Why does Mance Rayder attempt to rescue Arya (Jeyne Poole)?

[Roadside Rose]

Why are so many people trying to help Arya out? It's like everybody else seems to look out for her more than her own family?

- Syrio Forel (almost died for her)

- Jaqen H'ghar

- Mance Rayder??? (Why on earth would he try to rescue someone he thought was Arya?) Makes no sense to me.

[The Dornishman's Wife]

Don't forget Yoren and the Hound - she does indeed get help from many places.

• Syrio seems to have been loyal to his employer and appalled at the Kingsguard paltry behaviour.
  
• Jaqen owes her his life
  
• Mance is sent by Mel, who isn't interested in Arya, but knows that the heir to the North is of great political importance for her king and rescuing Arya means that Jon owes them a favour
  
• Yoren probably thinks how the Starks are loyal to the NW
  
• The Hound... hm, difficult to read that one. I do think it makes sense, but it probably requires a longer analysis
  

All of them have some kind of motive to help her, but they do go well beyond the call of duty in some cases (especially Syrio and Yoren I feel).

[King of Winters]

The Hound... hm, difficult to read that one. I do think it makes sense, but it probably requires a longer analysis

Maybe it's because she's the sister of Sansa Stark.

[Where is Rickon]

I wonder if Mance knows that "Arya" is fake. He told Jon Snow that he was at Winterfell during King Robert visit and "took a look" at Lord Eddard's children. This and his interest in crypts and in how Theon took Winterfell make me feel rescuing "Arya" is not his only/main intention

[mcb]

Why are so many people trying to help Arya out? It's like everybody else seems to look out for her more than her own family?

- Syrio Forel (almost died for her)

- Jaqen H'ghar

- Mance Rayder??? (Why on earth would he try to rescue someone he thought was Arya?) Makes no sense to me.

Syrio, because that's what a dedicated teacher does. There have been real life examples.

Jaqen, because she had saved his life first. That's huge debt to owe, and the Faceless Men take life especially serious.

Mance, because at that point Melisandre owned him. And Mel sent Mance, because she needed Lord Snow on her side.

[Ser Duncan of Flea Bottom]

He's helping because Mel saved his life and she demanded he helps rescuing the Lord Commander's sister, maybe to gain afection from Jon, as we can see Melisandre has a huge interest in Jon

[eggs]

I wonder if Mance knows that "Arya" is fake. He told Jon Snow that he was at Winterfell during King Robert visit and "took a look" at Lord Eddard's children. This and his interest in crypts and in how Theon took Winterfell make me feel rescuing "Arya" is not his only/main intention

this never even occured to me tbh.

[Dagon Greyjoy]

I think Mance Rayder wants to be both King Beyond the Wall and King in the North, especially now that the Wildlings have crossed the Wall. For that, he needs a Stark girl. Ramsay is so appalling that Mance could be willing to gamble the Northern lords would rather back him.

[modbelle]

I wonder if Mance knows that "Arya" is fake. He told Jon Snow that he was at Winterfell during King Robert visit and "took a look" at Lord Eddard's children. This and his interest in crypts and in how Theon took Winterfell make me feel rescuing "Arya" is not his only/main intention

It never dawned on me that he would be one of the people who could identify her. I thought there had to be some bannermen who knew what she looked like still in the North. Great catch!

[Ice Turtle]

It's either that Mel is holing his son, that Jon is trying to save his folk or he is an adrenalin junkie.

[Naathi Prince]

Because he owes Melisandre his life, and she has seen Bran Stark and Rickon alive, and wants to check.

[Ser Vallon Snow]

IIRC the Hound wanted to ransom her to Robb for gold or maybe a positon in is camp

I think Mance kind of likes Jon even though he is a crow

[team wench]

IIRC the Hound wanted to ransom her to Robb for gold or maybe a positon in is camp

I think Mance kind of likes Jon even though he is a crow

It was still odd of his part, he wanted the money he says, but it was a big risk having her with him. He sohuld have left the BwB make the ransom and then ask for the money, make the negotations with people who forsureweren`t going totry and kill himor something.

[Caris]

I wonder if Mance knows that "Arya" is fake. He told Jon Snow that he was at Winterfell during King Robert visit and "took a look" at Lord Eddard's children. This and his interest in crypts and in how Theon took Winterfell make me feel rescuing "Arya" is not his only/main intention

Yes. When I first read that I was thinking "well, they do need a good way to escape, and maybe Theon's ingress could work as an egress for them" but on further reading... he could just be looking for a way to get an army in. I'm thinking he has plans to take Winterfell, possibly with assistance. This, incidentally, is why I think he's the one who wrote that lovely note to Jon Snow: if Jon were to retaliate, it probably wouldn't be alone. Since a good percentage of the NW are skeptical of Jon's methods, he would probably bring potential allies (for Mance) along with him. I assume there would be an element of treachery involved.

I might be way over-thinking this, but that's what I'm guessing is going to happen. As to the why of it, I don't know--maybe Mance is just tired of the Free Folk getting the short end of the stick.

[Dicer]

Don't forget Yoren and the Hound - she does indeed get help from many places.

• The Hound... hm, difficult to read that one. I do think it makes sense, but it probably requires a longer analysis
  

How did the hound help Arya? She was his captive who he dragged along on his journey to to ransom her. She stuck with him because she had no choice and he was her best bet to get to her family. I doubt there was any altruistic reasons here. She left him as soon as he fell and went on her way.

[The Broke Howard Hughes]

Arya has a lot of heart, people like that. Although I think Mance tries to save her because he respects Jon. And lets face it, the girl needed help.

[A Man Has Said]

As far as Yoren goes, he seems to know Ned pretty well, and he's certainly aware that Arya is Ned's daughter and Benjen's niece. There's nothing in the Night Watch's vows that says you can't help out a brother, in fact they encourage that sort of thing.

And of course the Starks have a LONG history of being the greatest supporters of the NW. Bran the builder built the Wall and FOUNDED the order.

[jon crow]

[...]This, incidentally, is why I think he's the one who wrote that lovely note to Jon Snow: if Jon were to retaliate, it probably wouldn't be alone. Since a good percentage of the NW are skeptical of Jon's methods, he would probably bring potential allies (for Mance) along with him. I assume there would be an element of treachery involved.

I might be way over-thinking this, but that's what I'm guessing is going to happen. As to the why of it, I don't know--maybe Mance is just tired of the Free Folk getting the short end of the stick.

as soon as i read this my mind started racing at the possibilities. i had never considered that.

but here's why i say no.

mance knows what's beyond the wall and that it's no time for humans to be fighting amongst themselves.

though, if he thinks the wall is impregnable and that they're all off the hook... i still doubt it. he likes jon.

still, who else may have written the letter if not ramsay? hmm

thank you for this.

[Sweet-N-SourRobin]

Because he's rescuing her from Winterfell.

Mance loves himself an excuse to go on down to Winterfell incognito and snoop around. For what, we're still not sure. But he has a fascination with the place.

[Direwolfsigil]

Mance doesn't know Jon switched the babes, but he and Melisandre have his "heir" and Mance wants to save his child either way.