Samwell Tarly
Samwell Tarly, called Sam by his friends, is a sworn brother of the Night's Watch whose physical cowardice and scholarly nature set him apart from the hardened men of the Wall. Despite his fears, he proves indispensable to Lord Commander Jon Snow through his intelligence, loyalty, and growing courage, ultimately being sent on a vital mission to the Citadel to forge a maester's chain.
Identity and Background
Samwell is the eldest son of Lord Randyll Tarly of Horn Hill, a stern and martial lord who deemed his bookish, overweight heir unfit to inherit. After years of humiliation, Lord Randyll gave Sam an ultimatum: join the Night's Watch or face a "hunting accident." Sam chose the Wall, where his father believed he could never bring shame upon House Tarly. At Castle Black, Sam found a place among the black brothers, though his timidity and lack of martial skill made him a target for mockery. He became a steward and assistant to Maester Aemon, finding purpose in the library and the ravens.
Role as Steward and Confidant
Sam serves as Jon Snow's most trusted friend and advisor after Jon becomes Lord Commander. When Jon struggles with the burden of command, Sam is the one who encourages him, telling him that command "feels strange at first, but once you've worn them for a while you get to feeling comfortable." Sam also provides crucial intelligence about the true enemy. After researching the ancient annals, he reports to Jon that the Others are vulnerable to obsidian (dragonglass) and that their armor is proof against ordinary steel. He also mentions a mysterious "dragonsteel" that the last hero used against them, which Sam speculates might be Valyrian steel. Jon relies on Sam's knowledge, though he often grows impatient with Sam's long-winded explanations.
The Mission to the Citadel
Fearing that Melisandre might use Maester Aemon's Targaryen blood for her fires, Jon decides to send both Aemon and Sam to Oldtown. Jon tasks Sam with escorting Gilly and her child, as well as Dalla's son, to safety, and then to enter the Citadel to forge a maester's chain. Sam is terrified of this prospect, protesting that he cannot cut up corpses and that his father forbade any son of House Tarly from wearing a chain. Jon overrules him, commanding, "You have no father. Only brothers. Only us." He orders Sam to stop calling himself a craven, reminding him that he slew an Other and faced the wights. Sam reluctantly obeys, leaving Castle Black with Gilly, Maester Aemon, and the babe, bound for Eastwatch and then Braavos.
Change and Ending
Sam's departure marks a significant turning point. He leaves behind the relative safety of the Wall for a perilous sea voyage and the daunting challenge of the Citadel. Jon reflects that he misses Sam's company, and the loss of Maester Aemon's wisdom leaves a void at Castle Black. Sam's journey represents a forced maturation, as he must overcome his deepest fears to fulfill a duty he never wanted. His fate remains uncertain as storms rage on the narrow sea, and Jon fears for his friend's life, wondering if he has sent Sam and Gilly to their graves.
