The Winds of Winter Prologue

[Bran17]

Why is everyone so certain there is a "pattern" for the prologues?

I, personally, believe he likes to use the prologues to show stuff beyond the wall to build a mystery about that part of the story, for obvious reasons. And he didn't want to use it in 2(or 3, or 4) books in a row, which would explain why we have another thematic in ACoK and AFfC.

I think the "maester POV" thing was not intentional. It was not about "preference", but about what the story needed but he couldn't narrate later.
Well, WoW is gonna prove me right or wrong, anyway.

Regarding WoW's prologue, I think it would make more sense if it was about the winter itself(North), but since Jeyne is in it, I believe that's not the case. I have no idea of what's going to happen in the chapter, but I hope he doesn't kill the POV character, that is so predictable by now.
(Unless it's Sybel Spicer, if that's the case, go for it, George. :cool4:)

[Ser Pounce FTW]

but I hope he doesn't kill the POV character, that is so predictable by now.

You mean like the way so many people who-are-dead-come-back kind of predictable?

[Bendon stark]

I could totally see an Old Nan Prologue, where you get to know more about the Dreadfort/what happened to Winterfell. And then the revealing of her not being who she seem to be, just before she dies.

[Moondancer]

Why is everyone so certain there is a "pattern" for the prologues?

I've noticed it too. Only I am far more chilling as far as the explanation goes (and quite frankly, simplicity is inherent to the patterns) - Ice - Fire - Ice - Fire - Ice.

[Hippocras]

A prologue involving Jeyne and either weirwood magic or warging (Nymeria) would still fit with the ice pattern.

[Hippocras]

Wait, scratch that. The Dance prologue was Ice, so this one is Fire. I am thinking Brotherhood without Banners then.

[Moondancer]

Wait, scratch that. The Dance prologue was Ice, so this one is Fire. I am thinking Brotherhood without Banners then.

Thoros, my first thought. :)

(Is it too much to ask for The Ghost of High Heart? Supporting role! :D )

[Gi_Varotti]

I don't see the "new" Jaime ordering to kill them, he's changed. But that's just my feeling. He didn't help Cersei when she asked him...

There goes my hope of seeing a Ghost/Jon prologue.

As for Thoros, could it be him trying to save Jeyne's life? I don't mean turning her into a zombie like Cat but from a more serious injury.

Or maybe we'll see Lady Stoneheart asking him to find Jeyne through the flames like Mel does.o

[Ser Pounce FTW]

Wait, scratch that. The Dance prologue was Ice, so this one is Fire. I am thinking Brotherhood without Banners then.

Thoros, my first thought. :)

(Is it too much to ask for The Ghost of High Heart? Supporting role! :D )

I've been thinking this too. BwB and possibly LS.

[Peasant Rebel Leader]

There is no pattern. GRRM is a "gardener" remember. If the prologues fit in retrospective, then it's fine and interesting, but he will not bend over backwards to make the next prologue fit the pattern. (Or maybe the pattern is a completely different which is not symetric at all....)

So I'm not saying fire magic or maesters are not involved in the prologue, I'm just saying it doesn't matter if they are.

[Hippocras]

There is no pattern. GRRM is a "gardener" remember. If the prologues fit in retrospective, then it's fine and interesting, but he will not bend over backwards to make the next prologue fit the pattern. (Or maybe the pattern is a completely different which is not symetric at all....)

So I'm not saying fire magic or maesters are not involved in the prologue, I'm just saying it doesn't matter if they are.

Yeah it could be anything. On the other hand GRRM may want the pattern because it distributes the emphasis.

I am not convinced it alternates only Ice and Fire though because of the maester thing. More like it is rotating between various kinds of magics and beliefs.

[Thendera]

I could totally see an Old Nan Prologue, where you get to know more about the Dreadfort/what happened to Winterfell. And then the revealing of her not being who she seem to be, just before she dies.

this one has my vote, though it seems unlikely :(

Didn't GRRM say something at comic con about not necessarily following the pattern?

edit:

http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Month/2014/07/

[The Scabbard Of the Morning]

There is no pattern, people have a tendency to see two points and want to immediately draw a line. The only pattern is the POV id prologues/epilogues will die either at the end of the chapter or immediately afterwards.

[Hippocras]

this one has my vote, though it seems unlikely :(

Didn't GRRM say something at comic con about not necessarily following the pattern?

edit:

http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Month/2014/07/

At ComiCon, GRRM specifically said Jeyne Westerling will be in the prologue. I don't see how a prologue with Jeyne could possibly include Old Nan. Also, usually the prologues give us critical information about the way magic works and interferes in this world. I don't see how Old Nan gives us that kind of information.

[Hippocras]

There is no pattern, people have a tendency to see two points and want to immediately draw a line. The only pattern is the POV id prologues/epilogues will die either at the end of the chapter or immediately afterwards.

The character dying is IMO less of a rule that that the prologue gives us important information about various kinds of magics - often in contrast to the no magic worldview of maesters to emphasize how scary it is for ordinary people.

[The Scabbard Of the Morning]

Not really Pate was not killed by magic, and his death didn't tell us anything about magic.

[Moondancer]

Also, GRRM said that the Sand Snakes will cause a lot of trouble in the books/show. "Dangerous".

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TZYi52FTPpQ

[Hippocras]

Not really Pate was not killed by magic, and his death didn't tell us anything about magic.

You don't call the whole illusion of a gold coin, ground swallowing him feeling, and another man taking his face magic?

That prologue gave us the key information that the FM, or someone hired by them have an interest in the Citadel and particularly in Marwyn. Who is the magic archmaester. And who has a glass candle.

[redriver]

I wonder if Nymeria and her wolf pack will feature in the prologue?They are in the vicinity having attacked Ser Dermot of Wainwoods party.

"Wolves.Hundreds of the bloody beggars."He'd lost two sentries to them.The wolves had come out of the dark to savage them."Armed men in mail and boiled leather,and yet the beasts had no fear of them.Before he died,Jate said the pack was led by a she-wolf of monstrous size.A direwolf,to hear him tell it..The wolves got in amongst our horse lines too.The bloody bastards killed my favorite bay."

I know the escort is 400 strong but perhaps a night time attack would cause enough disruption to allow some escapes?

[Hippocras]

I wonder if Nymeria and her wolf pack will feature in the prologue?They are in the vicinity having attacked Ser Dermot of Wainwoods party.

"Wolves.Hundreds of the bloody beggars."He'd lost two sentries to them.The wolves had come out of the dark to savage them."Armed men in mail and boiled leather,and yet the beasts had no fear of them.Before he died,Jate said the pack was led by a she-wolf of monstrous size.A direwolf,to hear him tell it..The wolves got in amongst our horse lines too.The bloody bastards killed my favorite bay."

I know the escort is 400 strong but perhaps a night time attack would cause enough disruption to allow some escapes?

I would love this, but would be just as happy wih Thoros or some other Brother Without a Banner.