Re-reading Song of Ice and Fire

Chapter 26, Jon
Summary
When Jon and the rest of the recruits train in the courtyard new person arrives. Samwell Tarly was sent to the Wall by his father when it was obvious that he’s not the fighter the father wanted his heir to be. Sam is fat and scared of everything. Boys immediately judge him and don’t hide their dislike. Ser Alister makes one of the recruits brutally beat Sam. Jon stands in his defense. Alister makes him fight three opponents in hopes of getting him beat up as well, but Jon is joined by two of his new friends. The three of them defend Sam.

After the training Jon gets to know Sam, finds out his story, how his father gave him a choice of being killed on the hunt or joining the Night’s Watch. Jon decides to help the boy. He talks and threatens everyone into not hurting Sam on the training.

Quotes

Ser Alister had often sent two foes against him, but never three. He knew he would likely go to sleep bruised and bloody tonight. He braced himself for the assault.
Suddenly Pyp was beside him. “Three to two will make for better sport,” the small boy said cheerfully. He dropped his visor and slid out his sword. Before Jon could even think to protest, Grenn had stepped up to make a third.

“I’ve never had a friend before.”
“We’re not friends,” Jon said. He put a hand on Sam’s broad shoulder. “We’re brothers.”

Commentary

Jon starts to build relationship between the Night’s Watch recruits. Donal’s words got through to him. His new friends, Pyp and Grenn, decide to stand up to Ser Alister when Jon defies him defending Sam.

Samwell Tarly is not a character reader likes right from the beginning. He’s introduced as a complete craven, boy without a spine, a coward. Jon is able to see through that though, feel compassion for the kid who was abused all his life, tried to be shaped into someone he had no interest in becoming. And seeing that, he accepts the newcomer as his “brother”, contemplating the wisdom of his Uncle’s words.

Tags: Jon

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