"Goodbye Father!" Theon said, waving one last goodbye to Balon Greyjoy. He didn't realize he wouldn't be coming back to the Iron Islands anytime soon. He thought he may stay with the Starks a few weeks, maybe months, while his father sorted out the expenses of a failed rebellion.

"Lord Stark," He started, looking up at the older man with big green eyes. "What is Winterfell like?"

Ned knew this boy was naive and had never left Pyke, so it would be shocking for him to see and experience the cold and unforgiving North.

"Well, much different from the Iron Islands, my boy. Very chilly for certain, but it's got a charm to it" He explained as the ship began to set sail. "You'll like it. I've got two sons about your age, and two young girls"
The young Greyjoy scrunched his nose. "Girls?" He crossed his arms. "Girls are icky and they aren't very fun. They just sew, sing and cry."

"Don't you have a big sister, Theon?" Questioned the old Stark, raising an eyebrow. "I'm sure she wouldn't like to hear that."

"Yara's different. She's tough, she's like a boy! Sometimes she plays knights with me" Theon explained. "But most other girls are just...boring."

"I suppose I had the same sentiments at your age" Ned shrugged. "But someday, you'll meet and young lady, and you'll be head over heels."

"Nah, not me Lord Stark." The boy shook his head. "Marriage wouldn't be all that fun."

"Well, you will need an heir, and you have to get married to do that" Teased Ned, making Theon reel in disgust.

"Babies are annoying! I don't want a baby." Theon exclaimed. "They cry, they smell and they're all around yucky."

"Well, you will have to get used to babies. We have one back at Winterfell, and Lady Stark is pregnant with another." The old Stark smiled at the thought of seeing his little ones. It would be a few days before he did, but he couldn't wait.

Still, he wasn't sure how to feel about taking the young Greyjoy away from his father. He knew it was a just punishment for a rebellion, but how would he adjust to life in the North? Would he get along with the Stark brood? Would he ever ask when he was going home? These were all things that Lord Stark was considering as the Iron Islands slowly disappeared in the horizon.

Theon ended up napping through much of the journey down in the cabin of the ship, and when he wasn't sleeping, he was playing ship captain or eating. He was an active ten-year-old, so when he was tired, he was out like a light.

Ned took care of the boy as if he was his own son. It was only right to do such a thing, considering he wouldn't be seeing his real father for a very long time. He just had to make the child feel welcome and safe.

Back at Winterfell, Sansa sat at her mother's vanity, looking at herself in the mirror. Even at the young age of seven, Sansa cared much about looking pretty.

"Mother, will you braid my hair?" She asked. It was getting close to bedtime, and Sansa didn't want her hair to get too tangled while she slept.

"Of course my little dove- let me sit Arya down." Catelyn spoke, gently letting the three-year-old sit on the bed.

"When is father coming back?" Sansa asked, looking back at her mother with a little bit of sadness in her blue eyes. She missed sitting with her entire family at dinner, and she hated having to worry about father possibly having died.

"Soon, Sansa. I received a raven saying he should be back within the next few days." Lady Stark brushed her eldest daughter's fire red locks.

"Perfect! I'll have to make him something to celebrate him coming back...maybe I can I try sewing!"

Catelyn gave a slight chuckle at her daughter's eagerness. "Last time you tried to sew you pricked your finger… are you sure you're ready to try again?" She teased.

"Of course! A proper lady can sew, write, entertain and make polite conversation." Sansa said, reciting what she had heard from both Lady Stark herself, and her tutor.

"Well yes, that's true." Admitted the Tully-born lady. "And as you grow, you will become good at those things and so much more my little love."

Sansa smiled as her mother continued to fix her hair. "I think I will be the best at it!" She said confidently, sitting up straight. "Maybe I'll even be queen!"

"Oh a girl can dream, Sansa. At the very least, you will marry a lord who will love you enough to make you feel like a king." Her mother responded, tying the end of the braid. "Now, off to bed with you."

Catelyn placed a kiss on her daughter's forehead, before sending her off to her room.

"Goodnight mother!" Sansa exclaimed, before going off to her bedroom.

As the little redhead climbed into bed, she clutched a pillow close to herself. She thought about what it would be like to be married, to live happily ever after. The young Stark had always loved fairy stories and dreamed of living one of her own. Maybe her true love was just around the corner. Mother said at her age, true love wasn't found, but Sansa just had to disagree. She felt that true love was real, and she could find it anywhere. As she fell asleep, she hoped for dreams of prince charming.

Winterfell was a big place, about the same size as Pyke, but Theon was still in awe. It was much different in appearance; colder, and a bit more gloomy. He liked it, although he still wondered when he would be going home.

"Lord Stark, how long will I be staying here?" He asked, walking in with Ned.

"A while, Theon, but rest assured you will go home someday" Ned responded cryptically, not wanting to make the child feel completely hopeless. "Welcome to Winterfell."

Theon found himself wondering about, until he saw Lady Stark with her children; Robb, Jon Snow (who was not technically her child), baby Arya and Sansa. Sansa had to be around Theon's age- maybe two or three years younger. Theon still found himself wanting to make friends with her.

"Hello, my lady, I am Theon Greyjoy of Pyke" He greeted her formally as he had been instructed by his father, sister and Lord Stark. He even kissed her hand, as icky as he thought girls were.

Sansa giggled, impressed by this boy and his gentlemanly behavior. As he pulled his mouth away, quickly wiping it on his sleeve, Sansa curtsied.

"Sansa Stark of Winterfell, it's a pleasure to meet you" She responded, knowing exactly how to act like a lady. She had been well taught for certain. "Did father bring you?"

"Mhm! He said my father needs to set stuff right at home, so I'm here." He explained, crossing his arms. "He said I need to be your friend."

"Well, I think that won't be difficult! I think I'm pretty fun." Sansa replied. "Maybe you can play with me and Robb! Oh, you'll like Robb!" She took the boy's hand and ran off to find her big brother.

"Looks like they're getting along." Catelyn marveled, watching the Greyjoy boy and their eldest daughter rush off.

"I'm surprised, he kept on talking about how girls are 'icky'" Laughed Ned, smiling. "Maybe he'll get used to this place."

"Someday he'll have to learn why he was brought here." His wife replied. "He can't stay in the dark forever"

"I plan to tell him when he's old enough to understand. I don't want him to feel like a hostage" explained Ned, sighing. "He doesn't deserve that. He's just a boy."

"He will learn, though. I guess we can only pray that he won't resent you."