No rest for the dead

Theon POV

The ceiling was grey. It was grey last night, too, as it is tonight. The Maester of the Harrenhal had forbidden me from leaving the bed. Broken ribs, sprained ankle, dislocated shoulder, cuts, and bruises. The Maester had many reasons to keep me in bed. Still, I couldn't fall asleep even when I couldn't move my body much.

Spending days and nights watching a grey ceiling wasn't what I wouldn't say I was resting. The Maester has forbidden anyone to see me, as I was too severely injured. It would be the right thing to do in normal situations, but I wasn't normal by any definition. So, the following day I called him a craven and ordered him to bring Lord Karstark to me.

"Please be quick, and do not agitate the patient," The Maester told Lord Karstark.

"Tell me, Lord Karstark, what is the situation," Not knowing was killing me.

"We heard of the news of the passing of Lord Eddard Stark. Lord Robb was marching straight to the capital when we met his siblings. After listening to them, we decided our priority would be to secure you and the Kingslayer. He has sent me first. Yesterday, I met with one of the riders you sent. We came as soon as we could."

"You were late," I laughed. "What is the course of action now?"

"We will await Lord Robb here. Lord Tywin wasn't able to push any further into the Riverlands."

"I heard he got ser Edmure Tully as his captive, is it true?"

"Yes, we heard the same. That is why Lord Robb ordered me to secure the Kingslayer first."

"I ordered him to be killed if the Mountain got through the walls."

"Good thing we got just in time. The Kingslayer is safe, as is Lord Brax. I am still perplexed how you managed to capture him."

"Let's say he walked to us on his own."

"You have changed from the last time I saw you," Lord Karstark commented.

"People change, especially when they face death," I replied. "Anyway, how long till Robb comes?"

"No longer than a week," He told me.

"If I suggested, I would send scouts to see what the Lannisters are doing. I don't believe Lord Tywin would just sit and wait."

"Will do. Rest for now and leave everything to me," He gave me an ensuring look and left.

Once again, I was left to stare at the grey ceiling. I have lost hope that I would ever sleep long ago. Just as I was starting to think of what I should do, a squirrel hopped on the bed. I looked at it and was surprised to see it was the one I had brought with me to the Harrenhal.

"What are you doing? I thought you had left when you had a chance."

It just looked at me and nestled on my stomach. At least I have some company, I guess.

…

After a few more days of lying in bed, I was able to leave. Of course, the Maester had to check on me and make sure I was healthy enough. Lady Whent has called me to the Great Hall for whatever reason. On the way, I met with Thoros and Jalabhar.

They were in good health. On the way to the Great Hall, Thoros informed me that ser Willis had died and more than two hundred others. The mourning had ended, and now was the time to celebrate our victory.

The Mountain managed to escape, even though Lord Karstark gave chase. Lord Karstark didn't want to go to the Crownlands and let the Mountain go. There was nothing that he could do else.

We were greeted by Lady Whent when we entered the Great Hall. Beside her were Lord Karstark and some other men I didn't recognize. I walked to her. Thoros and Jalabhar had left me and joined the crowd.

"Theon of the House Greyjoy," Lady Whent introduced me to everyone. "Protector of Harrenhal, the undying, the best archer the world has seen, the blinder of the Mountain, the undefeated."

Okay, that was unexpected. A bit too much. What is she playing at? Making me a hero, why would she do so? I was more confused than ever. Still, I stood and listened to her, waiting for her to end. I am not going to lie; it was pretty embarrassing.

"Kneel, Theon of House Greyjoy," Lady Whent continued.

Oh, I now knew what she was trying to do. She would give all the blame for the Lannister's defeat to me. Making me a knight for my feats and then rewarding me. After this, everyone will know what I did, and so will Lord Tywin. Damn her, it is not like Lord Tywin wouldn't have learned of me anyway, but she was doing this to put a target on my back.

"For your bravery, dedication, compassion, selflessness, I, Shella Whent, Lady of the Harrenhal, anoint you as a knight of the Seven Kingdoms."

No one questioned how she could anoint me as a knight when she wasn't one. No one dared or gave a shit about a proper ceremony. What else I could do but accept. It would be rude to reject it, and I don't think she cared that I didn't follow the Seven.

"As a reward for your feats in battle, I present you with the best armor and sword the castle blacksmith could make."

A rough-looking man came forward to me and presented full plated armor and a newly forged bastard sword. The armor was magnificent, with silver engravings and soft fur sewed from the inside. It was fancy, a bit too fancy. The sword was of good quality with a pommel that looked like the head of a Kraken.

After the joke of the ceremony, the Great Hall erupted with celebration. I sat in the seat of honor and listened to how men flattered me. I mostly ignored everyone and drank wine. It was a tiresome night.

While I sat there looking at the celebrating people, I couldn't stop thinking of ser Willis. I had only known him for a few weeks, but I don't think he would be mad if I thought of him as my friend. We fought together, after all.

Now ser Willis is dead, while I somehow survived. Was this a survivor's guilt? I didn't understand my feelings, but when I looked at Thoros, Jalabhar, and Anguy, I couldn't suppress the thought that they would die.

In this world, no one was safe, and yet I still live. I want to think that there is something that I must do, something that only I could do, yet I am just a man. I can't fight against nature. I can't stop the winter.

…

The sun was rising as I climbed the wall of one of the towers of Harrenhal. The sunlight illuminated the empty fields surrounding the castle. As I relaxed on the tower's roof and bathed in the sunlight's warmth, I saw banners in the distance.

The grey direwolf running in the white field was the most prominent one. Then there were others the chained giant, a bear, a flayed man, and so on. Soon the empty fields surrounding the castle were filled with men on horses.

I opened my eyes. The experience that I felt was surreal. After days of trying, I managed to warg into the squirrel. It was similar to when I first came to this body but still vastly different. It was hard to describe, it felt like it was my own body, but at the same time, I had to learn how to move in it.

Letting the feeling pass, I got up from my bed. Robb has arrived, and I should meet him. There are a lot of things we need to talk about. As I walked through the halls, I met up with Anguy and told him to follow me.

"Ser Theon," Anguy greeted me. "I know it is a bit late, but I must ask, can Lady Whent even knight you?"

"It is a valuable lesson for you to learn, Anguy. Don't ask lords and ladies what they can do and what they can't. In short, any lord can do as they wish until someone more powerful doesn't stop him. Don't question them. It will never end up good for you."

Patting him on the shoulder, I walked to the gates where people had started to gather. Soon enough, the gates were opened, and I could see a red-headed boy on the horse riding in first. I walked up to him, and once he saw me, he got down from his horse. I didn't expect him to hug me in front of everyone.

"You alive," Robb looked me up and down.

"No, I am a ghost, there to haunt you," I joked. "It is good to see you, Lord Stark."

I could see his eyes darkening at me addressing him as a lord. I could see uncertainty in his eyes, as well anger and hatred. He was no longer a boy but a lord whose father died not so long ago.

"We should go inside and greet Lady Whent," I told him.

Robb nodded in agreement. Just as I was to lead the way, something toppled me to the ground. The giant grey wolf started to lick my face, and I could do nothing to stop him. Robb laughed but didn't even try to stop his pet.

"Don't laugh, you bastard. Get him off me. I am injured, man," I growled.

"Grey Wind missed you."

Robb laughed and left me to defend myself from the beast. I will remember this moment. You damned Stark.