#asoiaf aspeculation

[agentrouka-blog]

A stans conveniently forgetting that she doesn't want to be a lady in the first place. A would probably be very disappointed with them and would be the first to protest LOL

If we didn't have Sansa, Arya's arc could be a very bitter-sweet path of disillusionment and sober acceptance of duty.

She runs out on lessons and hates the life prescribed for a lady, is comfortable with her privileges while ignoring the accompanying duties. She ignores class boundaries because she can - without understanding the power and privilege she retains unlike actual smallfolk. She is violent when she's upset, impulsive, inconsiderate of the needs of others (unless she personally likes them). (While also being sweet, curious, funny, sensitive, obviously.)

And then she gets adventure and travel in the most horrendous way, all her naive dreams destroyed. Just injustice, war and murder. And when she eventually makes her way home, she willingly takes on the duties she had hated. Sitting still, accepting contrary views without immediate blind refusal, reading and studying, negotiating, stationary administrative work, complex decisions, patience, prudence, self-control, marriage and children, sacrifice of her freedom...

All lessons learned through pain and suffering on her travels. A subdued, somber Arya who turns her scars into lessons and gives her life over to serving her people, no matter how she yearned for something different.

But.

Sansa exists. Who has a different arc, going from being perfectly raised to do the job of a consort (with all the attendant study and diplomatic skill), through observation, painful mistakes, and growing experience, to realize that she cannot take refuge in passivity, she needs to exercise power and privilege when she has it in order to achieve the kind of justice or harmony she wants to see in the world. A reluctant ruler, who is equiped with the necessary education and skills, but needs to develop the determination and confidence to act.

This alternative frees up Arya for a much happier ending better suited to her skills and desires, as well. A wiser, more patient Arya, more aware of the power structures and her own privilege, who doesn't have to restrain her boldness as a politician but rather can exercise it as a traveler, a constant representative of the interests of the smallfolk, as an explorer, as a diplomat in the interest of the North, a living legend, Oberyn's Northern counterpart.. just anything that doesn't tie her down with paperwork and the minutiae of administrative necessities.

GRRM loves Arya. I know which ending I think is more likely.