A Song of Ice and Fire, #3
A Storm of Swords
by George R. R. Martin
Contents
EPILOGUE
Overview
Merrett Frey brings ransom to Oldstones but finds Petyr Frey already hanged by the Brotherhood Without Banners. The outlaws question Merrett about Sandor Clegane and a missing child, then try him for the Red Wedding. Revealed as their mute, vengeful leader, the resurrected Catelyn Stark condemns Merrett, and he is hanged.
Summary
Merrett Frey rides to Oldstones with a ransom for his kinsman Petyr “Pimple” Frey, brooding over his misfortunes, headaches, and precarious standing among the fractious Freys after the Red Wedding. He steels himself to complete the exchange to improve his prospects before Lord Walder dies.
At the ruin, Merrett encounters a band of outlaws led by a big man in a patched yellow cloak, a one-eyed man, and a smiling singer. They seize the gold before agreeing to take Merrett to Petyr. In the godswood, Merrett finds Petyr already hanged, and the outlaws bind Merrett as well.
The outlaws question Merrett about Sandor Clegane and a skinny child rumored to be with him; Merrett denies seeing them at the Twins. Despite his pleas and offers of ransom, the outlaws reject mercy, citing the Freys’ role in the Red Wedding and its atrocities.
Merrett invokes Beric Dondarrion’s supposed trials, and the singer presents a hooded woman as witness. She reveals a ravaged, water-logged face: Catelyn Stark, mute but animate after death. At the singer’s prompt, Catelyn fixes Merrett with hateful eyes and nods, identifying him as complicit.
Condemned by Catelyn’s judgment, Merrett is hoisted by the noose. As he dies, the Brotherhood exacts vengeance for the Red Wedding, signaling an ongoing campaign against the Freys under Catelyn’s grim leadership.
Who Appears
- Merrett FreyDisgraced Frey sent with ransom; finds Petyr hanged; questioned about the Hound; condemned for the Red Wedding and executed.
- Catelyn Stark (hooded, resurrected)Mute, vengeful leader of the outlaws; reveals herself and condemns Merrett with a nod, ordering his hanging.
- Lem LemoncloakBig outlaw in a patched yellow cloak; directs the hanging and rejects ransoms or mercy.
- Tom o’ SevensSinger among the outlaws; questions Merrett about the Hound and presents Catelyn as witness.
- Jack (one-eyed outlaw)One-eyed brigand who handles the ransom gold and participates in Merrett’s capture.
- Petyr "Pimple" FreyCaptured Frey whose ransom Merrett brings; already hanged by the outlaws when Merrett arrives.