25 Game of Thrones theories fans need to know for season 8

Episode 67 (season 7, episode 7), debut 8/27/17: Maisie Williams.

photo: Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO

Arya is the valonqar

While there has been a lot of excitement surrounding the idea of Jaime being the valonqar referenced in Maggy’s prophecy, it’s possible that Maggy’s prediction doesn’t refer to either of Cersei’s younger brothers. Though the translation for valonqar given by Cersei’s septa is “little brother,” there are fans who believe the term could be gender neutral—meaning that its translation would be “little sibling.”

Throughout the Starks’ stay in King’s Landing, Cersei often refers to Arya as the “younger one” or “younger sister.” Sansa is the older sibling who Cersei actually focuses on, writing Arya off as the “little sibling.” After beheading Ned, Cersei even keeps Sansa close by, believing that she could prove a threat to Cersei’s plans. Arya, on the other hand, she gives little thought to. She believes the younger sister to be inconsequential, barely even bothering to show concern after the girl disappears.

Given that she doesn’t view the younger Stark as much of a threat, Cersei is leaving herself open to any of Arya’s plans for revenge. If Arya does manage to kill Cersei, it’s likely that Cersei will be shocked. She never considered that the younger Stark was the one she ought to have worried about after Ned’s execution and the Red Wedding.

Apart from the possibility that valonqar is gender neutral, though, there isn’t much else to support this theory. Some fans mention that, in the books, Tyrion jokes about wishing he could send a Faceless Man after his sister. But whether the showrunners would make Tyrion’s wish come true remains to be seen.