The best chapter from each book in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series
From A Storm of Swords: Catelyn VII (Chapter 51)
My apologies to everyone that would have preferred a different chapter, but this one had to be it. A Storm of Swords is frequently cited as the best of the currently extant novels in the series. Its pages abound with incredible scenes: Daenerys freeing the Unsullied, Tyrion Lannister’s trial, Jaime Lannister explaining why he killed the Mad King, the death of Tywin Lannister...all of these deserve mention as some of the best standalone chapters in the fantasy genre. However, the most iconic scene of the novel, and quite possible the series, is the Red Wedding as seen from Catelyn’s perspective in chapter 51 of A Storm of Swords.
The Chapter begins in the middle of the wedding celebrations for Catelyn’s brother Lord Edmure Tully to one of Walder Frey’s many daughters. Despite the horrible music and the beating of the drums, Catelyn is more relaxed than expected because the wedding seems to be going well. Robb’s guards are seated near him, everyone’s swords have been left on the walls instead of being worn, and her son has danced with half a dozen of Lord Frey’s daughters. Catelyn’s brother seems very happy with how pretty his wife is, as they had never met before the wedding.
Relief turns to anxiety when Catelyn sees one of Robb’s guards, Dacey Mormont, ask one of the Freys to dance, and is harshly rejected after touching his sleeve. Filled with suspicion and fear, Catelyn pursues the Frey as he leaves the room and grabs his arm, feeling the chain mail underneath. She slaps him in anger, but it is already too late. The following tableau of death and destruction has become the stuff of legend. Each of Robb’s guards dies brutally at the ends of House Frey. Catelyn sees hope in the form of armed Northmen streaming into the room, but they turn out to be Bolton men joining in the slaughter of the Starks. The scene ends with Catelyn’s death at the hands of the Freys following the deaths of her son Robb’s bodyguards, nobles, and the death of Robb Stark himself, the King in the North.