These 10 'Game of Thrones' characters disappeared, but could come back in a big way in season 8

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There are tons of characters on "Game of Thrones," and it's hard enough to remember all the main names sometimes, let alone the minor ones.

And on this show, anyone could come back unexpectedly. So to help you pass the time before season eight premieres, here's our guide to forgotten "Game of Thrones" characters who could return in the final season — some in a very big way.

Here are some forgotten "Game of Thrones" characters who could return in season eight:

Salladhor Saan

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Don't remember Salladhor Saan? Fair enough. He's barely in the show. He's a pirate and friend of Davos from his smuggling days. In fact, he's a pirate lord and sellsail who commands a fleet of thirty ships. Salladhor is recruited by Stannis Baratheon (thanks to Davos) to help in the Battle of the Blackwater, but abandons the cause after Stannis loses.

In season five, Stannis and Davos secure a loan from the Iron Bank of Braavos. This allows Davos to pay Salladhor for his service to Stannis' cause, but that's the last time we see him.

Will Davos recruit Salladhor for Team Dany? It's certainly a possibility.

Illyrio Mopatis

(HBO (HBO)

Illyrio is a Magister in Pentos and a supporter of House Targaryen. In season one, he sets up the marriage of Daenerys Targaryen and Khal Drogo, and feeds Varys information on Dany and Viserys, who both support the latter's claim to the Iron Throne. In season five, though unseen, he lets Varys and Tyrion stay in his home in Pentos after their escape from King's Landing.

Varys could bring Illyrio onto Dany's team for some more foreign support. He's also super wealthy, which could prove helpful to Dany.

Melisandre

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In season seven, Melisandre leaves Dragonstone before Jon Snow and Davos see her and freak out. She tells Varys she's going to Volantis, but will be back in Westeros. "I have to die in this strange country," she says. "just like you."

Edmure Tully

(HBO (HBO)

Where is this guy now that his niece Arya Stark brought winter to House Frey? The last we saw him he was in Riverrun, a captive of the Freys. We're guessing he's somewhere in the Riverlands, doing something.

Kinvara

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Kinvara, a high-ranking Red Priestess, was last seen in Meereen in season six. Tyrion and Varys recruit her to help convince the common people that Dany is their guardian and protector, not a conqueror or an invader.

Kinvara believes that Dany is the one who was promised. If Melisandre dies (which is pretty likely considering her track record), Kinvara could step in as the Red Priestess on duty. Melisandre could also bring Kinvara to Westeros with her.

Robin Arryn

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Robin is a dumb kid, but as the Lord of the Vale, he's very powerful. Due to its impenetrable castle and powerful Knights of the Vale, House Arryn is a beneficial ally. Robin deferred that power to Littlefinger, but things changed in the season seven finale.

Jaqen H'ghar

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Okay, it hasn't been that long, so you probably haven't forgotten about Jaqen H'ghar, Faceless Man — the guy who taught Arya how to be an assassin. Jaqen H'ghar could be anyone (as long as they're dead), and he's been to Westeros before. Maybe he'll make a surprise appearance, helping Arya when she needs it most.

Daario Naharis

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Poor Daario. It hasn't even been that long since Dany told him that she's more into taking over the Seven Kingdoms than she is into him. Dany made him stay in Meereen on Tyrion's recommendation, because he'd be a liability in the Seven Kingdoms.

But he's been fiercely (sometimes violently) loyal to Dany ever since he met her, so it might be difficult for him to leave her alone. There's always a chance he could show up in Westeros in an attempt to protect her and help her take the Seven Kingdoms. He won't be too pleased to find out she hooked up with her nephew, though.

Syrio Forel

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Arya's dance master (and The First Sword of Braavos) probably died at the hands of Meryn Trant back in season one. But since we didn't see his death happen with our own eyes, we can dream of a world where he escapes King's Landing unscathed, and comes to Arya's aid when she's taking someone particularly difficult to kill off her list.

Ilyn Payne

(HBO (HBO)

Ser Ilyn Payne is a knight and the King's Justice, the royal executioner, to Robert Baratheon and his successor Joffrey Baratheon. He beheads Eddard Stark for treason on Joffrey's orders, in season one, but we haven't seen him since season two's "Blackwater."

He's only been mentioned in passing, perhaps because the actor Wilko Johnson was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He had a miraculous recovery, and has expressed interest in returning to the show. Illyn Payne was last mentioned in the season four finale, which aired in June 2014.

Will Illyn Payne return to behead people (or worse) for Queen Cersei? He's a fan favorite, so maybe.

Ser Pounce

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In the end, will King Tommen's cat win the game of thrones? We're not betting on it, but that would be a twist.

Gendry is back!

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We predicted that Gendry would return in season seven. And he did!

As the only remaining bastard of King Robert Baratheon, Gendry is the only Baratheon left alive. This definitely has some significance, and that's why he made a triumphant and confident return in season seven episode five, "Eastwatch." We aren't sure his whereabouts right now, but we assume that he's safe. It would've been pointless to bring him back, only to kill him off two episodes later at Eastwatch-by-the-Sea. Our guess is that the next time we see him, he's in Winterfell.

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