A Song of Ice and Fire, #3
A Storm of Swords
by George R. R. Martin
Contents
CHAPTER 59: SANSA
Overview
On Joffrey and Margaery’s wedding morning, Sansa endures the Lannister–Tyrell breakfast, where Joffrey receives the Valyrian steel sword Widow’s Wail and publicly mocks Tyrion by chopping apart Tyrion’s book-gift. Tyrion deflects by promising a dagger.
On the way to the sept, Oberyn Martell spars verbally with Tyrion. In their litter, Tyrion probes Sansa about Bran’s fall and insists he never harmed her family, exposing tensions and fears before the ceremony.
Summary
Sansa wakes from a dream of Winterfell, steels herself for Joffrey and Margaery’s wedding day, and is attended by her new maids, Shae and Brella. Tyrion arrives unkempt, drinks to face court, and allows Podrick to dress him more formally. Sansa resolves to be brave and accompanies Tyrion to the Queen’s Ballroom for the Lannister–Tyrell breakfast.
At breakfast, Sansa barely eats as Joffrey’s presence unsettles her. Cersei presents Joffrey with her bridal cloak to use on Margaery. Guests bestow gifts: bow, boots, saddle, pavilion, model war galley, and more. Tyrion’s gift, the illuminated Lives of Four Kings, is scorned by Joffrey, who humiliates him publicly, implying Tyrion’s inadequacy with Sansa.
Tywin’s gift is a Valyrian steel longsword. Joffrey names it Widow’s Wail and, in a show of cruelty and bravado, demonstrates its sharpness by hacking Tyrion’s rare book to pieces. Tension mounts as the court laughs along. Tyrion masks his anger and suggests a matching dagger, which Joffrey eagerly claims, allowing the moment to pass without further explosion.
Crossing the yard to depart for the sept, Oberyn Martell joins Tyrion and Sansa with Ellaria Sand. They debate Kaeth’s histories and Baelor the Blessed, with Oberyn needling Lannister pretensions and Joffrey’s character. Tyrion curtly ends the exchange and ushers Sansa into their litter with the curtains drawn to avoid the crowd’s hostility.
In the stuffy litter, Tyrion reflects on Joffrey’s destruction of the book and asks Sansa about Bran’s fall, probing for enmities at Winterfell. He declares he never harmed Bran and means Sansa no harm. Sansa, wary and traumatized, offers guarded replies, and the pair ride on toward the wedding under a pall of unease.
Who Appears
- Sansa StarkPOV; dreads the wedding day, endures Joffrey’s public cruelty, and rebuffs Tyrion’s probing about Bran.
- Tyrion LannisterArrives hungover, gifts Joffrey a rare book; humiliated when Joffrey hacks it; promises a dagger; questions Sansa about Bran.
- King Joffrey BaratheonReceives the Valyrian steel sword Widow’s Wail; mocks Tyrion; destroys Tyrion’s book to flaunt power.
- Tywin LannisterPresents Joffrey with the Valyrian steel sword that becomes Widow’s Wail, elevating the king’s swagger.
- Prince Oberyn MartellTrades barbed talk about history and Joffrey’s nature; pointedly needles Tyrion before the sept.
- Ellaria SandSupports Oberyn’s jibes; offers the blunt version of Baelor’s snakebites, undercutting septon tales.
- Queen Cersei LannisterPresents her own bridal cloak for Joffrey to use, projecting dynastic continuity.
- Mace TyrellGifts a lavish seven-faced chalice, symbolizing the Seven Kingdoms and Tyrell largesse.
- Ser Garlan TyrellNotes the rarity of Tyrion’s destroyed book, highlighting Joffrey’s vandalism.
- Podrick PayneTyrion’s timid squire; helps dress him and serves wine.
- ShaeSansa’s maid; fetches water and gossips about Ellaria, her insolence faintly noted.
- Ser Balon SwannDodges Joffrey’s reckless sword swings, underscoring the king’s danger.