Ruminating on Sam's future if The Wall does fall

[Tyrion's Third Wife]

I think no one can argue, Sam's time in Oldtown would be well spent, and he would make an excellent Maester for Castle Black when he is finished with his education.

But we also feel for this story to see its true completion, the wall...must fall.

What then, of Sam? What role could he play? In the larger sense, what have been the theories regarding the future of the Night's Watch in general should this happen?

I will admit, I don't kow if Jon will make it, but I sure hope Sam does.

[RobertPooner]

Ser Piggy will die a heroic death. It will take the Others so long to eat his fat corpse that it will give the other men time to escape and regroup.

[Olligarchy]

If Nights Watch is dismantled and rights of those sworn to it restored, Samwell would become the Heir to Hornhill once again... meaning it's doubtful that he'd survive long.

[Tyrion's Third Wife]

If Nights Watch is dismantled and rights of those sworn to it restored, Samwell would become the Heir to Hornhill once again... meaning it's doubtful that he'd survive long.

Not if he takes his vows as Maester of the Citadel, which will also be binding presumably.

[Mourneblade]

Sam will gain his chain and serve Jon. he is an homage to Samwise.

[Olligarchy]

Not if he takes his vows as Maester of the Citadel, which will also be binding presumably.

That would work, but do we even think there's going to BE a citadel for him to take vows to with Euron gunning for the Reach?

[Mourneblade]

That would work, but do we even think there's going to BE a citadel for him to take vows to with Euron gunning for the Reach?

Even if the Citadel falls there will still be a need for wise men. The Maester organization, while somewhat corrupt, still provides a decent service.

[Tyrion's Third Wife]

That would work, but do we even think there's going to BE a citadel for him to take vows to with Euron gunning for the Reach?

And for what reason would Euron have to destroy the Maesters? They serve the realm, not a family. Presumably they would continue to serve under the Ironborn as well. The Ironborn would be stupid to throw away their history, knowledge, skills, etc.

[Mourneblade]

And for what reason would Euron have to destroy the Maesters? They serve the realm, not a family. Presumably they would continue to serve under the Ironborn as well. The Ironborn would be stupid to throw away their history, knowledge, skills, etc.

Of course most Iron born hate Maesters, not Euron though I do not think.

[Fightbringer]

well a lot of people think that Sam has the horn of joramun, so if the wall does fall, then there is a good chance he will have some involvement in the wall falling if thats true

if the wall falls though, i still see no reason why he wont just want to continue on and become a maester, realistically there are less bars to him doing that than to him becoming heir to horn hill once more. When the others come, i can still see him playing some kind of advisory role to the leaders, probably jon

[Salt 'n' Gravy]

I say that whether or not the Night's Watch survives, we will face POV chapters titled "MAESTER Samwell."

P.S. Since Samwell Tarly is a reference to Samwise Gangee, how many times have you slipped up and called him that?

[falcotron]

Of course most Iron born hate Maesters, not Euron though I do not think.

Euron might interfere with internal Citadel politics in favor of the "pro-magic" faction, but destroy the Citadel, yeah, that seems unlikely.

[Light a wight tonight]

Timing is everything. Does Sam actually forge his chain in time for him to return to the Wall while it's still standing and defended? It's a process that takes years, and how many years are left?

[Lord A.Reyne]

Timing is everything. Does Sam actually forge his chain in time for him to return to the Wall while it's still standing and defended? It's a process that takes years, and how many years are left?

I wonder. Martin had sent Arya in Braavos at the end of ASOS, and intended to have her become an assassin during the 5-year gap. Yet it's only in AFFC that Sam is sent to Oldtown. Martin deliberately knows he can't forge a chain before the Others come. I think Sam will learn things enough in the Citadel and leaves by himself or will be sent back to CB without his a chain in order to face the threat. Maybe Sam's fate is more about politics and convincing remaining players battling in the south to join the cause.

[Hanzo Hasashi]

Sam will gain his chain and serve Jon. he is an homage to Samwise.

Does he have enough time to forge his chain? I was under the impression it takes super long

I'm wondering if he'll cross path with imposter (possible FM) Pate and prevent some sort of catastrophe

...unless I have my time-line messed up

[Sages]

I wonder. Martin had sent Arya in Braavos at the end of ASOS, and intended to have her become an assassin during the 5-year gap. Yet it's only in AFFC that Sam is sent to Oldtown. Martin deliberately knows he can't forge a chain before the Others come. I think Sam will learn things enough in the Citadel and leaves by himself or will be sent back to CB without his a chain in order to face the threat. Maybe Sam's fate is more about politics and convincing remaining players battling in the south to join the cause.

At the very least Sam should be able to get black iron(ravenry) and copper(history). Those two should be simple enough. The healing link might prove a little difficult because of the cutting open of the bodies. But we'll see, Sam has to excel at something.

As far as getting back to the wall. I have no idea. Right now it seems to me like Sam's role in oldtown is wide open since technically it just began. Hopefully he gets back to Jon before the end of the seventh book, but I'm not holding my breath. I'll be interested to see what he does with Gilly.

[falcotron]

I think Sam's most important task is getting some information to Jon or Tormund or whoever out of the Citadel (from old histories, from Maesters who want to keep it secret, from Maesters who don't want to keep it secret but are afraid to talk, whatever) about the Horn of Joramun, dragonsteel, the nature of the Others, the magic behind the Wall, etc.

[Lady Blizzardborn]

Sam will save the world by bringing electricity to Westeros, thus fooling the Others into thinking dawn has come. Sam = Thomas Edison = Light bringer. :D

[Mourneblade]

Sam's arc at the Wall is done.

He could expose the FM plot, or could help it depending on what it is.

There are so many different paths down south he could touch.

[BRANDON GREYSTARK]

Maester at Winterfell or King's Landing or wed to Margaery Tyrell.