16 replies to this topic

[Red Queen]

Up until the point that we learn that Jon Snow forced Gilly to swap her son for Mance's son, leaving her boy to possibly be sacrificed to the Red God, he was my favourite character. If I was in Gilly's place Jon would have had to kill me in order to do that as I would kill him first to stop him taking my child. Even if I did take Mance's son to Braavos, if anything happened to my baby I would find a way back and kill Jon. I wonder if that is something that George R. R. Martin has included later in the book, or even the next book. I can't think for a second that Jon would seriously believe that no-one would care what happens to Craster's baby because he's a bastard born of incest. Jon has never known a mother's love so he would not understand the pain doing this would have caused Gilly. Of course I am a mother so this event is quite significant to me. Eddard would be ashamed of Jon if he was alive and learned that Jon did this.

[Crown]

Nevermind.

Edited by Crown, 06 October 2012 - 09:48 AM.

[Dragon Punch]

Pretty sure he did it so no babies would be sacrificed. I think he only intends to keep the secret untill Mance's son is safely away. What makes you think he will let gilly's baby be killed before revealing it's Crasters son so they have no reason for the sacrifice, since it's the whole kings blood thing. Gilly agreed because she didn't want to see the child killed and trusted Jon to keep her child safe.

And I'm pretty sure Eddard understands hiding a baby's true identity to keep it safe if you buy into R+L=J

Edited by Dragon Punch, 06 October 2012 - 12:43 PM.

[Lord Flashheart]

Crown, on 06 October 2012 - 09:48 AM, said:

Nevermind.

Indeed.

[samih]

The point of swapping the babies was not to protect Mance's child at all cost, it was that no babies would be harmed. The 2 babies means the same for Jon, and the only way to make sure BOTH of them are safe is to swap them and then reveal it if Stannis ever decides to burn the baby.

[Talvivaara]

Like everyone here has said, I think Jon wouldn't let them sacrifice Gilly's baby. He would reveal the change before the sacrifice could happen.

[Zaharis]

I also agree Jon had it all figured out. As soon as Melisandre wanted to kill the baby, Jon would reveal his identity (even though he hasn't a name ) and then the sacrifice would be nonsense.
Of course it's not a popular decision, but it certainly was one of the most clever he has made (and will probably ever make)

[vjott]

Well, Gilly was weeping for most of the voyage. She's probably all out of tears and she's just a girl that was raped by her father and she's never gone beyond Craster's Keep before now. In addition, even if she wanted revenge on Lord Snow, she has no way of getting back to the Wall. As the others have said, Lord Snow did what he did to protect both the babies.

[Theda Baratheon]

He did this so neither of the babies would be harmed. Gilly understands this, though of course she is extremely distraught.

[Aaron Wolfgang]

Gilly being distraught sure as hell didnt stop her from jumpin' all over Sam's bones though... was a good idea for Jon and every one involved. I also think Jon did Sam a solid for giving him a way out of the black. Yes, Sam left with every intention of doing what he needs to do and coming  back but I just dont see that happening.

[Theda Baratheon]

lol oh god.

[jotabe1789]

Aaron Wolfgang, on 03 February 2013 - 10:35 PM, said:

Gilly being distraught sure as hell didnt stop her from jumpin' all over Sam's bones though... was a good idea for Jon and every one involved. I also think Jon did Sam a solid for giving him a way out of the black. Yes, Sam left with every intention of doing what he needs to do and coming  back but I just dont see that happening.

No, Sam said the words.
Nothing short of the will of a king can change that.

...owait

[lavalam-003]

You got it all wrong.  Eddard would be proud of Jon for doing this.  In doing what he did he saved both children.  The wilding prince would have been burned if he stayed but since the babies got switched neither die.  No point in bunring a bastard baby.  He did what he felt was right for the realm.

[Keturah]

He did the right thing, but as a mother too I found it really hard to read and feel Gilly's pain. As Sam notes towards the end of the book though, she does seem to come to love Dalla's boy as she had loved her own...I think she will be ok. She has entered 'acceptance' stage.

[Where Boars Glow]

I find delight in the untimate irony that all the seething hatred in Jons life was caused by him being involved in a baby switch...then later in life he himself committed a baby switch

BRILLIANT!

[Great Winter Knight]

Red Queen, on 06 October 2012 - 06:56 AM, said:

Up until the point that we learn that Jon Snow forced Gilly to swap her son for Mance's son, leaving her boy to possibly be sacrificed to the Red God, he was my favourite character. If I was in Gilly's place Jon would have had to kill me in order to do that as I would kill him first to stop him taking my child. Even if I did take Mance's son to Braavos, if anything happened to my baby I would find a way back and kill Jon. I wonder if that is something that George R. R. Martin has included later in the book, or even the next book. I can't think for a second that Jon would seriously believe that no-one would care what happens to Craster's baby because he's a bastard born of incest. Jon has never known a mother's love so he would not understand the pain doing this would have caused Gilly. Of course I am a mother so this event is quite significant to me. Eddard would be ashamed of Jon if he was alive and learned that Jon did this.

I believe Jon knew that there is no reason to sacrifice Gillies baby.  Her child is safe.

[Lisbeth Sand]

<sub>I have a feeling Jon would step in and inform Melisandre of the switch should she try to burn the baby, or at least told Gilly he would.  He did get Aemon out of there for the same reason.

Otherwise, Gilly would've justifiably clawed his eyes out.</sub>