#mandon moore

[jozor-johai]

my take on Mandon Moore's motivation for trying to kill Tyrion: it was personal. There wasn't anyone pulling the strings, it was just Mandon Moore hating Tyrion and taking his chance.

Tyrion thinks it has to be a conspiracy against him, because that way it isn't his fault. He's not in the wrong, he didn't deserve to be killed, it's that someone—or multiple people—are out to get him.

But that's one of Tyrion's failings through the entirety of Clash, and it's what comes back to ruin him in Storm. He constantly thinks he's in the right, and doesn't consider the consequences of any of his actions; he thinks that as a Lannister, he's right, and he's unstoppable.

Mandon Moore's assassination attempt happens in Tyrion's last chapter in Clash—and to bookend that, the reason for his attack come in Tyrion's first chapter:

Yet if he let the man turn him away, where was his authority? He made himself smile. "Ser Mandon, you have not met my companions. This is Timett son of Timett, a red hand of the Burned Men. And this is Bronn. Perchance you recall Ser Vardis Egen, who was captain of Lord Arryn's household guard?" "I know the man." Ser Mandon's eyes were pale grey, oddly flat and lifeless. "Knew," Bronn corrected with a thin smile. Ser Mandon did not deign to show that he had heard that.

Tyrion, with Bronn's help, intentionally brags about killing Mandon Moore's friend Vardis Egen in an attempt to assert his power in the situation. Mandon Moore doesn't react... here. But this is the motivation for his attempt to kill Tyrion—it's because Tyrion killed his friend, and was cruel on purpose.

And of course, Tyrion doesn't even remember this when he's searching for a reason... which is fitting for where he is in his story, here.

[mixedcontents]

In rereading ASOIAF I'm forgetting do we ever find out who ordered Mandon Moore to try and kill Tyrion at the battle of KL ? Like Tyrion thinks it has to be Cersei but Jaime mentions in the next book when thinking of Bran's attempted (second) murder that Cersei wouldn't be stupid when ordering/paying for someones death and I kinda always suspected it was Joffery that gave the order (like he did with Bran) and I think it'd be real damn ironic if both Tyrion AND Cersei thought the other was trying to kill them which isn't true until much later on that they actually want the other dead but I've completely forgotten if it was stated anywhere in the books who ordered Mandon Moore to kill Tyrion?

[lego-asoiaf-fan-minifigs]

Knights of the Kingsguard: (top) the conflicted Ser Arys Oakheart (left) and the brave Ser Balon Swann (right); (bottom) the obedient Ser Mandon Moore (left) and the kinda-just-there Ser Preston Greenfield (right)

Here's my LEGO adaptation of alexandrokayart's Kingsguard fanarts, linked below

Arys:

Balon:

Mandon:

Preston:

[gotham-at-nightfall]

The Hound defies The Imp!

“Who commands here? You’re going out.” “No.” A shadow detached itself from the shadow of the wall, to become a tall man in dark grey armor. Sandor Clegane wrenched off his helm with both hands and let it fall to the ground. The steel was scorched and dented, the left ear of the snarling hound sheared off. A gash above one eye had sent a wash of blood down across the Hound’s old burn scars, masking half his face. “Yes.” Tyrion faced him. Clegane’s breath came ragged. “Bugger that. And you.” A sellsword stepped up beside him. “We been out. Three times. Half our men are killed or hurt. Wildfire bursting all around us, horses screaming like men and men like horses—” “Did you think we hired you to fight in a tourney? Shall I bring you a nice iced milk and a bowl of raspberries? No? Then get on your fucking horse. You too, dog.” The blood on Clegane’s face glistened red, but his eyes showed white. He drew his longsword. He is afraid, Tyrion realized, shocked. The Hound is frightened. He tried to explain their need. “They’ve taken a ram to the gate, you can hear them, we need to disperse them—” “Open the gates. When they rush inside, surround them and kill them.” The Hound thrust the point of his longsword into the ground and leaned upon the pommel, swaying. “I’ve lost half my men. Horse as well. I’m not taking more into that fire.” ~A Clash of Kings (Tyrion XIII)

By Hed-ush

[warsofasoiaf]

Hi there, I have a question regarding a conversion between Ned and Varys in Eddard VII, AGOT:

"The Kingsguard—"

"A paper shield," the eunuch said. "Try not to look so shocked, Lord Stark. Jaime Lannister is himself a Sworn Brother of the White Swords, and we all know what his oath is worth. The days when men like Ryam Redwyne and Prince Aemon the Dragonknight wore the white cloak are gone to dust and song. Of these seven, only Ser Barristan Selmy is made of the true steel, and Selmy is old. Ser Boros and Ser Meryn are the queen's creatures to the bone, and I have deep suspicions of the others.”

What exactly are Varys’ suspicions towards Mandon Moore, Arys Oakheart and Preston Greenfield, respectively?

As we see with Arys's own chapters and Arianne's, Arys Oakheart is easily manipulated.

Mandon Moore attempts to kill Tyrion, and so is likely more of a creature of Littlefinger than someone truly committed to his vows.

As for Preston, he seems to be just kind of a general shitbox.

But remember also that Varys is attempting to isolate Eddard to ensure he has no support to turn to in his own initiatives. Varys doesn't want Eddard cleaning up the court and ferreting out any potential traitors, or potentially being a rallying symbol that Westeros can get behind as a paragon of clean, effective government. He's hardly unbiased.

Thanks for the question, Anon.

SomethingLikeALawyer, Hand of the King

[rewildling]

LADYHAWKE: The 80s Fantasy Movie that Inspired SanSan?

Could this movie have partially inspired GRRM’s Sansa Stark and Sandor Clegane as a romantic pairing in ASOIAF? And could it contain clues for their TWOW arcs? Let’s investigate.

Isabeau of Anjou and Etienne of Navarre from Ladyhawke (1985)

Ladyhawke (1985) is apparently one of GRRM’s favorite films. According to him, it’s “romantic fantasy done right,” so it’s definitely possible that it influenced the romantic plot lines in his own fantasy series.

The movie tells the story of cursed lovers Etienne of Navarre and Isabeau of Anjou. They are always together, yet eternally apart. By day, Isabeau takes the form of a bird, turning back into a woman at night.

“You’re like one of those birds from the Summer Isles, aren’t you? A pretty little talking bird, repeating all the pretty little words they taught you to recite.” Sandor Clegane, Sansa II, AGOT

By night, Navarre takes the form of a large black wolf, turning back into a man during the day.

The Hound ripped the sword free and threw away the scabbard. The Mad Huntsman gave him his oaken shield, all studded with iron and painted yellow, the three black dogs of Clegane emblazoned upon it. Arya VI, ASOS

Navarre is the former Captain of the Guard of Aquila, a formidable fighter and deadly with a sword.

The White Book was well behind. The deaths of Ser Mandon Moore and Ser Preston Greenfield needed to be entered, and the brief bloody Kingsguard service of Sandor Clegane as well. Jaime XIII, ASOS

The Hound was deadly with a sword, everyone knew that. Arya VI, ASOS

Like Sandor, Navarre is a generally cynical person and is pessimistic about the possibility of ever breaking the curse. He also rides a temperamental black stallion named Goliath.

Arya had tried to steal him once, when Clegane was taking a piss against a tree, thinking she could ride off before he could catch her. Stranger had almost bitten her face off. He was gentle as an old gelding with his master, but otherwise he had a temper as black as he was. She had never known a horse so quick to bite or kick. Arya XI, ASOS

At one point in the film, Navarre asks Matthew Broderick’s character, Phillipe, to tell him everything Isabeau said about him the night before:

“Every moment you spend with her… I envy you. But you can tell me. Tell me everything that she said. And I warn you, I will know if the words are hers. Etienne of Navarre, Ladyhawke

“A dog can smell a lie, you know.” Sandor Clegane, Sansa II, ACOK

Like Sansa, Isabeau is described by others as being exceptionally beautiful, with porcelain skin, blue eyes, and a lovely voice.

“Men would say she had my look, but she will grow into a woman far more beautiful than I ever was, you can see that.” Catelyn VII, ACOK

She is just as comely as the Tyrell girl. Her hair was a rich autumn auburn, her eyes a deep Tully blue. Tyrion VIII, ASOS

“We were talking about the prince,” Sansa said, her voice soft as a kiss. Arya I, AGOT

Isabeau is also kind, clever, and brave. As the Comte d’Anjou’s daughter, her manners are noticeably refined.

Be brave, she told herself. Be brave, like a lady in a song. Sansa V, ASOS

"Knights they are," said Petyr. "Their gallantry has yet to be demonstrated, but we may hope. Allow me to present Ser Byron, Ser Morgarth, and Ser Shadrich. Sers, the Lady Alayne, my natural and very clever daughter..." Alayne II, AFFC

For this next part, let’s keep in mind the theory that Shadrich, Morgarth, and Byron — the three hedge knights who appear at the Gates of the Moon in Littlefinger’s service in AFFC — are actually Howland Reed, the Elder Brother, and Sandor Clegane in disguise.

Phillipe is known as The Mouse. He’s small and stealthy — the first person ever to escape from Aquila’s prison. He’s also very cheeky. At first, he wants to get as far away from Aquila as possible. After he becomes invested in Navarre and Isabeau’s story, he decides to help them infiltrate Aquila and confront the man who cursed them.

Ser Shadrich was a wiry, fox-faced man with a sharp nose and a shock of orange hair, mounted on a rangy chestnut courser. Though he could not have been more than five foot two, he had a cocksure manner. ... “Ser Shadrich of the Shady Glen. Some call me the Mad Mouse.” ... “And are you mad?” “Oh, quite. Your common mouse will run from blood and battle. The mad mouse seeks them out.” Brienne I, AFFC

When Isabeau is wounded, Navarre orders Phillipe to bring her to Imperius, a solitary monk and healer, who saves her life and, along with Phillipe, helps the lovers break their curse.

“The Seven have blessed our Elder Brother with healing hands. He has restored many a man to health that even the maesters could not cure, and many a woman too.” Brother Narbert, Brienne VI, AFFC

The man who cursed them is the Bishop of Aquila, an older man who covets Isabeau and became enraged when she rejected him. The Bishop is portrayed as a greedy, deceitful lord who uses his power to manipulate and exploit people. Imperius describes his desire for Isabeau as “a sort of madness.” Sound like anyone we know?

“Your mother was my queen of beauty once,” the man said quietly. His breath smelled of mint. “You have her hair.” His fingers brushed against her cheek as he stroked one auburn lock. Quite abruptly he turned and walked away. Sansa II, AGOT

Imperius tells Phillipe that Isabeau sensed the Bishop’s wickedness and “shrank from him.” She fell in love with Navarre, and they married in secret.

When Sansa finally looked up, a man was standing over her, staring. He was short, with a pointed beard and a silver streak in his hair, almost as old as her father. “You must be one of her daughters,” he said to her. He had grey-green eyes that did not smile when his mouth did. “You have the Tully look.” “I’m Sansa Stark,” she said, ill at ease. Sansa II, AGOT

“I despise porridge.” He looked at her with Littlefinger’s eyes. “I’d sooner break my fast with a kiss.” A true daughter would not refuse her sire a kiss, so Alayne went to him and kissed him, a quick dry peck upon the cheek, and just as quickly stepped away. Alayne I, AFFC

The parallels between this film and ASOIAF are pretty obvious. Isabeau is a bird, and Navarre is a black wolf — an obvious connection to House Stark — but he could just have easily been a black dog.

All three character’s proposed as the true identities of the three hedge knights in Shadrich, Morgarth, and Byron have parallels in this film. Phillipe the Mouse, Imperius the monk, and Navarre the wolf infiltrate Aquila to confront the Bishop and free Isabeau the bird from his curse. If the theory proves true, Shadrich the Mad Mouse (Howland Reed), Morgarth (the Elder Brother), and Byron (Sandor Clegane/the Hound) are working together to infiltrate the Gates of the Moon and help free Sansa (the little bird) from Littlefinger’s clutches. The broad strokes of the characters and their potential future storylines in TWOW are all present.

Ladyhawke is decently acted, and the story itself is beautiful and interesting. But GRRM is right, the score is terrible.

7.5/10

[rohanneofcoldmoat]

Devan Seaworth:

Salladhor Saan put a hand on Davos's forearm and gave a squeeze. "No. Of them, no. I am sorry, my friend. They were good men, your Dale and Allard. But this comfort I can give you—your young Devan was among those we took off at the end. The brave boy never once left the king's side, or so they say."

Podrick Payne:

And suddenly he lurched to the left, staggering into the rail. Wood split, and Ser Mandon Moore vanished with a shout and a splash. An instant later, the hulls came slamming together again, so hard the deck seemed to jump. Then someone was kneeling over him. "Jaime?" he croaked, almost choking on the blood that filled his mouth. Who else would save him, if not his brother? "Be still, my lord, you're hurt bad." A boy's voice, that makes no sense, thought Tyrion. It sounded almost like Pod.

Egg:

He got his shield up, but this time Ser Lucas struck so hard he split the thick oak right down the middle, and drove the remnants back into Dunk's face. His ears were ringing and his mouth was full of blood, but somewhere far away he heard Egg screaming. "Get him, ser, get him, get him, he's right there! "

Josmyn Peckledon:

The trumpets made a brazen blare, and cut the still blue air of dusk. Josmyn Peckledon was on his feet at once, scrambling for his master's swordbelt. The boy has good instincts. "Outlaws don't blow trumpets to herald their arrival," Jaime told him. "I shan't need my sword. That will be my cousin, the Warden of the West."

Satin:

"Whatever Satin may have done in Oldtown, he is our brother now, and he will be my squire."

Olyvar Frey:

"You have done House Frey a grievous insult, Robb." "I never meant to. Ser Stevron died for me, and Olyvar was as loyal a squire as any king could want. He asked to stay with me, but Ser Ryman took him with the rest. All their strength. The Greatjon urged me to attack them . . ."

Dolorous Edd:

Jon was paired with dour Eddison Tollett, a squire grey of hair and thin as a pike, whom the other brothers called Dolorous Edd. "Bad enough when the dead come walking," he said to Jon as they crossed the village, "now the Old Bear wants them talking as well? No good will come of that, I'll warrant. And who's to say the bones wouldn't lie? Why should death make a man truthful, or even clever? The dead are likely dull fellows, full of tedious complaints—the ground's too cold, my gravestone should be larger, why does he get more worms than I do . . ."

Rollam Westerling:

"Must I go too?" asked the boy, Rollam. "I'm your squire." Robb laughed. "But I'm not in need of squiring just now." "Oh."

Wex Pyke:

Theon felt as though he were drowning. Why am I surprised? he thought bleakly. His father had forsaken him, his uncles, his sister, even that wretched creature Reek. Why should his men prove any more loyal? There was nothing to say, nothing to do. He could only stand there beneath the great grey walls and the hard white sky, sword in hand, waiting, waiting . . . Wex was the first to cross the line. Three quick steps and he stood at Theon's side, slouching. Shamed by the boy, Black Lorren followed, all scowls."Who else?" he demanded. Red Rolfe came forward. Kromm. Werlag. Tymor and his brothers. Ulf the Ill. Harrag Sheepstealer. Four Harlaws and two Botleys. Kenned the Whale was the last. Seventeen in all.

Edric Dayne:

The Hound ripped the sword free and threw away the scabbard. The Mad Huntsman gave him his oaken shield, all studded with iron and painted yellow, the three black dogs of Clegane emblazoned upon it. The boy Ned helped Lord Beric with his own shield, so hacked and battered that the purple lightning and the scatter of stars upon it had almost been obliterated.

[asoiafreadthru]

KING ROBERT BARATHEON, the First of His Name,

His wife, QUEEN CERSEI, of House Lannister,

Their children:

PRINCE JOFFREY, heir to the Iron Throne, twelve,

PRINCESS MYRCELLA, a girl of eight,

PRINCE TOMMEN, a boy of seven,

His brothers:

STANNIS BARATHEON, Lord of Dragonstone,

His wife, LADY SELYSE of House Florent,

Their daughter, SHIREEN, a girl of nine,

RENLY BARATHEON, Lord of Storm’s End,

His small council:

GRAND MAESTER PYCELLE,

LORD PETYR BAELISH, called LITTLEFINGER, master of coin,

LORD STANNIS BARATHEON, master of ships,

LORD RENLY BARATHEON, master of laws,

SER BARRISTAN SELMY, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard,

VARYS, a eunuch called the Spider, master of whisperers,

His court and retainers:

SER ILYN PAYNE, the King’s Justice, a headsman,

SANDOR CLEGANE, called the Hound, sworn shield to Prince Joffrey,

JANOS SLYNT, a commoner, commander of the City Watch of King’s Landing,

JALABHAR XHO, an exile prince from the Summer Isles,

MOON BOY, a jester and fool,

LANCEL and TYREK LANNISTER, squires to the king, the queen’s cousins,

SER ARON SANTAGAR, master-at-arms,

His Kingsguard:

SER BARRISTAN SELMY, Lord Commander,

SER JAIME LANNISTER, called the Kingslayer,

SER BOROS BLOUNT,

SER MERYN TRANT,

SER ARYS OAKHEART,

SER PRESTON GREENFIELD,

SER MANDON MOORE.

[mybworlds]

Chapter 2: King’s Landing attack

Hello, well thank you to my few readers.

Pairing: The Hound x Sansa Stark

Chapter summary: Sansa is still a prisoner in King’s Landing, until Stannis Baratheon attacks King’s Landing and...

Chapter warnings: violence, blood. Some lines from George R. R. Martin "A clash of kings" book.

Thanks @vase-of-lilies for the banner

“You mew like a suckling babe,” his brother hissed at him. “Princes aren’t supposed to cry.”

“Prince Aemon the Dragonknight cried the day Princess Naerys wed his brother Aegon,” Sansa Stark said, “and the twins Ser Arryk and Ser Erryk died with tears on their cheeks after each had given the other a mortal wound.”

“Be quiet, or I’ll have Ser Meryn give you a mortal wound,” Joffrey told his betrothed.

Sansa remained silent as she had been ordered to, fearing for her life every day. Every day, she received a punishment for a wrong word, for a glance, or whether it was her brother Robb doing something. She always paid for her own or others' faults, whether they were minor or serious.

The narrow streets were lined by men of the City Watch, holding back the crowd with the shafts of their spears. Ser Jacelyn Bywater went in front, heading a wedge of mounted lancers in black ringmail and golden cloaks. Behind him came Ser Aron Santagar and Ser Balon Swann, bearing the king’s banners, the lion of Lannister and crowned stag of Baratheon.

So, it followed King Joffrey, with Sansa trailing just behind him, her thick auburn hair flowing to her shoulders beneath a net of moonstones. Two of the Kingsguard flanked the couple, the Hound on the king’s right hand and Ser Mandon Moore to the left of the Stark girl.

Next came Tommen, snuffling, with Ser Preston Greenfield in his white armor and cloak, and then Cersei, accompanied by Ser Lancel and protected by Meryn Trant and Boros Blount. Tyrion fell in with his sister. After them followed the High Septon in his litter, and a long tail 314 of other courtiers—Ser Horas Redwyne, Lady Tanda and her daughter, Jalabhar Xho, Lord Gyles Rosby, and the rest. A double column of guardsmen brought up the rear. The unshaven and the unwashed stared at the riders with dull resentment from behind the line of spears. I like this not one speck, Tyrion thought. Bronn had a score of sellswords scattered through the crowd with orders to stop any trouble before it started. Perhaps Cersei had similarly disposed her Kettleblacks. Somehow Tyrion did not think it would help much. If the fire was too hot, you could hardly keep the pudding from scorching by tossing a handful of raisins in the pot. They crossed Fishmonger’s Square and rode along Muddy Way before turning onto the narrow, curving Hook to begin their climb up Aegon’s High Hill. A few voices raised a cry of “Joffrey! All hail, all hail!” as the young king rode by, but for every man who picked up the shout, a hundred kept their silence. The Lannisters moved through a sea of ragged men and hungry women, breasting a tide of sullen eyes.

Sansa observed, fearful, all the misery surrounding them, but most of all, she watched the faces of the starving and angry common folk. In just a few moments, the situation took a turn for the worse: to their left, three gold cloaks went down under the surge, and then the crowd was rushing forward, trampling the fallen men. The Hound had vanished behind, though his riderless horse galloped beside them. Tyrion saw Aron Santagar pulled from the saddle, the gold-and-black Baratheon stag torn from his grasp. Ser Balon Swann dropped the Lannister lion to draw his longsword. He slashed right and left as the fallen banner was ripped apart, the thousand ragged pieces swirling away like crimson leaves in a stormwind. In an instant they were gone. Someone staggered in front of Joffrey’s horse and shrieked as the king rode him down. Whether it had been man, woman, or child Tyrion could not have said. Joffrey was galloping at his side, whey-faced, with Ser Mandon Moore a white shadow on his left.

Sansa tried to break free, to escape from the enraged crowd. She lost the royal procession and, for a brief moment, thought she could return to the Red Keep on her own, believing no one would pay attention to her. But that wasn't the case, three men surrounded her. It was then that she understood something terrible was about to happen to her. She ran as fast as she could, but with little success. She found herself on the ground and dragged away by the men who pursued her.

Sansa screamed in fear, realizing their intentions. She screamed loudly, but none of those three seemed to hear her. Indeed, it seemed to excite them. In no time, their laughter turned into cries of pain: Sandor Clegane arrived to rescue her, eviscerating and slaying her attackers.

“It’s all right, little bird. You’re safe now!” he reassured her, pulling her to her feet and carrying her on his shoulders, he carried her back to the Red Keep. The young Stark feared she would vomit or faint during that journey, she saw severed arms and heads, blood along the streets of King's Landing, disembowelled bodies, scattered entrails.

The Hound finally took her inside the fortified walls and handmaidens surrounded her, the first to ask her how she was was Tyrion "Are you hurt, my lady?"

Sansa couldn't speak, too shaken by that horrible sight, it was Clegane who spoke.

“The little bird is bleeding,” he said. “Someone take her back to her cage and take care of her.”

Her handmaidens rushed to obey, leading Sansa away.

Sansa ate almost nothing that day or the following days, the experience she lived, had a profound impact on her. Master Frenken visits her every day, even Tyrion Lannister - the uncle of her future husband - often visited her, he was kind, it almost seemed like she could trust him, but then Sansa remembered that he was still a Lannister just as she remembered the words of the Hound "Look around and smell carefully: they're all liars here..." the Stark girl turned over in her bed, no, she couldn't trust Tyrion either.

Her betrothed never visited her, only her mother the Queen Regent, Cersei, had come once, told her to get well soon and then with a smirk she added she would blossom soon and not too soon after that moment, her son and Sansa could have married and then give birth future princes and princesses. If Sansa had heard these words months ago, she’d filled with pride and enthusiasm, but now? The idea troubled her deeply.

She no longer wanted to marry the Queen's son, her heart no longer beat for him, not after the horrors he subjected her to, not after he had her beaten, not after he continually threatened her with death. No, Sansa, he couldn't anymore.

He wanted to escape, but… how? When?

The Guards were everywhere, every corridor was always filled with one or more Guards, often the Hound or Ser Meryn roamed the corridors, no, Sansa just couldn't do it, not alone.

The moment came on a night without stars, on a night where the sky was a riot of colors that went from green to orange, from red to yellow with shades of emerald and jade, the air smelled of burning, Sansa had taking refuge in her rooms completely shrouded in darkness, only by opening the curtains she could observe all the colors reflected in the sky.

Sansa started to step back, she was scared, she intended to take advantage of that situation, but she had no idea exactly how to do it... someone coughed behind her and Sansa jumped and turned around. She saw him for a moment, all black and green, the blood on his face dark as tar, his eyes glowing like a dog’s in the sudden glare.

“What are you doing in my rooms?” she asked to the Hound.

“I’m going.”

“Going?”

“The little bird repeats whatever she hears. Going, yes.”

“Where will you go?”

“Away from here. Away from the fires. Go out the Iron Gate, I suppose. North somewhere, anywhere.”

“You won’t get out,” Sansa said. “The queen’s closed up Maegor’s, and the city gates are shut as well.”

“Not to me. I have the white cloak. And I have this.” He patted the pommel of his sword. “The man who tries to stop me is a dead man. Unless he’s on fire.” He laughed bitterly.

“You’d come with me.” he said, “I could keep you safe,” he rasped. “They’re all afraid of me. No one would hurt you again, or I’d kill them.”

“With you?” Sansa asked again.

“The little birds just can't keep from repeating everything… what do you want to become one of those birds with colorful feathers?” he teased her.

“I'm not going with you.” Sansa said with a courage she didn't think she possessed "You are always so... harsh, mean... I don't..." the young woman stopped.

“Am I too cruel for Your Grace's delicacy?” Sandor asked, looking her straight in the eyes “I'm honest. It's the world that's cruel." he informed her roughly “The world is not made for pretty ones like you, the world is a cruel place, if you can’t protect yourself, then you die and someone else lives.”

The Hound suddenly grabbed Sansa by the wrist and Sansa groaned in fear, she feared he would kill her but instead the man just got close to her face and said "Come with me." it wasn't a question, it was just a statement, a statement said in a tone that Sansa had never heard before, or at least the Hound never used that tone of voice.

“I – I need to change.” Sansa only said.

"There's no time." saying these words, the man dragged her away with him.

The Hound moved with incredible speed and grace for a large man like he was, Sansa struggled to keep up with him, she almost had to run. When he opened the door that would allow them to reach the stables, the earth shook and everything around them began to catch fire, the men screamed. Sandor Clegane staggered for an instant in the face of those flames, then abruptly woke up and started running again. They bumped into fleeing men, screaming women, Sansa couldn't even understand who they were hitting just to reach their goal, suddenly something hit her head and Sansa lost consciousness...

Closing remarks... that's how things really went. Sansa should have runaway with the Hound even in the books and in the tv series. Agree or disagree?

Please let me know what you think. If you'd like, if you had questions or comments you could send either in the comments section or my inbox. If you don't like my story don't read, so please no rude comments towards the story, the people who like this story, or me.

Next chapter asap.

[jedimaesteryoda]

What changes if Lord Quellon is the only Greyjoy to return home from the Battle of the Mander alive, in your opinion?

You mean if all his sons died instead of him: Balon, Victarion, Aeron and Euron?

That would change things significantly. He was already not keen on Iron Islands' independence and losing his sons would have undoubtedly affected him on a personal level. He would likely stay out of war after that.

That means no Greyjoy Rebellion, and the Reader's sons and many Ironborn don't die. That also means Theon doesn't go to Winterfell. It also means no Ironborn invasion of the North, no sack of Winterfell, no Ramsay taking power and Robb doesn't marry Jeyne. Robb has no urgency to go back north, and no broken marriage betrothal means no Red Wedding.

Podrick Payne's father also doesn't die, meaning Podrick will likely grow up with a healthy father figure. 🤗 It means Pod doesn't squire for Tyrion and Brienne, and Mandon Moore kills Tyrion on the Blackwater. It also means no tourney of Lannisport after the Greyjoy Rebellion meaning Jorah never meets Lynesse, and he never goes to Essos.

Quellon would continue his measures to curtail the Old Way without Balon undoing them. However, there is the question of Balon's sons Rodrik and Maron who sound very much in the mold of their father and their uncles going by what Theon said. They could be a ticking time bomb.

Does Quellon live to see the War of Five Kings? If so, he will likely stay out. If he is dead, and Rodrik Greyjoy is the new Lord of the Iron Isles, then he will get into the war. Of course, he may seek Iron Isles independence, but he would target the Westerlands the way Balon did when he first rebelled rather than the North.

[ihaveastorminme]

Tyrion 15: hes so sure that mandon moore had his orders from cersei, but im not. I think it was littlefinger. No, i have no proof of this. I havent even finished this chapter yet. I wait for more details.

[jozor-johai]

Ghost as Jon's "white shadow" in AGOT Tyrion III:

They walked, with Ghost pacing along beside Jon like a white shadow.

Ser Mandon Moore as Joffrey's "white shadow" in ACOK Tyrion IX:

Joffrey was galloping at his side, whey-faced, with Ser Mandon Moore a white shadow on his left.

and then, with Ser Balon Swann, two "white shadows" to Tyrion in ACOK Tyrion VIX:

His two white shadows were always with him; Balon Swann and Mandon Moore, beautiful in their pale plate.

and again, more menacingly, later in the same chapter:

The knight was a white steel shadow, his eyes shining darkly behind his helm.

Ser Barristan Selmy as Daenerys' "white shadow" in ADWD Daenerys I:

Dany glimpsed Ser Barristan sliding closer, a white shadow at her side.

Five chapters later, Ghost as Jon's "white shadow" again in ADWD Jon II:

Ghost padded after him, a white shadow at his side

and again in ADWD Jon VII:

Ghost ran with them, a white shadow at Jon's side.

That's almost every instance of the concept of the "white shadow" in ASOIAF, and I think the limited context is striking: this is only in reference to the Kingsguard, clad in their pure white-enameled armor, and Ghost, Jon's all-white guardian.

If we are assuming Jon is a lost Targaryen Prince, then perhaps we might say Ghost is spiritually the first member of his Kingsguard.

I think it's a sweet thought.

However ... that's notably omitting the third context for the phrase "white shadow"

From the AGOT Prologue:

Will saw movement from the corner of his eye. Pale shapes gliding through the wood. He turned his head, glimpsed a white shadow in the darkness.

From AGOT Jon VIII:

"We have white shadows in the woods and unquiet dead stalking our halls, and a boy sits the Iron Throne," he said in disgust.

From ACOK Jon III:

"The cold gods," she said. "The ones in the night. The white shadows."

and again:

We ride north, after Mance Rayder and these Others, these white shadows and their wights. We seek them, Gilly.

From AFFC Samwell III:

Maester Aemon's woken up and wants to hear about these dragons. He's talking about bleeding stars and white shadows and dreams and . . . if we could find out more about these dragons, it might help give him ease. Help me."

What can we make of that, then?

These are the only three contexts for this imagery, actually. I think it works if Ghost is sort of like Jon's Kingsguard but then... can there be some connection in this phrase with the Others? What could that mean?

[pngjpeg]

reading things again when ur not 14 anymore is good bc I just realized that it really really wasn't Cersei who tried to kill Tyrion during the battle of blackwater

BUT i also have no clue who did that. I don't know that it was Tywin bc I don't think he'd. That's not his vibe. Petyr Baelish was busy convincing the tyrells and figuring out lysa arryn

so that kind of leaves varys???? or mandon moore just decided to randomly kill his boss

[waitingforwinterwinds]

ASOS; Steel and Snow: 12 TYRION II (pages 161-172)

Tyrion visits Varys to arrange a date with Shae, then sics Bronn on a bard.

-

The eunuch was humming tunelessly to himself as he came through the door, dressed in flowing robes of peach-colored silk and smelling of lemons.

lemon(s) = 🥛

also I have just had the best mental image of Modern Day AU Varys as a Drag Queen. Probably runs a club with all the best gossip.

"I am full of surprises. Are you cross with me for abandoning you after the battle?" "It made me think of you as one of my family."

Ha! that is both a sick burn, and also really sad.

... damn. Maegor: 3 x Grand Maesters by Axe Aegon II: 1 x Grand Maester by Dragon Digestion

That "maesters wrecked the Targaryens actually" theory sounding more and more likely. Look at all this extra motive.

Bronn had turned up all he could on Ser mandon, but no doubt Varys knew a great deal more... should he choose to share it. "The man seems to have been quite friendless," Tyrion said carefully. "Sadly," said Varys, "oh, sadly. You might find some kin if you turned over enough stones back in the Vale, but here... Lord Arryn brought him to King's Landing and Robert gave him his white cloak, but neither loved him much, I fear. (...) Ser Barristan was once heard to say he had no friend but his sword and no life but duty... but you know, I do not think Selmy meant it altogether as praise.-"

OOOHHHH!!!! I just had a conspiracy theory.

Cersei didn't hire Moore to kill Tyrion, Moore was taking a chance to kill who he believed was responsible for Jon Arryn's death after getting news from the Vale from on old friend who still lives there re: the very rigged Trial and Lysa's (very loud and false) claims. Moore was taking the first opportunity for vengeance that he thought he could get away with.

What do you think? Feasible? Too much crack?

One day, I am going to come up with a conspiracy theory that contains so much pure crack, the cops will break down the door for a drug bust.

But also, given how this series uses perceptions and assumptions, even if we're in some one's POV, we don't always get the full story, but it is the best way to be sure someone actually did something for realsies.

... You know, I'm actually kind of surprised they let Lollys keep the foetus (or are forcing her to keep the foetus) to term. You'd think, given how they treat bastards and such, that they'd remove 'such a stain' before it became a problem.

(Or at the very least they wouldn't force a young woman who's been violated to carry a baby she never asked for. But then again this series does not care very much for the female members of the cast. The kind ongoing of trauma and dysphoria that is probably giving her, whether it looks that way or not in her current mental state...)

"To guard the king's life, you surrender your own. You give up your lands and titles, give up hope of marriage, children..." "House Tyrell continues through my brothers," Ser Loras said. "It is not necessary, for a third son to wed, or breed." "Not necessary, but some find it pleasant. What of love?" "When the sun has set, no candle can replace it."

D&D suck at their job = 🥛

I'm sorry, but can we just take a moment and appreciate the depth of Loras' grief? Like, I have no trouble believing Book!Loras loved Renly for real. Truly, honestly loved him first and foremost before he saw him as a pawn to get at the throne.

Show!Loras and Renly? I forgot they even fucked.

Loras being gay in the show felt like a background joke. "LoL, Sansa has a crush on a gay boy," or "LOL, Cersei is getting married to the gay boy."

Even between Loras and Renly, in the show, the first time we really saw them together, Loras was talking Renly into vying for the crown and Robert wasn't even dead yet. It was manipulation and titillation. Were they in love or was Loras just using him? Who knows, but after Renly died no one really cared, and I forgot they fucked, forgot Loras was even gay until it was shoved back in my face like a poor tasting joke.

Book!verse though? I can believe those two were in love, I can believe Loras is grieving that loss so quietly because he can't say what he's lost, what he feels, he can't express the depth of it and he has to listen to everyone around him belittle that affection and connection, and oh my gosh that poor boy.

A woman sidled into the light; plump, soft, matronly, with a round pink moon of a face and heavy dark curls. Tyrion recoiled. "Is something amiss?" she asked. Varys, he realized with annoyance.

Drag Queen!Varys is canon. Pry it from my cold dead hands. Just cross-dressing, I know, shhhh, let me have this.

"He's gone," Shae said. Tyrion turned to look. It was true. the eunuch had vanished, shirts and all. The hidden doors are here somewhere, they have to be.

You wanna bet they're under the giant stone slab of a bed? You know, that thing that our attention was directed to the last time he was talking about hidden doors?

(also, it made me think of that scene from the animated Secret Garden, with the secret door under the window seat when they were talking about it earlier, but it probably slides like that giant coffin door from... oh gish, what's the movie... it's going to come to me right as I'm drifting off to sleep. It's like an entire trope to be fair, "giant stone altar/coffin is actually a sliding door" so I'm probably thinking of several movies.)

Her cunt gave him a little squeeze, and he started to stiffen again inside her.

'cunt' = 🥛

... you know, the longer Shae talks about Lollys, the more I prefer Show!Shae to Book!Shae, just for the fact that the show version has some level of empathy for other people. I understand it's probably a coping mechanism for some kind of hidden backstory trauma (no one in this series is without), but damn the way book!Shae treats sexual assault is icky AF.

Then he made a round of the walls, tapping on each in turn, searching for the hidden door. Shae sat with her legs drawn up and her arms wrapped around them, watching him. Finally she said, "They're under the bed. the secret steps." He looked at her, incredulous. "The bed? the bed is solid ston. It weighs half a ton." "There's a place where Varys pushes, and it floats right up. I asked him how, and he said it was magic." "Yes." Tyrion had to grin. "A counterweight spell."

Ha-ha! I was right... about the location. Not the door type, though. The magic in this series is so low key or background I tend to forget it's a thing.

This does explain how he got out of the room without being heard. half-ton stones are not quietly moved, even if they have mechanisms to help them.

!! Alayaya made it back to her mother's brothel! Phew, I was low key worried something had happened to her on the walk back. you know, after she was whipped and kicked out the Keep naked?

"There is a singer who calls himself Symon Silver Tongue," Tyrion said wearily, pushing his guilt aside. "He plays for Lady Tanda's daughter sometimes. "What of him?" Kill him, he might had said, but damn the man had done nothing but sing a few songs.

You'd think Bards would do better in life, what with being a Charisma class, but no, no one likes Bards here.

And fill Shae's head with thoughts of doves and dancing bears.

... well now I have "Once Upon a December" from Anastasia (1997) stuck in my head.

Dancing Bears Painted Wings Things I almost remember. And a song someone sings Once upon a December.

[gotham-at-nightfall]

The Battle of the Blackwater rages on!

George R.R. Martin’s A Clash of Kings #13

[beyondmistland]

Hi there, I have a question regarding a conversion between Ned and Varys in Eddard VII, AGOT:

"The Kingsguard—"

"A paper shield," the eunuch said. "Try not to look so shocked, Lord Stark. Jaime Lannister is himself a Sworn Brother of the White Swords, and we all know what his oath is worth. The days when men like Ryam Redwyne and Prince Aemon the Dragonknight wore the white cloak are gone to dust and song. Of these seven, only Ser Barristan Selmy is made of the true steel, and Selmy is old. Ser Boros and Ser Meryn are the queen's creatures to the bone, and I have deep suspicions of the others.”

What exactly are Varys’ suspicions towards Mandon Moore, Arys Oakheart and Preston Greenfield, respectively?

Preston is from the Westerlands, Arys weak-willed, and Mandon possibly bought depending on who you believe ordered him to assassinate Tyrion during the Battle of the Blackwater.

That being said, keep in mind Varys' goal here, which is to isolate Ned politically. (We know very little about Mandon and even less about Preston just as an example.)

Thanks for the question, anon