BalerionTheCat

I believe one treason will be Daario. Should be for gold. The last one, maybe Jorah (or someone else loving her). Killing or betraying her because she went mad in her path of Fire and Blood. Or Euron or the Red Priests did something to her and she must be stopped.

Illyrio and Varys Blackfyre / Brightfyre is not just a theory of mine. And how to explain Illyrio strategy with crazy Viserys and dothrakis savages, while he has fAegon in reserve? And the greatest care for the plight of Westeros commoners?

There are plenty of things we don't know. And it is GRRM way of telling his story. We know however he believed in the prophecy of the PtwP and something about Ice and Fire. And we know by Melisandre that the PtwP is linked to the return of the LN. And therefore the Others. Given the current state of the NW, or if his prophecies included its failure (even Old Nan refers to this eventuality), or its inadequacy to deal with the LN, then Rhaegar would no more try to support it than the rule of his family. But we know next to nothing about Rhaegar's plans. So we can't say "we would know".

This was exactly what I thought. But there is also this (Moat Cailin) : That other thing could be Theon's toy. But it is said as if it was no more important than toes and fingers? Maybe he is refering is his name, Theon? IDK.

I believe it was this quote. He was talking about his way of writing in general. Since this time, it's possible he changed a lot of things. But maybe not the twist. I still believe it's Barristan going to fAegon, the "true king". Dismayed by Daenerys' dothrakis, red priests and sellswords companies.

Daenerys is his queen. Not Hizdahr. He believes he attempted to kill her and the dragons. Maybe Jaime could have played mummer with Aerys. But he is obviously not for subtleties. Without Pycelle, the city would have stood longer and Aerys got his orders. He killed one man to improve the chances of the others. But I agree, it pleased him to kill the mad king.

The Long Night and the Others return prophecy was given 1000's of years before. So it's not one recent mistake which brought it. I believe Rhaegar did something he thought was necessary to survive the Others. For example, having the PtwP. Maybe the first mistake was First Men coming to Westeros. Or the Andals and their gods.

I believe Barristan loves his oaths too much to interfere with orders. Even the KG at the TOJ named Jaime, their false brother, who would burn in seven hells. And Jaime had no choice. Had he not killed Aerys, the king would have ordered the first soldier, guard, servant to arrest or kill Jaime. And the order would have been followed. No one was going against the king, ever.

Val doesn't' want Shireen dead by cruelty. She seems absolutely sure and wants to protect everyone else. In absolute she is as major a character as Tormund. I believe she has not much screen time because GRRM is hiding her place in the end game. I believe she is one of the keys to the Old Gods and the Others. She knows much about them apparently. IMO, she is the White Melissandre, an Old God priestess.

No problem The line seems sometimes fuzzy to me too.

I thought this sub-forum should be free of show spoilers. But with all the enemies waiting Daenerys in the south, I don't know how she will come North. Or how Jon will involve himself in this viper's nest. Maybe the Others will come South, seeking her dragons. Or the Red Priests will want her fighting the Others.

I don't think Jon and Daenerys will ever happen. It is written to be expected, like Tyrion meeting Daenerys in ADwD. But will it really happen? And will it work? Jon and Daenerys represent different, opposite worlds. Hers, one of total dominance by one absolute leader. Him, some of the Free Folks ways. With Stark-like protection. They would fit well. But there is Val.

I also think the dragons will die. This weapon dispenses the owner to seek compromise and allies and mutual interest rather than the "I choose violence". Likewise, I don't think the Others will be defeated in a big battle. Agree, war is not GRRM solution to problems. But all magic, I don't know. I hope not. If Bran survives as a greenseer, the faith in the Old Gods is restored. Maybe the world will heal. I believe the world will need magical guardians, symbols of the gods, maybe the threat of the Others, to not return in its current barbarity.

Here a link to the audio. The words are not all D&D's... Will have to find what they exactly said about fantasy elements and understanding the books. GOT panel at Austin Film Festival ETA: About removing as many fantasy elements as possible: 28:10 About sitting down and try to boil the elements of the books: 48:30

Yes, after comments like: (Needle & Pen (@ForArya) Or: Or: All the Long Night stuff was making no sense. And little elsewhere.