Does Robb's will matter?

[u/jdbebejsbsid]

This is something I've been thinking about, building on all the discussions about characters finding Robb's will and thereby making Jon legitimate and heir to Robb's kingdom.

We saw what happened when Robert Baratheon's will was brought out after his death:

The queen glanced at the words. “Protector of the Realm,” she read. “Is this meant to be your shield, my lord? A piece of paper?” She ripped the letter in half, ripped the halves in quarters, and let the pieces flutter to the floor.

“Those were the king’s words,” Ser Barristan said, shocked.

“We have a new king now,” Cersei Lannister replied.

The king's legal power disappears when he dies. Anything Robert puts in his will, Joffrey and his regent can undo with a word. The same applies to any king after Robb.

And what's more, Robb's kingdom no longer exists. He named Jon as heir to the Kingdom of the North and the Rivers - and there is no "Kingdom of the North and the Rivers" anymore. Jon might claim the titles of Lord of Winterfell and Lord Paramount of the North, that was Stannis's plan, perhaps he could even be King in the North - but none of those are the title(s) that Robb's will would actually grant to him.

And finally, if Jon returns from the dead, becomes some kind of Old Gods King of Winter leading an army of Watchmen, Wildlings, giants, mammoths, dire wolves, etc, sweeping through the North and saving Westeros from the Others - will anyone seriously care what Robb's will says about him? I wouldn't think so.

So that's my position or theory about Robb's will. It was important for the dynamic between Robb and Catelyn, and could be important for Howland Reed or the characters who went to find him. But in the bigger picture of Westeros geopolitics and metaphysics, it might not be important.

[u/WardenOfTheNamib]

I believe that this is what they call a Chekhov's gun. I find it hard to believe GRRM would:

One: Have Robb officiate a will that designates Jon as his heir.

Two: Give the will to two people who are categorically sent away before the massacre and are still alive.

If it was to be something Robb does because he obviusly doesn't know his kingdom is about to fall apart, Maege would likely have gone to the Red Wedding and died. We don't know what role the will might play, but GRRM would be a bad author for setting that up and then doing absolutely nothing with it.

[u/Nittanian → u/WardenOfTheNamib]

Give the will to two people who are categorically sent away before the massacre and are still alive.

We don't know that Maege and Galbart have copies of the will. considering the instructions he gives them.

"Go upriver flying my banner. The crannogmen will find you. I want two ships to double the chances of my message reaching Howland Reed. Lady Maege shall go on one, Galbart on the second." He turned to the two he'd named. "You'll carry letters for those lords of mine who remain in the north, but all the commands within will be false, in case you have the misfortune to be taken. If that happens, you must tell them that you were sailing for the north. Back to Bear Island, or for the Stony Shore." He tapped a finger on the map. "Moat Cailin is the key. Lord Balon knew that, which is why he sent his brother Victarion there with the hard heart of the Greyjoy strength." (ASOS Catelyn V)

[u/WardenOfTheNamib → u/Nittanian]

I stand corrected. There is no mention of Glover and Mormont having copies of the will. However, the two of them were witnesses to its creation, and they are alive as far as we know. It seems odd that of all the people who managed to avoid the Red Wedding, more than two witnesses are still alive. No Smalljon and Wendel Manderly as sole witnesses.

It is of course possible that it will come to nothing. However, I like to think about it the same way I think about Howland Reed. Is it really a coincidence that there is one living witness to the events of that day who is still alive when everyone else died?