei, and Tyrion. In front of the crowd are scores of funeral pyres in a grid. Stark soldiers stand at intervals with more torches. Sansa steps forward to address those assembled, "We're here to say goodbye to our brothers and sisters. To our fathers and mothers. To our friends. Our fellow men and women who set aside their differences to fight together and die together so that others might live. Everyone in this world owes them a debt that can never be repaid. It is our duty and our honor to keep them alive in memory for those who come after us and those who come after them for as long as men draw breath. They were the shields that guarded the realms of men. And we shall never see their like again," she said mournfully. Then soldiers and Free Folk hand torches to Arya, Sam, Tormund, Daenerys, and Grey Worm. They fan out to various pyres in the field, joining their fallen comrades for one final farewell: Arya to Beric, Sam to Edd. As one, they ignite the pyres. Daenerys watches the flames spread under Jorah, then turns away. The living return to the crowd, and the flames rise higher. The air fills with thick black smoke.

                    After a day filled with mourning, everyone meets in the great hall at nightfall to celebrate their win against the dead. The victory feast is somber and quiet, even though the hall is filled to capacity. What's left of the Stark family sits at the head table, along with Valen, Juno, Daenerys, and Tyrion. Gendry gets up from the table he had been sharing with Sandor. He walks the length of the hall to leave, but Daenerys and Valen notice him as he passes the head table. Daenerys looks to Valen, who nods her head. After the funeral earlier today, Valen decided to speak with Daenerys about her brother and how she wished for him to become head of House Baratheon. "Gendry," Daenerys called out, causing him to stop and face her. The hall is suddenly utterly silent as Gendry glances at his sister, who gives him a soft smile.

                    "Yes, Your Grace?" he asked while approaching Daenerys.

                    "You're sister, and I have been talking, and we think you should be the new Lord of Storm's End," she explained, surprising Gendry.

                    The crowd murmurs, "I can't be. I'm a bastard," Gendry pointed out.

                    "No, you are Lord Gendry Baratheon of Storm's End, the lawful son of Robert Baratheon. Because that is what I have made you," Daenerys proclaimed. The newly named Gendry Baratheon nods in shock and surprise. At a nearby table, Davos stands and raises his glass.

                  "To Lord Gendry Baratheon of Storm's End," he toasted. Everyone in the hall rises to their feet to salute Gendry.

                    "Lord Gendry!" they all cheered. Gendry takes a goblet from his smiling sister and then salutes the hall. They cheer in response. The Hound, still sitting, shakes his head and returns to shoveling food into his mouth. The hall continues to cheer.

                    "A fitting reward for a hero and the brother of The Stag of Blackwater," Tyrion said. A few hours later and the mood has lightened. The merry crowd laughs and enjoys themselves. The wine flows freely. A server places a carafe of wine on the table in front of Brienne and Jaime. Brienne covers the top of her goblet, but Jaime removes her hand.