Game of Thrones: Chapter 14: Catelyn AKA Mothers Maddness

This chapter opens up with Catelyn still sitting by Brands side. It has been about 3 weeks since he fell and 8 days since Ned and everyone else left. Maester Luwin comes in to have her attend to the affairs of running Winterfell and she just gets upset and ends up shouting at Luwin without realizing it. Fortunately Robb arrives and lets Luwin know he will handle the books and decide who should be appointed to the positions left vacant by the departure of a good number of servants with Ned to King's Landing. We also learn that Catelyn has apparently in her sadness and despair over Bran's fall lost her senses. In addition to neglecting her duties and spending every moment with Bran she didn’t bother to see her husband and rest of the family off when they left. She also doesn’t trust Maester Luwin's assurances that Bran isn’t going to die, and has been ignoring her youngest son Rikkon.

Robb opens the window to let some air into the stuffy room and hearing the direwolves howl, and everything that has occurred is just overwhelming to her. I think it safe to assume she is having some sort of breakdown at this point.

This scene also offers a bit of insight about Robb. He seems to have an innate understanding that Bran hearing the howling will somehow help. In addition he can tell the differences between the wolves howls. He also quickly picks up on the fact that on this night the dogs joined in the howling and notes it’s unusual as they haven't done that before.

He also shows his concern as he helps his mother to the small bed and makes her promise him to get some sleep. Robb goes to close the window and notices the library tower is on fire and quickly sets off to fetch men to deal with it.

Catelyn closes the shutters window and when she turns around a stranger is in the room with her. The man is filthy and has a dagger in his hand. Quickly she realizes he’s here to kill Bran. She turns back to the window to call out for help but the stranger puts a hand over her mouth and brings his blade to her throat. Catelyn grabs the blade with her hand cutting deep into her fingers and bites the hand over her mouth. The stranger tosses her to the ground and is about to make a move when Brans wolf comes into the room, leaps knocking the attacker down and tears out his throat.

With that done the wolf then licks the blood off Catelyn's injured hand and then leaps up on the bed with Bran and lays down. If she wasn’t having a breakdown of some sort before this is easily the point because she starts to laugh hysterically.

NOTE: Some people have asked me how the Direwolf was able to open the doors to get to where Bran was and how it knew the assassin was going after Bran. First when Robb left the tower he more than likely didn’t bother to close the doors behind him in his haste. Not to mention the Catspaw/assassin was most likely trying to remain quiet, do the job quickly and make good his escape. So it’s unlikely he bothered to close the doors behind him as well. Further he didn’t expect Catelyn to remain with Bran.

The Catspaw: “You weren’t s’posed to be here,” he muttered sourly. “No one was s’posed to be here.”

Lastly the assassin had the stink of horses from where he had been hiding in the stables so even if there was no supernatural connection between the wolf and Bran, his scent would have easily been picked up by Bran's wolf.    

She is taken out of the room with Bran and to her own chambers where her wounds are tended to and she is put to bed and finally sleeps.. For four days..

When she wakes up Robb, Theon, the new captain of the guard Hallis Mollen and Rodrik Cassel, the Master at Arms of Winterfell discuss the events of the attack. Collectively they figure out the following.

• The assassin showed up with the king's party and was hiding out in the stables
• The killer was paid 90 silver stags and given a valyrian dagger with a dragonbone hilt for the job of killing Bran
• The fire in the library was set as a distraction and the assumption is someone wants Bran dead to keep him silent.
• Catlyn also reveals her sisters belief that the Lannisters killed Jon Arryn and recalls that Jaime Lannister didn’t go out on the hunt with the king on the day Bran fell. She speculates that Bran was actually thrown.

At the end of the discussion it is decided that Catelyn and Ser Rodrik will travel to King's Landing by riding to White Harbor and then travel via ship with hopes of getting to the capital quickly and unnoticed.

I opted to call this narrative on the Chapter "Mother's Madness" as this really is where Catelyn starts to crack and breakdown. While completely understandable her concern for her injured son, the additional physical and mental burden she places upon herself by not resting and taking care of her basic needs is not normal. Unquestionably she is in a stressful situation with her children and son leaving to head south, but the additional physical stress atop the emotional and possibly spiritual stress she feels is just far too much for her to handle.

Additionally she completely ignores Rickon her youngest son who Robb noted was also confused and dealing with abandonment issues due to the departure of nearly all his siblings. Certainly these are the most trying of times for Catelyn, and she is unable to come to her senses until after she breaks down and awakens days later.

Indeed we see that she even regrets her behavior and vows to do better in this time of need. The question is going forward is will she be able to handle the stresses and pressure of the challenges that lie ahead?

For those of you keeping count we are up to 17 dead characters so far. Still a long ways from the Twitter Punchline of 140. This is also being generous and including the 12 Dothraki who died at Dany's wedding. Short them we are only up to 5 deaths and all so far have been minor characters. But it's a long way to go.

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.

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.  

Game of Thrones Chapter 2: Catelyn

Chapter three opens with Catelyn bringing news of the death of Jon Arryn to her husband Ned in the godswood of Winterfell.

Character Deaths: 4

We also get some internal narrative from Catelyn and a bit of a simplified overview of her religion, the Faith, as well as her thoughts on the old gods.

So lets quickly break down the two religions. First lets start with Catelyn’s religion, the Faith of the Seven. This is the most widely practiced in Westeros. The only areas that it’s not the most commonly practiced is The North, the Iron Islands and beyond The Wall.

The main religious text is the Seven Pointed Star and the common practices are full of rituals, prayers, songs with established temples/churches throughout the lands. The seven are actually seven aspects of one deity, each with it’s own aspect and virtues to help guide the faithful in times of need. Often someone will pray to a specific “aspect or face” as it relates to the situation they find themselves needing spiritual guidance in.

The Seven are the Father, Mother, Warrior, Maiden, Smith, Crone and the Stranger.

The Father: Judgment and Justice

The Mother: Motherhood, Nurturing as well as Mercy

The Warrior: Strength, Courage and Victory.

The Maiden: Innocence and Chastity

The Smith: Crafts and Labor:

The Crone: Wisdom that comes with age.

The Stranger: Death and the Unknown.

A lot of these themes are found within the characters through the books. For example Ned often takes the role of The Father as noted in the prior chapter when he executed the deserter from the Nights Watch.

Cat often in the books has themes of the Mother going through her storyline.

King Robert in days prior would have been the personification of The Warrior as is Jamie Lannister and Jon Snow through most of the books. Each at a different stage of their lives.

Sansa and Danerys repeatedly has themes of innocence and chastity throughout their chapters.  

The Maesters as well as Davos often seem to represent the Smith being they are more experts of their crafts instead of being the typical heros.

The Crone is personified by several characters throughout but mostly by Old Nan and the Lady Tyrell.

The themes of The Stranger seem to also permeate Arya’s storyline.

The other religion is that of the Old Gods. These are the gods that the Starks of Winterfell worship.. They aren’t deities per say but more akin to spirits of nature. They don’t have temples or churches but rather the godswoods tend to be places for worship.

As revealed in this chapter most all castles have a godswood, but few of them are ever considered sacred grounds. For the most part they are thought of like a park and a good place to relax, read.

In each godswood is a wierwood tree. A large white tree with blood red sap and leaves with a face carved into it. They are considered sacred to the followers of the Old Gods. It is believed that the old gods can see through them.

The death of Jon Arryn is a really significant thing in a lot of ways. First Jon is a relation to the Starks by his marriage to Catelyn’s sister Lysa. This also means his son Robert Arryn will become Lord of the Eyrie when he comes of age.

Catelyn lets Ned know that Lysa and Robert have returned home and Ned encourages his wife to take some of the children and go to her in her hour of grief. Unfortunately this isn’t a possibility as she lets Ned know King Robert Baratheon is on his way with his court to Winterfell.

We also learn in this chapter of the history that Ned, Robert and Jon Arryn had together. Robert and Ned were the wards of Jon Arryn when they were younger. We also learned that Jon had opted to not turnover his charges when the Mad King demanded their heads and instead decided to go to war instead of allow the two of them to be executed on the Mad Kings whims. This was one of the key moments in Roberts Rebellion that lead to the present situation at the start of the books. After the war Jon Arryn was made the Hand of the King and was charged with providing guidance and running the affairs of state for King Robert.

In the end Ned decides to send an honor guard out to meet the king and to prepare for his eventual arrival.