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Theon II

Pyke was cold, damp and windy. There was no two ways about it. Theon couldn't remember why he had such fond memories of the place. "I guess I had romanticised it." He thought with glaring realisation.

After the long voyage he had only been met at the docks by his uncle Aeron and even that shaggy priest did not really treat him as a Greyjoy. After that he had rode to Pyke with Esgred….Asha really. Theon nearly retched when he thought about what she did and what he did to her on that horse.

"What the fuck were you thinking?" He asked her at the time when she revealed her true self.

She just laughed at him "I wanted to see what sort of man you were brother."

"And?" Theon had asked her

"I was asking the wrong question. I should have been asking what sort of boy you are." With that she walked off chuckling to herself, leaving Theon both infuriated and humiliated.

Even now he was still angry at Asha. "She must be jealous that I am home and she will no longer be father's favourite." He thought to himself as he dressed. Although Balon Greyjoy had not yet come to meet Theon since his return, he was sure that they would have chance to talk at the homecoming feast in his honour. He was not sure how he would broach the subject of going to Kings Landing to pledge fealty to his father but he had an idea. If Balon was to appoint Theon as his Hand, a position that has never existed amongst the Ironborn, as well as acknowledge him as his heir then Theon could return to Kings Landing to pledge fealty, saving his father the ignominy of having to bend the knee in person. He believed that would be acceptable to the throne so it is a win-win situation.

Theon finished dressing and went to his case. He reached into an inner pocket and pulled out a long gold chain with a Kraken pendent, both eyes small red gems. It was a present for his eighteenth nameday from Tyrion and he put it on fondly remembering the kindnesses that the Imp had shown him whilst he was a hostage. He hoped that one day Tyrion could come visit him at the Iron Islands, though he knew this was an unlikely scenario as a dwarf is considered less than a thrall in their culture. Theon knew he would never wish to submit Tyrion to that level of scorn.

Theon crossed the room to the mirror and looked at the bruise on his head. It was starting to fade but was still visible. He brushed his hair forward to cover this dark patch on his forehead, wincing as his head touched the still tender area. He still felt such an fool about his first round elimination in the joust. The Blackfish was a famous but older knight and Theon had thought that with a spectacular and convincing win, he could finally get some respect in the capital. Instead he ended up in the mud as a laughing stock.

He left his room and set off towards the main hall where the feast was to take place. It was a long walk, as Theon was placed in chambers near the base of the Sea Tower. He had to cross three bridges in order to reach the Great Keep and the ferocious wind and rain meant he was soaked wet and freezing cold by the time he reached the main hall. As her got closer he heard the sound of laughter and song, meaning the feast had gotten underway in his absence. He steeled himself and stormed in, heading straight for the top table. It had not changed its position in the room from what he remembered as a child. He saw his father sat in the seat of honour and, much to his disgust, Asha had taken the seat to Balon's right – HIS seat. Theon walked with purpose and stood opposite his father.

"Father."

Balon looked up from his meat and looked Theon up and down. He had clearly aged yet he still looked a fierce warrior. The wrinkles on his forehead looked like an armour plate and jaw still appeared solid enough to crack a rock. His hair was just as long though it had turned a milky white colour as opposed to the light brown from his younger days. He gave Theon a look of sheer disappointment before simply replying "Theon" and returning to his food.

Theon turned to Asha who smiled mockingly at him "You are in my seat sister."

"I think not."

"But this feast is in my honour so I sh-"

Balon interrupted him and spoke savagely "This feast is certainly not in your honour Theon. No go sit down there where I don't have to look at you."

The hall erupted in laughter and Theon trudged away towards an empty seat near the door he had just entered. He was swiftly brought food and ale by a thrall, though he no longer had any real appetite. Tyrion had warned him before his departure that he may not be welcomed back with open arms but Theon had not really believed it would be the case. He started to pick at his food as he looked around the great hall. He identified numerous Houses in attendance, including Houses Harlaw, Drumm, Botley, Blacktyde, Goodbrother, Saltcliffe and Stonehouse. He also spotted his uncle Victarion sat close to the top table. He caught his uncle's eye and was acknowledged with a slight nod by the Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet. Theon also searched the room for his uncle Euron but could not see him or any of his known crew. Not that this bothered Theon, from a young age he realised that uncle Euron was completely insane and someone to keep away from if you value your life.

Whilst it was now quite apparent that this was not a feast to welcome Theon home, he wondered what was the purpose of this. To gather some many of the major Ironborn houses under one was no easy task and seldom occurred unless something of importance was to take place.

"Theon!"

He was brought out of his thoughts by the shout from his sister. He looked up to see she was beckoning him with a belittling tap on the table. He got up slowly and made his way to the top table. He could hear the sniggering of the other captains as he walked and it reminded him of his time at the court of King Robert where he would be a figure of ridicule.

He stood there and faced his father and sister again. Asha displayed a wide smile though Theon knew it was laced with malice. However it was his father who spoke up "The necklace you wear. Did you buy it or did you pay the iron price?"

"What?"

"It is a simple question boy - did you pay for it with your Greenland golden dragons or did you pay the iron price?"

Theon fingered at the necklace in nervousness but eventually admitted "It was a gift."

The hall erupted in laughter except for Balon who looked nothing short of disgusted. He stood and leaned over the table ripping the chain from his neck in a savage swipe. He threw the chain away and spoke sharply "Then it is worthless."

As Balon sat back down, Asha spoke up. Despite her attractive face and figure, she spoke with a gruff voice that reminded Theon of his brother Maron. "Please tell dear brother, who gave you the gift?"

Theon knew he could not tell the truth "Some Lord's daughter who took a liking to me after I fucked her senseless."

Asha smiled suggesting she knew it was a lie but continued "You must be an object of lust for many a girl in Kings Landing with your pretty robes and shiny bought jewels. Luckily for you they don't give much thought to a man's ability to fight eh?!"

"I can fight sister. I enter jousts and only last week I came second in an archery contest." Theon quickly retorted only to be met with more laughter which only ceased as Balon spoke.

"Asha tell your brother what you did last week."

"Of course father. Last week I claimed three merchant ships and twenty thralls for the Iron Islands, killing nine men with my blade in the process."

Balon spoke with venom to Theon "Whilst you were playing with your fellow greenlanders, your sister was following the old ways - killing and taking from those weaker, reaving and plundering all across the known world. You are no longer one of us, you are one of them."

Theon was upset by this and protested "Father I am your son, your only living son, and your heir. I am still an Ironborn and I always have been."

Balon shook his head in disagreement "Why are you here then? Is it to request my presence at Kings Landing to bend the knee to a boy?"

Theon did not answer but the look he involuntarily showed answered his father's question. Balon scowled "I will not bend the knee. You are stupid for thinking I ever would."

"You kneeled for King Robert."

Theon regretted saying it as soon as the words left his lips. An eerie silence filled the room, rippling with tension. Theon looked at his father who glared back at him, jaw clenched, eyes fixed on Theon's full of roaring rage. Swiftly Balon rose and moved round the table. Approaching Theon he grabbed him by the neck, gripping hard so that his nails dug into his flesh and he struggled to breathe. Theon wanted to fight back but he was unable to move and just continued to look into furious dark eyes of his father.

After what seemed an eternity Balon released Theon though he did not break eye contact.. It took all of Theon's strength not to fall to the floor in exhaustion from his strangulation. Suddenly Balon moved quickly towards a thrall serving ale and punched him straight in the jaw. Theon heard the sickening snap of bone and watched as the thrall, a tall black man from somewhere distant, hit the floor hard. Balon continued his assault on the prone body with a series of vicious kicks to the man's head. These continued long after the man was clearly dead. Eventually Balon stopped and turned to lock eyes with Theon again. He spoke with purpose "If you speak of that again then I will do this to you and not some thrall, Greyjoy or not. It is to my eternal shame that I knelt before that man when I should have refused and let him take my head instead. I will not kneel to his son, the Iron Islands will not kneel to the throne."

He walked away from Theon back round to his seat at the table though he did not sit. He spoke loudly so all could hear "We will break away from the rule of Greenlanders and restore the ways of old, the ways of Harren the Black and House Hoare, THE WAYS OF THE IRON ISLANDS!"

The hall cheered and banged in support of their king. Even Theon felt a shiver up his spine as he watched his father command the respect and admiration of fierce captains despite his advanced years. He knew then in that moment that he couldn't go back to Kings Landing and be the Theon that rode horses in tourneys, visited Chataya's, read books and knelt before the iron throne. He wanted to be the Theon he was always destined to be – a reaver, pillaging, killing and fucking across Westeros and beyond. He knew he could show his father, Asha and the rest that he was a true Ironborn warrior, worthy of their respect.

Balon continued "The first rebellion started with a raid of Lannisport and this one will do too – but with a twist. We will not just settle for burning the Lion's fleet at anchor, we will take the port and the castle that overlooks it. That's right, we will take Casterly Rock and all the treasures within. This will be our statement of intent and our "fuck you" to the boy king and his Hand."

The men banged and cheered further.

Balon turned to Theon "You say you are one of us. Well you are going to prove it boy as you will be captain of a ship involved in this attack."

Theon stood proud "Yes Father, I would be honoured."

Balon responded bluntly "Don't be honoured boy, just don't let me down or I'll kill you myself."

As the men cheered wildly and toasted to his father, Theon's thoughts turned to his only friend Tyrion. The irony wasn't lost on him that by doing this he would be losing his only true friend he had ever know. He hoped that this feeling of guilt would dissipate sooner rather than later as it currently was tearing him apart inside.