A Song of Ice and Fire, #3
A Storm of Swords
by George R. R. Martin
Contents
CHAPTER 51: CATELYN
Overview
At Edmure and Roslin’s wedding feast, the Freys and their Bolton allies betray guest right. Musicians reveal crossbows, massacring Robb Stark’s guard as Roose Bolton personally kills Robb. Catelyn takes Jinglebell hostage in a futile plea, then slits his throat before the Freys cut her own, shattering Stark power.
Summary
The wedding feast at the Twins is raucous, hot, and joyless. Catelyn endures poor food and louder music while noting Robb’s courtesy, Grey Wind’s exclusion, and Roose Bolton’s chill reserve. Walder Frey is obsequious and petty by turns, and tensions simmer beneath drunken revelry as Edmure and Roslin are duly bedded.
Ominous signs gather: several friendly Freys are conspicuously absent, Edwyn Frey brusquely rebuffs Dacey Mormont, and the music shifts to The Rains of Castamere. When Catelyn grabs Edwyn, she feels mail beneath his sleeve. Crossbows suddenly fire from the gallery, striking Robb and cutting down his men. In the chaos, Robin Flint and others are knifed, Ser Wendel Manderly is killed, Dacey Mormont is felled by Ser Ryman’s axe, and the Smalljon is beheaded as armored Freys and Bolton men flood the hall.
Catelyn crawls through blood and wreckage, seizing a fallen dagger and vowing to kill Walder Frey. Robb struggles to his knees, pierced by multiple bolts, as Walder mocks him and Grey Wind howls outside. Desperate, Catelyn drags Jinglebell from beneath a table and threatens his life, pleading for Robb’s release and offering herself and Edmure as hostages.
Walder Frey refuses. Roose Bolton steps to Robb and says, “Jaime Lannister sends his regards,” before driving his sword through Robb’s heart. Keeping her word in despair, Catelyn saws Jinglebell’s throat. Shattered by grief, she laughs-screams as the Freys seize her, and a blade opens her throat. The drum’s doombeat marks the end of the Stark cause in the hall.
Who Appears
- Catelyn StarkObserves the feast, senses betrayal, takes Jinglebell hostage, kills him, then is executed.
- Robb StarkEndures Walder’s slights, is ambushed by crossbows, and is slain by Roose Bolton.
- Walder FreyHost of the Twins who orchestrates the Red Wedding and mocks Robb during the slaughter.
- Roose BoltonCold and watchful, reveals treachery and kills Robb, citing Jaime Lannister’s regards.
- Edwyn FreyBrusquely rejects Dacey; wears mail beneath silks, signaling the impending attack.
- Ser Ryman FreyDrunken and sweating; arrives in armor and buries his axe in Dacey Mormont.
- Aegon "Jinglebell" FreySimple-minded Frey used as Catelyn’s hostage; she slits his throat in despair.
- Dacey MormontRobb’s loyal guard; senses trouble, tries to leave, and is killed by Ser Ryman.
- Smalljon UmberShields Robb with a table; fights fiercely before being beheaded by attackers.
- Ser Wendel ManderlyRises with a leg of lamb and is killed by a crossbow bolt through the neck.
- Robin FlintRobb’s guard; overwhelmed and stabbed by Freys during the ambush.
- Edmure TullyBridegroom; carried to the bedding before the massacre begins.
- Roslin FreyTerrified bride, weeping during the bedding; her wedding is the trap’s lure.
- Black Walder FreyActive in the slaughter; hamstrings a Vance and circles behind Catelyn.
- Lame Lothar FreyHelps cue the bedding and celebration that precedes the betrayal.
- Greatjon UmberRoaring drunk, leads raucous songs and carries Roslin during the bedding.