Chapter 109

~33 min read 6,432 words

Brienne spent some more time selling their horses in Sea Border City; now the war shadow has not lifted, she easily found a buyer. She originally wanted to give all the money from selling the horses to Podrick to return to his western home, but now with war and chaos, letting a teenager travel alone is too dangerous, not at all safer than her going to the Iron Islands or the Shield Islands to rescue people. So, even though Brienne knows Tyrion is not in the Iron Islands, she still wishes him to stay by her side.

Once she has fulfilled all her vows and duties, she might invite him to return with her to the Hall of Dusk, and ask her father, in his name as lord, to dub him a true knight, providing him with a horse and armor.

【2】 After fulfilling all her promises and tasks, perhaps she will invite him to return together to the Evening Hall, and ask her father, in his name as lord, to knight him truly, preparing a horse and armor for him.

But does she still have a chance to go back to the Hall of Dusk?

【3】 But does she still have a chance to return to the Evening Hall?

Ser, should we notify Winterfell or Sea Dragon Point? I think, if Lady Sansa truly has been captured by Euron, perhaps it would be best for the she-wolf to negotiate on Winterfell's behalf—ser, no matter how brave you are, how could you possibly rescue Lady Sansa from the enemy's island?

【4】 "Sir, should we announce the news to Winterfell or Sea Border City? I think, if Lady Sansa has truly been captured by Euron, perhaps having the she-wolf negotiate in Winterfell's name would be most suitable—Sir, no matter how brave you are, how could you rescue Lady Sansa from the enemy's island?"

Maybe she should do that, but after parting with the forest witch, her doubts about the she-wolf have lingered, leaving her uncertain.

【5】 Perhaps she should do that, but after parting with the forest witch, her doubts about the she-wolf have continually lingered, making her hesitant.

She doesn't know if the she-wolf truly cares for her siblings: while the young wolf lord fought desperately in the south, she did nothing; when her two brothers died at Winterfell, she merely abandoned her forces, gave up pressing eastward, and rushed back to Winterfell to claim the castle. Moreover, if the forest witch speaks truly, she also killed the resurrected Lady Catelyn—a woman who could most undermine her standing.

【6】 She does not understand whether the she-wolf truly cares for her brothers and sisters: when the young wolf lord fought desperately in the south, she had no effect; when her two brothers died at Winterfell, she merely abandoned her own army, gave up further expanding their gains to the east, and hurried back to Winterfell to inherit the castle's name. And if the forest witch spoke truly, she also killed the resurrected Lady Catelyn—a woman who could most undermine her position.

If she is truly an ambitious power‑seeker, perhaps she would only be pleased to see her two half‑sisters, who threaten her inheritance, fall into trouble or die.

【7】 If she is truly an ambitious schemer for power, perhaps she would only be pleased to see her two half‑sisters, who challenge her inheritance, fall into trouble or die.

Thinking of the forest witch's words—even if they might be mere dream‑talk—Brienne cannot place her hope in the she-wolf, nor in Winterfell.

【8】 Thinking of the forest witch's words—even if they might be delirious—Brienne cannot place her hope in the she-wolf or even in Winterfell.

Putting the responsibility on Winterfell, I cannot be at peace. She carries the vow to Lady Catelyn and the honor of Ser Jaime. Besides, the news of Miss Sansa from the Shield Islands comes only from an exiled ironborn—I must go see for myself, if… If she really is there, then it would not be too late to inform the she-wolf.

【9】 "Handing the duty over to Winterfell, I cannot set my mind at ease." She bears the promise to Lady Catelyn and the honor of Ser Jaime. "Moreover, the news of Miss Sansa in the Shield Islands comes only from an exile Ironborn—I must go see for myself; if..." If she really is there, then notifying the she-wolf would not be too late.

She composed herself and stepped onto the sailboat.

【10】 She gathered her emotions and stepped onto the sailboat.

The boat girl put the baby down and, together with the boy, hoisted the sail—it looked strenuous, but her expression was cheerful.

【11】 The boatwoman set down the infant, and together with the youth she strained to raise the sail; it looked strenuous, but her expression was cheerful.

Ser, my boat may be small, but the Ironborn Bay rarely sees many storms, so we can surely get you safely to a suitable spot. Hmm, I heard—ah, it sounds like the maester said—that Sea Dragon Point is protected by two large bays, which block the violent waves that might come from afar. Waves from the north are checked by the Horn of the Sea Monster, and waves from the west are blocked by the Iron Islands and the Eagle's Horn; thus even a small boat can cross the Ironborn Bay. Don't look at the deep enmity between Sea Dragon Point and the Iron Islands; in fact, their intercourse is far more frequent than you imagine.

【12】 "Sir, my boat may be small, but Ironmen Bay seldom sees many storms, so we will surely bring you safely to a suitable place. Hmm, I heard, ah, it seems the scholar said, Sea Border City is protected by two large bays, thus blocking the violent waves that might come. The waves from the north are blocked by Sea Monster Cape, and those from the west are blocked by the Iron Islands and Eagle's Beak, so even a small boat can cross Ironmen Bay. Don't think Sea Border City and the Iron Islands are deeply at odds—in fact, their intercourse is far more frequent than you imagine."

After hoisting the sail, the boat girl went from the narrow deck into the awning to play with the baby. The baby babbled at her, and she happily responded with her knuckles, poking the baby's bare shoulder.

【13】 After the boatwoman raised the sail, she darted from the narrow deck into the awning to play with the infant. The baby cooed at her, and she happily responded with her fingertips, poking the baby's bare shoulder.

Brienne smiled.

【14】 Brienne smiled.

Ha ha, he laughed. Every time I see him laugh, I feel my heart melting! the boat girl laughed as she said to Brienne, "Ser, do you know this feeling?"

【15】 "Haha, he laughed. Every time I see him laugh, I feel my heart about to melt!" the boatwoman laughed and said to Brienne, "Sir, do you know this feeling?"

Brienne could only force a smile. She had no children; when she was very young, her sisters, about the same size as this baby, died in infancy, and she never got the kind of joy from them that the boat girl has.

【16】 Brienne could only force a smile. She had no children; when she was very young, her sisters, about the same size as this infant, died in swaddling clothes, and she never obtained from them the joy the boatwoman feels.

Does the child have a name? Brienne asked.

【17】 "Does the child have a name?" Brienne asked.

Wickan. The boat girl said proudly, "Named after Wickan Greyjoy, the first lord of the Iron Islands after the Conqueror's wars. I heard him say that."

【18】 "Wick." the boatwoman said proudly, "Named after Wick Greyjoy, the first leader of the Iron Islands after the Conquest Wars. I heard him say that."

Who?

【19】 "Who?"

The child's father. He is the son of King Balon Greyjoy of the Iron Islands, Theon Greyjoy. She forced a smile, "He won't let me be his salt wife, but I don't want to keep drifting at sea with my father; I want to find a safe place to live. I know the gap between our stations is too great, but ser, I know this is my only chance, and I know he will likely refuse, yet a prince as noble as him sitting alone on my father's ship—this has never happened in all these years!"

【20】 "The child's father. He is the son of King Balon Greyjoy of the Iron Islands, Wick Greyjoy." She forced a smile, "He won't let me be his salt wife, but I don't want to keep drifting at sea with my father; I want to find a safe place to live. I know our status gap is too great, but Sir, I know this is my only chance, and I know he may well refuse, yet for a noble prince like him to be alone on my father's ship—this has never happened in all these years!"

So? Brienne didn't really understand these ordinary girls' thoughts, or perhaps she didn't understand any girls' thoughts at all.

【21】 "So?" Brienne did not really understand these ordinary girls' thoughts, or perhaps she did not understand any girls' thoughts at all.

Afterwards, my father beat and scolded me, trying to force me to abort the child, but I still decided to give birth. Do you think I'm foolish? After my father left, I regretted it, but seeing this child, I feel nothing matters. Ser, I'm telling you this because you are also a woman—I think you can understand.

【22】 "Afterwards, my father beat and scolded me, forcing me to abort the child, yet I still decided to give birth. You tell me, am I foolish or not? After my father left, I also regretted it, but seeing this child, I feel nothing matters. Sir, I am telling you this because you are also a woman! I feel you will surely understand."

She could understand part of the joy, but it was hard to grasp the various choices in this process. If she weren't aboard her own boat, she might even think she was just a prostitute.

【23】 She can understand the joyful part, but it is hard for her to grasp the various choices in this process. If she were not riding her own boat, she would even feel she is merely a prostitute.

Ser, when you're used to seeing gamblers, drunks, and men crawling with lice, then seeing such a handsome young man, you'd surely be attracted. She continued to tease the little baby.

【24】 "Sir, when you are used to seeing gamblers, drunkards, and men crawling with fleas, then seeing such a graceful young man, you will surely be attracted as well." She continued to play with the little infant.

I heard he was killed by the she-wolf, his head still hanging on Winterfell's walls, now that King Balon is dead, little Wickan probably has few relatives left in the Iron Islands.

【25】 "I heard he was killed by the she-wolf," his head still hanging on the walls of Winterfell, "now King Balon is dead, little Wick probably has few relatives left in the Iron Islands."

No, he still has other kin. His grandmother is still alive, and he also has an aunt who was released by the she-wolf; by law she should inherit the Salt Stone. If she acknowledges this nephew and restores his father's surname, he could one day become king of the Iron Islands. Even if not—I heard his grandmother's sons all died—if Wickan grows a bit older and looks more like Prince Theon, his grandmother will surely acknowledge him, love him, and let him live in a castle rather than huddling in a ship's hold, a rundown alley, or fields scavenging scraps farmers don't want.

【26】 "No, he still has other kin. His grandmother is still alive, and he also has an aunt, who was released by the she-wolf; by law she should inherit the Sea Stone Seat. If she acknowledges this nephew and restores his father's surname, he could someday become King of the Iron Islands. Even if not—I heard his grandmother's sons all died—so long as Wick grows a bit more, comes to resemble Prince Wick a little more, his grandmother will surely acknowledge him, cherish him, and let him live in a castle instead of huddling in a ship's cabin, a rundown alley, or scavenging discarded grain in the fields."

She seemed not to be speaking of hopes for the future, but rather telling a nursery‑tale.

【27】 She sounded less like she was speaking of hopes for the future and more like she was reciting a nursery rhyme.

I've inquired, his grandmother is the sister of the Earl of Harlaw; if she pleads with her daughter, my little Wickan will surely be given a prestigious surname, whether 'Greyjoy' or 'Harlaw', ser, what do you say?

【28】 "I have already inquired: his grandmother is the sister of the Harlaw Earl; as long she pleads her own daughter, my little Wick will surely be granted a prestigious surname, be it 'Greyjoy' or 'Harlaw', Sir, what do you say?"

Brienne could only force a smile.

【29】 Brienne could only squeeze out a smile.

We've heard that he, his aunt Asha Greyjoy, is about to marry her uncle Euron Greyjoy; I think she no longer has the power to bestow a surname on your child, and moreover, Euron's own bastards, I've heard, are already numerous enough to form a fleet.

【30】 "We have heard that his aunt Asha Greyjoy is about to marry her uncle Euron Greyjoy; I think she no longer has the authority to bestow a surname on your child, and moreover, Euron's own bastards, I hear, are already numerous enough to form a fleet."

Podrick suddenly spoke, as if he could no longer bear the boat girl's imagination. Brienne gave him a reproachful look.

【31】 Podrick suddenly spoke, as if he could no longer bear the boatwoman's imagination. Brienne gave him a reproachful glance.

That's even better—then his aunt would be queen of the Iron Islands, and he could serve under her protection as a knight or a captain. She smiled at Podrick, then continued leisurely, "But oh, I've been keeping watch on island news and haven't heard that his aunt is marrying anyone. Have you been deceived? I've heard many rumors that his aunt stays on Harlaw Island, backed by her uncle, gathering forces to overthrow King Euron, after all, she didn't attend the kingsmoot."

【32】 "That would be even better—then his aunt would be Queen of the Iron Islands, and he could, under her protection, become a knight or a captain." She smiled at Podrick, then continued dreamily, "But oh, I have been keeping watch on the island's news and have not heard that his aunt is marrying anyone. Have you been deceived? I have heard many rumors that his aunt stays on Harlaw Island, backed by her uncle, gathering forces to prepare to overthrow King Euron, after all, she did not take part in the kingship vote."

Brienne wiped her smile and looked at the boat girl.

【33】 Brienne put away her smile and looked at the boatwoman.

Ah, ser, I won't lie! Rather than her becoming queen, I'd rather she become queen—if she bears no son, then my little Wickan has even more hope! Ah, sweet baby, may your father's god protect you! She lifted the baby from the cradle and swung him around in the cabin; the baby giggled continuously.

【34】 "Ah, Sir, I certainly won't lie! Compared to her becoming queen, I would rather she become queen—if she bears no son, then my little Wick has even more hope! Ah, sweet baby, may your father's god bless you!" She lifted the infant from the cradle and swung him around in the cabin; the baby giggled continuously.

Ser, you must want to laugh, right? she said, turning to Brienne while she was entertaining the baby.

【35】 "Sir, you must want to laugh, right?" she said, turning to Brienne while amusing the baby.

My lady, there's nothing blameworthy about holding hope.

【36】 "Madam, holding hope is nothing to blame."

Ser, in my life I've only seen two female knights, one of them the she-wolf of Winterfell—ah, she truly is my idol; when I was younger I wished I could wear the 'crown of love and beauty'; you don't know how many noble ladies in the south dream of having a handsome knight place a flower crown upon them; though I envy her crown, I envy even more that she dares to sail alone, that she can defeat legendary warriors at a young age—ah, without her I might have miscarried my child and returned with my father to the old town. It's a pity that, although she is a role model, I still dare not sail alone, only daring to run a boat in the safe waters of the Ironborn Bay.

【37】 "Sir, in my life I have only seen two female knights, one of them the she-wolf of Winterfell—ah, she truly is my idol; when I was younger, I hoped I too could wear the 'crown of love and beauty'; you do not know how many noble ladies in the south wish for a handsome knight to place the crown upon them; though I envy her crown, I envy even more that she dares to sail alone, that she can, at a young age, defeat legendary warriors—ah, if she did not exist, I might have aborted the child and returned with my father to the old town. It is a pity that, although she is a role model, I still dare not sail alone, only daring to ply boats in the safe waters of Ironmen Bay."

Is the Ironborn Bay safe? Isn't it closer to the Iron Islands? Podrick asked.

【38】 "Ironmen Bay safe? It isn't actually closer to the Iron Islands?" Podrick asked.

It is closer, but ironborn generally don't raid ships near the Iron Islands; I suspect this might be harmful to the islands. However, what I want to say is about you, ser.

【39】 "It is closer, but Ironmen generally do not raid ships near the Iron Islands; I suppose that might be harmful to the islands. However, what I want to say is about you, Sir."

The boat girl smiled, which made Brienne a little uneasy. Her features are distinctive; anyone who hears her name can immediately place her. She doesn't worry about being recognized, but she doesn't want her purpose discovered.

【40】 The boatwoman smiled, which made Brienne a bit uneasy. Her features are distinctive, but anyone who hears her name can immediately match it to her. She does not worry about being recognized, but she does not want her purpose to be discovered.

Ser, when you were selling horses, I inquired a bit—you must be Ser Brienne of Tars, I heard you once served the young wolf lord? I think, I think you must have seen Theon.

【41】 "Sir, when you were selling your horses, I inquired a bit—you should be Sir Brienne of Tars, I heard you once served the young wolf lord? I think, I think you must have met Wick."

Brienne wanted to correct her, but then thought it unnecessary; if people misunderstood, her true purpose could stay hidden deeper.

【42】 Brienne wanted to correct her, but upon reaching her lips she felt it unnecessary; if people misunderstand, her true purpose can be hidden all the more.

I was fortunate to see him once. He is indeed a handsome young man. Love, with a mocking smile, is a proud fellow.

【43】 "I was fortunate to see him once. He is indeed a handsome young man." Love, with a mocking smile, is a proud fellow.

How wonderful! the boat girl exclaimed, clapping while holding the baby, "Ser, could you help me see if this child resembles Prince Theon? I intend to bring the child to his grandmother!"

【44】 "Great!" the boatwoman cried, clasping her hands while holding the infant, "Sir, please tell me if this child resembles Prince Wick? I intend to bring the child to his grandmother!"

Brienne felt great difficulty; the baby's rosy, round face bore no resemblance whatsoever to that handsome young man, and as for hair and eye color, she had never even noticed those on the young man.

【45】 Brienne felt great difficulty; the child's round, ruddy face bore no resemblance whatsoever to that handsome young man, and as for hair and eye color, she had never even noticed those on the young man.

My lady, I have little impression of Theon Greyjoy, having never spoken with him alone, I truly……

【46】 "Madam, I have no deep impression of Wick Greyjoy, I have never spoken with him alone, I truly……"

Ser, please! the boat girl pleaded, kneeling while holding the baby.

【47】 "Sir, please!" the boatwoman clung to the infant and knelt.

Life on the boat is too hard; if this child stays here, I don't know when he might die. I swear to you, this child is Theon's son—I have only him as a man, but… She burst into tears, tears streaming down her cheeks, but, but now Theon is dead, and no one is willing to vouch for this child's identity; I hope you, a knight who speaks justice and has honor, will vouch for me—if only the child's grandmother accepts him, I can leave the Iron Islands immediately and never see the child again.

【48】 "Life on the boat is too harsh; if this child stays here, I do not know when he might perish. I swear to you, this child is Prince Wick's, I have only him as a man, but……" She burst into tears, tears streaming down her cheeks, "But, but now Prince Wick is dead, and no one remains willing to attest to this child's identity; I hope you, such a just and honorable knight, can vouch for me—so long as the child's grandmother accepts him, I can leave the Iron Islands at once and never see the child again."

The baby also suddenly began to wail loudly.

【49】 The infant also suddenly began to wail.

Brienne was caught off guard by all this sudden happening.

【50】 Brienne was caught off guard by this sudden turn of events.

I am merely the daughter of a small boat‑merchant; they won't see me or believe me, but I know they will certainly wish to see you and trust you.

【51】 "I am merely the daughter of a small boat merchant; they will not see me, nor believe me, but I know they will certainly wish to see you and trust you."

But what about this child? Is she going to stake her honor on something she isn't sure of?

【52】 "But what about this child?" Is she to stake her honor on something she is unsure of?

This child is Theon's, I assure you. She wiped the tears from her face with her hand, I can feel it, I can feel it, bad things are coming to this world; he needs to be by my side, I cannot protect or shelter him, and someday I may not even be able to feed him—he won't survive this winter!

【53】 "This child is Prince Wick's, I assure you." She wiped the tears from her face with her hand, "I can feel it, feel it, that evil is approaching this world; he must stay by my side, yet I cannot protect or shelter him, and perhaps one day I will not even be able to feed him—he will not survive this winter!"

The boat girl wept before her, and through the boat girl's red, swollen eyes, Brienne for the first time felt that the boat girl was merely a little girl.

【54】 The boatwoman wept before her, and through the boatwoman's red, swollen eyes, Brienne for the first time felt that the boatwoman was merely a little girl.

She had thought she would spend her life wrestling, fighting, and striving in the realm of duty, honor, and conviction—those "big things"—but today she discovered another common yet ineffable thing in the world, something she could not grasp or see clearly, yet it filled her with exhilaration. What is it?

【55】 She had thought she would spend her life struggling, fighting, and striving in those "big things" of duty, honor, and belief, but today she discovered another common yet ineffable thing in this world—she could not grasp it, could not see it clearly, yet felt immensely uplifted. What is it?

Now ensure each line is a single line, starting with 【N】 and a space? The instruction: Output 【N】 for EVERY line listed below — all 55 must appear. Keep each translation on a SINGLE output line. Return ONLY the 【N】 lines. Nothing else.

Thus we output lines like:

【1】 Brienne spent some more time selling their horses in Sea Border City; now the war shadow has not lifted, she easily found a buyer. She originally wanted to give all the money from selling the horses to Podrick to return to his western home, but now with war and chaos, letting a teenager travel alone is too dangerous, not at all safer than her going to the Iron Islands or the Shield Islands to rescue people. So, even though Brienne knows Tyrion is not in the Iron Islands, she still wishes him to stay by her side.

Make sure no extra blank lines.

Let's produce all 55.