Chapter 3:

A/N: In this AU, Balon dies of natural causes, Euron is allied with Yara and Theon, and he supports Yara's claim to the Salt Throne. Euron is DEFINITELY OOC in this fic.

Yara Greyjoy, Queen of the Iron Islands, smiled slightly to herself as she listened to the crash of the waves outside her window. By the light of a flickering candle, she read over and signed her last report of the day. Now that she had that task finished and her little brother settled for bed, the queen could finally get some sleep of her own.

The past three weeks, since their return to Pyke, were a whirlwind of activity. First, the two siblings learned of their father's murder the moment they made port. Then, by a vote of the entire Kingsmoot and with staunch support from their uncle Euron; Yara was elected queen of the Iron Islands. Now, she was balancing her duties as regent with those of raising Theon.

"Speak of the little Kraken," she thought as she heard the door to her room open and the approach of uneven footsteps that could only belong to her little brother.

Yara kept her eyes closed, and she soon felt Theon climb up into the bed with her; his frail, boney arms wrapping around her body as he buried his face against her chest.

The silence was soon broken as Theon's whole body trembled and he let out a broken sob.

Yara opened her eyes and sat up slightly before taking a gentle hold of Theon's left wrist, turning his hand, so his palm was facing up. The two of them had developed a sort of communication where Yara would tap her brother's hand a certain number of times; corresponding to the letters of the alphabet, to spell out words and phrases. Theon would then respond in kind.

'Bad dream?" She tapped out, drawing a question mark with her finger to indicate a query.

"Aye," Theon tapped back.

"Sleep now?" Yara tapped.

Theon shook his head frantically, letting out a pathetic whine.

"Okay, you don't have to sleep, Theon. I won't make you do anything that you don't want to do," Yara soothed.

This seemed to appease the boy as he settled closer to her, allowing himself to relax.

The queen closed her eyes, her mind drifting back to the day of their father's funeral.


The new queen and the prince of the Iron Islands watched as their father was prepared for his burial.

Yara stood tall, embracing Theon from behind with her chin resting atop his head. Once Balon's body was covered with rocks, seaweed, and wood, a group of Ironborn men, led by their uncle Euron, lifted the pallet that he was resting on and brought it to the shore of the cove.

Yara followed, intertwining her hand with her baby brother's to gently lead him; positioning Theon so that he was between her and their uncle.

"Lord, take your servant Balon back beneath the waves," the Drowned Priest leading the ceremony proclaimed as they entered the water. Theon paused and let out a gasp as the cold water touched his still healing wounds but, with a gentle nudge from Euron, followed the precession. "Feed the creatures of your kingdom on his flesh. Pull his bones down to your depths to rest beside his ancestors and his children."

"What is dead may never die!" Everyone proclaimed before silencing and watching their king's body drift out to sea.

Theon's trembling voice broke the silence, and tears streamed down Yara's face as he spoke.

"W-wha-what i-is d-dead may n-ne-never d-die," the 14-year-old said, haltingly before lapsing back into silence.


A small keen drew Yara out of her memory, and she met Theon's pleading gaze as he made the sign for music.

"You want a song?" The queen asked gently. "Would that help you fall asleep?"

Theon nodded.

"Alright, settle down then," Yara instructed, adjusting them both so that they were ready for sleep.

"Where the north wind meets the sea

There's a river full of memory," she began, her voice soft and melodic. Theon breathed out a sigh and settled closer against her chest.

Sleep, my darling, safe and sound

For in this river all is found

In her waters, deep and true

Lie the answers and a path for you

Dive down deep into her sound

But not too far or you'll be drowned

Yes, she will sing to those who'll hear

And in her song, all magic flows

But can you brave what you most fear?

Can you face what the river knows?

Where the north wind meets the sea

There's a mother full of memory

Come, my darling, homeward bound

When all is lost, then all is found."

Yara allowed her voice to trail off, a hand coming up to card through her sleeping brother's hair as she closed her own eyes and quickly drifted off to sleep.

Song: "All Is Found," Evan Rachel Wood.