This chapter starts off with Jon warging with Ghost for a few brief moments before being woken by Mormont's raven. These moments where Jon and Bran enter their direwolves have started to become so commonplace that it's almost like Jon and Bran are their wolves. We've very briefly seen Arya warg with Nymeria even though she didn't realize it. I wonder if Sansa would have ever entered Lady if she had survived. I wonder if Robb ever entered Greywind before they were both murdered.
As I read this chapter, one thing that struck me was how I viewed Jon as Lord Commander differently throughout. Whenever he is alone or with his men I have trouble believing that he is actually the Lord Commander of the Nights Watch. When he is with Stannis, however, it feels like he was made to do the job. I thought that I would have felt the opposite. Stannis is a hard, unbending man who wants things to go his way. He wants the Night's Watch towers. He wants the Gift. He wants Jon to do as he says. When Jon is with him, however, Jon holds his own. He knows when to give in and he knows when to stand firm and he interacts with Stannis as the Lord Commander.
When Jon is with anyone else, he still feels like a kid who is too young to handle the job. This really struck me when Stannis' man mocked him openly and wanted to fight. They have no respect for this young Lord.
Jon meets with Stannis and Melisandre at the end of the chapter and Stannis spends a lot of time complaining about the lack of respect shown to him by those who are his subjects. The more I see Stannis, the more I realize that he should not be king and the more I hope for Dany to take back Westeros. I am also glad that Jon did not give in and give the castles to Stannis. Jon reminds me so much of Ned in his scenes with Stannis that it is scary.
The chapter ends with Jon and Melisandre walking and talking. I don't know what to make of her still. She seems to have power, but it is real? And if it's real, where does it truly come from? Her words to Jon to finish the chapter are "Then you know nothing, Jon Snow" and they practically gave me chills. Does Melisandre know that those are the words that Ygritte used to say to Jon or is it coincedence? I'd lean towards the former.
I was impressed with John in this chapter, but I hate that he is having to be kind of an ass to get things accomplished. I understand the things he is doing, however, parting Gilly from her baby is really sad. I am a new mom, though, so I understand her heartache. It really pissed me off when the soldier was mocking him, but I guess that would be normal. As I read this chapter, it makes me nervous that Stannis (or some other “king”) is going to try to take over the Night’s Watch or disband them. They have stood for long years as their own entity…through so much turmoil in the country over the years… just to be taken by a crybaby like Stannis would be a shame indeed.
ReplyDeleteI really hate Stannis though. I know that he is the rightful heir as far as Robert’s line is concerned, but I do hope that Day will rule. As far as Mel., I think that she may seems some things and have some power from her god (or wherever it comes from), but it really stood out to me when Maester Aemon had Sam look at Stannis’ sword and said there’s no heat. She obviously has no clue what she is talking about. Stannis is not the Prince that was Promised. She is leading him on some farce and whether she is doing it purposefully or not, IDK, but I am curious to find out.
I am so excited about these books (and finally starting the ADWD) that my comments might not make sense sometimes. LOL. When I say I was pissed about the guy mocking Jon (oops misspelled Jon earlier) and that it was normal... I meant, in life, that would be normal that an older man might mock a younger man in a position of power.
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