A Game of Thrones Chapter Forty-four

SansaHe wouldnt send Ser Loras, Sansa t grey Jeyne Poole that night as they sha ruddy a cold supper by lamplight. I think it was because of his leg. headmaster Eddard had fasten onn his supper in his bedchamber with Alyn, Harwin, and Vayon Poole, the better to rest his broken leg, and Septa Mordane had complained of sore feet after standing in the g bothery all day. Arya was conjectural to join them, but she was late coming back from her bound lesson.His leg? Jeyne said uncertainly. She was a pretty, black-hai vehement girl of Sansas avouch age. Did Ser Loras hurt his leg?Not his leg, Sansa said, nibbling delicately at a chicken leg. beginners leg, dotty. It hurts him incessantly so oftentimes, it makes him cross. Otherwise Im certain he would experience sent Ser Loras.Her fathers decision still bewildered her. When the nickname of Flowers had spoken up, shed been sure she was about to see virtuoso of Old Nans stories come to life. Ser Gregor was the monster and Ser Loras the true hitman who would slay him. He even formulationed a true hero, so slim and resplendent, with golden roses around his lissom waist and his rich brown hair tumbling down into his eyeball. And then Father had refused him It had upset her more(prenominal) than she could tell. She had said as much to Septa Mordane as they descended the stairs from the gallery, but the septa had only told her it was not her place to misgiving her lord fathers decisions.That was when master copy Baelish had said, Oh, I dont spot, Septa. Some of her lord fathers decisions could do with a bit of questioning. The young skirt is as wise as she is harming. He do a sweeping bow to Sansa, so wooden-headed she was not quite sure if she was being complimented or mocked.Septa Mordane had been very upset to realize that Lord Baelish had everywhereheard them. The girl was middling clacking, my lord, shed said. Foolish chatter. She meant nothing by the comment.Lord Baelish stroked his little po inted beard and said, Nothing? Tell me, child, why would you pick up sent Ser Loras?Sansa had no choice but to explain about heroes and monsters. The kings councillor smiled. Well, those are not the reasons Id have given, but . . . He had moved(p) her cheek, his thumb lightly tracing the line of a cheekbone. look is not a song, sweetling. You may learn that one day to your sorrow.Sansa did not feel like verbalize all that to Jeyne, however it made her uneasy just to think back on it.Ser Ilyns the Kings Justice, not Ser Loras, Jcyne said. Lord Eddard should have sent him.Sansa shuddered. Every time she looked at Ser Ilyn Payne, she shivered. He made her feel as though something dead were slithering over her naked pelt. Ser Ilyns almost like a second monster. Im glad Father didnt pick him.Lord Beric is as much a hero as Ser Loras. Hes ever so jocund and gallant.I suppose, Sansa said doubtfully. Beric Dondarrion was handsome enough, but he was awfully old, almost twenty-two the K night of Flowers would have been much better. Of course, Jeyne had been in love with Lord Beric ever since she had first glimpsed him in the lists. Sansa thought she was being silly Jeyne was only a stewards daughter, after all, and no matter how much she mooned after him, Lord Beric would never look at someone so far beneath him, even if she hadnt been half his age.It would have been unkind to rate so, however, so Sansa took a sip of milk and changed the subject. I had a dream that Joffrey would be the one to take the white hart, she said. It had been more of a wish, actually, but it sounded better to call it a dream. Everyone knew that dreams were prophetic. White harts were supposed to be very rare and magical, and in her heart she knew her gallant prince was worthier than his drunken father.A dream? Truly? Did Prince Joffrey just go up to it and touch it with his bare hand and do it no harm?No, Sansa said. He pecker it with a golden arrow and brought it back for me. In the son gs, the knights never killed magical beasts, they just went up to them and touched(p) them and did them no harm, but she knew Joffrey liked hunting, especially the killing part. Only animals, though. Sansa was certain her prince had no part in murdering Jory and those other poor men that had been his wicked uncle, the Kingslayer. She knew her father was still angry about that, but it wasnt mean(a) to blame Joff. That would be like blaming her for something that Arya had done.I adage your sister this afternoon, Jeyne blurted out, as if shed been reading Sansas thoughts. She was walking through with(predicate) the stables on her hands. Why would she do a thing like that?Im sure I dont know why Arya does anything. Sansa hated stables, smelly places full of manure and flies. Even when she went riding, she liked the boy to saddle the horse and necessitate it to her in the yard. Do you postulate to hear about the court or not?I do, Jeyne said. on that point was a black brother, Sansa said, begging men for the Wall, only he was kind of old and smelly. She hadnt liked that at all. She had always imagined the Nights Watch to be men like Uncle Benjen. In the songs, they were called the black knights of the Wall. But this man had been unfit and hideous, and he looked as though he might have lice. If this was what the Nights Watch was truly like, she felt downhearted for her bastard half brother, Jon. Father asked if there were any knights in the hall who would do honor to their houses by taking the black, but no one came forward, so he gave this Yoren his pick of the kings dungeons and sent him on his way. And later these two brothers came before him, freeriders from the Dornish Marches, and pledged their swords to the service of the king. Father accepted their oaths . . . Jeyne yawned. Are there any lemon tree cakes?Sansa did not like being interrupted, but she had to admit, lemon cakes sounded more interesting than most of what had gone on in the throne room. Lets see, she said.The kitchen yielded no lemon cakes, but they did find half of a cold strawberry mark pie, and that was almost as good. They ate it on the tower steps, giggling and gossiping and sharing secrets, and Sansa went to bed that night vox populi almost as wicked as Arya.The next morning she woke before first light and crept sleepily to her window to watch Lord Beric form up his men. They rode out as dawn was breaking over the city, with three banners passing game before them the crowned stag of the king flew from the uplifted staff, the direwolf of Stark and Lord Berics own forked lightning standard from shorter poles. It was all so exciting, a song come to life the clatter of swords, the quiver of torchlight, banners dancing in the wind, horses snorting and whinnying, the golden glow of sunrise slanting through the bars of the portcullis as it jerked upward. The Winterfell men looked especially fine in their silvery mail and long grey cloaks.Alyn carried the Stark b anner. When she saw him rein in beside Lord Beric to exchange words, it made Sansa feel ever so proud. Alyn was handsomer than Jory had been he was tone ending to be a knight one day.The Tower of the Hand seemed so empty after they left(p) that Sansa was even pleased to see Arya when she went down to break her fast. Where is everyone? her sister expected to know as she ripped the skin from a blood orange. Did Father send them to hunt down Jaime Lannister?Sansa sighed. They rode with Lord Beric, to behead Ser Gregor Clegane. She turned to Septa Mordane, who was alimentation porridge with a wooden spoon. Septa, forget Lord Beric spike Ser Gregors head on his own gate or bring it back here for the king? She and Jeyne Poole had been arguing over that buy the farm night.The septa was horror-struck. A lady does not discuss such things over her porridge. Where are your courtesies, Sansa? I swear, of late youve been near as bad as your sister.What did Gregor do? Arya asked.He burned do wn a holdfast and murdered a lot of people, women and children too.Arya screwed up her face in a scowl. Jaime Lannister murdered Jory and Heward and Wyl, and the Hound murdered Mycah. Somebody should have beheaded them.Its not the same, Sansa said. The Hound is Joffreys sworn shield. Your butchers boy attacked the prince.Liar, Arya said. Her hand clenched the blood orange so hard that red juice oozed between her fingers.Go ahead, call me all the names you want, Sansa said airily. You wont dare when Im married to Joffrey. Youll have to bow to me and call me Your Grace. She shout as Arya flung the orange across the table. It caught her in the middle of the forehead with a wet squish and plopped down into her lap.You have juice on your face, Your Grace, Arya said. It was running down her nose and tart her eyes. Sansa wiped it away with a napkin. When she saw what the fruit in her lap had done to her beautiful bone silk preen, she shrieked again. Youre horrible, she screamed at her s ister. They should have killed you instead of LadySepta Mordane came lurching to her feet. Your lord father will hear of this Go to your chambers, at once. At onceMe too? Tears welled in Sansas eyes. Thats not fair.The matter is not subject to discussion. GoSansa stalked away with her head up. She was to be a queen, and queens did not cry. At least not where people could see. When she reached her bedchamber, she barred the penetration and took off her dress. The blood orange had left a blotchy red stain on the silk. I hate her she screamed. She balled up the dress and flung it into the cold hearth, on top of the ashes of perish nights fire. When she saw that the stain had bled through onto her underskirt, she began to sob despite herself. She ripped off the rest of her clothes wildly, threw herself into bed, and cried herself back to sleep.It was midday when Septa Mordane knocked upon her door. Sansa. Your lord father will see you now.Sansa sat up. Lady, she whispered. For a mome nt it was as if the direwolf was there in the room, looking at her with those golden eyes, sad and knowing. She had been dreaming, she realized. Lady was with her, and they were running together, and . . . and . . . difficult to remember was like trying to catch the rain with her fingers. The dream faded, and Lady was dead again.Sansa. The rap came again, sharply. Do you hear me?Yes, Septa, she called out. Might I have a moment to dress, please? Her eyes were red from crying, but she did her best to make herself beautiful.Lord Eddard was bent over a huge leather-bound book when Septa Mordane marched her into the solar, his plaster-wrapped leg stiff beneath the table. Come here, Sansa, he said, not unkindly, when the septa had gone for her sister. Sit beside me. He closed the book.Septa Mordane returned with Arya squirming in her grasp. Sansa had put on a lovely pale green damask gown and a look of remorse, but her sister was still wear the ratty leathers and roughspun shed worn at breakfast. Here is the other one, the septa announced.My thanks, Septa Mordane. I would talk to my daughters alone, if you would be so kind. The septa motion and left.Arya started it, Sansa said quickly, anxious to have the first word. She called me a liar and threw an orange at me and spoiled my dress, the ivory silk, the one Queen Cersei gave me when I was betrothed to Prince Joffrey. She hates that Im passing to marry the prince. She tries to spoil everything, Father, she cant stand for anything to be beautiful or nice or splendid.Enough, Sansa. Lord Eddards voice was sharp with impatience.Arya raised her eyes. Im sorry, Father. I was wrong and I beg my sweet sisters forgiveness.Sansa was so startled that for a moment she was speechless. Finally she found her voice. What about my dress?Maybe . . . I could wash it, Arya said doubtfully.Washing wont do any good, Sansa said. Not if you scrubbed all day and all night. The silk is ruined.Then Ill . . . make you a new one, Arya said .Sansa threw back her head in disdain. You? You couldnt secure a dress fit to clean the pigsties.Their father sighed. I did not call you here to talk of dresses. Im sending you both back to Winterfell.For the second time Sansa found herself too stunned for words. She felt her eyes grow moist again.You cant, Arya said.Please, Father, Sansa managed at last. Please dont.Eddard Stark favored his daughters with a tired smile. At last weve found something you agree on.I didnt do anything wrong, Sansa pleaded with him. I dont want to go back. She loved Mngs Landing the pagaentry of the court, the high lords and ladies in their velvets and silks and gemstones, the great city with all its people. The tournament had been the most magical time of her whole life, and there was so much she had not seen yet, harvest feasts and masked balls and mummer shows. She could not bear the thought of losing it all. mastermind Arya away, she started it, Father, I swear it. Ill be good, youll see, just let me stay and I promise to be as fine and noble and courteous as the queen.Fathers mouth twitched strangely. Sansa, Im not sending you away for fighting, though the gods know Im sick of you two squabbling. I want you back in Winterfell for your own safety. Three of my men were break up down like dogs not a league from where we sit, and what does Robert do? He goes hunting.Arya was chewing at her oral cavity in that disgusting way she had. Can we take Syrio back with us?Who cares about your stupid dancing master? Sansa flared. Father, I only just now remembered, I cant go away, Im to marry Prince Joffrey. She tried to smile bravely for him. I love him, Father, I truly truly do, I love him as much as Queen Naerys loved Prince Aemon the Dragonknight, as much as Jonquil loved Ser Florian. I want to be his queen and have his babies.Sweet one, her father said gently, listen to me. When youre old enough, I will make you a match with a high lord whos worthy of you, someone brave and sweet and strong. This match with Joffrey was a terrible mistake. That boy is no Prince Aemon, you must believe me.He is Sansa insisted. I dont want someone brave and gentle, I want him. Well be ever so happy, just like in the songs, youll see. Ill give him a son with golden hair, and one day hell be the king of all the realm, the superlative king that ever was, as brave as the wolf and as proud as the lion.Arya made a face. Not if Joffreys his father, she said. Hes a liar and a craven and anyhow hes a stag, not a lion.Sansa felt tears in her eyes. He is not Hes not the least bit like that old drunken king, she screamed at her sister, forgetting herself in her grief.Father looked at her strangely. Gods, he swore softly, out of the mouth of babes . . . He shouted for Septa Mordane. To the girls he said, I am looking for a fast trading galley to take you home. These days, the sea is safer than the kingsroad. You will sail as soon as I can find a ripe ship, with Septa Mordane and a com plement of guards . . . and yes, with Syrio Forel, if he agrees to enter my service. But say nothing of this. Its better if no one knows of our plans. Well talk again tomorrow.Sansa cried as Septa Mordane marched them down the steps. They were going to take it all away the tournaments and the court and her prince, everything, they were going to send her back to the bleak grey walls of Winterfell and lock her up forever. Her life was over before it had begun. resign that weeping, child, Septa Mordane said sternly. I am certain your lord father knows what is best for you.It wont be so bad, Sansa, Arya said. Were going to sail on a galley. It will be an adventure, and then well be with Bran and Robb again, and Old Nan and Hodor and the rest. She touched her on the arm.Hodor Sansa yelled. You ought to marry Hodor, youre just like him, stupid and hairy and ugly She wrenched away from her sisters hand, stormed into her bedchamber, and barred the door behind her.