During the intermission, after finishing their belated lunch,
Jon and Sansa returned to the guest chamber prepared for them by Count Farman.
"Bran, why did you do that?" Sansa demanded angrily the moment they entered.
"What did I do?" The Three-Eyed Raven's expression remained indifferent.
Sansa looked deeply worried. "You shouldn't have initiated the Great Council. Today's purpose was only to judge Arya. Why did you expose your abilities just to help others?
They won't be grateful for the precise information you provided. They will only fear you, and then try to eliminate you as an anomaly."
Jon nodded. "Sansa is right. Bran, you're in danger now. Even in Winterfell, you're not safe.
All secrets, even people's fates, being controlled by one person… that fear comes from human nature and cannot be erased.
People won't think about what the Three-Eyed Raven has done for Westeros or for humanity. Unease and fear will drive them to do anything.
And you're not a god. Your body is still weak."
At this point, Jon sighed. "You train with the master-at-arms every day, working hard to improve your swordsmanship and your body. Everyone can see that you're just a mortal.
Even Daenerys, if she had your omniscient ability, would be envied and resented."
"I know," Bran said calmly.
"I know you know. But if you know, why did you still do it?" Sansa said angrily.
"There are three reasons." The Three-Eyed Raven paced slowly beside the tea table. After a long while, he said helplessly, "First, I couldn't hide it. You know my secret, and so does Daenerys. Not only does she know, she has a loose tongue and speaks freely to those around her, telling them about the history and abilities of the Three-Eyed Raven.
So those capable of harming me already know my abilities. As for those who fear me but lack the power to harm me, knowing makes no difference."
"Why would she reveal your secret? You're the protector of Westeros!" Sansa said in dissatisfaction.
Bran ignored her and continued, "Second, the Seven Kingdoms have indeed fallen into moral decay in recent years. People behave like beasts. As the protector of Westeros, I have a responsibility to assist the Human King in changing this situation."
"The Human King?" Sansa exclaimed sharply.
"You may become the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, but the Human King can only be Daenerys." The raven glanced at his elder sister, his tone somewhat impatient.
"Isn't the Human King just a king?" Sansa asked in confusion.
"She is the queen of humanity."
"That's exaggerated. Her Slaver's Bay isn't even as large as the Riverlands," Sansa said.
"She defeated the world alliance," Jon reminded her.
The Three-Eyed Raven continued, "Besides, the Seven Kingdoms need a grand trial to end disputes and chaos. Arya also needs more sensational news to divert the attention of the people.
When they are shocked by one secret after another, shocked to the point of numbness, the tragedy at Casterly Rock will no longer seem so significant.
When they subconsciously realize that in recent years, morality has declined, and nobles and kings have lost honor and justice, Arya's killings for revenge will no longer seem so unacceptable.
Compared to those dukes and kings who abandoned their oaths and honor, avenging one's family is at least an act recognized as just by the gods."
Jon and Sansa stood there, mouths open, stunned.
After a long pause, Sansa said with a complicated expression, "For Arya, you're willing to sacrifice yourself…"
Have you ever done anything like that for me?
Sansa thought bitterly.
The Three-Eyed Raven turned away, no longer looking at her. "Today, the Dragon Queen clarified dozens of major cases accumulated over the years in the Seven Kingdoms. They basically followed two principles: no collective punishment, and death absolves the crime.
This is both just and merciful, and it has been accepted by the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms.
Thus, once it is confirmed that we were not involved, the responsibility for the Casterly Rock massacre will fall entirely on Arya, minimizing any implication for Winterfell."
"So do you want Arya to die, or are you sacrificing yourself to save her?!" Sansa cried out again.
She was like an angry hen spreading her wings to protect her chicks, while the Three-Eyed Raven seemed like a predatory hawk.
"Avenge Father, Robb, Mother, and our family. That is the responsibility of every Stark. Arya did what we should have done. We cannot place all the blame on her alone.
In fact, I don't think she is guilty at all. If I had her abilities, I would have killed the entire Frey and Lannister families long ago.
Don't call me cruel. Back then, the Freys and Lannisters wanted to kill our entire family. If they could act without restraint, why can't we?" she said.
"How about you go to the hall later and say that to everyone?" Bran said calmly.
"I'm not stupid. If I really said that, wouldn't the Westerlands hate the Starks for ten thousand years?" Sansa replied coldly.
That would only matter if the Starks could live that long.
Jon silently complained in his heart.
"You're not stupid. So are Tyrion and Jaime stupid? Is Daenerys stupid? Are the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms stupid?" Bran sneered. "The one who cannot think a step deeper is truly foolish."
Sansa flushed red with anger. "Then tell me, what is this deeper layer?"
Bran looked at Jon.
Jon sighed and said, "People's hearts are fickle. Even the gods cannot make everyone convinced and united.
This grand trial is not meant to eliminate all resentment, but to reestablish rules and laws.
Those who violate rules will be punished. Those who break the law will pay the price.
Just like now, Sansa, you may not be convinced, but you still acknowledge that the previous judgments were fair. Once the law is established, all conflicts and grievances are judged according to it.
After today, whether you accept it or not, you will regain a sense of reverence for rules and law.
Therefore, Arya must be punished to uphold the law.
According to the rules, slaughtering women and children is a crime. The Freys and Lannisters committed such crimes, but that does not grant the Starks immunity as victims.
When you captured the Twins, you hanged many Freys and even fed their corpses to dragons, yet neither Daenerys nor the other nobles said anything.
At least your revenge did not harm the innocent. Arya, however, must take responsibility for the fall of the Westerlands."
After a long silence, Sansa accepted Jon's reasoning and sighed. "I hope our plan to rescue Arya will be accepted by Daenerys and the others."
"Don't worry. They will accept it, because it is also tradition," Jon reassured her.
"And you?" Sansa turned to the Three-Eyed Raven, her expression awkward but concerned. "Bran, what are your plans?"
"Don't worry. I can protect myself," Bran said.
"Don't forget, you have a wife and a child. The more attachments you have, the more vulnerable you become," Sansa said.
Yes, Bran's son, Hodor Stark, had already been born.
"Precisely because I worry about them, I chose to reveal my identity and abilities to the world today. No matter what, I will protect them," Bran said with a sigh.
"Your abilities may not intimidate those with ill intentions. Instead, they may provoke even more hostility. You should understand that," Sansa said.
The Three-Eyed Raven nodded. "Don't worry. I have arrangements. You'll understand after the trial ends."
Knowing he didn't want to say more, Sansa didn't press further. Instead, she turned to Jon. "Jon, you need a wife."
Jon said awkwardly, "I have Ygritte and… Val."
"They are wildlings. They can be your lovers and bear your children, but you need a wife of equal standing," Sansa said seriously.
"This wouldn't be the first time a Stark married a free folk woman. Don't forget the Winter Rose," Jon said stiffly.
"Under other circumstances, I wouldn't oppose you marrying Val or Ygritte. They both love you, believe in the Old Gods like the Starks, and possess the resilience suited for Winterfell. They may not be perfect matches, but they are qualified Stark ladies.
But things are different now. We need a political marriage to accomplish certain things."
"What things? I have no interest in power struggles. A political marriage is useless to me," Jon frowned.
"It's not about seizing power," Sansa thought for a moment, then asked, "Do you remember Myrcella? She's completely different from Cersei. Intelligent, gentle, and virtuous. She would make a good match."
"Myrcella?" Jon recalled the beautiful girl who once sat at the same table as Robb during a feast at Winterfell.
For a moment, driven by desire, he felt tempted.
But he quickly shook his head. "I understand your idea. You want to resolve the hatred between the Starks and the Lannisters through marriage. But I have people I love, and such a marriage would do more harm than good."
"How so?" Sansa asked.
"An alliance between the North and the Westerlands could alarm others and trigger another round of power struggles," Jon said.
"That's being overly cautious," Sansa said irritably. "The Long Night has come. How much strength does the North have left? How many people remain in the Westerlands?
It will take hundreds of years for both families to recover.
Besides, all the nobles understand such a marriage. It would simply mean the complete resolution of hatred. Why would they overthink it?"
At the end, she looked at Bran. "What do you think of my suggestion?"
Bran pondered for a moment. "It's worth trying. Whether it succeeds or not, at least it shows goodwill to the Lannisters."
Thinking of Ygritte, who had followed him all the way to King's Landing, and Val, who was managing the free folk in Winterfell, Jon felt a surge of frustration. He said sarcastically, "If we truly want to resolve hatred, why don't you marry Tyrion? I've seen the way you look at each other. Instead of being secret lovers, why not become an open couple?"
"You—" Sansa's face turned pale with anger.
"Don't talk nonsense," Bran scolded. "Aunt Lyanna already caused tension with Dorne by taking the husband of a Dornish princess.
Now you want history to repeat itself and have another Stark take a Dornish princess's fiancé?
Moreover, that fiancé is still a Targaryen prince, even if he is a bastard."
Jon and Sansa both froze for a moment.
Then Sansa's expression grew awkward.
Had she become like Aunt Lyanna?
No, she had once been the dwarf's lawful wife. Now it seemed the Dornish princess was taking a Stark's man. Was this fate?
Sansa felt conflicted.
"How about Sansa marrying Jaime?" Jon suggested again. "Jaime is highly skilled, handsome, and devoted. He's also been personally recognized by the Dragon Queen as one of the 'Grey Cloaks.'"
While Sansa was still stunned, the Three-Eyed Raven nodded. "That could work. A marriage between Sansa and Jaime would be even more effective than one between Jon and Myrcella."
Sansa instinctively wanted to refuse, but when she opened her mouth, she suddenly realized she couldn't find a reason to object.
Whether for the Starks or for herself, such a marriage seemed full of advantages.
Jaime was different from Tyrion. He was not a Targaryen and had no legal claim to the Iron Throne. More importantly, Jaime was indifferent to fame and power, unlike the dwarf.
The dwarf and she were the same kind of person.
Sansa fell silent.
(End of Chapter)
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