Ned chose each word with care. When he was done, he signed the letter Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell, Hand of the King, and Protector of the Realm, blotted the paper, folded it twice, and melted the sealing wax over the candle flame.
奈德字斟句酌寫完了信,在末尾簽上“全境守護(hù)者,國王之手,臨冬城公爵,艾德·史塔克。”然后吸干墨水,對(duì)折兩次,就著燭焰融了封蠟。
His regency would be a short one, he reflected as the wax softened. The new king would choose his own Hand. Ned would be free to go home. The thought of Winterfell brought a wan smile to his face. He wanted to hear Bran's laughter once more, to go hawking with Robb, to watch Rickon at play. He wanted to drift off to a dreamless sleep in his own bed with his arms wrapped tight around his lady, Catelyn.
他的攝政期將會(huì)非常短暫,他一邊看著封蠟變軟,一邊想。新王會(huì)任命新的首相。屆時(shí)奈德便可返家。回臨冬城的念頭牽起他嘴角一絲微笑。他想重聽布蘭的歡笑,想和羅柏一同出外放鷹,想看瑞肯玩耍嬉鬧。他想雙手緊緊摟著自己的夫人凱特琳,躺在自己的床上無夢安眠。
Cayn returned as he was pressing the direwolf seal down into the soft white wax. Desmond was with him, and between them Littlefinger. Ned thanked his guards and sent them away.
他正把冰原狼印章蓋在柔軟的白蠟上時(shí),凱恩回來了,戴斯蒙跟他一道,小指頭則走在兩人中間。奈德向侍衛(wèi)道謝后把他倆遣開。
Lord Petyr was clad in a blue velvet tunic with puffed sleeves, his silvery cape patterned with mockingbirds. "I suppose congratulations are in order," he said as he seated himself.
培提爾伯爵穿著藍(lán)天鵝絨外衣,帶著寬松的袖子,銀邊斗篷上繡滿仿聲鳥。“我想我該說恭喜啰。”他邊說邊坐下。
Ned scowled. "The king lies wounded and near to death."
奈德皺眉。“國王此刻身負(fù)重傷,命在旦夕。”
I know, Littlefinger said. "I also know that Robert has named you Protector of the Realm."
“我知道,”小指頭說,“但我也知道他任命您為全境守護(hù)者。”