Hear me Roar - English version

CHAPITRE 53 - Daenerys is not here

               Shortly after the excavations began, our men found the first deposit of Dragonglass – or obsidian, as the maesters call it. Thanks to this, we will not lack weapons during the battle against the White Walkers, and we stand a chance of winning.

               Jon also discovered millennia-old drawings carved by the Children of the Forest. According to my humble expertise, they represent their alliance with the First Men to fight a common enemy: the Night King. It was this new information that convinced Daenerys to help us, alongside her barely disguised feelings for my brother. It goes to show we all act solely for profit.

               Tyrion and I, moreover, never returned to the subject. When I accused him of being in love with the Queen, he denied it entirely. I don't believe him, but I decided not to press it. He already has enough things to handle. Especially since his plan to conquer Westeros does not seem to be unfolding as expected.

               Although the Unsullied managed to take Casterly Rock, Jaime seized Highgarden and executed Olenna Tyrell. Following the massacre of the Dornish and the Ironborn by Euron Greyjoy a few weeks earlier, this is a massive blow for the Targaryen camp. One from which they will only recover with difficulty without resorting to more radical means.

               It is complicated for me to judge her. If I had dragons, I would fly straight to the Red Keep and burn that cursed fortress down. I have already acted under the impulse of anger, to the point of raising tidal waves and exploding walls, before my little stint in the Brotherhood's cave. There is surely no one better placed than I to understand Daenerys's wrath.

               The latter flew off with her Hand to dispense justice herself in the Reach. She could not remain hidden on Dragonstone any longer; the lords would have eventually considered her too weak to even consider bending the knee. Now, all the cards are in her hands: will she choose terror or pacifism?

♐︎

               Settled along the battlements, I observe Jon and Davos in full discussion with Missandei, a few meters below. This girl, like everyone Daenerys brought from Essos, fascinates me. These are free people who chose to follow this queen, without caring about who her father was, why her hair was silver, or her dragons—though the latter must have played an important role in the decision-making. They follow her only because they believe in her.

"Your Majesty."

               A shiver runs down my spine. It has been a very long time since anyone called me that.

"Lord Varys..."

"Did you miss me?"

               I cannot restrain a smile. I will never say this aloud, but I am nostalgic for my days in King's Landing. All those evenings spent concocting plans with Tyrion, those spent drinking with Bronn, the cups of tea in Varys's company...

"I was surprised to see you here. I thought you were far away from all these political intrigues."

"I thought you would do the same," the eunuch answers me. "Is it not exhausting to always be fighting?"

"I turn the question back to you."

               We do not fight the same way. I prefer physical contact, whereas Varys uses his words, and those of others.

"I believe I can trust you... I would like you to explain to me why you chose Daenerys."

"I can tell you nothing you do not already know. Aerys Targaryen triggered a rebellion, Robert tried but quickly gave up, Joffrey was a spoiled rotten child, and I was not going to serve Tommen, another child with no legitimacy. So, I crossed the Narrow Sea, and I found a legitimate queen who can bring peace to Westeros. You are surely afraid of her, with her dragons and her large army, but it is with them that she freed cities from a millennia-old slavery. I know you; you will not bend the knee, before her or anyone else. And that is regardless of the value you place upon my words. But if I am here, it is because I believe she can do what no one else has managed to accomplish: breaking the wheel."