Chapter 14

Theon

Theon was embarrassed at asking Tanith to come to the supper. It had been Robb's idea, who suggested that she might still be feeling lonely and it would be a kind thing to do. And she was from a noble family.

Theon forgot that most of the time. His first impression of her as a dirty, disorientated runaway had become ingrained in his mind. Despite that she was neater and wore clean clothes now, he could still not picture her in pretty dresses with a painted face, sitting at a joust fluttering her eyelashes and waiting ardently to catch some idiot knight's favour.

To be fair to her, she didn't seem that kind of girl, and the thought made Theon smile.

"What you so chuffed about eh?" Robb's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Er, nothing," he quipped. "Nothing to be cheerful about, being a year older."

"You wouldn't happen to be excited about our guest joining us shortly?" Theon looked at Robb, and wanted to smack his smug face.
"Dunno what you're talking about. It was your idea to ask her along."

"You think I made a mistake? I do think we should respect her family name and treat her so."

"Yeah, course. Look, more importantly, when have I to go to Pyke?"

"Soon, soon." Robb answered, disinterested. Theon noticed Catelyn shoot Robb a look of annoyance. She's noticed it too. Robb was becoming increasingly distracted, and it wasn't like things were going swimmingly. Cersei Lannister had rejected his offer of peace if she returned his sisters to him. They did not have the Kingslayer. There were now rumours of an alliance with Walder Frey to cross the Twins so they could ambush Riverrun. Robb would marry one of Frey's daughters. They were not renowned by hearsay to be the best looking bunch of lasses, but Theon worried that Robb decision would be too heavily influenced by Talisa. Marrying her would not protect the army. Theon was no diplomat or negotiator, but even he could see that Robb was struggling.

Tanith entered, and they all stood in unison to greet her. She curtseyed for Robb and Catelyn, and warmly hugged Talisa, before sitting next to Theon. Robb made a half-baked toast to Theon, to which everyone raised their glass. Theon was not really paying attention. Then the cheers fell to a dull clinking of cutlery and quiet chatter among Robb, Talisa, Catelyn and her brother Edmure.

"Good evening." Tanith smiled at Theon.

"Good evening."

"I did not know it was your name day."

"You did. I told you."

"When?"

"Earlier today when I invited you."

Tanith laughed heartily, and a warm feeling enveloped Theon's stomach.

"You seem to have settled in." She nodded, and smiled again.

"I feel good here. I feel safe."

"I'm afraid things don't really stay as they are in an army camp," he told her. "We will be moving on soon."

"I understand," she said. "You know what I mean though, in the grand scheme of things. King's Landing was no party."

"I can imagine," he said. He felt awkward asking, but she seemed at ease. "Did he… I mean, the Mountain, did he…"

"No. I did marry him, but it was not consummated."

"I'm glad," he said. She shot him a look. "Y-you know, that that bastard didn't hurt you. Doubt you'd have made it out alive."

She sighed, and looked down at her plate, which was almost cleared. She looked less thin than when Theon first found her. She was also no longer the quiet, awkward, lost girl wandering aimlessly around camp from a few days before.

"You are probably right," she said with a hint of sadness. "I am just glad to be able to leave that life behind."

"You're safe now." Theon felt stupid for being so… sensitive. It wasn't his style. Yet he rested his hand on hers, and gave it a light squeeze. Before he realised what he was doing, she squeezed back, and looked at him for a few moments.

"I never properly thanked you, for what you did." She smiled at him, and Theon thought he saw a small tear trying to fight its way down her cheek. She blinked briskly and it disappeared.

"It's alright," he said. "What was I gonna do, leave you there to fend for yourself?" He laughed, and so did she. He seemed to laugh and smile a lot when she was around. Theon could never even hold a conversation with a lady, let alone confide in her, joke with her, and touch her. He'd fucked loads, but there was no talking, no compassion, no kindness. And the strangest feeling was that it did not seem entirely one-sided. He decided to take a punt.

"Would you like to take a walk tomorrow? With me?"
She smiled. "That would be nice."

Tanith

Tanith straightened the front of her dress, tying it tight at the top. She smoothed down her front and gave herself a quick once-over in the small mirror she had borrowed from Talisa. She thought she looked okay, but was missing her clasp which would have made her hair look less unruly.

Tanith dipped into a daydream as she headed to the riverbank. Why was she suddenly so concerned about her appearance? It did not matter that she looked pretty; they were surrounded by bloody bandages, stale food, animal leavings, and soldiers who were drunk half of the time. And it was all she could do to ignore the smell.

Tanith left the tent, and noticed that everyone was packing up. Things were moving on quicker than even Theon thought, she realised. She darted behind a group of soldiers carrying crates, hoping she would not be detected slipping away from camp. She was unsure if Theon would already be there waiting, or she would have to wait for him. Or if he would remember to come.

She snapped out of it. She had to stop overthinking.

"Tanith!" Talisa's agitated voice cut through the voice in her own head telling her to calm down. "I'd been calling your name for some time, why didn't you slow down?"

"I'm sorry," Tanith replied. "I truly did not hear. I was miles away." Tanith tapped her temple and made a face.

"Did I interrupt?"

"Of course not," Tanith looked around. Theon was nowhere to be seen. She could keep him waiting a bit. "What is it?"

Talisa grabbed Tanith's hands with a little urgency, and pulled her into a little alcove between tents. "I need to tell you something. It's important, and I need you to be discreet."

"Of course," Tanith nodded. "You can trust me."

"It's Ro-King Robb and I," she whispered softly. Tanith suddenly realised how distinctive her accent was. It was so exotic, like a soft purr as she leaned in to tell her the secret. "We are getting married. Tonight. You must keep it to yourself."

"Married? But what about-"

"He doesn't want to marry the Frey girl," she said. "He never did. But he needs to work his way around things. That's why you cannot tell anyone for now."

"I will not say a word," she replied honestly. "I am pleased for you though. I could tell you two were in love."

Talisa smiled, and hugged Tanith close. "You are so kind, and understanding. I knew I could trust you. Will you come to the ceremony tonight? It will just be us and Theon. Robb hasn't told Lady Stark yet."

"Of course I will." They embraced again.

Theon was already waiting for her when she arrived at the river. He smiled at her. A light drizzle of rain began filling the air with a damp, earthy smell which Tanith had come to love during her time in the Riverlands.

"Lovely day for it." she said sarcastically. Theon chuckled. They began to stroll along the river, near to where they first met. She remembered it, and the little rowboat Sandor had prepared for her was still there, bobbing delicately against the reeds. The wind was picking up, and Tanith regretted not wrapping up warmer. She shuddered, and to her surprise and slight amusement, Theon shook off his outer tunic and practically flung it around her shoulders.

"Better?" he asked confidently. She nodded, and smiled. "Do you know about the wedding tonight?"

"The secret wedding we are to tell no one about?" Tanith smirked. "Yes, I know."

"Aye, well fuck that," he quipped. "Sorry for swearing, but I can't pretend I'm happy with it."

"Do you like her?" Tanith asked. Why am I asking him that?

"She's nice enough." Theon looked at her, and Tanith assumed that she must have had a concerned expression on her face because he then held up his hands and said, "No, not like that. It's just, Robb isn't himself right now. He isn't focussed. It's like a holiday."

"I'm sure he is taking it seriously," Tanith reassured him. "What can he do if he loves her?"

"He made an agreement with the Freys. The Gods know what'll happen now."

Tanith paused. Theon was right. She never realised how assured he could be. "I'm sure there will be a way around it. Catelyn is smart."

"Aye, she is. Anyway, enough about them, what's your story? Where did ye grow up?"

"Me?" Tanith had not really expected Theon to strike up such an interest in her life.

"Aye, you're the only one here." They both laughed softly, looking slightly longer than briefly at each other before becoming fixated on their feet as their walking slowed and their bodies neared.

"Well, I lived in the Vale until I went to the capital."

Theon raised an eyebrow. "I've never been. Is it nice?"

"It's beautiful," Tanith said wistfully. She realised it had been the first time she thought about that part of her life in a long time. Her prison sentence in the capital had conditioned her to lock those precious memories away from the Lannisters and the Mountain. "Rolling hills for miles, deep, swooping valleys and lush green in the spring and summer. Oh, and the purple garden is the most mesmerising place!"

"Purple garden?"

"It was the garden in my home, Folder Castle. Father named it so because it would grow these wonderful flowers in the summer. They were the richest, deepest purple colour. It was so exotic, for that part of the country, you know."

Tanith fell away on a tangent, telling Theon about her garden strolls with her father, while Warren would pose around with his sword and narrowly miss hitting servants while her mother would applaud. She spoke of the wintry days where they would be huddled by the roaring fire in the castle's great hall and watch the snowflakes dwindle and disappear onto the stone windowsills. She spoke of her father's death, and the irreparable rift it left in the family.

"I'm afraid it isn't a very happy ending after that." She stopped walking and looked down at her rain-soaked boots.

She suddenly became paranoid that she had bored Theon half to death, but to her surprise she looked at his face, and it was alight with interest. He took her hand, and said, "It isn't the end. This is the beginning."