Post by SlyWren on Apr 17, 2016 21:09:29 GMT
It's funny, but I'm reminded that a lot of fans believe that Lyanna's "spunk" is what attracted Rhaegar's attention, and while it's not a perfect parallel, Martin has said before that if a pretty peasant girl mouthed off to the pretty prince that in real life he'd have raped her and that's what a true fantasy story should incorporate if you're bringing the Middle Ages society.
Which I mean, as long as you don't assume that Lyanne ever liked Rhaegar, would be almost exactly what happened then.
I can't see any real reason to assume Lyanna did like Rhaegar more than just liking his singing.
And given what Rickard was up to, the idea that Lyanna might have heard about the Targs just as Bran heard about the Lannisters, or Wylla Manderly heard about the Freys--seems likely.
I have a hard time seeing Rhaegar as rapist, even of a peasant girl.
But on the impulsive taking of Lyanna--in the same chapter Cat takes Tyrion, before she runs into him, she thinks of the potential for war and how it MUST NOT happen:
Catelyn knew them all: the Blackwoods and the Brackens, ever enemies, whose quarrels her father was obliged to settle; Lady Whent, last of her line, who dwelt with her ghosts in the cavernous vaults of Harrenhal; irascible Lord Frey, who had outlived seven wives and filled his twin castles with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and bastards and grandbastards as well. All of them were bannermen to the Tullys, their swords sworn to the service of Riverrun. Catelyn wondered if that would be enough, if it came to war. Her father was the staunchest man who'd ever lived, and she had no doubt that he would call his banners … but would the banners come? The Darrys and Rygers and Mootons had sworn oaths to Riverrun as well, yet they had fought with Rhaegar Targaryen on the Trident, while Lord Frey had arrived with his levies well after the battle was over, leaving some doubt as to which army he had planned to join (theirs, he had assured the victors solemnly in the aftermath, but ever after her father had called him the Late Lord Frey). It must not come to war, Catelyn thought fervently. They must not let it. Game, Catelyn V
Cat is thinking how dangerous it is to start a war. How she needs to prevent it from going that far. But a very short time later, in the moment, with the man she's thinks tried to kill Bran twice, she chucks all of it out the window, thinks that she has no time to think, and takes Tyrion. Practically guaranteeing some kind of violent skirmish.
We know Rhaegar wanted to usurp his father, but potentially without complete warfare. That he, like Cat, would know that "allies" will ultimately do as they wish. But. . . .he took Lyanna. Guaranteeing trouble.
Seems to be what I see. Even Martin has said in an SSM that the North, the Vale, and Dorne can field about the same amount of people for their armies. We know that Robb marched with roughly 20,000ish men after calling the banners, and while we also know that people didn't march with Robb, even if we just assume that 20,000 number as being what each region can field, then there's 10,000 Dornish men who didn't march during Robert's Rebellion.
At least.