Ned's Decision

A Game of Throne


Catelyn 2

After lovemaking, Eddard Stark leaves the bed, naked, and opens the window to his bed chamber: embracing the cold. Castle Winterfell was built on natural hot springs, warming the walls...something Catelyn appreciates more than her husband.

Ned tells his wife he does not wish to take up the King's offer to be Hand. Catelyn urges him to do so, since it will look like a slight against the royal family and may give them cause too suspect the Starks as being enemies. Eddard argues that King Robert would never think such things but Catelyn responds that Robert is a different man than the boy Eddard knew.

They are interrupted by Lewin, the castle's maester, who brings a message to Catelyn. It was in a secret compartment in a box and written in a language only Cat would know--it was one she invented with her sister Lysa, Jon Aryn's widow, as girls.

With apprehension Catelyn reads the note and instantly burns it.  Lysa claims that the Lannisters were behind the murder of Jon Aryn. Eddard is skeptical, he believes that Lysa may be blinded by grief. Catelyn however notes how much trouble Lysa went through to make this message a secret and the danger she would have put her and her son in. Luwin agrees with Catelyn and both urge Eddard to take up the position of Hand of the King, to protect Lysa and her son and to bring the Lannisters to justice. Most importantly though Catelyn asks Ned if he would rather leave Robert, who he just claimed loved him more than a brother, alone with people such as the Lannisters. After some deliberation Ned agrees. However to Cat's displeasure, he states that she must stay in Winterfell with Robb and Rickon. Rickon is too young to take the journey south and Robb needs to be groomed to be the new lord. Sansa must come with him to be wed to Prince Joffrey and Arya needs to learn the ways of court, something she is woefully lacking knowledge in. Catelyn urges Ned to let Bran stay but Ned cannot, Bran needs to form a friendship with Joffrey since there is bad blood between Robb and the Prince. Catelyn agrees this is what would be best for the family, with hesitation.

Luwin then brings up Jon Snow. Catelyn demands that she will not have him in the castle with Ned gone and Ned knows there is no place for him in court. Luwin mentions about the boy's desire to take the black and Ned agrees that he will allow this.
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Commentary
This is our first plot twist, the Lannisters killed Jon Aryn apparently. Not too much of a WTF moment, given that we clearly aren't supposed to like them at this point. This chapter gives us a good look at Eddard and Catelyn's marriage, while they do love each other, there is some distance between them --especially due to Jon Snow. Cateyln is not so much angry with the fact that thy boy exists, but rather that she is forced to see evidence of her husbands infidelity day after day. As much as she hates it, this is another shining example of Ned's character. Most men send their bastards away, Ned announces him to the world and treats him as any other son.  We also get a bit more tidbits on Jon Snow's past. Rumors were present that the mother was a woman named Ashara Dayne of Starfall but Eddard has silenced any discussion of the topic. All Ned has to say is the boy has his blood.

We get some more about the bromance between Ned and Robert, which Catelyn uses to guilt her husband into taking the position of Hand of the King.  We also meet a fairly important character, Maester Luwin

Maester's are pretty much doctor's, accountants, councilors, teachers, and scientists all rolled up into one neat package. Most lords have one in their employ. Luwin's never a major character, but he's always a presence and I like him for what he is. He's an overall nice guy, caring deeply about his charges, and does not have any ulterior motives. For a story that thrives on mostly http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BlackAndGrayMorality...where the characters are at best deeply flawed individuals and at worst utter puppy kicking bastards I like to consider Luwin pretty much squarely 'good'.  Interesting to note both Luwin and Catelyn argue in favor for Ned to go south. In the show they have more of a good angel bad angel thing going on representing Ned's conscious...with Catelyn urging him to stay north away from the den of vipers that is the capital. Of course it's not really a choice of right and wrong: both are perfectly acceptable and justifiable actions.

Also let's comment on Lysa, Catelyn's sister. Her method of delivering the letter was clever and she risked a lot to warn the Starks of the Lannister's crimes. She must be pretty cool. I think we have a fan favorite coming. Right?


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....right?