Carolei Brownbarrow

**Carolei Brownbarrow** (nee Lightfoot) was the wife of Harkon Brownbarrow and the mother to his only child, Maerie.

She lived happily with her new family at The Oldbarrow for many years until her husband was killed by bandits.

Deeply distraught, Carolei suffered a mental breakdown following her husband's death, something that was worsened by her being heavily pregnant at the time. After her daughter was born, she and the child were sent to the keep of her maiden house by her brother-in-law, Gerold Brownbarrow.

## Character

### Personality

Although she was born as the only child of a youngest son, Carolei's parents had high expectations for their young daughter, and she grew up with their strict rules.

Whilst her parents believed what they were doing helped their daughter, Carolei was strongly against their teachings, which lead to a strained relationship between them as she aged. Carolei did not want to grow up and be the submissive wife her parents wanted her to be. Though she was quite happy to take up the position as lady of a household one day, she wanted it to be on equal terms with her potential husband, with her opinions being both valued and respected.

Initially she was opposed to marriage with Harkon, but came around to the idea very swiftly. Though her husband was a serious and dutiful man, he was very kind to his wife, listening to her queries, and often encouraging her to offer her opinion on matters.

Following her husband's death, Carolei suffered a severe mental breakdown, which caused a great deal of panic as she was also heavily pregnant at the time. The maester of House Brownbarrow hoped her spirits may have brightened following the birth of her daughter, but she remained in such a depressive state, that it was eventually recommended she be sent to the keep of her maiden house to recover.

### History

Carolei was born and raised at Queen's Burrow, the seat of House Lightfoot, the only child of Lord Lightfoot's youngest son. One of many grandchildren, Carolei was far down in the line of succession. This did not, however, stop her parents from attempting to raise their daughter under strict rules and ideals.

Whilst Carolei was an obedient child in her youth, the older she became, the more she seemed to clash with the ideals of her parents. Whilst she was a courteous young woman and was more than happy to fill the role as lady of a noble house one day, she would do so on her own terms. She struggled with finding a suitable husband due to her refusal to act the part of a submissive wife, that and her natural propensity for ill health.

When marriage was proposed between her and Harkon Brownbarrow, her parents were delighted; knowing full well how serious the young man could be, they had high hopes the marriage would settle their daughter. Carolei opposed the match at first, but swiftly became more open to it, when she discovered the more amiable side of her husband. Whilst it was true he was a quiet and serious man, he was kind to her, and had a deep love and respect for his wife.

The two lived a relatively happy life together, but their difficulties in conceiving a living child, weighed heavily on their relationship and on Carolei's mind. Before Maerie's birth, they suffered with six unsuccessful pregnancies, resulting in four miscarriages and two stillborn sons. Their seventh pregnancy seemed to go relatively smoothly, though there was always an underlying fear for the child.

Just a mere month before she was due to give birth, Harkon was killed whilst defending his home from bandits. His death affected all the Brownbarrow's, but Carolei was the most deeply affected by the tragedy. She suffered a severe mental breakdown following his death, which caused a great deal of concern in the maester who was concerned for her unborn child. However, he needn't have worried, for two weeks later she gave birth to a robust and healthy little girl which she would name, Maerie.

Though the maester hoped the birth of her daughter might have brightened her spirits, Carolei remained in a deep state of depression. Fearing for both her and the child, he recommended that she might benefit from being sent to Queen's Burrow to recover. Shortly before she was sent away, Carolei consented to allow her daughter's claims to the title of House Brownbarrow be dismissed, therefore allowing her brother-in-law, Gerold, to ascend to lordship unchallenged. She lived at Queen's Burrow for the remaining nine years of her life, until she passed away. Though she died of natural causes, her daughter strongly believes she died of a broken heart, having never fully recovered from the death of her husband.

Rather than be laid to rest at Queen's Burrow, her remains were eventually buried beside her husband.