HBO’s epic Game of Thrones finished in controversy as many narrative threads were left unexplored with multiple questions completely unanswered. While the books do a good job of exploring these subject matters further, the TV show is quite different.
The Westeros we find on HBO isn’t completely like what we see in the novels. Therefore, there are several queries regarding groups such as the Free Folk. Here are 10 questions we have about the Free Folk that are still left open-ended.
HOW MANY FREE FOLK ARE LEFT?
The past few years have been anything but kind to those who originate from beyond the Wall. Due to the fight with Jon Snow and the rest of the Night’s Watch and their run-in with the White Walkers, the numbers of the Free Folk are pretty decimated.
We’re not totally sure how many members of this group are actually left now that it’s all over. A few have stayed in Winterfell and others have gone to the Night’s Watch. Perhaps there are more back beyond the Wall, but we have no idea of their size anymore.
ARE THERE MORE BEYOND THE WALL?
Speaking of the wildlings living beyond the Wall, are there more that we aren’t aware of? Many of the Free Folk united together to invade the mainland of Westeros some time ago, but it’s unclear how many tribes could be left.
The North is a huge and desolate landscape. If the Free Folk beyond the Wall have managed to survive the massive onslaught of the White Walkers then there may still be a whole civilization of wild folk who have yet to surface. Will they see those who left as traitors?
HOW LONG HAVE THEY LIVED SEPARATELY?
One thing that was never made clear is how long they’ve actually been living as a separate entity. It seems like they have been beyond the Wall for some time, but others like Mance Rayder have only recently joined the groups.
The question therefore is who we’re referring to. There are some who were born beyond the Wall and others who have chosen this lifestyle. It would be interesting to know just how long the Free Folk have had their own little society in place.
WHAT RULES DO THEY ABIDE BY?
There must be some kind of structure or rules that the Free Folk have to abide by. We know that one of them is not fraternizing with those from the South, but what else do they have to do in order to keep their society in order as best they can?
Chances are there are various laws about robbery, murder and relations. However, the Free Folk can’t be that free if there are still rules to follow. Therefore, just how strict is their “legal” system really, and how does chaos not ensue fairly easily?
HOW DID THEY SURVIVE FOR SO LONG?
With White Walkers, monstrous creatures, a terrible habitat and barely any food, it’s a wonder that the Free Folk managed to survive for so long. Not only this, but they have actually thrived despite all the threats they face each day.
How on earth have they managed to survive, therefore? We’ve seen some of their skills and tactics when Jon joined them for a while, but even then they were barely surviving. Yet somehow, these people have built a whole society in the most inhabitable place in the Kingdom.
DO THEY WORK WITH OTHER CREATURES?
It’s well known that the Free Folk have been working with the Giants, and that they formed some kind of alliance that saw them invade together. With many other mystical threats beyond the Wall, have they teamed up with other creatures in the past?
The Children of the Forest seem to have very little do with them and we know they probably haven’t been taming any giant spiders. But perhaps there are other creatures we’re unaware of that have been working with the Free Folk before.
WHAT IS THE ELECTION PROCESS?
We know that during the war for the Iron Throne multiple houses vied to take control of Westeros. However, the Free Folk put themselves forward as some kind of Kingdom beyond the Wall, even choosing their own King.
However, how exactly was Mance Rayder chosen? Was there a groundbreaking electoral process we’ve not seen before, or did Rayder actually force his way into power for the glory rather than for the folk themselves?
WHO’S THE NEW KING?
Now that Rayder is dead, the Free Folk are bleak in terms of numbers and scattered all over the place. So, is there a new King beyond the Wall? If so, who should that be and will there be another kind of selection process?
There are a number of front-runners for the role if the Free Folk do want a new leader. Jon Snow is an obvious one and would follow in Mance’s footsteps as a former Night Watchman turned King. Tormund is another natural choice, of course.
DO THEY HAVE THEIR OWN KINGDOM UNDER BRAN?
Now that Bran is the King of Westeros there are a number of changes taking place. The Queen in the North, Sansa Stark, has declared independence from the rest of the realms and Bran the Broken has granted the request.
With this on the table, there’s every chance that the Free Folk could ask for genuine recognition of both their Kingdom and perhaps a new King. This is left completely unanswered, which is strange since so much of the series was about their freedom.
WHAT’S THE FUTURE OF THE FREE FOLK?
The future of the Free Folk is very unclear. Will they return beyond the Wall or stay exactly where they are? All the questions on this list point to the same big mystery: where do they go from here?
In some ways it’s never been a better time to be a wildling since they will no longer be hunted down in the same way. Surely this could bring more freedom than ever before, but it seems as if no one is actually capitalizing on this opportunity.
