New point-of-view characters we want in the final Song of Ice and Fire novels

3) Stannis Baratheon

Stannis Baratheon might not be long for this world. If Game of Thrones is any indication, he probably won’t make it out of the Battle in the Ice against the Boltons, one of the set pieces that will open The Winds of Winter. Given that Shireen is back at Castle Black, I doubt Stannis is going to be around for her death like he is on the show, but I’m prepared for him to meet a tragic end in battle. Considering what he’s contributed to this story, the least Martin can do is give him a POV chapter before he goes.

A Stannis POV chapter may be fairly short. He was ever a man of few words, and I imagine his thoughts are ordered and concise. Still, it could be affecting to have access to his buried emotions in his final moments. Stannis has always acted in accordance with his duty. As observed through the likes of Davos Seaworth and Jon Snow, he rarely wavered. Did he have regrets? Is there a part of him that wishes he could devote himself to his family rather than a doomed quest to claim the Iron Throne? A POV chapter may be our final chance to know.