grrm.astormofswords-第70章

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e　a　fool　or　a　liar。　She　lowered　her　gaze　and　held　her　tongue。
　〃My　lady；　this　is　no　way　to　bring　you　to　your　wedding。　I　am　sorry　for　that。　And　for　making　this　so　sudden；　and　so　secret。　My　lord　father　felt　it　necessary；　for　reasons　of　state。　Else　I　would　have　e　to　you　sooner；　as　I　wished。〃　He　waddled　closer。　〃You　did　not　ask　for　this　marriage；　I　know。　No　more　than　I　did。　if　I　had　refused　you；　however；　they　would　have　wed　you　to　my　cousin　Lancel。　Perhaps　you　would　prefer　that。　He　is　nearer　your　age；　and　fairer　to　look　upon。　If　that　is　your　wish；　say　so；　and　I　will　end　this　farce。〃
　I　don't　want　any　Lannister；　she　wanted　to　say。　I　want　Willas；　I　want　Highgarden　and　the　puppies　and　the　barge；　and　sons　named　Eddard　and　Bran　and　Rickon。　But　then　she　remembered　what　Dontos　had　told　her　in　the　godswood。　Tyrell　or　Lannister；　it　makes　no　matter；　it's　not　me　they　want；　only　my　claim。　〃You　are　kind；　my　lord；〃　she　said；　defeated。　〃I　am　a　ward　of　the　throne　and　my　duty　is　to　marry　as　the　king　mands。〃
　He　studied　her　with　his　mismatched　eyes。　〃I　know　I　am　not　the　sort　of　husband　young　girls　dream　of；　Sansa；〃　he　said　softly；　〃but　neither　am　I　Joffrey。〃
　〃No；〃　she　said。　〃You　were　kind　to　me。　I　remember。〃
　Tyrion　offered　her　a　thick；　blunt…fingered　hand。　〃e；　then。　Let　us　do　our　duty。〃
　So　she　put　her　hand　in　his；　and　he　led　her　to　the　marriage　altar；　where　the　septon　waited　between　the　Mother　and　the　Father　to　join　their　lives　together。　She　saw　Dontos　in　his　fool's　motley；　looking　at　her　with　big　round　eyes。　Ser　Balon　Swann　and　Ser　Boros　Blount　were　there　in　Kingsguard　white；　but　not　Ser　Loras。　None　of　the　Tyrells　are　here；　she　realized　suddenly。　But　there　were　other　witnesses　aplenty；　the　eunuch　Varys；　Ser　Addarn　Marbrand；　Lord　Philip　Foote；　Ser　Bronn；　Jalabhar　Xho；　a　dozen　others。　Lord　Gyles　was　coughing；　Lady　Ermesande　was　at　the　breast；　and　Lady　Tanda's　pregnant　daughter　was　sobbing　for　no　apparent　reason。　Let　her　sob；　Sansa　thought。　Perhaps　I　shall　do　the　same　before　this　day　is　done。
　The　ceremony　passed　as　in　a　dream。　Sansa　did　all　that　was　required　of　her。　There　were　prayers　and　vows　and　singing；　and　tall　candles　burning；　a　hundred　dancing　lights　that　the　tears　in　her　eyes　transformed　into　a　thousand。　Thankfully　no　one　seemed　to　notice　that　she　was　crying　as　she　stood　there；　wrapped　in　her　father's　colors；　or　if　they　did；　they　pretended　not　to。　In　what　seemed　no　time　at　all；　they　came　to　the　changing　of　the　cloaks。
　As　father　of　the　realm；　Joffrey　took　the　place　of　Lord　Eddard　Stark。　Sansa　stood　stiff　as　a　lance　as　his　hands　came　over　her　shoulders　to　fumble　with　the　clasp　of　her　cloak。　One　of　them　brushed　her　breast　and　lingered　to　give　it　a　little　squeeze。　Then　the　clasp　opened；　and　Joff　swept　her　maiden's　cloak　away　with　a　kingly　flourish　and　a　grin。
　His　uncle's　part　went　less　well。　The　bride's　cloak　he　held　was　huge　and　heavy；　crimson　velvet　richly　worked　with　lions　and　bordered　with　gold　satin　and　rubies。　No　one　had　thought　to　bring　a　stool；　however；　and　Tyrion　stood　a　foot　and　a　half　shorter　than　his　bride。　As　he　moved　behind　her；　Sansa　felt　a　sharp　tug　on　her　skirt。　He　wants　me　to　kneel；　she　realized；　blushing。　She　was　mortified。　It　was　not　supposed　to　be　this　way。　She　had　dreamed　of　her　wedding　a　thousand　times；　and　always　she　had　pictured　how　her　betrothed　would　stand　behind　her　tall　and　strong；　sweep　the　cloak　of　his　protection　over　her　shoulders；　and　tenderly　kiss　her　cheek　as　he　leaned　forward　to　fasten　the　clasp。
　She　felt　another　tug　at　her　skirt；　more　insistent。　I　won't。　Why　should　I　spare　his　feelings；　when　no　one　cares　about　mine？
　The　dwarf　tugged　at　her　a　third　time。　Stubbornly　she　pressed　her　lips　together　and　pretended　not　to　notice。　Someone　behind　them　tittered。　The　queen；　she　thought；　but　it　didn't　matter。　They　were　all　laughing　by　then；　Joffrey　the　loudest。　〃Dontos；　down　on　your　hands　and　knees；〃　the　king　manded。　〃My　uncle　needs　a　boost　to　climb　his　bride。〃
　And　so　it　was　that　her　lord　husband　cloaked　her　in　the　colors　of　House　Lannister　whilst　standing　on　the　back　of　a　fool。
　When　Sansa　turned；　the　little　man　was　gazing　up　at　her；　his　mouth　tight；　his　face　as　red　as　her　cloak。　Suddenly　she　was　ashamed　of　her　stubbornness。　She　smoothed　her　skirts　and　knelt　in　front　of　him；　so　their　heads　were　on　the　same　level。　〃With　this　kiss　I　pledge　my　love；　and　take　you　for　my　lord　and　husband。〃
　〃With　this　kiss　I　pledge　my　love；〃　the　dwarf　replied　hoarsely；　〃and　take　you　for　my　lady　and　wife。〃　He　leaned　forward；　and　their　lips　touched　briefly。
　He　is　so　ugly；　Sansa　thought　when　his　face　was　close　to　hers。　He　is　even　uglier　than　the　Hound。
　The　septon　raised　his　crystal　high；　so　the　rainbow　light　fell　down　upon　them。　〃Here　in　the　sight　of　gods　and　men；〃　he　said；　〃I　do　solemnly　proclaim　Tyrion　of　House　Lannister　and　Sansa　of　House　Stark　to　be　man　and　wife；　one　flesh；　one　heart；　one　soul；　now　and　forever；　and　cursed　be　the　one　who　es　between　them。〃
　She　had　to　bite　her　lip　to　keep　from　sobbing。
　The　wedding　feast　was　held　in　the　Small　Hall。　There　were　perhaps　fifty　guests；　Lannister　retainers　and　allies　for　the　most　part；　joining　those　who　had　been　at　the　wedding。　And　here　Sansa　found　the　Tyrells。　Margaery　gave　her　such　a　sad　look；　and　when　the　Queen　of　Thoms　tottered　in　between　Left　and　Right；　she　never　looked　at　her　at　all。　Elinor；　Alla；　and　Megga　seemed　determined　not　to　know　her。　My　friends；　Sansa　thought　bitterly。
　Her　husband　drank　heavily　and　ate　but　little。　He　listened　whenever　someone　rose　to　make　a　toast　and　sometimes　nodded　a　curt　acknowledgment；　but　otherwise　his　face　might　have　been　made　of　stone。　The　feast　seemed　to　go　on　forever；　though　Sansa　tasted　none　of　the　food。　She　wanted　it　to　be　done；　and　yet　she　dreaded　its　end。　For　after　the　feast　would　e　the　bedding。　The　men　would　carry　her　up　to　her　wedding　bed；　undressing　her　on　the　way　and　making　rude　jokes　about　the　fate　that　awaited　her　between　the　sheets；　while　the　women　did　Tyrion　the　same　honors。　Only　after　they　had　been　bundled　naked　into　bed　would　they　be　left　alone；　and　even　then　the　guests　would　stand　outside　the　bridal　chamber；　shouting　ribald　suggestions　through　the　door。　The　bedding　had　seemed　wonderfully　wicked　and　exciting　when　Sansa　was　a　girl；　but　now　that　the　moment　was　upon　her　she　felt　only　dread。　She　did　not　think　she　could　bear　for　them　to　rip　off　her　clothes；　and　she　was　certain　she　would　burst　into　tears　at　the　first　randy　jape。
　When　the　musicians　began　to　play；　she　timidly　laid　her　hand　on　Tyrion's　and　said；　〃My　lord；　should　we　lead　the　dance？〃
　His　mouth　twisted。　〃I　think　we　have　already　given　them　sufficent　amusement　for　one　day；　don't　you？〃
　〃As　you　say；　my　lord。〃　She　pulled　her　hand　back。
　Joffrey　and　Margaery　led　in　their　place。　How　can　a　monster　dance　so　beautifully？　Sansa　wondered。　She　had　often　daydreamed　of　how　she　would　dance　at　her　wedding；　with　every　eye　upon　her　and　her　handsome　lord。　in　her　dreams　they　had　all　been　smiling。　Not　even　my　husband　is　smiling。
　Other　guests　soon　joined　the　king　and　his　betrothed　on　the　floor。　Elinor　danced　with　her　young　squire；　and　Megga　with　Prince　Tommen。　Lady　Merryweather；　the　Myrish　beauty　with　the　black　hair　and　the　big　dark　eyes；　spun　so　provocatively　that　every　man　in　the　hall　was　soon　watching　her。　Lord　and　Lady　Tyrell　moved　more　sedately。　Ser　Kevan　Lannister　begged　the　honor　of　Lady　Janna。　Fossoway；　Lord　Tyrell's　sister。　Merry　Crane　took　the　floor　with　the　exile　prince　Jalabhar　Xho；　gorgeous　in　his　feathered　finery。　Cersei　Lannister　partnered　first　Lord　Redwyne；　then　Lord　Rowan；　and　finally　her　own　father；　who　danced　with　smooth　unsmiling　grace。
　Sansa　sat　with　her　hands　in　her　lap；　watching　how　the　queen　moved　and　laughed　and　tossed　her　blonde　curls。　She　charms　them　all；　she　thought　dully。　How　I　hate　her。　She　looked　away；　to　where　Moon　Boy　danced　with　Dontos。
　〃Lady　Sansa。〃　Ser　Garlan　Tyrell　stood　beside　the　dais。　〃Would　you　honor　me？　If　your　lord　consents？〃
　The　Imp's　mismatched　eyes　narrowed。　〃My　lady　can　dance　with　whomever　she　pleases。〃
　Perhaps　she　ought　to　have　remained　beside　her　husband；　but　she　wanted　to　dance　so　badly　。　。　。　and　Ser　Garlan　was　brother　to　Margaery；　to　Willas；　to　her　Knight　of　Flowers。　〃I　see　why　they　name　you　Garlan　the　Gallant；　ser；〃　she　said；　as　she　took　his　hand。
　〃My　lady　is　gracious　to　say　so。　My　brother　Willas　gave　me　that　name；　as　it　happens。　To　protect　me。〃
　〃To　protect　you？〃　She　gave　him　a　puzzled　look。
　Ser　Garlan　laughed。　〃I　was　a　plump　little　boy；　I　fear；　and　we　do　have　an　uncle　called　Garth　the　Gross。　So　Willas　struck　first；　though　not　before　threatening　me　with　Garlan　the　Greensick；　Garlan　the　Galling；　and　Garlan　the　Gargoyle。〃
　It　was　so　sweet　and　silly　that　Sansa　had　to　laugh；　despite　everything。　Afterward　she　was　absurdly　grateful。　Somehow　the　laughter　made　her　hopeful　again；　if　only　for　a　little　while。　Smiling；　she　let　the　music　take　her；　losing　herself　in　the　steps；　in　the　sound　of　flute　and　pipes　and　harp；　in　the　rhythm　of　the　drum　。　。　。　and　from　time　to　time　in　Ser　Garlan's　arms；　when　the　dance　brought　them　together。　〃My　lady　wife　is　most　concerned　for　you；〃　he　said　quietly；　one　such　time。
　〃Lady　Leonette　is　too　sweet。　Tell　her　I　am　well。〃
　〃A　bride　at　her　wedding　should　be　more　than　well。〃　His　voice　was　not　unkind。　〃You　seemed　close　to　tears。〃
　〃Tears　of　joy；　ser。〃
　〃Your　eyes　give　the　lie　to　your　tongue。〃　Ser　Garlan　turned　her；　drew　her　close　to　his　side。　〃My　lady；　I　have　seen　how　you　look　at　my　brother。　Loras　is　valiant　and　handsome；　and　we　all　love　him　dearly　。　。　。　but　your　Imp　will　make　a　better　husband。　He　is　a　bigger　man　than　he　seems；　I　think。〃
　The　music　spun　them　apart　before　Sansa　could　think　of　a　reply。　It　was　Mace　Tyrell　opposite　her；　red…faced　and　sweaty；　and　then　Lord　Merryweather；　and　then　Prince　Tommen。　〃I　want　to　be　married　too；〃　said　the　plump　little　princeling；　who　was　all　of　nine。　〃I'm　taller　than　my　uncle！〃
　〃I　know　you　are；〃　said　Sansa；　before　the　partners　changed　again。　Ser　Kevan　told　her　she　was　beautiful；　Jalabhar　Xho　said　something　she　did　not　understand　in　the　Summer　Tongue；　and　Lord　Redwyne　wished　her　many　fat　children　and　long　years　of　joy。　And　then　the　dance　brought　her　face…to…face　with　Joffrey。
　Sansa　stiffened　as　his　hand　touched　hers；　but　the　king　tightened　his　grip　and　drew　her　closer。　〃You　shouldn't　look　so　sad。　My　uncle　is　an　ugly　little　thing；　but　you'll　still　have　me。〃
　〃You're　to　marry　Margaery！〃
　〃A　king　can　have　other　women。　Whores。　My　father　did。　One　of　the　Aegons　did　too。　The　third　one；　or　the　fourth。　He　had　lots　of　whores　and　lots　of　bastards。〃　As　they　whirled　to　the　music；　Joff　gave　her　a　moist　kiss。　〃My　uncle　will　bring　you　to　my　bed　whenever　I　mand　it。〃
　Sansa　shook　her　head。　〃He　won't。〃
　〃He　will；　or　I'll　have　his　head。　That　King　Aegon；　he　had　any　woman　he　wanted；　whether　they　were　married　or　no。〃
　Thankfully；　it　was　time　to　change　again。　Her　legs　had　turned　to　wood；　though；　and　Lord　Rowan；　Ser　Tallad；　and　Elinor's　squire　all　must　have　thought　her　a　very　clumsy　dancer。　And　then　she　was　back　with　Ser　Garlan　once　more；　and　soon；　blessedly；　the　dance　was　over。
　Her　relief　was　short…lived。　No　sooner　had　the　music　died　than　she　heard　Joffrey　say；　〃It's　time　to　bed　them！　Let's　get　the　clothes　off　her；　and　have　a　look　at　what　the　s