…looks like there were more than swords raining.

Just a couple of speculations, spoilers and a link to a good theory.

A handless Jaime and a noseless Tyrion are both writ out of their lord father’s will, and enjoy an extremely brief affectionate moment before another of Martin’s relentless cruel ‘realisms’ decides to part them, and minutes later we get to see Tywin dead on his privy seat. So, like Jaime thinks to himself, the winning side isn’t really winning at all; and the war is being won within thronerooms, bedrooms and cell walls, and not out on battlefields with swords… and when they say words make better weapons than swords, think of Arya’s valar morghulis, clever little Littlefinger’s machinations, Shae’s unclever ‘confessions’, and Samwell Tarly’s whisperings in Denys Mallister’s and Cotter Pyke’s ears respectively.

So there’s lots to say. I’ll probably end up with a couple dozen of posts exploring Martin’s created world of Westeros, and the lands to the east that Dany is ruthlessly, but oh-so-cunningly manipulating to her will.

For now…well, I had a theory since the first book on Jon Snow’s parentage, and while I never lingered on it too long, I never did develop it either. When Dayne told Arya that Wylla was Jon Snow’s mother I decided, OK, that’s the end of my theory then. But when I did a little research to see what other thoughts were, it becomes clear that sometimes characters get their rumours and their facts wrong. See here for a good explanation of the possible parents of Jon Snow, and its conclusion, which matches mine.

…and yes, I did say parents.

;)