A/N: GRRM still owns it all, I'm just playing around with his characters while I'm waiting on Winds of Winter to come out. A big thanks to KnightofHolyLight whose idea I used in this chapter. I'm trying to message everyone who reviewed and I made it back to chapter 7, but if I missed you or you were reviewed as a guest, sorry! I'll try to do better if you review this chapter. And just thanks for reading.

Theon II

A light snow was falling in Winterfell as Theon practiced at the archery butts. That was one good thing about the inevitable march south, it would be warmer. He had thought about mentioning that to Robb, but he knew Robb would remind him that hopefully they would not have to march south. Theon thought it that was being optimistic to the point of stupidity.

He wondered if the lack for political intrigue was in the blood. It had been a hard sell to get Robb to be pleasant to the Imp during that disastrous surprise meeting nearly two moons ago. Theon imagined it would have been much the same with the honorable Lord Eddard Stark. Theon was grateful that it was something that neither he nor Dany had picked up on by learning from his example. The same could not be said for Catelyn Stark though, unless the Tullys were as bad at intrigue as the Starks. He still could not believe that she had taken the Imp captive, nor could he particularly see why she had taken him captive. It was true that they all had reason to suspect the Lannisters, but Theon had been under the impression that they were looking for actual evidence to present to Lord Stark or the King. Instead it seemed that Lady Catelyn had decided to try pulling the lion by its tail. Everyone knew that a Lannister always paid their debts and the Imp was a Lannister even if he was the least of them.

The tension in Winterfell since receiving that diasterous raven from the Eyrie had definitely increased. Robb was at a loss for what to do and had spent many an evening conferencing with Theon, Maester Luwin, Hallis, and Dany. Theon thought it was odd that the overprotective Robb was allowing Dany to join the strategy meetings, but it was Dany who seemed to be handling the stress the best aside from himself of course. She certainly seemed calm at the moment, watching Bran as he rode his new horse around the yard. Bran was planning on taking Dancer outside Winterfell's walls tomorrow for the first time and Dany was fussing over him like a mother hen. Theon thought she was trying to make up for the absence of Lady Catelyn, something that upset both Bran and Rickon a great deal, or maybe she was just practicing her hand at mothering. The boy seemed grateful for the attention though. He had seemed especially pleased when Dany had mentioned naming her child Brandon if it were a boy. Theon had suggested his own name instead and had to feign indignation when she had responded that she would consider naming her child Theon if she had a daughter. Truthfully he was just pleased that not everyone in Winterfell was behaving as a dour Northman.

He had been thinking about walking over there to recommend the many merits of a tradition name from the Iron Islands for the future heir of Winterfell when Joseth, the new master of horse had appeared and addressed Theon.

"Lord Robb requests that you and Lady Daenerys join him in Maester Luwin's chambers," the thin stableman said. "I will see to young Bran and Dancer here."

Dany and Theon's eyes met and he knew that she was wondering what could have happened now as well, but she merely nodded and told Bran she would see him later and allowed Theon to take her arm and escort her towards the Maester's chambers.

"What do you think it is now?" she asked when they were out of earshot. "I hope the Lannisters haven't gotten wind of Lord Tyrion's abduction."

"It's only a matter of time, I think," he said. "I mean she abducted him on the road, there is no way she could have silenced all the witnesses. Though perhaps Robb has received word that Lady Stark set the Imp free again."

"Would that help at this point?" Dany asked. "She still took him, I doubt the Lannisters will forget that slight."

Theon knew she was right, he thought the best thing they could do at this point was to hold on to the Imp to ensure his family's good behavior. He just hoped Lady Stark had the sense to know that. He opted not to say that to Dany though, he assumed she had already worked that out for herself, and they were now at Maester Luwin's chambers so they could find out for themselves what had transpired.

They knocked and when they entered they saw Robb looking strained as he read a letter. Dany went instantly to his side, but he did not greet her as affectionately as he normally would, instead he merely handed the letter to her. Theon went to stand behind her to read the letter over her shoulder.

It was from Alyn in King's Landing and in reading, Theon was suddenly struck by how true the proverb of dark wings, dark words were. The letter said that Lord Stark and the Kingslayer had fought in the streets of the city and now Lord Stark was grievously injured, apparently his horse had fallen on his leg, shattering it, and they were unsure when he would awake. The Kingslayer had also killed Jory, Wyl, and Heward during the fight and now Jaime Lannister had fled the city.

He heard Dany draw in her breathe and ask, "I take it the Lannisters know Lady Catelyn abducted Lord Tyrion. What will you do, Robb?"

"You must call the banners," Theon heard himself urge. "This must be answered, blood for blood. This attack cannot go unanswered."

Robb merely looked at him in response, he seemed to be in a state of shock, but Maester Luwin protested, "We must not by hasty, we must not be the ones to invite war."

Theon had been about to respond that the maester was as timid as an old woman, but Dany beat him to it by saying, "No! Theon is right. We cannot let the Kingslayer get away with this unscathed. He killed three good men and injured Lord Eddard."

Robb and Maester Luwin seemed surprised by her vehemence, Theon thought that maybe the wolf pup growing in her belly was making her feistier, though she did have an old grudge against the Kingslayer he supposed. Either way, he was glad there was someone else who understood the need for action, and judging by the way her purple eyes were blazing up at Robb, Dany was going to make Robb understand the need as well.

"I want to make him pay too, Dany," Robb said gently taking her hands, "but I have to do the right thing to protect our family. Only the Lord of Winterfell can call the banners and that is still my father. So for now, I think we should wait until we receive more word." Theon fought back the urge to point out that Robb would soon be the Lord of Winterfell if his father did not recover.

"Surely King Robert will deal with this," the maester cut in. "It is his duty to dispense justice."

Dany's eyes snapped up to Maester Luwin and for a moment Theon thought she would actually strike the old man. Instead, she said in a voice that could cut glass, "The King has often been remiss about doling out justice where the Lannisters are concerned," and with that, she stormed out of the room.

Robb made to follow her, but Theon held him back. "I'd let her calm down if I were you, unless you want to get burned by the dragon."

He nodded somewhat reluctantly and turned to Maester Luwin. "Please send a raven back to Alyn asking him to keep us informed."

The maester scurried off to obey leaving Theon and Robb relatively alone. He had been about to start up on why Robb should take action, but Robb held up his hands before Theon could speak. "I know," he said sounding weary. "I want revenge as well, but I have to think about what my father would do. When he left, he told me the honor of the north was in my hands. I want to do what is right and I am not convinced that starting a war is the right thing to do."

"I am not sure if war is avoidable at this point, Robb," Theon answered seriously. "The Kingslayer has to know that this won't go unavenged. He killed three of your father's men in the streets of King's Landing and has now fled the city. Undoubtedly he and his father are preparing for war as we speak."

"I know," Robb said. "I just don't want to endanger my father or the girls. I will not make a hasty decision. We will talk more on this later. Will you go and tell Hallis of this? I want the men to be prepared. Just don't let Bran or Rickon find out, I don't want them to be upset right now. I need to go see to my wife. I don't want her to stay upset in her condition."

Theon agreed and refrained from telling him that Dany was unlikely to calm down easily. Robb knew her best and he was a brave man if he was willing to go face down his angry pregnant wife. He just hoped Dany could wake Robb up to the fact that war, like winter, was coming.

A/N: That was shorter than I thought it would be but I was just setting up for Robb having to call the banners. I hope everyone enjoyed it, I'll probably post again on Friday with Robb's chapter. Please feel free to review and thank you to everyone for reviewing and putting this story on their favorites list and alerts list. You guys keep me motivated!