Sansa Player in training or pawn

[Funky Cthulu]

Originally Posted by TK-421

The Blackfish is also a Tully...and he's on his way back to the Vale where he will meet up with his niece. Boaz, help me out here. I kind of burnt out my few remaining brain cells over the holidays and can't really expand on this theory.

MW....oh, sorry, is this still allowed?

Ah, I hadn't thought of that, I assumed it was another case of the "so close, yet so far" almost meetings that have plagued the Starks.
I think it would be unwise to remain in the north when he knows Jaime must be searching for him, but since when were angry men known for their wisdom?
Maybe the Blackfish will disguise himself and wind up in the Vale while working for food and rallying underground support. Still, it's a long way to get to the building (forgot it's name) where Sansa is, when he doesn't (presumably) know she's there.

[Boaz]

Sorry TK, let me put down the leftover turkeyleg and I'll get right on this one. Hmmmm. Yes, the Blackfish will go back to the Vale because Lyn Corbray has the biggest stable of young men for Brynden to choose from. Knowing Brynden will recognize Sansa, though he's not seen her in ten years, Littlefinger will order Corbray to catch the Blackfish. When faced with the choice of seeing Sansa raped and murdered or going to the Wall, Brynden will choose the Wall. On his way, he'll be rescued by Arya whom he will not recognize. Arya will co-opt him to help her on her mission to kill Ramsay Bolton, which the Blackfish will only be too happy to do. In due course, he will find Rickon and place him on the Wolf Throne of Winterfell... and he will marry Asha.

[stonStark]

That is all..... you disappoint me Boaz.......

[Aegon the Unworthy]

Okay....just to threadjack....

You know I never seriously considered Brynden going back to the Aerie (how the heck is that word spelled), cause we all know my personal theory that Brynden is gonna be regent in the North...and if you dont know that then what the heck are you doing still reading this post....start searching.

If we assume Brynden returns to his previous employ, would he not then become a suitable regent for that holding and then become a rallying point for Corbray and his ilk? Would they not find him to be more palatable than Petyr?

So what would be the impact of Brynden's return? Would he back Petyr himself as an unassuming liege-man? Or will he allow the protestors to utilize his unique qualifications to place himself as Robert Arryns protector and oust Petyr. Truly he is Lysa Arryns closest living relative.

Thoughts? Queries? Obfuscations?

[TK-421]

The Blackfish is a man of principle and therefore would never support Littlefinger, unless he knew that not supporting him would endanger the life of the heir to Winterfell: Alayne aka Sansa.

[BeefcakeTheMighty]

I dreaded reading Sansa's pov's at first, but it seems like Martin is grooming her to become a significant character by the end of the story. Her pov's are gradually getting more interesting, even if the interest is driven by another person. The transition seems to be smooth though as I didn't notice I was enjoying some of her pov's until A Storm of Swords. She seems to be heading in the direction of the character you hate at first, but start to gradually root for, whether you realize it or not.

[KiwiBird]

The only two i truly liked so far was when she built Winterfell and the wildfire part with ser Gregor.

I hated the ending of that chapter though, she kissing Petyr, I made Petyr a funny charachter seem a bit too creepy

[Young stormlord]

I'm new to this forum. Have u noticed the 3 hungry knights at the end of Aleyna's last chapter?

[Boaz]

Welcome! No, I don't remember them... what is their significance?

Ston, I'll try to be more ridiculous in the future.

Aegon, Eyrie. Imo, Brynden is cut from the same cloth that Ned, Robb, Jaime, Mace and all the other warriors of the realm, unlike Petyr. Pros for Brynden's regency of the Vale: He's not ambitious, he's loyal, he'll do his duty without personal gain. Cons: He's not of the Vale, the Vale lords know he's a nobleman but so are they and they think they can do the job just as good as Brynden.

Brynden as Regent will be just like Ned as Hand. Ser Rodrik's words when Catelyn took Tyrion hostage show how these honorable warriors think. Rodrik said something like, "I'll thank you all to not say anything about what you've seen here." He expected the people there to see the moral high ground of the Starks and to respect that. Ned expected Petyr, Cersei, Pycelle, and Renly to always seek to do the right thing even if costs them.

Petyr knows how to reward people. He motivates them with tangible ways to improve their socio-political standings. If Brynden tries to deal with Petyr using the same methods that Ned used, I think the result will be the same. I think Ser Lyn would rather take the chance to kill Brynden for Littlefinger's rewards than serve Brynden for nothing.

What awaits the Blackfish in the Vale? At best a cold shoulder, at worst death.

Brynden must go to the heart of Stark power to raise them back up. That means the North.

He'll make a call for fealty. He'll call upon the love the northern lords have for the Starks. He'll say how just they were compared to the Boltons, the Lannisters, the Greyjoys, and all the rest. He'll say how only the Starks can hold together a united North to resist southern dominance.

Robb rose up against his rightful king. He declared independence. He did this for what reason? Glory? Revenge? Freedom?

Roose Bolton rose up against his rightful king. He took over his king's lands. He made himself the new lord of the north. Why? Honor? Glory? Power? It was just there for the taking? It's in his nature to be a backstabber?

How is Roose different from Robb? Robb's father was unjustly killed by the Lannisters. So Robb seceded. Robb lost the Freys and dishonored all his lords by breaking his sacred vow. Roose put an end to the war and regained his honor by taking the north from Robb. Note that Roose had the blessing of the rightful king for his undertaking... he was merely re-establishing royal authority in rebellious lands.

Now as for Sansa... she saw into Littlefinger's machinations regarding Lord Nestor Royce and Ser Lyn Corbray. She's coming along. But taking apart an engine and building your own from scratch are two different things. She'll soon be taking a more active role in Littlefinger's ploys and con games, but it'll be a while before she's ready to devolp and hatch her own plots in the grander politcal game.

[KiwiBird]

Boaz, the three hungry knights importance was the fact that the Mad Mouse was one of them.

As for the Robb and Roose part, there are many interprations possible depending on the viewpoint.

[Aegon the Unworthy]

Boaz, werent you one of the ones arguing against Brynden heading north originally? Bahahahah....maybe I converted you.

You forgot to mention that Brynden is Robert Arryns closest living relative, with no possibility of producing off-spring himself. Assuming the nobles are reasonably loyal to Jon's memory but ambitious themselves I should think Brynden would be the only man present they could possibly agree on. I dont have the time to type out an opus like you did detailing why, so suffice it to say thats what I think.

I think Ned gets a bum rap. He understood Petyr to be treacherous, heck he thought everyone was dirty....he just didnt know how treacherous. He didnt have the "creative malevolence" neccessary to think like they did. Sure its one thing to understand someone will betray you, its quite another to imagine the how and put a stop to it before it starts. Ned couldnt do that. And as for Ser Rodrick, well lets just say that I found that part kind of endearing.

Roose on the other hand....yes you can make that interpretation and if Roose has a hand in the history books, Im sure thats what will get written down. Except that had Robb not lost the Freys like he did, and the Karstarks for that matter...I am absolutely positive Roose would not have switched sides. So he betrayed one side, then betrayed the other....and will likely betray again if the tide turns.

[Young stormlord]

I think that Roose is not the problem. His son on the other side.... He is not the bastard anymore so if he kills Roose and his wife he will become Protector of the North.

[TK-421]

Boaz: sounds like you are trying to convince yourself. You would certainly make a good case for the Blackfish. Maybe you can be the Mouth of Brynden.

[Boaz]

Originally Posted by TK-421

Boaz: sounds like you are trying to convince yourself.

Oh no! You're on to me!

[the smiling weirwood]

You people should open a psychic hotline.