Jaqen H'ghar

[JDP]

I think the obvious solution is that Syrio is actually Ned, who is actually alive, having faked his own decapitation (the old 'pull the head down into the sweater' routine gets 'em every time). Ned is soon to return, riding Lady, with his pockets full of dragons, to tell Jon that he is actually his trueborn, legitimate son.

Together, they will then go to where Robb and Un-Cat have been waiting (pretending to be dead after faking their murders). Arya will come skipping in with Bran, who will shed leg braces quicker than Forrest Gump. Hodor will leap onto the table crying, "God bless us, every one!" and they'll all laugh and say "Oh, that Howland Reed, he had us going for a while." Sansa will proudly declare that she knew it all along, before swooning into Loras' waiting arms.

Never forget you heard it here first.

[Young stormlord]

Congratz. I just wet my pants laughing because of you. But it's in the wrong thread.

[DeannaBelle]

I am slow, or I just skipped to much. I didn't even think there was enough info given about Jaqen to identify him again.

Okay, I admit it: I've skipped way too many paragraphs because I am impatient, and now it's caught up me.

I have to go back now to read those details.

Oh, and in the last book, I almost completely skipped the chapters of the newer POV characters. Maybe I will have to make those up, too. Are they worth reading? I just want Ned Stark back!

[DeannaBelle]

I do remember that jaqen was compared to Syrio in one of Arya's POV chapters, the one where he was first introduced to us.

[Charming Serpent]

Good theories. We do know for a fact in FFC that Arya's PoV described some people in the faceless mens' Temple. I think Mopatis was seen more than once, no? I cannot recall the others she saw.

[Boaz]

CS, Arya saw Illyrio in the House of Black and White? Really? I just read AFFC and did not pick up on this at all... Dang it! I need to re-read the Arya chapters asap.

Deanna, iirc, Arya thought that Jaqen's speech patterns reminded her of Syrio. I'd like to ask Aegon to look this up, but I've not seen him in here in over a week. He must be off doing the hero thing.

[Charming Serpent]

I was fairly certain, Boaz, but i would have to reread it again. I also wanted to say she saw Euron too, but I cannot remember. I'm going to reread the chapters myself too. I know she doesn't know them by name or even by appearance, but I remember her describing people who came and went and that had crooked brown teeth and was fat (large or big, cant remember the exact wording. I know for certain that Mopatis's teeth were just that, but like I said, I could be completely wrong until i re-read.

[Charming Serpent]

Ok, I found the entry. I have the hardback version so on page 325, the second Arya chapter, she is in the Temple and she sees "The fat fellow, who had fierce black eyes, a hook nose, and a wide mouth full of yellow teeth." She then talks about other visitors and describes them. She also makes note of how the fat fellow and and the "squinter" come together to the Temple.

Now, once again, I could be entirely going the wrong way with this Mopatis theory, but it was the one that popped into my head so ... talk amongst yourselves now. :P

[Boaz]

No, no, no. Keep expounding. I cannot recall a previous physical description of Illyrio... I mean I know he's in the first few Dany chapters and once in Arya's POV when she's below the Red Keep, but he's around so little that I don't remember anything about him except for his plumpness.

[Charming Serpent]

Hm, let me see if my memory will serve me ... when he is described in Dany's first PoV, I recall him being described as fat and most certainly about having crooked yellow teeth. I know that for a fact. I seem to recall a few words about his eyes too. Them being black though I can't recall about fierce. I know Arya sees him also under the Red Keep when she gets lost, while he is speaking to Varys, whom is in disguise. (I'd give you word for word descriptions, but alas, my friend has Game of Thrones.) Try looking that up in Dany's PoV up until after the wedding and Arya's when she hears the two fatties talking under the Red Keep.

[viZion]

Illyrios's page at another site

I don't think Arya ever sees him. She just hears Varys say his name.

[Charming Serpent]

No, no, I am positive that she saw him. Its when she runs away from Tommen and Myrcella while she was chasing that black cat. She gets lost and finds herself deep in the Red Keep, I think with the Dragon Skulls. She hears people talking as they make their way through the room. Its Varys, dressed as that jailkeeper, Rugen and she describes Mopatis. (Or GRRM describes what she sees) Then Varys is asking Mopatis to make haste and etc etc with Dany. Mopatis replies how the Khal won't stir himself til this and that are done etc etc..

I actually think that the words round or fat might have been used to describe Mopatis. Maybe even more than just that, but I can't remember.

[viZion]

Yeah, that's what I'm talking about, too. I'm positive that she never sees them because she has to remain hidden in the dark. But Varys definitely says Illyrio's name and that's what she hears. I guess the easy way to end this debate would be to go read the chapters . I'll do it tomorrow if no one else has done it by then.

[Charming Serpent]

Yeah, I can't because I don't have that book on me at the moment, but if she doesn't see him, then how can she be thinking to herself as Varys is described to us "There seemed something oddly familiar with the man, as if she had seen him before" I mean, I could be wrong, but how can you see one fat man and think you might know him, but then miss one supposedly larger?

Would anyone be kind enough to reread that part so i can put my mind to rest? Or expound on the theory at all?

[lauren20062001]

"Two men, she made out" Their shadows writhed against th sides of the well, tall as giants..."What would you have me do?" asked the torchbearer, a stout man in a leather half cape. Even in heavy boots, his feet seemed to glide soundlessly over the ground. A round scarred face and a stubble of dark beard showed under his steel cap, and he wore mail over boiled leather, and a dirk and shortsword at his belt. It seemed to Arya there was something oddly familiar about him. "If one Hand can die, why not a second?" replied the man with the accent and teh forked yellow beard. ...He was no one Arya had ever seen before, she was certain of it. Grossly fat, yet he seemed to walk lightly, carrying his weight on the balls of his feet as a water dancer might. His rings glimmered in the torchlight, red-gold and pale silver, crusted with rubies, sapphires, slitted yellow tiger eyes. Every finger wore a ring; some had two."

Sorry that was long.