from the Wrap.com
SPOILER WARNING: Do not read if you are not at least caught up on what is going on with the TV series.
A 1993 letter from author George R.R. Martin reveals his original story line for “A Song of Ice and Fire,” which would later be adapted into popular HBO series “Game of Thrones.”
The letter to Martin’s publisher leaked when Waterstones Books originally tweeted photos of the document, which were later deleted. But, a Tumblr user did fans a solid and re-posted the photos.
The typed letter details Martin’s original plan for the book series before it was published, which included that the series originally would be a trilogy with five surviving characters: Tyrion Lannister, Daenerys Targaryen, Jon Snow and Stark children Arya and Bran.
For those who’d like to see what else Martin envisioned for the book series, here’s some highlights from the original synopsis:
Ed and Catelyn Stark still die: The Starks still don’t end well. Ed Stark dies at the hands of Joffrey Baratheon, and Catelyn flees North with her children Arya and Bran. Catelyn still meets her demise – like on Season 3 of the HBO series – but by the hands of The Others. Her son, Robb, will die on the battlefield against the Lannisters but not before killing the despicable Joffrey.
Arya and Jon fall in love: Arya and her half-brother Jon fall in love although they never act on their feelings. Their love comes to a halt when his true lineage – heavily speculated by book readers – is revealed. While on the run from his brother, Tyrion falls for Arya when he sides with the Starks.
Sansa actually marries Joffrey and bears Joffrey’s heir : Betraying her family, Sansa weds Joffrey and bears him an heir before regretting her decision.
Daenerys avenges her ruthless brother Viserys: In this earlier version, Daenerys Targaryen is actually upset that Khal Drogo kills her brother, Viserys and exacts her revenge before beginning a siege on the Seven Kingdoms.
At letter’s end, the final paragraph is blacked out before Martin writes his goodbye.
“I hope you will find some editors who are as excited about all of this as I am. Feel free to share this letter with anyone who wants to know how the story will go,” Martin wrote.
Obviously, a lot of the original story has changed in the last 22 years. However, it should be interesting to note that all of the characters originally meant to survive by story's end are still alive in the current series. Perhaps that's the one element of the story that's remained constant?
