A Question about Arya + Harrenhal (SPOILERS)

[sweetsunray]

Well, yes, the Bloody Mummers already had a plan to switch sides, agreed upon with Roose Bolton (who is 1 day ride away from HH). The prisoners were brought in like a trojan horse. When Arya and Jaqen do the weasel soup, the Bloody Mummers are already killing Ser Amory's men in the hall, and Arya notices that some of the prisoners aren't as wounded or in such a bad state as they appeared when they were brought in. It would have happened with or without Arya. But plenty of servants were killed and abused for just being humble servants to Tywin and Ser Amory. Arya's actions help her safety after the take-over without having to reveal her true identity, and also keeps Gendry and Hot Pie unharmed. Had she named Joffrey, she would have been in no position to get the map, herself in the stocks or raped and Gendry and Hot Pie possibly dead. At least her involvement helped all three of them to remain safe, and finally to escape from Harrenhall.

The chapter though has a very magical like, mythological like quality. It's a chapter that could come almost straight out some saga or a gruesome folktale, with the throwing of kettles and hot soup and such, the tricking and bargaining between Jaqen and Arya. It's my favorite chapter really, exactly because it has such a mythological vibe and quality to it.The chapter actually establishes a Norse mythological motif, with Arya being a Valkyrie. Valkyries decided who got to live and who died in battle (Jaqen exposes her as such when he tells her she can pick any 3 names), and when there's no battle they serve as cupbearers to the heroes preparing for war and battle. The fought battles usually also were dedicated to the Valkyrie present (or for those who lost the battle, they blamed it on a Valkyrie), and the Harrenhall switch does get dedicated to Weasel (aka Arya), just like it would with a Valkyrie. Valkyries were the helpers of Odin, and Odin was a god of disguises, many names and many faces. In the same chapter, Jaqen reveals he's a faceless man. Knowing this helps to understand the FM and Arya as an acolyte with them later way clearer.

As for the Frey squire - yup, he's her betrothed, with neither of them knowing it (I think you need to go back to aGoT to check for the name with the crossing of the Twins, but it's his name mentioned being betrothed to Arya as part of the deal with Walder Frey for Robb to make the crossing). Arya thinks Glover might be trustworthy enough, but he's off to Darry with Tallhart too quickly. Take special note of the final chapter with Roose discussing Robb's war possibilities. Stannis lost his battle at the Blackwater, the Lannisters and the Tyrells are united. Roose and the Freys believe Robb has lost the war effort now, especially with the Ironborn having taken Winterfell behind his back. The Wolves are trapped between Moat Cailin and Tywin's and Tyrell's army. And then there's some news where the Freys consider they have been betrayed, dishonored, and the betrothal between Arya and the Frey squire is off. Catelyn also sees how the Frey host suddenly departs from Riverrun. And take note of what Roose Bolton tells the Freys: he's not one to be caught in a situation like that, and then he wants to 'hunt wolves', and orders Glover and Tallhart to attack Duskendale. So, the Frey host (4000 men) is going home. Robb's in the Westerlands. And then another third is sent to Duskendale, quite close to King's Landing by Roose Bolton, at the total opposite side of Westeros than Robb, while the Tyrells and Lannisters are united now. Roose is doing something very fishy here. At such times, the remaining forces should be held way closer together, not being split up more, and yet Roose is clearly not a stupid commander. So, is Arya right to keep her identity secret?

[John Suburbs]

IIRC, Arya does consider revealing herself to Robett Glover shortly after the weasel soup episode, but he departs for Duskendale before she makes up her mind

[Annara Snow]

Hoat and Bolton definitely planned to take over Harrenhal before Ayra colluded with Jagan to release the prisoners. In addition to being asked if Hoat had sent them to free them (the prisoners) Arya makes the point to notice that the seemingly injured northmen showed no signs of being hurt as they fled the dungeon indicating that they were faking when they were "captured" by Hoat. So in that regard, Ayra did waste he third and final death.

Well, if she hadn't done the Weasel Soup, she wouldn't have become Roose's cupbearer. And if she hadn't become his cupbearer, she wouldn't have found out that he was going to leave and leave Harrenhal to Vargo Hoat. Nor would she probably have been able to get the horses, since she got them by using the 'authority', such as it was, of his close servant, and lying that Roose Bolton needed them.

So, it wasn't really a total waste, since one can say it saved her life indirectly.