"Ana." Theon smiled, breathing a long sigh as he tried to step towards me.

He was instantly wrestled back while I continued to stare in amazement.

"Ana, tell them to let me go!" he exclaimed, looking at me with an expression that was both infuriated and relieved at the same moment. As his grey eyes fixed on mine, though, an odd calm settled over him.

"Let him go," I commanded, my voice not betraying an ounce of the shock I felt.

"Y-your grace," the guard stuttered.

"Clearly, Theon Greyjoy was not part of the group that took Winterfell, ser, so I think we can let him go," I returned.

Uneasily, the man unhanded Theon, letting him stumble forward. The Ironborn shook his arms, glaring at the guards, before turning back to me. He took another step towards me as the guards watched nervously, but with one swift motion, he pulled me to him, wrapping a hand around my waist and another through my hair.

"Gods, it's good to see you," he whispered, his voice thick.

As I hugged him, I felt that his bones were poking through his skin more than they had before he left. I pulled back for a moment, staring up at his face, as he simply raised his eyebrows at me.

"Analysa?"

I shook myself out of my thoughts and turned to the men. They had their orders for how to proceed with Theon. Going through each of their minds was the question of how the King would react, knowing that they did not follow through, leaving a Greyjoy with me. Still, we had worse problems now than we had when the orders on Theon were given.

"Whatever number of men you have after Jaime—err, the Kingslayer—send double," I commanded, not losing another moment to indecision. I mentally kicked myself for referring to him with such familiarity, but I kept an even tone as I added, "And you do not say one word about Theon Greyjoy to anyone at the camp."

"Yes, your grace." The man seemed relieved to have something to do as he turned his horse towards camp.

The guards who rode with me remained, waiting for further orders.

"I never thought I'd be so happy to go back to camp again," Theon joked although it sounded a bit hollow.

"We cannot take you to camp right now," I replied.

Theon's small smile fell completely from his face at the news.

"I know how tired you are," I said softly, reaching out for him as much to comfort him as to make sure he was real.

"You have no idea!" he shot back, his grey eyes turning into steel as he stepped away from my hand.

They softened, seeing my reaction.

"I'm sorry, Ana."

"I understand. I have no idea what happened. That is why you cannot go back to camp. I need to know exactly how you got here, so that we can present a united front to our people. They are reeling now, Theon, reeling for Winterfell and for the fact that Jaime Lannister has run off because of Catelyn Stark of all people. I cannot be seen as aiding the enemy with that having just happened."

"The enemy?" he demanded in almost a growl.

"That is how they see you," I explained, remaining as calm as possible even though I was every bit as frustrated.

My thoughts were running rampant through my mind between disbelief at Catelyn's actions, anger towards Jaime, utter confusion at the mere sight of Theon, and each second, I kept wishing Robb were there to help me through this.

I ran my hand through my long blond hair, smoothing out the tangles, as I steadied my voice, "I just need to know what happened, Theon. Everything. That way, Robb and I can explain it to the Council."

"You are the King and Queen. You don't need to explain your actions." He shrugged off the mere suggestion.

"I don't want to be a queen who is not accountable for her actions," I returned coolly. "If you were here you would have known that."

"If I were here!" Theon screamed. "I went for you! Because Robb asked me to!"

"I know!" I screamed back. "But something obviously happened between then and now that led to your people taking Winterfell, so you better explain yourself."

"Why in the seven hells did I come back here only to have you doubting me?"

"I have no idea why you came back. I am trying to understand that, but just know, that I am so happy to see you, Theon."

He turned back to me, his mouth open just slightly as he gazed in awe. "You truly have no idea?"

"I have no idea what happened, why you were gone for so long, but I keep trying to touch you, Theon, because I can't imagine this is real, and you're here. But I am so happy that you are," I explained, reaching out one more time and finally he let me put my hand on his arm.

In another moment, he took a step towards me and pulled me into another hug, holding on tightly. We stood there for several minutes before I finally realized how uncomfortable the guards must feel.

"Please take the supplies we brought back to the maesters and begin seeing to the wounded. When Robb returns, tell him to come to us. There will not be a word spoken about Theon until Robb knows he has returned," I instructed.

"Yes, your grace." Three remained behind while the others took the supplies back to camp.

"So, we ought to start from the beginning then," I said, turning back to Theon.

"The beginning?" He asked, letting out a long, irritated sigh. "Ana, that is going to take all day. Can we not just go back to where you are happy I have returned?"

It had been much to long of a trip and much too stressful of a day for me to react kindly to his condescension. "Fine, shall we skip to the part where you gave your people some suggestions about how to take Winterfell?" I shot back.

Theon glared, his low voice warning me, "Is that what you think?"

"I have read of your father's rebellion, Theon. He never made it as far as Winterfell because his people only knew life along the coastal towns and cities. I can't imagine their isolation has led to them figuring out how to take a landlocked castle as fortified as Winterfell."

"You are already condemning me."

"I am trying to get the truth, Theon, and you are giving me no help! You came back to us for a reason, and you betrayed us for a reason. If I don't understand both, I have no idea how you expect us to go forward here."

"When I got to Pyke, my father treated me like I was nothing, certainly not his son, much less an Ironborn. He spoke to me like I had betrayed him for growing up in the North. Me? He sent me away, and he acted like it was my fault.

"I expected a welcome, happiness, something from them, Ana, and they essentially spat in my face. I wanted to prove myself to my family. You have always had support from your family, so I cannot expect you to understand, but I wanted to show them that they were wrong, prove my lineage, do something for myself, so I joined them."

"And told them how to take Winterfell? Of all things, why did you not just stay to the coastal cities? Every other Ironborn did, but one group."

"I was trying to prove myself, Ana," he repeated. "Prove I was not of the North, prove I was Ironborn, and I did not go with them!"

"No, you just showed them the way," I returned, feeling rage boiling underneath my skin, the bile in my stomach building.

"I had no support. My father was accusing me, my sister doubting me, you and Robb gave me nothing."

"—I wrote you!" I exclaimed, interjecting. He could not say that in good faith.

"Please do not do anything foolish," he stated, throwing my words back at me.

I paused for a moment, "Was that all you read?"

He shook his head, staring into my eyes and after a moment, repeated the back of the note. "Theon, I cannot imagine how difficult this is for you. It is equally hard for Robb and me not to have you here. I am begging you to please remember us. Come back to us. We miss you and need you. Love, Ana."

"So you did read it all."

"I read it all," he repeated, his anger was gone now, replaced with a soft, sad tone. "I had committed to my father before I knew there was a back to the page. I felt I had to continue. He is my father, after all, Ana. What would you have done?"

Theon did not wait for an answer.

"So, yes, I sailed off with a small command. On the boat, I outlined a plan of how to attack Winterfell, thinking I could go through with it. I even spoke enough about it to my men that they began to get a hunger for it, but after we pillaged a few towns along the coast, your words echoed and echoed in my head, and I felt miserable. I left."

"You left the plan on the boat?" I interpreted.

"Yes, and I have been traveling down the coast, avoiding robbers and stags and lions alike, trying to get here to the Riverlands. All I am guilty of Ana is leaving the plan on the boat."

He looked up at me with an earnest expression, half nervous and half hopeful.

"And pillaging some number of towns," I added. "You are guilty of that as well."

Theon sighed, a half smile betraying him, "Yes, I suppose that as well."

"It is like you to not consider that something worth guilt," I stated, shaking my head to hide my own smirk.

It was not amusing, nor did I condone it, but it was so reminiscent of everything I remembered of Theon that I had to laugh. Like when he stole a horse for the day, only to complain about getting caught later, not feeling the appropriate level of guilt. This was simply on a much larger scale.

"I missed you," he repeated softly.

"I missed you too," I replied, feeling like my heart was tearing in two.

Part of me so desperately wanted my friend back. I was so convinced I would never see him again that this would have all seemed like a wonderful dream if not for the story he just told me. I was every bit as furious as I was happy. He had still planned to betray us, and because of him, Bran and Rickon were prisoners.

I could feel the contortions on my face as the corners of my lips quivered, alternately fighting happy tears or a fit of screams.

"Please just say something," he begged after a long silence. He started to take a step toward me but hesitated.

"We must speak with Robb," I replied.

Theon threw his arms in the air with a long sigh, "Well, when in the seven hells does he plan to arrive, Ana? Gods! You must be able to give me more than that after everything you and I have been through. What are you thinking? Do you forgive me, or do you wish I was swallowed up by the lions or stags?"

"No, of course I do not wish that," I returned, shaking my head at his ridiculousness.

"But you do not know if you can forgive me? Or, is it just that you don't think you should?"

I turned a dark glare towards Theon, but I was saved from even answering that question.

"Analy—" The worried voice cut off suddenly as I turned to see my brother riding towards me.

Will had slowed his horse to a walk, staring at the Ironborn as though he were a ghost. I still had the very strong desire to reach out to ensure Theon was real myself, but I refrained.

"Where is Robb?" I asked Will quickly.

My brother didn't answer, simply staring at the Greyjoy boy – no, not boy anymore – he had grown decidedly older in the time he was gone.

"What—how—we…" It was rare for Willem Samelson to be at a loss for words, and for a moment, I even found myself smirking until my brother shook himself from those thoughts. "Where in the seven hells have you been, you bloody bastard!"

Will swung himself down from him horse, his eyes on fire. Theon didn't shrink back as I half expected him to under the glare of my brother. Will had more muscle to him than Theon, but the Ironborn was emboldened by exhaustion, hunger, and perhaps the feeling of having nothing left to lose.

"I would have half a mind to knock you flat on your ass if I didn't want to let Robb have the satisfaction!"

"He came back, Will. He didn't attack—"

My brother turned a furious stare towards me, but that was not what had stopped me. I stopped myself. Instinct made me want to protect Theon, but by rights, I was not sure that I should. I glanced back at my brother, then Theon, who seemed to be wearing a look that said, "So you can forgive me."

There was little more to say, though, as the sounds of hoof beats greeted our ears. I could feel Robb's eyes on my back, and for a moment, I breathed a sigh of relief. It was quickly replaced by a growing tension in my chest, realizing everything he would be feeling now. Robb would have been told of what his mother had done, and now, he was staring down his closest friend from childhood, unsure what to do about him.

Theon stood taller, but behind his steely expression, I could see the doubt. Willem for his part looked entirely irritated with the whole day's proceedings and seemed very much to want to punch something.

Robb dismounted smoothly and brushed back his auburn hair with an easy calm that was impressive. There was something so graceful about his walk and his air, brought on by the confident, no-nonsense look he wore. Grey Wind's presence only added to the effect.

Robb turned his attention to my brother first. "Will, take your strongest men and go after the Kingslayer."

The corners of my brother's mouth curled into a half-smile. So he might have an opportunity to hit something.

"Happily, your grace," Will returned, casting one more dubious look towards the Ironborn.

For his part, Theon stared only at Robb. Theon tried to match the confidence on my husband's fac,e but it was tinged with doubt as his eyes moved almost imperceptibly away from the blue eyes of his friend.

Robb stared suspiciously at Theon as he walked to my side. He touched my shoulder and I felt the tension slipping away from my body as I sunk closer to him.

"Are you alright?" he asked, bending to meet my eyes squarely.

"Yes," I nodded, my voice soft. I opened my mouth to say more, trying to form words from the feelings that were threatening to burst from my chest. Robb just nodded, understanding even without any words at all. He leaned forward and caught my lips with a soft kiss as his hand stroked my cheek.

"We'll be alright," he swore softly.

He looked completely confident, but I knew he felt like he was dying inside. Still, he was thinking of me.

Robb then turned to Theon while still holding my shoulder. "Let's take a walk."

"S-sorry?" Theon asked.

He wasn't the only one. Robb's guard all looked alarmed as he waved them off.

"I need to hear this from Theon myself. We will be back soon," Robb replied.

"But your grace," the Greatjon showed obvious concern at this decision.

"If he kills me, Lord Umber, then Grey Wind has done a poor job of being a direwolf," Robb returned simply. His wolf gazed up at him with devotion.

As he walked towards the woods with Theon at his side, Robb called one more order over his shoulder. "Don't let Ana go after the Kingslayer. No matter how much she protests."

"Yes, your grace!" the Greatjon called back.

My glare bore into Robb's back as he continued walking away. I knew he could feel it even from 20 yards away. The thought of going after Jaime Lannister had never crossed my mind.

Until now.