Jon Serving As Mormont's Steward And Arya Serving As Bolton's Cupbearer Is Such An Underrated Parallel.

Jon serving as Mormont's steward and Arya serving as Bolton's cupbearer is such an underrated parallel. While their circumstances are completely different, the actual details of their jobs are pretty much the same. They're taking on servile positions where they're waiting on a person in power, which gives them access to privileged information, shows the inner workings of the politics, and gives them unofficial instruction on leadership. Both Jon and Arya even use their position as a powerful person's steward/cupbearer to convince others that what they're doing is on the orders of the person they serve. Its not lol

While this position is presented as a reward for Arya (which it is), Jon takes offense to it until Sam explains that this position puts him on the path to leadership. And that's true. Serving a person in power is usually treated as a type of internship for young nobles and royals. Rhaenyra became her father's cupbearer once she became his heir so she could attend small council meetings and court sessions, the same way Arya and Jon are both present for meetings that they otherwise wouldn't have access to. It was similar with Aegon V who served during council meetings when he was a child.

Roose doesn't intend for this to be an internship for Arya the way Mormont foes for Jon, but it's likely the author's intent for her in this case.

Status: In a Love-Hate Relationship with my dash.

I scroll down and before I know it, I have over 1000 likes. How can I ever shift through them enough to reblog?

Jon Snow

“Kill the boy, Jon Snow. Winter is almost upon us. Kill the boy and let the man be born.”

Sansa. A Golden Child.

It simply breaks my heart that Catelyn creates such a rift between her children. And I'm not even talking about Jon right now. I'm talking about Sansa and Arya.

Sansa has always been Catelyn's golden child, the future queen and mother of rulers of all of Westeros. She admires her daughter, and in the later chapters, when Sansa is married off to Tyrion, it's as if Catelyn feels like she's losing her. She speaks of her in her thoughts in a similar way to how she talks about Bran and Rickon, whom she believed were dead.

Also, remember how Ned protested when Catelyn mentioned that Sansa could become queen. "Sansa is only eleven, and Joffrey..." Yes, Sansa is still a child who needs family, love, and care, and certainly not Joffrey. But Catelyn is only concerned about the fact that Joffrey is the heir to the throne, and her daughter could become queen. Sansa is hardly a child to her, just an extension of herself; she is captivated by the idea that her grandchildren will rule the Kingdoms.

Catelyn's initial thoughts about Arya are simply that the girl needs to learn some manners, and that's it. Right after Catelyn's chapter comes Arya's, which is filled with resentment and jealousy towards her sister. Yes, I think Arya was jealous of Sansa. She didn't give up trying to connect with Sansa, engaging her in conversation, inviting her to ride horses. But the Septa did everything to turn Sansa into a proper lady, and complained to Catelyn, fully aware of the scolding Arya would later receive for it. "Nymeria loved her, even if no one else did." Come on, would a child loved by her mother indulge in such thoughts?

Catelyn wanted the best for her children, but as a mother of daughters, she seriously messed up, let's be honest.

At eight, the princess was placed into service as a cupbearer…but for her own father, the king. At table, at tourney, and at court, King Viserys thereafter was seldom seen without his daughter by his side. – Fire and Blood

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You will do, I think. For so long as I remain at Harrenhal, Nan, you shall be my cupbearer, and serve me at table and in chambers.“ This time she knew better than to say that she’d sooner work in the stables. “Yes, your lord. I mean, my lord.” – Arya IX, A Clash of Kings

The role of cupbearer is an apprenticeship for a leadership position for a child as it requires them to be at the side of a high ranking individual as they navigate their position of power. As cupbearers, Rhaenyra was present for audiences and council meetings where she would have learned politics and administration from her father, the king, as well as the others who were present. Similarly, when Arya became the cupbearer of Roose Bolton, she witnessed war councils and political meetings. This on the job training was specifically intended within the narrative to prepare Rhaenyra to become queen regnant, while GRRM intentionally includes this as part of Arya’s ongoing training.

Every episode of Widower Arc has a scene like:

Dean, being depressed: ...

Sam: Don't worry Dean. We'll get Mom back.

Dean: I'm ThInKIng abOut Cas