Exploring Theories and Intrigues of 'A Song of Ice and Fire'

The world of A Song of Ice and Fire is filled with rich layers of complex theories and intriguing storylines. Two central theories that stand out are the The Northern Conspiracy and the Targaryens aren't the only ones who can ride dragons. Let's delve into these theories and explore their implications for the narrative.

The Northern Conspiracy

According to The Northern Conspiracy theory, as described in the books, Stannis’s army marches towards Winterfell, which is currently occupied by the Boltons. Amid this backdrop, various houses of the North are secretly conspiring to install a Stark as the true King in the North.

In the books, Brand and Rickon are alive (or at least, their fates remain unexplored at the time of writing), while Jon Snow is still presumed dead. Notably, Howland Reed, who knows of Robb Stark’s desire for Jon to inherit after him, may also hold knowledge about Jon’s true identity as the son of Rhaegar Targaryen. Additionally, many loyalists within Stannis and the Bolton forces still pine for the Starks as their rightful rulers and orchestrate a covert plan to reestablish the Stark family’s rule.

Targaryens Aren't the Only Ones Who Can Ride Dragons

A fascination with the theory that Targaryens aren't the only ones who can ride dragons stems primarily from the novel Fire and Blood. During the Dance of the Dragons, Rhaenerya Targaryen began recruiting dragonseeds, one of whom was Addam Velaryon, later known as Addam Hull, who rode the dragon Seasmoke.

Archmaester Gyldayn suggested that the child was Laenar, given Seasmoke’s ability to take on a new rider, despite doubts over Laenor’s supposed aversion to women. Mushroom, a character frequently seen as a fool, proposed an alternative theory that the child was actually Laenor’s estranged half-brother Corlys Velaryon, whom he distanced from to avoid dishonoring his wife.

While much of Mushroom's theory is now discredited, the hypothesis that Valyrian blood is a prerequisite for dragon riding, rather than the dragonlord lineage, opens up new possibilities. This theory suggests that families with significant Valyrian heritage, such as the Lysenes or Volantens, could also be capable of riding dragons. Furthermore, this theory challenges the necessity of incest within the Targaryen lineage, implying that any individual with Valyrian blood could purify their lineage.

The idea that dragon riding is a symbol of superior bloodline also explains why noble families like the Targaryens gained dragons while lower-caste families like the Velaryons or Celtigars were denied. Superior families would receive more dragons or better dragons to establish their pedigree, until the Doom of Valyria, when much of this knowledge was lost or hidden. Revealing this secret could make it a simple matter of killing the Targaryens and taking their dragons, destabilizing their grip on power.

Both of these theories serve to enrich the A Song of Ice and Fire world, providing depth and complexity to the narrative. Exploring these theories not only enhances our understanding of the broader story but also adds layers of intrigue and anticipation for the future developments within the series.