Now that Season six is over, "Game of Thrones" fans have an entire year to speculate on what's to come. One major focus for fans is Arya Stark's character and where she will go next after feeding Walder Frey a baked son-pie and slitting his throat, Red Wedding style. Will she go North to reunite with her siblings, Sansa and Jon, like some people believe and hope for? Probably not and here's why:
Arya Stark has come a long way over the past six seasons, though her motives have hardly changed. One thing Arya has always been focused on, since witnessing her father's execution, is revenge. This is why I believe she will not be heading to Winterfell anytime soon. Instead, she will continue ticking names off her Kill List.
During her stay at the House of Black and White with the Waif and Jaqen H'Ghar, we see Arya regain vital pieces of herself that she had lost over the course of her journey: her identity and empathy for others -- at least empathy for those who have not wronged her family. With her Stark identity back intact, and her moral compass (somewhat) screwed back on, we can expect Arya Stark to continue avenging in the name of House Stark.
Now, who exactly is left on her Kill List and where are these people? Keep in mind we are speaking solely in terms of the show, since Arya's Kill List is slightly different in the books.
1. Cersei Lannister
First up on the list is Cersei Lannister, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Protector of the Seven Kingdoms.
Reason for being one the list (besides being pure evil): In Season one, Cersei accused Ned Stark of treason and had him arrested as a way to protect herself and her dirty little incest secret. This ultimately lead to Ned's death, which was directly witnessed by Arya herself.
Where she's located: Cersei, being the Queen, is still located in King's Landing, and since a couple other people from Arya's list reside here as well, it makes King's Landing a highly probable destination for Arya in Season seven. Though, while travelling, it's most likely that Arya will run into a few major targets outside of King's Landing first.
2. Melisandre
Melisandre, aka The Red Woman, aka the Mother to Demon Shadow Babies.
Reason for being on the list: Melisandre "bought" Gendry from Beric Dondarrion, thereby separating Gendry from Arya who was one her only trusted friend at the time. Melisandre planned on using Gendry in one of her nasty blood rituals, however, as we all know, Gendry managed to escape with the help of Sir Davos (and then was never heard from again. Keep on rowing, Gendry).
Where she's located: Her exact location is currently unknown as she was banished from Winterfell and The North. However, she is obviously headed South as that's the only direction to go, and she may run into Arya on the way, or possibly the Brothers Without Banners. However, I think Melisandre will be safe from Arya's revenge in Season seven, or at least most of Season seven. But who can know for sure?
3. The Mountain
Next up on the list is the Mountain, aka Gregor Clegane -- older brother to Sandor Clegane (The Hound).
Reason for being on the list: Besides being pure evil, Arya's reason for having Gregor Clegane on her kill list is because he tortured prisoners at Harrenhal -- which, if fans will remember, is the place where Arya received the aid of Jaqen H'Ghar and escaped before running into the Brotherhood Without Banners.
Where he's located: The Mountain remains the loyal zombie servant of Cersei Lannister at King's Landing, where he is currently torturing the "Shame" Nun. I highly doubt that Arya will be the one to end The Mountain. Instead, let's pray to the Gods for a Cleganebowl.
4. Sir Ilyn Payne
Sir Ilyn Payne is the man many people probably don't remember, from Season one.
Reason for being on the list: Sir Ilyn Payne was the royal executioner who beheaded Ned Stark in Season one, making him one of the first additions to Arya's list.
Where he's located: Like Cersei and the Mountain, Payne is also in King's Landing, again making this the most highly probable destination for Arya. Payne, being a lesser and easier target for Arya, is definitely going to get the assassination treatment next season (we can only hope!). He has less security (though as we saw with Walder Frey, this doesn't matter so much), than Cersei and is easier to kill than the zombified gigantic Mountain. Let's hope Arya sends him off the same way Payne sent off Ned Stark. His death is way overdue.
5. Beric Dondarrion & Thoros of Myr
Sir Beric Dondarrion, leader of the Brotherhood Without Banners, and Thoros of Myr, a red priest of the Lord of Light, were officially added to Arya's list in Season four.
Reason for being on the list: Beric Dondarrion and Thoros of Myr sold Gendry to Melisandre in Season three in exchange for gold to aid their cause. In Season four, Arya begins whispering their names in her Kill List, unable to forgive them for betraying her only friend.
Where they're located: We last see the Brotherhood Without Banners crossing paths with Sandor Clegane (The Hound) in the Riverlands in Season six. Dondarrion and Thoros are in the process of hanging three members of the Brotherhood who slaughtered a peaceful community and slandered the Brotherhood's reputation, when the Hound arrives and demands he be allowed to kill the men. Dondarrion and Thoros then try to recruit the Hound to head North and fight "a great evil," which we can assume is the army of White Walkers.
6. Recently Removed: The Hound
The Hound, aka Sandor Clegane, aka Arya's old travelling pal.
Reason for being on the list: Though he was originally put on Arya's list for killing her friend, Mycah, the butcher's boy from Season one, he has since been removed due to their bonding over chicken and murder. In Season six Episode three, Arya admitted to having a kinship, or camaraderie, with the Hound and stated that she was confused as to whether or not she wanted him dead.
Where he's located: As I stated above, the Hound is currently with the Brotherhood Without Banners, and I find it highly likely that Arya will reunite with her old travelling buddy since they are both currently in the Riverlands. It will be a glorious moment for fans, as both characters have come a long way since they last saw one other -- which was when Arya left him to die after he was badly wounded by Brienne. Let's hope they can get along once again and bond over some more chicken.
