Post by arrysfleas on Jan 17, 2017 23:52:40 GMT
Ned is indeed the candidate that requires the least fudging or stretching. .....
- Concerned with honour, which the KOTLT wanted taught, far more than anybody else
Howland also works. The common complaint is that he doesn't know how to ride a horse, but that's not really what Meera said. She said that her people sit a boat more often than a horse, not that they don't use horses. Howland still knows how to ride. And nothing in the story actually ever said that the knight rode brilliantly. It said the gods lent strength to his arm. The guy was a good lancer, not a good rider. Howland shows up in the story with a spear. Not exactly hard to imagine a great spearman might be fairly handy with a lance too.
Howland could ride a horse, definitely as he rode with Ned and his companions later in the story. Although, crannogmen can wield a frog spear, i suggest a lance is a bit less wieldy.
And the mystery knight should win the tourney, defeating every challenger, and name the wolf maid the queen of love and beauty [Bran]
This is exactly what Rhaegar did... and George puts it right in front of our faces by having Bran say this after he hears the tale. Rhaegar DID defeat every challenger, and he DID name Lyanna the queen of love and beauty. So let's examine Rhaegar as the knight then.
This also makes a lot of sense. And Bran's wishful summation is very reminiscent of another wish he made concerning Benjen's fate:
The children will help him," he blurted, "the children of the forest!
Does he make a habit of telling us what actually happened?