Suspicious behavior, rightful heir, honor…blah blah blah. There are reasons, I know. But still: Ned seems to ask and think about Stannis A LOT! And he’s sure willing to put a lot at risk (a.k.a. everything) to make sure that Stannis gets to be king.
Voila:
What Martin Wrote: (p. 95)
Ned was ready for that. “Yet we still must have a Warden of the East. If Robert Arryn will not do, name one of your brothers. Stannis proved himself at the siege of Storm’s End, surely.”
He let the name hang out there for a moment.
What I Read:
Ned: “Your brother Stannis is so great and wonderful, Robert. Why don’t you make him Warden of the East? You really should. Cause he’s great.”
What Martin Wrote: (p. 162)
Ned looked down the council table and wondered which were the flatterers and which the fools. He thought he knew already. “We are but five,” he pointed out.
“Lord Stannis took himself to Dragonstone not long after the king went north.”
What I Read:
Ned: “But…but…where’s my Stannis?” *lip trembles*
What Martin Wrote (p. 230)
Lord Renly laughed. “We’re fortunate my brother Stannis is not with us. Remember the time he proposed to outlaw brothels? The king asked him if perhaps he’d like to outlaw eating, shitting, and breathing while he was at it. If truth be told, I ofttimes wonder how Stannis ever got tat ugly daughter of his. He goes to his marriage bed like a man marching on a battlefield, with a grim look in his eyes and a determination to do his duty.”
Ned had not joined in the laughter. “I wonder about your brother Stannis as well. I wonder when he intends to end his visit to Dragonstone and resume his seat on this council.”
What I Read:
Ned: “How dare they make fun of my Stannis. And when is he coming back? I want him here with me!”
What Martin Wrote: (p. 232)
Stannis again, Ned thought. He found that curious. Jon Arryn and he had been cordial, but never friendly. And while Robert had been riding north to Winterfell, Stannis had removed himself to Dragonstone, the Targaryen island fastness he had conquered in his brother’s name. He had given no word as to when he might return. “Where did they go on these rides?” Ned asked.
“The boy says that they visited a brothel.”
“A brothel?” Ned said. “The Lord of the Eyrie and the Hand of the King visited a brothel with Stannis Baratheon?” He shook his head, incredulous.
What I Read:
Ned: I can’t believe Jon Arryn would try to steal my Stannis away from me! And why did Stannis go to Dragonstone instead of visiting me at home, and then being here with me on the Council? I know Stannis better than anybody and he wouldn’t go to a brothel and he wouldn’t cheat on me with a whore!”
What Martin Wrote: (p. 232)
Ned found it hard to imagine what could frighten Stannis Baratheon, who had once held Storm’s End through a year of siege, surviving on rats and boot leather while the Lords Tyrell and Redwyne sat outside with their hosts, banqueting in sight of his walls.
What I Read:
Ned: “My Stannis is badass.”
What Martin Wrote: (p. 232)
“Lord Renly is brother to Lord Stannis as well as the king.”
“Yet it seems that he was not invited on these rides.” Ned was not sure what to make of Renly, with his friendly ways and easy smiles.
What I Read:
Ned: “Why would you want Renly when you could have Stannis?!”
What Martin Wrote: (p. 232)
“Perhaps Lord Stannis will return for Robert’s tourney,” he said as Jory laced the garment up the back.
“That would be a stroke of fortune, my lord,” Jory said.
What I Read:
Ned: “He will come. He will come. He will come. My beloved Stannis can’t stay away any longer. Doesn’t he know that I’m here waiting for him?”
What Martin Wrote: (p. 298)
It struck him suddenly that he might return to Winterfell by sea. Ned was no sailor, and ordinarily would have preferred the kingsroad, but if he took ship he could stop at Dragonstone and speak with Stannis Baratheon. Pycelle had sent a raven off across the water with a polite letter from Ned requesting Lord Stannis to return to his seat on the small council. As yet, there has been no reply.
What I Read:
Ned: “I hate boats, but I desperately need to see my Stannis. I wrote him that lovely letter – it wasn’t too needy, was it? – but he never wrote back! Maybe he didn’t get it?” *crosses fingers* “Well, if he won’t come to me, then I’ll go to him!”
What Martin Wrote: (p. 426)
“If he is reluctant, offer him whatever it takes. I will give you a letter to place into the hand of Lord Stannis Baratheon. No one else. Not his steward, not the captain of his guard, hor his lady wife, but only Lord Stannis himself.”
What I Read:
Ned: “Promise my Stannis everything I have to give. He must read this love letter I have written him, but please don’t let anyone else read it! (Especially his wife.)”
What Martin Wrote: (p. 427)
“The throne by rights passes to Lord Stannis, the elder of Robert’s two brothers.”
Lord Petyr stroked his pointed beard as he considered the matter. “So it would seem. Unless…”
“Unless, my lord? There is no seeming to this Stannis is the heir. Nothing can change that.”
[…]
His mouth quirked. “So it will be Stannis, and war?”
“It is not a choice. Stannis is the heir.”
What I Read:
Ned: “My Stannis will be king. Doesn’t stupid Littlefinger know how wonderful Stannis is? Why wouldn’t he want Stannis to be king? I don’t understand! Of course I’ll go to war to win the crown for my Stannis!”
WHAT HAS BEEN SEEN CANNOT BE UNSEEN.
ybee:
you guys I just
the Hound rolled up Arya in a blanket burrito at night
I can’t- this book
someone help
LMFAO! DYING IRL.
ALEX AND JAMES ARE ALL LIKE…. SEE WHAT I HAVE TO PUT UP WITH, OH GOD, OH GOD.
omg yes
TIME TO STALK
