'The Winds of Winter' release date, plot rumours: Will these two Starks die?

Season 6 of HBO fantasy series "Game of Thrones," based on George RR Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire," is currently being aired. But the author, who previously wanted to release "The Winds of Winter" much before Season 6 of "GoT" aired, is yet to announce a release date. Multiple reports claim the novel will be further delayed and the new release date is sometime in 2017.

"Game of Thrones" has managed to spoil a number of plots for "A Song of Ice and Fire" fans, but Season 6 of the fantasy drama has deviated from Martin's vision, to the extent that "Game of Thrones" and "The Winds of Winter" are now completely different stories. And according to a new report, Tyrion Lannister, and not Jon Snow, is the actual hero in Martin's fantasy drama. Tyrion will be the one to rebuild the kingdoms after the epic Battle of Winterfell, reported MNR Daily, adding that his cunning nature and brilliance will help him become one of the architects of the upcoming restoration.

The publication also reported that Bran Stark and Arya Stark will be killed off in the upcoming instalment of the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series. But there is no word on how they will die.

Meanwhile, author Neil Gaiman has put to rest rumours that he's assisting Martin to finish "The Winds of Winter." However, he noted that even he was eager for the book to be published as soon as possible.

"It's kind of frustrating," he told Time Out, "Because I promised myself I wouldn't watch the show until the last book came out. It was such an easy promise to make six years ago. You can't shield yourself [from 'Game of Thrones' spoilers]. It's like shielding yourself from political events or from what the Kardashians are doing."

"Game of Thrones" airs Sundays on HBO.