A Clash of Kings-Chapter 6

Jon finds Sam in the library where he was supposed to find maps for Lord Commander Jeor Mormont’s ranging. Sam, who finds the library to be a great treasure trove, did not realize he had been there all night. Jon escorts him to lord commander, who asks about the ravens. He then dismisses Sam and tells Jon about Maester Aemon’s history, and how they are both alike in being brother to a king.

Synopsis

Jon searches for Sam in the dark basement library of Castle Black. It is a treasure trove with thousands of ancient books and scrolls, including books that are not even in the Citadel, and include scrolls from Valyria; the library at Winterfell had more than a hundred. Sam had been gone for so long that Rast suggested he had deserted, but Jon did not think Sam had the courage. When he finds Sam by the light of his lamp, Sam is surprised that he has been there all night; it is impossible to know night from day in the library. Sam says he was sent by Maester Aemon to find maps for Lord Commander Jeor Mormont, which he found. He now excitedly shows Jon the accounts of a ranging from the Shadow Tower all the way to Lorn Point on the Frozen Shore of a ranger named Redwyn, undated, but it mentions Dorren Stark as King in the North so must be before the War of Conquest. It mentions Dorren Stark as King in the North. He wrote that they had fought Giants beyond the Wall, and even traded with the Children of the Forest. There are maps also. Jon suggests that Sam could write about this ranging, but he seems to ignore Jon, maybe fearing the expedition. Sam states that it is hard to find things since everything is a jumble, but it would take years to organize the library.

Jon starts leafing through a fragile book that contains inventories, and Sam tells him to be gentle, important books in the library had been copied half a hundred time. Jon asks who would care about an inventory, and Sam states he would, and that information about the watch could be found by studying one. Jon cannot understand how Sam can consider the library a treasure, it was not gold or silver. Sam also found a book about the language of the Children and other works that even the Citadel doesn’t have. Jon tells Sam that the library will be here when they return, and Sam adds “if we return...”

Sam, as Maester Aemon’s steward, has to go on the ranging because the maester is too frail, and somebody has to care for the two cages of ravens. Meanwhile, Pyp and Toad want to go, but are being left behind. Jon adds that someone needs to keep Grenn humble, and tries to reassures Sam by telling him that Mormont is taking 200 men, and they will be met by 100 more from the Shadow Tower under the command of Qhorin Halfhand. Sam states Jon can write the messages and he can teach either Jon or Grenn to care for the birds, but Jon states that he has duties as the Lord Commander’s steward.

They depart to bring the maps to the Lord Commander. Sam tells Jon that he never felt safe in his father’s castle. Jon tells Sam that they are all afraid, and they should be with so many rangers disappearing in the past two years; what matters is how you face it. As they pass through the underground passages called the wormwalks which were so important in keeping Castle Black together during the winter, Jon thinks of the White raven that had come to Maester Aemon with word of the end of summer. He had been alive for the last winter, which was said to be short and mild, but he can feel that this one will be different. Once they reach the surface they can see the morning sky with the red line that had been named “”Mormont’s Torch” since it could light the way through the haunted forest. The comet is so bright it could be seen by day. The seem deserted with so many in the brothels of Mole's Town. Pyp, Halder and Toad had offered to buy him his first woman, but he was not interested, and Sam was frightened of whores. As they past the Sept they hear singing, the seven are not his gods. They also pass Ser Endrew Tarth training the poor collection of new recruits brought by Conwy. They run into Donal Noye who tells them about the recruits, and then asks if he had heard about his Robb being crowned. Jon has, and states he will make good king. Noye is not so sure; he had thought that Robert would be a good king and then reveal he forged King Robert’s warhammer, and knew his brothers. He then tells how Robert, who was iron, changed when crowned, how Stannis is brittle like iron (he will break before he bends), and Renly is like copper, bright and shiny but not worth much. Jon asks himself what metal Robb would be. Robb departs stating the Lord Commander is waiting for them.

When they arrive, the commander complains about how long it took them. Thoren Smallwood, ignoring them, is demanding that Mormont should stay at Castle Black, and it should be his command as First Ranger. Mormont dismisses him, telling him he already sent two rangings out, and will not wait in Castle Black for news from the next ranging, and Benjen Stark is First Ranger until it is know for certain he is dead. When Smallwood leaves, Mormont exclaims that he would prefer Jon as First Ranger and Smallwood is wrong about his implication that he is not fit enough for a ranging.

Mormont is not happy with how old the maps are, or their quantity. Sam states there were more, but the library is in disorder, and Jon states that although the villages may be wrong, the geography will be right. Mormont then asks about the ravens and Sam states that Maester Aemon will be choosing the ravens that evening. Mormont state that he wants strong birds to ensure that if they die, his successor will know where and how. Sam is then dismissed.

When he leaves, Mormont asks without wanting an answer “Is that boy as big a fool as he seems?” He then tells how he was thinking of sending Sam, because of his father, to King Renly to ask for support, but Ser Arnell would be better than a quaking fat boy. Ser Alliser should be reaching King Joffrey soon but the the Lannisters have never supported the Night's Watch. Jon points out that they do have the twitching wright’s hand to show Joffrey, and Mormont states he would like another for Renly. Jon tells him that “Dywen says you can find anything beyond the Wall.” Mormont then complains about him claiming to see a 15’ tall bear on his last ranging. Mormont then asks about Jon’s hand, which he says is good enough to wield a sword, and has been using an ointment and following instructions given to him by Maester Aemon; Mormont states that fortunately Aemon knows his stuff even if he is blind.

Mormont tells Jon Maester Aemon's story. He was the third son of Maekar I Targaryen, who was himself the fourth son of King Daeron II. King Daeron, Maester Aemon’s grandfather, sent him to the Citadel when he was a nine or ten and ninth or tenth in succession; Maester is now more than 100. The Crown Prince, Baelor died in a tourney mishap, and his two sons died in The Great Spring Sickness along with King Daeron, so the King’s second son Aerys I succeeded him. After King Aerys I died without issue, the crown passed to Maekar. King Maekar was killed in battle against an outlaw lord, and his two eldest sons, Daeron and Aerion, were already dead.

A Great Council was convened to decide on the succession. It passed over Aerion’s infant son and then quietly offered the throne to Aemon. Maester Aemon refused, saying he swore a vow to serve even though the High Septon offered to absolve him. His younger brother, Aegon V was then named King. He was called "the Unlikely" because as the fourth son of a fourth son he was very unlikely to become king. Maester Aemon knew that those who would be unsatisfied which his brother's rule would try to use him. To prevent this he became a member of the Night's Watch.

Mormont’s raven now starts squawking “King” and Jon states that the raven likes that word, and that it must think that Mormont should have the crown. Mormont states there are already two too many kings for his liking.

Jon asks why he is being told him about Maester Aemon, and Mormont explains that both Jon and Maester Aemon have something in common, a king for a brother and a humble life for themselves as brothers of the Night's Watch. Jon states that he knew his brother would be a lord, so now he is a king. Mormont tells him a lord is one thing, a king is another, and that if Jon does not admit it troubles him, Mormont will know him as a liar, and then asks what Jon will do. Jon states swears he will “Be troubled, and keep my vows.”

Character List

Appearing: Samwell Tarly Jon Snow Ghost Endrew Tarth Donal Noye Jeor Mormont Thoren Smallwood

Mentionned Redwyn Dorren Stark Qhorin Halfhand Pyp Toad Maester Aemon Grenn Benjen Stark Halder Conwy Alliser Thorne Robb Stark Robert Baratheon

Mentionned Steffon Baratheon Stannis Baratheon Renly Baratheon Joffrey Baratheon Jaremy Rykker Waymar Royce Arnel Dywen Daeron II Targaryen Maekar I Targaryen Aemon Targaryen Aegon IV Targaryen Arya Stark

Mentionned Baelor Targaryen Aerys I Targaryen Aerys II Targaryen Aelinor Targaryen Daeron Targaryen Aerion Targaryen Nan Bran Stark Luwin Aegon V Targaryen Jaehaerys II Targaryen Jaime Lannister

External links

• Humorous review and summary of the chapter by Jason. 
• Review and summary by Leigh Butler.