The narrative arc of the series appears to be the rise, fall and rise again of House Stark. The original title for Book 7 was A TIME FOR WOLVES until GRRM felt it was a bit too spoilery, so I think that indicates that the Starks will return to power at the end of the series.
How that is accomplished - through Bran's warging, Possibly Undead Jon Snow perhaps getting Robb's letter of legitimisation (and if it matters by that point), Rickon inheriting Winterfell or possibly Sansa's machinations in the Vale - is unclear, but there's quite a few Starks left (in real terms we've only lost Ned and Robb; Catelyn wasn't really a Stark but is still alive - or undead - anyway) to pick up the slack.
Tor.com's ASoIaF reread reaches THAT chapter (MAJOR SPOILERS for TV watchers)
- 31/05/2013 02:35:45 PM
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It's stuff like this that makes me very glad I stopped reading Martin when I did.
- 31/05/2013 06:39:29 PM
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I don't really agree with the perception of Martin as a random character killer. *spoilers*
- 31/05/2013 07:53:49 PM
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So far, it doesn't feel random to me
- 01/06/2013 11:18:01 AM
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Regarding the Starks (spoilers up through ADWD)
- 01/06/2013 06:24:09 PM
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