Difference between revisions of "Arya Stark"

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{{Hatnote|"Arya" redirects here. For the wife of Rodrik Stark, see [[Arya Flint]].}}
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{{Infobox character
 
{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House Stark.PNG|50px|left]] '''Arya Stark'''  [[File:House Stark.PNG|50px|right]]
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| Character_name = [[File:House Stark.svg|50px|left]] Arya Stark [[File:Faceless Men.svg|50px|right]]
| image          = [[File:Arya Stark by AniaEm.jpg|350px]]
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| image          = [[File:John_Picacio_Arya.jpg|250px]]
| image_caption  = Artwork by Anja Dalisa ©
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| image_caption  = Artwork by John Picacio©
| Alias          = Arya Horseface, Arya Underfoot, Arry, Weasel, The Ghost of Harrenhal, Nan, Nymeria, She-wolf, Salty, Cat of the Canals, No-one, Beth, Stick
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| Alias          = Arya Horseface{{Ref|AGOT|7}}<br>Arya Underfoot{{Ref|AGOT|22}}<br>Arry{{Ref|ACOK|1}}<br>Lumpyhead{{Ref|ACOK|1}}<br>Lumpyface{{Ref|ACOK|5}}<br>Stickboy{{Ref|ACOK|5}}<br>Rabbitkiller{{Ref|ACOK|9}}<br>Weasel{{Ref|ACOK|26}}<br>Nymeria{{Ref|ACOK|47}}<br>Nan{{Ref|ACOK|47}}<br>Squab{{Ref|ASOS|13}}<br>Wolf girl{{Ref|ASOS|34}}<br>Salty{{Ref|AFFC|6}}<br>Cat of the Canals{{Ref|AFFC|34}}<br>Blind Beth{{Ref|ADWD|45}}<br>The blind girl{{Ref|ADWD|45}}<br>The ugly girl{{Ref|ADWD|64}}<br>Mercedene<ref name=Mercy>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Mercy (The Winds of Winter)|Mercy]]</ref><br>Mercy<ref name=Mercy/><br>The ghost in Harrenhal{{Ref|ACOK|30}}
| Title          =
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| Title          = [[Prince]]ss<br>Lady of [[Winterfell]] (allegedly)
 
| Allegiance    = [[House Stark]]<br>[[Faceless Men]]
 
| Allegiance    = [[House Stark]]<br>[[Faceless Men]]
 
| Race          =
 
| Race          =
 
| Culture        = [[Northmen]]
 
| Culture        = [[Northmen]]
| Spouse        =
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| Spouse        = Lord [[Ramsay Bolton]] (allegedly)
 
| Place_of_Birth = [[Winterfell]]
 
| Place_of_Birth = [[Winterfell]]
| Date_of_Birth  = {{Date|289}}
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| Date_of_Birth  = {{Date|289}}<ref name=Calculation>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages#Arya Stark|Arya Stark]] calculation.''</ref>
 
| Place_of_Death =
 
| Place_of_Death =
 
| Date_of_Death  =
 
| Date_of_Death  =
| Books          = [[A Game of Thrones]]<br>[[A Clash of Kings]]<br>[[A Storm of Swords]]<br>[[A Feast for Crows]]<br>[[A Dance with Dragons]]
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| Books          = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (appendix)<br>''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (POV)<br>''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (POV)<br>''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (POV)<br>''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (POV)<br>''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (POV)<br>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'' (POV)
 
| coat-of-arms  =
 
| coat-of-arms  =
| Played_by      = [[List of actors of the televised series#Maisie Williams,Arya Stark|Maisie Williams]]
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| Played_by      = [[List of actors of the televised series#Maisie Williams, Arya Stark|Maisie Williams]]
| TV_series      = [[Game of Thrones - Season 1|Season 1]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 2|Season 2]]
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| TV_series      = [[Game of Thrones - Season 1|Season 1]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 2|Season 2]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 3|Season 3]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 4|Season 4]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 5|Season 5]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 6|Season 6]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 7|Season 7]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 8|Season 8]]
 
}}
 
}}
<!--[[File:Arya Stark.png|350px|thumb|Maisie Williams as Arya Stark ([[Game of Thrones|TV series]])]]-->
 
  
'''Arya Stark''' is the third child and second daughter of [[Eddard_Stark|Lord Eddard]] and [[Catelyn_Stark|Lady Catelyn]] Stark. She is nine at the start of [[A Game of Thrones]]. She has three brothers [[Robb Stark|Robb]],[[Bran Stark|Bran]], [[Rickon Stark|Rickon]], a half-brother [[Jon Snow]], and a older sister [[Sansa_Stark|Sansa]].
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'''Arya Stark''' is the third child and second daughter of Lord [[Eddard Stark]] and Lady [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn Tully]]. A member of [[House Stark]], she has five siblings: brothers [[Robb Stark|Robb]], [[Bran Stark|Bran]], [[Rickon Stark|Rickon]], half-brother [[Jon Snow]], and older sister [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]]. She is a [[POV character]] in ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' and is portrayed by [[w:Maisie Williams|Maisie Williams]] in the television adaptation, ''[[Game of Thrones]]''.
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Like some of her siblings, Arya sometimes dreams that she is a [[direwolf]].{{ref|aSoS|3}} Her own direwolf is [[Nymeria (direwolf)|Nymeria]], who is named in reference to the [[Rhoynar]] warrior-queen [[Nymeria|of the same name]].
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==Appearance and Character==
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[[File:Arya Stark Ammotu.jpg|250px|left|thumb|Arya Stark - by Ammotu ©]]
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{{See also|:Category:Images of Arya Stark|l1=Images of Arya Stark}}
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Nine years old at the start of ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', Arya's appearance is more [[House Stark|Stark]] than [[House Tully|Tully]], with a long face,{{ref|AGOT|7}} grey eyes,{{ref|ADWD|32}} and brown hair.{{ref|AGOT|7}} She is skinny and athletic. She is generally regarded as plain, as exemplified by a nickname "Arya Horseface",{{ref|AGOT|7}} and is often mistaken for a boy.{{ref|AGOT|32}}{{ref|ACOK|1}} However, there are instances of her being called pretty{{ref|adwd|64}} and compared to her beautiful late aunt, [[Lyanna Stark]].{{Ref|aGoT|22}}
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Arya is a spirited girl interested in fighting and exploration, unlike her older sister, [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]]. Arya wants to learn how to fight with a sword and ride in [[tourney]]s, to the horror of Sansa, who enjoys the more traditional pursuits of a noblewoman. Arya is particularly close to her half brother, [[Jon Snow]], who encourages her martial pursuits. She is said to take after the fiery Lyanna in temperament.{{Ref|aGoT|22}} Arya often bites her lip.{{ref|AGOT|7}}{{ref|ACOK|30}}{{ref|ADWD|64}}
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Arya is left-handed, quick, and dexterous.{{ref|AGOT|22}} She received a noble's education from Maester [[Luwin]] at [[Winterfell]] and is said to be good with mathematics and an excellent horse rider. She knows at least a bit of [[High Valyrian]].{{ref|adwd|64}}
  
Like some of her siblings, she is a [[skinchanger]], and bonded her [[direwolf]], whom she named [[Nymeria (direwolf)|Nymeria]] in reference to the [[Rhoynar]] warrior-queen [[Nymeria]].
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==History==
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Born in {{Date|289}}<ref name=Calculation /> at [[Winterfell]],{{Ref|AWOIAF| Arya Stark}} Arya is the youngest daughter and third child of Lord [[Eddard Stark]], the head of [[House Stark]] and [[Warden of the North]], and Lady [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn Tully]].{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| Appendix: Stark Lineage}} Arya has an older sister, [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]],{{Ref|AGOT|5}} an older brother, [[Robb Stark|Robb]], and two younger brothers, [[Bran Stark|Bran]] and [[Rickon Stark|Rickon]]. She also has an older [[bastard]] half-brother, [[Jon Snow]].{{Ref|AGOT|Appendix}}
  
==Character and Appearance==
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Arya has spent her entire life at Winterfell, though she did accompany her father on two occasions to [[White Harbor]].{{Ref|affc|22}} Arya has been tutored by Septa [[Mordane]] in the womanly arts (including needlework),{{Ref|AGOT|7}} and received lessons from Maester [[Luwin]] as well.{{Ref|AFFC|6}} Arya was also taught to ride a horse, but due to being called "Arya Horseface" by [[Jeyne Poole]] because of her long face, she could not enjoy the fact that riding horses was one of the few things she was better at than her older sister.{{Ref|AGOT|7}} The [[House Stark guards]] call her "Arya Underfoot".{{Ref|AGOT|22}}{{ref|ACOK|47}}
[[Image:Arya Stark.PNG|thumb|alt=Artistic impression of Arya.|Artistic impression of Arya.]]
 
  
Arya is a spirited girl with an interest in fighting and exploring, she is a foil of her proper sister, [[Sansa_Stark|Sansa]], whom she often describes as "stupid." She
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[[Jon Snow]], having covered himself with flour to appear as a ghost, once tried to scare his younger siblings in the [[crypt of Winterfell]]. While Sansa and Bran were frightened, Arya instead punched her half brother.{{ref|AGOT|50}}
wants to learn how to fight with a sword and ride in tourneys, to the horror of Sansa, Sansa, but she is encouraged by her half-brother [[Jon Snow]], who is particularly close to her. Throughout her travels, Arya displays great resourcefulness, cunning, and an unflinching ability to accept hard necessity. She is said to take after her fiery aunt [[Lyanna_Stark|Lyanna]] in temperament.{{Ref|aGoT|22}}
 
  
Arya is skinny and athletic. She has strong Stark family features, with a long face, grey eyes and brown hair. At the start of the story, she is generally regarded as plain, as exemplified by her nickname ''Arya Horseface'', and often mistaken for a boy. However, there are instances of her being called pretty, compared to the beautiful [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]]<ref>[[A Game of Thrones]], [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 22|Chapter 22]], Arya</ref>, and catching the eye of men later in the books.
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Lord Eddard often eats in the same hall as his staff, and always keeps a seat next to him reserved, inviting a different servant or advisor to dine with him each night. Arya loves listening to their stories.{{Ref|AGOT|22}}
  
 
==Recent Events==
 
==Recent Events==
 
===''A Game of Thrones''===
 
===''A Game of Thrones''===
Arya travels with her father, [[Eddard Stark|Eddard]], to [[King's Landing]] when he is made [[Hand of the King|Hand]]. On the way south, she befriends a peasant boy named [[Mycah]], with whom she practices swordplay. [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] and Prince [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]] happen upon them playing in the woods and Arya defends Mycah from Joffrey's torments. [[Nymeria (direwolf)|Nymeria]] helps Arya fight off Joffrey, injuring the Prince in the process. Knowing that Nymeria will likely be killed in retribution, Arya & [[Jory Cassel]] chase her wolf away. <ref>[[A Game of Thrones]], [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 15|Chapter 15]], Sansa</ref>  Queen [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] orders Sansa's [[direwolf]], [[Lady (direwolf)|Lady]], to be killed in Nymeria's place. The peasant boy, Mycah, having fled, is tracked and killed by Joffrey's "dog," the [[Sandor Clegane|Hound]].<ref>[[A Game of Thrones]], [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 16|Chapter 16]], Eddard</ref> From this moment, Arya harbors a lasting enmity for the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] and Clegane, and hopes to avenge Mycah's death at their hands.  
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[[File:Arya and nymeria by vvjonez-d370kfi.jpg|thumb|350px|Arya Stark and Nymeria - by artist Veronica V. Jones. © Fantasy Flight Games]]
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When her brothers [[Robb Stark|Robb]] and [[Jon Snow|Jon]] find six [[direwolf]] pups,{{Ref|AGOT|1}} Arya adopts one of them,{{Ref|AGOT|2}} whom she names [[Nymeria (direwolf)|Nymeria]], in reference to the [[Rhoynar|Rhoynish]] warrior-queen [[Nymeria|of the same name]].{{Ref|AGOT|7}}
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Arya and her sister, [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]], travel with their father, Lord [[Eddard Stark|Eddard]], to [[King's Landing]] when he is made [[Hand of the King]]. Before she leaves, Arya's half-brother Jon gives her a sword called [[Needle]], after her least favorite ladylike activity, as a parting gift. He tells her she will need to practice, but that the first lesson is to "stick 'em with the pointy end".{{ref|agot|10}} On the way south, she befriends a peasant boy named [[Mycah]], and they often play at swords.{{ref|agot|15}}
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While walking near the [[ruby ford]], Prince [[Joffrey Baratheon]] and Sansa happen upon Arya and Mycah "battling" in the woods. Arya defends Mycah from Joffrey's torments, and Nymeria helps Arya fight off Joffrey, wounding his arm in the process. Knowing that Joffrey will likely want retribution, [[Jory Cassel]] helps Arya chase the direwolf away when he finds them.{{Ref|aGoT|15}} Arya is brought to [[Darry]] before King [[Robert I Baratheon]], who counsels Eddard to discipline Arya. Queen [[Cersei Lannister]] is not satisfied with this, however, and orders Sansa's direwolf, [[Lady (direwolf)|Lady]], to be killed in Nymeria's place. Mycah, having fled, is tracked and killed by Joffrey's "dog," [[Sandor Clegane]].{{Ref|aGoT|16}} From this moment, Arya harbors enmity for the [[Hound]].
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While in King's Landing, after Arya fights with Sansa, their father discovers Needle. Questioned how Arya gained possession of the sword, she refuses to give up Jon's name as the gift giver. Eddard realizes that she must be trained if she is entertaining ideas about swordsmanship, and hires [[Syrio Forel]], a celebrated [[Braavos]]i swordsman, under whom Arya begins her training. Under his strict, but creative, tutelage, Arya learns to fight in the Braavosi [[water dancer]] style with Needle.{{Ref|aGoT|22}}
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[[File:Arya stark by teiiku.jpg|thumb|300px|Arya exploring in the vaults under [[King's Landing]]. Art by TeiIku©]]
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Arya spends most of her time doing balancing and swordplay exercises as Syrio instructed her. During one of these she discovers a secret passage in the [[Red Keep]]. She overhears two men, who by description seem to be [[Varys]] and [[Illyrio Mopatis]] speaking about her father, Cersei, and [[little birds|spies]].{{Ref|aGoT|32}}<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1214 Eastern Cities and Peoples], June 12, 2002</ref>
  
While in King's Landing, Arya trains under [[Syrio Forel]], a celebrated [[Braavos|Braavosi]] swordsman. Under his strict, but creative, tutelage, Arya learns to fight in the Braavosi style with [[Needle]], a slim shortsword that [[Jon Snow]] gave her.<ref>[[A Game of Thrones]], [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 22|Chapter 22]], Arya</ref>
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When tensions heighten in the capital, Ned intends for Sansa and Arya to return to the north via the ''[[Wind Witch]]''.{{ref|AGOT|45}} His plans are halted by the Robert's death, however, and the succession of King Joffrey I. During the purge of [[House Stark]] from the Red Keep, Ser [[Meryn Trant]] and [[House Lannister guards]] attempt to take Arya into custody, but Syrio holds off Arya's attackers with a practice sword so she can flee.{{Ref|aGoT|50}} Arya kills a stableboy with Needle and escapes the castle using the passage she found earlier,{{ref|AGOT|50}} but Sansa is captured by the Lannisters{{ref|AGOT|51}} and Septa [[Mordane]] is slain.{{ref|AGOT|67}}
  
During the purge of [[House Stark|Stark]] loyalists from the [[Red Keep]], Syrio holds off Arya's attackers so she can escape. Arya lives on the streets of [[Flea Bottom]] until the day she witnesses her father's public condemnation. She is found in the crowd by [[Yoren]] of the [[Night's Watch]], who recognises her and then saves her from the sight of Eddard's execution and drags her from the scene.
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Arya cannot leave King's Landing since the city gates are heavily guarded, so she lives on the streets of [[Flea Bottom]], catching pigeons and rats to trade for food. Arya witnesses her father's public condemnation at the [[Great Sept of Baelor]]. She is found in the crowd by [[Yoren]] of the [[Night's Watch]], who saves her from the sight of Eddard's execution and drags her from King's Landing.{{Ref|aGoT|65}}
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Cersei has Sansa send letters to Winterfell, but Arya's mother, [[Catelyn Stark]], notices that no mention is made of Arya.{{ref|AGOT|55}} Catelyn negotiates an alliance between Robb, her eldest son, and Lord [[Walder Frey]] at the [[Twins]], and the agreement calls for Arya to wed one of Walder's sons, [[Elmar Frey]].{{ref|AGOT|59}}
  
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
She escapes [[King's Landing]] with [[Yoren]] and his party of recruits, assuming the identity of ''Arry'', a boy headed to join the [[Night's Watch]]. Yoren plans to return her to [[Winterfell]], but he is killed near [[Harrenhal]] by Ser [[Amory Lorch]] and his men. During this battle, Arya saves the lives of the chained Night's Watch prisoners [[Jaqen H'ghar]], [[Rorge]] and [[Biter]]. Later, she is captured by the monstruous Ser [[Gregor Clegane|Gregor]] and his men. She is taken to Harrenhal under the command of [[Tywin Lannister]] and later, Ser Amory Lorch. She reunites with Jaqen and he offers her three murders for the three lives she saved. She chooses [[Chiswyck]], [[Weese]], and Jaqen himself. In an effort to make her unsay his name, Jaqen helps her free the Northmen in the dungeon and stage an uprising. With Harrenhal under the command of [[Roose Bolton]], she calls herself ''Nymeria'', or ''Nan'', a servant girl, and becomes one of Roose's cupbearers. After Harrenhal is left to [[Vargo Hoat]], Arya escapes with two boys from Yoren's party of recruits, [[Gendry]] and [[Hot Pie]].{{Ref|aCoK|64}}
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[[File:Jonathan_Standing_AryaS.jpg|thumb|350px| Arya practices with a stick at Harrenhal - by Jonathan Standing © Fantasy Flight Games]]
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Arya escapes [[King's Landing]] with [[Yoren]] and his party of [[Night's Watch]] recruits, with Yoren planning to return her to [[Winterfell]] on his way back the [[Wall]]. Yoren shaves her head and makes Arya assume the identity of "Arry", a boy recruit traveling with Yoren to the Wall.{{Ref|aCoK|1}} They make it as far as a [[Gods Eye town|deserted town]] near the [[Gods Eye]] lake, where they are attacked by [[House Lannister]] raiders led by Ser [[Amory Lorch]]. Yoren is killed and Arya is one of the few to escape alive, along with [[Gendry]], [[Hot Pie]], [[Lommy Greenhands]], and [[Weasel]]. Before escaping the burning town, she saves the lives of three chained Night's Watch prisoners: [[Jaqen H'ghar]], [[Rorge]], and [[Biter]].{{Ref|aCoK|15}}
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Arya heads out with the survivors until they are captured by Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] and the [[Mountain's men]] in a village, where they are held for eight days, while the [[Tickler]] tortures the villagers.{{Ref|aCoK|19}} [[Rafford]] kills Lommy{{ref|ASOS|47}} and [[Polliver]] takes [[Needle]] from Arya.{{ref|ACOK|26}} During the journey to [[Harrenhal]], Arya creates a prayer of those she hates and wants to kill. These include Gregor Clegane, [[Dunsen]], Polliver, [[Chiswyck]], Raff the Sweetling, the Tickler, [[Sandor Clegane]], Amory Lorch, [[Ilyn Payne]], [[Meryn Trant]], [[Joffrey Baratheon]], and [[Cersei Lannister]].{{ref|ACOK|26}}
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At Harrenhal Arya is assigned to the steward [[Weese]] to work at the [[Wailing Tower]].{{Ref|aCoK|26}} Several days later, Arya reunites with Jaqen, Rorge, and Biter, who are now in the employ of Amory. Jaqen comes to her at night and offers her three deaths for the three lives—Rorge, Biter, and himself—she saved from burning at the Gods Eye. After several days Arya names [[Chiswyck]], after she overhears him boast at how he participated in a gang rape, and he dies three days later. Next she names [[Weese]], for striking her. Weese's death is untraceable, apparently linked to his small dog that he raised from a pup. While trying to figure out the last name to say, Arya realizes she should have said a more important name, such as Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] or Amory Lorch. Finally, she names Jaqen himself. To make her unsay his name, Jaqen agrees to help her free [[Robett Glover]]'s and Ser [[Aenys Frey]]'s men in the dungeon and stage an uprising.{{ref|ACOK|47}}
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Unbeknownst to Arya, Robett is already conspiring with [[Vargo Hoat]] against Amory. During the [[fall of Harrenhal]], Arya obtains soup which Jaqen, Rorge, and Biter then use to scald the Lannister guards. To Arya's amazement, Jaqen changes his face and manner in front of her, saying it was time for that person to die. Before departing, he gives Arya an iron coin and tells her to repeat the phrase ''[[valar morghulis]]'' to any man of [[Braavos]].{{ref|ACOK|47}}
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The next morning, Lord [[Roose Bolton]] arrives to take charge of the castle. Arya, now calling herself "Nymeria", or "Nan" for short, is named Roose's cupbearer for her role in the freeing of the prisoners. She inadvertently meets [[Elmar Frey]], the squire she would have to marry under Robb's agreement with the Freys, though they remain unknown to each other.{{Ref|aCoK|47}} Lord Bolton has Arya help him with leechings and orders her to burn his wife [[Walda Frey (daughter of Merrett)|Walda's]] letter.{{ref|ACOK|64}}
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[[File:Valar Morghulis by Tim Tsang II.jpg|thumb|400px|Arya kills the [[House Bolton guards|Bolton guard]] at [[Harrenhal]] and whispers ''[[valar morghulis]]'' - by Tim Tsang ©]]
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Arya asks to accompany Roose when he leaves Harrenhal, but Lord Bolton is shocked by his servant's insolence and announces she will be left behind at the castle with Vargo's [[Brave Companions]]. Arya escapes with [[Gendry]] and [[Hot Pie]], killing a [[House Bolton guards|Bolton guard]] at the gate.{{Ref|aCoK|64}}
  
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
 
===''A Storm of Swords''===
Arya and her companions are making their way north, during the night she warged into Nymeria and killed their rave Companions perusers.{{Ref|aSoS|3}} Not long afterwards, she and her companions are captured by the [[Brotherhood Without Banners]].  One of them, [[Harwin]], recognizes her as Arya Stark.{{Ref|aSoS|13}} She is separated from Hot Pie when he decides to settle down and work as a baker.{{Ref|aSoS|17}} The Brotherhood makes plans to ransom her to one of her living relatives, probably her brother [[Robb Stark|Robb]] or her mother [[Catelyn Tully|Catelyn]], while Gendry decides to join the group as a blacksmith.{{Ref|aSoS|39}}
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While Arya and her companions travel north from [[Harrenhal]], Arya enters Nymeria during a dream as a [[skinchanger]] and sees Nymeria kill members of the [[Brave Companions]] sent in pursuit.{{Ref|aSoS|3}} Not long afterwards, she and her companions are discovered by a group of the [[brotherhood without banners]] and taken to the [[Inn of the Kneeling Man]], where she is recognized by one of her father's former guards, [[Harwin]].{{Ref|aSoS|13}} While [[Hot Pie]] remains at the inn,{{ref|ASOS|17}} Arya and [[Gendry]] journey with the brotherhood and visit Lord [[Lymond Lychester]], the [[Lady of the Leaves]], the [[ghost of High Heart]], and Lady [[Ravella Swann|Ravella Smallwood]] at [[Acorn Hall]].{{ref|ASOS|22}} Arya stays at the [[Peach]] in [[Stoney Sept]], where the outlaws take custody of [[Sandor Clegane]].{{ref|ASOS|29}}
  
Disappointed with the Brotherhood, Arya attempts to flee and ends up captured by [[Sandor Clegane]]{{Ref|aSoS|43}} who plans to return her to her brother [[Robb Stark|Robb]] and win a place in his service.{{Ref|aSoS|47}} Clegane and Arya reach the [[Twins]] during the [[Red Wedding]],{{Ref|aSoS|50}} just as Robb and [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]] are being murdered.{{Ref|aSoS|51}}{{Ref|aSoS|52}} Clegane prevents Arya from running to them,{{Ref|aSoS|52}} and decides that the only place left to take her is to the [[Vale of Arryn]], which is ruled by Arya's aunt, [[Lysa Arryn]]. They cannot reach the [[Eyrie]] and Lysa, however, and are forced to go back toward [[Riverrun]].{{Ref|aSoS|65}}
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At Harrenhal, Lord [[Roose Bolton]] informs Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] that Arya has been found and that he intends to return her to the north.{{ref|ASOS|37}}
  
On the way to the [[Saltpans]], Clegane takes a serious wound and Arya leaves him to die. She gains passage on a ship headed to [[Braavos]] by using a coin that [[Jaqen H'ghar]] had given her, along with the [[Valyria|Valyrian]] phrase "''[[Valar Morghulis]]''".{{Ref|aSoS|74}}
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Arya travels with the brotherhood to their hideout in a [[hollow hill]]. She accuses Sandor of murdering [[Mycah]], earning him a [[trial by combat]] with Lord [[Beric Dondarrion]]. Sandor survives, however, and so is set free by the outlaws.{{Ref|aSoS|34}} Arya witnesses the [[battle at the burning septry]] between the brotherhood and Brave Companions.{{ref|ASOS|39}} Although Thoros has been able to revive Beric several times, Arya learns that it would not be possible to revive her beheaded father, [[Eddard Stark]]. Beric [[knight]]s Gendry, who decides to remain with the outlaw brotherhood.{{ref|ASOS|39}} The ghost of High Heart is disturbed by Arya when the outlaws return to [[High Heart|her hill]]. Disappointed that the brotherhood intends to ransom her to her brother Robb, now the [[King in the North]], and feeling alone, Arya attempts to flee but ends up captured by [[Sandor Clegane]], who was trailing the group.{{Ref|aSoS|43}}
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Sandor plans to return Arya to Robb and win a place in his service, but they are delayed by flooding along the [[Trident]], including at [[Lord Harroway's Town]].{{Ref|aSoS|47}} They reach the [[Twins]], where Robb has gathered hosts for the wedding of Lord [[Edmure Tully]] to [[Roslin Frey]]. Arya does not recognize men outside the castles, however.{{ref|ASOS|50}} When the slaughter of the [[Red Wedding]] begins, Sandor prevents Arya from running into the castle and certain danger by knocking her out with the flat of his axe.{{Ref|aSoS|52}} Robb and Catelyn are slain inside the Twins, betrayed by Houses Bolton and Frey.{{ref|ASOS|51}}
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[[File:Mathia Arkoniel thetickler arya sandor.jpg|thumb|Arya stabs the [[Tickler]] over and over again in a rage until [[Sandor Clegane]] stops her - by Mathia Arkoniel]]
 +
 
 +
Sandor decides that the only place left to take Arya is to the [[Vale of Arryn]], which is ruled by Arya's aunt, the widowed [[Lysa Arryn]]. On the way east, Arya finds a saddled horse which she takes as her mount and names [[Craven (horse)|Craven]]. Sandor gives the [[gift of mercy]] to a [[House Piper|Piper]] bowman, and Arya dreams of [[Nymeria (direwolf)|Nymeria]] dragging [[Lady Stoneheart|a body]] from a river.{{ref|ASOS|65}} They briefly stay at a village in the foothills of the [[Mountains of the Moon]], but learn they cannot take the [[high road]] to Lysa at the [[Eyrie]]. Sandor decides to head back towards [[Riverrun]] to instead ransom Arya to her great uncle, Ser [[Brynden Tully]].{{Ref|aSoS|65}}
 +
 
 +
On their way Arya and Sandor stop at the [[crossroads inn]]. They meet the [[Tickler]] and [[Polliver]], two of the men in Arya's prayer, as well as a young squire. Arya is confused when Polliver mentions that Lord Bolton's bastard, [[Ramsay Snow]], is to marry Sansa's sister. Sandor gets drunk and a fight ensues. Arya takes a dagger from the squire and stabs him in the belly while Sandor kills Polliver, though he is badly wounded in the fight. As the Tickler closes in on Sandor, Arya sneaks behind and repeatedly stabs the torturer with his own dagger while echoing the questions he asked of his victims on their journey to Harrenhal. Sandor directs her to finish off the squire, who is dying of his wound. Arya reclaims [[Needle]] from Polliver's corpse and stabs the squire in the heart.{{Ref|aSoS|74}}
 +
 
 +
Arya and Sandor head towards the town of [[Saltpans]], but Sandor is too weak to continue due to his injuries. Arya realizes she left Sandor off her list that night, and wonders why. She adds him back, but thinks maybe he will die before morning. The next day, Arya draws Needle, intending to kill Sandor, after thinking maybe if she rides off, he will die on his own. Sandor sees her indecision and tries to goad her into killing him, but she decides to leave him to die instead of administering the mercy of a quick death. She sells Craven at Saltpans and gains passage on the ''[[Titan's Daughter]]'', a ship headed to [[Braavos]], by using the coin that [[Jaqen H'ghar]] had given her, along with the [[High Valyrian]] phrase ''[[valar morghulis]]''.{{Ref|aSoS|74}}
 +
 
 +
Jaime Lannister sees [[Steelshanks Walton]], Roose Bolton's captain, depart [[King's Landing]] with a northern girl who claims to be Arya. Jaime thinks the real Arya is dead.{{ref|ASOS|71}}
  
 
===''A Feast for Crows''===
 
===''A Feast for Crows''===
In [[Braavos]], Arya enters the [[House of Black and White]], where a [[Kindly Man|kindly old man]] initiates her into the guild of the [[Faceless Men]].{{Ref|aFfC|6}} She is required to discard her old personality, including her belongings, to begin the training. She does this, except for [[Needle]], which she hides in a safe location. {{Ref|aFfC|22}}
+
[[File: Marc_Simonetti_HouseofB&W.jpg|Arya in the [[House of Black and White]] - by Marc Simonetti ©|thumb|300px]]
 +
During the voyage to [[Braavos]] on the ''[[Titan's Daughter]]'' Arya uses the name "Salty". Captain [[Ternesio Terys]] and many of the sailors ask Arya to learn and remember their names, and many seem afraid of her. The captain has his older son [[Yorko Terys|Yorko]] row Arya to shore so as to get her off the ship prior to customs coming aboard.{{ref|affc|6}}
  
Arya's training requires her to go out into the city under the identity of ''Cat of the Canals'', a street urchin, and learn secrets. She also begins learning the [[Braavos|Braavosi]] language and the art of lying from the [[Waif]]. One night, months after, she kills a deserter from the [[Night's Watch]] named [[Dareon]], and accepts milk meant for "Arya." She wakes blind the next morning.{{Ref|aFfC|34}}
+
In Braavos, Arya finds her way to the [[House of Black and White]], where a [[kindly man|kindly old man]] initiates her into the guild of the [[Faceless Men]].{{Ref|aFfC|6}} She is required to discard her old personality, including her belongings, to begin the training. She does this, except for [[Needle]], which she hides in a safe location. {{Ref|aFfC|22}} She speaks the Braavosi tongue with a strong accent.{{ref|AFFC|22}}
 +
 
 +
Arya's training requires her to go out into the city under the identity of "Cat of the Canals", a street urchin, to learn secrets and report them to the kindly man. She also begins learning the art of lying from the [[waif]]. During this time, she kills a deserter from the [[Night's Watch]] named [[Dareon]], and she briefly meets [[Samwell Tarly]], a friend of her half brother [[Jon Snow]], though they do not introduce themselves to each other. After these incidents, she accepts milk meant for "Arya". When she wakes the next morning, she is blind.{{Ref|aFfC|34}}
 +
 
 +
[[Brienne of Tarth]] visits the [[Quiet Isle]] during her search for [[Sansa Stark]]. She learns from the [[Elder Brother (Quiet Isle)|Elder Brother]] that Sansa's sister Arya had been in the company of [[Sandor Clegane]], but she may have been killed in the [[raid on Saltpans]].{{ref|AFFC|31}}
  
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
Arya remains blind and in the service of the [[House of Black and White]] in [[Braavos]]. She drinks milk every night that causes the blindness. She continues to dream through the eyes of her [[direwolf]], [[Nymeria]], but speaks of it to no one. She still struggles leaving her identity as Arya Stark behind. While she is blind, Arya wears the guise of ''Beth'', a beggar girl. She wanders the streets of Braavos, begging for money and listening for bits and pieces of information. She becomes better at lying and detecting the lies of others.
+
[[File:Thaldir the Blind Girl.jpg|A blinded Arya in the service of the [[House of Black and White]] in [[Braavos]] - art by Tiziano Baracchi. © Fantasy Flight Games|thumb|right|300px]]
 +
 
 +
Arya remains blind and in the service of the [[House of Black and White]] in [[Braavos]]. The blindness is induced by the milk she drinks every night. She continues to dream through the eyes of her [[direwolf]], [[Nymeria (direwolf)|Nymeria]], but speaks of it to no one. She still struggles with leaving her identity as Arya Stark behind. While she is blind, Arya wears the guise of "Beth", a beggar girl. She wanders the streets of Braavos, begging for money and listening for bits and pieces of information. She becomes better at lying and detecting the lies of others.{{ref|ADWD|45}}
 +
 
 +
Arya receives her sight again after she is able to identify the [[kindly man]] and hit him with a stick when he sneaks up on her.  It is implied, however, that she does not simply sense his presence (as he assumes) but sees him through the eyes of a cat hiding in the rafters.{{ref|ADWD|45}}
 +
 
 +
After regaining her sight,{{Ref|aDwD|45}} Arya is given her first assassination assignment. She is asked to give "the gift" to an old man who sells a type of insurance for ships. The kindly man takes her to the secret lower chambers of the House of Black and White, where thousands of faces are hung on the walls. Arya is given the face of an ugly, broken girl who had been beaten by her father and came to the House of Black and White to seek the gift. Arya watches her target carefully for days. She notices that the old man has guards with him wherever he goes, and always tests the coin he is given with his teeth. While watching him, she attempts to find ways to justify his fate, but the kindly man tells her it is not for her to judge the old man.{{ref|ADWD|64}}
 +
 
 +
In the end, Arya feigns stealing a bag of coins from a captain on his way to meet with the old man. She splits the bag in the attempt, and switches one of the captain's coins with one of her own, coated in [[poison]]. After the switch, she escapes. Later, the old man's heart mysteriously gives out. The kindly man then gives Arya an acolyte's robe and assigns her to begin her first apprenticeship with [[Izembaro]].{{Ref|aDwD|64}}
 +
 
 +
Following the [[siege of Moat Cailin]], [[Theon Greyjoy]] learns that [[House Bolton]] are claiming [[Jeyne Poole]] to be Arya.{{ref|ADWD|20}} [[Jon Snow]], now [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]], is shocked when [[Castle Black]] is informed that [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]] is to marry his sister.{{ref|ADWD|28}} [[Melisandre]] tells Jon she saw a vision in her flames of a girl, Arya, fleeing a wedding,{{ref|ADWD|28}} but it is [[Alys Karstark]] who arrives at Castle Black seeking protection from Jon against [[Cregan Karstark]].{{ref|ADWD|44}} Ramsay marries Jeyne at Winterfell,{{ref|ADWD|37}} and the [[northern mountain clans]] agree to support [[Stannis Baratheon]] so they can rescue [[Eddard Stark|the Ned's]] girl.{{ref|ADWD|42}} As Stannis's host approaches Winterfell, Theon helps Jeyne escape the castle{{ref|ADWD|51}} and they are brought to Stannis in a [[crofters' village]].{{ref|ADWD|62}}
 +
 
 +
===''The Winds of Winter''===
 +
{{Warning/twow}}
 +
Theon convinces Jeyne that for her own safety she should continue impersonating Arya. Stannis orders Ser [[Justin Massey]] to bring the girl to Castle Black.<ref>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref>
 +
 
 +
Under the identity of "Mercedene" or "Mercy", Arya is now a [[mummer]] at a playhouse called [[the Gate]], owned by Izembaro. She is still experiencing wolf dreams, the latest with a tree watching her.<ref name=Mercy/>
 +
 
 +
When Ser [[Harys Swyft]] arrives in Braavos on a mission to negotiate with the [[Iron Bank of Braavos]] on behalf of King [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen I Baratheon]], the mummers of the Gate perform the play ''[[The Bloody Hand]]'' in which Arya plays a maid, presumably [[Shae]], who is raped by [[Tyrion Lannister]], played by a dwarf named [[Bobono]].<ref name=Mercy/>
 +
 
 +
However, as the play is about to begin, Arya notices that one of Harys's guards is [[Rafford]], one of the [[Mountain's men]]. She seduces him and takes him to her room. She tires him out by running there, and thus she is able to stab him in his thigh, cutting his femoral artery and rendering him unable to walk. Raff the Sweetling pleads to have him carried to a healer, but Arya replies: "Think so?" and stabs him in the throat, just as he did to the disabled [[Lommy]]. Arya throws his corpse in a canal and heads back to the Gate before she is due to come on stage.<ref name=Mercy/>
 +
 
 +
==Arya and death==
 +
===Arya's prayer===
 +
[[File:Arya tickler by tribemun.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The [[Tickler]]'s death by [http://www.nickalcorn.com/ Nick Alcorn©].]]
 +
 
 +
During her journey, Arya is subjected to many hard situations in the war-torn [[riverlands]]. Her fiery personality prompts her to take the initiative and fight back, and so she is led to kill and ultimately wishes to murder specific characters herself. This course of action is supposed to end as of ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' with her being an assassin trainee in [[Braavos]], as the leader stresses becoming indifferent to death and killing. She continues, however, to repeat to herself the names of the people she wishes dead. Some names are added as she goes, and others are dropped when the character dies or becomes closer to her. She calls it a prayer,{{ref|ACOK|26}}{{ref|ACOK|30}} and ends it with the words ''[[valar morghulis]]''.{{ref|ASOS|3}}{{ref|AFFC|22}} The names are:
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
! Person
 +
! Reason
 +
! Status
 +
! Fate
 +
|-
 +
| King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]]
 +
| Ordered the execution of [[Eddard Stark]]{{ref|ACOK|26}}
 +
| Dead
 +
| Poisoned with the [[Strangler]] at his own [[Purple Wedding|wedding feast]] by [[Olenna Tyrell]] in co-operation with [[Petyr Baelish]]{{ref|ASOS|60}}{{ref|ASOS|68}}
 +
|-
 +
| [[Chiswyck]]
 +
| Boasted of his participation in the gang rape of [[Layna]]{{ref|ACOK|26}}
 +
| Dead
 +
| Pushed off a wall by [[Jaqen H'ghar]] at [[Harrenhal]] on the orders of Arya{{ref|ACOK|30}}
 +
|-
 +
| Ser [[Gregor Clegane]]
 +
| The [[Mountain's men]] captured Arya and other smallfolk{{ref|ACOK|26}}
 +
| Dead
 +
| Stabbed by [[Oberyn Martell]] with a poisoned spear during [[Tyrion Lannister]]'s trial of combat at [[King's Landing]]{{ref|ASOS|70}}{{ref|AFFC|17}} (Arya currently is unaware of his death and Gregor is still on her list){{ref|ADWD|64}}
 +
|-
 +
| [[Sandor Clegane]]
 +
| Killed [[Mycah]]{{ref|ACOK|26}}
 +
| Dead
 +
| Succumbed to his infected wounds after the fight at the [[crossroads inn]]{{ref|AFFC|31}} (Arya had removed his name from her list prior to his death, but did not grant him the mercy of a quick death){{ref|ASOS|74}}
 +
|-
 +
| [[Dunsen]]
 +
| Stole [[Gendry]]'s horned helmet{{ref|ACOK|26}}
 +
| Alive
 +
|TBD
 +
|-
 +
| Queen [[Cersei Lannister]]
 +
| Involved in the death of [[Eddard Stark]]{{ref|ACOK|26}}
 +
| Alive
 +
|TBD
 +
|-
 +
| Ser [[Amory Lorch]]
 +
| Killed [[Yoren]]{{ref|ACOK|26}}
 +
| Dead
 +
| Killed by [[Vargo Hoat]]'s bear in the bear pit after the [[fall of Harrenhal]]{{ref|ACOK|47}}
 +
|-
 +
| Ser [[Ilyn Payne]]
 +
| Beheaded [[Eddard Stark]] on the orders of King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I Baratheon]]{{ref|ACOK|26}}
 +
| Alive
 +
|TBD
 +
|-
 +
| [[Polliver]]
 +
| Stole [[Needle]] from Arya{{ref|ACOK|26}}
 +
| Dead
 +
| Killed by [[Sandor Clegane]] at the crossroads inn{{ref|ASOS|74}}
 +
|-
 +
| [[Rafford|Raff the Sweetling]]
 +
| Killed [[Lommy Greenhands]]{{ref|ACOK|26}}
 +
| Dead
 +
| Killed by Arya under the identity of Mercy in [[Braavos]]<ref name=Mercy/>
 +
|-
 +
| The [[Tickler]]
 +
| Tortured captives during questioning{{ref|ACOK|26}}
 +
| Dead
 +
| Killed by Arya at the crossroads inn{{ref|ASOS|74}}
 +
|-
 +
| Ser [[Meryn Trant]]
 +
| Killed [[Syrio Forel]]{{ref|ACOK|26}}
 +
| Alive
 +
|TBD
 +
|-
 +
| [[Weese]]
 +
| Violently abused Arya{{ref|ACOK|30}}
 +
| Dead
 +
| Killed by his own dog under Jaqen H'ghar's influence on the orders of Arya{{ref|ACOK|38}}
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
Arya wants to add [[House Frey]] to the prayer after the [[Red Wedding]], but she does not know the names of those responsible.{{ref|AFFC|22}}
  
Arya receives her sight again after she is able to identify the [[Kindly Man]] and hit him with a stick when he sneaks up on her.  It is implied, however, that she does not simply sense his presence as he assumes, but sees him through the eyes of a cat hiding in the rafters.
+
===Others===
 +
Arya also kills a number of people who were not in her prayer:
 +
*a Red Keep stableboy, during the purge of the Stark household{{ref|AGOT|50}}
 +
*at least one soldier of [[Amory Lorch]], during the attack on Yoren's recruits at the [[Gods Eye town]]{{ref|ACOK|14}}
 +
*a [[House Bolton guards|Bolton guard]] at Harrenhal, to escape the castle{{ref|ACOK|64}}
 +
*a [[Sarsfield squire]], during the fight at the crossroads inn{{ref|ASOS|74}}
 +
*[[Dareon]], at Braavos after noticing he was a deserter from the [[Night's Watch]]{{ref|AFFC|34}}
 +
*a [[Braavosi]] insurance salesman, under orders of the [[kindly man]]{{Ref|aDwD|64}}
  
After regaining her sight,{{Ref|aDwD|45}} Arya is given her first assassination assignment.  She is asked to give the gift to an old man that sells a type of insurance for ships.  Arya watches him carefully for days.  She notices that he has guards with him wherever he goes, and always tests the coin he is given with his teeth.  She is given another face to complete the task.  While watching him, she attempts to find ways to justify his fate, but the Kindly Man tells her it is not for her to judge the old man.
+
Arya initiates and, along with [[Jaqen H'ghar]], [[Rorge]], and [[Biter]], takes part in the killing of eight of Amory's men during the [[fall of Harrenhal]],{{Ref|aCoK|47}} an event that would be remembered for its "weasel soup," from the nickname she used at the time.{{ref|ACOK|64}}{{ref|ASOS|43}}
  
The Kindly Man takes her to the secret lower chambers of the House of Black and White, where thousands of faces are hung on the walls. She is given the face of an ugly, broken girl who had been beaten by her father and came to the House of Black and White to seek relief. In the end, she feigns stealing a bag of coins from a captain on his way to meet with the old man. She then spills the coins in the attempt, and switches one of the captain's coins with one of her own, mostly likely coated in poison. After the switch, she escapes. Later, the old man's heart mysteriously gives out.
+
==Quotes by Arya==
 +
{{Quote|Swift as a deer. Quiet as a shadow. Fear cuts deeper than swords. Quick as a snake. Calm as still water. Fear cuts deeper than swords. Strong as a bear. Fierce as a wolverine. Fear cuts deeper than swords. The man who fears losing has already lost. Fear cuts deeper than swords. Fear cuts deeper than swords. Fear cuts deeper than swords.{{Ref|agOt|52}}|thoughts of Arya}}
  
The Kindly Man then gives Arya a robe and assigns her to begin her first apprenticeship with [[Izembaro]].{{Ref|aDwD|64}}
+
{{Quote|I'm the ghost in [[Harrenhal]], she thought. And that night, there was one less name to hate.{{Ref|aCoK|30}}|Arya after the killing of [[Chiswyck]]}}
  
==Identities and Nicknames==
+
{{Quote|Yes, it's you who ought to run, you and Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] and [[Gregor Clegane|the Mountain]] and Ser [[Addam Marbrand|Addam]] and Ser [[Amory Lorch|Amory]] and stupid Ser [[Lyonel (knight)|Lyonel]] whoever he is, all of you better run or [[Robb Stark|my brother]] will kill you, he’s a [[House Stark|Stark]], he’s more wolf than man, and so am I.{{Ref|acok|38}}|thoughts of Arya}}
One of the recurring themes in Arya's story is her tendency to hide her original identity and to be known under different names. It becomes even more prominent when she joins the [[Faceless Men]], as it is the core of their trade.
 
  
Names she has used, identified herself with or been recognized as so far:
+
{{Quote|A long time ago, she remembered [[Eddard Stark|her father]] saying that when the cold wind blows the lone wolf dies but the pack survives. He had it all backwards. Arya, the lone wolf, still lived, but [[House Stark#House Stark at the end of the third century|the wolves of the pack]] had been taken and slain and skinned.{{Ref|aFfC|6}}|thoughts of Arya}}
*'''Arya of House Stark''', her real name.
 
*'''Arya Horseface''', a nickname given to her by [[Jeyne Poole]] in reference to her long face.
 
*'''Arya Underfoot''', mostly used by [[Winterfell]] people, like [[Harwin]], in reference to her habit of always being in their way instead of where a noble girl should be.
 
*'''Arry''', to pass for an orphan boy from [[Flea Bottom]] when she travelled with [[Yoren]].
 
*'''Weasel''', when she was captured, sent to [[Harrenhal]] and could not pass for a boy anymore; taken from the nickname [[Lommy Greenhands]] gave to a baby girl their group had rescued.
 
*'''The Ghost of Harrenhal''', when she takes responsibility for [[Jaqen H'ghar|Jaqen]]'s murders.
 
*'''Nymeria''' or '''Nan''', when [[Roose Bolton]] made her his cupbearer.
 
*'''She-wolf''' or '''wolf bitch''', when she traveled with [[Sandor Clegane]].
 
*'''Salty''', when she boarded the ''[[Titan's Daughter]]'' in [[Saltpans]].
 
*'''Cat of the Canals''', in the course of her [[Faceless Men]] training, she poses as an orphan from [[King's Landing]], daughter of an oarmaster on the galley ''[[Nymeria (ship)|Nymeria]]'', who was killed by a bravo for saying the [[Nightingale]] was less beautiful than his wife.
 
*'''No one''', still for the [[Faceless Men]], though she cannot use this non-identity well yet.
 
*'''Beth''', a blind, beggar girl she poses as while she is blind during her [[Faceless Men]] training.{{Ref|aDwD|45}}
 
  
==Arya and Death==
+
{{Quote|Ser [[Gregor Clegane|Gregor]]. [[Dunsen]], [[Rafford|Raff the Sweetling]], Ser [[Ilyn Payne|Ilyn]], Ser [[Meryn Trant|Meryn]], Queen [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]]. [[Valar morghulis]], valar morghulis, valar morghulis.{{Ref|aFfC|22}}|Arya to herself}}
During her journey, Arya is subjected to many hard situations in war-torn [[Westeros]]. Her fiery personality prompts her to take the initiative and fight back, and so she is led to kill and ultimately desires murdering specific characters herself. This course of action is supposed to end as of [[A Feast for Crows]] with her being an assassin trainee in [[Braavos]], and becoming apparently indifferent to death and killing. She continues, however, to repeat the names of the people she wishes dead in her head.
 
  
===Hit List===
+
{{quote|'''plague face''': Who are you?<br>'''Arya''': No one.<br>'''plague face''': Not so. You are Arya of [[House Stark]], who bites her lip and cannot tell a lie.<br>'''Arya''': I was. I'm not now.{{ref|ADWD|64}}|[[plague face]] and Arya}}
Every night before sleeping, Arya repeats aloud a list of the people she wants dead. Some names are added as she goes, and others are dropped when the character dies or becomes closer to her. She calls it a prayer, and ends it with the words ''[[Valar Morghulis]]''. The names are:
 
  
====Dead or Missing====
+
==Quotes about Arya==
*King [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]]: ordered the execution of her father.
+
{{Quote|Ah, Arya. You have a wildness in you, child. The 'wolf blood,' [[Rickard Stark|my father]] used to call it. [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]] had a touch of it, and my brother [[Brandon Stark|Brandon]] more than a touch. It brought them both to an early grave. Lyanna might have carried a sword, if my lord father had allowed it. You remind me of her sometimes. You even look like her.{{Ref|agot|22}}|[[Eddard Stark]] to Arya}}
*The [[Sandor Clegane|Hound]]: killed her friend [[Mycah]] and laughed about it. (Later removed as they traveled together.)
 
*Ser [[Amory Lorch|Amory]]: attacked her group, killed [[Yoren]], and prevented her from reaching [[Winterfell]]. Killed by [[Roose Bolton]].
 
*[[Gregor Clegane|Ser Gregor]]: his band's atrocities at [[Harrenhal]]. Poisoned by Prince [[Oberyn Martell]], although may be posing as Ser Robert Strong. (Arya is however unaware of this and Ser Gregor is still on her list).
 
*The [[Tickler]]: [[Gregor Clegane|Ser Gregor]]'s torturer; killed many people before her eyes. Killed by [[Arya Stark|Arya herself]].
 
*[[Polliver]]: one of [[Gregor Clegane|Ser Gregor]]'s company; stole her sword [[Needle]]. Killed by [[Sandor Clegane]].
 
*[[Chiswyck]]: soldier guarding prisoners in [[Gregor Clegane|Gregor]]'s company; joked about their ordeal.
 
*[[Weese]]: cruel understeward at [[Harrenhal]] who mistreated her when she worked for him as "weasel."
 
  
====Still Alive====
+
{{Quote|A boy has more courage than sense.{{Ref|acok|5}}|[[Jaqen H'ghar]] to Arya}}
*Ser [[Ilyn Payne|Ilyn]]: beheaded her father, [[Eddard Stark|Eddard]].
 
*Ser [[Meryn Trant|Meryn]]: killed her "dancing" master, [[Syrio Forel]].
 
*Queen [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]]: behind the fall of her family.
 
*[[Dunsen]]: soldier guarding prisoners in [[Gregor Clegane|Gregor]]'s company; stole [[Gendry]]'s helm.
 
*[[Rafford|Raff the Sweetling]]: soldier guarding prisoners in [[Gregor Clegane|Gregor]]'s company; killed her comrade [[Lommy Greenhands]].
 
  
Arya stated she would have added the [[House Frey|Freys]] to the list after the [[Red Wedding]] but she did not know the names of those responsible for her brothers death.
+
{{Quote|Arya had always been harder to tame.{{Ref|aCoK|45}}|thoughts of [[Catelyn Stark]]}}
  
===Confirmed Kills===
+
{{Quote|And Arya, well... [[Eddard Stark|Ned's]] visitors would oft mistake her for a stableboy if they rode into the yard unannounced. Arya was a trial, it must be said. Half a boy, half a wolf pup. Forbid her anything and it became her heart's desire. She had Ned's long face, and brown hair that always looked as though a bird had been nesting in it. I despaired of ever making a lady of her. She collected scabs as other girls collected dolls, and would say anything that came into her head.{{Ref|acok|55}}|thoughts of [[Catelyn Stark]]}}
*A King's Landing stableboy: stabbed in the belly after he threatened her during the fall of the Starks.
 
*Several [[House Lannister|Lannister]] soldiers during [[Amory Lorch]]'s attack, slashed and stabbed.
 
*[[Chiswyck]]: pushed off the walls of [[Harrenhal]] by [[Jaqen H'ghar]] after she ordered his death.
 
*[[Weese]]: killed by his own dog, turned mad by [[Jaqen H'ghar]], after she ordered his death.
 
*A [[House Bolton|Bolton]] guard: throat slit; he blocked her way out of [[Harrenhal]].
 
*A [[House Sarsfield|Sarsfield]] squire: stabbed in the belly after he threatened her.
 
*The [[Tickler]]: stabbed many times in the back.
 
*[[Dareon]]: throat slit and corpse dumped in a canal after confirmed as a [[Night's Watch]] deserter.
 
*Old man of [[Braavos]]: secretly given a poisoned coin, which he tasted for authenticity.{{Ref|aDwD|64}}
 
  
She also was the initiator of, and, along [[Jaqen H'ghar]], [[Rorge]] and [[Biter]], took part in the killing of eight [[Harrenhal]] jailors, an event that would be remembered as the "weasel soup", from the nickname she then used.{{Ref|aCoK|47}}
+
{{Quote|Arya Underfoot, he almost said. Arya Horseface. [[Robb Stark|Robb]]'s younger sister, brown-haired, long-faced, skinny as a stick. Always dirty.{{Ref|adwd|12}}|thoughts of [[Theon Greyjoy]]}}
  
==Attributes and Abilities==
+
{{Quote|The girl dipped before [[Ramsay Snow|him]]. That was wrong as well. The real Arya Stark would have spat in his face.{{Ref|ADWD|20}}|[[Theon Greyjoy]] recognizing [[Jeyne Poole]]}}
She is left-handed, quick and dexterous. She is a [[skinchanger|warg]] entering her direwolf, Nymeria, in her dreams and cats in Bravos. She has learned basic swordplay in the [[Braavos|Braavosi]] water dancing tradition and knows how to use knives. She received a noble's education, and is said to be good with mathematics and an excellent horse rider. She has proved to know at least a bit of [[Valyria|High Valyrian]]. She also speaks Braavosi with a strong accent and has put some effort into learning the language. She has a quick and curious mind and a pragmatic outlook.
 
  
 
==Family==
 
==Family==
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==References==
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==External links==
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:[http://gameofthrones.wikia.com/wiki/Arya_Stark Arya Stark] on the [http://gameofthrones.wikia.com/wiki/Main Game of Thrones wiki].
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{{POV Characters}}
  
==References and Notes==
 
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Revision as of 10:22, 23 August 2019


House Stark.svg
Arya Stark
Faceless Men.svg
John Picacio Arya.jpg
Artwork by John Picacio©

Aliases
Titles
Allegiances
Culture Northmen
Born 289 AC[16]
Winterfell
Spouse Lord Ramsay Bolton (allegedly)
Books

Played by Maisie Williams
TV series Season 1 | Season 2 | Season 3 | Season 4 | Season 5 | Season 6 | Season 7 | Season 8

Arya Stark is the third child and second daughter of Lord Eddard Stark and Lady Catelyn Tully. A member of House Stark, she has five siblings: brothers Robb, Bran, Rickon, half-brother Jon Snow, and older sister Sansa. She is a POV character in A Song of Ice and Fire and is portrayed by Maisie Williams in the television adaptation, Game of Thrones.

Like some of her siblings, Arya sometimes dreams that she is a direwolf.[17] Her own direwolf is Nymeria, who is named in reference to the Rhoynar warrior-queen of the same name.

Appearance and Character

Arya Stark - by Ammotu ©

Nine years old at the start of A Game of Thrones, Arya's appearance is more Stark than Tully, with a long face,[1] grey eyes,[18] and brown hair.[1] She is skinny and athletic. She is generally regarded as plain, as exemplified by a nickname "Arya Horseface",[1] and is often mistaken for a boy.[19][3] However, there are instances of her being called pretty[13] and compared to her beautiful late aunt, Lyanna Stark.[2]

Arya is a spirited girl interested in fighting and exploration, unlike her older sister, Sansa. Arya wants to learn how to fight with a sword and ride in tourneys, to the horror of Sansa, who enjoys the more traditional pursuits of a noblewoman. Arya is particularly close to her half brother, Jon Snow, who encourages her martial pursuits. She is said to take after the fiery Lyanna in temperament.[2] Arya often bites her lip.[1][15][13]

Arya is left-handed, quick, and dexterous.[2] She received a noble's education from Maester Luwin at Winterfell and is said to be good with mathematics and an excellent horse rider. She knows at least a bit of High Valyrian.[13]

History

Born in 289 AC[16] at Winterfell,[20] Arya is the youngest daughter and third child of Lord Eddard Stark, the head of House Stark and Warden of the North, and Lady Catelyn Tully.[21][22] Arya has an older sister, Sansa,[23] an older brother, Robb, and two younger brothers, Bran and Rickon. She also has an older bastard half-brother, Jon Snow.[21]

Arya has spent her entire life at Winterfell, though she did accompany her father on two occasions to White Harbor.[24] Arya has been tutored by Septa Mordane in the womanly arts (including needlework),[1] and received lessons from Maester Luwin as well.[10] Arya was also taught to ride a horse, but due to being called "Arya Horseface" by Jeyne Poole because of her long face, she could not enjoy the fact that riding horses was one of the few things she was better at than her older sister.[1] The House Stark guards call her "Arya Underfoot".[2][7]

Jon Snow, having covered himself with flour to appear as a ghost, once tried to scare his younger siblings in the crypt of Winterfell. While Sansa and Bran were frightened, Arya instead punched her half brother.[25]

Lord Eddard often eats in the same hall as his staff, and always keeps a seat next to him reserved, inviting a different servant or advisor to dine with him each night. Arya loves listening to their stories.[2]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Arya Stark and Nymeria - by artist Veronica V. Jones. © Fantasy Flight Games

When her brothers Robb and Jon find six direwolf pups,[26] Arya adopts one of them,[27] whom she names Nymeria, in reference to the Rhoynish warrior-queen of the same name.[1]

Arya and her sister, Sansa, travel with their father, Lord Eddard, to King's Landing when he is made Hand of the King. Before she leaves, Arya's half-brother Jon gives her a sword called Needle, after her least favorite ladylike activity, as a parting gift. He tells her she will need to practice, but that the first lesson is to "stick 'em with the pointy end".[28] On the way south, she befriends a peasant boy named Mycah, and they often play at swords.[29]

While walking near the ruby ford, Prince Joffrey Baratheon and Sansa happen upon Arya and Mycah "battling" in the woods. Arya defends Mycah from Joffrey's torments, and Nymeria helps Arya fight off Joffrey, wounding his arm in the process. Knowing that Joffrey will likely want retribution, Jory Cassel helps Arya chase the direwolf away when he finds them.[29] Arya is brought to Darry before King Robert I Baratheon, who counsels Eddard to discipline Arya. Queen Cersei Lannister is not satisfied with this, however, and orders Sansa's direwolf, Lady, to be killed in Nymeria's place. Mycah, having fled, is tracked and killed by Joffrey's "dog," Sandor Clegane.[30] From this moment, Arya harbors enmity for the Hound.

While in King's Landing, after Arya fights with Sansa, their father discovers Needle. Questioned how Arya gained possession of the sword, she refuses to give up Jon's name as the gift giver. Eddard realizes that she must be trained if she is entertaining ideas about swordsmanship, and hires Syrio Forel, a celebrated Braavosi swordsman, under whom Arya begins her training. Under his strict, but creative, tutelage, Arya learns to fight in the Braavosi water dancer style with Needle.[2]

Arya exploring in the vaults under King's Landing. Art by TeiIku©

Arya spends most of her time doing balancing and swordplay exercises as Syrio instructed her. During one of these she discovers a secret passage in the Red Keep. She overhears two men, who by description seem to be Varys and Illyrio Mopatis speaking about her father, Cersei, and spies.[19][31]

When tensions heighten in the capital, Ned intends for Sansa and Arya to return to the north via the Wind Witch.[32] His plans are halted by the Robert's death, however, and the succession of King Joffrey I. During the purge of House Stark from the Red Keep, Ser Meryn Trant and House Lannister guards attempt to take Arya into custody, but Syrio holds off Arya's attackers with a practice sword so she can flee.[25] Arya kills a stableboy with Needle and escapes the castle using the passage she found earlier,[25] but Sansa is captured by the Lannisters[33] and Septa Mordane is slain.[34]

Arya cannot leave King's Landing since the city gates are heavily guarded, so she lives on the streets of Flea Bottom, catching pigeons and rats to trade for food. Arya witnesses her father's public condemnation at the Great Sept of Baelor. She is found in the crowd by Yoren of the Night's Watch, who saves her from the sight of Eddard's execution and drags her from King's Landing.[35]

Cersei has Sansa send letters to Winterfell, but Arya's mother, Catelyn Stark, notices that no mention is made of Arya.[36] Catelyn negotiates an alliance between Robb, her eldest son, and Lord Walder Frey at the Twins, and the agreement calls for Arya to wed one of Walder's sons, Elmar Frey.[37]

A Clash of Kings

Arya practices with a stick at Harrenhal - by Jonathan Standing © Fantasy Flight Games

Arya escapes King's Landing with Yoren and his party of Night's Watch recruits, with Yoren planning to return her to Winterfell on his way back the Wall. Yoren shaves her head and makes Arya assume the identity of "Arry", a boy recruit traveling with Yoren to the Wall.[3] They make it as far as a deserted town near the Gods Eye lake, where they are attacked by House Lannister raiders led by Ser Amory Lorch. Yoren is killed and Arya is one of the few to escape alive, along with Gendry, Hot Pie, Lommy Greenhands, and Weasel. Before escaping the burning town, she saves the lives of three chained Night's Watch prisoners: Jaqen H'ghar, Rorge, and Biter.[38]

Arya heads out with the survivors until they are captured by Ser Gregor Clegane and the Mountain's men in a village, where they are held for eight days, while the Tickler tortures the villagers.[39] Rafford kills Lommy[40] and Polliver takes Needle from Arya.[6] During the journey to Harrenhal, Arya creates a prayer of those she hates and wants to kill. These include Gregor Clegane, Dunsen, Polliver, Chiswyck, Raff the Sweetling, the Tickler, Sandor Clegane, Amory Lorch, Ilyn Payne, Meryn Trant, Joffrey Baratheon, and Cersei Lannister.[6]

At Harrenhal Arya is assigned to the steward Weese to work at the Wailing Tower.[6] Several days later, Arya reunites with Jaqen, Rorge, and Biter, who are now in the employ of Amory. Jaqen comes to her at night and offers her three deaths for the three lives—Rorge, Biter, and himself—she saved from burning at the Gods Eye. After several days Arya names Chiswyck, after she overhears him boast at how he participated in a gang rape, and he dies three days later. Next she names Weese, for striking her. Weese's death is untraceable, apparently linked to his small dog that he raised from a pup. While trying to figure out the last name to say, Arya realizes she should have said a more important name, such as Lord Tywin Lannister or Amory Lorch. Finally, she names Jaqen himself. To make her unsay his name, Jaqen agrees to help her free Robett Glover's and Ser Aenys Frey's men in the dungeon and stage an uprising.[7]

Unbeknownst to Arya, Robett is already conspiring with Vargo Hoat against Amory. During the fall of Harrenhal, Arya obtains soup which Jaqen, Rorge, and Biter then use to scald the Lannister guards. To Arya's amazement, Jaqen changes his face and manner in front of her, saying it was time for that person to die. Before departing, he gives Arya an iron coin and tells her to repeat the phrase valar morghulis to any man of Braavos.[7]

The next morning, Lord Roose Bolton arrives to take charge of the castle. Arya, now calling herself "Nymeria", or "Nan" for short, is named Roose's cupbearer for her role in the freeing of the prisoners. She inadvertently meets Elmar Frey, the squire she would have to marry under Robb's agreement with the Freys, though they remain unknown to each other.[7] Lord Bolton has Arya help him with leechings and orders her to burn his wife Walda's letter.[41]

Arya kills the Bolton guard at Harrenhal and whispers valar morghulis - by Tim Tsang ©

Arya asks to accompany Roose when he leaves Harrenhal, but Lord Bolton is shocked by his servant's insolence and announces she will be left behind at the castle with Vargo's Brave Companions. Arya escapes with Gendry and Hot Pie, killing a Bolton guard at the gate.[41]

A Storm of Swords

While Arya and her companions travel north from Harrenhal, Arya enters Nymeria during a dream as a skinchanger and sees Nymeria kill members of the Brave Companions sent in pursuit.[17] Not long afterwards, she and her companions are discovered by a group of the brotherhood without banners and taken to the Inn of the Kneeling Man, where she is recognized by one of her father's former guards, Harwin.[8] While Hot Pie remains at the inn,[42] Arya and Gendry journey with the brotherhood and visit Lord Lymond Lychester, the Lady of the Leaves, the ghost of High Heart, and Lady Ravella Smallwood at Acorn Hall.[43] Arya stays at the Peach in Stoney Sept, where the outlaws take custody of Sandor Clegane.[44]

At Harrenhal, Lord Roose Bolton informs Ser Jaime Lannister that Arya has been found and that he intends to return her to the north.[45]

Arya travels with the brotherhood to their hideout in a hollow hill. She accuses Sandor of murdering Mycah, earning him a trial by combat with Lord Beric Dondarrion. Sandor survives, however, and so is set free by the outlaws.[9] Arya witnesses the battle at the burning septry between the brotherhood and Brave Companions.[46] Although Thoros has been able to revive Beric several times, Arya learns that it would not be possible to revive her beheaded father, Eddard Stark. Beric knights Gendry, who decides to remain with the outlaw brotherhood.[46] The ghost of High Heart is disturbed by Arya when the outlaws return to her hill. Disappointed that the brotherhood intends to ransom her to her brother Robb, now the King in the North, and feeling alone, Arya attempts to flee but ends up captured by Sandor Clegane, who was trailing the group.[47]

Sandor plans to return Arya to Robb and win a place in his service, but they are delayed by flooding along the Trident, including at Lord Harroway's Town.[40] They reach the Twins, where Robb has gathered hosts for the wedding of Lord Edmure Tully to Roslin Frey. Arya does not recognize men outside the castles, however.[48] When the slaughter of the Red Wedding begins, Sandor prevents Arya from running into the castle and certain danger by knocking her out with the flat of his axe.[49] Robb and Catelyn are slain inside the Twins, betrayed by Houses Bolton and Frey.[50]

Arya stabs the Tickler over and over again in a rage until Sandor Clegane stops her - by Mathia Arkoniel

Sandor decides that the only place left to take Arya is to the Vale of Arryn, which is ruled by Arya's aunt, the widowed Lysa Arryn. On the way east, Arya finds a saddled horse which she takes as her mount and names Craven. Sandor gives the gift of mercy to a Piper bowman, and Arya dreams of Nymeria dragging a body from a river.[51] They briefly stay at a village in the foothills of the Mountains of the Moon, but learn they cannot take the high road to Lysa at the Eyrie. Sandor decides to head back towards Riverrun to instead ransom Arya to her great uncle, Ser Brynden Tully.[51]

On their way Arya and Sandor stop at the crossroads inn. They meet the Tickler and Polliver, two of the men in Arya's prayer, as well as a young squire. Arya is confused when Polliver mentions that Lord Bolton's bastard, Ramsay Snow, is to marry Sansa's sister. Sandor gets drunk and a fight ensues. Arya takes a dagger from the squire and stabs him in the belly while Sandor kills Polliver, though he is badly wounded in the fight. As the Tickler closes in on Sandor, Arya sneaks behind and repeatedly stabs the torturer with his own dagger while echoing the questions he asked of his victims on their journey to Harrenhal. Sandor directs her to finish off the squire, who is dying of his wound. Arya reclaims Needle from Polliver's corpse and stabs the squire in the heart.[52]

Arya and Sandor head towards the town of Saltpans, but Sandor is too weak to continue due to his injuries. Arya realizes she left Sandor off her list that night, and wonders why. She adds him back, but thinks maybe he will die before morning. The next day, Arya draws Needle, intending to kill Sandor, after thinking maybe if she rides off, he will die on his own. Sandor sees her indecision and tries to goad her into killing him, but she decides to leave him to die instead of administering the mercy of a quick death. She sells Craven at Saltpans and gains passage on the Titan's Daughter, a ship headed to Braavos, by using the coin that Jaqen H'ghar had given her, along with the High Valyrian phrase valar morghulis.[52]

Jaime Lannister sees Steelshanks Walton, Roose Bolton's captain, depart King's Landing with a northern girl who claims to be Arya. Jaime thinks the real Arya is dead.[53]

A Feast for Crows

Arya in the House of Black and White - by Marc Simonetti ©

During the voyage to Braavos on the Titan's Daughter Arya uses the name "Salty". Captain Ternesio Terys and many of the sailors ask Arya to learn and remember their names, and many seem afraid of her. The captain has his older son Yorko row Arya to shore so as to get her off the ship prior to customs coming aboard.[10]

In Braavos, Arya finds her way to the House of Black and White, where a kindly old man initiates her into the guild of the Faceless Men.[10] She is required to discard her old personality, including her belongings, to begin the training. She does this, except for Needle, which she hides in a safe location. [24] She speaks the Braavosi tongue with a strong accent.[24]

Arya's training requires her to go out into the city under the identity of "Cat of the Canals", a street urchin, to learn secrets and report them to the kindly man. She also begins learning the art of lying from the waif. During this time, she kills a deserter from the Night's Watch named Dareon, and she briefly meets Samwell Tarly, a friend of her half brother Jon Snow, though they do not introduce themselves to each other. After these incidents, she accepts milk meant for "Arya". When she wakes the next morning, she is blind.[11]

Brienne of Tarth visits the Quiet Isle during her search for Sansa Stark. She learns from the Elder Brother that Sansa's sister Arya had been in the company of Sandor Clegane, but she may have been killed in the raid on Saltpans.[54]

A Dance with Dragons

A blinded Arya in the service of the House of Black and White in Braavos - art by Tiziano Baracchi. © Fantasy Flight Games

Arya remains blind and in the service of the House of Black and White in Braavos. The blindness is induced by the milk she drinks every night. She continues to dream through the eyes of her direwolf, Nymeria, but speaks of it to no one. She still struggles with leaving her identity as Arya Stark behind. While she is blind, Arya wears the guise of "Beth", a beggar girl. She wanders the streets of Braavos, begging for money and listening for bits and pieces of information. She becomes better at lying and detecting the lies of others.[12]

Arya receives her sight again after she is able to identify the kindly man and hit him with a stick when he sneaks up on her. It is implied, however, that she does not simply sense his presence (as he assumes) but sees him through the eyes of a cat hiding in the rafters.[12]

After regaining her sight,[12] Arya is given her first assassination assignment. She is asked to give "the gift" to an old man who sells a type of insurance for ships. The kindly man takes her to the secret lower chambers of the House of Black and White, where thousands of faces are hung on the walls. Arya is given the face of an ugly, broken girl who had been beaten by her father and came to the House of Black and White to seek the gift. Arya watches her target carefully for days. She notices that the old man has guards with him wherever he goes, and always tests the coin he is given with his teeth. While watching him, she attempts to find ways to justify his fate, but the kindly man tells her it is not for her to judge the old man.[13]

In the end, Arya feigns stealing a bag of coins from a captain on his way to meet with the old man. She splits the bag in the attempt, and switches one of the captain's coins with one of her own, coated in poison. After the switch, she escapes. Later, the old man's heart mysteriously gives out. The kindly man then gives Arya an acolyte's robe and assigns her to begin her first apprenticeship with Izembaro.[13]

Following the siege of Moat Cailin, Theon Greyjoy learns that House Bolton are claiming Jeyne Poole to be Arya.[55] Jon Snow, now Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, is shocked when Castle Black is informed that Ramsay Bolton is to marry his sister.[56] Melisandre tells Jon she saw a vision in her flames of a girl, Arya, fleeing a wedding,[56] but it is Alys Karstark who arrives at Castle Black seeking protection from Jon against Cregan Karstark.[57] Ramsay marries Jeyne at Winterfell,[58] and the northern mountain clans agree to support Stannis Baratheon so they can rescue the Ned's girl.[59] As Stannis's host approaches Winterfell, Theon helps Jeyne escape the castle[60] and they are brought to Stannis in a crofters' village.[61]

The Winds of Winter

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Warning
This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for The Winds of Winter, and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change.

Theon convinces Jeyne that for her own safety she should continue impersonating Arya. Stannis orders Ser Justin Massey to bring the girl to Castle Black.[62]

Under the identity of "Mercedene" or "Mercy", Arya is now a mummer at a playhouse called the Gate, owned by Izembaro. She is still experiencing wolf dreams, the latest with a tree watching her.[14]

When Ser Harys Swyft arrives in Braavos on a mission to negotiate with the Iron Bank of Braavos on behalf of King Tommen I Baratheon, the mummers of the Gate perform the play The Bloody Hand in which Arya plays a maid, presumably Shae, who is raped by Tyrion Lannister, played by a dwarf named Bobono.[14]

However, as the play is about to begin, Arya notices that one of Harys's guards is Rafford, one of the Mountain's men. She seduces him and takes him to her room. She tires him out by running there, and thus she is able to stab him in his thigh, cutting his femoral artery and rendering him unable to walk. Raff the Sweetling pleads to have him carried to a healer, but Arya replies: "Think so?" and stabs him in the throat, just as he did to the disabled Lommy. Arya throws his corpse in a canal and heads back to the Gate before she is due to come on stage.[14]

Arya and death

Arya's prayer

The Tickler's death by Nick Alcorn©.

During her journey, Arya is subjected to many hard situations in the war-torn riverlands. Her fiery personality prompts her to take the initiative and fight back, and so she is led to kill and ultimately wishes to murder specific characters herself. This course of action is supposed to end as of A Feast for Crows with her being an assassin trainee in Braavos, as the leader stresses becoming indifferent to death and killing. She continues, however, to repeat to herself the names of the people she wishes dead. Some names are added as she goes, and others are dropped when the character dies or becomes closer to her. She calls it a prayer,[6][15] and ends it with the words valar morghulis.[17][24] The names are:

Person Reason Status Fate
King Joffrey I Baratheon Ordered the execution of Eddard Stark[6] Dead Poisoned with the Strangler at his own wedding feast by Olenna Tyrell in co-operation with Petyr Baelish[63][64]
Chiswyck Boasted of his participation in the gang rape of Layna[6] Dead Pushed off a wall by Jaqen H'ghar at Harrenhal on the orders of Arya[15]
Ser Gregor Clegane The Mountain's men captured Arya and other smallfolk[6] Dead Stabbed by Oberyn Martell with a poisoned spear during Tyrion Lannister's trial of combat at King's Landing[65][66] (Arya currently is unaware of his death and Gregor is still on her list)[13]
Sandor Clegane Killed Mycah[6] Dead Succumbed to his infected wounds after the fight at the crossroads inn[54] (Arya had removed his name from her list prior to his death, but did not grant him the mercy of a quick death)[52]
Dunsen Stole Gendry's horned helmet[6] Alive TBD
Queen Cersei Lannister Involved in the death of Eddard Stark[6] Alive TBD
Ser Amory Lorch Killed Yoren[6] Dead Killed by Vargo Hoat's bear in the bear pit after the fall of Harrenhal[7]
Ser Ilyn Payne Beheaded Eddard Stark on the orders of King Joffrey I Baratheon[6] Alive TBD
Polliver Stole Needle from Arya[6] Dead Killed by Sandor Clegane at the crossroads inn[52]
Raff the Sweetling Killed Lommy Greenhands[6] Dead Killed by Arya under the identity of Mercy in Braavos[14]
The Tickler Tortured captives during questioning[6] Dead Killed by Arya at the crossroads inn[52]
Ser Meryn Trant Killed Syrio Forel[6] Alive TBD
Weese Violently abused Arya[15] Dead Killed by his own dog under Jaqen H'ghar's influence on the orders of Arya[67]

Arya wants to add House Frey to the prayer after the Red Wedding, but she does not know the names of those responsible.[24]

Others

Arya also kills a number of people who were not in her prayer:

Arya initiates and, along with Jaqen H'ghar, Rorge, and Biter, takes part in the killing of eight of Amory's men during the fall of Harrenhal,[7] an event that would be remembered for its "weasel soup," from the nickname she used at the time.[41][47]

Quotes by Arya

Swift as a deer. Quiet as a shadow. Fear cuts deeper than swords. Quick as a snake. Calm as still water. Fear cuts deeper than swords. Strong as a bear. Fierce as a wolverine. Fear cuts deeper than swords. The man who fears losing has already lost. Fear cuts deeper than swords. Fear cuts deeper than swords. Fear cuts deeper than swords.[69]

—thoughts of Arya

I'm the ghost in Harrenhal, she thought. And that night, there was one less name to hate.[15]

—Arya after the killing of Chiswyck

Yes, it's you who ought to run, you and Lord Tywin and the Mountain and Ser Addam and Ser Amory and stupid Ser Lyonel whoever he is, all of you better run or my brother will kill you, he’s a Stark, he’s more wolf than man, and so am I.[67]

—thoughts of Arya

A long time ago, she remembered her father saying that when the cold wind blows the lone wolf dies but the pack survives. He had it all backwards. Arya, the lone wolf, still lived, but the wolves of the pack had been taken and slain and skinned.[10]

—thoughts of Arya

Ser Gregor. Dunsen, Raff the Sweetling, Ser Ilyn, Ser Meryn, Queen Cersei. Valar morghulis, valar morghulis, valar morghulis.[24]

—Arya to herself

plague face: Who are you?
Arya: No one.
plague face: Not so. You are Arya of House Stark, who bites her lip and cannot tell a lie.
Arya: I was. I'm not now.[13]

plague face and Arya

Quotes about Arya

Ah, Arya. You have a wildness in you, child. The 'wolf blood,' my father used to call it. Lyanna had a touch of it, and my brother Brandon more than a touch. It brought them both to an early grave. Lyanna might have carried a sword, if my lord father had allowed it. You remind me of her sometimes. You even look like her.[2]

Eddard Stark to Arya

A boy has more courage than sense.[4]

Jaqen H'ghar to Arya

Arya had always been harder to tame.[70]

—thoughts of Catelyn Stark

And Arya, well... Ned's visitors would oft mistake her for a stableboy if they rode into the yard unannounced. Arya was a trial, it must be said. Half a boy, half a wolf pup. Forbid her anything and it became her heart's desire. She had Ned's long face, and brown hair that always looked as though a bird had been nesting in it. I despaired of ever making a lady of her. She collected scabs as other girls collected dolls, and would say anything that came into her head.[71]

—thoughts of Catelyn Stark

Arya Underfoot, he almost said. Arya Horseface. Robb's younger sister, brown-haired, long-faced, skinny as a stick. Always dirty.[72]

—thoughts of Theon Greyjoy

The girl dipped before him. That was wrong as well. The real Arya Stark would have spat in his face.[55]

Theon Greyjoy recognizing Jeyne Poole

Family

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beron
 
Lorra
Royce
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Donnor
 
Lyanne
Glover
 
 
Willam
 
Melantha
Blackwood
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Artos
 
Lysara
Karstark
 
Berena
 
Alysanne
 
Errold
 
Rodrik
 
Arya
Flint
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brandon
 
Edwyle
 
Marna
Locke
 
Jocelyn
 
Benedict
Royce
 
Brandon
 
Benjen
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Harrold
Rogers
 
Branda
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issue
 
 
 
Issue
 
Issue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rickard
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lyarra
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brandon
 
Catelyn
Tully
 
Eddard
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unknown
woman
 
Lyanna
 
Benjen
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jeyne
Westerling
 
Robb
 
Sansa
 
Tyrion
Lannister
 
Arya
 
Brandon
 
Rickon
 
Jon
Snow
 
 
 

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 7, Arya I.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 22, Arya II.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 1, Arya I.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 5, Arya II.
  5. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 9, Arya III.
  6. 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15 6.16 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 26, Arya VI.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 47, Arya IX.
  8. 8.0 8.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 13, Arya II.
  9. 9.0 9.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 34, Arya VI.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 6, Arya I.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 34, Cat Of The Canals.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 45, The Blind Girl.
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 13.7 13.8 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 64, The Ugly Little Girl.
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 The Winds of Winter, Mercy
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 30, Arya VII.
  16. 16.0 16.1 See the Arya Stark calculation.
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 3, Arya I.
  18. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 32, Reek III.
  19. 19.0 19.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 32, Arya III.
  20. George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Arya Stark.
  21. 21.0 21.1 A Game of Thrones, Appendix.
  22. The World of Ice & Fire, Appendix: Stark Lineage.
  23. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 5, Jon I.
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 24.5 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 22, Arya II.
  25. 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 50, Arya IV.
  26. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 1, Bran I.
  27. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 2, Catelyn I.
  28. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 10, Jon II.
  29. 29.0 29.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 15, Sansa I.
  30. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 16, Eddard III.
  31. So Spake Martin: Eastern Cities and Peoples, June 12, 2002
  32. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 45, Eddard XII.
  33. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 51, Sansa IV.
  34. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 67, Sansa VI.
  35. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 65, Arya V.
  36. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 55, Catelyn VIII.
  37. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 59, Catelyn IX.
  38. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 15, Tyrion III.
  39. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 19, Arya V.
  40. 40.0 40.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 47, Arya IX.
  41. 41.0 41.1 41.2 41.3 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 64, Arya X.
  42. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 17, Arya III.
  43. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 22, Arya IV.
  44. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 29, Arya V.
  45. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 37, Jaime V.
  46. 46.0 46.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 39, Arya VII.
  47. 47.0 47.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 43, Arya VIII.
  48. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 50, Arya X.
  49. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 52, Arya XI.
  50. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 51, Catelyn VII.
  51. 51.0 51.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 65, Arya XII.
  52. 52.0 52.1 52.2 52.3 52.4 52.5 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 74, Arya XIII.
  53. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 71, Daenerys VI.
  54. 54.0 54.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 31, Brienne VI.
  55. 55.0 55.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 20, Reek II.
  56. 56.0 56.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 28, Jon VI.
  57. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 44, Jon IX.
  58. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 37, The Prince of Winterfell.
  59. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 42, The King's Prize.
  60. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 51, Theon I.
  61. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 62, The Sacrifice.
  62. The Winds of Winter, Theon I
  63. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 60, Tyrion VIII.
  64. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 68, Sansa VI.
  65. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 70, Tyrion X.
  66. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 17, Cersei IV.
  67. 67.0 67.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 38, Arya VIII.
  68. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 14, Arya IV.
  69. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 52, Jon VII.
  70. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 45, Catelyn VI.
  71. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 55, Catelyn VII.
  72. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 12, Reek I.

External links

Arya Stark on the Game of Thrones wiki.

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