A Game of Thrones, Chapter 66, Bran
Summary
Bran has a dream about his father. After he wakes up he wants to go down to the crypts where he dreamt he saw Ned. Hodor will not go down to the crypts, so Maester Luwin asks Osha to carry Bran. When they get to the crypt reserved for Ned they are attacked by Shaggydog, Rickon’s direwolf. Bran’s brother had the same dream and went down to the crypts to look for their father. Maester Luwin convinces boys to leave the crypts. They are all in Maester’s tower when the bird with news of Ned’s death arrives.
Quotes
“Rickon,” Bran said softly. “Father’s not here.”
“Yes he is. I saw him.” Tears glistened on Rickon’s face. “I saw him last night.”
“In your dream … ?”
Rickon nodded. “You leave him. You leave him be. He’s coming home now, like he promised. He’s coming home.”
Summer began to howl.
Maester Luwin broke off, startled. When Shaggydog bounded to his feet and added his voice to his brother’s, dread clutched at Bran’s heart.
The howling stopped as suddenly as it had begun. Summer padded across the tower floor to Shaggydog, and began to lick at a mat of bloody fur on the back of his brother’s neck. From the window came a flutter of wings.
A raven landed on the grey stone sill, opened its beak, and gave a harsh, raucous rattle of distress.
Rickon began to cry. His arrowheads fell from his hand one by one and clattered on the floor. Bran pulled him close and hugged him.
Commentary
Contrary to Maester’s beliefs there *is* magic in the world. It’s not out in the open and it’s only leaking back to the world after hundreds of years of hiding in the shadows, but it’s definitely there.
Bran’s and Rickon’s dream is no coincidence. They sensed their father’s death, perhaps even saw his spirit in their dreams. Is this the magic of greenseers, the children of the forest? I think it’s possible. Starks are still following the old ways, they respect the old gods. Maybe with Others waking in the North this is how the old gods are manifesting their return.
The background of this chapter is history of Westeros. Just like in the beginning of the book, in the Tyrion chapter, we’re being told about the old days, how the realm of Seven Kingdoms came to be. What I found most intriguing in the whole history was Martin’s approach to magic. As you might have noticed by now, the world of Song of Ice and Fire does not rely on magic like many other fantasy worlds do. Martin makes magic special, unique even, giving the reader taste of it, but not making it central to the story. Magic didn’t save the children of the forest. In the end, it’s the sword that claimed the land.
It’s refreshing to see a book where a wave of magic wand does not fix all the problems.
Tags: Bran
