A Game of Thrones Reread - Part 17

Welcome back to the South of the Wall Game of Thrones Reread! I'm so glad to have you. Please, make yourselves comfortable. Everyone settled? Good! Now let's watch as the Lady Stark has a comfortable evening at the Inn at the Crossroads.

As always, possible spoilers for all currently published Song of Ice and Fire novels (up through Feast for Crows).

CATELYN

Summary

Catelyn and Ser Rodrik traveled north in the pouring rain. Ser Rodrik thought they should get indoors by a fire, and Cat suggested the Inn at the Crossroads. Ser Rodrik did not think going to an inn was a good idea, as she might be recognized, and would have rather gone to a holdfast. As they were walking up the kingsroad they heard a large party approaching from the other direction. It was Lord Jason Mallister, his son Patrek, and several knights and squires on their way to King's Landing for the tourney. Ser Rodrik told Cat to pull her hood up, but she stood out and faced the riders. The Mallisters rode by, not recognizing her. Cat took this as a sign that they could go to the inn, and that is what they did.

The innkeeper, a woman with teeth stained red from too much sourleaf, gave them poor rooms and told her they were the last available. As she prepared for dinner, Cat thought about her options. She would have liked to see her father and brother at Riverrun, or go to her sister in the Eyrie, but she knew she must make for Winterfell. She though which of the river lords would come if Riverrun called the banners. Many of the river lords had fought with Rhaegar Targaryen against Riverrun, and during the decisive battle at the Trident Lord Frey had arrived with his army after the battle was over, leaving some doubt as to which side he meant to join. From then on Cat's father referred to him as "the Late Lord Frey."

Cat and Ser Rodrik went to the common room for supper, and the benches were crowded. When they found a place to sit, they were across from a young man with a harp. The young singer, who introduced himself as Marillion, was on his way to King's Landing for the tourney. The singer was attempting to haggle over the price of a song, when the door to the inn burst open. It was Tyrion the Imp. He was with his two retainers, and a member of the Night's Watch. He hadn't noticed Cat, for which she was grateful, until Marillion called out and offered a song. Tyrion's eyes found her, and he greeted her as Lady Stark for all the inn to hear.

Cat then addressed the room. She identifies the various heraldry of the guests, and asks each specifically if they are loyal to her father and Riverrun. This includes several Freys, who tell Catelyn that their father, Lord Walder, plans to wed a new wife on his ninetieth name day, and has invited Cat's father to the wedding.

Tyrion Lannister sniggered. That was when Catelyn knew he was hers. "This man came as a guest into my house, and there conspired to murder my son, a boy of seven," she proclaimed to the room at large, pointing. Ser Rodrik moved to her side, his sword in hand. "In the name of King Robert and the good lords you serve, I call upon you to seize him and help me return him to Winterfell to await the king's justice."

She did not know what was more satisfying: the sound of a dozen swords drawn as one or the look on Tyrion Lannister's face. 

My Thoughts

You know, I actually thought I had more to say about this chapter. Obviously this is the turning point in our narrative. Catelyn seizing Tyrion has long repercussions that are still being felt. This will lead to Jaime's attack on Ned, and his fleeing of King's Landing. This causes Tywin to stir from Casterly Rock. This will devolve from animosity between Starks and Lannisters into a conflict that will involve the entire realm.

But all of that will be covered as it happens. Cat also inadvertently puts Tyrion together with Bronn and the mountain tribes that will become Tyrion's personal army. Cat screwed up big here. And why did she do it? Because Littlefinger told her it was Tyrion's dagger that was sent for Bran. Now, I think it was beyond even Littlefinger to predict that Catelyn would run into Tyrion here, so things probably got out of hand much more quickly than he expected.

I guess this is as good a time as any to discuss Catelyn. I am not a fan. I'm not sure if she's my least favorite POV character, but she's in the conversation. I think the problem is that while Catelyn is very intelligent, she is also completely ruled by emotions, and is incredibly selfish. She's smart enough to have everyone in the inn swear their allegiance to her before calling on them, but was she smart enough to think through all the ramifications of her actions? Ned and her daughters are surrounded by Lannisters in King's Landing. She is thinking like a mother, and wants to get the man that went after her son. Which I guess is commendable, but she doesn't have all the information! And as for selfish, once again she is thinking about her revenge, not about the rest of her family. And using men sworn to her father to arrest Tyrion, she just set all of the Riverlands against Casterly Rock. And go back to the weeks before the footpad with the dagger came from Bran. She neglected all of her children, wouldn't even leave Bran to say goodbye to her husband and daughters, so she can lie next to Bran and feel sorry for herself. I know there are those that like Catelyn, but I just find her awful. And I didn't even get to the way she treated Jon!

Well, I don't want this post to be all Cat bashing, so I may as well end it here. It's been a hectic week this week, but I'm hoping to get back to the two chapters a day schedule. No promises though! What does everyone else think?

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Next time we will see the Hand's tourney through Sansa's eyes.