This chapter opens with Tyrion awaking in the Stark library. Here we learn that the Starks have amassed quite a large collection including some rare scrolls and texts. As he leaves the library to get breakfast he encounters Sandor & Joffrey discussing Bran’s condition. Sandor seems eager or at the least to have little patience for Bran to die as we learn Bran is in a coma from his fall. Joffrey meanwhile seems to be more annoyed with the fact that Brans wolf howls at night and disturbs the princes sleep.
After being the butt of an ongoing joke from Sandor, which amuses the prince, Tyrion tells the prince he must go and offer his comfort to Lord and Lady Stark in light of the recent events. Joffrey argues and Tyrion slaps him a couple of times and then we assume Joffrey goes on his way to do as his uncle requested. Joffrey even looks like he is about to cry, but just nods before leaving.
We then the get the following exchange between Tyrion and Sandor.
The Hound: “The prince will remember that little lord.”
Tyrion: “I pray he does. If he forgets, be a good dog and remind him.”
It’s a small exchange but considering future events it seems to be something that Sandor has actually taken to heart. Later actions will show that Sandor Clegane actually takes steps and measures to curb Joffrey's more base nature, as we shall see in the scene with Sir Dontos, as he tries to indirectly influence him towards a more decent path.
This scene also serves to set up tyrion as a likable character. The author has established the Lannisters as the bad guys who are doing underhanded and disgraceful things, but Tyrion seems to be the exception to this rule.
This scene certainly goes a long way to setting that up as well as setting the tone going forward between Joffrey and Tyrion.
Tyrion then goes and joins his sister, brother, niece and other nephew at breakfast. Cersei is not pleased to see him join them and is somewhat cold to him. Again this begins to set the tone for the relationship between the two and the reader gets a sense of mutual disgust between the two that goes far beyond the normal sibling rivalry. In addition we also get a glimpse of the relationship between Jaime and Tyrion and that they are clearly on far better terms as opposed to his relationship with his sister.
Another direct juxtapose of mindsets is also displayed as Prince Tommen asks about how Bran is doing. This is actually a genuine concern about the boys well being as opposed to Joffrey and Sandor simply being annoyed with the situation. Tommen even states he doesn’t wish Bran to die.
Tyrion relates that the master believes Bran will live, which is news that make both Prince Tommen and Princess Marcella happy. Tyrion being observant notices a glance between Cersei and Jaime even though it only lasts a moment.
The supernatural link to the direwolves is eluded to as Tyrion notes when they closed the window to the room Bran was in the boy seemed to weaken, but when it was opened again the boys heart seemed to be stronger.
Queen Cersei states the wolves are unnatural and believes them to be dangerous and doesn’t want them going to King's Landing when they depart Winterfell.
The chapter ends with Tyrion revealing he plans on traveling to the Wall with Benjen and Jon Snow while the others return to the capital. But there are two passages that stand out to me at the end..
The first is the following exchange between Jaime and Tyrion regarding how Bran will have to live out the rest of his days should he awaken. Earlier in the conversation Tyrion noted the fall broke Bran’s back and shattered his legs and that if he wakes he will never walk again.
I think the following passage is a bit revealing on the part of Jaime.
Jaime: “Even if the boy does live, he will be a cripple. Worse than a cripple. A grotesque. Give me a good clean death.”
This passage heavily intones that Jamie may define his worth on his physical prowess and capabilities with his sword arm. After all a knight who can’t wield a blade or ride a horse may not be of much use in his line of work. We see him wrestling with these issues in A Storm of Swords when his sword hand is lost.
The last exchange between the two brothers stands out as well and may indicate a bit of differences in the mindsets.
Tyrion: “I hope the boy does wake. I would me most interested in what he has to say.”
Jaime: “Tyrion, my sweet brother, there are times when you give me cause to wonder whose side you are on.:
Tyrion: “Why, Jaime, my sweet brother, you wound me. You know how much I love my family.”
I think he does indeed have genuine affection for his brother, nieces and at least for his nephew Tommen. His ongoing issues with his sister, father and Joffrey are well noted, but I think Tyrion, being observant has a desire in some way to repair some of the damage done by his family’s reputation.
Clearly he is aware of the fact that Ned didn’t approve of how Lord Tywin took Kings Landing though trickery during Robert's Rebellion, Jaime’s reputation as a Kingslayer is another black mark upon the family’s reputation. While neither Cersei nor Joffrey have any black marks against them in the public eye, Tyrion knows exactly what type of people they truly are having had to endure the torments of his sister his entire life and as we shall see the cruelty of Joffrey.
It is in this that perhaps Tyrion seeks to in some way guide Joffrey back to being a more respectable person and thus sought to compel him to go to Ned and Catelyn and offer his sympathies and services. While it goes against Joff’s nature it’s obviously the nice and compassionate thing to do and Tyrion is well aware of this.
In doing so perhaps he seeks to in a way shape the future of his family so that in the event that something unfortunate does occur, people will recall more than just all of the underhanded, vile, dishonorable and prideful actions that his family name has come to be associated with.
In short while the Lannisters seek to attain power Tyrion seems to be attempting to offset the more ruthless and power hungry tactics the rest of the family employs by trying to ingratiate members of his family with other nobles and thus win them over as allies. In this setting where honor and loyalty is a recurring theme and something that many people judge others on, Tyrion is trying to repair the damage done by appealing to the humanistic sides of people in their hour of need.
Nobody can argue the wealth and power, both political and militaristic, of house Lannister. But if they are thought of as being ruthless and heartless in this pursuit as opposed to being trustworthy and noble players in the game of thrones then they will not find friends that are truly loyal to them, as opposed to being bought or blackmailed into obedience hard to come by.
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