Firstly can I say that this is one of my all time favourite scenes in Game of Thrones ever and I’ll explain why here, however to do that we must delve into Arya slightly as a person and reflect on her story ark as a character in the entire series.

Arya, as we’re introduced to her from the very beginning, is an extremely passionate but lonely figure. She struggles to get along with her sister Sansa who spends her time wearing dresses and knitting, something in Westeros a lady is “supposed” to do. She doesn’t get on well with the handmaidens, nor the Ladys of house Stark for that matter.

She much prefers the company of herself and perhaps swords and archery, which again she doesn’t fit into as in Westeros this is more befitting of the men. She argues with Sansa for not wanting to be a lady and argues with her brothers and parents about wanting to do what the boys are doing. She doesn’t really have a place and there’s much hints early on that she’ll have to find her own path… which we know she does.

Fast-forward past her time in King’s Landing, on the road, Braavos and to where she is now, she finds herself heading back towards the North, where her brother John now rules as King in the North. Whilst setting up camp for the night off the beaten track she’s ambushed by a pack of hungry and aggressive wolves and when it looks like her time may be up, we have the big reveal of the return of Nymeria. Nymeria is her Direwolf, given to her by Ned in Season 1. After Nymeria stopped Joffrey from harming her, Arya was forced the send Nymeria away in a horrible scene involving her throwing rocks to make sure she leaves. After all, we know what Cercei then ended up ordering to happen to Lady (Sansa’s Direwolf) in Nymeria’s place. It’s a harsh scene as the direwolf doesn’t really seem to know what’s happening but being true loyal beast it is, takes Arya’s hint and is forced to run away.

Arya’s emotional goodbye in Season 1.

Anyway, Nymeria returns to Arya and it looks as though she’s the leader of the wolf pack (something that’s strongly hinted at in the books), and I don’t think this is coincidence. Direwolves are extremely clever, they are the sigil of House Stark and they understand their owners. Starks are descendents of the First Men who have warging abilities (like Bran) so this communication is natural and is why you see wargs in the Wildling community too and more the further north you go.

Nymeria is huge, potentially bigger than Ghost and is 1 of a pair of the remaining Stark direwovles still alive. She approaches Arya and for a minute doesn’t seem to recognise her, but eventually she softens and Arya asks if she will rejoin her. I’m sure we all craved the return of Arya riding her direwolf into Winterfell to be united with her brother, sister and Ghost, but for me that wouldn’t have made sense. I think this is the end of Nymeria’s storyline and here’s why…

Think about everything you’ve just read, the journey Arya has had to take, the survival instincts she’s had to show from a young age and finally the horror she’s had to endure in Westeros. For Nymeria to have come as far as she has, surely she will have had to do the exact same thing in her time travelling from the South back up to the North, forming her pack and surviving in the wilderness. Arya isn’t meant to be a lady of the North and Nymeria isn’t meant to be a pet. This is signified by Arya’s perfect line…

“That’s not you.”

This mirrors a scene with Arya and Ned in Season 1 when Ned finds Arya’s gift from John, Needle. He explains to Arya that she shouldn’t be sword fighting and arguing and she will eventually grow into a beautiful young lady. Arya explains to Ned “No, that’s not me” and Ned instantly understands, and proves his understanding by getting her sword fighting lessons from Syrio Forel. Nymeria practically tells Arya the same thing before leaving for good and whilst it’s not confirmed if Nymeria will ever come back, for me this is the end of her story ark and a perfect one too.

So much thought has gone into this scene and it’s delivered so well by Maisie Williams. A truly gasping moment when you see how much Nymeria has grown and a bitter sweet end to a beautiful friendship and understanding between girl and wolf.

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