The Winds of Winter seems poised to revisit one of the most iconic moments from A Song of Ice and Fire—the Red Wedding. Despite occurring over two decades ago in the books and more than ten years in the television adaptation, the shocking aftermath of the Red Wedding continues to resonate within the narrative. Even with the divisive finale of Game of Thrones, the traumatic events of the Red Wedding stand as a significant turning point in both the book series and the show.
This significance suggests that the repercussions of the Red Wedding will play a crucial role in The Winds of Winter. Central to this is Catelyn Stark’s resurrection as Lady Stoneheart, a figure notably absent from the TV series. While the show streamlined the complex politics and machinations that unfolded in the aftermath, George R.R. Martin appears ready to delve deeper into these dynamics in the upcoming installment.
Lady Stoneheart: A Force of Vengeance
Catelyn Stark’s Transformation into a Vengeful Spirit
Catelyn’s return at the end of A Storm of Swords stands as one of the series’ most surprising twists, but the ultimate consequences have yet to unfold. Martin has been methodically shaping her narrative around a singular focus: revenge against the Freys, Boltons, and Lannisters. As stated in the series, upon her resurrection, “She can’t speak… but she remembers.”Lady Stoneheart is a character whose existence is driven by an overwhelming thirst for vengeance.
“She wants to feed the crows, like they did at the Red Wedding. Freys and Boltons, aye. We’ll give her those, as many as she likes. All she asks from you is Jaime Lannister.”- A Feast for Crows.
Leading the Brotherhood Without Banners, Catelyn has been exacting justice by hanging those she can find who participated in the Red Wedding. Yet, this is merely the tip of the iceberg; to deliver the same level of retribution that was inflicted upon the Starks and their allies, she will need a pivotal gathering place, likely another wedding.
The Anticipation of a Frey/Lannister Wedding
The Setup is Clearly Established
Within Martin’s narrative, marriages serve as pivotal plot devices and are expected to play a significant role in The Winds of Winter. Back in 2014, he hinted at this when he revealed to Entertainment Weekly:
“We have more deaths, and we have more betrayals. We have more marriages.
While these events will unfold individually, they may very well intertwine—a marriage enveloped in death and betrayal. It appears that we are primed for yet another wedding, this time placing the Freys and Lannisters in the spotlight.
Daven Lannister, who has not appeared on the screen, is a key figure in this impending union. A cousin of Jaime, Cersei, and Tyrion, Daven has been thrust into a position of power as Warden of the West by Cersei and is orchestrating the siege of Riverrun. Central to his storyline is a marriage to a yet-unnamed Frey, further linking his fate to the Red Wedding:
“I hope you do not intend to take vows as well, coz,”[Jaime] remarked to Daven. “The Freys are prickly where marriage contracts are concerned. I would hate to disappoint them again.”
Ser Daven snorted. “I’ll wed and bed my stoat, never fear. I know what happened to Robb Stark.”
With this wedding almost certain to occur, it creates an opportunity for a convergence of Freys and Lannisters in the Riverlands, especially with Riverrun now under Frey control. This gathering could be the perfect stage for history to repeat itself—albeit with the roles reversed.
Anticipating the Red Wedding 2
Riverrun: A Perfect Stage for Chaos
The intricate plotlines present in Martin’s work go far beyond what the television adaptation could explore, focusing on a clear outcome:
- It appears highly likely that a significant wedding between the Freys and Lannisters will occur in the Riverlands within The Winds of Winter.
- Lady Stoneheart and the Brotherhood Without Banners are also scout in the Riverlands, craving revenge against the Freys and Lannisters.
Linking these storylines is not only reasonable but perhaps inevitable. Among the various theories surrounding The Winds of Winter, this is likely to come to fruition. The pivotal character here is Tom of Sevenstreams, a singer within the Brotherhood, who has ingeniously infiltrated Riverrun disguised as a musician for the Freys, an act that will continue in the upcoming narrative.
In an intriguing twist, Tom has performed “The Rains of Castamere”at pivotal moments, including within Riverrun. Should the wedding occur there, he becomes an invaluable asset for the Brotherhood and Lady Stoneheart, providing crucial information and potentially facilitating their entrance.
Notably, during the Riverrun siege, Brynden “the Blackfish”Tully’s escape through the Water Gate could serve as a vital entry point for the Brotherhood, allowing them the means to infiltrate the wedding and exact their bloody vengeance.
This revenge could very well target Walder Frey himself. While Arya Stark killed him in the series, this version gives Lady Stoneheart a shot at retribution aligned with her quest for vengeance. Such a turn would not only serve as a fitting twist to the Red Wedding but also provide a powerful conclusion to Catelyn’s story.
The Role of Jaime Lannister in the Redemption Arc
Will Jaime Lannister Betray the Lannisters?
Among the most pressing questions surrounding The Winds of Winter is whether Brienne of Tarth will turn against Jaime in favor of Lady Stoneheart, and how that dynamic will play out. A confrontation between Jaime and Lady Stoneheart seems inevitable, yet it’s challenging to envisage a definitive end to Jaime’s arc at her hands, especially with unresolved ties to Cersei.
Could Jaime possibly strike a deal with Lady Stoneheart, trading his allegiance to the Lannisters for survival and facilitating a second Red Wedding? While this approach offers intrigue, it necessitates significant sacrifice on Jaime’s part, a choice that might challenge his character’s integrity. Since the wedding is set for Riverrun, Jaime’s active involvement may ultimately be unnecessary, given Tom o’Sevens’ stealthy infiltration.
As George R.R. Martin humorously noted, “Unfortunately, I am 13 years late… But that’s still a priority. A lot of people are already writing obituaries for me. [They’re saying] ‘Oh, he’ll never be finished.’ Maybe they’re right. I don’t know. I’m alive right now! I seem pretty vital!”—his candor underscores the anticipation surrounding the conclusion of his literary work.
In the unfolding drama, there may be a chance that Jaime finds a peaceful resolution with Lady Stoneheart, perhaps through an insightful argument from Brienne, or they may engage in a trial by combat—with Brienne as Jaime’s champion. It remains likely that Jaime will avoid direct involvement in the upcoming Red Wedding 2, but he could still influence the outcome from afar.