A Song of Ice and Fire, #3
A Storm of Swords
by George R. R. Martin
Contents
CHAPTER 79: JON
Overview
Jon, torn over Stannis’s offer to make him Lord of Winterfell, is driven by doubt and memory until Ghost returns, rekindling his bond to the old gods. At the raucous choosing, Sam’s maneuvering and Othell Yarwyck’s pivot break the deadlock; Mormont’s raven cries “Snow,” and Jon is elected Lord Commander, ending Slynt’s bid.
Summary
Exhausted from a sleepless night weighing Stannis Baratheon’s offer to legitimize him and grant Winterfell, Jon spars with Iron Emmett and, stung by a blow, relives childhood memories of being barred from claiming Winterfell. His anger flares until friends pull him off, and he retreats to brood over duty versus desire.
He bathes and overhears Alliser Thorne, Bowen Marsh, and Othell Yarwyck scheming about the Lord Commander election, expecting Janos Slynt to prevail. Wandering the killing grounds, Jon imagines a life with Val and children, nearly convincing himself to accept Stannis’s offer—until a primal hunger surges, heralding Ghost’s sudden return from the forest.
Reunited with Ghost, whose red eyes evoke the weirwoods, Jon recognizes his tie to the old gods and finds clarity. He passes Melisandre and Stannis at the nightfire, choosing inwardly against stealing Val and against Winterfell. With Ghost at heel, he heads to the choosing feast Stannis’s men have delayed.
Inside, chaos reigns: Slynt rails against “the warg,” Thorne mocks, and Maester Aemon announces Jon’s name has been put forth—by Dolorous Edd. Thorne demands a vote, and Yarwyck unexpectedly withdraws his own candidacy and favors Jon over Slynt, wary of defying Stannis outright.
As the kettle voting begins, a bedraggled raven bursts from a pot—recognized by Sam as Mormont’s—and lands on Jon, cawing “Snow.” Despite Thorne’s derision, the tokens fall Jon’s way. The hall erupts; brothers kneel or clap his back. Denys Mallister yields with grace, Cotter Pyke offers a rough warning, and even Bowen Marsh pledges service.
With Ghost beside him and the raven shrieking for supper, Jon absorbs the weight of command. He takes a token sip of wine, resolves to face the king, and embraces duty as the newly chosen Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch.
Who Appears
- Jon SnowTorn between Stannis’s offer and his vows; reunited with Ghost; nominated and elected Lord Commander.
- GhostJon’s direwolf returns, rekindling Jon’s bond to the old gods and steadying his resolve.
- Samwell TarlyQuiet architect of the voting strategy; recognizes Mormont’s raven; helps secure Jon’s election.
- Othell YarwyckWithdraws his candidacy mid-meeting and shifts support from Janos Slynt to Jon, breaking momentum.
- Ser Alliser ThorneMocks Jon and Sam; pushes for a decisive vote; backs Slynt but is outmaneuvered.
- Janos SlyntDenounces Jon as a warg and turncloak; his bid collapses after Yarwyck’s pivot and the vote.
- Maester AemonPresides impartially; announces Jon’s nomination; directs the kettle to the table.
- Cotter PykeChampion of procedure; scorns Slynt; accepts Jon but warns him to lead well.
- Ser Denys MallisterConcedes with dignity; urges Jon to live up to Stark standards.
- Iron EmmettSpars fiercely with Jon; later congratulates him after the vote.
- Bowen MarshPlots with Thorne; later offers to continue as Lord Steward under Jon.
- MelisandreLeads nightfire prayers with Stannis; silent counterpoint to Jon’s choice of the old gods.
- Stannis BaratheonHis offer to legitimize Jon catalyzes Jon’s crisis; present at the nightfire.
- ValObject of Jon’s brief contemplation of marriage and Winterfell; glimpsed at her window.
- Eddison Tollett (Dolorous Edd)Formally nominates Jon for Lord Commander despite self-deprecating misgivings.
- Pyp (Pypar)Helps quiet the hall; teases Jon; credits Sam for the successful strategy.
- GrennSupports Jon; accompanies him after the vote.
- ClydasHelps drag the kettle to the table, from which the raven erupts.
- Three-Finger HobbShouts amid the chaos; later rushes to serve supper after the choosing.
- Jeor Mormont’s ravenBursts from the kettle, lands on Jon, and cries “Snow,” symbolically endorsing him.