parallels between Bran and Azor Ahai (The Last Hero)

[forod]

In ASOIAF Bran is one of the few POV characters to have survived the entire length of the novels (so far), and his importance to the story is multi-faceted, being both (as far as we know) the current rightful heir to winterfell, and one of the only greenseer's in the ASOIAF universe. 

 

However, even more important that both of these is the fact that Bran is pointed out from the start of the story as someone who might exist to save the earth from the Others, and later on in the series we see other parallels between him and Azor Ahai (or The Last Hero). 

 

"He looked deep in to the heart of winter, and then he cried out, afraid, and the heat of his tears burned on his cheeks. Now you know, the crow whispered as it sat on his shoulder. Now you know why you must live...because winter is coming". (AGOT, BRAN III)

 

GRRM effectively tells the reader, right at the start of the series, that Bran's survival is crucial to stop what is coming with winter: the Others. existing to stop the others is just one parallel between Bran and Azor Ahai. 

 

In The World of Ice And Fire, we are also told that the Last Hero started with several companions on his quest to defeat the others, but ended on his own. Bran has already separated from Rickon and Osha, but even more than a physical separation, Bran is truly isolated from his other travelling companions in his identity as a powerful greenseer.

 

Only one person can do what the Three Eyed Crow currently does, and if Bran is to do this next - which is what is strongly pointed to in ASOIAF - then he would follow the same arc as the Last Hero. 

 

The last parallel I have found between these two characters is the darkest. It is told that to temper his flaming sword, Azor Ahai drove it through the heart of the wife he loved.

 

In ADWD Bran realises that he loves Meera, and then later drinks a stew which has a red "blood" like liquid in it. Many fans believe that this is the "blood" of Meera and Jojen, which is drunk to improve Bran's greenseeing ability. If we view Bran's ability as his flaming sword, then he has tempered his through the death of the woman he loved; just like Azor Ahai. 

 

Additionally, we are told consistently, both in ASOIAF and TWOIAF, that tales of heroes are notoriously unreliable, and that they are exaggerated for the sake of songs and tales. Therefore it could be possible that the Last Hero's flaming sword was actually something else, and that what really happened has been confused and lost. 

 

I don't know who Azor Ahai reborn is, or if there even will be a figure of the Azor Ahai profile in ASOIAF, or if he even existed, but if they did then Bran shares several similarities with the Last Hero the reader has been told about, and could be similarly crucial in defeating the Others. 

 

Just looking at it from a different perspective, Bran could be one of the three heads of the dragon if Jon turned out to be The Prince That Was Promised, and became a reincarnation of Azor Ahai for all the same reasons, and could be involved in binding dragons through his abilities as a powerful warg; a skill Jon also happens to share. 

 

 

[Nights Kings Queen]

I've believed Bran has been the last hero since reading a Dance with dragons.
In a Clash of kings, old Nan tells the story of the last hero. But they're interrupted and she doesn't finish it. But Bran does - when he reaches the three eyed crow.

[forod]

Also just forgot to say that Bran's choice of name - Summer - for is direwolf is also pretty symbolic, and the wolf is described as 'smelling of summer' 

[forod]

I've believed Bran has been the last hero since reading a Dance with dragons.
In a Clash of kings, old Nan tells the story of the last hero. But they're interrupted and she doesn't finish it. But Bran does - when he reaches the three eyed crow.

 

Only problem with this theory is that we don't even know if Bran is ever going to leave the weirwood tree. Even with all of his power it might be difficult to save Westeros (if it needs saving) without being able to move or contact anyone

[forod]

Also just to be clear, I'm not saying Bran is Azor Ahai, just highlighting some key parallels between the two

[Mehmet Eren]

I've believed Bran has been the last hero since reading a Dance with dragons.
In a Clash of kings, old Nan tells the story of the last hero. But they're interrupted and she doesn't finish it. But Bran does - when he reaches the three eyed crow.

I find this  very wondering they are parallel and GRRM split the story ...so there is hints ...

[Mehmet Eren]

To be honest there is lots of things about 3 heads of dragon chosen ones ..... but to be this more like Last hero is the real and azor ahai was instrapetion of it 

[Mehmet Eren]

Also I dont remember clearly but in the world of ice and fire some lant they mention creature like children of forest so there will be other place children live other place can be ice like North and South Polar but that is different story and grmm choose not tell it which will be right decision similar to lord of the rings 

[forod]

To be honest there is lots of things about 3 heads of dragon chosen ones ..... but to be this more like Last hero is the real and azor ahai was instrapetion of it 

 

It's generally accepted in the ASOIAF universe it's more likely that all of the 'Last Hero', 'Azor Ahai' characters are the same person, rather than there being several from all different parts of the globe 

[Meera of Tarth]

 

 

In ADWD Bran realises that he loves Meera, and then later drinks a stew which has a red "blood" like liquid in it. Many fans believe that this is the "blood" of Meera and Jojen, which is drunk to improve Bran's greenseeing ability. If we view Bran's ability as his flaming sword, then he has tempered his through the death of the woman he loved; just like Azor Ahai. 

 

 

I don't subscribe to that idea.

[sarah.jenice]

I don't know if I like the idea of having so many characters be reincarnations of ancient heroes. The whole AA prophecy is centered on a rebirth, but just because there may be an AAR character, doesn't mean there will be another Last Hero that will carry out almost the exact same role. We (mostly) know how that unfolded, and I'd hate to see Bran's story with its limitless possibilities be relegated to hero seeks out CotF, finds them and together they defeat the Others.

I do agree Bran's story already fits with a lot of the Last Hero's and he is going to play a major role in defeating the Others, but I want to see Bran and his powers be the game-changer rather than the CotF.

[Meera of Tarth]

I don't know if I like the idea of having so many characters be reincarnations of ancient heroes. The whole AA prophecy is centered on a rebirth, but just because there may be an AAR character, doesn't mean there will be another Last Hero that will carry out almost the exact same role. We (mostly) know how that unfolded, and I'd hate to see Bran's story with its limitless possibilities be relegated to hero seeks out CotF, finds them and together they defeat the Others.

I do agree Bran's story already fits with a lot of the Last Hero's and he is going to play a major role in defeating the Others, but I want to see Bran and his powers be the game-changer rather than the CotF.

I agree with your point  that "reincarnations" carrying out the exact role are not mandatory.

[forod]

I agree with your point  that "reincarnations" carrying out the exact role are not mandatory.

 

That's certainly true, but in the ASOIAF world the sheer volume of prophesied characters will result in resemblances with other characters 

[Meera of Tarth]

But the most important thing is the prophecy in itself; for instance, if AA is going to be reborn, the important thing is how will happen, (amidst smoke and salt...wake dragons) because the rest (that will save the world again) will happen if the prophecy takes place.

 

However, I am relunctant to believe that AA will just be a reincarnation. Maybe another person (not necessarily a reincarnation of the first AA) will have the same role as the previous AA of saving the world. That's how I'd view Bran, for example. ANd whether or not is to be AA reincarnated, he does not necessarily need to have the same personality or do the same actions he did in his previous life. 

 

 

But yeah, of course there will be some simmilarities. :cool4:  They are going to be heroes, after all.

 

 

As for the last hero/AA parallel, I don't know what to think. They may be the same. 

[forod]

I don't think Azor Ahai will be reincarnated within another character, I think a character will be resurrected with comparative powers

[Meera of Tarth]

I don't think Azor Ahai will be reincarnated within another character, I think a character will be resurrected with comparative powers

I think it too. I also wonder if maybe there will be multiple AA's because the prophecy is very vague and could apply to different people

[forod]

I think it too. I also wonder if maybe there will be multiple AA's because the prophecy is very vague and could apply to different people

 

maybe, it would explain prophecies like the three heads of the dragon 

[Lord Greenhood]

''So as cold and death filled the earth, the last hero determined to seek out the children, in the hopes that their ancient magics could win back what the armies of men had lost. He set out into the dead lands with a sword, a horse, a dog and a dozen companions. For years he searched until he despaired of ever finding the children of the forest in their secret cities. One by one his friends died, and his horse, and finally even his dog, and his sword froze so hard the blade snapped when he tried to use it.''

 

This fits Bran's story ark. Bran goes to seek out the three eyed crow who is in league with the Children and has to learn to use their magic to defeat the others. He has a horse ''Hodor'' a dog, his ''Direwolf Summer'' and a dozen companions ''Meera and Jojen'' the sword can be on of the swords they took from the crypts of Winterfell, it might snap in the next book. Or the sword refers to his warg ability.

[forod]

''So as cold and death filled the earth, the last hero determined to seek out the children, in the hopes that their ancient magics could win back what the armies of men had lost. He set out into the dead lands with a sword, a horse, a dog and a dozen companions. For years he searched until he despaired of ever finding the children of the forest in their secret cities. One by one his friends died, and his horse, and finally even his dog, and his sword froze so hard the blade snapped when he tried to use it.''

 

This fits Bran's story ark. Bran goes to seek out the three eyed crow who is in league with the Children and has to learn to use their magic to defeat the others. He has a horse ''Hodor'' a dog, his ''Direwolf Summer'' and a dozen companions ''Meera and Jojen'' the sword can be on of the swords they took from the crypts of Winterfell, it might snap in the next book. Or the sword refers to his warg ability.

 

If his companions were to all die, including Summer who is a part of Bran, but Bran were to play a key role in the struggle for the dawn, then it would certainly represent the "bitter sweet" ending GRRM is planning.