Wild Game Of Thrones Theory Suggests Tyrion is A Secret Targaryen

The suggestion that Tyrion is a secret Targaryen has been put forward several times. On the face of it, the idea seems absurd. But if you look a little deeper, you find that while there's no hard evidence to back up the claim, there are some circumstantial clues that allude to its possible validity.

Let's start with Tyrion's relationship with Tywin, a man fiercely loyal to his family name. He makes no bones about his dislike for Tyrion - which we're led to believe is because his youngest son was born a dwarf.

However, the source material references The Mad King's liking for Tywin's wife, Joanna. And after being shot for the first time by Tyrion, Tywin says, 'You're no son of mine'.

Now, this could be a reaction to receiving an arrow in the chest - and it does come after he's twice said, 'You're my son'. Of course, when he said the latter, he was bartering for his life. So, you can take either phrase in a number of ways.

Another possible clue from A Song of Ice and Fire (which didn't make it into the show) is the description of Tyrion. The literary version of the master strategist has a mix of black and blonde hair. Coincidence? Maybe. But it does add weight to this theory.

Going back to the relationship between Tywin and Tyrion before his murder, Tywin makes an (arguably) even more telling comment.

'The day that you were born.' Tywin says. 'I wanted to carry you into the sea and let the waves wash you away.' Then he adds, 'Instead, I let you live. And I brought you up as my son'. His use of the phrase 'as my son' could indicate that Tywin knew Tyrion wasn't his child.

Once again, though, the waters are muddied. His next statement is, 'Because you're a Lannister'.

Earlier in the show, following the Battle of Blackwater, Tywin says to Tyrion, 'Men's laws give you the right to bear my name and display my colors since I cannot prove that you are not mine'.

So, maybe Aerys II (or somebody else) is Tyrion's father. Or maybe Tywin simply believed Tyrion to be illegitimate and spent a lifetime hating him without ever really knowing the truth.

But perhaps the biggest clue there could be something in this rumor is what happens when Tyrion is introduced to Viserian and Rhaegal in series 6. Not only did the two beasts remain calm and not fry him, but Tyrion himself was really quite comfortable in their presence. And he seemed able to communicate on some level with them.

Of course, George R. R. Martin hasn't finished the book series yet. So, if it ever is completed, it may turn out that this theory is not so wild after all.