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02x06: The Old Gods and the New.
Chapter Thirty-One: Theon's Betrayal.
Theon stared out over Winterfell from the balcony as he thought about everything that had led him to this situation; his sister had refused to give her support and he was left here alone with the men that he had brought with him. He had never thought for a moment that this would happen when he captured Winterfell, Theon almost felt numb at the idea that he had really screwed up.
His men hadn't been able to find Sanira or Rickon when they had searched Winterfell and it had only gone worse when Bran had disappeared during the night with Hodor. Theon had no idea how it had happened and he had searched around the castle trying to find them; his hold on Winterfell was weak now that they were gone.
"What's your next plan?" Dagmer Cleftjaw asked approaching Theon from behind, an amused look on his face knowing that this certainly wasn't working out like the Greyjoy had hoped. Theon didn't say a word as he thought about everything, his own father would call him a failure for this and he wouldn't be able to go back to Robb after what he had done; he would have to think of something else now.
He was going to have to live with whatever decision that he had made next, Theon doubted that even Balon would send him any support when it came down to it. Yara hadn't even batted an eye when she had turned up at Winterfell and pleaded with him to abandon this fool's errand and come home with her.
There was nothing that would protect him now for what he had done, people would hear the rumours of what happened and Theon doubted that Robb would ever forgive him.
"This cannot be true," Robb whispered staring down at the letter that he had been just handed, the news that Theon had taken Winterfell instead of doing as Robb had asked made his stomach turn. Catelyn was silent while she listened to the conversation around her, her thoughts trapped on her family that remained there and she prayed to the Gods that they were all safe.
She had warned Robb against this course of action and Catelyn almost wished that he had listed to her; she had known that Theon would turn on them the moment he was back with his family.
"We've had ravens from White Harbour, Barrowtown and the Dreadfort. I'm afraid it is true," Roose revealed knowing that there was still worse news that he had to give, he eyed his King wondering how Robb would react. Everyone had seen how Robb had reacted when Eddard Stark had been executed and it made Roose wonder what course of action that Robb would take when he delivered the next piece of news.
"Why? Why would Theon...?" Robb asked trying to wrap his head around the fact that Theon had betrayed him, he had never thought that would happen to him. They had been like brothers and Robb had trusted Theon with his life, they had everything planned out and yet Theon had thrown that back in his face without a moment's thought.
"Because the Greyjoys are treasonous whores," Roose replied simply, his face not giving anything away and he watched Robb closely trying to work out how best to break this to him. It was delicate news and Roose had no doubts that it would be a devastating blow, if the rumours were to be believed Robb's wife had been pregnant for some time.
The King never really discussed this with anyone wanting to offer some protection for the family that he'd left behind.
"My brothers... my wife?" Robb asked concerned, he could only imagine what would happen to them now that Theon had taken their home; he had to get back and fix this before his child was born. There was no telling what sort of mind Theon was in now and while Robb hoped that his wife and brothers would be safe; there was no guaranteeing that now that Theon had taken his father's side.
"We've heard nothing of Bran and Rickon," Roose revealed knowing that the next news would be heart-breaking, he opened his mouth to continue put paused at the look that filled Catelyn's face. Catelyn got to her feet, her heart breaking at the idea that her sons; her youngest sons might not have made it out alive when the castle was taken.
"I told you never trust a Greyjoy," Catelyn spat angrily, she should have been home with her children instead of stuck here; she would have been able to keep them safe from the attack. Robb could barely look at his mother, she had warned him against sending Theon back to his family and he hadn't listened to her and now he had to pay the price.
"There is more news, Your Grace," Roose interrupted before Catelyn could continue to scold Robb, his face was neutral as Catelyn and Robb turned to focus on him. Catelyn looked annoyed and Roose wondered just what she had been planning to say to Robb before he had interrupted her; he was sure that Robb would much rather hear what he had to say.
"There are whispers coming from Winterfell… I am afraid it is not good news," Roose continued trying to find the right words, it would be upsetting but it was better that he told Robb now than the news reached him at another time. Robb ran his fingers through his hair and wondered what more bad news that they could get, everything seemed to be falling to pieces and he wanted to ride back to Winterfell to take it back from Theon.
"What is it?" Robb asked already planning on what he was going to do, he wasn't going to just sit here and let Theon get away with this; he would make him pay for what he had done. Catelyn stared at Roose, there was something about the man that she didn't trust and she often wondered how he had become Robb's closest advisor in all of this; she clenched her fists wishing that she could throttle Theon for what he had done.
If anything happened to Bran and Rickon then Catelyn would never forgive herself; she should have been home months ago and yet she was still here with Robb.
"Your wife was killed in the attack, Your Grace," Roose revealed carefully, his eyes watching Robb as he waited to see just how the King would react to the news that his wife had died. The tent was silent at the news and Robb felt like the air had been sucked out, he stared at Roose almost wishing he would tell him that he was jesting with him.
When no other words followed, Robb staggered back to his chair unable to believe that Sanira was dead; he had only written to her the other day and now she was gone. Catelyn stared at her son, her heart breaking for him at the fact that in this act, not only had Theon taken Robb's wife from him but also his unborn child.
She remembered how it had felt when she had lost Eddard and she had never wanted her children to suffer like she had; she moved towards her eldest son to offer him comfort.
"I want his head," Robb spat furious rising to his feet, anger filled him and his thoughts focused on his wife; he had loved her and he had only been able to share those words with her once. They had been married for eleven months and she had been cruelly taken from him by Theon; the man that Robb had happily once called a brother.
Catelyn stared at her son worried about the path that he was taking, she didn't want him to do something that he might come to regret; even if she agreed that Theon had to die for this. It was terrible news that Sanira had died and Catelyn was saddened by the news, she had grown quite fond of her in the time that they had gotten to know one another; she had never thought the brunette's life would be cut short.
"Theon holds the castle with a skeleton crew. Let me send word to my bastard at the Dreadfort; he can raise a few hundred men and retake Winterfell before the new moon," Roose insisted knowing that there was no way that they could turn the entire army around just for this. He was sure that Ramsey would be able to do something with Theon while he dealt with things on this side; they were making progress and it would be hard to take that back if they went back North now.
"We have the Lannisters on the run; if you march all the way back North now, you'll lose what you gained. My boy would be honoured to bring you Prince Theon's head," Roose mused using the title that Theon had adopted as King Balon's heir, he doubted that the Greyjoys would ever really be a threat the way that Balon wanted them to be.
They were a small island of the cost of Westeros and Roose knew that everyone was mainly focusing on King Robb, King Joffrey and King Stannis; they were the three remaining Kings that meant something right now.
Robb took a deep breath and nodded his head, he wasn't pleased with what was being suggested but he was sure that he could make do with what he was being offered; he just wanted to make sure that Theon suffered.
"Tell your son Bran and Rickon's safety is paramount. And Theon... I want him brought to me alive. I want to look him in the eye and ask him 'Why?' and then I will take his head myself," Robb spat before he dismissed Roose, he was going to make his former friend pay for what he had done and he prayed that Roose's bastard worked quickly so that he could avenge Sanira.
Moving to comfort Robb, Catelyn didn't miss the fact that Roose stopped Lady Talisa Maegyr from entering the tent; she had noticed the looks that the young highborn lady of Volantis had been offered to her son for weeks now.
"I say we are making good time," Ser Rodrick mused when they stopped to make camp that night, the last couple of weeks had not been an easy trip on them but they were slowly making their way to Robb's camp. It certainly wasn't an easy trip on Sanira, who was entering the last few weeks of her pregnancy and they were hopeful that they would reach the Northern army camp before she gave birth.
Aiana helped Sanira sit down, she was pleased that they had made it so far away from Winterfell; she had worried that Theon would be hunting them down by now. The four had been traveling non-stop since they had left Winterfell behind and they had been lucky enough not to really run into anyone especially bandits that might be on the road.
They had very little with them and Ser Rodrick had done his best to make sure they had enough to travel with; there was very little time to prepare and they were avoiding major settlements not wishing to attract any attention. Sanira was Queen in the North and people would likely whisper if they saw her traveling at such a late stage of pregnancy; it would attract attention that they didn't need right now.
Everyone was distracted by the war that was going on and Ser Rodrick was thankful for that, it meant that no one was really looking for them instead they were focused on the fighting that was going on. Sanira looked over at Rickon who was already sleeping, she was relieved that he was here with her traveling to join with Robb and Catelyn; she wished that the same could be said for Bran.
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