Theon had grown used to change. In Pyke, he had been his father's last son, then the second in line, and then, his father's heir. He had been a useless little boy when he witnessed his father bowing to King Robert. He had been brave when he became a hostage. He had become friends with Robb, and had grown used to hearing whispers behind his back.
There were very few things in this world, he could not adapt to.
One of those things, was the cold of the North.
The Riverlands were a far more pleasant place. Riverrun might be smaller than Winterfell, but since he didn't need to sleep under a hundred furs to keep the cold at bay, he preferred it here.
Not that he would ever admit it to Robb.
The sunlight reached his eyes as if to annoy him. Theon huffed but was readying himself to stand and confront his day when his partner nuzzled into his arm and wrapped herself around him.
"My lord, it's still too early."
Two weeks ago, he would have fallen for her antics. The innocent and love struck maiden that climbed to share his bed was but a mummer's act. Shae was a smart girl who thought to know how to get what she wanted. Theon found her interesting, so he kept her by his side.
Her pretty face and eager demeanor also helped.
"It's never too early for a lord's duty, my lady." He softly kissed the top of her head. He too, could play the mummery.
"I guess," she said with a sigh. Theon's brows raised, was she sending him off like this? "But my lord can't leave—" her hand grew bolder under the blankets "—distracted like this."
He almost fell. "Hhm, I wonder if someone could help me get rid myself of my distractions."
Shae's giggles were all the response he needed.
The Riverlands were a beautiful place, indeed.
###
A morning breeze kept him company on his way to the audience chamber where Robb liked to have his private meetings. A Small Council of sorts was formed to manage the 'duty of a king to his people'. Robb could call it whatever he liked, it was still copper counting and boring talks about farming and harvests most of the time.
Very few things of real importance had been discussed these days. So far, the most important meeting was when Robb revealed Arya's escape after the lords were sworn to secrecy.
He chuckled at the memory of old Stevron Frey spitting ale all over Lord Mallister. The only unsurprised ones at the meeting were the Blackfish and himself. And it was only because they had heard the news before.
"The Shadow pup," Greatjon called her roaring in celebration. Robb had to calm the room before the news could be heard from Casterly Rock.
Casting that recollection aside, Theon entered the audience chamber. The seats were almost full, only a few others were still missing. From the looks of it, Robb wanted to share something new.
It had to be something far less shocking than a little girl finding her way through the Crownlands, otherwise Theon would already know.
"Your Grace," he knelt in front of Robb. Even with his head bowed, he could see his friend flinch from the corner of his eye.
"Rise, Theon," Robb said. "I already told you, you are like a brother to me, you don't need to kneel to me."
And miss the chance to annoy you? "It's only proper, Your Grace."
The Blackfish huffed in good humour. He also liked to needle his nephew a tad.
With a tired gesture, Robb sent him to his seat next to the Blackfish. It was a simple statement, enough to sharpen Jason Mallister's eyes, but not enough for him to raise his voice over it.
On Robb's immediate right sat Lord Royce. As he had done on their march south, Robb rotated the seat beside him between his lords. The old lord of Runestone arrived a few days past, nearly a week ago by now, bringing almost two thousand eager Valemen with him.
From what Theon heard from the young Valemen he shared drinks with, there was a confusing situation with their Lady Regent. At first she refused any plea to join the war, in fact, they had left the Vale without her leave. But then, news came of Lady Arryn supporting the campaign of the 'Vale Vanguard', and sending the Vale might toward King's Landing for her nieces.
If there was ever need for proof of why women shouldn't lead, Lady Arryn's fickle change of stance should do. No man would be as indecisive, even Lord Frey joined the war before the Vale, as the Rivermen liked to remember the newly joined Vale knights.
With their new allies behind his back, Robb almost left Riverrun to march straight for King's Landing. Jon's letter wasn't only about Arya, it was also about his reckless plan to rescue Sansa from the Red Keep.
With his new fresh army, Robb could take Sansa back. What could Tywin do if the King in the North came to his gates? Nothing but roll over and surrender, that was what. It would've been glorious, conquering the city of kings with an invincible army on their backs would ensure their names would be sung for ages to come.
If not for Ser Brynden they would be halfway through the Riverlands by now. He reminded Robb about the Kingslayer west of them, and of how the message was weeks old. It was likely that Jon was already halfway through his scheme by now. On that front, all they could do was pray for the gods to grant him good fortune.
It was at that moment, Robb decided his army would wait no longer.
The door opened, and Lord Redfort entered the chamber and knelt to pay his respects. He was the last lord to join, and with that the war council began.
"Before we start, there's one raven I thought we all should know about," Robb said.
It shouldn't be important, if it were, Theon would have known already.
Robb picked up a letter from under the table. "Lord Stannis signed this." He passed the letter forward to Lord Royce. "He claims Joffrey, Myrcella and Tommen are bastards born from incest. That their father is the Kingslayer himself."
That was… what?
"That sister fucker!" Lord Umber threw his chair back as he roared. "I fucking knew it! No Robert's son could stand by as Ned was murdered!"
Half the lords present looked too shocked to say anything, while the other half started talking amongst themselves.
"Joffrey is all Lannister," Maege Mormont said. "Golden hair, green eyes, not a spec of Robert in him."
"King Robert wouldn't be so blind as to let himself be cuckolded," Lord Mallister said. "Even if he was too deep in his cups, Lord Arryn wouldn't have been fooled."
On and on they went. Theon kept to himself. Joffrey being a bastard or not didn't matter to him. Besides, there was one issue he hadn't heard anyone raise—
"My lords, we have to be cautious," old Stevron said. The room felt ready to pounce at the Frey, but Robb gestured for him to continue. "Thank you, Your Grace." He took a breath and said, "What Lord Stannis claims is too convenient, my lords. If Robert didn't have any trueborns, then the crown falls upon Stannis. I don't need to remind you, he crowned himself and just now sends justification? I think we should think twice before choosing how to act."
It seemed someone had the same suspicions as Theon. Men lied for little things. For bedding a maid, for keeping his honor, for power. For a crown? Wars and rebellions were fought. What's a lie compared to those?
"Stannis isn't a liar," Lord Mallister said. "He's unforgiving, quick to anger and prickly, but a liar, he is not."
"I'm not calling him a liar, my lord," old Stevron said. "I'm just saying we need more proof."
Before the room could start arguing again, Robb spoke.
"It doesn't matter," he said calmly. "Joffrey ordered my lord father's murder, trueborn or not, there's only one fate that awaits him." Robb pulled his sword and put it on the table.
The lords accepted the response, the matter was settled. As simple as that, Robb made his lords stop their pointless arguments. Theon exchanged a look with the Blackfish. The nod he gave him told him everything he needed to know.
The letter was sent to every keep and castle in the realm, it was only a matter of time for the lords to find about it. All Robb wanted was to stop the lords from pointless bickering and focus on what truly mattered.
"Now," Robb said. "Here's the real reason I called for this war council, Theon, if you would."
"Of course, Your Grace," he said as he drew a map across the table, a piece of smooth leather they found on the Lannister camp.
"Here," Robb said, placing a carved lion on the map west of the Golden Tooth. "Is where the Kingslayer's army is. Behind the mountains and Lord Lefford's castle he keeps massing his army."
"Bah, green boys, freeriders and deceitful sellswords will never defeat us," said the Greatjon.
"Yet, they remain a threat," Lord Mallister said. "We can't grow complacent, my lord."
The Greatjon only huffed a little. That was acceptance, Theon was sure.
"Indeed," Robb said. "This army is a thorn on my side for as long as they keep there. Which is why, I plan to crush it."
The lords were speechless at how confident Robb sounded. Theon could only smirk. The Lannisters would be defeated soon enough, his friend would make sure of that.
"Ser Brynden, share your scouts' findings with the war council," Robb said.
"With pleasure, Your Grace."
With Jon in King's Landing, Robb wanted to have a contingency in case the reckless fool failed. Theon almost laughed out loud. With the cold certainty of someone who knew not of failure, Robb declared they would take the Kingslayer as prisoner.
###
It was long before dawn, but his blood was boiling just thinking of the battle to come.
Mountain tracks, he thought. They gave us victory against Tywin, and now they'll grant us victory against the Kingslayer.
Invading the Westerlands from the east had never been done before. No army was able to take the Golden Tooth from the east, and they wouldn't change that. No, Robb wanted to find a passage through the mountains to outflank the Kingslayer and break his army in one decisive move.
The scouts had been looking for tracks ever since the Valemen joined, and just recently they had been successful in their search.
"People will speak my name in the same breath as Arthur Dayne and Ned Stark," he muttered to the darkness in the room.
With the Westerlands' last army broken, Theon would ask Robb to let him gather the riches of the land to pay for the war and fund his friend's new kingdom. Who knows, mayhaps he could carve a kingdom for himself in the Westerlands before reclaiming the Seastone Chair back at Pyke.
"Who will… speak my lord's name?" Shae asked, her voice slurred and drowsy.
He drew circles on her naked back. "Everyone," he replied. "They'll sing about these times, and they'll sing of Theon Greyjoy, the Land Kraken."
Shae giggled and cuddled him. "People can sing about my handsome Kraken, but only I can have him."
"You are not wrong." He kissed the top of her head as he smirked to himself. "But people can be convincing. I heard maidens throw themselves at heroes, and I am but a man."
"My strong Kraken wouldn't bed any girl," Shae said, her voice brittle, almost desperate.
"You are right," Theon said. "I would bed only the pretty ones."
Shae choked back a laugh. Her jealous act forgotten. "My lord is so lustful." Her hand caressing his hips. "I wonder what I could do to keep his urges down…"
"Heh, I wonder." Theon looked down only to see his partner's mischievous smile and eyes filled with glee.
Dawn was still far, but he couldn't think of better ways to wait for the sun to rise.
###
The daybreak was a few minutes away, and they were exhausted. The blankets were on the floor, but their bodies together were enough to keep the cold away.
"Tell me, my lord," Shae said as she lay on top of him. "Why do you need your name spoken?"
Theon scoffed. Of course she wouldn't understand. "You are a woman, only men understand what glory truly means."
In the silence, he could hear distant howls in the dark. Grey Wind, most like. The direwolf followed Robb everywhere, but at night he liked to hunt on the forest nearby. The smallfolk close to Riverrun called it a good omen when they heard wolves in the distance now. All because of Robb.
"You are right, my lord," Shae said. "I don't understand war, I don't like it. It terrifies me. But wanting your name to be remembered? I think I understand that… a little."
"It is about pride, legacy, and authority," Theon said. "No man would follow a boy to war, and yet, the Northern lords raised their swords and spears when Ro-His Grace called. Why do you think that was?"
The first rays of sunlight filtered through the window shedding light on the room. His leathers and bows on one side, Shae's dress on the other.
"Because he's their lord," Shae said, her tone more a question than an answer.
"No. I can assure you, that if he would've raised his banners in any other circumstance, at least half wouldn't have moved from their castles." Theon turned to find her eyes, and with a certainty that he felt would burn him from the inside, he said, "They left their castles and keeps because of Lord Eddard Stark."
He was certain. If it was Bran, a crippled boy of nine name days who made the call, they would have still answered. All because of Ned Stark, the Quiet Wolf, the man who bested Ser Arthur Dayne.
"I don't think they follow His Grace because of his father," Shae said, frowning. She looked cute thinking hard like this.
"You are right," Theon said.
"Eh?"
He chuckled. "You are right. The lords don't follow His Grace for his father. Now they follow him for his own merits."
"Oh!" Her eyes lit in understanding. "I think I understand now. You want glory so your sons have an easier time as lords."
He sighed. As he thought, women couldn't understand what glory truly meant. "It's a part of it, I guess."
"Mmm, then I guess you want your name spoken the way people speak of Jon Stark?"
Her voice was innocent, others might have been fooled, but Theon saw the tiny smirk she wore.
"What has the bas-Jon, that I don't? Haven't you heard the songs? The Land Kraken crushed lions in the Green Fork."
"Aye, but the Wolfboy bested Ser Marbrand on single combat," she said. "He also convinced Maidenpool to open its gates in seven days." Shae dropped the mummery and was wearing a crooked smile on her face.
Annoying. "Is my little lady talking back to me? I guess she needs some disci—"
A knock on the door interrupted him.
"Enter!" Theon said.
Robb's squire, Olyvar Frey, entered and sputtered when he saw the scene in the room.
"M-my lord." He gulped before continuing. "His Grace requires your presence on his solar."
Something important must have happened.
"I'll be there," Theon said.
Olyvar turned and left the room, his ears were red as an apple.
He stood up and turned to Shae with a smirk. "Duty calls, my lady. I suppose your punishment for talking back will have to wait for the night."
"I'll be sure to repent, my lord," Shae said with a sly grin.
With a roll of his eyes, Theon left his room.
###
A brisk walk later, Theon was in front of the Lord of Riverrun's solar. Robb had taken it for himself with Lord Tully's blessing. "My lord father would've been proud to see his grandson using the room," Lord Edmure said.
The guards opened the door for him when they saw him. It was Robb's way of hurrying him up.
Theon prepared himself for anything. It wouldn't do for his friend to see him shaken no matter what.
The Blackfish was standing next to the bookshelf to the side. He seemed… distracted.
Next to Robb was Olyvar, nervously looking around the room. He was always this way, so Theon didn't thought much of it.
"Theon, no one can hear what you are about to learn," Robb said.
He sat in front of the table. "My lady friends will have to work hard to hear anything from me, that I swear."
"Theon," Robb hissed. "This is serious."
Not even a raised eyebrow. Something of similar weight to Jon's letter then.
"By the old gods and the new, I swear no one will hear a word from me."
"Good." Robb turned to his squire. "Olyvar, you too."
"I-I-I can't Your Grace, I… I'm not… I don't need to know."
"So be it," Robb said. "Wait outside, make sure no one disturbs me."
"Yes, Your Grace." Olyvar bowed and left swiftly.
"That boy is as timid as one can get," the Blackfish muttered shaking his head.
Before Theon could add to that comment, Robb produced a parchment from under his coat and gave it to him.
Another letter, only this time, the color and wax residue betrayed its origin. The Iron Throne.
Did they realize any resistance was futile? Did Joffrey felt the war coming closer to him and broke like the green boy he was? Or mayhaps Tywin saw reason and decided to sue for peace?
Theon had to swallow a snort, the sun would rise from the west before something like that ever happens.
Cersei of House Lannister, Queen Regent of the Seven Kingdoms to Robb Stark, Lord of Winterfell, sends this letter…
That was… unexpected.
His surprise must have been evident because Robb said, "Keep reading."
And so, Theon did.
Laughter erupted erupted shortly after.
"This can't be serious!" Theon said, throwing his head back. "Stannis' fool is fucking his wife. Ha! The Lannisters are nothing but scared little kittens by now. The real question is how could Tywin let this letter left the Red Keep?"
"Keep reading," Robb's voice cut his laughter.
"Oh?" So there's more?
The letter told of Stannis burning septs and godswoods, of Renly being a ambitious brother who planned Robert's ultimate demise. On and on it went, Theon grew tired of the high tales, until something gave him pause.
The letter mentioned Lord Eddard Stark.
Unlike Stannis or Renly, Lord Stark's tale started in Harrenhal.
Minutes passed by, the fire cracked and the courtyard noise reached them before Theon put down the letter. His head was a storm. Obvious lies, some truths and things that sounded like truths. The letter had odd details and things that sounded like a deranged dream.
He should have discarded everything as a desperate lie, as a final attempt at saving the Iron Throne from its many enemies.
And yet… he couldn't get rid of a voice in the back of his head.
"Jon… was never a bastard?"
###
A/N: Ok, not gonna lie, I may or may not have included people who are not supposed to be here right now (I checked, of course, but maybe someone who's supposed to be with Edmure or in Harrenhal slipped), if you find some discrepancy, please let me know telling me who and in which chapter was mentioned. Thank you!
I'm planning 3 chapter for this arc, and then we get back to KL for an Interlude.
IT'S ALIVE!!!
Also sorry for the delay, work bs, and poor time management destroyed me.
You can read two chapters ahead: p.a.t.r.e.o.n.c.o.m / yorud
Anyways, give me your comments (▰˘︹˘▰)