Within, the tower seemed even smaller. An open stone stair wound round the inside wall, from undercroft to roof. Each floor was but a single room. The servants lived and slept in the kitchen at ground level, sharing the space with a huge brindled mastiff and a half-dozen sheep-dogs. Above that was a modest hall, and higher still the bedchamber. There were no windows, but arrowslits were embedded in the outer wall at intervals along the curve of the stair. Above the hearth hung a broken longsword and a battered oaken shield, its paint cracked and flaking.
Sounds like a guard tower. Small outside and even smaller inside. Not much room for privacy, but the Lady Lysa doesn't seem to mind that later on. I do wonder why the longsword is broken, and what that might signify.
The device painted on the shield was one Sansa did not know; a grey stone head with fiery eyes, upon a light green field. "My grandfather's shield," Petyr explained when he saw her gazing at it. "His own father was born in Braavos and came to the Vale as a sellsword in the hire of Lord Corbray, so my grandfather took the head of the Titan as his sigil when he was knighted."
Is there talk of the Titan of Braavos having fiery eyes elsewhere? Interesting that the Corbrays and Baelishes were once close. Wonder where Littlefinger's great-grandfather came up with that surname?
"It's very fierce," said Sansa.
It's rather fiery, thought Ladydi.
"Rather too fierce, for an amiable fellow like me," said Petyr. "I much prefer my mockingbird."
And what does your mockingbird stand for, Lord Petyr?
Why must I always be the isle of crazy alone in an ocean of sensibility? The should to everybody else’s shouldn’t? The I-will to their better-nots?
Wonder where Littlefinger's great-grandfather came up with that surname?
Okay--I feel like an idiot for not thinking of this.
Yes--where did they get that name? Martin's obviously drawing a parallel with Bael, but the Baelish family. . . why choose this? Braavos isn't that far from White Harbor. . . had they heard of Bael the Bard?
And what does your mockingbird stand for, Lord Petyr?
The one who sings every song--while never singing out loud his own?
All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril. Those who read the symbol do so at their peril. It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors. Oscar Wilde.
Yes--where did they get that name? Martin's obviously drawing a parallel with Bael, but the Baelish family. . . why choose this? Braavos isn't that far from White Harbor. . . had they heard of Bael the Bard?
Makes you wonder, doesn't it? What else might our little Lord Petyr have in common with the former King Beyond the Wall?
Makes you wonder, doesn't it? What else might our little Lord Petyr have in common with the former King Beyond the Wall?
And where that particular King beyond the Wall (Bael) came from?
Mance was originally a wildling child. But we know that all sorts come to Wall and then could go north. So. . . it we have a Bael and a Bael-ish, and if, as kingmonkey pointed out, the name "Bael" has that conspicuously Targaryen "ae" in it--did Bael at one point come from the south or east?
We may never know--but if Jon is struck to hear "The Dornishman's Wife" sung all the way north of the Wall, and we know that the men of the Night's Watch have sometimes gone to Braavos--seems like there's at least a chance the song go the blue Winter Rose and/or the tale of Bael per se could get to Braavos.
Makes me think of the horse banner with fiery eyes. Was it Bittersteel's banner?
Red stallion with black dragon wings.
So. are you thinking the titan is another "mix"?
All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril. Those who read the symbol do so at their peril. It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors. Oscar Wilde.
Oswell made two more trips out to the Merling King to offload provisions. Among the loads he brought ashore were several casks of wine. Petyr poured Sansa a cup, as promised. "Here, my lady, that should help your tummy, I would hope."
Having solid ground beneath her feet had helped already, but Sansa dutifully lifted the goblet with both hands and took a sip. The wine was very fine; an Arbor vintage, she thought. It tasted of oak and fruit and hot summer nights, the flavors blossoming in her mouth like flowers opening to the sun. She only prayed that she could keep it down. Lord Petyr was being so kind, she did not want to spoil it all by retching on him.
He was studying her over his own goblet, his bright grey-green eyes full of . . . was it amusement? Or something else? Sansa was not certain. "Grisel," he called to the old woman, "bring some food up. Nothing too heavy, my lady has a tender tummy. Some fruit might serve, perhaps. Oswell's brought some oranges and pomegranates from the King."
"Yes, m'lord."
"Might I have a hot bath as well?" asked Sansa.
"I'll have Kella draw some water, m'lady."
Sansa took another sip of wine and tried to think of some polite conversation, but Lord Petyr saved her the effort. When Grisel and the other servants had gone, he said, "Lysa will not come alone. Before she arrives, we must be clear on who you are."
All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril. Those who read the symbol do so at their peril. It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors. Oscar Wilde.
The wine was very fine; an Arbor vintage, she thought. It tasted of oak and fruit and hot summer nights, the flavors blossoming in her mouth like flowers opening to the sun.
So, either Sansa is preparing for a career as a sommelier, or we're supposed to be thinking of Dornish wine. Like Jon thinks of Dorne when he meets Mance as Mance sings Dornishman's Wife.
"Grisel," he called to the old woman, "bring some food up. Nothing too heavy, my lady has a tender tummy. Some fruit might serve, perhaps. Oswell's brought some oranges and pomegranates from the King."
Back to southron fruits. Aaaand. . . to the Hades/Persephone imagery with pomegranates.
Or even a grand of Eden reference. Tempting her with fruits.
Sansa took another sip of wine and tried to think of some polite conversation, but Lord Petyr saved her the effort. When Grisel and the other servants had gone, he said, "Lysa will not come alone. Before she arrives, we must be clear on who you are."
So, the lessons in lying begin.
All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril. Those who read the symbol do so at their peril. It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors. Oscar Wilde.
The wine was very fine; an Arbor vintage, she thought. It tasted of oak and fruit and hot summer nights, the flavors blossoming in her mouth like flowers opening to the sun.
So, either Sansa is preparing for a career as a sommelier, or we're supposed to be thinking of Dornish wine. Like Jon thinks of Dorne when he meets Mance as Mance sings Dornishman's Wife.
"Grisel," he called to the old woman, "bring some food up. Nothing too heavy, my lady has a tender tummy. Some fruit might serve, perhaps. Oswell's brought some oranges and pomegranates from the King."
Back to southron fruits. Aaaand. . . to the Hades/Persephone imagery with pomegranates.
Or even a grand of Eden reference. Tempting her with fruits.
Sansa took another sip of wine and tried to think of some polite conversation, but Lord Petyr saved her the effort. When Grisel and the other servants had gone, he said, "Lysa will not come alone. Before she arrives, we must be clear on who you are."
So, the lessons in lying begin.
I feel bad, but I've looked at these passages several times now and I can't really come up with anything of any consequence to say about them. The only thing I thought that you didn't mention, was, damn, is he trying to get her drunk on good wine to take advantage of her? I mean, really, when you think of what you might want to drink with an upset stomach, wine wouldn't be at the top of my list.
Why must I always be the isle of crazy alone in an ocean of sensibility? The should to everybody else’s shouldn’t? The I-will to their better-nots?
Hmm. Maybe its one of the Ryswell banners that I was thinking of then. I swear I saw one with a black stallion and flaming red eyes somewhere.
It might fit with the bug I have in my brain re: the Bracken and Blackwood feud. The Stallion vs. the Weirwood. Dragon vs. Old gods. It's mostly just clanking around in my head on off moments, but I keep trying to figure out what that feud points to.
I feel bad, but I've looked at these passages several times now and I can't really come up with anything of any consequence to say about them. The only thing I thought that you didn't mention, was, damn, is he trying to get her drunk on good wine to take advantage of her? I mean, really, when you think of what you might want to drink with an upset stomach, wine wouldn't be at the top of my list.
Ha! No worries. The things this is reminding me of is Tyrion's talking to people over wine. Like his convo with Varys re: where power lies. These lines seem like a set up for me.
All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril. Those who read the symbol do so at their peril. It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors. Oscar Wilde.
Sansa took another sip of wine and tried to think of some polite conversation, but Lord Petyr saved her the effort. When Grisel and the other servants had gone, he said, "Lysa will not come alone. Before she arrives, we must be clear on who you are."
"Who I . . . I don't understand."
"Varys has informers everywhere. If Sansa Stark should be seen in the Vale, the eunuch will know within a moon's turn, and that would create unfortunate . . . complications. It is not safe to be a Stark just now. So we shall tell Lysa's people that you are my natural daughter."
"Natural?" Sansa was aghast. "You mean, a bastard?"
"Well, you can scarcely be my trueborn daughter. I've never taken a wife, that's well known. What should you be called?"
"I . . . I could call myself after my mother . . ."
"Catelyn? A bit too obvious . . . but after my mother, that would serve. Alayne. Do you like it?"
"Alayne is pretty." Sansa hoped she would remember. "But couldn't I be the trueborn daughter of some knight in your service? Perhaps he died gallantly in the battle, and . . ."
"I have no gallant knights in my service, Alayne. Such a tale would draw unwanted questions as a corpse draws crows. It is rude to pry into the origins of a man's natural children, however." He cocked his head. "So, who are you?"
All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril. Those who read the symbol do so at their peril. It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors. Oscar Wilde.
It might fit with the bug I have in my brain re: the Bracken and Blackwood feud. The Stallion vs. the Weirwood. Dragon vs. Old gods. It's mostly just clanking around in my head on off moments, but I keep trying to figure out what that feud points to.
I'm with you on that bug. Seems like there has to be something significant there, but god knows what. Then you have at least two houses with horses on their banners, both Bracken and Ryswell.
Ha! No worries. The things this is reminding me of is Tyrion's talking to people over wine. Like his convo with Varys re: where power lies. These lines seem like a set up for me.
This could very well be. At least its not Arbor Gold.
Why must I always be the isle of crazy alone in an ocean of sensibility? The should to everybody else’s shouldn’t? The I-will to their better-nots?
"Lysa will not come alone. Before she arrives, we must be clear on who you are."
You would think that he would have wanted her to be clear on who she was prior to being here as well. Guess he figures that Varys doesn't have birds among the stones and sheep pellets
"Alayne is pretty." Sansa hoped she would remember. "But couldn't I be the trueborn daughter of some knight in your service? Perhaps he died gallantly in the battle, and . . ."
I'm with you on that bug. Seems like there has to be something significant there, but god knows what. Then you have at least two houses with horses on their banners, both Bracken and Ryswell.
Yup. My brain keeps going to dragons vs. weirwoods, but that can't be enough to explain it.
Okay--I started this File thinking Sansa gives info on Lyanna. And I think it does. But the "who are you"--that's also Dany.
"Remember who you are, Daenerys," the stars whispered in a woman's voice. "The dragons know. Do you?" Dance, Dany X
Is this also a hint on how Dany was turned into Dany? Reminds me of the incident on the ship when Dany watches the green sail and wants to be a sailor. Viserys "reminds" her of who she "is."
Arya has to be under disguise. So does Sansa. But the "remember who you are"--it reminds me of Dany.
You would think that he would have wanted her to be clear on who she was prior to being here as well. Guess he figures that Varys doesn't have birds among the stones and sheep pellets
A very good point. So, did he not think of it, or did Martin want to make sure this convo happened inside this tower?
Guess growing up with a bastard didn't clear her distaste of them. Or is this Catelyn's influence showing through?
A bit of both, probably. Sansa still believes in birth and breeding. The ideal has gotten broken down quite a lot. But she maintains a lot of it. Being Alayne breaks that down even further--which is good.
All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril. Those who read the symbol do so at their peril. It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors. Oscar Wilde.
Yup. My brain keeps going to dragons vs. weirwoods, but that can't be enough to explain it.
I do think that the horses somehow relate to the dragons, but not quite sure how. It was the Ryswell banner I was thinking about. Their main house banner is a black horse with red eyes. See below...
Okay--I started this File thinking Sansa gives info on Lyanna. And I think it does. But the "who are you"--that's also Dany.
The who are you actually pertains to several characters. Quaith asks Dany who she is. Tyrion tells Jon to always remember who he is in order to embrace it. With Arya, it's almost in reverse as she tries to become "No One." Identity is a huge theme throughout the entire series.
A very good point. So, did he not think of it, or did Martin want to make sure this convo happened inside this tower?
God only knows... I'd like to think that there was some rhyme or reason to it, but I highly suspect that this just might have been more convenient as it required less scenes.
A bit of both, probably. Sansa still believes in birth and breeding. The ideal has gotten broken down quite a lot. But she maintains a lot of it. Being Alayne breaks that down even further--which is good.
She's learning. Just not quickly...
Why must I always be the isle of crazy alone in an ocean of sensibility? The should to everybody else’s shouldn’t? The I-will to their better-nots?
I do think that the horses somehow relate to the dragons, but not quite sure how. It was the Ryswell banner I was thinking about. Their main house banner is a black horse with red eyes. See below...
The who are you actually pertains to several characters. Quaith asks Dany who she is. Tyrion tells Jon to always remember who he is in order to embrace it. With Arya, it's almost in reverse as she tries to become "No One." Identity is a huge theme throughout the entire series.
Very true. But I was also noting the fact that, like Arya, Sansa is trying to become someone else. Given that Quaithe tries to get Dany to remember who she is, it implies that at some point, someone also tried to make her into someone else. Or to forget her past. Like Sansa in this moment.
God only knows... I'd like to think that there was some rhyme or reason to it, but I highly suspect that this just might have been more convenient as it required less scenes.
If fewer scenes were the goal, he could have just skipped to the ride to the Eyrie and Sansa could have recalled the key points in her memory as she played with her newly dyed hair.
No--I think this scene in the tower matters.
And no, I am not at all prejudiced to think this way.
Yes--this kid needs a tutor. A Syrio to tell her about Sealords' cats.
All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril. Those who read the symbol do so at their peril. It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors. Oscar Wilde.