The "Game of Thrones" Season 6 finale was long, dramatic and most of all, cathartic. Every fan who watched Season 6 episode 10, "Winds of Winter," was provided with a sense of relief, one that stemmed from Deanery's's (Emilia Clarke) long journey to Westeros, Arya Stark's (Maisie Williams) return and the deaths in King's Landing and at the Twins.
[Spoilers Ahead]
The end of major characters such as Walder Frey (David Bradley), the High Septon (Jonathan Pryce), Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer), her brother Loras, Lancel Lannister and his father Kevan, point to a future in which the old characters will no longer have a place in the war against the White Walkers. When "Game of Thrones" returns with a much shorter Season 7, we can no doubt expect the young Westerosis to play a significant role in the seven kingdoms. But how will all of this unfold?
Here are our top 5 predictions for Season 7:
Cersei's death:
The Mad Queen, as she is now lovingly called by fans, might finally meet her end in "Game of Thrones" Season 7. Cersei (Lena Headey) took over the reign just after her son Tommen died in the Season 6 finale. However, her days will be short-lived now that she is one of the most hated people in the seven kingdoms. Furthermore, she has the Tyrells and the Martells conspiring against her.
Maggy the Frog did state that Cersei will be killed by one of her own. Will Tyrion carry out the deed now that he is on his way to Westeros?
Danaerys finds more Targaryen sympathisers:
Varys has already been on a mission to find those who believe a Targaryen must sit on the Iron Throne. In Season 6 finale, he found powerful allies in the Tyrells and the Martells. However, he will find more in the upcoming season. House Tarly, as it was revealed in Season 6, fought with the Mad King during Robert's Rebellion. A few more houses could join Deanerys in Season 7.
Starks reunion
We have been waiting for this ever since the end of Season 3. Even if Arya will take her time to strike off a few more people from her list, Sansa could meet her other sibling, Bran. After all, Season 6 of "Game of Thrones" did hint that Bran would not live in the tree forever. He will, at some point, make his way south of the wall.
Jon Snow finds out he has Targaryen and Stark Blood
It would be overtly optimistic to hope that Jon Snow would find out about his parents. However, if Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright) does meet his siblings in Season 7 and allow Jon to see what happened in the Tower of Joy, it would be every fan's dream come true.
In any case, Jon (Kit Harington) will perhaps spend most of Season 7 trying to spread the message about White Walkers. Furthermore, there could be some friction between him and Sansa (Sophie Turner).
Samwell makes a startling discovery about White Walkers
We've gotten to see very little of Sam's storyline in Season 6. But we reckon he will have a bigger role to play as the plot is now inching towards a war against the Night's King.
Sam's journey to Olde Town will be significant in Season 7 as he might learn something useful in the Citadel. A popular fan theory on reddit speculates that Jaqen h'agaar was in Olde Town in "A Song of Ice and Fire" series because he wanted to steal a book about dragons. However, could Sam access it and learn of a method that could kill the White Walkers? This remains to be seen.
Based on the previous seasons' premiere, "Game of Thrones" Season 7 is expected to air in April 2017.