Tom O'Sevens at the end of AFFC

[Aerys]

Is it just me or does Tom O'Sevens, who last i checked seemed to be with Dondarrion's rogueish band, seem to talk with Jaime at the end of AFFC in Riverrun? What's he doing there anyway? An inside job?

[direwolf]

I've often wondered about this, it seems like it has some exciting potential. The obvious answer is that he's infiltrating the Lannister Monarchy, which seems to be at or near an end. But who knows whats in sotre.

Can't wait to hear the theories, I'm sure there're some good ones out there.

[The Black Mamba of Dorne]

No I think after Beric dies alot of the BwB leave the group and strike out on their own. I'm sure Thoros mentions this somewhere in the book.

[Benjen]

Tom o' Sevens was at Riverrun spying for Stoneheart and the remains of the BwB. There is some circumstancial evidence to support this in the fact that Tom was Ryman Frey's singer when Jaime showed up at Riverrun. Then Jaime sent Ryman away. Not long after that Ryman and his whole party were hung by Stoneheart near Fairmarket.

Ser Edwyn Frey thought the hanging was Black Walder's work, but considering that Stoneheart shows up in Brienne's last chapter with the crown that Ryman's whore was wearing at Riverrun.... we know it wasn't Black Walder at all.

Tom was also at Jaime's tent to hear all of the threats that Jaime leveled at Edmure Tully in order to get him to surrender Riverrun. I'd bet Stoneheart heard about that too (which may have something to do with Stoneheart's treatment of Brienne).

And then we see Tom hanging around at Riverrun in Jaime's last chapter, watching all of the comings and goings.

Stoneheart will learn quickly where Jaime is heading when he leaves Riverrun, I think.

[Siligero]

But I wonder why Edmure reacted the way he did to Tom. I can't remember anything saying that they'd even met before, and I can't think of why they should have.

[Lady Blackfish]

Tom was the guy that sang the song about Edmure's "floppy fish", thats why Edmure hates him.

[Knight of the Teabags]

But I wonder why Edmure reacted the way he did to Tom. I can't remember anything saying that they'd even met before, and I can't think of why they should have.

Oh Edmure and Tom are certainly 'old acquaintances'! Tom O'Sevens tells Arya, Gendry and Hot-pie the history between him and the heir to Riveruun when he is introduced in ASoS, though Arya doesn't necessarily realise that he's talking about her uncle at the time.

In brief, Edmure hired Tom O'Sevens to play for a whore he was courting at the time. Unfortunately for Edmure when it got round to him to enjoy the girl's services he was unable to 'get it up'. No man ever to let an attractive whore go to waste, Tom stepped up when Edmure couldn't. To add insult to injury Tom later wrote a lewd song about 'a floppy fish' which much to Edmure's dismay has become quite popular in the taverns of the Riverlands.

Unsurprisingly Edmure has since developed a dislike of singers in general and a certain one singer in particular...

[Taemlyn Blackfyre]

Everyone has answered this very well. I agree with most of what is said.

So, basically, Tom O'Sevens enveigled himself into Ryman's retinue, sent them to one of the bad hells via the BWB, then re-attached himself to the Lannisters, caught the Kingslayer's attention, gave Edmure a bit more reason to be nervous (aside from Jaime's promise to deliver the next Heir to Riverrun in a Trebuchet or the dulcet tones of Rains of Castamere) before handily ensconcing himself inside the newly Freyed Tully stronghold.

I'd say the BWB dudes who care about hanging Freys will be keen to follow Stoneheart. Certainly Tom's intelligence from Riverrun will be an ideal setting for some wartime accidents. The question remains over where his true alliegience lies: gold, the Tullys, the Baratheons, the Targs? who knows?

[Aerys]

Any chance of the possibility that Stoneheart and the BwB will actually assult, using stealth and subterfuge, and hold Riverrun for a time? Haven't hangings increased since Stoneheart set up? Taking Riverrun would be a step to up her operations. Tom as a spy could spy out their strengths/weaknesses at the current time. Unlikely, I know, it doesn't seem to be their style but Winterfell was taken in a similar way with a smallish band of warriors.

[Mr_PeaCH]

In Jamie's last chapter there is a final exchange between Tom and he. Tom gives Jamie his real name (which 'could' come back and bite him in the ass) and Tom assumes Jamie will be staying on at Riverrun. Jamie informs him his stay will be short and advises Tom that his aunt (Genna?) is the one Tom ought to ingratiate himself with if he plans to remain.

I'm torn; I guess I always thought that Tom was spying (for Stoneheart and/or the remains of BwB) and then just now, reading this thread, it made sense that perhaps he has cut and run off on his own. Not sure what to make of it now but it could go either way. If Tom is indeed still keeping with the BwB then for sure they will know a few things worth knowing; Jamie's travel plans for one and the disappearance of the Blackfish for another. Hmm.

[Happy Ent]

If Tom is indeed still keeping with the BwB then for sure they will know a few things worth knowing; Jamie's travel plans for one and the disappearance of the Blackfish for another. Hmm.

More interesting: Tom knows where Jeyne is.

[Ealasaid]

More interesting: Tom knows where Jeyne is.

True. Tom is the fly in the raisin pudding. He could do great damage at Riverrrun.

Happy Ent, you've a new face..

[Starship Trooper]

Maybe the BwB is planning on taking Riverrun? Obviously they can't storm the place, but with a man on the inside they might be able to trick their way in. Then Stoneheart could do her hanging thing and make a big statement.

This all depends on how many men she's got. I guess it's an outside possibility really.

One thing that confused me that maybe someone could explain... Are there TWO crowns? One for Robb and one for Jeyne? Or just Robb's?

[Ser Skywalker]

Ser Edwyn Frey thought the hanging was Black Walder's work, but considering that Stoneheart shows up in Brienne's last chapter with the crown that Ryman's whore was wearing at Riverrun.... we know it wasn't Black Walder at all.

I completely missed this in two reads. Now Tom's presence makes a lot more sense.

[Benjen]

More interesting: Tom knows where Jeyne is.

and that the Blackfish escaped. Not to mention where Edmure is being taken and that Lady Roslin will be brought to the Rock to be with him. I can imagine what a fun trip to Casterly Rock Lady Roslin will have from the Twins. And Stoneheart knows that Ser Robin Ryger & Ser Desmond Grell are being escorted to Maidenpool by Raff the Sweetling and co., that Ser Dermott of the Rainwwod is scouting north of the Red Fork for the Blackfish, and that Jaime had planned to go to Raventree hall to end the standoff between the Brackens & the Blackwoods(though that may change).

Any of them could end up running into the BwB, but I think the guard on Edmure and Jeyne is just too good (and heading the wrong way).

I remember one of Jaime's cryptic thoughts early in his last chapter in AFFC where he worries that the Blackfish may return at the head of an outlaw band. I think that could have been some foreshadowing....

I completely missed this in two reads. Now Tom's presence makes a lot more sense.

Yeah, and there is a great deal of stuff like that going on in AFFC that isn't very obvious. (Jaqen=the Alchemist=Pate, Alleras=Sarella, Ser Shadrich the Mad mouse, Gravedigger = the Hound, FrankenGregor, etc). Frankly I think AFFC gets a bad rep. GRRM didn't get much credit for the subtlety that was used in AFFC, not even from some of the more ardent fans who post here. I think it's because most didn't even realize half of what GRRM was trying to do.

On my first time through AFFC I wanted to know what happened, I was looking for movement in the main story line. There's a little of that, but after some study, I can see now that AFFC is mostly set up for things to come later, when the winds of winter start blowing for real.

[Aerys]

Tom has turned out not just to be a good singer, but an international superspy for a secret bandit organisation. With all the info he's gathered about where people are going, the Lannisters are going to be pissed. Tom miht as well change his name to Sam Fisher and wear Nightvision goggles in a sleek black outfit with all the successful spying hes done.

[Benjen]

Nah, all he has is a tin can and a reeeeeaaallly long string.

[一方通行]

Nah, all he has is a tin can and a reeeeeaaallly long string.

he lose the other six?

[Dycedarg]

he lose the other six?

No, the remaining strings are for all the other people he's spying for:

- Varys (his little birds aren't just children)

- Littlefinger (anyone not spying for Varys is spying for LF, It Is Known)

- Strong Belwas (Tom helps him find overconfident posers to beat up on)

- Doran Martell (he has spies everywhere there are Lannisters)

- Garlan Tyrell (he's not half as goody-two-shoes as he'd like everyone to think)

- Pia (what, did you really think she was just a slutty servant?)

[Bittersteel+]

I think, the BwB is going to get Riverrun or attack the party which transports Edmure, or even Jaime himself. We are used to think of BwB as of a band, counting only a few members. But when Arya asked Beric how many men he has, he answered that there are maybe thousands of them never coming together, because it requires only one strike to destroy an army. That means he is speaking of people ready to fight, not some smallfolk giving apples and porridge. If they should get together they could ambush any of the parties which leave Riverrun, especially if Blackfish joined them. And one more interesting thing: Bolton left some 600 foot on the Trident, all northermen. Apparently loyal to Robb that's why left behind. Where are they now? They could become the striking fist of Stoneheart...