#And what did he do? He stopped Alys from marrying her dastardly uncle

[nightswatchdisbandmentera]

“What fire joins, none may put asunder,” came the echo, from queen’s men and Thenns and even a few of the black brothers.

Except for kings and uncles, thought Jon Snow.

[...]

“Will my lord be feasting with us?” Mully asked Jon Snow.

“Shortly.” Sigorn might take it as a slight if he did not appear. And this marriage is mine own work, after all.

- Jon X, ADWD

Something that makes me go absolutely feral about the whole Alys Karstark thing is the pure irony of it all. We know that marriages and inheritances are matters that need to be dealt with by the king. We see this play out in ACOK where Bran, in his capacity as Prince of Winterfell, has to deal with such matters: lands, succession, marriage, and justice.

Except now, there’s a terrible lack of kings up North. Robb’s dead, Bran fled, and Winterfell is now occupied by the Boltons who really aren’t the sort to mete out justice; in fact, they’re involved in the very acts of injustice that are presented to us.

So poor Alys Karstark needs to find a helper but the only person available is Ned Stark’s bastard son, Jon Snow. But big problem, he’s sworn to an order that prohibits him from wearing any crowns. Still she goes to him, kneels before him, and begs him to be her aid; she asks him to step in the place of the King in the North/Lord of Winterfell and do her justice. She even asks him to do so in his father’s name.

But here’s the kicker, Jon does have his father’s name: Stark. Jon can step in and be the King in the North. That’s because Robb legitimized him and named him heir. So Alys unknowingly sought her king, knelt before him, and asked him to help her. And he did! Her king gave her the justice she desired. Really, that’s what kings are for: justice. And Jon is already an old hand at that.

#jon snow #alys karstark #asoiaf #valyrianscrolls #king in the north #I love that we have two quotes reaffirming that it’s KINGS who deal with such matters #and Jon is the one stepping in and doing the damn thing #not knowing that he IS the king here #it’s all within his capacity as the (unknown) kitn #anyway… #People always focus on the “marriages and inheritance are matters for the king” quote #And forget this absolute gem #Like Jon literally saying that only a king can break a marriage or betrothal #And what did he do? He stopped Alys from marrying her dastardly uncle #I’m sorry but Jon negotiating this marriage has to be #One of the most iconic AND ironic political acts in the entire series #A bastard boy who wears no crown is doing what kings do #People know he’s a bastard but they still come to him and #ask him to get them out of these impossible situations #But wait…HE IS THE KING! THIS IS HIS JOB #I mean how many times does GRRM have to say #That Jon is THE king for people to get it? #Anyway my Jon the king project is nearing its end…sad :((