Did Jon Arryn “sacrifice” Elbert Arryn?
I’ve been thinking about something about Elbert Arryn, Jon Arryn’s nephew and heir. He was one of Brandon Stark’s companions along with Ethan Glover, Kyle Royce, and Jeffory Mallister. We all know Brandon and Rickard Stark were murdered by Aerys, and Brandon’s companions were also killed—with Ethan being the lone survivor. We’re also told that the fathers of all of Brandon’s companions were summoned to answer for their sons’ “crimes” and were executed as well by Aerys.
But Elbert’s situation is different because his father, Jon Arryn’s younger brother, Ronnel Arryn had already died years earlier due to a burst belly. That makes me think that Jon Arryn who was Elbert’s Uncle, and Head of House Arryn, in the absence of Elbert’s father wouldn’t Jon Arryn have been summoned for Elbert, by Aerys to answer for him?
My thought is that Rickard may have coordinated with Jon Arryn, saying I’ll negotiate, and secure the release of both our heirs, since nobody expected Aerys would simply execute them all without trial. But after Brandon and Rickard were murdered, Aerys summoned Jon Arryn to King’s Landing with the heads of Ned Stark and Robert Baratheon, as a show of loyalty.
Here’s what I find interesting: Aerys genuinely seemed to expect Jon Arryn to obey, from what it seems in the books—Jon could have handed both of them over but chose not to. But would Aerys really expect that Jon would come, after killing Jon’s heir and nephew, Elbert Arryn? I think both Elbert, and Ethan survived because the people summoned to answer for them didn’t come. He probably expected their Dad, or Uncle to appear. I mean the Royal Court couldn’t have expected Jon Arryn, to come if his nephew had already been killed right?
So basically my question is: Is it possible Jon Arryn knowingly sacrificed Elbert by refusing Aerys’ command and choosing Ned and Robert instead? Or do you think Elbert was already dead before the demand for Ned and Robert was ever made?