During the dreaded annual Game of Thrones [1] hiatus, it's easy to forget small details in favor of recalling the big ones — dragons, explosive battles, major deaths, and the like. But oftentimes, it's those tiny, forgotten details that turn out to play a major role later on in the series. Plenty of seriously important events [2] unfolded during season six, so it would be easy to let the memories of these subtle moments fade before season seven premieres next year . . . which is why we've outlined which details are bound to have larger implications for the future of Game of Thrones.

1. Ned leaning Arthur Dayne's sword against Lyanna's deathbed: In the prophecy of Azor Ahai [3], regarding "The Prince Who Was Promised," it is foretold that the chosen one would be "born under a bleeding star." When Ned Stark finds his sister Lyanna at the Tower of Joy, special focus is paid to him leaning the slain Ser Arthur "The Morningstar" Dayne's bloody sword against Lyanna's bed — the bed upon which she'd just given birth to Jon Snow. Dawn, Dayne's sword, was said to be forged from a fallen star, so his bloody sword could symbolize a "bleeding star," causing newborn Jon to fulfill the prophecy of Azor Ahai.
2. References to other caches of wildfire beneath King's Landing, not just Baelor's Sept: When Jaime told Brienne about the Mad King's wildfire [4] (which we saw Cersei put to good use [5] in the season six finale), he said: "Aerys saw traitors everywhere, so he had his pyromancer place caches of wildfire all over the city. Beneath the Sept of Baelor and the slums of Flea Bottom. Under houses, stables, taverns, even beneath the Red Keep itself." That means that, while Cersei used the caches below the sept, there is still plenty of the deadly substance hidden all over King's Landing.
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Game of Thrones Season 7 Will Premiere On . . . [6]
3. Jaqen Hagar telling Arya that she is "no one": In season six episode eight, Jaqen tells Arya [7] that she is "no one" — despite Arya fleeing the Faceless Men to return to Westeros, she has achieved what it takes to abandon her identity.



4. The revelation of Melisandre's true age (and the fact that the new priestess Kinvara [8] is even older): Many people were so distracted by Melisandre's creepy physical appearance when she reveals her true age [9] that they didn't consider the implications — because the red priestess is supposed to be "several centuries old," that means she was alive during much of the original Targaryen reign in Westeros.
5. Tyrion not being killed by Dany's two dragons: The fact that Viserion and Rhaegal didn't burn Tyrion to a crisp when he freed them from their chains is a huge deal, and could mean that Tyrion is suited to become a dragonrider [10] in future seasons.
6. Jon's subtle costume changes: Before he was declared "King in the North," Jon already began the process of becoming head of house Stark by donning his uncle Ned's armor [11]. This subtle costume change indicates that Jon is ready to fulfill his duties as a protector and leader for his family, which means we'll see a lot more of his new role in season seven.
7. Benjen's story about being saved by the Children of the Forest: Benjen tells Bran and Meera that the Children of the Forest stopped him from becoming a White Walker, which means that they know how to stop the transformation — this could be key later on in the series, when men must battle the undead after the inevitable breach of the Wall.



8. The lack of happy faces in the audience (including Jaime's) when Cersei is crowned queen of Westeros: Prior to Cersei forcibly ascending the Iron Throne (with help from a whole lot of wildfire), women held no claims to the throne in Westeros. During her coronation ceremony, a quick pan over the audience in the Red Keep reveals a sea of sullen faces — including that of her brother, Jaime. Since it's been prophesied [12] that Cersei will be killed by her younger brother, his somber reaction to Cersei's crowning may mean that he's struggling with the idea of her as a Mad Queen [13] and contemplating how to stop her reign.
9. Brienne keeping the sword, Oathkeeper: The sword Jaime gave Brienne is made of Valyrian steel, which Jon discovered can kill White Walkers. Now that Brienne is Sansa's sworn sword, this could mean that she'll be fighting against the White Walkers when they come south of the Wall.
10. Daenerys being surprised with information about her dad: It became clear in season six that Daenerys is pretty clueless about her family history [14], which could mean some rude awakenings when she finally returns to Westeros in season seven.



11. Howland Reed killing Ser Arthur Dayne, not Ned Stark: One of Ned Stark's claims to fame was defeating Westeros's greatest swordsman, Arthur Dayne, at the Tower of Joy. During Bran's season six flashback, however, it is revealed that Ned was actually losing to Dayne when his friend (and Meera's dad) Howland Reed intervened to stab Dayne in the back. What else do viewers believe that will turn out to be untrue in Bran's future revelations?
12. The Night's King entering a magically protected space after touching Bran: Because the Night's King was able to break powerful protective enchantments after touching Bran during one of his visions, it could mean that he'll be able to cross the Wall when Bran heads south [15]. Uh-oh . . .
13. Jon announcing that they'll bury Rickon in the crypt: After Rickon's death, Jon announces that they'll bury the body with his father in the Winterfell crypt. Because this burial has not yet been shown on screen, it could mean that Jon makes a jarring discovery when visiting Ned Stark's grave [16].
14. The shady look Littlefinger gives Sansa during the "King in the North" speech: While the rest of the room applauds Winterfell's new lord, Jon Snow, as the "King in the North," Petyr Baelish makes eye contact with Sansa Stark and remains seated. As he's already expressed his desire to rule Westeros, this could indicate that Littlefinger has dastardly plans in store for Jon Snow — or merely that Sansa's rejection of Littlefinger's advances has made him angry enough to seek revenge on the Stark house.



15. Daenerys declaring that she'll crush Starks, Lannisters, and more noble houses in Westeros: During a particularly rousing speech during season six, Daenerys inspires her new Dothraki warriors by telling them about how she'll conquer Westeros — and bring down the major houses within it. Many fans theorize that this specific speech could indicate that Daenerys is as mad as her father [17], which makes us a bit nervous that she's headed to the Seven Kingdoms now.
16. Sansa's speech about how Ramsay Bolton affected her: "I can still feel it. I don't mean 'in my tender heart it still pains me so' — I can still feel what he did in my body standing here right now," Sansa tells Littlefinger in season six, which caused many fans to speculate that she might be pregnant with Ramsay's baby [18]. Add to that the fact that Ramsay (right before being eaten alive) tells Sansa that he's "a part" of her now, and it could spell B-A-B-Y for season seven.
17. Jaime's anguished face during Walder Frey's statement about them both being kingslayers: In the season six finale, Walder Frey and Jaime Lannister have a heart-to-heart in which Frey attempts to relate to Jaime on the grounds that they've each murdered a king. As he lists their similarities, Jaime looks progressively crestfallen, perhaps indicating that he regrets his reputation and less honorable past deeds.
18. Sam taking his dad's sword, saying that Lord Tarley can come take it back if he wants it so badly: If we can take anything from our first impression of the gruff, angry, racist Lord Tarley, it's that he won't take kindly to Sam stealing his rare Valyrian steel heirloom. We're willing to bet that we haven't seen the last of dear ol' dad!