History TearJerker / HonorHarrington

** On the other side of the conflict in the same book, the death of [[spoiler:Javier Giscard]]. One of the most sympathetic Havenite officers, who's been around nearly the whole series, and who's just gone through ''so damn much'' and survived, only to die because of the resumption of a stupid war that he ''knows'' happened because of an engineered misunderstanding, and killed by [[spoiler:Honor herself, who had known him personally, and who ''also'' knew that the resumption of hostilities was on false premises, but can't do anything to stop it]]. All of it happening [[spoiler:when by all rights, Honor ''should'' have been home, watching her daughter be born]]. Seeing [[spoiler:his lover, Eloise Prichart]] so ''broken'' afterward only adds to it. StarCrossedLovers at its most heartbreaking -- his last word was her name.

* The entirety of "The Stray" from ''World of Honor''. David Weber's not the only Honorverse writer who can break readers' hearts. Just... fuck you, Linda Evans. ''Fuck you.''

* The entirety of "The Stray" from ''World of Honor''. David Weber's not the only Honorverse writer who can make readers cry. Just... fuck you, Linda Evans. ''Fuck you.''

* The entirety of "The Stray" from ''World of Honor''. Just... fuck you, Linda Evans. ''Fuck you.''

* The end when ''Hexapuma'' and ''Warlock'' limp back through the Junction, [[spoiler:having foiled Mesa and prevented the war (briefly)]], and Home Fleet is waiting for them, and gives them the traditional salute to the Queen's yacht.

* The scene in ''The Short Victorious war'' where Helen Zilwicki's convoy (carrying her husband and four-year-old daughter) is attacked, and she almost doesn't say goodbye because no one in her crew will have the chance.

* The end when ''Hexapuma'' and ''Warlck'' limped back through the Junction, [[spoiler:having foiled Mesa and prevented the war (briefly)]], and Home Fleet is waiting for them, and gives them the traditional salute to the Queen's yacht.

---->"The peeps won't get us, Baby. We're safe now. Mommy made it safe."

** [[spoiler:Pavletic]], too. Mr. Weber is a cruel man. Especially when Helen breaks down in Paulo's arms.
* The end when ''Hexapuma'' got back, [[spoiler:having foiled Mesa and prevented the war (briefly)]], and Home Fleet is waiting for them, and gives them the traditional salute to the Queen's yacht.

* The pointless death of [[spoiler:Ragnhild Pavletic]] in ''Shadow of Saganami''.

** [[spoiler:Pavletic]], too. Mr. Weber is a cruel man.

* [[spoiler:Lara]]'s death in ''Torch of Freedom'', saving [[spoiler: Berry's life at the cost of her own]], with her lover [[spoiler: Saburo]] watching, but unable to do anything because they both had a higher responsibility and he couldn't reach her in time anyway. He has to shut the door on her as she dies to keep the toxin in the room from spreading.

** From what we already know of treecat culture, that is not simply a MeaningfulName. When a treecat changes significantly, their name may be changed to match. Essentially she has dealt with her grief by becoming it.
* [[spoiler:Eloise Pritchart losing Javier Giscard]]. StarCrossedLovers at its most heartbreaking. His last word is her name.

** On the other side of the conflict in the same book, the death of [[spoiler:Javier Giscard]]. One of the most sympathetic Havenite officers, who's been around nearly the whole series, and who's just gone through ''so damn much'' and survived, only to die because of the resumption of a stupid war that he ''knows'' happened because of an engineered misunderstanding, and killed by [[spoiler:Honor herself, who had known him personally, and who ''also'' knew that the resumption of hostilities was on false premises, but can't do anything to stop it]]. All of it happening [[spoiler:when by all rights, Honor ''should'' have been home, watching her daughter be born]]. Seeing [[spoiler:his lover, Eloise Prichart]] so ''broken'' afterward only adds to it.

* The end when Hexapuma got back,[[spoiler: having foiled Mesa and prevented the war (briefly)]], and Home Fleet is waiting for them, and gives them the traditional salute to the Queen's yacht.

** From what we already know of Treecat culture, that is not simply a MeaningfulName. When a treecat changes significantly, their name may be changed to match. Essentially she has dealt with her grief by becoming it.
* [[spoiler:Eloise Pritchart losing Javier Giscard]]. StarCrossedLovers at its most heartbreaking.

** It gets worse [[spoiler: Higgins is the Admiral commanding Home Fleet during Oyster Bay.]]

* The aftermath of Operation Oyster Bay in ''Mission of Honor'', where not only was there damage to the Manticoran military, but [[spoiler:[[ColonyDrop debris from the attacked space stations fell onto Sphinx]], wiping out much of the city of Yawata Crossing, nearly an entire colony of treecats, and most of Honor's family and friends -- including Andrew [=LaFollet=], who died as he lived, saving Honor's mother and son]]. Some things are just. Not. ''FAIR.''

* The aftermath of Operation Oyster Bay in ''Mission of Honor'', where not only was there damage to the Manticoran military, but [[spoiler:[[ColonyDrop debris from the attacked space stations fell onto Sphinx]], wiping out much of Honor's family and nearly an entire colony of treecats, with one survivor]].

* [[spoiler:Eloise Pritchart losing Javier Giscard]]. StarCrossedLovers, indeed...

-->'''Sorrow Singer''': [[BewareTheNiceOnes We know how to deal with those]] who would [[BeserkButton slay those we love]]. [[Literature/StephanieHarrington Do not forget how Death Fang’s Bane and Climbs Quickly first met]]. They fought, and they bled, and each almost died for the other. Now it is our turn, and we wish you to go to Soul of Steel and Truth Seeker. Tell them the People -- ''all'' the People of this entire world -— know who would protect them and who would slay them. We know how you and your clan have always loved and protected and shielded us from harm, Dances on Clouds. But the time has come for that to change, and [[ThisMeansWar we do not choose to be kittens forever]]. If you would guard us, then ''we'' will guard ''you'', and if we die as Far Climber did, as Climbs Quickly almost did, as Laughs Brightly has almost died for you and you for him, then we will die. But we will not hide. We will not be children. If you will fight for all this world, for all of us, then ''we'' will fight for ''you''.

-->'''Sorrow Singer''': We know how to deal with those who would slay those we love. Do not forget how Death Fang’s Bane and Climbs Quickly first met. They fought, and they bled, and each almost died for the other. Now it is our turn, and we wish you to go to Soul of Steel and Truth Seeker. Tell them the People -- ''all'' the People of this entire world -— know who would protect them and who would slay them. We know how you and your clan have always loved and protected and shielded us from harm, Dances on Clouds. But the time has come for that to change, and we do not choose to be kittens forever. If you would guard us, then ''we'' will guard ''you'', and if we die as Far Climber did, as Climbs Quickly almost did, as Laughs Brightly has almost died for you and you for him, then we will die. But we will not hide. We will not be children. If you will fight for all this world, for all of us, then ''we'' will fight for ''you''.

* Sorrow Singer, the [[spoiler:sole survivor of the Black Rock Clan of treecats all but wiped out by Oyster Bay]], telling Honor that the Harrington clan has protected the treecats for centuries out of pure love -- and now, [[spoiler:the treecats will protect everyone fighting against Mesa for the same reason]]. Sorrow Singer [[spoiler:''felt'' her entire clan die thanks to treecat telepathy'']], and her sorrow should have broken her, but somehow, ''it didn't''.

* The horrible discovery of what happened to the survivors from HMS ''Madrigal'' in ''Honor of the Queen''. Especially [[spoiler:Courvosier's death]], and Honor's bitter realization that [[spoiler:she never told him she loved him]]. Some things just aren't ''fair''... but oh, Honor, he knew. Believe me. He knew.

* The horrible discovery of what happened to the survivors from HMS ''Madrigal'' in ''Honor of the Queen''.
* Mike Henke bringing the news of [[spoiler:Paul Tankersley's death]]] to Honor in ''Field of Dishonor''.

* The aftermath of Operation Oyster Bay in ''Mission of Honor'', where not only were there damages to the Manticoran military, but [[spoiler:[[ColonyDrop debris from the attacked space stations fell onto Sphinx]], wiping out much of Honor's family and a lot of treecats.]]

* The pointless death of [[spoiler:Ragmiel Pavletic]] in ''Shadow of Saganami''.