Post by stdaga on Apr 19, 2018 20:36:07 GMT
Hi. It's been about 6 weeks since we have opened a new thread on this parentage reread, so I am going to try to get things started. I will freely admit that I have a hard time sticking to just the parentage aspect of this story, but I will try my best. But be forewarned ... there will probably be some derailing that is going to occur!
The very opening of the chapter gives us this ...
Rickon ran with the wolves. I don't know if this is a hint about parentage, but I think it surely is telling us something about Rickon. I think he is probably the most "wolf-blooded" of the Stark children. I don't know if it's genetic, or if it is because he is so young that leaves him open to the influence of Shaggydog, but Rickon playing with the wolves as if he is part of their pack indicates to me a different level of bonding than his siblings have shown so far.
I think it is also interesting that Grey Wind seems to be trying possibly to contain the boy. We will find that Robb is very busy with is duties of Lord of Winterfell, and it seems to me that Grey Wind is the surrogate babysitter to the little brother.
We also get a description of two of the three direwolves in this passage.
Shaggydog had darkened to black and his eyes are green fire. I have always wondered about Shaggy's connection to Rickard Stark. Rickon is possibly named partly after his grandfather Rickard, who died in Kings Landing, burned by wild fire, which is green in color. The green fire of Shaggy's eyes seems like a clear nod to the wildfire that killed Rickard Stark. I don't know what this implies to the rest of the story yet, but Rickard did live long enough to beget several children, but his life was certainly cut short by brutal means. I question that this means that Rickon will be the Stark to avenge his grandfather. Any one have any other thoughts on Shaggy's green eyes. Other options could be that Rickon is a strong greenseer?
This could be a nod to Jon with Ghost's blood red eyes, and to Rickon with Shaggy's green eyes, although green fire and green moss don't necessarily have the same connotation.
I have also wondered if Rickon could be the valonquar that Cersei fear's. After all, Cersei is often associated with green fire in her own eyes, as well as the wildfire she uses to burn down the Tower of the Hand. Rickon could certainly be the "little brother" who will be the end of Cersei! Rickon is little brother to Sansa, Bran and Arya, who have all fallen under Cersei's shadow. And possibly Jon, if his assassination has anything to do with Cersei's plotting.
We get a description of Summer that indicates he is "silver and smoke, with eyes of yellow gold that saw all there was to see". Silver seems to be a color associated with the Stark's, in coinage and jewelry. Smoke is interesting, as smoke hint's at fire. The old adage of "where there is smoke, there is fire" might be a hint to us about Bran's future. And also the eyes that are gold, which has always seemed odd to me, since it is the red and green eyed greenseer's that are supposed to be so rare. It seems like Bran's wolf should have had eyes of red or green, not gold. Still, the idea that Summer's eyes "saw all there was to see" could certainly indicate Bran's eventual connection to the weirnet.
Interestingly, we get no physical description of Grey Wind in this passage except he was larger than Summer, and I always thought that was odd, considering we get some description of Summer and Shaggy. We do hear that Summer is more "wary" than Grey Wind, which could indicate a rashness or boldness in Robb's future.
**
We get some great Old Nan quotes and information in this chapter. Just some of the great things we get from her are "crows are all liar's" (which should clue Bran into the concept that he perhaps should not trust the three eyed crow), "fear is for the winter" (connected to House Stark's words, perhaps) and my personal favorite "my sweet summer child" (which is possibly telling us something about Bran's fate in relation to winter and summer). Old Nan has so much to say (we hear about Bran the Builder, the Other's, the Long Night and the Last Hero), which hasn't much to do with parentage, and deserves a few hundred threads dedicated just to her words and stories, but I do think there is some possible parentage hints about her.
Old Nan's needlework is perhaps a clue about her past.
This connection of Old Nan and needle work to Rohanne Weber is not mine by any means, but I think it deserves a mention. I myself have yet to read any of the Dunk and Egg novella's, but Rohanne Weber was noted to be married at least five times, and with her fifth husband she had four sons, one of whom was Tytos Lannister, Tywin's father. In this theory, one of the links to Rohanne is that her family, House Webber, has a spiderweb on it's sigil and that Old Nan is said to be constantly doing needlework, weaving material much like a spider weaves a web. It's possible, I suppose. Old Nan is noted to be quite tiny, and Rohanne Weber was also a very petite lady. Rohanne disappeared under mysterious circumstances, and people speculate that is when she came to Winterfell as a wet nurse. Why, though?
**
This stands out to me because Luwin very clearly refers to Jon as Bran's brother. Now, perhaps this is not an indication that Ned is the bio-dad of both Jon and Bran, but I think it could be. It could also just mean that Ned has spread his story/lie that Jon is his son very well, if Luwin has no reason to doubt. And from this passage, there seems to be no doubt in Luwin's demeanor about Jon being Bran's brother. Perhaps it means something about parentage, perhaps it does not.
**
This seems to link to Ned's ability to wear different faces. Not like the faceless men do, but it's something that Bran tells us about Ned in his very first POV.
We also hear this about Jon.
This is not the first time it is implied that Jon wears different faces, depending on his role, but since most of what we have from Jon comes from his own POV, we don't really get a description of the different faces of Jon or Lord Snow. But it clearly reminds me of what we are told about Ned the very first time we meet him.
I don't know if this face changing is a learned bahavior that Ned has passed down to Robb and Jon, or if it is a somewhat genetic ability that he could have passed to his sons. It's unclear as proof of either, but I do think it's worth noting.
Also, a bit of tinfoil in this face changing business makes me wonder of the Starks are connected to the House of Black and White in any way, or vice versa.
**
We also hear of Robb's ability to change his voice as Robb the Lord, and I wonder if this is similar to Ned speaking with "ice in his voice" or Jon when his speech is "quiet and cold"(ADWD-Jon VIII) or "Jon's voice was as cold as the wind snapping at their cloaks (ADWD-Jon XI).
An interesting parentage connection could be made to Daenerys, who also can change her voice to icy tones.
It does flare the idea that Dany has Stark blood!
**
We have seen flares of Robb's temper before, especially when he is angry at Joff's insults while they are sparring. That scene, and this scene, do make me think of what we know of Brandon Stark. Brandon the wild wolf, Brandon who is said to have rode angrily for hundreds of leagues to the Red Keep to shout at Rhaegar to "come out and die" (which I really doubt happened quite that way) but it does fit the idea of Brandon having a rash temper. Even the world book comments on Brandon's reaction to Lyanna's crowning at Harrenhal.
These flares of temper from Robb, that seem to mimic Brandon Stark, could be a hint of possible parentage, with Brandon being Robb's bio-dad, conceived before he rode off willy nilly to the Red Keep to die (although the timeline issues could negate this theory). It could also be just a personality trait that shows in some of the Starks. Some are wild, like Brandon, while some are cold and quiet, like Eddard.
One thing is for certain, Tyrion recognized that Jon behaves like Ned, and points it out to Robb.
I don't know if this just has to do with parentage or not, but there seems to be a clear difference between Robb and Jon in the text with some of their mannerisms (although we do get a few hints at Berserker Jon), but Jon does seem to behave more like Eddard, the quiet wolf, than Robb does.
A few none parentage things
This exchange is so interesting to me for several reasons. Just the words seem to indicate future strife with these two families, but more intersting to me is this idea that Starks are hard to kill. And I think they are. Bran should have died when he fell from that tower. But he didn't. We don't know what will happen after Jon's stabbing, but my gut instinct is that Jon will not die. I think he might end up comatose and in Ghost for a time (which could be what happened to Bran and Summer), or he could die and come back in Ghost, as we see Varamyr think about doing. We also see Varamyr try to take over Thistle's body and I have some tinfoil that Robb might have tried (and possibly succeeded) with Catelyn's body. Either way, it indicates that Stark's might be very hard to kill. Even if that idea that part of Robb lives on is incorrect, we see that Robb takes three arrow's in the body, and still pop's up like a jack-in-the-box that needs to be stabbed in the heart. Hard to kill!
Is this the warg/skin changer gene they carry that makes this so, or is it something else in their genetic makeup? The warg thing makes sense, as we know that Orell lived on in his eagle, who hated Jon Snow. And when Varamyr took that eagle over, he too hated Jon Snow, because Orell's hate was still alive in that eagle. Still, when Jon killed Orell, Orell didn't pop back up like a jack-in-the-box like we see Robb do, so perhaps there is something different about the Stark's that is separate from the warg gene?
**
This is the seat of the Starks, where the Lords of Winterfell had sat even in the days when they were called the Kings in the North, so before Aegon's conquest, and probably for hundreds or thousands of years before that. What is interesting to me is that Robb has stood (to point his sword at Tyrion) but he relinquished the seat, and almost by unspoken agreement, Hodor seat's Bran in this seat. And then Robb stands beside Bran, placing a hand on Bran's shoulder. This almost seems like it foreshadow's that Bran will be the Lord in Robb's place. Not just when Robb goes south, but perhaps when the story draws to a conclusion. Will it be Bran that is sitting on the seat of the Starks, the Lord of Winterfell?
**
This passage is so interesting to me, knowing what we know about the Stark's and the bond they share with their direwolves. It is Summer who attacks first, then Grey Wind (who is described as swift and silent but still no color descriptor), and Shaggydog is last. Shaggy seems like the more uncontrollable wild card, but he is the last to attack, which could parallel some things about the Stark boys.
First of all, I suspect that Summer smells the Lannister blood in Tyrion, and that is why he attacks. On some level Summer (and Bran) know who is responsible for Bran's fall.
I think the order of attack could also show us something about the Stark/Lannister war. The war really seems to start with Bran's fall, which causes Catelyn to kidnap Tyrion, which kicks off the whole war. Then, Grey Wind comes in on the attack. So the war is started over Bran, but is continued with Robb's effort, first to free Ned and then to avenge him. Shaggydog is the last to attack, and I wonder if this indicates a third push in the Stark/Lannister war that will have the war continue over Rickon, perhaps with Rickon leading, or forces who have Rickon, leading the war effort. Pure speculation on my part, but the order is interesting to me.
The order that the wolves pull back is also interesting. Summer first, then Grey Wind, then Shaggydog, which mirror's the order of attack. It is the black wolf that gives up last, and with a snarl. Shaggy doesn't want to quite, and I don't think Rickon will, either. I already speculate that Rickon might be the "little brother" who will be the end of Cersei, but Shaggy's black and green coloring also mimic's Tyrion's eye color, and there is a time when Tyrion fears being hunted through the forest by wolves. I think one of those wolves will be Shaggy!
Or perhaps he is running from Nymeria's pack, as Tyrion seems to distinguish the type of pack he is running from.
**
This passage about Benjen is hard for me to ignore, and it has not one damn thing about parentage, but I have to comment on it. We get the information that Benjen went into the forest with companions, and they are all suspected to be dead. Bran and Robb both seem in denial about his death, and Bran thinks that the CotF will save him, like they saved The Last Hero. This is the second mention of The Last Hero in this chapter. Old Nan starts TLH story at the start of the chapter, and here at the end of the chapter, the TLH story is mentioned again. And Benjen Stark being missing in the haunted forest is sandwiched in between like bacon and cheese on toast. Is this our hint that Benjen Stark is the Last Hero 2.0 of this story?
It would be sly if the savior of the story has been missing since nearly the start of the series, missing in action while he seeks out the CotF to help find the secret the will save the world from the Long Night 2.0! Always on our minds but rarely in the text.
**
I would like to talk about Bran's dream in this chapter, but I have already been way too wordy, and have derailed a ton, but I hope someone else has some observations on that dream for discussion. It is pretty fabulous imagery!
The very opening of the chapter gives us this ...
In the yard below, Rickon ran with the wolves.
Bran watched from his window seat. Wherever the boy went, Grey Wind was there first, loping ahead to cut him off, until Rickon saw him, screamed in delight, and went pelting off in another direction. Shaggydog ran at his heels, spinning and snapping if the other wolves came too close. His fur had darkened until he was all black, and his eyes were green fire. Bran's Summer came last. He was silver and smoke, with eyes of yellow gold that saw all there was to see. Smaller than Grey Wind, and more wary. Bran thought he was the smartest of the litter. He could hear his brother's breathless laughter as Rickon dashed across the hard-packed earth on little baby legs. AGOT-Bran IV
Bran watched from his window seat. Wherever the boy went, Grey Wind was there first, loping ahead to cut him off, until Rickon saw him, screamed in delight, and went pelting off in another direction. Shaggydog ran at his heels, spinning and snapping if the other wolves came too close. His fur had darkened until he was all black, and his eyes were green fire. Bran's Summer came last. He was silver and smoke, with eyes of yellow gold that saw all there was to see. Smaller than Grey Wind, and more wary. Bran thought he was the smartest of the litter. He could hear his brother's breathless laughter as Rickon dashed across the hard-packed earth on little baby legs. AGOT-Bran IV
Rickon ran with the wolves. I don't know if this is a hint about parentage, but I think it surely is telling us something about Rickon. I think he is probably the most "wolf-blooded" of the Stark children. I don't know if it's genetic, or if it is because he is so young that leaves him open to the influence of Shaggydog, but Rickon playing with the wolves as if he is part of their pack indicates to me a different level of bonding than his siblings have shown so far.
I think it is also interesting that Grey Wind seems to be trying possibly to contain the boy. We will find that Robb is very busy with is duties of Lord of Winterfell, and it seems to me that Grey Wind is the surrogate babysitter to the little brother.
We also get a description of two of the three direwolves in this passage.
Shaggydog had darkened to black and his eyes are green fire. I have always wondered about Shaggy's connection to Rickard Stark. Rickon is possibly named partly after his grandfather Rickard, who died in Kings Landing, burned by wild fire, which is green in color. The green fire of Shaggy's eyes seems like a clear nod to the wildfire that killed Rickard Stark. I don't know what this implies to the rest of the story yet, but Rickard did live long enough to beget several children, but his life was certainly cut short by brutal means. I question that this means that Rickon will be the Stark to avenge his grandfather. Any one have any other thoughts on Shaggy's green eyes. Other options could be that Rickon is a strong greenseer?
Those you call the children of the forest have eyes as golden as the sun, but once in a great while one is born amongst them with eyes as red as blood, or green as the moss on a tree in the heart of the forest. By these signs do the gods mark those they have chosen to receive the gift. ADWD-Bran III
I have also wondered if Rickon could be the valonquar that Cersei fear's. After all, Cersei is often associated with green fire in her own eyes, as well as the wildfire she uses to burn down the Tower of the Hand. Rickon could certainly be the "little brother" who will be the end of Cersei! Rickon is little brother to Sansa, Bran and Arya, who have all fallen under Cersei's shadow. And possibly Jon, if his assassination has anything to do with Cersei's plotting.
We get a description of Summer that indicates he is "silver and smoke, with eyes of yellow gold that saw all there was to see". Silver seems to be a color associated with the Stark's, in coinage and jewelry. Smoke is interesting, as smoke hint's at fire. The old adage of "where there is smoke, there is fire" might be a hint to us about Bran's future. And also the eyes that are gold, which has always seemed odd to me, since it is the red and green eyed greenseer's that are supposed to be so rare. It seems like Bran's wolf should have had eyes of red or green, not gold. Still, the idea that Summer's eyes "saw all there was to see" could certainly indicate Bran's eventual connection to the weirnet.
Interestingly, we get no physical description of Grey Wind in this passage except he was larger than Summer, and I always thought that was odd, considering we get some description of Summer and Shaggy. We do hear that Summer is more "wary" than Grey Wind, which could indicate a rashness or boldness in Robb's future.
**
We get some great Old Nan quotes and information in this chapter. Just some of the great things we get from her are "crows are all liar's" (which should clue Bran into the concept that he perhaps should not trust the three eyed crow), "fear is for the winter" (connected to House Stark's words, perhaps) and my personal favorite "my sweet summer child" (which is possibly telling us something about Bran's fate in relation to winter and summer). Old Nan has so much to say (we hear about Bran the Builder, the Other's, the Long Night and the Last Hero), which hasn't much to do with parentage, and deserves a few hundred threads dedicated just to her words and stories, but I do think there is some possible parentage hints about her.
Old Nan's needlework is perhaps a clue about her past.
Old Nan just lived on and on, doing her needlework and telling her stories. AGOT-Bran IV
**
"Who is it?" Bran asked Maester Luwin.
"Tyrion Lannister, and some men of the Night's Watch, with word from your brother Jon. Robb is meeting with them now. AGOT-Bran IV
"Tyrion Lannister, and some men of the Night's Watch, with word from your brother Jon. Robb is meeting with them now. AGOT-Bran IV
**
Robb was seated in Father's high seat, wearing ringmail and boiled leather and the stern face of Robb the Lord. AGOT-Bran IV
He had taken off Father's face, Bran thought, and donned the face of Lord Stark of Winterfell. AGOT-Bran I
Jon, he'd said, but Jon was gone. It was Lord Snow who faced him now, grey eyes as hard as ice. AFFC-Samwell I
This is not the first time it is implied that Jon wears different faces, depending on his role, but since most of what we have from Jon comes from his own POV, we don't really get a description of the different faces of Jon or Lord Snow. But it clearly reminds me of what we are told about Ned the very first time we meet him.
I don't know if this face changing is a learned bahavior that Ned has passed down to Robb and Jon, or if it is a somewhat genetic ability that he could have passed to his sons. It's unclear as proof of either, but I do think it's worth noting.
Also, a bit of tinfoil in this face changing business makes me wonder of the Starks are connected to the House of Black and White in any way, or vice versa.
**
"Any man of the Night's Watch is welcome here at Winterfell for as long as he wishes to stay," Robb was saying with the voice of Robb the Lord. His sword was across his knees, the steel bare for all the world to see. Even Bran knew what it meant to greet a guest with an unsheathed sword. AGOT-Bran IV
An interesting parentage connection could be made to Daenerys, who also can change her voice to icy tones.
"You will drink," Dany said, cold as ice. AGOT-Daenerys VI
**
Robb was seated in Father's high seat, wearing ringmail and boiled leather and the stern face of Robb the Lord. Theon Greyjoy and Hallis Mollen stood behind him. A dozen guardsmen lined the grey stone walls beneath tall narrow windows. In the center of the room the dwarf stood with his servants, and four strangers in the black of the Night's Watch. Bran could sense the anger in the hall the moment that Hodor carried him through the doors.
"Any man of the Night's Watch is welcome here at Winterfell for as long as he wishes to stay," Robb was saying with the voice of Robb the Lord. His sword was across his knees, the steel bare for all the world to see. Even Bran knew what it meant to greet a guest with an unsheathed sword.
"Any man of the Night's Watch," the dwarf repeated, "but not me, do I take your meaning, boy?"
Robb stood and pointed at the little man with his sword. "I am the lord here while my mother and father are away, Lannister. I am not your boy." AGOT-Bran IV
"Any man of the Night's Watch is welcome here at Winterfell for as long as he wishes to stay," Robb was saying with the voice of Robb the Lord. His sword was across his knees, the steel bare for all the world to see. Even Bran knew what it meant to greet a guest with an unsheathed sword.
"Any man of the Night's Watch," the dwarf repeated, "but not me, do I take your meaning, boy?"
Robb stood and pointed at the little man with his sword. "I am the lord here while my mother and father are away, Lannister. I am not your boy." AGOT-Bran IV
We have seen flares of Robb's temper before, especially when he is angry at Joff's insults while they are sparring. That scene, and this scene, do make me think of what we know of Brandon Stark. Brandon the wild wolf, Brandon who is said to have rode angrily for hundreds of leagues to the Red Keep to shout at Rhaegar to "come out and die" (which I really doubt happened quite that way) but it does fit the idea of Brandon having a rash temper. Even the world book comments on Brandon's reaction to Lyanna's crowning at Harrenhal.
Yet if this were true, why did Lady Lyanna's brothers seem so distraught at the honor the prince had bestowed upon her? Brandon Stark, the heir to Winterfell, had to be restrained from confronting Rhaegar at what he took as a slight upon his sister's honor, for Lyanna Stark had long been betrothed to Robert Baratheon, Lord of Storm's End. Eddard Stark, Brandon's younger brother and a close friend to Lord Robert, was calmer but no more pleased. The World of Ice and Fire - The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring
One thing is for certain, Tyrion recognized that Jon behaves like Ned, and points it out to Robb.
"If you are a lord, you might learn a lord's courtesy," the little man replied, ignoring the sword point in his face. "Your bastard brother has all your father's graces, it would seem." AGOT-Bran IV
I don't know if this just has to do with parentage or not, but there seems to be a clear difference between Robb and Jon in the text with some of their mannerisms (although we do get a few hints at Berserker Jon), but Jon does seem to behave more like Eddard, the quiet wolf, than Robb does.
A few none parentage things
"Jon," Bran gasped out from Hodor's arms.
The dwarf turned to look at him. "So it is true, the boy lives. I could scarce believe it. You Starks are hard to kill."
"You Lannisters had best remember that," Robb said, lowering his sword. "Hodor, bring my brother here." AGOT-Bran IV
The dwarf turned to look at him. "So it is true, the boy lives. I could scarce believe it. You Starks are hard to kill."
"You Lannisters had best remember that," Robb said, lowering his sword. "Hodor, bring my brother here." AGOT-Bran IV
This exchange is so interesting to me for several reasons. Just the words seem to indicate future strife with these two families, but more intersting to me is this idea that Starks are hard to kill. And I think they are. Bran should have died when he fell from that tower. But he didn't. We don't know what will happen after Jon's stabbing, but my gut instinct is that Jon will not die. I think he might end up comatose and in Ghost for a time (which could be what happened to Bran and Summer), or he could die and come back in Ghost, as we see Varamyr think about doing. We also see Varamyr try to take over Thistle's body and I have some tinfoil that Robb might have tried (and possibly succeeded) with Catelyn's body. Either way, it indicates that Stark's might be very hard to kill. Even if that idea that part of Robb lives on is incorrect, we see that Robb takes three arrow's in the body, and still pop's up like a jack-in-the-box that needs to be stabbed in the heart. Hard to kill!
Is this the warg/skin changer gene they carry that makes this so, or is it something else in their genetic makeup? The warg thing makes sense, as we know that Orell lived on in his eagle, who hated Jon Snow. And when Varamyr took that eagle over, he too hated Jon Snow, because Orell's hate was still alive in that eagle. Still, when Jon killed Orell, Orell didn't pop back up like a jack-in-the-box like we see Robb do, so perhaps there is something different about the Stark's that is separate from the warg gene?
**
"You Lannisters had best remember that," Robb said, lowering his sword. "Hodor, bring my brother here."
"Hodor," Hodor said, and he trotted forward smiling and set Bran in the high seat of the Starks, where the Lords of Winterfell had sat since the days when they called themselves the Kings in the North. The seat was cold stone, polished smooth by countless bottoms; the carved heads of direwolves snarled on the ends of its massive arms. Bran clasped them as he sat, his useless legs dangling. The great seat made him feel half a baby.
Robb put a hand on his shoulder. "You said you had business with Bran. Well, here he is, Lannister." AGOT-Bran IV
"Hodor," Hodor said, and he trotted forward smiling and set Bran in the high seat of the Starks, where the Lords of Winterfell had sat since the days when they called themselves the Kings in the North. The seat was cold stone, polished smooth by countless bottoms; the carved heads of direwolves snarled on the ends of its massive arms. Bran clasped them as he sat, his useless legs dangling. The great seat made him feel half a baby.
Robb put a hand on his shoulder. "You said you had business with Bran. Well, here he is, Lannister." AGOT-Bran IV
**
The door to the yard flew open. Sunlight came streaming across the hall as Rickon burst in, breathless. The direwolves were with him. The boy stopped by the door, wide-eyed, but the wolves came on. Their eyes found Lannister, or perhaps they caught his scent. Summer began to growl first. Grey Wind picked it up. They padded toward the little man, one from the right and one from the left.
"The wolves do not like your smell, Lannister," Theon Greyjoy commented.
"Perhaps it's time I took my leave," Tyrion said. He took a step backward … and Shaggydog came out of the shadows behind him, snarling. Lannister recoiled, and Summer lunged at him from the other side. He reeled away, unsteady on his feet, and Grey Wind snapped at his arm, teeth ripping at his sleeve and tearing loose a scrap of cloth.
"No!" Bran shouted from the high seat as Lannister's men reached for their steel. "Summer, here. Summer, to me!"
The direwolf heard the voice, glanced at Bran, and again at Lannister. He crept backward, away from the little man, and settled down below Bran's dangling feet.
Robb had been holding his breath. He let it out with a sigh and called, "Grey Wind." His direwolf moved to him, swift and silent. Now there was only Shaggy dog, rumbling at the small man, his eyes burning like green fire.
"Rickon, call him," Bran shouted to his baby brother, and Rickon remembered himself and screamed, "Home, Shaggy, home now." The black wolf gave Lannister one final snarl and bounded off to Rickon, who hugged him tightly around the neck.
Tyrion Lannister undid his scarf, mopped at his brow, and said in a flat voice, "How interesting." AGOT-Bran IV
"The wolves do not like your smell, Lannister," Theon Greyjoy commented.
"Perhaps it's time I took my leave," Tyrion said. He took a step backward … and Shaggydog came out of the shadows behind him, snarling. Lannister recoiled, and Summer lunged at him from the other side. He reeled away, unsteady on his feet, and Grey Wind snapped at his arm, teeth ripping at his sleeve and tearing loose a scrap of cloth.
"No!" Bran shouted from the high seat as Lannister's men reached for their steel. "Summer, here. Summer, to me!"
The direwolf heard the voice, glanced at Bran, and again at Lannister. He crept backward, away from the little man, and settled down below Bran's dangling feet.
Robb had been holding his breath. He let it out with a sigh and called, "Grey Wind." His direwolf moved to him, swift and silent. Now there was only Shaggy dog, rumbling at the small man, his eyes burning like green fire.
"Rickon, call him," Bran shouted to his baby brother, and Rickon remembered himself and screamed, "Home, Shaggy, home now." The black wolf gave Lannister one final snarl and bounded off to Rickon, who hugged him tightly around the neck.
Tyrion Lannister undid his scarf, mopped at his brow, and said in a flat voice, "How interesting." AGOT-Bran IV
First of all, I suspect that Summer smells the Lannister blood in Tyrion, and that is why he attacks. On some level Summer (and Bran) know who is responsible for Bran's fall.
I think the order of attack could also show us something about the Stark/Lannister war. The war really seems to start with Bran's fall, which causes Catelyn to kidnap Tyrion, which kicks off the whole war. Then, Grey Wind comes in on the attack. So the war is started over Bran, but is continued with Robb's effort, first to free Ned and then to avenge him. Shaggydog is the last to attack, and I wonder if this indicates a third push in the Stark/Lannister war that will have the war continue over Rickon, perhaps with Rickon leading, or forces who have Rickon, leading the war effort. Pure speculation on my part, but the order is interesting to me.
The order that the wolves pull back is also interesting. Summer first, then Grey Wind, then Shaggydog, which mirror's the order of attack. It is the black wolf that gives up last, and with a snarl. Shaggy doesn't want to quite, and I don't think Rickon will, either. I already speculate that Rickon might be the "little brother" who will be the end of Cersei, but Shaggy's black and green coloring also mimic's Tyrion's eye color, and there is a time when Tyrion fears being hunted through the forest by wolves. I think one of those wolves will be Shaggy!
Something about the howling of a wolf took a man right out of his here and now and left him in a dark forest of the mind, running naked before the pack. AGOT-Tyrion I
**
Yoren was senior among the black brothers, so the steward had seated him between Robb and Maester Luwin. The old man had a sour smell, as if he had not washed in a long time. He ripped at the meat with his teeth, cracked the ribs to suck out the marrow from the bones, and shrugged at the mention of Jon Snow. "Ser Alliser's bane," he grunted, and two of his companions shared a laugh that Bran did not understand. But when Robb asked for news of their uncle Benjen, the black brothers grew ominously quiet.
"What is it?" Bran asked.
Yoren wiped his fingers on his vest. "There's hard news, m'lords, and a cruel way to pay you for your meat and mead, but the man as asks the question must bear the answer. Stark's gone."
One of the other men said, "The Old Bear sent him out to look for Waymar Royce, and he's late returning, my lord."
"Too long," Yoren said. "Most like he's dead."
"My uncle is not dead," Robb Stark said loudly, anger in his tones. He rose from the bench and laid his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Do you hear me? My uncle is not dead!" His voice rang against the stone walls, and Bran was suddenly afraid.
Old sour-smelling Yoren looked up at Robb, unimpressed. "Whatever you say, m'lord," he said. He sucked at a piece of meat between his teeth.
The youngest of the black brothers shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "There's not a man on the Wall knows the haunted forest better than Benjen Stark. He'll find his way back."
"Well," said Yoren, "maybe he will and maybe he won't. Good men have gone into those woods before, and never come out."
All Bran could think of was Old Nan's story of the Others and the last hero, hounded through the white woods by dead men and spiders big as hounds. He was afraid for a moment, until he remembered how that story ended. "The children will help him," he blurted, "the children of the forest!"
Theon Greyjoy sniggered, and Maester Luwin said, "Bran, the children of the forest have been dead and gone for thousands of years. All that is left of them are the faces in the trees." AGOT-Bran IV
"What is it?" Bran asked.
Yoren wiped his fingers on his vest. "There's hard news, m'lords, and a cruel way to pay you for your meat and mead, but the man as asks the question must bear the answer. Stark's gone."
One of the other men said, "The Old Bear sent him out to look for Waymar Royce, and he's late returning, my lord."
"Too long," Yoren said. "Most like he's dead."
"My uncle is not dead," Robb Stark said loudly, anger in his tones. He rose from the bench and laid his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Do you hear me? My uncle is not dead!" His voice rang against the stone walls, and Bran was suddenly afraid.
Old sour-smelling Yoren looked up at Robb, unimpressed. "Whatever you say, m'lord," he said. He sucked at a piece of meat between his teeth.
The youngest of the black brothers shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "There's not a man on the Wall knows the haunted forest better than Benjen Stark. He'll find his way back."
"Well," said Yoren, "maybe he will and maybe he won't. Good men have gone into those woods before, and never come out."
All Bran could think of was Old Nan's story of the Others and the last hero, hounded through the white woods by dead men and spiders big as hounds. He was afraid for a moment, until he remembered how that story ended. "The children will help him," he blurted, "the children of the forest!"
Theon Greyjoy sniggered, and Maester Luwin said, "Bran, the children of the forest have been dead and gone for thousands of years. All that is left of them are the faces in the trees." AGOT-Bran IV
This passage about Benjen is hard for me to ignore, and it has not one damn thing about parentage, but I have to comment on it. We get the information that Benjen went into the forest with companions, and they are all suspected to be dead. Bran and Robb both seem in denial about his death, and Bran thinks that the CotF will save him, like they saved The Last Hero. This is the second mention of The Last Hero in this chapter. Old Nan starts TLH story at the start of the chapter, and here at the end of the chapter, the TLH story is mentioned again. And Benjen Stark being missing in the haunted forest is sandwiched in between like bacon and cheese on toast. Is this our hint that Benjen Stark is the Last Hero 2.0 of this story?
It would be sly if the savior of the story has been missing since nearly the start of the series, missing in action while he seeks out the CotF to help find the secret the will save the world from the Long Night 2.0! Always on our minds but rarely in the text.
**
I would like to talk about Bran's dream in this chapter, but I have already been way too wordy, and have derailed a ton, but I hope someone else has some observations on that dream for discussion. It is pretty fabulous imagery!
