What is dead may never die (Theon SI)

What have I done?

Alysanne POV

The day was clear, with not even a cloud in the sky. It made me think of my father, who was with Lord Tywin, leaving me in charge of the keep. There wasn't much I needed to do. The most crucial task was to watch the road. Of course, I needed to make sure the captives were secure too.

"Lady Lefford," the captain of guardsmen approached me. "A word reached us that a host from Casterly Rock is coming. We should prepare for them."

"What is there to prepare? They will pass through, taking what they want and doing what they want."

I couldn't help myself from being bitter. What Lord Tywin orders, he must get. It didn't matter that we were running low on resources. It wouldn't be a problem if we had more time to prepare, but we had to give most of what we had when Lord Tywin started marching to the Riverlands.

"Riders," I heard one guardsman shout.

"How many?" I asked, walking up the tower above the gates to see.

"A dozen," Someone answered. I didn't know his name. "Should we shoot them down?"

"Don't. They have Lord Brax's banner," The captain told us.

"Isn't he captive to Theon the undying?"

"They probably stranglers or deserters," I said. "Let them get closer. We will kill them if they can't explain why they are there."

"Stop," the captain ordered the riders once they got closer. "State your name and purpose."

"Stefon Hill, my lord," A young man with black hair and a lean body replied. "We beg you to take us in. We are hungry, tired, and injured."

"You are men of Lord Brax. Why are you there?" The captain asked.

"We are no deserters, my lord. Please, believe us, we beg you," Stefon pleaded. "The Mountain, once Lord Brax was captured, he has gone mad. We were supposed to go to King's Landing, But the Mountain beat everyone who served Lord Brax. Only a dozen of us were left. We feared for our lives, so we left the Mountain. But we couldn't go to Lord Lannister. The Northmen would have hunted us down."

"Stefon Hill, a bastard, who is your father?" The captain asked.

"I don't know, my lord. My mother wouldn't say," Stefon answered. "A nameless knight or maybe Ironborn raider. It could be both or neither."

"My lady, what should we do?" The captain asked me. "They could be spies sent by the North."

"Let them in. Starks are honorable men; they wouldn't steep as lowly as to send spies."

"As you wish, my lady. Open the gates."

Once the men entered the castle, I took a better look at these men. They were tattered, and their horses breathed heavily as they hadn't rested for a long time. I could see some men had bandaged themselves with dirty cloth. Fools, these men could have died from infection, and they wouldn't even know.

That is what happens when you conscript everyone that is of the age. They have not learned the basic things. I ordered them to be taken to be cleaned and cared for. Of course, firstly, I offered salt and bread to them. As I tried to give it to Stefon, he fell to the ground. For a moment, I thought he had died.

"My lady, please take care of Stefon first. He has taken a hit from the Mountain. We believe his ribs a broken. We tried to bandage him as well as we could."

"Don't worry. What is your name?" I asked a skinny man who had freckles and red hair.

"Philip, my lady. Of Oxcross," The young man answered and stuffed his face with bread and salt like he hadn't eaten for a long time.

"Tell me, why has the Mountain gone mad?" I asked.

"Theon the undying, he fought with the Mountain. I saw it myself. He took an eye from the Mountain. The Mountain is blaming Lord Brax for this, he would kill anyone who tried to defend him, and then he started killing everyone who served Lord Brax."

Indeed, a mad dog. I heard enough stories about the beast that it didn't even surprise me. The dog should have died. It would be better for everyone else. Once everyone ate, apart from Stefon, who was brought to the Maester, I left them be.

On the way to my chambers, I walked to the Maester. He was working hard removing bandages of Stefon. I was shocked at how many scars he had. Especially the one in the chest. It was healed scar. He probably received it long ago. His eyes were rolled up, revealing only whites.

"How is he, Maester?" I asked.

"He should be dead, I don't know who healed him this wound, but the healer should be one of the best," The Maester said, touching the scar on the young's man chest. "The ribs were broken not long ago, but they were starting to heal. The fool didn't rest, and it got worse. His shoulder was cut too, but it didn't reach a bone. He sprained his wrist and ankle. Still, he is a strong one. With luck, he might wake up."

I left at that. There was no point for me in staying with that man. Still, it was the first time I saw the consequences of the war. The most annoying thing was that he received his most severe wounds from an ally, not an enemy. I hope I won't see the Mountain ever again. I couldn't feel safe with a beast in my keep.

…

It was late evening when the captain came to me to report. I ate a light meal. I have limited the size of meals as much as possible, but even then, I could barely afford to feed another host from the Westerlands. I would need to write a report informing my father of this and warn him to be careful if he met the Mountain.

"They are asleep. They drank enough wine to be passed out for a couple of days," The captain reported. "Still, I locked their room."

"You still believe they are of the North?" I asked. "It doesn't matter. They ate bread and salt. It is a more sacred thing in the North than in the south. They won't harm us."

"They could try to save the captives," Captain said.

"The captives are secured in the dungeon, with ten guards watching them. If you are concerned, order another five guards to stand guard."

"Very well," The captain accepted my offer and left.

Just as I was done eating and stood from the table, I heard a cup fall. Turning to the sound, I saw a squirrel taking crumbs of bread. I chased it away, and I went to sleep.

…

I woke up at the screams. I didn't know what was happening, but I quickly stood up. The shouting and screaming got louder with each moment. Soon a clanging of swords was heard behind the door to my chambers. Then I heard a knocking on my door.

"My Lady, you need to leave…." The man didn't finish his words. I heard him fall.

Someone tried to open the door, but it was locked. Just as I let a sigh of relief, the door was kicked open. A lean man with black hair strode inside. His sword was dripping with blood. Behind him lay a dead body on the ground.

"Stefon? What are you doing?"

"My apologies, my lady," The man said. "I am not Stefon. I am Theon Greyjoy, at your services. If you would be kind enough, could you become my hostage? It would be an honor if you agreed."

His face was partially covered in blood, yet he smiled. His smile was dark. Darker than the blood on his face and sword. When I didn't reply, he walked closer to me. I tried to run past him, but he grabbed me and put his sword to my neck. I let out a silent scream but didn't try to resist.

"Please, my lady, I swear I won't harm you."

"You took the bread and salt."

"No, I didn't, my men did, but they are still asleep after enjoying their wine."

"Theon, we took the walls. Golden Tooth is ours," Lord Blackwood came and informed Theon. "Oh, I see you have captured Lady Alysanne."

After that, I was brought to the Great Hall, where children and women were kept. I sat in a corner and thought of what have I done.

Theon POV

What have I done? I asked myself as I looked at the men gathered in the courtyard of Golden Tooth. There were more captives in Golden Tooth than I imagined: Lord Blackwood, Lord Darry, Lord Vance, Lord Ryger, and Lord Piper. And a dozen of knights too.

I should have brought them out and gotten away. But no, my men had to be drunk and passed out. I couldn't leave them, and it would be suspicious if they didn't drink. I had to take Golden Tooth. There weren't many guards, especially at night, so I managed to sneak and kill them. Then I saved the lords and killed my way to Lady Lefford.

Once Lady Lefford was in my hands, the rest guards surrendered. Now, with more than a hundred men, I held Golden Tooth. I sent Lord Ryger and Lord Piper to gather men to reinforce my hold on the castle in the morning.

It wasn't a big castle and didn't need many men to protect it. In the first place, the plan should have failed. They shouldn't let us in, and I would return saying that the plan failed, but we discovered a narrow patch around it. Then Robb would make a plan to siege Golden Tooth or pass it, taking the Westerlands unaware.

"Why are you wearing such an expression?" Thoros asked.

"Has Anguy woken up?" I ignored his question.

"Yes, with a splitting headache."

"Tell him that I want him to scout the Westerlands. If a host is nearby, I don't want to know."

I still was deeply thinking about what to do next and didn't even notice when Thoros left. I went on an inspection of the walls and towers. It was an excellent place to protect—high enough walls, overseeing everything around. The climb to the hill would be a challenge enough for anyone. Once I was done, I went to the Great Hall.

There were too many people to keep a watch for. So, I gathered almost everyone in one place, Most of them were women and children, so I didn't fear they would overpower the guards and retake the castle. The men were kept in dungeons.

"Lady Alysanne," I greeted the heir of Golden Tooth.

"Lord Theon," She spat my name like it was venom.

"Please tell me if you need something,"

She just turned her head away from me, not replying. Well, now I feel like the bad guy. Maybe I was. Perhaps it was the curse of Greyjoy to capture castles with little men. I still can't believe what I have done.

"Theon, we found letters that say a host is coming from Casterly Rock towards there," Lord Blackwood came to me and presented me with the letters.

"Sent a raven to Harrenhal. Lord Stark should know of it."

"It is too late. Before the Starks can come, you will be already dead," Lady Lefford sneered,

"We shall see," I replied.

The host will arrive in a couple of weeks. Nobody knew that I had taken the Golden Tooth. It was an excellent opportunity to score a big victory against the Lannisters. Robb should have made the trade and is waiting for me.

Tywin doesn't know Golden Tooth has fallen, so he won't risk leaving High Heart. I need to send a rider to Robb. There wasn't much time to prepare. Robb needs to know it fast. If it succeeds, nobody will doubt Robb as a king.