Clandestine. 》 Tyrion Lannister 《

Resilience

After dinner they all gathered in a sitting room. Everyone stared at Galena, who was working up the courage to begin her story. Jon sat in front of her, calmly reassuring her that she was safe and that she had nothing to fear. She knew she had nothing to fear. It was shame and anger she felt. She wanted to lash out at her cousin for forcing her to do this. It wasn't something she wanted to relive. She was disappointed in herself because of the worry she felt for Jon. She was furious with him, so why did she worry about his reaction?

She took a deep breath and began. "On the day Theon took Winterfell, Rickon and I were practicing his sword fighting in the yard." She smiled at the memory of her little cousin. "He never wanted to train with anyone other than me. He always said that if I could beat the boys, then how could a boy teach him better?" She stifled a laugh, because as quickly as the happy memory came, a worse one took over even quicker. She cleared her throat. "Theon forced Bran to yield Winterfell to him, and then, like the coward that he is," she seethed, "he beheaded Ser Rodrik." She blinked her eyes rapidly, forcing back her tears. "Ser Rodrik was like your father, Jon," she whispered as she looked at him. "He never forced me to sew with the girls, or wear pretty dresses. He knew that I wasn't meant to be a little Lady. He always encouraged me to keep training, and to get back up when I got knocked down. Gods, Catelyn hated him for it."

Jon chuckled. "He loved you."

"Anyway," she said, shaking her head, shaking away another happy memory that would inevitably bring her more pain. "I hate myself for not stopping Theon, but Rickon was terrified, and I couldn't leave him alone. Somehow, we were able to sneak away from all of the mayhem without being seen. He was afraid to be near Theon, so we hid in the tower, but he found us the next morning. He was losing control after what he did to Ser Rodrik. He needed leverage, and he planned to use the boys to get it." 

She lowered her head in shame. She could feel the anxiety building up in her chest. It was something she had gotten used to. She felt it every day; a deep sorrow that took over her body everytime she thought of her innocent cousins.

"He must have known that I had my sword with me, because he didn't hesitate to pull out his longbow and aim it directly at us." She sniffed back tears. "He aimed it at that sweet little boy as I held him in my arms. That sweet little boy who did nothing but love him like a brother." She rubbed the back of her hand across her face, wiping away the tears before they fell. "I tried reasoning with him. I asked him to let Bran go, to let Rickon go. He didn't need the boys. I would take them, and we would leave, and Winterfell would be his."

She looked to Jon, whose face was stricken with grief. She knew the betrayal and hurt he felt. Theon was a brother to him, just like he was to Rickon and Bran. "Go on," he said gruffly. 

"That wasn't good enough. Theon knew that as long as they lived, he would never truly have Winterfell, but he lowered his bow, and I thought he was going to let us leave. That was when I messed up," she said quietly as she closed her eyes. "I put my sword down. I figured if I didn't have my weapon, he would get rid of his, too. And he did, but I wasn't prepared when he kicked me in the ribs. That's when he grabbed your brother." She straightened her shoulders and held her head high with a stoic look plastered on her face. "So I did the only thing I could think of. I offered myself to him in exchange for their safety."

Jon looked up at her, a grimace on his face, his lips slightly parted, but he didn't speak.

Galena felt every eye on her, and for the first time in a long time, she felt weak and vulnerable. "He promised me," she continued, "that the boys wouldn't be harmed if I surrendered myself in their place. He let me take Rickon to Bran and then I told Osha and Hodor to take them and run."

She couldn't place the emotions she saw when she looked into Jon's eyes. Rage? Disappointment? Disgust? She didn't care. He insisted she tell him what happened, and so she was doing just that. She realized then how quiet everyone else was, listening so intently. She would have believed the room was empty if she didn't known better.

"At first," she began again, "he only had me wait on him. I brought him his food and wine, I washed his clothes, I drew up his baths and bathed him. And then one day it changed."

"Lena," Jon sucked in a breath and took her hand.

She closed her eyes and thought back to the day Theon gave her the ultimatum.

"Is there anything else I can do for you," she paused, biting her bottom lip, forcing herself to say the next words, "Lord Theon?" She just finished changing his bedding and was standing by the door, practically begging to be released for the day.

He smirked at her. A smirk that she once enjoyed seeing. A smirk that she saw many times growing up. A smirk that she once loved. She hated that smirk now. "Yes, slave. I want you to unmake the bed."

She looked at him confused. "My Lord?"

"Take off your clothes and get on the bed, Galena," he commanded coldly.

Horror struck her face when she realized what he meant. "What? No." She glanced at the bed, and then back at his face. "Please, Theon," she pleaded. "I can't."

"What did you say to me?" Theon seethed.

"No," she whimpered. "I won't do it."

He walked toward her so fast, and with such anger, it caused her to flinch and shield her face in a protective manner, something she seldom did. He pried her arms away from her face and forcefully held them at her sides.

"Do it, Lena," he said with a fearsome tone.

She hated hearing the nickname given to her by her father used by such a disgusting man.

"Do it, or I'll send a search party out for those boys right now." He grabbed her arm roughly and pointed out the window as his voice started to rise. "They'll be dead by morning!"

Galena opened her eyes, the sob that escaped her lips startling her. She found herself staring into the horrified look on her cousin's face. She looked around the room to find the same expression was shared by everyone in the room, including Tyrion Lannister, who at some point took a seat beside her.

"The next morning those boys were hanging in the courtyard, burnt beyond recognition," she murmured with her head hung low.

Jon stood up, angrily throwing his chair across the room, causing Galena to shake and shrink into her chair from fear. She knew he would be enraged, but she didn't expect it to take such a toll on her. She felt a gentle squeeze of her hand, and when she glanced down, her hand was wrapped in Tyrion's. The corner of his mouth formed a reassuring smile, instantly making her feel a little bit better.

"Calm down, Jon," Mormont piped in. He stood in front of his Queen. "This isn't helping."

Jon took a deep breath, and crouched in front of her. He placed his hands on her knees and spoke softly. He looked softly into her eyes. "Did he...?"

She nodded tightlipped, answering him before he even finished his question. "I undressed, and I got into his bed willingly, but yes." She shook her head. "I didn't want it. I begged him to stop, but he wouldn't. He didn't care." She closed her eyes and sniffed back tears, but her voice failed her when it cracked. "He raped me over and over again. He wouldn't stop, Jon," she whispered only to her cousin.

Jon Snow leaned forward and embraced her in a warm hug. Letting go of Tyrion's hand, she snuggled into his chest. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there to protect you," he whispered into her ear. "I am so, so sorry."

Galena pulled away. She wiped away tears, and looked deep into his eyes. "But he kept his word, Jon."

Jon looked at her confused, as did many of the others around the room. "What do you mean? He tricked you. He promised you he wouldn't hurt Bran or Rickon if you did what he asked. He raped you, and then he hung and burned them!" he tried to control the anger in his voice, but it was hard to do.

He rose again, beginning to pace. Galena quickly stood up beside him, placing her hands on his cheeks. "Jon, listen to me," she begged. "They were farm boys. It wasn't Bran and Rickon. He had two random boys killed to make everyone think he killed your brothers. It wasn't them. Bran and Rickon are alive. They're out there somewhere."

Jon stared at her as a sour scowl appeared on his face. "If I ever see Theon Greyjoy again, his head will be at my feet," he spat. He could no longer control his emotions and stormed out of the room.

"Not if I see him first," she mumbled into her wine glass.