Game of Thrones is shaping up to completely destroy us this season. While the first two episodes have been rather slow, we know that with only four episodes left—we’re going to need a whole lot of tissues for the number of deaths that are going to take place.
Many fans have been left wondering how the show will end for some of our favorite characters—like, Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, Tyrion Lannister and Arya Stark. Let’s face it—most of them will die, but, it would be nice to see them come out on top. While we have no idea what the showrunners have in store for us in the final four episodes—we also have no idea what the books have in store for the characters, as the show has surpassed where George R.R. Martin’s books have gotten up to.
But, what if I were to tell you that Martin originally had a completely different idea in his head for the characters entirely?
The original pitch letters that George R.R. Martin wrote for the Song of Fire and Ice books recently surfaced all the way from 1993. In the letter, Martin outlined how he would take the trilogy through time and plot.
While the letters were written in 1993—a lot has changed. Martin took the series in a completely different direction entirely. But, originally here’s how he wanted things to go down.
The first part of the story remained the same pretty much—the Starks v. the Lannisters.
There were only “five key characters” who were going to make it to the end of the series—Tyrion, Daenerys, Arya, Bran, and Jon Snow.
Sansa was supposed to marry Joffrey and have a son with him. Instead of sticking with her roots, Sansa would turn her back on the Starks and join the Lannisters in the war.
Joffrey and Robb were supposed to battle and Robb was supposed to die in that battle—not the Red Wedding.
Tyrion was supposed to burn Winterfell down for his family.
Catelyn would run from Winterfell with Bran and Arya (guessing Bran still had legs) and seek refuge with Jon Snow at the Wall. But, he would turn them away, causing a pretty big problem between Jon and the Starks.
Cat, Bran, and Arya then would go beyond the wall to meet up with Mance Rayder—but, Cat would die beyond the wall, killed by a White Walker.
Daenerys was to kill Khal Drogo for murdering her brother.
She would not have been given dragon eggs at her wedding, but instead, find them in the wilderness.
Tyrion dethroned Joffrey—but, Jaime took the throne from him, not Cersei.
Arya apparently would fall madly in love with Jon—a passionate love—that tormented them until Jon found out his true identity as a Targaryen.
Tyrion would turn his back on the Lannisters, falling madly in love with Arya and siding with the Starks—creating a love triangle between Jon, Arya, and Tyrion.
Jon and Tyrion, therefore, would have an insane rival between them for Arya’s love.
I would have never, ever accepted this from Arya Stark and…neither should you. Thank God Martin had other plans.
h/t: BuzzFeed