Lord Varys

Not that likely. Continuing the cause of a Stark King would always mean trouble with King's Landing, irrelevant if a Lannister, Baratheon, or Targaryen rules there. And King Rickon would be a small boy, unable to press his claim or to work as a successful figurehead (and neither would Bran the Broken, by the way). Rickon in White Harbor would likely motivate Lord Wylis to reinstate him as Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North as it would prevent the Boltons from becoming the rulers in the North, but the whole seceding thing did not work in the first place. And I don't see it happening again without a strong grown-up Stark male leading it. Sansa, too, is not going to make a move for Robb's crown, she likely is going to try to become the first Ruling Lady of Winterfell.

Ran, well, right now our picture of Aerys I is that of an eccentric bookish scholar uninterested in the tedious business of ruling (except to decide whether captured Blackfyres should be executed) who was either asexual, gay, or sterile. He was not, however, rumored to be mad. Refusing to sleep with one's wife and preferring a scholar's life over a King's is not really mad, not necessarily eccentric, it's just consequential life-style. And this trained monkey stuff thing does not seem like the type of stuff a man uninterested in the day-to-day life of a King would do. It is way to elaborate, and really seems to be something only a man would do who interacted with his subjects on a regular basis. Aerys I did neither. He tended to forget his crown somewhere between his scrolls, and also did not care if his wardrobe was no longer in a decent shape. I heavily doubt that he would present a trained ape to his court, calling him 'Aegon' or something like that, and making fun about the fact that his queen prayed for a son every night when they already had their Prince of Dragonstone right there. He really seems to be more the type of an absentminded professor turned King than a slightly mad, yet calculating guy. Of Daeron's four sons, only Rhaegel is supposed to be mad, and even he outshines Maekar somewhat. If Aerys had been less genial, and madder, Maekar really should have been able to find his spot in the sun. I totally see him only calling on Bloodraven for completely insignificant things, like, to order him to make him new glasses, or ask him where the heck he has left his crown this time (likely, while actually wearing it for one time). Prince Rhaegel would be a better candidate, but he never ascended the Iron Throne. And I really somewhat think that this behavior really would be more fitting during the early phase of the Targaryen rule, as the Westerosi nobility likely really needed to 'learn' that the Targaryens were so much above them that there would be next to never a marriage between a Crown Prince and a subject's daughter. Edit: Mummer's Dragon could be someone playing to be a Targaryen. But it also could be someone being a Targaryen while 'playing' (consciously or not) to be someone else. Say, Jon Snow could be 'playing' to be Ned Stark's son, while he actually is Rhaegar Targaryen's. Young Griff could be Aegon VI while believing (i.e. playing) to be Jon Connington's son. It is most likely that Young Griff, although he most likely was prepared for his future properly, was not told from a very early age that he was Aegon VI, King of Westeros. Doing that likely would have made it much more likely that this secret would be revealed. Jon also was told nothing of his heritage. Either way, I'm not convinced that Mummer's Dragon has to be sign a that an Aegon VI appearing would have to be a fake. And it really could still refer to Jon Snow as well, although he most likely is not going to Meereen.

On the Targaryen King: Well, that most likely must have been one of meaner guys, most likely one of the older Kings. For some reason I could see Aenys I doing such a thing, as in his time the Targaryens were not yet fully established as an incest dynasty. But I'm not sure that Jaehaerys was already old enough to be married when Aenys died. Maegor did not have a son, Jaehaerys seems to be above such arrogant nonsense, Viserys I had Rhaenyra, and I'm not sure that he was the type for such a thing, nor is it likely that he would make such a fuss about a son for whom he did not intend to succeed him. Aegon II, perhaps? Unlikely, as I'm pretty sure that this would have been a wise decision during war (I would be really surprised if his children were not used as bargaining chips to buy the loyalties of his followers). Aegon III also does not seem the type for this, especially as he died when all his children were not of age. Daeron I and Baelor also would not do such a thing for obvious reason, as would Viserys II. So the usual suspect would be Aegon IV - that is, if his son would have not been already married during Baelor's reign. This whole thing would only be funny if the existing Prince of Dragonstone was presently unwed. Daeron II is also an unlikely candidate, as is Aerys I for obvious reasons (no issue). Maekar might be possible, if he developed some sense of humor in his later years, especially as he had four sons, and three of them were married and had children of their own, but I still don't see him doing that. Aegon V would be, well, interesting, actually. Egg developing some eccentricities in his later years would be fun, and this whole thing could actually be some kind of gag aimed both at the practice of the nobles to broker a Targaryen match and at their own habit of incestuous marriages. Egg himself most likely married his own sister, and if he did not change his mind on that topic later in life, Jaehaerys II most likely also was married to one of his sisters. At least I don't see Aerys marrying Rhaella if the Targaryens had change of mind on the incest tradition under Aegon V. Thus this is not likely. Jaehaerys II also is not likely the instigator of this joke, as Aerys was already married when he ascended the Iron Throne. Aerys II of course would be the main suspect for such a thing. Rhaegar was unmarried, and it was difficult to find a suitable bride for him, and there can't be a doubt that many nobles (including Tywin) tried to take advantage of that situation. Sending Steffon to the Free Cities to finally find someone can also be seen as a sign that Aerys finally wanted to see this thing settled. But we should think that Axell Florent and Davos should know that said King was Aerys, and I'm also pretty sure that Axell would not have been that eager to refer to a joke pulled off by Aerys Targaryen, as Aerys was no friend of Stannis (on the other hand, Axell Florent is not really a smart guy). To conclude this thing: I've no idea who this King might be. I really could think it might be Aenys I, but mostly because I really want him to have done something worth mentioning ;-). Any other ideas?

Dammit, I really would love to read the conversation between Davos and Lord Wyman right now. The Aegon thing is interesting, and likely really a setup for the Young Griff situation. I don't know what to make of it. Both a fake or a real Aegon VI could only become Daenerys Prince Consort right now. He has no army we are aware of. And apparently even Doran Martell does not know anything about his existence (else he likely would have sent Arianne to him, not Quentyn to Daenerys), which makes it extremely unlikely that there is plotting in Dorne in his favor. Sure, a male Targaryen and Rhaegar's eldest son would technically come before Daenerys, but she has the dragons now, and she is the Unburnt and the Mother of Dragons. Young Griff is just a boy with no accomplishments. It would be pretty much impossible for him to get her out of the way. And a new civil strife between Targaryens would ruin everything for them, once and for all. But I'm pretty sure that no one would be able to win much or anything with a fake Aegon VI. Him being a fake could be revealed, and that is not the way Varys works, if I'm not mistaken. I really fear for Stannis, though. Davos actually might abandon him. The whole talk about him wanting to see his wife and younger children again, the fact that he always wanted to travel east, and the fact that he apparently remembers Daenerys' name, and even mentioned it in the inn, could be very strong signs in a certain direction. Especially as we know that there are these damned chapters set in the Rainwood in ADwD. Is Davos going to take (parts of) Lord Wyman's fleet and going east for Slaver's Bay? Somehow this sounds and feels pretty convincing right now, but it would also be heartbreakingly sad. Stannis needs Davos. But GRRM really could pull such a thing off, right under our noses, making Stannis most stalwart servant switching camps. And Davos would be huge asset at Daenerys' court. If that is what is going to happen, Davos might really become one of the most interesting characters of the entire series. He most certainly is not going to die the way Cersei believed he died. I not even believed that Lord Manderly ever presented the real Davos for the Onion Knight. It would be rather irritating if Davos would spend that much time at White Harbor, as speed most likely is everything right now, especially if Lord Wyman does not really intend to submit to the Lannisters. But even if that is not the case, it is evident that Lord Wyman is up to something, and the real deal here might be the Targaryens' return. White Harbor is a harbor city, and just because no one in KL or only a few people Oldtown did listen to the story about the dragons, does not mean that the people in Gulltown (remember Littlefinger indicating most interesting news when he returns from there) or White Harbor were equally deaf. Especially Lord Wyman, as he apparently did hire huge amounts of men and was building a fleet 'rivaling the size of the Royal Fleet'. To man such a fleet, he needs experienced sailors, and sailors talk. Actively backing Roose Bolton seems to be totally out of question (and character) for the Manderlys in my mind (and if they intended to do that, they would already openly have declared for them). They might end up submitting to the Boltons if they had no other choice, but right now there are still a lot of options. Especially as Lord Tywin is dead. As soon as the news about Cersei's colorful way of ruling arrive in the North, most of the Lords who more or less reluctantly joined with Roose and the Freys because they feared the ultimate repercussions of Lord Tywin, most likely are going to change their minds. Especially if this coincides with victories of Stannis and/or the Ironborn. If the Boltons are unable to pacify the North, no one is going to accept them as Wardens.

Stannis' nod was in in the hanging version, too. And I really don't find that bad - it shows Stannis' respect for Jon, which essentially is a good thing. I actually like the possibility that a darker Jon and Stannis could bond on a certain level. They do fight against a common enemy, and although Stannis tells us all the time that Ned Stark was not his friend, I'd appreciate it if Jon and Stannis would become friends of sorts. And even if none of this is going to happen, the nod is a sign of Stannis' approval for the execution. He despised Slynt, too, and would have him executed him himself had he not been a member of the NW.

Well, it really would make sense if Starks always behead traitorous members of the NW. There has to be a reason why Ned traveled to that Keep to execute Gared. Sure, he was the in charge of this business, but he certainly was unable to execute every death sentence in the whole North or his lands personally. I like to see that a sign of respect for the duties of the NW. The Starks will kill you, if you desert the NW, but if you are lucky they will behead you personally ;-). I never doubted that the Starks also do all the maiming and executing stuff in a similar, or more unpleasant manner than the Andal Lords. They are supposed to be a dark and cold people, and it is intriguing that Winterfell does not seem to have a large dungeon or something like that. The Arryns and Lannisters obviously take a certain pleasure in incarcerating their enemies (sky cells, caves as dungeons), but the Kings in the North did not have much resources to spare on prisoners, especially in not in winter. When thinking about that Slynt thing - I really like the hanging more. I already pictured that thing. Jon staring into his eyes while he died and all, and Stannis watching Jon and the whole scene. A head on the floor just brings that Theon scene back into mind, and a beheading really does not work as well as a not-so-well-in-advance-planned execution. You just need a rope a few guys to hang someone, whereas you need some guys holding the delinquent, a sword/axe, a stump, and a sober guy to do the dirty work if you want to behead someone. But then, the scene certainly is going to be equally powerful with a beheading. But right now the hanging really showed Jon's contempt for Slynt more. And it also may be a stronger sign for Jon's determination to be the Lord Commander, the man who rules the NW.

I liked the hanging. As an execution method for traitors and non-nobles it showed the contempt Jon hold for one of Ned's murderers. On the other hand, it seems that beheading is a, or the fitting way for a Stark to execute a traitor to the NW, so it makes more sense. Was there a line, too, about Jon having/wanting to do it himself?

Roose only married Fat Walda because he got her weight in gold. The important thing for House Frey back then was that Lord Stark would marry a Frey. Initially, Lord Walder would be quite pissed off that Roose chose Fat Walda. As to Ramsay we must keep in mind that there are to Bolton Lordships now. Ramsay marries 'Arya Stark' and becomes Lord of Winterfell, but the Warden of the North remains Roose Bolton. Also, I think, the Lord Paramount of the North would henceforth be the Lord of the Dreadfort, not the Lord of Winterfell. So Roose could father a trueborn son and give him the Dreadfort. But then, I actually doubt that Roose Bolton truly intends to share his bed with Fat Walda. She was a tool, nothing less. Roose can be proud of Ramsay: He did everything he was ordered to do and survived. If the North happens to swallow Lord Ramsay of Winterfell, then Roose will not touch his son. If Ramsay's actions come to light, well, then I would not want to be Ramsay.

Well, if Lord Roose and Ramsay are already aware that Lord Tywin had died when this chapter took place, they may truly want to know if Ramsay is marrying Arya Stark or not. Most likely, Ramsay's marriage with Arya should make him Lord of Winterfell while Roose's trueborn children of fat Walda are going to get the Dreadfort. But Roose Bolton is cautious man. With Lord Tywin dead, the King whose Warden of the North he now is, might not be as a reliable ally as Roose had hoped, when he betrayed Robb. Although the Boltons and the Freys are either way much on the own in pacifying the North (meaning getting the Lords in line and crushing the Ironborn and Stannis), the death of Lord Tywin might have made it much more difficult for the Northern Lords to suffer the Bastard of the Dreadfort as the new Lord of Winterfell. So it will be not entirely unimportant if 'Arya Stark' is truly Arya Stark. If she is, it would be rather difficult for any faction opposing the Boltons to prove otherwise (and good for the Boltons to know). If she is not, then it's important to know how convincing she is, and how any accuser could be best proven false.