Could “The Hound” Really Be The Valonqar?
Certainly, a tenuous aspect about this theory is that Sandor being the Valonqar is that he isn’t Cersei’s brother. But, throughout season 7 there were several moments where the validity of prophecies was questioned. Specifically, in the early episodes of season 7, when discussing the “Prince the was Promised,” Daenerys’ advisor, Missandei, corrected the translation and pointed out that the High Valerian phrase does not specify gender, meaning that the prophecy could refer to a man or a woman. This sets a precedence that prophecy should not be taken too literally. So, when discussing Cersei and the Valonqar, it’s entirely possible that phrase is indicating someone who’s defined as being a little brother, like Sandor Clegane, and not literally one of Cersei’s blood brothers.
Again, from a storyline perspective, this looks to be a real possibility. The arc for Sandor Clegane since returning after being left for dead by Arya has been one of redemption. The Hound knows how awful a person he was, about all the terrible things he did, and he’s been searching for a way to atone. That’s why he sought to join a peaceful rural community in the making upon his return way back in season 6. It’s also why he ultimately allied with the Beric Dondarrion and the rest of the Brotherhood to try and save the realm.
But regardless of where The Hound’s journey takes him, the end point has always been clear: Cleganebowl. The natural completion to The Hound’s storyline will be a violent confrontation with his murderous, and now zombified-brother known as “The Mountain.” The Hound elegantly stated in the season 7 finale, upon finally meeting up with his brother again: “You know who’s coming for you. You’ve always known.” Sandor promised a payoff to a storyline that’s been simmering since the inaugural season, when The Hound stopped The Mountain from murdering Loras Tyrell after the latter lost a tournament.
An added layer to this and what possibly ties it into the Valonqar prophecy, is the fact that Gregor Clegane is the personal guard for Queen Cersei. She’s rarely out of the giant’s sight, and even when he can’t actually see her, he’s likely still within earshot. The Mountain is her ace in the hole and in order for the younger Clegane to take his shot, it will more likely than not be in the presence of Cersei.
Though she’ll remain supremely confident in The Mountain, as he’s served her quite faithfully for several seasons now, the showdown is a coin toss at best. If Sandor Clegane does prove the victor in Cleganebowl, it’ll leave him within striking distance of Cersei Lannister. Whatever issues he may have, The Hound has never shied away from getting his hands dirty and he wouldn’t hesitate to fulfill the prophecy of the Valonqar.
The entire idea of prophecy within Game of Thrones is tenuous at best. In season 7, even Jon Snow, who is often said to know nothing, noted the inherent unreliability of believing in prophecy, when he questioned why Daenerys would believe the witch woman who cast the prophecy that she was barren all the way back in season 1. That is to say, in regard to prophecy, that nothing is certain. It can shift and change and turn out to be something completely different that what was initially expected.
So, it’s perfectly plausible that Tyrion or Jaime will end up as the Valonqar. But, if the literal definitions are overlooked, and the twisting nature of prophecy is adhered to, it’s then just as likely, if not more so, that it will end up being “The Hound” Sandor Clegane who wraps his pale white hands around the throat of Queen Cersei and chokes the life from her.