A Song of Ice and Fire - A Chapter a day discussion

A lot of things happened in this chapter!

1-Catelyn fears for everyone, her husband, her children, but she can't so a lot for them, so she'll focus on Robb. She thinks she has to be strong for him, and I think so too. He really needs her.

2-She noticed Robb talks to his bannermen, like Ned did back in Winterfell. But she wanders if Robb learned enough from his father. I don't think we can really tell at this point, but so far he is doing well.

3-So, the Freys, who are bannerman to the Tullys, didn't go when they called. I wonder how this works, if your liege lord calls and you don't go, after the war what happens to you?

4-They need to cross the bridge, but the Freys control it. I never liked the Freys, and I never will, but like the first time I read about them, they were a no for me.

5-I think the Blackfish is really smart, like Catelyn. It was a really good idea to shoot the birds.

6-It's clever though, how even if Lord Frey has something with the Lannisters, because he is defending his land and killing some Lannister's men who were in his territory, he can still be seen as a Tully bannerman. I don't like it, but it's clever.

7-They find out Edmure was captured. I honestly don't remember if they do something about it, or not. Also, Catelyn tells Robb his father would have done anything to cross that bridge. Now I wonder if Ned would have gotten the same results as Catelyn if he talked to Frey.

8-The Twins seem so well done and ugly, lol. But they do the job I guess. Robb and his lords know they can't take the castle or take it by siege, so they have to cross, and soon. Of course Frey knows about this, and uses it to take advantage.

9-I liked the bannermen didn't want Robb to go alone and talk to Frey. It makes me think pretty much no one trust this man.

10-So Catelyn went instead of Robb. The amount of people this man made, it's crazy. I am sorry about this wives, and the mothers of his bastards. And his newest wife is 16, wtf. Isn't he like 90? How can he have sex at that age lol?

11-Frey said to her he didn't march because her brother lost. Omg, I can't even with this man. But we know at least Tywin really knows when the Freys march, and I think so does Catelyn.

12-What the hell with him talking about trading sons and always having more than the others? Of course, he has I don't know how many sons. I don't like him at all.

13-She wanted to know what Frey wanted, so she could make a deal and cross. He wants to marry his sons and daughters. What a shocker, not a lot of families want to be associated with them, like the Tullys. So they don't really get along.

14-We learn Lysa knew about taking Robert to Dragonstore, but she lied to Catelyn. I don't think this should be a surprise to her, but maybe she still thought her sister was who she used to be.

15-She made the deal, Robb will have Frey swords. She took two boys to foster at Winterfell, a squire for Robb, and Arya and Robb will have to marry a member of Frey's family. I feel really sorry for them, even though I can't imagine Arya getting married to a Frey.

16-Finally, Robb sent Bolton to fight Tywin. I don't think Bolton is mentioned as a great leader/fighter, but more as a scary man. I think, at least that's what I remember.

I've finally caught up!

1. Catelyn worries for her family, the Tullys and the Starks, but the only one she can help right now is Robb. She prays she'll be fierce and hard like the North. "You must be a Stark for true, now, like your son." She tells herself. I like this a lot.

2. I like that Robb spends each day with one lord bannerman to listen to their advice and not show favoritism -- like Ned.

3. Late Walder Frey hasn't joined Edmure Tully yet; no surprise there. He has 4,000 men just sitting around at the Twins. Didn't know Walder Frey was closer to Casterly Rock than Riverrun. That sounds like a bad omen. Catelyn says of Lord Frey that he "...has never lacked for cunning." Hmm...

4. Brynden Tully is immensely helpful by killing 12 Lannister scouts for them.

5. Catelyn does not trust Walder Frey; she orders archers to shoot any raven found leaving the Twins, but Theon says Brynden already is on that, and smiles as he says he'll fashion her a hat out of these ravens. I smiled at this for some reason.

6. Theon is all for fighting Lord Frey if he refuses to let them cross and Catelyn is against it because Tywin will only attack their rear if they do. Catelyn is surprisingly good with war strategy!

7. Interesting that the Blackfish's broach is made out of obsidian. I thought that was a rare resource, *SPOILER FOR A STORM OF SWORDS* (view spoiler)[which turns out to be very effective against white walkers! (hide spoiler)]

8. It is the Blackfish who finds out Edmure is alive but captured by the Kingslayer and Riverrun is under siege. All the more reason they need to get across the river post haste! Also, Lord Frey's drawbridge is up and portcullis down. That poses a problem.

9. I like when Cat chastises Robb saying he sounds like a sulky boy by wanting to get around an obstacle in the way or tear it down instead of using words to get what you want. :) "A lord must learn that sometimes words can accomplish what swords cannot." I think this idea comes easier to women than men.

10. The Freys are rich because of the toll people pay them to cross the river for 600 years. A Water Tower stands in the center of the bridge with murder holes, slits, and portcullises in case anyone tries to cross it without paying. It took the Freys three generations to complete the bridge. They have two keeps on either side as well, now known as the Twins.

11. I like that Roose Bolton says of the Twins: "That cannot be assaulted, my lords." :) We know how much you like to assault people.

12. Conveniently, Walder Frey had sent four of his sons down to talk with them. Apparently they all look like weasels, lol. The heir, Ser Stevron, is past his 60's and has grandchildren of his own, damn! But he is polite to them at least. He says his lord Father would be honored to share dinner with Robb but all the bannermen of the North disapprove of this, lol. I can't believe they're all saying he can't be trusted right in front of Stevron! Catelyn shouts she will go in Robb's stead, before they miss their chance. Ser Stevron vouchsafes Catelyn by leaving one of his brothers with them until she returns, as a sign of trust. Problem with that is the man has 21 sons; I think he can probably sacrifice one and not give two shits about it.

13. Wow... Walder Frey has 21 living sons, 36 grandsons, 19 great-grandsons, numerous daughters, granddaughters, bastards, and grandbastards (I love that word!). Lord Walder himself is 90 and his current wife is only 16, his eighth wife...poor girl. Apparently he has always been blunt and harsh in manner. Being old only makes it worse. Cat tries not to offend him or take offense by him. Good plan.

14. Ser Stevron surprisingly reproaches his father, saying he invited her here. I don't recall that's what happened, but that was nice of Stevron to say! Walder Frey is so mean to him...he's mean to all his sons. I really hope one day his children will turn on him. I'm surprised no one's killed him yet!

15. When Cat asks why hasn't he gone to Riverrun yet he says he'd been waiting for all of his men to gather before setting off. One of his sons confirms it. Hmm... He asks is it his fault Edmure lost before he could march? Ouch.

16. When Cat tells him flatly they want to cross he asks why should he. Um...because your liege lord would command you to? This man isn't stupid, though. He knows that if the Tullys lose this war he'll tell Tywin he was on Casterly Rock's side the entire time. Sounds like he just doesn't want to fight, period. I understand about that, but it's not very noble at all -- kind of reminds me how Tywin Lannister operates, when Robert Baratheon fought against the Targaryens.

17. Cat's response is that Robb has 20,000 men waiting outside. Was this supposed to threaten him? Frey reminds her that her husband's a traitor in the Red Keep's dungeon, her dad's very sick, her brother may be dead, why should he help her? Now she explains that he swore an oath to her father. Even in death I would think that'd still hold up. He admits he said some words, but he also said words to the king, too. And the only reason why he's not completely for Tywin is because he simply didn't ask yet. Now Cat is asking, and so are her family through her voice. I think this Walder Frey just likes to be needed...have control over people, it's sick. And if you want something from him you'll have to suck up to him.

18. Now we see Frey's side. He says the Tullys have always pissed on him. They refuse to marry their sons and daughters to his' and won't go to any of his weddings. I can kind of see why Walder Frey dislikes them. But it's a two-way street. Nobody wants to associate with a jackass, lol. I like that he goes off on a tangent, like a typical old man. He also wanted two of his sons fostered by Jon Arryn but they turned him down too, probably because he offered to ward their son...lol. I think at the heart of it he just wants to see his family branch out and succeed. But no one likes him for his attitude and disregard for honor.

19. Interesting that Frey also says Stannis was supposed to foster Robert Arryn, not Tywin as Cat had heard. This seems very important to know, as it's been mentioned multiple times in this book.

20. Walder Frey seems to enjoy haggling, lol. He rambles a lot, too. Likes to hear himself talk, I suppose. Really likes talking about women and producing sons...his life's work!

21. It takes almost the whole day but Catelyn finally rides out to tell Robb and his lords bannermen she did it; they have the Frey's permission to pass and their men. In return, he wants two of his grandsons, Walder and Walder, to ward at Winterfell; they are 8 and 7, Bran's age, so that should be good for him. Lord Frey's son, Olyvar, will squire for Robb with the promise of eventually being knighted, along with the promise that Arya will marry one of his younger sons when they are of age, and Robb too must marry one of his daughters, once the fighting is done. A lot of terms, but it is pretty doable and fair, I thought. Just because Lord Frey is unpleasant that doesn't mean they're all bad.

22. I laughed at hte part when Robb asks if he can refuse, and Cat's response: "Not if you wish to cross." Ha!

23. Cat respects Robb when he consents. "Boys might play with swords, but it took a lord to make a marriage pact, knowing what it meant."

24. That night 9/10ths of their army passes the bridge on the western side. The 1/10ths stay on the eastern side to meet up with Tywin Lannister down south.

25. Wait...I thought it said 9/10ths went west with Robb and Cat, but in the next paragraph it says 9/10ths stayed on the eastern side with Roose Bolton...which is it?

It feels good to caught up, right? :)

I didn't notice your point 7, good observation!

And lol at your point 14, it surprised me too.

I didn't notice the number change in your point 25. I think I didn't pay attention to it, but I would guess 9/10th went with Robb. Maybe?

The first time I read the book I was under the impression that the majority of his men went west with him, leaving only a small amount to distract Tywin Lannister. And in Tyrion's chapter, near the end, it says Robb Stark had passed the Twins and rides hard with most of his men, so I'm thinking either I read this last paragraph wrong or maybe it's worded wrong. I don't know.

I think so as well, it would make sense most of his men went with Robb.