Difference between revisions of "A Game of Thrones-Chapter 58"

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After many days in a black cell, [[Eddard Stark]] is visited by [[Varys]] who gives him news. He tells him that [[Cersei Lannister|the queen]] will visit the next day and it would be wise he tells her that he will admit to treason, tell his son to lay down his sword and denounce [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] and [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]]. When Eddard states his life is not worth that much, Varys tells him that Cersei has his daughter, and  [[Sansa Stark|Sansa’s]] life is at stake.
+
[[Eddard Stark|Ned]] is visited in the black cells by [[Varys]], who brings him news. [[Cersei Lannister]] will visit the next day and Varys urges Ned to admit to treason, tell his son to lay down his sword, and denounce [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] and [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]]. When Eddard states his life is not worth that much, Varys tells him that Cersei has [[Sansa Stark|Sansa’s]], whose life is also at stake.
  
 
==Synopsis==     
 
==Synopsis==     
The cell that [[Eddard Stark]] has been imprisoned in contains nothing but straw on the floor that stinks of urine, and no window. The dark is absolute. The cell is deeper than Eddard could imagine. He remembers the story about [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor the Cruel]] murdering the masons to keep the secrets. He remembers [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei’s]] words “When you play the game of thrones you win or you die,” and he had played and lost. Eddard thinks back to [[Robert Baratheon]]’s words “The king east and the hand takes the shit,” and thinks “The king dies, and the Hand is buried.” As his burning leg throbs he damns them all, but can only blame himself; he was a fool. To keep himself sane he thinks that maybe the Baratheon brothers are raising armies and [[Catelyn Tully|Catelyn]] is raising the banners in the north and the [[Vale of Arryn|Vale]] would join her. However there are the nightmares with the accusations. In his dream Robert asks ”Gods, how we come to this? You here and me killed by a pig…” Eddard thinks how he had failed Robert by hiding the truth and letting them kill him.
+
The cell that [[Eddard Stark|Ned]] has been imprisoned in contains nothing but straw that stinks of urine. There are no windows, so the darkness is absolute. Ned thinks back to [[Robert Baratheon|Robert]]’s words, “The king eats and the [[Hand of the King|Hand]] takes the shit,and thinks, “The king dies, and the Hand is buried.The cell is deeper under the [[Red Keep]] than Ned could imagine. He remembers the story of [[Maegor I Targaryen|Maegor the Cruel]] murdering the masons to keep the secrets. He remembers [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]]’s words, “When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die,” and he knows that he has played and lost.
  
Finally, when he is half asleep, a gaoler arrives with water, which he drinks eagerly. He asks the gaoler about what is happening, but he will give him no information. Time goes on, and eventually he  remembers when he was 18 at the [[Tourney at Harrenhal]], when [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]] won the tourney. Ned remembers ‘the moment when all the smiles died’, as Rhaegar rode past [[Elia Martell|his own wife]] and bestowed the queen of beauty’s laurel on [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]]. It was a crown of winter roses. When Eddard grasps the laurel there are thorns underneath, and blood trickles down his fingers. Then it is the promise to Lyanna again.
+
As his injured leg throbs, Ned damns them all, but can only blame himself; he was a fool. To keep himself sane, he thinks and plans aloud. [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] and [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]] [[House Baratheon|Baratheon]] are both likely gathering armies at [[Dragonstone]] and [[Storm's End]]. [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]] will raise [[the North]] and the armies of [[Riverlands|River]] and [[Vale of Arryn|Vale]] will join her.
  
The gaoler continues to come with a jug of water, and eventually Eddard no longer asks questions. Eddard is sure that the queen will not kill him as long as Catelyn held the Imp.
+
As time drags on, Ned finds himself thinking more and more of Robert Baratheon as he was in the flower of his youth. In the darkness of his cell he can hear Robert ask him, “Gods, how are we come to this? You here and me killed by a pig.” Ned broods on how he failed Robert by hiding the truth and letting them kill him.
  
A new gaoler arrives with wine, but no food. The voice that tells him to drink is familiar; it is [[Varys]] in an effective disguise. Varys tells him that his younger daughter escaped (which is for the best since Joffrey has no love for her), and queen keeps Sansa close and she is still betrothed to Joffery. She had pleaded for his life in court a few days previous. When Eddard tells Varys that the queen will not kill him because Catelyn holds her brother, Varys replies it is the wrong brother. Besides,she let him escape and is probably now dead in the [[Mountains of the Moon]]. When Eddard accuses him of standing by while his guards were slaughtered, Varys states he was unarmored and unarmed. Varys continues by telling him that he plays his part: a courageous informer would be as useless as a cowardly knight. Eddard asks if Varys will free him from this pit, and is told that he could but he would be the prime suspect. When asked if he would deliver a message, he says he will read it and then decide if it serves his purpose, and when asked his purpose he states it is peace. Varys tells Eddard that he wanted to keep Robert alive and protected him from his enemies for 15 years, but could not protect him from his friends. Then Varys asks what madness led him to tell the queen he knew the truth of Joffrey’s birth. Eddard tells him that it was mercey, and Varys says he forgets that there are honest and honorable men—this is the result honesty and honor.
+
Finally, when Ned is half asleep, a jailer arrives with water, which he drinks eagerly. He asks the jailer for news but is ignored. As his solitude grows, Ned remembers when he was 18 at the [[Tourney at Harrenhal]], when [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] won the joust. Ned remembers the moment when all the smiles died, as Rhaegar rode past [[Elia Martell|his own wife]] to bestow the queen of beauty’s laurel on [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]]. It was a crown of winter roses. In his delirium, when Eddard grasps the laurel there are thorns underneath and blood trickles down his fingers. Then he remembers his promise to Lyanna again.
  
Eddard then asks if Varys questioned [[Lancel Lannister]] about the wine, he tells him that the queen gave him the wineskins, telling him that it was the king’ favorite vintage. In any case, if it had not been the boar, it would have been something else since the king unruly, and she needed to be rid of him to deal with his brothers: [[Stannis Baratheon|the iron gauntlet]] and [[Renly Baratheon|the silk glove]]. Eddard should have taken [[Petyr Baelish|Littlefinger’s]] advice and supported Joffrey—Eddard is shocked that Varys knows this.
+
The jailer continues to come with a jug of water, and eventually Ned no longer asks questions. He is sure that Cersei will not kill him as long as Catelyn holds [[Tyrion Lannister|the Imp]].
  
Varys then tells Eddard that the queen will visit him tomorrow: she is frightened of you, but she fears other enemies more: [[Jaime Lannister]] fights the [[Riverlands|river lords]], [[Lysa Tully|Lysa]] loves not the queen, [[House Martell|the Martells]] lust for vengeance for the murdered [[Elia Martell|Elia]] and her babes, and [[Robb Stark]] marches down the neck. Robb may only be a boy, but he is a boy with an army. Then there is Stannis who has a true claim to the throne and is without mercy There is nothing as terrifying as a truly just man; while [[Tywin Lannister|her father]] battles the Starks and their allies, Stannis will descend on King's Landing, kill her and her children and proclaim himself king.
+
A new jailer arrives with wine, but no food. The voice that tells him to drink is familiar; it is [[Varys]] in a very effective disguise. Varys tells him that his [[Arya Stark|younger daughter]] escaped (which is for the best since Joffrey has no love for her), and that [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] is still betrothed to Joffery and kept close by the queen. Sansa had [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 57|pleaded]] for his life in court a few days previous. Ned reminds Varys that Cersei will not kill him because Catelyn holds her brother. Varys replies that Tyrion is the wrong brother. Besides, Catelyn has let Tyrion escape and he is probably now dead in the [[Mountains of the Moon]].  
  
Cersei knows that that “a tame wolf is more use than a dead one,” but telling her that Stannis is the true heir will only lose him his head. Eddard asks if he is expected to serve a woman that killed his king and crippled his son. The reply is that Varys expects him to do his duty: tell the queen you will admit your treason, tell your son to lay down his sword, denounce Stannis and Renly and carry her secret to the grave. Cersei knows you are a man of honor and will let you take the black. Eddard accuses Varys of being Littlefinger’s man, but he denies it, saying Littlefinger is the second most devious man in the kingdom. He only feeds him choice whispers so he thinks Varys is his, just like the queen. Eddard continues that it was just like him, and asks who he truly serves. Varys replies that he serves the realm, and the realm needs peace.  
+
Ned accuses Varys of standing by while his guards were slaughtered; Varys states he was unarmored and unarmed. Varys continues by telling him that he plays his part: a courageous informer would be as useless as a cowardly knight. Ned asks if Varys will free him from this pit, and is told that he could but he would be the prime suspect. When asked if he would deliver a message, Varys admits that he will read it and then decide if it serves his purpose first. When asked his purpose, Varys states it is peace.  
  
When Varys asks what his answer would be he says his life is not worth that much Varys brings up his Eddard’s daughter, telling Eddard that the neither he nor queen forgotten about her. Varys notes that Queen [[Rhaenys Targaryen(daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys Targaryen]] was a child also when the Lannisters broke down her door. As he leaves he tells Eddard that the next visitor can bring either some bread, cheese and [[Milk of the poppy]] or the Sansa’s head.
+
Varys tells Ned that he has struggled to keep Robert alive and protected him from his enemies for 15 years, but could not protect him from his friends. Then Varys asks what madness led Ned to tell the queen he knew the truth of Joffrey’s birth. Ned tells him that it was mercy; he had hoped to save the children’s lives. Varys remarks that he often forgets that Ned is one of the few honest men in the world, but he also notes that when he sees the reward Ned has earned he understands why.
 +
 +
Ned then asks if Varys questioned [[Lancel Lannister]] about the wine. Varys explains that Cersei gave Lancel the wineskins, telling him it was the king’ favorite vintage. In any case, if it had not been the boar, it would have been something else because Cersei needed to be rid of Robert to deal with his brothers: Stannis the iron gauntlet and Renly the silk glove. Varys then points out to Ned that he should have taken [[Petyr Baelish|Littlefinger’s]] advice and supported Joffrey—Ned is shocked that Varys knows about the offer.
 +
 
 +
Varys then informs Ned that the queen will visit him tomorrow and that she is frightened of him, but she fears other enemies more: [[Jaime Lannister]] fights the [[Riverlands|Riverlords]], [[Lysa Tully|Lysa]] does not love the queen, [[House Martell|the Martells]] lust for vengeance for the murdered [[Elia Martell|Elia]] and her babes, and [[Robb Stark]] marches down [[the Neck]]. Robb may only be a boy, but he is a boy with an army. Then there is Stannis who has a true claim to the throne and is without mercy There is nothing as terrifying as a truly just man. Most of all, Cersei fears that while [[Tywin Lannister|her father]] battles the Starks and their allies, Stannis will descend on King's Landing, kill her and her children and proclaim himself king.
 +
 
 +
However, Varys explains, Cersei knows that that “a tame wolf is more use than a dead one,” but that telling her Stannis is the true heir will only lose him his head. Ned asks if he is expected to serve a woman that killed his king and crippled his son. The reply is that Varys expects him to do his duty: tell the queen he will admit his treason, tell his son to lay down his sword, denounce Stannis and Renly and carry Cersei’s secret to the grave. Cersei knows Ned is a man of honor and will let him take the black. Ned accuses Varys of being Littlefinger’s man, but he denies it, saying Littlefinger is the second most devious man in the kingdom. Varys only feeds him choice whispers so that Littlefinger thinks he is his, just like the queen. Ned continues that that sounds just like Varys and asks who the eunuch truly serves. Varys replies that he serves the realm, and the realm needs peace.
 +
 
 +
When Varys asks what his answer will be, Ned says his life is not worth that much. Varys brings up his Sansa, telling Ned that neither he nor queen has forgotten about her. Varys notes that Queen [[Rhaenys Targaryen(daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys Targaryen]] was a child also when the Lannisters broke down her door. As he leaves he tells Ned that the next visitor can bring him either some bread, cheese, and [[Milk of the poppy]] or Sansa’s head.
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==

Revision as of 15:23, 30 January 2013

Eddard XV
A Game of Thrones chapter
AGameOfThrones.jpg
POV Eddard
Page 524 US HC (Other versions)
Chapter chronology (All)
Eddard XIV
Sansa V  ← Eddard XV →  Catelyn IX

Ned is visited in the black cells by Varys, who brings him news. Cersei Lannister will visit the next day and Varys urges Ned to admit to treason, tell his son to lay down his sword, and denounce Stannis and Renly. When Eddard states his life is not worth that much, Varys tells him that Cersei has Sansa’s, whose life is also at stake.

Synopsis

The cell that Ned has been imprisoned in contains nothing but straw that stinks of urine. There are no windows, so the darkness is absolute. Ned thinks back to Robert’s words, “The king eats and the Hand takes the shit,” and thinks, “The king dies, and the Hand is buried.” The cell is deeper under the Red Keep than Ned could imagine. He remembers the story of Maegor the Cruel murdering the masons to keep the secrets. He remembers Cersei’s words, “When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die,” and he knows that he has played and lost.

As his injured leg throbs, Ned damns them all, but can only blame himself; he was a fool. To keep himself sane, he thinks and plans aloud. Stannis and Renly Baratheon are both likely gathering armies at Dragonstone and Storm's End. Catelyn will raise the North and the armies of River and Vale will join her.

As time drags on, Ned finds himself thinking more and more of Robert Baratheon as he was in the flower of his youth. In the darkness of his cell he can hear Robert ask him, “Gods, how are we come to this? You here and me killed by a pig.” Ned broods on how he failed Robert by hiding the truth and letting them kill him.

Finally, when Ned is half asleep, a jailer arrives with water, which he drinks eagerly. He asks the jailer for news but is ignored. As his solitude grows, Ned remembers when he was 18 at the Tourney at Harrenhal, when Rhaegar Targaryen won the joust. Ned remembers the moment when all the smiles died, as Rhaegar rode past his own wife to bestow the queen of beauty’s laurel on Lyanna. It was a crown of winter roses. In his delirium, when Eddard grasps the laurel there are thorns underneath and blood trickles down his fingers. Then he remembers his promise to Lyanna again.

The jailer continues to come with a jug of water, and eventually Ned no longer asks questions. He is sure that Cersei will not kill him as long as Catelyn holds the Imp.

A new jailer arrives with wine, but no food. The voice that tells him to drink is familiar; it is Varys in a very effective disguise. Varys tells him that his younger daughter escaped (which is for the best since Joffrey has no love for her), and that Sansa is still betrothed to Joffery and kept close by the queen. Sansa had pleaded for his life in court a few days previous. Ned reminds Varys that Cersei will not kill him because Catelyn holds her brother. Varys replies that Tyrion is the wrong brother. Besides, Catelyn has let Tyrion escape and he is probably now dead in the Mountains of the Moon.

Ned accuses Varys of standing by while his guards were slaughtered; Varys states he was unarmored and unarmed. Varys continues by telling him that he plays his part: a courageous informer would be as useless as a cowardly knight. Ned asks if Varys will free him from this pit, and is told that he could but he would be the prime suspect. When asked if he would deliver a message, Varys admits that he will read it and then decide if it serves his purpose first. When asked his purpose, Varys states it is peace.

Varys tells Ned that he has struggled to keep Robert alive and protected him from his enemies for 15 years, but could not protect him from his friends. Then Varys asks what madness led Ned to tell the queen he knew the truth of Joffrey’s birth. Ned tells him that it was mercy; he had hoped to save the children’s lives. Varys remarks that he often forgets that Ned is one of the few honest men in the world, but he also notes that when he sees the reward Ned has earned he understands why.

Ned then asks if Varys questioned Lancel Lannister about the wine. Varys explains that Cersei gave Lancel the wineskins, telling him it was the king’ favorite vintage. In any case, if it had not been the boar, it would have been something else because Cersei needed to be rid of Robert to deal with his brothers: Stannis the iron gauntlet and Renly the silk glove. Varys then points out to Ned that he should have taken Littlefinger’s advice and supported Joffrey—Ned is shocked that Varys knows about the offer.

Varys then informs Ned that the queen will visit him tomorrow and that she is frightened of him, but she fears other enemies more: Jaime Lannister fights the Riverlords, Lysa does not love the queen, the Martells lust for vengeance for the murdered Elia and her babes, and Robb Stark marches down the Neck. Robb may only be a boy, but he is a boy with an army. Then there is Stannis who has a true claim to the throne and is without mercy There is nothing as terrifying as a truly just man. Most of all, Cersei fears that while her father battles the Starks and their allies, Stannis will descend on King's Landing, kill her and her children and proclaim himself king.

However, Varys explains, Cersei knows that that “a tame wolf is more use than a dead one,” but that telling her Stannis is the true heir will only lose him his head. Ned asks if he is expected to serve a woman that killed his king and crippled his son. The reply is that Varys expects him to do his duty: tell the queen he will admit his treason, tell his son to lay down his sword, denounce Stannis and Renly and carry Cersei’s secret to the grave. Cersei knows Ned is a man of honor and will let him take the black. Ned accuses Varys of being Littlefinger’s man, but he denies it, saying Littlefinger is the second most devious man in the kingdom. Varys only feeds him choice whispers so that Littlefinger thinks he is his, just like the queen. Ned continues that that sounds just like Varys and asks who the eunuch truly serves. Varys replies that he serves the realm, and the realm needs peace.

When Varys asks what his answer will be, Ned says his life is not worth that much. Varys brings up his Sansa, telling Ned that neither he nor queen has forgotten about her. Varys notes that Queen Rhaenys Targaryen was a child also when the Lannisters broke down her door. As he leaves he tells Ned that the next visitor can bring him either some bread, cheese, and Milk of the poppy or Sansa’s head.

External links

References and Notes