A Song of Ice and Fire, #3
A Storm of Swords
by George R. R. Martin
Contents
CHAPTER 2: CATELYN
Overview
Catelyn is confined at Riverrun after freeing Jaime, tending her dying father as he raves about “Tansy,” which leads Catelyn to reckon with Lysa’s past and Hoster’s guilt. News arrives: Robb is wounded, Stannis is defeated, and Edmure returns triumphant but undoes Catelyn’s bargain by declaring Jaime escaped and alerting allies to recapture him, imperiling Brienne and the exchange for Sansa and Arya.
Summary
Catelyn submits to confinement after admitting she knowingly freed Jaime to ransom Sansa and Arya. Ser Desmond Grell and steward Utherydes Wayn, uneasy but dutiful, restrict her to Lord Hoster’s chambers, where Catelyn resolves to accept punishment and prays for Brienne’s success.
Attending her dying father, Catelyn hears Hoster rave about “Tansy,” “blood,” and “trueborn sons,” unsettling hints that make her question his past. Maester Vyman brings sparse news: Robb is wounded at the Crag but claims no cause for concern, while Tywin has left the riverlands.
Through a sleepless night, Catelyn reinterprets Hoster’s words, suspecting Lysa was made to end a pregnancy and then hastily wed to Jon Arryn to secure Tully support. She writes Lysa, recounting their losses and begging her to send forgiveness to ease Hoster’s passing, though fearing the letter will arrive too late.
Trumpets announce Edmure’s return after holding the fords against Tywin, Clegane, and Marbrand. He brings grim tidings that Stannis was defeated at King’s Landing and that Highgarden and Dorne back Joffrey, then harshly condemns Catelyn for freeing Jaime.
When Catelyn explains her plan, Edmure reveals he has sent three ravens claiming Jaime escaped and offering a bounty, aiming to have him recaptured near Harrenhal by Lord Bolton’s forces. Catelyn realizes this ruins the covert exchange, endangering Brienne and likely dooming her hopes of seeing her daughters again, and dismisses Edmure in despair.
Who Appears
- Catelyn StarkConfined at Riverrun after freeing Jaime; tends dying Hoster; deciphers “Tansy”; writes Lysa; clashes with Edmure over Jaime and her daughters.
- Edmure TullyReturns after holding the fords; reports Stannis’s defeat; rebukes Catelyn; sends ravens declaring Jaime escaped, undermining her exchange plan.
- Hoster TullyDying lord of Riverrun; deliriously murmurs about “Tansy,” blood, and trueborn sons, prompting Catelyn’s revelations about Lysa.
- Ser Desmond GrellRiverrun’s castellan; confines Catelyn to Hoster’s chambers while striving to maintain courtesy and order.
- Utherydes WaynSteward of Riverrun; assists in Catelyn’s confinement; somberly informs her Ser Robin pursues Jaime.
- Maester VymanAttends Hoster; cautiously relays news of Robb’s wound and Stannis’s defeat; limited by orders not to speak freely with Catelyn.