Meera Reed
Meera Reed is the daughter of Lord Howland Reed of Greywater Watch, the crannogman lord of the Neck, and the elder sister of Jojen Reed. She is a young woman of sixteen, described as a skilled huntress and a fierce fighter, armed with a three-pronged frog spear and a dagger. Her loyalty to her brother and her courage in the face of overwhelming danger define her role as one of Bran Stark's most steadfast protectors on his perilous journey beyond the Wall.
Identity and Background
Meera is introduced as a capable and pragmatic young woman from the swamps of the Neck. She is a huntress, adept at fishing with her frog spear, and possesses a practical, no-nonsense attitude. Her primary motivation is the protection of her younger brother, Jojen, who is frail and gifted with prophetic greendreams. She follows his guidance, even when it leads them into the frozen, deadly lands beyond the Wall, because she trusts his visions and his connection to the old gods. Her skill with her frog spear is demonstrated when she catches fish to sustain the group during their arduous trek, even when the cold turns her lips blue.
Journey Beyond the Wall
Meera accompanies Bran, Jojen, Hodor, and the mysterious ranger Coldhands on their quest to find the Three-Eyed Crow. She is often the most vocal in expressing her doubts about their guide, Coldhands, whose black, cold hands and refusal to eat or drink mark him as something unnatural. She questions his motives and his true nature, asking, "Who is he? What is he?" and noting that he does not breathe, a fact that deeply unsettles her. Despite her misgivings, she follows Jojen's insistence that they must go with the ranger, as turning back would mean certain death. During the final, desperate ascent to the cave of the Three-Eyed Crow, Meera half-drags, half-carries her weakening brother, Jojen, through the deep snow, refusing to abandon him even as wights rise from the ground to attack them.
The Battle at the Cave
When the wights ambush the party on the hillside leading to the cave, Meera fights alongside the others. She drives her frog spear into a wight's back to save Hodor, who is being attacked. After the initial assault, she helps pull Bran from the snow where he was buried. She credits a small, torch-wielding girl—a Child of the Forest—with saving them, recognizing that fire is the only weapon that can truly destroy the wights. In the aftermath, she cradles her brother Jojen's head in her lap, showing her deep care for him even as he is barely conscious.
Relationship with Jojen
Meera's relationship with her brother is the emotional core of her character. She is fiercely protective of him, often carrying him when he is too weak to walk. She worries about his declining health and expresses frustration with the mysterious nature of their quest, asking, "Why won't this three-eyed crow come to us?" and "My brother grows weaker every day." She is skeptical of the prophecies that drive him, but she never abandons him. When Jojen insists they must go with Coldhands, she listens, trusting his wisdom even when her own instincts scream caution. Her love for him is a constant, grounding force in the face of the supernatural horrors they encounter.
Narrative Role and Evaluation
Meera Reed serves as a crucial ally and a voice of pragmatic skepticism within Bran's narrative. She is a capable fighter and provider, whose skills are essential for the group's survival. Her doubts about Coldhands and the journey itself provide a necessary counterpoint to Jojen's fatalistic acceptance and Bran's naive hope. She represents the human world of loyalty and familial duty, a stark contrast to the ancient, inhuman powers they are seeking. Her presence grounds the fantastical journey in tangible, emotional stakes, making the dangers feel real and the sacrifices meaningful.
