Theon Greyjoy
Theon sat rigidly in the hard backed chair, his fingers clenching around the arm rests. Beside him, Balon Greyjoy was making some sort of speech, wearing a crown made of polished driftwood and adorned with pearls and other such jewels of the sea. His father stood tall and proud, easy in his command of the various lords that stood in the throne room. Theon felt like a snail next to his boot.
The source of his distress stood less than five yards away, regally stationed next to her sister and brother-in-law. Lady Miranda and Lord Thorne were standing tall and proud, both wearing icy smiles. The young woman however looked sour despite the easy smile on her face. Whereas Miranda Morray was blonde and comely, her sister Asamyn was dark haired and pale. Her dark eyes were an uncommon reminder of just how close House Morray's lands were to Dorne. No doubt a dornish ancestor had given her those dark, nearly black eyes and her curly black hair falling neatly to her waist. It was clear Miranda had been gifted with the "look" of most Southern women. Blonde, petite, pretty blue eyes that echoed the Crownland's nobility. Asamyn was much younger than her sister, and would be pretty had she been graced with the same warm, sun kissed skin of her sister. She appeared to be pleased with the current situation, almost ecstatic really. Theon could almost see the ambition forming a light aura around her.
"It shall be so" The statement from his father caught Theon's attention."Let it be known that today the Houses of Greyjoy, Thorne, and Morray make a pact, a marriage bond, that will bind them together. As my son, Theon Greyjoy, heir to Pyke and the Iron Isles, warden of the King, Balon Greyjoy first of his name, my son, first of his name, and Asamyn Morray, sister by marriage to Lord Alavane Thorne, blood daughter of Lord Carmen Morray, heiress to the hold of Summerset, and first of her name, are bound in betrothal. Set to be wed at a later date in the Heiress Isles belonging to Lord Morray and his kin. May the Drowned God, and the Seven Who Are One, bless this pact and allow our houses to become one"
Theon swallowed hard as his uncle and a septon stepped forward. Both were symbols of faith, giving human form to the god's they counted on to protect and guide them. To Theon they were the shackles and key, binding him to a woman he knew nothing of. Tearing him apart from a woman he had loved since childhood. He desperately wished he'd turned Robb's proposal down and gone to Dorne with Elyssia. At least then he would be with her, even if the two of them were lost in a land they knew nothing about. Now she was all alone, stranded in sand and he was here in Pyke, about to be trapped in a plot he'd never wanted anything to do with.
"The Drowned God accepts this proposal. And gives the blessing of his brine" Aeron Greyjoy looked up at his brother with cold eyes, holding a pot of hot seawater in his hands. It seemed the Damphair was displeased with his brother, though as a member of the priesthood it was not his place to speak against it.
The Septon gave his own blessing quicker. The man was from Lord Thorne's lands, as the seven were not worshiped on the Isles, nor was the faith welcome in most houses. Balon Greyjoy was tolerant of them only because of his status. Septons and Septas often accompanied dignitaries and diplomats from southern houses, especially those from the Reach and the Crownlands. He spoke quietly in a monotone, clearly showing his displeasure with the situation. "The Seven Who Are One give blessing to this pact, and wish for it to be honored in their name" He held a bowl of holy water, thrice blessed in the citadel before being sent to Elderbridge.
A thick silence fell over the group, leaving the crowd to begin speaking in hushed whispers. It would be customary for a priest of the Drowned God to give the last rite of the ceremony. But Aeron Greyjoy kept quiet, holding his brine and staring coldly at his brother. "Let them stand together, in honor of the bond they will soon share" The Septon said in a throaty voice once it was clear Aeron would not speak the last rite. He made a slight hand motion, waving both Theon and Asamyn toward him.
Theon stood stiffly, the movement taking all his will power to numbly take the carpeted stone steps. It was he who joined the Septon and his uncle first, both of them standing stiffly across from one another, holding the tools of their blessing. Asamyn's approach lacked any of Theon's reluctance, instead she ascended the steps gracefully and quickly, her steps just barely making a slight click against the stone. She smiled wider as the Septon and Aeron Greyjoy exchanged nods.
"Theon Greyjoy, you are a son of King Balon Greyjoy, king of the Iron Isles and all of Westeros. In time you will be his heir, destined to care for his people and his throne. In honor of the names who stand behind you..." the Damphair cast a glance at Balon. "Your father, Balon Greyjoy, King of the Iron Isles and Westeros, Lord of Pyke, Warden of the Isles, first of his name. Your mother, Queen Alannys Grejoy, daughter of Lord Harlow, Lady of Pyke, Queen of the Iron Isles, first of her name. Your sister, Princess Asha Greyjoy, betrothed of Lord Tristopher Botley, soon to be Lady of his lands, first of her name, and the Lords of the Iron Isles, faithful in their service to their king. I, Aeron Greyjoy, as a priest of the Drowned God, bless your betrothal and give you his blessing."
"As do I" The septon said.
Both priests lifted ladles full of their blessing and without ceremony, poured them over Theon's outstretched hands. His skin crawled at the sensation of boiling salt water an the icy coolness of the holy water. The combined liquids fell to the ground, pooling around his feet. The priests turned to Asamyn, whom was still looking as thrilled as ever.
"Asamyn Morray. You are a daughter of Lord Carmen Morray. Heiress to his lands. Servant to House Thorne. In time your children will rule Summerset and it's lands as well as Pyke and the Iron Isles. In honor of the names who stand behind you; your father, Carmen Morray, Lord of Summerset, faithful servant to Elderbridge. Your mother; Edania Morray. Daughter of House Barton, Lady of Summerset, and faithful servant to Elderbridge. Your sister; Miranda Thorne, daughter of Lord Carmen, whose children will rule Elderbridge. Loyal Servant to King Balon. Your brother; Lord Alavane Thorne, Lord of Elderbridge and it's holdings, Son of Adamian Thorne. Loyal Servant of King Balon. Your neice; Lady Elyssia Thorne-" Theon watched as Alavane's eyes flared wide and Miranda's narrowed. The septon didn't seem to notice as he continued. "Daughter of Lord Alavane Thorne and Lady Lucine Tarly. Heir to the houses of Thorne and Dayne. Lady of Starfall and Elderbridge. I, Septon Cleary, as a priest of the Seven Who Are One, give their blessing to this pact, bless your betrothal and bestow their favor upon you."
The sourness never left Lord and Lady Thorne's faces as the Septon and Aeron Greyjoy poured their mixture over Asamyn's hands. She flexed her fingers as it poured over them, the heat leaving bright red patches and the coolness soothing them away. Asamyn smiled at Theon, her expression unreadable besides the blatant delight. Both priests stepped away, their blessings in hand.
"It is so" The Septon began.
"It is so" Aeron's deep voice finalized the rite.
A silence fell over the parties, tense and heavy as they took in what had just happened. Despair was filling Theon's heart as the displeasure on Alavane Thorne's face vanished and was replaced by cool confidence.
"Now that this rite has been preformed, I believe this news will interest you" Lord Thorne smiled, removing a piece of folded parchment from inside his clothing. He opened it pointedly, clearing his throat. "It's a letter of release from Lady Elyssia Thorne. She has relinquished her claims to Elderbridge in favor of being the new Lady of Sunspear"
"Sunspear?" Balon Greyjoy seemed surprised. "You mean to tell me your child fled to Dorne? Not Highgarden?"
"Seems she learned of her mother's birthright and fled to Starfall. Lord Dayne has pronounced her his heir." Lady Miranda smiled just as easily as her husband.
"But Lady of Sunspear? That would mean a marriage will take place. Between a Prince of Dorne and herself. Unless Doran Martell's daughter has taken a mind of her own."
"It is all here in this letter" Lord Alavane waved the parchment, handing it to Balon. "Addressed to Lord Theon"
"I see" Balon scanned the paper. "Theon, I believe we have some things to discuss later. Though due to this I have no choice but to allow you to legitimize your son. By my name Ethan Rivers will be legitimized and named Ethan Thorne and shall be given his title as heir to your hold by the end of the day."
"That will not be necessary" Lady Miranda cut in, her eyes sinister. "I carry Lord Thorne's heir here" Her hand fell to her stomach. "Our child will be his heir, not that bastard."
Theon watched as his father's eyes hardened. "I believe you misunderstand, Lady Miranda. Lord Alavane and I have a prior agreement. Ethan Flowers will be given the name of Thorne and sent here to be ward under mine and my wife's care. He will be the heir to Elderbridge or there will be no heir and the children of my son will take Elderbridge." He said, his voice deep and final. "The absence of Elyissa Thorne and this letter are not proof of her denouncing her birth claim"
"The letter is signed-" Lady Miranda was cut off by a stern glare.
"Theon, you knew Lady Elyssia well. Is the letter written in her penmanship?" Balon handed Theon the letter.
Theon looked over the parchment. The majority was written in Elyssia's smooth script. But the signature was far too sloppy and illegible to be Eyssia's.
"The letter is written in her hand. But the signature is not hers" Theon said, handing the paper back.
"Seems it is a forgery" Balon's eyes rested on Miranda in suspicion. "Therefore I will consider Elyssia Thorne the heir until otherwise. Until then I will legitimize Ethan Rivers and he will become a ward here in Pyke. Court dismissed"