grrm.astormofswords-第35章

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d　her。　She　held　her　head　high　and　ignored　the　eyes。　Let　them　think　what　they　will。　It　is　Robb's　judgment　that　matters。
　The　sight　of　Ser　Brynden　Tully's　craggy　face　on　the　dais　gave　her　fort。　A　boy　she　did　not　know　seemed　to　be　acting　as　Robb's　squire。　Behind　him　stood　a　young　knight　in　a　sand…colored　surcoat　blazoned　with　seashells；　and　an　older　one　who　wore　three　black　pepperpots　on　a　saffron　bend；　across　a　field　of　green　and　silver　stripes。　Between　them　were　a　handsome　older　lady　and　a　pretty　maid　who　looked　to　be　her　daughter。　There　was　another　girl　as　well；　near　Sansa's　age。　The　seashells　were　the　sigil　of　some　lesser　house；　Catelyn　knew；　the　older　man's　she　did　not　recognize。　Prisoners？　Why　would　Robb　bring　captives　onto　the　dais？
　Utherydes　Wayn　banged　his　staff　on　the　floor　as　Ser　Desmond　escorted　her　forward。　If　Robb　looks　at　me　as　Edmure　did；　I　do　not　know　what　I　will　do。　But　it　seemed　to　her　that　it　was　not　anger　she　saw　in　her　son's　eyes；　but　something　else　。　。　。　apprehension；　perhaps？　No；　that　made　no　sense。　What　should　he　fear？　He　was　the　Young　Wolf；　King　of　the　Trident　and　the　North。
　Her　uncle　was　the　first　to　greet　her。　As　black　a　fish　as　ever；　Ser　Brynden　had　no　care　for　what　others　might　think。　He　leapt　off　the　dais　and　pulled　Catelyn　into　his　arms。　When　he　said；　〃It　is　good　to　see　you　home；　Cat；〃　she　had　to　struggle　to　keep　her　posure。　〃And　you；〃　she　whispered。
　〃Mother。〃
　Catelyn　looked　up　at　her　tall　kingly　son。　〃Your　Grace；　I　have　prayed　for　your　safe　return。　I　had　heard　you　were　wounded。〃
　〃I　took　an　arrow　through　the　arm　while　storming　the　Crag；〃　he　said。　〃It's　healed　well；　though。　I　had　the　best　of　care。〃
　〃The　gods　are　good；　then。〃　Catelyn　took　a　deep　breath。　Say　it。　It　cannot　be　avoided。　〃They　will　have　told　you　what　I　did。　Did　they　tell　you　my　reasons？〃
　〃For　the　girls。〃
　〃I　had　five　children。　Now　I　have　three。〃
　〃Aye；　my　lady。〃　Lord　Rickard　Karstark　pushed　past　the　Greatjon；　like　some　grim　specter　with　his　black　mail　and　long　ragged　grey　beard；　his　narrow　face　pinched　and　cold。　〃And　I　have　one　son；　who　once　had　three。　You　have　robbed　me　of　my　vengeance。〃
　Catelyn　faced　him　calmly。　〃Lord　Rickard；　the　Kingslayer's　dying　would　not　have　bought　life　for　your　children。　His　living　may　buy　life　for　mine。〃　The　lord　was　unappeased。　〃Jaime　Lannister　has　played　you　for　a　fool。　You've　bought　a　bag　of　empty　words；　no　more。　My　Torrhen　and　my　Eddard　deserved　better　of　you。〃
　〃Leave　off；　Karstark；〃　rumbled　the　Greatjon；　crossing　his　huge　arms　against　his　chest。　〃It　was　a　mother's　folly。　Women　are　made　that　way。〃
　〃A　mother's　folly？〃　Lord　Karstark　rounded　on　Lord　Umber。　〃I　name　it　treason。〃
　〃Enough。〃　For　just　an　instant　Robb　sounded　more　like　Brandon　than　his　father。　〃No　man　calls　my　lady　of　Winterfell　a　traitor　in　my　hearing；　Lord　Rickard。〃　When　he　turned　to　Catelyn；　his　voice　softened。　〃If　I　could　wish　the　Kingslayer　back　in　chains　I　would。　You　freed　him　without　my　knowledge　or　consent　。　。　。　but　what　you　did；　I　know　you　did　for　love。　For　Arya　and　Sansa；　and　out　of　grief　for　Bran　and　Rickon。　Love's　not　always　wise；　I've　learned。　It　can　lead　us　to　great　folly；　but　we　follow　our　hearts　。　。　。　wherever　they　take　us。　Don't　we；　Mother？〃
　Is　that　what　I　did？　〃If　my　heart　led　me　into　folly；　I　would　gladly　make　whatever　amends　I　can　to　Lord　Karstark　and　yourself。〃
　Lord　Rickard's　face　was　implacable。　〃Will　your　amends　warm　Torrhen　and　Eddard　in　the　cold　graves　where　the　Kingslayer　laid　them？〃　He　shouldered　between　the　Greatjon　and　Maege　Mormont　and　left　the　hall。
　Robb　made　no　move　to　detain　him。　〃Forgive　him；　Mother。〃
　〃If　you　will　forgive　me。〃
　〃I　have。　I　know　what　it　is　to　love　so　greatly　you　can　think　of　nothing　else。〃
　Catelyn　bowed　her　head。　〃Thank　you。〃　I　have　not　lost　this　child；　at　least。
　〃We　must　talk；〃　Robb　went　on。　〃You　and　my　uncles。　Of　this　and　。　。　。　other　things。　Steward；　call　an　end。〃
　Utherydes　Wayn　slammed　his　staff　on　the　floor　and　shouted　the　dismissal；　and　river　lords　and　northerners　alike　moved　toward　the　doors。　It　was　only　then　that　Catelyn　realized　what　was　amiss。　The　wolf。　The　wolf　is　not　here。　Where　is　Grey　Wind？　She　knew　the　direwolf　had　returned　with　Robb；　she　had　heard　the　dogs；　but　he　was　not　in　the　hall；　not　at　her　son's　side　where　he　belonged。
　Before　she　could　think　to　question　Robb；　however；　she　found　herself　surrounded　by　a　circle　of　well…wishers。　Lady　Mormont　took　her　hand　and　said；　〃My　lady；　if　Cersei　Lannister　held　two　of　my　daughters；　I　would　have　done　the　same。〃　The　Greation；　no　respecter　of　proprieties；　lifted　her　off　her　feet　and　squeezed　her　arms　with　his　huge　hairy　hands。　〃Your　wolf　pup　mauled　the　Kingslayer　once；　he'll　do　it　again　if　need　be。〃　Galbart　Glover　and　Lord　Jason　Mallister　were　cooler；　and　Jonos　Bracken　almost　icy；　but　their　words　were　courteous　enough。　Her　brother　was　the　last　to　approach　her。　〃I　pray　for　your　girls　as　well；　Cat。　I　hope　you　do　not　doubt　that。〃
　〃Of　course　not。〃　She　kissed　him。　〃I　love　you　for　it。〃
　When　all　the　words　were　done；　the　Great　Hall　of　Riverrun　was　empty　save　for　Robb；　the　three　Tullys；　and　the　six　strangers　Catelyn　could　not　place。　She　eyed　them　curiously。　〃My　lady；　sers；　are　you　new　to　my　son's　cause？〃
　〃New；〃　said　the　younger　knight；　him　of　the　seashells；　〃but　fierce　in　our　courage　and　firm　in　our　loyalties；　as　I　hope　to　prove　to　you；　my　lady。〃
　Robb　looked　unfortable。　〃Mother；　〃　he　said；　〃may　I　present　the　Lady　Sybell；　the　wife　of　Lord　Gawen　Westerling　of　the　Crag。〃　The　older　woman　came　forward　with　solemn　mien。　〃Her　husband　was　one　of　those　we　took　captive　in　the　Whispering　Wood。〃
　Westerling；　yes；　Catelyn　thought。　Their　banner　is　six　seashells；　white　on　sand。　A　minor　house　sworn　to　the　Lannisters。
　Robb　beckoned　the　other　strangers　forward；　each　in　turn。　〃Ser　Rolph　Spicer；　Lady　Sybell's　brother。　He　was　castellan　at　the　Crag　when　we　took　it。〃　The　pepperpot　knight　inclined　his　head。　A　square…built　man　with　a　broken　nose　and　a　close…cropped　grey　beard；　he　looked　doughty　enough。　〃The　children　of　Lord　Gawen　and　Lady　Sybell。　Ser　Raynald　Westerling。〃　The　seashell　knight　smiled　beneath　a　bushy　mustache。　Young；　lean；　rough…hewn；　he　had　good　teeth　and　a　thick　mop　of　chestnut　hair。　〃Elenya。〃　The　little　girl　did　a　quick　curtsy。　〃Rollarn　Westerling；　my　squire。〃　The　boy　started　to　kneel；　saw　no　one　else　was　kneeling；　and　bowed　instead。
　〃The　honor　is　mine；〃　Catelyn　said。　Can　Robb　have　won　the　Crag's　allegiance？　If　so；　it　was　no　wonder　the　Westerlings　were　with　him。　Casterly　Rock　did　not　suffer　such　betrayals　gently。　Not　since　Tywin　Lannister　had　been　old　enough　to　go　to　war　。　。　。
　The　maid　came　forward　last；　and　very　shy。　Robb　took　her　hand。　〃Mother；〃　he　said；　〃I　have　the　great　honor　to　present　you　the　Lady　Jeyne　Westerling。　Lord　Gawen's　elder　daughter；　and　my　。　。　。　ah　。　。　。　my　lady　wife。〃
　The　first　thought　that　flew　across　Catelyn's　mind　was；　No；　that　cannot　be；　you　are　only　a　child。
　The　second　was；　And　besides；　you　have　pledged　another。
　The　third　was；　Mother　have　mercy；　Robb；　what　have　you　done？
　Only　then　came　her　belated　remembrance。　Follies　done　for　love？　He　has　bagged　me　neat　as　a　hare　in　a　snare。　I　seem　to　have　already　forgiven　him。　Mixed　with　her　annoyance　was　a　rueful　admiration；　the　scene　had　been　staged　with　the　cunning　worthy　of　a　master　mummer　。　。　。　or　a　king。　Catelyn　saw　no　choice　but　to　take　Jeyne　Westerling's　hands。　〃I　have　a　new　daughter；〃　she　said；　more　stiffly　than　she'd　intended。　She　kissed　the　terrified　girl　on　both　cheeks。　〃Be　wele　to　our　hall　and　hearth。〃
　〃Thank　you；　my　lady。　I　shall　be　a　good　and　true　wife　to　Robb；　I　swear。　And　as　wise　a　queen　as　I　can。〃
　Queen。　Yes；　this　pretty　little　girl　is　a　queen；　I　must　remember　that。　She　was　pretty；　undeniably；　with　her　chestnut　curls　and　heart…shaped　face；　and　that　shy　smile。　Slender；　but　with　good　hips；　Catelyn　noted。　She　should　have　no　trouble　bearing　children；　at　least。
　Lady　Sybell　took　a　hand　before　any　more　was　said。　〃We　are　honored　to　be　joined　to　House　Stark；　my　lady；　but　we　are　also　very　weary。　We　have　e　a　long　way　in　a　short　time。　Perhaps　we　might　retire　to　our　chambers；　so　you　may　visit　with　your　son？〃
　〃That　would　be　best。〃　Robb　kissed　his　Jeyne。　〃The　steward　will　find　you　suitable　acmodations。〃
　〃I'll　take　you　to　him；〃　Ser　Edmure　Tully　volunteered。
　〃You　are　most　kind；〃　said　Lady　Sybell。
　〃Must　I　go　too？〃　asked　the　boy；　Rollam。　〃I'm　your　squire。〃
　Robb　laughed。　〃But　I'm　not　in　need　of　squiring　just　now。〃
　〃Oh。〃
　〃His　Grace　has　gotten　along　for　sixteen　years　without　you；　Rollam；〃　said　Ser　Raynald　of　the　seashells。　〃He　will　survive　a　few　hours　more；　I　think。〃　Taking　his　little　brother　firmly　by　the　hand；　he　walked　him　from　the　hall。
　〃Your　wife　is　lovely；〃　Catelyn　said　when　they　were　out　of　earshot；　〃and　the　Westerlings　seem　worthy　。　。　。　though　Lord　Gawen　is　Tywin　Lannister's　sworn　man；　is　he　not？〃
　〃Yes。　Jason　Mallister　captured　him　in　the　Whispering　Wood　and　has　been　holding　him　at　Seagard　for　ransom。　Of　course　I'll　free　him　now；　though　he　may　not　wish　to　join　me。　We　wed　without　his　consent；　I　fear；　and　this　marriage　puts　him　in　dire　peril。　The　Crag　is　not　strong。　For　love　of　me；　Jeyne　may　lose　all。〃
　〃And　you；〃　she　said　softly；　〃have　lost　the　Freys。〃
　His　wince　told　all。　She　understood　the　angry　voices　now；　why　Perwyn　Frey　and　Martyn　Rivers　had　left　in　such　haste；　trampling　Robb's　banner　into　the　ground　as　they　went。
　〃Dare　I　ask　how　many　swords　e　with　your　bride；　Robb？〃
　〃Fifty。　A　dozen　knights。〃　His　voice　was　glum；　as　well　it　might　be。　When　the　marriage　contract　had　been　made　at　the　Twins；　old　Lord　Walder　Frey　had　sent　Robb　off　with　a　thousand　mounted　knights　and　near　three　thousand　foot。　〃Jeyne　is　bright　as　well　as　beautiful。　And　kind　as　well。　She　has　a　gentle　heart。〃
　It　is　swords　you　need；　not　gentle　hearts。　How　could　you　do　this；　Robb？　How　could　you　be　so　heedless；　so　stupid？　How　could　you　be　so　。　。　。　so　very　。　。　。　young。　Reproaches　would　not　serve　here；　however。　All　she　said　was；　〃Tell　me　how　this　came　to　be。〃
　〃I　took　her　castle　and　she　took　my　heart。；'　Robb　smiled。　〃The　Crag　was　weakly　garrisoned；　so　we　took　it　by　storm　one　night。　Black　Walder　and　the　Smalljon　led　scaling　parties　over　the　walls；　while　I　broke　the　main　gate　with　a　ram。　I　took　an　arrow　in　the　arm　just　before　Ser　Rolph　yielded　us　the　castle。　It　seemed　nothing　at　first；　but　it　festered。　Jeyne　had　me　taken　to　her　own　bed；　and　she　nursed　me　until　the　fever　passed。　And　she　was　with　me　when　the　Greatjon　brought　me　the　news　of　。　。　。　of　Winterfell。　Bran　and　Rickon。〃　He　seemed　to　have　trouble　saying　his　brothers'　names。　〃That　night；　she　。　。　。　she　forted　me；　Mother。〃
　Catelyn　did　not　need　to　be　told　what　sort　of　fort　Jeyne　Westerling　had　offered　her　son。　〃And　you　wed　her　the　next　day。〃
　He　looked　her　in　the　eyes；　proud　and　miserable　all　at　once。　〃It　was　the　only　honorable　thing　to　do。　She's　gentle　and　sweet；　Mother；　she　will　make　me　a　good　wife。〃
　〃Perhaps。　That　will　not　appease　Lord　Frey。〃
　〃I　know；〃　her　son　said；　stricken。　〃I've　made　a　botch　of　everything　but　the　battles；　haven't　I？　I　thought　the　battles　would　be　the　hard　part；　but　。　。　。　if　I　had　listened　to　you　and　kept　Theon　as　my　hostage；　I'd　still　rule　the　north；　and　Bran　and　Rickon　would　be　alive　and　safe　in　Winterfell。〃
　〃Perhaps。　Or　not。　Lord　Balon