Arya Stark Might Play a Part in Cleganebowl in 'Game of Thrones' [SPOILERS]
One of the most highly anticipated moments fans are hoping can be fit in the final two episodes of Game of Thrones is Cleganebowl, the fan-named fight between Sandor Clegane, a.k.a. The Hound, and Gregor Clegane, a.k.a. The Mountain. And based on last night’s episode, “The Last of the Starks,” we’re pretty certain it’s coming soon.
Last time we saw the two brothers together, they were reunited at King’s Landing for the first time since The Mountain was brought back from the dead by Qyburn, now acting more like a zombie than a human being. The Hound hints that the final fight between them is ahead, as he tells The Mountain, “You know who's coming for you. You've always known."
During the latest episode, we see The Hound riding off to King’s Landing earlier than everyone else, as he tells Arya Stark that he has unfinished business in the capitol. Fans’ ears all perked up at this moment, knowing the unfinished business he speaks of is more than likely Cleganebowl. But as Arya is traveling with him now, could she be involved in the fatal fight between brothers? While it’s definitely not her intention yet, TIME has theorized how Arya could be a major part of the showdown.
Two factors lead this theory, as The Mountain is still on Arya’s kill list, and the fact that her and The Hound’s bond is still heavily focused on in the final season probably isn’t accidental. The publication argues that The Hound might sacrifice himself to protect Arya from his brother, ending with the trained assassin killing The Mountain. As we saw in this season’s episode “The Long Night,” The Hound has even faced fire, the one thing he fears, to help save Arya. Though it’s true he wants to be the one to kill The Mountain, we’d believe he’d rather die than have Arya killed by his biggest enemy.
Last night’s episode also saw The Hound jokingly asking Arya if she was going to leave him for dead again, which TIME believes is foreshadowing just that. And as Arya was the one to kill the Night King, it’s unlikely she’ll also be the one to take down Cersei Lannister, the only other person still on her list besides The Mountain.
We’re sure Arya still has more kills in her this season, but traveling to King’s Landing alongside The Hound might mean she won’t be involved in the main fight for the Iron Throne between Daenerys Targaryen and Cersei Lannister. She’s already taken out the Night King and saved the Seven Kingdoms, so now she’s doing what’s best for her.
This article also appears on Mental Floss.