A Song of Ice and Fire, #3
A Storm of Swords
by George R. R. Martin
Contents
CHAPTER 35: CATELYN
Overview
Hoster Tully receives a river funeral where Brynden Blackfish lights the boat after Edmure falters. Robb reveals Sansa has been wed to Tyrion, spurring Catelyn to urge peace, which Robb rejects. Lothar Frey brings word Winterfell is burned and survivors are at the Dreadfort. The Freys demand Robb’s apology and Edmure’s immediate marriage to Roslin; after bitter debate, Edmure yields to secure the alliance.
Summary
Riverrun holds Lord Hoster Tully’s river funeral. Robb, Edmure, Brynden Blackfish, and others launch the boat; Edmure fails thrice to ignite it before Brynden’s arrow lights the sail, granting Hoster his burning passage. Edmure withdraws in shame, while Catelyn grieves and reflects on her father and distant family.
After the rites, Robb speaks privately with Catelyn in the godswood. He shares grim news: a raven reports Sansa has been wed to Tyrion Lannister. Catelyn is devastated, and urges Robb to consider peace to preserve his life and people, but Robb refuses to bend the knee, citing the Lannisters’ role in Ned’s death.
At supper, Lame Lothar Frey and Walder Rivers arrive to treat. Before business, Lothar delivers worse tidings: Winterfell has been burned after a battle with the ironborn; Ser Rodrik was slain. Survivors, including the Frey wards, were carried to the Dreadfort by a bastard son of Roose Bolton. Theon Greyjoy’s fate is unknown. Robb is enraged and grieves for his lost household.
The Freys then present their terms: Lord Walder will renew fealty if Robb apologizes in person and if Edmure weds Lady Roslin Frey at once. Edmure bridles at the insult and the haste, demanding choice and time, but Brynden and Catelyn press the necessity. Robb, desperate to return north, underscores that delay could cost his cause.
After tense argument and bitter humor, Edmure relents, agreeing to marry Roslin “as amends,” thus securing the Frey alliance and clearing Robb’s path toward the north despite mounting losses and unresolved dangers.
Who Appears
- Catelyn StarkPOV; oversees Hoster’s funeral, grieves, learns of Sansa’s marriage, urges Robb to consider peace, supports the Frey marriage terms.
- Robb StarkKing in the North; conducts funeral, reveals Sansa-Tyrion wedding, rejects peace, hears Winterfell burned, pushes to secure Frey alliance.
- Edmure TullyNew Lord of Riverrun; fails funeral shot, resents Frey demands, but grudgingly agrees to wed Roslin to mend the alliance.
- Brynden 'Blackfish' TullyUncle; lights Hoster’s funeral boat, advises pragmatically for accepting Frey terms to speed Robb’s return north.
- Lame Lothar FreyFrey envoy; politely delivers Winterfell news and sets terms: Robb’s apology and Edmure’s immediate marriage to Roslin.
- Walder RiversBastard of House Frey; terse, reinforces Lothar’s demands, emphasizes immediacy of Edmure’s marriage.
- Jeyne WesterlingRobb’s queen; offers condolences, then withdraws from negotiations; her marriage remains the source of Frey grievance.
- Hoster TullyDeceased Lord of Riverrun; honored with a flaming boat funeral, catalyzing succession and political dealings.
- Ser Rodrik CasselCastellan of Winterfell; reported slain when Winterfell was burned after battle with ironborn.
- Roslin FreyProposed bride; her sudden betrothal to Edmure is the Freys’ price for renewing alliance.