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.

Oh, I see you are a Mod now, Clara! Congrats!

I think the idea of a khalasar is more or less the same thing as having a lord and his bannermen.

Yeah, I thought it was interesting how Khal Drogo's bloodriders gave the weapons to Dany as a gift that was really meant for Drogo.

It's okay. I'm just glad you are alive and well. Lets see here...have to go back to my older notes...

1. I like how the Dothraki believe that all things of importance in a mans life must be done beneath the open sky. The Dothraki seem like a barbaric people, but they still have standards.

2. I'm assuming khalasar means banners?

3. Illyrio is such a fat arse.

4. "She had never been so afraid...until the day of her wedding came at last." I'm surprised this dream of a great dragon would frighten her so.

5. Even though Viserys is seated in a place of high honor, it's still not good enough for him to be seated below Drogo's Bloodriders and especially his own sister.

6. Khal Drogo scarcely looked at his own bride during the wedding -- I would think he'd ogle her. And why on earth would he marry her??? At first I thought it was because he thought she was pretty... Now I'm not sure. She seems too different and she would definitely stand out with all her fairness. He even seems to stare intently at the dancing women, occasionally tossing them coins to fight over. Odd, to me. Maybe he's just nervous about looking at her? Or maybe he wants to give her a little bit of time to herself by not overburdening her with his attention?

7. I am not liking the Dothraki much when they are described as mating like animals and killing each other over women. It's degrading to civilization. Though I do love the phrase: "A Dothraki wedding without at least three deaths is deemed a dull affair." And "Her wedding must have been especially blessed; before the day was over, a dozen men had died." You'd wonder at the high death rate of the population how they manage to stay in power over the Nine Free Cities of Essos.

8. Daenerys is terrified -- and I don't blame her. It's sad she has no one to turn to at this point. A blessing then that Drogo is so kind to her. He could have been a complete jerk, but he's not.

9. Jorah apologized for his gift, for it seems nothing compared to everything else she's getting -- books on Westeros, but Dany "thanked him with all her heaert." I really like this. It's her real home, and Jorah doesn't want her to forget it. Also, he can't afford much, so for him to get her anything at all is very generous of him. I wonder if Dany likes to read.

10. The chest Illyrio gives Dany that holds the dragon eggs is made out of cedar. I wonder if cedar is a rare resource in that area. Why wouldn't the chest be made out of gold or some other metal? Curious... cedar chest bound in bronze. I wonder if it has any significance.

11. "...but it was much heavier than that, as if it were all of solid stone." When referring to a dragon egg. They are described so beautifully! And I forgot they came from the Shadowlands beyond Asshai. *SPOILER FOR A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE* (view spoiler)[Interesting, since that's where Melisandre is from, a red priestess who worships the God of Light, when Asshai is described as shrouded in shadows. I still don't agree that shadows are part of R'hllor. I wonder how on earth anyone managed to get their hands on these and survived. (hide spoiler)] "The eons have turned them to stone, yet still they burn bright with beauty." Thus says Illyrio, who apparently worships the red god. I don't think this is mere coincidence. They are incredibly expensive, and he has been incredibly generous...I think he knows something Dany doesn't. I liked him for his generosity until this line: "He had collected a fortune in horses and slaves for his part in selling her to Khal Drogo."

12. Dany's horse is grey. "She was grey as the winter sea, with a mane like silver smoke." Very beautiful, yet somehow reminds me of Winterfell. And when she begins to ride her, "...for the first time in hours, she forgot to be afraid. Or perhaps it was for the first time ever." :) She loves her horse, takes to her like the Starks take to their direwolves. She makes Dany daring, even. "The silver horse leapt the flames as if she had wings." "Tell Khal Drogo that he has given me the wind." "...Dany saw her new husband smile for the first time."

13. "The dragon was never afraid." But fear is the only time a man can be brave! Haha.

14. Now Dany is crying. Sighs. I couldn't help but laugh when I read this, sorry. I'm a bad person, lol. I know she's only 13 and about to lose her virginity to a huge hulking dude, but the image of this small girl crying in front of this giant struck me funny. And how he comforts her, all with body language, since he doesn't know her language, other than the usage of the word "no." It's great. Lucky for her Khal Drogo is a gentle giant, to his wife at least. I wonder if he's been married before. The khal is actually making love rather than mate like an animal as seen earlier. Very strange of him. Perhaps it means they can compromise. If she embraces his culture, he'll embrace hers?

Sorry, that's all I have for now. Need to get going. I'll have to comment on the other chapters at a later date. (And I've fallen behind by about a week, but I promise to catch up!)

Hello Phil! Unfortunately, the mod's been mia for almost a week now so we are a little backed up on our schedule currently, but we're all hoping she gets back on real soon so we can resume our discussions. I'm looking forward to your comments!

This is great, Clara, thanks for sharing! I'm definitely going to follow this.

Oh I wasn't saying he considered himself a Stark, just that he technically is one. I just like how he sets himself apart from them (like with the five pups situation in Bran I), though I do believe he wishes he was one. Realistically, he wants to find his place in the world, one where a bastard can become something great. I think that's why the Wall appeals to him so much. When you join the Night's Watch you cast away your old life and become someone new. He wants to cast off his bastard status and be a noble Sworn Brother he's heard such great things about.

Oh, and Dani, I just realized that Jon II should be Chapter 9. You have two Chapter 8's going on there. I'm sure it's just a typo, though. :)

I just saw in the way back of the book that Chayle is Winterfell's "keeper of the castle sept and library." So Ruben is right. Thanks!

I think this chapter is one of my ultimate favorites in the entire series thus far!

1. Jon took courage when Ghost nudged his hand. It's said he was afraid. What is he afraid of, exactly? Originally I thought he was afraid of seeing the poor state Bran is in, but now I think it's because the boy in him is still afraid of Catelyn, who has been hogging Bran this whole time.

2. It's said that Jon stayed away for so long because Catelyn was there. I'm wondering if that is how it always was? If so, what has Catelyn done to instill so much fear in him that he shies away from her every time they are in the same room? Did she have absolutely nothing to do with the raising of Jon? Did he ever try to call her "mom" because Robb called her mom and she yelled at him? I hope not! I shudder to imagine the kinds of things she may have told him to keep his distance. To give him a reason to be wary of her.

3. "Part of him wanted only to flee, but he knew that if he did he might never see Bran again. He took a nervous step into the room. 'Please,' he said."

It's sad that he is 14 and still he's afraid of her.

"He would be a Sworn Brother of the Night's Watch soon, and face worse dangers than Catelyn Tully Stark."

The first time I read this I thought it was funny, but now I read it again and realize that maybe he really did think of her as dangerous. Had she ever hit him? That is never okay, to me. She is an angry mother bear, trying to protect her cub from everything. Jon is a threat, to her. I just don't understand it. It is very harsh, I agree with you all on that.

4. Now Jon is being defiant. His anger at being told he's not wanted has made him stronger, more brave.

5. Didn't realize Bran's eyes were open in his coma.

6. "Bran," he said, "I'm sorry I didn't come before. I was afraid."

He even admits it. And he's crying again. So much crying in Winterfell. Jon even kisses him, too. They have such a close relationship. He is truly a good brother. He truly cares for Bran and wants him to get better.

7. When Catelyn starts to speak, Jon looks at her warily. Like she's going to yell at him any second. "Sometimes prayers are answered." She blames herself. I want to hate Catelyn for being so harsh with Jon, but it is here I feel so bad for her. I don't think she takes pleasure in snapping at him; she is just hurting and he is an easy target. Deep down inside she knows he's not at fault. If she thought he was truly a danger, she would have kicked him out. Instead she reluctantly lets him say his good-bye, and perhaps that is the best he can hope for.

8. When Jon tries to console her she snaps back into attention and yells at him. It's hard to like Catelyn at this point. But she has been worried sick for her son and blames herself so she's already going to be emotionally unstable.

9. "Her eyes found him. They were full of poison." :(

10. She never calls him by his name until now, awe.

"He turned to find her looking at his face, as if she were seeing him for the first time."
- This strikes me odd, reading this.

"It should have been you." and "Jon had never seen her cry before."
- Everything about this scene is tense. I just love how Jon is a good brother here, and in a way, a good foster son, because he never snaps back at her. He never gives her any reason to dislike him. You'd think she would put her hatred aside for Bran's sake when she sees how much it affects Jon, too. He's not a bad kid. He's civil to Catelyn, scared of her. And this is the part of the book where I decided, my first reading, to make him my favorite character. (I really hope they can mend their relationship in the future, because I don't hate Catelyn).

11. "You Starks are hard to kill," Jon agreed.
- I love this! It seems ironic he says this here because he is also a Stark, just not in name. I also love how Robb can tell there's something wrong by the tone of Jon's voice. He's got to know his mom hates Jon, and how he wants to believe they can get along.

"She was... very kind."
- My heart broke for them when Jon says this. How naive Robb is. He doesn't want there to be any animosity between his mother and half-brother. Makes me like Robb more, though he strikes me naive here.

12. "It was always my color." Here, Jon is talking about the color black. So grim. *SPECULATION FOR JON SNOW*(view spoiler)[I didn't even catch this. Black is the Targaryen color! Foreshadow? (hide spoiler)]

13. I absolutely love this scene with Arya and Jon! My two favorite characters!

14. As soon as Ghost enters the room, Nymeria stops what she's doing, sits, and yelps at him. Submissive. Ghost is definitely alpha, as I speculated in one of my comments in an earlier chapter. I think it's important to note.

15. It's interesting that Grey Wind, Nymeria, Bran's unnamed wolf, (and possibly Lady,) all have golden eyes. The fact that GRRM keeps bringing it up makes me wonder if there's a reason for the details. Shaggydog is the only one who has green eyes and black fur, which would make him very different than all the rest (excluding Ghost, who of course is an albino). Just thought I'd throw that out there.

16. "Arya's eyes went wide. Dark eyes, like his."
- I love this. He associates himself with her, even though they are only half-siblings, Jon looks more like Arya than every one of her full-blooded siblings. In a world where he feels all alone, Arya is like him, at least. So cute.

17. I forgot she had a scabbard for her new sword. It's probably not important to note, but it is a "soft grey leather, supple as sin."

18. The steel has a deep blue sheen. Isn't it Valyrian steel? I thought it was supposed to be dark grey. Blue is an interesting color. For some reason it reminds me of Ice.

19. Interesting Jon mentions that the Braavosi use swords like this. *SPOILER FOR A FEAST FOR CROWS*(view spoiler)[Because that's where she ends up going. (hide spoiler)]

20. I like that he even shows her how to hold it. She really doesn't know much at this point, and he supports her wanting to learn. It's SO CUTE!!!

21. Love "Stick them with the pointy end." :) And how Arya playfully smacks him with it. It stings but he's "grinning like an idiot." SO CUTE!!!

22. I like how he even councils her to watch others fight, run and hide if she's seen, make herself strong, "and whatever you do... Don't... tell... Sansa!" I didn't realize he says all this.

23. "Different roads sometimes lead to the same castle. Who knows?" I really, really hope so! I also like how he refuses not to let himself be sad.

24. I like how she does more than hug him but she "showered him with kisses." What an un-Tomboy-like thing to do.

25. I forgot Jon named it for her in the book. And I love how quick she is to guess its name. I like how they say the same thing at the same time. Their minds are so much alike. And of course the last sentence: "The memory of her laughter warmed him on the long ride north."

This is one of my favorite chapters of all five books. My two favorite characters together. Won't see this again for a long time.

Tyrion is on my top 5 favorite characters list for ASOIAF for much the same reasons as Clara stated. He is funny, down to earth, smart, AND has feelings (as we'll see more of down the line).

1. I love how my first impression of Tyrion is with him in the library, not at a brothel like in the show (I usually won't discuss the show but here I just had to make a point of it). It's interesting to note that the type of book he is reading is "a hundred-year-old discourse on the changing of the seasons by a long dead maester." Right away my impression of Tyrion is that of a scholar.

2. Tyrion wasn't much for sleeping, it's said. Wonder why.

3. I forgot about Chayle the septon. Did he come from King's Landing with the rest of the party or is he the septon of Winterfell? Not sure why he was with Tyrion at the library.

4. I'm surprised Sandor Clegane can get Joffrey to laugh at all, even if it's at the expense of his uncle. I didn't think of Sandor as particularly "funny" in the book.

5. I absolutely love the part where Tyrion slaps Joffrey around, too! Not only is Tyrion a scholar, but he shows (in a funny way) how kind and considerate he is by making sure his heartless nephew offers his condolences to Lord and Lady Stark. Even if it is only to save face for the houses Joffrey represents, Tyrion didn't have to *smack* sense into him at all. Really, his parents should have done that already.

6. Interesting how Tyrion was not invited to sit at the table with his family but he sits with them anyway. And here we see he is not welcome by his family, least of all by Cersei. "His sister peered at him with the same distate she had worn since the day he was born." Clearly not welcome.

7. The king was with Lord Eddard all night. "He has taken their sorrow deeply to heart." *SPOILER FOR UPCOMING CHAPTERS IN GAME OF THRONES*(view spoiler)[Well that's good; I was afraid he'd been out all night drinking and whoring again... Why does it seem King Robert cares about every single child in Westeros EXCEPT his "own"? I really don't know how I feel about this man. (hide spoiler)]

8. "There was very little that Jaime took seriously." Like the life of a 7-year-old... A$$.

9. Somehow I missed it my first reading that Jaime was the only one who had ever shown Tyrion the smallest measure of affection or respect. My opinion of him as a child killer at this stage in the series made me overlook this one positive character trait.

10. Prince Tommen and Princess Myrcella care about Bran, at least. They do seem to be really good children.

11. The part where Jaime says that the name Brandon seems to be unlucky is rather rude, in my opinion. Especially when he had something to do with one of their fates.

12. "The glance that passed between Jaime and Cersei lasted no more than a second, but he did not miss it." Tyrion is very perceptive.

13. Of Myrcella: "She had all of her mother's beauty, and none of her nature." I quite like Myrcella. She is a sweet child, innocent and kind. Not at all insipid. I guess first impressions aren't everything, and also that Jon can be wrong about people sometimes. Not often, but sometimes.

14. I love the way Bran's wolf is somehow helping Bran pull through in his recovery, and how Tyrion notices this himself. Quite possibly, there is something more to the Stark kids' direwolves than at first meets the eye.

15. I think it's really awesome how Tyrion genuinely wants to check out this Wall he's heard so much of. And how he behaves like he's going to see Mount Rushmore, just another tourist stop for him!

"...I just want to stand on top of the Wall and piss off the edge of the world."

So he thinks the realm is "the world" then. Sounds a bit cocky there.

16. "Death is so terribly final, while life is full of possibilities." I just love Tyrion's subtle hints that he knows what's going on here, while at the same time sounding joyfully naive. "...I hope the boy does wake. I would be most interested to hear what he might have to say." And, "...you wound me. You know how much I love my family" is just priceless.

@Ruben, yes I noticed that too but forgot to write it down! I think the only kinds of stories they hear about the Wall are the adventures that happened a LONG time ago, probably so the kids would continue to look with pride at what their ancestor, Brandon the Builder, built (and what they are charged with maintaining, since the Wall is technically part of the Northern kingdom and Ned is the one who personally executes Night's Watch traitors). It's sort of like history class in elementary schools in America. Teachers tell their little pupils all about how amazing George Washington and Abe Lincoln were, the glorious battles of the Civil War, and how great democracy is. They don't tell 7-year-olds about how corrupt the White House is now. But you'd think that someone in Winterfell should have told Jon, who is now 14, at least a little truth of what he is going to have to deal with. He's not 7 anymore, like Bran, who is still impressionable. Someone should have given Jon a reality check.

Then again, maybe it IS fitting Old Nan tells them the old stories, the ones where the Wall successfully defended itself from the Others. All stories are based on some truth. They could be very useful to Jon in the future.

And I just had another thought. Ned ought to know the state of things on the Wall. But instead of fearing for his bastard son, he tells himself that even bastards can rise high in the Night's Watch. So if Ned is aware how shabby the Night's Watch has gotten, he doesn't seem to think Jon will fail. Quite the opposite. I kind of really, really like that! The faith he has in Jon.

It's fine. I was afraid I was going to be late again (I have family visiting from out of town) so I'm glad I'm not the only one!

1. Interesting how the king wanted to feast on wild boar on their last night in Winterfell... *SPOILERS FOR UPCOMING CHAPTERS IN GAME OF THRONES*(view spoiler)[Okay, what's up with him and boars? Is there nothing else worthy for them out there to hunt? Is there symbolism involved with the boar? (hide spoiler)]

2. Jon and his wolf were nowhere to be found... I'm curious as to why? "Jon seemed to be angry at everyone these days." I wonder if Bran is the only one who perceived this, or if the whole castle can tell. I just don't think Bran realizes how shunned Jon feels. And he wouldn't; he's a 7-year-old trueborn boy.

3. "...when brother fought sister in the war the singers called the Dance of the Dragons." This is *similar* to the title to the fifth book, to make note. Brother and sister fought? I want to know more about this!

4. Ser Arthur Dayne was a member of the kingsguard. I don't know if that was mentioned earlier, but it caught my eye now. So Ned killed a member of the kingsguard... for king Aerys. Makes me wonder what sort of man Ser Arthur was. Ser Barriston is the current Lord Commander of the kingsguard. That's interesting to note. I forgot how eager Bran is to go to King's Landing to see the knights and stuff. And of course it has to be the last day too, before he falls from a great height. :(

5. And now Bran is crying... he already misses Winterfell, and he hasn't even left yet! So many crying Starks...

6. Bran can't think of a name for his direwolf. He does seem to approve of Grey Wind for Robb's wolf, and he really likes the name Ghost -- but that name's already taken, and his wolf is not white so it wouldn't make sense. I like how he puts a lot of thought into this. How he seems to take his time coming up with the perfect name.

7. Why does everyone avoid the pool nearby the heart tree? Interesting how Bran is afraid of the heart tree and doesn't see why they need to have eyes.

8. "A strange chill ran through him." As his wolf howls at him. Forewarning! His wolf knows something he doesn't! I didn't even notice this the first time reading this.

9. Of Winterfell: "The place had grown over the centuries like some monstrous stone tree, Maester Luwin told him once, and its branches were gnarled and thick and twisted, its roots sunk deep into the earth." There again about the trees. I wonder if the castle itself is somehow connected to the godswood?

10. "...the silence of the godswood..." Hmm...

11. With it being a castle, which sounds like a large one, you'd think the brothers wouldn't need to share a room. Still, it's endearing. It fits the medieval era, when family members often slept in the same bed for warmth and safety.

12. "It was almost like being invisible." Hmm... again.

13. In the dictionary, an eyrie (also spelled aerie) is an eagle's nest, or, "a dwelling on a height." However, here the "eyrie" is just the place where birds, particularly crows, have their nests on the rooftops.

14. Interesting Cercei was "certain" Ned would refuse Robert.

15. I confess I am still confused about the whole Lysa Arryn thing, even after reading it again. What do the Lannisters have to do with it? Or are they truly involved, like Lady Lysa said? *SPOILERS FOR A STORM OF SWORDS, BOOK 3*(view spoiler)[I know in book 3 it's Lysa who killed Jon Arryn because Littlefinger told her to do it, but why would the twins be so secretive if they truly had nothing to do with it? Do they suspect Littlefinger? (hide spoiler)]

16. Still don't understand why Jaime bothered to ask how old Bran was before pushing him off the tower window to his presumable death. Sounds like it was Cersei who wanted him dead, not Jaime. Perhaps he was going to ask the boy more questions, then thought better of it. But of all the questions to ask...

Oh, I see. Once again, you are right! :)

Okay, the coffee shop will be closing in an hour or so, so I have to type really fast:

1. The septa said of Arya, "Arya has the hands of a blacksmith." Whereas Sansa "...has such fine delicate hands." and "Sansa's work is as pretty as she is." Right away we see the difference between the two sisters, and I love it! And lol at this: "Arya thought that Myrcella's stitched looked a little crooked too, but you would never know it from the way Septa Mordane was cooing." Kiss-a$$.

2. I forgot all about Beth Cassel, Ser Rodrik's little girl.

3. "Jon says he looks like a girl," Arya said. (In response to Sansa asking her sister what she thought of Joffrey, funny). And when Sansa sighs and says, "Poor Jon. He gets jealous because he's a bastard." And how Arya defends Jon. She takes pains to include him like Ned does. They are true Starks. Sansa seems way more Tully at this point.

4. "Even Princess Myrcella looked sorry for her." I don't know, but I really seem to like Myrcella here. She seems very kind and genuine, not "insipid" like Jon said in his previous chapter.

5. And now Arya's crying. My second most favorite character, another Stark, cries in their first chapter. I hadn't noticed this before. I must be sappy or something.

6. "Well, that and manage a household. Sansa had never had much of a head for figures." I missed this my first reading. I think it means mathematics, finances, and/or business. Not sure if it's important to note in the future. I just didn't realize Arya was good with numbers.

7. I love how Arya named her direwolf after a female warrior. :) She apparently was a warrior queen of the Rhoyne (I thought she was from Dorne, another Nym then) "who had led her people across the narrow sea." That almost sounds like someone else we know!

8. Once again Jon is in another person's chapter. I just love all of their interactions together!

9. Didn't realize Ghost is bigger than Nymeria (and the others) and he made his sister pup wary. But when he smells Nymeria, he gave her a "careful nip, and settled back down." :)

10. I love how Jon calls her "little sister" all the time. :) Jon doesn't often smile. He loves his sister like how Ned loved his little sister Lyanna. And also how he messes up her hair. So cute! Makes me wish I had a big brother.

11. Theon has a "look of wry contempt on his face." Why? It's just Bran and Tommen sparring, from what I have read so far.

12. Only Jon and Arya look like Starks. When she worried she was a bastard because of that, it was Jon she turned to and Jon who reassured her, awe. I had forgotten that. I thought it was her mom she turned to for reassurance.

13. Jon notes how odd it is for Joff's arms to be half stag, half lion - "The Lannisters are proud." And I love how Arya responds with, "The woman is important too!" And his response, "You should wed Tully to Stark in your arms."

"A wolf with a fish in its mouth?" This made me laugh.

14. Jon says, "Girls get the arms but not the swords. Bastards get the swords but not the arms. I did not make the rules, little sister." That's interesting to note, a cross dilemma for both of them.

15. It makes me laugh when Joffrey says, "This is a game for children, Ser Rodrik." You are only twelve, fighting a 14-year-old!!! For the first time I agree with Theon when he calls him out on it.

16. Also laughed when Jon says to Arya, "Joffrey is truly a little shit."

17. "You'll be sewing all through winter," says Jon of Arya in her punishment for running out on her needlepoint lessons. *SPOILER FOR A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE*(view spoiler)[Someone once suggested this was an omen, that Arya will be practicing her "Needle-work" with her sword all winter, hinting she'll be a real bad-a$$ by the time Spring comes around. I kind of like this thought. (hide spoiler)]

18. Interesting that Nymeria started to follow Jon and Ghost but stopped only when she saw that Arya had stayed put. *SPOILER FOR A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE*(view spoiler)[Maybe it's just because Arya truly wanted to follow them in her heart, as the Stark's direwolves tend to behave the way their masters feel inside, but after reading it a second time I took it as an omen that Jon/Ghost is the leader/alpha of the pack. And perhaps Nymeria is the beta, with all her wolves in the riverlands. (hide spoiler)]

19. I had another thought: *SPOILER FOR A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE*(view spoiler)[Ghost's fur is all white and his eyes are red (the color for hot). Rhaegar's hair was white and he's a Targaryen: hot. Because Jon looks so much like a Stark, taking no Targaryen resemblence whatsoever, if R+L=J theory is correct (which I totally believe, too, by the way), maybe Ghost represents his father's characteristics, or even IS his father. Ghost is silent, after all. Isn't it said of Rhaegar that he was a quiet man? Pensive, at least. There is a possibility that he could literally be Jon's "ghost," watching over his son. Jon's got a fighter spirit like his mom and a burning desire to save the world like his dad, and he happens to make a great leader, even without trying. Something Rhaegar probably was. (hide spoiler)] I just like that small possibility. :)

I'm sorry I couldn't comment yesterday, as most weekends are very busy for me. But here are my thoughts on this chapter:

1. I totally love the whole concept of the hot springs in Winterfell, how it keeps the whole place running in the harsh winter years. I know George Martin explained that the water flows through the walls, but how exactly? It must be amazing to be able to go out into the cold and sit in a nice hot pool (with a loved one). ;) And I just love this analogy:

"The scalding waters rushed through its walls and chambers like blood through a man's body..."

So, hypothetically, one could put a hole in the stone walls and hot water could come gushing out?

2. I love this part:

"The Starks were made for the cold, he would tell her, and she would laugh and tell him in that case they had certainly built their castle on the wrong place."

3. Interesting how the mention of Brandon Stark leaves a bitter taste for Ned, and I don't think it's because Catelyn's calling him out on their daughter's age. I'd never realized how "jealous" Ned was of his older brother. "I never asked for this cup to pass to me." I didn't realize talk of Brandon was all the way up there with the topic of Jon's mother, for the couple. "The shadow of his dead brother still lay between them, as did the other..." Well, I guess if Catelyn truly loved Brandon, I could see why there might still be some animosity there.

4. Everything about Maester Luwin is grey: his eyes, hair, beard, robes... Forgot about this.

5. Also forgot about the lens that was also sent with the letter, hidden inside it. I guess that was there so it'd be sure to go up to Luwin's quarters. "It helps us to see". Hmm... See what, exactly?

6. It's interesting how Catelyn really wants Ned to go and he does not. She reads signs while he goes by instincts.

7. "First the victory must be won, for her children's sake." What??? Not "their"? She seems to be getting a bit possessive of her children, almost as if she would rather they be Tully's than Stark's.

8. Oh I see, the real reason Ned doesn't want to go is because his dad went south on a summons for the king and never came back. Basic instincts is telling him he doesn't belong down south, not even for his closest friend whom he considers closer than brothers.

9. "Not Bran. Never Bran." Sounds like Bran is Catelyn's favorite. You'd think Robb would be. Interesting for a mother to favor a middle [male] child. (Usually the middle child is the least noticed, in most families).

10. Once again, why did Ned's father send him to foster at the Eyrie?

11. "He did more than that." I love this sentence about Jon! I love how Ned took it upon himself to personally raise Jon up in his castle with the rest of his family, and damned the rest if they don't agree. And I didn't know baby Jon was already at Winterfell before Catelyn and baby Robb... VERY interesting. Also interesting (I know, I overuse this word a lot) is the fact that this means Ned saw and held Jon in his arms first before Robb, his first trueborn son. It's very odd that Ned would bring Jon home with him unless his mother is dead (unless she didn't want him, which would be cruel).

12. I want to know more about Ser Arthur Dayne! And Ashara Dayne as well, who had "haunting violet eyes." It's rumored Ned loved her, and she could be Jon's mother. However, a lot of women could be Jon's mother, so there's lots of room for speculation going round.

13. When Catelyn asked about it, that's the only time Ned ever frightened her. VERY private about it. Either he is morbidly ashamed to even talk about it, or he is bound by a promise not to speak of it, ever. *MY SPECULATION*(view spoiler)[I'm thinking latter. Because he never tells Jon, either. If he's too ashamed to talk about it with his wife then maybe he wouldn't be quite so that way with Jon, especially when he is old enough to be able to keep it a secret from his step-mother. If she (Jon's mother) wasn't someone that terribly important to keep hidden, then I can't imagine why Ned would hide the truth from Jon. It's got to be the latter. (hide spoiler)]

14. "Never ask me about Jon," he said, cold as ice. "He is my blood and that is all you need to know." and... "Whoever Jon's mother had been, Ned must have loved her fiercely..." Okay, I can't talk about this without giving away any spoilers...*SPOILER FOR A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE*(view spoiler)[VERY interesting he doesn't say "son" but "blood" instead, and it is said of Lyanna that Ned loved her fiercely. I think he does this at least one more time in a later chapter, too. (hide spoiler)]

15. Loved this part:

"...as he grew, he looked more like Ned than any of the trueborn sons she gave him. Somehow that made it worse."

I want to hate Catelyn for not loving Jon, an innocent baby, it's not his fault! But I do understand and empathize for her. It's the secrecy, I think, is the real culprit! Because if she knew, she could learn to love him one day, because then the element of "not knowing" would be gone. And never knowing is so often the worst part, because then it messes with your mind, racing thoughts of what happened or could have happened or never happened, etc. Also, it's said this is the one ting she could never forgive Ned for. If he had just been open with her I believe she could forgive him, allowing that hurt to heal in their marriage, and even take it upon herself to try to care for little Jon, like he was her own, adopt him, in other words. There is great fear in the unknown. That's why I can't hate Catelyn. I totally understand where she is coming from (because I don't think she takes pleasure in hating him).

16. "I had hoped..." What was Ned going to say??? Ned seems very anguished about Jon's dilemma. *MY SPECULATION*(view spoiler)[I think the real reason Ned doesn't want to take Jon south is because of his promise to Lyanna. Keep him up north where he will be safe. Ned's primary concern for Jon is his safety, not "making sure he will someday become king." He'd be safer at the Wall. After all, almost all of the Targaryens are dead. He's not safe anywhere if they knew who he really was, ESPECIALLY in King's Landing. So why risk it, having Jon so close to Robert? He might see a LOT of Lyanna and Rhaegar in him. That's why he keeps Jon far away from the king at the feast. I bet Robert is not likely to forget L+R's faces. (hide spoiler)]

17. "He would father no sons who might someday contest with Catelyn's own grandchildren for Winterfell." So how does that work? If Jon ever were to marry, what last name would she get? What would his sons get? Stark? And why would they contest? Wouldn't trueborn grandsons be the first in line?

18. "And even a bastard may rise high in the Night's Watch," said Ned.

Interesting he says this. He wants Jon to "rise high."

19. Ned wants to "tell" Jon himself. Hmm... Interesting, too, how many chapters include Jon, or at least talk of Jon, in them. This seems to set Jon up for being a very important character, or maybe even THE most important character.

Wow... I seem to keep finding more and more details for every chapter I go. I've switched to a medium sized notebook for my notetaking now. :D

You are right, Dani, it is spelled Daeren in my book too. I guess I just misspelled it. But I didn't think it was odd that Jon idolized him just because he's a Targaryen. It was my impression that he idolized him because the Young Dragon was only 14 when he conquered Dorne, the same age as Jon at this point.

*TYRION SPECULATION*(view spoiler)[I don't think it's impossible for Tyrion to be a bastard of Aerys II. Do you have a link to a timeline for me to look at? I'm not saying you're wrong; I just want to know what you know. Tywin Lannister was Hand at the time Tyrion was born, I believe, and before that, Joanna was one of Queen Rhaella's, the Mad King's wife's, lady in waiting, so Aerys and Joanna had time enough to get to "know each other" (I had to read up on it online to be sure). Some people think the king raped her but others think it was consensual and that they secretly loved each other, because Aerys wasn't always insane then; it was something that got worse over time, particularly after Joanna's death. Maybe Tywin loved Joanna, but Joanna may not have loved him back, even when they got married, since love has little to do with it. I think it is possible that the king found ways to "be" with Joanna in secret. And having an affair need not require lots of time together. After all, all that is needed to get Joanna pregnant is one night. Especially if it was consensual, Joanna would want to pass off little Tyrion as Tywin's as soon as possible, so Tywin and the rest of the world wouldn't know he was cuckolded. (hide spoiler)]

Also, I think I had the opposite effect from you, Dani, when I read Jon's first chapter. The first time I read it I thought he was full of hate, that he was only pretending to be a good brother in Bran's chapter and I worried he would grow into a classic bad guy *SPOILER FOR UPCOMING CHAPTERS IN GAME OF THRONES*(view spoiler)[until I read the part where Jon says good-bye to unconscious Bran -- the feels! (hide spoiler)], but the second time I read it I perceived Jon's emotions more as bitter and underneath it all he was really just hurting (by the jealousy he has with his half-siblings and the few times he is set apart, he wants to hate them but finds he can't, no matter how hard he tries).

Since Jon Snow is my favorite character, I wrote 2x as many notes as I normally did for the other chapters before this. (I apologize ahead in advance if I come across as obsessed).

1. Seems weird Jon would have a large appetite for wine when my first impression of him in Bran's earlier chapter is a good one. I feel he doesn't drink it because he likes it too much, but because he's masking a deep pain and this is his way of handling it (which, to me, seems really sad).

2. "The king was a great disappointment to Jon." Ha!

3. I didn't think of Myrcella as stupid, just young, with an 8-year-old crush on Robb. Jon does have a great sense of judgment in character, so maybe he's right.

4. Though Joffrey is only 12-years-old, he is taller than both Robb and Jon, "to Jon's vast dismay." I wonder why this comes as a terrible thing to him. And to Joffrey's side is Sansa. I find it interesting how Jon thought Sansa looked radiant beside him, *SPOILERS FOR UPCOMING CHAPTERS IN A GAME OF THRONES*(view spoiler)[as I assumed of all his half-brothers and sisters he was the least closest with her. (hide spoiler)] Or perhaps he knows she represents the North and can't help but feel prideful of the fact that she represented their House well.

5. He was more interested in the Lannister brothers. Jon says to himself about Jaime, "This is what a king should look like." And it's said that Jon watched Tyrion with fascination. Note he did not say anything negative like "repulsed," but he was fascinated by him. I like that very much, especially since they haven't interacted with each other yet.

6. "Ghost looked up, silent, and fixed the dog with those hot red eyes." Here is another example of a mixture of hot and cold. A direwolf, of the north, with hot red eyes.

7. "Most times," Jon answered in a flat voice. "But tonight Lady Stark thought it might give insult to the royal family to seat a bastard among them." -- And here lies the heart of his anger. He's not one of them. This correlate's to what he said earlier about Ghost not being like the rest of his pup siblings, which I thought binds the two of them (Jon and his direwolf, Ghost) even closer.

8. Daeron Targaryen, the Young Dragon, was apparently only 14-years-old when he conquered Dorne. It would make sense he is one of Jon's heroes. This makes me want to learn more about the Young Dragon.

9. "...war isn't a game..." says Uncle Benjen. Very true, but he seems to be the only one who knows this, since the rest of the world (unless you're a peasant) seems to think the opposite. Note how the title of the first book is called, "Game of Thrones."

10. This is one of my favorite parts of GoT:

"Come back to me after you've fathered a few bastards of your own, and we'll see how you feel."

Jon trembled. "I will never father a bastard," he said carefully. "Never! He spat it out like venom.

--To me, this kind of sounds like a future premonition. *SPOILERS FOR A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE*(view spoiler)[Wouldn't it be ironic if somewhere down the line Jon ends up accidentally fathering a bastard in one of his adventures, and he finds himself unable to marry its mother for whatever reason? It's a long shot, but the thought has occurred to me more than once throughout the entire book series. :) (hide spoiler)] What I also love about this scene is what happens right after, Jon winds up too drunk to walk straight so he runs into a serving maid, embarrassing himself, and finds he cannot stop the tears from coming. I imagine this is probably the worst thing that could happen for any 14-year-old boy. I feel so bad for him!

11. Interesting how fascinated by the direwolf Tyrion is with Ghost. Not even afraid. Ghost doesn't immediately like him, either.

12. I like Jon and Tyrion's interaction, here:

"You have more of the north in you than your brothers."

"Half-brothers," Jon corrected. He was pleased by the dwarf's comment, but tried not to let it show.

13. Also love Tyrion's piece of advice for him:

"Never forget what you are... Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness."

--Because up till now Jon's been letting his bastard status affect him negatively at every turn.

14. Tyrion even admits it's possible he could also be a bastard, literally; he just has no proof. *SPOILER FOR A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE*(view spoiler)[I'm wondering if Tyrion is the 3rd dragon head (Jon being the 2nd)? With Tyrion having light blonde hair that's almost white, Mad King Aerys lusting after his mother, and the fact that his mother also died in childbirth, it makes me wonder the possibility. I also am wondering what House Tyrion's mother was from. Anybody know? Because if her maiden family's House banners happened to have been green, I would point out the fact that 1. Daenerys's mother was a Targaryen: black banner, 2. (If R+L=J theory is correct) Jon's mother was a Stark: white banner, and 3. If Tyrion's maternal grandfather's House was green... then their three mother's Houses make up the colors: black, white, and green. Dany's dragons were black, white, and green, just as Aegon the Conquerer's dragons were black, white, and green. It is also said that for every life given one must be taken. Maybe this doesn't only apply to Dany's dragons but also for the three Dragon Heads. I sure hope I made sense, lol. (hide spoiler)]

15. "All dwarfs may be bastards, yet not all bastards need be dwarfs."

At first I thought Tyrion was being silly when he said this, but after re-reading it a second time I realize what he meant by 'dwarf'. He means a bastard need not remain low on the social ladder. How did I miss that???

16. "...and for just a moment Tyrion Lannister stood as tall as a king."

Holy cow! Totally overlooked this in my first reading!

17. Wouldn't it be interesting if it turns out dwarfism is really linked to the children of the forest? They were little people, too. *SPOILERS FOR A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE*(view spoiler)[I'm sorry for bringing this up again if you happen to disagree, but if this is the case, then the three dragonriders might represent each group of people who inhabit(ed) Westeros: Dany, black, the Andals. Jon, white, the First Men (whose descendants survived in the north). And Tyrion, green, the children of the forest. Maybe this is part of the foretold prophesy, that the three Dragon Heads need to represent all three groups of people? (hide spoiler)]

Here we go again with my very small written notes on an index card:

1. My first impression of King Robert Baratheon is a good one, very friendly and funny, but as time goes on I start disliking him more and can understand why people call him the Usurper. Actually, quite opposite the way I feel about Jaime Lannister, whom I start out hating and grow to really like (but I won't discuss him yet).

2. The Greyjoy rebellion was nine years ago. Arya would have been a newborn babe, or about to be. (Hadn't thought of that until last night.)

3. I find it interesting how Robert emphasizes it's snowing in the North, even in late summer. Even though this is normal for Ned, I think it symbolizes something big is going to happen, particularly with the Others in the mentioned prologue, the beginnings of "winter" activity.

4. It sounds like the early Starks behaved more like wildlings. "The first Lords of Winterfell had been men hard as the land they ruled...they had sworn allegiance to no man, styling themselves the Kings in the North." Somewhat reminds me of Mance Rayder.

5. Lyanna was only 16 when she died. :( Brandon 20 when he died. So young. It's said Lyanna died in a room that smelled of blood and roses, because Ned was there and he could remember it all; he loved his sister. It's also said she was AFRAID, until Ned gave her his promise, then she was happy. Sounds like a pretty dire promise, to me. *SPOILERS FOR A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE*(view spoiler)[R+L=J, much? (hide spoiler)] And I had forgotten that Howland Reed, the crannogman, was present there, too. I very much want to know more about what is going on in this flashback!

6. Rhaegar was wearing all black armor when he fought and died at the Trident. Ned remembers men from all sides scrambling after the rubies on his shield, how crude. Interesting how Rhaegar Targaryen had white hair and wore black armor the color of the Targaryen House banner, while Lyanna had dark hair and her House banner is grey on white. Opposites.

7. Interesting how when Robert tells Ned how Rhaegar should die thousands of times over that it's said of Ned, "There was nothing Ned could say to that." (You'd think he could at least have agreed with Robert, something I completely overlooked, but now I find that incredibly stood-out.) Instead, he directs them back to the castle. Maybe Ned had sworn a promise which required him to keep quiet on that matter? I really want to know what that promise is!

8. I forgot Tywin Lannister was supposed to foster Robert Arryn.

9. I like that Ned wants King Robert to see the Wall for himself so he might do something about restoring the Night's Watch to its former glory. But Robert has "more pressing concerns..." Of course you do.

10. I feel like King Robert is being lazy, looking for a Hand to do his job for him. Signs of a bad king. This leaves me with really liking Robert's personality, but strongly disliking his role as king. I'm thinking maybe he SHOULD have lost at the Trident like even he said, but then this story never would have happened, lol.

11. "He could feel the eyes of the dead. They were listening, he knew." Spooky! And even a few paragraphs before, it's said that "all around them the dead of Winterfell seemed to watch with cold and disapproving eyes." Something tells me it's not just because they are in the cold North; the dead kings and lords of the North disapprove of King Robert and Ned's potential departure for King's Landing. Ned belongs in the north, and it seems everything about King Robert is "messing things up." (That's my opinion, anyway).

Oh, and I love that image too, Dani! Where do you find these images?

That's interesting, because I like Daenerys a lot! She seems like an underdog, and underdogs fascinate me. She, like other characters in the books, is one of the more dynamic ones who change the most throughout the entire series. I cannot wait to hear more about her adventures in the future books to come!

Also, since Illyrio seems to be a "suck-up," it is possible he doesn't really worship the Lord of Light but is only pretending to. I do not know. I still am baffled by this character. I just cannot believe I forgot all about the red priests so early on in book 1!

Once again, I took notes on the back of an index card:

1. Why is Illyrio helping them, when everyone else from the Nine Free Cities seem to have stopped? Also, what exactly does it mean for him to be "the Magister"?

2. I didn't realize red priests were mentioned so soon in ASOIAF, totally didn't catch that my first reading! Also, Illyrio seems to worship the God of Light, uh oh!

3. Who was Ser Willem Darry and where is his house from? Why did he protect the fallen Targaryen dynasty when it seems most other houses in Westeros have forsaken them?

4. At this point, all Dany wants is her big house with the red door back in Braavos. *SPOILERS FOR A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE*(view spoiler)[Maybe it's an omen that she never rules Westeros in the end but one of her faithful dragon riders will sit the Iron Throne instead? (hide spoiler)]

5. Why does Pentos have no slaves? Most of the Nine Free Cities have slaves except Pentos (and Braavos, for which I know why THEY don't in later reads). Perhaps it's because Pentos is so close to Westeros on the western end of that other body of land that's not shown in the beginning of the book (at least, not my copy), I don't know if it even has a name. This part of the world is so mysterious to me. Even in later reads I still get confused about where everything is.

6. I like how Dany liked the heat: "It made her feel clean." When I am submerged in too much heat I feel sticky and disgusting, lol. But for her I guess it makes complete sense; she is the blood of the dragon, after all.

7. Viserys is a hypocrite for saying Targaryen's should not marry with the beasts of the fields, but now he's marrying his only sister off to a barbarian. He IS desperate, and cruel.

8. Purple is a royal color -- apt for Dany to wear. Nice.

9. I like how kiss-a$$ Illyrio is to Viserys, especially when he says, "Kings lack the caution of common men." He seems not only very rich, but also kind of smart, in my opinion. He knows how to keep Viserys from lashing out and remaining naive, which I think is funny, because it makes Viserys look more like a pathetic person than he lets on. He is called "the beggar king" instead of "tyrant" for a reason.

10. Interesting how Daenerys mistrusts everything about Illyrio. This seems to be very important for future chapters and books. In my first reading I honestly thought Illyrio was an honest, helpful character, but now after my second reading I too am deeply suspicious of him.

*SPOILERS FOR A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE*(view spoiler)[Personally, I get a very bad feeling about this Lord of Light, R'hllor. Either that or maybe it's just his followers I don't care for. I especially don't like Lady Melisandre, who comes into the books only at the start of A Clash of Kings, but right away I don't like her. I don't know if all red priests are like her, who seem to enjoy burning idols of other gods and people at the stake, but Thoros of Myr is a red priest and I like him very much. Thoros also, to my knowledge, only ever uses his cleric spells for bringing people back from the dead, whereas Lady Mel only ever seems to destroy. Any thoughts on the Lord of Light religion? (hide spoiler)]

Last night I actually took notes on an index card so that I could remember my initial thoughts as I was re-reading, so here goes:

1. I forgot the godswood is the name of the entire set of woods that radiate around the "heart tree," the name for the weirwood tree, which is the official name for the tree with the face carved into it (odd that the bark is bone white and its leaves dark red, with the sap color being blood red so the face looks bloody, the same colors for Jon's direwolf. Coincidence?). Every major house has a godswood, but only the north still have their weirwoods still intact.

2. Rickon is said to be "not quite sure" about the direwolf pups, whereas everyone else is excited. Catelyn says he's only 3, though, but I wonder if this means anything?

3. The Doom of Valyria was less than 400 years ago, since that is how old Ice is, and it's said Ice was forged there before the Doom. I didn't think it was that short a time ago.

4. Didn't know Ned was prepared to call his banners and ride north to deal with Mance Rayder. Also surprised how perceptive Catelyn is, despite being born in the south. She knows there are "darker things beyond the Wall." (And now that I think about it, she could just be reciting this because it's what she hears, but I sincerely doubt it because she DOES feel unnerved around the heart tree, so I really do believe she holds the north's mysteries seriously).

5. The Others are said to have been gone for 8,000 years, the same with the children of the forest *SPOILERS FOR A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE*(view spoiler)[(but I know they never really left -- just fell dormant) (hide spoiler)].

6. I wonder why Ned and Robert were wards at the Eyrie, since wards generally mean their fathers did something to offend the warden. It says here Mad King Aerys II had demanded their heads but Jon Arryn, and his banners, protected them. I wonder why the Mad King would want their heads?

7. Catelyn says of Ned, "this man who put no faith in signs." It's strange she would but Ned doesn't, since he prays to his gods all the time.

(Yes, I wrote very small on my index card, lol.)

*SPOILERS FOR A DANCE WITH DRAGONS, BOOK 5*(view spoiler)[Actually, after having read the 5th book and learned a bit more about Jon Connington being good friends with Rhaegar, who is supposedly Jon's true father in R+L=J, it may be possible that Jon is really named after him by his mother and father, before Ned found him. I can just see it in my head, Lyanna handing her baby to Ned, saying, "This is my son, Jon." It would therefore be very convenient for Ned to say he named his bastard son after Jon Arryn, then. Any thoughts, for those who've read all five books? (hide spoiler)]

Wow, two Dani's! It helps that one of you has exclamation points in the name, haha. Welcome! And I can't wait to read your comments.

I'm like all of you who said you didn't care for Theon much in the first two books. I actually quite hated him in book 2, but my opinion of him changes drastically by the end of book 5, which is quite impressive. (The other character who does this for me is Jaime Lannister. I HATED the dude in the beginning, and now I love him).