I do like Ned, but Robert seems a self-centered, blustery sort of man who is far too used to getting his own way. It was sad hearing the contrast between Robert as this fierce warrior that Ned had been happy to serve and Robert as a king who does nothing and cares about nothing but satisfying his own appetites. Some people just do not make good leaders.
This guy comes to mind...
So, right as the royal group gets to Winterfell, Robert wants to go down into the family tomb to visit Ned's sister. Who is dead. Who was engaged to him. Who is apparently THE WOMAN THAT RHAEGAR TARGARYAN LOVED AND DIED FOR. What? What? WHAT???
This seems to me like one of those times where what we have here is a FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE. Also, what did Lyanna want? Did anyone think to ask her at the time? No? Fine, ignore the woman.
Even I think you guys should have talked this out...
Actually, still on the Lyanna subject, is it sweet that Robert still remembers and misses Ned's sister? It's hard for me to tell if he actually loved her or if he just could not stand to be denied something that he wanted. It sounds from this like he knew her well and genuinely cares for her, but would he have cared for her still if she had lived and been his wife for all these years? Is he just idealizing this affection or love or whatever that he felt for her because he knows he can never have her so reality can't taint his image of her? I don't know. Also, I seem to be a pessimist because that is kind of really cynical of me. O well.
Up until this point, I didn't realize how much of Ned's family has been killed. In the one war, he lost his brother, his sister, and his father. That's pretty damn rough. I mean, I know the Starks are already pretty serious and somber, but damn.
Ned smites sadness when it approaches.
It could interfere with his serious face.
Anyhow...this chapter enters more into the politics and reputations of some houses, and to be honest, it's a little confusing to get through all of these allusions to people's background without actually knowing the story.. Ned seems to really hate the Lannisters, so that makes me wary of them on principle. And I see why Ned's all upset about his nephew not being the Warden of the East, losing the title, or whatever, but I've never been able to support the idea of people getting titles just because they were lucky enough to be born into the right family, in the right order. I understand that there seems to be tradition and such behind this, but I can't help my (probably very American) opinion that people should earn what they get. Why would you make a six-year-old kid a war leader? That's silly, Ned. And you are not a silly man.
And then Robert wants to make Ned the Hand of the King.
The king can't administer all those slaps by himself.
I do not blame Ned at all for not wanting it. It would force him to leave the land he loves and his family to travel south to a land that is nothing but the fake, overwhelming manners of court and high society, where you can never be sure if someone is your friend or enemy and where friends become enemies the second anyone more powerful starts to dislike you.
Just thinking about having to navigate a social situation that complex makes my head hurt. And offending the wrong person could mean loss of things you love. Or death.
O, and the eleven-year-old girl and thirteen-year-old prince are now engaged. Surprise!
Sweet Lord, this bites.
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