From the moment I first watched the chilling blue eyes of a White Walker flash across the screen in the pilot episode of Game of Thrones, I was hooked. Like many fans, I stayed not just for the political intrigue and epic battles but for the ancient mysteries buried beneath Westeros’ snow and flame. As I dove deeper into fan forums, lore books, and recently unearthed interviews with the creators, one story stood out above all: the haunting, unfinished dance between the White Walkers and the Lord of Light.
And trust me—this origin story is wilder, older, and more tragic than I ever imagined.
Let’s start at the beginning—not the Iron Throne, not even the Targaryens—but thousands of years ago, before recorded Westerosi history. The Children of the Forest, a magical non-human species native to Westeros, were at war with the First Men, the early human settlers who were cutting down their sacred weirwoods and threatening their survival.
In a desperate move, the Children performed a dark magical ritual, plunging a dragonglass dagger into the heart of a captured man.
That man became the Night King—the first White Walker.
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