ASOS Sansa VI: The Merling King and the Drearfort

Okay--I fully admit to prejudice whilst reading this that I think this chapter has allusions to Lyanna's life/fate. And her flight to Dorne. So, feel free to attack my prejudice--or join on in.


And once again, Sansa's helped by "no proper knight." And yet those ones help more than the "proper" ones. Lothar's going to help her with Marillion soon.


Illy Payne-ish? Or Houndish?


If the "Merling King" isn't a reference to the Manderlys, I don't know what it is.

As for the bare and stony shore--sounds like the stony Dornish's land to me. Barren and not highly habitable.

They aren't going to the Stormlands, but the storms still get them. If (as I'm thinking is likely) Lyanna was taken south via ship--like Myrcella is take on the Lady Lyanna, they would have gone round the Stormlands.


Orwell Whent reference? The only other "Oswell" I could find in the books was Kettleblack.

Understandable. And it raises the question (at least in this bird's brain) when exactly did Lyanna get sick? But Sansa's misery on the trip--she was supposed to flee north on the Shy Maid. Now, she's being re-stolen by Baelish. And, before she even knows that, the journey is sickening.


Well, that should make just about anyone ill.

Interesting--she's already defending Tyrion. DIdn't want him or his family--but doesn't want him harmed. Parallels? Hmmm

Seems an odd choice of words...

It's getting late, but...Did you notice that this:

Was followed by this:

And then:

I missed that--good catch! Now I need to find time to re-read that chapter. . .


That was part of my wondering, too.

Yes, if they made Lyanna travel while pregnant--or BECAUSE she was pregnant. Might this go back to kingmonkey's idea re: a sacrifice in the tower? If they found out that Lyanna was pregnant and were worried what Aerys might do (sorry--I really think he was part of the key threat), were they moving her for that?

And did she have to give birth while ill? (Utter misery).


Whoops! Yes--I was thinking the Sea Witch. Huh--which might fit the story Arya hears about Sansa after Joff's death--her turning into a winged wolf and flying away. Magical.


And might have sent her looking for help to get out. Made her more willing to trust? Like Sansa re-thinks Beric?


Ah, yes! I remember now. I have trouble with the lady in waiting part--unless she was forced into it. Like Sansa sort of is with Margaery.

But I keep coming back to Ashara in this role, not Lyanna.


I have a hard time seeing a man who was thinking about overthrowing his father just holing up somewhere. Seems like he'd be up to something. As is Baelish. And even Tyrion.

Getting financing in Braavos--interesting. Trying to assure the Iron Bank he's a very different sort of dragon? Not the enslaving, miserable kind. But the reforming, cuddly kind? Puff, not Smaug, if you will. Completely with backing soundtrack.

Wylla has been betrothed against her will to Little Walder.

I think it was Wraith who brought up on another thread about the Tyroshi dying their hair bright colors, even green? (I tried to find the comment a minute ago and failed--will try again in a bit). Wylla's green hair, Sansa's dyed hers brown, but still--might Lyanna or another have been disguised as from outside Westeros?


You and me both. But the convo Manderly has with Davos, about the subterfuge, about his true loyalties, his admiration for his daughter--we have Doran's plotting. His willful daughter. Is he also loyal to a cause other than his own advancement? I need to get over the Wraith's thread in a bit. . . .





Yup--on the Lady Lyanna with two Kingsguard. That really feels like it's a narrative marker.


Interesting--possible. Though this might cut into voice's "Rhaegar's Catspaw" argument (I need to get back over there). If Darry took the Queen and Viserys but left Elia and the children--why do that if he, like Jaime, is Rhaegar's man (not reporting him for treason)?


Hmmm. . . we've got Tyrion going up a river, right? Anyone else???


Wait--didn't you bring this up on Westeros, too? Or did I only answer you in my own head?

I do think the grey Stark eyes are a significant marker of the family's liminal nature. . . .I know WeaselPie was able to establish the books don't tell us her eye color. And if they are blue, that would be very interesting. But seems like the grey is significant, just as Jon's eyes being the darkest grey is interesting.

SlyWren, Sorry I haven't been able to get back here. Hopefully soon. But, before I forget, I checked earlier. Sansa wears blue again when Ned is executed. Joff and Cersei in Crimson and black.