Even Peace Is War

A subtheme of Lord's Take

4 AGOT Daenerys I: Powers position in peace time.

5 AGOT Eddard I: Robert experiences politics as a snake pit. "They all want something, money or land or justice. The lies they tell... I am surrounded by flatterers and fools." -47

9 AGOT Bran II: Though queen, Cersei feels her position to be in jeopardy. She expects to rest easier once Joffrey sits the throne.

38 AGOT Bran V: If you're poor enough or a refugee, you have to live almost like a criminal or a broken man, once a soldier.

42 AGOT Jon V: Competition for jobs can be fraught with aggressions and unfairness, especially where class distinctions also provide literacy and other skills. Jon tries to be fair when he recommends Sam for Chett's job, yet makes a bitter enemy.

52 AGOT Sansa IV: Ambitions inspire diplomatic efforts that add pressure to the king such as Robert complained of. Sansa realizes she can move Joffrey to pardon Ned, if he loves her. So she must learn whether he truly does, by seeing if she can move him to give mercy to Ned.

53 AGOT Jon VII: Petty rivalries, bitterness, and animosities make life hell and war on a small, daily scale.

63 AGOT Tyrion VIII: Tyrion does not realize that dinner is a war council.

65 AGOT Daenerys VIII: As with Robert's death, Drogo's fall from his horse begins a process of fighting before the death has occurred. Regime change means war.

70 AGOT Tyrion IX: Tywin sends Tyrion to court to rule partly to punish Cersei's command he return himself. There are power struggles even between those on the same team.

77 ACOK 4 Tyrion I: Despite the scroll from Tywin naming him acting Hand, Tyrion must negotiate with Cersei to be instated. The question of who serves who is all to easy to answer with appearances, as Tyrion lies to Cersei about his intentions in order to undermine her power and seize it for himself.

78 ACOK 5 Bran I: The Frey version of King of the Hill "Lord of the Crossing" teaches the children of their house to expect business deals to come to swords, should the lord decide to betray a deal and take all. Even in peace, even in childsplay, war is anticipated and even seeded.

85 ACOK 12 Theon I: Though chastised for his failed rebellion, Balon rebuilt and grew stronger, waiting for the day when opportunity would present. He never truly made peace and never acknowledged Theon as a hostage; only as the loss of a son. Even in peace time, Balon plotted war.

103 ACOK 30 Tyrion VII: Cersei and Tyrion have been at war for most of their lives. Though he has promised to be her Hand, Tyrion is electrified when Cersei sends Lancel to him at midnight in an open act he can retaliate for.

The theme seems to have tapered off and does not continue into A Storm of Swords or beyond.