Difference between revisions of "A Game of Thrones-Chapter 34"

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{{Infobox Chapter AGoT
 
{{Infobox Chapter AGoT
| pov = [[Catelyn Tully|Catelyn]]
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| pov = [[Catelyn Stark]]
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| place        = The [[Bloody Gate]] - The [[Eyrie]]
 
| title = Catelyn VI
 
| title = Catelyn VI
 
| page = 301 (US bantam HC)
 
| page = 301 (US bantam HC)
Line 9: Line 10:
 
| arc next = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 40|Catelyn VII]]
 
| arc next = [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 40|Catelyn VII]]
 
}} __NOTOC__
 
}} __NOTOC__
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[[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]] and her party finally reach the [[Bloody Gate]] and safety. At her sister’s request, Catelyn makes the dangerous night ascent to the [[Eyrie]] to meet [[Lysa Arryn|Lysa]] and her sickly son, [[Robert Arryn|Robert]].
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==Synopsis==
 
[[File: Pojypojy_the_Eyrie.jpg‎ |The [[Eyrie]] - by Pojypojy ©|thumb|200px|left]]
 
[[File: Pojypojy_the_Eyrie.jpg‎ |The [[Eyrie]] - by Pojypojy ©|thumb|200px|left]]
  
[[Catelyn Tully|Catelyn]] finally reaches the [[Eyrie]] and is met by Ser [[Brynden Tully]], the Blackfish. Cat’s group is excorted to the [[Gates of the Moon]]. She is hoping to rest for the night before making the hard trip up to the [[Eyrie]], but her [[Lysa Tully|sister]] has requested that she make the dangerous night trip up the mountain. Just after dawn she makes it to the Eyrie and is taken to meet Lysa and her sickly son, [[Robert Arryn|Robert]].
+
As they approach the [[Bloody Gate]], Ser [[Donnel Waynwood]] tells [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]] that she should have sent word before coming because the [[high road]] is no longer safe. Catelyn replies that they learned that to their sorrow, reflecting on the six men who died to bring her this far; three in the [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 31|first attack]], [[Lharys]] and [[Chiggen]] in the second, and [[Morrec]] of a festering wound. Only Ser [[Rodrik Cassel|Rodrik]], [[Bronn]], [[Marillion]], Ser [[Willis Wode]], [[Tyrion Lannister]], and Catelyn herself remain. They had been sure they were all doomed when Waynwood’s men approached.
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Ser Donnel goes on to explain that since [[Jon Arryn]]’s death the [[Vale mountain clans]] have grown bolder and Lady [[Lysa Arryn|Lysa]] has forbade sending men out to fight them, though no one is sure why. Catelyn chooses not to mention that it is [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] her sister fears. Looking back at Tyrion, Catelyn notes the dwarf’s confidence in the presence of a large party of men sworn to [[House Arryn]] and wonders again if she is wrong to suspect him. She is also unsettled by the cunning of the man; although he remains her prisoner, the dwarf now rides freely, armed with a dirk and an axe and wearing the [[shadowcat|shadowskin]] cloak he won gambling with Marillion.
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Catelyn asks Ser Donnel to send for [[Maester]] [[Colemon]] when they arrive to treat a badly injured Ser Rodrik. She is told that her sister has forbidden the maester to leave the [[Eyrie]] because of her concern for her son [[Robert Arryn|Robert]]’s health. All that Ser Donnel can promise is the attention of a [[septon]] who tends to the garrison.
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[[File:Bryn-winterfell.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Brynden the Blackfish - by M.Luisa Giliberti ©]]
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When they arrive at the Bloody Gate, they are met by Catelyn’s uncle, Ser [[Brynden Tully]], known as the Blackfish. Once they have passed through the Gate, Catelyn can see the richness of the [[Vale of Arryn]] spread out before her and the peak known as the [[Giant's Lance]] rising miles above the valley floor. Her uncle points out the faint glimmer of the seven towers of the Eyrie on the side of the mountain and says that they can reach the foot of the Lance by evening.
  
==Synopsis==
+
When Ser Rodrik declares that he cannot go any farther, Catelyn decides to leave the rest of her party behind. Marillion the singer asks to accompany her to the castle. Catelyn, who cannot understand how Marillion survived the journey which killed so many others, agrees. Then Bronn, whose ferocious fighting helped cut their path to safety, declares that he is also coming. Catelyn dislikes the sellsword because of his lack of kindness and loyalty, and would prefer to separate the sellsword from his fast friend Tyrion Lannister. However, Catelyn cannot politely refuse after permitting Marillion to come and agrees.
Ser [[Donnel Waynwood]] tells [[Catelyn Tully|Catelyn]] that she should have sent word before coming because the high road was not safe, the roads becoming more dangerous since [[Jon Arryn]] had died; [[Lysa Arryn|Lysa]] had forbidden sending men to clean out the [[Mountain Clans]]. Six men had dies, 3 in the first, 2 in the second, and Tyrion’s servant had died of a fever because of his wounds festered. Cat was sure that they were doomed when Ser Waynwood’s men approached. [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]], Ser [[Rodrik Cassel|Rodrik]], [[Bronn]], [[Marillion]] and Ser [[Willis Wode]] remained. Looking at Tyrion, she wonders again if she was wrong. He now carries the two headed axe and wears the sharkskin cape he won off of Marillion.
+
 
 +
As they travel, the Blackfish rides next to Catelyn. Catelyn recalls that her uncle was close to all the [[House Tully|Tully]] children and even [[Petyr Baelish]] when they were children despite a long feud with their father, Lord [[Hoster Tully|Hoster]]. It had been in defiance of Lord Hoster naming him the black goat of the Tully flock that Ser Brynden had taken a black version of the Tully fish as his personal sigil. Catelyn recalls that the feud ended after the dual wedding of Catelyn and Lysa to [[Eddard Stark]] and Jon Arryn, when the Blackfish left [[Riverrun]] to serve Jon Arryn in the Vale.
 +
 +
After Catelyn finishes explaining her story, her uncle says her father must be warned, since Riverrun is right in the path of any Lannister attack. When Catelyn asks what the mood of the Vale is, he tells her that there is anger at the suspicious death of the much-loved Lord Jon and the giving of the title of [[Warden of the East]] to [[Jaime Lannister]]. Lysa has instructed everyone to call young [[Robert Arryn]] the “True Warden of the East.”
 +
 
 +
The Blackfish also gives Catelyn the dire news that the young Lord Robert is unhealthy and cries when his dolls are taken away, leading some to whisper that he is too weak for the seat. Some even suggest that [[Nestor Royce]], who ruled as High Steward while Jon Arryn was serving as [[Hand of the King]], should rule until Robert comes of age. Others believe that Lysa should remarry, but the Blackfish thinks she is just playing at courtship and intends to rule herself.
 +
 
 +
When Catelyn states that a woman can rule as wisely as a man, the Blackfish replies that the right woman can, but not Lysa. He explains that the death of her husband and the stillborn and miscarried children before that have left Lysa unstable and hysterically protective of her only child. Above all, Lysa seems to fear the Lannisters and now Catelyn has brought a Lannister to her doorstep. Catelyn insists that Tyrion is her prisoner. In reply, her uncle notes that Tyrion is not only not in chains but also carrying weapons with a sellsword trailing him like a shadow. Catelyn reminds him that Tyrion is not here by choice and that it was Lysa’s letter that started the whole business.
 +
 
 +
After passing through a valley surrounded by the high mountains, they reach the [[Gates of the Moon]]. Well above the gatehouse, Catelyn can see the looming mass of the mountain and high above the tower keeps of Stone, Snow, Sky, and then the Eyrie. Tyrion jests that if they plan to make him climb the mountain at night they might as well just kill him now. He is told that they will rest until morning.
 +
 
 +
[[File:Heliotropa Mya Stone.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Mya Stone - by Heliotropa ©]]
  
Ser Rodrik was badly injured and Cat was extremely concerned about his survival and asked Ser Donnel about help from a [[maester]], and was told that Lysa had forbidden the maester from leaving the Eyrie because of her concern about her son’s health. All that Ser Donnel could promise was attention from the Septa that tended the men.  
+
When the dwarf asks how one gets up, he is told there are steps leading up the mountain and trained mules that go as far as the way-castle called Sky. Beyond that the ascent is made on foot or in the winch baskets that bring up supplies—the Eyrie is directly above Sky. Tyrion declines the offer of being sent up in a basket because his father would not approve of him going up like a load of turnips if the others ascend on foot, claiming that Lannisters have a certain pride. Catelyn responds that Lannisters have arrogance, avarice, and lust for power. Tyrion replies that his [[Tywin Lannister|father]] is the soul of avarice, Jaime has pride, and [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] lusts for power, but he is innocent as a lamb and will bleat for her.  
  
They meet Ser [[Brynden Tully]], the Blackfish, in front of the [[Bloody Gate]]. Brynden asks if Lysa knew they were coming, and she says there was no time. They pass the Bloody Gate, where a dozen armies had dashed themselves to pieces during the [[Age of Heroes]]. Beyond the gate Cat can see the richness of the land 2 miles below and the gian. She can see the peak known as the Giants Lance that is 3.5 miles above the valley. Brynden points out where she can see the seven towers of the Eyrie, and they can be to the Giants Lance by evening, but climbing to the castle will take another day. Ser Rodrick tells Cat that he cannot go on, so she decides leave the rest behind, and go on ahead. Marillion asks to come with her to the castle. She not asked him on the journey nor does she understand how he survived when so many others had died. She agrees. Then Bron, a man whose ferocious fighting was a significant factor in their surviving the trip, but he is not a kind man and of questionable loyalties, asks also. Cat would like to forbid him, but now that she has agreed to let the singer come along, cannot politely refuse; among other issues, Bron has become much too friendly with Tyrion. As they travel, the Blackfish rides next to Cat, and she tells him about what has happened. The Blackfish had been close to all the Tully children, including Ser [[Edmure Tully|Edmure]], and even [[Petyr Baelish]], until he left Riverrun after Lysa and Catelyn’s weddings. There had been a long feud with his brother, Lord [[Hoster Tully|Hoster]]; it was Hoster that had made the comment about Brynden being the black goat of the Tully flock and since the sigil of the Tully’s was a trout, Brynden had taken it as a personal emblem. The feud had ended after the wedding of Lysa and Cat, when on the Ser Brynden had told his brother that he was leaving Riverrun to serve Lysa and her husband. The Blackfish had been close to all the Tully children, including Ser [[Edmure Tully|Edmure]], and even [[Petyr Baelish]], until he left [[Riverrun]] after Lysa and Catelyn’s weddings.  
+
The portcullis is raised and they are met by Lord Nestor Royce. Brynden asks for hospitality for the night, and is told that Catelyn has been instructed to go up tonight, but the rest can have the hospitality of the castle. Brynden is furious, considering night ascent to be too dangerous without a full moon. The guide [[Mya Stone]] then introduces herself and promises that no harm will come to Catelyn, citing her experience on a hundred night ascents. Stone is the surname of bastards in the Vale and that reminds Catelyn of [[Jon Snow|Jon]]. She is speechless, but Lord Nestor states that Mya has never failed him, and so Catelyn agrees to the night ascent.  
  
After Cat completes her story, Brynden considers for a long time before replying. He then tells Cat that her father must be warned since Riverrun is right in the path of the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]]; Crows will have to be sent to [[Riverrun]] and she has birds she also needs to send to [[Winterfell]]. When she asks what the mood of the vale is, he tells her that it is angry at the death of the much loved Jon (many wonder about the manner of his death), and there is also anger at giving of the title of [[Warden of the West]] to [[Jaime Lannister]]; Lysa has instructed everyone to call [[Robert Arryn|young Robert]] the True Warden of the West. He gives her the dire news about Robert, who is unhealthy and cries when his dolls are taken away. Some whisper he is too weak for the seat, and some say saw that [[Nestor Royce]], who ruled as High Steward of the Vale as Jon became Robert's [[Hand of the King]], should rule until Robert comes of age. Others think Lysa should remarry, but she has turned down many suitors, and Brynden thinks she is just playing at courtship, and she intends to rule herself. Cat states that a woman can rule as well as a man, and Brynden tells her the right woman and she is not like Cat. With everything that has happened to her, the Lysa that returned from [[King's Landing]] is not the same she knew. Lysa’s husband is dead and she has had many miscarriages, and only one son, who she lives for—Lysa is afraid, in particularly of the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]], and is unstable. Now Cat is bringing a Lannister to her house. Cat tells Brynden that Tyrion is her prisoner. To this Brynden notes that Tyrion is not only not in chains, but carrying an axe and a dirk, and has a [[Mercenary|sellsword]] that trails after him like shadow. She tells him that Tyrion is here not by his own choice, and it was Lysa’s husband that they killed, and her letter that warned them.  
+
Mya Stone guides Catelyn up the long path to the Eyrie in the dark, claiming that torches only blind one on a clear night. Mya then tells Catelyn that [[Mychel Redfort]], a squire she loves, says she has the eyes of an owl. Catelyn knows that, because his family is highborn, the squire will never be allowed to marry a [[bastard]].
  
After passing through a valley surrounded by the high mountains, they reach the [[Gates of the Moon]]. Brynden tells Cat to look up and well above the gatehouse Cat can see the looming mass of the mountain, and then lights. Finally she makes out a tower keep (Stone) high above, and then another higher (Snow), and a third will above that (Sky), and then the Eryie. Tyrion beaks in thier conversation to say that if they want to climb that night, they should kill him now. He is told that they will rest until morning. When he asks how one gets up, he is told there are steps leading up the mountain. Horses cannot manage the steps, but mules can climb up to the way castle Sky .Beyond that the ascent is ascend on foot, or there are winches that bring up supplies in a basket—the Eryie is directly above Sky. Tryion declines offer of being sent up in a basket since his father would not approve of him going up like a load of turnips if the others ascend on foot; Lannisters have a certain pride. Cat responds that Lannisters have arrogance, avarice, and lust for power.  Tyrion replies that his [[Tywin Lannister|father]] is the soul of avarice, [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] has pride, and [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] lusts for power, but he is innocent as a lamb, and will bleat for her.  
+
At each way-tower they switch to fresh mules. The trip to the first way-tower does not seem too bad, but the next part is much steeper. At the next way-tower Mya explains that it is called Snow because, hundreds of years ago, this was where the snow began. At first Catelyn thinks that, as a Tully and a Stark, there is little in the world to scare her. However, when they must lead the mules across a high saddle between to spires of rock, Catelyn finds that she is too scared to move. Mya comes back and escorts her, blind and trembling, step by step across. At Sky, Mya explains that they must walk the last hour because the trail is more like a stone ladder. Catelyn states that, having travelled all day and the best part of a night, she will ride with the turnips instead.  
  
It is then that the portcullis is raised and they are met by Lord [[Nestor Royce]]. Brynden asks for hospitality for the night, and is told that it has been instructed that Cat will go up tonight but the rest can have the hospitality of the castle. Brynden is furious since he considers night ascent to be too dangerous without a full moon. [[Mya Stone]] then introduces herself, and promises Cat that no harm will come of her; that she has made the night ascent a hundred times. Stone is the sir name of bustards in the Vale and that reminds Cat of [[Jon Snow|Jon]]. She is speechless, but, in the silence, Lord Nestor states that Mya has never failed him, and so Cat agrees to the night ascent.
+
[[File:Lysa Tully and Robert Arryn TheMico.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Lysa Arryn and her son Robert – by The Mico ©]]
  
[[Mya Stone]] takes Catelyn up the long trip to the Eyrie. Cat asks about lighting a torch since she could not even see the steps, but Mya states that the torch just blinds you on a clear night. Mya then tells Cat that [[Mychel Redfort]] says she has the eyes of an owl. She continues to tell Cat that Mychel is a squire she loves—Cat knows his family is highborn and will never consent to their son marrying a [[bastard]]. At each way tower they switch to fresh mules. Cat had thought that being a Tully, and a Stark, there would be little that she would find to scare her. The trip to the first way tower did not seem too bad, but the next part was much steeper. At the next way town Mya tells Cat that her mother had said that hundreds of years there was always snow above this level. Cat found that it was now best to look up and not down. Where they had to walk the mules, she found that she was too scared to move. Mya comes back and escorts her, blind and trembling, step by step across. At Sky Mya tells her that they will have to walk the last hour of the trip since the trail is more like a stone ladder. Cat states that she has traveled all day and a the best part of a night, and she will ride with the turnips.  
+
Catelyn finds the Eyrie, which can house 500 men, strangely empty. She is brought to her sister’s quarters. Lysa, now a plump, pale, and (to Catelyn’s annoyance) well-rested woman, is polite until Ser [[Vardis Egen]] and Maester Colemon depart. Then she rages at Catelyn for bringing Tyrion to the Eyrie, and thus dragging her into Catelyn’s quarrel with the Lannisters. Catelyn replies that it was Lysa who sent her the letter naming the Lannisters as the murderers of her husband. Lysa responds that it was a warning to avoid them, not fight them.
  
Catelyn finds the Eryie, which Eddard stated could house 500 men, was strangely empty. She is brought to her sister’s quarters, and Lysa, who Cat had not seen in five years, is polite until Ser [[Vardis Egen]] and Maester [[Colemon]] depart. Then she yells at Catelyn for bringing Tyrion to the Eyrie, thus dragging her into Catelyn’s quarrel with the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]]. Cat replies that it was Lysa who sent her the letter naming the Lannisters as murdering her husband. Lysa responds that it was a warning to avoid them, not fight them.
+
Roused by his mother’s voice, young Lord Robert appears in the door, grasping a doll. Lysa introduces Catelyn to Robert and calls him a beautiful and strong child, warning Catelyn not to believe the stories. Lysa insists that on his deathbed her husband said “the seed is strong” to let everyone know what a strong boy his son was. Catelyn attempts to bring back the subject of preparing for war, but Lysa insists that Catelyn be quiet because such talk will scare Robert. Lysa then exposes her breast and the six-year-old grabs for it and starts to suck.  
  
It is then that Robert appears in the door grasping a doll. Lysa introduces Cat to Robert, and then Lysa states that he is beautiful and a strong child, not to believe the stories, and even Jon stated “The seed is strong” before he died. Cat attempts to bring back up the subject of preparing for war, and Lysa insists that Cat be quiet; did not want to scare Robert. Lysa then exposes her breast and Robert grabs for it then starts to suck; [[Richon Stark|Richon]] is half this boy’s age and five times as fierce. Cat tries to continue to convince Lysa that they must be prepared for war. Lysa replies that the if they could even bring an army up, Eyrie is impregnable, everyone says so. Cat realizes that Brynden was trying to warn her about Lysa. Lysa then asks what she is suppose to do with the Imp and then Robert pipes up with the question “Is he a bad man.When says yes, Robert replies “Then make him fly.” Lysa likes this idea.
+
The sight makes Catelyn think of her youngest son [[Rickon Stark|Rickon]], who is half this boy’s age and five times as fierce. Catelyn continues to press Lysa to discuss preparations for war. Lysa replies that even if the Lannisters could bring an army up, everyone says the Eyrie is impregnable. Catelyn realizes that her Uncle Brynden had tried to warn her about Lysa. Lysa then asks what she is supposed to do with Tyrion and Robert asks if he is a bad man. When Lysa replies that he is, Robert says, “Make him fly.” Lysa strokes the boy’s hair and muses that perhaps that is just what they will do.
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
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==References and Notes==
 
==References and Notes==
* The synopsis was copied from AOL member vbkorik27 previously at [http://web.archive.org/web/20080228051425/members.aol.com/vbkorik27/summary/legend.html].
 
 
 
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Game of Thrones: Chapter 34]]
 
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Game of Thrones: Chapter 34]]
 
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Catelyn Tully]]
 
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Catelyn Tully]]
[[fr:A Game of Thrones, Chapitre 35, Catelyn]][[ru:Игра престолов, Кейтилин VI]]
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[[Category:Chapters which take place in the Eyrie]]
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[[fr:A Game of Thrones, Chapitre 35, Catelyn]]
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[[pt:A Guerra dos Tronos - Capítulo 34]]
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[[ru:Игра престолов, Кейтилин VI]]

Revision as of 17:04, 10 June 2019

Catelyn VI
A Game of Thrones chapter
AGameOfThrones.jpg
POV Catelyn Stark
Place The Bloody Gate - The Eyrie
Page 301 (US bantam HC) US HC (Other versions)
Chapter chronology (All)
Catelyn V
Eddard VIII  ← Catelyn VI →  Eddard IX

Catelyn VII

Catelyn and her party finally reach the Bloody Gate and safety. At her sister’s request, Catelyn makes the dangerous night ascent to the Eyrie to meet Lysa and her sickly son, Robert.

Synopsis

The Eyrie - by Pojypojy ©

As they approach the Bloody Gate, Ser Donnel Waynwood tells Catelyn that she should have sent word before coming because the high road is no longer safe. Catelyn replies that they learned that to their sorrow, reflecting on the six men who died to bring her this far; three in the first attack, Lharys and Chiggen in the second, and Morrec of a festering wound. Only Ser Rodrik, Bronn, Marillion, Ser Willis Wode, Tyrion Lannister, and Catelyn herself remain. They had been sure they were all doomed when Waynwood’s men approached.

Ser Donnel goes on to explain that since Jon Arryn’s death the Vale mountain clans have grown bolder and Lady Lysa has forbade sending men out to fight them, though no one is sure why. Catelyn chooses not to mention that it is Lannisters her sister fears. Looking back at Tyrion, Catelyn notes the dwarf’s confidence in the presence of a large party of men sworn to House Arryn and wonders again if she is wrong to suspect him. She is also unsettled by the cunning of the man; although he remains her prisoner, the dwarf now rides freely, armed with a dirk and an axe and wearing the shadowskin cloak he won gambling with Marillion.

Catelyn asks Ser Donnel to send for Maester Colemon when they arrive to treat a badly injured Ser Rodrik. She is told that her sister has forbidden the maester to leave the Eyrie because of her concern for her son Robert’s health. All that Ser Donnel can promise is the attention of a septon who tends to the garrison.

Brynden the Blackfish - by M.Luisa Giliberti ©

When they arrive at the Bloody Gate, they are met by Catelyn’s uncle, Ser Brynden Tully, known as the Blackfish. Once they have passed through the Gate, Catelyn can see the richness of the Vale of Arryn spread out before her and the peak known as the Giant's Lance rising miles above the valley floor. Her uncle points out the faint glimmer of the seven towers of the Eyrie on the side of the mountain and says that they can reach the foot of the Lance by evening.

When Ser Rodrik declares that he cannot go any farther, Catelyn decides to leave the rest of her party behind. Marillion the singer asks to accompany her to the castle. Catelyn, who cannot understand how Marillion survived the journey which killed so many others, agrees. Then Bronn, whose ferocious fighting helped cut their path to safety, declares that he is also coming. Catelyn dislikes the sellsword because of his lack of kindness and loyalty, and would prefer to separate the sellsword from his fast friend Tyrion Lannister. However, Catelyn cannot politely refuse after permitting Marillion to come and agrees.

As they travel, the Blackfish rides next to Catelyn. Catelyn recalls that her uncle was close to all the Tully children and even Petyr Baelish when they were children despite a long feud with their father, Lord Hoster. It had been in defiance of Lord Hoster naming him the black goat of the Tully flock that Ser Brynden had taken a black version of the Tully fish as his personal sigil. Catelyn recalls that the feud ended after the dual wedding of Catelyn and Lysa to Eddard Stark and Jon Arryn, when the Blackfish left Riverrun to serve Jon Arryn in the Vale.

After Catelyn finishes explaining her story, her uncle says her father must be warned, since Riverrun is right in the path of any Lannister attack. When Catelyn asks what the mood of the Vale is, he tells her that there is anger at the suspicious death of the much-loved Lord Jon and the giving of the title of Warden of the East to Jaime Lannister. Lysa has instructed everyone to call young Robert Arryn the “True Warden of the East.”

The Blackfish also gives Catelyn the dire news that the young Lord Robert is unhealthy and cries when his dolls are taken away, leading some to whisper that he is too weak for the seat. Some even suggest that Nestor Royce, who ruled as High Steward while Jon Arryn was serving as Hand of the King, should rule until Robert comes of age. Others believe that Lysa should remarry, but the Blackfish thinks she is just playing at courtship and intends to rule herself.

When Catelyn states that a woman can rule as wisely as a man, the Blackfish replies that the right woman can, but not Lysa. He explains that the death of her husband and the stillborn and miscarried children before that have left Lysa unstable and hysterically protective of her only child. Above all, Lysa seems to fear the Lannisters and now Catelyn has brought a Lannister to her doorstep. Catelyn insists that Tyrion is her prisoner. In reply, her uncle notes that Tyrion is not only not in chains but also carrying weapons with a sellsword trailing him like a shadow. Catelyn reminds him that Tyrion is not here by choice and that it was Lysa’s letter that started the whole business.

After passing through a valley surrounded by the high mountains, they reach the Gates of the Moon. Well above the gatehouse, Catelyn can see the looming mass of the mountain and high above the tower keeps of Stone, Snow, Sky, and then the Eyrie. Tyrion jests that if they plan to make him climb the mountain at night they might as well just kill him now. He is told that they will rest until morning.

Mya Stone - by Heliotropa ©

When the dwarf asks how one gets up, he is told there are steps leading up the mountain and trained mules that go as far as the way-castle called Sky. Beyond that the ascent is made on foot or in the winch baskets that bring up supplies—the Eyrie is directly above Sky. Tyrion declines the offer of being sent up in a basket because his father would not approve of him going up like a load of turnips if the others ascend on foot, claiming that Lannisters have a certain pride. Catelyn responds that Lannisters have arrogance, avarice, and lust for power. Tyrion replies that his father is the soul of avarice, Jaime has pride, and Cersei lusts for power, but he is innocent as a lamb and will bleat for her.

The portcullis is raised and they are met by Lord Nestor Royce. Brynden asks for hospitality for the night, and is told that Catelyn has been instructed to go up tonight, but the rest can have the hospitality of the castle. Brynden is furious, considering night ascent to be too dangerous without a full moon. The guide Mya Stone then introduces herself and promises that no harm will come to Catelyn, citing her experience on a hundred night ascents. Stone is the surname of bastards in the Vale and that reminds Catelyn of Jon. She is speechless, but Lord Nestor states that Mya has never failed him, and so Catelyn agrees to the night ascent.

Mya Stone guides Catelyn up the long path to the Eyrie in the dark, claiming that torches only blind one on a clear night. Mya then tells Catelyn that Mychel Redfort, a squire she loves, says she has the eyes of an owl. Catelyn knows that, because his family is highborn, the squire will never be allowed to marry a bastard.

At each way-tower they switch to fresh mules. The trip to the first way-tower does not seem too bad, but the next part is much steeper. At the next way-tower Mya explains that it is called Snow because, hundreds of years ago, this was where the snow began. At first Catelyn thinks that, as a Tully and a Stark, there is little in the world to scare her. However, when they must lead the mules across a high saddle between to spires of rock, Catelyn finds that she is too scared to move. Mya comes back and escorts her, blind and trembling, step by step across. At Sky, Mya explains that they must walk the last hour because the trail is more like a stone ladder. Catelyn states that, having travelled all day and the best part of a night, she will ride with the turnips instead.

Lysa Arryn and her son Robert – by The Mico ©

Catelyn finds the Eyrie, which can house 500 men, strangely empty. She is brought to her sister’s quarters. Lysa, now a plump, pale, and (to Catelyn’s annoyance) well-rested woman, is polite until Ser Vardis Egen and Maester Colemon depart. Then she rages at Catelyn for bringing Tyrion to the Eyrie, and thus dragging her into Catelyn’s quarrel with the Lannisters. Catelyn replies that it was Lysa who sent her the letter naming the Lannisters as the murderers of her husband. Lysa responds that it was a warning to avoid them, not fight them.

Roused by his mother’s voice, young Lord Robert appears in the door, grasping a doll. Lysa introduces Catelyn to Robert and calls him a beautiful and strong child, warning Catelyn not to believe the stories. Lysa insists that on his deathbed her husband said “the seed is strong” to let everyone know what a strong boy his son was. Catelyn attempts to bring back the subject of preparing for war, but Lysa insists that Catelyn be quiet because such talk will scare Robert. Lysa then exposes her breast and the six-year-old grabs for it and starts to suck.

The sight makes Catelyn think of her youngest son Rickon, who is half this boy’s age and five times as fierce. Catelyn continues to press Lysa to discuss preparations for war. Lysa replies that even if the Lannisters could bring an army up, everyone says the Eyrie is impregnable. Catelyn realizes that her Uncle Brynden had tried to warn her about Lysa. Lysa then asks what she is supposed to do with Tyrion and Robert asks if he is a bad man. When Lysa replies that he is, Robert says, “Make him fly.” Lysa strokes the boy’s hair and muses that perhaps that is just what they will do.

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