7 intriguing mysteries from A Song of Ice and Fire

Who is the hooded man in Winterfell?

As a blizzard heightens tensions among the Northern armies in Winterfell, several men have been found murdered in ghastly ways. Theon Greyjoy, walking through knee-deep snow, meets an unidentified man wearing a hooded cloak and holding a dagger. The figure recognizes Theon, immediately acting hostile toward him. When Theon reveals his maimed left hand, the hooded man laughs and allows him to continue serving Ramsay Bolton. Theon wonders if the man is responsible for the recent deaths inside the castle.

Here’s the full conversation from A Dance with Dragons:

"Hooded Man: “Theon Turncloak. Theon Kinslayer.” Theon: “I’m not. I never … I was ironborn.” Man: “False is all you were. How is it you still breathe?” Theon: “The gods are not done with me. Lord Ramsay is not done with me.” Man: “I leave you to him, then.”"

There are a fair number of candidates as to who the hooded man could be. Theories have pointed to the likes of Howland Reed, the escaped Blackfish, Benjen Stark, Mance Rayder, or even a projection created by Theon himself. The mystery remains unsolved for now.

Did Loras Tyrell survive the assault on Dragonstone?

During A Feast for Crows, after the Ironborn attack the islands of the Reach, Cersei refuses to allow the Redwyne fleet to stop besieging Dragonstone and deal with Euron Greyjoy’s assault. As a result of her orders, Loras Tyrell volunteers himself to take command of the siege in the hopes of breaking it and allowing the Redwyne fleet to go defend his home country.

Later, Cersei learns from Aurane Waters that Loras has succeeded in taking back Dragonstone, but at a terrible price. Loras led the assault on the castle and is said to have been horribly injured by quarrels, maces, and boiling oil in the battle, just as Cersei was hoping.

But words are wind. Will Loras survive his injuries, if he’s even injured at all?