A Game of Thrones, Chapter 42, Tyrion
Summary
Bronn and Tyrion make camp on their way from Vale of Arryn. They start a fire making it clear that they are not hiding from clansmen. As they wait, Tyrion tells the story how he got married to the girl named Tysha. The clansmen arrive and Tyrion manages to buy his way out by promising them weapons and armor that will help them conquer Vale of Arryn.
Quotes
“Make no mistake, dwarf. I fought for you, but I do not love you.”
“It was your blade I needed,” Tyrion said, “not your love.”
Bronn snorted. “You have a bold tongue, little man. One day someone is like to cut it out and make you eat it.”
“Everyone tells me that.” Tyrion glanced up at the sellsword. “Did I offend you? My pardons… but you are scum, Bronn, make no mistake.”
“(…) by morning I was in love.”
“You?” Bronn’s voice was amused.
“Absurd, isn’t it?” Tyrion began to whistle the song again. “I married her,” he finally admitted.
(…)
“And then the septon sobered and confessed all to my lord father.” Tyrion was surprised at how desolate it made him feel to say it, even after all these years. Perhaps he was just tired. “That was the end of my marriage.”
“The mothers go hungry, and steel fills more mouths than gold. What would you give us for your lives, Tyrion son of Tywin? Swords? Lances? Mail?”
“All that, and more, Gunthor son of Gurn,” Tyrion Lannister replied, smiling. “I will give you the Vale of Arryn.”
Commentary
Once again Imp confirms that he’s a devilishly clever man. Knowing full well that sneaking through the mountains is not likely to work he decides on a gamble. Instead of dodging his enemies he finds out what they want most and buys his way out by offering it to them.
It is not the meeting with clansmen that is key event of the chapter. Tyrion is showing a more human side of himself. So far he’s been mostly a cynical pig, focused on his own amusement. Even Bronn, who knows him only few days can’t believe that he could have fallen in love, yet it is so. Tyrion’s relationship with Tysha was incredibly strong. It was the only person in the whole world that he loved. He feels loyalty for his family, he has lust for women, but love, this is the feeling he felt only once and it was brutally taken from him. This chapter is the key to understanding who Tyrion Lannister really is.
On the side note, I love the conversations Tyrion has with Bronn. They are worth each other, one being a Lord, the other lowborn scum. Both smart, both speaking their mind without any regard for consequences and both incredibly selfish. I’m highly amused by the way they verbally slap each other.
Tags: Tyrion
