Liver and Onions

Part of me hopes it's Cersei, just because of the possibilities of such a team-up. Evil magic Cersei! Tommen and Myrcella would have to be dead (or believed dead, shades of Bran and Rickon, and Arya for that matter. Myrcella's been "swapped" like her, at least for a bit). And the Ironborn are troubling the Tyrells. If Cersei were to blame Margaery for Tommen's possible death, she'd probably side with the devil to get revenge.

I do like Victarion as a character. I think it's his slow-wittedness. GRRM makes it come across really well, and you get the impression that this man, a product of his culture, would be a decent guy if raised differently. He's a horrible person, but he manages to not be as horrible as some. No, he shouldn't get a prize for that. GRRM keeps reminding us of Victarion's casual cruelty and his guilt. He's not an admirable man, but I'd like to see him teaming up with characters who are. Euron, on the other hand, seems like he'd be scheming and murdering his way to power whatever the circumstances of his birth.

Given the animosity between the Lannisters and the Ironborn, I wonder? Would Lady Stoneheart team up with Euron to destroy the Lannisters? Or would she equate him with Theon, the supposed killer of Bran and Rickon? I wonder if LS would be susceptible to charm, Euron being all "I had nothing to do with that! I was at sea!" Right now she's focused on Jaime for Robb's death, could be that her undead memory is limited to her last thoughts. Although she remembers Brienne's oath.. Ah, forum rambling!

Good points about Euron's upbringing. Given free reign, such as when Balon sends him away, he'd be able to indulge in whatever twisted fantasies he harbors. His charisma and generosity with plunder probably keep his men loyal to him, and he most likely visits his attentions (murder, rape, torture, etc.) on outsiders and others his men would dislike as well. And I agree than Quellon was probably not Dad of the Year.

As for the discussion of evil, we've all heard the notion that no one see themselves as evil, but the hero of their own story. Euron's story might very well be him just taking what he can, when he can, and having whatever he considers "fun" (ick) along the way. Guys like Littlefinger, Tywin, and Joffrey do a lot of evil things. Littlefinger could objectively be the worst, because he avoids complicity and pretends to be a nice guy. Tywin at least is unafraid (bolstered by his name and Lannister pride) to say, "Yes, I did this." Joffrey was a kid, but was clearly not improving with age. They were all willing to partake in mass murder at some point to achieve their goals. What makes them "evil," especially if characters with more benevolent goals (Dany's anti-slavery campaign) perform similar acts? (Astapor) I feel like the answer to all these questions is part of the story. Euron being unapologetically evil (at least to his brother, he might play the part differently when recruiting others) could be cathartic for us readers, in a way. Who can argue Euron's actions as good or necessary? Whether he was born as what pop psychology deems a sociopath is hard to say at this point. Would he be more satisfying as a character if his abhorrent actions were influences by failed green dreams or other outside influences? I'm not sure about these answers myself, but my opinion is that, for now, Euron stepping up as a Big Bad (if not The Big Bad) is exciting.

This sounds intriguing; an alliance of pirate lords who are just going to come in and take everything that's lying around after the war. Euron will probably hide his true nature and just appear as the badass, charismatic Ironborn captain, winning stragglers to his cause. If Mysaria is foreshadowing the Pale Fire Woman as an advisor (and not Dany; please Dany, don't fall for this guy! Don't choose fire! You've got your own! ) I wonder who that might be? I've heard Quaithe and Cersei suggested, although I can't see the latter as just an advisor.

I could be the only person who's satisfied with this chapter being loosed upon the world now as opposed to years ago. It feels like it's building up to everything that happens in TWOW. But that's me. Makes me wonder what all this has to do with the Seastone chair and the oily stone theories.

Wow... I'm envious of the fans who got to hear this read live. This is intriguing. So much new stuff. I recall Euron being mentioned with trepidation back in ASOS in Tywin's councils after they received word of Balon's death - "The Brother is back." Makes me wonder what the mainland knows of Euron. Was he around during the Greyjoy rebellion? Or was that after Balon banished him? I'm going to have to look that up.

Ooh, interesting interpretation for Brienne. I'd have to check the wording of the prophecy, but I think it says that the younger person takes all she holds dear. I'm fairly sure the standing (ie. queen) of the person is not specified, nor the gender for that matter. (Loras is in her house, stealing her stuff!) Cersei and Euron would be pretty terrifying. I can't see Dany joining up with him, at least not willingly, but Cersei might be desperate enough. Euron seems to be rather charismatic, and if he promises Cersei revenge against those who have wronged her, she might choose him as a new ally.

The discussion about Cersei trying to flee King's Landing with Tommen reminds me of Tyrion's actions in A Clash of Kings. Cersei had Boros Blount take a disguised Tommen to Rosby to keep him safe should the city fall to Stannis, but Tyrion's men intercepted their party. We knew Tyrion didn't want any harm to come to Tommen, but Cersei thought otherwise, and then a frustrated Tyrion chose to play on her fears. I wonder how this will effect Cersei's decisions, especially if she suspects Tyrion is still loose in the castle killing people. Of course, this time she has Ser Robert Strong in her corner.

Cersei would flee to the Rock if she decides to set fire to King's Landing, a la Mad Aerys II. She might not be able to regain her power and reputation, but she can take revenge. If Tommen were to die, I think she's going to be setting fires. Myrcella is also coming home, so it remains to be seen how Maggy's prophecy will be fulfilled. Nymeria and Tyene might have a hand in it. And I hadn't thought at all about a possible alliance with Euron, especially if she's at the Rock. Very interesting. Is Euron the valonqar she's been dreading? Hah, I too made the mistake of thinking Loras, burned or unburned, was in charge of Storm's End as I was reading. He may very well side with Dany, depending on how important Aegon and JonCon decide Dragonstone is. It is definitely important symbolically, but they might save it for later and focus on the Lannisters and Tyrells. And by then Dany could be landing...

I liked this chapter. Shows how a journey can be so much more than a travelogue. I liked how Arianne is being cautious and thinking both of her father and Oberyn. Daemon Sand is pretty cool, as well. Definitely going to have to reread it for more hints. I do like Elia - love how Arianne thinks that her sisters will kill her if anything happens to the girl. It's a good reminder of how tightly knit the Sandsnakes are, and if something bad does happen to Elia... well... I'm looking forward to Arianne meeting up with JonCon, as well as her reaction when she finds out what became of Quentyn.