Game Of Thrones: 17 Biggest 'What If' Moments

10. What If Brienne And Jaime Had Travelled By Boat?

HBOBrienne of Tarth's task was to return Jaime Lannister to Kings Landing, in the hope that Catelyn Stark might see her daughters again, but on the road the duo find trouble on multiple occasions. In one particular instance, Brienne ponders whether to walk across the bridge, or to row across stream in a boat. The choice seems an innocuous one as they walk across the bridge, but they are are soon captured by the villainous Boltons, Jaime loses his prized sword-fighting hand, yet the two still manage to develop some kind of friendship. But what if they had crossed by boat? Had they chosen to go via water, they could have avoided the Boltons, therefore Jaime gets to keep his hand. This becomes relevant under the circumstances of Tyrion's trial, Jaime would have no excuse not to be his brother's champion. The outcome of this is more debatable, Jaime is a good knight but Gregor is possibly the strongest man in the kingdom, thus the bout could go either way. If Jaime wins, Tyrion escapes his probable exile and wins his trial, if Jaime loses the scenario plays out the same as with Oberyn. However, if Jaime dies in combat, there's no one to free Tyrion. Had Brienne chosen to travel by boat, Jaime could have changed the outcome of his brother's trial.