Vicki’s Comments (group member since Jul 17, 2015)

Vicki’s comments from the A Song of Ice and Fire - A Chapter a day group.

Okay, I read all 7 and some of them I hadn't thought about and I like, others, not so much. I kind of like the Jorah theory...but he just doesn't come across as a very important character, to be honest. I don't know, but thanks for the mention!

*SPOILERS FOR A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE* (view spoiler)[I only mentioned the direwolf banner because the Blackfyre family is an off-branch off Targaryen and they kept the same sigil but switched the colors. I thought maybe the Karstarks (which sounds a lot like Stark) would have a white direwolf on grey background or something. And I agree with you that a lot of the northern men would be knights if their religion allowed it.

I also didn't realize Shaggydog is the only direwolf with black hair and green eyes my first reading. I only discovered this after reading comments other people have said online and I took special care to take note my second reading. All the other direwolves are some shade of grey with yellow eyes (besides Ghost, who is an albino). I think it seems really odd to be a mere coincidence, but I don't know what it means. It could go the other way, too, that Rickon is fated to be a really, really badass character! I just don't know. But it's interesting to think about. (hide spoiler)]

Your point 2: It makes me wonder if Ned was ever aware that his wife was pregnant during the time he was away? Did he only find out about Robb when he came back for her, or did he somehow get a raven while he was at war, telling him that she's pregnant?

Your point 3: I think it's briefly mentioned that Brynden Tully and his men closely studied Jaime Lannister's movements in and around Riverrun, so he got a good notion that Jaime cannot stand hiding behind the walls of Riverrun when there are raiders to attack, so he knows his weakness from observation. I think he's a very clever man to lure Jaime like he did.

I have to admit, the first time I read this chapter I didn't clearly understand what was going on. It was a lot easier the second time around. I also don't know that much about war tactics, so I thought Robb and all his men were well away from Cat, getting their battle on, and she was waiting to see who would come back for her. As it turns out, Cat was hiding with them in the woods as they wait patiently to ambush Jaime, who's pursuing the Blackfish for raiding a nearby village.

Your point 12: Haha! I also like how Jaime seems to mislay everything. He has a sense of humor that even though I still hate him at this point in the books he still manages to make me laugh. And you are right, I hadn't noticed how cool and calm he is at being captured. I sort of saw it as that's just how Jaime is; he doesn't take anything seriously and maybe he is overconfident that they would not dare harm him because he is so important to the queen.

Good stuff!

1. I think it's interesting this chapter starts with: "The woods were full of whispers." Right away it reminds me of the northern gods. Even though Cat doesn't believe in the old gods she still hears whispers through the trees. (And perhaps it is only because there are thousands of men hiding everywhere in the woods, but I got a spiritual feel from it.)

2. So Catelyn is waiting in the forest for Robb's first battle, no doubt very nervous for him. I like that Robb wanted fifty guards to protect her should anything go wrong and she wanted only ten, so they settled at thirty, "neither happy with it." :) You can tell they care a lot about each other, each caring less for their own safety and more for the other. I can really feel the tension.

3. A lot of men in her life made her wait, so she's learned to be patient.

4. Ned and Catelyn got married in a sept, okay. For some reason I thought they got married in the godswood. I feel for Cat when she was younger, looking forward to marrying handsome Brandon Stark and getting Ned instead. I'm glad they learned to love each other! But can you imagine how awkward it must have been to be all excited about marrying this one man for most of your life and then you end up with his brother instead? And then she had to watch Ned leave, never knowing when or if he would ever come back...that must have been extremely difficult for her, and pregnant too. The life of a lady sounds so stressful! You wouldn't think it at first glance.

5. So now she's waiting for Robb Stark to come back to her, her first son, the one she was carrying while she was waiting for Ned. No wonder she's having flashbacks -- it's set in the riverlands, too, close to home.

6. Apparently Jaime had never learned to wait for anything. The drawback of being born into the wealthiest family in Westeros. This could be his downfall today.

7. They rely heavily on Ser Brynden Tully's knowledge of where Jaime and all of his men will be, from scouting. There are so many things that could go wrong if he's not right about Jaime being unaware. But the Blackfish is smart and experienced.

8. Jaime's holding Riverrun and has 3 to 1 soldiers compared to what they have, but the Blackfish is sure they'll win because Jaime is impatient.

9. I like that Ned says a lord should be seen by his men before going into battle. Gives them courage. Maybe Robb can give them a rousing speech, like Braveheart, lol.

10. Robb is known as the Young Wolf, and all the lord bannermen's sons want the honor to protect him. :) You can tell Robb is a beloved leader, and he hasn't even fought a battle yet! I really like that one of his protectors is Dacey Mormont, a girl, though it's said she'd been given a morningstar at the age where most girls get dolls, lol. That's really cool that Robb allows it. I think that makes her Jorah's cousin.

11. Forgot about the snow shrikes. In the dictionary, they are also called butcherbirds. Apparently they are northern birds. They only show up in the riverlands in the winter, presumably for migration, and right now it's still summer. I wonder what this could mean.

12. They've basically led them into a trap, waiting for Jaime and his men to take the bait. Jaime goes after raiders in an effort to have something to do (because it must get pretty boring waiting around inside the walls of Riverrun), so he goes after the Blackfish for raiding and gets himself ambushed. Cat almost feels sorry for him. She can't see the battle, but she can hear it.

13. Robb comes back to her with blood on his hand but he says it's not his'. He seems shaken. They've kidnapped Jaime, woot!

14. Of course Theon would want his head cut off; he likes kicking heads. But Robb keeps him as a hostage instead, a very valuable one, too!

15. Robb is upset that some of his protectors died saving him, awe. He feels guilty that he allowed men would die in his place. You can tell that he really cares about his men, because of this. I like that Cat tells him to mourn them, but not right now. They still have to retake Riverrun.

16. Lol Theon...he likens this battle as as great as the Field of Fire, which was the only time Aegon the Conquerer unleashed all three dragons in the battle for Westeros. He had a ratio of 1 in 10 soldiers, but he won because he had dragons. A lot of people died from the flames. I wouldn't go that far, Theon...

17. I like that Cat chastises Theon, saying unless they've taken Tywin Lannister himself, the war is far from over. Robb agrees. (No doubt capturing Jaime will inflict Tywin and Cersei's wrath!)

18. This chapter was short but full of tension!

I haven't had the chance to read them yet but I will today, since I have some time. I'm like you; I'm having a bit of trouble balancing my everyday life and commenting on here. I'm just so happy I managed to catch up!

1. Tyrion shows up late, waddling in pain -- is it because of his dwarfism or is he really just not used to the hard riding? Either way, I feel sorry for him. And my mouth watered at the alcohol and pork being served!

2. There Tywin goes again, comparing Tyrion to Jaime.

3. There are 300 men in total from the mountains, come to aid Tyrion's father in battle for the promise of the Vale. This is what they do best, fighting. I bet they're pleased as punch at the new weapons and armor they've acquired.

4. I laughed at this: "Shagga is of the opinion that three axes are even better than two."

5. Now they want Tyrion and his "savages" at the vanguard, on the front lines. Tyrion has come to the conclusion his father is hoping he'll get himself killed as he tries to make himself a hero. Uncle Kevan suggests the savages are ferocious enough that he'll be fine.

6. When Tyrion tells them the ferocity of his warriors, Tywin says this: "When soldiers lack discipline, the fault lies with their lord commander." Hinting a go at Tyrion, I think. He adds if he can't command his men then he should go in the rear, guarding the baggage train, not so honorable. Ouch! And when Tyrion angrily says he'll command the vanguard, Tywin then says he said nothing about comannding; he'll serve under Ser Gregor, oh gods... This angers Tyrion so much he leaves the table, barely touching his food. As he's leaving he hears them laughing behind his back. That's so terrible! Bullied by his own family, and his father's the ring leader!

7. I find this sad and I really feel for Tyrion here: "He was surrounded by men sworn to House Lannister, a vast host twenty thousand strong, and yet he was alone." Well, he's not entirely alone; the mountain men invite him into their party. :)

8. There are only four clans helping Tyrion; I thought there was more, somehow.

9. I'm surprised Tywin gave him servants and even a squire. Introduction to Podrick Payne! :) The world's worst squire but sweetest, loyal boy. I didn't know you could have a squire if you weren't a knight.

10. Poor Tyrion, his past servants would fetch him a whore and sometimes forget to mention their lord is a dwarf. He hated the way they looked at him when they first found out who they were servicing. How sad! I'm sure they didn't mean to do it on purpose; but it is a constant reminder to Tyrion that he is so hideous that even whores, trained to make their customers feel desirable, look down at him in horror. He doesn't need that right now.

11. Introduction to Shae. This girl right away proves witty and all about the gold. Tyrion thinks they'll get along splendidly because of this, but I foresee trouble from the getgo, simply because you cannot buy friends and girlfriends. The relationship is simply not built off of mutual respect for each other; only the gold binds them together...what happens when the gold runs out? I have never liked Shae from my first reading, and I still don't. But I think whores are his weakness, and his over confidence/compensation by being rich. Here it sounds like Tyrion is Mr. Grey, all bossy about everything she does under his service. They're just missing the contract, lol. It's been over a year since he's been with a woman; time to clean the pipes! Letting go of some sexual tension is just what he needs, he thinks, keep his mind on something other than the prospect of his death on the morrow. That, and it makes him feel loved -- even if he knows she's only doing it for the gold.

12. Sounds odd that Bronn doesn't need to sleep like other men. Why is that? It could be nothing, though. It's good to know Bronn will fight beside Tyrion in the battle.

13. "My giant of Lannister," says Shae. I rolled my eyes. This girl knows how to stroke his ego. ;)

14. I think it's strange that Shae would be so scared at the trumpets blasting for assembly. Has she never been a camp follower before? Has she never been in a camp as it's getting ready for an attack?

15. That sucks Tyrion's personalized armor was left at home, so now he has to make do with oddments to fit his misshapen body, and none of it matches. This will only make him look sillier.

16. I like this: "If I die, weep for me."

"How will you know? You'll be dead."

-Haha. Shae is so blunt and practical. But then she also knows when to suck up to him...

"M'lord looks fearsome."

"M'lord looks a dwarf in mismatched armor." Haha!

17. I wonder if this is Tyrion's first real battle, of which both sides have knights and a fair playing field.

18. I bet Tywin and his bannermen thought they had the advantage over Robb Stark because they probably thought they'd be tired from marching all night!

19. That's interesting...I also wonder if Jaime ever contemplates his death before a battle.

20. Uncle Kevan leads the center with archers, pikemen, and men-at-arms. The right of the kingsroad is all cavalry, to contain the enemy so they can't flank them, shrewd man, Tywin. He is described very eloquently up on his hill.

21. Tyrion remembers when he last saw Robb and is uneasy with the prospect of seeing the direwolves again, ha!

22. The vanguard is on the left, right next to the river. That doesn't sound safe.

23. I like what Bronn says of Ser Gregor: "Always follow a big man into battle. They make such splendid targets." Ha!

24. Gregor still isn't wearing his sigil, interesting. He waves a two-handed sword in one hand like it's a dagger, damn! He commands Tyrion to take the left. "The left of the left." No doubt Tyrion thinks he's safe with Ser Gregor -- except Gregor is Tywin's dirty-worker. I wonder if Tyrion heard about what Gregor did in the riverlands... I'll bet if the Starks don't kill him, Ser Gregor Clegane will, especially since he's not wearing a sigil.

25. At least the mountain men cheer for him. :) The vanguard is mostly cavalry too, but unlike the right where they're all knights and heavy lancers, the left is full of leather armored men, undisciplined free riders and sellswords, field hands with rusty blades, and half-trained boys...clearly a lot less organized. Mostly men who won't be much missed when they die. Bronn calls them "crow food." Yup.

26. Apparently Ser Gregor isn't a very good leader, does all his commanding with rage, and he will get them all killed. This almost screams out at me that Tywin wants Tyrion dead, hiding it as an act of valor. I'm surprised Tyrion doesn't realize this sooner, but perhaps it's his adrenalin pumping.

27. Of course the enemy emerges over the tops of hills, so Tywin can't see just how big their army is.

28. I like that the sounds of the warhorn and trumpets make Tyrion feel like the enemy is larger and they are smaller.

29. It's funny how all the mountain clans run pass Tyrion, leaving him in the dust. Ha! So much for being in command of them.

30. The Mountain is crazy! He charges right into a hedgehog of pikes and shields, breaking the formation, killing his horse in the process. Most other horses shy away from the pikes, but not his horse. The mountain men follow right behind him before the shield wall can close again, hacking and slashing. They are more like the Mountain than I realized.

31. A rain of arrows hits both Stark and Lannister alike, and Tyrion can't say where it came from. I think I know...

32. Even when Tyrion fell off his horse, taking a knight with him, and the vanguard and center moved north beyond him, Bronn finally shows up. Of course he does; if Tyrion dies Bronn gets no gold; yet it's still good to see him.

33. They watch the reserves, 500 Lannister knights, charge pass them to "clean up."

34. Somehow Tyrion survived being in vanguard with only a swollen elbow. Though there were many times it looked as if he might die, the gods must have watched over him.

35. Only half of the mountain men are dead. That's impressive!

36. Tyrion went to find his father in the back, of course he didn't fight with his men... I think Robert Baratheon would have joined the fight. I don't know if that's cowardly of Tywin or shrewd. But he glares at Tyrion coldly, even as Tyrion comes right out and says, "We were supposed to be butchered, were we not?" Though Kevan praised the mountain men for fighting well, I wonder if Kevan was in on this, the attempt on his nephew's life.

37. Of course Tywin would talk his way out of looking guilty. He comes up with a strategy that sounds convincing. It takes a while for Tywin to notice his son's hurt. I'm surprised he even mentions anything about it (perhaps he's secretly hoping he'll die from an infection!).

38. I like that Tyrion hints that unless he gets the maesters, he'll have a one-armed dwarf for a son. :)

39. I wonder why the Marbrand sigil is a tree on fire. That sounds pretty badass! It's the second time this chapter it is mentioned.

40. Though they caugh a bunch of Stark commanders, one being dead (Hornwood), Robb is not with them, much to Tywin's dismay. His officer says Robb is said to have crosseed the Twins, riding hard to Riverrun with most of his men. Ha! Also, Roose Bolton manages to escape.

41. I just love the last paragraph in this chapter: "A green boy, Tyrion remembered, more like to be brave than wise. He would have laughed, if he hadn't hurt so much."

- Robb is sneaky! I'd say it's quite an accomplishment to fool Tywin Lannister.

1. The carnage is very well orchestrated with the Dothraki. They have mercy men to go through the fields, taking heads off the dead and dying, so I guess that's a good thing; a flock of small girls to collect the arrows; and lastly, a group of feral dogs to eat the flesh. This is their livelihood; I wonder what Dani thinks of her husband now!

2. Khal Ogo is considered foolish for shooting all of the sheep "when there were shepherds yet to kill." Oh man! The sheep could've been of such use! What a waste! I'm seriously not liking the Dothraki right now.

3. They use whips to herd the surviving women and children into town. They've of course destroyed everything. They're all slaves now. Some take it better than others. Well, if you have Dothraki as neighbors you shouldn't be so surprised!

4. Jorah says these people were Lhazareeen but Dothraki call them the Lamb Men. (Lhazareen sounds like Lazarus who rose from the dead!)

5. Khal Drogo tells Dany these people were trespassing on Dothraki land; and their sheep were eating Dothraki grass... Okay, so I kind of understand now why they just attacked a whole nomadic tribe of farmers and shepherders.

6. They take sport in torturing a poor boy who was only trying to escape! So barbaric!

7. But I feel better when Jorah kills the Dothraki who taunted him for being a coward because he wears his steel armor, you go Jorah! They respect him for his fierceness.

8. Jorah says Drogo killed Khal Ogo and his son Fogo for attacking the town. Dany wonders what the villagers thought as they saw Drogo's khalasar attack and kill Ogo's khalasar; if they stayed in their village because they thought their gods gave them deliverance. So sad! What's worse, the women are getting savagely raped; they're not used to the Dothraki mounting customs, since this doesn't seem to really be any different than what they do with their own women. Except their women don't wail horribly. How men get off on that is beyond me.

9. Dany has to remind herself she's of the blood of the dragon, that she is strong, and moves on. These thousands of people will be sold as slaves so they can buy the ships required to go to Westeros, and Dany tries not to cry. :(

10. Forgot Jorah mentions Meereen and Slaver's Bay so early on in the series! It's sick how Jorah makes it seem like slavery is no big deal. It is to Dany! Does he not care about their wailing?

11. My respect drastically rises for Daenerys when she confronts the Dothraki riders who are raping this poor girl. She knows it's their custom, but she grows a spine after all. :) She commands Jorah and her khas to stop it. I laughed when her khas look baffled. It never occurred to them that rape is wrong. Quaro even says they're doing her honor... She tells them to stop it anyway and Jorah tells her she truly is her brother Rhaegar's sister. :) Such an honor!

12. There are more women getting raped in town and Dany rescues as many as she can. To do it, though, she has to claim them as her slaves. She has that right; she is the khaleesi, I believe. (I don't think she can claim male slaves as this might look bad to Drogo. Plus, I don't think there are any males getting raped).

13. Dany is starting to be more bossy -- telling Jorah he can't tell what she can or cannot do, because she is the blood of the dragon. :)

14. Dany sucks up to Drogo when she sees him in town, injured. "No man can stand before the sun of my life, the father of the stallion who mounts the world." Indeed! ;)

15. I like that Dany can tell Drogo what she did without fearing his wrath, seemingly. He tells her it's the way of war, which makes sense, but these people weren't hurting anyone! As far as I know, they didn't carry around weapons. They were peaceful.

16. I laughed at the part where Qotho asks does the horse breed with the sheep and Dany angrily tells him, "The dragon feeds on horse and sheep alike." Haha! Something about Qotho reminds her of Viserys, so that probably spurs her hatred for him even further.

17. Also like Drogo as he praises her for growing fierce! He says it's his son inside of her that's filling her with fire. I doubt that; the blood of the dragon is what fills her with fire. Then he tells Qotho off and Mago to find another slave to mount. What Drogo says goes.

18. Drogo winces when he moves and Dany realizes he's hurt worse than he and Jorah had let on. Drogo waves her off and says it's nothing. "'Tis a scratch!" basically, lol.

19. Qotho truly believes these Lhazareens lie with sheep, wtf... Didn't Viserys once say the Dothraki lie with their horses?

20. Introduction to Mirri Maz Duur...lol... It's interesting that she is knowledgeable in many languages, speaking fluent Dothraki and Common Tongue, as if she speaks often with people of that language, while all the other slaves couldn't understand anyone. She calls herself a godswife to their temple. She's a healer and can heal Drogo. Some of them call her "maegi" though. Maegi are said to be women "who lay with demons and practiced the blackest of sorceries, a vile thing, evil and soulless, who came to men in the dark of night and sucked life and strength from their bodies." *SPOILER FOR CLASH OF KINGS* (view spoiler)[Sounds like Lady Melisandre!!! (hide spoiler)] She doesn't look like a maegi to Dany, though I don't know how she would recognize one if she sees one, and she urges Drogo to make use of her healing powers.

21. Jorah asks where she got her learning and Mirri Maz Duur says she learned at Asshai by the Shadow. *SPOILER FOR CLASH OF KINGS* (view spoiler)[So did Lady Melisandre! (hide spoiler)] She learned from several different people when she studied there, including a maester named Marwyn (whom we hear a little more about in later books, but I forgot a lot about him). Ser Jorah doesn't seem to believe a maester would ever be seen in Asshai, but she describes what maesters look like to the T, convincing him she's telling the truth. She also says all men are one flock, and she starts to sound very Christian here with the protecting of the lambs, lol.

22. I am very surprised Drogo lets Dany help him walk to the temple for healing. She tells him she's no man, so it won't be said a man helped him. It's surprisingly sweet. :)

23. We don't get much information on the Great Shepherd religion, but it sounds closely related to Christianity.

24. I wonder what's in the pale green paste she puts inside the flap of Drogo's skin. Sounds nasty, and painful! I could never be a nurse...

25. I forgot Drogo was supposed to say a few prayers she gives him for ten days and nights.

26. Odd she doesn't recommend milk of the poppy, though I believe that stuff primarily is used to let you sleep and dull the pain, but I guess pain is nothing to Drogo so it's no big deal.

27. I like that Mirri Maz Duur calls the birthing bed "the bloody bed." :) Dany wants her to help with the birthing of her son. Sounds like an honor, even though she is a slave and that's her job.

28. Drogo laughs and reminds her she doesn't ask a slave to do something, you command her. That's true!

29. "The Great Shepherd guards the flock." I want to know more about this Great Shepherd! *SPOILER FOR CLASH OF KINGS* (view spoiler)[He doesn't seem to be the kind of god that poisons people and calls down demon spirits like Mirri Maz Duur, or Melisandre with her R'hllor god. I think these two women are out to ruin the world, or at the very least, use evil magic to get their own way that I don't believe either god they supposedly worship condones. Not even R'hllor and his fires, because Thoros of Myr only seems to use his cleric spells to heal people or bring them back from the dead. Did Mirri Maz Duur or Melisandre ever bring someone back from the dead? (hide spoiler)]

1. I think it's very interesting that Jon had burned his hand so badly yet he should still be able to use it; but oh, I had forgotten the level of his agony! I'm actually surprised he'll have any use out of it at all, by how bad it sounds. *SPOILER FOR A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE* (view spoiler)[If you were a true Targaryen, blood of the dragon, you shouldn't have burnt at all! Though I suppose he is only half-Targaryen. Maybe he's immune to frostbite instead... I just thought this moment was big for him, and kind of makes me doubt a little if the R+L=J theory is right. Perhaps he isn't Targaryen, or perhaps he is; we'll never know until George Martin spews the last few books out! (hide spoiler)]

2. Interesting that Jon dreamed his father was a wight.

3. And they still can't find Benjen Stark. Such a mystery.

4. You can tell Mormont wants to call them what they are but he doesn't dare as it "...doesn't bear thinking of." He knows instinctually that there will be more, because the long summer is finally ending, and "...a winter is coming such as this world has never seen." Spooky!

5. Hmm...very interesting that the raven chooses to repeat "father" when Jon asks if there was a letter about his dad. The first time I read it I didn't think anything of it. But now I wonder the level of this bird's intelligence; why it chooses to say certain words over others.

6. Yes, why do you put up with that pestilential bird, Mormont?

7. But the letter was about Ser Barristan Selmy. Selmy apparently escaped Janos Slynt's gold cloaks! Yay! But now he's wanted for treason. Sounds like Mormont doesn't approve of Joffrey at all. Now the bird "laughs." "Boy, boy, boy, boy." Interesting. Didn't know birds could laugh.

8. I like that Jon asks about his sisters and not just Arya. :)

9. Apparently Pycelle has been known to "deign reply." Mormont doesn't like that King's Landing only tells him things they feel he should know, but Jon is hurt that Mormont does the same thing to him, for not telling him Robb called the banners and went south; probably because they don't want to encourage him to abandon his post. And I really like this: "No matter how often Jon told himself that his place was here now, with his new brothers on the Wall, he still felt craven." :) Maybe it's a sign!

10. I like that the raven came down to check out the sword Mormont is giving him. :) The bird approves him taking it, lol. I think it's very sweet of Mormont to give Jon his family sword; even putting a direwolf on the pommel for him. It belonged to the Mormonts, but it's his now -- Valyrian steel, too! That's rare stuff, and given to a bastard too, that's really saying something! I think it's more than just that Jon saved his life; I think Mormont thinks of Jon as his own son.

11. Also really like that it's a bastard sword! Totally appropriate! It's lightweight only because it's Valyrian, and it seems to fit in Jon's hand.

12. I guess I was wrong in one of my earlier posts: Mormont took the black before Jorah dishonored the family. The very sight of the sword reminded him of his son's shame, awe. He doesn't really want it anyway.

13. Interesting Jon often dreamed of saving his father's life. :) Out of it, Ned would give him Ice, though he knew it could never happen, and is even shamed thinking about it -- "What kind of man stole his own brother's birthright?" Awe... Jon doesn't think he deserves this. Love how humble he is. As bastards go, Ned did a good job by him!

14. Like how Mormont praises Jon for his quick thinking: fire! And brings up the Long Night that happened 8,000 years ago. Really like how he's piecing it together. Mormont is not stupid nor too stubborn to refuse to admit that certain legends can come true. I like that about him.

15. It really bothers Jon that he dreamt Ned melting in that fire that killed dead Othor. It frightens him. I wonder what it means? "Lord Eddard Stark is my father. I will not forget him, no matter how many swords they give me." :) *SPOILER FOR A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE* (view spoiler)[Even if Rhaegar is his biological father, Ned will always be his dad! (hide spoiler)]

16. I like what Mormont says: "Honor the steel with deeds, not words."

17. Also like that Jon keeps Longclaw's name. :) And how Mormont is pleased by this.

18. Ser Endrew Tarth -- was he named after the island of Tarth? Mormont calls him a good man. He'll be the new master-at-arms while Ser Alliser is away, thank the gods, to show the undead hand to the court at King's Landing, pleading for more help at the Wall. This distresses me because it's said Ser Alliser has friends at court. That could go badly for Jon, potentially, if Ser Alliser has a mind to ruin him. But for now it puts distance between the two of them, putting stress off of Jon and a lot of others, too.

19. I don't know if Longclaw will forever be Jon's sword. I kind of like the idea of Jon handing it back to Jorah one day. :) It's very interesting that he isn't truly pleased to have it. I didn't notice it the first time I read it, but now I am getting the vibes that he's not fated to keep it based off of several times throughout this chapter how Jon isn't truly happy about it. I don't know, just an inkling. Plus it would be a big honor for Jorah. ;)

20. For some reason, unknown even to him, he's angry. Odd. What's he so angry about? Frustrated, I can understand. But anger?

21. His friends knew he'd get the sword, interesting. Apparently they helped patch it up. That's so nice of them! :) But even though he knows he should be honored, he can't find it in his heart. So sad. *SPECULATION ON THE SWORDS JON USES* (view spoiler)[Perhaps Jon is fated to have Lightbringer instead, or one of the swords forged out of Ice? Or Blackfyre itself! The Targaryen sword lost to them from Daemon Blackfyre. So many good swords... (hide spoiler)]

22. The other wight had killed Ser Jaremy Rykkar, that sucks. He wasn't very nice anyways. Also killed four more men before finally dying, somehow. It was never explained.

23. I smiled when Jon shows Ghost the pommel of the sword and says, "Look, it's you." :) Even more when he licks it! He remembers finding Ghost when he was a pup. He was alone, driven away because he was different. Similar to how Jon feels. I really hope Jon stops feeling that way -- Ned Stark says family needs to stick together: the lone wolf dies but the pack survives!

24. Sam briefly tells Jon about Heartsbane, the Tarly family sword, also Valyrian steel. It always scared him as a child. No surprise there; Sam is scared of all kinds of things.

25. Jon is now angry with poor Sam for telling Maester Aemon that he told him about Robb going off to war when he wasn't supposed to. Now the maester wants to see him; no doubt Jon thinks he's in trouble.

26. Jon tells Maester Aemon that Mormont's raven prefers fruit and corn as opposed to the bloody bits he's feeding the others. The maester says he's a rare bird; most eat grain but prefer flesh, makes them strong. Like men, all birds are different. :) *SPOILER FOR DANCE WITH DRAGONS* (view spoiler)[I wonder if Maester Aemon knows it's Bloodraven? (hide spoiler)] He tells Jon a little bit about the nature of ravens. Some hate them because they're black and eat the dead. Jon says he heard the wildlings call the Night's Watch crows. The maester says a crow is the raven's poor cousin, both are hated and misunderstood. I wonder exactly what the difference is between the two? Is one larger than the other?

27. I understand where Maester Aemon is coming from with the whole 'love is the death of duty,' but it still doesn't seem right to me, even in my second reading. ESPECIALLY because Jon doesn't think it sounds right, either. But because the maester is so old and a maester, he doesn't try to contradict him. I seem to remember Albus Dumbledore once tells Harry that old men can be wrong, too! :) The maester says Ned's a man in 10,000 to choose duty over his family at Jon's hesitant response. *SPOILER FOR UPCOMING CHAPTERS IN A GAME OF THRONES* (view spoiler)[Except Ned will choose family over duty! (hide spoiler)] But I believe a man has a duty to his family as well, and as long as his actions are in pursuit of keeping everyone safe and happy, I can't see what's wrong with that. Now, say your family asks you to do something that directly infringes upon your ability to protect the realm, and you do it, how exactly did you help your family? You shame both your family AND the realm, then. I think there's nothing wrong with having a wife and children, just so long as you all know that your duty comes first to the Wall, like a lord has his duty to his people. But that's just me. It's hard to argue against Maester Aemon, but I gotta do it! lol

28. "We are only human, and the gods have fashioned us for love." Well if that's true, why have these kinds of vows then if you know so many will be tempted? Temptation alone will also keep them from performing their duties, if it constantly nags at them. Fogs their brain. Thinking about how much you want to be at a brothel instead of paying attention to what you're looking at on top of the Wall would be just as bad, I think. You can't force someone not to be tempted. There's just something off about this, to me. Even Maester Aemon has to be wrong sometimes, I think.

29. The founders of the Night's Watch knew they should have no divided loyalties...but why would their families pull them away from the Wall? I think that if they choose to have a family, they should have their wife and children understand that their job always comes first, and anything that would pull them from protecting the realm is wrong. Maybe, when all this is over, someone will revise the creed of the Night's Watch so that the men can have families that live in the Gift, try to be more accommodating. That wouldn't "weaken their resolve," it would strengthen it; have something to protect!

30. The rest makes sense to me. It's easy to be "brave" when there's nothing to fear. And we all do our duty when there's no cost to it. But it's when their vows are tested is when a man proves his worth. Maester Aemon gives examples of brothers in the past who stood by and did nothing when their families were in danger, even himself. This is a very hard grey-area, concerning morals. And Jon will be tested on more than one occasion, as well. I can't really say what's right and what's wrong because if it were me, I'd try to protect my family, but I am biassed, I guess. (Consider the Tully words: "Family, Duty, Honor"). But I have a question for Maester Ameon: What is left to defend if the realm you are protecting reduces itself to rubble from the inside out? You should be able to protect it from itself, in my opinion.

31. Creepy how the Maester looks at him! "Jon felt naked and exposed." Though it's not so creepy when you think about it; the maester still has use of his hearing and feeling. He can sense exactly where Jon is, probably even where he's facing, by the sound of his breathing and track him by his body heat. But still, it's kinda spooky regardless.

32. I really like how Jon pieces it together that Maester Aemon was a Targaryen. Aegon V's brother; Aegon the Unlikely. :) He is the Mad King Aerys's granduncle!

33. Even though Jon learns about this shocking twist in the story, we never find out whether or not Jon comes to agree with him, do we? At least, not at the end of this chapter. Because Jon still struggles with his love for his family and his base morals to help the realm. It's the kind of thing he has to learn on his own.

I've finally caught up!

1. Catelyn worries for her family, the Tullys and the Starks, but the only one she can help right now is Robb. She prays she'll be fierce and hard like the North. "You must be a Stark for true, now, like your son." She tells herself. I like this a lot.

2. I like that Robb spends each day with one lord bannerman to listen to their advice and not show favoritism -- like Ned.

3. Late Walder Frey hasn't joined Edmure Tully yet; no surprise there. He has 4,000 men just sitting around at the Twins. Didn't know Walder Frey was closer to Casterly Rock than Riverrun. That sounds like a bad omen. Catelyn says of Lord Frey that he "...has never lacked for cunning." Hmm...

4. Brynden Tully is immensely helpful by killing 12 Lannister scouts for them.

5. Catelyn does not trust Walder Frey; she orders archers to shoot any raven found leaving the Twins, but Theon says Brynden already is on that, and smiles as he says he'll fashion her a hat out of these ravens. I smiled at this for some reason.

6. Theon is all for fighting Lord Frey if he refuses to let them cross and Catelyn is against it because Tywin will only attack their rear if they do. Catelyn is surprisingly good with war strategy!

7. Interesting that the Blackfish's broach is made out of obsidian. I thought that was a rare resource, *SPOILER FOR A STORM OF SWORDS* (view spoiler)[which turns out to be very effective against white walkers! (hide spoiler)]

8. It is the Blackfish who finds out Edmure is alive but captured by the Kingslayer and Riverrun is under siege. All the more reason they need to get across the river post haste! Also, Lord Frey's drawbridge is up and portcullis down. That poses a problem.

9. I like when Cat chastises Robb saying he sounds like a sulky boy by wanting to get around an obstacle in the way or tear it down instead of using words to get what you want. :) "A lord must learn that sometimes words can accomplish what swords cannot." I think this idea comes easier to women than men.

10. The Freys are rich because of the toll people pay them to cross the river for 600 years. A Water Tower stands in the center of the bridge with murder holes, slits, and portcullises in case anyone tries to cross it without paying. It took the Freys three generations to complete the bridge. They have two keeps on either side as well, now known as the Twins.

11. I like that Roose Bolton says of the Twins: "That cannot be assaulted, my lords." :) We know how much you like to assault people.

12. Conveniently, Walder Frey had sent four of his sons down to talk with them. Apparently they all look like weasels, lol. The heir, Ser Stevron, is past his 60's and has grandchildren of his own, damn! But he is polite to them at least. He says his lord Father would be honored to share dinner with Robb but all the bannermen of the North disapprove of this, lol. I can't believe they're all saying he can't be trusted right in front of Stevron! Catelyn shouts she will go in Robb's stead, before they miss their chance. Ser Stevron vouchsafes Catelyn by leaving one of his brothers with them until she returns, as a sign of trust. Problem with that is the man has 21 sons; I think he can probably sacrifice one and not give two shits about it.

13. Wow... Walder Frey has 21 living sons, 36 grandsons, 19 great-grandsons, numerous daughters, granddaughters, bastards, and grandbastards (I love that word!). Lord Walder himself is 90 and his current wife is only 16, his eighth wife...poor girl. Apparently he has always been blunt and harsh in manner. Being old only makes it worse. Cat tries not to offend him or take offense by him. Good plan.

14. Ser Stevron surprisingly reproaches his father, saying he invited her here. I don't recall that's what happened, but that was nice of Stevron to say! Walder Frey is so mean to him...he's mean to all his sons. I really hope one day his children will turn on him. I'm surprised no one's killed him yet!

15. When Cat asks why hasn't he gone to Riverrun yet he says he'd been waiting for all of his men to gather before setting off. One of his sons confirms it. Hmm... He asks is it his fault Edmure lost before he could march? Ouch.

16. When Cat tells him flatly they want to cross he asks why should he. Um...because your liege lord would command you to? This man isn't stupid, though. He knows that if the Tullys lose this war he'll tell Tywin he was on Casterly Rock's side the entire time. Sounds like he just doesn't want to fight, period. I understand about that, but it's not very noble at all -- kind of reminds me how Tywin Lannister operates, when Robert Baratheon fought against the Targaryens.

17. Cat's response is that Robb has 20,000 men waiting outside. Was this supposed to threaten him? Frey reminds her that her husband's a traitor in the Red Keep's dungeon, her dad's very sick, her brother may be dead, why should he help her? Now she explains that he swore an oath to her father. Even in death I would think that'd still hold up. He admits he said some words, but he also said words to the king, too. And the only reason why he's not completely for Tywin is because he simply didn't ask yet. Now Cat is asking, and so are her family through her voice. I think this Walder Frey just likes to be needed...have control over people, it's sick. And if you want something from him you'll have to suck up to him.

18. Now we see Frey's side. He says the Tullys have always pissed on him. They refuse to marry their sons and daughters to his' and won't go to any of his weddings. I can kind of see why Walder Frey dislikes them. But it's a two-way street. Nobody wants to associate with a jackass, lol. I like that he goes off on a tangent, like a typical old man. He also wanted two of his sons fostered by Jon Arryn but they turned him down too, probably because he offered to ward their son...lol. I think at the heart of it he just wants to see his family branch out and succeed. But no one likes him for his attitude and disregard for honor.

19. Interesting that Frey also says Stannis was supposed to foster Robert Arryn, not Tywin as Cat had heard. This seems very important to know, as it's been mentioned multiple times in this book.

20. Walder Frey seems to enjoy haggling, lol. He rambles a lot, too. Likes to hear himself talk, I suppose. Really likes talking about women and producing sons...his life's work!

21. It takes almost the whole day but Catelyn finally rides out to tell Robb and his lords bannermen she did it; they have the Frey's permission to pass and their men. In return, he wants two of his grandsons, Walder and Walder, to ward at Winterfell; they are 8 and 7, Bran's age, so that should be good for him. Lord Frey's son, Olyvar, will squire for Robb with the promise of eventually being knighted, along with the promise that Arya will marry one of his younger sons when they are of age, and Robb too must marry one of his daughters, once the fighting is done. A lot of terms, but it is pretty doable and fair, I thought. Just because Lord Frey is unpleasant that doesn't mean they're all bad.

22. I laughed at hte part when Robb asks if he can refuse, and Cat's response: "Not if you wish to cross." Ha!

23. Cat respects Robb when he consents. "Boys might play with swords, but it took a lord to make a marriage pact, knowing what it meant."

24. That night 9/10ths of their army passes the bridge on the western side. The 1/10ths stay on the eastern side to meet up with Tywin Lannister down south.

25. Wait...I thought it said 9/10ths went west with Robb and Cat, but in the next paragraph it says 9/10ths stayed on the eastern side with Roose Bolton...which is it?

I like your point 10, and haven't given it a whole lot of thought before. It does seem strange that Varys, who was not born in Westeros nor grew up here, would care so much for the realm unless there's something about Westeros he really likes and wants to see thrive, or maybe the complete opposite and he secretly wants to watch it burn? I know King Aerys employed him but other than that I don't know much about Varys's story of how he came to be here. Interesting thing to look up!

1. Can I just point out the coincidence that today’s chapter is Ned’s 15th, today is the 15th, and the year is 2015?

2. Look up nitre= Niter, or nitre (most English-speaking countries) is the mineral form of potassium nitrate, KNO3, also known as saltpeter. It is colorless to white. Because of its ready solubility in water, niter is most often found in arid environments. Potassium and other nitrates are of great importance for use in fertilizers and, historically, gunpowder.

3. He can’t see anything in the Red Keep’s dungeon cell. He feels like he’s been buried alive.

4. Ned damns them all, even Ser Barriston. But he blames himself most of all. Calls himself a fool. :( As much as he wants to cry he can’t, “...his grief and his rage froze hard inside him.” And above it all his leg still hurts. It’s probably getting infected by being down there. He can’t even tell time it’s so dark.

5. “When he slept he dreamed: dark disturbing dreams of blood and broken promises.” Hmm... *SPECULATION ON NED STARK’S PROMISE TO LYANNA* (view spoiler)[Maybe a part of his promise was to tell Jon his true parentage when he becomes a man? Now he’ll never get to do that, not in a dungeon so far away from the Wall. (hide spoiler)] But when he’s awake his thoughts are actually worse: thinking of and worrying about Catelyn and his family.

6. Ned also thinks of Robert a lot...about how he failed him. But the vision of Robert in his head turns into Littlefinger and he laughs at him. Grey moths fly out of his mouth, too. Eww!

7. Ned’s leg is burning hot and he is feverish. Uh oh.

8. Ned thinks about the tourney at Harrenhal again, interesting. He was 18 at the time.

9. I want to learn more about the White Bull, Ser Gerold Hightower, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard at that time. It’s interesting: “...fastened the snowy cloak of the kingsguard about his shoulders.” Intersting the kingsguard, down in King’s Landing, wear white and the Night’s Watch, up at the Wall, wear black -- Targaryen color. Jaime has just been added to the kingsguard.

10. Ned remembers Rhaegar beating everyone at jousting, and how he silenced everyone when he crowned Lyanna the queen of beauty with winter roses... “blue as frost.” When Ned grabs for the flowers the hidden thorns prick him and blood runs down his fingers, and then he wakes from his dreaming. In consciousness he hears her again, “Promise me, Ned.” Now he cries (he’ll cry for his sister but not for his daughters, that’s interesting), and thinks he’s going crazy.

11. The only thing the turnkey gives him is water. He knows Cersei needs him alive as a bargaining chip so they don’t want him dead yet, but he is starving for food.

12. I’d forgotten Varys transforms himself into a gaoler. His voice gives him away. *SPECULATION ON VARYS* (view spoiler)[I wonder if he’s a faceless man? (hide spoiler)] Ha! Ned asks what sort of magician he is and if he’s poisoned the wine. :) Varys takes a sip of the wine to prove it’s not poisoned.

13. Varys tells Ned Arya escaped. That’s good. :) And he tells him how Sansa pleaded for his life. :) He also tells him flat out he’s a dead man, being all honest. He even tells him that before he became a eunuch he was a mummer and learned that every man has a role to play. I like this: “A courageous informer would be as useless as a cowardly knight.” That’s a valid excuse for him not getting so closely involved. Hard to argue with that.

14. When Varys says he could rescue him but he won’t because it’d put him in jeopardy, Ned calls him blunt, lol. Yup! Though it disturbs me that Varys says a eunuch has no honor.

15. Varys does say, without hesitation, that he seeks peace, honorable, but I don’t know if I believe he truly wanted Robert to stay alive. He could protect him from his enemies but he couldn’t protect him from his friends. Varys asks why on earth would Ned tell Cersei he found out about her secret? Ned says, “The madness of mercy.” :( It was honorable, though!

16. Varys also reveals it was Cersei who gave Lancel the poisoned wine. And I love this: “It was not the wine that killed the king. It was your mercy.” Sad but true! Ned begs the gods to forgive him; he honestly didn’t think this one through.

17. Interesting that Varys says “If there are gods...” Sounds like a skeptic! It doesn’t sound like there are many skeptics in this world, where there are all sorts of gods and worshipers.

18. Varys says Cersei would’ve tried to kill Robert soon anyways...Robert was getting unruly, and Cersei wants to deal with his brothers. He also says Ned should’ve taken Littlefinger’s suggestion; let Joffrey remain in power. Odd that Varys actually agrees with Littlefinger on something!

19. Varys is a wealth of information for Ned, all true so far, too. He even tells Ned that Robb is marching south to fight in the riverlands. Ned is surprised by this.

20. I like this: “There is no creature on earth half so terrifying as a truly just man.” Ha! *SPOILER FOR A DANCE WITH DRAGONS* (view spoiler)[But I don’t know if he believes Stannis is the true heir, as in book 5 he claims Aegon is the true ruler...unless he knows Aegon isn’t, but still wants everyone to believe he is! (hide spoiler)]

21. The one good quality about Cersei: She cares more about her children’s safety than her own.

22. I like that Ned says Stannis is Robert’s true heir *SPECULATION ON WHO SHOULD RULE* (view spoiler)[And not "the rightful heir.” Because technically Jon would be, being Rhaegar’s son, assuming R+L=J theory is correct, which I think it is. And even if it isn’t, Daenerys would be the rightful heir, or Aegon, if he truly is alive after all. The point is, Robert was a usurper and not a true king, in my opinion. They didn’t have to root out every single Targaryen they could get their hands on. (hide spoiler)] “I would welcome his ascent.” *MORE SPECULATION ON WHO SHOULD RULE* (view spoiler)[Because Ned said nothing to Lyanna about getting Jon on the Iron Throne, probably. (hide spoiler)]

23. I really like that Varys says he wants Ned to serve the realm, and he can do that by cooperating with Cersei. He believes Cersei will let Ned live out the rest of his days on the Wall with his bastard son.

24. Very interesting that Ned is full of shame and sorrow when he thinks of Jon Snow. And this: “If only he could see the boy again, sit and talk with him...” OMG!!! Wha does he want to say to him?!? It’s killing me!

25. Interesting that Varys says Littlefinger is the second most devious man in the Seven Kingdoms. Who’s the first? Varys? Varys admits he says enough things to make Littlefinger think he’s on his side, just like he does with Cersei...this could also potentially mean he’s doing the same thing to Ned. But Ned already came to this conclusion, ha! Varys is such a mystery. Like Professor Snape in Harry Potter.

26. Varys says he serves the realm, and I think he believes he means it, although I question if his motives are actually doing just that.

27. Didn’t know Princess Rhaenys had a little black kitten she named Balerion, so cute! So sad, though.

28. This is so true: “...why is it always the innocents who suffer most when you high lords play your game of thrones?”

29. I think we can all tell what Ned’s going to do. He knows his daughter’s life is on the line. *SPOILER FOR UPCOMING CHAPTERS IN A GAME OF THRONES* (view spoiler)[I really hope Sansa redeems herself, because her father lied for her and still got himself killed. (hide spoiler)]

About your point 2, I am pretty sure there are no weirwood trees left in King's Landing. The trees in this godswood are just regular trees that naturally grow there. They don't even have faces carved into them, but the fact that King's Landing still has a godswood is meant to respect the legacy of the First Men and the children of the forest, after the Andals finished conquering them they made a pact and built a godswood there to honor them. *SPOILER FOR A DANCE WITH DRAGONS* (view spoiler)[I am pretty sure Bloodraven tells Bran that when he gets skilled enough he will be able to get inside every tree's memories, not just weirwoods, but for now it is easiest for him with a weirwood because of its mysticism. (hide spoiler)]

1. The hunting tapestries in the throne room are taken down; I guess Joffrey doesn't like them. I can only imagine how he will decorate his new throne room...

2. Sansa is "rewarded" freedom to move anywhere in the Red Keep, as long as she doesn't try to go beyond the walls, and must always be guarded. I thought she could do this when her father was Hand, so there is nothing "honored" about this. Cersei still has her under lock and key and Sansa doesn't know it. Still their prisoner.

3. Interesting Sansa sometimes prays in the godswood for her father and not just the sept. :)

4. This is Joffrey's first court session, only about 20 men waiting. There would normally be about 100 or more waiting upon King Robert -- this should probably tell her something about what their subjects think of Joff.

5. Lots of people ignore/refuse to look at her, because of her father, no doubt.

6. Sansa doesn't understand why she is feeling afraid -- it's her Joffrey she's going to talk to, after all. Follow your instincts, Sansa!

7. Joffrey is wearing black, red, and gold -- Targaryen colors. Even his crown has rubies and black diamonds embedded in it. It kind of reminds me of Germany's flag, and World Wars I and II are about to happen!!

8. Joffrey has Pycelle read off all the names of men who must swear fealty to him or they will be deemed traitors and lose all their lands and titles. The list is very long. They even include Arya.

9. Joffrey names Tywin his Hand. Tywin once was Aerys's Hand, by the way. This screams "bad omen" to me.

10. As a reward, Janos Slynt is a lord now and given Harrenhal. Ass. He takes a bloody spear as his sigil. Ugh... Spears he used to backstab the Starks for gold. Apparently Cersei Lannister rewards backstabbers. After all, she comes from a line of them.

11. And here Cersei is being an idiot. She "relieves" Ser Barriston Selmy of his duties as a member of the kingsguard on the account of him being too old. Even though he is proven still very capable in battle, and kingsguard are supposed to serve for life. She seriously dishonors him here...big mistake. Selmy is pissed! Littlefinger seems to approve.

12. He is replaced as Lord Commander by Jaime Lannister, who is not even here to defend the king! "The kingslayer," Ser Barriston said, his voice hard with contempt." Varys at least is polite about this, saying he served the realm well and he'll be given lands, men, and gold as a reward -- a place to die in, basically. "I am a knight. I shall die a knight." You go, Selmy!

13. Stupid Littlefinger makes a joke and now all the kingsguard and the court laughs at him, wth... Sansa feels sorry for him. Then he insults hte others, saying they could not protect the king from him if he had the mind to attack. And wow: "Perhaps Lord Stannis will chance to sit on it when he takes your throne." That was ballsy!

14. In place of Ser Barriston, Joffrey names Sandor Clegane the newest member of the kingsguard, despite not being a knight. I can't tell if he is honored or what.

15. Sansa takes this time to plead to Joffrey to show mercy to her father. She asks the gods to please give her her mother's strength. I really like this. :)

16. Joffrey smiles at her, giving her encouragement. Though his mother and councilors are very harsh about Ned's treason, Joffrey appears moved. Poor Sansa! She truly believes he cares *SPOILER FOR UPCOMING CHAPTERS IN A GAME OF THRONES* (view spoiler)[but he's really doing this on purpose to emotionally shatter her, because he's a sociopath! (hide spoiler)]

17. Varys seems to take pity on Sansa's pleading, though. Whether it's an act, I don't know. I think he's just trying to play neutral, like with Ser Barriston earlier.

18. Cersei then says if Ned confesses his crime, then he will prove that he has repented. Joffrey says he'll show him mercy, but only if he confesses and says Joffrey is king. This of course Sansa promises he will do. Poor girl...

I'm wondering if Tywin set up his headquarters in the inn because it somehow boosts his spirits being at the place where his son was humiliated by a woman. Or perhaps not, because he does say it insults the Lannister name.

And I didn't even catch your point 6 until just now! Ha!

1. Tyrion is very close to the crossroads with his band of mountain men. There are 300 so far, but there will be more to follow.

2. I think it's funny wondering what Tywin will think of Tyrion's mountain men. Tyrion himself is not even sure if he's their commander or captive, ha! A little of both.

3. I like how Shagga's coin phrase is chopping off someone's manhood and feeding it to the goats. He overdoes it.

4. Tyrion chooses only the leaders of each mountain clan to go talk to his father. That way it won't be so intimidating.

5. I think it's funny: "...they had an absurd notion that every man's voice should be heard in council, so they argued about everything, endlessly." Democracy at work! A Greek invention. "Even their women were allowed to speak." lol, uh oh...

6. Interesting that every clan in the mountains feared the Burned Men, who got their names by burning their flesh with fire to prove their courage -- and some say they roast babies at their feasts. Oh my! Timett son of Timett burned his own eye when he reached manhood. And I like this: "If a man was mad enough to put out his own eye, he was unlikely to be gentle to his enemies."

7. Everyone is so surprised to see Tyrion show up out of nowhere, lol. They probably all expected him to be dead.

8. I forgot Lord Tywin took his headquarters at the inn at the crossroads -- the very inn Catelyn Stark had taken him! Even Tyrion laughs. "Perhaps the gods were just after all."

9. The inn still looks the same, but the rest of the town has been reduced to smoldering rubble. Then he looks up and sees the innkeep's corpse hung in a gibbet, her body partially eaten by ravens, omg... "A room, a meal, and a flagon of wine, that was all I asked," is what Tyrion tells the corpse, oh so sad. She didn't want any trouble, but ironically it's the Lannisters who killed her. Tywin is so barbaric. They won't even put away her body.

10. Finally, after hearing so much about him, we are introduced to Tywin Lannister! He is in his mid-fifties, yet as hardy as a 20-year-old. Tywin is bald, didn't want half his headhair, so he got rid of it all. His eyes are pale green with gold flecks. Someone else has pale eyes...Bolton. What's up with evil people having pale eyes? Someone once joked that Tywin Lannister's shit had flecks of gold in it, too. That man hasn't been heard of again. Uncle Kevan Lannister sits with Tywin. He is surprised to see Tyrion as well. Tywin doesn't quite look so surprised, but he stares him down for a long time. The first thing he says is, "I see that the rumors of your demise were unfounded." I laughed, Tywin does not appear happy to see him, and is smart about how he says things so it doesn't outright come across that way.

11. Ha! I love Tyrion's reaction: "Sorry to disappoint you, Father," Tyrion said. "No need to leap up and embrace me, I wouldn't want you to strain yourself." Sounds like that's the last thing Tywin would do anyway. This part is sad, though: "Whenever his father's eyes were on him, he became uncomfortably aware of all his deformities and shortcomings." What a sinister, judgmental man! I'd hate to have him as my father -- complete opposite of Ned Stark.

12. Also love this: "Kind of you to go to war for me."

13. And somehow Tywin always seems to put a damper on anything Tyrion says. He says this is Tyrion's fault, for allowing himself to get caught by a woman, adding his brother Jaime would never have done that. Ugh...stop comparing your favorite child to your least favorite! We all know whom you prefer to succeed Casterly Rock when you die...and it's NOT Tyrion. Unfortunately, Jaime is a member of the kingsguard so he cannot take up his father's lands. A bitter irony for Tywin Lannister that Tyrion by rights should have it.

14. Tyrion says the Lannister words: "Hear me roar!" in response to Tywin saying their House's honor was at stake. If honor was so important to them you'd think otherwise by all their dishonorable deeds.

15. According to Kevan Lannister, sounds like Edmure already scattered his defenses, despite what Ned commanded him not to do. Because of that, the Lannisters are winning left and right. Sounds like Jaime has been pretty busy...they even captured Edmure Tully.

16. This is true: "No sword is strong until it's been tempered," Lord Tywin declared. This he says in response to Robb Stark with a strong host at Moat Cailin. Tywin thinks Robb is a stupid little boy who won't be muchof a match for him. He calls war "butcher's work." So true, though... This is the reality of war. Not so glorious as we think; and if we still believe that, we are no wiser than Sansa.

17. Tyrion just now finds out King Robert is dead. This means Cersei is regent. "The realm would be a much different place with Cersei ruling in place of her husband." Yes, that's true!

18. Tywin calls Gregor's group "foraging parties." Ugh...this man is so manipulative and cunning, using his own terms for otherwise despicable deeds as sounding like innocent duties. I already hate this Tywin. He says Beric Dondarion is harassing Ser Gregor! I laughed. Whatever you say...

19. Tywin commands Tyrion to deal with Beric and Thoros, "without making too much of a botch of it?" :| Personally, I think Tywin is hoping Tyrion will get himself killed trying to stop Lord Beric, whom he must know is chosen by Ned for a reason. Tywin wants Tyrion's death to look like it wasn't his fault. *SPOILER FOR A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE* (view spoiler)[Much like when he puts him in the vanguard, and with the Battle at Blackwater Bay. It's sick how his father and sister want him dead. (hide spoiler)]

20. When Shagga and the others make a scene Tywin asks who they might be, and is described as "...cool as snow."

21. Oh no, Kevan calls them savages intruding on their councils.

22. One of the mountain men angers Kevan, but Tywin plays it cool, politely asking Tyrion to introduce them to their "...honored guests."

23. I laughed when Tyrion gets to introducing Bronn: "And this is Bronn, a sellsword of no particular allegiance. He has already changed sides twice in the short time I've known him, you and he ought to get on famously, Father." Ha! He's talking about how Tywin switched sides from Aerys Targaryen to Robert Baratheon. *SPOILER FOR A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE* (view spoiler)[It's also a bitter irony that Tywin is the one who pays Bronn off so he won't want to be Tyrion's champion later on...I forgot which book that happened. (hide spoiler)]

24. Tywin is respectful of the mountain clansmen. He boasts hearing of their prowess and asks what brings them down from their strongholds. Tyrion is about to tell him what he promised, about tearing down the Vale, when they're interrupted by a messenger stating Robb Stark is heading south to attack!

25. Tywin never smiles, but Tyrion can tell when his father is happy -- and he's happy to hear this piece of news. Oh dear, he honors the clansmen by saying he heard they are warriors without fear -- by what we've learned from the Starks, being fearless is not such a compliment. This gains their willingness to help fight Tywin's cause with the promise they'll get their reward and more. Of course they demand Tyrion goes where they go, though, until they are rewarded. This will not go so well for Tyrion, and by his father's glare at him, Tywin knows this very well.

I didn't even think about that, your point 15. Why didn't Catelyn warn Robb about his father's bannermen? She warned him about Late Walder Frey, but that's about it. Strange. Maybe she only has a feeling about them, but no concrete evidence to judge them by.

And I agree, I am really liking Catelyn the second time around. :)

And your point 17, I think the point of that conversation is that just because someone is fearless, that does not mean they are brave, or even smart -- which to me I think is very true. The Greatjon might have given away their hidden motives, whereas Bolton is cunning and just might outsmart Tywin, another cunning person! *SPOILER FOR UPCOMING CHAPTERS IN A GAME OF THRONES* (view spoiler)[However, I don't know how Bolton feels about being the sacrificial lamb, since most of his men get slaughtered by the Lannisters in Robb's attempt to keep Tywin's eyes on Bolton and off of him. That may be one reason he betrays Robb in the end. Bolton never seems to fear anything, either. :( (hide spoiler)]

1. Catelyn and Brynden Tully arrive in White Harbor and are accompanied by the two Manderly sons of the lord of White Harbor. She is glad to see the Stark banner above the place. White Harbor has about 1,500 fighting men to join Robb Stark’s cause.

2. Lord Wyman Manderly is in his 60‘s and is too fat to ride a horse. His two sons are also very fat, barely able to ride their own horses, but they are to accompany her to see her son. Though they are very fat and their clothes are stained with food, Catelyn likes them.

3. Catleyn is excited and proud of Robb, who’s leading a host to war.

4. The encampment is at Moat Cailin, on the neck separating the North from the Riverlands. The soil is very soft here. It’s situated near a boggy swamplands. Much of Moat Cailin is now rubble and gone. Only three towers of 20 still stand. It was made by the First Men, very old. Even the still standing towers look shabby; slanted, moss-covered, and one has a tree growing out of it. Brynden Tully is not all that impressed at first glance, but Catelyn says it’s actually very formidable, despite its looks. The only way pass the Neck is to move through Moat Cailin, since everywhere there are bogs and sinkholes and poisonous snakes. You can’t climb the walls because it’s so slimy, and it’s said at night the ghosts come out, hungry for southron blood. :)

5. The Karstarks have the Drunkard Tower, the Umbers the Children’s Tower, but Robb holds the Gate House Tower.

6. I love Catelyn here, though she desperately wants to run to Robb and hug and kiss him and never let go she dares not do it in front of his lords, for he’s playing hte man’s part now and she’d make him look weak. :) She will not be that annoying mom right now.

7. Grey Wind is bigger now than any wolf ought to be. And Robb’s grown a red beard. :) She says she likes it; it makes him look like his Uncle Edmure. Um...is that a compliment? lol.

8. One by one all the lords welcome her, paying their respects. They all seem to genuinely like her. hey also expected her to have gone to Winterfell, not here. Apparently she sent Ser Rodrik north to be castellan at Winterfell.

9. It’s interesting that Roose Bolton’s voice is so small, but when he speaks larger men quiet to listen. Cat describes his eyes as pale and his look disturbing. He asks about Tyrion.

10. Apparently, just before leaving the Eyrie, she had offered to take Lord Robert with her to Winterfell, as it’d do him a lot of good to be with other boys his own age, but stupid Lysa says, “sister or no, if you try to steal my son, you will leave by the moon door.” WTF!?! Cat can’t even hold back her anger in front of the men, and calls her sister a fool.

11. They leave the two of them alone together and they catch up. She basically chastises Robb for being too young, only 15, and at first he is angry, but it soon disappears and softly asks if she’s sending him back to Winterfell, lol. She says she wants to, but it would look bad and he’s come so far already. She needs them to respect him, and if she sends him away now they’ll never forget that. “Laughter is poison to fear. I will not do that to you, much as I might wish to keep you safe.” :) He thanks her, relieved. Cat is a wise mother. She’s encouraging her son to be an adult.

12. Then she makes him uncomfortable by touching him and saying she remembers when he came squalling into this world, lol. She just couldn’t resist that one, could she? Ha!

13. Robb then shows her Sansa’s letter. Right away Cat says this is Cersei’s work. They are keeping Sansa as a hostage, and they both are troubled that she makes no mention of Arya.

14. Robb had hoped to use Tyrion to trade him for his sisters. He’d also hoped Aunt Lysa would call the Arryn banners, but no such luck on that front... Robb breaks down and begs for her advice. Once again she sees he’s only 15-years-old, with 18,000 men and he doesn’t know what to do. He just wants his family back, it seems.

15. Catelyn says if he bends the knee Cersei would never let him leave King’s Landing, but if he retreats to Winterfell he’ll lose the respect of his men and some will even go over to the Lannisters. And with them as no threat, Cersei can do anything she likes with her prisoners, so Robb has no choice but to fight, and hope he wins, maybe capture Tywin or Jaime for a hostage of their own. But he can’t give up now. She tells him like it is: if he loses, though...remember what happened to Rhaegar’s children? Robb vows he will not lose then. :)

16. Cat asks for the news on the battle front. It sounds terrible for the Riverlanders. Jaime is pushing Edmure’s forces back further, and the small army led by Lord Beric and Raymun Darry was trapped, Gregor Clegane came from behind and slew Raymun Darry and it’s not sure what happened to the rest of the party as they scattered, but most of Ned’s men that went with them were killed. “Grim and grimmer,” thinks Catelyn. It’s even worse than she thought.

17. I didn’t realize Robb had sent a letter to Howland Reed for help; makes sense, as Greywater Castle is close by. He will keep the Lannisters from going north, at least.

18. Robb believes Tywin will take his time, conquering each castle in the Riverlands, one by one until Riverrun is last. They can’t stay idle in Moat Cailin, they’ll have to meet him down south, in battle. Cat can tell his bannermen lords talking through him. “She knew what sorts of men they were, each one. She wondered if Robb did.” Interesting...doesn’t sound like she trusts them. But she also sees what they mean. She asks what he means to do.

19. I like how stern she gets with him suddenly, telling him to go home if he’s not certain. His bannermen will not want him as their leader if he can’t command. This startles Robb, as it did me. Then she repeats again, “What do you mean to do?” :)

20. He then tells her his plan, which I think is pretty smart for a 15-year-old. :) He plans to split his army in two, one to basically deceive Tywin, the other to cross the Twins and catch the kingslayer by surprise, also splitting their armies. Cat is also impressed, despite herself, though she tells Robb not to trust the Freys, who hold the Twins, as even though they’re her father’s bannermen, he’s always been late to join battle, hense: “Late Walder Frey.” Robb promises he won’t trust him -- but he doesn’t know...

21. I like that Robb chooses to take the more dangerous task himself, as Ned always had done, according to Catelyn.

22. But when she asks who will attack Tywin, Robb says the Greatjon because he’s fearless, telling her about the time Grey Wind ate two of his fingers and he laughed about it. But Cat says his father is not fearless, he's brave, but that’s not the same thing. Robb realizes what she’s saying. He decides on Roose Bolton instead for his cold cunning. He also adds the man scares him. And I laughed at: “Then let us pray he will scare Tywin Lannister as well.”

23. But when Robb says he’ll find an escort to take her back to Winterfell she says she’s not going back, but to her family in Riverrun instead, because it sounds like they need her. Her dad is old and dying and Edmure is surrounded by foes. “I must go to them.”

About your point 3, I don't know if the Dothraki trusted other knights or men from Westeros besides Ser Jorah, but that's an interesting question!

1. I don’t know if I’m convinced yet that Dany truly loves Drogo, or if it’s more of a Stockholm syndrome -- love your captor -- like some people believe. She gazes up at him, admiring him. Well, she kind of has no other choice, does she?

2. Dany is trying to convince Khal Drogo to set sail to Westeros and reclaim the Iron Throne for their son, the stallion who mounts the world, but Drogo refuses to cross the “poisoned water,” not even with a thousand ships. Dothraki don’t go where the horses don’t, and they fear salt water. But Dany says their son is fated to ride to the ends of the earth. Drogo is being stubborn.

3. It is funny, the mention of ships as a wooden horse. The Trojan Horse was made of wood, right? *SPOILER FOR UPCOMING CHAPTERS IN A GAME OF THRONES* (view spoiler)[And Miri Maz Duur was their Trojan Horse. Infiltrated Drogo’s khalasar by having Dany trust him, and she poisoned him (hide spoiler)].

4. Forgot all about the hrakkar, the great white lion of the plains. If he is successful in hunting it down Drogo may be so elated he might be willing to hear her out. Hmm.

5. It’s interesting Drogo fears no savage beast or man, but the sea frightens him. The Dothraki are superstitious of the sea and they hate it.

6. Dany then begs Ser Jorah to convince the khal to sail to Westeros. Ser Jorah says Drogo likely thinks of Westeros as nothing but a few small islands and cities like Lorath or Lys, not interesting -- because he’s never seen it. The riches of the east seem much more tempting... because you know, rape and plunder is so fun...

7. This phrase has been said before; so maybe it is important to take note: “The Dothraki do things in their own time, for their own reasons.”

8. “We will go home, I promise you.” says Ser Jorah to Dany. He tells her to be patient; don’t make the same mistake her brother made. But home for him is Bear Island. Where is home for her? To her, home is that place with the lemon tree and red door...supposedly in Braavos. She’s never been to Westeros before, either, like Drogo.

9. They decide to go to the Western Market; Ser Jorah heard a very large caravan arrived from Pentos. Illyrio’s from Pentos, Ser Jorah says he may have a letter. I’m sure he does!

10. Apparently, Dothraki custom decreed mothers stayed on horseback almost up to the moment of birth, but as much as she loves her silver, Dany is fat and uncomfortable and just wants to lie down in a litter with cushions and curtains to shield her from the sun. :)

11. Dany’s khas are, I’m assuming, the khaleesi’s bodyguards. She has four of them.

12. They pass the stolen monuments. I like this: “She wondered if the gods of burned cities could still answer prayers.”

13. Look up hummock: A small rounded hill.

14. Apparently the caravans come from all over not to trade with the Dothraki so much as to trade with each other, interesting. I’d be afraid they’d try to steal from me! The Dothraki leave them in peace so long as they honor the rules of Vaes Dothrak, do not vandalize the mountain or Womb of the World, and give to the old crones traditional gifts of “salt, silver, and seed.” By seed...do they mean semen? lol

15. Forgot Dany sees people from all over, like the solemn Asshai’i and the tall pale Qartheen. She even sees frightening Shadow men, who’re covered in tattoos and hide their faces behind masks. Spooky! This is East Market. The West Market is more like home to her, like Pentos and even Westeros! Like people from Lannisport, selling gold.

16. Dany remembers playing in the bazaar, and seldom buying anything because they were poor, except the occasional sausage and honeyfingers, which sound delicious.

17. Ser Jorah seems very eager to be off, alone, to find these letters, which Dany thinks is curious. He’s off to see if he’s pardoned!!! He doesn’t want her coming with him. Ha! She wonders if he’s off to find a whore...

18. I’m wondering how all the merchants know Dany is the khaleesi. Is she dressed a certain way? The wineseller knew right away that she is a khaleesi, but he didn’t know she was Daenerys Targaryen. Interesting.

19. It’s great that Ser Jorah shows up when he does, because if he hadn’t the poisoned wine would have been very bad for both Dany and Drogo, whom she wanted to share it with.

20. Intereesting: “You will drink,” Dany said, cold as ice.” Dany’s not usually associated with ice. And just as she says this, the merchant tries to run away but is caught by Dany’s khas.

21. I had forgotten the Merchant Captain saw what happened and told Dany she can have the merchant’s entire store of goods for her trouble, as a “small token of regret” that one of his would do such a thing.

22. Ser Jorah says he wasn’t sure if it was poisoned until the wine merchant refused to drink from it, but he suspected something like this would happen in a letter from Illyrio. Hmm. Dany is so fearful she feels her baby reacting to it and she whispers to him, “You are the blood of the dragon, and the dragon does not fear.” But if you never experience fear, you can never be brave, or respond appropriately in certain situations! It is right to be afraid sometimes.

23. Ser Jorah shows Dany the letter from Illyrio, sent to Viserys. “Robert Baratheon offers lands and lordships for your death, or your brothers.” Dany laughs and cries at the same time. She says the Usurper owes Khal Drogo a lordship, then. Because Drogo killed Viserys, ha! But when Jorah says Robert meant her death and her son’s as well, Dany refuses to cry. She won’t give him the satisfaction. He has woken the dragon now, and Dany suddenly wants to heat the dragon eggs, “...some strange wisdom buried in her blood.” She sends him away and puts the eggs in the fire. Instead of cracking and getting ruined, they seem to drink the heat up. :) She watches until the flames die out; they pulsate the heat but that’s it. “A dragon was air and fire. Living flesh, not dead stone.” Hmm...

24. Drogo arrives later that day very happy; he’d caught the white lion. But when they tell Drogo what happened at the market Drogo goes silent. He rewards Jorah with any horse of his choosing, except his horse and Dany’s silver, and to his son he swears h’ll give him the Iron Chair, the Seven Kingdoms, all of it. :) He gets really fearsome, however, with his speech, saying he’ll kill all the men in iron suits, tear their stone houses apart, rape their women, take their children as slaves, and take their gods back to Vaes Dothrak with the rest...wtf. I was starting to like him.

25. At the end of the chapter we see their khalasar heading southwest out of Vaes Dothrak, with the wine merchant chained to Dany’s horse. “No harm would come to him...so long as he kept up.” Wow...

About your point 3, I didn't get the feeling the North was unhappy at the small amount of knights they have. I think they think on the same lines as the Hound, that just because you are a Ser that doesn't make you a good person, and there are plenty of decent gallant fighters who are NOT knighted, like a lot of them are in the North, I'm sure.

Yeah, I get the feeling Bran will never get his good deeds recognized, but that will be okay with him by the end of the series, I think. I think Bran is fated to be a total badass character, using his awesome warging powers to do good for the realm.

1. I forgot about the Karstarks visit to Winterfell. They brought 300 horsemen and 2,000 foot soldiers from Karhold, too. Two of Lord Rickard Karstark's men are named after Starks: Eddard and Torrhen. (Torrhen I believe was the King Who Knelt).

2. Old Nan says they have Stark blood in them but they don't look like Starks to Bran. Karstark banner is white sunburst on black. Wonder why they chose a sunburst and not a direwolf?

3. Oh yes, Robb called the bannermen because Ned told him to. That's why they're all here.

4. Apparently one of Bolton's men knifed one of Lord Cerwyn's men in winter town. Robb doesn't want Bran to leave the castle because it's not safe, not even their own lordling is safe in his own home... Ever since the wildlings tried to attack Bran in the wolfswood Robb has been over-protective of him.

5. Together, they have 12,000 fighting men.

6. According to Maester Luwin, to become a knight you need to be annointed in a sept to consecrate your vows; there aren't many knights in the north because so few worship the Seven. Basically, just because you're a knight doesn't mean you're any better than the other fighting Northern men. "A man's worth is not marked by a ser before his name." :)

7. Robb plans to move south soon to join the rest of his bannermen; if he doesn't leave soon they'll eat all of Winterfell's food. They're going to help the Riverlands.

8. Riding in a wicker basket on Hodor's back apparently doesn't shame Bran as much as Hodor carrying him in his arms. And I LOVE when Hodor sometimes forgets to duck for Bran, between doorways, lol!

9. Love this: "Let them mock, Bran thought. No one mocked him in his bedchamber, but he would not live his life in bed."

10. There are more guests in Winterfell now than when King Robert visited.

11. There it is again, the heat: "The wolf glanced up from time to time, eyes smoldering like liquid gold."

12. Summer drinks from the pool by the weirwood. :)

13. Bran had always liked the godswood, but after his fall he's been liking it more and more. :) The heart tree no longer scares him. The face watches him, *SPOILER FOR A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE* (view spoiler)[He's watching himself! (hide spoiler)], and he takes comfort in it now. :) Bran prays Robb would stay, and if he has to go, come home safe, and with Mother and Father and the girls, and make it so Rickon will understand.

14. The boy's gone "wild as a winter storm" when he learned Robb was riding off to war. This seems worse than a mere child tantrum. It almost seems as if he might become a black sheep, which might correlate to why he is the only one with a black direwolf.

15. Once Rickon went missing, and when they found him in the crypts he'd slashed at them wit a rusted sword, "...Shaggydog had come slavering out of the darkness like a green-eyed demon." !!! The wolf attacked them, being as wild as he is, and now Shaggydog's chained up in the kennels now. That's a little too alarming not to address, to me!

16. Surprised Maester Luwin counciled Robb not to go. He's not going because he wants to; he's going because he has to. Robb's acting a lot different to Bran, now. He's not even 16 yet, but in a lot of ways he's an adult now, really fitting right in with his destiny.

17. I think Maege Mormont is Jeor Mormon't sister. She runs Bear Island and is a fierce warrior. I like that a lot!

18. And I love the scene of Robb and the Greatjon Umber. How he insulted Robb and took out his sword, and Grey Wind bit off two of his fingers, and after that, Greatjon somehow became Robb's right hand, ha! Also his staunchest champion who tells everyone Robb really is a Stark, so they'd better bend their knees to him.

19. I really like that afterward Robb confesses to Bran, alone, that he really thought Greatjon was going to kill him, and he was so scared, ha! But he's not the worst; Roose Bolton never says a word, but all Robb can think about when looking at that man is all the skins of his enemies hanging in the Dreadfort. And I laughed at Lord Cerwyn bringing his daughter, in hopes he'll marry her off to Robb. "Theon is certain I'll find the girl in my bedroll one night. I wish...I wish Father was here." :(

20. Bran has heard all kinds of rumors of what happened in King's Landing and in the Riverlands. One drunken taleteller even claims Rhaegar Targaryen had returned from the dead and was marshaling a vast host of ancient heroes on Dragonstone to reclaim his father's throne. Hmm...interesting.

21. Robb crushes Sansa's letter, pissed. He's angry that she never mentions Arya. He probably can tell it's not her words, though. Bran reminds him Sansa lost her wolf. Oh gods, he remembers how the three direwolves howled in mourning as Lady's bones were brought back to Winterfell. :( How sad! She is buried in an ancient lichyard, where the old kings of winter buried their faithful servants. :)

22. Bran remembers every single family member who'd gone to King's Landing had never come back, not even their servants. Now Robb wants to go to Riverrun to fight them; Bran is afraid Robb will join the statistic. :(

23. I smiled when Theon is mixed in with Bran's list of people to watch over: "And Theon too, I suppose." :)

24. Osha certainly believes in the old gods. She works in the kitchens and must always wear chains so she doesn't run away. I think Gage is the head cook. Strange that Osha tells Bran how she lets Gage do as he likes under her skirts and she likes the smel of flour on his hands and he's gentle... Then she gives an awkward bow -- not used to bowing, I'm sure. In return, Gage lets her pray in the godswood.

25. Osha tells Bran about the gods. How they can hear him, and they speak through the wind. She tells him they're sad; and Robb's not going to get any help from them if he goes south because they've got no power in the south anymore. "How can they watch your brother when they have no eyes?" All the weirwood trees were chopped down in the south. Maybe someone should carve faces out of newly planted trees?

26. I love how happy Hodor is as he emerges from the trees, naked. :) "Hodor, you forgot your clothes." "Hodor," Hodor agreed. Ha!

27. Osha says Hodor has giant's blood in him; that's why he's so big. She counters Bran's argument that they're extinct by saying her brother killed one north of the Wall once, and they can grow 12-13 feet tall and are hairy all over; women have beards like their husbands so you can't tell them apart. The part about female giants taking human men for lovers and starting half-blood breeds seems far-fetched to me, though. What kind of men would lay with a woman like that?? I can't imagine the giant women being seductive enough to cuckold them, lol. Makes more sense when Osha says it's harder when male giants mate with human women...Ouch! Haha, then Osha grins and says he probably doesn't know what she's talking about but he insists he does. He's seen dogs and horses mate. But talking about it makes him uncomfortable. Well of course! He's probably only 8!

28. Osha then tells Bran about the Others. What a wealth of information she is! Osha says Mance means well by wanting to fight, but in the end she calls him an "old black crow who flew down from the Shadow Tower. He's never tasted winter."

29. I like that Osha says she's tried warning Robb. "'M'lord Stark,' I called to him, respectful as you please, but he looked through me...so be it. I'll wear my irons and hold my tongue. A man who won't listen can't hear." And I really like how Bran pleads her to "Tell me. Robb will listen to me, I know he will." Osha then tells him that Robb's marching his army the wrong way...spooky!

30. When Bran goes to dinner, Robb sups in his solar with only the lords bannermen, leaving Bran to host all the other guests including the lord's sons. He can feel all of them watching as he is helped off Hodor's back -- how stressful it must feel to fight to be taken seriously when you're a cripple in this world!

31. Though they are all respectful in front of him, Bran hears Karstark's two younger sons talking about him, Eddard and Torrhen (the very ones who were named after Starks!!!). How cruel! They say they'd rather die than live like that, and he must be too craven to take his own life. WTF... They must not have known he could hear them. Poor Bran is afraid he'll be known as Bran the Broken.

32. Maester Luwin tells him some call maesters the 'knights of the mind' and asks has he ever considered becoming a maester? He's a clever boy; he'd make a good one. Bran says he wants to learn magic because the three-eyed-raven promised he will fly. Maester Luwin sighs and says no one can teach magic to him. Oh, I think someone could! Just find somebody in Essos!

33. When Bran tells Maester Luwin what Osha told him about Robb marching the wrong way, Maester Luwin politely tells Bran these are nonsense/fairy tales, and he shouldn't bother Robb with them -- "It's the Lannisters who hold your lord Father, Bran, not the children of the forest." :( Once again, Maester Luwin shoots down the wisdom of old legends because it's "children's stories." Sigh. I know he means well, but this maester is so deaf sometimes I can't even...

34. Two days later RObb rides out, telling Bran he's the lord of Winterfell while he's away. Rickon takes it especially hard. He's not even 4 yet, apparently. Robb says he can't be a baby forever...oh but he will if all his guardians are dead and no one is left to raise him!

35. Bran misses his opportunity to tell Robb he's going the wrong way -- probably because a part of him still thinks it'll make him look childish -- and he misses it. There's nothing he could've done, anyway. Robb would never have listened. They want their family back, and they are all down south, excluding the bastard.

36. When Bran watches Robb and all his men leave, and everyone cheers, he realizes no one will ever cheer for him like that and it is so sad. :( You know what, though? The only reason why everyone respects and fears Robb is because of Grey Wind, and Robb would never have gotten Grey Wind without Jon. Though Robb is kind, brave, and means well, I just don't think he's truly a Stark, more like a gallant Tully, like the Blackfish. *SPOILER FOR A STORM OF SWORDS* (view spoiler)[Robb and Bran also kind of remind me of Jaime and Tyrion. Jaime is handsome and brave, but probably fated to die, like Robb. And of course Bran and Tyrion are crippled/malformed, and hopefully both survive the series! (hide spoiler)]

*SPOILER FOR A DANCE WITH DRAGONS* (view spoiler)[Yeah I like that...Bran tells him first, and he thinks he's going crazy, but his nightmares make him go down to the crypts and he still has his doubts but now he's at least considering it, but then Howland Reed tells him and confirms it? Like you, I want that confirmation really badly!

Maybe the proof will be when Jon rides a motherfucking badass dragon!! Lol! (hide spoiler)]

*SPECULATION ON THE ENDING OF THE SERIES* (view spoiler)[I don't think I worded that right when I said Stark features. What I meant to say was that he might lose that one Stark aspect of himself, which would be Ghost, rather than lose a dragon in battle, which would be his Targaryen aspect. I might not even be saying that right either, lol. The whole thing's just giving me a headache, to be honest. :P

It's funny that you mention how Jon will be revived. I was just talking about this with my husband, all the possibilities how he will come back. I think the most popular theory is Melisandre will do it because she obviously thinks he's special and won't want him dead. But my problem with this is that...I don't recall ANY time she has ever brought someone back from the dead? Thoros of Myr is the one red priest who is known to bring people back from the dead. Lady Melisandre only seems to ever use illusions and blood magic, which would involve killing people. I don't think she is a true priestess of R'hllor, to be honest, or maybe she just thinks she is. I don't know. We'll have to wait and read Winds of Winter, which is killing me having to wait!

Another theory I came up with on my own (but I just know someone else has probably already came up with the idea before me) is that what if Jon's body IS dead, and becomes a white walker. When Jon's spirit learns how to consciously warg into other beings, maybe he can warg his soul back into his white walker body? Then he would be the second good white walker in the story, the first being Cold Hands. But maybe, because Jon is part Targaryen, not only is Jon's body immune to the Others, he ALSO can wield Lightbringer? He would be a hybrid then, the best of both ice and fire. I don't know the mechanics of how a white walker works, how zombie-like they are...if they can heal themselves or feel pain or if their hearts beat so their blood circulates or what -- probably someone like Thoros can eventually jumpstart his heart if he needs it. But I thought that would be an interesting idea. (hide spoiler)]

*SPOILER FOR A DANCE WITH DRAGONS* (view spoiler)[I'm glad you agree! I never thought he loved Ygritte either. There is a big difference between loving someone and having sex with someone you like, and I think the show really overdid the two of them together. In the book anyway, I think Ygritte's role was to be the prime wedge that got Jon in with the wildlings, that and so he can know a woman so he can truly understand how hard it is for a man of the Night's Watch to keep true to his vows, and she is his "teacher," lol, possibly in more than one area in his life. Cough, mostly the bedroom, cough. I really hope George Martin is kind and lets Jon have a wife and kids by the end of the series, with who, I don't know, just someone good for him. I too am hoping that after the big final battle the Wall will no longer be needed and hence the Night's Watch will disintegrate. Can you imagine the mass flooding that would happen if the Wall just melted?

I also like how you said he should love himself more. I think he will when he realizes he's part Targaryen, and (I really hope!!!) maybe not even a bastard either! Of course I think he'll go through a phase where he's angry at Lord Eddard Stark for lying to him, to everyone, but if Catelyn is there she probably will do her best to be a mother to him after she finds out. I like Catelyn a lot, even more after my second reading, and I can just see her feeling extremely guilty when she finds out Jon is actually her nephew. Like that one chapter where Ned wonders what Catelyn would do in a situation where her kids were threatened. It really made me think...what if Jon is in a situation where he is honestly trying to do a good thing, but one of her kids stands against him, like Rickon trying to kill him? What would Catelyn do in that situation? Which side would she pick if she had to save only one, and she knows her own son is at fault? I'm not saying Rickon is fated to be evil, though I have heard some people theorizing that he will turn out to be a bad apple, I was just throwing out an example. I think it would really say something about Catelyn if she ends up helping the boy she has always hated over her own son, because she knows it is right; preferably before she finds out Jon is Lyanna's.

I haven't heard of that theory; I'm sure there's lots of theories I haven't heard of yet! I'm not sure if I'll have time to read them today, but I'll definitely be sure to look into it! :) (hide spoiler)]

About your comment on Mormont, I thought I read somewhere that when his son disgraced the family by selling the poachers as slaves Jeor Mormont decided to join the Wall rather than deal with the stuff at home. I could be wrong, though, but that's what I understood to have happened.

And I also wondered how Jon knew about Lady and Nymeria. But after rereading, it makes sense that perhaps Maester Luwin from Winterfell might have sent a letter to Jon about what happened, just to keep him in the know (or maybe one of his brothers did) since Lady's bones were returned to Winterfell, they would have gotten news of what happened, and why Nymeria went missing.

1. They recognize the two dead men they found in the woods. Men Benjen Stark took with him on his journey to find Waymar Royce. They both have very blue eyes...hmm. Jon realizes if Benjen took him with them like he had asked then he'd most likely be dead too. Being a ranger doesn't sound quite as appealing now, does it, Jon?

2. Interesting that the corpse's face is ghost-white but his hand, that's still attached to the body, is black as his cloak. Is that from frostbite or is there some other kind of magic going on here?

3. The animals don't like the place where they found the bodies. The dogs are useless, so Ghost led them to the site. Jon thinks it's strange because it's only a wood, and they're only dead men...or is it?

4. Jon dreamt the Winterfell dream again last night, interesting. Wonder if there is any correlation? He gets further in his dream; walks further into the crypt and sees the vaults of the old kings of winter opening and sees all the corpses coming out and he wakes up in terror. He can't go back to sleep so he goes to the top of the Wall and walks along it until the sun comes up. He tells himself it was only a dream; he's a brother of the Night's Watch now and not a frightened boy. :( Awe. Maybe this means he's meant to go back to Winterfell for something? Dreams can mean anything, or nothing at all, but recurring dreams probably ought not to be ignored.

5. Sam is so cowardly he's afraid to even look at the corpses for Maester Aemon. Jon convinces him to look, for the Maester's sake, to be his eyes. :)

6. Benjen had six men with him, but only two were found. Mormont is annoyed -- the men were found so close to the Wall but no one saw or heard anything. One of the corpses even had a horn on his person but no blast was ever heard. Spooky!

7. They try to guess how they died. Ser Jaremy says wildlings have axes, and the one corpse has an axe wound in the neck. Mormont asks if he thinks this is Mance Rayder's work, so close to the Wall? Doubtful. Jon has heard stories of the Others; they all have I'm sure -- but no one wants to say it. They are only children's tales. He feels foolish just thinking about the possibility even now. The second time he reminds himself he's not a boy anymore this chapter.

8. It's said of Jon: "...but Jon Snow was nothing if not stubborn." in regards to Ben Stark. It'd been so long since anyone's heard from him -- most likely he's dead, close to a half year since.

9. Sam braves himself up to disagree with Ser Jaremy, which surprises Jon, and he tells the knight to let Sam speak when told he didn't ask for his opinion. Mormont wants to hear Sam speak too. :) Sam splutters so much it annoys even me, but Jon understands where he's going with the blood. They've been dead longer than a day but they're not decomposing, which is odd. No animal has eaten at them, untouched, except for Ghost, which Jon admits he is different than all the rest, and the dogs and horses refuse to go near the corpses. Sam also says there's no blood on the ground. There should be blood everywhere, but there isn't.

10. Some of the rangers suggest they died somewhere else and somebody left them there for the Night's Watch, as a warning maybe. Then someone admits these men never had blue eyes before. Spooky!

11. No one wants to say what they think they are, but a few suggest they burn them. Unfortunately, Mormont wants Maester Aemon to study them first. The horses absolutely refuse to be of help so the men have to drag the corpses on makeshift slings all the way back on foot. Mormont tells Ser Jaremy to have every last ranger scout the area for Ben Stark and the others, anything, and report back to him.

12. It's very strange how it's so warm all the way up north here. Everyone's sweating, even the Wall. This summer has been ten years, a very long one.

13. Jon feels naked without the direwolf. :) I feel naked without my wedding ring!

14. Jon is happy to see the Wall again. He keeps thinking about the Others, spooked.

15. I like that Mormont tells Sam he's fat but not stupid, and he did well back there. "And you, Snow." :) Mormont knows Sam needs encouragement from Jon and Jon delivers. Sam is so frightened of Mormont but he has no reason to be!

16. When they return they hear one blast of the horn, meaning rangers are returning. And LOVE Jon's thought: "I was a ranger for one day, at least. Whatever may come, they cannot take that away from me." :) He really wanted to be a ranger.

17. When they get back Bowen Marsh has bad news waiting for Jon. He looks genuinely distressed. Perhaps he respected Ned Stark a lot? Was Bowen of the North before he joined the Wall?

18. Jon can tell something's very wrong with the amount of people staring at him. In the common hall his friends tell him the king's dead. Jon is stunned. He's pretty sure this means Lord Stark and his sisters will be coming home and is hopeful of visiting Winterfell to see them again, especially Arya. Oh gods, the feels! He also resolves he'll ask about his mother when he sees his father next, so sad...Jon doesn't know. He's a man now, he reminds himself for the third time this chapter; he deserves to be told about his mother. He wants the truth, even if she is a whore. :(

19. It's interesting how perceptive Jon is -- his sense of foreboding. Mormont tells him to get a cup of wine for himself as well, and sit. Jon can't sit, though. He knows it's about his father somehow. Mormont starts talking about how 'love destroys us every time,' talking about his own son, stalling. Haha, now he commands Jon to sit and drink.

20. When Mormont tells him Ned's imprisoned for treason, Jon hotly protests. "Lord Eddard Stark would never dishonor himself...would he?" "He fathered a bastard, a small voice whispered inside him. Where was the honor in that? And your mother, what of her? He will not even speak her name." :( Jon is doubting his father.

21. Mormont says he has friends in King's Landing, he'd like to request Lord Stark to take the black and join them on the Wall. Jon thinks it's a strange thought, his father a brother with him here, and "strangely uncomfortable." Odd. I would think he'd be happy to see his dad alive and right beside him, even.

22. When Mormont refers to Lady Stark as his mother Jon sharply reminds him she is not his mother. He remembers his sisters and asks what about them? Mormont says he will have to ask in his letter, then says he hopes he won't do anything stupid, "boy." Ha! After all, Jon is still only 15. I think they become adults at 16 in this world.

23. If it really were none of their concern, why do they get news all the time from all over the realm? And why tell Jon, if Ned Stark is no longer his family? I think it should be their concern, since they're supposed to protect the realm! "This is my father, my sisters, how can it be none of my concern?" Exactly!

24. Now Jon realizes that everyone knew before him. A least he has most of their support.

25. It's really sweet his friends support him, and Sam even calls him brother, which makes Ned his father too. :) Until Ser Alliser comes in...jackass.

26. Holy shit Jon tries to kill Ser Alliser! Mormont is disappointed in him and he is locked up with no weapons until they can decide what to do with him. Someone's in deep trouble. I forgot how serious this gets!

27. When Jon wakes up in the middle of the night it is very spooky feeling. He sees Ghost clawing at the door to get out. He bares his fangs at Jon when he asks what is it. The room is SO cold, and Jon is trembling violently. He knows something is definitely wrong.

28. He opens the door and the guard who is supposed to keep Jon from trying to escape is dead, head twisted 180 degrees. Jon feels like he's in a horrible dream. He follows Ghost, taking the guard's sword since he won't be needing it anymore. They are in Lord Commander Mormont's solar when he sees the white walker.

29. It's so creepy how neither wolf nor man make a sound as they fight. When it has Ghost by the neck, Jon hacks at it but the sound is wrong, and the smell makes Jon want to gag it is so queer and cold. When Jon sees it's Othor he reels back, frightened.

30. "...those eyes, eyes, eyes like blue stars burning." Hmm...

31. It's strange through all of this Mormont's raven can only say "Corn!"

32. Dead Othor is strong and does not die. It knocks Jon over and thrusts its fingers into Jon's mouth, choking him -- gross!!! It is so close to him and he's not strong enough to push it off. Ghost helps, luckily, and Jon retches and shakes. I would too, if an undead thing shoved its frozen fingers down my throat! You know, I think this is also Jon's first real fight, and he's going against a supernatural being, not what he was expecting, so it's not like he's a terrible fighter. And remember, these kinds of things have been known to kill knights. You go, Jon!

33. Mormont comes out to investigate the loud noise and sees the madness with his own eyes. Jon can't scream, must have lost his voice, so he grabs the lantern in Mormont's hands, smashes it, and throws the curtain on fire. He then flings it at the white walker, burning his hand in the process. He prays to his gods to please let it burn. The bird knew to say "Burn!" without hearing the word, OMG I just noticed this after rereading a second time!

34. Thought this was interesting: "The heat of it on his face was sweeter than any kiss Jon had ever known." Well, I doubt Jon has been kissed very often, except from maybe Arya, and occasionally by Ned.

35. It's pretty spooky that the bird knew to say "Burn!" even before Jon smashed the lantern. *SPOILER FROM A DANCE WITH DRAGONS* (view spoiler)[Is this Bloodraven at work? I think so! (hide spoiler)]

1. Poor Jeyne is not doing well being locked up; she keeps crying incessantly, even starting to annoy Sansa. She thinks she's such a child. Sansa is braver than I thought...or still very naive. Or not...she cried on the first day. "In the songs, the knights never screamed nor begged for mercy." :( Sansa only stopped crying when they threw Jeyne in the room with her, and she had to comfort her friend.

2. The second day was worse because of all the Lannister guards everywhere and it was eerily quiet.

3. I wonder what the grey plague is...greyscale?

4. For some reason Sansa is afraid for Joffrey. They hear bells ringing, indicating the king is dead. No one will tell them what's happening.

5. On the third day Ser Boros Blount, a member of the kingsguard, came to escort her to see the queen. She remembers her courtesies and tells him he's looking handsome this morning, wtf Sansa, lol. Perhaps she thinks she can attract more bees with honey than vinegar.

6. Sansa was hoping to see Joffrey with the queen but he's not here. Instead, Littlefinger, Varys, and Pycelle are with her. Traitors... Interesting that Cersei's wearing black, in mourning, with red rubies. Targaryen colors.

7. At first Cersei sounds so genuinely kind...until she finds out Ser Boros threw Jeyne Poole in the room with Sansa. Her tone is sharp and says the gods only know what kind of things the girl's been filling Sansa's head with, odd. Sansa says her friend has been frightened; she promised she could see her dad. When no one answers she fears Vayon Poole may have been killed, but that's not fair because he's just a steward; doesn't even own a sword.

8. Instead, the Queen makes arrangements for Jeyne to leave the city, right in front of Sansa, wtf. And we all know what's in store for poor Jeyne! It's definitely starting to sound like Vayon Poole is dead. They don't even have the decency to tell Sansa, either. Cersei's only reason is because Jeyne's upsetting her...wtf.

9. Haha at this: "Something about the way the small man [Littlefinger] looked at her made Sansa feel as though she had no clothes on." Littlefinger creeps her out for the third time in this book, that I remember.

10. Cersei knows how to manipulate Sansa; it is truly sad.

11. Pycelle is twisting Ned's words. He's promised Robert he'd protect Robert's children, not actually saying princes like Pycelle says he did. Urg, I hate when people do things like this!

12. Of course all these "evidences" are making Ned look like a traitor, but that's because no one knows Cersei's kids are bastards! The situation the Starks are in is shitty all around.

13. And now Cersei is guilting Sansa because she's "the daughter of a traitor." "How can I allow you to marry my son?" I want to punch Cersei. Sansa shouldn't! But she's playing off the young girl's naivety.

14. Oh I see, when Sansa ran off from Ned and Septa Mordane she went to the queen and told her of Ned's plans...because she didn't want to leave Joffrey...this is truly sad. I want to hate Sansa for betraying her father, but she just doesn't understand. Shortly after telling Cersei she is locked up and the fighting began. If she doesn't feel guilty now then she truly is a dunce!

15. Pycelle sounds like he believes wholeheartedly Sansa will be a traitor just like her dad. This horrifies her. You know what? I hope she does!

16. Fuck you, Cersei! She reminds Sansa about Arya and the wolf incident, pinning her against her sister again.

17. Interesting it's said Sansa could read and write better than any of her brothers, though she's hopeless at sums. This is the second time this is mentioned in the book.

18. This is fucked up, that Cersei is manipulating Sansa into trying to convince Robb and Catelyn to swear fealty to Joffrey, and in return she can still wed him. They'll tell her what to write, even. Even adding it will go very bad for all of them if they don't. The poor girl is only 11-years-old! Such pressure!

19. Sansa should follow her instincts. She wants to see her dad first but they won't let her because he's a traitor. This is such bullshit. I hate when Cersei says, "If you are truly as loyal as you say, why should you want to see him?" Because he's her father and she still loves him, you bitch! (Sorry, she just really gets to me sometimes).

20. Poor Sansa believes Joffrey would never harm her father... :(

21. When Sansa agrees, Cersei even has the gall to call it courage and good sense. Ugh. Straight up manipulation.

22. Apparently Sansa made four letters, not just two. One to Robb, one to Catelyn, one to her Aunt Lysa, and one to Grandpa Hoster Tully. Forgot about that.

23. When Sansa gets back to her room Jeyne Poole is gone, Sansa is relieved; no more crying -- though somehow her absence makes the room seem colder. :(

24. Oh snap! Sansa only now realizes she forgot to ask about Arya! Haha, don't feel bad; I did too. But Arya's in a much better situation than Sansa is in, a false sense of security.

1. I like how Syrio tells Arya she's dead now, and she is angry that he tricked her, saying left when he went right. "Just so. And now you are a dead girl." :) "Watching is not seeing, dead girl." Ha!

2. He says he came to be the best in Braavos because he had 'true seeing.' Forgot about his story with the fat yellow cat -- telling the sealord what it was. Just another cat.

3. Intersting: "The heart lies and the head plays tricks with us, but the eyes see true."

4. This is so sad...just as Syrio tells Arya she will soon be ready to use Needle, and she can't wait to show Jon, the kingsguard and Lannisters enter and ruin everything: Ser Meryn Trant, with five Lannister guards.

5. Arya defies them, ballsy of a 9-year-old girl! Love how Syrio protects her with just a wooden stick!

6. Love this: "You are quick, for a dancing master," said Ser Meryn.

"You are slow, for a knight," Syrio replied. :)

7. Also love how Arya was taught to obey him when he tells her to leave. "Swift as a deer," she whispered.

"Just so," said Syrio Forel as the Lannisters closed.

-As she retreats she sees just how badass he can be. She'd never seen a man move so fast. He makes quick work of the Lannister guards, but Ser Meryn is in all armor, and when she sees the kingsguard break Syrio's wooden sword, she cries and runs away. Note how she didn't actually see Syrio be killed, though! He might still be alive!

8. When Arya gets to teh Tower of the Hand, she sees Stark guard corpses everywhere. Something very bad has happened. The Red Keep is also abandoned.

9. Arya decides to steal a horse and ride hard to Winterfell on the kingsroad but before she can get a horse a stableboy tries to seize her, and at that moment she is so afraid that she forgets everything Syrio ever taught her and the only thing she remembers is Jon's lesson: "stick them with the pointy end." Nice! Her first kill.

10. Arya just remembers the gates will be closed and they won't let anyone out, so she gives up on the horse.

11. Very interesting how the voice in her head startles her so much she drops her bundle of clothes. She can't tell if it's her own voice or Syrio's, odd. Is she under that much stress she can't recall who or what she's thinking about? I suppose this makes sense. Regardless, the voice calms her. It helps her walk calmly across the yard, and miraculously no one raises a cry.

12. She finds the room with the dragon skulls again and retraces her steps to escape the Red Keep as she did last time. With a candle in her hand, the skulls are no longer frightening -- almost like old friends. Interesting! Probably because of the fire. They "watch" her pass by them again.

13. While walking down the tunnel, she realizes the crypts at Winterfell are way more scarier than this place.

14. Oh gods, I LOVE her memory of how Robb and Jon scared Sansa, Arya, and baby Bran in the crypts at Winterfell! Jon decked himself out as a ghost, made Sansa run for her life and Bran cry. Arya, while scared, stood her ground and punched the ghost, lol! She calls him stupid and he scared the baby, ha! Robb and Jon kept laughing, and even Arya and Bran join in. I think this is an important part to the story because it shows us a lot about the Stark children's personalities in only one paragraph.

15. When Arya recalls the memory she smiles and is no longer afraid of the dark. I'm thinking this is going to be an important, recurring motif: For the Stark children to not fear the dark. "For the night is dark and full of terrors..." perhaps need not apply to them. :)