The Winds of Winter (GRRM)

[Valarya]

Understandable! It's really quite intriguing.

Here are my thoughts on the chapter and theories on where it will lead us. Do not click if you haven't finished all 5 released books + the sample chapter from book 6 above. You have been warned.

Spoiler

Poor Theon for being through so much that it has turned him in to what he is now. That bit where he recounted all he had said to Asha when first plopped down in front of her, and her look of pity and whispering to him so as not to let her tears fall. Heartbreaking.

When Asha suggested giving Theon a death befitting Eddard Stark, I cried.. and to think that Bran was there with him. I find it so interesting that Bran is there for at least half of this chapter.. through the crows. It almost seems as if the crow [Bran] is suggesting the tree-move to Asha as well, for why else would a daughter of the Drowned God & Pyke suggest her blood-brother be killed like a greenman? She never would. It's obvious she wants mercy for him, but I think something happened between her and Bran/Crow for this suggestion to be made in the first place.

I'm of the opinion that Theon will do all he can in recompense of his actions at Winterfell for the remaining time he is alive. He will try to help Jeyne, Jon and Bran. And since he no longer has daddy-issues, he will want to atone for his previous behavior. I suspect Bloodraven (the three-eyed-crow) can sense this in Theon and realizes he could be a good mouth for them. So this "suggestion" of Asha's to go to the island where the weirwood trees are, is a plot to get away from Stannis, methinks.

Most interestingly of note is the fact:
Martin commented that this chapter takes place BEFORE events at the end of ADWD. In that case, I feel like the letter Ramsay sent to LC Jon Snow was more true than originally suspected. Ramsay knew too much in that letter for it to be circumstance. He knew about the wildling "princess" (Val) and the wildling babe Prince. He knew, not only about Mance & the spearwives sent to Winterfell, but that Jon Snow knows it's Mance and continues to let the rest of the Wall think he's dead. Due to this tiny clue by Martin, I'm thinking Ramsay DID come out of Winterfell after this sample chapter takes place.. looking for his Reek and his Wife. We know how much Ramsay likes his possessions, yes?
According to the letter, Ramsay got Stannis, Stannis' sword, and knowledge.. but not Theon or Jeyne (fake Arya). So perhaps Theon does get away.

If they're headed towards the Wall, perhaps they can help Jon, too (if he really isn't dead)... and then help Bran. UGH then it's all starting to converge on the final conclusion we've always known is coming. The Wall falling & the Others battling Starks & Dragons.

I just got goosebumps.

Whew.