THE FATE OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS

When Aegon the Conqueror arrived to Westeros there were Seven individual Kingdoms ruled by seven royal families

1. The North - ruled by House Stark of Winterfell

2. The Vale - ruled by House Arryn of the Eyrie

3. The Stormlands - ruled by House Durrandon of Storms End.

4. The Isles and Rivers - ruled by House Hoare of Orkmont

5. The Rock - ruled by House Lannister of Casterly Rock

6. The Reach - ruled by House Gardener of Highgarden

7. Dorne - ruled by House Martell of Sunspear

*SEVEN KINGDOMS UNITED

After the conquest united six of the Seven Kingdoms under one rule, the 7th was added through marriage, the royal families that survived the conquest became wardens/lord paramounts/liege lords of their respective territories, one kingdom was divided into two and one city was created resulting in nine regions.

The Isles and Rivers became the Riverlands and the Iron Islands and Aegon created a 9th region as the capital city of the Seven Kingdoms, The Crownlands.

House Durrandon was replaced with House Baratheon, House Gardener was replaced with the Tyrells, House Greyjoy became Lord Paramounts of the Iron Islands and House Tully was given the Riverlands.

For three centuries the Seven Kingdoms existed under one rule but with the current instability of Westeros and conflict surrounding the crown how long will it remain?

*SUBTLE HINTS

In Daenerys' vision in season 2 episode 9 the home of the crown, The Red Keep, appeared to be destroyed.

In Bran's first encounter with the weirwood tree in season 4 episode 2 he had a vision of the shadow of a dragon flying over the red rooftops of Kings Landing and the capital city appeared to be smoke filled, as if it was burning.

Daenerys granted independence of the Iron Islands in her agreement with Yara Greyjoy in season 6 episode 9.

In season 6 ep 10 Jon Snow was declared King in the North by his vassals.

And Dorne never quite kneeled to the throne but rather and instead aligned through marriage.

Are all of these occurences subtle hints of a dissolution of the Iron Throne?

*WAR AND CONFLICT

We have to admit, the Iron Throne has held the Kingdoms together in peace and prosperity (for the most part) but with the death and extinction of the most powerful noble families, the old alliances mostly died with them. If the Seven Kingdoms were to divide again could result in a return to an age of war and conflict.

The Ironborn may lay claim to the Riverlands as they once were one realm.

The Vale and the North could remain united or conflict for control of The Three Sisters, the bay that separates the North from the Vale. Historically, there was always conflict between the Kings in the North and the Kings in the Mountain and Vale for control of the Sisters because it controls the entrance to White Harbor.

The old feud between Dorne and the Reach would resume.

The Stormlands and Riverlands would potentialy fued over the Crownlands.

The Reach may be in internal conflict if kingship is up for grabs because it was historically ruled by House Gardener. House Tyrell was a lower ranking house and served as stewards to the crown. As alleged decendants of House Gardener, House Florent for example, may lay a stronger claim to The Reach if a crown becomes available.

*PEACE AND PROSPERITY

While the potential for war seems inevitable if the kingdoms separate there is also the potential for peace.

With the amount of loss and grief suffered across the realm as a result of the recent turmoil in ASOIAF and with the looming battle against the Nights King and his army of Wights, the various Houses may opt to align through negotiations and marriage and settle within their respective territories to enjoy a time of peace and embark on a mission to rebuild, what will probably be a devastated and destroyed, Westeros.