Game of Thrones: 10 Best Moments From The Children

5. Arya Leaves The Hound

Following the fight between the Hound and Brienne, Arya returns to his side to find him beaten and bloodied beyond hope of survival. The Hound acknowledges this and tells Arya to have mercy and finish him off. When she appears not to comply, the Hound attempts to anger her into doing it by recounting Mycah's death and stating his wish that he had forced himself on Sansa when he had the chance. Arya still doesn't respond, and finally the Hound begins begging for it. Arya moves towards him as if to grant him his wish, but instead she just takes his gold and leaves. The Hound screams for her to kill him but she keeps on walking, leaving him to die slowly. This is actually one of the hardest scenes to watch because the Hound is so pathetic that you can't help taking his side. Through four seasons we've followed this character and gotten to know him more. Despite the morally repugnant things he has done, we've grown to understand him. Compared to the likes of Joffrey or Ramsay, the Hound is a saint; a complex and entertaining character. Had this exact scene happened earlier in the series perhaps we wouldn't be so sympathetic to him, but that is the great thing about Game of Thrones. Characters that you once despised become characters you care about. For Arya to not even put the Hound out of his misery is stone cold on her part, and it is a decision made by the result of four seasons worth of harsh lessons that have hardened Arya beyond hope. Regardless of how close she got to the Hound, she still can't let go of the hatred she feels for those who have wronged her, and that is why she refuses to give him mercy. It is punishment for what he did. It may be cruel and unjustified on her part, but that is the tragedy of Arya's arc.