Hear me Roar - English version

CHAPTER 51 - This is madness

               Sitting by the edge of the pool in the Godswood, I clean my blade. I have been cloistered here since the funeral because, as it turns out, it is the last place where no one dares come disturb me. Which is not to be refused, given that I remain the Lady of Winterfell and every minor lord jumps on me the moment I leave my quarters.

"Are you praying to the Old Gods?" a voice asks.

               I feel as though I've already lived this scene, or almost. Last time, Myranda tried to kill me. I thought that once rid of her, I would finally have some peace. Naive as I am...

"I've never seen you pray," Petyr adds.

"Because I never pray," I reply, lifting a weary gaze toward him. "I made the mistake of believing this heart tree would protect me from anyone attempting to speak to me."

"I am not in the habit of doing what everyone else does."

               A small, mocking smile forms on my lips. On the contrary, Baelish wants the same thing as every man I've met since my arrival in King's Landing: power, no matter its form. His practices diverge slightly from those of the others, but that doesn't make him anyone special.

"What do you want with me?"

"I have news from the capital... I thought it would interest you."

               Surprised, I stand up to hear what he has to say to me. Could it be that Ramsay was right, that the people turned against Tommen? It would be unheard of, and a marvellous opportunity.

"The King is dead," Littlefinger begins, with a slight, awkward look that bodes nothing good. "As well as the Queen."

"Margaery..." I breathe, as if pronouncing her name could bring her back.

               I thought she would manage to outlive us all. She was sharper than any of those weasels on the Small Council.

"This High Sparrow was becoming increasingly dangerous."

"Oh, but it wasn't him. Cersei blew up the Great Sept of Baelor with wildfire. Following which, Tommen jumped from his bedroom window."

               I cannot believe it. It was always clear that Cersei was ready for anything, and I can only imagine the irreversible damage caused by the Faith Militant to her psyche – though we have a glimpse of it here. But to go so far as to destroy one of the most important places of worship on the continent....

               Not long ago, I would have succumbed to what I once called 'my duty'. In truth, it was only my instinct and my thirst for justice. When Tyrion was captured by my mother, my first impulse was to set off to his rescue. When Bran and Rickon were declared dead, I joined the Stark army in the Riverlands. I always reproached my mother for acting this way, for listening to her heart rather than her reason. But I realized several years ago that I was doing the same thing. Causing, independently of my will, more harm than good.

"Why are you the one breaking the news to me?" I question Littlefinger.

"I volunteered... I thought hearing it from my mouth would be less painful for you."

               What does he believe? That I am still the girl he managed to manipulate? I know him too well to believe he won't try to play his cards right or, worse, dictate the rules. But he is a considerable asset, one of the greatest minds of our time.

"What do you advise me then?" I question him.

"Cersei is unpredictable, more than she has ever been. Declaring war on her would only direct her wrath toward us, which we prefer to avoid..."