Hear me Roar - English version

CHAPTER 45 - Robin...

               After several weeks, Ramsay finally let me out of my room. Stannis Baratheon is at the fortress gates, and my husband, ready to set off for battle, was seized by a sudden burst of affection for me. Yet, I am certain he has no doubts regarding his return.

               In the distance, the Baratheon army advances toward Winterfell, while Ramsay, a hand on my hip, kisses my cheek.

"Won't you wish me good luck?"

"You don't need it," I reply, my jaw muscles tense. "They are outnumbered. You will return victorious."

"Always pragmatic..." he says, planting a kiss on my lips. "I will return for you, and for..."

               His hands slide down to my belly. Where, I fear, a little Bolton will soon grow. Not so long ago, I was carrying another child. Joffrey's. And even though he was cruel and impulsive, Joffrey took care of me.

               However, back then, I had no idea when my ordeal would end. I had eventually accepted that the rest of my life would unfold in King's Landing. Except now, I know that somewhere in the Wolfswood, Arrow awaits me, and Brienne and Podrick are taking turns watching the castle. I don't have much longer to hold on.

               So, I smile at Ramsay. A real smile, benevolent, sweet. I place my hand on his cheek and tell him, "Come back for us." Except in his blue eyes, I see Robin's. He isn't very far away, I know it.

♐︎

"We are leaving," I say, stuffing Sansa's meagre belongings into a burlap sack. "Ramsay and most of the soldiers have left to fight Stannis. The window is barely open, but we must plunge through."

               Startled, the young woman at first does not budge an inch. The last time she saw me was during a meal with the entire Bolton family, during which I looked perfectly fine. I have no doubt, then, that the bruises on my arms and the fresh scabs on my wounds must be a disturbing sight for her. I cannot wait to be able to take the time to tend to my injuries, as well as hers.

"Where are we going?" she asks once out of her stupor.

"North, to the Wall. Ramsay told me Jon was named Lord Commander of the Night's Watch."

               This news seems to restore enough confidence in Sansa for her to quicken her pace behind me as I hurriedly traverse the castle corridors.

"Baelish's plan is going to fail," she tells me. "The Boltons are far more numerous."

"It doesn't matter who wins or loses. By the end of this battle, we will already be far from here."

"How do you expect us to get out? Myranda will stop us."

"I can defeat Myranda and her stupid bow."

"You couldn't defeat Ramsay."

               Despite those words, I do not stop and hand her her bag. Inside, there are the necessities for our entire journey. It will be long and dangerous; we will have few provisions, guided only by the hope our bastard brother represents at the Wall. But I know that somewhere beyond the high walls of Winterfell are Robin, Brienne, and Pod. And I know they will find us.

               Sansa and I fly down the steps, taking them four at a time, until we reach the Great Hall of the castle. Theon is busy sweeping there. When he sees us, he rushes toward the exit, surely to warn Myranda.

               Given that I cannot risk our safety, and that my heart tightens at the thought of abandoning him here, I rush toward him. I place my hand over his on the doorknob.