Stevron became tired of waiting for Cassandra. Night had well and truly fallen on Riverrun, and she was nowhere to be seen. He moved out from her chamber and ordered for a servant to show him back to the main hall. He arrived and Robb was still sat there with his wife. Catelyn had retired to bed and Edmure had also left.
"Lord Stevron," Robb said, nodding his head in the direction of him. "What can we do for you?"
"My wife is supposed to be here," Stevron told Robb. "She said that she was coming to finish eating her meal with you before retiring."
"No," Robb whispered, glancing out the side of his eye to Talisa. "She did not come here. She left with you, that was the last time we saw her."
Stevron balled his hands into fists by his sides as he shook his head back and forth. She had promised him that she would be obedient. She had sworn herself to him. She had promised him when she had spoken their vows. But it seemed not to matter. She didn't care for vows or what the Old and New Gods dictated.
"She's gone, hasn't she?" Stevron snapped. "She's run away from me. How dare she!"
"No," Robb shook his head. "Cassandra wouldn't have done that."
"You know your sister as well as I do," Stevron replied. "She does not wish to marry me. She refuses to bed me and give me the heir which I need. She doesn't care for me. Why would she? She's a beautiful young girl who thinks she loves a Greyjoy. All I expected was for her to honour our vows."
"My men shall ride out and search for her," Robb declared, standing up. "I will go now. I doubt she has gotten far. She is probably still in the castle somewhere."
"Humph," Stevron grunted. "I shall begin to look. She lied to me...she must be shown that is not what a wife can do."
"She is scared and upset," Robb said. He rested his hand on his wife's shoulder before moving away from the hall, pushing past Stevron on his way. "She is still a young girl. Show her some compassion."
Stevron had no chance to say anything further to Robb. The young Wolf King made his way to the stables, knowing full well that she would have gone there. She would have gone to the Dreadfort to find Theon. He knew that. She had insisted on it earlier.
He ignored everyone on the way down until he came to the stables. It was deserted of human life. Only horses stood in their pens, watching as Robb looked for Cassandra. It didn't take him long to find her. She was stood by a horse, her hands resting on it as she remained still. She had been gone a long time; he thought that she would have been travelling by then.
"Cass," Robb spoke her name. She turned her head to look at him, her eyes still red rimmed. "What are you doing? Lord Stevron is going mad with worry up there. He is demanding you return to him."
"I can't," Cassandra whispered. "I can't go to him. I know what he will do, Robb. I know that it will hurt."
"What do you intend to do?" Robb asked her. "You cannot ride to the Dreadfort alone, Cassandra. The open road is no place for a young woman, especially one such as yourself."
"What does it matter?" Cassandra asked. "If I don't get to Theon then what is the point? There is no point in staying here."
"If you go then you will only aggrieve the Freys further," Robb warned her.
"You've done a good job of that already," Cassandra assured him. She sniffed loudly, wiping a hand underneath her nose before she pushed herself onto the horse. "Give my lord husband my apologies."
"You will not go, Cassandra," Robb said to her. "I will follow you and drag you back here."
Cassandra settled herself into the saddle, wriggling about in it for a few moments. She sat side saddle before deciding against it, lifting one leg to the other side of the horse. She looked down at Robb and moved her hand to reach out for his. Robb took hold of her fingers into his.
"Don't go," he told her. "I can't let you, Cassandra. It is too dangerous."
"It is safer than being here. It is safer than going back to the Twins. The Boltons fight for us, Robb. No harm shall come to us. I simply want to know why Theon has not been returned."
"You cannot go. If mother knew then she would kill me for allowing you to leave." Robb warned her. "You will get yourself killed."
"I have to do this," Cassandra assured him. "Please, Robb. Let me go."
Robb closed his eyes, obviously wondering what he should do. He knew what the practical thing to do would be. He knew he should bring her back inside. He should send her to Stevron and keep her safe. But he knew what she wanted. He knew what she longed for and he longed for her to be happy too. He didn't want her to suffer.
"No," Robb said. "I will send my own men to find him."
"It is not enough," Cassandra whispered, pulling her hand from his. "None of that is enough. I will do this myself, Robb. I owe Theon that much."
"You owe him nothing." Robb cut her off.
"I owe him more than you think I do." Cassandra drawled back. "Go inside and say that you have not seen me."
"It is a lie," Robb said.
"I do not care. Keep Mericia with Grey Wind. Make sure mother...just...tell her that I love her, regardless of anything that has happened."
"No. You can do that yourself," Robb said. "Come down, Cassandra."
She smiled sadly at him and held tightly onto the reigns. "I can't."
"Cassandra, I am being deadly serious."
His warning rang in her ears as she pulled at the reigns. Her horse moved off as Robb shouted after her, pleading for her to come back to him. She ignored his cries, knowing full well that the men would be after her within a few minutes. Robb would be sooner than that. She urged her horse to move as fast as possible, her cloak billowing around her as she went North for Theon.
...
He didn't know where he was. He had no idea what was happening to him. He had been full of hope the previous day. The previous day when the boy had saved him from his torture. He had felt the fresh air on his face as he was told that Yara was waiting for him at Deepwood Motte.
But it had all be a lie. He was not in Deepwood Motte. He was back in the torture chamber where so much pain had been inflicted on him. He was back in the place where he knew he would eventually die. Theon wondered when that day would come. He wondered if it would be soon or prolonged.
His captor refused to reveal his identity. He refused to say who he was.
Theon had asked about Cassandra. He had whispered her name multiple times, willing for her to still be with him. The man had told Theon that she had been returned to her brother and her husband. He had tormented Theon with the knowledge that Cassandra would be in her husband's bed, pleasing him in ways that Theon would never know again. Theon only prayed that she was safe. It was all that he wanted for her.
"We're going to play a game!"
Theon moved his head to look up; all of his might being used to complete the action. He struggled to stay looking at the man. His sadistic smile and ugly face continuously beamed at Theon.
"Water," Theon croaked out. "Water...please..."
"Oh, you want some water?" he checked. Theon forced himself to nod. He watched in horror as he poured the water all over the dungeon floor. Theon's eyes widened and a sob escaped him. He had tried to be strong. He had tried to remain the man who his father wanted him to be. The man who he needed to be, if he were to survive this ordeal.
"Why didn't you say so?" he asked Theon before he chuckled and stood up from the chair which he sat on. "Anyway, I have a way to pass the time. It's a game! Now, which body part do you not need?"
Theon said nothing, not wanting to partake in the game which his tormentor seemed to want to play.
"My Lord."
Theon looked across the room as a man entered, bowing at the waist. The tormentor turned around and arched a brow, wondering why he had been disrupted.
"What is it?"
"You have a visitor."
"My father?"
"No. It is a girl. She claims to be a Stark."
Theon did move his head upwards this time, his eyes narrowing as his tormentor looked back at him. A look of glee crossed his face as he knew who it would be. A raven had been sent from Lord Stevron informing him of her intentions. He had also given instructions.
"Allow our guest to settle. Has she travelled alone?"
"Yes, my Lord."
"Excellent. I shall be there in a moment. Secure the perimeter. I imagine there will be some who followed her here. Kill them as soon as possible."
"As you wish, my Lord."
The serving boy scampered away and Theon looked at his torturer with intense hate.
"What are you going to do to her?" Theon wondered, managing to fight his words out.
"You would love to know," he replied. "You see, there is an issue. My father does not care what happens to the Starks. As a matter of fact, he sees it more beneficial fighting for the South. So...whatever I do to her will not matter...for the Starks will never find her. She was foolish coming here alone, wasn't she? She must really love you."
Theon tried to say something further, but he was left alone.
Ramsay Snow moved from the stairs of the dungeon, a smirk held on his face as he thought about what was to happen. His father would see to it that the Starks travelled to the Twins soon enough. Before long, most of the Starks would be gone. No one would know that Cassandra had made it to the Dreadfort when he killed all men who threatened to step foot on his land. No. Everything would be perfect.
He walked into the main hall, his footsteps light as he whistled a tune on his way. He looked over to where the Stark girl stood; her gaze intent as she looked around the room which she was stood in. The Dreadfort was dull and dismal. Hands of skeletons held the torches which lined the room. Smoke also clouded it.
"Lady Cassandra Stark, I assume," Ramsay called out to her.
She turned around, her eyes wide as she forced herself to smile and curtsey. Ramsay smirked. She certainly was a polite lady. He had heard different stories which contrasted that belief, but he saw nothing to show it at that moment in time.
"Yes, my Lord," Cassandra said, not too sure how she should address him.
"And what is it that I can do for you?" Ramsay wondered, extending an arm to the bench in the main hall. Cassandra followed him and took a seat beside him, her upper half turned to look at him, studying his every movement. "Have you come alone? I am sure the King in the North is not happy about that."
"The King in the North has sent men after me. Thankfully, I can ride faster than them," Cassandra spoke. "I am here because I have heard news of Theon Greyjoy being here. I came to see if this was true."
Ramsay said nothing for a moment, clicking his fingers and ordering a serving girl to go and fetch him a pitcher of wine. Cassandra watched him, willing for him to say something to her.
"It is true," he spoke after a moment.
Cassandra took a deep breath, a small smile playing on her face as she rested a hand over her heaving chest.
"He was to be given to my brother."
"And have you come here to give him to your brother?" Ramsay wondered. "Or have you come here to secure his release for yourself? I have heard that you were fucking him."
Cassandra's eyes widened at his choice words. Ramsay's sadistic smile never left his face.
"He is to be released," Cassandra said. "Lord Bolton never said for him to come here."
"My father fails to care what happens to the heir of Pyke," he spoke back, his head shaking back and forth as he did so.
Cassandra's blood turned cold at what she was hearing. She wondered if any of this could be happening.
"Besides, your brother will soon have bigger things to worry about," Ramsay promised her. "Like travelling to the Twins with your husband. You don't want to know what will happen there...especially now he has dishonoured his vows...and you have, too."
Cassandra shifted down the bench, trying to get away from Ramsay as she worried what he was talking about. She should have done what Robb had ordered her. Ramsay saw the worry rise in her heaving chest before he moved his hand and wrapped it around her wrist.
"What are you saying?" Cassandra wondered. "What do you know? The Freys are loyal to Robb. As is your father."
"My father is loyal to whichever side will win, as is Lord Frey. Your brother is not that side. He has gone against advice which was given to him by marrying the foreign bitch. That cannot go unpunished. Lord Frey knows that."
"What does he intend to do?" Cassandra asked, worming around in Ramsay's grip.
"I think you know," Ramsay assured her.
"Why tell me this?" Cassandra asked him. "I will ride to Robb and tell him immediately. None of this will go ahead. My husband will not let it happen."
"Your husband sent a raven to me," Ramsay informed her. "Whilst you were travelling he rode back to the Twins. Apparently he tires of your attitude. He knows of the plan which his father has constructed. I've been instructed to keep you here until he orders otherwise."
"Robb's men have followed me." Cassandra said, trying to get herself out of trouble. "They will be here within the day."
"And they will face their deaths," he promised her.
"My brother will not let this happen," Cassandra shook her head. "He will come and find me. I promise you that."
"Not if he receives word that you are travelling to the Twins to meet him there," Ramsay contradicted. "You will write the letter and send it to him."
"And why would I do that?" Cassandra wondered, finally getting away from Ramsay.
He stood up again, draining the wine which had been brought to him before he offered Cassandra his hand. She ignored his gesture, preferring not to be anywhere near him. He grabbed her elbow and hauled her to her feet. He commenced his dragging as Cassandra fought against him, refusing to move with the haste he demanded.
"You will do it because of what I have in the dungeon."
Cassandra thought back to the lessons which she had taken as a child. The Boltons had supposedly killed many men, many had been Starks. They were known for their house symbol of a flayed man, and supposedly kept their skins in the dungeon. Cassandra felt dread warm through her as she was dragged in the direction of the dungeons.
"He's not in very good shape. You did interrupt us before we could play a little game. He does love our games, you know. He enjoys them terribly." Ramsay informed Cassandra.
"What have you done to him?" she snapped hastily. "What in the name of the Seven Hells have you done?"
"Oh, nothing too worrying," he promised her.
She finally stopped moving down steps and looked into the dark room. The only light came from torches which lined the room and illuminated what was in the middle of the room. Cassandra pressed a hand over her mouth as Ramsay released her. Her eyes watered as he looked at her, his face one of regret and pain.
"Cassandra," he muttered her name out.
"Yes," Ramsay said. "She came here for you. Silly girl, isn't she? Her brother really has managed to get himself into some mess. Of course, she is only here for you. Hopefully that makes you feel guilty."
Cass ignored everything which Ramsay said, pushing past him to get to Theon. She stood before him, wondering how he had endured so much pain. Her hands shook as she took his face into them and looked at the injuries which he had sustained. His upper half was bare, bruises littered over his stomach whilst he glistened with sweat. His fingernails had been removed from his fingers and a nail looked as though it had gone through his foot.
"Run," Theon whimpered to her. "Go...leave..."
"She's going nowhere," Ramsay promised Theon. "There are things at risk now. She's going to be staying down here with you until her traitor family is dead. Only then will her husband come for her."
"What have you done to him?" Cassandra snapped. "I order for you to release him now!"
Ramsay watched as she whirled around on the spot, glaring at Ramsay whilst he chuckled. He placed a hand over his mouth in shock horror.
"If Lady Stark orders it, then I must pay attention," he spoke, his voice laden with sarcasm.
"I am serious," Cassandra said. "You will not hurt him anymore."
"Will I not?" he asked, amusement in his voice. "No need for this, Lady Cassandra. You are to stay here and be a good girl. I'll make you obedient for your husband."
"No," Theon rasped. "Let her go...leave her alone..."
"You'd like that," Ramsay said, moving closer to the pair of them. He looked at Theon on the rack as he grabbed hold of Cassandra. "But, she needs to learn some manners, doesn't she? She's not very well behaved."
Cassandra acted quickly, gathering enough spit in her mouth before she released it at Ramsay. He glared at her before slapping her across the face. The force caused her to fall to the floor as Theon yelled, urging Ramsay to leave her alone.
He ignored the command, his hands grabbing Cassandra's wrists and pinning them by her side. She screeched for help, urging for Ramsay to get off of her as he ground his hips into hers. She thrashed underneath his weight as he continued to torment her.
"Irons!" Ramsay suddenly yelled.
Cassandra felt tears build in her eyes as Ramsay groped her at any available place. Theon watched in horror as the man allowed his hands to roam over Cassandra. He continued to yell, urging for Ramsay to do anything to him, but leave Cassandra alone. His words were ignored and Theon feared the worst. Before anything more could happen Ramsay's man walked into the room and placed Cassandra's wrists into irons, restraining her.
Ramsay stood up and grabbed Cassandra to pull her up. She winced as he pushed her against the wall. He unlocked one chain before connecting it to a metal bar above her head. He stepped back and dropped his hands to his hips, looking at her as she tried to release herself.
"That should do," Ramsay said. "You can count yourself lucky that I am not permitted to enjoy you like a man should. Your husband would have my head on a spike if I did...then again...I do need some fun every now and then."
"No!" Theon shouted, his strength suddenly coming back to him in the form of adrenalin. "You will not touch her!"
"Protective, isn't he?" Ramsay smirked, walking back to Theon before punching him in the stomach. Theon groaned, wanting to do nothing more than double over due to the pain.
"Stop it," Cassandra urged. "Leave him alone."
"Look at you two," Ramsay cooed. "You're beautiful together. Both so protective over each other. It is enough to make me sick, but it is lovely."
Cassandra caught Theon's eyes, a look of worry filling both of their gazes.
"I'll be back in a minute with that parchment for you to write to your brother," Ramsay said, leaving the chamber.
"Theon," Cassandra whispered his name. "I'm so sorry...I should never have left...I should have come sooner..."
"You weren't to know," Theon assured her. "Cassandra, I should never have done what I did. I know that now. I should have taken you away before the war...before any of this...and now...you came for me and I've...he's going to hurt you..."
"Not as much as he has hurt you," Cassandra whispered. "Theon, I love you. We'll get out of this. There has be a way."
Theon said nothing back to her then. He closed his eyes and remembered what he had been told. There was no happy ending.
...
Catelyn left the chamber with Robb. He had just been forced to make a deal with Lord Frey's sons. They wanted a wedding between the two houses. Edmure was to marry one of his daughter's. He had not looked happy. His mother had not been happy. She thought that her son had shrugged off his responsibilities to his uncle. She still didn't trust Lord Walder. There was something in her gut which told her she shouldn't.
Her daughter had also gone missing. None of the men had come back with her. She had run away for Theon Greyjoy. That boy would be the death of her, Catelyn knew that much.
"My Lord."
Catelyn turned around as someone passed a parchment to Robb. He took hold of it, unrolling it before reading it. A small smile played on his lips at what he read.
"What is it?" Catelyn asked.
"Cassandra reached the Dreadfort. She writes to say that Theon is not there. There is no sign of him. She will meet us at the Twins. My men caught her up and are escorting her there. She will be safe, mother."
Lady Stark held her hand out, not being satisfied until she read the letter for herself. She did so, noticing that it was her daughter's scrawl in front of her.
"She is safe," Robb said. "That is all that matters now."
Catelyn forced herself to nod in agreement with her son.
She knew that something was not right. She was sure of it.