George RR Martin sure knows how to spin a tale – but even he wouldn’t be able to recognise the original plan for Game of Thrones if he were to look at it now.
Back in 1993, the writer of the legendary book series sent a three-page letter to publishers, detailing what he had planned for the collection.
It was later found and reposted by fans on Reddit.
But by the time the book came to life in 1996, the story had completely changed – but does that mean the ending has as well?
***Warning: Spoilers ahead***
For example, in his pitch Arya is seen in a complicated love triangle with Jon Snow and Tyrion Lannister (ew), Joffrey has a son with Sansa (woah), and Daenerys seeks revenge on her husband Khal Drogo for the death of her brother Viserys and kills him off (damn).
However, there is one moment that seems to have remained throughout – and it could mean big things for the upcoming final season of the hit Westeros epic.
In the letter, Martin wrote: ‘Five central characters will make it through all three volumes, however, growing from children to adults and changing the world and themselves in the process.
‘In a sense, my trilogy is almost a generational saga, telling the life stories of these five characters, three men and two women.’
He then revealed: ‘The five key players are Tyrion Lannister, Daenerys Targaryen, and three of the children of Winterfell, Arya, Bran, and the bastard Jon Snow.’
This, by all accounts, has remained true, with all five of the characters toon to collide as series returns in April. However, the love triangle seems to have moved from Arya to the far more age appropriate Daenerys.
It’s still incest – but they don’t know that just yet.
However, there’s several characters he hasn’t mentioned the fate of and is definitely making a play for the Throne, so could they be in trouble for the final season?
For example, power-hungry mother of three dead children, Cersei has a fourth child now on the way, surely she could be an unexpected contender?
And what was originally meant for Sansa? She is a member of the Winterfell children, and yet she isn’t mentioned as one of the final five.
We haven’t got long now to wait…
Game of Thrones returns in April 2019 on HBO and Sky Atlantic.
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