Guiltless / Theon Greyjoy

6. Bastards

"There is Rieka, you ask her, I'm sudden famished." RObb declared pulling away from Ned. Ned rolled his eyes moving towards Rieka only to be blocked by Jaime Lannister. 

''Pardon me,' Ned said trying to get around Jaime.

''I hear we might be neighbors soon' Jaime said blocking his way. 'I hope it's true'

'Yes the king has honored me with the offer' Ned said still trying to get around him. Rieka was spinning around with Theon in the middle of the tables. Rickon ran up to her reaching up for her she grabbed his hands spinning him around. 

'I'm sure we'll have a tournament to celebrate your new title if you accept. It would be good to have you in the field the competition has been stale,' Jaime told Ned. Ned pulled his gaze from his children, could he really pull them away from this happy life they had right here?

''I don't fight in tournaments' Ned informed him

'No? Getting a little old for it?' Jaime teased

'I don't fight in tournaments when I fight a man for real, I don't want him to know what I can do.' Ned told him

'Well said.' Jaime told him grinning.

'Excuse me,' ned said again walking off but Benjen grabbed his arm.

'Ned!' Benjen declared "You at a feast -- It's like a bear in a trap.' Benjen remarked.

'Benjen!" Ned declared hugging him. "Glad you could make it... The boy I beheaded. Did you know him?' Ned questioned softly.

'Of course I did. Just a lad. But he was tough, Ned. A true Ranger.'' Benjen agreed. 

''He was talking madness. Said the Walkers slaughtered his friends.' Ned told him.

'The two he was with are still missing.' Benjen remarked

'A wildling ambush.'

'Maybe. Direwolves south of the wall. Talk of the Walkers. My brother might be the next Hand to the king. Winter is coming.' Benjen reminded him.

'Winter is coming.' Ned agreed.

"Uncle benjen!" Robb declared running up to them.

"Ah Robb how are you lad?" Benjen questioned bringing him into a hug.

"Im good." Robb agreed.

"You two going to tell me why Greyjoy is all over Rieka?" Ned questioned. 

"I knew I should have run the other way." Robb grumbled. 

'Your uncle is in the nights watch?' Tyrion said walking up the path.

'what are you doing back there?' Jon questioned

'Preparing for a night with your family.' Tyrion told him, 'I've always wanted to see the wall,' he remarked taking a swig from his jug. "Just like I have always wanted to meet a direwolf..." Tyrion reached out to pet Ghost, he drew back and bared his fangs in a silent snarl. "Shy, isn't he?" Tyrion observed. 

"Sit, Ghost," Jon commanded. "That's it. Keep still." He looked up at the dwarf. "You can touch him now. He won't move until I tell him to. I've been training him." Jon told him proudly. 

"I see," Tyrion said. He ruffled the snow-white fur between Ghost's ears and said, "Nice wolf."

 "If I wasn't here, he'd tear out your throat," Jon said. It wasn't actually true yet, but it would be.

 "In that case, you had best stay close," Tyrion agreed looking Jon over again. "You're Ned Stark's bastard, aren't you?" Jon felt a coldness pass right through him. He pressed his lips together and said nothing. "Did I offend you?" Tyrion pondered. "Sorry. Dwarfs don't have to be tactful. Generations of capering fools in motley have won me the right to dress badly and say any damn thing that comes into my head." He grinned. "You are the bastard, though." 

"Lord Eddard Stark is my father," Jon admitted stiffly. Tyrion studied his face. 

"Yes," Tyrion agreed. "I can see it. You have more of the north in you than your brothers." Tyrion had made a quick exit when they arrive but saw the stark lining up, saw them bow for the king before he made his exit. 

 "Half brothers," Jon corrected. He was pleased by the dwarf's comment, but he tried not to let it show.

 "Let me give you some counsel, bastard," Tyrion said. "Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you." Jon was in no mood for anyone's counsel. 

"What do you know about being a bastard?" Jon spat. 

 "All dwarfs are bastards in their father's eyes." 

"You are your mother's trueborn son of Lannister." Jon corrected. 

 "Am I?" Tyrion replied, sardonic. "Do tell my lord father. My mother died birthing me, and he's never been sure."

 "I don't even know who my mother was," Jon murmured.

 "Some woman, no doubt. Most of them are." Tyrion favored Jon with a rueful grin. "Remember this, boy. All dwarfs may be bastards, yet not all bastards need be dwarfs." And with that he turned and sauntered back into the feast, whistling a tune. When he opened the door, the light from within threw his shadow clear across the yard, and for just a moment Tyrion Lannister stood tall as a king.

"There is the man I'm going to fight for your hand Rieka." Theon remarked nodding to Tyrion as he came in. 

"Gods, you won't have to try hard." Rieka offered. "I'm not marrying him." 

"Marrying who?" Bran questioned as she sat beside him kissing the top of his head. 

"No one, I need to find a northern man so I can stay up here with you forever." Rieka decided. 

"Or a man not of the north but lives in the north." Theon added nudging her. 

"Yes, that would work too." Rieka agreed smiling back at him.