The Untold Origin of the Night King: Unveiling Game of Thrones' Ultimate Villain (Beyond the Books)

Summary

The Night King's origins in Game of Thrones are shown in "The Door," revealing that he was created by the Children of the Forest to defend themselves.

The books mention a character called the Night's King, who served as the 13th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch and governed from the Nightfort. According to Old Nan's tales, there are hints that the Night's King might have belonged to House Stark, introducing a tragic aspect to the tale of siblings in conflict.

The Night King is a legendary and enigmatic figure who features in both Game of Thrones and A Song of Ice and Fire. The HBO adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s fantasy novel series portrays the rise and fall of individuals, houses, and kingdoms in the land of Westeros. Dragons, prophecies, and magic are intertwined with a realistic portrayal of medieval court politics, making Game of Thrones one of the most popular TV shows. Throughout eight seasons, five novels, and numerous spinoffs, supplements, and prequels like House of the Dragon, Martin's universe's lore is unveiled.

Amidst Martin's original series, there are hints and clues that allude to a vast world that extends beyond the books' limits. The history of Westeros predates Robert's Rebellion and even The Dance of Dragons. One character from thousands of years before the main plot emerges as a crucial part of Game of Thrones. The Night King assumes the role of arguably the greatest villain in the entire series. While the show deeply integrates this character's backstory, the portrayal of the Night King in the books differs significantly.

The Night King Was Created By The Children Of The Forest In HBO's Game Of Thrones

In Game of Thrones season 6, episode 5, "The Door", the Night King's origin is revealed. Bran, who has become skilled at time travel through his visions, is taken by the Three-Eyed Raven back in time. He finds himself in a snow-less grove, near a heart tree, where he witnesses the Children of the Forest led by Leaf. They surround an unknown man who is tied to the tree, and Leaf plunges a piece of dragonglass into his heart.

The man's screams are silenced as his eyes turn icy, similar to the baby's transformation in season 4, episode 4, "Oathkeeper". It is unveiled that the Children of the Forest are responsible for creating the White Walkers, starting with the Night King. Upon returning to the present, Bran confronts Leaf about their actions thousands of years ago. In response, Leaf explains that they created the Walkers as a means to defend themselves from the arrival of the First Men in Westeros. Desperate to defeat their enemies, the Children resorted to this drastic measure.

However, something went awry at some point. The Children of the Forest, who once thrived, were pushed back to the lands beyond the Wall, fading into legend and folktale as the race of Men flourished. The White Walkers, in an act of treachery, turned against their creators. Among them, the Night King harbored a deep animosity towards the Children and their ally, the Three-Eyed Raven, vanishing into the realms of myth. This serves as a significant lesson in the series, showcasing the arduousness of controlling magical power. The notion holds true for both the "Ice" aspect within the series and the "Fire," as Jon Snow, through his encounters with Daenerys Targaryen and her dragons, eventually grasps.

The Night's King Was The 13th Lord Commander Of The Night's Watch In The Books

While the Night King is a formidable presence in Game of Thrones, it should be noted that this character does not exist in the official narrative of A Song of Ice and Fire (at least not yet). However, within the books, there is a similar figure known as the Night's King, a legendary character from Westeros' Age of Heroes. This era is considered to be a semi-mythical period in the history of the Seven Kingdoms, where many of the renowned founders of Westeros' noble Houses supposedly lived. Bran the Builder of House Stark, Lann the Clever of House Lannister, and the Grey King of the Iron Islands are among the notable figures who are believed to have thrived during this era.

The Wall, constructed during the Age of Heroes, witnessed the reign of numerous renowned Lord Commanders of the Night's Watch over the centuries. Among them, the 13th Lord Commander gained infamy for his actions. Legends tell of an encounter between the enigmatic Lord Commander and a pale woman possessing ice-blue eyes, beyond the Wall, wherein he purportedly relinquished his soul to her. This mysterious woman became his Queen, and under his rule, he assumed the title of the Night's King, establishing his dominion at the Nightfort, a castle belonging to the Night's Watch on the Wall. It was within these dark walls that he perpetrated unspeakable atrocities and offered sacrifices to the Others, akin to the infamous deeds committed by Craster in later millennia.

How The Night's King Is Linked To House Stark (According To Old Nan)

Old Nan, the caregiver of the Stark children in A Song of Ice and Fire, plays a crucial role in providing references to the Night's King. The tales she narrates are frequently recounted by the children themselves and the members of the Night's Watch. The distinction between history and legend remains elusive. According to her stories, the Night's King committed such heinous crimes that Brandon the Breaker, the King of Winter, and Joramun, the King-Beyond-the-Wall, united the Stark men and their allies with the Free Folk to defeat him. As a consequence, all records pertaining to the Night's King's reign, and even his name, were deliberately erased from historical accounts.

Thousands of years later in the show, Jon Snow and the Free Folk formed a similar alliance against the Night King. The Night's King, whose mysterious origins have sparked speculation among Northerners, is believed by some to be a Bolton due to their House's violent history. The sigil of a flayed man on their banner lends credence to the notion that skinning sacrifices alive could be among their gruesome acts. Additionally, there are theories suggesting the Night's King could be a member of House Umber or House Flint.

Conversely, Old Nan suggests that the Night's King might be a Stark, even potentially a brother of Brandon the Breaker. As the ruling House of the North and long-standing members of the Night's Watch, the Starks would have possessed the necessary respect and influence to lead a rebellion, regardless of its nature. Such a revelation would inject tragedy into the legend, depicting a brotherly conflict. Although the Night King has yet to make an appearance in George R.R. Martin's works, it is hoped that his relationship with the Night's King from Game of Thrones will be clarified.