I've finished all 5 books and have read through the thread here. Just some random thoughts.
- Jon Snow's parents are definitely Rhaegar and Lyanna Stark IMO. He has to have some Stark bloodlines. They say he and Arya look alike. They always say Arya looks like Lyanna. So therefore Jon must look like Lyanna. Rhaegar stole away Lyanna, and Lyanna was apparently pregnant when she was dying. In addition, she was being protected by kingsguard, so she must have been pregnant with the heir to the throne. Finally she keeps telling Ned to "promise her" something, and throughout Ned's chapters, he struggles with the weight of some lie he's been leading for 14 years. Jon is 14 at the start of the book.
It is a song of Ice and Fire, and it appears Jon may well be the Ice part, while Dany may be the fire. The dragon supposedly has "3 heads" though- so it remains to be seen what part Aegon/Young Griff plays in this.
- Dany is "Azor Ahai" reborn, and Melisandre keeps interpreting her visions incorrectly. Dany awakes from the salt of her tears and the smoke of her pyre (like Azor Ahai is supposed to) and hatches dragons- and at about this time the red comet appears. The only thing this doesn't explain is that she's not weilding lightbringer, the sword. Still have to figure that part out.
- The 3 eyed crow is definitely Brynden Rivers aka Bloodraven, the Targareyan bastard who was a sorcerer that later became one of the Lord Commander's of the nightwatch. I don't know what this means for Bran- but eventually he's obviously going to play some important role due to his greensight.
- I don't really buy the Bran eating Jojen theory. I don't think Jojen is dead yet. Also this is surprisingly and uncharacteristically morbid. Remember GRRM always describes teh weirwoods as bleeding, so this description just fits with the rest.
- I do think Bran speaks to Theon in the weirwood. I thought the most interesting part of Dance with Dragons were the Theon chapters. I do think there is a redemption somewhere ahead. BTW, do we think that Ramsay chopped off Theon's Manhood?
6) What role are the Lannister's playing in this? They are one of the key families in this series, and clearly they are important in some way to the fate of the realm. I never really thought of that Tyrion as a Targaeryan theory till I read this thread, but I suppose it could be true since Aegon apparently was fond of Lady Joanna. If its true, doesn't that make Tyrion the true heir? Is he the third head of the dragon?
7) What is going to come of Brienne, Jamie and Lady Stoneheart? Jamie, IMO, has also developed into one of the most interesting and complex characters. Before its over, it seems he will have some redemption or opportunity to prove his honor.
- It will be interesting to see what Littlefinger accomplishes with Sansa. What is his endgame? Is he just trying to find away to get the throne himself or is he working for some other motives or someone else?
- Varys' ability to change his appearance and time in Braavos suggest he might have been a faceless man. What about the other faceless men like Ja'quen Ha'gar- what is he doing in the Citadel, and what is Sam going to learn down there. And what role is Arya destined for by becoming a Faceless Man herself?
- Davos going to find Rickon on island full of cannibals in Skagos is one of the great cliffhangers as well.
- Victarion and his fleet are clearly Dany's most likely way to find her way back to Westeros (other than flying in on dragons). Ultimately all this focus on Greyjoy must mean something important.
-I don't think Loras Tyrell is dead or dying. I do think there might have been some sort of incestuous relationship between Margaery and Loras - there seems to be some parallel between those two and Jamie and Cersei.
-The Quentyn storyline was inexplicable to some degree. Obviously there is more of a role for Dorne to play and I'm guessing they will join up with Connington soon.
-Septa Lemore as Ashara Dayne is a great theory, which I didn't think of, Kudos to you guys.
Jeez there are a lot of loose ends still!