Chapter Fifty-Six - Bran 4 - A Storm of Swords | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)

The Ghosts of Harrenhal: A Song of Ice and Fire Podcast (ASOIAF)

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Bran and friends make it to the Nightfort. The problem is, they’ve got no way past the Wall. In the night, a huge black monster emerges from a well. It turns out to be Sam, who has the means they need to cross the Wall. Coldhands will be waiting for them on the other side. Simon and Mackelly grab their mittens.
Chapter Review:
Bran Stark, the Reeds, and Hodor have finally reached the Wall. They’ve made it to the Nightfort, through instructions from Jojen’s green dream. Unfortunately, the instructions didn’t indicate how to get past the Wall. Meera scales the Wall and finds no route that way. The boys search the ruined castle and have similarly poor luck.
They spend the night in the castle kitchen. One feature of the kitchen is a large well in the center. While all else sleeps, Bran hears labored footsteps coming from the well. He knows it’s a terrible creature of legend, from Old Nan’s tales. However, when Meera nets it, the creature turns out to be Sam Tarly. Gilly and baby are close behind.
Eventually, Sam realizes who Bran is and tells Bran that Jon was his best friend but was lost in the Frostfangs. Bran says he just saw Jon on the southern side of the Wall with a wildling group. Bran then asks Sam to please not tell anyone that he’s alive. Sam agrees and tells them that Coldhands is waiting for them on the other side of the Wall. Sam then leads them down into the well and through the Black Gate, which can only be opened by a brother of the Night’s Watch.
Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Brandon Stark - Prince (now king?) of Winterfell. Paralyzed when pushed from tower by Jamie Lannister.
Hodor - Enormous but simple-minded helper of Bran.
Meera Reed - Daughter of Howland Reed.
Jojen Reed - Son of Howland Reed. Has green dreams that invariably come true.
Summer - Bran’s direwolf.
Sam Tarly - Steward in the Night’s Watch. Best friend of Jon Snow.
Gilly - New mother and wife of the deceased Craster. Fleeing south with Sam.
Nightfort - Huge, ruined former headquarters of the Night’s Watch.
Old Nan - Ancient storyteller at Winterfell.

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Chapters

1. Introduction (00:00:00)

2. Character Recap (00:07:17)

3. Chapter Summary (00:07:48)

4. General Discussion (00:13:48)

5. Background Information (00:40:39)

6. Comparison with the TV Show (00:43:54)

7. Pedantry Corner (00:46:53)

8. News and Notes (00:53:06)

9. Conclusion (00:54:38)