AGOT 24 – Bran IV

“I don’t want any more stories,” Bran snapped, his voice petulant. He had liked Old Nan and her stories once. Before. But it was different now. They left her with him all day now, to watch over him and clean him and keep him from being lonely, but she just made it worse. “I hate your stupid stories.”

The old woman smiled at him toothlessly. “My stories? No, my little lord, not mine. The stories are, before me and after me, before you too.”

AGOT 25 – BRAN IV (GRRM)

POV character
Brandon Stark 4

Chapter (AGOT)
25 / 73

Chapter (ASOIAF)
25 / 344

Summary

Bran watches his brother Rickon playing with the wolves and is severely depressed. He hates that he has to stay in the inside with Old Nan and her stories, who may be the oldest person in the seven kingdoms. She once came to Winterfell as a wet nurse and never left, although all her family died or moved away. The only relative she has is the simple-minded Hodor who worked in the stables and only is able to mutter “Hodor”.

Bran thinks about is dream and the crow and how everybody has left him. He also feels very alone as a majority of his family is gone, together with guards and servants. His brothers Rickon and Robb are also not good companions as the first is still a baby (in Bran’s eyes) and the seconds tries to be “a Lord” and not a brother anymore as he has to fill this role now. Old Nan interrupts his thoughts and tells him the story about Brandon the Builder who raised Winterfell and started to build the wall thousands of years ago. But Brandon insists that she tells a scary story and so Old Nan tells him the story of the long winter, when the “white walkers” or “others” came the first time and attacked all living creatures. She tells that a last hero went out to find help – when suddenly Maester Luwin interrupts them.

Luwin and Hodor bring Bran to the hall as Tyrion has arrived and brings word from Jon. When they come to the hall the atmosphere is tense as Robb shows how much he dislikes the Lannister. Tyrion asks Bran how it happened that he fell, but Bran can not remember the climb or the fall. Robb stops the talk and reminds Tyrion to come to the point why he is here.

Tyrion shows a blueprint for a special saddle to Luwin and gives some instructions regarding the hors as he believes that Bran could ride again with special equipment. When the direwolves arrive with Rickon, they attack Tyrion instantly and have to be called of. Afterwards Tyrion leaves instantly to the Wintertown while Yoren and the black brothers stay at the castle.

Back in his room Bran falls asleep and dreams about climbing. Later he is brought to the hall to eat with the black brothers. They share news about Jon, but get quiet when they are asked about Benjen. Yoren then tells them that Benjen is assumed to be dead as he is out too long. Robb does not want to believe that and Bran insists that the children of the forest will help Benjen. Luwin does not think that is true, but Yoren says that nobody knows if some of the children are still north of the wall. AT the end of the meal Robb brings Bran back to his room and shows Bran – for a moment – the brother behind his official mask as he shows him how he misses his mother and tells him how they will visit the wall together, before he starts to cry.

Thoughts

• Do we know who is older: Maetser Aemon or Old Nan?
• Here we get the famous paragraph of Old Nan: “Oh, my sweet summer child,” Old Nan said quietly, “what do you know of fear? Fear is for the winter, my little lord, when the snows fall a hundred feet deep and the ice wind comes howling out of the north. Fear is for the long night, when the sun hides its face for years at a time, and little children are born and live and die all in darkness while the direwolves grow gaunt and hungry, and the white walkers move through the woods.” – Still in my list of favorite quotes.
• “They were cold things, dead things, that hated iron and fire and the touch of the sun, and every creature with hot blood in its veins.” – here we have it: Old Nan knows all the stuff that is needed against the others.
• This story about the last hero is interesting (and I totally forgot it). He went out with some companions and a horse and a dog, and when he lost all the others approach. Sadly we never hear the end of that story as Maester Luwin interrupts Old Nan. What a pity.
• “and set Bran in the high seat of the Starks, where the Lords of Winterfell had sat since the days when they called themselves the Kings in the North.” – I know we all see too much foreshadowing, but this seems very obvious.

Off-Topic

Holiday-season was very stressful so I lost track a little bit. Nevertheless, this is a marathon not a sprint, therefore I will proceed on my journey (especially interesting for me is: I see – for the first time “House of the dragon” which is quite a strange experience, as I know the world quite well – but I know nearly nothing about the story. I really enjoy that.). However, I will concentrate on ASoIaF again and hope to set up a regular schedule.

The Central Intelligence Agency, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons – Link

AGOT 22 – Arya II

“Ah, Arya. You have a wildness in you, child. ‘The wolf blood,’ my father used to call it. Lyanna had a touch of it, and my brother Brandon more than a touch. It brought them both to an early grave.” Arya heard sadness in his voice; he did not often speak of his father, or of the brother and sister who had died before she was born. “Lyanna might have carried a sword, if my lord father had allowed it. You remind me of her sometimes. You even look like her.”

AGOT 23 – ARYA II (GRRM)

POV character
Arya Stark 2

Chapter (AGOT)
23 / 73

Chapter (ASOIAF)
23 / 344

Summary

The girls learn that there will be a tourney in Eddards Stark honor and Sansa pleads her father to be allowed to attend. Grudgingly he gives his permission and includes also Arya. She on the other hand does not want to go as she avoids prince Joffrey whom she hates. Sansa and she start to fight and Ned leaves the hall soon.

Afterwards Arya is more or less ignored by anybody, but she prefers it that way. She would have eaten alone if the let her and she thinks back how she liked to eat with her brothers and that Ned always had a spare place at the high table for his staff. Every day another member of the household was invited as Ned believed that a lord should connect to his people and know their problems and stories. Arya feels very alone.

As she wants to leave Septa Mordane calls her out and tells her that she should eat all of her meal but Arya runs out and into her bedchamber where she locks the door. She takes Needle out and remembers Mycah, her friend who was killed by the hound. She thinks that is was her fault, when Septa Mordane hammers on the door, but Arya ignores her demands.

When her father knocks at the door she lets him in. Instantly he takes the sword and a good look at it. He asks if Mikken – his own smith – made it and she nods, but she does not betray Jon and tell her father that he gave if to her. Eddard does not push the matter but makes clear that a sword is not a toy and that the Septa’s duty is to make a lady out of the girls – an impossible task as he admits. He speaks abut his brother an sister and how Arya reminds him on Lyanna. Arya is in disbelieve because Lyanna was called a beauty – and she does not think to be beautiful.

Then Arya bursts into tears about Mycah’s fate and her father comforts her and tells her that it was not her fault. When she claims that Sansa and Joffrey lied Ned tells her that all people lie and even her as he knows that Nymeria did not leave her willingly. She confesses that Jory and her had to throw rocks and tell her that she should seek a new pack.

Ned tells her that a family – as a pack of wolves – has to support each other as dire times are coming up and the place is dangerous. She promises that she will try to begin growing up and is truly surprised when she gets her sword back. On the next day she even manages to apologize to the Septa.

Three days later she is summoned to the small hall and is introduced to a man called Syrio Forel from Myr or Braavos who tells her that he is her dancing master. He gives her a heavy training sword and tells her to take it in one hand. He notices that she uses the left hand and comments that that will benefit her, as her enemies may have problems fighting her. Then they start the training as Forel will teach her the water dance of Braavos (in comparison to the iron dance of westeros).

Thoughts

• Eddard is in fact a great leader of people, but clueless in politics. The thing with the extra-seat at the high table is a great way for a lord to connect to the staff (and stay in touch with real life). Also works in real life if you have to lead people (as a boss for example).
• “Let me tell you something about wolves, child. When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives. Summer is the time for squabbles. In winter, we must protect one another, keep each other warm, share our strengths. So if you must hate, Arya, hate those who would truly do us harm. Septa Mordane is a good woman, and Sansa . . . Sansa is your sister. You may be as different as the sun and the moon, but the same blood flows through both your hearts. You need her, as she needs you . . . and I need both of you, gods help me.”
  What a great speech of the not too outspoken Ned. And well done as Arya feels how serious he is and that he speaks to her not in a father-daughter way but takes her (nearly) as an equal.
• Nine years Syrio Forel was first sword to the Sealord of Braavos, he knows these things.
  What IS the first sword? Do we know that.
• It was the third time he had called her “boy.” “I’m a girl,” Arya objected.“Boy, girl,” Syrio Forel said. “You are a sword, that is all.”
  Forel is awesome. Point.
• Book vs. Series:
  Forel is described as bold with a “beak of a nose”. Torally different from the casting (curly hair and nice looking) in the series. I have no problem to see again “my” Forel as he looks totally different.

Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons – Link

AGOT 17 – Bran III

There were shadows all around them. One shadow was dark as ash, with the terrible face of a hound. Another was armored like the sun, golden and beautiful. Over them both loomed a giant in armor made of stone, but when he opened his visor, there was nothing inside but darkness and thick black blood.

AGOT 17 – BRAN III (GRRM)

POV character
Brandon Stark 3

Chapter (AGOT)
18 / 73

Chapter (ASOIAF)
18 / 344

Summary

Bran is still in coma and dreaming. He is falling an endless fall and a crow, with three eyes, tells him to fly and not cry,because if he hits the ground he will die. Bran is still falling and the speed increases.

He looks down and is closer to the floor as ever. But he also can see anybody in the realm. He focuses on Winterfell and can see his brothers and Maester Luwin and the great white weirwod in the godswood, that also looks at him.

He looks and sees his mother and sisters and his father at different locations. He also sees threats and even looks to Essos and Ashai, sees his brother Jon seemingly dying and looks much farther north and even into the heart of winter. This shocks him so much, that he cries. The crow says that he now knows why he has to survive – Because Winter is coming.

When Bran sees that he will be crushed if he does not fly, he opens his arms and flies. The feeling is great, but the crow pecks at his forehead. In this instance he wakes up, terrifying a serving girl who runs out screaming.

Bran’s forehead, where the crow pecked, still hurts. When he tries to stand up, nothing happens. Then his wolf leaps on his legs, that have no feeling. But Bran only sees the sunlight-yellow eyes and wonders why his pup is so big. In the moment Robb enters the room breathless Bran states that the wolf’s name should be Summer.

Thoughts

• He could see the whole realm, and everyone in it.
  He seems to have some clairvoyance already in this sequence.
• I have the feeling this chapter would have been the blueprint for the “5 year gap” that GRRM had intended after ASOS. Because in short paragraphs Bran sees different situations, but the reader learns (for example) that Catelyn already reached Whiteharbour and boarded a ship and what others are doing. It could have worked, what a pity that GRRm lost himself in his story-lines and produced the monster of a book that AFFC/ADWD is combined.I would have loved to have ASoIaF with “Only” the POVs of book 1 (maybe also book 2).
• Look at the quote I chose – is this giant of stone with no face “Robert Strong”? I am surely (again) very late to find that tidbit…
• […], to the fabled lands of the Jade Sea, to Asshai by the Shadow, where dragons stirred beneath the sunrise
  Does this mean he already sees dragons or he expects them to hatch?
• Finally he looked north. He saw the Wall shining like blue crystal, and his bastard brother Jon sleeping alone in a cold bed, his skin growing pale and hard as the memory of all warmth fled from him.
  He sees the finale of ADWD! I have the feeling this chapters hides quite a bit of the things we might have to expect (although lots of the stuff already can be pointed out).
• He saw the bones of a thousand other dreamers impaled upon their points.
  The crow seems to have visited comatose people (or dreamers) and looks if their third eye can be opened. Lots of them died (and never woke up).
• One funny thing I am wondering at the moment: Crows and ravens are very different birds. And Bran always sees the three eyed crow, and we learn that this entity in fact also is Bloodraven. Why didn’t GRRM take a raven from the beginning – in the series it IS a raven and not a crow. You could argue that Bloodraven was in fact also a crow as the members of the nightswatch are also called like that. But still – the confusion crow vs. raven is something that could have been avoided.

http://www.cgpgrey.com, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons – Link

AGOT 14 – Catelyn III

The wolf was looking at her. Its jaws were red and wet and its eyes glowed golden in the dark room. It was Bran’s wolf, she realized. Of course it was. “Thank you,” Catelyn whispered, her voice faint and tiny. She lifted her hand, trembling. The wolf padded closer, sniffed at her fingers, then licked at the blood with a wet rough tongue. When it had cleaned all the blood off her hand, it turned away silently and jumped up on Bran’s bed and lay down beside him. Catelyn began to laugh hysterically.

AGOT 14 – CATELYN III (GRRM)

POV character
Catelyn Stark 3

Chapter (AGOT)
15 / 73

Chapter (ASOIAF)
15 / 344

Summary

Catelyn has been on Bran’s side since the fall. She is not able to sleep or to leave the room out of fear he could die. In fact she did not even say properly good bye to her husband and daughters. Maester Luwin comes to speak about administrative tasks and she is not able to appoint a new steward or captain of guards or even master of horse. Robb comes into the room and dismisses Luwin with the remark, that he will name the candidates.

When alone with his mother Robb urges her to be brave for all of them and leave the room. He tells her, that he needs her assistance and counsel and even more – the little Rickon needs his mother. He assures her that Bran will not die and therefore does not need her permanent attendance. Suddenly the wolves and dogs start to howl and bark – a fire broke out in the library tower. Robb orders her to stay and leaves.

An assassin sneaks into the room, talking about mercy and turning on Bran. Catelyn wrangles with the unknown man, pushing the valyrian steel knive away with bare hands and biting him. A wolf runs into the room and kills the assassin with a single bite – it is Bran’s wolf. The guards find her laughing manically and the wolf lying on Bran’s bed beside him. They tend to her wounds and bring her to bed where she sleeps for four days.

She gets ahold of herself and is ashamed of her behavior. Robb and others arrive and tell her, that nobody knew the man, but he came with the king. They decide that he was one of the king’s men or at least a Lannister and hid in the stables. She tells them, that Bran was the target but they do not believe in the first place. She points out, that Bran might have witnessed something and therefore more killers could come.

As Bran’s state is unchanged Robb orders four men to watch over him day and night. Catelyn insists to let the wolf where he is, as he saved the boy. Catelyn then tells all present to swear an oath and afterwards tells them about Lysa’s suspicion. She adds that she thinks Jaime – who was not attending the hunt – might have thrown Bran from the tower. Nobody believes it, but all become suspicious.

Catelyn decides that someone has to go to Kingslanding, and that it would be her, as Robb has to stay in Winterfell. Ser Rodrick offers to accompany and protect her and she agrees. She plans to go to Whiteharbour and via sea to even be faster than Eddard.

Thoughts

• On one hand I understand that Catelyn is nurturing a severe depression here, but the attitude is (while realistic) very hard to read in a heroic fantasy (and we still thought we are in one, when reading that the first time 😉 In the end: Catelyn did (in the books) a total 180 when first she is very weak and becomes harder and harder – until she is stone-cold…
• I find it strange that they make the totally right accusation: Jaime was the one that pushed Bran. But I (again) wonder why they never thought about the WHY. What might be so important, that Bran should not have seen it. They do not even think on more mundane things like killing the king (something Jaime already DID and something that – as a white cloak – would be a scandal). This bothers me somehow.

Auckland Museum, CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons – Link

AGOT 10 – Jon II

Suddenly she looked like she was going to cry. “I wish you were coming with us.” – “Different roads sometimes lead to the same castle. Who knows?” He was feeling better now. He was not going to let himself be sad.

AGOT 10 – JON II (GRRM)

POV character
Jon Snow 2

Chapter (AGOT)
11 / 73

Chapter (ASOIAF)
11 / 344

Summary

Jon comes to Bran’s sick-bed to say farewell to his (still comatose) brother. Lady Stark is at the boy’s side since the incident. She is very dismissive, but Jon stands his ground and insists as he says his good-byes.

Bran is all skin and bones and incredibly weak. Jon tells the boy that he will leave and everybody hopes that he will wake up. The unnamed wolf is howling outside and Catelyn suddenly tells Jon, that she did not wanted Bran to go south and prayed multiple times to her gods. Sometimes – she says – the gods answer the prayers. Jon ensures her, that it was not her fault and she – directly – changes her attitude to Jon and is aggressive again, even saying that Jon should be in Bran’s position, before she starts crying – a totally new sight to Jon.

Jon meets Robb in the yard, they talk about the difficulty of departures and about Lady Catelyn. Then they say good bye, before Jon is on his way to a last goodbye. He finds Arya and her wolf Nymeria in Arya’s chamber packing the clothes in a chest. She is happy that Jon visits her, because Septa Mordaine ordered her to stay inside and pack her clothes properly.

Jon gives Arya a very delicate sword as a present. He tells her, that the fighters in Bravos and Myr use such swords and he had asked the smith to make it for her. He reminds her, that it will not cut of an opponents head, but it is still sharp and could poke severe wounds.

Jon tells his half-sister, that she should train every day, but she is afraid that the Septa will take it away and that she does not have a sparring-partner. He assures that the Septa will not find out and that she will find a chance to train and improve. In the end he tells her that – as all good swords – also this has a very special name and that it is named after her “most favorite” thing. She is first puzzled until she detects the irony: the sword was called “Needle”.

Thoughts

• I always thought that Catelyn is especially hard to Jon. On the other hand – maybe the better thing would have been to tell her about Jon’s history (whatever it is). Even Benjen (as pointed out in Jon I) seems to now something. This and her southern upbringing, together with the Tully’s words (Family, Duty, Honor) seem to be the biggest obstacles here.
• I find it really good, that GRRM here shows how difficult it is to keep a comatose person alive. They have to feed Bran watered honey, because all other suff he can not eat and still he gets weaker and weaker.
• Giving a very sharp and deadly weapon to an eight-year old girl seems to be very strange, but in this society it might be ok.
• Book vs. show:
  • Not much to say here as I already covered the Stark kids and family.

Metropolitan Museum of Art, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons – Link

AGOT 09 – Tyrion I

There was very little that Jaime took seriously. Tyrion knew that about his brother, and forgave it. During all the terrible long years of his childhood, only Jaime had ever shown him the smallest measure of affection or respect, and for that Tyrion was willing to forgive him most anything.

AGOT 09 – TYRION I (GRRM)

POV character
Tyrion Lannister 1

Chapter (AGOT)
10 / 73

Chapter (ASOIAF)
10 / 344

Summary

Tyrion is reading in the library of Winterfell when a wolf starts to howl. He has read the whole night and leaves now for breakfast, not without telling the septon Chayle that some of the books here are very rare.

In the yard Sandor Clegane and prince Joffrey talk about the dying boy and how his wolf howls the whole time. They muse if Sandor should kill the beast as Tyrion comes as a voice of reason. Sandor mocks Tyrion who tells Joffrey that he should pay respect to the Lord and Lady Stark as his absence was already noted. Joffrey denies cheekily and that earns him two slaps in the face by his uncle. Tyrion is not afraid when Joffrey says he will tells his mother and orders him to obey his orders immediately.

Sandor Clegane – a fighter called “the Hound” – states that the prince will not forget what happened but Tyrion tales that lightly. He asks where his brother might be and learns that Jaime is taking breakfast with the queen and her children. At the breakfast they tell Tyrion that Robert was awake the whole night with Eddard, waking at the bed of the fallen boy.

Prince Tommen – a nice and sweet boy – asks if Tyrion has news about Bran and that he wishes that Bran does not die. Tyrion tells him that the maesters do not see any change – in this circumstance a good sign, because the state of Bran did not change for four days now. Tyrion spots a small glance between Jaime and Cersei as the queen seems to be a little bit shocked. She explains that by stating that death would be a mercy and the gods of north are cruel.

Tyrion is asked by princess Myrcella if Bran will get better but has to tell her, that Bran’s back is broken and he will not be able to walk again – even if he wakes up. But not even the maesters know if he will wake up. Tyrion is sure that some connection with his wolf helps the boy or even hold him alive and Cersei says that the beasts are unnatural.

Cersei and Jaime tell Tyrion that they will soon leave Winterfell for the south. Tyrion makes clear that he will go north to take a look at the wall. Jaime mocks him and asks if he wants to take the black, but both laugh at the idea of celibacy. Tyrion says that he only wants to stand on top of the wall and piss off the edge of the world.

Jaime also explains to Tyrion how death would be a mercy for Bran and that Robert should command Eddard to leave instantly. Tyrion disagrees and wonders what the boy might have seen. Jaime gives him a strange look and wonders if Tyrion is on the “right” side.

Thoughts

• The queen shuddered. “There is something unnatural about those animals,” she said. “They are dangerous. I will not have any of them coming south with us.” Jaime said, “You’ll have a hard time stopping them, sister. They follow those girls everywhere.”
  Nicely foreshadowed that she will take the first chance to separate the girls and their animals.
• I really like how Tyrion (already) more or less knows or assumes what might have happened.
• Book vs. show: The Lannister siblings I did already cover – therefore not much to add on the difference between book and show.

Harini2102, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons – Link

AGOT 08 – Bran II

He raced across the godswood, taking the long way around to avoid the pool where the heart tree grew. The heart tree had always frightened him; trees ought not have eyes, Bran thought, or leaves that looked like hands.

AGOT 08 – BRAN II (GRRM)

POV character
Brandon Stark 2

Chapter (AGOT)
9 / 73

Chapter (ASOIAF)
9 / 344

Summary

A hunting party left the castle to hunt wild boars. Bran is bored as only the girls and little Rickon are left and he can not find Jon anywhere. Jon seems to be angry with anybody but Bran does not really care. He is thinking about all the stories about castles and knights he had heard from Old Nan. Especially the white armored knights of the Kingsguard are on his mind. Bran is not that impressed by the three members that accompanied the king – Ser Meryn, Ser Boros and Ser Jaime. Only the last one seems to be interesting for the boy, but his half-brother told him that he is special as he had killed the last king and therefore shouldn’t count anymore. Bran looks forward to meet the greatest living knight – Ser Barristan “The Bold” Selmy, at the moment Lord Commander of the white knights. Deep in his thoughts and sad Bran wanders through the castle to say his farewells, as the party – including Bran, his father and the girls – will leave on the morrow.

Bran has not named his wolf up until this moment and is undecided. But at a glance he chose to go to the broken tower, as this might be his last chance to climb it. When he starts the wolf howls and Bran rememebers his mother who is always afraid, although he assures her that he will not fall. Once hey tried to force him to stay on the ground, but he could not do it. In the end Eddard laughed and told him that he should take care that his mother does not see him.

His most favourite place is the broken tower – once hit by lightning and half ruined. Now it is abandoned, but Bran sees it as his secret lair. When he arives he suddenly hears two people talking – one male and one female. She insists that he should have been named Hand of the King, as Robert will surely take Stark’s advices. Then they talk about Lady Arryn and how she might know something and is now safe in her castle. They go on and talk how Joffrey should be king and how Robert does not love her and still loves Lyanna Stark. Bran now realizes that he should not hear that but in addition should know who is talking.

When peeking inside the window he sees a man and a woman having sex. as he recognizes the queen she suddenly notices him. She screams and Bran is shocked. Bran looses his grip and falls, only to grab the ledge in the last moment. When two faces look out of the window he also recognizes the man – its Cerseis brother Jaime. Jaime first helps Bran, only to push him out of the window a moment later. Bran falls – and his wolf howls.

Thoughts

• The quote I chose is nice – because Bran (who will eventually learn to look through the eyes of the trees) does not dare to look at them – maybe because of some strange “feedback-loop”-effect (like if you look into multiple mirrors).
• And he knew you could get inside the inner wall by the south gate, climb three floors and run all the way around Winterfell through a narrow tunnel in the stone, and then come out on ground level at the north gate, with a hundred feet of wall looming over you.
  It is significant, that especially Bran knows about all the secret passages in Winterfell.
• The whole chapter is significant for the story as everything changes suddenly. In my first read I was severely shocked by all the revelations in this chapter and Jaime’s action. In retrospect: Beatiful written – the stackes got higher and higher.
• Book vs. show: I think this was at the end of episode 1 or 2. I remember my wife was shocked, and I only grinned.

DeFacto, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons – Link

AGOT 07 – Arya I

“A shade more exhausting than needlework,” Jon observed. “A shade more fun than needlework,” Arya gave back at him. Jon grinned, reached over, and messed up her hair. Arya flushed. They had always been close.

AGOT 07 – ARYA I (GRRM)

POV character
Arya Stark 1

Chapter (AGOT)
8 / 73

Chapter (ASOIAF)
8 / 344

Summary

Arya Stark is tought how to stitch by a Septa. With her together are the other girls – her sister Sansa, her sisters’s friends Jayne Poole and Beth Cassel as well as princess Myrcella. Arya hates all the “girl stuff” and is not very good at stitching. She is also not interested in the girlish chatter of the others and their main topic: Prince Joffrey and his relation to Sansa.

Septa Mordaine inspects Arya’s work and is not satisfied. The girl is sad and feels treated unfair as her older sister “gets everything” and leaves (without proper permission). She thinks about her sisters beauty and how she has the Stark traits and “a long face” – that lead Jeyne to name her “Arya Horseface”. The only things Arya is better with is riding and calculations.

Outside she meets her wolf pup Nymeria, who loves her. The name was a scandal, but she does not care. Sansa has named her wolf “Lady”. Aray decides to watch the boys at their sword-training and together with Nymeria she runs to a good observation place only to find Jon and Ghost also there. He mocks her a little bit, but invited her to join. She is disappointed because she wanted to see Robb defeat Joffrey and now the smaller boys are training. Jon – the brother she always felt closest to and the only one that also has Stark features like she has – is not allowed to train with the others, because “Bastards are not allowed to damage young princes”.

Arya and Jon talk and it becomes clear, that she is much mor interested in swordwork than the “fine crafts”. She thinks she could defeat Tommen (and Bran), but Jon states that she is too skinny. They recognize that Joffrey does wear the king’s colors (Baratheon) as well as the queens (former) colors: the lion of Lannister. Jon does not think that that is appropriate.

After Bran defeated prince Tommen, the master-at-arms – Ser Rodrik Cassel – invites Robb and Joffrey to another round. Joffrey (a little shit according to Jon) suggests to use “true steel” but Ser Rodrick does not agree. He proposes to use tourney swords with blunted edges. That leads to a man named Clegane to interfere. Clegane mocks Cassel and in addition to that Robb to be childish. Joffrey leaves the court with his brother and tells Robb to fight him when he is “older” (and allowed to carry a proper sword). Robb is cursing furiously and has to be kept back by Theon Greyjoy.

Jon telly Arya that the show is now over and she should run back to her room as Septa Mordane’s penance will be worse the longer she looks for her. When Arya comes back to her room it is worse already because besides the septa also her mother is waiting there for her.

Thoughts

• “She [Nymeria] had yellow eyes. When they caught the sunlight, they gleamed like two golden coins.”
  Isn’t there something with two coins when Arya is at Braavos learning to be a faceless man? I have the strange feeling there is something in that context.
• You’ll be sewing all through winter. When the spring thaw comes, they will find your body with a needle still locked tight between your frozen fingers.
  Nice quote – lots of theories.
• It really is shown what a little prick Joffrey is (and how this is supported by his environment – in this case Sandor Clegane). I would have loved if there (ever) had been a proper fight Robb vs. Joffrey, but as far as I remember (at the moment) that never happened (I will come back to this statement as soon I found out if I had been wrong).
• Book vs. show:
  The kids (as already written) are much older in the show. Book-Arya is also described much more “Stark-like” (the whole family-likeness-stuff was very much omitted in the show as Sansa has red hair, but Robb and Rickon not really).
  Sandor Clegane is hard to separate, as he was cast very well and the make-up was also great. I know that his face is described much more destroyed in the books, but on the other hand: the show delivered a very realistic look here.
  Rodrick Cassel – my mental image of him always resembled “Mr. Gibbs” of Pirates of the Carribean (Kevin R. McNally) – so I never really had problems to separate series and books.

Sword fight at Beaumaris Castle by Richard Hoare, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons – Link

AGOT 06 – Catelyn II

“My father went south once, to answer the summons of a king. He never came home again.” – “A different time,” Maester Luwin said. “A different king.”

AGOT 06 – CATELYN II (GRRM)

POV character
Catelyn Stark 2

Chapter (AGOT)
7 / 73

Chapter (ASOIAF)
7 / 344

Summary

Catelyn and Eddard discuss Robert’s offer to be Hand and marry Sansa to Joffrey in her chamber. Eddard wants to refuse, but Catelyn (still impacted by the dead direwolf, killed by a stag) argues in favor of it. In fact she says that Eddard must take the position to keep House Stark safe. Eddard remarks that he knows Robert and he would not harm his family. Catelyn answers that he knew Robert but doesn’t know the king. Their argument ends when Eddard reminds bitterly that he should not be in this position as his older brother Brandon should have been Lord of Winterfell, with Catelyn at his side and making difficult decisions.

Maester Luwin interrupts them. He received a message within a hidden compartment of a box. He believes that somebody in the king’s party delivered it. The letter is not for Luwin nor for Eddard, but Catelyn. Catelyn reads the letter her sister Lysa sent. It is encryptet but Catelyn is still able to read the secret language she and her sister used as children. She orders Luwin to stay as she knows that they will need his advice.

After making fire and burning the letter she tells them of the content. Lysa wrote that her husband Jon Arryn was murdered by the queen – at the very least another Lannister. Eddard is in disbelieve, but Catelyn is convinced that it is true. Catelyn and Luwin argue with Ned, that he now has to take the position Robert offers him to find the truth, bring justice and protect Lady Arryn and her son. Eddard curses the two others.

Eddard orders Catelyn to stay in Winterfell with his heir Robb. She has to rule the north in his (and Robbs) name until he returns and/or Robb is ready. He tells her to teach Robb how to rule. He also decides that all children except Robb and the small Rickon will come with him. She understands with the girls, but Bran he does not want to send away. But Ned wants Bran to befriend the princes – all for the safety of House Stark.

Jon Snow and his future is brought up. Catelyn remembers how her newly wed husband returned home with the baby. And how hard it was for her. Ned would have let him stay, but Catelyn insist that he leaves as he is “your son, not mine.” Ned says that he can not take him south as there is no place on court for him. Luwin reveals that Benjen came to him and told him that Jon considered to take the black. Catelyn cheers silently because of this solution, Eddard is hesitant as he also thinks Jon might be too young. On the other hand is the nightswatch an organisation with great honor (if you go there voluntarily) and even a bastard can rise the ranks there. In addition it is perfect in Catelyns eyes as Jon will not be allowed to father children that could claim Winterfell once.

In the end Eddard agrees and states that he will talk to Jon.

Thoughts

• Oh my, at APOIAF this is one of the chapters that is mentioned very often. Why? Because of Catelyn’s aching loins. As somebody else once put it “…the delivery and banter can get quite base at times” (and that is exactly why I love the people of House Manwoody!).
• I have read Dune in the meantime – mentats and maesters – I see were your inspiration comes from GRRM.
• Eddard is totally right, that he will not come back…
• Ned brought his bastard home with him, and called him “son” for all the north to see.
  “Promise me” – a thought comes up – maybe the promise was as simple as “raise him as your son, promise me Ned” Because that would include all of what we suspect he promised. But long discussions with a dying woman are also strange. Therefore this simple sentence would be enough.
• The Lady Ashara Dayne, tall and fair, with haunting violet eyes.
  A convenient cover if the boy would ever show LILAC eyes??
• Book vs. show: One thing that is easily separated are the visuals. Although the locations they used at the show were great, the grandness and possibilities you have in your imagination is unmatched. Alone the description how Winterfell is heated and the stuff with the glasshouse and the hot pools – all of that paints a great image in my mind, that I am sure is not from the series, and (i know) that will be even more as soon as the walls and the towers and all of that is described.

Julian Gaiarre, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons – Link

AGOT 05 – Jon I

“I don’t even know who my mother was,” Jon said. “Some woman, no doubt. Most of them are.” He favored Jon with a rueful grin.

AGOT 05 – JON I (GRRM)

POV character
Jon Snow 1

Chapter (AGOT)
6 / 73

Chapter (ASOIAF)
6 / 344

Summary

Jon Snow is drinking his way through the welcoming feast. He is not seated with his siblings, who have a table beneath the high table that hosts Lord and Lady Stark as well as king and queen. Jon sits at the other side of the hall next to the squires, but (this time) he is not angry as he can drink and eat as much as he wants here, without any parental control.

He remembers the royal family parading through the hall with theirs hosts. He thinks about the beatiful queeen with her false smile next to Eddard, the disappointing king (a fat drunkyard and not a formidable fierce warrior) with Lady Stark, princess Myrcella that made a slightly dumb impression in his eyes on his half-brother Robb’s arm. After them came his half-sister Arya with the plump Prince Tommen and afterwards Sansa and crown-prince Joffrey, who is his mother’s likeness. Joffrey – although two years younger than Robb and Jon – is taller than him, a fact he does not like.

But more interested him the pair of men that came after the Stark and royal families: the Lannister brothers – the lion and the imp. The first – Jaime – is queen Cerseis twin brother and equally shiny and beautiful, her male likeness. Jon also thinks about both monikers of Jaime: publicly he is called Lion of Casterly Rock, but behind his back everybody mutters “Kingslayer”. All in all: Jon is impressed as Jaime looks as a true king in his eyes. The second Lannister brother is the total opposite of his siblings. Tyrion is a dwarf, with crooked legs and a too large head for his body. In addition he has one black and one green eye and hair that seems nearly white.

The last of the high lords that entered are Benjen Stark – now a commander of the Nightswatch – and Theon Greyjoy, Lord Stark’s ward (in fact a highborn hostage). The meal goes on and Jon secretly feeds his white direwolf pup, that got the name Ghost. Uncle Benjen visits Jon at his table to ask about the wolf and how much he already had of the wine. They start to talk about Ghost and why Jon is not seated with his siblings (Lady Stark decided this).

They talk about the fact that Eddard Stark does not seem to be in a good mood and Jon thinks on how a bastard has to be attentive to detect small changes in mood and situation. Jon mentions the fury in the queen’s eyes and knows why she is angry: Because Robert and Eddard went to the crypts. Benjen is impressed by his insight and offers Jon that he could join the Nightswatch at “the Wall”. Jon begs Benjen immediately to take him with him, Benjen is hesitant.

Jon presses the matter and states he is old enough and “The young dragon” conquered Dorne in his age. But Benjen is not convinced as the Young Dragon’s campaign was not a lasting success. Again Jon states that he wants to join the nightswatch as he thinks that he might not gain another place in the world. In the existing feudal system a bastard can hardly become a lord of his own, even as a liege of a high lord. Benjen denies again as he thinks that a 14 year old boy should first “father a few bastards” before taking a vow of chastity. Jon is very angry and swears to never father a bastard. He shouts very loud and excuses himself and leaves – now realizing how drunk he is.

Outside in the yard he meets Tyrion Lannister who is interested in Ghost. They start to talk and Tyrion jumps artistically down from the small wall he is sitting on. Tyrion introduces himself to Jon and asks if he is Ned’s bastard, declaring that “Dwarfs don’t have to be tactful”. Jon is hesitant and admits stiffly that “Eddard Stark is my father”. Tyrion calls Jon accoring to his looks a truer Stark than his siblings, what pleases the boy. Tyrion counsels Jon that he should make a weakness his strength, but Jon is dismissive and says that Tyrion is no bastard and can not know. Tyrion explains that “All dwarfs are bastards in their father’s eyes.” and how his father hates him for the fact that his mother died birthing him. After their talk Tyrion goes back to the feast while Jon remains in the yard.

Thoughts

• One green eye and one black one peered out from under a lank fall of hair so blond it seemed white.
  Woah, I totally forgot Tyrion’s physical description – that hit me from the blind side! But memory returns: Isn’t there a theory that Tyrion is half-Targaryen, half Lannister (because Aegon raped Lady Lannister and that was the cause why Tywin resigned as hand?)
  My bet: Yes, sure – the black eye is probably very dark lilac, the hair white not blonde! When we think about GRRMs first plan to stay true to the POVs of book 1 – then all fits, and we have our three heads of the dragon already very clear: the hidden one (J), the half-one (T) and the crazy one (D) – just kidding – the prominent one (D). And that makes young Griff this generation’s Blackfyre-contender.
• His uncle was sharp-featured and gaunt as a mountain crag, but there was always a hint of laughter in his blue-grey eyes.
  A Stark with humor? A rare sight.
• “I am almost a man grown,” Jon protested. “I will turn fifteen on my next name day, and Maester Luwin says bastards grow up faster than other children.”“That’s true enough,” Benjen said with a downward twist of his mouth.
  Why does Benjen’s mouth have a “downward” twist? Is he disagreeing with Maester Luwin? If not, does he know that Jon is not a bastard and therefore will not grow up faster? One word – lots of possibilities.
• I learned long ago that it is considered rude to vomit on your brother.
  GRRM always gives Tyrion the best lines 😉 witty and snarky and fun. Only Genna Lannister is similar.
• After the discussion between Jon and Tyrion it would be quite ironic if in the end Jon is in fact not a bastard and Tyrion is (as also Benjen might think)…
• When he opened the door, the light from within threw his shadow clear across the yard, and for just a moment Tyrion Lannister stood tall as a king
  Is this the foreshadowing of King Tyrion? I know that lots and lots of theories are based on that sentence – maybe we will find out one day.
  I add here: There is a possibility that he in fact is the eldest living son of King Aegon the crazy one. If this is true his claim is at least as good as Jon’s (son of last king vs. son of last crown prince) and better than Dany’s (assuming that male heirs inherit first – but even if not, Jon AND Tyrion are older than Daenerys). But she has dragons. Okok, I know aSoIaF is the war of roses on steroids, but I never saw that GRRM laid out the groundwork clear in chapter 6 of 344 so that anybody who wants to find it can find it. IN the end we might say: it has been always clear in front of us.
• Book vs. show:
  • Lena Heady and Nicolaj Coster-Waldau are a very good Lannister-couple, although they are not nearly identical (which is a little unrealistic anyway). But again (as with the Stark kids: In the show they are not as “golden” blonde as in the books)-
  • Show-Jaime is hard to forget – he fits good.
  • Show-Cersei is somewhat easier to distinguish from the books.
  • Tyrion is different in my head from the show and will always be – to different are physicality and description.
  • Tommen and Myrcella I honestly can not remember from the show – so that is easy.
  • Joffrey in my head always looks a little bit like Tom Felton’s Draco Malfoy (I read quite some Harry Potter the last years), the show-Joffrey was despicable and great, but the memory is murky, good.
  • The Stark kids will be covered another time. Benjen is still the image I had in my head (whoever that is) and not the guy from the show.
    

Vladislav Litvinov, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons – Link