As the battle heats up in HBO’s “Game of Thrones” for the claim to the Iron Throne and for the war beyond the wall, the Prince that was Promised has become an even more important mystery. Based on fan theories and the Red Woman Melisandre’s interpretation of the prophecy, it could be the Mother of Dragons Daenerys Targaryen or the King of the North Jon Snow.
Jon as the Prince that was Promised
Both Daenerys and Jon Snow have compelling stories that made them the leaders of their people. For many seasons, fans believed that Jon Snow could be the prophesized Prince that was Promised, the reincarnation of the legendary warrior Azor Ahai.
According to fan blog ASOIAF Theories, Jon Snow bears the qualities of Azor Ahai who is a warrior “born amidst salt and smoke, beneath a bleeding star.” He fits the bill of Azor Ahai for being born under a bleeding star as “Game of Thrones” Season 6 made sure to focus on the sword and the blood in the Tower of Joy scene.
In the same scene, the fans’ “R + L = J” theory was confirmed as Lyanna Stark was revealed to be Jon’s mother. It is believed that Rhaegar Targaryen is his father giving him Stark (ice) and Targaryen (fire) blood. This is especially significant because the saga on which “Game of Thrones” is based is called “A Song of Ice and Fire” by George RR Martin.
Another clue that led fans to believe that Jon Snow is the reincarnation of Azor Ahai was his return from the dead.
It can be recalled that as Lord Commander of the Nights Watch, Jon was betrayed by his brothers in the Watch and stabbed numerous times, causing his death. However, the Red Woman Melisandre called upon the Lord of Light to bring him back to life. Fans believe that he would not be brought back to life if he will not play an important role in the future of Westeros.
He is also the only one of leaders of Westeros to battle the Night King in the flesh.
Daenerys as Azor Ahai
Another fan theory argued, however, that Daenerys Targaryen is Azor Ahai. In the second episode “Stormborn,” Melisandre pays her respects to Daenerys and tells her about the prophecy. Missandrei clarified that “The Prince that was Promised” could just as well apply to Dany because High Valyrian is a language that is not gender specific.
According to Reddit user mattwee, Daenerys’ recent defeats at the hands of Euron Greyjoy and Jamie Lannister are actually indications that she is the Prince that was Promised. Based on the tale of Azor Ahai, it took three attempts for him to forge his sword “Lightbringer.”
In his first attempt, he tried to temper the steel with water and failed. On the second attempt, he tried to temper the steel by thrusting it through a lion’s heart but again, he failed. Only in his third attempt, when he thrust the sword through the heart of his wife did he succeed in forging the Sword.
The Reddit user connected Daenerys’ first defeat via water ambush to Azor Ahai’s first attempt in using water. The second defeat from the Lannisters’ whose sigil is lion could be symbolic of Azor Ahai’s second failure.
It is believed that the return of Sir Jorah Mormont to Daenerys’ side could be significant as his life could be the last sacrifice that is needed for the prophecy to come to fruition.
WIthout George RR Martin's last two books in the series, it would be hard to confirm who the reincarnation of the legendary warrior is. Martin is reportedly in the process of completing his sixth book "Winds of Winter" while there is no word on when the "A Dream of Spring," book will come out.
