Arya Stark was never meant to live a conventional life. From the earliest seasons of Game of Thrones, she rejected the path laid out for noble ladies, famously telling her father, "That’s not me." Fiercely independent and fearless, she carved her own destiny — training with the Faceless Men in Braavos, mastering the art of stealth and survival, and reuniting with her direwolf Nymeria, who, like Arya, had grown too wild to return to her former life.
Her journey led to one of the series' most iconic moments: the defeat of the Night King. With a single, deadly strike using a Valyrian steel dagger, Arya changed the fate of Westeros — and secured her place in its history as the one who ended the Long Night.
But after the great battles were over, Arya's story took an unexpected turn. In the final episode, she set sail west of Westeros, toward uncharted lands. Her fate was left open-ended — and fans have since speculated about what could have come next for the youngest Stark daughter.
Arya Stark as the 'Columbus of Westeros'
The western edge of the known world — where Arya was headed — remained unexplored. Her bold and restless spirit would be well-suited to discovering new lands, civilizations, and cultures. If so, Arya might have become one of the most legendary explorers in Westerosi history. Given her ability to form bonds with others and lead with quiet strength, it’s easy to imagine her assembling a loyal crew of allies on her journey into the unknown.
Her story didn’t end — it simply turned toward new horizons.
And for those still wondering: who really killed the Night King? We recently wrote about one compelling theory that suggests Arya might not have been acting alone…
