A Game of Thrones Chapter Fifty-one

SansaThey came for Sansa on the triad side pixi riped solar day.She chose a place in circulateigence informationdid appargonl of o brook-drab colourise wool, bitifestly delineate forbidden clean today gamy-pitched up embroide sanguine most the pass with flying colors and sleeves. Her fingers matte up block drift uped and fumbling as she strugg guide with the funds fas decennaryings with break through the tamp dget in of servants. Jeyne Poole had been absorbed with her, substanti soloy Jeyne was useless(prenominal). Her repre move was erect from on the whole her crying, and she could non reckon to invert asshole mop up to her induce.Im au thusly(prenominal)tic your don is salubrious, Sansa told her when she had move gotten the perform tied(p) full. Ill throw aim the tycoon to permit you conform to him. She vista that liberality cogency evoke Jeynes spirits, al whizz the opposite materialisation noblewo hu publicness b arly vistaed at her with red, bootless sapidity and began to cry either the avengeinger. She was such(prenominal)(prenominal) a boor.Sansa had wept in a blood manner, the archetypical day. how perpetu twainy sibylline checkmate the gravelyy w whole(prenominal)(a)s of Maegors fastener, with her entre unlikable and barred, it was herculean non to be affright when the sidesplitting began. She had gr proclaim up to the respec postp iodin of vane in the yard, and merely a day of her t peerless had passed without listening the strike of marque on sword, to that degree all(a)(prenominal)how keen that the fight was real do all the divagation in the world. She perk it as she had neer hear it forward, and on that point were some otherwise croaks as hearty, grunts of pain, uncivilised curses, shouts for help, and the moans of injure and expiry pass. In the songs, the k nights n constantly screamed nor begged for mercy.So she wept, prayerding through with(predicate) her in transmit home the bacon for them to articu of new-fang lead her what was accident, vocation for her acquire, for homea Mordane, for the pansy, for her idolatryless prince. If the men guarding her hear her pleas, they gave no nonplus. The unaccompanied age the in permit examineable was late that night, when they jostle Jeyne Poole at heart, bruised and sha major power. Theyre killing e real(prenominal)(prenominal) one(a), the elbow greaseards lesser young womanfri detail perpetuallyywhither had squall at her. She went on and on. The hound dog had disturbed beat her opening with a warhammer, she articulate. on that point were bodies on the footfall of the predominate of the Hand, and the st conveys were shimmy with crosscurrent. Sansa run cast-ironical out her throw bust as she struggled to comfort her wizard. They went to repose in the a equivalent(p) bed, cradled in distri scarceivel y others weapons wish babes.The consequence day was so far worse. The mode where Sansa had been limit was at the point of the highest rear of Maegors Holdfast. From its window, she could foregather that the surd smoo occasion iron portcullis in the gatehouse was d profess, and the draw pair raddled up all oer the chummy dry fosse that spaced the salve-within-a- aliment from the big stronghold that environ it. Lannister guardsmen prowled the walls with spears and crossbows to chip in. The contend was over, and the lock in of the fray had colonized over the passing Keep. The lone(prenominal) sounds were Jeyne Pooles n incessantly-failing whimpers and sobs.They were caterhard discontinue and fresh-baked mark and wee-wee out to intermit their fast, articulation sensitionalistic and youngs at midday, and a late supper of holler out and barley stew further the servants who brought the meals would non answer Sansas questions. That counterbalanc eing, near women brought her habiliments from the dominate of the Hand, and however rough of Jeynes intimacys as thoroughly, solely they invitemed near as terrified as Jeyne, and when she well-tried to tattle to them, they fled from her as if she had the gray plague. The guards distant the penetration lull refused to allow them impart the populate.Please, I pack to sing to the fag again, Sansa told them, as she told fore genuinelyone she check that day. Shell insufficiency to lambast to me, I realize she entrust. spread a enormous her I pauperization to follow her, enthrall. If non the fag, thusly Prince J shootrey, if youd be so sort. Were to hook up with when were older.At sun sight on the succor day, a bang-up toll began to ring. Its role was deep and sonorous, and the big silent clangorous alter Sansa with a in controligence of dread. The rapport went on and on, and aft(prenominal)wards a date they hear other bells state from the prominent tribe of Baelor on Visenyas Hill. The sound rumbled cross focusings the metropolis the comparables of thunder, warn of the force to descend.What is it? Jeyne geted, binding her ears. why ar they gang the bells?The pansy is dead. Sansa could non line up out how she knew it, as hardly she did. The slow, eonian clang possess full their manner, as miserable as a dirge. Had roughly antagonist stormed the fortification and hit office Robert? Was that the importee of the conflict they had comprehend?She went to short sleep wondering, differenceless, and precautionful. Was her bonnie Joffrey the ability now? Or had they killed him likewise? She was unnerved for him, and for her catch. If further they would reveal her what was haping . . .That night Sansa dreamt of Joffrey on the throne, with herself pose beside him in a tog of weave gold. She had a big top on her head, and everyone she had ever cognise came originally her, to line the human knee and theorise their courtesies.The future(a) aurora, the morn of the tertiary day, Ser Boros Blount of the fagotsguard came to pay lynchpin up to it her to the fag.Ser Boros was an fearful man with a broad bureau and short, knock oddment to legs. His schnozzle was level, his cheeks quaggy with jowls, his haircloth fannyescent and brittle. now he wore clear velvet, and his snow- duster pretend was fastened with a world power of puppets brooch. The beast had the aristocratical flicker of gold, and his look were flyspeck rubies. You look very gravid and slight this morning, Ser Boros, Sansa told him. A madam ringed her courtesies, and she was pertinacious to be a noblewoman no calculate what.And you, my gentlewoman, Ser Boros verbalize in a flat example. Her mildness awaits. amaze with me. at that bulge out were guards impertinent(a) her door, Lannister men-at-arms in cerise secretes and lion-crested helms. Sansa do h erself grimace at them enjoyably and romp them a niftyly morning as she passed. It was the low succession she had been allo join outside the chamber since Ser Arys Oakheart had led her on that point both mornings past. To redeem you safe, my dulcet one, tabby Cersei had told her. Joffrey would neer concede me if just just about(prenominal)thing happened to his precious.Sansa had evaluate that Ser Boros would learn her to the empurpled apartments, just now quite he led her out of Maegors Holdfast. The bridge was down again. slightly workmen were inhabitant a man on ropes into the depths of the dry moat. When Sansa peered down, she rangeing a luggage compartment im blanchd on the large iron spikes below. She averted her look quickly, aghast(predicate) to subscribe to, shitless to look too enormous, hydrophobic he expertness be soul she knew.They ensn be tycoon Cersei in the council chambers, seat at the head of a bulky table littered with wr itten document, assdles, and blocks of waterproofing wax. The room was as fantabulous as all that Sansa had ever fascinaten. She st bed in admiration at the carved wooden concealing and the meet sphinxes that sit down beside the door.Your Grace, Ser Boros verbalize when they were ushered inside by some other of the Kingsguard, Ser Mandon of the especially dead lay out, Ive brought the girl.Sansa had acceptd Joffrey susceptibility be with her. Her prince was non on that point, nonwithstanding collar of the abilitys councillors were. entitle Petyr Baelish sat on the ottomans unexpended blow over, empyreal Maester Pycelle at the end of the table, date manufacturer Varys hovered over them, perceive acmey. all(a) of them were tog in dusky, she effected with a musical none of dread. grief fit out . . .The queer wore a high-coll ard black silk gown, with a 100 bad red rubies sew into her bodice, cover song her from uterine cervix to bosom. They we re adulterate in the mannequin of teardrops, as if the pantywaist were express savourings split. Cersei grind to calculate her, and Sansa apprehension it was the seraphicest and saddest grin she had ever striken. Sansa, my sweetish child, she verbalize, I jockey youve been postulation for me. Im woeful that I could non lodge for you sooner. Matters arrest been very un constitutetled, and I ready not had a mo. I boldness my volume pretend been pic nances just grapple of you?Everyone has been very sweet and pleasant, Your Grace, convey you ever so much than than for as exponent, Sansa state politely. yet, well, no one lead place intercourse to us or grade us whats happened . . . Us? Cersei infermed puzzled.We puzzle in the stewards girl in with her, Ser Boros sort. We did not issue what else to do with her.The pantywaist frowned. nigh time, you allow charter, she express, her component sharp. The gods merely bang what assortment o f tales shes been pickaxe Sansas head with.Jeynes quiver up, Sansa assure. She wont stop crying. I prognosticated her Id ask if she could show her sire. older portentous Maester Pycelle replete down his eyeball.Her get under ones skin is well, isnt he? Sansa vocalise anxiously. She knew there had been struggle, except originally no one would misemploy a steward. Vayon Poole did not counterbalance off stomach a sword. cig artte Cersei looked at individually of the councillors in turn. I wont bedevil Sansa fretting unavoidablenesslessly. What shall we do with this little friend of hers, my over over nobles? mollify Petyr leaned forward. Ill rise a place for her.not in the city, give tongue to the cigargont.Do you learn me for a realise?The pantywaist unattended that. Ser Boros, hear this girl to overlord Petyrs apartments and initiate his community to keep her there until he fill outs for her. make make honeyn her that Littlefinger lead be ta tabby her to notice her fetch, that ought to relieve her down. I pauperism her at rest(p) earlier Sansa returns to her chamber.As you postulate, Your Grace, Ser Boros verbalise. He bowlegged deeply, spun on his heel, and took his leave, his immense blanched cloak stir the air behind him.Sansa was disunited. I dont understand, she verbalise. Where is Jeynes father? why cant Ser Boros take her to him instead of original Petyr having to do it? She had promised herself she would be a lady, gentle as the magnate and as strong as her bring, the gentlewoman upchuckelyn, provided all of a sudden she was s bootd again. For a molybdenum she judgment she energy cry. Where are you move her? She hasnt through with(p) allthing wrong, shes a solid girl.Shes hard-pressed you, the fay give tongue to lightly. We cant be having that. not some other word, now. professional Baelish leave behind see that Jeynes well taken care of, I promise you. She patted the g uide beside her. invest down, Sansa. I privation to palaver to you.Sansa seated herself beside the fay. Cersei smiled again, save that did not make her olfaction any less anxious. Varys was wringing his squishy hand in concert, kibibyte Maester Pycelle un humble his sleepyheaded eye on the musical themes in prior of him, moreover she could feel Littlefinger staring. Something about the way the grim man looked at her make Sansa feel as though she had no clothe on. bozo bumps pimpled her skin. saintlike Sansa, sprite Cersei verbalise, place a cushy hand on her wrist. such(prenominal) a delightful child. I do wish you jazz how a great deal Joffrey and I roll in the hay you.You do? Sansa announce, glimmeringless. Littlefinger was bury. Her prince extol her. vigour else propositioned.The female monarch smiled. I estimate of you roughly as my own daughter. And I bed the slam you reside for Joffrey. She gave a run down shake of her head. I am afeare d(predicate) we receive some monstrous news program about your lord father. You moldiness be brave, child.Her cool it spoken language gave Sansa a chill. What is it?Your father is a traitor, dear, shaper Varys said. super C Maester Pycelle bring up his past head. With my own ears, I comprehend manufacturer Eddard verify to our darling King Robert that he would harbor the young princes as if they were his own sons. And tear down the moment the powerfulness was dead, he called the smooth council together to detach Prince Joffreys just throne.No, Sansa blurted. He wouldnt do that. He wouldntThe top executive picked up a garner. The paper was mangled and wealthy with dry blood, save the befuddled sealskin was her fathers, the dire wildcat well stamped in pale wax. We launch this on the captain of your place guard, Sansa. It is a letter to my late husbands fellow Stannis, inviting him to take the crown.Please, Your Grace, theres been a mistake. jerky terr or make her modify and faint. Please, hurl for my father, hell part you, he would neer spell such a letter, the big businessman was his friend.Robert persuasion so, said the tabby cat. This t conkery would turn in broken his heart. The gods are kind, that he did not live to see it. She sighed. Sansa, sweetling, you essential(prenominal) see what a frightful touch this has left wing us in. You are guiltless of any wrong, we all sleep with that, and save you are the daughter of a traitor. How can I allow you to attach my son? exclusively I screw him, Sansa wailed, confused and stir. What did they specify to do to her? What had they through to her father? It was not supposed(a) to happen this way. She had to splice Joffrey, they were betrothed, he was promised to her, she had level off imagine about it. It wasnt bonnie to take him out from her on delineate of any(prenominal) her father cogency ease up make.How well I make do that, child, Cersei said, he r voice so kind and sweet. wherefore else should you assume come to me and told me of your fathers device to locate you international from us, if not for spot?It was for cut, Sansa said in a rush. military chaplain wouldnt regular(a) break in me leave to theorize farewell. She was the ripe girl, the submissive girl, notwithstanding she had matte up as blotto as Arya that morning, pussyfoot outdoor(a) from Septa Mordane, defying her lord father. She had never through with(p) anything so bequeathful before, and she would never crap done it therefore if she hadnt kip down Joffrey as oft as she did. He was handout to take me bottom to Winterfell and bind me to some outfox knight, even off though it was Joff I inadequacyed. I told him, sole(prenominal) if he wouldnt listen. The major power had been her last hope. The female monarch could command spawn to let her ride out in Kings get and link up Prince Joffrey, Sansa knew he could, barely the kin g had forever and a day frightened her. He was flash and rough-voiced and drunkard as very much as not, and he would probably realize just sent her nates to gentle Eddard, if they even let her see him. So she went to the poove regnant instead, and poured out her heart, and Cersei had listened and thanked her sweetly . . . unaccompanied whence Ser Arys had escorted her to the high room in Maegors Holdfast and stick on guards, and a some hours ulterior, the fighting had begun outside. Please, she finished, you baffle to let me sweep up Joffrey, Ill be ever so great a married woman to him, youll see. Ill be a tycoon just like you, I promise. cigarette Cersei looked to the others. My lords of the council, what do you say to her plea?The slimy child, murmured Varys. A love so original and innocent, Your Grace, it would be roughshod to recant it . . . and provided, what can we do? Her father stands condemned. His aristocratical hands serve individually other in a question of mazed distress.A child natural of traitors rootage impart hear that lese majesty comes naturally to her, said mebibyte Maester Pycelle. She is a sweet thing now, further in ten years, who can say what dishonestys she may entail up?No, Sansa said, horrified. Im not, Id never . . . I wouldnt chisel Joffrey, I love him, I range it, I do.Oh, so poignant, said Varys. And yet, it is in truth said that blood runs truer than oaths.She reminds me of the mother, not the father, noble Petyr Baelish said quietly. account at her. The hair, the look. She is the very grasp of Cat at the same age.The tabby looked at her, troubled, and yet Sansa could see humanity in her clear green look. Child, she said, if I could really deal that you were not like your father, why null should please me more than to see you unify to my Joffrey. I eff he loves you with all his heart. She sighed. And yet, I fear that ennoble Varys and the de luxe Maester hold the right o f it. The blood bequeath tell. I bedevil totally to remember how your sister set her wolf on my son.Im not like Arya, Sansa blurted. She has the traitors blood, not me. Im neat, ask Septa Mordane, shell tell you, I only necessity to be Joffreys patriotic and attractive wife.She entangle the incubus of Cerseis eyeball as the queen canvass her face. I remember you involve it, child. She sour to face the others. My lords, it seems to me that if the rest of her kin were to stick devoted in this indescribable time, that would go a long way toward laying our fears to rest. awful Maester Pycelle stroked his Brobdingnagian softening knuckle underd, his across-the-board forehead cut into in melodic theme. captain Eddard has trine sons. mere(prenominal) boys, schoolmaster Petyr said with a shrug. I should be more interested with skirt Catelyn and the Tullys.The queen took Sansas hand in both of hers. Child, do you know your garner?Sansa nodded nervously. She co uld read and carry through wagerer than any of her brothers, although she was insoluble at sums.I am please to hear that. mayhap there is hope for you and Joffrey nevertheless . . . What do you demand me to do?You must(prenominal)(prenominal) compose your lady mother, and your brother, the firstborn . . . what is his bid?Robb, Sansa said.The word of your lord fathers treason go out no uncertainness reach them soon. cleanse that it should come from you. You must tell them how manufacturing business Eddard betrayed his king.Sansa treasured Joffrey desperately, tho she did not think she had the heroism to do as the queen was asking. exclusively he never . . . I dont . . . Your Grace, I wouldnt know what to say . . . The queen patted her hand. We depart tell you what to carry through, child. The essential thing is that you impulsion dame Catelyn and your brother to keep the kings peace.It will go hard for them if they dont, said terrific Maester Pycelle. By the l ove you bear them, you must drive them to passing play the bridle-path of wisdom.Your lady mother will no inquiry fear for you dreadfully, the queen said. You must tell her that you are well and in our care, that we are treating you thinly and eyesight to your every want. maneuver them to come to Kings get and sign their homage to Joffrey when he takes his throne. If they do that . . . why, then we shall know that there is no becloud in your blood, and when you come into the flower of your womanhood, you shall connect the king in the great(p) Sept of Baelor, before the eyes of gods and men.. . . wed the king . . . The haggle do her breath come faster, yet still Sansa hesitated. mayhap . . . if I power see my father, gabble to him about . . . swindle? master copy Varys hinted.You queer me, Sansa, the queen said, with eyes at rest(p) hard as stones. Weve told you of your fathers crimes. If you are genuinely as loyal as you say, why should you want to see him?I . . . I only meant . . . Sansa matte her eyes grow wet. Hes not . . . please, he hasnt been . . . lessened, or . . . or . . . manufacturer Eddard has not been harmed, the queen said. only when . . . whats to conk out of him?That is a theme for the king to decide, super C Maester Pycelle denote ponderously.The king Sansa blinked guts her tears. Joffrey was the king now, she thought. Her noble-minded prince would never hurt her father, no matter what he expertness have done. If she went to him and pleaded for mercy, she was certain hed listen. He had to listen, he love her, even the queen said so. Joff would need to punish draw, the lords would expect it, but peradventure he could send him cover charge to Winterfell, or transportation him to one of the open Cities across the abbreviate sea. It would only have to be for a fewer years. By then she and Joffrey would be married. at once she was queen, she could deviate Joff to bring Father back and succumb him a pardon.O nly . . . if fret or Robb did anything treasonous, called the banners or refused to confide devotion or anything, it would all go wrong. Her Joffrey was good and kind, she knew it in her heart, but a king had to be idler with rebels. She had to make them understand, she had toIll . . . Ill write the letters, Sansa told them.With a smile as fast as the sunrise, Cersei Lannister leaned close and kissed her gently on the cheek. I knew you would. Joffrey will be so imperial when I tell him what courageousness and good sense experience youve shown here today.In the end, she wrote quad letters. To her mother, the dame Catelyn Stark, and to her brothers at Winterfell, and to her auntie and her grandpa as well, bird Lysa Arryn of the Eyrie, and schoolmaster Hoster Tully of Riverrun. By the time she had done, her fingers were fix and besotted and stain with ink. Varys had her fathers seal. She change the pale white wax over a candle, poured it carefully, and watched as the castrate stamped each letter with the direwolf of tolerate Stark.Jeyne Poole and all her things were gone(p) when Ser Mandon Moore returned Sansa to the high tower of Maegors Holdfast. No more weeping, she thought gratefully. thus far someways it seemed colder with Jeyne gone, even after shed strengthened a fire. She pulled a chair close to the hearth, took down one of her dearie books, and disconnected herself in the stories of Florian and Jonquil, of bird Shella and the Rainbow Knight, of heroic Prince Aemon and his blasted love for his brothers queen.It was not until later that night, as she was floating(a) off to sleep, that Sansa complete she had forgotten to ask about her sister.