Volantis is a location we've seen in Seasons 5 and 6 of Game of Thrones and heard mentioned a handful of times, most recently in "The Queen's Justice." The Essos city, the most populated of the Free Cities and home to many followers of the Lord of Light, could have an important role to play in the coming war against the next Long Night and the White Walkers.
Below we discuss the possible importance of Volantis to the future of the series. Warning: Full spoilers for Game of Thrones: Season 7 continue below.
The most recent installment of Game of Thrones brought ice and fire together and almost featured what would have been a super awkward, likely bloody reunion between Melisandre, Jon Snow and Ser Davos Seaworth. Melisandre was surprisingly aware of the mistakes she'd made in the past and that neither of the visitors from Winterfell would be thrilled to find her at Dragonstone. Her presence might have been enough to cause them to leave without talking to Daenerys.
Melisandre eliminated the possibility of her immediate death by getting out of dodge. She told Varys her task of bringing Jon and Dany together was complete, so she's heading to Volantis. But don't worry, it's not necessarily the last we've seen of the Red Woman. Melisandre mentioned to Varys that she'll be back: "I will return, dear spider. One last time. I have to die in this strange country, just like you."
Varys appeared to be disturbed by Melisandre's statement (heck, so were we), but we're going to put that part of the dialogue aside and focus on the Red Woman and Volantis. Actress Carice van Houten confirmed to People that Melisandre won't be appearing again in Season 7 and her future is uncertain. "I was happy that she returned at all. I don't know whether she's gone away forever or whether she's going to die alone, I have no idea," van Houten said.
What if Melisandre's journey isn't over? What if she's going to Volantis to gather forces to aid Westeros in their looming battle against the Night King and his forces? That could take the whole of a season, and she could triumphantly return in Season 8.
Volantis is one of the richest and most powerful Free Cities, and it's the oldest. They flexed their muscles after the Doom of Valyria and persist at being an influential locale in Essos. The city is also home to The Temple of the Lord of Light; it's said to be “the greatest in all the world” and three times as large as the Great Sept of Baelor in King's Landing was. For context, we got a look at the massive scale of the Great Sept in the Season 6 finale when Cersei destroyed the building with wildfire.
The old gods do have a following in Volantis, but many believe in R'hllor. The Lord of Light is particularly popular among the slaves. All who serve in the temple are slaves -- they're trained to serve R'hllor in some way, with some becoming priests and priestesses (like Melisandre) and others becoming warriors.
If Volantis is home to the greatest temple for the followers of R'hllor in all the world, it's reasonable to guess the numbers of believers are large and likely significant enough to supplement the armies of Westeros. With a key part of the religion being focused on the rebirth of Azor Ahai, a legendary hero from thousands of years ago that is said to have stood against the White Walkers in The Long Night with his sword Lightbringer (whether it's a real sword or a metaphorical one is a whole other discussion).
Melisandre believes she's found Azor Ahai reborn, a.k.a. the prince or princess that was promised, in either Jon Snow or Daenerys Targaryen, so it's definitely likely that she's planning to recruit the Lord of Light warriors to come fight by the reborn hero's side and/or to witness the prophecy come true in action. And if they have the power of R'hllor like Melisandre, all the better!
When Tyrion and Varys encountered other Red Priestesses in Volantis, two of them -- including Kinvara -- threw their support behind Daenerys, claiming she is the savior they've been waiting for. Melisandre might not be telling the R'hllor believers in Essos anything they didn't already believe about Azor Ahai reborn, but by adding her support and sharing word of what Jon Snow and the brothers of the Night's Watch have witnessed, she could rally the warriors and bring their light and fire across the Narrow Sea to fight against the coming darkness.
After all, they need all the help they can get to stop the Night King and his army.
Do you think warriors from Volantis will come to Westeros if they believe Dany or Jon is Azor Ahai reborn? Let us know in the comments.
Amy Ratcliffe is a writer for IGN and wouldn't last a day in Westeros. Follow her on on Twitter at @amy_geek.
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