The North, ancient Winterfell.
Inside a cramped and closed-off cell, Theon Greyjoy lay curled up on the straw-covered floor, his eyes numb.
He couldn't believe that his own father, Balon, would disregard his safety and resolutely rebel against the Iron Throne, attacking the Riverlands.
Even more frightening was the resolute look in his foster father Ned Stark's eyes when he threw him into the dungeon.
He had been a hostage in the Stark household for nearly seven years and knew Ned Stark's character of upholding knightly honor and strictly adhering to the law all too well.Earlier, when Robb Stark secretly visited him, he revealed that the king himself had given the order, so Ned Stark, as the Duke of Winterfell, would certainly not disobey. It was only a matter of time before he was taken south to the Riverlands.
Theon had completely realized the truth from this Iron Islands rebellion. From the moment he became a hostage, his status as heir to the Iron Islands was also nullified.
It was clear that Balon didn't care about his life or death, and his foster father Ned would eventually execute him to demoralize the Ironborn.The only people in the world willing to help him were Robb, his brother of seven years, and Jon Snow, the bastard son he had always looked down upon.
Inside the Great Hall of the main keep, the adults of House Stark were engaged in a heated debate about how to deal with Theon Greyjoy.
"Father, judging by the Iron Islands' reckless rebellion, taking Theon south is pointless, he's innocent!"
Robb advised his father, Eddard Stark, Warden of the North and Lord of Winterfell, who sat at the head of the table.
No sooner had he spoken than Maester Luwin tugged at his chain of office and countered;"My lord, with all due respect, your king commands you to escort Theon Greyjoy south!"
"The king only wants to use Theon to force the Ironborn to retreat; he doesn't need Ned to go south personally!"
Catelyn felt a little nervous, not knowing why she didn't want her husband to go south from the bottom of her heart.
"Any knight could escort Theon..."
"Enough, Catelyn!" Ned stood up, interrupting his wife, and said to the maester, "Reply to King's Landing that the Warden of the North, Ned Stark, will lead his troops south immediately."
"Yes, my lord!"
Seeing the maester acknowledge, Ned then explained to his worried wife;"Sorry, Catelyn, I also want to go to the Vale to pay respects to my father!"
Along with the King's command came the news of the former Hand Jon Arryn's death, which saddened Ned.
"As for Theon, I will decide what to do with him based on the situation in the Riverlands!"
Finally, he revealed his intentions to Robb and Jon, who were standing beside him pleading for Theon.
"You two can also come south with me."
After saying this, Ned left the hall directly, leaving Robb and Jon looking disappointed, unsure of how to explain things to Theon, who was in the dungeon.
They had promised Theon that they would plead with their father to let him out."Jon, I've got an idea!"
Once only the two of them remained in the hall, Robb slapped his thigh and excitedly called out to Jon.
"Father has clearly stated that Theon must be taken south as a hostage. How will you change Father's mind?"
Jon shook his head in distress, not holding out hope for Robb's idea.
"Listen to me, we'll do this...!"
As Jon listened, he was immediately impressed by Robb's wildly imaginative ideas!
Time quickly passed to late at night. Even in summer, the night fog in the North was so thick that you couldn't see a meter in front of you.
"Clang~!"Inside the dungeon, Theon was startled awake by the faint sound of a dragging chain, instantly filled with suspicion and uncertainty.
Why would anyone come to the dungeon at this hour?
He couldn't help but hide in the corner of the wall, completely on guard, clutching the only metal object he had, a broken fork.
"Theon!"
Robb's familiar voice called out.
Theon finally breathed a sigh of relief and crawled to the cell door.
Seeing this, Robb and Jon quickly pulled up Theon's cold body, and Jon even took off his fur coat and draped it over the shivering Theon.
"Robb, Jon, why are you here so late?"Theon tightened his leather jerkin, a little confused, then seemed to guess what was happening.
"You wouldn't...!"
"That's right, Theon! We couldn't dissuade Father. He's going to escort you south tomorrow. We have to get you out of here."
Robb showed a hint of guilt. He and Jon each took one of Theon's arms, guiding him out of the prison by the dim candlelight.
Outside the dungeon, Theon also saw Arya and Bran.
"I had them scout ahead for us!"
Robb explained to Theon, nodding to the two eager children."Arya, go ahead. Bran, remember what I said, after Arya is stopped, you throw away the stone in your hand and run backwards!"
"Mmm-hmm!"
The two children nodded excitedly. This was a grand adventure combined with hide-and-seek, a game that every child loved.
Winterfell still had two thick walls. To get past the guards at the two city gates, the three of them still needed some disguise.
Inside a stable, Theon held a blue-purple dress, on the verge of tears.
He considered Robb as a brother and close friend, and Robb actually wanted him to cross-dress!
"Pfft~!"Jon, standing to the side, laughed rather unkindly, earning a fierce glare from Robb, which made him forcefully suppress his laughter.
Heaven knows how long he had been laughing in his own room, and how much he had been anticipating this moment.
"Hurry up, Theon, and by the way, shave your beard and put on the wig!"
Theon wanted to escape, he didn't want to die, so he changed into... women's clothing with extraordinary speed!
A quarter of an hour later, under the cover of night, a hazy and slender "beauty" appeared before Robb and Jon.Jon, remembering the pranks Theon used to play on him, couldn't help but tease, "Theon, if you can't find a real job after we get out of here, you could consider selling yourself. I'm sure there are plenty of knights willing to spend a silver stag to spend a night with you!"
Theon froze, then gave a wry smile.
"Go! Go! Go!" Robb waved Jon away, then comforted the uncomfortable Theon, "Don't worry, Theon!"
Theon followed with a bright smile, wondering if his good brother Robb had also prepared money for him.
"A silver stag isn't enough. With your status, it should be at least a gold dragon!"Unexpectedly, Robb's next words made Theon tremble with anger and cold, almost tearing off his gown and running back to the dungeon to shut himself away.
After the three of them horsed around for a while, they continued towards the outside of Winterfell. The result was very smooth; the three of them passed through two city walls in succession without attracting anyone's attention.
"Theon, I'm worried about Bran and Arya, so I'll go back first."
Outside the winter town, Robb formally embraced Theon in farewell. Jon also embraced Theon, earning Theon's sincere apology for past mistakes.
Theon watched as his two brothers hurried back to Winterfell, feeling a sense of loss.Then, a feeling of boundless ambition, like a bird soaring in the sky or a fish leaping in the sea, welled up in his heart again.
Seemingly carefree with food and drink within Winterfell, he was actually being driven mad by the nightmares of the Iron Islands' rebellion and his foster father mercilessly beheading him every night.
With this spirit, Theon quickly set foot on the Kingsroad, Winterfell gradually shrinking behind him in the morning mist.
Take one last look!
Theon thought, turning around to gaze at Winterfell, which appeared only as small as a bean in his eyes.
"Ah~!" Filled with hope, Theon couldn't help but shout towards Winterfell, vowing, "I will definitely return!""I will make all those who have deceived, humiliated, and hurt me pay the price!"
"Clip-clop! Clip-clop! Clip-clop!..."
As the first rays of dawn broke, the sound of approaching hooves echoed down King's Road. Theon turned in astonishment, a look of worry on his face. A knight in the black robes of a ranger, his face as sharp and resolute as if carved by an axe, galloped towards him.
"Winterfell can only have one master, and his name is Stark!"
Benjen Stark, still riding at full speed, punched Theon, who was standing dumbfounded by the roadside, into unconsciousness, then, carrying the familiar "little girl," spoke those words.What injustice this little girl suffered, that she harbors such hatred for Lin Dong City.
But, no matter!
Justice will be served under the fair judgment of her second brother, I believe.
That should resolve the feud between Lin Dong City and the girl.
Banyan pondered in his mind as he spurred his horse, galloping swiftly towards Lin Dong City.
...
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