A song of Ice and fire discussion (spoilers incl A Dance with Dragons)

[fool-ish]

Finally done reading the thread! If only I'd done that first before asking my short story question ^ (the answer for which was a little later on in the thread, of course! ).

I have lots of posts to respond to but, as it's near midnight and I have a huge day ahead, I might start with a couple of simple questions that I can't see that have been asked here previously (maybe because you seasoned ASoIaF readers all know the answers and therefore don't feel the need to clarify/discuss!):

Cersei's champion - Who do you believe he is? I am expecting it's Gregor Clegane/the Mountain due to his size, obvious fighting ability (or else why would Cersei want him as her champion?!...while Loras is likely considered the 'best' knight now, I think it's accepted that he won against Gregor in the tourney through trickery rather than talent and neither Loras, Hound or Jaime would fight on Cersei's behalf?), his having previously been sworn to House Lannister and his vow of silence to keep his identity a secret. Certainly his skull is meant to be in Dorne by that point but I didn't buy it.

The Hound - Do you think he still lives? Maybe the Hound doesn't but Sandor Clegane does, as far as I'm concerned. His helm may have been left as a sentinel to his grave but he was not in that grave.

Cersei's prophecy - Who do you believe is the younger woman? I have no evidence to support it but I instantly felt that it was Sansa and not Dany or Margaery as may be expected/obvious. Some little voice says, "Arya" but, no, Arya is for something else (more tomorrow). It's Sansa. Or not.

Jon's death - Okay, so this has been touched on previously, and I want to talk about it some more later, but I had to ask right now ... do you truly believe he could have died? I didn't believe it at all and even expected the event to happen after Melisandre had told Jon about the "daggers in the dark". The actions of his brothers actually appeared to me to be more about intervention than malice, saving Jon from a vow-breaking act and thus saving the Wall etc...though at least four stabs is harsh coming from friends! Dare I admit that, as I read of Jon's stabbing, I even pictured the scene from Finding Nemo where Bruce the great white shark was prevented from eating Dory by his friends, Anchor and Chum, who held him back while crying, "Intervention!" Whatever the motive/intent of his brothers, Jon can't have died...or died permanently, at least.

So much to chat about...

I do believe Robert Strong is Gregor Clegane and that skull in Dorne is not his. That nasty piece of work, Qyburn (I think!) has worked some devilry and produced a monster. Oh and while we're on the subject of Gregor, his duel with the Red Viper was one of the best scenes I've ever read. That mantra about Elia gave me the shivers.

I reckon Sandor is alive on the Quiet Isle and I think he may become part of, if not lead a 'faith' army. One of my crackpot theories is that he may even be Cersei's valonqar...he is a 'little brother' after all.

I agree that Sansa is probably the younger woman. Margaery, I believe will meet a premature end (though I don't know in what manner) and Dany, well I don't quite know what's to become of her, but I don't think she'll be the younger woman.

Now then, Jon's Caesar-like assassination. Yes, intervention rather than an act of malice. They wouldn't have done it without good reason and no better reason than to save the Night's Watch and the Wall. Dead? I don't think so, though nothing GRRM writes will surprise me anymore! That brings me on to that letter. I don't believe Ramsay Bolton (shudders!) penned that letter...another's work methinks

I'm hoping and hoping that Nymeria's role is a massive foreshadowing for Arya's future...everything crossed!

P.S. Frey pies?? This particular twist went right over my head the first time..I was suitably awed when I clocked it on the second read!