The Ward that turned.

Summary:

Lady Stark is at Winterfell when Theon attacks. Along with Maester Luwin and Rodrick Cassel they try to come up with a plan to save Winterfell.

1. Lady Greyjoy

At least there had been no physical damage to the castle and casualties had been almost minimal. As they stood in the courtyard, Lady Stark had no choice but to hand the castle to Theon.

"How dare you?" she cried. "You lived with us, we gave you food, shelter, a home. My son trusted you, and is this how you repay him? By betraying him?"

"Food and shelter, the Lady says" shouted Theon to the people gathered in the courtyard. "I was a prisoner. Your husband took me from my home and my family and brought me here. You never gave me a home. You ignored me Lady Stark, just like you did that bastard Jon Snow. But I wasn't a bastard, I was highborn. Now, the castle is mine!"

"Theon, please, don't", Catelyn begged.

"Theon, please, don't" he mocked and then he turned to his men "Take the Lady Catelyn to her chambers and lock her there. Lock the two boys in their rooms, as well. Everybody else go back your chores. You'll be working for me now"

Lady Catelyn Stark lay awake in bed trying to process everything that had happened in the past few months. She had returned from the Eyrie after that fiasco with her sister and Tyrion Lannister. She had met with her son Robb briefly in his camp and then she had returned home to Winterfell. She had been so happy to be back. She had not seen her two youngest sons in months. Rickon had grown so much, and Bran was awake. He was a cripple, yes, but he was alive and awake. But then word had come from the south, Ned had been executed and Robb was in the middle of a war. A war she may have started herself when she kidnapped the Imp, she thought with a pang of guilt. She had kept frequent communications with Robb. He would tell her about the war and she would advise and counsel him. Unfortunately, she had lost all trace of her two daughters. Sansa was a hostage in King's Landing and Arya had disappeared.

She had never liked Theon, she certainly had never trusted him. But Robb had. Going against her counsel, he had sent Theon to negotiate with his father, Balon Greyjoy. Now Theon had betrayed Robb's trust and attacked Winterfell. She was a prisoner in her own home.

The knock on the door brought her back to reality.

"Lady Stark", said Theon standing at the door. "I hope you're comfortable".

"What do you want?" she replied coldly.

"So no small talk. All right, then. The castle is mine, with everything in it: the weapons, the food, the drinks, the servants, the women, your children … you".

"Leave the children out of this, Theon. Rickon is but five, and Bran is defenseless"

"It's not the children I want. I want you to marry me"

"Are you insane? Why would I marry you? It's only a few weeks ago that I became a widow. I still mourn my husband. Besides, you're a low life scum, a turncoat who would betray the people who treated you like family".

"You were never family!" he yelled. "And you have no choice. The castle is mine"

"I will never marry you, Theon Greyjoy!" she said as she stood up and started walking towards him. "Now, leave my chambers".

He took a few steps forwards in her direction. She never saw the fist coming until it made contact with her face.

"You will marry me, Lady Stark. I need the loyalty of the men in your house and I can only get it through you. Do not flatter yourself. It's not your bed that I want, it's your power and influence. I'll get Maester Luwin to fix you up. You need to look nice for the wedding. Good bye Lady Greyjoy" he spat as he left.

TBC