What have I done?

Alysanne POV

The day was clear, with not even a cloud in the sky. It made me think of my father, who was with Lord Tywin, leaving me in charge of the keep. There wasn't much I needed to do. The most crucial task was to watch the road. Of course, I needed to make sure the captives were secure too.

"Lady Lefford," the captain of the castle guardsmen approached me. "A word reached us that a host from Casterly Rock is coming. We should prepare for them."

"What is there to prepare? They will pass through, taking what they want and doing what they want."

I couldn't help myself from being bitter. What Lord Tywin orders, he must get. It didn't matter that we were running low on resources. It wouldn't be a problem if we had more time to prepare, but we had to give most of what we had when Lord Tywin first started to march to the Riverlands.

"Riders," I heard one guardsman shout.

"How many?" I asked, walking up the tower above the gates to see.

"A dozen," Someone answered. I didn't know his name. "Should we shoot them down?"

"Don't. They have Lord Brax's banner," The captain told us.

"Isn't he captive to Theon the undying?"

"They probably stranglers or deserters," I said. "Let them get closer. We will kill them if they can't explain why they are there."

"Stop," the captain ordered the riders once they got closer. "State your name and purpose."

"Stefon Hill, my lord," A young man with black hair and a lean body replied. "We beg you to take us in. We are hungry, tired, and injured."

"You are men of Lord Brax. Why are you there?" The captain asked.

"We are no deserters, my lord. Please, believe us, we beg you," Stefon pleaded. "The Mountain, once Lord Brax was captured, he has gone mad. We were supposed to go to King's Landing, but the Mountain beat everyone who served Lord Brax. Only the dozen of us were left. We feared for our lives, so we left the Mountain's group. But we couldn't go to Lord Lannister. The northerners would hunt us down."

"Stefon Hill, a bastard, who is your father?" The captain asked.

"I don't know, my lord. My mother wouldn't tell me," Stefon answered.

"My lady, what should we do?" The captain asked me. "They could be spies sent by the North."

"Let them in. Starks are honorable men; they wouldn't steep as lowly as to send spies."

"As you wish, my lady. Open the gates."

Once the men entered the castle, I took a better look at them. They were tattered, and their horses breathed heavily, as they hadn't rested for a long time. I could see some men had bandaged themselves with a dirty cloth. Fools, they could die from infection, and they wouldn't even know it.

That is what happens when you conscript everyone that is of the age. They have not learned the basic things. I ordered them to be taken to be cleaned and cared for. Of course, firstly, I offered salt and bread to them. Just as I was trying to give it to Stefon, he fell to the ground. For a moment, I thought he had died.

"My lady, please take care of Stefon first. He has taken a hit from the Mountain. We believe his ribs a broken. We tried to bandage him as good as we could."

"Don't worry. What is your name?" I asked a skinny man who had freckles and red hair.

"Philip, my lady. Of Oxcross," The young man answered and stuffed his face with bread and salt like he hadn't eaten.

"Tell me, why has the Mountain gone mad?" I asked.

"Theon the undying, he fought with the Mountain. I saw it myself. He took an eye from him. Now the Mountain is blaming Lord Brax for this, he would kill anyone who tried to defend him, and then he started killing everyone else who served him."

Indeed, a mad dog. I heard enough stories about the beast that it doesn't even surprise me. The dog should have died. It would be better for everyone else. Once everyone ate, apart from Stefon, who was brought to the Maester, I left them be.

On the way to my chambers, I walked to the Maester. He was working hard removing bandages of Stefon. I was shocked at how many scars he had. Especially the one in the chest. It was healed scar. He probably received it long ago. His eyes were rolled up, revealing only whites.

"How is he, Maester?" I asked.

"He should be dead from the scars I see. Whoever patched this wound on his chest is probably the best healer in the realm," The Maester said. "Well, apart from his scars, the ribs were starting to heal, but he didn't rest, and it got worse. His shoulder was cut too, but it didn't reach a bone. He sprained his wrist and ankle, but they mostly healed. He is a strong one. With luck, he might wake up soon."

I left at that. There was no point for me in staying with that man. Still, it was the first time I saw the consequences of the war. The most annoying thing was that he received his wounds from an ally and not an enemy. I hope I won't see the Mountain ever again. I couldn't feel safe with a beast in my keep.

…

It was late evening when the captain came to me to report. I ate a light meal. I have limited the size of meals as much as I could, but it doesn't seem that we will be able to support another host of Lord Tywin. I would need to write a report and inform my father to be careful if he met the Mountain too.

"They are asleep. They drank enough wine to be passed out for a couple of days," The captain reported. "Still, I locked their room."

"You still believe they are of the North?" I asked. "It doesn't matter. They ate bread and salt. It is a more sacred thing in the North than in the south. They won't harm us."

"They could try to save the captives," Captain said.

"The captives are secured in the dungeon, with ten guards watching over them. If you are concerned, order another five guards to stand guard."

"Very well," The captain accepted my offer and left.

Just as I was done eating and stood from the table, I heard a cup fall. Turning to the sound, I saw a squirrel taking crumbs of bread. I chased it away, and I went to sleep.

…

I woke up at the screams. I didn't know what was happening, but I quickly stood up. The shouting and screaming got louder with each moment. Soon a clanging of swords was heard behind the door to my chambers.

"My Lady, you need to leave…." The man didn't finish his words. I heard him fall.

Someone tried to open the door, but it was locked. Just as I let a sigh of relief, the door was kicked open. A lean man with black hair strode inside. His sword was dripping with blood. Behind him lay a dead body on the ground.

"Stefon? What are you doing?"

"My apologies, my lady," The man said. "I am not Stefon. I am Theon Greyjoy, at your services. If you would be kind enough, could you become my hostage? It would be an honor if you agreed."

His face was partially covered in blood, yet he smiled. When I didn't reply, he walked closer to me. I tried to run past him, but he grabbed me and put his sword to my neck. I let out a silent scream but didn't try to resist.

"Please, my lady, I swear that I won't harm you."

"You took the bread and salt."

"No, I didn't, my men did, but they are still asleep after enjoying their wine."

"Theon, we took over the walls. Golden Tooth is ours," Lord Blackwood came and informed Theon. "Oh, I see you have captured Lady Alysanne."

After that, I was brought to the Great Hall, where children and women were kept. I sat in a corner and thought of what have I done.

Theon POV

What have I done? I asked myself as I looked at the men gathered in the courtyard of Golden Tooth. There were more captives in Golden Tooth than I imagined: Lord Blackwood, Lord Darry, Lord Vance, Lord Ryger, and Lord Piper. And a dozen of knights too.

I should have brought them out and gotten away. But no, my men had to be drunk and passed out. I couldn't leave them, and it would be suspicious if they were not drunk. I had to take Golden Tooth. There weren't many guards, especially at night, so I managed to sneak and kill them. Then I saved the lords and killed my way to Lady Lefford.

Once Lady Lefford was in my hands, the rest of the guards surrendered. Now, with more than a hundred men, I held Golden Tooth. I sent Lord Ryger and Lord Piper to gather men to reinforce my hold on the castle in the morning of the following day.

It wasn't a big castle, and it didn't need many men to protect it. In the first place, the plan should have failed. They shouldn't let us in, and I would return saying that the plan failed, but we discovered a narrow patch around it. Then Robb would make a plan in sieging Golden Tooth.

"Why are you wearing such an expression?" Thoros asked.

"Has Anguy woken up?" I ignored his question.

"Yes, with a splitting headache."

"Would you inform him that I need him to scout the Westerlands? If there is a host nearby, I would like to know."

"Aye, it will be done. You should enjoy your victory more."

Once Thoros left, I went on an inspection of the walls and towers. It was an excellent place to protect. It had high enough walls, overseeing everything around. The climb to the hill would be a challenge enough on its own. Once I was done, I went to the Great Hall.

There were too many people to keep a watch for. So, I gathered almost everyone in one place. Most of them were women and children, so I didn't fear they would overpower the guards and retake the castle. The men were kept in dungeons.

"Lady Alysanne," I greeted the heir of Golden Tooth.

"Lord Theon," She spat my name like it was venom.

"Please tell me if you need something,"

She just turned her head away from me, not replying. Well, now I feel like the bad guy. Maybe I was. Perhaps it was the curse of Theon to capture castles with little men. I still can't believe what I have done.

"Theon, we found letters that say a host is coming from Casterly Rock towards there," Lord Blackwood came to me and presented me with the letters.

"Sent a raven to Harrenhal. King Stark should know of it."

"It is too late. Before the Starks can come, you will be already dead," Lady Lefford sneered,

"We shall see," I replied.

The host will arrive in a couple of weeks if what the letter says is true. Nobody knew that I had taken Golden Tooth. It was an excellent opportunity to score a big victory against the Lannisters. Robb should have made the trade with Tywin by now and is waiting for me.

Tywin doesn't know that Golden Tooth has fallen, so he won't risk leaving High Heart. I need to send a rider to Robb as fast as possible. There wasn't much time to prepare. If it succeeds, nobody will doubt Robb as a king. Nobody will dare to look down on him.

A.N. Thanks for reading, if you want more, up to five advance chapters you can support me on pa treon. com \ ironwolf852