Does Hound Know That Arya Is a Faceless Man?

In the highly intricate and morally complex world of Game of Thrones, it's often difficult to piece together the truth about characters and what they know. One such mystery revolves around Hound (Qhorin Halfhand) and his knowledge of Arya Stark's recent transformation into a Faceless Man.

First: Faceless Men and Their Mysterious Ways

The Faceless Men of Braavos are a shadowy order of assassins and operatives renowned for their secrecy and discretion. They do not advertise or publicize the existence of individuals who join their ranks. Instead, they integrate those individuals into their operations and maintain a veil of secrecy to protect their organization and its members from enemies and potential enemies.

Given the secretive nature of the Faceless Men, it is highly unlikely that anyone, including Hound, would know about Arya's transformation unless she specifically told them. The idea that the order would reveal a member's identity is a significant risk both to the member and to the collective safety of the order.

Second: Arya's Confidentiality

Arya Stark has always been a master of discretion. While it's established that Bran Stark, her brother, knows about her travels and training, it is reasonable to assume that she has taken steps to ensure that this knowledge does not spread beyond her immediate inner circle. As a trained warrior and assassin, Arya would be highly attuned to maintaining secrecy to protect herself and her mission.

Third: Limited Witnesses and Potential Hush

The only individuals who might know about Arya's transformation into a Faceless Man are those who witnessed her training or mission in Westeros. Specifically, Walder Frey's last wife and the serving girls at the Twins might be aware of her identity as a Faceless Man, but it's unlikely they would be willing to disclose this information. Fear of retaliation, both from the Faceless Men and from the Freys, would discourage them from spreading the word.

Furthermore, as mentioned, Bran Stark knew about Arya's mission at the Twins, but it's reasonable to assume he has kept this secret, as leaking information about such sensitive operations could compromise Arya's safety and future missions.

Fourth: Hound's Priorities

Hound, whose real name is Qhorin Halfhand, has a proven track record of prioritizing his own survival and the safety of those he cares about. When Arya was in danger at the Twins, he went to great lengths to ensure her safety, even at the cost of his own existence. Once Arya was transformed and became a formidable warrior, presumably capable of avenging her family and taking on the Night King, Hound's immediate concern would have shifted to her well-being and continued success.

Given his high stakes role and the magnitude of the threat posed by the Night King, it's unlikely that Hound would have prioritized inquiring about Arya's specific position within the Faceless Men. His focus would be on ensuring Arya's skills were honed and her mission a success, rather than delving into the details of her identity or place within the order.

Conclusion

In the complex and secretive world of Westeros, it is highly plausible that Hound does not know about Arya's transformation into a Faceless Man. This combination of the Faceless Men's secrecy, Arya's confidentiality, limited witnesses, and Hound's priorities all point to the same conclusion. Understanding the nuances of characters and their motivations in Game of Thrones is a testament to the intricate and deeply layered storytelling of the show.