aurane waters (TWoW spoiler)

[qixoticneurotic]

Aurane is a Valyrian Honeytrap. I have no doubt that Varys is using him/instructing him and they plotted together.. He left for the Stepstones because Aegon was landing, stupid was on her way out the building, and the Stepstones needed to be held - the trap set... for Daenerys's Fleet. Any ship from the south has to pass through the Stepstones and when they do they'll be met by the Royal Fleet Admiral - the spitting image of Rhaegar - under a Targaryen Flag.

Now, I don't know what he'll do when Daenerys gets there, open fire, bend the knee, try to steal her dragons, offer her an escort, or just pass her messages from Varys. But that is why he is there.

If I had any wishes, it would be that the TV show showed Monford Velaryon at the Pyre and Stannis talked to him or about him. Davos complaining about the Lords not listening to what he says would have been a perfect moment to mention the Lord of the Tides "That man's blood is so pure three times the Targaryans took his forbearers to Wed to keep their own hair silver" It actually would have made for a nice little cameo scene for Jason Issacs.

this. its just too perfect not to play out this way. aegon is the king and the king can legitimize him. theres going to be quite a bit of replacing current lords with blackfyre descendants one more wont break the country.

[Heyo Winter Comin']

I'd wager that the men with him are his men, recruited and vetted from amongst the populous of King's Landing. I don't think loyalty will be a problem for Aurane.

Aurane Crewed them with thieves and poachers, ie scumbags. Probably more willin to say fuck it, lets be pirates.

[aFeastForDragons]

Its the "Proven Loyalty" part that I wonder about. Cersei just passes it off as men who were loyal to Lannisters or the Tyrells during the battle but Aurane was also at Dragonstone which means he could be plotting with Loras and co.

His options are:

Reave and pillage the Stepstones enjoying an endless supply of booty and rum *Yar!*

Team up with Stannis and Manderly and go all guns blazing against Kings Landing again.

Team up with Loras and the Redwyne Fleet to smash the Ironborn fleets plaguing the coasts.

Team up with the returning Iron Fleet(if it even returns)

Team up with Aegon and the Golden Company.

[Stallion That Mounts Texas]

Aurane Crewed them with thieves and poachers, ie scumbags. Probably more willin to say fuck it, lets be pirates.

How do you know he recruited thieves and poachers? No evidence of that.

[Stallion That Mounts Texas]

Its the "Proven Loyalty" part that I wonder about. Cersei just passes it off as men who were loyal to Lannisters or the Tyrells during the battle but Aurane was also at Dragonstone which means he could be plotting with Loras and co.

His options are:

Reave and pillage the Stepstones enjoying an endless supply of booty and rum *Yar!*

Team up with Stannis and Manderly and go all guns blazing against Kings Landing again.

Team up with Loras and the Redwyne Fleet to smash the Ironborn fleets plaguing the coasts.

Team up with the returning Iron Fleet(if it even returns)

Team up with Aegon and the Golden Company.

Aegon makes the most sense.

[Heyo Winter Comin']

How do you know he recruited thieves and poachers? No evidence of that.

I was sure I read it in one of the Cersei chapters, double checked the wiki and grabbed this:

"As Master of Ships, Aurane proposed the construction of the dromonds, and also suggested to crew them with thieves and poachers."

I'll have to check the books again and see what the actual quote is.

“Our new dromonds will need oarsmen,” said Aurane Waters. “Let us instruct the lords to send their poachers and thieves to me henceforth, instead of to the Wall.”

There ya go!

[Stallion That Mounts Texas]

I was sure I read it in one of the Cersei chapters, double checked the wiki and grabbed this:

"As Master of Ships, Aurane proposed the construction of the dromonds, and also suggested to crew them with thieves and poachers."

I'll have to check the books again and see what the actual quote is.

"Our new dromonds will need oarsmen," said Aurane Waters. "Let us instruct the lords to send their poachers and thieves to me henceforth, instead of to the Wall."

There ya go!

Fair enough. I found the quote in AFFC as well. I stand by my original assertion that loyalty from these men won't be a problem. Waters will take these men from the dungeons to pretty good status rowing for him.

[aryagonnakill]

If Aurane gets them booze and booty, I assume they will be his. But if faced with a dragon or the iron fleet or something, they may not proove as loyal or as brave as other men.

[Heyo Winter Comin']

Aegon makes the most sense.

But then we do know of a certain Lyseni pirate that's cruising down to the Stepstones right now. How long before Saan hears that the IB are backing Stannis and that Stannis now has the ability to pay him. Now if he conveniently runs into Aurane when he's down there and they decide that Stannis' position does seem to be improving by the minute, then maybe Aurane will be very willing to rejoin his liege lord. Why do you consider Aegon the most likely? What does Aurane have to gain from joining up with Aegon at that point in time? Even if he's taken Storm's End, if Aegon hasn't had any Reach defectors with him from Rowan's army then Aurane will be very aware that the Tyrell's forces will be down there very soon to fight him. Now, if Aegon improved his position quickly then maybe, but I don't see how Aurane would ever be motivated to do something like transport the rest of the Golden Company from the Stepstones to the mainland or anything at that point in time

[Stallion That Mounts Texas]

If Aurane gets them booze and booty, I assume they will be his. But if faced with a dragon or the iron fleet or something, they may not proove as loyal or as brave as other men.

Thieves and poachers will risk a great deal if the reward is worth it. Just in case, I wonder if they are chained to their oars?

[Stallion That Mounts Texas]

But then we do know of a certain Lyseni pirate that's cruising down to the Stepstones right now. How long before Saan hears that the IB are backing Stannis and that Stannis now has the ability to pay him. Now if he conveniently runs into Aurane when he's down there and they decide that Stannis' position does seem to be improving by the minute, then maybe Aurane will be very willing to rejoin his liege lord. Why do you consider Aegon the most likely? What does Aurane have to gain from joining up with Aegon at that point in time? Even if he's taken Storm's End, if Aegon hasn't had any Reach defectors with him from Rowan's army then Aurane will be very aware that the Tyrell's forces will be down there very soon to fight him. Now, if Aegon improved his position quickly then maybe, but I don't see how Aurane would ever be motivated to do something like transport the rest of the Golden Company from the Stepstones to the mainland or anything at that point in time

1. With Storm's End in tow, Aegon now have control of two-thirds of the Stormlands. All that is missing is the Dornish Marches. The Marches are untouched by war. Lord Swann kept his banners at home and sent his sons, Beric Dondarrion is dead, so no one has mustered his forces, and with Lord Caron dead, his bastard brother Ronald Storm has claimed the house.

From the Hedge Knight, we know that House Dondarrion can muster 4800 men. I suspect the other Marcher Lords can muster something comparable. I estimate 10,000-15,000 troops being available for Aegon.

2. Dorne is already on the way and will likely join him. Thats another 20,000 spears at least.

3. The Reach is/was among the most loyal regions to House Targaryen, second only to the Crownlands. As we have read, there are many houses that are still likely to have pro-Targaryen sentiments. Aegon already has Mathis Rowan (if he lives) and may soon have Randyll Tarly (if he is leading the Reach invasion force). The Reach could be split in two very soon. I can see 30,000 - 40,000 troops to be had.

4. The Crownlands have not been mustered and are untouched by war. The region served house Targaryen directly for 300 years, and the fierce warriors on Cracklaw Point are still loyal dragonmen. Thats another 20,000 men to be had.

5. King's Landing is already a powder keg waiting to be ignited. Lady Nym and Tyene are already inside the walls with 200 troops, waiting for Doran's command. In addition the Faith of the Seven may be there for the taking.

If Connington can defeat the Tyrell army (we can assume his will) it will be a signal to the all of his potential allies to rally at Storm's End. All that would be lacking is sea power.

We have not heard from Saan for a reason. He role is likely done. The Golden Company is already in the Step Stones and will likely be searching for ships to reach the mainland. The chances of them reaching Torturer's Deep and negotiating with Aurane seem likely.

[PhoenixFlame]

Heh, if Arianne runs into him, she'll climb him like a tree. She likes her rakish badboys.

I like Aurane. Hope he gets to do something cool. My first thought was teaming up with Aegon/Golden Company, but I have no strong theories.

[kav2001c]

I would like to think Waters is in league with Stannis but isn't it far more likely he is a Littlefinger pawn?

Littlefinger is going to be a major power (already has the Vale + North via Sansa)

[The Bear With Yellow Hair]

I love the Aurane working for Varys theory.

He is a bastard and could have been under Varys for years and years for all we know. The more I read Feast for Crows, the more I see Varys at work, even though he is never truly revealed.

Arianne will meet Aurane when she meets Connington and Aegon. She will be very attracted to him and him to her. He will lead the attack from the sea while Aegon leads from the land. They will eventually attack Kings Landing with the ships that Cersei had built and named by Tommen. The irony is too delicious to turn down.

[Mithras]

I don't think Aurane and Varys working together. He heard the rumours of Dany and her dragons. Now that Aegon landed on Westeros without her and the GC is with him, I think he will suspect Aegon's claim. Dany's Fleet will eventually pass through the Stepstones. I think Aurane will join her and help her take Dragonstone.

[Nucky Thompson]

Being as there is now no royal fleet and the vale likely only has a standard compliment of customs and policing ships, this leaves Mandalay's fleet as the only major naval force on the east coast, and also leaves kings landing open to an surprise amphibious assault should teams Stan and Man join up after dispatching Bolton

Stannis may very well defeat Ramsey and capture Winterfell, but I don't think that he will kill Roose any time soon. With previous speculations pointing to Bolton retreating to the Dreadfort, your line of reasoning suggests an alternative course of action: what if Roose flees Winterfell with his Dreadfort men and somehow either strikes a surprise strike on White Harbour, or only manages to capture the fleet by some diversion, or is able to convince its commander to follow the Warden of the North? Even more so with being under the threat from an invasion by the Others, Roose might decide that it is high time he left the North and might deliver a decisive amphibious force below the walls of King's Landing, thus helping whichever claimant is assaulting it at this particular moment, and earning his gratitude in the process. If events turned out like that, the Dreadfort would be safe from enemy sieges during the Winter, and come spring who knows if Roose's enemies in the North would still be a threat...

[AtomixIGN]

I always thought the Perfumed Seneschal was a Tyrell rose. If there is anything to the theory that Loras and Aurane are in cahoots - well then... there is where that would happen.

[Talking Hodor]

Aurane most likely joined Stannis. This makes the most sense.

[herr witz]

I think the fact that Cersei immediately jumps to the conclusion that Waters went over to Stannis means that it is highly likely that he did nothing of the sort. Cersei's miscalculations in politics and betrayals severely outnumber her good decisions.

[Queen Whore]

I think Arianne is going to have something to do with Aurane. It feels like we've been set up for that. Her sexual prowess was enough to bring Ser Arys to his knees, no doubt she'd attempt the same on Aurane, who Cersei described as looking like Rhaegar. And she does have a weakness for men with that coloring, I think. She claimed her children with Darkstar would have been as beautiful as dragon lords.