Alayne TWOW preview chapter: You have Sansa aware that LF is participating in a price-fixing scheme that starves the small folk & Alayne planning a 64-course feast for a Tourney in the middle of Winter. Do you think George is critiquing Sansa & LF à la Tyrion criticizing the Crown's expenses during Joff/Marge wedding? And when do you think Sansa will reflect on the smallfolk since its a theme in the other main 6 POV's. Hope this doesn't come across as anti-Sansa, just thinking about themes!
I think it helps to remember that Sansa's intention behind the tourney idea is entirely different than Littlefinger's. It was clever. The tourney, the prizes, the winged knights, it had all been her own notion. Lord Robert's mother had filled him full of fears, but he always took courage from the tales she read him of Ser Artys Arryn, the Winged Knight of legend, founder of his line. Why not surround him with Winged Knights? She had thought one night, after Sweetrobin had finally drifted off to sleep. His own Kingsguard, to keep him safe and make him brave. And no sooner did she tell Petyr her idea than he went out and made it happen. -- Alayne I, TWOW. Her only thought was to help an anxiety-riddled child of murdered parents feel less fearful and defenseless. Robert is able to find his courage when he emulates Ser Artys Arryn and is consequently more physically and mentally resilient. When she told Littlefinger about her idea, he capitalized on it for his own reasons. He saw the perfect opportunity to draw Harrold Hardyng away from Yohn Royce's oppositional influence, leaving Royce up shit creek without a paddle. Harrold could then be caught between Alayne's seductions and pressure from his foster mother, Anya Waynwood, to accept the betrothal plan -- something we know Sansa has mixed feelings about. While the tourney was Sansa's idea, and she's proud of that, the sheer extravagance of it was undoubtedly more Littlefinger. He "went out and made it happen." It's not just showing off. It's a calculated move to extinguish any remaining challenges to his hold on power. The Vale houses are old, prestigious, and prideful, but many are cash poor and heavily in debt. This makes them incredibly vulnerable to flattery and thinly-veiled bribery. (Some are already shown to be overtly corrupt).
Sixty-four dishes were served, in honor of the sixty-four competitors who had come so far to contest for silver wings before their lord.
-- There were gifts as well, splendid gifts. Each of the competitors received a cloak of cloth-of-silver and a lapis brooch in the shape of a pair of falcon's wings. Fine steel daggers were given to the brothers, fathers, and friends who had come to watch them tilt. For their mothers, sisters, and ladies fair there were bolts of silk and Myrish lace. This is a huge turnaround from Lysa's time as regent, whose boneheaded decisions and unseemly behavior thumbed her nose at her vassals. Here, Littlefinger is rolling out the red carpet and giving everyone the V.I.P. treatment. Framing the Winged Knights as a new kingsguard appeals to the culture of tradition and formal pageantry. The new Lord Protector may be too low of birth for their liking, but he is very, very generous with his friends. They know it's bribery, but it's being done in a way that allows the lords to save face and maintain the appearance of having honor. What I'm saying is, Sansa probably did have a role in organizing the event to an extent, but in reality, she only tangentially has something to gain from the betrothal at best. The real winner here is Littlefinger. All she wanted to do was help her cousin, and with lack of other options, maybe get to go home one day.
As you said, Sansa was privy to the price-gouging scheme with the grain. This information came out in the TWOW chapter, at the start of the tourney, and she wasn't necessarily meant to overhear it. So it's not something she's going to be able to do anything about right now, but it's assuredly important she has that information in her back pocket for later. Mass starvation and the potential for social unrest isn't quite an immediate issue as it was in King's Landing. Yes, it is short-sighted folly to have a big ballin' feast on the cusp of what's predicted to be a long winter, both thematically and in reality. There will be harsh consequences. I also think it's a big fuckin mistake to have all these people (and all that grain) gathered in one place while everyone is distracted. That setup is just asking for an epic disaster. Remember arrogant Ser Hugh of the Vale, who Sansa saw die at the Hand's tourney by a giant's lance, and the moons of Arryn sewn on his cloak became soaked with blood? Yeah. High body count coming, for sure. And the loss of that food would be a tragic blow for all of Westeros as much of that grain is sold outside the Vale as a winter staple. But it's thematically fitting to destroy that portion of it as it's tainted goods by the lords who bowed to corruption, represented in that conversation by lords Belmore and Grafton. If George is critiquing anything here, it's that it's not just that people like Littlefinger exist, it's the greater problem of non-sociopathic regular people putting aside their morals to enable them for personal gain. Littlefinger's ability to harm would be much more limited if he didn't have so many cronies. That being said, in that same scene, Sansa also hears Yohn Royce has his own grain stores, ships, and ports out of Runestone. And George has conveniently kept Royce and his resources safely far away from the Gates of the Moon. Hmm. That sounds like it might be something.
While a lot of this sounds bad (LBR, this is twow we're talking about, it's going to be fucking bad), laying waste to Littlefinger's plans may be what Sansa needs to finally escape him in the ensuing chaos. So I would say, all is not lost, anon. Sansa has other opportunities and alliances she can form outside of Littlefinger, which yes, good! She has experience from King's Landing about how not to handle a food shortage, and how good PR is a powerful tool for a leader to have (but needs to be backed by actually serving the people). The things Littlefinger has both intentionally and unintentionally exposed her to will make her a smarter, wiser, and less naive leader. Her training in organization and soft power makes her well-suited to be a logistical leader. I could see her in charge of supply trains getting to where they are needed in the coming war. I could see her sheltering refugees and becoming a great lady of the songs, who comforts and inspires with quiet courage and compassion. Thanks!
