Game of Thrones: Chapter 16: Eddard AKA Truth & Justice?

This chapter opens with Eddard being told that Arya has been found by Jory after being missing for the last four days. Turns out both she and Mycah ran off after what happened at the Trident with Joffrey.

Arya was taken directly to the King once Jorry and her arrived. We also learn that they entire group has moved to the castle of Ser Raymun Darry who had actually fought against Robert in the rebellion. Tensions are running high as it’s just an unusual and uncomfortable situation.

But before going on lets take a closer look at House Darry and why tensions are so high.

First the Darrys were Targaryen loyalists and did very well under the old regime. As said before during Robert’s Rebellion they fought on the side of the king and against the Rebels who included House Tully the liege lords of the Riverlands.  

Being on the wrong side of History cost the Darry’s greatly. Ser Raymun lost three of his older brothers at the battle of the Trident where Robert famously slew Rhaegar Targaryen. In addition to this it was Ser Willem Darry who also smuggled Viserys and Daenerys Targaryen from Dragonstone to Braavos effectively keeping them out of the reach of King Robert.

The loss of family wasn’t the only thing House Darry suffered as a result of Robert winning his Rebellion. They also lost half of the lands they held, a great deal of their wealth and nearly all of their power.

House Darry was so loyal to the Targaryens that Viserys names them specifically as one of the houses he can count on to support him upon his return to Westeros.

So things are pretty tense as there is a lot of bad blood between the hosts and clearly the uninvited guests.

Regardless Ned finds Arya with Robert and the rest of the court in the Darry audience hall. Arya is in the center of the room with Jorry when Ned enters. Fortunately she isn’t hurt and we learn she was just living off wild berries for the last few days.

Robert asked that Arya be brought before him immediately as he wanted to get things taken care of as quickly as possible. Most likely this is born of the uncomfortable situation of being hosted under House Darry that was his foe just a few years prior.

Here we learn that Joffrey lied about what happened days prior. He is present and his arm is in a bandage from the wound inflicted by Nymeria. Joffrey claims that Arya and the butcher's boy attacked him with sticks while Nymeria was set upon him. This is of course different from Arya’s version of the events.

Renley actually laughs when Arya relates that Joffrey was disarmed. He gets kicked out by his older brother Robert but on his way out he bows to Joffrey and does manage to deliver a really good line before departing.

Renley: “Perchance you’ll tell me how a nine-year-old girl the size of a wet rat managed to disarm you with a broom handle and throw your sword into the river.”

The only other person who was present and is brought forth is Sansa. Ned knows the truth of what happened as Sansa told him prior. Sansa however says she doesn't know what happened as it all happened so quickly and she didn’t see.

This ticks off Arya who calls Sansa a liar and attacks her. Arya is quickly pulled off and Robert decides he had enough of this and decides that no real lasting harm was done and chalks it up to children just being children. He decides that Ned should discipline Arya and he will do the same with his son.

Cersei is not happy and asks about the dire wolf that attacked Joffrey. Jory says that he found no trace of Nymeria, which seems to satisfy Robert. Cersei offers a reward to whomever brings her the pelt of Nymeria and Robert doesn’t feel like paying for it and tells her she can pay for it herself.

Cersei shows how her influence over Robert works in this scene. She not only calls him cheap but also says the though the king she married would have laid the wolf's pelt before her by sundown. When Robert says he doesn’t have a wolf Cersei knows she has him and points out they do have a wolf. She of course is referring to Lady.

After a bit more of discussion and argument it is decided that they will put Lady down as punishment. This is of course upsetting to all the Starks who feel this is an injustice as Lady wasn't even present.

King Robert: “Enough, Ned, I will hear no more. A direwolf is a savage beast. Sooner or later it would have turned on your girl as the other did on my son. Get her a dog, she’ll be happier for it.”

This actually brings a smile to Joffrey’s face. He is described as “beaming” at the decision. In the end Ned does the deed himself, but he denies Cersei her prize by instructing Jory to have four of the Stark men to take the body of Lady back to the north and bury her at Winterfell.

The chapter ends with Ned coming across Sandor Clegane as he returns with the body of Mycha wrapped up and slung over the back of his horse. Ned looks at the body and notes that Sandor rode the boy down nearly cutting him in half.

So a few things in this.. First the demand for a wolf pelt from Cersei seems to harken back to the first Tyrion Chapter:

“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.”

So it seems Cersei has been looking for a chance to be rid of the Direwolves and certainly took this opportunity as it presented itself. This again continues to show that the Queen and Joffrey are more interested in flexing and abusing their power than they are in justice.

Perhaps Cersei sees this as asserting dominance over the Starks. The notion being that perhaps if she sets the expectation that they are there to serve her and the rest of the royal family without question things will go easier. That this is the first real disagreement that wasn’t handled between Ned and Robert is of some significance and maybe Cersei just wants to make sure the Starks understand that message. She could have been counting on Sansa to not be truthful as it may put her betrothal to Joffrey at risk. In such a case the only one who would have been able to prove Joffrey a liar would have been Mycah who we know was killed by the Hound.

In the prior chapter we have the following quote:

Joffrey: “He’s my mother’s dog, in truth. She has set him to guard me, and so he does.”

So perhaps The Hound was sent out with orders to kill Mycah instead of bringing him back.

Also Roberts words of “Get her a dog, she'll be happier for it.” is a bit of foreshadowing to Sandor’s interactions with Sansa in the future as he becomes her protector in some instances.

Lastly what I think most readers miss is what Jory did for Arya.

The king stopped, turned back and frowned. “I’d forgotten about the damned wolf.”

Ned could see Arya tense in Jory’s arms. Jory spoke up quickly “We found no trace of the direwolf your grace.”

Robert did not look unhappy “No? So be it.”

Now all of the Stark children are rarely ever mentioned in the book without the direwolves near by at this point in the story. Hence the reason for Arya becoming tense as Nymeria is still free. It seems Jory has lied about Nymeria.

Game of Thrones: Chapter 15: Sansa AKA Awkward 1st Date

This chapter opens up with Sansa having breakfast with Septa Mordane. She is all set to spend the day traveling the King’s Road south to the capital riding in style with Queen Cersei and Princess Marcella in the royal wheelhouse.  Notably absent is Arya who was also invited. Early on it’s clear that Sansa is already smitten with her betrothed Joffrey. She is a bit worried that Arya might spoil the occasion as she tends to be less of a lady and more of a tomboyish sort. After finishing her breakfast she eventually finds Arya by the banks of the Trident with her direwolf dressed in leathers. Sansa tells her sister she is expected to travel with the queen today and Arya flat out refuses. She says her and a friend Mycah are going to spend the day looking for rubies that were knocked off the armor of Rhaegar Targaryen when King Robert killed him during the rebellion.

Here we see a lot of the differences in the mentalities of the two Stark girls. While Sansa is concerned about appearances, decorum and possibly the opportunity to spend a bit of time with the prince she is to wed and somewhat head over heels for, Araya has no interest in any of that.

Arya by comparison seem to have a much better working knowledge of recent history. Sansa had no idea what rubies Arya was referring to when she told her older sister what her plans for the day were. Arya is also not concerned about offending the queen by not showing up as expected. She has more of a free will and is less likely to worry about what others may think as opposed to Sansa who is very much into keeping up appearances.

I think even more telling is that Sansa doesn’t take the time to look upon the land and get to know it as Arya has. To her it’s just one field, farm and holdfast after another. She doesn’t really see the nuances of the land like Arya appreciates. Arya points out that she found 36 types of flowers she never had seen prior as well as relating she had seen wild horse herds as well as a haunted watchtower and she and her friend also found a lizard-lion.

Another difference in the two is the way in which they react to their father's instructions to stay with the column. Sansa dutifully obeys while Arya reasons that as they dont travel very far and has her direwolf Nymeria to protect her.

Sansa also by admission hates riding and even more hates the situation as the journey through the swampy area known as the Neck was unpleasant to her. Arya on the other hand enjoyed it and even seems to be relishing the opportunity to explore and discover more of the world she lives in.

Another great difference between the two is that Arya seems to be making friends and getting to know the people she is traveling with. Sansa can’t understand this mentality and even notes that Arya’s friend Mycah, the son of a butcher, is terrible as he stinks of meat from the chopping block and can hardly stand the sight of him. Yet Arya has a genuine friendship and enjoys his company.

One thing that Sansa noted at bedtime is that Arya has bruises and welts on her arms, shoulders. This suggests she either has had some rough times exploring or has found someone to practice her swordsmanship with.

The two end in a sort of typical fashion of Arya saying she is gonna go off and do her own thing while Sansa tries to make her jealous by saying that they are gonna have a wonderful time relaxing, and traveling in style and luxury.

While Arya seems to be fine with this Sansa is a bit hurt as she doesn't understand why Arya can’t do what is expected of her and act like a proper lady. To Sansa where decorum and etiquette as well as appearances are things that matter a great deal, Arya’s complete disregard for such things and even outright rude manner on occasion reflects badly upon her. After all the Starks are the the nobility of the North and Arya seems to act like a commoner as opposed to someone who is highborn.

As she returns to camp she notices a crowd has gathered and as she gets closer she sees Cersei greeting a group of knights who had been sent by the council. We learn that King Robert has gone off hunting and thus the queen is there to welcome them. One of the knights is older and dressed in white while the younger one has a helm with decorative antlers upon it. The third knight's appearance Sansa finds scary and she actually physically shakes when he feels her looking at her and turns his gaze upon her.

The Hound Sandor Clegane sets his hands upon her shoulders and Sansa mistakes it for the reassuring touch of her father. So when she turns and sees Sandors burned face she momentarily loses composure.

The two new knights notice Lady and are quite taken back. Sandor makes a rather crude joke about the Starks using them for wet nurses which gets a few chuckles from the starring members of the crowd.

Cersei at this moment prompts Joffrey to go to the aid of his betrothed. It’s noteworthy that Joffrey didn’t actually think to go himself but needed to be told to go show some compassion and assist his wife to be. Joffrey sends the Hound away and Sansa says it was one of the other knights and not the Hound who unnerved her.

As it turns out that knight is Ser Ilyn Payne who is the royal executioner. Sansa quips they got the right man for the job after Cersei says people should fear the man appointed as the King’s Justice. This actually gets laughs from the crowd and Sansa seems to regain her composure.

The elder knight introduces himself as Ser Barristan Selmy of the Kingsguard. Sansa having regained her composure, is able to carry herself as would be expected and replies that she is honored to meet the living legend Barristan the Bold. The younger knight makes a joke at Selmy’s expense calling him “Barristan the Old”  and tests Sansa to guess who he is.

Sansa correctly deduces that the man before him is Renly Baratheon as he bears a stag upon his sigil, golden antlers on his helmet and notes his “extreme youth”. Barristan takes this chance to return the good natured joking by saying by Renly’s extreme youth he’s a prancing jackanapes. Again this gets a good laugh out of those gathered including Renly who takes the jest in stride as Barristan did.  

So with a bit of composure and humor the almost disastrous situation for Sansa is averted. Sansa even apologizes to Ser Ilyn who doesn’t reply. Joffrey lets her know that he had his tongue ripped out by the former king. Sansa also then learns that plans to travel with the queen and princess will have to wait as the queen will have to tend to matters of state.

The queen does however ask Prince Joffrey to entertain Sansa for the day and Joffrey replies he would be happy to. This is almost a dream come true for Sansa. She is absolutely over the moon with this turn of events. She even starts thinking that Joffrey came to her rescue a few moments ago like some fanciful tale of legends where a hero saves a damsel in distress.

Joffrey suggests going riding and Sansa says she loves to go riding. This of course is the absolute opposite of what she said to Arya, but the chance to spend time with Joffrey is worth it to her.

They leave Lady and Sandor behind and Joffrey assures her that he can protect her with his blade Lion’s Tooth if it comes to it. The two of them go out and explore some caves, track a shadowcat and end up finding a holdfast where the prince makes the residents provide them with food and wine. As they continue on Joffrey leads them towards where the battle of the Trident was fought and recounts the tale of how his father became king.

They hear sounds coming from nearby and while Sansa wants to go back Joffrey wants to go and see what it is. As it turns out it’s Arya and Mycah playing with broomstick handles pretending they are dueling swords. Joffrey laughs when Arya gets struck on the hand and drops her stick, and this gets the two of them noticed.

Joffrey taunts Mycah while holding his steel blade and challenges him. Mycah is obviously scared and protests he doesn't have a ‘real sword’ and that Arya asked him to practice. Joffrey takes this chance to bully the boy and sets the tip of his blade to Mycah’s face and draws blood.

Arya yells for Joffrey to stop, and Joffrey says he won’t hurt the butcher's boy, and then adds the word “much” rather menacingly.

Again the differences between the two Stark girls is highlighted. Sansa who was using her words and calling for Arya to stay out of it is ignored as Arya decides she isn’t going to allow her helpless friend be hurt by the prince who is wielding a steel blade. Arya cracks Joffrey in the back of the head which gives Mycah a chance to flee the situation.

Joffrey turns his blade on Arya, disarms her and backs her up to a tree. Again Sansa is somewhat helpless in this situation and just yells for the two of them to stop, but her words aren’t heeded. Arya doesn’t have much of a choice in the matter and Joffrey is enraged and yelling curses at Arya.

Fortunately Nymeria comes to the rescue of Arya before anything bad happens. She knocks Joffrey to the ground, disarming him. Again Sansa is unsure what to do and is somewhat helpless as an onlooker, but Arya who is showing she is a person who takes action spares Joffrey by calling Nymeria to her.

While Joffrey is on the ground bleeding from his arm Arya goes and picks up his sword, she stands over him and delivers what I think is one of the best lines from any character in the book to this point..

Arya “She didn’t hurt you… much.”

This reduces the prince to whimpering and he begs for her not to hurt him and that he will tell his mother. Sansa screams for Arya to leave Joffrey alone and for once Arya listens. Prior to getting on her horse and riding off with her direwolf Arya tosses the princes blade into the river.

Sansa runs to her betrothed and tries to comfort him saying she will ride to the holdfast and get help for him. Joffrey looks at her with loathing and contempt and yells at her to go and not to touch him.

This is the first chapter we see through the point of view of Sansa. Prior we got her in chapters but mostly the interaction was from the point of view of her little sister Arya. We now get the full view.

Even here we still see that while they are vastly different they both have some things in common. Sansa and Arya are both with their wolves seemingly constantly, and both the wolves seem to be direct reflections of the Stark girls. Sansa’s direwolf Lady is just that and quite domesticated, while Arya’s wolf Nymeria is first seen in this chapter all muddy and not enjoying being brushed out in a very similar way to how Sansa views Arya who had been wearing the same riding leathers for the past few days. Both wolves are there and seem to come to the defense of the owners in times of need. Sansa when she grew fearful of Ser Payne and Arya when Joffrey was attacking her.

This is also the first situation where we see Joffrey having a truly cruel nature as opposed to just being a bit of an ass. It’s noticeable that he had to be prompted by the queen to go to the aid of Sansa when she lost her composure. Further Joffrey demonstrates his lack of maturity when he whimpers before Arya threatening to tell his mother. This is all in direct contrast to his behavior prior when he was boasting about carrying a real blade instead of a practice blade as he mocked Sasna’s brother Robb back at Winterfell.

From a storytelling perspective this sets up Sansa to look somewhat helpless and to be little more than a young girl with a crush on prince Joffrey. Indeed she does project things on him that simply aren’t true. This again is understandable as Sansa has grown up as a noble and really judging things from appearances as opposed to looking deeper to see things as they really are.

Her assumptions regarding the lands they travel through, the common folk as well as her negative opinion of Mycah based on his station in life all point to her not really having a good understanding of the world and the people in it. Yet ironically enough she is remarkably perceptive in determining who Renly is and recalls the history, titles and offices of Barristan the Bold. So this suggests she does have a good head on her shoulders but is just focused in an entirely different area than her sister is.

Of course Sansa is absolutely out of her element when swords are drawn. Fighting and violence are things Sansa was never expected to engage in let alone be able to put a stop to.

Lastly I'd like to point out one final thing that will become a greater theme as the story progresses which was introduced by Renly and that is ageism. While it was just a jest about Ser Barristan calling him Barristan the Old this is something that will show up again with some level of significance.

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.