Some of the oldest, most beloved, and most plausible <em>Game of Thrones</em> fan theories revolve around secret identities — Jon Snow is secretly a Targaryen prince, for example. Several secret identities are revealed throughout the series, and there are dozens more proposed and debated in online forums to this day. Now, that grand fandom tradition has spilled over to <em>House of the Dragon</em>, where a surprisingly compelling theory ties Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin) to the main series. Alys is clearly more than she claims to be, but more and more fans are opening up to the idea that she may not even be human. Specifically, some believe she may be Leaf — a Child of the Forest who helps guide Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright) to the throne.
House of the Dragon started off around 200 years before Game of Thrones, and after a few time-skips, it’s now depicting a war that took place about 170 years before Bran Stark fell from a tower window. There have been some half-hearted theories about characters with unnaturally long lives who might appear in this prequel, but so far the producers seem more interested in connecting the two shows through garbled prophecies and visions. However, that could change by the end as the mystery of Alys Rivers grows and demands explanation. If the witch of Harrenhal is truly Leaf wearing a glamor, it would set off a chain reaction of other theories about A Song of Ice and Fire.
‘House of the Dragon’ Emphasizes Alys’ Power
Image via HBO
House of the Dragon is adapted from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, which is not a novel but a “fictional history book.” It’s written from the perspective of an in-world maester, who is an unreliable narrator at the best of times. The book typically offers at least two or three explanations for every action its characters take, and the truth is obscured in the fog of history. On top of that, the maesters are notoriously skeptical of all magic, which means the book downplays the influence of magic at every turn. This is even true for Targaryen dragon-riders — who have demonstrable magic for all to see — so it’s even more true for those like Alys Rivers who worship the old gods and use more discrete powers.
The adaptation had every opportunity to downplay Alys’ abilities as well, taking the simplest explanations offered by the maesters. Instead, the show has only bolstered Alys’ influence, if anything. Not only has she ensorceled Daemon (Matt Smith) and other men, she has communed with animals, assassinated Lord Grover Tully, and dispensed important prophecies she already seemed to know. In Fire & Blood, some of Alys’ greatest alleged magical acts are still ahead, and by now most fans agree that House of the Dragon will take the more esoteric explanation whenever possible.
It’s obviously fun and preferable for a fantasy TV series to have more magic in it, not less, yet as Alys’ power continues to build, fans are more curious than ever about her identity. In Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, we are repeatedly told that “old powers are waking,” indicating that the magic of the old gods such as Alys uses has been weak and scarce south of the Wall for quite some time. For this witch of Harrenhal to be using these powers so much, many feel she must be more than a bastard daughter of House Strong. The show seems intent on stringing out the mystery of Alys’ identity as well, implying that the answer will be a big payoff.
Naturally, fans have compared Alys to Game of Thrones’ Melisandre (Carice van Houten) — another mysterious witch with an unnaturally long lifespan and an interest in manipulating Westerosi politics. Some have even proposed that Alys is Melisandre in disguise, but there’s not much evidence to support that theory. However, Melisandre is not the only character who can live for hundreds of years — and in the books she’s not the only one who can use a magical “glamor” to change her appearance either.
How ‘House of the Dragon’s Alys Could Be ‘Game of Thrones’ Leaf
Image via HBO
Leaf is the only Child of the Forest character with dialogue in Game of Thrones and A Song of Ice and Fire. She meets Bran and his friends in Season 4 and helps hold back the wights as they all scramble into the cave where Bran will learn to become a Greenseer. However, the book version of this character tells us quite a bit more about herself. In a conversation with Bran, she explains that she was “born in the time of the dragon” — presumably meaning the time when House Targaryen ruled Westeros. She continues: “For two hundred years I walked the world of men to watch and listen and learn.”
It would not be easy for a Child of the Forest to go unnoticed among humans — Leaf is described as humanoid but child-sized, with only three fingers and a thumb on each hand and black claws instead of fingernails. Her skin is dappled brown, her ears are larger than a human’s, and her eyes are large, green and gold colored with slitted pupils like a cat. For Leaf to “walk the world of men,” she would need some kind of disguise — probably a magical one like Melisandre’s enchanted ruby necklace that made her appear young and strong.
There is plenty of precedence for this in the book besides Melisandre’s ruby. For one thing, Melisandre can cast glamors on other people in the book. We also see Brynden Rivers — a.k.a. Bloodraven — use a glamor on himself in one of the Dunk & Egg novellas. I won’t give details for fear of spoiling a future season of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, but keep in mind that Bloodraven goes on to become Bran’s mentor in that cave as “Three-Eyed Crow.” He and Leaf are co-conspirators on behalf of the old gods so it’s reasonable to assume if he can use glamors so can she.
Their shared mission is also evidence for this theory that Leaf is Alys Rivers. In A Dance with Dragons, Leaf helps Bloodraven with Bran’s training. She prepares and administers Weirwood seed paste that activates Bran’s powers and tells Meera Reed (Ellie Kendrick) that she speaks common tongue “for Bran boy.” We know Bloodraven has been orchestrating events to lead Bran north to his cave, and if Leaf is working towards same goal there’s no telling how long she’s been at it or how far she has gone.
Leaf Would Allow ‘House of the Dragon’ to Answer So Many Questions
If Alys turns out to be Leaf in disguise it would solve many mysteries left over from Game of Thrones. In fact some critics would inevitably call it an attempt by HBO to rewrite disappointing ending to main series adding more depth and magic to final war against White Walkers many fans felt was glossed over. It would be sinister to find out that Leaf had knowingly instigated battles between dragons just to steer history on correct path bringing Bran north at right time finally killing Others.
Sadly this would also lead to more divergences between books and TV shows. While book version said she was born within last 300 years TV version showed character helping create Night King himself thousands years earlier. Even if Leaf’s “time of dragon” meant born while Valyrian Freehold ruled Essos it would be thousands years too late aid original creation White Walkers. This isn’t point continuity HBO likely alter either — network shot pilot another prequel series called Bloodmoon, which would have been about original Long Night where Leaf would have appeared played by Doyin Ajiboye but sadly did not get series order.
Which Game Of Thrones House Do You Belong To?
Stark · Lannister · Targaryen · Baratheon · Tyrell
Five great houses Five completely different answers same question: how do you hold power world will take moment stop paying attention? Eight questions will determine where your loyalties — your nature — truly lie.
Stark
Lannister
Targaryen
Baratheon
Tyrell
01
CQS QUESTION TEXT > Someone powerful acting dishonourably everyone knows what do?
In Westeros answer question has ended more than one great house .
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