Chapter Seven - Jon 2 - A Dance with Dragons | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)

Jon sends Aemon, Gilly, Sam, and the wrong baby away from the Wall. He appoints Night’s Watch brothers to rebuild and command castles along the Wall. Janos Slynt refuses and Jon levies a stiff punishment in response. Stannis approves. Simon and Mackelly admire Jon’s transformation - from boy to man.

Chapter Review:
Jon has met with Maester Aemon, who provided the same advice he once gave to his brother Egg: Kill the boy so that the man may be born. Time to grow up. Jon puts this into practice when he meets with Gilly and explains what she must do to save Dalla’s baby - give up her own. She agrees under considerable duress.

Next, he meets with Sam who must go to Oldtown and become a maester. Sam is flustered, a Tarly cannot wear a chain of servitude, and he cannot learn to heal because he’s scared of blood. Jon reminds him that he’s a brother of the Night's Watch, and while he cannot order him to be brave, he can order him to hide his fears. He will go and he’ll earn his chain.

Lastly, Jon commissions Bedwyck to refit and take command of the abandoned way-castle at Icemark. He’ll command 30 men. Bedwyck’s a seasoned ranger and Jon knows he’ll prove more than capable. He gives Janos Slynt the same opportunity at Greyguard. Slynt refuses. Jon gives him a chance to back down but the oaf won’t listen. When Jon calls for his seizure and execution Slynt’s friends melt away. Jon decapitates Slynt before the approving eyes of King Stannis.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Jon Snow - Bastard son of Ned Stark. Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch.
Stannis Baratheon - Surviving brother of dead King Robert Baratheon, claims the Iron Throne because Cersei’s children are not Robert’s.
Melisandre - Red Woman of Ashaii. Priestess of R’Hellor, the Lord of Light.
Maester Aemon - Elderly, blind maester of the Night’s Watch.
Castle Black - Headquarters of the Night’s Watch.
Ser Alliser Thorne - Senior member of the Night’s Watch and recently returned from King’s Landing.
Janos Slynt - New recruit to the Night’s Watch. Formerly commander of the Gold Cloaks in King’s Landing and briefly Lord of Harrenhal.
Mance Rayder - King Beyond the Wall, and former brother of the Night’s Watch.
Bedwyck (Giant) - Diminutive ranger in the Night’s Watch.
Icemark - Way-castle alo

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction
• 7:22 Character Recap
• 8:01 Chapter Summary
• 14:45 General Discussion
• 49:04 Background Information
• 50:58 Comparison with the TV Show
• 51:23 Pedantry Corner
• 54:15 News and Notes
• 57:20 Conclusion