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ACOK Reread - Tyrion


Barba

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Tyrion I {X}

Introduced: Vylarr (Captain of the Queen’s Household guards).

Tyrion arrives outside the council chambers, and has to threaten Ser Mandon Moore in order to get in. He shows the Queen their father’s letter proclaiming Tyrion Hand of the King. Tyrion notices Littlefinger’s dagger, and thinks to himself he has to have a talk with Lord Baelish, and soon. Cersei is disturbed by Tyrion’s presence, and rants that her father should have returned with his army. Tyrion asks for a word alone with his sister, and as the other counselors leave, Littlefinger tells Tyrion that the Tower of the Hand is cursed due to the death of the last two Hands (Jon Arryn and Ned Stark). Tyrion then gives him a history lesson: that 2 other Hands of King Aerys also died there (Lord Qarlton Chelsted and Lord Rossart), and two more were exiled (Lord Jon Connington and Lord Owen Merryweather), with only his father, Lord Tywin, leaving intact.

Alone, Tyrion tells Cersei he has a plan to rescue Jamie, which softens her somewhat. Tyrion learns that Cersei does not have Arya captive, only Sansa. He then asks her if she trusts the small council, because their father does not. All their counsel during Joff’s short reign has led to follies and disasters. He learns that Joff was instructed to allow Eddard Stark to take the black, but he took it upon himself to have Lord Eddard killed. Cersei tells him it was Lord Baelish’s idea to name Janos Slynt a lord, another foolish move in Tyrion’s eyes. He also learns that it was Varys who suggested that Ser Barristan be removed from his post as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Ser Barristan slew two of Janos’ gold cloaks while leaving the city. Tyrion warns her what the smallfolk will do if they see Ser Barristan the Bold leading Robb Stark’s or Renly’s army. Cersei says she hadn’t thought of that, and Tyrion tells her that their father did, and that is why Lord Tywin sent him. Tyrion tells her Joff might be more inclined to listen to him if he feels threatened, something Joff doesn’t feel with his mother. Tyrion then insinuates that he is hers, and will do nothing without her consent. When he asks Cersei who killed Jon Arryn, Cersei tells him she doesn’t know. She goes on to say that Eddard Stark asked her the same thing, hinting that Jon Arryn suspected her of… incest, Tyrion finishes for her, earning himself a slap in the face. Tyrion tells her he knew all along, and that he is not as blind as their father. Cersei explains how they killed King Robert, with Lancel giving him wine three times the normal potency before he faced the boar. Tyrion takes his leave, and asks Vylarr, his sister’s guard captain, to escort him to the Broken Anvil. Tyrion commands Vylarr to have the heads removed from the spikes on the wall and given to the silent sisters.

As they ride through the city, Tyrion notices the effect the war is having on the people. Vylarr tells him that very little food is coming into the city, but the Queen has had the City Watch tripled, has a thousand laborers building catapults and other defenses, and the Alchemists’ Guild has pledged ten thousand jars of wildfire. When Tyrion enters the brothel to visit Shae, he finds Varys already there. Varys admits that he had a sudden urge to meet his young lady. The eunuch calls the comet "the Red Messenger" and says it comes as a herald before a king, to warn of fire and blood to follow. Varys then poses a riddle to Tyrion, of a king, a priest and a rich man who each command a sellsword to kill the other two. Varys asks Tyrion who lives and who dies, and then takes his leave. Shae says it is the rich man who lives, but Tyrion is not so sure, saying it depends on the sellsword.

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A couple of points.

Tyrion makes a deal with Cersei in bad faith. He agrees to be *her* Hand without the slightest intention of being so. Right from the start he regards Cersei solely as an obstacle to work round. Reading ACoK in isolation, the actions that Cersei subsequently takes against Tyrion seem justified (if somewhat weak and misguided), a reaction to Tyrion breaking their agreement. Of course, from the wider viewpoint of the whole series, we do see exactly why Tyrion acts as he does, clearly he understands her well, perhaps better than Tywin does.

Varys' riddle might perhaps be viewed as a crude psychological test. In saying the merchant lives, Shae implies that she considers wealth more immediately important than feudal oaths or religion.

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In re-reading the chapter I found it interesting that it was Varys who first suggested removing Ser Barristan Selmy from the small council and KG. In AGOT, King Joff blasts Ser Barristan Selmy publicly but we now learn it was Varys who suggested his removal. An incredible move to weaken the Lannisters. Then later in the series we learn that Ser Barristan has been sent by Illyrio to help and defend Dany. It could only have been Varys who directed Ser Barristan to Illyrio and then to Dany. What an incredible move by Varys to strengthen Dany.

As Tyrion says, all the small folk hold Ser Barristan as the greatest living knight. For him to join Rob Stark, or Renley would be a great blow to the Lannisters. He doesnt even consider or know of Dany at this time who is a much greater threat.

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At the end of the chapter varys says that Comet is Herald before King, Followed by Fire&Blood.

Fire&Blood are Targaryen house words. I wonder why Tyrion didn't coment this.

Also, another thing. In Sansa's chapter before this one, we hear from Joff that they know that Viserys died. If Varys ment this words he said, It probably means he hopes for Dany to arrive with Drogo (that is if he dosen't yet know that Drogo died). Another one could-be hint that Varys works for Targs. Or it could mean nothing...

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We also learn that it was Littlefinger's idea to raise Slynt to a lord and put him on the small council. It makes sense, because now LF will have another player of the game who he can easily manipulate. Tyrion spoils this by sending Slynt to the Wall, but LF takes advantage of that by gaining Slynt's lordship.

Tyrion has to get by Mandon Moore in order to get into the small council meeting. Is he making an enemy in this scene? :)

Barba, it is a little surprising that Tyrion does not pick up on Varys' fire-and-blood comment. So much of their conversations have double meanings, Tyrion should have noticed this. On the other hand, Tyrion was trying to figure out how Varys found Shae, who Varys was spying for, and things like that. The Targaryens were far from his thoughts.

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Varys' riddle might perhaps be viewed as a crude psychological test. In saying the merchant lives, Shae implies that she considers wealth more immediately important than feudal oaths or religion.

Interesting thread in the general section covering this riddle and the faceless man in Yoren's wagon.

http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?showtopic=19953

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Tyrion II {XI}

Introduced: Ser Jacelyn Bywater* (called Ironhand, former captain of the River Gate, later Commander of the City Watch, later still Lord Jacelyn Bywater; lost his hand during Balon Greyjoy's Rebellion; killed by his own men during the Battle of the Blackwater).

First Mentioned: Allar Deem* (Lord Janos Slynt’s sergeant, sent to the Wall, presumed dead).

Tyrion is having Lord Janos Slynt for a guest, and getting him drunk. Tyrion asks who should succeed him when he leaves the City Watch to take up residence at Harrenhal, and Slynt suggests Allar Deem. Tyrion mentions Ser Jacelyn Bywater, knighted at Pyke after losing his hand in the battle, but Slynt says he is too rigid and too honorable! Tyrion learns that Slynt sent Allar Deem to kill a young whore and her infant daughter Barra, a bastard of King Robert. Tyrion asks him who ordered him to kill the whore’s bastard, but Slynt will not reveal the answer, priding himself on doing a deed with never a question asked. Tyrion suggests the Night’s Watch could use men like him and Allar Deem. When Tyrion questions him about Lord Eddard’s death, Slynt says even Varys was surprised by the King’s decision, and we learn Varys had helped persuade Cersei to allow Ned to take the black. Slynt calls Lord Stark a traitor for trying to buy him, to which Tyrion retorts, "Little dreaming that you had already been bought." Slynt gets angry at this, telling Tyrion he has no right to question his honor. Tyrion threatens him, saying that he should thank the gods it was Tyrion he had to deal with, and not his lord father. Tyrion tells him his children will inherit lands and his eldest son will be named Lord Slynt when he comes of age, but Janos is bound for the Wall. Slynt is enraged, and tells Tyrion he will speak to the King about this, but Ser Jacelyn Bywater takes Slynt into custody.

Tyrion tells Bywater that Slynt and six others will board ship for Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, and that it would not be taken amiss if Allar Deem should get swept overboard. Varys meets Tyrion afterward, and Tyrion accuses the eunuch of not telling him that it was his sister who sent the gold cloaks after the whore’s bastard. Tyrion is upset that he hands out justice for the sorry likes of Slynt and Deem while his sister continues on her savage course. Tyrion knows he cannot touch his sister, yet. Varys tells Tyrion he could not save the baby girl, but he had taken steps to save another bastard, this one an older boy (Gendry). Tyrion again talks with Varys about Eddard’s death, aware that Slynt and Ser Ilyn had carried out the King’s sentence without hesitation, almost as if they expected it. Varys then asks Tyrion about the answer to his riddle, and Tyrion says the sellsword holds the true power. Varys asks, "If it is the swordsmen who rule in truth, why pretend kings hold the power?" That day at Baelor’s Sept, neither the godly High Septon, nor the lawful Queen Regent, nor the ever-knowledgeable Varys could prevent Lord Eddard’s death. He asks who truly killed Eddard: the King who gave the command, Ser Ilyn who swung the sword, or another? Varys departs after telling Tyrion about prophets in the streets foretelling doom and causing problems. When Bronn arrives, Tyrion remarks that he probably replaced one of Littlefinger’s men with one belonging to Varys when he made Ser Jacelyn the Commander of the City Watch. He asks Bronn if he would kill an infant girl without question if he were commanded to. Bronn replies, "Without question? No. I’d ask how much."

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Here is chapter where we see that Tyrion is a man of his word. He promised to help Mormont, and he is keeping his promise. He is sending Janos and 5 of his men to the wall, and is arranging one more man to go there.

I have a question about the riddle. Varys says that power lies where people believe it lies. What does it mean, or what is he trying to tell Tyrion. Is he saying to Tyrion that he should be friend with Joff, or what?

He did good job with Janos, but poor job with other people. He allowed preachers to preach about Doom, although Varys warns him that they are spreading fear. He also didn't react on Timmet killing that Cheater, and Swann's jest. Now, I can chew the Jest, but he shouldn't let preachers and Timmet go unpunished. Now I kinda figured out why nobody liked Tyrion although he defended KL from Stannis. He got wildings with him, and he allowed them to kill people in KL and go unpunished. That kind of stuff start spreading stories, and after you burn the part of city outside of city walls, people really start to hate you.

“yet shadows can kill. And ofttimes a very small man can cast a very large shadow.â€
This reminded me of two things. Renly's death and Tyrion's shadow from Jon's first chapter in GoT.
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I love this chapter where Tyrion Lannister shows he can be a lion, too. I wonder about the riddle as well, I mean, what is it Varys tries to accomplish with it - in AFFC, it is revealed that there are many nobles still pledging their allegiance to House Targaryen - so when Daenerys returns to Westeros, would people believe that it is with her the power lies?

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Tyrion (III) {XII}

Introduced: Ironbelly (a blacksmith);

Salloreon* (a master armorer, later imprisoned for treason; killed along with the other Antler Men by command of King Joffrey);

Alayaya (a whore, daughter of Chataya).

The Queen is furious upon learning that Stannis is circulating letters accusing her of incest. Despite her guilt, she does not want this reaching her son or her father, but there may be nothing to stop that. Tyrion advises that they let people talk, but without proof no one will believe it; Littlefinger goes further by suggesting they circulate their own vile rumor- that Shireen is really the daughter of the ugly Queen Selyse and the lackwit fool Patchface. While the other counselors wonder where Varys is, Tyrion takes his leave. He meets with many of the city’s smiths in his great hall, and asks them to stop forging armor and begin creating a giant chain. Several armorers complain, but Tyrion warns them that they will either forge a chain or wear one, the choice is theirs.

Tyrion then departs for Chataya’s brothel, and there learns that in the Summer Isles, being a whore is considered an honor. Tyrion follows Alayaya upstairs, and she shows him a secret staircase in the back of her wardrobe. Tyrion follows it down a tunnel and meets Varys, who is in disguise. Tyrion will take a horse to the mansion where he is keeping Shae safe, but first he and Varys talk. Varys makes it known that some of the Queen’s spies are really his. Tyrion asks how Stannis learned of the Queen’s incest, and the Spider responds that perhaps he read a book or looked at bastards’ hair, as Lord Eddard and Jon Arryn had; or perhaps someone whispered it to him. Tyrion asks Varys if it was he, but Varys denies it, and when Tyrion names Littlefinger, the eunuch tells him, "I named no name." When Tyrion remarks he sometimes considers Varys his best friend, but at other times his worst enemy, the Spider tells him he feels much the same way about him.

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Tyrion (IV) {XIII}

Introduced: Hallyne the Pyromancer (Wisdom of the Guild of Alchemists, later titled lord);

Ser Tallad (called Ser Tallad the Tall, a hedge knight sworn to King Joffrey).

Tyrion is having breakfast with Grand Maester Pycelle, and hands him two sealed letters to send by raven for Prince Doran Martell’s eyes only. When Pycelle goes up to the rookery, Tyrion looks at Pycelle’s potions, and steals one. Tyrion knows the Grand Maester is ultra curious, and lures him by stating the importance of the letters, but will not reveal what they contain. As Tyrion takes his leave, he thinks to himself one. Outside, Bronn is selecting recruits and sellswords, and points out a hedge knight named Tallad as the best of the lot. Bronn informs Tyrion of mobs gathering in the streets, and a black brother named Ser Alliser is demanding an audience, and he carries a dismembered hand in a jar. Tyrion tells him he will see Ser Alliser on the morrow.

Littlefinger visits later, and when Tyrion points out the dagger, Petyr offers it to him. Littlefinger knows his lie caused Tyrion anguish, and doesn’t care. Tyrion is aware Littlefinger’s rise started as a tax collector appointed by Jon Arryn, but he eventually rose to master of coin, and replaced most of his predecessor’s men with those of his own choosing. Tyrion knew that Littlefinger was too secure in his post, and realized he probably couldn’t touch the man, even if Littlefinger was a traitor. Tyrion then sets Lord Baelish up by offering him lordship of Harrenhal if he brings a message to Lady Lysa Arryn, whom Petyr has boasted of taking her maidenhead. Tyrion tells him he will offer her Lord Arryn’s true murderer (to which Littlefinger is quite curious to know who), and his niece Myrcella as a ward to be betrothed to Lord Robert. Littlefinger is too greedy to pass up such a great position as Lord of Harrenhal and agrees to deliver the message. Tyrion thinks two.

Afterwards, Varys arrives and is aware of Tyrion’s proposal to Littlefinger. He then puzzles out most of Tyrion’s offer to Prince Doran Martell: a seat on the council, Tyrion’s nephew Tommen as ward, and the head of Ser Gregor Clegane who murdered his sister. When Varys asks what Lord Tywin would think, Tyrion replies, "My father would be the first to tell you that fifty thousand Dornishmen are worth one rabid dog." Varys cautions Tyrion that his sister will never consent to sending away both Tommen and Myrcella, and Tyrion warns that if his sister were to find out his plans, he would know Varys told her. He thinks to himself three.

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Tyrion (V) {XIV}

Tyrion is visiting the Guildhall of the Alchemists, and learns that the Wisdoms have over 7,000 vials of wildfire, 4,000 of them from King Aerys’ day. The Mad King used the Pyromancers frequently to torture people. Hallyne promises 10,000 will be ready when Tyrion needs them. After he leaves, Bronn reports that Ser Jacelyn has his cousin Ser Cleos at the Gate of the Gods. Ser Cleos delivers Robb’s peace terms, and when Tyrion returns to his Tower, Cersei is waiting, and confronts him about offering Myrcella to Prince Doran Martell. Tyrion now knows that Pycelle is the Queen’s creature. Tyrion tells her that the Dornishmen have been fighting against Storm’s End and Highgarden for a thousand years, yet Renly has assumed Prince Doran’s allegiance. He feels that Dorne would help the Lannisters if Prince Doran were given some indication that he could trust them. Myrcella as ward, and the head of his sister’s murderer might make Prince Doran concede. When Cersei tries to slap Tyrion again, he stops her hand, warning her not to strike him again. Cersei breaks down crying, revealing something Tyrion had known for a long time about his sister: that she wishes she were born a man and thus could wield a sword. Tyrion shows her Robb’s peace terms, and he realizes that she will now consent to the Dornish marriage.

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Of note in this chapter is that Tyrion is completely surprised by Cersei bursting into tears. Her giving way like that is a total shock to him.

You could speculate that about now is when she starts actually sleeping with Lancel. After making this exhibition of herself in front of her despised brother, she might well have decided that the therapy of a bit of R&R was necessary.

This also shows Cersei's weaknesses as a player in the GoT. A smarter woman would have bawled her eyes out all over Tyrion's shoulder instead of rejecting him. This would be both a useful emotional catharsis and a means of getting a little leverage by which to manipulate him (for example she could try to extract a promise out of him to redouble his efforts to free Jaime).

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Tyrion VI {XV}

Introduced: Tyrek Lannister (only son of the late Ser Tygett Lannister, nephew of Lord Tywin, once squire to King Robert, mocked as ‘Wet Nurse’ due to his marriage to the infant Lady Ermesande; cousin of Jaime, Cersei, Tyrion, and Lancel).

Tyrion enters Cersei’s chambers to tell her that Stannis has landed, but is besieging Storm’s End and will soon battle his brother Renly. Cersei is overjoyed by the news, and even hugs Tyrion. Tyrion proposes a toast and slips some powder into her glass. The next day, the Queen is sick, and Tyrion is able to treat with Ser Cleos and take care of court business without her interference. As Tyrion presides as Hand in the courtroom, we learn for the first time that Tyrion’s cousin Tyrek has wed the infant Lady Ermesande, and is being mocked as "Wet Nurse". Tyrion’s counter-terms put forth to his cousin Ser Cleos are equally absurd as Robb’s were, and Tyrion does not reveal to Ser Cleos that they do not have Arya captive, as the northeners seem to think. He does send Eddard’s bones back to Catelyn and Robb however. Tyrion then commands Vylarr to accompany Ser Cleos to Riverrun as an honor guard, getting rid of one of his sister’s men. As court is about to be adjourned, Ser Alliser comes forth, but the severed hand of Jafer Flowers has rotted away, and he is mocked. Still, Tyrion hears a ring of truth in Thorne’s word of wights, and allows him the pick of the city dungeons.

Littlefinger then confronts Tyrion, pissed off he had been lied to about Myrcella being promised to Robert Arryn, when she is instead to be sent off to Prince Doran Martell. Littlefinger warns Tyrion, "Leave me out of your next deception", and Tyrion thinks to himself, only if you’ll do the same for me. Varys then speaks to Tyrion, aware of the Hand’s planned attempt to free his brother by sending 4 thieves with Ser Cleos’ party.

At midnight, Tyrion invades Grand Maester Pycelle’s solar with Timett and Shagga. They find a young serving girl in the Grand Maester’s bed, and send her away. Pycelle pleads with Tyrion that he never deceived him, that he is a true servant. He tries to place the blame on Varys, and then Littlefinger, but Tyrion reveals that his ruse was designed to expose one of them as a traitor, and it was Pycelle who told Cersei his plan to send Myrcella to Prince Doran. Tyrion has Shagga chop off Pycelle’s beard, and threatens to unman him. Pycelle reveals it was he who advised King Aerys to open the gates for Lord Tywin’s army, and how he had hoped Tywin would become king.

Tyrion then asks him how many he has betrayed: Aerys, Eddard Stark, himself, King Robert, Jon Arryn, Prince Rhaegar? Pycelle pleads that Robert was a wretched king, that Renly was plotting to bring Mace Tyrell’s daughter to court and have Cersei supplanted as Queen. Tyrion asks what Lord Arryn had been plotting, and Pycelle explains that Jon Arryn knew of Cersei’s incest. Pycelle also knew that Lord Jon planned to send his wife back to the Eyrie, his son to foster on Dragonstone, and that he meant to act on his knowledge. Under duress, Pycelle finally leaks that the Queen needed Jon Arryn dead, although she had not said as much because Varys is always listening. But Pycelle swears he did not administer the poison, that he had only prevented Maester Colemon from healing Lord Arryn. The Grand Maester believes Ser Hugh gave Jon Arryn the poison, and that Cersei and Varys can confirm that. When Tyrion tells Shagga to bring the maester to the black cells and imprison him, Pycelle pleads that all he’s done has been for the Lannisters. Tyrion is concerned, because he had hoped to trust Pycelle, for Varys and Littlefinger were far less loyal and far, far more dangerous in their subtlety. He wonders whether his father’s way would have been better: to mount all three of their heads above the gates, and have done with it.

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I love a chapter with lots of political intrigue.

Are we ever told why Tygett married Lady Ermesande? What advantage did that give to House Lannister?

This is the third or fourth time we are told that Jon Arryn wanted to foster Robert with Stannis. The only one who ever mentioned fostering Robert with Tywin was King Robert. Apparently, King Robert knew nothing about Jon Arryn's plans to foster Robert with Stannis. Shows what a weak player Robert was. He didn't communicate with his own Hand very well.

We think of Pycelle as a weak player, but how did he find out about Renly's plans to get rid of Cercei and have Robert marry Margery? If Pycelle knew about that, then Cercei may have been ready even if Ned had accepted Renly's offer in AGOT.

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Tyrion (VII) {XVI}

Introduced: Dancy (a whore at Chataya’s brothel);

Marei (another whore at Chataya’s brothel, with silvery hair).

First Mentioned: Tysha (young woman whom Tyrion and Ser Jaime rescued, later wed Tyrion, then exposed as a whore hired by Jaime for his brother’s birthday, raped by Lannister guardsmen at the command of Lord Tywin <See Tyrion chapter VI summary from AGOT>, however Jaime later admits that Tysha was not a whore and that their father had forced him to lie to Tyrion).

Tyrion was up late at night reading, when Pod brings word that his cousin Ser Lancel is outside demanding to see him. Lancel commands Tyrion to release Pycelle in the name of the king. When he warns Tyrion, the dwarf retorts, "I’ll hear no warnings from you, boy." Lancel corrects him that he is a knight, and starts to reach for his sword, but Tyrion calls him a wineskin warrior. He asks Lancel if he was knighted before or after Cersei started taking him into her bed. Lancel is shocked that Tyrion knows of this incest, and when Tyrion bluffs that he will inform Joffrey that Lancel killed his father so he could bed his mother, Lancel turns to water. Tyrion commands him to continue to serve his sister, but report all he sees and hears to him. Tyrion promises he will release Pycelle, and that Cersei can keep him as a pet or send him to the wall, but he is stripped of his position on the council and as Grand Maester. Tyrion warns Lancel that he wants no more nephews, so he should watch where his seed falls. Tyrion feels a little remorse for the way he and Cersei are using Lancel, and that his weakness will lead to his death, either in the war or at the hands of Ser Jaime if he returned to King’s Landing and found out. As Tyrion rides for Chataya’s brothel, he reflects on the Lords Arryn and Stark, and how their nobility led to their downfall at his sister’s hands. But Tyrion knew how to play her game and beat her. Later, with Shae, Tyrion feels like this is his place, holding all the power at court.

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Tyrion feels a little remorse for the way he and Cersei are using Lancel, and that his weakness will lead to his death, either in the war or at the hands of Ser Jaime if he returned to King’s Landing and found out.

Another case of Tyrion getting his family wrong here. He is sure that Lancel will be murdered within a year, either by Cersei or by Jaime. Yet when it comes to it, neither actually does.

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Well, jaime didn't kill him because he kinda change. Don't forget that Jamie and Tyrion see each other in Winterfell, and at the end of SoS. And in winterfell, Jamie would kill Lancel. He almost killed Ned in GOT, only Tyrion was captured, so he thought Cat would kill him

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This is the third or fourth time we are told that Jon Arryn wanted to foster Robert with Stannis. The only one who ever mentioned fostering Robert with Tywin was King Robert. Apparently, King Robert knew nothing about Jon Arryn's plans to foster Robert with Stannis. Shows what a weak player Robert was. He didn't communicate with his own Hand very well.

You're kind of missing the point here. The point is not that Robert wasn't communicating with his Hand. The significance of sending Robert Arryn to foster at Dragonstone was that House Arryn and the Vale would support Stannis against the Lannisters, they're forming a secret alliance! And more importantly it hints to the reader that something is going on involving these people before we learn the details. Unfortunantly for Stannis, Jon Arryn was murdered before he could send the boy to Dragonstone. With Robert Arryn safely in hand at Dragonstone, Stannis could have counted on the support of the Vale against the Lannisters.

King Robert's decission to send the kid to Tywin (under his wife's influence), a decission that is only made AFTER Jon Arryns death, is an attempt from the Lannisters to ensure that the Vale did no such thing. This decission is the only one that is made public. VERY few people know about the deal between Jon Arryn and Stannis which is why it's a big deal; it reaveals that there's a mystery there.

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Well, jaime didn't kill him because he kinda change. Don't forget that Jamie and Tyrion see each other in Winterfell, and at the end of SoS. And in winterfell, Jamie would kill Lancel. He almost killed Ned in GOT, only Tyrion was captured, so he thought Cat would kill him

Though it is one thing to kill people who have kidnapped your brother, and another thing to kill a fellow Lannister that your girlfriend decided to seduce in your absence. But yes, the Jaime of AFfC is less infatuated with Cersei than he had been, which might have tipped the balance.

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