Game of Thrones: Chapter 9: Tyrion AKA a Typical Lannister Breakfast

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.

Game of Thrones: Chapter 8: Bran AKA Things I do for love

This chapter opens with Bran reflecting that nearly everyone has gone off hunting and on the futures of the Stark family. He is excited for the opportunity to travel south and in many ways to live out his childhood dream of becoming a knight and perhaps even a member of the Kingsguard.

It’s likely that many of his dreams have been fueled by stories from Old Nan. He list off his heroes from the stories he has heard. Serwin of the Mirror Shield, Ser Ryam Redwyne, Prince Aemon the Dragonknight, the Twins Ser Erryk and Ser Arryk, the White Bull Gerold Hightower, Ser Arthur Dayne the Sword of the Morning and Barristan Selmy who is commonly referred to as Barristan the Bold are all brought to his memory.

This may offer some insight as to Bran’s aspirations for the future. He certainly sees himself as becoming a great knight and maybe even a member of the Kingsguard. In addition it may also offer some foreshadowing as we know the author likes to use this sort of thing as a literary tool.

So lets take a look at these heros of Bran and what themes and virtues young Bran may be aspiring to embody as a young boy.

Serwin of the Mirror shield slew a dragon and also saved a princess from giants. Ser Redwyne was notable in tournament victories. Ser Aemon was noted for not only his swordsmanship but also for his noble character. Ser Arryk and Ser Erryk were brothers who tragically ended up killing one another in a duel over a differences in a war over royal succession. Ser Hightower fell to Eddard Stark and several allies at the Tower of Joy during Robert’s Rebellion, but prior to doing so he demonstrated unwavering loyalty and courage in not fleeing when Ned showed up with allies and he and the rest of the Kingsguard who fell were outnumbered. Another knight who also died at the Tower of Joy and is an apparent hero to Bran is Ser Arthur Dayne who Brans dad had so much respect for he returned the fallen knights sword to his family after his defeat. Ser Arthur was also known for defeating the outlaw band the Kingswood Brotherhood by winning over the the small folk of the kingswood by addressing the grievances and bring them before the king.

So we can see the following themes embodied by Bran’s heroes: Facing the supernatural, courage, skill, dedication, nobility of character, loyalty, resolve, justice, a sense of duty, even sacrifice and willingness to die for what one believes in. In short many of the qualities in what one would consider a truly heroic knight.

We also learn a bit about the order. There are only seven members of the Kingsgurad and like the Night’s Watch they have no wives or children and are considered to be the finest swords in the land.

Bran even got to see a few of the Kingsguard who accompanied King Robert to Winterfell. Ser Boros, Ser Meryn, and Ser Jaime Lannister. However he notes that Ser Boros and Meryn don’t look like what he pictured as Kingsguard. He does think that Jamie seems to him what a member of that order should look like.

This is a nice reminder that Bran is still a young lad and perhaps a bit naive when it comes to judging books by their covers. His brother Rob even tells him that Jamie should not count as a Knight as he slew the Mad King and thus broke his vows as a member of the Kingsguard.

Further we also learn that Bran has yet to give his direwolf a name. We also learn the names of the other direwolves. Rob named his Grey Wind, Rikkon named his Shaggydog, which Bran thinks is a kind of stupid name.

Interestingly enough that that all the others have named their wolves, and if we assume that having named the wolf somewhat suggests that a foreshadowing of the corresponding Stark then this could suggest to the reader that the Brand’s future is uncertain.

Bran, after giving up on teaching his wolf to play fetch, decides to go for a climb up the weirwood tree in the godswood, across the castle and up the broken tower. Again we get a description of Winterfell and learn that it’s not all built on a level field. There are passages and gaps within the walls where he can pass through. Again if Martin based aspects of Winterfell of the Roman hypocaust systems then this explains these passages that are seemingly unused.

Bran recalls his father's comments that Bran is a squirrel when he was once found sleeping in a tree. This is in a sort of humorous way at foreshadowing events for Bran in A Dance with Dragons.

While on his climb of the broken tower he hears voices discussing the appointment of Ned as Hand of the King. From his vantage point Bran can only hear the two speaking and can’t tell whom it is. It turns out to be Jamie and Cersei Lannister and we get a bit of reflection from them on Roberts decision.

Essentially Cersei doesn't like the idea and wishes it was Jamie who was appointed to the position. Cersei seems concerned that Eddard is planning on making a move against the Lannisters.

Jamie, for his part doesn't want the job citing it would be too much work and to be fair as a Knight and member of the Kingsguard it’s not really his area of expertise.However he is glad that Robert named an honorable man as opposed to someone who is more ambitious like either of the king's brothers or Littlefinger.  

This provides some insight to the mentality of Jamie and is also one of those sentences that can be taken in multiple ways. Lets get the full quote:

Jaime Lannister: "We ought to count ourselves fortunate", the man said "The King might have as easily named one of his brothers, or even Littlefinger, gods help us. Give me honorable enemies rather than ambitious ones, and I'll sleep more easily at night."

Now this could imply that Jamie is grateful to have someone of honor as the Hand of the King, who will at least be trustworthy and do the honorable thing instead of be more deceitful and cunning in instances where they don't agree. On the other hand it could also mean that as Ned is honorable he will be much easier to predict and manipulate as his honor will prevent him from using underhanded and less than noble tactics. Or perhaps he means both.

The conversation then turns to Lysa Arryn and they seemed concerned that she may have been told something that her late husband may have learned. Further she is concerned that as Lysa has fled to the safety of the Vale with her child she may be emboldened to reveal what secrets her late husband may have shared with her. Cersei goes as far to state that her silence would have been ensured had her son been fostered at Casterly Rock as a sort of hostage.

Bran decides that he needs to see the people speaking and moves along his climb to get a better view. It’s at that time when he witnesses Jamie and Cersei beginning to commit incest. (Or Twincest as it’s become commonly referred to.)

Bran slips but catches himself. Jamie pulls him up preventing him from falling to the ground. After pulling Bran up and asking his age Jamie says with loathing:

Jaime: “The things I do for love.”

And then shoves Bran back out the window, who falls to the ground below.

Clearly from the beginning the writer is establishing the Lannisters as the loathsome family that is to be seen as the villains of the tale. From a literary standpoint this is a nice method to hook the reader into the story. Ned's disgust with them and referring to them as an “infestation”, the mysterious message from Catelyn’s sister, Joffrey actions in the practice yard, and finally Jaime and Cersei not only plotting in secret but cuckolding the king and partaking of incest. This clearly is the family to hate.. Well perhaps with the exception of Tyrion, who is the next POV character in the next chapter.

Fun fact the first 8 Italicised words of this chapter provide the following "Stay on ground level, that best you listen.” While it’s unlikely the author intended this it is sort of funny that this is the sort of advice Brans mother wanted him to follow.

Game of Thrones: Chapter 6: Catelyn & A long look at Winterfell

This chapter starts off with Ned and Catelyn just finishing lovemaking. In this Catelyn has some thoughts and provides us a description of Winterfell and how it was built over hot springs.

Essentially it uses hot springs as geothermal energy in lieu of an actual forced water and heating element. I think George R. R. Martin may have been inspired by the Roman hypocaust system in the design of Winterfell.

Now this is a very unique solution to the long winters that happen in the world of Ice and Fire. But it also presents some direct problems.

First the North is HUGE! It’s almost as big as the rest of the 7 kingdoms combined.

Now usually castles were built in locations that were of strategic importance. So if you aren’t building your castle in a strategic location in favor of a prefered environment then you are gonna have to make up for that in some way or other. Luckily Winterfell had been built in a central location and was able to take advantage of the springs.

This isn’t a bad idea as it’s a seemingly constant source of heat that will ensure survival. Cultures throughout history have used geothermal resources for heating, cooking, preserving food, and bathing. All of which could be done without modifying the natural features.

But this also presents some problems as well..

Most modern geothermal power stations are built away from the source and water is pumped to a safe and stable place to process it. How are the Starks doing this with Winterfell? Perhaps everything is done far enough below the castle, under the crypts that this isn’t an issue.

If it’s not beneath the crypts then how would the Starks defend the castle from an invading army? They enemies could just cut off the source of heat by messing with the valve and/or piping system and watch the Starks freeze to death behind their walls.

Secondly, water and steam from the springs would be really hot and most likely would contain chemicals. Assuming the engineers who built Winterfell used metal, wood and stone they would have to have a knowledge of plumbing that the rest of the Seven Kingdoms doesn’t seem to have.

Another issue is how they are controlling the pressure? Perhaps Winterfell is built on something equivalent to Old Faithful and they lucked out in finding a rare spot that is predictable and stable. If that’s the case then they could manage it out. Otherwise they are gonna need to have built some sort of pressure control system to deal with the fluctuations that normally occur naturally.

Lastly lets say they do figure all of this out..

The book describes it thusly:

The castle had been built over a hot springs and the scalding waters rushed through its walls and chambers like blood through a man's body, driving chill from the stone halls, filling the glass gardens with moist warmth, keeping the earth from freezing. Open pools smoked day and night in a dozen small courtyards. That was a little thing in summer; in winter it was the difference between life and death.

So they got boiling water and steam going through the walls and all over the castle through the various walls and whatever systems they have in place..

While this addresses the environmental issues it also creates a massive risk from a defensive standpoint.. Let's say some force decides to lay siege to Winterfell and instead of using ladders to try to scale the walls they opt instead to fling a few boulders via catapults/trebuchets. Once they start punching holes in the walls that hot steam and boiling hot water is gonna start pouring out of the castle. Now maybe it is designed that the water starts pouring towards the outside.. That could aid in your defense making a sort of constant deterrent for anyone trying to get in.. But what happens if it punches all the way though and water starts spilling into the castle you are defending?

Regardless of how Winterfell actually works let's get back to the actual story..

We also learn that Ned and Catelyn have been married for 15 years. Ned decides to turn down Robert’s offer to become Hand of the King and a brief argument between him and Catelyn, who wants her husband to take the position ensues.

The conversation is interrupted by Maester Luwin, who informs them that a message was left for him. The message was hidden in a false bottom of a box containing a lens most likely from Myr. They assume it was someone who traveled with the King's party as no rider had come in the meantime.

The message was sent to Catelyn from her sister Lysa. She breaks the seal (Blue wax with the moon and falcon seal of House Arryn. Lysa and Catelyn had a secret language when they were kids and the message is coded. After reading it she lights a fire and tosses the message in. She tells Ned that it said Jon Arryn was murdered by the Lannisters, specifically the Queen.

Ned suggests that Lysa may have made a mistake, in her grief, but Catelyn is certain that her sister wouldn’t have gone to such lengths without justification. At this point Catelyn uses this as leverage to win the argument over Ned as to whether or not he should become the hand of the king.

Interestingly enough we see the main motivation and theme for Catelyn here in this line.

Catelyn’s heart went out to him but she knew she could not take him into her arms just then. First the victory must be won, for her children's sake.

Here we see that she is even willing to put her husband at risk in order to secure the future for her children. Her argument with Ned she was adamant that he would need to take the position to ensure the future of House Stark, especially if Prince Joffrey is to wed their daughter Sansa. In many ways this is perhaps insightful to the relationship between Ned and Catelyn where being right is more important than being happy.

Catelyn is convinced that this is the right course even though it will put many members of the family in danger, which Ned has no desire to be a part of.

Ned concedes but decides that Catelyn, Rob and young Rikkon are to remain at Winterfell. Catelyn is upset and doesn’t wish to let Bran go, but Ned insists. But it is the next part regarding the future of Jon Snow that seems to be of keen interest.

Ned had hoped that Jon could at some point become a bannerman for Rob, but as Catelyn would not hear of Jon staying in Winterfell it’s agreed that Jon may pursue his desire to join the Night’s Watch. In fact Catelyn is adamant that Jon not remain at Winterfell.

In this however we also get a glimpse from the point of view of Catelyn looking back to when she first came to Winterfell with her and Ned’s son Rob. While Catelyn wasn’t upset that Ned had fathered a bastard during the war she was upset that Ned had brought Jon and his wet nurse back to Winterfell and made it common knowledge that the boy was his son.

Catelyn did manage to get some details/rumors out of some of the servants. Essentially she found out the following:

• Ned defeated Ser Arthur Dayne - the Sword of the Morning - the deadliest knight in the Kingsguard, in single combat.  
• Ned returned the sword to the family at Starfall in Dorne (Southern part of the Seven Kingdoms)
• He was met there by the Lady Ahsara Dayne.

Now this angered Ned and Catelyn recalled being fearful of him, and she recalls the following:

“Never ask me about Jon,” he said cold as ice. “He is my blood and that is all you need to know. And now I will learn where you heard that name, my lady.”

It is notable that Ned says “He is of my blood” and not “He is my son.” Perhaps just a chance coincidence but one that bears keeping in mind.

Regardless Catelyn wins this argument and Ned consents to allow Jon to join the Night's Watch as bastards aren't welcome in the King's Court. Catelyn knows that when Jon joins the Night’s Watch that he will swear an oath to not sire children who she fears at some point could challenge Rob or his descendants for lordship of Winterfell.

Game of Thrones: Chapter 7: Arya & Middle Child Syndrome

This chapter starts off with Sansa and Arya doing needlework with Septa Mordane,Princess Myrcella, and a few others. Right from the beginning we start to see the differences between Arya and her older sister Sansa.

Sansa’s needlework was exquisite. Everyone said so. “Sansa’s work is as pretty as she is.” Septa Mordane told their lady mother once. “She has such fine, delicate hands.” When the Lady Catelyn asked about Arya, the septa had sniffed “Arya has the hands of a blacksmith.”

This not only serves to show some differences between the two, but also set the tone as well and foreshadow the fate of each of the Stark daughters. Sansa is destined to have more of a life in the royal court Arya is going to have a life that is more related to hard work and adventure. The differences become even more apparent when conversation moves to Jon and how Arya says he is their brother, and Sansa corrects her in that he is only a half brother. It shows Arya thinks of Jon as an equal while Sansa may not. It also shows that Sansa takes care to separate herself from those who would socially be considered beneath her station. While she isn’t outwardly mean about it she is adhering to the social norm.

This is also the first time we are introduced to Jayne Poole who will have a role that is also closely related to Sansa and Arya. More pointedly this is the first time we see Sansa and her social graces. Sansa carries herself well and deftly handles septa Mordane with words and tact while Arya becomes frustrated and runs from the room.

Arya being two years younger than Sansa notes that her older sister is better at her at nearly everything. In addition to being better she also notes that Sansa is very beautiful and takes after her mother's side with more classic Tully features, while Arya looks far more like the Stark side of the family. Arya notes that the only things she is more capable at is managing a household and riding a horse.

Perhaps the differences between the two are no more apparent than in the naming of the direwolves. Sansa named hers “Lady” while Arya named hers Nymeria. Funny enough this is a sort of foreshadowing in the names. Clearly Sansa has a more proper lady like destiny while Arya will end up traveling the world encountering trouble and dangers wherever she goes in much the same way Nymeria did when she lead her people away from Essos in search of a new home and eventually ended up in Westeros.

Eventually she finds Jon watching her brother and Prince Tommen spar in the practice yard. One thing she notes when speaking to Jon is that he is not allowed to practice against the Princes as he’s a bastard and not welcome. Perhaps it’s due to her closeness with Jon that she feels the world is unfair. In many ways Arya has a sense of progressiveness to her, that her sister seems to be lacking. She even argues that women are as important as men when Jon notes that Joffrey’s Coat of Arms has both the Stag of House Baratheon and the Lion of Lannister prominently displayed equally.

Jon suggests Arya should combine the sigils of Stark and Tully for her Coat of Arms and Arya says:

“A wolf with a fish in it’s mouth?”

Looks like it would be a cool Coat of Arms to me!

Funny enough later on in the story this actually happens as Nymeria pulls Catelyn from the River after the Red Wedding.

The scene continues with Bran defeating Tommen in the yard and Joffrey hurling insults at Robb in regards to not being able to use life steel blades in practice. While Robb is game the Master at Arms of Winterfell Ser Rodrik forbids it and Joffrey leaves while hurling a couple of insults at Robb and bruising his pride/ego. Notably this is also the first time we see Sandor Clegane and learn that he killed someone at the age of twelve.

This sets up the notion that Joffrey is not only spoiled but an ass. Jon even calls him a little shit.

The chapter ends with Arya returning to her quarters and finding not only Septa Mordane and her mother waiting for her.

I do like the way the chapter ended as I think most any reader can relate that sense of dread knowing you are in trouble when you were a kid and having to go home or to the principals office and face the music so to speak and having to see your parents.

Chapter 5: Jon

This is the first chapter from the point of view of Jon Snow and it starts off with Jon getting drunk at the welcoming feast for the royal family. Jon, who is only 14 years old, being a bastard is not seated with the Starks as it might be an offense to the nobles. Instead he is sitting with some squires and feeding his direwolf Ghost under the table.

The nobles and royal family apparently make a big procession entering into the hall and the scene does serve to give a bit of an idea on who is who.

There really isn’t a lot in this chapter in regards to the overall story with the exception of a conversation between Benjen and Jon, where Jon states he wants to join the NIght’s Watch.

Benjen tells Jon he needs to live a little more before joining and Jon, after a brief exchange with his uncle leaves. Outside he bumps into Tyrion Lannister and we get a quick exchange which also helps set up the relationship between Tyrion and his father.

Tyrion:“Never forget who you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it and it can never be used to hurt you.”

Jon: “What do you know about being a bastard”

Tyrion: “All dwarfs are bastards in their father’s eyes.”

Jon: “You are your mother’s trueborn son of Lannister.”

Tyrion: “Am I? Do tell my lord father. My mother died birthing me and he’s never been sure.”

At the end of the chapter we learn that Jon doesn't know who his mother is. So there seems to be a similar theme between Jon and Tyrion of not knowing their mothers, but for different reasons.

The whole chapter really sets up this conversation and brings the parentage and future of Jon Snow into the forefront of a reader's mind. But are we missing subtle clues here?

Lets take a look at his interaction with his uncle.  

Benjen Stark smiles warmly at Jon on the way into the hall. When Jon says he want’s to join the Night’s Watch he encourages Jon to live a little. Jon is a virgin and Benjen lets him know he would be giving up women for a life of service on The Wall. Benjen is also aware that Jon is really drunk and this most likely isn’t the best time for him to be making a BIG life decision. Benjen also points out that if Jon joins the Night’s Watch he will also be giving up any hope of having a family of his own. Jon states he doesn't care about that.

But the following exchange is also noteworthy.

Benjen: “You might if you knew what it meant. If you knew what the oath would cost you, you might be less eager to pay the price son.”

Jon: “I’m not your son!”

Benjen: “More’s the pity. Comeback to me after you've fathered a couple of bastards of your own, and we’ll see how you feel.”

“More’s the pity.” seems an odd thing for Benjen to say. Why should he care if Jon is his son or not? Even if it’s a figure of speech as using the word “son” could be used by an elder towards a youth in trying to provide guidance.

Certainly Benjen needs to get men for the Night's Watch. Ned even stated in a prior chapter that they are very short on men, but why would he be trying to dissuade Jon? Yes Jon is his nephew, and sure Jon is young and at the time drunk, but shouldn’t Benjen be recruiting everyone he can for the Wall? Is he just looking out for his nephew and not wanting him to toss his life away at the Wall or is there more to it?

Speaking of which why wasn’t Benjen trying to talk to Robert and getting some support for the watch from the crown? Surely he could easily get more support and men from the King. Perhaps he simply opted not to bring it up noticing the mood both his brother and the Queen were in. Jon certainly noticed they were not in good spirits. So perhaps he simply just wanted to escape the situation.

Regardless I think it’s more than coincidence.  

Chapter 4: Eddard AKA Discussions in the Crypts of Winterfel

This chapter opens with Ned greeting the King, his family and the rest of the royal entourage being welcomed to Winterfell by Lord Stark. Almost immediately upon arrival King Robert asks his longtime friend to take him down to the crypts to pay his respects to Lyanna Stark. Ned’s deceased sister and Roberts once betrothed. The Queen complains stating that everyone was weary from the road and paying respects can wait. Robert silences her with just a stare and he and Ned continue on down to the tombs. While this exchange is somewhat underplayed in the book it does subtly intone of the overall relationship between the King and Queen.

One thing of note is that the King has let himself go physically. He has gained a lot of weight and is not remotely even close to the fighting warrior he once was when he won the throne. Ned comments that his friend has always had enjoyed food, wine, and women. But he has never seen him in such a state. Ned notices he is breathing heavy from his climb down the stairs to the crypts below Winterfell.  

So the King went from this....

To this...

Here the author even describes the differences between Ned and Robert as well as giving the reader a clue as to the natures of the two men.

“Robert Baratheon had always been a man of huge appetites, a man who knew how to take his pleasures. That was not a charge anyone could lay at the door of Eddard Stark”.

So while the King may lust after women and drink in excess, Ned doesn't.

Wait… So if Ned doesn’t lust after other women then what's the story with Jon Snow his bastard son? OK lets for now just call that a one time indiscretion.

Regardless Ned and Robert enter the crypts and after passing the resting places of the former Kings of Winterfell they come to the tombs of Ned's father Rickard, his brother Brandon and his sister Lyanna. Robert laments her death and here we find that Ned was with Lysanna when she died.

“I was with her when she died.” Ned reminded the King. “She wanted to come home, to rest beside Brandon and Father.” He could hear her still at times. Promise me, she had cried, in a room that smelled of blood and roses, Promise me, Ned.” The fever had taken her strength and her voice had been faint as a whisper, but when he gave her his word, the fear had gone out of his sister’s eyes. Ned remembered the way she had smiled then, how tightly her fingers had clutched his as she gave up her hold on life, the rose petals spilling from her palm, dead and black. After that he remembered nothing. They had found him still holding her body, silent with grief. The little crannogman Howland Reed had taken her hand from his.

The above passage refers to Ned's final moments with his sister at the Tower of Joy at the end of Robert's Rebellion. Some things about this are extremely significant and help set the stage for the events currently unfolding in the story.

1. What was it that Ned promised his sister on her deathbed that was so important that once Ned gives his word she is able to die peacefully?
2. Aside from Howland Reed whom else was there and found Ned holding his sister? “They” had found  him still holding her body.

In addition this also begins the association of Lyanna with Roses. Here it’s rose petals in her hand. As I pointed out in my post “Backstory Pt 1”  Lyanna was also given a crown of flowers by Rhaegar Targaryen when she became the Queen of Love and Beauty at the tournament at Harrenhal.

Now I could go into a 10,000 word rant on some of the theories behind Ned's promise but I’ll go into more detail about that bit later on. For now lets keep things focused on the conversation between Ned and Robert.

After a moment the conversation turns to the death of the man who had both Ned and Robert as wards, Jon Arryn. Robert says a few interesting things on this matter:

Robert:I’ve never seen a man taken sicken so quickly.”

Robert: “The sickness was like a fire in his gut, it burned right through him.”

Also according to Robert this happens over the time of a fortnight. (1 Fortnight = 14 days)

When Ned asks how Catelyn’s sister Lysa Arryn is dealing with the death of her husband Robert says he thinks his death has driven the woman mad. He tells him she has fled back to the Eyrie back in the Veil. Ned suggests Lysa's maternal instincts may have made her overprotective and caused her to seek the safety of her home.

At this point we also learn that King Robert had planned on having the child of Lysa and Jon Arryn fostered at Casterly Rock by Tywin Lannister. Tywin had already agreed and stated that when Lysa fled King's Landing without so much as a goodbye it made his wife furious as it was an insult to her house and family.

Ned thinks that Lysa may simply thought the Lannisters not suitable and again the maternal instincts to protect her son most likely lead her to returning to her home. Ned offers to take the boy on as a ward but Robert won’t allow it as an agreement with Tywin Lannister is already in place and he doesn't wish to insult his father in law.

Now does this actually make any sense??

On the surface yes. It’s perfectly conceivable that a grief stricken Lysa, fearful that her only son would be stripped away from her abandoned her dead husband's body at the capital and fled back to the safety of the Eyrie.

Let's also keep in mind that Lysa and Catelyn are Tully’s from the Riverland and the words of House Tully are “Family, Duty, Honor”. So putting her family first does seem to make sense even over doing her duty to see funerary arrangements for her spouse.

The final things Robert and Ned discuss is for Ned to take Jon Arryn’s place as Hand of the King, and to wed Ned’s daughter Sansa Stark to Robert's son Prince Joffrey Baratheon. The chapter ends with Ned telling the King he needs a bit of time to consider the offers.

We will discuss the implications of this in future posts.