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So far we have discussed, in great detail, the theory that the sandsnake Sarella is actually the Sphinx in oldtown and the theory that the Hound is still alive as the gravedigger on the Quite Isle.
This time, I mean to clarify another often brought up theory. This one states that King Balon Greyjoy was murdered by a faceless man, hired by his brother Euron Greyjoy. Let’s see whether or not this claim can be backed:
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In a Storm of Swords, Balon Greyjoy dies under rather mysterious circumstances. Stranger still, we learn all the information about it through second-hand sources. Supposedly Balon Greyjoy was crossing one of the bridges between Pyke’s many islands when the wind got hold of it and tore it to pieces, killing the king. At first glance this may sound like a normal accident, however, further details prove there is more to this case.
The most important indications that hint to truth behind this claim can be found earlier in ‘A Storm of Swords’. Arya and Beric Dondarrions men camped overnight at High Heart to meet with ‘the Ghost of High Heart’ and hear her visions of the future whilst learning more about the whereabouts of Lord Beric Dondarrion. She tells them she has seen the following vision:
Quote
“I dreamt I saw a shadow with a burning heart butchering a golden stag. I dreamt of a man without a face, waiting on a bridge that swayed and swung. On his shoulder perched a drowned crow with seaweed hanging from his wings. I dreamt of a roaring river and a woman that was a fish. Dead she drifted, with red tears on her cheeks. All this I dreamt, and more.”
This means that ‘the Ghost of High Heart’ successfully envisioned the deaths of:
- Renly Baratheon: “a shadow with a burning heart butchering a golden stag” => Referring to Milessandre’s shadow slaying Renly
- Catelyn Tully: “a roaring river and a woman that was a fish. Dead she drifted, with red tears on her cheeks” => Refering to Catelyn's death and resurrection at the Twins.
Both of the deaths she predicted happened like she said they would, which gives her visions credibility. Now let's look at the rest of her dream:
1) The old lady said she “dreamt of a man without a face, waiting on a bridge that swayed and swung”. This clearly suggests that King Balon was killed by a Faceless Man. Also, the king happened to be on a bridge during a heavy storm, hence the “swaying and swinging”.
2) Furthermore, she sais that the Faceless Man had “a drowned crow perched on his shoulder, with seaweed hanging from his wings.” There is a good chance that the drowned crow is a reference to the FM being contracted by someone amongst the Ironborn. Most likely Euron Greyjoy, knowing that his nickname is 'Crow’s Eye'.
3) Another indication can be found in the following passage:
Quote
“Euron Crow’s Eye, they call him, as black a pirate as ever raised a sail. He’s been gone for years, but Lord Balon was no sooner cold than there he was, sailing into Lordsport. He’s been to Asshai and back, I heard. Wherever he was, though, he’s home now, and he marched right into Pyke and sat his arse in the Seastone Chair, and drowned Lord Botley in a cask of seawater when he objected.”
4) Additionally, Euron has spent time sailing around the east and has gained a vast amount of wealth doing so. This means that he certainly had the opportunity and wealth to hire a Faceless Man.
Euron Greyjoys timely arrival and the fact that the Ghost of Highhearts visions all came true are strong evidences that support the theory that Euron hired a Faceless Man to kill his brother Balon, in order to claim the Seastone chair for himself.
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Hopefully this analysis helped out those of you that were uncertain about this often discussed topic. I am sure there are still things to be added, so feel free to add your own own clues and opinion.
Edited by Cosmic Maintenance Man, 14 January 2012 - 05:27 AM.
be careful, I'm gonna steal you one of these nights.
