[Dalven]

A few days late on checking this thread, but anyway.

Also the prologue of 5, its about that wildling that can do it too, six skins or something like that. He died, yet was able to warg into one of his animals to escape death. I believe this was foreshadowing that another character would do the same thing (ie: Jon). Melisandre knows this is going to happen to Jon as she mentions hes surrounded by knives in the dark, or in the shadows, and then also tells him to keep Ghost close. As far as the smoking wounds, I think that’s because of how cold it is. Blood is warm enough for steam. But fun fact, Azor Azai is born amongst salt and smoke. Jon would be reborn as Azor Azai, I just havent worked in the salt. But I think light bringer is the nights watch, and I think the nights watch vows changed at somepoint. The Vows sam says to open the door under the wall are not the same vows they say to join the nights watch. Sounds like junk was added as its not required to open the magic door.

Yeah I totally agree with all of this. I hadn't noticed Sam's vows were different from before. What is interesting in Melisandre's chapter where she's trying to summon up the vision of Azor Ahai and keeps seeing Jon. Something still seems strange to me about all of his last chapter - it seemed totally out of character and against several books worth of angst about his vows for Jon to suddenly disregard his them and go sort out a wildling mob to take to Winterfell. Even if it is for who he believes is Arya.

Benjen I believe was already at the wall, so he wouldn’t know.

I'm not convinced this is the case - the war occurred not long after the tourney at Harrenhall as I believe Rhaegar and Lyanna ran off together shortly after the tourney and we know Benjen was at that tourney (the "wolf pup" in Meera's story). He would have been the 'Stark in Winterfell' during the time of the rebellion and there upon Ned's return. Although I may be wrong [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Indeed, my thoughts exactly. Hopefully Barriston and her will cross paths; that would be the fastest way to confirm she is in fact Ashera Dayne. Did the starks really dishonor her? If I remember correct, she was infatuated with Ned Stark, and Ned with her. But Ned was bound by duty to marry Cat after his brother died. What did Ashera do at the tourney? Assuming this was the tourney that Rhaegar won and named Lyanna the queen of beauty as opposed to his Martell wife. I don’t recall Ashera being dishonored.

In Barriston's chapter 'The Kingbreaker' her is thinking about Ashara and notes

But Ashara's daughter had been stillborn, and his fair lady had thrown herself from a tower soon after, mad with grief for the child she had lost, and perhaps for the man who had dishonoured her(...) If I had unhorsed Rhaegar and crowned Ashara queen of love and beauty might she have looked to me instead of Stark?

Ashara has had a bastard stillbirth by a Stark (which incidentally rules her out for being a candidate for Jon's mother), we get no hint of this from Ned's POV and Barriston talks of him with respect in an earlier chapter. Brandon is also referred to as the 'wild wolf' and is noted to be hot headed and emotional which leaves me to suspect he is the Stark Barriston refers to. Tyrion also notes Septa Lemore bears the marks of childbirth when she bathes in one of his chapters.

You just blew my mind. I have no idea why Varys apparently wants the Targaryens in power. Definitely going to put in more time looking up the details surrounding the mummers dragon, one of the 3 things that will betray Dany. I never read the dunk and egg stories, but my buddy has and owns the stories. Theres definitely something sketchy about aegon. I really like the Blackfyre angle.

I don't think he is Illyrio's son, although I am convinced his parentage is Blackfyre. Dunk and Egg stories are totally worth checking out though.