As badass as Arya Stark’s pivotal Game of Thrones 8×03 moment is, she couldn’t have done it without some help over the seasons.
We waited eight seasons and nine years to see the final battle between the living and the undead. The White Walker threat is finally over, but it was a narrow victory. Our heroes were on the brink of losing everything until one character came in clutch.
At the last possible moment, Arya Stark flew out of the darkness, using all the skills she’s been taught over the years to get the jump on the Night King and kill him. Arya definitely deserves the credit for putting an end to the undead war and preventing the Long Night, but we mustn’t forget what lead to that moment.
Although it was almost universally expected that Jon Snow would be the one to kill the Night King, Arya actually makes more sense if you’d been paying attention. There have been many clues along the way indicating that Arya would be the kingslayer. Her journey was always meant to lead to this moment, and the following characters directly and indirectly made sure it would happen.
Jon Snow and Ned Stark
Arya’s journey to killing the Night King starts all the way back in season 1 of Game of Thrones. Unlike her sister, Arya was never interested in traditional feminine tasks and hobbies. Being the best big brother ever, Jon has a sword made specifically for Arya, allowing her to practice with the real thing, instead of a stick.
Related: Crackpot Game of Thrones ships we honestly wish would be canon
Ned soon discovers Arya’s secret sword, and realizes just how serious she is about learning how to fight. Instead of berating her for pursuing an ‘unladylike’ activity, Ned encourages her passion by hiring a sword-master to give her lessons. And so Arya’s path to becoming a warrior begins.
Syrio Forel
Though Jon Snow and Ned Stark were the initial motivators for Arya to pursue learning to wield a sword, it was Syrio Forel who was the first to actually teach her anything.
Syrio Forel’s influence remained over Arya for all 8 seasons. Indeed, it was Syrio who gave Arya her now infamous mantra, “What do we say to the god of death? Not today.” It was also Syrio who put the building blocks in place for Arya to understand that combat is not just about swinging a sword, it’s about balance, agility, and patience. Not only does this foundation get expanded upon in later seasons, they’re also essential skills for the ultimate defeat of the Night King.
Petyr ‘Littlefinger’ Baelish
The Valyrian steel dagger that’s eventually the Night King’s downfall has a long history on Game of Thrones. It passes through many hands before ultimately landing in Arya’s possession.
Originally owned by Littlefinger, Baelish gives this dagger to an assassin who tries to kill Bran Stark. This attempt on Bran’s life is what starts the War of the Five Kings. More importantly though, the dagger ends up back in Littlefinger’s possession, who in turn gives it to Bran many seasons later. Why Littlefinger thinks Bran would want a memento of his near-assassination is anyone’s guess. That said, Littlefinger gifting Bran the dagger begins the chain of events that ultimately lead to the Night King’s downfall.
Jaqen H’Ghar
Arya’s journey takes her to Braavos in season 5 of Game of Thrones, where she reunites with an ally from season 2. She makes her way to the House of Black and White, where Jaqen H’Ghar resides, and thus begins her second bout of training.
Like Syrio Forel, Jaqen’s methods of training would-be assassins is not typical. In addition to sparring, Arya’s training at the House of Black and White includes sweeping floors, cleaning dead bodies, practicing lying, and being rendered blind. All of these unique training sessions teach her the skills needed to, not only survive the Battle of Winterfell, but also kill the Night King. Her combat training kept her alive against all the wights, but her ability to move swiftly and silently allowed her to sneak up on the Night King in order to deliver the fatal blow.
Brienne of Tarth
It’s no surprise Arya and Brienne quickly bond when they first meet in season 7. Their love of swordsmanship matches each other perfectly. Naturally the two have combat training sessions together, and their size difference is certainly a new challenge for both of them.
Are some point during these sessions with Brienne, Arya develops a new trick wherein she appears to stab her opponent with one hand, but pulls a fake out, dropping the weapon into her waiting hand below. Whether Brienne taught her this, or Arya simply learned and perfected it in the process, it’s a trick that proves vital to the defeat of the Night King.
Bran Stark
As mentioned above, Littlefinger’s Valyrian steel dagger traded hands multiple times over the course of Game of Thrones. It began with Littlefinger, who gave it to an assassin. It then ends up in Catelyn Stark’s hands, who gives it to Ned Stark, only for it to be taken yet again by Littlefinger.
Petyr Baelish ends up giving the dagger to Bran Stark in season 7, but Bran has no interest in it. Naturally he gives it to his novice assassin sister, Arya Stark. At the time it seemed like an innocuous gesture. Bran explained that as a cripple, he has no use for a weapon. Now though, we know Bran had ulterior motives for giving Arya the dagger.
Bran has known for a long time that Arya would be the one to kill the Night King, and he’s known how too. By giving Arya Littlefinger’s Valyrian steel dagger, he sneakily set Arya on the path to win the White Walker invasion, and prevent the Long Night.
Melisandre
In Game of Thrones season 3, Arya and Melisandre’s paths cross when the red witch took Arya’s not-as-of-yet boyfriend away. Before separating ways, Melisandre leaves Arya with a vague prophecy that Arya will forever close brown eyes, green eyes, and blue eyes. It took until season 8 for part of that prophecy to come true.
Related: Arya Stark should win the Game of Thrones
During the Battle of Winterfell, all seems lost for our heroes. Everyone is stuck in a perilous position with seemingly no hope for survival. Arya herself has just narrowly managed escape her own near-death, and is taking refuge in a room with the Hound and Melisandre. It’s in this moment that Melisandre reminds Arya of her season 3 prophecy, and the mantra her former dance partner taught her: What do we say to the god of death? Not today.
This quick pep talk is all it takes for Arya to get her courage back. It’s so effective that Arya is inspired to take on the Night King, and not only defeat him, but live.
Beric Dondarrion
Beric Dondarrion’s spirit animal is definitely a cat. Having been resurrected six times, it was clear the Red God had a purpose for Beric, thought what that purpose was remained a mystery for many seasons. Finally in Game of Thrones season 8, we know why the Red God kept bringing Beric back from the dead.
As it turns out, Beric Dondarrion’s purpose in life has been to keep Arya Stark alive so she can kill the Night King. It isn’t until season 8’s “The Long Night,” however, that Beric can fulfill this destiny. When Arya (and the Hound) are overrun by wights during the Battle of Winterfell, Beric comes to Arya’s rescue multiple times. Ultimately Beric gets injured too gravely and dies for the last time, having fulfilled his destiny of saving the one who would save them all.