A Storm of Swords (1-458)

This quote comes from Jaime Lannister, in previous books portrayed as one of the antagonists of the series. This installment of the series, however is told in part from his perspective, and we are finally able to see his side of the story. Behind his back, people call him Kingslayer, a name he earned by ignoring his sacred oath to protect the king and slitting his throat to end his reign. This quote occurs while he reminisces about the moments after the mad king's death.

"Shall I proclaim a new king as well?"Crakehall asked, and jaime read the
question plain: Shall it be your father, or Robert baratheon, or do you mean
to make a new dragonking? He thought for a moment of the boy Viserys, fled
to Dragonstone, and of Rhaegar's infant son Aegon, still in Maegor's with
his mother. A new Targaryen king, and my father as Hand. How the wolveswill
howl, and the storm lord choke with rage. For a moment, he was tempted,
until he glanced down again at the body on the floor, in its spreading pool
of blood. His blood is in both of them, he thought. "Proclaim who you bloody
well like," he told Crakehall. Then he climbed the Iron Throne and seated himself with his sword across his knees, to see who would come to claim the kingdom.

The scene, perhaps foregin to one unfamiliar with the book, is monumental to the series. It is the first time the evil villan is shown as anything but heartless and cruel. Although including the entire chapter in this post is a task I have no desire to attempt, the justification for the murder of the king is stirring. The fact that he is tempted by the throne at first makes him all the more human, and easier to connect with. After this chapter, good and evil is not so black and white.

Martin, George. A Storm of Swords. New York, NY: Bantam Dell Inc. 2000