Why Didn't Brienne's Written Book Survive When King's Landing Burned?

One of the biggest questions many fans of Game of Thrones have is why the book Brienne writes in the last episode of the series is not burned to ashes when King's Landing burns down. Let's dive into this common point of confusion.

Game of Thrones Explanation: Plot Armor

The simplest answer is to say it's a Game of Thrones plot point, or plot armor. In the series, certain objects or characters have an uncanny ability to avoid destruction, even in the face of massive battles or catastrophic events. Frequently, the Red Keep, where Brienne writes her book, is depicted as a place that remains relatively untouched, even as the rest of King's Landing is consumed by dragonfire.

Real-World Explanation: The Location and Survival of Brienne's Book

In the real world, it's unclear why the book hasn't been completely destroyed. However, there are plausible explanations within the context of the show.

Firstly, it wasn't the entire King's Landing that burned. Near the end of the series, Daenerys Targaryen targets the Red Keep specifically, and while the area around it, including one city block, is destroyed, some structures remain standing. The room where the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard kept the book is likely one of these structures. This is because Daenerys appears to be using it as a way to psychologically torment Cersei, keeping her alive so Cersei can experience the full wrath of the Dragon.

Location Matters: The book was most likely in a protected room within the Red Keep. The Red Keep is a sprawling complex with many rooms and structures that remain standing even when the area around it is consumed by fire. So, it's entirely possible that a small, protected space in the Red Keep remained undamaged.

Further Speculations: Copy and Protection

Given the importance of the book, the Game of Thrones writers likely had a plan to ensure its survival. Here are a few plausible scenarios:

Backup Copy: There may have been a backup copy of Brienne's book stored in Westeros' Iron Mountain or at the prestigious Citadel. These locations are known for their archives and secure storage, making them ideal locations to keep important documents. Precious Metal Container: The book could have been kept in a metal container or a stone-protected space. Metals and stones are highly resilient and can withstand extreme temperatures better than wood and other organic materials. Unburned Buildings: Not everything in the Red Keep was destroyed. Some rooms survived the dragonfire, and it's likely that the small space where Brienne wrote the book was one of these rooms. Given its significance, it's possible that the book was stored in an area that remained unharmed.

Conclusion: A Common Assumption

While it might not have been mentioned in the show, the surviving book could have been a narrative necessity. The book serves as a crucial element in linking Brienne's character arc to Jaime, and its survival is essential for the story's continuation.

The question of how and why Brienne's book survived brings to light the complexity and depth of the Game of Thrones lore. Whether it's a plot device or a real-world explanation, it's what adds to the mystery and intrigue of the show.