Fanfiction: Lavender

A glimpse into the end of Maegor the Cruel's headsman, gaolers, and confessors. https://archiveofourown.org/works/67667316

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“The royal clemency did not extend to all. Maegor’s headsman, gaolers, and confessors were all adjudged to be guilty of abetting Tyanna of the Tower in the torture and death of Prince Viserys, who had so briefly been Maegor’s heir and hostage. Their heads were delivered to Queen Alyssa, together with the hands they had dared raise against the blood of the dragon. Her Grace pronounced herself ‘well pleased’ with the tokens.”

-Fire and Blood, “Prince into King: The Ascension of Jaehaerys I”

The boy’s lavender eyes pierced you. You who knelt before the dowager queen. Knees dug into stone. Stone laid by those whose bones now grumbled and moaned within the chasms they hollowed. The boy, only a wisp now. One of many you defiled for Him and with Her. Although this boy is only one, still he is the one setting your end. His ghost, a flicker that sparks.

But you. Who are you? Gaoler? Yes. Subject? Yes. Murderer? Victim? Both yes. Although you do not–can not–comprehend all the fragments of you at this time. And what little time you have and what little time you were given and what little time you gave.

And what of this queen? One queen where once there were six. Two your cruel hands fell. Though you answer not for their lives. This queen sits above you. Son’s ghost by her side and son’s words delivering vengeance. She is the sea scraping the shore, burying guilt and grief beneath sapphire waves.

And what of the nameless? The others whose blood spilled beneath your fingers and whose shrieks raged through your ears. They are nameless as surely you are nameless. Phantoms lingering in crevices of halls.

You stand and go now to death as you once bequeathed it. And as you stumble on, you remember. You remember a time where you smelled lavender. Tasted it, felt its drops on your tongue. You were young then and lavender was simply a balm.