What is dead may never die (Theon SI)

Of lions and wolves

Theon POV

Ser Kevan Lannister is a seasoned knight of House Lannister. He was an experienced and level-headed war veteran. Dutiful brother to Tywin Lannister. He is said to be tireless, prudent, and reliable—a Solid and steady man.

"Well, at least he isn't rushing into our arrows," I said as I watched the shield wall approaching. "Yet, what does he hope to accomplish with this?"

"Well, he is in the Westerlands, and it is not like someone would come from behind," Lord Blackwood replied. "Golden Tooth is a great strategic place. He doesn't want it to belong to anyone other than the Lannisters."

"But it is not like he can take it," I said.

"Well, you took it," Lord Blackwood responded. "And it seems Ser Kevan solved the problem of lacking resources."

"So, he's the only sane person in this world," I commented. "The life would be simpler if there were more people like him."

It had been five days, and for now, ser Kevan was only testing the waters and building a camp around Golden Tooth. From his patience, I could gather that he was in no hurry to go anywhere. He deemed taking Golden Tooth more important than anything else. Or was it to keep me there? I don't even care to imagine the plans of most men.

Still, it wouldn't be far-fetched to think another host was moving towards King's Landing. It seems that Lannisters have covered all of their sides. Ser Kevan feels safe fighting a prolonged battle. That is what I wanted, but it annoys me that I didn't need to use any of my plans to keep him there.

It is like I worked hard doing my homework, but the teacher didn't even check it in the end. All the planning was just wasted time. Well, it is not like I would have done something productive with that time. I just needed to sit there and watch as Ser Kevan dug his grave.

It was pretty weird to do nothing. It felt like I was always alone, fighting against the world. Now was the first time I wasn't at a disadvantage and didn't need to risk my life. Even as arrows flew over me, it felt peaceful. Everything was under control, and there wasn't any imminent danger for me to worry about.

"Oh, look at him," I said, looking at what was happening below the walls. "He already had built a battering ram, and he even uses horses to pull it up the hill."

"He has his men surround the ram with a shield wall," Lord Blackwood said. "What do we do?"

"I said before you shouldn't let your guard down," Lord Darry complained. "Everyone concentrate on the ram!"

"Bring the oil once the ram gets close enough," I said calmly. "Use fire arrows. Some of the wooden shields might catch on fire."

Lord Darry looked surprised at my calmness. Indeed, I didn't take the actions of Ser Kevan seriously before, but I still stayed on the walls watching him. I learned a lot from the battle at Harrenhal. I won't make the same mistakes.

"It would be hard for oil to get on the ram when it is so thoroughly surrounded and protected," Lord Blackwood commented.

"Yes, but Ser Kevan made a mistake thinking that horses would help him much," I told him. "Horses will be spooked at the sight of fire."

Even though Ser Kevan sent a battering ram, I don't think he believed it would work. He was only testing how well it would work. I have to give Ser Kevan some credit. He has an excellent strategic mind and showed his experience in not rushing and slowly testing our capabilities.

I was wrong. The horses didn't spook at the sight of fire where burning oil was thrown. Only now did I notice that the horses had blinds over their eyes. Still, the ram was wooden. Even though the shield wall surrounded the ram from all sides, it didn't mean that men were invulnerable to fire.

The day ended with the ram burning close to the walls, and lord Darry complained all evening about how we should be more careful. The situation was nothing special, nothing I couldn't take on.

…

During the night, I walked inside the camp of the Lannisters. I checked how people looked, how much they ate, and how well they behaved. The camp was working orderly. People cooked food, sharpened their weapons, and looked after the injured.

There was plenty of food. After all, they were still in the Westerlands, so they could get food from nearby villages and towns. They didn't even need to steal it, and people willingly gave them what they had. Some soldiers would even throw breadcrumbs at me as I passed them.

The situation wasn't tense in the camp, and the men acted relaxed. I walked across most tents until I found the commander's pavilion. Sneakily I got inside and hid under the shadows.

"Theon isn't a fool," The oldest and most commanding man commented. "Golden Tooth is efficiently protected, and it is hard to siege it. It only proves Theon's capabilities for taking it under everyone's noses."

"Still, Ser Kevan, he is a young man. We can," Another man spoke up but was shut down by Ser Kevan.

"He faced Ser Jaime and managed to capture him, he defended against the Mountain and Lord Brax, and somehow, he captured Lord Brax. I don't want to hear how he is still young. He is intelligent and dangerous, so don't take him lightly."

"Should we have tried to negotiate with him?" A young boy asked.

"No, from our reports, he is a crafty one. He will only try to trick us. It was through trickery that he took Golden Tooth in the first place. How else would he have taken it if it wasn't some trick? No, we won't give him a chance his time."

"But what is he thinking? The so-called King of the North is stuck with Lord Tywin. Does Theon think that he can stop us all alone?"

"It doesn't matter what he plans. We will take back Golden Tooth sooner or later," Ser Kevan ended the discussion. "I want him alive, but if it seems he could escape, kill him."

It was already late night, and most men went to their tents to sleep or do as commanded. I walked around the camp to see if there was something I could exploit, but I couldn't find anything. Ser Kevan kept the camp in order.

Once I opened my eyes, I was back in my chambers in Golden Tooth. I slowly stood up. My body wasn't in the best condition, as the wounds hadn't truly healed after the battle with the Mountain, and it wasn't like I took good care of my body.

Not wanting my body to collapse, I started to lay on the bed and rest more. Even if I couldn't sleep, I still tried to relax. I trained my warging abilities or read some books. It was the best way to pass the time.

Knowing that Ser Kevan didn't have some secret weapon or plan, I could relax more. I didn't know how much time it would take for Robb to ambush Ser Kevan, but time was something we had. It would take at least weeks before Ser Kevan could be able to make a dent in our defenses.

…

Pain, I am already starting to forget it. Tiredness is something foreign to me now. Only thirst and hunger come to me. But fear lingers. No, fear became stronger than ever. I feared that I would forget what it is to be human.

I watched Ser Kevan send men up the hill trying to accomplish something. I felt nothing as they died by my arrows. There was no pleasure, nor was there any sorrow that I felt. Yet when I saw Jalabhar and Anguy shooting their bows next to me and Thoros joking with a wine bottle in his hand, I felt what I was doing was right.

"There they come."

As Lord Blackwood said, they were coming with scaling ladders and battering ram. With shield walls protecting the horses who were pulling the siege engines. It has been three weeks since they first arrived, and now, they are fully prepared. Still, it was too late as I heard a wolf's howl in the distance.

"Prepare horses," I ordered.

"What are you talking about?" Lord Darry questioned me.

"King of the North has arrived," I said. "Prepare horses. We will meet with the King."

Lord Darry still tried to persuade me, but I didn't listen. Last night, I discovered Robb and his cavalry not far away from Ser Kevan's camp. I knew he would strike when Ser Kevan was concentrating most on us.

"It is time to end this," I said to Lord Piper and Lord Ryger at the gates. "Prepare yourselves. Once you hear a horn, we will open the gates and ride at the enemy."

"Do we need to do so?" Lord Piper asked. "If what you say is true, we don't need to do anything but wait."

"There will be panic among Ser Kevan's host once the King attacks," I told them. "Some men will try to retread. Some will try to attack. Ser Kevan is just below the hill. Behind him are his reserves, and in front of him are the people who are now trying to climb the hill. His own men will trample him; if not, he will organize his men to defend. I don't want any of those things to happen, so we will ride straight to him and capture him."

"It will be dangerous," Lord Ryger said.

"It will. You can stay if you are afraid," I said as I climbed on the horse. "Let me and the North get all the glory and achievements."

I heard them grumble as they climbed their horses. They are lords and knights, and they are prideful men. Once, I heard the loud horn announcing the North's arrival. I waited until I could hear the confusion among the Lannister men.

"Open the gates," I shouted.

The gates opened, and I saw confused men, not knowing what they should do. With a mighty yell, I rode first through the gates. The sky was colored red from the sunset. Soon my sword was red from the blood too.

Only one hundred and fifty horses rode down the hill. Yet thousands of men who stood before us couldn't do anything. We came like thunder, and going down only increased our speed. Those who tried to stop us were trampled or hit aside by our horses.

Soon enough, we came to the bottom of the hill. With full speed, we went through the meek defenses ser Kevan tried to make. I only slowed down when I saw an older man's short, balding golden hair, yellow beard, and green eyes.

"Ser Kevan Lannister," I greeted the man. "Surrender now, and I promise your safety."

His reply was unsheathing his sword. I replied in the same manner. Our swords collided. I didn't feel much strength from his sword, but his hands were steady. He wasn't as fast as Jaime, but his defenses were solid. Still, it didn't take long before he fell to the ground.

I jumped off my horse and walked toward him. I heard the battle around me, cavalry of the North tearing Lannister host apart. Ser Kevan was breathing heavily, and he tried to stand up. I held my sword to his neck, yet my hand let my sword go to the ground as a blade pierced through my shoulder joint.

"Father, I am here," A young voice said behind me.

I grabbed the boy's neck with my left hand without a word. The boy had to let go of his sword when I suddenly turned. The sword was still inside my shoulder, and my right arm flayed as I couldn't move it. The boy choked as I squeezed his neck.

"Enough, I surrender. Please let go of Martyn," Ser Kevan pleaded.

I relaxed my grip but didn't let him go. Soon enough, northern men surrounded the Lannister men as they knelt to the ground in surrender. Grey Wind came next to me and growled at Ser Kevan. Only then did I let go of the boy.

I pushed the sword out of my shoulder. Smart kid pierced me through the joint of my full plate armor. I couldn't feel my right arm at all. Grey Wind came beside me and licked the blood dripping off my right hand.