Summary

• Jon Snow's resurrection was hinted at in the books by George R.R. Martin, further explored in House of the Dragon.
• Aegon the Conqueror's invasion of Westeros was driven by a vision of a White Walker threat, adding depth to his character.
• The mysteries of Game of Thrones, such as the Night King's backstory and Valyrian steel, may find new context in spinoffs.

Game of Thrones was filled with so many twists and turns that some fans still have questions like, "How did Jon Snow come back to life?" As critical as Jon Snow's death was, the expected justification for it through wider narrative significance hadn't come by the time season 8 finished. It's not the only unexplained mystery left behind by Game of Thrones, either. With the complex history and lore of this world, many aspects of Game of Thrones are not always easy to explain within the confines of a TV show.

However, viewers can look to the information in George R.R. Martin's books to better understand these mysteries, including Jon Snow's resurrection. Moreover, with House of the Dragon and other Game of Thrones spinoffs diving deeper into the history of Westeros, some of these mysteries can get new context years later. While these answers might have been better suited within the original series, fans can get to the bottom of some Game of Thrones mysteries that may have seemed like they would always remain unanswered.

20 Why Did Aegon Invade Westeros?

Aegon Came To Save Westeros From The White Walkers

The reign of the Targaryens in Westeros began with Aegon the Conqueror. As Jorah Mormont points out in season 1 of Game of Thrones, Aegon had no claim to the throne of Westeros but took it because he could as he had dragons on his side. This painted him as a powerful conqueror who wanted to rule over as much as he could.

However, House of the Dragon reveals Aegon's intentions were more heroic than they initially seemed. In the first ever episode of House of the Dragon, King Viserys I Targaryen reveals a secret that has been ed down through the generations: Aegon had a vision of an invading army that only the Targaryens and their dragons could stop and thus felt they needed to be in control of Westeros. Though Viserys didn't know how true the prophecy was, it is clear now that it was about the White Walkers even if the Targaryen dragons weren't what stopped them.

This is one of the mysteries that would have been much better served had it been revealed in Game of Thrones. The reveal would have further intensified the threat of the Night King, it would have helped convince Daenerys that she was destined to the rest of Westeros in this battle, and it would have spoken to Jon Snow aka Aegon Targaryen as the Prince Who Was Promised.

19 Where Did The Dagger Come From?

Aegon ed Down This Dagger As Part Of His Prophetic Dream

Valyrian steel proved to be very important in Game of Thrones as it was gradually revealed that these were the only weapons that could kill White Walkers. However, one of these weapons stands out above the rest as being truly important -- the Valyrian steel dagger. It is first seen in the hands of a would-be assassin who comes to kill Bran Stark, with Littlefinger suggesting it belonged to Tyrion Lannister.

Valyrian steel proved to be very important in Game of Thrones as it was gradually revealed that these were the only weapons that could kill White Walkers.

Littlefinger returns it to Bran years later, who in turn gives it to Arya, who uses it to kill the Night King. While it is a long journey to get to that point, it turns out that was the dagger's purpose all along as it was Aegon the Conqueror's dagger which holds an inscription relating to the "Prince Who Was Promised" and the "Song of Ice and Fire" that would be the battle with the White Walkers. This was also revealed as part of "Aegon's Dream" in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 1.

This somewhat complicates the prophecy of the Prince Who Was Promised as it also suggests Arya might be a contender. However, it strengthens the idea that Aegon's fight against the White Walkers was a prophesied and inevitable thing as his dagger made it through countless generations to finally be used to kill the Night King and bring down his army.

18 What Happened To Howland Reed?

Meera And Jojen Reed's Father Knew The Truth About Jon's Parentage

Howland Reed is not a big presence in the books or on the show, yet there is still a lot of curiosity surrounding him. He is only seen in Bran's vision of the past when he watches young Ned Stark and Howland Reed fight side-by-side at the Tower of Joy when trying to rescue Lyanna Stark following Robert Baratheon's victory. Howland is seen saving Ned by killing Arthur Dayne, but he never appears again.

The reason so many fans were interested in Howland Reed was that, following Ned's death, he became the only living person to know what happened at the Tower of Joy, and thus knew about Jon Snow's true parentage. Howland is also the father of Jojen and Meera Reed, who claim their father never spoke about his time in the rebellion, suggesting he lives a secluded life, taking Ned's secret to the grave with him.

Before the show confirmed the truth Jon's parentage, fans of the books suspected that it would be Howland Reed who would eventually reveal the truth. He never appeared as an adult in the series and there was little need for him to. The show made it so Bran was the one to uncover the secret about Jon Snow in Game of Thrones season 6 and that led to other characters learning the truth. However, for the show to have someone out there who was aware of the secret for so long and never address it seems odd.

17 Why Jon Snow Was Resurrected?

Melisandre Suspected Jon Was Chosen By The Lord Of Light

Jon Snow's death episode — season 5's "Mother's Mercy" — sees him getting stabbed by his brothers in The Night's Watch. Jon Snow then gets resurrected by Melisandre in Game of Thrones season 6, episode 2, "Home." The Lord of Light is shrouded in mystery, but theories suggest Melisandre sacrificing Shireen ensured Jon's resurrection — "only death can pay for life." However, the bigger question is why the Lord of Light needed Jon Snow alive, especially since it was Arya who killed The Night King.

Currently, it's unclear whether Martin will repeat Jon Snow's resurrection in the books. Martin's latest published novel in the series, A Dance with Dragons, ends with Jon being killed and a brief hint that he might warg into his direwolf Ghost in his dying moments. While it was a big moment in the series, Jon Snow's resurrection became one of the worst aspects of the show to look back on, as he seemed to take such a ive role in the series after that, with it feeling like he was brought back for no reason.

16 What Is The Night King's Backstory?

The Show Suggests The Children Of The Forest Created The Night King

Though The Night King was set up to be the biggest threat in the entire series, there was little known about the character. He led the Army of the Dead, was the first White Walker, and had the simple goal of conquering Westeros. The books, however, haven't confirmed if there is a singular leader of the White Walkers. Although there is a legend of a Lord Commander of the Night's Watch known as the Night's King, he is an entirely different character.

In the books, the Night's King is a human who falls in love with a white-skinned creature and declares themselves king and queen before being defeated by the Night's Watch. Game of Thrones did reveal in season 6, episode 5, that the Children of the Forest created the White Walkers to fight off the First Men. However, who the Night King himself is — and his backstory — is just as mysterious as Jon Snow's resurrection.

The Night King has not yet appeared in George R. R. Martin's books.

15 What Were The White Walker's Symbols?

The Symbols Are Part Of The Children Of The Forest's Religion

One of the most mysterious aspects of the White Walkers was the symbols and designs they leave behind in the wake of their massacres. At various times in the series, characters would come upon the aftermath of a White Walker attack and see the bodies of their victims placed in an elaborate design, sometimes using only severed limbs. While the symbols might seem like they are important for the White Walkers, they were actually originated by the Children of the Forest and represent their religion or beliefs.

This is hinted at in season 6, episode 5, during the flashback to the creation of the Night King, where the symbol is shown as part of the Children of the Forest's ritual. As the White Walkers were created by Children of the Forest, they recreate the design using dead bodies as an insult or blasphemy towards their creators. It could hint that the Night King resents the Children of the Forest for creating him and taunts them until he can have his revenge.

14 Who Is The Three-Eyed Raven?

The Mysterious Figure Is Hinted At Being A Targaryen

Though Bran Stark takes on the title by the end of the series, there was another Three-Eyed Raven before him who teaches him the powers. The origins of the Three-Eyed Raven are not explored or even hinted at in the series, with him playing a small role as Bran's mentor. However, the books shed more light on who this mysterious figure actually was.

The clues point to the fact that the Three-Eyed Raven was Brynden Rivers, a Targaryen bastard who is the great-grandson of House of the Dragon characters Rhaenerya and Daemon Targaryen. While he was a lord at one time, he gave up those privileges to the Night's Watch and eventually went missing while Beyond the Wall.

While this is not mentioned in Game of Thrones and is not likely to come into play in House of the Dragon, it could be that this is a Targaryen who learned the truth about Aegon's dream and sought to fight the Night King in a more direct way.

13 How Did Littlefinger And Olenna Tyrell Poison Joffrey At His Wedding?

Sansa's Fake Necklace Was The Key To Joffrey's Death

Given how hated Joffrey Baratheon was, seeing him killed at his own wedding in Game of Thrones was a crowd-pleasing moment. Though Tyrion Lannister was tried for the murder, it was eventually revealed in season 4, episode 4, that Littlefinger and Olenna Tyrell were behind it. Still, many were unsure of how it was carried out.

It is explained in the books that the necklace Littlefinger provided Sansa for the wedding contained a poison tablet disguised as a gem. When rewatching the episode, Olenna can be seen iring Sansa's necklace, suggesting she removed the gem and put it in Joffrey's wine.

The truth behind the mystery shows that Olenna is one of the boldest characters in the series. The fact that she risked poisoning the King of Westeros in front of hundreds of people at his own wedding proves that she doesn't fear anyone.

12 Where Does The Power Of Valyrian Steel Come From?

The Blades Are Forged With Dragondfire

Notable Valyrian Steel Swords In Westeros:

The White Walkers seemed wholly capable of taking Westeros by force. However, it is revealed that they can be killed with Valyrian steel, which is very rare in the world. Valyrian steel was invented in the ancient kingdom of Valyria, a land where dragonlords ruled. It is said to have been forged with dragonfire, which gives it certain powers and makes it an ideal weapon against the White Walkers.

Many of Game of Thrones' noble houses — not just the Targaryens — have heirloom weapons made of Valyrian steel, suggesting that the secret of the steel's power may lie not just in the ruins of Old Valyria. The power of the Valyrian steel is first seen in season 5 when Jon is fighting a White Walker at Hardhome and is able to stop its ice blade with his sword, Longclaw, then proceeds to cut the Walker down. This is an essential reveal as it sets up the Valyrian steel dagger to be the weapon used to kill the Night King.

11 What Really Happened To Tyrion's First Wife?

The Books Say She Actually Loved Him

In Game of Thrones season 1, episode 9, Tyrion tells a story of how he fell in love and married a woman named Tysha at a young age. However, when Tywin found out about it, he informed Tyrion that the girl was hired by Jaime to pretend to fall in love with Tyrion. It is a devastating story that shows Tywin's cruelty towards his son. However, in the novels, it is revealed there is more to this tale.

Jaime reveals to Tyrion that Tywin forced him to create that story and that the girl was not hired. She had legitimately loved Tyrion, and it is that revelation that leads Tyrion to kill Tywin. It is unclear what the outcome of this is in the books as Tyrion attempts to find Tysha while he is in Westeros, haunted by Tywin's final insult that she went "wherever whores go." However, it's fitting that the show decided instead to focus Tywin's death on the broken father-son relationship and all the damage Tywin had already done to Tyrion over the years.