Lady of Winterfell

Chapter Thirty-One: Theon's Betrayal

Theon stared out over Winterfell from the balcony as he thought about everything that had led him to this situation; his sister had refused to give her support and he was left here alone with the men that he had brought with him. 

He had never thought for a moment that this would happen when he captured Winterfell, Theon almost felt numb at the idea that he had really screwed up. 

His men hadn't been able to find Sanira or Rickon when they had searched Winterfell and it had only gone worse when Bran had disappeared during the night with Hodor. 

Theon had no idea how it had happened and he had searched around the castle trying to find them; his hold on Winterfell was weak now that they were gone. 

"What's your next plan?" Dagmer Cleftjaw asked approaching Theon from behind, an amused look on his face knowing that this certainly wasn't working out like the Greyjoy had hoped. 

Theon didn't say a word as he thought about everything, his own father would call him a failure for this and he wouldn't be able to go back to Robb after what he had done; he would have to think of something else now. 

He was going to have to live with whatever decision that he had made next, Theon doubted that even Balon would send him any support when it came down to it. 

Yara hadn't even batted an eye when she had turned up at Winterfell and pleaded with him to abandon this fool's errand and come home with her. 

There was nothing that would protect him now for what he had done, people would hear the rumours of what happened and Theon doubted that Robb would ever forgive him.

***

"This cannot be true," Robb whispered staring down at the letter that he had been just handed, the news that Theon had taken Winterfell instead of doing as Robb had asked made his stomach turn. 

Catelyn was silent while she listened to the conversation around her, her thoughts trapped on her family that remained there and she prayed to the Gods that they were all safe. 

She had warned Robb against this course of action and Catelyn almost wished that he had listed to her; she had known that Theon would turn on them the moment he was back with his family. 

"We've had ravens from White Harbour, Barrowtown and the Dreadfort. I'm afraid it is true," Roose revealed knowing that there was still worse news that he had to give, he eyed his King wondering how Robb would react. 

Everyone had seen how Robb had reacted when Eddard Stark had been executed and it made Roose wonder what course of action that Robb would take when he delivered the next piece of news. 

"Why? Why would Theon...?" Robb asked trying to wrap his head around the fact that Theon had betrayed him, he had never thought that would happen to him. 

They had been like brothers and Robb had trusted Theon with his life, they had everything planned out and yet Theon had thrown that back in his face without a moment's thought. 

"Because the Greyjoys are treasonous whores," Roose replied simply, his face not giving anything away and he watched Robb closely trying to work out how best to break this to him. 

It was delicate news and Roose had no doubts that it would be a devastating blow, if the rumours were to be believed Robb's wife had been pregnant for some time. 

The King never really discussed this with anyone wanting to offer some protection for the family that he'd left behind.

"My brothers... my wife?" Robb asked concerned, he could only imagine what would happen to them now that Theon had taken their home; he had to get back and fix this before his child was born.