A Game of Thrones-Chapter 4

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Eddard I
A Game of Thrones chapter
AGameOfThrones.jpg
POV Eddard Stark
Page US HC (Other versions)
Chapter chronology (All)
Daenerys I  ← Eddard I →  Jon I

Eddard II

King Robert Baratheon arrives at Winterfell to offer Eddard the position of Hand of the King and the opportunity for Eddard's daughter Sansa to marry the crown prince Joffrey.

Synopsis

The King's party, three hundred strong, rides into Winterfell. Eddard recognizes Jaime Lannister, Tyrion Lannister, Prince Joffrey, and Sandor Clegane, but doesn't recognize his old friend King Robert, a huge bearded man (6.5 feet) flanked by two knights in snow white cloaks of the Kingsguard, until Robert calls out. He is shocked to see how much weight (8 stone (112 lbs)) Robert has gained since the last time they saw each other nine years before when they joined forces to deal with Balon Greyjoy, who jad proclaimed himself king of the Iron Islands. Eddard makes obeisance as Queen Cersei and the younger children debark from the wheelhouse. After the formalities of greeting (including the presentation of the children from both parties), Robert insists on being taken down to the crypt to pay his respects where the dead of House Stark are buried. Queen Cersei objects.

Ned asks Robert about his travel, and Robert complains of the distance that has to be traveled in the vast emptiness of the North. Robert talks about the advantages of living in the south, telling Eddard he has to see the wonders, the warmth, and the undress of the women. They descend into the crypt, which is an effort for the out-of-shape Robert.

Robert wants to visit the tomb of Eddard's sister Lyanna Stark, who had been his betrothed. They pass the dead of house Stark with statues in front of the crypts, each lord having a sword on his lap. They arrive to the last of the occupied crypts waiting for the future dead of House Stark. Here there are three tombs for Eddard’s father Lord [[Rickard Stark], Eddard’s elder brother Brandon Stark and his sister Lyanna. Robert tells Eddard that he should have buried her on a sunny hillside, but Eddard explains that she was a Stark of Winterfell and belongs here, and that it was her wish. Eddard remembers her dying, and his friend Howland Reed being nearby while Robert recalls taking his vengeance on Rhaegar Targaryen for what he did to her, regretting only getting to kill him once. Eddard says they should return, his wife will be waiting. Robert replies the Others take his wife, and they start back.

As they return, Eddard asks about Jon Arryn, and Robert says that he had never seen a man die so quickly, within a fortnight. Eddard asks about how Jon's widow is bearing under the grief, telling Robert that Catelyn fears for her sister. Robert confides that he thinks Jon’s death has driven her mad and she took her son back to the Eyrie. Robert had hoped to foster the sickly boy with Tywin Lannister, but Lysa had refused to hear of it and left in the dead of night; Cersei was furious. Eddard, who does not trust Tywin, is relieved. Eddard asks to foster Robert Arryn himself, but Tywin had already agreed and Eddard taking him as a ward would be risk of offending Tywin.

Eddard comments that Robert should visit the wall, but Robert responds that he has more important issues: he has to replace Lord Arryn, including several important positions such as Warden of the East. Eddard tells Robert that that title goes with domain of the Arryn. Robert states that Robert Arryn will not be Warden of the East since he is only a 6-year old boy. Eddard tells Robert that during times of peace this is only an honor. The king is not pleased, the son is not the father, and maybe when the boy is grown, the title will be given back. He says that he needs another Hand of the King, and he offers the position to Eddard where he can again be at his side. Then the King tells how the responsibilities bore him and that he is surrounded by flatters and fools. He says he wants Eddard to come south to King's Landing to be Hand of the King, the second most important man in the kingdom.

Eddard does not want the position. Even Robert recognizes that this is not a pleasant position, relating that the low-born saying that “the King eats and the Hand takes the shit.” Robert asks for at least a smile and Eddard responds that it is said that it is so cold in the North that a man's laughter freezes in his throat and chokes him to death.

King Robert offers to marry Sansa Stark (only 11) to Prince Joffrey, to join the Houses of Stark and Baratheon as he and Lyanna might have done. Eddard hesitates to give his decision, wishing to speak to his wife, but Robert asks him not to take too long. Eddard is filled with a sense of foreboding, that Winterfell is where he belongs, and winter is coming.

Character List Appearing and Mentioned

Terms and places mentioned

External links