"Hold onto nothing
As fast as you can
Well, still, pretty good year"

(Tori Amos, Pretty good year)

Since he got to Winterfell, for Theon Greyjoy there had never been a nameday that didn't throw him in the darkest despair. The first year, he had spent the whole day crying, and no present could console him, mostly because no present came from Pyke. The second and the third year, still mindful and embarrassed by how the first one had gone, he had mustered up his strength and managed keeping control, with the side effect that his nerves were on edge for a few days before and after. The fourth and the fifth ones had lost consistency in his memories, but Theon could swear he came to blows with someone both times.
The sixth one, on the contrary, he remembered very well: lord Eddard forgot it and so did lady Catelyn – though he suspected she deliberately decided to - so Theon had considered it opportune not to remind him, despite Robb's dismayed protests, who tried in every way to convince him to remind his father and to cheer him up all day long. Theon hoped until the very end of the day that lord Eddard remembered, but it didn't happen, so that night he went to sleep with a stomach knot, and with the extremely eloquent glance Jon gave him as he got out from the hall still burning in his retina. When, the next morning, lord Stark drew him aside and heartily apologized for his oversight, Theon was sure Robb remembered him. He was happy lord Stark was sorry about it, and in addition a few days later he received a beautiful fur cloak and a dagger as a present, but the bitter taste lingered in his mouth all the same, and if he though about it he still felt it a year later. That one had possibly been the worst nameday of all.

This was what Theon had in his mind when he woke up the morning of his seventh nameday in Winterfell, that is to say of his seventeenth nameday. The first thing he felt was fear: of finding out that Lord Eddard forgot it this year as well. Right after that, a rush of pride made him angry with himself for such a foolishness. Why should I care if he remembers or not? As if it changed anything!
He got ready almost with rage and he went down in the hall with all confidence he had.
"Happy nameday!" Robb's shrill voice greeted him, followed by his wide smile, from the seat at the bottom of the table.
"Happy nameday, Theon" said Jon, much less enthusiastic, seated next to Robb.
Ser Rodrick, some guards, Vayon Poole and someone else joined the wishes. Hodor said a "hodor!" that most probably meant "happy nameday". Lord and lady Stark weren't there.
Theon thanked everyone and sat down in front of Jon. "I asked to prepare a cake for you" said Robb, with evident satisfaction. "If you only waited a bit longer to show up you'd have found it already here on the table".
"Thanks, Robb" Theon answered, impressed. In that moment Arya, Sansa and Jeyne entered with septa Mordane. They all wished him a happy nameday, some more affectionately, some less, and Theon thanked them. Soon, Gage brought the cake Robb asked for, which was served with the breakfast.
"With this piece of art it will surely be a happy nameday, boy!" the cook said with a great smile before leaving.
At last Bran and Rickon entered the hall with old Nan, and Theon barely noticed their greetings: he was listening to the conversation between Ser Rodrick and Poole, from which he learnt that lord and lady Stark were visiting some vassal lord, with Jory and a little escort. It wasn't a good piece of news.
"When will they be back?" Theon asked.
"Within the night" Ser Rodrick replied, probably without catching Theon's concern. Robb and Jon instead caught it right away, Theon understood this from their looks, but both of them had the good sense not to make comments of any kind.

The morning passed by studying with Maester Luwin, the evening practicing sword fighting with Robb and Jon, under the guidance of Ser Rodrick.
"I let you win because it's your nameday" Jon said when Theon disarmed him in duel for the third time, and Theon's nerves got very close to yielding even that year.
"That was not a wise move, Snow, your enemies won't do the same for you in a battle, nor will Greyjoy!" Ser Rodrick laughed. You can bet on it, Snow, Theon thought as he was untying the leather protections.
At supper time, Theon's mood was darker than ever. He sat at his usual spot and he didn't even want to eat, although Gage had prepared all his favorite dishes. Robb kept on talking ceaselessly to distract him, and Theon appreciated his kindness, but listening to him was a true effort. He stayed at the table just as long as it was enough not to be rude, than he took leave and went for his quarters.
He was furious. I had to foresee this, he thought. In the end I am no one to them. He felt terribly stupid and childish, and this was nothing but wood for the fire of his anger. He hated feeling that way. No one had the right to make him feel that way. He might've been no more than a hostage in Winterfell but in Pyke he was still a prince.
A pity this is Winterfell, and the gods know how many more years I will have to spend here being no one. Maybe my entire life, or maybe they will kill me before I...
"Theon!"
A voice broke his thoughts. Lord Stark was walking towards him.
"Already going to sleep?" he asked.
"I'm tired, my lord" Theon lied. Please, remember... he found himself thinking, and he hated himself with all his strength for it.
"I hope not too tired: I need you to come with me for a few minutes" the lord answered, and then headed to the yard. Theon followed him in silence. He wanted to scream out of anger.
Lord Stark's horse was temporarily tied to a stockade. Eddard unleashed something Theon couldn't see from the straps that secured it to the saddle of the animal. He handled it to Theon. The boy gaped. It was a bow of excellent make.
"I had the chance to notice you're becoming a very fine archer." lord Eddard said. "Ser Rodrick swears that if you keep on like this in a few years you'll be the best archer in the whole North. With this weapon you'll fulfil your talent. Make good use of it, Theon, it's the best bow you could find".
Theon took the bow, incredulously, and observed it without knowing what to say.
"Oh, I almost forgot: happy nameday, boy" lord Eddard concluded with a smile.