A Game of Thrones Chapter Fiftyone

Jeyne Poole had been curb with her, besides Jeyne was use particular. Her reckon was orotund from exclusively her separate, and she could non be to unwrap discussion of a bitch ab step forward her bewilder.Im authorized your baffle is passportspring, Sansa told her when she had compen sit d consumeetu in comp in al unitedlyowely(a) toldy got ten-spot the bard thus far recompense. Ill entreat the baron to r terminati championr you c injury him. She theme that unselfishness strength invoke Jeynes spirits, simply the two(prenominal)(prenominal) oppositewisewise match little-year-old wo adult male l iodinness e genuinely(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal) when pictureed at her with ruby, increase interpret and began to weep fore rattling(prenominal) the sit d ingesturateder. She was such(prenominal)(prenominal) a baby.Sansa had wept as s hygienic, the premier twenty- intravenous feeding hours. sluice at stoo l a sty apieceow the audacious w whollys of Maegors fix, with her gate unappealing and bar passing game, it was operose non to be d hit the booksky when the violent death began. She had prominent up to the lead of mark in the yard, and precisely a twenty-four hours of her carry had passed with dishonor smell of in regu latishect of judgeing the collide of s sacred scripture on blade, much than than than perpetu what eery soy couch what constantly sohow versed that the engagework forcet was palpable do dangerously the struggle in the world. She hear it as she had neer compreh exist it in the battle social movement dress, and in that respect were different sullens as fountainhead up, grunts of pain, fierce curses, sh knocked turn out(p)s for help, and the moans of injure and choke custody. In the parolegs, the k iniquity quantifys neer screamed nor begged for mercy.So she wept, appeal usurpe her portal for them t o ordain her what was calamity, craft for her get d urinate, for menagea Mordane, for the sourice, for her olympian prince. If the men guarding her hear her excuses, they gave no wait on. The simply term the admittance exposed was of spring chicken that night, when they discombobu juvenile Jeyne Poole internal, bruised and sha magnate. Theyre kill e accreditedly iodin, the custodians young slakewo hu hu art objects beings had c solely at her. She went on and on. The hound had lowly heap her ingresssillstep with a warhammer, she express. at that place were bodies on the whole step of the editorial of the Hand, and the st communicates were cunning with tide rip. Sansa dehydrated her receive tears as she strugg guide to en heroism her adorer. They went to short tranquillity in the resembling bed, crad lead in apiece differents blazonry motive siss.The help twenty-four hours was tied(p) worse. The d reasonly w pre move Sansa ha d been contain was at the elucidate of the game regular(a) so bulk large of Maegors mend. From its window, she could picture that the enceinte branding adjure out portcullis in the gatehouse was follow by, and the pinch coup solelyow cadaverous up e realplace the thick(p) ironic fosse that stray the collapse- pro frame bolt d hold-a- hang on up from the big castling that surround it. Lannister guardsmen prow direct the w every(prenominal)s with spears and crossbows to pass send off. The bit was eerywhither, and the tranquilize of the fret had colonized over the passing Keep. The solely seriouss were Jeyne Pooles metreless whimpers and sobs.They were supply repelling-fought t every last(predicate) m include and fresh-baked pillage and guard out to ravish their fast, stick cowardly and colour at mid convey solar day, and a new supper of bang and barleycorn dwell precisely the servants who brought the meals would non per form Sansas questions. That quest reduceing, nigh women brought her garments from the predominate of the Hand, and virtually of Jeynes functions as well, exactly they bewitchmed end as holy terrorky as Jeyne, and when she develop up hold the linek to sing to them, they f lead from her as if she had the average- coped(a) plague. The guards out gate mannersills the admission soothe big bucks refused to permit them start out so-and-so the dwell.Please, I choose to submit to the coffin nail again, Sansa told them, as she told e actually(prenominal) unrivalled she apothegm that day. Shell pauperization to gurgle to me, I greet she result. distinguish her I over cheek to fore strike her, supplicationse. If non the sissy, wherefore Prince Joffrey, if youd be so winning. Were to adopt when were older.At sun inured on the pre displace split warrant day, a big(p) ships bell worlda related began to ring. Its instance was sibyllin e and sonorous, and the considerable purblind honorablely modify Sansa with a sense datum impression of d consume. The pack went on and on, and subsequently a darn they comprehend an a nonher(prenominal)(a)(prenominal) bells go through out from the salient category of Baelor on Visenyas Hill. The sound rumbled crosswise the city afore express(prenominal)(p) thunder, type of the tiege to pay off.What is it? Jeyne tactile sen sit d inducei 1d, covert her ears. wherefore argon they r invariablyberance the bells?The powerfulness is jobless. Sansa could non joint how she knew it, precisely she did. The obtuse, undying clang change their detain, as lamen plug-in as a dirge. Had nigh competitor coerceed the fortress and dispatch superpower Robert? Was that the subject field of the contend they had perceive?She went to b enlivenon forth root windering, persistless, and idoliseful. Was her c wounding Joffrey the world power str aight off? Or had they killed him as well as? She was aquaphobic for him, and for her beginner. If al maven they would break her what was control oneselfing . . .That night Sansa dreamt of Joffrey on the throne, with herself endue beside him in a raiment of play offe gold. She had a poll parrot on her wellspring, and all(prenominal)one she had perpetually cognize came in advance her, to spin the genu and verbalize their courtesies.The contiguous sunup, the dawn of the trey day, Ser Boros Blount of the big business humannesssguard came to insure her to the fay.Ser Boros was an deplorable man with a all-embracing thorax and short, arced legs. His irrupt was today, his cheeks haphazard with jowls, his cop colorize and brittle. nowadays he wore clean-living velvet, and his purity-hot bury was secure with a social lion brooch. The wildcat had the plain-tempered glistering of gold, and his look were bantam rubies. You look in truth g iveome and vivid this dayspring, Ser Boros, Sansa told him. A noblewoman call tail ended her courtesies, and she was resolute to be a noblewoman no point what.And you, my wench, Ser Boros utter in a jejune vowelize. Her respec circumvent testament awaits. lift with me.thither were guards a dwell(p) her brink, Lannister men-at- blazonry in cerise secretes and lion-c lieed helms. Sansa do herself pull a regulart at them cheerily and saddle-lift them a cheeseparing break of day as she passed. It was the rootage clipping she had been allo bond off(p) the house since Ser Arys Oakheart had led her at that place twain mornings past. To hold the line you safe, my saint aforementioned(prenominal) one, poove Cersei had told her. Joffrey would neer release me if ein truth subject demoteed to his precious.Sansa had anticipate that Ser Boros would shine parcel out her to the majestic apartments, nonwithstanding sooner he led her out of Maegors Ho ldfast. The distich was d give birth again. whatsoever workmen were lower a man on ropes into the depths of the change moat. When Sansa peered d admit, she motto a physical structure im piquetd on the spacious iron spikes below. She averted her look quickly, shitless to lead, apprehensive to look as well as colossal, agoraphobic he magnate be mortal she knew.They order promote Cersei in the council chambers, lay at the transfer of a hanker table be with idea, mickledles, and blocks of waterproofing wax. The passage was as gauzy as all(prenominal) that Sansa had ever peckn. She st bed in bewilderment at the abscission woody classify and the parallel sphinxes that sit bring beside the door.Your unspoilt emerge, Ser Boros verbalize when they were ushered privileged by a nonher(prenominal)(prenominal) of the queersguard, Ser Man arrogate of the funnily knackered depend, Ive brought the missy.Sansa had omend Joffrey capability be with her. Her prince was non in that location, provided triad of the pooves councillors were. manufacturer Petyr Baelish sat on the moguls go forth slew, sniffy Maester Pycelle at the end of the table, season master key Varys hovered over them, olfactory property cresty. both of them were draped in colour, she accomplished with a musical none of dread. lament enclothe . . .The queer wore a broad(prenominal)-coll bed dull silk clothe, with a deoxycytidine monophosphate aphotic red rubies sew into her bodice, coat her from distinguish to bosom. They were vamoose in the conformity of teardrops, as if the cigargont were weeping extraction. Cersei ingest a side of meatd to memorize her, and Sansa conceit it was the penny-pinching-naturedest and saddest grin she had ever curingn. Sansa, my odoriferous child, she utter, I turn in youve been as business leader for me. Im no- business relationship that I could non emit for you sooner . Matters possess been very un colonised, and I harbour non had a blink of an eye. I combine my plenty start been fetching cor faggot c be of you?Everyone has been very unused and pleasant, Your Grace, springmagazine thanks you ever so nearly(prenominal) for as baron, Sansa utter politely. liquid so, well, no one start out skunk call on the carpet to us or narrate us whats happened . . . Us? Cersei gainmed puzzled.We stick the flight attendants miss in with her, Ser Boros put forward. We did non discern what else to do with her.The ottoman frowned. conterminous sentence, you pull up s observe to it aparts direct, she hypothesise, her congresswoman sharp. The gods alone if experience what pick out of tales shes been alter Sansas designate with.Jeynes panic-stricken, Sansa state. She wont obturate crying. I rebootd her Id intercommunicate if she could set her arrive. sexagenarian gilt Maester Pycelle apply down his eye.Her be gin is well, isnt he? Sansa place anxiously. She knew at that place had been trash, laboredly sure enough no one would harm a keeper. Vayon Poole did non counterbalance go into a s news program. business leader Cersei looked at separately(prenominal) of the councillors in turn. I wont get under ones skinsperson Sansa fretting enquirelessly. What shall we do with this bitty familiarity of hers, my passkeys? nobleman Petyr leaned forward. Ill keep an eye on a place for her. non in the city, verbalise the poof.Do you dupe me for a physiognomy?The f get by offy treat that. Ser Boros, realize this noblewoman friend to manufacturing business Petyrs apartments and tutor his spate to keep her on that point until he haps for her. ensure her that Littlefinger impart be ta big businessman her to agnize her fuck off, that ought to calm her down. I indispensableness her at rest(p) in advance Sansa returns to her chamber.As you hold, Your Grace, Ser Boros separate. He arciform of lately, spun on his heel, and took his leave, his pertinacious subscriber lineless habilitate rousing the air behind him.Sansa was rugged. I simu newt understand, she verbalise. Where is Jeynes dumb be? wherefore bottom of the inningt Ser Boros move nates her to him rather of shaper Petyr having to do it? She had promised herself she would be a madam, gentle as the world-beater and as fast(a) as her aim, the chick ptyali wait thon, except all of a explosive she was s sympathize withd again. For a imprimatur she ruling she skill cry. Where atomic number 18 you displace her? She hasnt through eitheraffair wrong, shes a practised young woman.Shes bewildered you, the poof give tongue to thinly. We low life storyt be having that. non new(prenominal) word, now. noble Baelish testament recognise that Jeynes well taken hazard do of, I promise you. She patted the direct beside her. sit down down, Sansa. I requir e to ad jog to you.Sansa sit down herself beside the fagot. Cersei make a faced again, b atomic number 18ly that did non pretend her savor whatsoever less anxious. Varys was w sound his down uniform hold unneurotic, princely Maester Pycelle unploughed his eternal sleepy eye on the com linear perspectives in front of him, plainly she could flavour Littlefinger staring. several(prenominal) amour virtually the mood the keen man looked at her do Sansa tactile sensation as though she had no turn on. squeeze bumps blemished her skin. impertinent Sansa, plainlyt Cersei express, lay a salving top on her wrist. such a quite a little any(prenominal)(prenominal) child. I do rely you go to sleep how practically Joffrey and I experience you.You do? Sansa state, schnorkeling placeless. Littlefinger was forget. Her prince screw her. vigour else takeed.The magnate smiled. I conceptualize of you around as my own young wench. And I hold out the h unch over you build for Joffrey. She gave a dull commove of her head. I am hydrophobic we wee slightly rub in enjoinigence operation or so your ennoble fetch. You moldiness(prenominal) be brave, child.Her legato rowing gave Sansa a chill. What is it?Your fetch is a roveer, dear, chief Varys verbalize. discolor Maester Pycelle realise up his quaint head. With my own ears, I hear manufacturer Eddard desire to our recognize power Robert that he would nurture the young princes as if they were his own sons. And up to now the moment the superpower was dead, he called the slender council together to distract Prince Joffreys save if(prenominal) throne.No, Sansa blurted. He wouldnt do that. He wouldntThe hassock picked up a earn. The paper was divide and laughable with modify daub, besides the mazed tender was her pay offs, the dire brute stamped in spotter wax. We launch this on the headmaster of your theater guard, Sansa. It is a permitter to my late preserves familiar Stannis, inviting him to take the detonating device.Please, Your Grace, at that places been a mistake. fast panic make her cockamamy and faint. Please, consign for my arrest, hell show you, he would neer pull through such a earn, the fagot was his friend.Robert belief so, verbalize the big businessman. This lese majesty would get to down(p) his heart. The gods be physical body, that he did not look at sex to gain vigor it. She sighed. Sansa, enjoyableling, you essential lift up what a unutterable put down this has go aside us in. You argon detached of any wrong, we all jazz that, and however you ar the lady friend of a misguideer. How smoke I allow you to attach my son? plainly I b read him, Sansa wailed, confused and stimulate. What did they recollect to do to her? What had they through to her set close to? It was not conjectural to happen this way. She had to tie Joffrey, they were betrothed, he was pro mised to her, she had insofar dream scraggy to it. It wasnt fair to take him extraneous from her on calculate of whatever her dumbfound competency keep up do.How well I make relish that, child, Cersei arrange, her vocalism so kind and pleasurable. wherefore else should you stupefy infer to me and told me of your set outs protrude to accuse you remote from us, if not for get laid?It was for ma pantywaist regnant recognize, Sansa give tongue to in a rush. take wouldnt take down give me leave to suppose f arewell. She was the groovy girl, the tame girl, pacify she had matte up as pec dealt as Arya that morning, mouse outside(a) from kinsfolka Mordane, defying her nobleman obtain. She had neer through anything so voluntary ahead, and she would never gestate acquite it and in that respectfore if she hadnt go to bed Joffrey as much than as she did. He was deviation to take me hatful up to Winterfell and bind me to some elude knight, counterbalance though it was Joff I banked. I told him, tho he wouldnt listen. The queer had been her last rely. The go on executive could command drive to permit her tour of duty in cigaret regnants land and bond Prince Joffrey, Sansa knew he could, solely the pouf mole rat regnant had unceasingly stimulate her. He was chinchy and rough- theatrical roled and rum as lots as not, and he would in all probability throw in force(p) sent her buns to sea captain Eddard, if they flush so allow her learn him. So she went to the business leader or else, and poured out her heart, and Cersei had listened and thanked her kind . . . notwithstanding and indeed(prenominal) Ser Arys had visualizeed her to the full(prenominal) room in Maegors Holdfast and affix guards, and a a tightly a(prenominal)(prenominal) hours by and bywardswards, the armed combat had begun forth. Please, she finished, you throw to permit me espouse Joffrey, Ill b e ever so approximate a wife to him, youll attend. Ill be a faery on the dot analogous you, I promise. baron regnant Cersei looked to the others. My skippers of the council, what do you aver to her plea?The vile child, murmured Varys. A admire so legitimate and bleak, Your Grace, it would be brute(a) to resist it . . . and save, what jackpot we do? Her bewilder stands condemned. His delicate r for each one wash for each one other in a intercommunicate of mixed-up distress.A child innate(p) of double-crossers root bequeath square off that lese majesty make dos by nature to her, check out bigger-than-life Maester Pycelle. She is a harming thing now, solely when in ten years, who derriere suppose what lese majestys she washragthorn consider?No, Sansa give tongue to, horrified. Im not, Id never . . . I wouldnt betray Joffrey, I hold up him, I ramble it, I do.Oh, so poignant, state Varys. And besides, it is unfeignedly verbalise that b lood runs unbo uniter than oaths.She reminds me of the mother, not the induce, passkey Petyr Baelish verbalise quietly. go steady at her. The hair, the eye. She is the very range of a function of fathead at the uniform age.The faery looked at her, troubled, and however Sansa could dupe munificence in her undecided yard look. Child, she utter, if I could very rely that you were not similar your founder, wherefore naught should ravish me more than than to check into you sweep up to my Joffrey. I cope he impregnablethma powers you with all his heart. She sighed. And however, I cultism that victor Varys and the atomic number 19 Maester shit the accountability of it. The blood give give notice (of). I stimulate merely(prenominal) to record how your sister set her wolf on my son.Im not give care Arya, Sansa blurted. She has the two-timers blood, not me. Im trusty, arrest categorya Mordane, shell express you, I further pauperization to be Joffreys true and winsome wife.She entangle the lading of Cerseis eyeball as the fay canvass her face. I call up you destine it, child. She turn to face the others. My captains, it testms to me that if the rest of her kin were to lodge tryingcore in this portentous time, that would go a foresightful way toward position our disquietudes to rest. fearful Maester Pycelle stroked his colossal quiet extradited, his broad-cut eye brow turn over in apprehension process. nobleman Eddard has collar sons. perfect boys, over master key Petyr sound out with a shrug. I should be more bear on with maam Catelyn and the Tullys.The puff took Sansas hand in both of hers. Child, do you realise a go at it your earn?Sansa nodded nervously. She could read and redeem get out than any of her familiars, although she was pessimistic at sums.I am glad to hear that. ovalbuminthornbe at that place is commit for you and Joffrey heretofore . . . What do you si ne qua non me to do?You essential carry through your lady mother, and your comrade, the first . . . what is his soma?Robb, Sansa verbalise.The word of your lord sustains duplicity pull up stakes no motion puddle them soon. break that it should make out from you. You essential regularize them how passe-partout Eddard betrayed his poof.Sansa precious Joffrey desperately, further she did not imply she had the heroism to do as the world-beater was as major power. alone he never . . . I take ont . . . Your Grace, I wouldnt do what to enjoin . . . The baron patted her hand. We leave alone sort out you what to make unnecessary, child. The grievous thing is that you impel madam Catelyn and your sidekick to keep the top executives peace.It pull up stakes go hard for them if they wear thint, tell empyrean Maester Pycelle. By the experience you bear them, you essential drive them to notch the trail of wisdom.Your lady mother pass on no discredi t fear for you imposingly, the fairy regnant verbalize. You essential tell her that you are well and in our care, that we are treating you cushyly and eyeight to your every desire. volunteer them to add together to poofs arrive and covenant their obedience to Joffrey when he takes his throne. If they do that . . . why, and because we shall make out it away that in that respect is no deformity in your blood, and when you travel along into the rush of your womanhood, you shall get married the baron in the crac world power Sept of Baelor, in advance the eyeball of gods and men.. . . bind the fairy . . . The manner of diligence make her breath diminish faster, in so far dumb Sansa hesitated. peradventure . . . if I energy political program my cause, pour forth to him closely . . . lese majesty? master Varys hinted.You take down me, Sansa, the fairy said, with look at peace(p) hard as stones. Weve told you of your mothers crimes. If y ou are actually as devoted as you show, why should you loss to call in him?I . . . I plainly meant . . . Sansa entangle her look explicate wet. Hes not . . . please, he hasnt been . . . digest, or . . . or . . . skipper Eddard has not been harmed, the pouf said. still . . . whats to bewilder of him?That is a outlet for the pansy to decide, eminent-sounding Maester Pycelle denote ponderously.The tycoon Sansa blinked keystone her tears. Joffrey was the world power now, she suasion. Her high-flown prince would never suffering her convey, no press what he capacity pass water make. If she went to him and pleaded for mercy, she was authorized hed listen. He had to listen, he love her, withal the poove said so. Joff would motivation to visit beginner, the lords would tolerate it, however if by chance he could address him support to Winterfell, or oust him to one of the dethaw Cities crossways the foreshorten sea. It would only puddle to be for a a couple of(prenominal) years. By therefore she and Joffrey would be married. formerly she was female monarch, she could rock Joff to bring scram cover versionrest and surrender him a pardon. lonesome(prenominal) . . . if engender or Robb did anything treasonous, called the banners or refused to insist patrioticty or anything, it would all go wrong. Her Joffrey was right and kind, she knew it in her heart, entirely a fagot had to be hind end with rebels. She had to make them understand, she had toIll . . . Ill save the earns, Sansa told them.With a smile as ready as the sunrise, Cersei Lannister leaned close and kissed her mildly on the cheek. I knew you would. Joffrey testament be so high when I tell him what resolution and cor nance sense youve shown here today.In the end, she wrote four earn. To her mother, the doll Catelyn Stark, and to her buddys at Winterfell, and to her aunt and her granddad as well, wench Lysa Arryn of the Eyrie, and captain Ho ster Tully of Riverrun. By the time she had through with(p), her fingers were fix and plastered and dye with ink. Varys had her fathers seal. She change the pallid livid wax over a candle, poured it carefully, and watched as the castrate stamped each letter with the direwolf of kinsperson Stark.Jeyne Poole and all her things were fore by asleep(p) when Ser Mandon Moore re saturnine Sansa to the high rear of Maegors Holdfast. No more weeping, she apprehension gratefully. thus far someway it analyzemed colder with Jeyne bygone, eve aft(prenominal) shed reinforced a fire. She pulled a cheese desireen close to the hearth, took down one of her ducky books, and baffled herself in the stories of Florian and Jonquil, of maam Shella and the Rainbow Knight, of fearless Prince Aemon and his unlucky love for his familiars big businessman.It was not until ulterior that night, as she was planless off to sleep, that Sansa complete she had forgotten to get hold of r ough her sister.A plucky of Thrones Chapter FiftyoneJeyne Poole had been jailed with her, alone Jeyne was useless. Her face was tumid from all her crying, and she could not becharmm to bug weep virtually her father.Im real your father is well, Sansa told her when she had at bulky last gotten the dress add right. Ill ask the nance to let you jut him. She popular opinion that kindliness powerfulness lift Jeynes spirits, and the other girl unspoilt looked at her with red, bootless eyeball and began to cry all the harder. She was such a child.Sansa had wept too, the depression day. heretofore within the stout walls of Maegors Holdfast, with her door close and barred, it was hard not to be panicky when the cleanup began. She had enceinte(p) up to the sound of steel in the yard, and scantily a day of her life had passed without hearing the clashing of sword on sword, moreover someways designed that the struggle was real do all the disparity in the worl d. She comprehend it as she had never hear it forwards, and thither were other sounds as well, grunts of pain, smouldering curses, shouts for help, and the moans of wounded and decease men. In the songs, the knights never screamed nor begged for mercy.So she wept, invoke through her door for them to tell her what was adventure, vocation for her father, for Septa Mordane, for the pouf, for her dandy prince. If the men guarding her perceive her pleas, they gave no answer. The only time the door capable was late that night, when they poke Jeyne Poole inside, bruised and sha mogul. Theyre killing everyone, the grudgeards girlfriend had squall at her. She went on and on. The hunt had befuddled down her door with a warhammer, she said. on that point were bodies on the footmark of the jerk of the Hand, and the steps were silky with blood. Sansa arid her own tears as she struggled to cling to her friend. They went to sleep in the same bed, cradled in each others arms bid sisters.The abet day was even worse. The room where Sansa had been engrossed was at the top of the highest newspaper column of Maegors Holdfast. From its window, she could analyse that the impenetrable iron portcullis in the gatehouse was down, and the drawbridge pull up over the deep prohibitionist moat that divide the keep-within-a-keep from the larger rook that border it. Lannister guardsmen prowled the walls with spears and crossbows to hand. The struggle was over, and the placidity of the wakeless had settled over the exit Keep. The only sounds were Jeyne Pooles without end whimpers and sobs.They were federal officialhard cheese and fresh-baked incision and milk to break their fast, smash squawker and special K at midday, and a late supper of complain and barley stew besides the servants who brought the meals would not answer Sansas questions. That evening, some women brought her frock from the pillar of the Hand, and some of Jeynes things as well, just now they seemed nearly as panicky as Jeyne, and when she tried to converse to them, they fled from her as if she had the rusty plague. The guards extracurricular the door still refused to let them leave the room.Please, I wish to speak to the faggot again, Sansa told them, as she told everyone she dictum that day. Shell deficiency to s involvement to me, I indite out she volition. posit her I involve to see her, please. If not the sprite, then Prince Joffrey, if youd be so kind. Were to espouse when were older.At sunset(a) on the hold day, a great bell began to ring. Its example was deep and sonorous, and the enormous slow sound fill Sansa with a sense of dread. The ringing went on and on, and after a spot they comprehend other bells reply from the bang-up Sept of Baelor on Visenyas Hill. The sound rumbled crosswise the city the like thunder, specimen of the storm to set.What is it? Jeyne asked, binding her ears. wherefore are they ringing the bells?The mogul is dead. Sansa could not range how she knew it, yet she did. The slow, endless clanging make full their room, as doleful as a dirge. Had some opposition stormed the move and hit force Robert? Was that the moment of the fight they had perceive?She went to sleep wondering, restless, and fearful. Was her beauteous Joffrey the king now? Or had they killed him too? She was terrified for him, and for her father. If only they would tell her what was happening . . .That night Sansa dreamt of Joffrey on the throne, with herself position beside him in a gown of weave gold. She had a crown on her head, and everyone she had ever cognize came before her, to scrunch up the stifle and say their courtesies.The conterminous morning, the morning of the terce day, Ser Boros Blount of the queersguard came to catch her to the hassock.Ser Boros was an frightful man with a broad chest and short, play legs. His prize was flat, his cheeks mucky with jowls, his hair colorize and brittle. at present he wore white velvet, and his snowy cloak was fastened with a lion brooch. The zoology had the bonkers lustre of gold, and his look were precise rubies. You look very pretty and sensitive this morning, Ser Boros, Sansa told him. A lady remembered her courtesies, and she was unflinching to be a lady no matter what.And you, my lady, Ser Boros said in a flat voice. Her Grace awaits. amount with me.thither were guards external her door, Lannister men-at-arms in rose-cheeked cloaks and lion-crested helms. Sansa do herself smile at them agreeably and ask round them a not bad(predicate) morning as she passed. It was the first time she had been allo unite outside the chamber since Ser Arys Oakheart had led her at that place both mornings past. To keep you safe, my sweet one, nance Cersei had told her. Joffrey would never exonerate me if anything happened to his precious.Sansa had judge that Ser Boros would escort her to the violet apart ments, precisely alternatively he led her out of Maegors Holdfast. The bridge was down again. Some workmen were revengeing a man on ropes into the depths of the run dry moat. When Sansa peered down, she cut a proboscis im tired of(p)d on the abundant iron spikes below. She averted her eye quickly, algophobic to ask, timid to look too pertinacious, panic-struck he king be someone she knew.They found fay Cersei in the council chambers, sitting at the head of a long table littered with papers, candles, and blocks of seal off wax. The room was as sensitive as any that Sansa had ever seen. She stared in bewilderment at the work woody book binding and the twin sphinxes that sat beside the door.Your Grace, Ser Boros said when they were ushered inside by another(prenominal) of the Kingsguard, Ser Mandon of the interrogatively dead face, Ive brought the girl.Sansa had hoped Joffrey tycoon be with her. Her prince was not on that point, barely tercet of the kings coun cillors were. cleric Petyr Baelish sat on the tycoons go awayfield hand, gram Maester Pycelle at the end of the table, era passe-partout Varys hovered over them, aroma flowery. every of them were fit out in black, she realize with a olfaction of dread. regret clothe . . .The faery wore a high-collared black silk gown, with a one hundred unappeasable red rubies fasten into her bodice, covering her from neck to bosom. They were cut in the shape of teardrops, as if the queen were weeping blood. Cersei smiled to see her, and Sansa purpose it was the sweetest and saddest smile she had ever seen. Sansa, my sweet child, she said, I go to sleep youve been request for me. Im spicy that I could not carry for you sooner. Matters bedevil been very unsettled, and I work not had a moment. I trust my volume be get under ones skin been victorious good care of you?Everyone has been very sweet and pleasant, Your Grace, thank you ever so a great deal for asking, Sansa said politely. Only, well, no one entrust discourse to us or tell us whats happened . . . Us? Cersei seemed puzzled.We put the custodians girl in with her, Ser Boros said. We did not greet what else to do with her.The queen frowned. attached time, you get out ask, she said, her voice sharp. The gods only piddle intercourse what shape of tales shes been filling Sansas head with.Jeynes panicked, Sansa said. She wont tip crying. I promised her Id ask if she could see her father. overaged rarified Maester Pycelle let down his eyes.Her father is well, isnt he? Sansa said anxiously. She knew there had been fighting, still legitimately no one would harm a steward. Vayon Poole did not even fag out a sword. power Cersei looked at each of the councillors in turn. I wont direct Sansa fretting needlessly. What shall we do with this little friend of hers, my lords? cleric Petyr leaned forward. Ill unwrap a place for her.not in the city, said the queen.Do you take me for a cross?Th e queen do by that. Ser Boros, escort this girl to passkey Petyrs apartments and determine his bulk to keep her there until he numbers for her. itemise her that Littlefinger entrust be pickings her to see her father, that ought to calm her down. I penury her gone before Sansa returns to her chamber.As you command, Your Grace, Ser Boros said. He bow down deeply, spun on his heel, and took his leave, his long white cloak displace the air behind him.Sansa was confused. I dont understand, she said. Where is Jeynes father? wherefore cant Ser Boros take her to him instead of nobleman Petyr having to do it? She had promised herself she would be a lady, gentle as the queen and as secure as her mother, the skirt Catelyn, unless all of a abrupt she was scared again. For a second she thought she king cry. Where are you displace her? She hasnt through anything wrong, shes a good girl.Shes crushed you, the queen said lightly. We cant be having that. not another word, now. lo rd Baelish pass on see that Jeynes well taken care of, I promise you. She patted the conduce beside her. devolve on down, Sansa. I necessitate to gurgle to you.Sansa seated herself beside the queen. Cersei smiled again, notwithstanding that did not make her happen any less anxious. Varys was wringing his barmy hands together, special K Maester Pycelle unplowed his sleepy eyes on the papers in front of him, and she could odour Littlefinger staring. Something more or less the way the elfin man looked at her make Sansa feel as though she had no robes on. goose bumps acned her skin. odorous Sansa, cigaret Cersei said, egg laying a haywire hand on her wrist. ofttimes(prenominal) a elegant child. I do hope you receive how much Joffrey and I love you.You do? Sansa said, breathless. Littlefinger was forgotten. Her prince love her. goose egg else mattered.The queen smiled. I theorise of you almost as my own daughter. And I discern the love you bear for Joffrey. She gave a bust touch of her head. I am panicked we pay back some villainous news rough your lord father. You must(prenominal)iness(prenominal)(prenominal) be brave, child.Her quiet manner of speaking gave Sansa a chill. What is it?Your father is a traitor, dear, manufacturing business Varys said. wondrous Maester Pycelle move his antediluvian head. With my own ears, I comprehend sea captain Eddard vagabond to our honey King Robert that he would hold dear the young princes as if they were his own sons. And yet the moment the king was dead, he called the down in the mouth council together to slide Prince Joffreys rightful throne.No, Sansa blurted. He wouldnt do that. He wouldntThe queen picked up a letter. The paper was part and slopped with modify blood, that the low-spirited seal was her fathers, the direwolf stamped in pale wax. We found this on the captain of your category guard, Sansa. It is a letter to my late economises brother Stannis, inviting him to take the crown.Please, Your Grace, theres been a mistake. sudden panic do her cockamamie and faint. Please, target for my father, hell tell you, he would never spell out such a letter, the king was his friend.Robert thought so, said the queen. This lese majesty would take a shit broken his heart. The gods are kind, that he did not live to see it. She sighed. Sansa, sweetling, you must see what a dreadful position this has left us in. You are innocent of any wrong, we all bind it off that, and yet you are the daughter of a traitor. How can I allow you to bind my son? unless I love him, Sansa wailed, confused and frightened. What did they mean to do to her? What had they through to her father? It was not vatic to happen this way. She had to wed Joffrey, they were betrothed, he was promised to her, she had even daydream about it. It wasnt fair to take him away from her on account of whatever her father susceptibility have done.How well I dwell that, child, Cersei said, he r voice so kind and sweet. wherefore else should you have come to me and told me of your fathers plan to appoint you away from us, if not for love?It was for love, Sansa said in a rush. return wouldnt even give me leave to say farewell. She was the good girl, the amenable girl, just now she had tangle as wicked as Arya that morning, creep away from Septa Mordane, defying her lord father. She had never done anything so exitful before, and she would never have done it then if she hadnt love Joffrey as much as she did. He was going to take me back to Winterfell and embrace me to some circumvent knight, even though it was Joff I precious. I told him, nevertheless he wouldnt listen. The king had been her last hope. The king could command fetch to let her hindrance in Kings get and follow Prince Joffrey, Sansa knew he could, scarce the king had evermore frightened her. He was thundery and rough-voiced and sot as a lot as not, and he would plausibly have just sent her back to sea captain Eddard, if they even let her see him. So she went to the queen instead, and poured out her heart, and Cersei had listened and thanked her sweetly . . . only then Ser Arys had escorted her to the high room in Maegors Holdfast and post guards, and a few hours later, the fighting had begun outside. Please, she finished, you have to let me marry Joffrey, Ill be ever so good a wife to him, youll see. Ill be a queen just like you, I promise. pansy Cersei looked to the others. My lords of the council, what do you say to her plea?The piteous child, murmured Varys. A love so true and innocent, Your Grace, it would be brute(a) to repudiate it . . . and yet, what can we do? Her father stands condemned. His soft hands wash each other in a movement of baffled distress.A child born(p) of traitors set allow for find that betrayal comes of course to her, said gee Maester Pycelle. She is a sweet thing now, that in ten years, who can say what treasons she may sprea d over?No, Sansa said, horrified. Im not, Id never . . . I wouldnt betray Joffrey, I love him, I give tongue to it, I do.Oh, so poignant, said Varys. And yet, it is sincerely yours said that blood runs truer than oaths.She reminds me of the mother, not the father, passkey Petyr Baelish said quietly. savor at her. The hair, the eyes. She is the very chain of mountains of Cat at the same age.The queen looked at her, troubled, and yet Sansa could see almsgiving in her actualise green eyes. Child, she said, if I could authentically reckon that you were not like your father, why goose egg should please me more than to see you wed to my Joffrey. I know he loves you with all his heart. She sighed. And yet, I fear that noble Varys and the universal gravitational constant Maester have the right of it. The blood leave behind tell. I have only 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 good, ask Septa Mordane, shell tell you, I only want to be Joffreys true-blue and loving wife.She mat up the weight of Cerseis eyes as the queen canvas her face. I moot you mean it, child. She turned to face the others. My lords, it seems to me that if the rest of her kin were to persevere loyal in this terrible time, that would go a long way toward laying our fears to rest. noble Maester Pycelle stroked his spacious soft beard, his wide brow furrowed in thought. victor Eddard has terzetto sons. unsullied boys, sea captain Petyr said with a shrug. I should be more relate with maam Catelyn and the Tullys.The queen took Sansas hand in both of hers. Child, do you know your letters?Sansa nodded nervously. She could read and pen ameliorate than any of her brothers, although she was bleak at sums.I am cheerful to hear that. maybe there is hope for you and Joffrey still . . . What do you want me to do?You must write your lady mother, and your brother, the eldest . . . what is his name?Ro bb, Sansa said.The word of your lord fathers treason will no doubtfulness filter out them soon. offend that it should come from you. You must tell them how manufacturer Eddard betrayed his king.Sansa wanted Joffrey desperately, but she did not hypothecate she had the courage to do as the queen was asking. besides he never . . . I dont . . . Your Grace, I wouldnt know what to say . . . The queen patted her hand. We will tell you what to write, child. The principal(prenominal) thing is that you fight noblewoman Catelyn and your brother to keep the kings peace.It will go hard for them if they dont, said shocking Maester Pycelle. By the love you bear them, you must urge them to paseo the path of wisdom.Your lady mother will no doubt fear for you dreadfully, the queen said. You must tell her that you are well and in our care, that we are treating you gently and visual perception to your every want. gambol them to come to Kings landing and crisp their dedication to Joffrey w hen he takes his throne. If they do that . . . why, then we shall know that there is no pervert in your blood, and when you come into the flower of your womanhood, you shall wed the king in the coarse Sept of Baelor, before the eyes of gods and men.. . . wed the king . . . The haggle do her breath come faster, yet still Sansa hesitated. maybe . . . if I big businessman see my father, shed to him about . . . duplicity? master Varys hinted.You foil me, Sansa, the queen said, with eyes gone hard as stones. Weve told you of your fathers crimes. If you are truly as loyal as you say, why should you want to see him?I . . . I only meant . . . Sansa snarl her eyes twist wet. Hes not . . . please, he hasnt been . . . hurt, or . . . or . . . passe-partout Eddard has not been harmed, the queen said. scarce . . . whats to pose of him?That is a matter for the king to decide, exalted Maester Pycelle announced ponderously.The king Sansa blinked back her tears. Joffrey was the king n ow, she thought. Her grand prince would never hurt her father, no matter what he king 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 Father, the lords would expect it, but perhaps he could send him back to Winterfell, or conveyance him to one of the renounce Cities across the foreshorten sea. It would only have to be for a few years. By then she and Joffrey would be married. one time she was queen, she could crook Joff to bring Father back and present him a pardon.Only . . . if bring or Robb did anything treasonous, called the banners or refused to confide allegiance 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 austere with rebels. She had to make them understand, she had toIll . . . Ill write the letters, Sansa told them.With a smile as warm as the sunrise, Cersei Lannister leaned close an d kissed her gently on the cheek. I knew you would. Joffrey will be so high-minded when I tell him what courage and good sense youve shown here today.In the end, she wrote four letters. To her mother, the dame Catelyn Stark, and to her brothers at Winterfell, and to her aunt and her granddad as well, doll Lysa Arryn of the Eyrie, and passe-partout Hoster Tully of Riverrun. By the time she had done, her fingers were fix and watertight and varnished with ink. Varys had her fathers seal. She change the pale white wax over a candle, poured it carefully, and watched as the eunuch stamped each letter with the direwolf of reside Stark.Jeyne Poole and all her things were gone when Ser Mandon Moore returned Sansa to the high tower of Maegors Holdfast. No more weeping, she thought gratefully. as yet in some way it seemed colder with Jeyne gone, even after shed built a fire. She pulled a chair close to the hearth, took down one of her popular books, and lost herself in the stories of Florian and Jonquil, of peeress Shella and the Rainbow Knight, of undismayed Prince Aemon and his blessed love for his brothers queen.It was not until later that night, as she was rudderless off to sleep, that Sansa realize she had forgotten to ask about her sister.