Hear me Roar - English version

CHAPTER 14 - And I don't want you weapons in our bedroom

               All the townspeople have gathered around us to witness the trial of the man they call 'the Traitor'. Every day since my wedding has been pure torment, during which I have worked tirelessly to persuade Joffrey to release my father. This is my husband's first public appearance as king – in a less than festive setting, of course – so he stands proudly by my side.

               Cersei and Sansa are also on the dais. I cannot help but notice how similar their dresses are. Despite all my efforts, my sister is becoming more and more like a carbon copy of Cersei.

               The bells of the Sept ring out across the city as my father struggles to make his way through the crowd. The first time I heard them was on the day Robert died. I hope today's events will not be quite so tragic.

               As Ned passes in front of me, I give him a small smile, as if to encourage him. It is a difficult time, but I remain convinced that we will manage to get through it. Unlike him... I can tell from the way he stands he has lost hope.

"I am Eddard Stark," he declares. "Lord of Winterfell and Hand of the King. I stand before you to confess my treason, before the gods and men. I have betrayed my oaths to my king, and the trust of my friend Robert. I swore to protect and defend his children, yet before his blood had even grown cold, I plotted to murder his son. And to seize the throne for myself."

               I know that none of this is true. Ned never meant to harm Joffrey, or anyone else. His intentions were the most honourable. However, the people do not know this. A stone strikes my father's temple, drawing a cry of surprise from me. The people are angry, certainly, but I will not tolerate them taking the law into their own hands.

               Cersei – she must surely have noticed my agitation – grabs my wrist. For once, I detect not a shred of malice in her expression. She wants to protect me. I know she is right; this is neither the time nor the place.

"May the High Septon and Baelor the Blessed bear witness to what I am about to say, my father continues once he has recovered. Joffrey Baratheon... is the sole true heir to the Iron Throne, by the grace of all the gods, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm."

               Beside me, Joffrey is jubilant. He has finally got what he wanted: an official declaration of his legitimacy. He smiles at me proudly, thinking he has found some form of support in me. It takes an immense effort for me to place a kiss on his cheek. This act of a loving wife disgusts me.

"The more..." says the Grand Maester. "The more we sin, the more we suffer. This man has confessed his crimes, before the gods and men. The gods are just, but Baelor the Blessed taught us that they can also be merciful. What are we to do with this traitor, Your Majesty?"

               As a good master of ceremonies, Joffrey calms the crowd, which is clamouring for an answer. All these people want to see my father dead. They have nothing but a misguided view of things, which does not tip the scales in our favour.

"My mother wishes me to let Lord Stark join the Night's Watch," announces Joffrey. "Stripped of all titles and power, he would serve the realm in permanent exile."

               Cersei hadn't mentioned this to me, but I should have guessed that after all this, my father couldn't return to Winterfell as if nothing had happened. So this seems to me to be a good alternative. At the Wall, he would be reunited with Jon and my uncle Benjen. He would be, in a way, free.

"And my dear wife... begged for mercy for her father."

               The knowing little glance Joffrey gives me restores my confidence. I'm beginning to think that, at the end of this story, perhaps we can rebuild our relationship on new foundations.