Author's note: so last time was a Stark reunion, this one is a bit of a Greyjoy one. It's also a chapter that sets up a bit for the next story (Yara Greyjoy will be a point of view character in that)
Chapter 38
Theon stood on the deck of the ship that Asha, Olyvar, and himself had boarded days ago, staring at the island that was their destination. It had started out as a small dot on the horizon, but it was becoming more distinct with each passing moment. If he squinted he imagined he could see the tall towers of a castle keep in the distance. He allowed himself only a brief moment of relief knowing that soon the long trip would be over.
And it had been along trip. They had stolen away from Winterfell in the early hours of the morning and started the journey toward Torrhen's Square. The lake had been icy and the weather, unpredictable so they had to continue on land. They tired Barrowton next, and the river there was also icy. So by land they reached the Saltspear and there, at a small fishing village they were able to hire a boat that would take them to Flint's Finger. From there they were able to buy passage around Cape Kraken and on to the Iron Islands. And now even as they were so close to the place of Theon's birth, they were still just out of reach of that final destination. The island that Theon was looking upon was not Pyke, but rather Harlow.
From the corner of his eye Theon caught a glimpse of a figure that came to slouch next to him, leaning against the rail of the ship. "Would it not be better to continue on straight to Pyke?" He murmured, he wanted to get the confrontation with his father over with as soon as possible. The faster he was able to resolve the problem of Balon Greyjoy the faster he was able to take care of the other tasks King Stannis had set before him. Then the faster he could get back to his wife. He had left her behind in the hopes of keeping her safe, but he was still restless without her. And always in the back of his mind a voice whispered that no where was ever completely safe.
Yara looked at her brother with a raised eyebrow. "No." It was a simple answer and she held a hand up to forestall any protests her brother was sure to make. "I know our father, far better than you do. He is not going to like what it is that we have to say to him, and we are going to need all the support we can get. Our Uncle Rodrik is smart and he will see reason. He might be able to help us persuade our father that we have the right of things, with this alliance with Stannis Baratheon. That is if we can persuade Rodrik to leave his Ten Towers to come and treat with our Father."
Theon frowned slightly, knowing that this visit would cause a delay that he did not deem necessary. "I suppose you know best." He admitted. It was probably for the best that his sister was with him, she understood these people better than he ever could, even though he was Balon Greyjoy's heir, he had been a child the last time he had even set foot on the Islands.
"Of course I do Little Brother," she answered with a sly grin, as if she knew exactly what he was thinking. "There is also the fact that our Mother is there, I thought you would like to see her first."
Theon looked to his sister in surprise. He had thought Alannys Greyjoy would be at his father's side. "I suppose that would be a…a welcome reunion. Perhaps she too could add a voice to our cause." His voice showing some doubt at his words. He remembered his mother, a proud, hard woman who had turned sad once his brothers had died. He remembered those last days he had spent with her, she had seemed especially bitter.
When Yara saw his confusion she let the corners of her mouth turn down in a frown. She let out a slow, shallow sigh. "I should warn you." She looked out thoughtfully into the horizon toward the coast of Harlow Island. "She is not the same woman you remember. The years have not been kind…."
"Is there something wrong with her?" He asked, but the question seemed hollow. It surprised him that he didn't feel any more emotion at this revelation except for a distant, dull sadness. It was hard to feel anything for a woman who was just a childhood memory.
"She has never really been the same, not since our brothers died, and then she lost you too. I think she always blamed Father for losing all her sons. I didn't seem to be enough for her." There was just a hint of bitterness in her voice. "In the years that followed your departure, her health started to deteriorate. Slowly, and at first it was just physically, eventually her mind started to go. Before the war, father had sent her to her brother at the Ten Towers to keep her out of his way. It was getting harder to take care of her and he was too busy with his own plans." She trailed off in silence.
Theon was content to let the subject lie, he felt guilty for not feeling more than just superficial emotions at the news that his mother was unwell. They stayed silent, watching the island and the keep come closer. Eventually Yara did speak again. "I know that it probably doesn't effect you the way it does me. You only had her for a few years where as I grew up with her. She is your mother, and I don't think she ever forgot about you. The last time I saw her, it was difficult. She sometimes forgets that Rodrik and Maron are dead, she asked about them. And then when I told her that they were not here, she asked me to bring you to her. I think she had forgotten that Father was forced to give you away."
Theon said nothing. There was a brief flash of pity for the woman who was his mother and with Yara's words a new sense of sadness settled into him. Yara gave him a quick nod and then gestured to the Island. "We're almost there. I'll go tell Olyvar to get ready to disembark." And with that she left Theon to thoughts of the family that he had left behind, the ones he had all but forgotten during his time in the North.
—
Upon arriving at the Ten Towers, Theon, Olyvar, and Yara were immediately ushered to what the servants referred to as the Book Tower. He had always been under the impression that most Iron Born were not especially fond of the knowledge that books could bring them. Theon wondered if there was a different reason for the name and what could be the meaning behind it. When he posed the question to his sister, she simply shrugged her shoulders with an amused smirk touching her lips. A few moments later, when the were led through the door leading into the tower, the reason became clear for the name.
There simply was no deeper meaning for the name, other than it housed a vast amount of books and scrolls. It was even more surprising when Theon realized that the unassuming man who sat in a comfortable chair near the fire with his nose in a book was his in fact the Uncle that they came to see. He supposed his Uncle being known as Rodrik the Reader made sense now.
"Nuncle!" Yara addressed the man amiably. It took a moment for the man to look up from his book, it was as if he wanted to finish reading some final bit of information before he turned his attention to his niece. Yara laughed at her uncle's reluctance to look to her. "Is this how you greet your long lost niece? I would have thought you would have been more excited to greet me after my long stay in the North!" She teased.
Finally the middle aged man looked up, his eyebrows raised in surprise, but a small smile playing upon his lips. "Yara?" His eyes then drifted to Olyvar and eventually rested on Theon. There was recognition in that glance, but Theon couldn't be sure if it was because he wore the Greyjoy sigil upon his breast or that the man actually recognized him for who he was. "And Theon too I see."
"Don't sound so surprised, Nuncle." Yara said with a smile as she made her way to the man in order to embrace him, once the book was put down safely on a side table and the man had stood up and accepted his niece. "I had a raven sent as soon as I knew we would be coming."
"I did not think it would be so soon." And with those words a small shadow flitted across his face. Yara had seen the expression, as fleeting as it had been, and was about to ask her Uncle what it was, but he had gave a small shake of his head to forestall her questions. Instead he brought his attention back to Theon who had also stepped closer to the two of them. He gave the boy, now the man he thought to himself, before him. He tried to appraise the man that Theon had become, but he could tell little from just looking at him. So he simply said to him, "welcome home, my Prince."
Theon winced at the title, and that did not go unnoticed by Rodrik. "It is good to see you again Uncle." Theon said formally. Although, he could only remember having ever met the man once, before he was shipped off to Winterfell. He raised his right hand and gestured to Olyvar who stood slightly behind him. "And this is Olyvar of House Frey."
If Rodrick was surprised by the introduction of a Frey that was traveling with his niece and nephew, he didn't remark on it. Instead he gave Olyvar the smallest of nods in greeting and then brought his attention back to Theon. With a bit of sigh, that spoke only resignation he simply said, "I would have thought your wife would be with you."
"So you heard about that?" Yara said as she sat down unceremoniously on the seat that her uncle had vacated.
"Yes, the news of Theon marrying one of those Wolff girls has been spreading rapidly around the Islands. I suppose some might think it's a scandal. It was well advised of you not to bring her here." He let out what could only be called a tired sigh. "Especially now." He turned and bid a few servants who were working in the library to bring some chairs closer to the fire for his guests. "You all should sit. We have much to discuss." There was a now a note of sadness in his tone. "None of it is good."
At his tone Yara sat straight in her chair. She could tell that something was wrong. "Is it mother?" That had been her first thought, she had been so frail when she had last seen the woman, she would not have been surprised if her Uncle's news was about the woman taking a turn for the worse.
Rodrik shook his head and waved Yara's worry away. "No not your mother." Before he continued on with his news he waited for Olyvar and Theon to sit. He gave the Frey boy a quick glance, "I trust that since you are in the company of my Nephew that he trusts you implicitly. And while I do not know Theon well enough to make any judgements on him, I do trust Yara, and she seems to Be at ease with both of you."
"I trust them Uncle." Yara said, and it was close enough to the truth. While she still had issues with her brother, she realized that in everything they do from now on would be for the best of the people of the Iron Islands, and while Theon had other motives, they were still working for the good of her people.
Rodrick nodded, "then I suppose it would be best to state that what we discuss does not leave this room. When he received confirmation to to this request he continued on. "I am saddened by the fact that I could not give you a better welcome home Yara." He looked to his niece, because he knew how the news would effect her. And his heart sunk a little when he saw her worried expression. "I'm sorry Yara, and I guess to you too Theon. News of your father's death came only a few days ago."
There was silence in the room. Yara stared unblinkingly at her Uncle, her mouth in the shape of a surprised 'O'. Theon felt the the frown he wore deepen. There was no sadness, at least he didn't think there was sadness. How could he be sad? He did not really know his father, if anything he should have been relieved. He would not have to try to reason with his father, perhaps this would make things that much easier. By law he was heir to Pyke, he should be considered King, it would make it easier to bend the knee and all of the Iron Born would be sworn to King Stannis Barotheon. But he knew the situation, he doubted any of these men would listen to him, and things could never be as easy as simply taking his place at Pyke. Perhaps that was why he didn't feel relief. Instead he just felt numb.
Theon could feel Olyvar's eyes upon him. He turned his head and locked gazes with his friend. It was clear that Olyvar was concerned for Theon. As best Theon could, he tried to ease his friend's concerns with a simple shrug of his shoulders to show that he was as fine as could be expected.
Only after the room was silent for a few moments, did Yara speak. Her voice was low and measured, as if she was trying to keep her emotions in check. "And what happened to him Nunckle? He was in fine health when I last saw my father."
"There was a storm, and it seems your father attempted to cross the bridge between Pyke's towers and fell to his deaths on the rocks and sea below," replied Rordrik.
"That makes no sense." Yara stated bluntly. "He crossed those bridges daily, rain or shine. A stray wind or slippery wood would never have bested my father."
"Aye." Rodrik agreed. His frown deepened as he continued, "the Silence arrived the day after your father died." He looked to Yara as if that should mean something.
Theon looked at his sister and from her expression, he saw that it did. " The Silence?"
Yara's brow furrowed and cursed under her breath before answering Theon. "Our dear Uncle Euron's ship, our father exiled him years ago, for what I do not know. And now it would seem he has returned at a very convenient time." Her eyes narrowed as she brought her attention back to Rodrik. "Do you suspect his hand in my father's death."
"Of course. And I'm not the only one. But there is no proof."
"Then I shall kill him myself, proof be damned." Yara vowed.
"Yara." Theon hissed, they had other work here on the islands before she could be sidetracked by bloody vengeance.
"I know Brother." Yara snapped. "But our father has been murdered, and I will not stand by while his murderer is free. And don't think for a second that leaving him alive would be the sensible thing to do. Do you think he came back to idly sit by while you take up the Seastone Chair at Pyke. Pull your head out of your ass Brother, he's after the Kingship."
"Yara is not wrong." Rodrik said mildly. "And I'm sure that he'll soon know that the two of you have come home and that you'll both be vying for the throne. Not only that your Uncle Aeron, is using his influence as a most devout priest of our Drowned God to call the captains to a King's moot I doubt he want's Euron to be King any more than he wants you in that chair." He looked pointedly at Theon.
"Can he do that?" Theon asked. "Just call a King's moot, despite my being here, legal heir to Pyke?"
"It is rare, but yes according to ancient law he can. As I've said, I don't think most of these captains who will be voting on the issue would deem you to be a proper Lord Reaper of Pyke." Rodrick said
"Aeron is nothing more than a crazy old priest." Muttered Yara. "If he doesn't hope for Euron to win the throne, than who does he want?" But before Rodrik could answer Yara shook her head, she already knew the answer. "He must mean for our Uncle Victarion to put his name forward." She gave her uncle a piercing look. "Do you think Victarion will try to claim it?"
Rodrik shrugged his shoulders, "perhaps. He too, has returned from raiding the Northern coast. Your father had called him back when you were taken as a Stark prisoner. He had left a small garrison to hold Moat Cailin, but things were already falling apart there. The crannogmen of the Neck made life miserable there, and without your Uncle there to hold order, the Boltons were easily able to win back the Neck. Although, from everything we've heard the Bolton's are no longer a threat." Rodrik sighed, "this whole war was a mistake. We should have allied ourselves with one side or the other. If only Balon could have seen that."
"Are you the only one who thinks that Nuncle?" Yara asked tentitivly.
"I know where you are going with this Yara," Rodrik said with a shake of his head. "There are a handful of lords and captains who think this way. But not enough for you to put your name forward, Yara, or Theon. I'm not even sure if you could, considering neither of you captain a longship." He saw that his niece was about to argue, "do not forget you lost it when you lost Deepwood Motte."
Yara glared at her Uncle, "that can be remedied."
Rodrik looked at her sharply. "And what crew would you take. It seems to me you lost men to that bastard of Bolton. And you'll find sorry few men who would be willing to follow you now. There are some that say you both have been tamed by the wolves, with you being married to one," he nodded to Theon, and then brought his attention back to Yara, "and you now seemingly allied yourself to them and by extension Stannis."
"What choice did I have? Honestly, Nuckle, we can not win against any of these Kings. You just said it, it is better to ally ourselves with one, then at least we can keep control of our Islands and not have some other King impose some Lord from the main land to keep us in line." Yara protested.
"You know my stance is the same as yours. But most of these men cannot give up the past, and their Old Way. They will flock to Victarion, because I have no doubt he would mean to finish what your father started. And Euron has not been idle since he's come home. He's been talking and making friends with many of the the captains." Rodrik said.
"And we do not have time to try and gather support." Theon said quietly. "Stannis has more for us to do than fight for my right to rule at Pyke. We needed Ironborn men to help us." Even as he said this he did not know how he would be able to do any of his King's tasks without any support from the people he should have considered his own. "I suppose we have wasted our time." He said bitterly.
"Perhaps," Rodrik admitted. "But there has been at least one time where the King's moot decision has been overturned. I'll let you read the book that tells of it, should you like. There might be a way to convince some of the more reasonable lords, that your marrying the Stark girl could benefit our situation. We will have stronger ties to Winterfell and the North. With Winter nearly upon us, that could prove useful."
"The Ironborn will have a hard time accepting her." Yara said realistically.
"I have no doubt it will be hard for her." Rodrik said.
For the first time Olyvar let out a small chuckle and spoke up, "I doubt your Ironborn will understand what hit them when Arya Stark arrives on these shores."
There was a hint of a smile on Theon's lips. "Aye, she'll hold her own. But that will not be relevant, if I am forced to abandon Pyke, and that seems likely."
"Let me think on this a little longer Nephew." Rodrik said, "but first why don't you tell me what exactly it is that King Stannis had asked of you, besides taming the Iron Islands."
With a sigh, Theon started, "that I try to retake Seagard and restore it completely to Jason Mallister. He also wants me to find a small group of men willing to sneak into Casterly Rock and free Edmure Tully, so that once Stannis has won back Riverrun, he can be given his rightful seat. Then I'm go to the Twins and help Stannis deal with the Freys." The list sounded impossible as he recited it.
Rodrick let out a bitter laugh. "Is that all? I suppose Stannis thought you could easily take control of the Iron Islands and that you'd have men at your disposal. It's men I can offer you. Perhaps enough to help take Seagard. We would have a powerful ally in Seagard if you managed to help rid Mallister of his Freys. I take it King Stannis didn't entrust taking Riverrun as well?"
"No, I believe, he'll leave that until after he deals with the Twins." Theon said sullenly.
"Well, let us deal with one problem at a time." Rodrick said. "I have much to consider." He looked tired all of the sudden, and he looked to Yara, "there are some people here who would be eager to see you back safe." Then he addressed them both. "And the pair of you should see your mother." He stood up slowly and beaconed to Yara, come "I'll take you to my guests." Then he addressed Theon and Olyvar, "I'm sure the two of you are tired after your long journey. I'll have you brought a proper meal and then have some servants show you to your rooms." And with that he turned to leave.
Yara followed after him. She gave her brother a look that was almost apologetic. It was then that Theon saw the sadness in his sister's eyes. He had to remind himself that she was grieving for their father, even if he was not. It was almost a relief when she walked out of the library, and the door shut firmly behind her.
"We'll figure something out." Olyvar ventured when they were alone. "We always do."
"I hope so," Theon said quietly, "but I fear we'll end up disappointing our King."
Olyvar nodded his head in agreement, not knowing what to say. After a few moments of silence, Olyvar spoke again. "Are you alright," he paused, "I mean about your father?"
Theon took a second to reflect on what he was feeling. "Yes, I am alright." He finally said. "It's more as if I don't feel anything. I'm simply indifferent. He was my father yes, but it was Eddard Stark who raised me. I grieved more for him. I do not feel, happy as one might think at my father's passing, because in the end I suppose he was ultimately an enemy, nor do I feel sadness. I feel strangely numb."
Olyvar had some idea of how Theon felt. "I wonder if I would feel the same should the same fate befall my father." He let out a short bitter laugh, "not that I have any delusions as to what will happen to my father should Stannis gain victory over him."
—
"When you see her," Yara started, and then cut off as if she didn't know how to tell Theon what was on her mind. They stood outside the room of the solar that was solely used by Alannys Greyjoy. She let out a frustrated sigh, "just remember what I told you, she is not the same woman she was when you were a child, before you left us. Just be patient with her. Alright?"
"What is it you think I plan to do to her?" Theon said a bit impatiently. He knew his mother was sick, he had been told that already.
"Just…" again Yara was struggling, "her, condition can be a bit jarring."
Theon just nodded his head, and then motioned for Yara to open the door. He was as ready for this reunion as he was ever going to be. Yara's only reply was to open the door, slowly, it seemed she was being cautious. Theon couldn't help but wonder if she was afraid of what she might find behind that door.
"Mother?" Yara called out quietly once the door was open and the two siblings stepped in quietly. The two of them looked on a waif of a woman, sitting idly by a window, staring out at the waves beyond. Yara called out a little more forcefully, when the woman did not immediately respond. "Mother?"
This seemed to catch the woman's attention. "Yara is that you?"
Yara offered the woman a small smile. "Yes. And I brought someone to see you." She said with a bit of forced cheerfulness.
"Oh?" Was the woman's only reply as she brought her yes to rest upon Theon.
Theon was taken aback by the look she gave him. And for a brief, surprising, moment there was a sharp pain at the realization that there was no recognition in it. But before he could say anything, Yara stepped forward, leaned down and kissed her mother gently on the cheek. "Yes, Mother. I brought you Theon, remember the last time I was here, you asked me to bring him to you. And as you can see I did."
A crease appeared in Allyss's forehead. "That is not Theon, Theon is a little boy. Who is this man you've brought to me. He resembles your brothers, is he a distant relation of your father's?"
It was all Theon could do not to gape at the woman who was his mother. Yara had led him to believe that she wasn't well, but he had not been prepared to see that she Was in the process of loosing her mind. Surely she couldn't believe that Theon would be returned to her the same age as when he had left. Yara looked to Theon helpless, her eyes giving him a look that said I prepared you for this, and he wanted to scream at her that she had not prepared him enough. Instead he steeled himself and took a step forward, leaned down and kissed the woman on his cheek.
"No Mother, Yara has the right of it. I am Theon, not the boy you knew, but now a man grown." He said gently.
Alannys, looked up at her son, she studied him for a few moments, and then the fog seemed to lift from her eyes, and they sharpened in intelligence. "Theon?" she whispered.
He nodded his slowly, keeping a careful eye on his mother.
His mother quietly said, "come kneel before me, let me see what the Wolves have turned you into."
He gave a quick glance to Yara, but then knelt like a child at his mother's skirts. Yara only shrugged her shoulders, but then said to her mother. "He's married one of those wolves mother." Theon gave her a sharp look, but she only smiled at him. Their mother would have found out sooner or later, and eventually Yara knew that her mother would forget the news.
There was a sharp look in the woman's eyes as she heard that news. "Your father agreed to this?" Theon looked at Yara alarmed, and he saw the horror in her eyes as well. Rodrik had said the death of her husband seemed to make Alannys's condition worse.
"Mother…" Yara started, about to tell her again about Balon.
But was interrupted by the whisper of her mother, who was carefully studying Theon's face. "You look so much like your brothers." And instantly the light had faded from their mother's eyes. "Perhaps when you come back you could bring them to see me as well."
Theon blinked at the sudden change. Should he tell her that her oldest sons were dead. To make her feel that obvious pain again, felt cruel. He glanced to Yara for help. She looked stricken at what she had just witnessed, just as much as Theon was. But instead of saying anything to him, she simply leaned forward and kissed her mother on the forehead gently. "Of course mother."
Over the course of the next quarter hour, Yara tried in vain to coax there mother back into lucidity. Theon stood in the background, feeling pity for the woman his mother had become. He had fragments of memories from his childhood and his mother, before he was sent to Winterfell. He remembered her a sad, but brave woman and certainly not the broken woman who sat before them. He couldn't help but wonder if Balon having to send his only living son away, had added to the obvious strain his mother must have felt. And if he wanted to look hard enough inside his heart, he supposed he felt a little guilt for not having been there for his mother, even if it had not been his fault. Then if he looked further inside himself, if that was truly the reason he felt guilty, or did he felt guilt for not feeling guilty. Because if given the chance to change anything, he wouldn't. He had made a life for himself amongst the Starks, he would not apologize for that.
But the woman was his mother, and now that he had seen her, he felt an inkling of responsibility. When his duty to King Stannis was done, and he had done all that he could to help the man win his throne, and Pyke was restored to Theon, he would come back and take his place on the Seastone chair. He would bring his mother back to Pyke and he would take care of her, and hopefully make up for all his years of absence.
—
When mercifully their visit with their mother was over, they made their way once more to the Book Tower. They were to meet Rodrik there, along with Olyvar and someone else that was of Yara's acquaintance. Theon thought it might have been one of the people that their Uncle had said would be happy to see Yara home. He was not left in suspense long, as they entered the library, his eyes slipped easily over the two men that he was acquainted with and rested upon the only stranger in the room. The man was of a height with Theon but he must have been older than him, perhaps closer to Yara's age. He was clean shaven and his stance was one of a fighter. It was obvious that this man would be a dangerous foe.
Theon looked to his sister to, eyebrows raised in question as to who this newcomer was. Yara easily took hold of the situation. "Theon this is Qarl."
"Qarl the Maid," the man took over, "I'm a fighter of some renown in the Iron Islands. And served aboard your sister's ship."
Theon raised an eye at his boast, apparently he was supposed to know who this man was, but he did not. Nor was he impressed by the introduction, if the man was so fierce then how was it he remained free at Deepwood Motte when his sister had been taken by Ramsey Bolton. He shrugged his shoulders in indifference, "how is it that you are free when my sister was taken?"
Qarl let out a small chuckle, "we were out numbered, some of us managed to get away. We knew that Yara was taken, and we knew she would be a valuable prize. We knew she would not have been killed. So we did what we had to do to survive. We retreated back to the Islands for help."
"And we know that father was hesitant to act against Robb Stark, he was biding his time. By the time Qarl took it into is head to gather his own men to come and get me, things in the North grew…complicated." Yara said harshly.
And Theon wondered if the two of them had this talk in private already. So he let the subject drop. With a final glance to Qarl, Theon shook his head dismissively, then looked to his uncle. "Well, Uncle, I take it you've called this meeting for a reason, shall we get on with it."
"Aye." The older man nodded. "Yara and I have made some plans." He raised a hand to hold back any of Theon's objections to being left out of the planning phase of what was to come next. "Relax boy, she came to me with a plan of her own, and while I don't think it's a sound plan, I think it might work if she can pull it off."
Theon looked to his sister with his eyebrows raised.
"I go to Castlerly Rock and retrieve Edmure Tully." Yara said bluntly. "I think I could sneak into the Castle with a handful of trusted men just as easily as you or some other man. However I trust myself more with this kind of work."
The look Theon shot her was both full of shock and disbelief. Was his sister mad? He had figured that saving Edmure Tully would not be an option, as he didn't think there was a way to spare any man their Uncle saw fit to give them. They would need them all to take Seagard. But now his sister was offering to go herself. He simply shook his head. "That sounds dangerous, not to mention we haven't even discussed the details on how to sneak into the Rock."
Olyvar spoke up as well, "aye, and the it is famous for being impossible to break into. It was the one thing that bothered me about this particular task Stannis sent us on."
"I think I can handle myself." Yara said in amusement. "But if it's details you want, well then, there are plenty of tales of there being caves and caverns underneath the castle. It just so happens, that Qarl here knows of someone who may know of just the sort of cave we need."
Theon shot a glance to Quarl, his eyebrow raised in disbelief. "That is convenient. And you are sure this someone is trustworthy?"
Qarl laughed, "of course he isn't."
"But it is a start, and we'll get this man's help to lead us inside. If he's lying." Yara said, "well, we'll figure that out if it comes to that. But a smaller group of people I know and trust would be the ideal way to sneak in and save Tully. " Yara paused a moment. "Look this is what Stannis wants from us. He set us two tasks, one gain help from the Iron Islands. We have help from One of its lords, our Uncle Rodrik. Perhaps not a lot of men, but it is something. And Stannis sent us to retrieve Edmure Tully. We won't be able to give him the ships and men he wants but we can give him some. And if I can rescue Tully, all the better."
"She's right." Rodrik said curtly. "Victarion and Euron both have more support than either of you will ever garner. Especially with the two of you talking about allying us with another Baratheon. If you wish to retain your rights to Pyke, you're going to need help and Stannis is the only one who's offering, and the North is in no position to help on their own. If we help both Tully an Mallister we have two Riverlords that owe us a favor."
Clearly this was a decision Theon had no part in, both his Uncle and Yara had already discussed it amongst themselves. Perhaps he would have to keep an eye on the two of them, he hoped their discussions would never amount to anything against him. "Fine, and now, how will I be expected to take Seagard. I pray the two of you have thought of that."
"We never discussed that." Yara said, almost as if she could tell what Theon had been thinking.
"No, but I have thought of it." Rodrik said. "We still get boats in that have visited Seagard, so I'm still informed of what happens there and of the rumors sailors hear in the taverns. As of right now, it's garrisoned lightly. Apparently the bulk of the Frey men that were there have been recalled to the Twins." Rodrik said with a bit of a smile, "I'm sure that is in light of Stannis Baratheon, making his way South from Winterfell and King's Landing seems to be indifferent to Lord Frey's plight. I would wager that has Walder Frey most concerned. I have no doubt Walder has recalled a lot of men in preparation of King Stannis's arrival at the Twins. Which should make your job a bit easier. Jason Mallister is still at Seagard however under the watchful ey of some minor Frey. I can offer you enough men to take Seagard. No one will be expecting an attack by way of the Iron Islands. They all think we have our own troubles. Nor would they expect us to sidewith Stannis."
"You would take a great risk in helping us Nunckle. You allowing Theon to take any men would be suspicious to the rest of the captains." Yara said quietly.
"True. But I can send men off to raid as I like and that is what I will claim I did. Seagard is a worthy town to raid." Rodrik said.
"And it is unlike you to do that in recent years." Yara murmured.
"Perhaps, but that will be my burden to explain." Rodrik said. "Should anyone ask about it. And I have no doubt they will. I've decided to go to the Kings Moot." He dismissed their surprised looks. "We'll have need of allies in the Islands for when we try to make a move against whoever wins the Sea Stone Chair. That will be the place to find them. I doubt I'm the only one who thinks us claiming ourselves independent of Westeros a folly."
"It sounds a dangerous game Uncle." Thone said quietly.
"Aye, but no more dangerous then what the two of you will be playing at. In fact I'll be safer than you two in a lot of ways." Rodrik said.
And Theon realized he was right. Yara was offering to go upon a task that seemed all but impossible and he himself would be wading into battle. At least that was something, he wouldn't be playing the spy nor would he be sneaking about trying to find a way into an impregnable fortress. His job in all of this seemed pretty straight forward.
When no one said anything for a short while, Rodrik nodded his head. "Then I think our business here is concluded. I'll give you the names of the men you'll be taking with you. I'll leave the planning of the details of each of your tasks to you. I've offered what I could. I wish you both luck. I suppose you'll both be leaving Ten Towers in a few days, and I myself have plans to make. Just make sure the two of you manage to make your farewells to both me and your mother before you leave."
—
Author's Note
to Takai-taka: Thank you, I'm happy you like it.
to Lord Carrion: I always pictured Rickon to be end game for Winterfell, and I too want Stannis to win...
to Momiwolfie: Hope this was enough of the Iron Islands! The sequel will have more.
ATP: Osha is at Winterfell, I didn't add her because I wanted to focus on the Starks. She will in the next chapter.
to Jean d'arc: Thank you so much, and I am better now. And Rickon will stay alive thank you very much :)
to anon guest: Thank you, I'm glad you stuck with the fic. I have had fun writing it, so it makes me happy to know people enjoy reading it.
Otspock: High praise indeed! I am humbled.