What Was Littlefinger Hiding From Arya?
Littlefinger was strategically hiding a scroll, written by Sansa Stark, which he deliberately allowed Arya to discover, intending to sow distrust and conflict between the Stark sisters.
The Manipulative Scroll
During her stay at Winterfell, Arya Stark, ever observant and suspicious of Petyr Baelish, also known as Littlefinger, found a letter in his personal effects. This was not an accidental discovery; Littlefinger orchestrated the situation for Arya to find the scroll. His true intention was not to keep the letter hidden, but to use its contents to create discord and animosity between Arya and Sansa.
The scroll was a critical piece of Littlefinger's long-term plan to manipulate the Stark family and gain more power in the North.
Key Details of the Discovered Scroll:
| Aspect of Scroll | Description |
|---|---|
| Author | Written by "your faithful sister Sansa" |
| Context | Composed under duress while Sansa was a captive in King's Landing |
| Reference | Mentions the death of King Robert Baratheon |
| Accusation | States that "somebody" was attempting to "steal his crown" |
| Directive | Contains an urgent plea to swear fealty to King Joffrey Baratheon |
This letter, written years earlier when Sansa was a young girl held hostage by the Lannisters, was a coerced declaration of loyalty to the Crown. Littlefinger knew that if Arya, with her strong sense of justice and direct nature, saw this letter, she would interpret it as a betrayal of their father, Ned Stark, and a sign of Sansa's allegiance to their enemies.
Littlefinger's Scheme to Divide and Conquer
Littlefinger's genius lay in his ability to exploit personal histories and emotions. He understood Arya's deep loyalty to her family and her unyielding moral code. By letting her "discover" this scroll, he aimed to:
- Create Sibling Rivalry: Drive a wedge between Arya and Sansa, weakening their unity and ability to lead Winterfell effectively.
- Undermine Sansa's Authority: Make Arya question Sansa's loyalty and judgment, thereby eroding Sansa's position as Lady of Winterfell.
- Distract the Starks: Shift their focus from external threats or Littlefinger's own machinations to internal conflict.
He banked on Arya's immediate emotional reaction to the letter, hoping she would confront Sansa and that the ensuing argument would spiral into irreparable damage. Fortunately for the Starks, their combined experiences and growing wisdom eventually allowed them to see through Littlefinger's manipulative tactics, leading to his ultimate exposure and demise.
