PLEASE NOTE: The following contains spoilers for both HBO’s Game of Thrones series and George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series. If you have neither read, nor watched, then you have been warned.
This is a response to the poll: “Who Dies in Winds of Winter and is already dead on Game of Thrones?
I want to thank everyone who participated in this poll, including: apoiaf, Winter-Is-Coming.net, RedTeamReview, AltShiftX, Rawrist, GOT_Academy, and Thrones Amino for helping to promote this poll. Also, thanks to everyone else who participated.
There were 42 participants in this poll. And, like I mentioned in the poll, I will give my predictions surrounding the Top 5 leaders of this poll. In addition, I will mention the “Other” vote and offer my theory about that character as well.
- Barristan Selmy (Season 5) with 18 votes
I believe it is safe to say that there was some foreshadowing with Sir Barristan Selmy’s death when he was telling Daenerys Targaryen about Rhaegar. And, Sir Barristan died on the show the way he wanted, “as a knight.” Yet, it was still sad, and different because us readers know that Sir Barristan will be leading the defensive attack on Meereen in Winds of Winter. So, the question is, will he die during one of the battles in the next book?
On the one hand, it would make sense for the remaining members of Mad King Aerys’ Kingsguard to die by the end of the series. Many of us all ready expect Jamie Lannister to die by the end of the series, and hopefully, the remaining “Soiled” Kingsguard accepted after Robert’s Rebellion will be eradicated, also. On the other hand, maybe Barristan Selmy will survive the wars in Essos and in Westeros and help reestablish the Kingsguard to the way it was during the Targaryen reign.
2. Jojen Reed (Season 4) with 14 votes
With the way Jojen died in the season 4 finale, and with the “Jojen Paste” theory being accepted by most readers, it’s safe to say that Jojen probably died a swift death on the show. Bran Stark has been having visions and has not seen Jojen since his training with the Three-Eyed Raven. However, while it is known by readers, and Jojen, that Jojen will die in the nearer future (by the end of the series), Jojen probably won’t die until after his father, Howland Reed, Jojen and Meera’s father, makes his appearance in the books (wherever he is in Westeros).
This does not mean that Howland will meet up with Jojen and Meera Beyond the Wall before Jojen’s death. Yet, Jojen will die around the time Howland Reed appears. And, Jojen’s death will not be as quick as it was on the show. Poor, poor Jojen.
3. Mance Rayder (Season 5) with 6 votes
Mance Rayder was sentenced to death by Stannis Baratheon, and was being burned alive by Melisandre, until Jon Snow shot an arrow through his heart as mercy. And, that was only in the first episode of season 5. His name is mentioned constantly through the rest of that season, but Mance is dead.
In the books, Melisandre casted a glamor on Mance and it was Rattleshirt who was burned by Stannis, not Melisandre. After learning this, Jon Snow blackmails Mance by using his infant son (who is actually switched with Gilly’s baby boy to protect him) in order to have him and some Free Folk rescue “Arya” from the Boltons at Winterfell. Mance, Theon Greyjoy, and the 6 spear wives manage to rescue “Arya,” who is actually Jeyne Poole, but Bolton’s men are pursuing them.
Mance Rayder’s fate is currently unknown because Jon Snow receives a “(pink) letter” signed by Ramsay Snow/Bolton stating that he has captured Mance and will kill him if his bride is not returned to him. We do know that Mance and his party were not able to escape Winterfell with Theon and “Arya,” and for all we know they are still at Winterfell and trapped there.
As for Mance’s death, if he is not already dead, then there is a strong chance that he will be slain at the Battle of Winterfell in Winds of Winter. He is close enough to where the Boltons, the Wildlings, Stannis Baratheon’s army, and the Northmen are, so he will be present at the battle. Who kills Mance Rayder is still a mystery, but he will died at Winterfell.
4. Xaro Xhoan Daxos (Season 2) with 1 vote
This member of the Thirteen met his end by being locked in a vault that has one key at the end of season 2. However, Xaro Xhoan Daxos is still alive and meets Daenerys in Meereen. He no longer wants a dragon because, “I saw their work at Astapor,” (ADwD, chap. 16, Daenerys III). Yet, he is willing to counsel Daenerys to prevent a war in Essos. When Daenerys refuses Xaro Xhoan Daxos’ gift of the 13 ships to send her and her army to Westeros, he, representing Qarth, declares war on Daenerys.
It is theorized that when Daenerys emerges from Vaes Dothrak, she will be a “true Targaryen Conqueror” and spread “Fire and Blood” to all of her enemies before going to Westeros. Daenerys will not hesitate to have her dragons burn Qarth to the ground and feed Xaro Xhoan Daxos to them. Hopefully, the dragons swallow him whole.
5. Prat Pree (Season 2) with 1 vote
This warlock survived the burning of the House of the Undying by Drogon, Daenerys’s dragon, and now wants revenge against Daenerys. It is implied that Prat Pree and 3 other warlocks from Qarth left to find Daenerys, but were captured by Euron Greyjoy instead. Euron brought the warlocks to the Iron Islands for the Kingsmoot.
However, it is unclear if any of the warlocks are traveling with Victarion, Euron’s brother. Yet, there are hints that Prat Pree is with Victarion on the voyage to Meereen. There are 2 questions: one, does Prat Pree want to get closer to Daenerys in order to get more power from her dragons? Two, will Prat Pree die by the “hand” of Victarion when he does try to kill Daenerys?
6. Other and Honorable Mention: Stannis Baratheon (Season 5) with 1 vote
I’m going to mention Stannis Baratheon because there were some other people who asked about him, and I read a few posts about him online. The main reason I didn’t include Stannis is because he dies in the season 5 finale on the show. And, the show’s producers and actors had to tell us that Stannis was dead because we did not see him die onscreen.
However, with what is happening to Stannis Baratheon in the books—Theon and Asha Greyjoy are his prisoners, winter has arrived in the North and many of his men are starving and/or dying, and the Battle of Winterfell has not occurred yet—Stannis cannot die so quickly, but he could still die in the next book.
Also, at the Wall, Selyse and Shireen Baratheon are with Melisandre, and Jon Snow was just stabbed by some members of the Night’s Watch. Stannis needs to come to his realization that Melisandre was wrong about him being Azor Ahai, but that does not mean he will not stop fighting for the Iron Throne. Remember, nothing about the Targaryens have been mentioned to the majority of the citizens in Westeros. Only Dorne and the Iron Islands have heard the news. As far as the rest of Westeros is concerned, Stannis still has the better claim to the Iron Throne.
These are my predictions for Winds of Winter. Thanks again to everyone that participated. Please check my blog in the future for more “theories” about A Song of Ice and Fire, and my other thoughts and ideas about other issues.
