This chapter analyses Martin’s use of the supernatural to overcome the basic problem raised by his rejection of romantic medievalism; if romantic ideas are impractical, how can the story end or indeed meaningfully progress? Martin’s use of the supernatural to create an overarching external threat imposes a likely end on the Westerosi and thereby throws the humanity of their conflicts into sharp relief. It does so in part by turning examples of literary theme into plot points; the moral shortcomings and consequent misdeeds of the Westerosi gain impact by virtue of their forecastable influence on the outcome of a ponderable narrative. This makes the discoverer of the threat, Jon Snow, arguably the protagonist of the series. Two clear examples of the influence of Jon’s discovery on the reading of other subplots, the trial of Tyrion Lannister and the Riverlands campaign, are examined in some detail. The chapter also examines the subplot of Daenerys Targaryen and how Martin succeeds in using that storyline to instantiate one of the great lietmotifs of modern fantasy without detracting from his reputation as a challenger of such formulae.