'Winds of Winter' theory: Dark prologue that will end with another death

Just as the title of the next book of “A Song of Ice and Fire” sounds bleak, author George RR Martin has repeatedly warned about the plot being dark. Building on that note, a fan theory looks at what the prologue of the book will be like, and what characters, events and deaths will be featured in it. The following article contains spoilers.

In post on Reddit, a fan points out that the only clue about the prologue that Martin has shared over the years is that Jeyne Westerling will be in it. The theory suggests that the chapter will focus on some sort of a rescue attempt of Jeyne and Edmure, while Lannister soldiers escort them to Casterly Rock. The reason for that is some dramatic action sequences are expected at the start of the book.

It is customary for the POV character of the prologue to die. But, who will it be this time? The fan suggests that it could be Ser Ilyn Payne, a character who hasn’t spoken for years, since the Mad King had his tongue ripped out. He served as the royal executioner during Robert Baratheon’s reign. Fans of the TV series may remember him from the scene in which he first meets Sansa (Sophie Turner), who gets frightened of him. The role was played by Wilko Johnson on the show.

According to the fan theory, the prologue will take the readers inside the head of this character who is unable to speak. This will be in line with a dark book that Martin has promised his fans.

In the prologue, the Lannister convoy is attacked by the Brotherhood without Banners, according to the fan theory. But, the soldiers will be under orders to kill their hostage in case there is a chance of their escape, which they execute. But, the attackers continue to fight for vengeance. While the two sides fight, a swarm of wolves appear and start devouring the soldiers on both sides. In the end, Ser Ilyn will see a familiar Direwolf appear and rip his throat.