Contents
JON — Chapter 4
Overview
Jon wakes from a direwolf dream to political strain at Castle Black. He resists Stannis’s demand to grant abandoned Wall castles to southern lords, instead requesting men to garrison them under the Watch. Stannis vows to burn Mance and fumes over northern defiance, while Melisandre ominously warns Jon of hidden enemies and approaching peril.
Summary
Jon Snow dreams through Ghost of distant packmates and cold forests until Mormont’s raven wakes him. Dolorous Edd reports more wildling surrenders and a dead infant, stirring Jon’s fears about Melisandre’s zeal for kingsblood. Jon arms and surveys the yard, noting trainees’ progress and enduring Ser Godry Farring’s taunts before heading to the King’s Tower.
With Stannis and Melisandre, Jon hears Lyanna Mormont’s defiant letter and counsels patience with northern lords wary of Lannisters and Boltons. They discuss White Harbor’s importance, dismiss a match for Val, and clash over Mance Rayder: Stannis insists on burning him as a traitor; Jon argues titles among free folk are not hereditary and Mance could be useful.
Stannis presses Jon to sign a grant gifting abandoned Wall castles to his followers. Jon refuses, asserting the forts were built to defend the Wall and must be garrisoned by the Watch. He proposes that Stannis provide men to fill the forts under Night’s Watch officers; Stannis rejects placing nobles under “poachers and murderers,” questions Jon’s election, and threatens to seize any empty forts and take Jon’s head if one falls.
Amid rumors of lands for Rattleshirt and Thenns, Jon moves to send Gilly south, prompting discussion of her nursing both infants. Jon emphasizes separating the babies and Craster’s cruel blood, while Stannis condemns the incest and accepts sending her away. Stannis ends the audience in anger.
Outside, Melisandre escorts Jon, speaking of her visions and the Wall’s ancient power. She warns that Jon’s true dangers are smiling foes, urging him to keep Ghost near. Her final prophecy foresees ice, daggers in the dark, and blood hardened by cold, leaving Jon with a foreboding sense of threats within and without.
Who Appears
- Jon SnowLord Commander of the Night’s Watch; refuses Stannis’s demand for Wall castles, proposes Watch garrisons, plans to send Gilly south, receives Melisandre’s warning.
- Stannis BaratheonDemands abandoned Wall forts to reward followers, angered by northern defiance, intends to burn Mance, threatens to seize castles and Jon’s head if forts fall.
- MelisandreAdvises Stannis, speaks of visions, questions Jon, warns of hidden enemies and cold, urges him to keep Ghost close.
- Dolorous Edd TollettJon’s steward; reports wildling surrenders and a dead infant; provides dour commentary about breakfast and guards.
- Samwell TarlyDelivers a letter to Stannis and discusses archery struggles with Jon.
- Ser Godry FarringQueen’s man; taunts Jon to duel with Valyrian steel, boasting of slaying a giant.
- Lyanna MormontTen-year-old Lady of Bear Island who writes Stannis that the North has no king but a Stark.
- Mance RayderCaptive King-Beyond-the-Wall; Stannis plans to burn him; Jon argues he’s uniquely able to bind the free folk.
- GillyCraster’s daughter-wife and wet nurse; nursing both infants; Jon plans to send her south.
- ValSister to Dalla; discussed as a potential political bride, which Jon rejects as futile and dangerous.
- Arnolf KarstarkCastellan of Karhold; declared for Stannis, cited as rare northern support.
- HorseNight’s Watch trainee; wins a sparring match but is cautioned to keep his shield higher.
- Hop-RobinClubfooted trainee; loses a sparring bout, a potential steward candidate.
- Mormont’s ravenWakes Jon with cries of “Snow,” echoing ominous themes of death and cold.