The entire Ironborn storyline was totally dropped off the radar in season 5, but now the show makers are hinting at a major comeback of Greyjoy family for season 6. In the latest episode, we saw Balon Greyjoy, Lord of Iron Islands, captain of the Great Kraken, sitting on a Seaston chair (equivalent of Iron Throne in Iron Islands) was pushed to his death by his brother Euron Greyjoy (also known as Crow’s eye) who was supposedly lost in the sea. He is the captain of the ship called “Silence” crewed by mutes whose tongues were ripped out by him. He is one the most skilled and deadliest pirates in the whole of Westeros.
We saw him for the first time onscreen, and he is nothing short of a brilliant new antagonist who will restore the glory and pride of House Greyjoy. Some of his utterances sounded like Heisenberg, for instance, “I’m the storm” or “When men see my sails, they pray from Oldtown to Qarth”.
The line of succession is a huge deal for House Greyjoy. House Greyjoy still controls vast amount of territory and resources. They need to reunite under a new, powerful leader to avenge humiliation caused to them over the years. There is now an inevitability of a Kingsmoot ceremony hosted at Iron Islands where all the noblemen choose their next captain. It is much like “The Great Council” ceremony in Westeros where great Lords can jointly decide who should be the next King of the realm.
Theon Greyjoy is a natural successor, although he fell off the deep end, but he is marching straight back to home now. One would think that Yara is more deserving one to sit on Seaston chair, but her claim is weakened after the death of Balon Greyjoy. Euron seems to be the most formidable contender for the chair as he is more mature and respected in the eyes of local people. Add to this what if Euron Greyjoy found out Dragon-horn or dragonbinder in his voyage to Old-Valyria which could be used to control dragons, this could significantly shift the power structure and make him the undisputed leader of Iron islands.
