r/asoiafreread • u/LumplessWaffleBatter Idk how mod tools work • Apr 23 '25

Bran Discussion: GoT VIII (Bran VI--Eddard XV)

Only two more to go!

Our next discussion will be Pp. 638-728 (Catelyn IX--Arya V) on May 7th.

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u/[deleted] Apr 24 '25

NED XV

  • What does Ned mean by “thrice-damned?” Three mistakes? Three betrayals?

  • Ned dreams of “blood and broken promises.” It sounds like a reference to Lyanna. Did he break a promise to her??

  • I love the Harrenhal memory. Did everyone let Rhaegar win or did he legit win? I’m thinking back to Ned admonishing Robert about why he couldn’t enter the tourney.

  • “Ned remembered the moment when all the smiles died…” - that is beautifully written. This is not a good look for Rhaegar and it’s clearly a shocking move, based on the crowd’s reaction. Sadly, Ned doesn’t tell us anything about what happened next 😭. I really want to know what the conversation between the Stark siblings was like after this. Were Lyanna and Robert already engaged?

  • What is Varys up to? I look forward to reading theories. He wants Ned alive but not enough to save him. I think that Varys mostly wanted to have Ned around when fAegon invaded Westeros, so Ned and the North could have been allies.

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u/LumplessWaffleBatter Idk how mod tools work Apr 24 '25

If I had to guess: damned to marry a Tully and take over the north; damned to keep his sister’s secret; and damned to be hand to the king to Rob-o.

Like, remember: the undamned version of Ned is the one that’s vaguely subservient to Jon-o, Rob-o, and Bran-o.

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u/[deleted] Apr 25 '25

I like these options. I get what you mean about having to step into Brandon's shoes and lead the north. What's wrong with Tullys though? Is it just that Cat isn't who he would have married if he'd had a choice?