The Heir after Shireen’s Sacrifice: Stannis and the Baratheon Legacy

The fate of Shireen Baratheon in Game of Thrones is still a topic of speculation. If she indeed suffers such a tragic end, the implications for the Baratheon legacy, particularly in terms of succession, would be profound. This essay explores what might happen to the House Baratheon if Stannis Baratheon sacrifices his daughter.

The Tragic Figure: Stannis Baratheon

Stannis Baratheon is a figure both admired and despised. His pursuit of the Iron Throne is noble yet misguided, and his tragic decisions often align with his daughter Shireen’s suffering. If Shireen is sacrificed as many fans predict, this act would not only reflect a profound violation of familial bonds but also a moral and emotional failure that leaves Stannis unworthy of the title 'Heir to the Baratheon legacy.'

The Fate of Shireen Baratheon

Shireen Baratheon is Stannis’s only remaining heir. If she dies, it would mean the potential end of the direct Baratheon lineage. This is bolstered by the fact that Stannis’s brothers are dead, and his nieces and nephews are not considered legitimate heirs. Moreover, Edric Storm, the child Stannis was set to legitimize, was more interested in burning alive than becoming his heir due to Stannis’s blind pursuit of power.

Interestingly, in the narrative, it is noted that King Stannis ordered one of his knights to place Shireen on the throne if he should fall. This decision underscores the fact that Shireen was intended to be his heiress, not a bastard son of the late Robert I Baratheon. This detail is crucial in understanding Stannis's aspirations and the potential consequences if Shireen were to pass away.

Melisandre and the Prophecies

Melisandre's influence over Stannis is another key factor in examining potential heirs. Her prophecies often lead Stannis to make severe and questionable decisions. If Shireen were to be sacrificed, it wouldn't be an act solely of Stannis's volition but perhaps fueled by Melisandre's manipulation. The idea of burning Shireen for the sake of baronial ascent and subsequent sons could be interpreted as a betrayal of familial ties.

It is plausible that Stannis would only agree to such a sacrifice if he were promised future sons. However, it is more likely that Shireen's mother, Queen Selyse, consents to the act. Selyse is known for her fanatic devotion to Melisandre and her desire for sons, which could motivate her to sacrifice Shireen if promised the throne and sons as an outcome.

The Inaccuracy of Melisandre's Predictions

Melisandre's prophecies have proven to be unreliable, especially in the context of Stannis's obsessive pursuit of power. Her prediction of victory through Shireen's sacrifice would likely be seen as a grave error if it does not come to fruition. The betrayal of his daughter would mark Stannis as an ethically compromised ruler, further distancing him from the rightful claims to the Iron Throne.

The Rise of Jon Snow

In the grand scheme of Westerosi politics, the death of Shireen could lead to a shift in the balance of power. The death of the last known Baratheon heir could open the door for the Starks, represented by Jon Snow, to take a more prominent role in the ongoing struggle for the Iron Throne. Jon Snow, as the acknowledged heir to Winterfell, has the potential to unite various factions and challenge the purely legitimate claims to rule over the realm.

The tragedy of Shireen's fate would not only affect Stannis and his lineage but could fundamentally alter the political landscape of Westeros. As such, the legacy of the Baratheon name and its potential heirs remains a complex and intriguing area of the narrative, reflecting the moral and political complexities of the world created by George R.R. Martin.