Chapter Five - Samwell 1 - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)

Lord Commander Jon Snow sends Sam to Oldtown to earn his maester’s chain. Gilly, her baby, and maester Aemon are to go with him. Simon and Mackelly dream of a warmer future.

Chapter Review:
Samwell is scouring the Castle Black libraries for information on the Others. Pickings are surprisingly slim. He’s tired and hungry so he heads up to the castle. In the yard, he’s met by Edd, Grenn, and Pyp. Jon wants to see him.

The guys think that Jon is too good for them now he’s Lord Commander, but Sam defends his friend - he does have a lot on his plate. First order of business is rebuilding the stairs up the Wall, and training every single brother in archery.

Sam meets Gilly at Jon’s door. She’s upset and he’s clumsy in her presence. Within, Jon tells Sam that she was begging for Mance’s life on behalf of Val, but Mance’s crimes are unforgivable even if Stannis and Melisdanre didn’t have an eye on Mance’s royal blood for their magic. Jon wants Sam to take Gilly, her baby, and Maester Aemon to Oldtown. There Sam is to earn his chain as Aemon’s replacement. Sam is conflicted - he wanted to be a maester but his father forbad it. At dawn the next day, they ride toward Eastwatch, with Aemon and a tearful Gilly in a wayn.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Samwell Tarly - Bother of the Night’s Watch, friend to John Snow. Slayer of Others.
Stannis Baratheon - Claimant to the Iron Throne.
Gilly - Daughter of Craster. Beloved of Samwell.
Jon Snow - New Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch.
Melisandre - Priestess of R’Hellor, advisor to King Stannis.
Maester Aemon - 102-year-old maester of the Night’s Watch.