HAMMERANVIL FIC IDEA (Sad):
After the trial of 7 ends, and Baelor removes his helmet, he instantly collapses into a coma, the blow from Maekar's mace didn't do enough damage to crack his skull. However, he does fall into a coma.
Days pass in Ashford, as Maekar tries (and fails) to keep his composure. He stays at his brother's side day and night, waiting for updates from the Maesters as to any signs that his brother might wake soon.
Several more days pass and the masters advise that Prince Baelor is physically fine, he had a small concussion but should have woken up by now.
Maekar sends a letter to the King and Queen, advising on their heirs current state. He makes preparations to travel back to Kingslanding with Baelor in a carriage.
(Since Baelor isn't dead, Duncan agrees to travel back with Egg and the kingsguard, Aerion isn't sent to Lys just yet, they all make their way back to Kingslanding.)
After travelling for days, with no sign of Baelor waking up, the finally reach the Red keep.
Masters stand ready as Baelor is taken to his chambers to be examined. Maekar is summoned by King Daeron.
He arrives and explains in detail what transpired in Ashford. Unfortunately, both Daeron and Myriah blame Maekar for Baelor's current state and send him to a guest chamber until further notice. (So he's like under house arrest with guards outside his door.)
Days pass and Maekar isn't allowed to leave or receive any news on his brother's wellbeing.
Egg and Duncan visit him often, but they never have any news as it seems only the Maesters and Queen Myriah are allowed near Baelor.
One day, Maekar hatches a plan to sneak out and see Baelor for himself, if only for a moment.
Perhaps he bribes a kingsguard (who probably just pities the prince) into letting him slip out for an hour. Maekar rushes through secret passages of the keep to reach Baelor's room.
Once there, in the cover of darkness, Maekar slowly approaches his brother's bed. He watches the slow rise and fall of his chest breathing and lets out a sigh of relief. He doesn't seem any worse than the last time he saw him.
Maker reaches out to hold Baelor's hand but a cold voice makes him freeeze. He raises his gaze and sees his mother, sat in a dark corner, watching him.
He has never seen her look so dishevelled, her eyes swollen, her hair not neatly tucked. She doesn't look as though shes gotten any rest in days.
Maekar feels guilty and tries to comfort her.
Queen Myriah stands and walks past him, ignoring his words. She sits by Baelor's side and strokes his cheek.
She speaks, never taking her gaze off of Baelor.
She tells him what the maesters have been saying for weeks, that there is nothing wrong with him, there is no clear reason as to why he remains asleep.
She admits to her worries, what if he never wakes up?, What if he does wake up, but wrong? Will he be able to continue his duties as heir to the throne? Or had the blow Maekar delivered left his brain devoid of any sense.
Maekar watches as his mother crumbles and starts to cry, she finally turns to look at Maekar and he feels small under her gaze.
She looks at him with hatred.
With anger, the pain and agony of a mother struggling to understand her own grief.
She says something that shatters Maekar's heart.
How deep down a mother could never love anything as much as her first-born child. How she would never forgive him should Baelor not wake up.
And finally, in a soft whisper as she turns to look back at her son, how she wished it had been Maekar in Baelor's stead.
Maekar had always known he was his mother's least favourite. He had known all his life. And even now, as he slowly stepped back, he didn't blame her. She was drowning in grief, she would most likely forget the words that cut him so deeply.
Maekar turns and leaves the Queen at her son's side. He walks through the empty starlit halls of the keep and finally reaches the royal library.
He looks through ancient texts, for something. Anything thta may bring his brother back, to no avail. He almos gives up when he hears the great door creak open. He sees his brother, Rhaegal walk in.
They were never particularly close, Maekar always found his odd behaviour and fragility something he used to avoid.
They sit together and talk. They talk for hours about everything and nothing. Whne the sun starts to rise, Maekr feels a great weight has lifted off his shoulders.
Rhaegal hugs him and gives him an old looking scroll before drifting away, to where? Maekar does not ask. He looks at the old valyrian scroll in his hands and opens it.
Inside, there seems to be an answer to his prayers. A way to wake his brother. Old Valyrian Dragon-blood magic.
Maekr spends the entire day reading through thes scrolls and comes to a shuddering conclusion.
Baelor seems to be in a sort of inbetween world. Not dead, but also not alive. Maekar discovers that to bring him back to the land of the living, an exchange of equal value must be made.
That night, Maekar visits Baelors chambers once more. Myriah is sitting diligently at his side. She does not turn to address him.
Maekar walks up and takes Baelor's hand. He leans down and presses a kiss on his brow.
He stands and looks at Myriah. He tells her not to worry. That he has found a way to bring Baelor back.
Myriah does not seem to take heed of his words, simply turning her back to him as she watches Baelor sleep.
Maekar looks at the two of them and whispers that he loves them before leaving.
He visits each of his children's chambers. Coming in and pressing a kiss on each ones head before whispering his 'I love you's' and farewells.
Once he's done, he returns to his chambers and makes preparations for the ancient ritual.
He arranges everything, the small alter in the centre of the room, the proper runes and symbols drawn up, the necessary herbs and minerals aquired and the proper chant recited from his own lips as he draws his blood as an offering.
Hours pass and once the sun rises, the bells of the keep ring loud.
The prince has finally awoken.
Joy and cheer can be felt throughout the keep and the kingdom at the wonderful news of Baelor's return to the land of the living.
Queen Myriah sobs and thanks the gods above for bringing her son back to her.
Throughout the day, Baelor receives visits from every member of his family, the king, his sons, and his nephews.
He worries when he realises Maekar has yet to visit him. Egg fills him in on his confinement to his chambers and Baelor is angry to say the least.
He would never blame his dearest brother for an accident that was out of his control.
He demands Maekar be brought to him, threatening to crawl to him if he must.
Queen Myriah rises and tells him to rest. She will go and release Maekar from confinement so that he may visit him. This calms Baslor down somewhat.
Myriah walks through the palace grounds with a smile and relief at Baelor's sudden miraculous return. She vaguely remembers Maekar saying something about everything being alright. He must've been right.
As Queen Myriah knocks on Maekar's door, nothing can be heard from inside. After a moment of waiting she enters without invitation.
The room is dark and suffocating. Myriah heads towards the window to open the curtains blocking the morning light from entering.
She starts speaking in an animated tone, about how Baelor is awake. How he's safe and healthy and how he wishes to see him.
Myriah turns to the well lit room and freezes, the gentle smile on her face vanishing in a moment.
A few feet away from where she had just walked lays her son.
Maekar lies motionless on the floor, he looks pale. Paler that any Targaryen should. And he is so still, too still.
Queen Myriah calls out his name softly. She walks to his side swiftly and tries to shake him awake, but he remains still and unresponsive. She shakes again, and again to no avail.
She keeps shaking , caling out for Maekar to wake up, and stops when she doesn't feel a pulse. She can't feel his heartbeat.
Myriah doesn't feel the tears steaming down her face. She doesn't hear her screams of agony alerting nearby guards who rush to the scene.
She holds onto her son's lifeless body as they try to pry her away from him. She just holds him tighter as she screams.
Her son.....her baby is dead. The pain in her soul is incomprehensible.
A funeral is held the same day of Prince Baelor's miraculous awakening.
Maekar is burnt on the pyre and the cries of grieving parents, siblings and children echo throughout the winds.
Years later, stories amongst the common folk say that Prince Maekar had died with a smile upon his usually stoic face, having willingly given his soul to the ancient gods for the return of Prince Baelor's.
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So.....I didn't really know to end that but anywho, what'dya think??
I really like this concept, especially when it comes to the relationship between Myrian and Maekar.
I think iy just came from that whole discussion of Lyonel's comment to Baelor about being the Queens favourite.
And as someone with some mommy issues of her own, I can 100% say that I loved writing this with Myriahs perspective in mind.
When people are grieving they say all sorts of things they regret when it's too late.
I feel like Maekar dying in any scenario wold shake up the world in any way. His family would be devastated. Baelor would probably blame himself.
