Aegon the Conqueror wrote:

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The second part about the woman who was a fish is Catelyn Tully being ressurected by Thoros as Lady Stoneheart.

So GRRM says Talisa isn't Jeyne Westerling or the daugther of a Lannister Bannerman, well there goes all the theories about Tywin sending her to rip the Frey Stark alliance apart.

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I have been working my own theories about Talisa out. But that's another thread. 

Macha wrote:

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Speaking of Bloodraven, I have yet to re-read Bran's chapters in the cave, but isn't it interesting how Brynden, who was once a Targaryen loyalist, warns Bran about dragons, as if they're something to be feared? I guess we'll know more about where his allegiance lies once we find out why exactly was he imprisoned before being sent to the Wall, but I'm in the "Bloodraven is no good" camp, especially where Bran is concerned. First, I can't figure out the connection between the CoTF and the Others, but I'm not so sure they're opposed to one another at this point. Second, I feel that Bloodraven turned against the Targaryens and the realm, and that he seeks some sort of vengeance. Sure, he could disguise it as salvation, but that's extremely relative. What is he doing in that cave, prolonging his life for so long? From what we can tell, he appeared in the form of the Three Eyed Crow not only in Bran's dreams, but in Jojen's (when he nearly died of greywater fever) and Euron's (can't remember the exact moment, but he mentions this in AFfC) as well. Any why is it the Crow so adamant in not letting Bran think about Jaime and his fall? As horrible as that was to remember, that's part of his life now, his identity. He should be encouraged to accept it, not flee from it. What Bloodraven is offering him is a life lived in darkness, far from his friends and family, and for what? Saving humanity? I don't buy that. One man's salvation often is another man's destruction. To put it bluntly, I think Bloodraven really wants someone to take his place in that cave, but I'm not so sure he'll die peacefully after that, I think he has a few plans of his own. 

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My thoughts look even more clear when I read them with your words on them. I suscribe.

Now this:

Macha wrote:

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Dunno, there's something about those weirwoods. Doesn't anyone find the chromatic connection between weirwoods, Bloodraven and Ghost interesting?

Bloodraven: An albino, Brynden had milk white skin, long white hair, and red eyes. He had a red birthmark that extended from his throat up to his right cheek
Weirwoods: The five-pointed leaves and the sap of weirwoods are blood-red, while the bark and wood are white.
Ghost: albino with red eyes.

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 I missed that when I read it, but it seems too much of a coincidence for a world so heavy with "inheritance" and colour cues. At the very least it probably implies a heavy connection to the old gods, a more suitable vehicle for that type of "old magic" mayhaps.

YvyB wrote:

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Yeah I've noticed those similarities as well , I think Jon even thinks it about Ghost and the tree at one point ... which makes me think George wanted us to note it too.

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 That man is Diabolical. Must E-X-T-E-R-M-I-N-A-T-E  .

YvyB wrote:

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Here's a good one ..... What POV if you could have any would you want in Winds... I would like Howland Reed ... get to the bottom of that dam Tower of Joy!

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 Yes, hurry up Reed!

Tir Airgid wrote:

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I think he's there to prove you cannot manufacture/engineer one. I feel that'd be Vary's folly.

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  Interesting perspective, I agree wholeheartedly. Plus, if you take a step back and look at the series, he's just appeared out of nowhere, with no prior hints. I feel the story is too advanced at this point for him to be a serious contender to the throne. I'm going to stick with my half-theory, that if there's an Iron throne at the end of the series, the one sitting on it would fit in the "unlikely pick/ bad person that would make a good king" category. Half-theory because I can't decide on a name to go with that just yet. 

YvyB, I think GRRM mentioned that no new POVs will be introduced, except for epilogues or prologues. However, I'm dying for a Benjen Stark POV, just to know what he's been up to, grrr.

I think Jojen would have been great as a PoV character....before being turned to weirwood paste and eaten.

There is also a theory that Aegon is in fact her child and her and Elia swaped babies as Elia's died.... then when Varys needed a carer ... she jumped (!) at the chance ... hmmm... oh I love a good theory !
Not fathered by Brandon in this scenario of course ... that being Aerys

So, here goes. This is in no way *my* theory, as Yvyb already said this has been discussed by many fans, though I wouldn't call it a hugely popular theory either.

Jaime& Cersei as Aerys' children:

1. Aerys supposedly "took liberties" with Joanna at the time of the bedding, we learn this in ADwD. While this doesn't mean there was any actual intercourse, it indicates the possibility that Aerys might have pursued her before or afterwards as well. That story in itself is not necessarily needed at this point, except to point at something bigger, me thinks.

2. In ASoS, Genna Lannister (Jaime's aunt) tells him rather bluntly: 

"Jaime, sweetling, I have known you since you were a babe at Joanna's breast. You smile like Gerion and fight like Tyg and there's some of Kevan in you, else you would not wear that cloak...but Tyrion is Tywin's son, not you. I said so once to your father's face, and he would not speak to me for half a year."  

If you think about it, does Jaime resemble Tywin in any way? Does Cersei? I think the only one that resembles Tywin is Tyrion. And let's leave the physical traits aside for a second, because Targaryen genes don't always pass on. There are quite a few examples in the book, and how about the popular theory regarding Jon's parentage? Plus, Joanna had golden hair and green eyes as well, we don't really need Tywin in the equation. 

3. This is much more prone to interpretation, but remember that AFfC chapter when Cersei watches the Tower of the Hand burning and seems to get a wild kick out of it? Doesn't she remind you of someone? 

4. I mentioned this earlier, the Targ references in Cersei's dialogue with other characters. "If we were Targaryens", "The Targaryens did this and that", the (blatantly obvious to me) exchange between her and Tyrion in the show (S2) about the gods flipping a coin each time a Targaryen was born. Not to mention her infatuation with Rhaegar - which wouldn't be telling in itself, but it adds up nicely in this case. 

5. And finally, the piece de resistance. In AFfC, while at Riverrun, Jaime dreams of his mother, Joanna, who looks rather doleful. She asks him:

"Have you forgotten me?”
Can I forget someone I never knew? The words caught in his throat. He did know her, but it had been so long . . .
“Will you forget your own lord father too? I wonder if you ever knew him, truly.” Her eyes were green, her hair spun gold. He could not tell how old she was. Fifteen, he thought, or fifty. She climbed the steps to stand above the bier. “He could never abide being laughed at. That was the thing he hated most.”
“Who are you?” He had to hear her say it.
“The question is, who are you?”
“This is a dream.”
“Is it?” She smiled sadly. “Count your hands, child.”
One. One hand, clasped tight around the sword hilt. Only one. “In my dreams I always have two hands.” He raised his right arm and stared uncomprehending at the ugliness of his stump.
“We all dream of things we cannot have. Tywin dreamed that his son would be a great knight, that his daughter would be a queen. He dreamed they would be so strong and brave and beautiful that no one would ever laugh at them.”
“I am a knight,” he told her, “and Cersei is a queen.”
A tear rolled down her cheek. The woman raised her hood again and turned her back on him. Jaime called after her, but already she was moving away, her skirt whispering lullabies as it brushed across the floor. Don’t leave me, he wanted to call, but of course she’d left them long ago. 

Now, I ask you, why would GRRM put this here if not to question Jaime's identity? This is right before he decides to burn Cersei's letter in which she asks him for help. It's obviously a turning point, like the one in ASoS when he goes back for Brienne, only this is not just a dream, his mother even tells him so. Look at the phrasing. Why would Joanna wonder if Jaime ever knew his father truly? Also, Tyrion is nowhere to be seen in this conversation. Incidentally, he's the one people tend to laugh at. When Jaime tells his mother his father's dream came true, that he is a knight and his daughter a queen, Joanna sais nothing and leaves him. WHY would she be crying? I have yet to see another interpretation of this conversation that makes sense and contradicts this theory. 

Yvyb - Mmmmmyeah. Pretty much so. 

YvyB wrote:

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There is also a theory that Aegon is in fact her child and her and Elia swaped babies as Elia's died.... then when Varys needed a carer ... she jumped (!) at the chance ... hmmm... oh I love a good theory !
Not fathered by Brandon in this scenario of course ... that being Aerys

-- Edited by YvyB on Monday 10th of September 2012 06:43:43 AM

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 Oh, wow, I am so cornfused! Aegon, please do a thesis on Brandon Stark, Sr., so I can sort this out in my own mind.  I would rather have you do the research and writing than myself, of course!

Macha wrote:

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3. This is much more prone to interpretation, but remember that AFfC chapter when Cersei watches the Tower of the Hand burning and seems to get a wild kick out of it? Doesn't she remind you of someone? 

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 but after the rest of the points, I must say I'm sold too.

Humph !

You must admit he mentions it A LOT ! Though..

Ashara was in love with Ned Stark before he married Catelyn; or at least Edric Dayne thinks so. . 

Yep, There's so much back story to play with ... I'm not saying the above is my theory as such , I was just looking for the passage that didn't say Brandon raped Ashara.

Macha wrote:

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I'd have to do a long post on why I think the twins theory fits better than the one re: Tyrion, but in the end (for me, at least) it all comes down to Jaime's dream of Joanna and Gemma Lannister 's remark - that Tyrion is Tywin's son, and not Jaime (in terms of resemblance.) This is probably the only theory I'm 99% certain, and by far my favourite. *hugs theory tightly*

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 Macha, by all means post. I'd love to find out that Tyrion Lannister is Tywin's *only* legitimate heir :)

Macha wrote:

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So, here goes. This is in no way *my* theory, as Yvyb already said this has been discussed by many fans, though I wouldn't call it a hugely popular theory either.

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Now, I ask you, why would GRRM put this here if not to question Jaime's identity? This is right before he decides to burn Cersei's letter in which she asks him for help. It's obviously a turning point, like the one in ASoS when he goes back for Brienne, only this is not just a dream, his mother even tells him so. Look at the phrasing. Why would Joanna wonder if Jaime ever knew his father truly? Also, Tyrion is nowhere to be seen in this conversation. Incidentally, he's the one people tend to laugh at. When Jaime tells his mother his father's dream came true, that he is a knight and his daughter a queen, Joanna sais nothing and leaves him. WHY would she be crying? I have yet to see another interpretation of this conversation that makes sense and contradicts this theory. 

 

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 Okay, I'm sold. 

This is reaching Moffat levels of mindfucking.  

I love it.