He disappeared into the part of the story that will never be written.

I think it's entirely possible that Benjen will return similarly to how he did in the show, reappearing to help Bran get back to Winterfell, but it WON'T be as Coldhands. I think Benjen has been in the Lands Of Always Winter, learning more about the Others. G.R.R. Martin did say that we'd go farther north than ever before, and Benjen could be the key to that.

If I see Benjen as a POV character in Winds, the wait will be worth it

He married one of Craster´s daughter and they opend a motor shop in the frostlands.

I really like the idea that Benjen knew of Rhaegar and Lyanna. I’ve seen this theory before with the added caveat that Benjen told Ned when he returned to Winterfell after the war. Ned and Ben then jointly decided he would take the black for his guilt and for repentance/justice.

My guess is that Benjen is gone and will never be found and it is supposed to frustrate us. That happens a lot in our world. People just vanish and no trace is ever found. It sucks for their loved ones. It sucks for them. It sucks. Life sucks sometimes.

Cold hands is most likely what’s left of the last hero. Not really dead but not really alive, so the wall keeps him from going south

I have a theory for you. It is assumed that Bran is the Winged Wolf because it was Jojun Reeds dream and Jojun identifies Bran as such. But what if the Winged Wolf is Jon? The wolf with dragon wings, combining two magical bloodlines. He will be spending days (or even weeks, because the cold preserves according to Maester Aemon) warged into Ghost and will be resurrected with fire and blood thus awakening the latent magic in his blood from both sides of his family.

I posted a few days ago on the asoiaf subreddit about my theory on Benjen. I believe the others kidnapped him, marched on the fist for the horn (Benjen probably buried it there, Jon comments on the recent burial) after he told them where he had hid it. All of this started ramping up right when betrayal was hitting the starks the hardest. The march on the fist was right around the same time Bran and Rickon fled winterfell too. A Stark must always be in Winterfell... I think the others are marching south to install the rightful Stark heir in Winterfell. I think there was a pact. If the only truth from The Nights King tale is that a Stark was sacrificing his children to the others (or the great other) that could mean that most of the actual others we hear of in the books, have stark blood. We know they're magical, they probably have foresight. Saw the betrayals coming and started acting early. Only beginning to march once there was no stark in winterfell. In a sense, the 'others' called their banners to help their Southern family. George has said Ice is vengeance. The Starks named their family sword Ice. A stark has been in winterfell for 8000 years, since "they" came last. 'Winter is coming' could be an explicit threat to House Starks enemies. The 'others' are House Starks revenge. Maybe the Starks were LITERALLY Kings of Winter and even 'they' acknowledged it. That's just my theory though. lol

Benjen became another servant of the 3 Eyed Crow like Coldhands only his new name is Hardnipples. I was going to say Frozefeet but Hardnipples is funnier. Great video as always CC!

I think that Benjen was either killed by the Others who turned his companions into wights OR he's been kept as a hostage in the Lands of Always Winter cause the Others are searching for a Stark, but a special one: Jon Snow. (I actually think the first option is more posible cause if they were waiting for ANY Stark they'd never had atacked the Fist cause they already had what they wanted) The Others atacked Waymar who looked like a Stark and just a couple of nights after the NW left Craster's house they went directly to where Craster told them a probable Stark will be(Fist of the First Men), just that no one, nor Craster nor the Others knew that Qhorin had taken Jon with him. Craster is spying for the Others in their search for THAT special Stark, he immediately recognized Jon as a Stark just with a look and he also told he saw Waymar on his way to where he was killed.

I think Benjen going to the wall was likely at Ned’s order once Ned got home with Jon and found out Benjen knew all along. Ned and the realm lost so much due to Benjen not speaking up, I’m sure while he understood and did not hold it against Benjen (given their relationship later) but honor would have compelled Ned to punish Benjen.

Small detail may be wrong but i believe the laughing knight beat the knights that the bullies squiresd for and she demanded that they punish the squires instead of forfeit their horse and armour and they happily complied as they wanted to keep their stuff

I think he was killed, Others tried to Wight him but his Stark blood (with ancient link to Other's blood) resisted. Now, he's like Coldhands. Half-Wight.

George hasn't forgotten about Benjen. Hard to believe he's dead and won't make another apperance.

I always wondered about The Horn of Winter, or Joramun's Horn. Where does everyone, including book characters, get the idea that it can bring down the Wall? In the story, it just says, "And Joramun blew the Horn of Winter, and woke giants from the earth". So, where does it say, "oh, it'll knock down the Wall too!!!"

Benjamin is north of the wall fighting dark souls like bosses

He went to find tyrek lannister

I think George doesn't know, doesn't care, wrote Benjen as a motivation for Jon to head to the wall and then wrote him out of the story rather than deal with hard to answer questions. The alternative is that he's become "The Great Walrus" but Jon's so thickheaded he doesn't recognize him.

Just found your channel, this is by far my favorite Benjen video.

Very good work, Chris

Anytime you read "Well speak soon, or when I return" you know they are gonna die or disappear 😂. I'm still waiting on Ned to end up at the wall to tell John about his parentage

I just found your channel, and I love these predictions. You have some different thoughts that I find wildly refreshing; you have also revitalized my love of ASOIAF theory crafting. Thank you for your good work. Hope to see more soon.

Your video quality really improved! It’s been a while since i watched your channel Im happy to see that.

Benjen may have just deserted the NW. He's a dandy dressing much more nicely than the rest of the NW. He's probably living it up in Bravos waiting for Arya to discover him.

I agree with the take that guilt likely brought Benjen to the wall. I also think there was an additional motive, though: with him being someone who likely knew or suspected Jon's parentage, perhaps Ned and Benjen discussed convincing Jon to join the watch after he had grown up (starks/stark bastards/bastards of great houses have been known to), and Benjen would be there to look after or help elevate Jon within the order. Perhaps the brothers had even discussed Benjen being the one to reveal Jon's true identity to him after saying the vows.

Benjen is the elk everyone rode to it's death north of the wall and was then eaten by his nephew, obviously.

Imagine if he simply deserted~

It looks like Benjen found or looking for something and he wasn't just lost, the thing is that I really cannot pinpoint what exactly. He was also searching for Waymar and this is where am gonna put my tinfoil hat on but the Other Waymar fought looked like he didn't try to kill him from the start, for some reason, and Waymar sure looked a lot like a Stark and it makes me believe that the Others are looking for a Stark. Ok, hats off.

I think when little finger left the Erie after healing, he ran into Lyanna & Rhaegar. I think she trusted LF bc she didn’t know what had transpired prior with Brandon to tell them she wasn’t kidnapped. But to LF true fashion, he rode home first and wrote a letter to Cat -the letter she burned. He waited long enough for Brandon to lose his shit hoping he would die & he would have a chance with Cat.

He "went ranging north of the wall", but really joined the faceless men.

Is there any chance Benjen is at Hardhome? Maybe posing as one of the Free Folk or recently captured? Maybe he went there after learning whatever he intended to learn in the Far North? Maybe that's where he'll reenter the story. Or... *Unlikely tinfoil theory*: We learned fron Arya that slaver ships took people from Hardhome. One of those ships was siezed in Braavos. What if Benjen was taken in one of those ships and reenters the story through Arya's POV? OR, (even more tinfoily) we know that was one of 3 ships, the others are who knows where. What if the ships were going to Slaver's Bay and Benjen reenters the story through Tyrion or Dany? These last two ideas require A LOT of assumptions, I know. Just a fun thought lol.

It wouldn’t surprise me if he was alive in some kind of cold hands kind of state. And knows that he can’t really just rock up at the wall in that kind of state, but that he is doing reconnaissance. There are really only two people who can move the story along in terms of who the others are and what they want. Bran, which relies on him being able to tell everybody else what is going on. Or if Benjin turns up at the wall and is able to explain, not unless we are never meant to get that kind of detail about the others

There was likely a "Promise me, Benjen" moment around the secret he kept. He's not Ned, but he probably felt compelled to keep that promise because..you know..."honor". My 2c.

Coldhands-> I am your monster, Brandon Stark, -> In front of the Winterfell Weirwood -> Brandon could taste the blood through times. I am only parafrasing, but I hope, it is understandable. But which Brandon Stark is Coldhands then? I don’t know.

We will get a resolution to Benjen I am absolutely certain of it and I believe the answer will bring some new information with a massive effect on the story with it.

Benjen Stark has linked up with Stonesnake and they're both currently venturing ultra-north into the Land of Always Winter on a recon mission. They will discover proof of an imminent Other invasion during which they are detected and must make their way back to Westeros to warn everyone of the coming Long Night. This will result in the duo fulfilling the Last Hero prophecy.

A minor side note. I think that Rhaegar wrote Jenny's song and that was the song that made Lyanna cry.

BenJen Hype, never ending.

Is how Benjen being alive as Coldhands now a precussor to Jon Snow coming back as a weird undead with his will still intact. Rather the whole warging into Ghost to keep living.

Unfortunately for him, he ended up in rings of power.....

You make a good argument about how benjin joining the wall was a stupid idea

Does rickon still have 4 dragon glass arrow heads?

Benjen and Euron are in cahoots and Benjen is meeting the others to discuss destroying the world.

Yea it's obvious George had to get rid of him cuz he knew too much about Roberts rebellion and Lyanna and everything else along those lines so he may be the one later to confirm some of these things. Not only that but he needed to be outta the way to let Jon climb naturally in the nights watch. Lots of reasons He literally was gotten rid of immediately when jon got to the wall.

Benjen, if alive, is trapped down in a labyrinth cave or else Grendel's kids got him

I think it’s possible Benjen was the Laughing Tree Knight. The armor didn’t fit well bc he was only 14. The mad king wanted the mysterious night captured & brought to him. If he sent Rhaegar, & he discovered Benjen & Lyanna Stark, he may have become smitten by her. However, Rhaegars father had commanded him to find the Laughing Tree knight. Rhaegar knew what his father would do to Benjen. Perhaps to be sure the lady king would never hear of this, Rhaegar strongly suggested Benjen take The Black. One he’d become a Brother of The Knights Watch, King Aerys couldn’t touch him. Lyanna would never be suspected. Rhaegar knew this, & he knew she would never betray her brother. They formed a bond over this, that blossomed into more over time. I don’t think Benjen knew of their attachment or marriage. Benjen would’ve never lied to Ned, leaving Ned to think Lyanna was raped. Leading to his father & older brother’s murders by the Mad King, & ultimately war. There’s nothing to suggest he was that kind of person. Edit. That’s my best guess.

Ooooo I like the look of this channel, any videos in particular I should check out?

I have always had a bad feeling about what Osha said-that she killed a crow. Pretty casually and only 1 time mention. IF Benjen is dead, I am pretty sure Osha killed him. Otherwise, he is off doing something in the name of The Watch. Like mapping out caves, maybe? ONE person that should be noted-Barbrey Dustin. She tells Theon that her father was DESPERATE to marry her to ANY Stark that rode by-but she NEVER mentions Benjen Stark. It's like he was never born. Keeping in mind that Ned stopped at Barbrey's place after he goes to Starfall....craaaaaazy. Barbrey prolly knows who Jon really is. And she prolly knows why Benjen really joined The Watch. There is a reason Barbrey doesn't remarry-and she is not being honest with Theon. The fun part is that she is not lying, either. She witholds what she can and twists the truth into looking like something else entirely. Benjen joins The Watch instead of marrying Barbrey. Why? Why wasn't Barbrey ever an option for Benjen? Why did Ned REALLY go to Barbrey? It was not just to return a horse, especially without her husband's body. I am not so sure Lord Dustin died at the ToJ. Anyways, after Ned sees Barbrey, Benjen joins The Watch. THAT is WEIRD.

Benjin has been kept alive by the Others. And a Stark would make the perfect Night King.

Maybe he might come back when Jon is resurrected after they have defeated the Bolton's. And if he doesnt maybe when the Long Night comes and during the battle Jon, Arya, Sansa or Bran maybe even someone who knows how he looks like finds out hes a wight and they put him down. Benjen is mainly alone at the wall so he would be the Lone wolf and the stark saying comes into play where "The Lone wolf dies but the pack survives" and Jon is fighting whoever maybe the others or something and hes losing the battle and Benjen comes in at the last moment to stop them and gets mortally wounded but gives jon time to finish the fight and dies later.

Do Carmen Sandiego next

👏

Im pretty sure the knight of the laughing tree challenged the knights that the squires squired for not the squires themselves

George is a garden writer, his plans can change. I think he’s DEF gonna be cold hands even tho he told his editor no.

North of the wall, I reckon

Benjen is almost certainly dead, and I don’t think we will ever see him again. That said, I love the idea that he will renter the story from the grey waste and meet Dany or something. That will near certainly never happen (because it doesn’t make much sense.), but man would it be cool.

The rebellion began because “The Mad King” Aerys murdered Ned Starks father and brother, not because Leanna ran off with Raygar.

Watch Benjin survive till the end and the nightswatch gets disbanded after the war, so he just becomes a lord again

Because of this i have a slight suspicion that Benjen knew Jon is Lyanna's son from Raegar even though Ned never told anyone except Howland...

I think Benjen and rhaegar made a pact to help him escape to the north and become mance

Isnt benjen darrio noharis in disguise?

Only Ned, Ben and Howland Reed can tell us about Jon's parantage

Benjen was sent to the Wall…as punishment by his brother.

Benjen's not dead - bran said it, and he's practically omnipotent

Ya know… for years I’ve heard that statement, or theory or whatever ya wanna call it that Varys told the Mad King that Rhaegar was plotting with the other great lords to make himself king. Varys “always did what’s best for the realm” correct? Well even Tywin knew Rhaegar was the best thing for the whole damn 7 kingdoms. So I don’t believe that horseshit that Varys whispered in Aerys ear about the tournament.

Aerys reminds me of King Saul in the Bible.

Would totally make sense if Jon was a Targaryen. Too bad he's the Sword of the Morning

Using that picture for Rhaegar seems wrong. The show made him way too similar to Viserys.

He is a pillow house in Lys. No explanation

12.09 "vague" lol.

I still think prince rhaegar was the prince who was promised and lightbringer was jon snow

And have to mention this if Robb and ned should die before the other children were born Jon would be legitimatized as a Stark and become the lord of winter fell at 16. Since bastards are usually given a true born name and the seat if all true born heirs are dead. And Catelyn would be sent back to riverun

He turn to Adar

Rhaegar marrying Lyanna makes no sense. It would piss off Dorne, and from a storytelling perspective it would be pointless. Jon Snow is legitimised by Robb. He doesn't need to be trueborn.

be pretty cool if benjen had been taken over by the others Jon snow would not only have to kill the woman he loves but the man that he's looked upto his whole life..........if arya don't get there first 😲

Do y’all think Ned told benjen Jon’s true heritage?

I'm almost certain Benjen is dead, and Coldhands is someone warged into his corpse, maybe the Warg King, it'll be one of the things that makes Bran realize Bloodraven isn't a good guy.

Roberts rebellion was built on lies and he knew that it was his jealousy and pride that got thousands of people killed, the should have made a show about that. Benjen stark and Ned knew all along that was brilliant story telling and sad ..

Also the wildling (& old school northern houses') tradition of stealing your wife

I forgot who tackled the cold hands theory but they way the tackled it was like saying this is not the Benjen we know… kind of like and Beric is not really beric

Anyone thinking benjen is dead is missing the literary point - why get characters to mention him all the time?

I don’t think he’s dead

I can almost guarantee he will be in the SNOW show and will be a help for the group beyond the wall 💯

He's a living white he still retains his consciousness well that's how it is in the books

In Ohio

can you make a 3 minutes video about this?

Most likely GRRM just kind of forgot about Benje

John Snow is a Reed, not a Tagerarian.

In season 7 they show Benjen save jon snow then give him his horse as he was overwhelmed by wights. Pretty sure they stabbed tf out of him

D&D kinda…forgot about Benjen and his iron fleet.

Or Rhegar went the route of logic and annulled his marriage to Elia whit or consent or without and still kept Ageon in the line of inherence the fact ion the matter is we don't know anything about Elia and her reaction or what kind of marriage her and Rhegar had. He might have even wed her in both religions. Martin might go the route that the show did and reveal there are documents proving Jon legitimate in the Citadel. Its like Elia would have had a opportunity to tell Doran or Oberyon this information since the mad king kept her and her children as virtual hostages in the red keep

Benjen was attacked by the WW saving Jon. He gave Jon his horse to get away while he fought off the dead. That was the last we saw of him.

12:08 the timeline is what??? 😂🤣🤣

Benjen went though the ice, probably caused by Mormont; since “Longclaw” is Benjen’s rehilted and renamed sword, formerly Ice(2). Ned’s sword is Dawn renamed Ice, formerly Ice(1) before Dawn lost at Star(k)fall. Longclaw’s hilt wasn’t just made, it is Ice(2)’s former hilt put back on; this mirrors Ice(1)’s rehilting by Illyn Payne which now has a skull on it. That is because “broken men” can be possessed and ,unlike Thistle , Illyn has no tongue to bite down on. Also “pocked face” is dead cells inside living cells, as Ned is inside Illyn living his best second life beating the snot outta Jaime. All the Lannister swords are fake, including Brightroar; which was made up to disguise the fact Gerion was sent to reopen the Targaryen gold mines in Valaria since the Lannister mines are filled with fool’s gold and they actually get their money by killing those they “borrowed “ from. Anyway, Benjen’s leg injury and falling into the water is foreshadowed in Bran’s vision of Lyanna and either Ned (also getting a leg injury) or Benjen. Benjen meeting the Nightqueen foreshadowed by the boy telling “Nan” on Lyanna.

Howland Reed was the only person in living memory to be able to get to the isle of faces. Lyanna definitely didn't marry Rhaegar there.

Snow show! Ben Stark is the new night king.

I honestly believe GRRM either lied about Coldhands or that it is a tiny discrepancy like he is one of many Coldhands

Benjin will return as a white walker. He is being held in the white walkers castle after he was ambushed bye the undead while saving johns life. He fights his urge to kill men as long as he can while being held in the icy dungeon but after his full transformation the magic is just to strong and the man benjin stark is no more and a new white walker king is born. He was originally saved bye the children of the forest to help men fight the night king but the catch is that he will become the the very thing he swore to fight. The children of the forest never wanted to let men rule and this is there revenge to keep the world of men on there knee’s

I think Benjen Stark became the night king