‘Game Of Thrones’ Theories: The Best Fan Predictions About Season 7

“Game of Thrones” Season 7 has been shrouded in mystery. Fans have been using clues from previous seasons, George R.R. Martin’s books and the newly released trailer to figure out what’ll go down in the Seven Kingdoms when the show returns to HBO.

A number of theories have emerged on fan sites, Reddit and elsewhere, speculating about who will take the Iron Throne from Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey), when winter will hit the Seven Kingdoms, and how the relationship between Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) will unfold. Others focus on Sansa Stark’s (Sophie Turner) rise to power, Arya Stark’s (Maisie Williams) kill list and the first big death of the season as well. While anything is possible in the show’s world, not every Season 7 theory is entirely feasible. Here are the absolute best theories out right now about what’s to come:

Gilly Will Uncover A Major Clue About The Azor Ahai Prophecy

HBO released the first official images from Season 7 of “Game of Thrones” on April 20. Among them is a photo of Gilly (Hannah Murray) reading with Sam (John Bradley-West) in the Citadel. A Reddit user with a keen eye was able to read the page, which appears to contain a passage about the Azor Ahai prophecy.

If that’s the case, it could be a sign that Gilly will have a major storyline in Season 7. Initially, some “Game of Thrones” fans speculated that she would be the one to reveal information about Jon Snow’s (Kit Harington) mother and father —a theory known as R + L = J. It appears, however, that instead she’ll make a major discovery about the Azor Ahai prophecy.

It’s not clear from the photo what she’ll learn about it, but it’s possible she’ll reveal who the Prince that was Promised is. Some Thronies believe it’s Jon Snow. That’s yet to be proven though, which means the possibilities are endless.

Bran Will Finally Reach Winterfell

In HBO’s “Game of Thrones” Season 7 photoset, Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright) and Meera (Ellie Kendrick) are shown trudging through the snow together. The snow could be a sign that winter’s arrived in the Seven Kingdoms, but may also indicate that the new Three-Eyed Raven and his loyal sidekick have reached his native home.

Bran’s currently the only member of the “Game of Thrones” cast with full knowledge of Jon’s parentage. If he gets to Winterfell in Season 7, there’s a chance he’ll have the opportunity to fill Jon in on who he really is. This information could affect Jon’s relationship with Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), which will unfold when the show returns to HBO.

Tormund And Brienne Of Tarth Will Get Together

“Game of Thrones” fans have been shipping Tormund (Kristofer Hivju) and Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie) since they met in Season 6. Photos from Season 7 show the pair together. That could mean a number of things, but the smile on Tormund’s face suggests a romance may be brewing in the Seven Kingdoms.

Jon Snow — or The Hound — Will Kill Cersei Lannister

Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) cemented her villain status in the Season 6 finale when she killed several enemies, including the High Sparrow (Jonathan Pryce) and nearly all of the members of the Tyrell family with wildfire. A number of “Game of Thrones” theories suggest she’ll get her just desserts in Season 7. This theory is based off a prophecy from Maggy the Frog (Jodhi May) in Season 5 that foretold Cersei’s relationship with Robert Baratheon and how many children they’d respectively have.

Another part of the prophecy, not featured in the show, predicted that a “valonqar” — little brother in High Valyrian — would come along and kill her. Maggy the Frog didn’t reveal who the sibling in question is, which has lead to some speculation. One theory suggests it’ll be Jon Snow, while another pegs The Hound (Rory McCann) as her killer.

“To quote the end of Cersei’s prophecy: ‘When your tears have drowned you, the Valonqar shall wrap his hands around your pale white throat and choke the life from you,” Reddit user Dremling wrote. “...Jon Snow is a Targaryen. He is the little brother of Rhaenys and Ageon. He wants to kill Cersei. I think it is very likely that he does.”

The Hound theory also appeared on Reddit where user BertMacGyver wrote in a post that a Clegane Bowl, or battle between The Hound and his brother, The Mountain (Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson), will take place in Season 7. The theory states that the brothers will participate in a trial by combat to decide Cersei’s fate, and The Hound will win, meaning Cersei will die.

“I’m convinced that there will be a trial by combat to determine if Cersei will be put to death and it will be a fight between the Cleganes and the Hound will win,” the post read. “Meaning that the prophecy that Cersei will be killed by the ‘little brother’ will come true.”

Daenerys Will Return Home To Dragonstone

Before releasing the official photos for Season 7 of “Game of Thrones,” HBO released a trailer for the show. In it, Daenerys and other leaders in the Seven Kingdoms are shown walking toward their respective thrones, though it was unclear where Daenerys actually was, because the castle she was in was unfamiliar to fans of the show.

Some “Game of Thrones” fans speculate that her new digs are located in Dragonstone, a portion of the Seven Kingdoms once overrun by Targaryens. There’s been buzz about Daenerys ending up there since early set photos of she and Jon Snow hit the Web.

Jamie Lannister Will Turn On His Sister/Lover

Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) is one of few people who has stood by Cersei through it all. It was clear when Season 6 came to a close that he was taken aback though by Cersei’s sudden rise to power and many fans took it as a sign of what may come. It’s widely believed that Jaime will turn on Cersei when the show returns.

While Coster-Waldau hasn’t confirmed that theory, he’s entertained it. During an interview with the Daily Beast, the Danish actor was asked about the possibility. Coster-Waldau said very little about the idea, but called it “a great theory.”

Jon Snow And Daenerys Will Forge A Relationship

Photos snapped by fans during filming for Season 7 of “Game of Thrones” show Jon and Daenerys spending time together in an undisclosed location. They appear to be having a serious conversation on a cliffside. The pictures have lead to speculation on the part of fans about what the nature of their relationship will be.

Some believe Jon and Daenerys will learn the truth about their relationship, while others think they’ll continue on blissfully unaware. Those “Game of Thrones” fans believe they’ll fall for one another. That ideology has sparked an interesting, and in-depth theory about how the show will end, based around their relationship.

The Seven Kingdoms Will Confront Their Whitewalker Problem Head-On

Jon’s been trying to alert the people of the Seven Kingdoms about the Night King (Vladimir Furdik) and his army for several seasons. Many of the people he’s confronted have been hesitant to believe him, but that will all change in Season 7. The Warden of the North will reportedly bring a waight (a member of the Night King’s army) to the Dragonpit, forcing those ruling King’s Landing to take him seriously.

Littlefinger Will Die

An alleged plot leak, widely circulated online, contained a storyline that suggests Littlefinger (Aiden Gillen) will be killed in Season 7 of “Game of Thrones.” If there’s any truth to the information in the leak, he’ll be killed after failing to get Sansa (Sophie Turner) and Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) to turn on one another. Sansa will allegedly be left in charge of Winterfell and, in her temporary position of power, she’ll order that Littlefinger be beheaded.

The Bloodiest Battle In “Game Of Thrones” History Will Take Place

During filming, reports surfaced of a wild battle to come in Season 7. It was reported that the cast and crew had been utilizing the Italica Ruins in Spain, though it wasn’t clear what for. Vanity Fair and Watchers on the Wall later speculated that they would be used to represent the Dragonpit on “Game of Thrones.”

In the books, the Dragonpit plays host to a fight between a number of characters. Daenerys, Jon, Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen), Ser Davos (Liam Cunningham), Cersei, Jaime, The Mountain and more were seen on set near the Spanish ruins, which suggests that the battle from the novel will be featured. No photos of the scene in question were taken, so we’ll just have to tune in to find out.

Gendry Will Return

Gendry (Joe Dempsie) disappeared in Season 3 of “Game of Thrones. He was sent to sea in a small rowboat with enough bread to last his entire journey, though we never saw the conclusion of that trip. Creators assured fans that he was alive and well and would eventually come back, though that’s yet to be seen. Several theories have speculated about how Gendry could return to the show, though some seem to make more sense than others.

Reddit user SethG119 speculates that his return will have to do with Sam. While studying in Oldtown, he’ll require the services of a smith. He’ll be brought to Gendry, who’s taken refuge there and picked up his old work.

Rhaegar Targaryen Will Be Featured

When Season 6 of “Game of Thrones” came to a close, viewers learned once and for all who Jon’s mother and father were. The revelation left fans wanting to see more from the past, specifically an appearance from Rhaegar Targaryen. Amid the buzz, Devin Oliver shared a photo that suggested he’d been cast to play the role in Season 7.

Need to know more about Season 7 of “Game of Thrones”? Here and Here are lengthy lists of theories and more. Be sure to tune in when the show returns to HBO July 16.