Difference between revisions of "Arya Stark"

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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>
 
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>
  
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}} While Sansa is captured, Arya escapes the castle using the passage she found earlier. She 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}}
+
During the purge of [[House Stark]] from the Red Keep after the death of King Robert, 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}} While Sansa is captured, Arya escapes the castle using the passage she found earlier. She 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}}
 +
 
 +
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''===
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 [[God's Eye]] lake, where they are attacked by raiders led by Ser [[Amory Lorch]]. Arya is one of the few to escape alive, along with [[Gendry]], [[Hot Pie]], [[Lommy Greenhands]], and [[Weasel]]. Before escaping, she saves the lives of the chained Night's Watch prisoners [[Jaqen H'ghar]], [[Rorge]] and [[Biter]].{{Ref|aCoK|15}} Hot Pie calls her ''Lumpyface'' and Lommy calls her ''Lumpyhead''.
+
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, she saves the lives of three chained Night's Watch prisoners: [[Jaqen H'ghar]], [[Rorge]], and [[Biter]].{{Ref|aCoK|15}}
 +
 
 +
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}} Then they are taken to [[Harrenhal]] and made servants. On the journey, she creates a list of those she hates and wants to kill. At Harrenhal she is assigned to the steward [[Weese]] to work at the [[Wailing Tower]].{{Ref|aCoK|26}} Several days later, she reunites with Jaqen, Rorge, and Biter, who are now in the employ of Amory Lorch.
  
Arya heads out with the survivors until they are captured by Ser [[Gregor Clegane|Gregor]] and [[The Mountain's men|his men]] in the next town, where they are held for eight days, while the [[Tickler]] ''questions'' the villagers.{{Ref|aCoK|19}} Then they are taken to Harrenhal and made servants. On the journey, she creates a [[#Hit List|Hit List]] of all those she hates and wants to kill. At Harrenhal she is assigned to the steward [[Weese]] to work at the [[Wailing Tower]].{{Ref|aCoK|26}} Several days later, she reunites with Jaqen and the two other prisoners she saved, who are now in the employ of Ser [[Amory Lorch]].
 
 
[[File:Valar Morghulis by Tim Tsang II.jpg|thumb|400px|Arya kills the [[Harrenhal]] guard and whispers ''[[valar morghulis]]'' - by Tim Tsang ©]]
 
[[File:Valar Morghulis by Tim Tsang II.jpg|thumb|400px|Arya kills the [[Harrenhal]] guard and whispers ''[[valar morghulis]]'' - by Tim Tsang ©]]
Jaqen comes to her at night and offers her three murders for the three lives she saved. After several days Arya names [[Chiswyck]], after she overhears him boast at how he participated in a gang rape. 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. Whilst trying to figure out the last name to say, she realises she should have said a more important name, such as Tywin or Amory Lorch. A bit regretful, she thinks hard about how to make the last name count. Finally, she names Jaqen himself. To make her unsay his name, Jaqen helps her free the Northmen in the dungeon and stage an uprising. Afterwards, to Arya's amazement, Jaqen changes his face and manner in front of her, saying it was time for that person to die. He gives Arya an iron coin so she can find him again and leaves. The next morning, Lord [[Roose Bolton]] arrives to take charge of the castle. Arya, now calling herself ''Nymeria'', or ''Nan'' for short, is made one of Roose's cup-bearers 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}}
 
  
She realizes she has been treated quite well under Roose and wishes to leave with him in an effort to get back to Winterfell and her family. She speaks out of turn to ask him what will happen to her. He treats her unkindly, so she keeps to herself until he goes. After Harrenhal is left to [[Vargo Hoat]], Arya escapes with [[Gendry]] and [[Hot Pie]], killing a gate guard.{{Ref|aCoK|64}}
+
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}}
 +
 
 +
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. He gives Arya an iron coin so she can find him again and leaves.{{ref|ACOK|47}}
 +
 
 +
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|Walda's]] letter.{{ref|ACOK|64}}
 +
 
 +
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''===
[[File:Mathia Arkoniel thetickler arya sandor.jpg|Arya stabs the Tickler over and over again in a rage until [[Sandor Clegane|the Hound]] stops her - by Mathia Arkoniel|left|thumb|300px]]
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[[File:Mathia Arkoniel thetickler arya sandor.jpg|Arya stabs the Tickler over and over again in a rage until [[Sandor Clegane]] stops her - by Mathia Arkoniel|left|thumb|300px]]
While Arya and her companions are making their way north, Arya enters Nymeria during a dream as a [[skinchanger] and sees Nymeria kill the members of the [[Brave Companions]] that were sent after them.{{Ref|aSoS|3}} Not long afterwards, she and her companions are discovered by a group of the [[brotherhood without banners]] and taken to [[Inn of the Kneeling Man]], where she meets one of her father's former guards, [[Harwin]], who recognizes her as Arya Stark.{{Ref|aSoS|13}} Arya travels with the group to their hideout.  At the Brotherhood's camp Arya encounters the recently captured [[Sandor Clegane]] standing for trial. She accuses him of murdering [[Mycah]], earning him a [[trial by combat]]. He survives and so is set free.{{Ref|aSoS|34}}
+
While Arya and her companions are making their way north, Arya enters Nymeria during a dream as a [[skinchanger]] and sees Nymeria kill the members of the [[Brave Companions]] that were sent after them.{{Ref|aSoS|3}} Not long afterwards, she and her companions are discovered by a group of the [[brotherhood without banners]] and taken to [[Inn of the Kneeling Man]], where she meets one of her father's former guards, [[Harwin]], who recognizes her as Arya Stark.{{Ref|aSoS|13}} Arya travels with the group to their hideout.  At the Brotherhood's camp Arya encounters the recently captured [[Sandor Clegane]] standing for trial. She accuses him of murdering [[Mycah]], earning him a [[trial by combat]]. He survives and so is set free.{{Ref|aSoS|34}}
  
 
Disappointed with the Brotherhood and feeling alone in the world after [[Hot Pie]] and Gendry go their separate ways, Arya attempts to flee and ends up being captured by [[Sandor Clegane]], who was trailing the group.{{Ref|aSoS|43}} Sandor takes her to the [[Twins]], where he plans to return her to her brother [[Robb Stark|Robb]] and win a place in his service.{{Ref|aSoS|47}} They reach the [[Twins]] just as the slaughter of the [[Red Wedding]] begins. The Hound has to prevent Arya from running into the castle (and certain death) by knocking her out with the flat of his axe.{{Ref|aSoS|52}}
 
Disappointed with the Brotherhood and feeling alone in the world after [[Hot Pie]] and Gendry go their separate ways, Arya attempts to flee and ends up being captured by [[Sandor Clegane]], who was trailing the group.{{Ref|aSoS|43}} Sandor takes her to the [[Twins]], where he plans to return her to her brother [[Robb Stark|Robb]] and win a place in his service.{{Ref|aSoS|47}} They reach the [[Twins]] just as the slaughter of the [[Red Wedding]] begins. The Hound has to prevent Arya from running into the castle (and certain death) by knocking her out with the flat of his axe.{{Ref|aSoS|52}}

Revision as of 17:19, 6 April 2017

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

Aliases
Title Princess
Allegiances
Culture northmen
Born 289 AC[14]
Winterfell
Books

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

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.[15] 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,[16] and brown hair.[1] She is skinny and athletic. She is generally regarded as plain, as exemplified by her nickname "Arya Horseface",[1] and is often mistaken for a boy.[17][3] However, there are instances of her being called pretty[12] 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 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.[12]

History

Born in 289 AC[14] at Winterfell,[18] 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.[19][20] Arya has an older sister, Sansa,[21] an older brother, Robb, and two younger brothers, Bran and Rickon. She also has an older bastard half-brother, Jon Snow.[19]

Arya has spend her entire life at Winterfell, though she did accompany her father on two occasions to White Harbor.[22] Arya has been tutored by Septa Mordane in the womanly arts (including needlework),[1] and received lessons from Maester Luwin as well.[9] 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]

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

When her brothers Robb and Jon find six direwolf pups,[23] Arya adopts one of them,[24] 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".[25] On the way south, she befriends a peasant boy named Mycah, and they often play at swords.[26]

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.[26] 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.[27] From this moment, Arya harbors a lasting 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 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.[17][28]

During the purge of House Stark from the Red Keep after the death of King Robert, 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.[29] While Sansa is captured, Arya escapes the castle using the passage she found earlier. She 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.[30]

Cersei has Sansa send letters to Winterfell, but Arya's mother, Catelyn Stark, notices that no mention is made of Arya.[31] 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.[32]

A Clash of Kings

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, she saves the lives of three chained Night's Watch prisoners: Jaqen H'ghar, Rorge, and Biter.[33]

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.[34] Then they are taken to Harrenhal and made servants. On the journey, she creates a list of those she hates and wants to kill. At Harrenhal she is assigned to the steward Weese to work at the Wailing Tower.[6] Several days later, she reunites with Jaqen, Rorge, and Biter, who are now in the employ of Amory Lorch.

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

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. He gives Arya an iron coin so she can find him again and leaves.[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.[35]

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.[35]

A Storm of Swords

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

While Arya and her companions are making their way north, Arya enters Nymeria during a dream as a skinchanger and sees Nymeria kill the members of the Brave Companions that were sent after them.[15] Not long afterwards, she and her companions are discovered by a group of the brotherhood without banners and taken to Inn of the Kneeling Man, where she meets one of her father's former guards, Harwin, who recognizes her as Arya Stark.[8] Arya travels with the group to their hideout. At the Brotherhood's camp Arya encounters the recently captured Sandor Clegane standing for trial. She accuses him of murdering Mycah, earning him a trial by combat. He survives and so is set free.[36]

Disappointed with the Brotherhood and feeling alone in the world after Hot Pie and Gendry go their separate ways, Arya attempts to flee and ends up being captured by Sandor Clegane, who was trailing the group.[37] Sandor takes her to the Twins, where he plans to return her to her brother Robb and win a place in his service.[38] They reach the Twins just as the slaughter of the Red Wedding begins. The Hound has to prevent Arya from running into the castle (and certain death) by knocking her out with the flat of his axe.[39]

Sandor decides that the only place left to take her is to the Vale of Arryn, which is ruled by Arya's aunt, Lysa. On the way east, Arya finds a saddled horse. She takes him as her mount and names him Craven. However, it is soon discovered they cannot reach the Eyrie, and they are forced to head back towards Riverrun to ransom her to Ser Brynden Tully instead.[40]

On their way they stop at an inn where they meet the Tickler and Polliver, two of the men on Arya's death list, as well as a young squire. The Hound gets drunk and a fight ensues. Arya manages to stab the squire in the belly while The Hound kills Polliver, though he is badly wounded in the fight. As the Tickler closes in on Sandor, Arya is able to sneak behind him and stab him. She continues to stab him while savagely echoing the questions he asked of his victims on their journey to Harrenhal. After, 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.[41]

Arya and Sandor head towards the town of Saltpans, but Sandor is too weak to continue and falls from his horse. Arya draws Needle, intending to kill him, but 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 Valyrian phrase "Valar Morghulis."[41]

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. Many of the sailors and even Captain Ternesio Terys ask her to learn and remember their names. 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.[9]

In Braavos, Arya Stark finds her way to the House of Black and White, where a kindly old man initiates her into the guild of the Faceless Men.[9] 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. [42] She speaks the Braavosi tongue with a strong accent.[42]

Arya's training requires her to go out into the city under the identity of Cat of the Canals, a street urchin, learn secrets, and report what she has learned 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 briefly meets Samwell Tarly, 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.[10]

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.

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.[11]

After regaining her sight,[11] 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. 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 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.

In the end, she 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.[12]

The Winds of Winter

Content.png
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.

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.[13]

When Ser Harys Swyft arrives in Braavos on a mission to negotiate with the Iron Bank of Braavos, the mummers of the Gate perform the play The Bloody Hand in which Arya plays a maid, presumably Shae, who is raped by Tyrion, played by a dwarf named Bobono.[13]

However, as the play is about to begin, Arya notices two of Swyft's guards talking. One of them is Raff the Sweetling. 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. Rafford 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.[13]

Arya and Death

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, and ends it with the words Valar Morghulis. The names are:

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

Arya stated she would have added the Freys to the list after the Red Wedding but she did not know the names of those responsible for her brother's death.

She also killed a number of people who were not on her list herself:

She also initiated and, along with 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 used at the time.[7]

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.[43]



I'm the ghost in Harrenhal, she thought. And that night, there was one less name to hate.[44]

– 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.[45]


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.[9]


Gendry: If you need help, bark like a dog.
Arya: That's stupid. If I need help, I'll shout 'help'.[34]

Gendry and Arya


Gendry: What kind of lady are you?
Arya: This kind.[46]

Gendry and Arya


The Many-Faced God can have the rest, she thought, but he can't have this.[42]

- regarding Needle and her recently acquired possessions

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.[2]

Eddard Stark


A boy has more courage than sense.[4]

Jaqen H'ghar


Arya had always been harder to tame.[47]

Catelyn Tully


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.[48]

Catelyn Tully remembers her daughter


Arya Underfoot, he almost said. Arya Horseface. Robb's younger sister, brown-haired, long-faced, skinny as a stick. Always dirty.[49]

Theon Greyjoy


The girl dipped before him. That was wrong as well. The real Arya Stark would have spat in his face.[50]

Theon Greyjoy realizing that Ramsay's bride is not Arya Stark

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 and Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 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. 6.0 6.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 26, Arya VI.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 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 9.2 9.3 9.4 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 6, Arya I.
  10. 10.0 10.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 34, Cat Of The Canals.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 45, The Blind Girl.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 64, The Ugly Little Girl.
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 The Winds of Winter, Mercy
  14. 14.0 14.1 See the Arya Stark calculation.
  15. 15.0 15.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 3, Arya I.
  16. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 32, Reek III.
  17. 17.0 17.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 32, Arya III.
  18. George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Arya Stark.
  19. 19.0 19.1 A Game of Thrones, Appendix.
  20. The World of Ice & Fire, Appendix: Stark Lineage.
  21. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 5, Jon I.
  22. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 26, Samwell III.
  23. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 1, Bran I.
  24. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 2, Catelyn I.
  25. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 10, Jon II.
  26. 26.0 26.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 15, Sansa I.
  27. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 16, Eddard III.
  28. So Spake Martin: Eastern Cities and Peoples, June 12, 2002
  29. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 50, Arya IV.
  30. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 65, Arya V.
  31. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 55, Catelyn VIII.
  32. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 59, Catelyn IX.
  33. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 15, Tyrion III.
  34. 34.0 34.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 19, Arya V.
  35. 35.0 35.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 64, Arya X.
  36. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 34, Arya VI.
  37. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 43, Arya VIII.
  38. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 47, Arya IX.
  39. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 52, Arya XI.
  40. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 65, Arya XII.
  41. 41.0 41.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 74, Arya XIII.
  42. 42.0 42.1 42.2 42.3 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 22, Arya II.
  43. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 52, Jon VII.
  44. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 30, Arya VII.
  45. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 38, Arya VIII.
  46. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 19, Tyrion III.
  47. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 45, Catelyn VI.
  48. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 55, Catelyn VII.
  49. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 12, Reek I.
  50. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 20, Brienne IV.

External Links

Arya Stark on the Game of Thrones wiki.

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