This Arya Stark theory could change Game of Thrones forever

The Game of Thrones season 7 finale airs this Sunday, with episode 707, “The Dragon and the Wolf,” and we’ve got a theory that could change everything.

By now, it is no secret that the last two episodes of Game of Thrones — “Eastwatch” and “Beyond the Wall” — have felt rushed more than any episode in the series history. One of those rushed plots has been the unfolding drama at Winterfell between sisters Sansa and Arya Stark.

In “Eastwatch,” Arya, rightfully not trusting Littlefinger, followed him around the castle and observed his shady dealings with the Lords of the North, as well as watching him receive an ominous letter from Maester Wolkan revealing what Arya considers Sansa’s complicity in their father Ned Stark’s death.

Of course, we as viewers know that isn’t the case at all, as the young Sansa was coerced into writing the letter, and Littlefinger craftily planted the evidence for Arya to find, in hopes of driving a wedge between the sisters.

On the surface, it appears as if Littlefinger’s plan has worked…but has it really?

In the penultimate episode of the season, “Beyond the Wall,” Sansa went snooping through Arya’s room and found her bag of faces. In case you needed reminding, Arya is a trained assassin known as a Facelessman and she takes the faces of her victims to masquerade as them, using their mannerisms and voice, as she explained to Sansa.

So why did Arya take the time to explain in detail her abilities as a Facelessman? Here’s the theory:

Arya has already killed Littlefinger with the Valyrian steel dagger given to her by Bran, and she’s been wearing his face to test Sansa’s true loyalties to House Stark for a while now.

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There are a few pieces of key information that seem to semi-confirm this theory:

Arya served Littlefinger and Tywin Lannister in Harrenhal and already knows he helped conspire against her brother Robb, therefore would have an immediate reason to distrust and kill him.
Arya scowled at Littlefinger after her duel with Brienne, almost as if to give him the “You’re next, you creepy backstabbing f*cker,” look.
Bran clearly chose Arya to give the Valyrian steel dagger, over his other sister Sansa, knowing already that Littlefinger used it to betray Ned, and that Arya would know what to do with it.
In episode 706, Sansa invited Littlefinger into her chambers and he seemed to hint at Brienne being a person to use if one sister was going to harm to other. Sansa promptly sent Brienne away. Why would Littlefinger suggest this? It serves no purpose in his overall game.

When Arya confronted Sansa an explained the reason for the faces, the Valyrian steel dagger was inexplicably lying unsheathed on a table. Arya has worn that dagger on her hip since she received it from Bran. Why leave it out now?
Arya then used the dagger to scare Sansa, while explaining how she could literally change her entire being by wearing the face of someone else.

Conclusion: Arya killed Littlefinger sometime between Episode 705, “Eastwatch,” and Episode 706, “Beyond the Wall,” and she is using his face and voice to test Sansa’s faith to not only Jon — the King in the North — but to House Stark as well.

Next: 30 Predictions for Game of Thrones Season 7

What do you think? Does this theory hold water? Let’s discuss in the comments below and on social media.

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