A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 37

The Prince of Winterfell
A Dance with Dragons chapter
POV	Theon Greyjoy
Place	Winterfell
Page	484 UK HC (Other versions)
Chapter chronology (All)
Reek III ↑
Daenerys VI  ← The Prince of Winterfell →  The Watcher
↓ The Turncloak

Synopsis

The Arya impostor, Jeyne Poole, is preparing for her marriage to Ramsay Bolton, out of fear more than anything. Theon reminds her that she should think of herself as Arya Stark at all times in order to avoid the dangers of enraging Ramsay. Her plight moves Theon considerably.

Theon has been chosen to ceremoniously present "Arya" in marriage to Ramsay, since he was the longtime ward of Eddard Stark and it is widely believed that Arya's trueborn brothers are dead. Jon Snow is a bastard half-brother and while Theon believes Bran and Rickon Stark to be alive, he does not dare to reveal that.

Theon Greyjoy presents "Arya Stark" in marriage to Ramsay Bolton, by Thrumugnyr © 2013

Meanwhile, Winterfell is suffering from both a hard white frost and the looming menace of the coming of Stannis Baratheon's troops. Even so, Ramsay marries "Arya" in the castle's godswood. A bard by the name of Abel arrives uninvited, with six women followers, to perform for the wedding. Theon believes that he hears his name ("Theon") whispered in the godswood, after months of thinking of himself only as Reek. That and the memories of a different life in a far livelier Winterfell shake him deeply.

After the wedding, there is a banquet in the Great Hall with many northern guests, including Lord Wyman Manderly, who is particularly pleased with the meal. Lady Barbrey Dustin engages in a surprisingly frank conversation with Theon about her mistrust of the Boltons and of the maesters of the Citadel.

Ramsay calls for Theon and cruelly humiliates both him and the fake Arya (Jeyne) in his quarters in the Great Keep.

Character List

Appearing: "Reek" "Arya Stark" Harwood Stout Ondrew Locke Hother Umber Walder Frey (son of Jammos) Walder Frey (son of Merrett) Roose Bolton Ramsay Bolton Walda Frey (daughter of Merrett) Abel Barbrey Dustin Hosteen Frey Aenys Frey Medrick Rhodry Henly Sour Alyn Yellow Dick Damon Dance-for-Me Skinner

Mentioned: Arya Stark Eddard Stark Sansa Stark Robb Stark Bran Stark Rickon Stark Catelyn Stark Brandon Stark Benjen Stark Jon Snow Wyman Manderly Stannis Baratheon Balon Greyjoy Jory Cassel Luwin Sansa Stark Tommen Baratheon Rodrik Cassel Smiler Walder Frey Danny Flint

Mentioned: Wendel Manderly Wylis Manderly Wynafryd Manderly Tywin Lannister Jaime Lannister/Kingslayer Tyrion Lannister/Imp Halys Hornwood Medger Cerwyn Lord Slate Rickard Stark Walys Crowfood Umber Arnolf Karstark Rat Cook Kyra

Places and Terms Mentioned

Places: Winterfell Glass Garden Barrowton Dreadfort North Pyke Great Hall White Harbor Flint's Finger Moat Cailin Arbor Citadel Oldtown Deepwood Motte Great Keep

Terms: House Stark Night's Watch Wall House Slate House Ryswell House Hornwood House Cerwyn Godswood Weirwood/heart tree House Bolton old gods "Two Hearts That Beat As One" Ironborn Drowned God House Frey "Fair Maids of Summer"

Terms: House Umber House Flint House Manderly House Tallhart House Poole "The Night That Ended" Red Wedding House Lannister Maester/Archmaester House Hightower House Tully Red god Kingsroad House Karstark Bastard's Boys

References and Notes

• A Read of Ice and Fire: A Dance with Dragons, Part 22 Analyses and summary of the chapter by Leigh Butler.