While there have already been a number of massive revelations on this season of Game of Thrones, there are two major questions that remain: who is going to end up on the Iron throne, and which character is the Prince that was Promised, Azor Ahai?
Azor Ahai is a legendary figure prophesied to be reborn and defeat the White Walkers while wielding a sword dubbed Lightbringer. There are also a handful of other vague details in the prophecy that are in connection to the Prince that was Promised. At this point in the story, there are a handful of characters that could potentially be the Prince/Princess, and valid cases for each. Check out the best fan theories for who could be Azor Ahai below:
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First up…Beric Dondarrion
The case for Beric Dondarrion: As was teased in the preview for the sixth episode of Season 7, Beric Dondarrion (Richard Dormer) does have a flaming sword.
Dondarrion has been killed seven times and brought back to life. While it’s clear that he has a role to play in the greater story, does it mean that he is the Prince that was Promised?
The case against: Considering that Azor Ahai is the fabled prince that will save all of Westeros from the Night King and his army, it seems unlikely that Dondarrion could be the savior. In the show’s version of his character, he has only appeared in 10 episodes. This fact begs the question, why would a figure of such importance have such a minor role in the show?
Daenerys Targaryen
The caseย for:ย Of the candidates that could beย Azorย Ahai,ย Emiliaย Clarke’sย Daenerysย Targaryenย seems to be one of the most obvious choices. In the novels, the Prince that was Promised will be “born again amidst smoke and salt to wake dragons out of stone.”
Danyย was, in a way, “born again” after emerging from the smoke and fire ofย Khalย Drogo’sย funeral pyre at the end of Season 1. In doing so, she birthed her dragons.
Also, at the start of the second season, a red comet appeared in the sky which is a nod to the prophecy in that it states thatย Azorย Ahaiย will be heralded by a “bleeding star.”
Dany’sย original birthplace wasย Dragonstone, which is a volcanic island of smoke and [sea] salt. Some fans believe that this satisfies the “smoke and salt” reference in the prophecy.
The caseย against:ย In the Season 7 premiere, the Red Priestessย Melisandreย declared that the Mother of Dragons could be the Princess That Was Promised. Given thatย Melisandre’sย track record isn’t so hot, this could be a misdirect.
Jaime Lannister
The case for Jaime: In the event that theย Kingslayerย wouldย wasย Azorย Ahai, it would easily be one of the biggest twists in the history of the show. Jaime started the show as one of the villains, but he has worked his way into the hearts of many of the fans as being a likable figure.
In the fourth episode this season, “The Spoils of War,” Jaime survived a trial by water after taking a plunge into the lake after being saved byย Bronneย to avoid being killed byย Drogon.
As for the killing the lion part, Jaime could kill one of his siblings,ย Tyrionย orย Cersei. In doing so, this could also satisfy the part of the prophecy that states the Prince that was Promised kills a lover.
The caseย against:ย There are no dragons or red stars in Jaime’s history. However, there is a faction of fans that believe he could be a secretย Targaryen.
Jon Snow
The case forย Jon Snow: Of all the other characters, Jon Snow (Kit Harrington) is another of the top candidates. The King in the North was literally born again after being killed by his brothers of the Night’s Watch.
As was revealed in the fifth episode of Season 7, Jon is almost certainly a secretย Targaryen. He also is the owner of a famous sword that is able to kill White Walkers.
Even thoughย Melisandre’sย predictions have been discredited at times, in the books, she says, “I pray for a glimpse ofย Azorย Ahai, andย R’hollorย shows me only Snow,” with the “s” in the word “Snow” being capitalized.
As for the “bleeding star” part of the prophecy, in Bran’s flashback showing Jon’s birth, Ned placed the bloody Sword of the Morning next to the bed. The hilt of the weapon, which depicts a rising star, can be seen in what seems to be a deliberate shot by theย showrunners.
The case against: While there is an overwhelming amount of evidence for Jon beingย Azorย Ahai, there is the part of the prophecy that mentions that the Prince that was Promised tries to drive the sword into the heart of the lion, breaks the sword in water, and then plunges the sword into the breast of his/her wife.
There doesn’t seem to be any track of Jon with the water/lion/lover sword element of the prophecy. Not at this point at least.
Tyrion Lannister
The case forย Tyrionย Lannister: The “Imp,” who is played by Peterย Dinklage, may seem like an unlikely choice but there is a possibility thatย Tyrionย is Prince that was Promised.
He nearly drowned at the Battle of theย Blackwater, which had both smoke (fire) and salt (ocean). Also, he has killed a lion. As fans will remember,ย Tyrionย killed his father, and theย Lannisterย familyย sigilย bears a lion.
Tyrionย also seems to have a connection with the dragons. Some fans are theorizing thatย Tyrionย could secretly be aย Targaryen.
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Sandor “The Hound” Clegane
The case for The Hound: The Hound (Roryย McCann) has faced smoke, salt, and been reborn.
As a child, he was burned with fire when his older brother, Serย Gregorย “The Mountain”ย Clegane, and sustained massive scarring. The Hound faced salt in the Battle of theย Blackwater. He was “reborn” after being nearly killed byย Brienne, and then was nursed back to health by a priest.
The caseย against:ย Other than the loose connections to fire, salt, and being reborn, there doesn’t seem to be much else that makes a better argument for The Hound than characters such as Jon orย Dany.
