EddardsHead Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 When it comes to the Night's Watch vows they take them awfully seriously. Why was Benjen allowed to take a solo vacation from the wall in order to visit his family for a feast, when the Night's Watch prides themselves on leaving their old families behind and becoming brothers amongst themselves? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernmonkey Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 Well it makes sense for the king to meet a representative from the Night's Watch. Who better than Benjen? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Doe Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 They also would have send Sam the Lizard south had he not been the coward he was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonCon's Red Beard Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 connections :dunno: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AryaNymeriaVisenya Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 When it comes to the Night's Watch vows they take them awfully seriously. Why was Benjen allowed to take a solo vacation from the wall in order to visit his family for a feast, when the Night's Watch prides themselves on leaving their old families behind and becoming brothers amongst themselves? He's of the rank to schmooze Robert for more money for the watch and he's part of the family hosting the event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonSnow4President Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 Mormont: Hmmm, the king is coming up here, and we really need help. Additionally, Ned Stark has been thinking about ways to use the gift. If only I had someone that has a personal connection to one of them to send to discuss terms with, especially someone that both of them should respect. Oh well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Lannister Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 I would imagine it's a combination of wanting to keep the Lord of Winterfell on good terms along with Benjen having earned a measure of trust and to represent the interests of the Night's Watch while he was there. He came back with Jon among others after all. I never saw anything wrong with letting people go on little sojourns to their homelands to recruit after they've proven they can be trusted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowHeart Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 All of the above, plus at this point in the story the watch was (near enough) at peace. there was no looming war with the others so the 1st ranger wasn't a necessity like he would have been at a later stage.Anyway, it wasn't a vacation, he was sort of working Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Selig Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 Because he was in a good position to ask the king for more support. So it's a good move for the Watch in theory, though it seems Benjen failed to get anything. Also because as Lord Stark's only brother Benjen could do pretty much whatever he wanted and Mormont would let it go for obvious reasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Ravens Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 They also would have send Sam the Lizard south had he not been the coward he was. Um, Sam hadn't even joined the watch yet. Also, Sam the Lizard? Not a big Sam fan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonSnow4President Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 I would imagine that it would be kind of a standard policy for volunteers that have proven their devotion to the watch (through years of service) be allowed to return home on brief visits. While it's by no means a draw to the Night's Watch, it'd help it become ever so slightly less negative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ McLannister Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 Also because as Lord Stark's only brother Benjen could do pretty much whatever he wanted and Mormont would let it go for obvious reasons.Yep. Starks get special treatment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSB Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 it was certain so far as eddard was concerned that benjen would both want, and be able, to visit. he had the message sent by 'the swiftest bird', however that is determined. and it was only for a jolly-up, i remember no mention of requests for money/men/supplies being made by bj at wf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddardsHead Posted November 20, 2014 Author Share Posted November 20, 2014 Benjen never asked the King or even Ned for more men, gold. or supplies so I don't know where you guys are getting that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaircat Meow Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 Yea, he's both a very high ranking officer and a very high ranking noble. So if he wants to go and see his brother that's fine. It's not like he was sent to the wall as a criminal either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RumHam Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 When it comes to the Night's Watch vows they take them awfully seriously. Yes, but the vows don't say "I will never go south to visit my brother." Of course unless you're from the northern north visits home are probably out of the question just as a matter of practicality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonSnow4President Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 Benjen never asked the King or even Ned for more men, gold. or supplies so I don't know where you guys are getting that. Actually, we have no idea that he didn't. IIRC, he was there about a month. Very little of that is actually shown through POV. Also, assuming I'm recalling correctly, we do know Ned was discussing settling the Gift, which would certainly have involved the NW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTyrion Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 Benjen never asked the King or even Ned for more men, gold. or supplies so I don't know where you guys are getting that. Not everything that happens is witnessed by a POV character. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woh dak nag gram Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 Something else to consider. Just like modern military, members may be allowed leave from time to time. Considering that Benjen was first ranger, I would think he was of sufficient rank and trustworthiness to allow him leave for the king's visit to his family's estate. I don't think that the night's watch is as "hardcore" as some may believe it to be. Yes, the vows are taken seriously by some members both inwardly and outwardly and by all members at least outwardly, that does not preclude a little R n R here and there, especially for high ranking members (i.e. Benjen). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Twinslayer Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 It is a good question. At one point, Mormont tells Jon that due to being in the Watch, Jon will never "hold a child of your own blood in your arms." But Jon has 5 siblings who might give him nephews and nieces. If Jon is ever permitted to visit Winterfell, surely he'll get to hold one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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