Quotes from George R.R. Martin

He told me the moon was an egg, Khaleesi,' the Lysene girl said. 'Once there were two moons in the sky, but one wandered too close to the sun and cracked from the heat. A thousand thousand dragons poured forth, and drank the fire of the sun. That is why dragons breathe flame. One day the older moon will kiss the sun too, and then it will crack and the dragons will return.

Tall, it was, and gaunt and hard as old bones, with flesh pale as milk. Its armor seemed to change color as it moved; here it was white as new-fallen snow, there black as shadow, everywhere dappled with the deep grey-green of the trees. The patterns ran like moonlight on water with every step it took.

It had been more of a wish, actually, but it sounded better to call it a dream.

Men are born to strive and suffer. Our woes only vanish when we die.

Strength to your arm, then.

Dear brother. I had hoped that you were dead." "After you," Aegon answered. "You are the elder." "I am pleased to know that you remember that," Rhaenyra answered. "It would seem we are your prisoners...but do not think that you will hold us long. My leal lords will find me." "If they search the seven hells, mayhaps.

It is good to know there are some true knights still.

Trust would get you killed.

What good is this, i ask you? He who hurries through life hurries to his grave.

Most of my kin are bastards," [Tyrion] said with a wry smile, "but you're the first I've had to friend.

In the deep sands a man must hoard his water.

She even smells like sin, like some exotic lotus.

Snow still chose to dwell behind the armory, in a pair of modest rooms previously occupied by the Watch's late blacksmith. Perhaps he did not think himself worthy of the King's Tower, or perhaps he did not care. That was his mistake, the false humility of youth that is itself a sort of pride. It was never wise for a ruler to eschew the trappings of power, for power itself flows in no small measure from such trappings.

Jaime," she said, tugging on his ear, "sweetling, I have known you since you were a babe at Joanna's breast. You smile like Gerion and fight like Tyg, and there's some of Kevan in you, else you would not wear that cloak . . . but Tyrion is Tywin's son, not you.

I am sorry for your loss." "I had a new hand made, of gold." He showed her. "Very nice. Will they make you a gold father too?" Lady Genna's voice was sharp. "Tywin was the loss I meant.

As he strode across the strand, a drowned man returning from a call of nature stumbled into him in the darkness. "Damphair," he murmured. Aeron laid a hand upon his head, blessed him, and moved on. The ground rose beneath his feet, gently at first, then more steeply. When he felt scrub grass between his toes, he knew that he had left the strand behind. Slowly he climbed, listening to the waves. The sea is never weary. I must be as tireless.

Aegon had made the seven kingdoms one with fire and blood.

A daughter." Brienne's eyes filled with tears. "He deserves that. A daughter who could sing to him and grace his hall and bear him grandsons. He deserves a son too, a strong and gallant son to bring honor to his name. Galladon drowned when I was four and he was eight, though, and Alysanne and Arianne died still in the cradle. I am the only child the gods let him keep. The freakish one, not fit to be a son or daughter.

History has confirmed that Visenya Targaryen chose well. Two of her original seven would die protecting the king, and all would serve with valor to the end of their lives. Many brave men have followed in their footsteps since, writing their names in the White Book and donning the white cloak. The Kingsguard remains a synonym for honor to this day.

Are you?" she asked mildly. "It's said that you have uncles, brothers, a sister." "My brothers are long dead, and my sister … well, they say Asha's favorite gown is a chainmail hauberk that hangs down past her knees, with boiled leather smallclothes

I'm free of Tysha now, he thought. She's haunted me half my life, but I don't need her anymore, no more than I need Alayaya or Dancy or Marei, or the hundreds like them I've bedded with over the years. I have Shae now. Shae.

A sworn sworn owes his liege our service and obedience, but this is madness.

Misery loves company, as someone unbearably trite said once.

The world grows a little darker everyday.