How Does Fitz Bond With Nighteyes In 'Assassin'S Apprentice'?

The bond between Fitz and Nighteyes in 'Assassin's Apprentice' is one of the most compelling relationships in fantasy literature. It starts as a chance encounter when Fitz, still a boy, discovers the wolf cub near death. Their connection isn't instant; it grows through shared survival. Nighteyes isn't just a pet - he becomes Fitz's other half, seeing the world with brutal honesty where Fitz overthinks everything. The magic of the Wit bond lets them share thoughts, emotions, and even physical sensations. What's beautiful is how Nighteyes keeps Fitz grounded, constantly reminding him to live in the moment through simple wolf wisdom like 'Eating is living.' Their bond deepens through countless hunts, battles, and silent nights under the stars, until separating feels like tearing one soul in two.

Fitz's bond with Nighteyes evolves in stages that mirror both characters' growth throughout 'Assassin's Apprentice'. Initially, Fitz resists the connection because the Wit magic is stigmatized in their society. Nighteyes doesn't care about human prejudices; his immediate acceptance helps Fitz embrace this forbidden part of himself. Their early interactions show classic predator-pup dynamics - Nighteyes challenges Fitz's authority constantly, testing boundaries through playful nips and stubborn disobedience. This isn't dominance; it's how wolves build trust.

As their bond solidifies, Robin Hobb showcases masterful writing by contrasting their perspectives. Nighteyes views emotions as simple facts - hunger is hunger, fear is fear - while Fitz agonizes over human complexities like guilt and duty. The wolf's influence gradually reshapes Fitz's worldview, teaching him to value present survival over future anxieties. Their telepathic communication develops organically, shifting from fragmented images to seamless thought-sharing. During critical moments like Fitz's poisoning, Nighteyes becomes his lifeline, sustaining him through sheer willpower when human medicine fails.

The bond's true depth emerges during their separation. Both physically weaken when apart, proving their connection transcends mere companionship. Nighteyes isn't Fitz's pet or weapon - he's the only being who fully understands Fitz's dual nature as both noble and outcast. Their final scenes in this installment lay groundwork for one of fantasy's most poignant interspecies relationships, where saving each other becomes as natural as breathing.

Reading 'Assassin's Apprentice', I was struck by how Robin Hobb subverts typical animal companion tropes with Fitz and Nighteyes. This isn't a loyal dog following orders; Nighteyes retains his wildness even when bonded. Their first real connection happens during a hunt - not some magical ritual, but through shared blood and meat. The wolf chooses Fitz as much as Fitz chooses him, which becomes crucial later when Nighteyes refuses blind obedience.

Their bond fascinates because it's reciprocal. Nighteyes gains human traits like curiosity about cities, while Fitz adopts wolfish directness. The Wit magic doesn't erase their differences; it highlights them. Nighteyes mocks Fitz's human 'twisty thoughts', while Fitz envies the wolf's emotional simplicity. Physical touch grounds their relationship - whether it's grooming each other's wounds or sleeping curled together for warmth. These small, sensory details make their connection feel visceral rather than just magical.

What truly elevates their relationship is how it challenges Fitz's identity. Through Nighteyes, he learns to accept being an outcast. The wolf doesn't care about court politics or noble bloodlines; he judges Fitz solely by actions. Their bond becomes Fitz's moral compass in a world full of deception, proving sometimes an animal's honesty is what humans need most.