13 AGOT Eddard II: Children

Ned begins to regret having accepted the Handship when Robert wakes him early, upset about a Targaryen girl being wed in Essos. Robert would send knives after Dany. Reminded of the argument their friendship fell off on, Ned must rein in his emotions and effectively manipulate his king in order to serve him.

Kill All Targaryens

Robert summons Ned so late at night it's the next morning. Ned follows as Robert rides hard. When they stop, Robert `complains of the slow pace of Cersei's wheelhouse. It's as though he's riding away from Cersei. Robert asks Ned to run away with him for a night and visit a brothel. When Ned declines, Robert shows him the letter from Varys he's come to discuss. Robert wants to send an assassin for Daenerys Targaryen to prevent her brother from coming into an army he might turn on Westeros. Ned remembers how they'd fought after Robert did nothing about the murder of Rhaegar's children and Princess Elia. It had taken Lyanna's death to reconcile them. Nevertheless, Ned must tell Robert he thinks it is unspeakable to send an assassin for a child. Robert counters that what Aerys did to Ned's father and brother was unspeakable, that Rhaegar's murder of Lyanna by rape was unspeakable. Robert vows to kill all Targaryens. Curses that he heeded Jon Arryn and didn't have the Targaryens killed years ago, when it was easy.

Robert acknowledges he feels uneasy on his throne. He says too large a portion of his kingdom would rise up behind a Targaryen. Ned changes the subject and urges Robert to name Stannis his warden of the east. Ned accuses Robert of having already named Jaime Lannister and argues against giving too much power to one family. Ned reminds Robert Tywin sacked King's Landing after taking it by treachery.

Robert trusts the Lannisters, though they are treacherous and despite his wanting to leave Cersei.

Distrust All Lannisters

The same way Robert extends his condemnation of Rhaegar and Aerys to Dany and Viserys, Ned extends his condemnation of Tywin onto Jaime. Tywin sacked King's Landing after asking the gates be opened to friends. Ned sees Jaime as a treacherous wolf in sheep's clothing. Ned also judges Jorah Mormont, introduced as a man Ned would see dead.

Judgment

The chapter is about treachery, revealing Jorah Mormont as a spy and Varys as a provocateur, since he made sure Robert got this news immediately. It's also about the slaying of innocents as a crime.

The setting of barrowlands reminds that all of nature is a graveyard. Contrast of north as ancient and reverent with south seeming twisted by dishonest vying.

Mnemonic Device: Children

What is the distinction between a man and a child?

Political enemies too young to be rivals threaten those in power nonetheless.

Adults may behave like children when they feel strongly.

Robert would exonerate Jaime as "a boy," but not Dany as "a child."

Robert sees it as mandatory for him to trust Jaime because married to his twin.

Robert sees Dany as a threat because her children will be Targaryens and can be used against him.

A judge who executes innocents while making excuses for in-laws is too inconsistent.