You know, it doesn't matter how loyal a servant you are, no one enjoys the company of a humorless mute. Trust me on this. People have been serving me since I was born. You think Lady Stark is going to want a giant towheaded plank following her around for the rest of her life? A week's journey with you and she'll order you to fall on your sword.
If Lady Stark is unhappy with any aspect of my service, I'm sure she'll let me know. She's an honest woman.
For all the good it's done her. How did you come into Lady Stark's service? There's something we can talk about.
Not your concern, Kingslayer.
It had to be recently. You weren't with her at Winterfell.
Because I visited Winterfell. I would have noticed your dour head smacking into the archways.
Were you pledged to Stannis?
Ah, Renly. Really? He wasn't fit to rule over anything more important than a 12-course meal.
Why? I lived with him at court since he was a boy, don't forget. Could hardly escape the little tulip skipping down the corridors in his embroidered silks. I knew him far better than you.
I knew him as well as anyone. As a member of his Kingsguard, he trusted me with everything. He would have been a wonderful king.
Sounds like you quite fancied him.
Oh, gods, you did. Did you ever tell him? No, of course not. You weren't Renly's type, I'm afraid. He preferred curly-haired little girls like Loras Tyrell. You're far too much man for him.
I'm not interested in foul rumors.
Unless they're about me. It's all true about Renly. His proclivities were the worst kept secret at court. It's a shame the throne isn't made out of cocks. They'd have never got him off it.
I don't blame him. And I don't blame you, either. We don't get to choose who we love.
Lady Sansa, it is my honor to present my grandmother... the Lady Olenna of House Tyrell.
Olenna Tyrell Kiss me, child. [Sansa does so] It's so good of you to visit me and my foolish flock of hens. We're very sorry for your losses.
And I was sorry when I heard of Lord Renly's death, Lady Margaery. He was very gallant.
Gallant, yes. And charming and very clean. He knew how to dress and smile and somehow this gave him the notion he was fit to be king.
Renly was brave and gentle, Grandmother. Father liked him and so did Loras.
Olenna Tyrell Loras is young and very good at knocking men off horses with a stick. That does not make him wise. As to your fathead father--
Grandmother! What will Sansa think of us?
She might think we have some wits about us. One of us, at any rate. It was treason. I warned them. Robert has two sons and Renly has an older brother. How could he possibly have any claim to that ugly iron chair? We should have stayed well out of all this if you ask me. But once the cow's been milked, there's no squirting the cream back up her udders. So here we are to see things through.
Are you frightened, child? No need for that. We're only women here. Tell us the truth. No harm will come to you.
My father always told the truth.
Yes, he had that reputation. And they named him traitor and took his head.
Joffrey. Joffrey did that. He promised he would be merciful and he cut my father's head off. And he said that was mercy. Then he took me up on the walls and made me look at it.
I.. I can't. I never meant... my father was a traitor. My brother as well. I have traitor's blood. Please don't make me say anymore.
She's terrified, Grandmother. Just look at her.
Speak freely, child. We would never betray your confidence, I swear it.
Please, don't stop the wedding.
Have no fear. The Lord Oaf of Highgarden is determined that Margaery shall be queen. Even so, we thank you for the truth. Ah, here comes my cheese.
May I help you, Lady Stark?
I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-
You can't help because a mother makes one for her children to protect them. Only a mother can make them.
After a fashion. I prayed for my son Bran to survive his fall. Many years before that, one of the boys came down with the pox. Maester Luwin said if he made it through the night, he'd live. But it would be a very long night. So I sat with him all through the darkness, listened to his ragged little breaths, his coughing, his whimpering.
Jon Snow. When my husband brought that baby home from the war, I couldn't bear to look at him, didn't want to see those brown stranger's eyes staring at me. So I prayed to the gods "Take him away, make him die". He got the pox and I knew I was the worst woman who ever lived. A murderer. I'd condemned this poor, innocent child to a horrible death all because I was jealous of his mother, a woman he didn't even know! So I prayed to all Seven Gods "Let the boy live. Let him live and I'll love him. I'll be a mother to him. I'll beg my husband to give him a true name, to call him Stark and be done with it, to make him one of us".
And he lived. And I couldn't keep my promise. And everything that's happened since then, all this horror that's come to my family...it's all because I couldn't love a motherless child.
If I may, nephew, I encountered a situation with one of my lieutenants at the Stone Mill which may have some bearing-
Why don't you shut your mouth about that damned mill? And don't call him "nephew." He is your king.
Robb knows I meant him no disr-
You're lucky I'm not your king. I wouldn't let you wave your blunders around like a victory flag.
My blunder sent Tywin's mad dog scurrying back to Casterly Rock with his tail between his legs. I think King Robb understands we're not gonna win this war if he's the only one winning any battles. No, there's glory enough to go around.
It's not about glory. Your instructions were to wait for him to come to you.
The Mountain was garrisoned across the river from it.
Of course not. We took the fight to him. He could not withstand us.
I wanted to draw the Mountain into the west, into our country where we could surround him and kill him. I wanted him to chase us, which he would have done because he is a mad dog without a strategic thought in his head. I could have that head on a spike by now. Instead, I have a mill.
We took hostages. Willem Lannister. Martyn Lannister.
Willem and Martyn Lannister are 14 years old.
Tywin Lannister has my sisters. Have I sued for peace?
Do you think he'll sue for peace because we have his... [frowns as he tries to work it out in his head] Father's brother's great-grandsons?
How many men did you lose?
208. But for every man we lost, the Lannisters--
We need our men more than Tywin needs his!
I'm sorry. I didn't know.
You would have. Right here today at this gathering if you had been patient.
We seem to be running short of patience here.
You know who isn't? Tywin Lannister.
What news of Jaime? [All the others remain silent] Twenty thousand unwashed Northerners have known about his escape for weeks. Collectively, you control more spies and informants than the rest of the world combined. Do you mean to tell me that none of you has any notion where he is?
Try harder! What do we have then?
Robb Stark and most of his bannermen are in Riverrun for the funeral of his grandfather, Lord Hoster Tully. In Stark's absence, Roose Bolton holds Harrenhal, which would make him Lord of Harrenhal, in practice if not in name-
Let him have it. The name suits our purposes far more than that useless pile of rubble. The Lord of Harrenhal will make a worthy suitor for the widow Arryn.
For which I am extremely grateful to you, my lord. Lady Arryn and I have known each other since we were children; she has always been positively predisposed towards me.
A successful courtship would make Lord Baelish Acting Lord of the Vale.
Titles do seem to breed titles.
You'll leave for the Eyrie as soon as possible and bring Lysa Arryn into the fold, then the Young Wolf can add his own aunt to the list of people who've taken up arms against him!
Far be it from me to hinder true love, but Lord Baelish's absence would present certain problems. The royal wedding may end up being the most expensive event in living memory. Summer had ended, hard days lie ahead, not a good time to leave the crown's finances unattended.
Fully agreed, which is why I am naming you Master of Coin.
It would appear to be a position that best suits your talents.
I'm quite good at spending money, but a lifetime of outrageous wealth hasn't taught me about managing it!
I have no doubt you will prove equal to this challenge.
After thirty years of fighting, I... I think he'd forgotten what started' it! He asked me to stop calling myself "Blackfish". Said it was an old joke, and it was never funny to begin with. I told him, "People have been calling me 'Blackfish' for so long, I don't remember my real name!"
Every time he left for the Capitol, or to fight in a campaign, I'd see him off. "Wait for me, Little Cat" he'd say, "Wait for me and I'll come back to you." And I would sit at this window every day when the sun came up, waiting. I wonder how many times did Bran and Rickon stare across the moors of Winterfell, waiting for me to return?! I will never see them again!
You musn't think it. We don't know it. They could be in hiding. Robb believes they're alive. And, he must go on believing. He's got to remain strong if he's going to prevail, and you must remain strong for him.
When your brother Rhaegar led his army into battle at the Trident, men died for him because they believed in him, because they loved him, not because they'd been bought at a slaver's auction. I fought beside the last dragon on that day, your Grace. I bled beside him.
Rhaegar fought valiantly, Rhaegar fought nobly...and Rhaegar died.
Did you know him well, Ser Barristan?
I did, your Grace. The finest man I ever met.
I wish I had known him...but he was not the last dragon.
LLocke
You think you're the smartest man there is. That everyone alive has to bow and scrape and lick your boots.
LLocke
You get in any trouble, all you got to do is say "My father" and that's it. All your troubles are gone. Have you got something to say? You don't want to say the wrong thing. You're nothing without your daddy, and your daddy ain't here. Never forget that.
[Locke rises, but then stops]
LLocke
Here, this should help you remember!
[He swings the blade down, cleaving off Jaime's hand, and Jaime screams in horror and agony]
Before all this nastiness, I was going to tell you the story of how I was cut. Do you want to hear it still?
As a boy, in Myr, I traveled with a troupe of actors through the Free Cities. One day, a man approached my master with an offer too tempting to refuse. I feared the man meant to use me, as I'd heard some men use small boys, but what he wanted was far worse. He gave me a potion that made me powerless to move or speak, yet did nothing to dull my senses. With a hooked blade, he sliced me, root and stem, chanting all the while. He burned my parts on a brazier; the flames burned blue, and I heard a voice answer his call. Still dream of that night. Not of the sorcerer, not of his blade...I dream of the voice. Was it a god? A demon? Some conjurer's trick? I don't know, but the sorcerer called and a voice answered. And ever since that day, I have hated magic, and all who practice it. But, you can see why I was eager to aid in your fight against Stannis and his Red Priestess, a symbolic revenge, of sorts.
Yes, I feel the need for actual revenge. Against the actual person who tried to have me killed, which will require a certain degree of influence, which...
You do not possess at the moment. But influence is largely a matter of patience, I find. Once I had served the sorcerer's purpose, he threw me out of his house, to die. I resolved to live, to spite him. I begged, I sold what parts of my body remained to me, I became an excellent thief. And soon, learned that the contents of a man's letters are more valuable than the contents of his purse. Step by step, one distasteful task after another, I made my way from the slums of Myr to the Small Council Chamber. Influence grows, like a weed. I tended mine, patiently, until its tendrils reached from the Red Keep, all the way across to the far side of the world where I managed to wrap them around something very special.
[He pulls the crate lid open; Tyrion looks inside with him to find a ragged old man, bound and gagged.]
Hello, my old friend. It's been a long time. I have no doubt, the revenge you want will be yours in time if you have the stomach for it.
[He closes the crate on the sorcerer, who is screaming through the gag]
You wanted to speak to me?
I wanted to make sure we're doing whatever we can to get him back.
When Catelyn Stark took Tyrion prisoner, what did I do in response?
And if I would start a war for that lecherous little stump, what do you think I am doing for my eldest son and heir?
[He puts a seal on the letter, pushes it aside, and starts working on another letter.]
Did it ever occur to you that I might be the one who deserves your confidence and your trust, not your sons? Not Jaime or Tyrion, but me? Years and years of lectures on family and legacy, same lecture, really, just with tiny, tedious variations. Did it ever occur to you that your daughter might be the only one listening to them, living by them? That she might have the most to contribute to your legacy that you love so much more than your actual children?
[Tywin finishes his letter, and looks over his daughter with his hands folded.]
The Tyrells are a problem.
The Tyrells helped us defeat Stannis Baratheon. The Tyrells helped save your life, and your children's lives.
Margaery has her claws into Joffrey. She knows how to manipulate him.
Good. I wish you knew how to manipulate him. I don't distrust you because you're a woman. I distrust you because you're not as smart as you think you are. You've allowed that boy to ride roughshod over you and everyone else in this city.
Perhaps you should try stopping him from doing what he likes.
CCraster
You have one son, don't you, Mormont? I had my 99th. You ever meet a man with 99 sons?
[Mormont shakes his head indifferently.]
CCraster
And more daughters than I can count.
JMJeor Mormont
I'm glad for you.
CCraster
Are you now? Me, I'll be glad when you and yours have gone.
JMJeor Mormont
As soon as our wounded are strong enough.
CCraster
Ah. They're as strong as they're gonna get. Them that's dying, why don't you cut their throats and be done with it? Or leave them if you've not the stomach, and I'll sort them myself.
KTKarl Tanner
Whose throat you gonna cut, old man?
JMJeor Mormont
Wait outside.
KTKarl Tanner
It's cold outside, and there's nothing to eat.
CCraster
My wives gave you bread.
KTKarl Tanner
There's sawdust in the bread.
CCraster
You don't like it, you go out there and eat the snow.
KTKarl Tanner
I'd rather eat what you've got hidden away.
JMJeor Mormont
I told you to wait outside.
RRast
He's sitting there, drinking our wine, eating his fill while we die!
CCraster
I gave you crows enough. I've got to feed my women!
RRast
So you admit you've got a hidden larder, then?! How else'd you make it through winter?!
JMJeor Mormont
Enough! Out!
CCraster
I am a godly man!
RRast
You're a stingy bastard!
CCraster
Bastard? [Craster takes an axe off the wall] Out with you, you little thief! [To Karl] And you! [To Eddison Tollett] And you! [Craster looks threateningly at everyone] Go sleep in the cold on empty bellies! I'll chop the hands off the next man who calls me bastard!
[There is a tense silence. Mormont starts to push Rast out]
KTKarl Tanner
You are a bastard. A daughter-fucking, wildling bastard.
[Craster charges at Karl, but Karl shoves his dagger through Craster's jaw]
JMJeor Mormont
The gods will curse us for this! By all the laws...
KTKarl Tanner
There are no laws beyond the Wall!
[Karl grabs the woman he struck and puts his dagger at her throat.]
KTKarl Tanner
Now show us where he hides the food, or you'll get the same as he did!
JMJeor Mormont
[draws his sword] Unhand her!
[Karl lets go of the woman and faces Mormont with his dagger]
JMJeor Mormont
I shall have your head for this...!
[Rast stabs Mormont in the back. A large brawl breaks out, in which Mormont is killed]
[to Gilly] Quickly. Quickly.
GGilly
What's happening? I'm not going out there.
[The baby cries. Gilly picks him. They go outside.]
GGilly
Follow me. I know the best way. Come on.
[Rast shouts after Sam.]
RRast
Run fast, Piggy, and sleep well! I'll be cutting your throat one of these nights!
It took five of you to murder two unarmed squires?
Not murder, Your Grace. Vengeance.
Vengeance? Those boys didn't kill your sons. I saw Harrion die on the battlefield, and Torrhen...
Was strangled by the Kingslayer. They were his kin.
THEY WERE BOYS! Look at them.
Tell your mother to look at them. She killed them as much as I.
My mother had nothing to do with this. This was your treason.
It's treason to free your enemies! In war, you kill your enemies! Did your father not teach you that, boy?!
[Brynden Tully punches Karstark in the face]
Aye. Leave me to the king. He wants to give me a scolding before he sets me free. That's how he deals with treason. Our King in the North. Or should I call him the King Who Lost the North?
Escort Lord Karstark to the dungeon. Hang the rest.
KSKarstark soldier
Mercy, sire! I didn't kill anyone, I only watched for the guards.
This one was only the watcher. Hang him last so he can watch the others die.
KSKarstark soldier
Please! Please don't, they made me do it! They made me! They made me...!
[The prisoners are dragged out; Robb sits at his desk, contemplating what to do about Karstark.]
Word of this can't leave Riverrun. They were Tywin Lannister's nephews; the Lannisters pay their debts - they never stop talking about that.
Would you make me a liar as well as a murderer?
It wouldn't be lying. We'll bury them and remain silent until the war is done.
I'm not fighting for justice if I don't serve justice to murderers in my ranks, no matter how highborn! He has to die.
The Karstarks are Northmen. They won't forgive the killing of their Lord.
Your mother's right. If you do this, the Karstarks will abandon you.
You tended to their wounds, you brought them supper. Now they're dead.
And more boys will keep dying until this war is over! You need Karstark men to end it!
Spare his life, keep him as a hostage.
A hostage. Tell the Karstarks that as long as they remain loyal, he will not be harmed.
The blood of the First Men flows in my veins as much as yours, boy. I fought the Mad King for your father. I fought Joffrey for you. We are kin, Stark and Karstark.
That didn't stop you from betraying me, and it won't save you now.
I don't want it to save me. I want it to haunt you to the end of your days!
[Karstark kneels across a stone hedgerow, and calmly awaits his execution.]
Rickard Karstark, Lord of Karhold, here in sight of Gods and men, I sentence you to die. Would you speak a final word?
Kill me and be cursed! You are no King of mine!
[Robb angrily beheads Lord Karstark with a single blow.]
