Hear me Roar - English version

CHAPTER 60 - It was never in your nature

               We have so little time left, and I have a bitter presentiment that we will never be ready. Following my last heated argument with Jon, we organized the exodus of the children, women, and the elderly. However, at their pace, they won't reach Moat Cailin for several weeks. We've moved them away from danger, granted, but the Night King is hot on their heels.

               Gathered around a map of Winterfell, we listen to Jon's little speech.

"What tactic should we adopt?" Jaime Lannister asks.

"The Night King made the White Walkers," Jon answers. "They obey him blindly. Reaching him first is our best chance."

"If that's the case, he won't expose himself on the front lines."

"Yes, he will expose himself," Bran intervenes. "He will come for me. He has tried to reach me on several occasions with Three-Eyed Ravens."

"Why?" Sam asks. "What does he want?"

"An endless night. He wants to wipe out our world, and I am its memory."

               A heavy silence settles over the room. We abruptly realize that this is not merely a fight pitting the Walkers against Men. It is ice against fire, the dead against the living. The fate of an entire people.

"That's what death is, isn't it?" Samwell suddenly blurts out. "It's forgetting. It's being forgotten. If we forget where we've been, what we've done, we are no longer Men. Just animals. Your memories aren't found in books. Your stories aren't simple stories. If I wanted to destroy the world of men, I would start with you."

               The most important people in the realm are standing around this table. Nevertheless, Bran remains our priority. If the Night King rids himself of him, the history of us all will extinguish along with the Three-Eyed Raven.

"How can he find you?" Tyrion asks.

"His mark is upon me," Bran answers, revealing red marks on his right arm. "He always knows where I am."

"You will go to the tower," Jon decides. "You will be safe there."

"No. We must draw him out into the open before his army cuts us to pieces. I will wait for him in the Godswood."

"You want to use yourself as bait?" Sansa asks, astonished.

"It's far too dangerous," I say.

"There's no way we're leaving you there all alone," Arya adds.

"He won't be alone," Theon cuts her off. "I will stay with Bran. With the Ironborn."

               Although we must put all our efforts into protecting Bran, I have no desire for Theon to risk his life. I have already lost too many people dear to my heart, and Theon is, in a way, my future.

"I yielded the castle to your enemies," he continues. "Let me defend you now."

               Bran contents himself with a nod. As for me, though I refrain from any comment, I feel that Theon has already repented well enough for his past sins.

"We're going to hold back the bulk of those troops as much as possible," Davos resumes.

"When the time comes," Tyrion continues, "Ser Davos and I, from the battlements, will give the signal to light the trench."

"I believe Ser Davos is perfectly capable of waving a torch on his own," Daenerys stops him. "You will be in the tower."

"Your Majesty, I've fought before; I will know how to fight. Alongside the men and women who are risking their lives."