grrm.astormofswords-第138章

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ns。
　That　was　only　a　story；　though。　He　was　just　scaring　himself。　There　was　no　thing　that　es　in　the　night；　Maester　Luwin　had　said　so。　if　there　had　ever　been　such　a　thing；　it　was　gone　from　the　world　now；　like　giants　and　dragons。　It's　nothing；　Bran　thought。
　But　the　sounds　were　louder　now。
　It's　ing　from　the　well；　he　realized。　That　made　him　even　more　afraid。　Something　was　ing　up　from　under　the　ground；　ing　up　out　of　the　dark。　Hodor　woke　it　up。　He　woke　it　up　with　that　stupid　piece　of　slate；　and　now　it's　ing。　it　was　hard　to　hear　over　Hodor's　snores　and　the　thumping　of　his　own　heart。　Was　that　the　sound　blood　made　dripping　from　an　axe？　Or　was　it　the　faint；　far…off　rattling　of　ghostly　chains？　Bran　listened　harder。　Footsteps。　it　was　definitely　footsteps；　each　one　a　little　louder　than　the　one　before。　He　couldn't　tell　how　many；　though。　The　well　made　the　sounds　echo。　He　didn't　hear　any　dripping；　or　chains　either；　but　there　was　something　else　。　。　。　a　high　thin　whimpering　sound；　like　someone　in　pain；　and　heavy　muffled　breathing。　But　the　footsteps　were　loudest。　The　footsteps　were　ing　closer。
　Bran　was　too　frightened　to　shout。　The　fire　had　burned　down　to　a　few　faint　embers　and　his　friends　were　all　asleep。　He　almost　slipped　his　skin　and　reached　out　for　his　wolf；　but　Summer　might　be　miles　away。　He　couldn't　leave　his　friends　helpless　in　the　dark　to　face　whatever　was　ing　up　out　of　the　well。　I　told　them　not　to　e　here；　he　thought　miserably。　I　told　them　there　were　ghosts。　I　told　them　that　we　should　go　to　Castle　Black。
　The　footfalls　sounded　heavy　to　Bran；　slow；　ponderous；　scraping　against　the　stone。　It　must　be　huge。　Mad　Axe　had　been　a　big　man　in　Old　Nan's　story；　and　the　thing　that　came　in　the　night　had　been　monstrous。　Back　in　Winterfell；　Sansa　had　told　him　that　the　demons　of　the　dark　couldn't　touch　him　if　he　hid　beneath　his　blanket。　He　almost　did　that　now；　before　he　remembered　that　he　was　a　prince；　and　almost　a　man　grown。
　Bran　wriggled　across　the　floor；　dragging　his　dead　legs　behind　him　until　he　could　reach　out　and　touch　Meera　on　the　foot。　She　woke　at　once。　He　had　never　known　anyone　to　wake　as　quick　as　Meera　Reed；　or　to　be　so　alert　so　fast。　Bran　pressed　a　finger　to　his　mouth　so　she'd　know　not　to　speak。　She　heard　the　sound　at　once；　he　could　see　that　on　her　face；　the　echoing　footfalls；　the　faint　whimpering；　the　heavy　breathing。
　Meera　rose　to　her　feet　without　a　word　and　reclaimed　her　weapons。　With　her　three…pronged　frog　spear　in　her　right　hand　and　the　folds　of　her　net　dangling　from　her　left；　she　slipped　barefoot　toward　the　well。　Jojen　dozed　on；　oblivious；　while　Hodor　muttered　and　thrashed　in　restless　sleep。　She　kept　to　the　shadows　as　she　moved；　stepped　around　the　shaft　of　moonlight　as　quiet　as　a　cat。　Bran　was　watching　her　all　the　while；　and　even　he　could　barely　see　the　faint　sheen　of　her　spear。　I　can't　let　her　fight　the　thing　alone；　he　thought。　Summer　was　far　away；　but　。　。　。
　　。　。　。　he　slipped　his　skin；　and　reached　for　Hodor。
　It　was　not　like　sliding　into　Summer。　That　was　so　easy　now　that　Bran　hardly　thought　about　it。　This　was　harder；　like　trying　to　pull　a　left　boot　on　your　right　foot。　It　fit　all　wrong；　and　the　boot　was　scared　too；　the　boot　didn't　know　what　was　happening；　the　boot　was　pushing　the　foot　away。　He　tasted　vomit　in　the　back　of　Hodor's　throat；　and　that　was　almost　enough　to　make　him　flee。　Instead　he　squirmed　and　shoved；　sat　up；　gathered　his　legs　under　him…his　huge　strong　legs…and　rose。　I'm　standing。　He　took　a　step。　I'm　walking。　It　was　such　a　strange　feeling　that　he　almost　fell。　He　could　see　himself　on　the　cold　stone　floor；　a　little　broken　thing；　but　he　wasn't　broken　now。　He　grabbed　Hodor's　longsword。　The　breathing　was　as　loud　as　a　blacksmith's　bellows。
　From　the　well　came　a　wail；　a　piercing　creech　that　went　through　him　like　a　knife。　A　huge　black　shape　heaved　itself　up　into　the　darkness　and　lurched　toward　the　moonlight；　and　the　fear　rose　up　in　Bran　so　thick　that　before　he　could　even　think　of　drawing　Hodor's　sword　the　way　he'd　meant　to；　he　found　himself　back　on　the　floor　again　with　Hodor　roaring　〃Hodor　hodor　HODOR；〃　the　wayhe　had　in　the　lake　tower　whenever　the　lightning　flashed。　But　the　thing　that　came　in　the　night　was　screaming　too；　and　thrashing　wildly　in　the　folds　of　Meera's　net。　Bran　saw　her　spear　dart　out　of　the　darkness　to　snap　at　it；　and　the　thing　staggered　and　fell；　struggling　with　the　net。　The　wailing　was　still　ing　from　the　well；　even　louder　now。　On　the　floor　the　black　thing　flopped　and　fought；　screeching；　〃No；　no；　don't；　please；　DON'T　。　。　。〃
　Meera　stood　over　him；　the　moonlight　shining　silver　off　the　prongs　of　her　frog　spear。　〃Who　are　you？〃　she　demanded。
　〃I'm　SAM；〃　the　black　thing　sobbed。　〃Sam；　Sam；　I'm　Sam；　let　me　out；　you　stabbed　me　。　。　。　〃　He　rolled　through　the　puddle　of　moonlight；　flailing　and　flopping　in　the　tangles　of　Meera's　net。　Hodor　was　still　shouting；　〃Hodor　hodor　hodor。〃
　It　was　Jojen　who　fed　the　sticks　to　the　fire　and　blew　on　them　until　the　flames　leapt　up　crackling。　Then　there　was　light；　and　Bran　saw　the　pale　thin…faced　girl　by　the　lip　of　the　well；　all　bundled　up　in　furs　and　skins　beneath　an　enormous　black　cloak；　trying　to　shush　the　screaming　baby　in　her　arms。　The　thing　on　the　floor　was　pushing　an　arm　through　the　net　to　reach　his　knife；　but　the　loops　wouldn't　let　him。　He　wasn't　any　monster　beast；　or　even　Mad　Axe　drenched　in　gore；　only　a　big　fat　man　dressed　up　in　black　wool；　black　fur；　black　leather；　and　black　mail。　〃He's　a　black　brother；〃　said　Bran。　〃Meera；　he's　from　the　Night's　Watch。〃
　〃Hodor？〃　Hodor　squatted　down　on　his　haunches　to　peer　at　the　man　in　the　net。　〃Hodor；〃　he　said　again；　hooting。
　〃The　Night's　Watch；　yes。〃　The　fat　man　was　still　breathing　like　a　bellows。　〃I'm　a　brother　of　the　Watch。〃　He　had　one　cord　under　his　chins；　forcing　his　head　up；　and　others　digging　deep　into　his　cheeks。　〃I'm　a　crow；　please。　Let　me　out　of　this。〃
　Bran　was　suddenly　uncertain。　〃Are　you　the　three…eyed　crow？〃　He　can't　be　the　three…eyed　crow　。　。　。
　〃I　don't　think　so。〃　The　fat　man　rolled　his　eyes；　but　there　were　only　two　of　them。　〃I'm　only　Sam。　Samwell　Tarly。　Let　me　out；　it's　hurting　me。〃　He　began　to　struggle　again。
　Meera　made　a　disgusted　sound。　〃Stop　flopping　around。　If　you　tear　my　net　I'll　throw　you　back　down　the　well。　just　lie　still　and　I'll　untangle　you。〃
　〃Who　are　you？〃　Jojen　asked　the　girl　with　the　baby。
　〃Gilly；〃　she　said。　〃For　the　gillyflower。　He's　Sam。　We　never　meant　to　scare　you。〃　She　rocked　her　baby　and　murmured　at　it；　and　finally　it　stopped　crying。
　Meera　was　untangling　the　fat　brother。　Jojen　went　to　the　well　and　peered　down。　〃Where　did　you　e　from？〃
　〃From　Craster's；〃　the　girl　said。　〃Are　you　the　one？〃
　Jojen　turned　to　look　at　her。　〃The　one？〃
　〃He　said　that　Sam　wasn't　the　one；〃　she　explained。　〃There　was　someone　else；　he　said。　The　one　he　was　sent　to　find。〃
　〃Who　said？〃　Bran　demanded。
　〃Coldhands；〃　Gilly　answered　softly。
　Meera　peeled　back　one　end　of　her　net；　and　the　fat　man　managed　to　sit　up。　He　was　shaking；　Bran　saw；　and　still　struggling　to　catch　his　breath。　〃He　said　there　would　be　people；〃　he　huffed。　〃People　in　the　castle。　I　didn't　know　you'd　be　right　at　the　top　of　the　steps；　though。　I　didn't　know　you'd　throw　a　net　on　me　or　stab　me　in　the　stomach。〃　He　touched　his　belly　with　a　black…gloved　hand。　〃Am　I　bleeding？　I　can't　see。〃
　〃It　was　just　a　poke　to　get　you　off　your　feet；〃　said　Meera。　〃Here；　let　me　have　a　look。〃　She　went　to　one　knee；　and　felt　around　his　navel。　〃You're　wearing　mail。　I　never　got　near　your　skin。〃
　〃Well；　it　hurt　all　the　same；〃　Sam　plained。
　〃Are　you　really　a　brother　of　the　Night's　Watch？〃　Bran　asked。
　The　fat　man's　chins　jiggled　when　he　nodded。　His　skin　looked　pale　and　saggy。　〃Only　a　steward。　I　took　care　of　Lord　Mormont's　ravens。〃　For　a　moment　he　looked　like　he　was　going　to　cry。　〃I　lost　them　at　the　Fist；　though。　It　was　my　fault。　I　got　us　lost　too。　I　couldn't　even　find　the　Wall。　It's　a　hundred　leagues　long　and　seven　hundred　feet　high　and　I　couldn't　find　it！〃
　〃Well；　you've　found　it　now；〃　said　Meera。　〃Lift　your　rump　off　the　ground；　I　want　my　net　back。〃
　〃How　did　you　get　through　the　Wall？〃　Jojen　demanded　as　Sam　struggled　to　his　feet。　〃Does　the　well　lead　to　an　underground　river；　is　that　where　you　came　from？　You're　not　even　wet　。　。　。〃
　〃There's　a　gate；〃　said　fat　Sam。　〃A　hidden　gate；　as　old　as　the　Wall　itself。　The　Black　Gate；　he　called　it。〃
　The　Reeds　exchanged　a　look。　〃We'll　find　this　gate　at　the　bottom　of　the　well？〃　asked　Jojen。
　Sam　shook　his　head。　〃You　won't。　I　have　to　take　you。〃
　〃Why？〃　Meera　demanded。　〃If　there's　a　gate　。　。　。〃
　〃You　won't　find　it。　If　you　did　it　wouldn't　open。　Not　for　you。　It's　the　Black　Gate。〃　Sam　plucked　at　the　faded　black　wool　of　his　sleeve。　〃Only　a　man　of　the　Night's　Watch　can　open　it；　he　said。　A　Sworn　Brother　who　has　said　his　words。〃
　〃He　said。〃　Jojen　frowned。　〃This　。　。　。　Coldhands？〃
　〃That　wasn't　his　true　name；〃　said　Gilly；　rocking。　〃We　only　called　him　that；　Sam　and　me。　His　hands　were　cold　as　ice；　but　he　saved　us　from　the　dead　men；　him　and　his　ravens；　and　he　brought　us　here　on　his　elk。〃
　〃His　elk？〃　said　Bran；　wonderstruck。
　〃His　elk？〃　said　Meera；　startled。
　〃His　ravens？〃　said　Jojen。
　〃Hodor？〃　said　Hodor。
　〃Was　he　green？〃　Bran　wanted　to　know。　〃Did　he　have　antlers？〃
　The　fat　man　was　confused。　〃The　elk？〃
　〃Coldhands；〃　said　Bran　impatiently。　〃The　green　men　ride　on　elks；　Old　Nan　used　to　say。　Sometimes　they　have　antlers　too。〃
　〃He　wasn't　a　green　man。　He　wore　blacks；　like　a　brother　of　the　Watch；　but　he　was　pale　as　a　wight；　with　hands　so　cold　that　at　first　I　was　afraid。　The　wights　have　blue　eyes；　though；　and　they　don't　have　tongues；　or　they've　forgotten　how　to　use　them。〃　The　fat　man　turned　to　Jojen。　〃He'll　be　waiting。　We　should　go。　Do　you　have　anything　warmer　to　wear？　The　Black　Gate　is　cold；　and　the　other　side　of　the　Wall　is　even　colder。　You…〃
　〃Why　didn't　he　e　with　you？〃　Meera　gestured　toward　Gilly　and　her　babe。　〃They　came　with　you；　why　not　him？　Why　didn't　you　bring　him　through　this　Black　Gate　too？〃
　〃He　。　。　。　he　can't。〃
　〃Why　not？〃
　〃The　Wall。　The　Wall　is　more　than　just　ice　and　stone；　he　said。　There　are　spells　woven　into　it　。　。　。　old　ones；　and　strong。　He　cannot　pass　beyond　the　Wall。〃
　It　grew　very　quiet　in　the　castle　kitchen　then。　Bran　could　hear　the　soft　crackle　of　the　flames；　the　wind　stirring　the　leaves　in　the　night；　the　creak　of　the　skinny　weirwood　reaching　for　the　moon。　Beyond　the　gates　the　monsters　live；　and　the　giants　and　the　ghouls；　he　remembered　Old　Nan　saying；　but　they　cannot　pass　so　long　as　the　Wall　stands　strong。　So　go　to　sleep；　my　little　Brandon；　my　baby　boy。　You　needn't　fear。　There　are　no　monsters　here。
　〃I　am　not　the　one　you　were　told　to　bring；〃　Jojen　Reed　told　fat　Sam　in　his　stained　and　baggy　blacks。　〃He　is。〃
　〃Oh。〃　Sam　looked　down　at　him　uncertainly。　It　might　have　been　just　then　that　he　realized　Bran　was　crippled。　〃I　don't　。　。　。　I'm　not　strong　enough　to　carry　you；　I　。　。　。〃
　〃Hodor　can　carry　me。〃　Bran　pointed　at　his　basket。　〃I　ride　in　that；　up　on　his　back。〃
　Sam　was　staring　at　him。　〃You're　Jon　Snow's　brother。　The　one　who　fell　。　。　。〃
　〃No；〃　said　Jojen。　〃That　boy　is　dead。〃
　〃Don't　tell；〃　Bran　warned。　〃Please。〃
　Sam　looked　confused　for　a　moment；　but　finally　he　said；　〃I　。　。　。　I　can　keep　a　secret。　Gilly　too。〃　When　he　looked　at　her；　the　girl　nodded。　〃Jon　。　。　。　Jon　was　my　brother　too。　He　was