Guiltless / Theon Greyjoy

30. This Isn't Love

'This cannot be true.' Robb said reading over the note

'We had news from white Harbor it is true.'

'why? Why would Theon do this?' Robb said in outrage.

'Because the greyjoys are treasonous whores!'

'My brothers?' Robb questioned, "Rieka?" 

''We have heard nothing of them... But Rodrick is dead.''

''I told you never trust a greyjoy!' Catelyn yelled at him

''I must move north at once.'' Robb said standing up the letter falling to his desk

''There is still a war to win your grace.''

'How can I call myself King if I can't even hold my own castle? How can I expect my men to follow me?" Robb shouted getting in his face.

'You are a king and that means you don't have to do everything yourself.' His commander told him

'Let me go and talk to Theon.' Catelyn begged. "Get my children back!"

'there will be no talking he will die for this.'' Robb told them confidently. 

'Theon holds the castle but not the crows, let me send word to my bastard at the fort you can raise a few hundred men and retake Winterfell before the new moon.' His commander told Robb. 'We have the Lannister's on the run if you march all the way back north you lose what you gained. My boy would be honored to get Winterfell back for you.'

'Tell your son that Rieka, Brandon and Rickon's safety is top priority. And Theon... I want him brought to me alive.' Robb demanded 'I want to look him in the eye and ask him why and then I will take his head myself.' Robb declared.

+

Rieka pushed herself as far as she could back into her bedframe when she saw Theon sitting on her bed. 

"What the fuck Theon!" Rieka demanded picking up her pillow and beating him with it. He grabbed it from her. 

"You are going to pop a stitch." Theon murmured and Rieka's hand went to the sudden pang of pain on her forehead. "I told them not to hurt you. I demanded it."

"You are not prince. Why are you doing this?" Rieka demanded. He got closer and she punched him, kicking at him. He pinned her to the bed holding tight to her wrist. 

"Stop fighting me!" Theon demanded. 

"Why Theon! WHY!" Rieka shouted kneeing him in the balls, he cringed back loosening his grip on her hands she shoved him off her. 

"Rieka," Theon growled. He ran to her grabbing her by the back of the head twisting her hair back and giving a quick jab to the back of her knees and collapsed to her knees before him. "Rieka stop fighting me." Theon grit back before he saw the tears in her eyes. "Rieka I love you." 

"This isnt love." Rieka corrected. RIeka shook and shivered silent tears falling down her face. Theon knelt beside her placed a gentle hand on her cheek but his touch now disgusted her. She cringed away from him, turning her cheek. 

''Rieka love...' he whispered kissing her cheek, tasting her salty tears. 

''Why! Why are you doing this!'' Rieka sobbed. "What did we ever do to you?" Rieka demanded. "besides love you? Because I loved you. I loved you Theon and you came here and broke my heart." Rieka declared. 

''I wont hurt you baby.'' Theon assured

''You already have.'' Rieka  corrected.  "Dont you see that?"

+

'We have sent dozens of ravens none of them have returned... My bastard is only a few days away from Winterfell once he captures-'' Roose began. 

'Theon has my sister and brothers what happens if we storm the castle?'' Robb questioned

'He would not dare hurt Rieka and the boys, they are his only hope at escaping the north as is.' Roose corrected. 

'Send word to your son.' Robb agreed ''any iron born who surrenders will be allowed to return safely to their homes.' Robb commanded with mercy.

'A touch of mercy is a virtue your grace too much-'' Roose warned. 

''Any iron born with the exception of Theon Greyjoy.'' Robb clarified 'he betrayed us of course he betrayed me and we will hunt him down no matter where he runs.'

+

"Rieka whats wrong?" Rickon questioned.

"I'm... I think I have the flu." Rieka offered wiping at her lip.

"The theon flu?" Rickon pondered.

"Probably." Rieka agreed.

"So no cookie?" Rickon realized.

"I can you get a cookie once I'm dont barfing." Rieka offered. "I wish cookies could fix all the worlds problems." Rieka whispered before resting her head against her arm against the chamber pot. 

"Osha, are you a good actress?" Rieka whispered. 

"All hail prince Theon'' Osha said rolling her eyes. Rieka choked out a broken laugh. "I'm sorry for you and your family. You and your brothers have been kind to me." Osha told her.

"Thank you... Get them out." Rieka whispered under her breath.

"What?" Osha countered. 

"Get my brothers out, they are a challenge, they are real heirs. Get them out. I will distract Theon. You need to get them out." Rieka begged. 

"What about you?"

"Get my brothers safe." Rieka repeated. "Thats all I ask, get them out of Theon's grasp, please and if we ever-"

"What about you?"

"Don't wait for me." Rieka begged heading out of the kitchens quickly.

"Rieka," Rickon whimpered as she pulled him into her arms.

"I love you both so much." Rieka told them. "I'm going to get you to Robb. Get us safe, and we can come with up a new plan and... kill theon all together maybe." Rieka sobbed out, how did she miss it? How was she so wrong about him?

"How?" Bran questioned.

"Osha." Rieka told them. "She is going to help. You have to be really brave for me." 

"Rie I'm scared." Rickon sobbed into her.

"Me too baby. Me too." She told him softly.

"Rieka, why does this sound like goodbye?" Bran whispered and she sat down next to him.

"It's not." She told him but tears pulled at her eyes. "I love you both, so much... you be good... be careful alright? I love you both." She kept repeating as tears dripped down onto the pillows.

"Love you Rieka."