This Theory Suggests Game of Thrones Already Revealed How to Kill the Night King
One of the biggest mysteries on Game of Thrones right now is the Weirwood Tree symbol, that spiral pattern little Ned Umber was propped up on, which keeps appearing everywhere. No one really knows what it means—but according to a new fan theory from Reddit user zyuko22, it might be the key to killing the Night King.
How, you ask? Well, it's a little complicated. Zyuko22 starts their theory by pointing out how Beric Dondarrion put a flaming sword through a wight in the middle of the Weirwood Tree symbol during last week's episode. From here, zyuko22 makes several predictions and connections: that the Weirwood network is powered by a "Grand Weirwood Tree" located on The Gods Eye (more on that below), and that this specific tree is the source of the Night King's strength. Following this logic, zyuko22 posits that the key to killing the Night King is burning down this hypothetical Grand Weirwood Tree with a flaming sword—just as Beric mimicked in the episode.
Zyuko22 can explain this better than I can. Here's their exact theory:
"At first thought, I figured they will need to burn the Weirwood Tree
to which the Night King was bound as the Children of the Forest
created him. But after looking through that scene in [season six,
episode five], 'The Door,' I noticed in the background that one
mountain shaped like an arrow head. This would place that location
north of the wall and contradict the other symbol that has been known
to, The Gods Eye.The Gods Eye is a geographic area located slightly northwest of King's
Landing. It's said The Gods Eye is of great importance as it relates
to the Children of the Forest and the Weirwood Trees. I speculate that
this mysterious plot of lake/island combo houses the source of power
that fuels Weirwood network. What I envision is some kinda tree of
life, one I've been referring to as the 'Grand Weirwood.' The Children
of the Forest draw their power from the Weirwoods, and since the
children created the Night King, it would infer the White Walkers are
powered by the same source.Connecting it all, I think the wight that Beric killed is a
representation of the Night King's power. The 'Weirwood' symbol it was
centered on indicates the 'Grand Weirwood,' located on Gods Eye, is the
main source of that power. In order to shut off the Night King, they
will need to burn down the ;Grand Weirwood' with a flaming sword. I'm
guessing Jon will be the one who pulls it off, so Beric will eventually
teach Jon how to get the fire sword."
This theory comes with a few devastating drawbacks, though. Zyuko22 thinks because "the fire from Beric's sword started traveling along the spiral outlets" in last week's episode, that means all things receiving power from the "Grand Weirwood Tree"—if it exists—would die, as well. This includes, according to zyuko22, Jon Snow and Beric. Here's how they made that connection:
"I also think the Lord of Light is synonymous with the 'Grand Weirwood,'
and uses these Weirwoods as a beacon to communicate with the physical
world. In other words, I think even though these are two separately
practiced religions, the god at the center of both is the same entity.If true, then Jon and Beric would be vulnerable, as well. This is
because the power keeping them from dying would then be cut off from
the Lord of Light as the 'Grand Weirwood' is burned down."
Jon Snow and Beric using a flaming sword to kill the Night King would be the ultimate battle of fire and ice. You can read more of zyuko22's Reddit theory here.
Here's hoping we find out the answers sooner rather than later. Game of Thrones premieres Sundays at 9:00 P.M. ET on HBO.
