When the King entered the room followed by my mother and several other attendants my chest was still heaving out of anger and adrenaline as I stood over the body of the High Sparrow still holding Theon's dagger.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" Joffrey roared.
I didn't look up from the victim. "He threatened my child," my voice came out emotionless. "I could not let him live."
"Do you have any idea the consequences of your actions?" Queen Isabel demanded. She sighed and grabbed a sword from the nearest Kingsguard. "Cut it off," she ordered. "You are going to cut his head off, clean yourself up, and then tell the people of King's Landing that you murdered their prophet."
I didn't move. I couldn't. I was so shocked at how effortlessly I had taken another life without the use of magic. I had never killed before. All I wanted was peace! And now I am likely to start a war, and for what? Was it love for Jojen that drove me to kill to protect him, or lust for power that drove me to kill to protect my place as rightful heir to the Iron Throne?
The Iron Throne. I used to not want it, so much blood was shed just to sit on that grotesque monstrosity of a chair. But look what I had done. I grabbed the sword from my mother's hands and hefted it over my head. I swung it down forcefully, filled with anger and frustration. I threw the sword down as the eyes of a man whose true name I never knew bored into my soul.
"Now go wash that blood off and put on a different dress," my father ordered. Theon tentatively placed his hands on my shoulders and led me out of the room.
Jojen walked by and saw me covered in blood and the fear that crossed his features brought me out of shock and tears flooded my eyes. Since I was unable to hold onto Jojen, I turned and buried my face in Theon's chest as I sobbed. He wrapped his arms around me and ran a hand through my hair. "Shhh, Lehna," he soothed. "Let's get to the room, people are starting to stare."
Once we entered our chambers, my husband barked at the handmaidens to draw a bath. I hated how he treated them like slaves. He untied my corset and guided me out of my dress before removing his own bloodstained clothing.
I climbed into the large tub slowly. I felt completely drained of strength. Theon followed and settled behind me, running his fingers through my blonde hair to wash out the red splotches of blood. His hands roamed over my shoulders and the water was slowly turning red.
I turned to face him and helped wash the blood off of him as well. He caressed my cheek but when I looked into his eyes I saw how afraid of me he was. I had become a monster.
I rose and called for Freya to bring me a dress. She arrived with a scarlet silk gown and I felt bile rise in my throat. "Something else, please."
She returned with a cream colored skirt followed by a light blue top. [Inspired by one of Daenerys' gowns that I don't know how to properly describe.] She helped me put it on while Theon dressed himself in our bedroom.
"Freya," I whispered.
"Yes, Your Grace?" She asked, placing the top over my head.
"Are you frightened of me?" My voice was small.
"No, Your Grace, you simply did what you had to do." After she spoke, I embraced her. She seemed surprised but hugged me back. "You are a good person, Lehna. Don't ever think that you are not."
Theon opened the door. "It's time, Lehna. I will be at your side during your announcement." I took his arm as he led me back to the bloody room. I grabbed the High Sparrow's head and marched to the battlements. The Kingsguard had told the common people that their Princess had an announcement to make and there were at least 400 people already waiting as I stepped onto the platform. I shoved the High Sparrow's head onto one of King Joffrey's spikes and heard gasps as a roar of whispers rippled through the crowd.
"My friends!" I called out. "I regret to bring you grim tidings. The man who called himself the High Sparrow came into my home and threatened my family. The penalty for his crime was death, delivered by mine own hand. Let this serve as a reminder that Joffrey Baratheon is the full authority in Westeros and will not be ruled by false prophets!"
The people were angry and confused. I looked on in sorrow at those who used to call me "angel" begin to turn their backs. With a heavy heart I returned to my chambers.
