Sansa is pleased that Joffrey is dead, but realises that she might get the blame. Anyway she is being rescued by Dontos. He had told her to wear a "magic" hairnet encrusted with black amethysts. Sansa discovers one is missing and thinks this may be the poison that got Joffrey. This would make Dontos the murderer. It seems an extreme step just to help Sansa escape from the wedding.
They climb down the cliff and into a waiting boat. They row out to sea and Sansa gets onto a ship. To find none other than Petyr Baelish waiting for her. He's a blast from the past! Where has he been all this time? The big shock of this chapter is that Dontos was selling Sansa, not rescuing her. He gets paid in crossbow bolts. As Sansa says, *everything* is a lie.
By way of explanation Petyr says a lot of cryptic stuff about Catelyn giving him her daughter. It seems like Petyr is playing the game of thrones: he must have quite the long con going on somewhere. I can't see what it is yet. I wonder if Tywin is really behind all this. Perhaps he is going to marry Sansa to Bolton: that would explain his comments back in chapter 53, when he discussed finding a bride for Bolton, about Littlefinger (Petyr) knowing where Arya is. Sansa would suit just as well. Then again, she is still married to Tyrion, so there must be more going on.
Thursday 31 January 2019
ASoS 60: Tyrion 809
Ah, Westeros knows how to do a good wedding, you can't deny it!
Tyrion has decided that Joff must have sent the assassin after Bran personally. I don't know why I hadn't considered that myself after the knife comment. I suppose I internalised him as a child and therefore incapable of ordering assassinations. But this is Westeros.
Lady Olenna gives Tyrion a run for his money. She cracks me up. More scenes with her and Tyrion, please!
Then 50-odd courses, numerous renditions of the Rains of Castamere, jousting dwarves. And Joff bullying Tyrion. How he kept his cool is beyond me. Knowing Melisandre had cast a spell to kill Joff, I half expected Tyrion to skewer him with one of the dwarves' lances. And then he choked to death on Tyrion's pie. That he stole himself.
"Tyrion found himself thinking of Robb Stark. My own wedding is looking much better in hidsight." Wins the chapter.
But of course it was poison. So who was the poisoner? It seems like the poison was in Tyrion's peice of pie, so was it really intended for Tyrion? Surely Joff didn't eat his own poison. Perhaps Cersei wanted him dead and accidentally killed her own son. That would have appropriate drama. Or if the target was indeed Joff, could Tywin have done it, knowing what a terrible king he would make. I think Tommen is next in line, which would have Tywin really in charge for longer. Or was it the Tyrells? They seemed rather unconcerned when they learned that Joff was likely to beat his wife.
Tyrion is getting the blame for now, though. Off to the dungeons for him. And where did Sansa get to? Is she being rescued by Dontos?
Tyrion has decided that Joff must have sent the assassin after Bran personally. I don't know why I hadn't considered that myself after the knife comment. I suppose I internalised him as a child and therefore incapable of ordering assassinations. But this is Westeros.
Lady Olenna gives Tyrion a run for his money. She cracks me up. More scenes with her and Tyrion, please!
Then 50-odd courses, numerous renditions of the Rains of Castamere, jousting dwarves. And Joff bullying Tyrion. How he kept his cool is beyond me. Knowing Melisandre had cast a spell to kill Joff, I half expected Tyrion to skewer him with one of the dwarves' lances. And then he choked to death on Tyrion's pie. That he stole himself.
"Tyrion found himself thinking of Robb Stark. My own wedding is looking much better in hidsight." Wins the chapter.
But of course it was poison. So who was the poisoner? It seems like the poison was in Tyrion's peice of pie, so was it really intended for Tyrion? Surely Joff didn't eat his own poison. Perhaps Cersei wanted him dead and accidentally killed her own son. That would have appropriate drama. Or if the target was indeed Joff, could Tywin have done it, knowing what a terrible king he would make. I think Tommen is next in line, which would have Tywin really in charge for longer. Or was it the Tyrells? They seemed rather unconcerned when they learned that Joff was likely to beat his wife.
Tyrion is getting the blame for now, though. Off to the dungeons for him. And where did Sansa get to? Is she being rescued by Dontos?
ASoS 59: Sansa 799
Sansa wakes up and Tyrion is not there, natch. Probably he's off eating bread in the kitchen /rolleyes. Shae turns up and helps give Sansa a bath, managing not to give her any insolent looks this time. Sansa tells Tyrion to get changed, since he looks so dishevelled.
It is Joffrey's wedding day, so they go to have breakfast with him. Tyrion gives him a book. Tywin gives him a sword. Joff chops the book in half with the sword. Yes, Joff is still a dick. Tyrion offers to give Joff a dagger with a dragonbone hilt instead (you know, the kind that someone used to try to murder Bran back when he was in a coma after he was pushed off the tower by Jaime). Joff seems startled by this, but tries to hide the fact that he is startled. So Joff knows who tried to kill Bran but doesn't want others present to know that he knows. It's not Sansa he's keeping things from, though, he seems more than happy to torment her.
They leave for the wedding and have a chat to Prince Oberyn of Dorne (who is likely to cause some trouble at the wedding). There is some discussion of how good a king Viserys Targaryen was (not Dany's brother, some old Targaryen king). I'm not sure how significant this is, but Tyrion seems to think Viserys was a decent chap. Oberyn does not conceal his contempt for Joffrey; neither does Tyrion.
Tyrion asks Sansa some questions that confuse her. I think he's trying to figure out how much she knows about the various attempted murders of Bran. We know Tyrion feels pretty bad about the Lannisters being responsible for the deaths of her entire family. Sansa seems a bit slow figuring out that Tyrion is more on her side than other Lannisters.
It is Joffrey's wedding day, so they go to have breakfast with him. Tyrion gives him a book. Tywin gives him a sword. Joff chops the book in half with the sword. Yes, Joff is still a dick. Tyrion offers to give Joff a dagger with a dragonbone hilt instead (you know, the kind that someone used to try to murder Bran back when he was in a coma after he was pushed off the tower by Jaime). Joff seems startled by this, but tries to hide the fact that he is startled. So Joff knows who tried to kill Bran but doesn't want others present to know that he knows. It's not Sansa he's keeping things from, though, he seems more than happy to torment her.
They leave for the wedding and have a chat to Prince Oberyn of Dorne (who is likely to cause some trouble at the wedding). There is some discussion of how good a king Viserys Targaryen was (not Dany's brother, some old Targaryen king). I'm not sure how significant this is, but Tyrion seems to think Viserys was a decent chap. Oberyn does not conceal his contempt for Joffrey; neither does Tyrion.
Tyrion asks Sansa some questions that confuse her. I think he's trying to figure out how much she knows about the various attempted murders of Bran. We know Tyrion feels pretty bad about the Lannisters being responsible for the deaths of her entire family. Sansa seems a bit slow figuring out that Tyrion is more on her side than other Lannisters.
ASoS 58: Tyrion 793
In which Tyrion has secret underground sex with Shae, and worries about getting caught, and plans to marry off Shae to some lord. Except he won't. They are so getting found out and Shae is so dead. But not yet.
ASoS 57: Daenerys 774
Dany is now trying to free the slaves of a third city, Meereen. They're certainly trying to rile her up: by crucifying children. Nice. Westeros seems a land of peace, tranquility and civility by comparison to these eastern city-states. Meereen is a tougher nut to crack, though, with big strong walls. So far there is no battle, just a pissing and shitting contest.
Dany goes for an evening stroll and is attacked by Mero, the Titan's bastard, who has been following them for some time. She's saved by Arstan, who turns out to be Ser Barristan Selmy, last seen being kicked out of the Kingsguard by Joffrey. There must be an interesting story about how he came to get into the service of Ilyrio and find Dany. But it's no coincidence: he sought her out having decided that maybe the Targaryens were better kings after all. Selmy tells Dany that Ser Jorah Mormont has been selling her secrets to Varys.
Dany sends them both away in disgust. But now she seems a little short on advisers. I'm a bit worried she is going to turn to the charming Daario.
Dany goes for an evening stroll and is attacked by Mero, the Titan's bastard, who has been following them for some time. She's saved by Arstan, who turns out to be Ser Barristan Selmy, last seen being kicked out of the Kingsguard by Joffrey. There must be an interesting story about how he came to get into the service of Ilyrio and find Dany. But it's no coincidence: he sought her out having decided that maybe the Targaryens were better kings after all. Selmy tells Dany that Ser Jorah Mormont has been selling her secrets to Varys.
Dany sends them both away in disgust. But now she seems a little short on advisers. I'm a bit worried she is going to turn to the charming Daario.
Tuesday 29 January 2019
ASoS 56: Bran 755
Bran, Hodor, Meera and Jojen arrive at the scary Nightfort. Bran remembers lots of Old Nan's scary stories about it. One of the stories involves a cook who was cursed for slaying a guest. Old Walder Frey clearly needed a Nan to tell him scary stories.
Jojen thinks there is a way through the wall here but Bran is sure there is not. Then they all go to sleep (no watch?) but Bran is woken by scary noises. The giant black monster emerging from the well turns out to be none other than Samwell Tarly! (The scary wailing noises are Gilly's baby.) This is the first big coincidence of the series, I think. Every story is allowed one or two. Sam leads them through an underground tunnel and a talking magic gate (the most overt magic we have yet seen).
Bran gets a new skill: he can mind-control Hodor. That's a bit weird. Hodor doesn't seem to mind, though, or even notice.
We also learn a little more about the elk-riding man Sam, Gilly and the baby have been travelling with. They have called him Coldhands and he seems to be a brother of the Watch who has turned into a zombie, but seems to be more intelligent (and possibly more good) than your average zombie. In fact it is no co-incidence: Coldhands seemed to know where Bran would be and brought Sam to him. Next we will find out what Coldhands wants with Bran, but presumably it involves the three-eyed crow.
Jojen thinks there is a way through the wall here but Bran is sure there is not. Then they all go to sleep (no watch?) but Bran is woken by scary noises. The giant black monster emerging from the well turns out to be none other than Samwell Tarly! (The scary wailing noises are Gilly's baby.) This is the first big coincidence of the series, I think. Every story is allowed one or two. Sam leads them through an underground tunnel and a talking magic gate (the most overt magic we have yet seen).
Bran gets a new skill: he can mind-control Hodor. That's a bit weird. Hodor doesn't seem to mind, though, or even notice.
We also learn a little more about the elk-riding man Sam, Gilly and the baby have been travelling with. They have called him Coldhands and he seems to be a brother of the Watch who has turned into a zombie, but seems to be more intelligent (and possibly more good) than your average zombie. In fact it is no co-incidence: Coldhands seemed to know where Bran would be and brought Sam to him. Next we will find out what Coldhands wants with Bran, but presumably it involves the three-eyed crow.
ASoS 55: Jon 738
The wildling attack on Castle Black is here. The brothers are few in number, most of them are old or crippled, and the castle is indefensible from the south. But they do have some villagers from Mole's Town to help and they are not going to defend the castle, they are going to defend the wall. Jon's leg is injured but he can shoot arrows pretty well from the top of a tower.
The battle goes better than I expected. It turns out the brothers had a cunning plan to trap the wildlings between fire on the stairs of the wall. Styr the Magnar, who tried to get Jon to kill the old man, dies in the fire.
Jon finds Ygritte dying with an arrow in her. It's not one of his. And so he is spared most of the drama: the whole undercover mission turned out to be a surprisingly straightforward story arc for Jon. He didn't have to kill any of his own people; he didn't have to kill any of his new wildling friends; no-one found out about his wildling girlfriend; there was some suspicion from some brothers that he might be a turncloak but he's proven himself now. The next big drama will either be more wildlings attacking, or else finding out that he is Robb's heir.
The battle goes better than I expected. It turns out the brothers had a cunning plan to trap the wildlings between fire on the stairs of the wall. Styr the Magnar, who tried to get Jon to kill the old man, dies in the fire.
Jon finds Ygritte dying with an arrow in her. It's not one of his. And so he is spared most of the drama: the whole undercover mission turned out to be a surprisingly straightforward story arc for Jon. He didn't have to kill any of his own people; he didn't have to kill any of his new wildling friends; no-one found out about his wildling girlfriend; there was some suspicion from some brothers that he might be a turncloak but he's proven himself now. The next big drama will either be more wildlings attacking, or else finding out that he is Robb's heir.
ASoS 54: Davos 722
Davos is shocked that the Freys would murder their wedding guests. It is clearly very shocking to everyone. Melisandre wants to sacrifice Edric Storm to make a stone dragon come to life. So that's what it's for. Some from a leech is enough to kill someone, but to make a dragon come to life you need a whole boy king. Stannis and Davos aren't up for murder, though, for now at least. Davos is even skeptical that the deaths of Robb and Greyjoy aren't just coincidence. Joffrey is still alive, but for how long? Are we going to have another fun wedding?
Davos has been making friends with people who still worship the seven gods, and Salladhor Saan is onto him. He keeps reaching for his bag of fingers, which must be a bit of a tell. Davos doesn't think he's worthy of being the hand but Saan can see what Stannis gets from Davos: some no nonsense plain speaking is very useful to a king.
Davos is learning to read and finds out about the problems up at the wall. But neither he nor Stannis will do anything about it. Will it just be a few wildlings, or something worse?
Davos has been making friends with people who still worship the seven gods, and Salladhor Saan is onto him. He keeps reaching for his bag of fingers, which must be a bit of a tell. Davos doesn't think he's worthy of being the hand but Saan can see what Stannis gets from Davos: some no nonsense plain speaking is very useful to a king.
Davos is learning to read and finds out about the problems up at the wall. But neither he nor Stannis will do anything about it. Will it just be a few wildlings, or something worse?
Thursday 24 January 2019
ASoS 53: Tyrion 711
Sansa and Tyrion are not having great dinner time converstaion.
Tyrion goes to see his dad. They get news that Robb and Catelyn are dead. Tywin is quietly pleased with himself for having arranged it all (so that's confirmed). Tyrion agrees with me that the Freys are not likely to win any friends like this and will now need Lannister protection. I don't think that will make the Lannisters look good.
Joff is being a tit as usual but it seems like he might get one of Tywin's lessons. So that should be entertaining.
The Dornishmen are still visiting for the wedding. Everyone is worried about Oberyn. Still, it's hard to see how this wedding can go worse than the last one.
We learn that GREGOR is the one who killed Dornish princess Ellia and her children (Rhaegar's wife; Dany's family). Tywin is going to blame it on Ser Amory Lorch, who is dead, though he may have been involved anyway, it's unlcear whether Tywin is lying or Tyrion just thinks he is. In any case Tywin allowed it to happen to win Robert's favour, since he came late to the cause.
GRRM has an annoying way of making the bad guys seem good: "Explain to me why it is more noble to kill ten thousand men in battle than a dozen at dinner."
We also know that Bolton betrayed Robb and helped the Freys. This might have been clear from the wedding chapter but a lot was going on and I did not follow who was who very closely. The Bolton's always seemed dodgy so that fits.
Tywin is hinting about some trick involving Renly's ghost. And that Littlefinger might know where Arya is. Tywin wants to marry her to Bolton. Oh dear.
Tywin still needs to get all Robb's former bannermen to join him. And get the North by getting Tyrion a son with Sansa. But Sansa is not going to be too happy with Lannisters...
Tyrion goes to see his dad. They get news that Robb and Catelyn are dead. Tywin is quietly pleased with himself for having arranged it all (so that's confirmed). Tyrion agrees with me that the Freys are not likely to win any friends like this and will now need Lannister protection. I don't think that will make the Lannisters look good.
Joff is being a tit as usual but it seems like he might get one of Tywin's lessons. So that should be entertaining.
The Dornishmen are still visiting for the wedding. Everyone is worried about Oberyn. Still, it's hard to see how this wedding can go worse than the last one.
We learn that GREGOR is the one who killed Dornish princess Ellia and her children (Rhaegar's wife; Dany's family). Tywin is going to blame it on Ser Amory Lorch, who is dead, though he may have been involved anyway, it's unlcear whether Tywin is lying or Tyrion just thinks he is. In any case Tywin allowed it to happen to win Robert's favour, since he came late to the cause.
GRRM has an annoying way of making the bad guys seem good: "Explain to me why it is more noble to kill ten thousand men in battle than a dozen at dinner."
We also know that Bolton betrayed Robb and helped the Freys. This might have been clear from the wedding chapter but a lot was going on and I did not follow who was who very closely. The Bolton's always seemed dodgy so that fits.
Tywin is hinting about some trick involving Renly's ghost. And that Littlefinger might know where Arya is. Tywin wants to marry her to Bolton. Oh dear.
Tywin still needs to get all Robb's former bannermen to join him. And get the North by getting Tyrion a son with Sansa. But Sansa is not going to be too happy with Lannisters...
ASoS 52: Arya 706
Arya and Hound are making their way towards the castle. The portcullis opens, soldiers come out, the fighting begins. Actually it's not much of a fight, Robb's troops are massacred and burnt alive in their party tents.
Never should have trusted those Freys! But I get the feeling massacring your wedding guests is so unthinkable that nobody thought it...
The Hound wants to get Arya away from there but she wants to go to her mother. She is so close! Arya runs and is chased by the Hound and is hit on the head with an axe.
She is not dead. I refuse to believe it. Even GRRM would not give a character so much development only to kill her now. Would he?
Never should have trusted those Freys! But I get the feeling massacring your wedding guests is so unthinkable that nobody thought it...
The Hound wants to get Arya away from there but she wants to go to her mother. She is so close! Arya runs and is chased by the Hound and is hit on the head with an axe.
She is not dead. I refuse to believe it. Even GRRM would not give a character so much development only to kill her now. Would he?
Wednesday 23 January 2019
ASoS 51: Catelyn 700 Wedding Update
Well wasn't that the best wedding Westeros has ever had?
Good grief.
I'm still reeling.
I'm going through the seven stages...
I need a nice cup of tea and a sit down.
Ok, post mortem: Things had just started to look up for Robb. With the Greyjoys weak, he had a decent plan to capture Moat Cailin and start to recapture the north. Winterfell was abandonded and there was a chance he would soon be able to recapture his home.
Arya was about to be reunited with her mother. Catelyn would have been very relieved to have at least one extra child back. She still thought Bran and Rickon were dead, but in time she would have found out the truth and the Starks could have been reunited in Winterfell once more, and lived happily ever after.
But that's not how GRRM rolls. Instead, Catelyn died thinking that all her children were dead or lost. The North is in chaos. I honestly don't know who is on whose side at this point. I'm not even completely certain who is dead and who is still alive. There's probably about to be a big battle outside the castle and Arya is in the middle of that.
And now Arya will not be reunited with her mother or her brother. Just when she thought she was home, all is lost.
Not quite all: there is still Jon Snow, Bran, Rickon and Sansa. Maybe Jon, recently named Robb's heir, though he does not know it, will one day take up residence in Winterfell with the rest of them. But I'm sure there is a lot more left to go wrong.
Arya has a few more names to add to her list of people to kill. She will be a vengeful queen when she gains the Iron Throne, as I suspect.
Is Edmure going to stay married to Roslin? He might as well, I suppose, if he likes her. Can he write the other Freys out of his will?
The wildlings (and worse) are coming. The Watch is all but destroyed. The North is in no fit state to defend itself. Dany and her dragons are coming. Will there be any Westeros left for her to conquer?
What will become of the Freys for that matter? He has surely broken all kinds of unbreakable customs. Murdering wedding guests (who have eaten his bread and salt!) is very impolite. Will the Freys suffer for it, or will they become strong, as baddies so often do in these books?
Also part of my shock and horror is due to my attachment to The Way Things Were. All the Starks living happily in Winterfell. All the Starks as the good guys against the bad. But I have a feeling the Starks and Robert's rebellion against Mad King Aerys might not turn out to be so morally straightforward. We still have a lot to learn about that. We will see.
More thoughts: the man who murdered Robb (who wins all his battles, so was never going to die nobly in battle) said something like "best wishes from Jaime Lannister". So clearly the Freys have joined the Lannisters who are behind this plot, which is actually pretty clever of them. Hard to see how it is specifically to do with Jaime, though. But a lot of time has passed since we last saw him in Harrenhal having just rescued Brienne.
Also: at some point I want to figure out how long GRRM has been signalling this wedding slaughter. My impending sense of doom was largely based on things going smoothly for a few chapters, but it's more than that. Walder Frey's jokes. The nice rooms. The missing Freys. Well before all that: the reaction to Arya of the old fortune teller woman. Before that are the chapters with Tyrion and Tywin -- was this being plotted back then? And were there clues from the original wedding invitation chapter when Edmure decided to go to the Twins? I need to re-read some stuff.
Good grief.
I'm still reeling.
I'm going through the seven stages...
I need a nice cup of tea and a sit down.
Ok, post mortem: Things had just started to look up for Robb. With the Greyjoys weak, he had a decent plan to capture Moat Cailin and start to recapture the north. Winterfell was abandonded and there was a chance he would soon be able to recapture his home.
Arya was about to be reunited with her mother. Catelyn would have been very relieved to have at least one extra child back. She still thought Bran and Rickon were dead, but in time she would have found out the truth and the Starks could have been reunited in Winterfell once more, and lived happily ever after.
But that's not how GRRM rolls. Instead, Catelyn died thinking that all her children were dead or lost. The North is in chaos. I honestly don't know who is on whose side at this point. I'm not even completely certain who is dead and who is still alive. There's probably about to be a big battle outside the castle and Arya is in the middle of that.
And now Arya will not be reunited with her mother or her brother. Just when she thought she was home, all is lost.
Not quite all: there is still Jon Snow, Bran, Rickon and Sansa. Maybe Jon, recently named Robb's heir, though he does not know it, will one day take up residence in Winterfell with the rest of them. But I'm sure there is a lot more left to go wrong.
Arya has a few more names to add to her list of people to kill. She will be a vengeful queen when she gains the Iron Throne, as I suspect.
Is Edmure going to stay married to Roslin? He might as well, I suppose, if he likes her. Can he write the other Freys out of his will?
The wildlings (and worse) are coming. The Watch is all but destroyed. The North is in no fit state to defend itself. Dany and her dragons are coming. Will there be any Westeros left for her to conquer?
What will become of the Freys for that matter? He has surely broken all kinds of unbreakable customs. Murdering wedding guests (who have eaten his bread and salt!) is very impolite. Will the Freys suffer for it, or will they become strong, as baddies so often do in these books?
Also part of my shock and horror is due to my attachment to The Way Things Were. All the Starks living happily in Winterfell. All the Starks as the good guys against the bad. But I have a feeling the Starks and Robert's rebellion against Mad King Aerys might not turn out to be so morally straightforward. We still have a lot to learn about that. We will see.
More thoughts: the man who murdered Robb (who wins all his battles, so was never going to die nobly in battle) said something like "best wishes from Jaime Lannister". So clearly the Freys have joined the Lannisters who are behind this plot, which is actually pretty clever of them. Hard to see how it is specifically to do with Jaime, though. But a lot of time has passed since we last saw him in Harrenhal having just rescued Brienne.
Also: at some point I want to figure out how long GRRM has been signalling this wedding slaughter. My impending sense of doom was largely based on things going smoothly for a few chapters, but it's more than that. Walder Frey's jokes. The nice rooms. The missing Freys. Well before all that: the reaction to Arya of the old fortune teller woman. Before that are the chapters with Tyrion and Tywin -- was this being plotted back then? And were there clues from the original wedding invitation chapter when Edmure decided to go to the Twins? I need to re-read some stuff.
ASoS 51: Catelyn 693
Well, GRRM is a master of building tension, I'll give you that. I have not yet finished this chapter. I wanted write about what I think before it all kicks off, which I think it is about to.
So far, it's a dull and slightly crass wedding. The kind where the food is a bit crap and the music too loud and the guests are drinking a bit too much. But no fights have broken out.
It's all to easy. Edmure is kissing his wife. But Catelyn notices she looks nervous. It's probably the impending bedding. And there are some missing people: Olyvar Frey, who is usually loyal to Robb, is off doing mysterious duties, as is Alesander. People are "away". It is suspicious. The whole series of books so far has been about well laid plans going wrong. Nothing goes smoothly. Things have been going smoothly for too many chapters.
Then old Walder Frey announces the bedding is to begin. Roslin goes white.
Ordinarly I'd think it is pefectly okay for the bride to be to be a bit nervous about the prospect of being stripped naked in front of all her wedding guests. But Westerosi seem to take it in their stride. Even Catelyn is questioning whether she's worried about the sex or the nudity.
I think Roslin knows the game is up, and everyone is going to find out that she's got a, as GRRM would put it, manhood.
Pretty sure that's the moment Arya and Hound will make their appearance, too.
****
Okay, so that wasn't it. See the next post.
So far, it's a dull and slightly crass wedding. The kind where the food is a bit crap and the music too loud and the guests are drinking a bit too much. But no fights have broken out.
It's all to easy. Edmure is kissing his wife. But Catelyn notices she looks nervous. It's probably the impending bedding. And there are some missing people: Olyvar Frey, who is usually loyal to Robb, is off doing mysterious duties, as is Alesander. People are "away". It is suspicious. The whole series of books so far has been about well laid plans going wrong. Nothing goes smoothly. Things have been going smoothly for too many chapters.
Then old Walder Frey announces the bedding is to begin. Roslin goes white.
Ordinarly I'd think it is pefectly okay for the bride to be to be a bit nervous about the prospect of being stripped naked in front of all her wedding guests. But Westerosi seem to take it in their stride. Even Catelyn is questioning whether she's worried about the sex or the nudity.
I think Roslin knows the game is up, and everyone is going to find out that she's got a, as GRRM would put it, manhood.
Pretty sure that's the moment Arya and Hound will make their appearance, too.
****
Okay, so that wasn't it. See the next post.
ASoS 50: Arya 686
Arya and the Hound arrive at the Twins disguised as farmers. They don't get a very warm welcome, but they are able to make their way through the soldiers' camp outside without trouble. Arya looks out for Stark banners, but doesn't see any banners she recognises.
There are big questions over whether Arya herself will be recognised. And I'm not entirely sure how the Hound envisages getting away safely with his bounty money, except perhaps rules of honour around such things.
All in all, no plot developments in this chapter. Everything is progressing peacefully. Something is up.
There are big questions over whether Arya herself will be recognised. And I'm not entirely sure how the Hound envisages getting away safely with his bounty money, except perhaps rules of honour around such things.
All in all, no plot developments in this chapter. Everything is progressing peacefully. Something is up.
ASoS 49: Catelyn 670
Robb and company arrive at the Twins. Robb nearly upsets the Freys when his wolf scares Petyr Frey's horse, but things get smoothed over.
In fact everything goes very smoothly. Robb does not get angry when old Walder Frey makes jokes at his expense, or makes him apologise to his daughters. Even Edmure seems happy with his bride. Catelyn worries about her hips, but the maester reassures her that her mother had the same hips and had lots of children.
Old Walder Frey, dirty old man that he is, jokes that Edmure can't see his bride naked until after the wedding. I'm fairly sure that even in Westeros husbands to be don't make such thorough inspections as a matter of course. So this seems an odd thing to say.
And everything is going so well. Suspiciously well. Even the rooms they are staying in are nice, and these are the miserly Freys. Something is up. I'm betting that young Roslin Frey has a secret. And I'm betting: she's a hermaphrodite! Yes, that's my theory and I am sticking to it until proven otherwise.
In fact everything goes very smoothly. Robb does not get angry when old Walder Frey makes jokes at his expense, or makes him apologise to his daughters. Even Edmure seems happy with his bride. Catelyn worries about her hips, but the maester reassures her that her mother had the same hips and had lots of children.
Old Walder Frey, dirty old man that he is, jokes that Edmure can't see his bride naked until after the wedding. I'm fairly sure that even in Westeros husbands to be don't make such thorough inspections as a matter of course. So this seems an odd thing to say.
And everything is going so well. Suspiciously well. Even the rooms they are staying in are nice, and these are the miserly Freys. Something is up. I'm betting that young Roslin Frey has a secret. And I'm betting: she's a hermaphrodite! Yes, that's my theory and I am sticking to it until proven otherwise.
Monday 21 January 2019
ASoS 48: Jon 659
Jon makes it to Castle Black, where Maester Aemon starts healing his injured leg. The place is a shadow of the shadow of its former self that it formerly was. The wildlings have been running distractions and Jon tells the brothers to stop falling for that old trick and watch out for the main attack from the south, since the wildlings have already crossed the wall.
Jon learns that Bran is dead. Except he can't be, because Jon saw Bran's wolf. Then he dreams about Ygritte, and in his dream worries about fathering a bastard, which probably means Ygritte is pregnant. Oh the drama!
Jon learns that Bran is dead. Except he can't be, because Jon saw Bran's wolf. Then he dreams about Ygritte, and in his dream worries about fathering a bastard, which probably means Ygritte is pregnant. Oh the drama!
Friday 18 January 2019
ASoS 47: Arya 648
Arya is now a prisoner of Sandor "The Hound" Clegane. She tries to kill him and/or escape and he stops her every time, harsh but fair. It's raining. The river is flooded. The villages near the river are flooded. Someone should build an ark.
They cross a river, paying the ferrymen with paper money. They aren't too happy about that. It'll never catch on.
The Hound finally tells Arya that he's not taking her to King's Landing (he's fed up with Lannisters now) but to the Twins to see her mum so he can get the ransom. And he's not so bad at all, and is even amused that his brother GREGOR managed to lose Arya without knowing who she was. He probably could have saved a lot of trouble had he told Arya all this in the first place, though. He's looking like a faster ticket home than the Brave Companions were.
But will he get there in time for the wedding, or only after Robb has gone off to Moat Cailin and Catelyn to Seaguard?
They cross a river, paying the ferrymen with paper money. They aren't too happy about that. It'll never catch on.
The Hound finally tells Arya that he's not taking her to King's Landing (he's fed up with Lannisters now) but to the Twins to see her mum so he can get the ransom. And he's not so bad at all, and is even amused that his brother GREGOR managed to lose Arya without knowing who she was. He probably could have saved a lot of trouble had he told Arya all this in the first place, though. He's looking like a faster ticket home than the Brave Companions were.
But will he get there in time for the wedding, or only after Robb has gone off to Moat Cailin and Catelyn to Seaguard?
ASoS 46: Samwell 637
Sam is trudging South with Gilly and her baby on a horse, trying to find the wall and Castle Black but no idea where it is other than south. It's cold (but not raining). They take shelter in an abandoned village (a lot of that going on right now).
At night they are woken by the zombie of Small Paul. Sam manages to shatter his obsidian dagger on Paul's chain mail but kills him with fire instead. Still not a coward, then.
But outside there are lots more wights. Luckily they are attacked by ravens controlled by a mysterious animal-controlling warg riding a stag. He rescues Sam and Gilly, but he has weird hands. Is he a man at all? Is he the warg Bran is seeking?
At night they are woken by the zombie of Small Paul. Sam manages to shatter his obsidian dagger on Paul's chain mail but kills him with fire instead. Still not a coward, then.
But outside there are lots more wights. Luckily they are attacked by ravens controlled by a mysterious animal-controlling warg riding a stag. He rescues Sam and Gilly, but he has weird hands. Is he a man at all? Is he the warg Bran is seeking?
ASoS 45: Catelyn 619
Rob, Edmure, Catelyn, various courtesans and a sizeable army are travelling to the Twins so Edmure can marry a Frey daughter. It is still raining. This is causing problems crossing rivers because bridges keep getting swept away.
Catelyn pisses off Edmure by going full feminist on him for wanting a pretty wife (she has a point, though). Then she pisses off Robb by getting all uppity when he tells her he wants Jon to be his heir if he dies childless. That's a plot twist Jon won't see coming!
Then a sea captain turns up with news that Balon Greyjoy (Theon's dad) is dead. Robb comes up with a cunning and complicated plan:
Catelyn pisses off Edmure by going full feminist on him for wanting a pretty wife (she has a point, though). Then she pisses off Robb by getting all uppity when he tells her he wants Jon to be his heir if he dies childless. That's a plot twist Jon won't see coming!
Then a sea captain turns up with news that Balon Greyjoy (Theon's dad) is dead. Robb comes up with a cunning and complicated plan:
- Send ships to Greywater Watch (get Crannogmnen to help with navigation) with a message for Howland Reed.
- Link up with Lord Bolton and the Freys (let's hope the wedding goes well) to get an army of 12,000.
- Attack Moat Cailin from the west in three waves.
- Get Howland Reed, with help from Crannogmnen, to attack Moat Cailin from the north.
- Send part of the main army around to a third side.
All this is supposed to come to a head on New Year's Day when all the Iron men (Greyjoy) will be hung over.
Catelyn is to be sent to Seaguard with Jason Mallister. She takes this as a punishment for annoying Robb but staying away from battles sounds like a fine idea to me.
Tuesday 15 January 2019
ASoS 44: Jaime 603
Jaime is being taken to Kings Landing to be given back to his father. He has a bad dream in which Cersei abandons him and Brienne helps him. Since dreams are meaningful, he wakes up demanding to be taken back to Harrenhal, which he can because he can threaten Steelshanks Walton (who is in charge of getting him to Tywin safely) with telling lies about him to Tywin.
Jaime dramatically saves Brienne from being mauled by a bear as the Bloody Mummers watch, presumably having realised that there is no ransom to be had.
Incidentally, in the dream Jaime says of Aerys's dead grandchildren (Rheagar and Elisia's children): "I never thought he'd hurt them". Who did kill them, and presumably Elisia as well? We don't know yet, do we. And this is the murder that the Dornishmen are so interested in, so are now at Kings Landing. Ser Arthur Dayne, who we just heard about in the previous Arya chapter was in the dream, too.
There is definitely a lot more to learn about how Robert came to be king.
Jaime dramatically saves Brienne from being mauled by a bear as the Bloody Mummers watch, presumably having realised that there is no ransom to be had.
Incidentally, in the dream Jaime says of Aerys's dead grandchildren (Rheagar and Elisia's children): "I never thought he'd hurt them". Who did kill them, and presumably Elisia as well? We don't know yet, do we. And this is the murder that the Dornishmen are so interested in, so are now at Kings Landing. Ser Arthur Dayne, who we just heard about in the previous Arya chapter was in the dream, too.
There is definitely a lot more to learn about how Robert came to be king.
ASoS 43: Arya 590
Arya and the Brave Companions are on their way to Riverrun to deliver Arya to her mother. They camp at the top of that hill where that old lady appears and makes predictions.
I am no good at interpreting this stuff. Other Kindle users have higlighted a passage that is presumably very meaningful. The howling wolf is probably Jon's wolf, who probably is wondering where Jon went since wolves can't scale 800 foot walls. The jangly bells are probably Dany's, but why are they sad? I've got no idea who Medusa represents: possibly Ygritte is going to be really cross with Jon.
The old woman talks to Arya and turns into Madame Trelawney predicting Harry Potter's death. But she does usefully tell them that Catelyn is leaving Riverrun to go to the Twins for a wedding, which we know is true. And in plain English, too, so that was helpful.
On the ride the next day Arya learns more than she wanted to know about her dad's romantic interludes. Apparently Jon Snow's mum is called Wylla, who was Ned/Edric Dayne's wet nurse. And that affair caused Lady Ashara Dayne to throw herself off a cliff, since Ned Stark and Ashara were in love. Harwin says that was before he was engaged to Catelyn, though. But we know he fathered Jon after his marriage to Catelyn. So the timeline is a bit complicated.
The storm comes and they shelter in an abandoned village. This must be the same storm that Bran and Jon are sheltering from. Either it's a big storm or it is moving south. Either way I like that it is anchoring the various characters in time and place, the way Tolkien does with the moon phases. Presumably it is the titular storm.
The village is abandoned because Arya's granddad Hoster (who just died) set it alight during the war between Mad King Aerys and Robert Baratheon. This is a hint that the winners of that war (including Arya's family?) weren't necessarily good guys.
Thoros looks into the flames and sees Lannisters attacking Riverrun. Now Beric wants to go back to Acorn Hall and hang out while he scouts Riverrun to see if it's safe. Arya doesn't like the sound of this and does a runner. Straight into the arms of the Hound. Oh dear, will she *ever* get home?
I am no good at interpreting this stuff. Other Kindle users have higlighted a passage that is presumably very meaningful. The howling wolf is probably Jon's wolf, who probably is wondering where Jon went since wolves can't scale 800 foot walls. The jangly bells are probably Dany's, but why are they sad? I've got no idea who Medusa represents: possibly Ygritte is going to be really cross with Jon.
The old woman talks to Arya and turns into Madame Trelawney predicting Harry Potter's death. But she does usefully tell them that Catelyn is leaving Riverrun to go to the Twins for a wedding, which we know is true. And in plain English, too, so that was helpful.
On the ride the next day Arya learns more than she wanted to know about her dad's romantic interludes. Apparently Jon Snow's mum is called Wylla, who was Ned/Edric Dayne's wet nurse. And that affair caused Lady Ashara Dayne to throw herself off a cliff, since Ned Stark and Ashara were in love. Harwin says that was before he was engaged to Catelyn, though. But we know he fathered Jon after his marriage to Catelyn. So the timeline is a bit complicated.
The storm comes and they shelter in an abandoned village. This must be the same storm that Bran and Jon are sheltering from. Either it's a big storm or it is moving south. Either way I like that it is anchoring the various characters in time and place, the way Tolkien does with the moon phases. Presumably it is the titular storm.
The village is abandoned because Arya's granddad Hoster (who just died) set it alight during the war between Mad King Aerys and Robert Baratheon. This is a hint that the winners of that war (including Arya's family?) weren't necessarily good guys.
Thoros looks into the flames and sees Lannisters attacking Riverrun. Now Beric wants to go back to Acorn Hall and hang out while he scouts Riverrun to see if it's safe. Arya doesn't like the sound of this and does a runner. Straight into the arms of the Hound. Oh dear, will she *ever* get home?
ASoS 42: Daenerys 571
Dany is preparing to attack the city of Yunkai, presumably another city along the route to Westeros. She is a teenage girl with a cause, and is persuing it with the dedication that only a teenage girl with an army can. Not content with becoming a vegetarian, Dany is going to abolish slavery!
Yunkai is defended by mercenaries and slaves. She has a chat with the leaders of the mercenaries and wins them over. After that the battle is won easily. She did hurt Jorah's feelings a bit too much in the process; I wonder when that will come back to bite her?
Also, everything is going *extremely* well for Dany. She's gone from wandering in the desert with a rag tag band of nomads, to conquering two cities. It's all since this red comet flew past. Dany's god is definitely winning the god fight.
All the freed slaves are very thankful to Dany and want to call her Mother. I have a feeling this could cause her some problems later. How will they all be fed?
Yunkai is defended by mercenaries and slaves. She has a chat with the leaders of the mercenaries and wins them over. After that the battle is won easily. She did hurt Jorah's feelings a bit too much in the process; I wonder when that will come back to bite her?
Also, everything is going *extremely* well for Dany. She's gone from wandering in the desert with a rag tag band of nomads, to conquering two cities. It's all since this red comet flew past. Dany's god is definitely winning the god fight.
All the freed slaves are very thankful to Dany and want to call her Mother. I have a feeling this could cause her some problems later. How will they all be fed?
Thursday 10 January 2019
ASoS 41: Jon 556
Jon and the Wildlings have crossed the wall and are traipsing through the countryside to the south of it and they stumble upon... well blow me down with a feather if it isn't the very village Bran and friends are holed up in. This is exciting!
Somehow Jon has not yet gone full native and is still trying to figure out a way of escaping from the Wildlings even though he's sad it will mean some of them will die. And he wants to keep Ygritte even though she's a bit annoying and keeps telling him he knows nothing.
Jon sits by the lake and wonders whether he should swim out to the holdfast, and for a moment I imagine that he will meet Bran, have a lovely family reunion, explain everything and either take off with Bran (and Ygritte will understand and go with him) or at least send him on his way with a message for for Castle Black.
But then he is summoned to the Magnar and ordered to kill a defenseless old man. Instead he refuses and Ygritte does it for him. She's not impressed. But then Bran's wolf turns up and starts killing everyone so Jon makes his escape. He seems to have gotten away with it with only a minor flesh wound, too.
Not sure what will become of Ygritte, now. Or what Bran will think of finding his half-brother hanging out with wildlings. But I'm sure it will be dramatic.
Somehow Jon has not yet gone full native and is still trying to figure out a way of escaping from the Wildlings even though he's sad it will mean some of them will die. And he wants to keep Ygritte even though she's a bit annoying and keeps telling him he knows nothing.
Jon sits by the lake and wonders whether he should swim out to the holdfast, and for a moment I imagine that he will meet Bran, have a lovely family reunion, explain everything and either take off with Bran (and Ygritte will understand and go with him) or at least send him on his way with a message for for Castle Black.
But then he is summoned to the Magnar and ordered to kill a defenseless old man. Instead he refuses and Ygritte does it for him. She's not impressed. But then Bran's wolf turns up and starts killing everyone so Jon makes his escape. He seems to have gotten away with it with only a minor flesh wound, too.
Not sure what will become of Ygritte, now. Or what Bran will think of finding his half-brother hanging out with wildlings. But I'm sure it will be dramatic.
Wednesday 9 January 2019
ASoS 40: Bran 545
What a rip-roaring adventure tale this chapter was. No complicated plot developments, no politics, no war strategy, just Bran, Jojen, Meera and Hodor, like hobbits on a journey. They cross the wasteland of The Gift of land to the watch, find an abandoned village and a holdfast on an island. Bran remembers old Nan telling him about a causeway to access it, and sure enough they cross and hold up in the tower. How did Nan know about the causeway? I bet there are some good stories about her to be told...
A storm comes. Hodor gets scared but Bran discovers he can calm him by reaching out with his powers. That will be useful. Then Jojen sees men in the village. Will they try to get in the tower? Will Bran and company be able to escape in the morning? Bran becomes Summer and it turns out that whoever the men are, they are afraid.
A storm comes. Hodor gets scared but Bran discovers he can calm him by reaching out with his powers. That will be useful. Then Jojen sees men in the village. Will they try to get in the tower? Will Bran and company be able to escape in the morning? Bran becomes Summer and it turns out that whoever the men are, they are afraid.
ASoS 39: Arya 529
Lord Beric and crew are out raiding. They find some Bloody Mummers taking some villagers hostage and fight them in a battle, and hold trials of the rest of them. Roose Bolton's septon is among them and he gets hung.
We get a bit of detail about the mechanics of how Thoros heals Beric. By breathing fire into him, apparently. Thoros was as surprised as anyone that it worked, but it gets harder each time he does it. And no, he can't revive Ned's headless corpse.
The previously released Hound turns up and asks for his gold back, then goes away again. I'm not sure what that was all about.
Arya is to be taken to Riverrun. Gendry has decided to stay behind to be Beric's blacksmith, much to her dismay. I expect she will reward him when she is on the Iron Throne, though! It also occurs to me that she isn't going to like going home all that much. A lot has changed, and her mother will probably want her to be ladylike, and she will probably get married off before long.
We get a bit of detail about the mechanics of how Thoros heals Beric. By breathing fire into him, apparently. Thoros was as surprised as anyone that it worked, but it gets harder each time he does it. And no, he can't revive Ned's headless corpse.
The previously released Hound turns up and asks for his gold back, then goes away again. I'm not sure what that was all about.
Arya is to be taken to Riverrun. Gendry has decided to stay behind to be Beric's blacksmith, much to her dismay. I expect she will reward him when she is on the Iron Throne, though! It also occurs to me that she isn't going to like going home all that much. A lot has changed, and her mother will probably want her to be ladylike, and she will probably get married off before long.
Tuesday 8 January 2019
ASoS 38: Tyrion 517
Tyrion, Bronn and a bunch of lesser lords and knights ride out to meet visiting Dornishmen, led by Prince Oberyn, who is a bit of an arsehole. He relates a lovely tale of how he visited Kings Landing back when Aerys was still king and Tyrion had just been born and was frankly disappointed by the grieving Tywin's hospitality, and by how un-monstrous baby Tyrion turned out to be. But at least Cersei was cruel to Tyrion even then.
Anyway, Dornishmen at the wedding with Tyrells is bad enough, but the head Dornishman is a bit on the, er, provocative side, and he's disgruntled about some years old murder of his sister, too. So I've said it before and I'll say it again, it'll be the best weddin' Walford's ever 'ad!
Anyway, Dornishmen at the wedding with Tyrells is bad enough, but the head Dornishman is a bit on the, er, provocative side, and he's disgruntled about some years old murder of his sister, too. So I've said it before and I'll say it again, it'll be the best weddin' Walford's ever 'ad!
Monday 7 January 2019
ASoS 37: Jaime 503
Jaime and Brienne do some more bonding in the bathtub. Jaime tells her some of his secrets: that he killed Aerys not only because Aerys was the kind of guy who thought boiling people in their armour was great entertainment, but because Aerys was planning to burn Kings Landing with wildfire. Jaime watched from Aerys' side as all the secret planning was done. When Tywin showed up with an army, having finally figured out who was going to win, and therefore whose side he should be on (this is why Ned moaned way back in book 1 chapter 1 about the Lannisters turning up late for the war), and Aerys instead of surrendering told Jaime to chop off his dad's head, that was the last straw.
So Jaime chose his dad over his king, punished his king for cruelty, and saved the entire city from a fiery death. He's quite the hero. Then again this is his POV so I guess it is all coloured by his opinion of himself...
Brienne and Jaime are summoned to Roose Bolton. Bolton plans to give Harrenhal to Vargo Hoat then head back to serve Robb. But he doesn't want to incur the wrath of Tywin, who might be a bit put out by the whole chopping off of his son's hand business, which he might blame on Bolton. So he gets Jaime to agree to tell Tywin that he is a top bloke, in return he frees Jaime and gives him a decent escort home. Brienne, on the other hand, is going to be handed over to Vargo. Is Jaime going to stand for that, now that they're best buddies (he's even stopped calling her Wench)?
So Jaime chose his dad over his king, punished his king for cruelty, and saved the entire city from a fiery death. He's quite the hero. Then again this is his POV so I guess it is all coloured by his opinion of himself...
Brienne and Jaime are summoned to Roose Bolton. Bolton plans to give Harrenhal to Vargo Hoat then head back to serve Robb. But he doesn't want to incur the wrath of Tywin, who might be a bit put out by the whole chopping off of his son's hand business, which he might blame on Bolton. So he gets Jaime to agree to tell Tywin that he is a top bloke, in return he frees Jaime and gives him a decent escort home. Brienne, on the other hand, is going to be handed over to Vargo. Is Jaime going to stand for that, now that they're best buddies (he's even stopped calling her Wench)?
ASoS 36: Davos 488
Davos is fetched from his cell by Ser Axell (whose own brother Alester is also in the cell, but gets no sympathy from Axell).
Axell also thinks Davos is a traitor. He wants Davos to approve the dodgy plans he's been making with Saan (who I've said all along is a bad-un) and recommend to Stannis that he be made Hand. Or else.
Davos can't be anything but honest to his beloved king Stannis, though. He comes close to being a little too honest with a dig about Stannis' disloyalty to Aerys, who was legitimately king before Robert. But Stannis appreciates the honesty. Sensible man. He also seems to have the measure of Axell and agrees that his plan is no good.
It's a wonder, then, that he doesn't see through this Melisandre and her tricks. At least GRRM is doing a good job of making them look like cheap fortune-teller tricks. Look into the fire and tell me what you see? Really? Is she channelling Madame Trelawney? Can she also bend spoons? Then again she does seem to be able to make people die, so there's that. And the vision in the fire did rather look like the Watch on that hill. Westeros is a confusing place for a skeptic.
Anyway Stannis makes Davos the Hand. I'm not quite sure why, given that he clearly had the power to get Davos out of the dungeon, he didn't do that before. But an honest Hand ought to be a good asset. So good decision, Stannis.
And now more spells, powered by either Stannis' blood or Robert's bastard Edric Storm's (he's got the blood of a king too, see). Seems like Melisandre is going to make Joffrey, and Robb die, which will be quite an upset (and Balon Greyjoy, which will be more of a footnote). Cripes.
Axell also thinks Davos is a traitor. He wants Davos to approve the dodgy plans he's been making with Saan (who I've said all along is a bad-un) and recommend to Stannis that he be made Hand. Or else.
Davos can't be anything but honest to his beloved king Stannis, though. He comes close to being a little too honest with a dig about Stannis' disloyalty to Aerys, who was legitimately king before Robert. But Stannis appreciates the honesty. Sensible man. He also seems to have the measure of Axell and agrees that his plan is no good.
It's a wonder, then, that he doesn't see through this Melisandre and her tricks. At least GRRM is doing a good job of making them look like cheap fortune-teller tricks. Look into the fire and tell me what you see? Really? Is she channelling Madame Trelawney? Can she also bend spoons? Then again she does seem to be able to make people die, so there's that. And the vision in the fire did rather look like the Watch on that hill. Westeros is a confusing place for a skeptic.
Anyway Stannis makes Davos the Hand. I'm not quite sure why, given that he clearly had the power to get Davos out of the dungeon, he didn't do that before. But an honest Hand ought to be a good asset. So good decision, Stannis.
And now more spells, powered by either Stannis' blood or Robert's bastard Edric Storm's (he's got the blood of a king too, see). Seems like Melisandre is going to make Joffrey, and Robb die, which will be quite an upset (and Balon Greyjoy, which will be more of a footnote). Cripes.
Saturday 5 January 2019
ASoS 35: Catelyn 474
Hoster Tully is finally dead. Edmure is now lord of Riverrun. He can't shoot an arrow to light the funeral boat; add that to his list of failures along with sending Tywin Lannister's army to King's Landing and stopping Robb from ambushing him instead.
But at least the Freys are willing to reconcile. As long as Edmure marries their presumably ugly sister sight unseen. But he reluctantly agrees to it anyway. I'm sure it will turn out to be a terrible strategic blunder; Edmure is one of those characters with an aura of doom about him.
Robb is desperate to get to Winterfell since he has learned from the Freys that it is burned and Theon has gone walkabout.
But at least the Freys are willing to reconcile. As long as Edmure marries their presumably ugly sister sight unseen. But he reluctantly agrees to it anyway. I'm sure it will turn out to be a terrible strategic blunder; Edmure is one of those characters with an aura of doom about him.
Robb is desperate to get to Winterfell since he has learned from the Freys that it is burned and Theon has gone walkabout.
ASoS 34: Arya 460
Arya finally makes it to the rebel base. Lord Beric, Thoros and others debate what to do with the captured Hound, for he is the Lannister man Arya saw out of the window. I start to like the Hound a little more during this exchange since he rightfully points out that he's hardly responsible for killing perpetrated by other Lannisters. But then Arya reminds me that he happily murdered her friend Mycah after she got into an argument with Joffrey. Damn you GRRM, with your momentarily sympathetic bad guys.
Anyway, since these rebels are all Lord of Light worshippers it's trial by combat. Which the hound wins despite getting badly burnt (really didn't need the image of flesh sloughing off an arm, there, GRRM). But Beric is still not dead even after being cloven nearly in two by a sword. So it's almost definitely magic now and not just a rumour put about that he's unkillable. Wow.
Anyway, since these rebels are all Lord of Light worshippers it's trial by combat. Which the hound wins despite getting badly burnt (really didn't need the image of flesh sloughing off an arm, there, GRRM). But Beric is still not dead even after being cloven nearly in two by a sword. So it's almost definitely magic now and not just a rumour put about that he's unkillable. Wow.
ASoS 33: Samwell 441
The remnants of the ranging have made it back to Craster's place. Lot's of them are dying and Craster is being a bit stingy with the food, so it all kicks off. I'm a bit vague about what the Watch does for Craster apart from not kill him, but they strike me as a little entitled, to be honest. "Mind if I bring 30 of my friends, and can you feed us all for a few weeks, too?"
Mormont has it right but loses control of the men. In quick succession, Craster's wife/daughter/niece Gilly has a baby boy, significant because we think Craster will leave him to die in the woods as an offering, and a fight breaks out leaving Craster and Mormont, among others, dead.
Sam needs to leave, but Gilly and her sisters urge him to take Gilly and the baby because, drum roll... The Sons of Craster are coming! Not as dead in the woods as we thought, are they? Are they wights, or something else?
Mormont has it right but loses control of the men. In quick succession, Craster's wife/daughter/niece Gilly has a baby boy, significant because we think Craster will leave him to die in the woods as an offering, and a fight breaks out leaving Craster and Mormont, among others, dead.
Sam needs to leave, but Gilly and her sisters urge him to take Gilly and the baby because, drum roll... The Sons of Craster are coming! Not as dead in the woods as we thought, are they? Are they wights, or something else?
ASoS 32: Tyrion 425
Tyrion has another busy day. Are all his days like this, or do we just happen to drop in on him when several major plot developments are going to happen in a single day?
He visits Shae's friend Simon Sevenstrings who is threatening to go public with a scandal, so Tyrion arranges for Sevenstrings to be killed by Bronn, which is so obvious you'd think Sevenstrings would have thought of that.
He has been put in charge of rebuilding the broken parts of the city, since Ser Kevan is too griefstricken from all his dead and injured sons. Tyrion doesn't know how he's going to pay for it since the treasury is empty and Tywin won't open the family coffers for that, or Joffrey's wedding. He seems to have no trouble buying expensive swords made from rare metal, though. The swords have red in them and the blacksmith doesn't know why but it's probably something to do with the Lord of Light or that comet.
Tywin is trying to get Tyrion to make sure Sansa bears him a son. Tyrion is still trying to avoid that.
News from the watch has arrived and it's not good. Tywin is trying to get them to put his man Janos Slynt in charge. Tyrion knows Slynt would be useless at it.
He visits Shae's friend Simon Sevenstrings who is threatening to go public with a scandal, so Tyrion arranges for Sevenstrings to be killed by Bronn, which is so obvious you'd think Sevenstrings would have thought of that.
He has been put in charge of rebuilding the broken parts of the city, since Ser Kevan is too griefstricken from all his dead and injured sons. Tyrion doesn't know how he's going to pay for it since the treasury is empty and Tywin won't open the family coffers for that, or Joffrey's wedding. He seems to have no trouble buying expensive swords made from rare metal, though. The swords have red in them and the blacksmith doesn't know why but it's probably something to do with the Lord of Light or that comet.
Tywin is trying to get Tyrion to make sure Sansa bears him a son. Tyrion is still trying to avoid that.
News from the watch has arrived and it's not good. Tywin is trying to get them to put his man Janos Slynt in charge. Tyrion knows Slynt would be useless at it.
Wednesday 2 January 2019
ASoS 31: Jaime 413
It was his hand Vargo cut off, not his ear. I should have known. Ouch. GRRM is making me feel sorry for Jaime Lannister, who pushed Bran out of a window. To think he was planning on releasing Sansa as promised; in this chapter he risks himself and causes himself much pain stopping Brienne from being raped by Brave Companions. He does seem to have some good in him. Of course, we are inside his head, and no-one really thinks of themselves as the baddie. The Companions also laugh at him and he realises how Tyrion must feel when he is laughed at -- and we are reminded that Tyrion loves Jaime because of a lie, once again. I probably should know what that is about, but I don't.
Jaime and Brienne are taken to Harrenhal. The plan is to keep sending body parts to Tywin until he pays the ransom. Jaime and Brienne are brought up to date on recent events and Jaime gets his wounds fixed up by Qyburn, a disgraced maester who works for Vargo Hoat. Brienne is now under the protection of Roose Bolton, who I think is still loyal to Robb, but I'm not sure.
Jaime and Brienne are taken to Harrenhal. The plan is to keep sending body parts to Tywin until he pays the ransom. Jaime and Brienne are brought up to date on recent events and Jaime gets his wounds fixed up by Qyburn, a disgraced maester who works for Vargo Hoat. Brienne is now under the protection of Roose Bolton, who I think is still loyal to Robb, but I'm not sure.
Tuesday 1 January 2019
ASoS 30: Jon 405
Jon and the wildlings ascend the wall. Only one team of climbers fall to their deaths. Once ladders are in place it's easier for everyone else. Ygritte reveals that the secret thing Mance Rayder was looking for was called the Horn of Winter, a.k.a the Horn of Jaramun, supposedly with the power to destroy the wall.
Oh, and digging up graves looking for this horn is what has made the Others reappear. This is not going to end well.
Oh, and digging up graves looking for this horn is what has made the Others reappear. This is not going to end well.
ASoS 29: Arya 395
Arya and company reach Stoney Sept, a decent sized town. She kills some prisoners dying in cages, because whatever their crimes, nobody deserves that. Also it's unnerving that they're Stark men. They stay at an inn called ??? that also happens to be a knocking shop run by one Tansy. Could she be the Tansy that Lord Hoster was muttering about in his delerium? If so then Catelyn has the wrong end of the stick.
One of the prostitutes jokes that her dad might be King Robert. She has his hair, but Arya dismisses this because Gendry also has his hair. But she doesn't know that that's because Gendry is Robert's son. And the hair presumably is very significant, after all that's how this whole saga started, with a dead hand who got too close to the truth after noticing Joffrey was too blonde.
Gendry fancies Arya and is annoyed because she is too highborn for him, so he goes off in a huff. Arya doesn't notice and doesn't know why he's in a huff. As a king's bastard he's higher than he realises, though. High enough to marry Arya? Don't know. But I now predict Arya ends up on the iron throne with Gendry as king regent.
The mad huntsman has of Stoney Sept has caught a Lannister but it's not Jaime, Arya can tell. Who is it?
One of the prostitutes jokes that her dad might be King Robert. She has his hair, but Arya dismisses this because Gendry also has his hair. But she doesn't know that that's because Gendry is Robert's son. And the hair presumably is very significant, after all that's how this whole saga started, with a dead hand who got too close to the truth after noticing Joffrey was too blonde.
Gendry fancies Arya and is annoyed because she is too highborn for him, so he goes off in a huff. Arya doesn't notice and doesn't know why he's in a huff. As a king's bastard he's higher than he realises, though. High enough to marry Arya? Don't know. But I now predict Arya ends up on the iron throne with Gendry as king regent.
The mad huntsman has of Stoney Sept has caught a Lannister but it's not Jaime, Arya can tell. Who is it?
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