Cassandra sat down on Theon's stool at his desk as he bent down behind her. He moved his hands through her wet tresses, parting them with his fingers so that her hairs did not become knotted. She said nothing as he completed the motion before resting his chin on her shoulder, his lips tenderly pressing against her neck.

She had been silent as he had held her and told her that he should see to her bruises. His touch had been ghost like, almost as if it was not there. Cassandra had remained still, watching as his eyes looked at each scarring as if it pained him. And it did. It pained Theon that someone else had claimed her. That someone else had been able to hold her to them as if she belonged to them.

"Will you stay with me tonight?" Theon wondered from her.

"You are Lord of Winterfell now, surely you decide what I am to do," Cassandra said, her tone holding a lack of emotion to it. She felt void of anything. Her earlier spar with Theon had drained her, leaving her wanting to sleep.

"You know that I had to do it."

"I am not arguing with you, Theon," Cassandra replied to him. "I refuse to get involved in an argument about this. I am too tired. Besides, I have errands to run."

"Like what?" Theon wondered.

"I have to go and see Bran and Rickon...never mind my maid...I am sure some comfort for her would not go amiss. I also have to make sure Mericia is somewhere to be found."

"Your wolf will have wandered off somewhere," Theon said, nonchalance held in his tone. "She is far too much like you to stay put."

"Regardless," Cassandra spoke, pushing herself to stand up as she reached for her dress. "I have things that need tending to."

"I shall come with you," Theon declared.

"I would prefer for you not to," Cassandra admitted. "Bran and Rickon cannot stand the sight of you. My maid won't be able to glance at you, I imagine. It would be best for you to stay away."

"And if my men find you in the hall then they will not take kindly to you," Theon promised.

Cassandra sighed, knowing that she could not win the argument which Theon wanted to hold with her. She slid his robe off of her shoulders, failing to care about the fact that she was stark naked in front of him.

"Don't put your dress on," Theon replied. "It is wet through."

"I have more things to worry about," Cassandra said, turning her head over her shoulder. "Like how to stop you and your men from ruining Winterfell."

"I don't intend to do that."

"No," Cassandra agreed sarcastically, taking hold of the lace to the back which Theon had earlier disregarded. "You intend to glorify it and make it the greatest Kingdom which Westeros has ever seen."

"Cass-"

"-Stop talking," Cassandra pleaded with him. "You have confused me enough already, Theon. I do not know how much more I can take of your words."

"Everything that I have said has been the truth," Theon snapped, stepping closer to her before picking her wrist up in his grasp. She glared at him as he dared to hold her tightly. "I have not lied to you."

"I know," Cassandra assured him. "That is the part which scares me the most."

Theon let her go as she turned on her heel and left the room. He followed after her, his long strides easily allowing him to catch up with her. He walked by her side as she made her way down into the servant's quarters. Men and women were there, gossiping as Cassandra entered the kitchen, glancing around for any sign of Melanie.

"My Lady," the kitchen staff each curtseyed and bowed in front of Cassandra.

Theon noted how they had not addressed him. A small flurry of anger rose in his veins, wondering why they had failed to address him like the Lord he was. Did they not know who he was? He was Theon Greyjoy and he was the one who had control now that Cassandra had yielded to him.

"Have any of you seen Melanie this evening?" Cassandra wondered.

They all gave each other nervous glances before the head cook spoke up.

"She has gone to her room, my Lady. She said that she was not feeling too well. She didn't tell us what was the matter with her."

Cassandra gratefully inclined her head before walking through the kitchen to the servant's quarters. Theon walked behind her, his head held high and his gaze on Cassandra's damp red curls which were swaying in front of him.

"He's no Lord." He heard one muttered.

"He's a turncloak," another spoke.

Theon did nothing, knowing full well that an argument with the kitchen staff would do nothing to appease Cassandra and the way she felt at that moment in time. He would keep quiet for the time being, besides, no one was watching him who he needed to earn respect from.

Cassandra knocked hesitantly on the closed door where she heard sobs coming from. Her maid did not call for her to enter, yet Cassandra did anyway. She announced herself as she pushed the door opening, turning back to offer Theon a glare, warning him to stay in the doorway.

"My Lady," Melanie said, her voice startled as she moved from her bed. She stood on her feet as Cassandra shook her head, holding her hand out.

"Please, Melanie," Cassandra whispered, "do not stand. You have no need."

"What...what brings you here, Lady Stark?" she asked from Cassandra. She took Melanie by the hand, gently forcing her to sit back down on her bed as Cassandra sat by her. Theon lurked by the door, watching as Cassandra held both of Melanie's hands in hers.

"You know why I am here," Cassandra said. "I saw what happened to you, Melanie. I had to come and make sure that...well...I know that you will not be fine. I know that. I had to come, though."

"And I thank you, my Lady." Melanie sniffed. "I will be fine. I am sure of it."

"You don't need to lie to me," Cassandra promised her. "I shall have Maester Luwin tend to you. I am sure you will need moon tea and some ointments."

"Thank you, my Lady," Melanie said. "I...I just didn't...it hurt...and he wouldn't stop..."

"Sh," Cassandra urged her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Melanie hesitated for a few moments, wondering how to react to Cassandra's sudden movement. "I know that it hurts. It will not happen again, Melanie. I promise you that."

"How...how?" Melanie asked her. She knew that the Lady of Winterfell was no longer in charge. It was Theon Greyjoy who was ruling them. Cassandra turned her head to look at Theon, her eyes wide with pleading. What did she want him to do? If he went around protecting people then the Ironborns would say he was weak.

"Prince Theon shall see to it," Cassandra promised her.

"Will I?" Theon asked. "And how do you expect me to do that?"

"I will make sure of it if Prince Theon refuses to," Cassandra said, moving up from the bed. She stood tall as Theon glanced at her. "Get some rest for tonight. No more harm shall come to you."

"Thank you, my Lady," Melanie bowed, unable to move from the bed which she sat on. Cassandra smiled softly and walked away, her head held high as she pushed past Theon.

"What were you doing?" he snapped as he slammed the door shut. "What power do you think I have, Cassandra?"

"None," Cassandra admitted. "That is my point. You're spending all your time craving power but you will never have it."

"I will. I have to earn it," Theon said.

"Then earn it by standing up to your men," Cassandra snapped at him, walking out from the servant's quarters. "You allow them to push you around, Theon. If you do that then you will never be the Prince you desire so much to become."

"No," Theon said to her. "I do not want power."

"Do you not?" Cassandra snorted as she walked back into the kitchen. "You have a funny way of showing that it does not bother you."

She paused for a moment as she entered the kitchen. "Beth, can you fetch Maester Luwin to Melanie? She is quite unwell."

"Yes, Lady Stark."

The serving staff bowed once again, paying their respects as Cassandra walked through. She kept her head held high, ignoring them as Theon walked by her side, his voice a loud hiss.

"Are you forgetting what I have done for you?" Theon snapped at her.

The kitchen staff remained silent as they listened to Theon and Cassandra continue to argue amongst themselves.

"Are you using that line again?" Cassandra asked from him. "The line which tells me how grateful I should be for your help. I should be on the floor telling you how grateful I am to you."

"Stop exaggerating," Theon complained to her. "It makes look whinny. It is hardly an attractive quality."

"At this moment in time, I fail to care if I look attractive. How long do you intend for it to go on, Theon? Who will you hurt next? Bran and Rickon?"

"They will be safe so long as they do as they are told," Theon promised her. "I have no desire to hurt the boys."

"Do you not?" Cassandra wondered, a laugh escaping her in a sarcastic manner. "Like you have no desire to hurt Robb?"

"I didn't hurt Robb."

"No, you just left him alone in battle and betrayed him to take over his home." Cassandra said.

"I came back for you. Robb will be happy that I came back for you, Cassandra. I couldn't get any ships to help him. I cannot force my father to do my bidding."

Cassandra finally stopped outside the door to Bran's chamber, turning around to look at Theon.

"Stay out here," Cassandra said. "Bran and Rickon are already upset, Theon. I don't need you making anything worse."

"What do you intend to do?" Theon asked and she rolled her eyes.

"I intend to read to them," Cassandra said. "I intend to try and get them to sleep. Is that fine with you?"

Theon sighed before nodding and extending his hand to the door.

"Go," he urged her. "I will wait here. Try not to be too long."

Cassandra opened the door to Bran's room and closed it on Theon, refusing to let him enter the room. Bran was sat in bed, the furs pulled up to his chin. Rickon was sat by his side as Osha remained beside them. Cassandra watched as the wilding stood up, bowing slightly as she did.

"Lady Stark," she spoke.

"No need for formalities," Cassandra said. "I hardly think it is appropriate at this given time."

"Why did Theon do it?" Rickon snapped at his sister. "He killed Ser Rodrik."

"I know," Cassandra spoke gently, sitting on the side of the bed as she ran a hand down Rickon's hair. "I know what Theon did. He did it to make himself look strong in front of his men."

"If he was a true leader then he would not need their respect," Osha was the one to speak up.

"I know," Cassandra agreed. "I know that. Winterfell will fall soon enough with thanks to the way his men are acting. I've already seen horrific things in the castle corridors...I don't...you can't stay here."

"What?" Bran wondered aloud. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that you shouldn't stay here," Cassandra clarified. "I don't trust Theon's men."

"Do you trust Theon?" Osha asked her.

The pair of them exchanged a brief glance at each other.

"Yes," Cassandra whispered. "I know that he would not hurt me. I cannot leave...he would notice within a minute...even less. But the boys are not safe. You need to take them away from here. You need to keep them safe."

"Me?" Osha checked with her. "You want me to take them? Why me?"

"You...they trust you," Cassandra said. "You've spent time with them. Believe me, the list of allies in Winterfell is running short. People may speak against Theon, but they will not betray him. Not unless they want to live."

"And what if he catches us?" Osha asked her. "I assume Hodor will be coming too. There is no other way to carry Bran."

"I am not going," Bran interjected, his head shaking back and forth. "I am not leaving Winterfell because of Theon Greyjoy."

"You have to," Cassandra urged him. "Bran, please, you need to see the reasoning behind this. It is no longer safe here for you. You need to go North and make it to the Wall. You have to find Jon and tell him what is happening. Robb will already be on his way back, I am sure of it."

"How can you be sure?" Bran wondered from her as Rickon began to cry softly, Cassandra drawing him on to her lap and holding him tight. "If Robb is coming back then why can't we wait for him?"

"North is not safe," Osha warned Cassandra.

"Neither is the South," she replied simply. "If you keep going North then you shouldn't run into any Iron Islanders. You should be safe. If you go further South then they will be there, and they wouldn't hesitate to kill you if they knew who you were."

"You would stay here with Theon?" Bran checked.

"I have no choice. A Stark must always remain in Winterfell," Cassandra said, her voice braver than she felt. "You have Rickon to think about now, Bran. You have to look after each other. Promise me that."

"I don't want to go," Rickon said through small snorts.

"I know," Cassandra agreed, patting down his hair. "You have to be brave, Rickon."

"And you would stay here, my Lady?" Osha checked. "You would keep Prince Theon appeased."

"No," Cassandra replied bluntly. "It is not in my nature to keep Theon happy. I will fight for Winterfell. I will try and get him to change. I know this is not him...this is something else...he will see that."

"He will see it too late," Osha replied, her tone grave. "Men like him always do."

Cassandra said nothing as she kissed Rickon on the top of his head, untangling herself from him. She didn't want to stay too long so that Theon became suspicious. She stood up, her body drained after the day which she had endured. She looked to Osha, her gaze narrow and stern.

"Look after them," she urged her. "I am trusting you with their lives, you know that, don't you?"

"I'm aware," Osha promised her. "I will do my best for them, my Lady. That is all I can offer you."

"Then it is all I can accept," Cassandra spoke back. "If I could come then I would, make no mistake. But...I need to cover for you...Theon would never allow it."

"Do you know what Theon-"

"-I know exactly what Theon has done," Cassandra interrupted Bran, her voice curt and taut. "I know what he has done, who he has become, what he plans to do...but I intend to stop him. I intend to stop him without your help, Bran. Enough lives are at risk without you two becoming involved in this."

Bran kept his lips pursed as Cassandra bent down to kiss the top of his head. She didn't cry. She couldn't even feel any tears forming in her eyes. She knew that she was doing the best thing possible for the boys. She was sending them to Jon Snow. She didn't trust her father's bastard that much, but she trusted that he loved Bran and Rickon as much as she did. That was enough to appease her at that moment in time.

"Go when nightfall comes," Cassandra ordered, her gaze focused on Osha. "Theon and his men will be too busy drinking and feasting to notice your disappearance."

"As you wish, my Lady," Osha agreed.

Cassandra quickly ruffled Rickon's hair and sent Bran a knowing look. He would look after his little brother. It was what elder siblings did. She turned on her heel and made her way out from the room, listening as Osha told the boys what was to happen.

Theon was still stood outside the room, his arms folded over his chest as he looked at her.

"What did you tell them?"

"I told them to go to sleep," Cassandra spoke. "I told them that I would be back tomorrow morning to see them."

"I see," Theon said, holding his hand out for her to take. Cassandra looked at his limbs for a moment, her gaze wide and her mind a blur. "Come on, Cassandra."

She kept silent before taking hold of his hand, knowing full well that she couldn't go with Bran and Rickon. She would never make it.

...

Robb read over the letter as he sat in the war council tent. He dismissed most of the men, preferring to be alone whilst he read the news which plagued him more than he thought. He passed the letter to his mother once he had finished reading it.

"He's taken Winterfell and sent Lord Stevron back to the Twins. Lord Frey is not happy at all. He insists that you send men up North to reclaim Winterfell. I have another solution available," Roose Bolton informed them.

Catelyn dropped the letter to the table, looking at it once more before she looked at Robb.

"I told you never to trust a Greyjoy!" she snapped at her son.

Robb ignored his mother, waving a hand in dismissal and looking at Bolton.

"What solution is this?" he wondered.

Roose arched a brow, a smirk on his face as he held his hands behind his back. "Ser Rodrik Cassel has been killed at the hands of Theon Greyjoy. Apparently the boy has asked for a septon to ride to Winterfell as soon as possible. I have a bastard, Ramsay, he can retake Winterfell with several hundred men."

"Why would he need a septon?" Catelyn asked from him. "Why...Cassandra is already married..."

"Is that all you can think of?" Robb checked with his mother. "Theon has betrayed me. He has gone against my word."

"The septon is there to annul your daughter's marriage with Lord Stevron. Apparently they have consummated it...but...Greyjoy does not care. It is belief that he intends to take Lady Cassandra for his own."

"Dear Gods," Robb said, bowing his head and shaking it back and forth. "Does he have a wish to die? Lord Walder will surely kill him if he does that."

"That is the belief," Ramsay said. "He would more than likely kill your sister too. What use would he have for a second hand bride?"

"He wouldn't," Robb shook his head. "She is innocent in all of this."

"You do not know Lord Walder," Roose said, his voice full of cockiness. Robb glanced to his mother, his look full of wonder.

"I will send my men to worm Theon out," Robb declared. "They won't hurt Cassandra or my brothers. As soon as they are free then I want them here. I want them back as soon as possible."

"Your men are needed here," Bolton declared. "Ramsay will do all that you need for him to do. He will make sure that your brothers and sister get back safely. I promise you that."

"You have no other option," Catelyn spoke, her forehead resting in her hand. "You do not have enough men to win this war and free Winterfell. Lord Bolton has promised the safety of Cassandra, Bran and Rickon."

Robb sighed and nodded at Bolton.

"See to it that they are safe, Lord Bolton," Robb demanded him. "How long will it take your boy to get to Winterfell?"

"Not long," Roose said, bowing his head. "I shall go and write to him now."

"Thank you, Lord Bolton," Catelyn spoke as Bolton moved from the tent. She turned her attention back to her son. "Why did he do this?"

"Why do you think?" Robb snapped back. "He went back for Cassandra. He went back to get her."

"But why?" Catelyn wondered. "If Balon Greyjoy has invaded the North then why did Theon not come back here? Yes, he could not secure you the ships which you needed...but...to go back North and make her yield Winterfell is ludicrous."

"He went North to keep her safe," Robb said simply. "I understand that. The Iron Islanders would have taken her and...well...Gods only know what they would have done to her as they held her for leverage. But I promised him her...I promised Theon that he could have Cassandra...he still could have if he came back..."

"You did what?" Catelyn asked her son, sitting straight as she looked across to where he sat. "Why would you promise him that? How did you think he could take her?"

"I did it because Cassandra is miserable," Robb snapped. "She wrote to Theon saying how she wanted him back all the time. But now...none of it makes sense...I do know why he would go North to Winterfell...but making her yield? And ordering for a septon? Not to mention killing Ser Rodrik. He is not the Theon who I knew."

"He is a Greyjoy," Catelyn spoke as if it explained everything.

"Do you think that means anything? You know as well as I that Theon is not like this."

"Apparently he is," Catelyn said. "We kept the boy a hostage for so long that he now has his freedom and he has betrayed you."

"No-"

"-Yes," she interrupted. "He has betrayed you Robb. He went back to save Cassandra, I accept that. What I do not accept is the fact that he killed Ser Rodrik and made Cassandra yield. Never mind the fact that he intends to take her for his own."

"I don't know," Robb replied, his head shaking back and forth. "I shall send word to Cassandra...I shall tell her that she is to keep safe until Bolton's boy arrives."

"This would never have happened if Cassandra had done as I had told her," Catelyn said adamantly. "If she had stayed away from Theon Greyjoy when I urged her to."

"No," Robb shook his head. "This would never have happened if you had let her be with him...if she had not had to marry Lord Stevron."

Catelyn looked at Robb with an arched brow, shaking her head back and forth. She would not argue with her son. She did not want an argument with Robb when there was enough turmoil.

"Who knows what would could have happened?" Catelyn asked rhetorically, pushing herself to stand up. "It is too late to argue about it now. All that matters is getting Cassandra and the boys back."

...

Cassandra stood watch at her window that night, her gaze set firmly on the burning Stark banner by the gates. Theon stood behind her, his arms wrapped around her waist as the flames flickered before him. She said nothing, keeping mute as Theon pressed his lips against her shoulder, obviously trying to distract her.

"You cannot stand at this window all night."

"I can," Cassandra replied. "I might."

"Come to bed," Theon urged her. "There is nothing to worry about, Cass."

Cassandra winced as she saw the Greyjoy banner take place of the Stark banner. She pushed Theon's arms from her before moving away deeper into her room as he groaned. He placed his hand against the wall, resting there as she glanced into her wardrobe and pulled out a nightgown for the evening. She took a deep breath, realising that Bran and Rickon should be attempting their escape by now. She only hoped they succeeded. If they were caught then she didn't know what Theon would do.

He had not done anything which she had expected thus far. She highly doubted him.

"Do you know anything, Cassandra?" Theon asked her. "You cannot sulk with me because I saved you."

"You will find that I can," Cassandra replied, pushing her dress from her shoulders. She changed into her night wear and sat down on her stool. "Robb will have his men march North, Theon. How long do you think you can hold Winterfell?"

"My sister is in Deepwood Motte," he reminded her. "She will bring enough men to keep hold of the castle."

"It will fall," Cassandra promised him. "Eventually, the castle shall fall. Robb will see to that. Do you think he will take kindly to you when that happens?"

"I should hope so," Theon admitted. "I don't see why he wouldn't."

"Do as you please," Cassandra shook her head, her voice low and small. She was too tired to argue with him. She wanted her brothers to be able to escape. Theon would find out and he would be angry, she had no doubt about that. But she did not care. What could he do? They would be too far gone by then.

"Dear Gods," Theon complained. "There really is no winning with you. When did you turn into such a woman?"

Cassandra ground her teeth together and pulled her brush through her hair. Theon kept quiet, watching her before he made about removing his own armour. He dropped it to the floor as if it didn't matter as he remained in his breeches.

"Don't be angry with me," Theon urged her. "I don't want you to be annoyed with me, Cassandra. I did this for you...to keep you safe and with me...it is all I want for you..."

"Be quiet, Theon," she urged him. "I want to sleep. That is all I want at this moment in time."

"Then lie beside me," Theon whispered, pushing her hair behind one shoulder. He took her hand and walked her across to the bed.

"As you wish, my Prince," Cassandra said. He winced as she glared at him.

"Don't, Cassandra."

"I thought that you wanted to be a Prince?" she replied.

"Not to you," Theon spoke back to her.

"I am no different to anyone else," Cassandra said.

"Yes, you are," Theon said.

He observed Cassandra as she climbed into her bed, pulling the covers over her body. Theon continued to watch her as she turned onto her side, facing away from him. She stuffed a hand underneath her pillow before closing her eyes.

Theon climbed into bed beside her, daring to wrap his arm around her waist as he searched for her hand. Cassandra's bottom lip quivered as she tried not to cry whilst feeling his fingers entwine into hers. She didn't pull back from him, but she simply allowed him to move his thumb over her knuckles, trying to soothe her before he kissed her neck softly.

He said nothing as he held her, not truly knowing what to say.