Board Thread:TV Show Discussion/@comment-98.236.179.108-20160510001548/@comment-114.71.100.55-20160511112001

No Rickon is not going to be flayed he needs Rickon.

One of the reason Ramsey married Sansa is that there still are many houses loyal to Starks.

With Robb dead and people thinking Theon killed Bran and Rickon, Sansa's husband is rightful heir to Winterfell and all Stark's heritage even without consent from the King's Landing.

However, with Rickon alive, he now is the first son of Eddard Stark (assuming Bran still died), Lord of Winterfell (if the rebellion charge is lifted) and the next King of the North.

Killing Rickon or sending him to King's landing may bring good terms with the Lannisters but everyone can see Tomen is still young and weak and King's Landing is divided between Lannisters, Tyrell and the sparrows.

In addition, they are facing war with Dorne and North is very far from the King's Landing, not to mention Ramsey just killed one of Frey's daughter, one of allies of Lannister.

The smart thing to do would be put Rickon as the Lord of Winterfell and become regent.