Why did Nymeria leave Arya?

Why did Nymeria leave Arya? - Trees Surrounded by Fogs

Near the end of Game of Thrones S07E02, Arya was surrounded by wolves and Nymeria was amongst one of them. I (and most of the GoT fans) thought Nymeria is going to reunite with Arya finally, however Nymeria walked away and left Arya.

So why did Nymeria do that?



Best Answer

This is discussed in the after-episode conversation with the writers. They are showing that Arya and Nymeria (like most of the Starks and their Direwolves) share personality traits.

They reference back when Arya is talking with her dad about being a "exemplary woman" and she says "That's not me". When she meets Nymeria again, she realizes that, as much as Arya has made a new place for herself, so to has Nymeria. She is no longer Arya's pet. She is her own wolf and has found her own life. This is why Arya says "That's not you" - she realizes that her connection with Nymeria is gone and she needs to move on.

It's discussed in The Independent here. Not sure if the video is generally available outside of HBO.

During a post-episode discussion, showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss explained how the phrase was a callback to season one. One early episode sees Ned Stark tell his daughter that she will one day be a lady and get married, to which she replies: “No. That’s not me.”

Benioff describes how Arya wants Nymeria “to come back home with her and be her loyal companion again. But Nymeria’s found her own life.”

The video is here:




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Will Nymeria return to Arya?

After that, she is not shown in the show until season 7, when Arya finds the direwolf on her way to Riverrun. As per the books, Nymeria is said to be leading a pack of wolves that do not fear men. She refuses Arya's invitation to go home with her, and returns with her pack to the forest.

Why did Nymeria walk away?

Weiss explain what the moment really meant. Nymeria was last seen in the first season of the show, when Arya let her go. The direwolf had bitten Joffrey to defend Arya, and Cersei was going to kill her for doing so. So Arya forced her to run away in order to save her life.

What did Arya say when Nymeria left?

Near the end of Sunday's episode, Arya (Maisie Williams) finally reunited with her long-lost direwolf Nymeria, only to then let the wolf go. Her parting words\u2014\u201cThat's not you\u201d\u2014have caused some confusion among the show's fandom. But thankfully, showrunners David Benioff and D.B.

Is Nymeria a real wolf?

Ghost and Nymeria DirewolvesThe only two direwolves still alive in the show are Ghost and Nymeria. Ghost was adopted by the character of Jon Snow played by Kit Harington. He's are more unique that than the other as he was an Albino with red eyes.



Arya and Nymeria Reunion in 'Stormborn' Explained




More answers regarding why did Nymeria leave Arya?

Answer 2

She's moved on

Bryan Cogman, who is the show's main scriptwriter (including the writer of that particular episode) and also co-executive producer recently said on Twitter:

...She [Nymeria] doesn't go with her [Arya] because too much time has passed and she isn't a pet anymore. She's got her own thing now.

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Answer 3

Arya wants Nymeria “to come back home with her and be her loyal companion again. But Nymeria’s found her own life.” That’s not you’ is a direct reference to what Arya herself said to her father when her father painted this picture for her as a lady of a castle and marrying some lord and wearing some frilly dress. Arya’s not domesticated and it makes total sense her wolf wouldn’t be either. Once the wolf walks away, at first she’s heartbroken to have come this close. Then she realises the wolf is doing exactly what she would do if she were that wolf.”

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