25 AGOT Bran IV: The Way Things Are

25 AGOT Bran IV: When Tyrion brings Bran his saddle design as a favor to Jon, the direwolves surround him. Yoren shares that Benjen is missing.

Old Nan's story about the Others, the Long night and the Last Hero is basiclly history and better information than can be found in most libraries. We learn the Others can't be fought with armies and that they can sweep over the land. They hate iron, fire, subnlight. Bran is being introduced to a disagreement that will inrease between Maseter Lewin's stuffy couthron dogmas and the knowledge of those like Yoren and, later, Osha who don't read much but have seen a thing or two beyond the Wall.

This is the chapter where Tyrion brings his saddle design for Bran. Robb greets him with naked steel and goes so far as to point at Tyrion with his sword. The direwolves are so riled by the anger in the hall they surround Tyrion, snarling. He chooses to decline Robb's late offer of hospitality after that.

The prospect of Bran's riding is the one ray of sunsdhine in an otherwise bleak time. The chapter ends with Robb sobbing in the dark as he tries to cheer Bran with promises of riding out to greet Mother and to the Wall to visit Jon. Robb has been practicing being a lord, finding it taxing and lonely. He knows he doesn't get to lose his temper like he did when Yoren said Benjen was probably dead.

The chapter sets up for Coldhands who was a Night's Watch man killed by the Others yet helping Brynden Rivers and the children of the forest.

Mnemonic Titles

2019: The Last Hero: Tyrion has come bearing gifts. His generosity is the one bright, joyful thing to happen in he chapter. Yet, he's greeted nwith bare steel and they all but sic their direwolves on him. Tyrion is the last hero.

In the Woods: Robb and the skeleton crew at Winterfell are in uncharted territory. But Benjen is in territory he knows well and still is lost. Bran promises Summer they'll go hunting in the woods together and Robb promises Bran they'll go on a trip to the Wall, but it will be to run from the feeling of danger even in such a fortress as Winterfell.

Crows Are All Liars: The three eyed crow told Bran he'd fly but he sits with useless legs watching baby Rickon runwith the wolves. Then, Yoren says Benjen is likly dead. Robb won't believe it.

2024: The Way Things Are: Bran wants things to go back to how they were. He doesn't want to be crippled. When Tyrion brings the saddle design, he calls Bran a cripple. It's best to accept it, he thinks. Yoren has the same attitude. Even Old Nan's scary stories tell the truth.