Theon awoke early the next morning, rolling onto his side to see Cassandra nestled against him. She'd pressed her cheek into his back, her arm resting over his stomach. He altered the position; his arm wrapping around her shoulders before she rested her head on his shoulder. Theon took a deep breath, still not sure what he should do if Robb did not prevail at Riverrun.
"Theon," Cassandra muttered, still incoherent in her sleep. "Do you know anything?"
"I've been sleeping all night, Cass," Theon whispered back, pushing her hair from her face. "I'll go down and bring something to break our fast to the room. I will see if I can find anything out for you."
"Thank you," Cassandra whispered, sitting up and pulling the sheet with her.
Theon sat up too, the sheet pooling down to his lap and revealing his bare form. He looked back to the woman carrying his child, a small smile on his face as he thought about the previous night and how he had made love to her. He took a moment to stretch before he stood and began to dress. Cassandra followed his movement; shrugging back into her dress and feeling the material rub against her stomach. She knew that she needed some new dresses made for her ever growing stomach.
"I will return in a moment. Stay here," Theon urged her and moved off down the stairs to check on the situation which they found themselves in.
He stood by the wooden bench, waiting for someone to tend to him for morning's food. There were already some other people who were eating at the wooden tables, ready to set off for another day's ride.
"What can I help you with, darling?"
The woman who owned the tavern asked him. Theon looked at her and pulled his cloaks tighter around his body.
"I was wondering if we could have some food sent to our room. My wife finds herself ill this morning."
"The pregnant lass?" the woman checked. "Aye, I'll get you something right now."
Theon nodded briskly at the woman before turning around, doing his best to listen for gossip of that morning. It didn't take long for him to hear some straight away.
"I think it is for the best. The Northerners need to know their place. They can't rebel every time one of them is declared a traitor, can they? I'm telling you, Lord Robb should be thankful that Lord Tywin allows him to return to his burnt castle in the North."
Theon could feel his blood run cold at what he was hearing. He said nothing for a few moments, choosing to keep quiet.
"Well, do you think that is the end of the war? Lord Robb has no choice but to stay in Winterfell."
"No," the other man replied.
Theon took hold of the water which was placed in front of him, drinking out of one goblet as he listened with intent.
"You know that they need to find the eldest Stark girl. She's to go back to live with the Freys at the Twins. Not to mention the young Stark boys...no one knows where they are. Something will have to happen, won't it? The Stark girl is pregnant...she won't get far."
"Last I heard she was with the Greyjoy boy in Winterfell. No idea where he's gone."
"Who cares?" the other responded as Theon began to carry the plates back to the room on the tray they sat on. "All I want is a healthy winter."
Theon found Cassandra sat on the edge of the bed, her legs crossed as she waited for him to bring news of whatever had happened. Theon placed the food on the dresser, turning to look at her.
"Robb failed," he explained quickly. "He's gone back to Winterfell. Men are looking for you now, Cassandra. We need to leave."
Cassandra's eyes widened as she heard Theon break the news to her. She gulped loudly, shaking her head back and forth before standing up and pacing the length of the bed.
"No," she whispered. "Robb cannot have lost. He had an army...he had..."
"He has," Theon assured her. "We need to leave now, Cass. Anyone who finds you will willingly sell you back to the Freys and Lannisters. You know that."
"What can we do?" Cassandra wondered. "There's nowhere safe to go, Theon. Someone is bound to recognise me...I mean...I'm getting fatter with each passing day."
Theon took a few moments to think about what he should do for the best. She was right. Lannister men roamed all around Westeros. She was easy to recognise. Her Tully looks didn't help her that much. Besides, Theon had heard tales from the Capital. He had heard of the spies who came from there, doing their work for the Small Council.
There was only one place which Theon could think of. One place no one would look for him. But that place was not one which Theon personally wanted to return to. His father would not welcome with open arms. He would not be happy to see his only son with the Stark girl. Theon knew that.
But Yara could possibly help him. Yara may keep him safe from his father. Theon couldn't believe what he was saying. He was scared of his father. He failed to believe how weak he sounded.
"No one knows you on the Iron Islands."
Cassandra looked across to Theon, instantly shaking her head as she did so.
"Balon Greyjoy would never keep me there, Theon," Cassandra snapped at him. "I carry your child, yes, but he would not welcome me, would he? I am a Stark, Theon."
"I know," Theon admitted. "My father plundered the North, Cassandra. He intended the destroy all that the Stark's care for. I...he...succeeded in a way. Yara came back for me, didn't she? She will make sure that we are kept safe."
"Even your sister cannot stop your father from extracting revenge, Theon," Cassandra whispered. "He would never let us be."
"What else do you suggest we do?" Theon wondered from Cassandra. "We could hide on the Iron Islands. I will keep you safe."
Cassandra wrapped her arms around herself, turning her head to look to the side. She bit down on her bottom lip before feeling Theon run his hands down her arms. He bent down to look her in the eye, urging for her not to look away from him. She brought her gaze back to his, a look of disbelief on her face.
"I know all about salt wives, Theon."
"I am not asking you to be a salt wife to me," Theon promised her. "I would never ask you of that, Cass. Dear Gods, Robb Stark would kill me himself if he thought I'd done that to you."
"And what would your father think I would be to you?" Cassandra wondered. "We cannot marry, Theon. I am pledged to Stevron under the Old Gods and New."
"There is only one God on the Iron Islands," Theon reminded her. "The Drowned God. We do not worship the Old Gods or the New. The marriage will not be considered by my father, I assure you that. Iron born take, Cassandra. Play along with me...tell him that I took you..."
"Lie?" Cassandra checked. "He will see through it, Theon."
"Not if I do my part." Theon replied.
"I don't like it."
"Neither do I," Theon promised her. "If we stay here then there is no hope, Cass. There is nothing that we can do."
"I just worry that your father will kill me," Cassandra scoffed. "He hates the Starks."
"He will also remember who I am," Theon said. "The Starks took care of me...yes...I know...but...my father will see that I am no Stark."
"You've just got one pregnant," Cassandra bluntly replied. "Theon, if we go to the Iron Islands, then you need to promise me...just...don't let him..."
Theon tucked his finger under her chin, drawing her gaze to his as he bent down to kiss her swiftly.
"I won't let anyone hurt you."
...
Cassandra was still struggling to come to terms with what had happened. Her brother and mother had been sent back to Winterfell. Arya had gone with them, whilst Sansa remained in the Capital. Bran and Rickon were still lost in the North, and Jon was still at the Wall. Yet Cassandra found herself looking out onto the one place she had never considered seeing in her life.
The Iron Islands held an air of coldness about them. She was used to Winterfell and the constant cold climate, but the Iron Islands were damp. They looked dark and dismal. She stood on the path as Theon secured them horses to ride to Pyke. He helped Cassandra on first, still amazed by how much she grew each day. He took a seat behind her, holding her waist and taking the reins as she watched the castle come into view.
"It's big, isn't it?" Theon spoke. "I would consider it to be vaster than Winterfell."
"Quite." Cassandra muttered, her stomach churning with nerves as she contemplated what would be coming her way.
"Everything will be fine," Theon promised her.
She said nothing more as Theon continued to watch the castle grow larger until they were inside the walls. He slid off the horse, aiding Cassandra down and keeping his hand inside of hers. A maid came rushing out, noticing the Lord Theon. She curtseyed quickly as Theon eyed her with suspicion.
"My Lord," she spoke. "We had not thought you to be back so soon."
"I had not thought to be back," Theon admitted. "Tell me, where is my father."
The maid looked back at Theon, her eyes wide as she did so. Shaking her head back and forth, she bowed her chin and glanced to the floor, gathering the courage to tell him what had happened.
"Lord Greyjoy was killed, my Lord." She said. "A storm took his life. Your uncle, Lord Euron, has taken the Iron Islands."
Cassandra looked up to Theon, wondering if any trace of emotion would pass from his features, but there was nothing. He did not look at the maid with regret, nor did he shed a tear for what news he had just heard. He took a deep breath after a moment, nodding once.
"I should go to him," Theon said. "Take us there now."
"As you wish, my Lord." She agreed and curtseyed again.
Cassandra walked besides Theon, squeezing his hand to gain him to look down at her. She silently asked him if he was feeling well. He nodded quickly, bending down to kiss her on the cheek.
"My father has never played an influential part in my life," he whispered to her. "I feel nothing at this moment in time."
Cassandra nodded at his response, continuing to hold his hand as they walked up steps and into the room which used to be Theon's father's quarters. Cassandra squinted in the darkness, looking to the table where a man with an eye patch sat, his gaze firmly set on the letters which had been placed in front of him. He took another few moments to notice how two new people stood in his room.
"The Drowned God himself could not have tempted me with this sight." The man spoke and stood up.
Theon forced himself to smile, knowing full well that politeness could win his uncle's affection. Theon moved forwards as Euron did the same, moving his hand out to rest it on his nephew's shoulder.
"I had heard terrible tales, my nephew." Euron spoke.
"I'm afraid the tales are true, uncle," Theon replied. "They say you are the new ruler of the Iron Islands."
"They speak the truth," he nodded, releasing his arm as Theon took a step back to Cassandra again. "Your sister was not best pleased."
"I imagine not," Theon said. "Where is Yara?"
"She journeys across the sea," Euron replied. "She left as soon as I ousted her claim to the throne. She did not take too kindly too that. We would have thought that you would have made a claim, but we then heard how the Boltons had taken you prisoner."
"Aye, they did," Theon said. "Yara saved me though."
"She said you had no intention of travelling home," Euron said, his gaze moving over to Cassandra as she looked back at him, her orbs holding the emotion of apprehension. "Yet here you are."
"Here I am," Theon nodded back. "It is true, uncle. I intended to defeat the Lannsiters."
"You sided with the Starks."
"Our enemy is mutual, is it not?" Theon replied, trying to clear the building friction. "The Lannisters cannot stay on the Iron Throne."
"And who would you see there?"
"I have no care," Theon said. "It is not important to me, uncle."
Euron took a moment to allow a deep chuckle to radiate through his body. He said nothing for a few seconds as he glanced to Cassandra, his chin pointing in her direction as he did so.
"I trust this is the beauty which kept you with the Starks?" Euron said, reaching out to take hold of her hand. Cassandra nervously placed her fingers into his, allowing him to kiss her knuckles as he bowed down.
"Uncle, this is Cassandra Stark," Theon introduced her. "Cass, this is my Uncle Euron."
"Pleasure, Lady Stark."
Cassandra forced herself to smile back, knowing full well that it would be the safest thing to do. She said nothing for a few moments as Euron looked back to his nephew.
"And what was it you hoped to gain by coming home with a Stark, nephew?"
Theon took a deep breath, the moment of truth upon him as he looked back to his uncle. He had not known Euron for long. And what he did know, he could scarcely remember.
"A place to rest our heads," Theon simply admitted. "I had hoped for somewhere to call home again."
"With the Stark girl?"
"Cassandra is with my child. I would have her kept with me."
"Although she is married to another."
"You know of Ser Stevron?" Theon checked.
"Aye, and I know of the price he has offered for her return. A handsome sum. Tell me, why should I keep a Stark here? She is no Ironborn woman."
"Alas, the Ironborn take what is theirs, do they not?" Theon checked. "I had Cassandra before Ser Stevron. She carries my child. I would say that my right is greater than Stevron's. Besides, the Freys side with the enemy. The Starks are not our enemies."
"They are not our allies either," Euron shot back. "The Iron Islanders intend to take back Westeros with the aid of Danerys Targaryen."
"How?" Cassandra couldn't help but ask.
"With dragons," Euron replied. "I have sent for her to be found. She is the true heir to the Iron Throne."
"My family would not stand in her way," Cassandra hastily spoke. "I can assure you, we do not want the Iron Throne. We would support the Targaryen claim. My brother and mother would see to that."
Euron regarded her with caution, knowing that her support could be useful. He took a moment before nodding.
"Write to them," he demanded. "Tell them of my plan. If they agree, then I shall allow you refuge here. If not, then I will sell you back to the Freys."
"We shall go now," Theon nodded at his uncle, taking hold of Cassandra by the arm and leading her from the room, wanting nothing more than to drag her from inquisitive gaze of his uncle.
"Will Robb agree to this?"
"He may have no choice," Cassandra whispered, her voice still laden with worry.