Winning the Game of Thrones: The Host of Characters and their Agendas (26 page)

Of course, if her one true love arrives, the Azor Ahai prophecy may come to pass, for herself or for Jon, its other most likely vessel. If Jon or Dany betrays and stabs the other to reforge Lightbringer, the treason for love appears. Lightbringer would kindle a “fire to love” or possibly a cataclysm among the White Walkers. It might trap Daenerys inside it, as it did Azor’s wife, or awaken a hidden warg power (a mount). Or she could reforge Lightbringer herself and push her love onto the path of sacrifice and divine fire. This would follow the heroine’s death-rebirth pattern as it did at Drogo’s funeral pyre.

One thing is clear: whether or not she can bear children and restore the Targaryens, Daenerys is the child of prophecy, the one who will restore the world through her fires, her dragons, and her love.

CHAPTER 6: THE GREAT HOUSES OF WESTEROS

House Stark

Seat: Winterfell

Motto: “Winter is Coming”

Sigil: white direwolf on grey

Symbolism: The wolf symbolizes free will, but also unity and loyalty, as they roam in packs. The wolf’s ability to see in the dark makes it a symbol of instinctive knowledge. Of course, the Stark children’s wolves also echo their owners – while Arya dutifully plays cupbearer, she dreams that Nymeria, named for a conqueror queen is savaging men in the forest. By contrast, Sansa’s Lady, like Sansa herself, is sacrificed.

Healthy wolves and healthy women share certain psychic characteristics. Wolves and women are relational by nature, inquiring, possessed of great endurance and strength. They are deeply intuitive, intensely concerned with their young, their mate, and their pack. They are experienced in adapting to constantly changing circumstances; they are fiercely stalwart and very brave.
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Looking at this list of characteristics, Arya seems to possess them all, while Sansa has none. The loss of her wolf has crippled her and kept her from her potential.

When the boys of the family are angry or in danger, it is their wolves that lash out, expressing the emotions they cannot. The wolves represent their helpful shadow sides, often feared and banished from the civilized castle, yet a force of power and intuitive awareness. All the heroes are stronger with this force beside them.

Lord Eddard “Ned” Stark

“You think my life is such a precious thing to me, that I would trade my honor for a few more years...of what?” ―Ned Stark to Varys

played by Sean Bean

Ned Stark grew up with Robert Baratheon, fostered by
Jon Arryn
. These ties are reflected in his sons’ names as well as his devotion to both men. He becomes Hand of the King and investigates Jon Arryn’s murder, but is executed by Joffrey for discovering that Joffrey is a bastard and announcing it to the world. He is known for his honor, which is so inflexible that he’s unskilled at playing politics.

First Ranger Benjen Stark

Ned’s brother is a ranger scout. Jon considers him a mentor and follows him to the Wall. He is lost on a mission in season one, fate unknown.

Lyanna Stark

Ned’s deceased sister and King Robert’s beloved fiancée. She was kidnapped or ran off with crown prince Rhaegar Targaryen, inciting King Aerys to murder her protesting father and brother (Rickard and Brandon Stark) and begin the war known as Robert’s Rebellion. She died just as the war was ending, under mysterious circumstances. Ned was there, and he made her an important promise. Further discussion is available in the section on
Jon’s parentage
.

Catelyn “Cat” Stark

“All these years and I still feel like an outsider when I come here.” ―Catelyn Stark to Ned Stark in the godswood

played by Michelle Fairley

Catelyn of House Tully was betrothed to Brandon Stark, heir to Winterfell. A jealous
Petyr Baelish
dueled Brandon for Catelyn’s favor, and Brandon spared his life as a favor to Catelyn. After his death she wed the new Stark heir, Ned, and her sister wed Jon Arryn. Thus the three great houses joined forces for the war. Though she never likes her husband’s bastard, Jon, or truly forgives her husband for bringing him home, she and Ned share a close, devoted marriage until his death and have five children together. After Ned’s death, she insists on riding with Robb, though she betrays him when she attempts to trade Jaime Lannister for her daughters. Her sister is
Lysa Arryn
. Her brother, Edmure, is the heir to
House Tully
.

Jon Snow

“Kill the boy [within yourself], Jon Snow. Winter is almost upon us. Kill the boy and let the man be born.” – Maester Aemon to Jon Snow

wolf: Ghost

played by Kit Harington

Jon Snow, seventeen, is a bastard, raised alongside the Stark children but always aware that he would not inherit. The last name Snow is given to all bastards in the north, compared with Rivers, Stone, or Sand in other regions. He resolves to never have a bastard and give him such a life. He’s always intended to go to the Wall, and when his father leaves, he does. There, he’s made steward to the Lord Commander and groomed to replace him. Jon goes out ranging with Qhorin Halfhand, who insists Jon kill him and get himself adopted into Mance Rayder’s camp to spy for the Night’s Watch. There, Jon finds himself drawn to the wildling girl Ygritte as he decides where his loyalties lie.

Robb Stark. “The Young Wolf”

“My father is dead. And the only parent I have left has no right to call anyone reckless.”

wolf: Grey Wind

played by Richard Madden

The eldest Stark son, age seventeen. He isn’t as perceptive as he should be, as he often fails to heed Grey Wind’s warnings. Though betrothed to a Frey girl, he falls in love and marries, offending the Freys. He wins three battles against the Lannisters and captures Jaime, impressing everyone with his success in the field.

Talisa Maegyr Stark

“I decided two things that day. I would not waste my years planning dances and masquerades with the other noble ladies. And when I came of age I would never live in a slave city again.”

played by Oona Chaplin

Talisa Maegyr Stark, a healer from the Free Cities, falls in love with Robb and marries him in season two. Robb’s wife in the book, Jeyne Westerling, is much weaker, with only a docile, “sweet” personality. She’s terrified of Grey Wind. As more of her courtship with Robb appeared onscreen (the section in the book is from Catelyn’s point of view, and she only finds out after the wedding) the character moved further away from Jeyne’s. When she gained a Volantene heritage and backstory, Martin renamed her something more fitting.

Sansa Stark

“Courtesy is a lady’s armor”

wolf: Lady, killed by Ned on King Robert’s orders.

played by Sophie Turner

Stark’s eldest daughter, 13-year-old Sansa lives as if she’s in a ballad or romance. She wants a beautiful marriage with a handsome prince or knight. She’s swept away by handsome Joffrey and has a deep crush on Ser Loras, the gorgeous champion of the tournaments. She dislikes those she thinks are ugly, like Tyrion. As she’s held captive in King’s Landing, she comes to see the value of people beneath the surface – in the book, Ser Dontos, whom she saves by making a jester (in 2.1) vows his life to her service in a picture of courtly love. Most characters see her as a pawn, for with Bran and Rickon vanished, if Robb dies childless, Sansa is his heir.

Arya Stark

“Stick ‘em with the pointy end!”

wolf: Nymeria, named for a warrior-queen

played by Maisie Williams

Feisty 11-year-old tomboy who doesn’t want to do needlepoint. Instead she wants to use weapons and fight. Jon, who loves her deeply, gives her a sword she names Needle, for as she says, “Sansa has her needle and I have mine.” She trains in dueling with
Syrio Forel
, the swordmaster from Braavos. When her father is arrested, Syrio (presumably) dies defending her, and Arya escapes the keep. She witnesses her father’s death and escapes with the recruits for the Night’s Watch. At Harrenhal, the Faceless Man 
Jaqen H’ghar
agrees to kill three men for her, and after she finagles her escape, he offers her a password that will take her to the Faceless Men in Braavos. After various adventures, she and her friends Gendry and Hot Pie escape their captivity at Harrenhal and meet the Brotherhood without Banners, who take Arya captive, along with Sandor Clegane.

Arya’s Companions

Gendry

played by Joe Dempsie

An unacknowledged bastard of King Robert, Gendry becomes a blacksmith’s apprentice and makes a fine bull’s head helmet. He joins the Watch, then becomes Arya’s companion to Harrenhal and the Brotherhood Without Banners, whom he’s interested in joining.

   Hot Pie

played by Ben Hawkey

A humble baker’s boy originally bound for the Wall, Hot Pie follows Arya on her adventures and escapes from Harrenhal with her, though he finally settles down to be a baker.

Bran Stark

“Can a man still be brave if he’s afraid?” – Bran Stark

“That is the only time a man can be brave.” – Eddard Stark

played by Isaac Hempstead

wolf: Summer

A ten-year-old who loves climbing, until Jaime Lannister pushes him off a wall. Though crippled, he learns to ride and is carried about by the large lackwit, Hodor. In the first season someone sends an assassin after him, which might or might not have been employed by the Lannisters.

Bran’s Companions

Hodor

played by Kristian Nairn

Hodor, a lackwit, can only utter his one signature word. He’s strong enough to carry Bran on his adventures, however.

Jojen Reed

“Dreams are what we have.”

played by Thomas Brodie-Sangster

Jojen has true dreams and knows much of how to be a warg, who rides in the minds of animals. He seeks Bran out to be his friend and tutor. In the books, the siblings are visiting Winterfell to pledge fealty, and escape with Bran during Theon’s attack, while in the show they arrive in the third season.

Meera Reed

played by Ellie Kendrick

Meera is Jojen’s warrior sibling, with spear, knife and net. Their father, Howland Reed, rules the Neck. He was a Bannerman and close friend of Ned Stark’s.

Osha 

“You tell him this, m’lord. You tell him he’s bound on marching the wrong way. It’s north he should be taking his swords. North, not south. You hear me?” – Osha, to Bran, regarding Robb.

played by Natalia Tena

Osha is a wildling who travels south fleeing Mance Rayder but is captured by the Starks. She knows much about the Old Ways and advises Bran. When Winterfell is destroyed, she helps Bran and Rickon escape and accompanies them on their travels.

Rickon Stark

wolf: Shaggydog

He’s just six, and acts increasingly savagely as more of his family leave Winterfell, abandoning him as he sees it. One scene has him smashing nuts savagely with a rock while Bran tries to govern. Rickon dreams of his father’s death, as he shares his brother’s prophetic dreams. When Winterfell is destroyed, he escapes with Bran and Osha.

See
Theon Greyjoy
, ward and hostage of the Starks

House Stark Retainers

Rodrik Cassel 

played by Ron Donachie

Ser Rodrik Cassel is Master-at-Arms at Winterfell. He’s executed by Theon Greyjoy during the castle’s fall.