Derek pounded on the door of Bashes chambers, waiting until an irritated Bash opened the door. "What the fuck, Derek," he snapped before seeing the look his friend held.
"What happened?" Bash asked quietly.
"Theo's dead Marcella is sobbing and holding his body to her," he answered, watching as his friend's jaw clenched and his eyes glossed over with tears.
"I am going to go get the king and Prim and Mia." Derek added, "I thought you may want to go and speak with her first before everyone else says your goodbye."
Bash just nodded numbly before shutting the door so he could let a few tears fall as he got dressed before quickly making his way to Marcella and Theo's chambers quickly and quietly entering the chamber, his heart shattering at the sight.
Marcella sat against the wall sobbing, begging the gods to wake her up from whatever sick nightmare she was in.
"Marcella," he whispered, making her look up.
"Bash," she whimpered.
"I know, sweetheart," he whispered as he stared at the love of his life, who was now dead. He slowly sat next to Marcella, grabbing her hand as she leant into him, trying to comfort each other.
"I'm sorry, Bash," she whispered, sniffling as she wiped her tears.
Ten minutes later, the door opened again, and the King and Otto walked in, taking in the sight with a heavy heart, just as Prim and Mia entered the room, already knowing what happened.
"Marcella," Prim said softly as she walked further into the room, catching her attention. "We must call for the silent sisters," she said, but received only a shake of her head.
"No, this isn't real; it can't be the children didn't get to say goodbye; he can't be dead," she whispered in denial, whimpering when she felt a sharp pain in her stomach.
"I know this doesn't seem realm, but it is Ella, but he is no longer in pain, and he will always be here with you, watching over you and the children," Prim said softly, looking at both Bash and Marcella, letting him know she was speaking to him as well.
"I won't leave him; not yet I can."
"That's ok, we don't need to." Bash whispered, kissing her head and wiping the few tears that fell from down his cheek.
"Prim, can you please wake the children and bring them to my day chambers? I need to tell them what has happened," Marcella asked, looking up.
"Of course I will," Prim whispered, standing up as the doors opened and the silent sisters entered the room.
"Prepare his body; he will be placed in the crypt, not burned, in the morning." Marcella demanded making them nod before getting to work as Viserys and Otto left the room to give them space.
Marcella and Bash both stood against the wall, watching as the man they loved was cleaned and wrapped on a stone slab.
"How am I supposed to tell my children that their father is dead? The man who was just sharing stories and throwing them in the air is dead. How do I tell my son, who is only ten, that he is now the lord of Highgarden?"
"I don't know."
"Princess, these are for you there, Lord Theos." A handmaiden whispered, handing her two rings.
"Thank you, my dear," Marcella whispered, waiting until she and the silent sisters left the room before looking at her hand that held two rings—his wedding band and his matching ring with Bash.
"It is yours," she said, handing him the ring while keeping the gold band that showed their marriage.
"He had these made for us when we were ten and four, after we had our first kiss."
"He truly loved you, Bash. I hope you know that." She whispered, looking up at him through teary eyes, making him smile and kiss her head.
"I know he did, and he loved you, Marcella."
"I need to go talk with the children; it will give you some time alone with him to grieve." She stated, kissing his cheek, leaving the room, wiping her tears away.
"Sweetheart," Viserys muttered.
"I am fine; it was bound to happen. I need to go inform the children," Marcella whispered, taking a shaky breath and her face scrunching up in pain as she rubbed her stomach and walked away, leaving Viserys and Otto to worry.
The last person Marcella lost was her little babe, Daliah, at only two days old, and she shut down after the funeral, where all of the kings landing small folk included grieved the loss. She shut and locked herself away for three months. She didn't leave the room; she rarely ate, and when she did, she had a hard time keeping things down. She barely saw her children, not wanting them to see her in such a state. Most nights she spent sitting in Theo's arms holding the blanket that smelled like their daughter.
She only came out of her room when her father begged, telling her he couldn't lose his child and her children couldn't lose their mother.
The memories hit Marcella hard every happy, sad, and lovey moment she held, with Theo rushing through her head as she stood in front of her day chambers, not ready to shatter her children's hearts.
"Marcella," Derek whispered, snapping her out of her daze. "I am sure your father can tell them if you need that or I can."
"No, I need to be the one to," she said before walking into the room and seeing all of her children sitting on the couches, Prim holding Jasper.
"Mama," he whined, making her take him from her friend sitting down.
"Is everything okay, mother?" Baelon asked
"Ya, why were we called out of bed so late?" Valen asked
"Mom?" Aegon whispered, seeing her lip quiver and eyes glossed over as did the other children.
"Your father is gone," she gasped out the words hard to say.
The room was silent for a minute as they took in the news, but Jasper didn't understand. "Where's Daddy?" he asked.
"Daddy had to go; he had to leave Jasper," she whispered, kissing his cheek and looking at her children, who were all trying not to cry.
"Leave where?"
"To the gods, remember when I told you the stranger takes someone to give them peace; let them live without pain?"
"mmh"
"Well, the stranger took Daddy; he's not coming back, baby."
The words made everyone break down into tears. "Come here," she said, opening her arms and letting them all huddle up crying to their mother.
"I know my babies, I know," she whispered, holding them tightly, ignoring the pain in her stomach.
--------------------------------
The family and those who were close to Theo Tyrell stood in the royal crypt as the seven blessed Theo's body.
Targaryen's may not have believed in the seven, but the Tyrells did believe in the seven. Theo did believe in both the new and old gods, so he would be laid to rest where both the seven and the old gods could look over him.
"I love you, father; I will take care of our family, just like you always did." Baelon whispered, setting a sketch he did of his family on his father's chest; it was his favorite he would always say. He walked back to his mother.
"The king had never been a true father to me, but you have loved, protected, and raised me like I was your own, so thank you for that, Theo." Aegon whispered, placing down the paperfolded dragon that Theo made for him when he was only five.
"I promise to live my life in a way that would make you proud, father. I will live up to your name." Eryx whispered, placing down the first knife he had been given by his father.
"Love you, papa. May you finally find peace. I promise I will do my best as you asked." Aemma whispered, kissing the tomb and laying a white rose from the bush he planted for her down before walking back to her mother.
"Thank you for seeing me as me, father. May the gods watch over you in the afterlife." Aemond whispered, placing the book theo always read to him down, walking back to Emma.
"I will miss you deeply, father, but I know you are in a better place. At least I hope you are. Please don't forget us." Rhaegar whispered, placing down the Tyrell bracelet his father asked him to hold on to while he was sick.
"You were always there for me, and I will never forget your kindness. You never made me feel weird or strange. I will miss you terribly, father." Helena whispered quietly, eyes glazing over as she placed a framed butterfly from a set he gave her when she was six.
"Goodbye, father. I hope you are at peace now." Daeron said, placing the ring with the seven stars on it before walking back to his mother, who held Jasper. He walked into Eryx's arms, holding him tightly as their mother walked up to the tomb.
"Bye bye, Daddy, I miss you," Jasper said, kissing the tomb and putting the dragon stuffy in the tomb with his Daddy.
"Jasper, are you sure about that? You won't ever be able to have Mr. Roars again," Marcella asked, making him smile up at his mother.
"I don't need him anymore. I have you, mommy. Mr. Roars will protect Daddy and help him sleep."
Marcella let go of the few tears that wanted to fall. "Thats really nice of you, baby," she smiled at him before Otto grabbed him so she could say goodbye.
"I will miss you more than words will ever explain. Please do hug our children up there for me. Let them know I love them and will see them one day. I will hug our children down here for you. Rest, my love. I will see you one day." She kissed his tomb before placing a bracelet that he wore every day after his father died, as it belonged to him.
"May the Seven guide your soul to the afterlife. May the Father judge you justly, the Mother welcome you with open arms, and the Stranger lead you to your final rest. Your journey in this world has ended, but your spirit shall find peace in the light of the Seven." The septa announced that the seal to Theo Tyrell's tomb was sealed and put into place.
"A noble heart shall cease to beat, not by nature's hand but by a hidden deceit." Helena whispered, making Marcella look at her daughter, understanding what her words meant.