- "Ser Barristan."
- ―Little bird
A "Little Bird" is a minor character in the fourth season. He is played by guest star Samuel Paul Small and only appears in "The Mountain and the Viper." He's part of Varys's intercontinental network of informants and spies, whom he refers to as "little birds".
Biography
Season 4
He delivers a message to Ser Barristan Selmy, who discovers it to be a royal pardon addressed to Ser Jorah Mormont and signed by King Robert Baratheon. This leads him to the realization that Jorah has been reporting Daenerys Targaryen's actions to Varys. When confronted with this revelation, Jorah asks Barristan who brought him the pardon but Barristan doesn't tell him.[1]
Appearance
Template:Season Four Appearances
In the books
In the Song of Ice and Fire novels, Varys is known for employing orphans and urchins as his "little birds". However, Jorah's treachery is revealed in a different manner. After saving Daenerys from the manticore, Barristan comes into her service as Arstan Whitebeard in order to observe her and make sure that she has not inherited her father's madness. After saving Daenerys from Mero, Jorah recognizes him and reveals his true identity. In return, Barristan reveals Jorah's treachery, which he knew about from attending meetings of the Small Council.
In the TV series, Barristan explains to Jorah in "Kissed by Fire" that Robert never trusted him to do anything more than protect him, hence Barristan was barred from Small Council meetings, though the Lord Commander is usually the Small Council's military attaché. Hence, he had no knowledge of Jorah's treachery prior to reading the message from the little bird.
See also
Little birds on A Wiki of Ice and Fire (MAJOR spoilers from the books)
