In the HBO series Game of Thrones, each of the Stark children receives a direwolf pup when they find them near their dead mother. Arya Stark, the youngest Stark daughter, receives a female direwolf she names Nymeria. The Stark children’s bonds with their direwolves are central to their characters and stories. So what ultimately happens to Arya’s beloved direwolf Nymeria?
Quick Summary of Arya and Nymeria
Let’s start with a quick refresher on Arya Stark and her direwolf Nymeria:
- Arya is the youngest daughter of Ned and Catelyn Stark. She has always felt like an outsider in her noble family, preferring swordplay and archery to traditional “ladylike” pursuits.
- When the Stark children find the orphaned direwolf pups in the first episode/book, Arya bonds quickly with the female grey pup she later names Nymeria.
- Direwolves are the sigil of House Stark. The Stark children’s bonds with their wolves represent their inner Stark identity.
- Arya and Nymeria have similar wild, untamable spirits. Nymeria never fully obeys or responds to commands.
- Early in the story, Nymeria defends Arya from Joffrey when he threatens her. Arya forces Nymeria to flee rather than be killed for this.
- After this event, Nymeria is not seen directly again for most of the story. But Arya occasionally dreams of seeing the world through Nymeria’s eyes as she leads a huge wolfpack.
So despite being separated early on, Arya maintains a strong spiritual bond with Nymeria throughout her adventures. What ultimately happens to her beloved direwolf?
Nymeria Leads a Wolfpack in the Riverlands
After being driven off by Arya, Nymeria makes her way to the wild woods along the Trident River in the Riverlands. She eventually becomes the leader of a huge, savage pack of hundreds of wolves that terrorize the war-torn Riverlands. Here are some key details about Nymeria’s wolfpack:
- Nymeria’s wolfpack grows to be the largest and most feared in Westeros. It is said to be made up of hundreds of wolves.
- The pack claims a huge territory along the Trident River. Local smallfolk live in terror of being attacked.
- Nymeria leads the pack using advanced intelligence. They strategically pick off weak, injured or isolated prey.
- Arya occasionally dreams of Nymeria. These dreams reveal Nymeria leading the pack and hint at her growing ferocity.
- Characters like Arya’s father Ned and Catelyn hear many disturbing reports of the attacks by Nymeria’s wolfpack.
So despite being forced to leave Arya, Nymeria survives and thrives in the wild. She leads a vast, fierce wolfpack that dominates the Riverlands, much like how House Stark once ruled the North.
Notable Attacks by Nymeria’s Pack
Here are some of the major attacks attributed to Nymeria’s wolfpack in the Riverlands:
| Attack | Details |
|---|---|
| Ravaging local villages | The pack attacks sheepfolds, drives off livestock, and kills peasants across the central Riverlands. |
| Attacking refugees | Nymeria’s pack preys on war refugees fleeing south from the fighting in the Riverlands. |
| Killing Lannister scout patrols | The pack ambushes and devastates scouting parties sent ahead of Tywin Lannister’s main army. |
| Attacking throngs at the Twins | The pack descends on crowds gathered for Edmure Tully’s wedding at the Twins, causing panic. |
These attacks showcase how massive and bloodthirsty Nymeria’s wolfpack has become. Her pack wreaks havoc on Lannister forces and civilians alike throughout the region.
Arya’s Spiritual Bond with Nymeria
Although separated, Arya maintains a strong spiritual connection with Nymeria. She periodically experiences “wolf dreams” where she inhabits Nymeria’s body and sees the world through her eyes:
- Arya first dreams she is Nymeria the night after fleeing King’s Landing and forcing Nymeria to run away.
- In her dreams as Nymeria, she leads the pack and tastes blood as they gorge on fresh kills.
- These dreams hint that Nymeria has grown as wild and hungry for vengeance as Arya herself.
- When traveling in the Riverlands with the Hound, Arya dreams of Nymeria pulling a dead woman from a river.
- Arya seems to sense that Nymeria is close when she is in areas the wolfpack has claimed.
Through these dreams, Arya maintains a bond with Nymeria despite their physical separation. The connection hints that both have become forces of vengeance against those who have wronged House Stark.
Arya and Nymeria Reunite
Late in the story, Arya finally returns to the Riverlands, where Nymeria still leads her wolfpack. In a tense moment, the two come face to face for the first time since Parting:
- Arya encounters Nymeria in the woods after crossing the Trident River.
- At first Nymeria growls at her warily, not recognizing the now-grown Arya.
- Desperate, Arya calls out “Nymeria, it’s me!” using her old command voice.
- Hearing her name and voice, Nymeria recognizes Arya. She backs down and allows Arya to cautiously approach.
- Arya thanks Nymeria for all she’d done for her. Nymeria turns and leaves with her pack.
This emotional reunion shows the enduring connection between Arya and her long-lost direwolf. Though their paths diverge again, their spirit bond remains as Arya continues her journey.
Nymeria’s Presence Felt at the Battle of Winterfell
Nymeria does not appear directly again in the story after her reunion with Arya. However, evidence suggests her pack joins the living forces during the climactic Battle of Winterfell against the Night King and his undead army:
- Before the battle, wild wolves are heard howling in the wolfswood north of Winterfell.
- During the battle, the White Walkers are shown being attacked by a pack of wolves led by a massive she-wolf.
- These wolves help defend the living against the dead during the long night of battle.
- Fans believe this wolfpack attacking the dead is led by Nymeria, come to join her Stark siblings in battle.
While unconfirmed, it is likely that Nymeria brought her pack to Winterfell to stand with her beloved Arya and the Starks one last time against their greatest enemy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, though separated early on Arya maintains a strong spiritual bond with her direwolf Nymeria throughout her adventures. Nymeria survives and leads a massive wolfpack that terrorizes the Lannisters and Freys who betrayed the Starks. The two have an emotional reunion when Arya finally returns to the Riverlands years later. While Nymeria leaves again, evidence suggests she joins the Battle of Winterfell to help defend the living against the army of the dead. Their enduring connection is a symbol of how the scattered Starks eventually reunite to defend their home and their bonds with their direwolves represent the inner Stark identity that helps get them through their many trials.