George R.R. Martin has built ‘A Song of Ice and Fire‘ around secrets, unreliable information, and characters who are rarely exactly what they appear to be. This is why it’s possible for some of the most bizarre fan theories to become actually believable.
Martin has been filling in little details in the dialogue, character actions, and history that make readers look twice.
Syrio Forel Might’ve Not Died
It is one of the most popular theories that Syrio Forel survived his battle with Meryn Trant and was Jaqen H’ghar. There’s no actual death scene for Syrio, and the Faceless Men’s power to transform identities is even more appealing.
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Jaqen also takes an unusual interest in Arya, creating an intriguing connection between the two characters. Then there’s Mance Rayder, who has a mysterious history that has led to the theory that he may be Ser Arthur Dayne. Mance has very good sword skills, sparking the theory.
He also knows his way around the south. Martin has a lot of space for a secret life in his past, but there are some big problems with the current story. The third theory concerns Varys and may have the biggest implications for Westeros itself.
Varys And The Blackfyre Secret
One of the most dubious relationships in the entire series is between Varys and Young Griff. He’s not just trying to save a claimant’s life; he seems to be invested in getting the boy on the Iron Throne. This has caused many readers to think that Young Griff might not actually be Aegon Targaryen, but one of the descendants of the Blackfyres.
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If so, then the enigmatic origins of Varys suddenly become far more intriguing. His history is deliberately vague, his appearance is carefully controlled, and his childhood involved a disturbing encounter with a sorcerer who claimed to need his blood for magic.
None of these things make Varys a Blackfyre. But they prove why Martin’s mysteries are so addictive. The best theories are not obvious. They make you wonder how many times you have read the same scene without realizing what was underneath.
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