Taking Margaery beyond the Wall? William found it strange how Malora had suddenly come up with this idea.
Margaery's eyes shifted slightly, and seeing the bewildered look on William's face beside her, she realized this was merely Malora's own notion. A faint smile touched her lips. "This journey has already been quite long. If I don't return soon, I fear my mother will start to worry."
Malora nodded slowly, her expression carrying a hint of a mocking smile. "I suspect Alerie is more worried about your magic."
Both were startled. They exchanged a glance, and William saw Margaery's momentary astonishment before she masked it. He couldn't help but ask Malora, "How would Lady Alerie know?"
Malora merely glanced at him, her gaze still fixed on Margaery. "Don't be surprised. I was the one who told Alerie. The moment I saw you in Highgarden, I could smell the scent of magic on you."
A wave of guilt washed over Margaery. 'I should have been the one to tell Mother about this,' she thought.
But she quickly composed herself, her smile spreading like ripples on a spring breeze. "That's wonderful, then. I've been hesitant, unsure how to broach the subject with Mother. Thank you so much, Aunt Malora."
Margaery emphasized the word "Aunt" heavily.
The corners of Malora's mouth twitched upwards into a derisive smile. "My dear niece, are you still trying to resist your fate? The moment you touched magic, the path of your destiny changed direction."
'Can she truly see the future?' Malora's imposing aura made William suspicious.
He knew the underlying cause of the War of the Five Kings was a power struggle between factions with conflicting interests. Littlefinger had merely exploited these inherent contradictions to create chaos.
As for Bran's assassination attempt and Catelyn capturing Tyrion, they were chance occurrences within an inevitable chain of events. Even without these specific incidents, war would have broken out sooner or later.
Therefore, his wager with Margaery was a sure win. Sooner or later, the course of Margaery's life would be altered by him, diverging completely from the original story.
But beyond the Wall?
William looked at Margaery, delicate as a flower, her skin seeming as if it could be bruised by a mere touch. Then he thought of the bitter cold, the icy wastes beyond the Wall, the wildlings, the wights, and the lurking dangers everywhere. He couldn't help but shake his head. "Lady Malora, this matter has nothing to do with Margaery. We can go alone."
"I have seen visions of far-off places in her eyes," Malora said coldly, staring at William. "To the west, storm clouds gather, and the path is thick with thorns. To the north, the sun shines brightly upon a smooth and open road. This is an opportunity for her, a chance to step onto the correct path."
She glanced at Margaery and William's clasped hands, then looked meaningfully at Margaery. "Think on why you came to Harrenhal. Was it not because you saw a new choice?"
Having said this, she turned and walked away along the stream again, her graceful figure soon disappearing into the depths of the forest.
The two were left in silence, wordless for a while.
"It's alright, Margaery," William moved closer to her, speaking softly into her ear. "Prophecies are always like this—vague and open to interpretation. Don't dwell on it too much. Who knows what 'storm clouds' or 'bright sunshine' really mean? Perhaps she's just forecasting the weather."
His breath stirred a few strands of hair by her ear, making her feel a slight tickle.
Margaery giggled. "If Aunt Malora heard you interpreting her prophecy like that, the look on her face would be priceless."
"All these years, she's uttered who knows how many prophecies," William said with an expression that screamed 'I'm not afraid of her.' "Not a single one has been of any real use. Don't take it to heart."
Margaery pursed her red lips, a hint of cunning flickering at the corners of her mouth.
They laughed together for a moment longer. Then, Margaery raised an eyebrow slightly, her gaze bright and clear. "But recently, she's been completely different from before, like a changed person. Something must have happened."
"Perhaps... she's been influenced by something... unusual." William felt somewhat awkward, hesitantly explaining his theory about the possible possession by Danelle.
Seeing Margaery's expression remain unchanged throughout, and that she merely seemed thoughtful after he finished, William couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Margaery asked another question: "What is it you need to do beyond the Wall?"
"Well, that's a long story. It starts three hundred years ago, when Harrenhal was first being built..."
William then proceeded to give her a detailed account of the whole affair.
How Harren the Black built Harrenhal, how his Drowned God faith drew the displeasure of the children of the forest, and how the greenseer from High Heart laid a curse upon Harrenhal with her final strength.
But then Harrenhal changed hands. Through a series of twists and turns, the shadow of the curse continued to hang over the castle. Every family that held it suffered various misfortunes, gradually declining and falling into ruin, vanishing like smoke in the wind.
The last Countess of House Rosten, Danelle, though proficient in magic and wishing to lift the curse, was ultimately unable to withstand this powerful force, meeting her end and the destruction of her house.
It wasn't until decades later that Malora obtained her notebook and awakened something formidable, leading to the adventure at High Heart and the plan to venture beyond the Wall to find another greenseer.
The story was long, and Margaery listened intently, falling into deep thought after hearing it.
Not wishing to disturb her, William silently admired the slender, delicate hand he held.
After a moment, she let out a long sigh, filled with emotion. "So that's how it is. What a long story."
Then she furrowed her brows. "But why does Aunt Malora want me to go beyond the Wall?"
"Who knows what she's thinking," William shrugged. "Genius and madness are alike; ordinary people can seldom fathom them."
Margaery covered her mouth with a light laugh, her eyes sparkling. "Why don't you want me to go?"
William took Margaery's other hand, so all four hands were joined, and their eyes met. He said tenderly, "I just don't want you to suffer hardship. The conditions beyond the Wall are too harsh; it's a frozen, wild land covered in ice and snow. The journey will surely be very arduous. Lady Malora and I can handle this matter, just like the trip to High Heart."
Then he smiled. "And this journey won't be short. Lady Alerie would be very worried."
A faint, charming allure shone in Margaery's eyes, like shy flower petals. Feeling her affection, William couldn't help but feel his heart stir.
As they gazed at each other with deep affection, Margaery suddenly asked, "What pretext will you use for travelling north this time? Aunt Malora can't just leave quietly without a word, can she?"
"Harrenhal and the Hightowers are donating supplies to the Night's Watch. Lady Malora and I will go as representatives to visit the Wall," William said proudly, as this was the idea he had come up with. "Once we reach the Wall, and then proceed to tour the various castles, who will know exactly where we've gone?"
"Not bad," Margaery said with a smile. "The Night's Watch is the kingdom's sturdy shield, having toiled with great merit. For this donation and show of support, Highgarden should also contribute. Let me represent Highgarden and accompany you to the Wall."
It was as if a thunderclap had sounded overhead. William was stunned, speechless, finally managing to ask, "Why?"
"I've simply made a choice," Margaery said, her gaze firm, her voice soft. "I always thought that for the sake of my family, I had to sacrifice myself. But now I see another path, one where I can have both. Thank you, William."
A blush spread across her lovely face. Shyly, she lowered her head and gently leaned against William's chest.
Happiness had come so suddenly. William felt as if struck by lightning, his whole body going numb. Then his heartbeat quickened, and his breathing became slightly rapid. He took a deep breath and slowly embraced her, feeling the person in his arms was as warm as a stove.
"You could actually stay at Harrenhal and wait for me to return," William murmured.
"No," she said. "I want to share the burden with you, face things together, whether in the warm summer or the harsh winter."