Truth Is / Ned Stark

18. Fortress

It felt too familiar. Ned coming home with a son and Gemma presenting him with their child.

"Why am I not surprised?" Sandor barked.

"This is Theon Greyjoy." Ned remarked.

"I'm a hostage." He added his face turned down. Ned opened his mouth to apolgize to gemma but she passed off their little girl and neds words faded. She was so perfect. Gemma wrapped an arm around Theon leading him inside.

"Hello Theon, I'm Gemma. Are you hungry?" He nodded. "Lets get you something to eat, my boys name day was just yesterday and we have extra cake, how does that sound?" Gemma questioned running a hand through his fiery hair.

"Good." Theon whispered.

"Sweet boy, you are not a prisoner." Gemma assured. "You are not a hostage, you are safe here."

"My father... he rebelled..." Theon whispered.

"I dont blame the child for their fathers mistakes, you can ask ned that." Gemma assured. "Come on."

"Gemma," Ned called out.

"San, can you take Theon to the kitchen?" Gemma requested, sandor knew it was a command and not a request however sweet she said it, he led Theon off. "Her name is Arya Rose Stark." Gemma answered turning to Ned.

"Robert made me take Theon-"

"It's okay." Gemma assured. 'i'm just glad this one isnt yours- did I say that out loud?" She whispered turning her cheek.

"I deserved that." Ned assured kissing her.

Gemma should have known, that was just the type of man Ned was. He took in the weak, took in the helpless and helped those that didnt deserve it.

Gemma wasnt as kind as him.

But she took in each child that needed a home with open arms. So maybe she was kinder. Ned did as he was told. Commanded. Gemma did as her heart commanded and took in the needy children misguided and unloved and showed them compassion and family.

Gemma now had Theon, age 6, Jon and Robb both four, Lyanna age 2 and little arya. She suddenly had five children. That seemed like a lot. She didnt know how people did it, how women did it, kept having babies, kept raising them. She wondered how her life would have turned out if her mother had lived. 

Most women got unlucky and died in childbirth, it was a common problem of the times, you either died with a million children and grandchildren fighting over your lands or you died giving birth to baby that would never remember your face, your name, your smile, how much you love them. 

The problem with losing your mother before you're done needing her is that your mind begins to manifest false memories. You start to inject her in places she never was. And the problem with life is, you're never done needing her.

Gemma looked to Theon as he clung to her and she realized that he needed a mother. He lost his own and now he was taken from his father, his home. 

Theon was nervous, he isolated himself from everyone but Gemma, the kids were kind to him invited him in and asked him to play but he stuck to gemma's side. She stroked his hair and kissed his temple, he smiled into her feeling more comfortable as the days passed. 

"We are going for a ride with uncle Sandor." Robb called out. Gemma looked to Theon still tucked into her side. 

"You want to join them honey?"

"Are you coming?" THeon countered softly, nervous little eyes staring up at her. 

"I think a ride is a lovely idea." Gemma agreed. 

Ned helped Gemma off the horse even though he knew she didnt need it, she was a warrior, a fighter, she was strong but ned liked his hands on her. 

"Perfect place to play." Jon offered, Lyanna nodded wiggling to get out of sandors grasp.

The kids were taught to ride just as fast as they were taught to walk. Theon watched them throw snowballs from Gemma's side, watched Sandor and Benjen pick their nephews and niece up throwing them into the air or pelting them with snow. Laughter filled the air. Theon glanced up to Gemma as she gently smashed a snowball onto his head, a smile filled his face. 

"Come on Theon, catch me." Gemma instructed running off. Theon followed without hesitation. This snowy fortress was home now.

Gemma made sure of that.