In the Game of Thrones Season 7 trailer, we get just a few peeks at Arya Stark’s character. But will Arya Stark make it back to Winterfell? According to this Arya Stark Littlefinger theory — and some clues from the Season 7 trailer and other promotional material — she probably will. And when she does get there, she might add another name to her list (and check it off): Littlefinger.
So how does this Arya Stark Littlefinger theory play out? It all begins with a quick image from the trailer. When we first see Arya Stark in the Game of Thrones Season 7 trailer, she’s in the wintry north.
This makes sense, because when we last saw Arya, she was at the Twins, murdering Walden Frey and serving him some … interesting pies. She was able to check a name off her list.
The shot of Arya in the snow, with icy breath, indicates that she is traveling north from the Twins — toward Winterfell — not south (toward King’s Landing). The biggest names on her “list” are in King’s Landing, for what it’s worth.
But the Twins are fairly close to Winterfell, and it would be natural for Arya Stark — the girl who tried to become “No One” but who was never able to let go of her true identity as a Stark girl — to return to Winterfell.
Arya Stark Littlefinger theory: It starts with Arya returning to Winterfell
Later on in the trailer, we see a quick shot of Arya peeking under what looks to be a bed.
If we’re being totally honest, it’s hard to definitively say that Arya is looking under a bed in Winterfell. Maybe she’s in an inn somewhere, or any other bed in Westeros.
But the shot does have the Winterfell grey tint to it. And the walls and floor appear to be stone, like Winterfell. And there’s minimal decoration on the inside, also like Winterfell.
Yeah, it’s definitely Winterfell.
Arya Stark’s dagger in a Game of Thrones Season 7 promo
On an Entertainment Weekly cover, the Stark children — Bran, Arya, Jon Snow, and Sansa — all pose together. This certainly doesn’t mean they’ll all end up together on the show this season, but Arya’s weapon raises some questions.
Look again.
That’s the dagger that was used in the attempt on Bran’s life way back in Season 1. Catelyn Stark thought it belonged to Tyrion. It was, indeed, Tyrion’s, but it ended up being stolen (by Joffrey) for the attack on Bran. But do you remember how Tyrion got it in the first place?
He won it in a bet with Littlefinger.
After Ned’s death, the dagger ended up back in Littlefinger’s possession. So if Littlefinger has the dagger, and Littlefinger is in Winterfell — but now Arya has the dagger, then surely Arya ends up in Winterfell as well.
Bran’s role in this theory — and how Littlefinger comes into play
Okay, so, everything above seems to make perfect sense and is perfectly plausible for Season 7 of “Game of Thrones.”
Here’s where you’ll need a little bit of tinfoil.
Remember, Bran can see the past. It’s very easy to see a scenario in which he sees Littlefinger betray his father in King’s Landing all those years ago. And this season, Bran will presumably be at Castle Black, which is just a short raven away from Winterfell (where he will know his brother is living).
Could Bran let Jon Snow know that there is a Stark betrayer still walking the halls of Winterfell — Littlefinger?
Arya Stark Littlefinger theory: Will Littlefinger be added to Arya’s list?
Arya’s list — both in the show and in the books — doesn’t include Littlefinger.
But it most certainly would if she knew that he was the one who betrayed her father. And if Bran discovers the truth about Littlefinger and relays that information to Winterfell, and if Arya makes it to Winterfell, then she will, of course, add Littlefinger to the list.
And as good as Littlefinger is politically, Arya is a trained assassin. He’d be taken off her list as soon as he’s added to it.