Fandom Game of Thrones RP

[aintnobaka]

“Of course,” Roose said with a nod of his head. He would inform the king about everything of importance. It was his duty, after all. He gave a bow of his head before walking away, allowing Robb to get on with sending the letter.

Lord Bolton wasn’t going to return to the girl straight away. He felt as if that’s the only place he’d been since they took Harrenhal. Instead he took a short amount of time to rest and eat the dinner that Robb had ordered be made. Like he’d expected, it wasn’t anything special like a feast at Winterfell, but it was different to the meals they usually had in the camps.

Someone must have gone on a hunt.

He ate with the Bolton men and drank with the Bolton men, joining in the light-hearted conversation that they had. Which might look strange to anyone who’d only seen Lord Bolton with a straight face.

But once dinner was over, he put some left over food into a bowl and carried a flask of water up to the bedroom where Moira was being held. As like before, he didn’t knock as he walked in.

“Make sure to eat and drink,” he said as he placed the flask and bowl onto the desk where she had written the letter before.

--

Marinah wasn’t sure if she’d heard him properly. He rejected her. No one had ever rejected her before. She didn’t know whether she wanted to scoff at him or play it off as if nothing was wrong. But even if she was to do the latter, it was already evident by the shock on her features that she wasn’t used to this. She had never once been turned down by a man.

She let out a breath and walked ahead of him, even though he was escorting her back to her chambers. She remembered the routes, anyway. She was good at remembering routes. And she walked fast. She wanted him out of her sight.

She didn’t actually know why it bothered her so much, but all she knew was that she wanted to return to her quarters so she didn’t have to look at his face. Some part of her hoped that Maran would be guarding her that night.

Once they reached her quarters, she opened the door and turned to him. “Goodnight, Lord Greyjoy.” She said in a cold tone, and didn’t even wait for his response before she closed the door on his face.

 

[Lucyfer]

A part of Moira did not truly believe she was going to get to eat or drink. She would not have been so generous to prisoners she held, after all. That was the part of her that convinced her to close her eyes and doze – there was nothing else to do right then, but rest, and listen.

There was a celebration of sorts. The noise came from below, and Moira heard the chatter and the music. Smelled the food. Tomorrow might be a good day to try something, if they drank enough wine. She’d have to listen for how long it went on for. Prepare. Keep her strength high.

She was startled by the sound of steps in the hall and was on her feet when Roose walked in, eying him warily as he set the food down. “I’m not suicidal,” she informed him, but didn’t touch the food. “Try it,” she said, “Or I’m not eating. It could be poisoned.”

Sure, Robb Stark was honorable. Just like she was honest.

It only mattered, until the first slip, and Moira was paranoid by nature.

~***~

The indignant fury that came into Marinah was confusing to Theon, and it showed on his face as the blonde passed him and walked quickly ahead. He didn’t mind the view from behind, even if he had just passed up a chance to enjoy that, but he couldn’t even enjoy looking at it as she fumed in front of him.

He did follow, though. His own pace hastened to keep after her, and he was glad to see Maran there, against the wall, clearly already aware of the orders to stand guard. Or just wanting to stand guard.

Maran watched with an amused expression as the woman strode towards the door and opened it – he didn’t get in the way, only to dismiss Theon with a curt goodnight.

The door was shut hard. Theon stared. Maran moved to fulfill his duties of ‘watching her’, but Theon paused him. “You can guard her from outside,” he remembered that much from her earlier complaining.

Maran paused, “You sure?” He added, “She seemed quite angry – might need someone in there to make sure she doesn’t do anything stupid.” Or make sure she did something stupid. Whichever.

Theon narrowed his gaze, “I’m sure.”

Maran tsked, but leaned back against the wall besides the door, “What did you go and do to piss’er off?”

Theon honestly didn’t know. He shook his head, “No idea. Women,” he just blamed it on their confusing and emotional gender, before he would leave.

 

[aintnobaka]

Roose looked to her and he rolled his eyes as she demanded that he taste the food. Part of him didn’t blame her for thinking the food might be poisoned. If he were in charge it would have been a reasonable thought. But he wasn’t in charge. Robb Stark was, and he was honourable. He wouldn’t poison anyone, even if that person was his prisoner. “If we poisoned you, Admiral, we won’t be able to get the ransom out of you, would we?” He muttered, but he picked up the spoon anyway. He stirred the spoon around before eating a mouthful of the stew. He then set the spoon down and stared at her. “See? It’s fine.”

He decided that he would stay whilst she ate. If she was focusing on eating, then she might drop her guard and tell him a few things about Tywin Lannister’s plans. Lord Bolton leaned against the wall and he gestured for her to get the food.

“I would hurry up, if I were you. You wouldn’t want to eat it cold.” Not that it was particularly hot anymore, just lukewarm.

--

There was one thing that Marinah was somewhat pleased with when she returned to her quarters, and that was that Maran was there. She listened to their conversation, and the frustrated part of her now wished that she’d never told Theon about the other ironborn guarding her from inside the room. Well, she was sure she could manage to convince him inside anyway.

She heard Theon walk away, and she wandered to her luggage to pick out a nightgown. It was a thin fabric that perhaps wouldn’t keep her warm, but if things went her way, it would be on the floor soon enough. Marinah reached around to unlace her grey dress and she slipped out of it, folding it up to set it back into the case. Then she slipped off any underwear and pulled on the thin, white nightgown.

Then she opened her bedroom door and looked at the ironborn standing guard against the wall. “Um… Maran…” She muttered. “I seem to have a problem. Could you come in and help me with it, please?”

 

[Lucyfer]

Moira moved to take the stew, sitting atop the desk with it, rather than in the chair. She didn’t like the back to the chair. The top of the desk was more comfortable, “Thank you,” she said, for his duty of testing the food. Unless he practiced the art of immunizing himself to poisons through exposure, the food was probably fine.

Not hot. Not cold.

She ate it anyway. She was quite hungry. She hadn’t really eaten much except a quick breakfast before she learned that Robb Stark’s army was marching their way. So, any food was appreciated.

Bolton remained, “Do the kitchens require the dishware as soon as it’s not in use?” She questioned, sarcasm lacing her voice as she wondered at why he stayed in her company. He could have easily gone and picked up the bowl in the morning, when breakfast was brought. If she got breakfast.

~***~

Maran did not anticipate being called in. He let his imagination run its course as he heard the rustle of fabric. He had already seen much of her, and he let his mind imagine what sort of slinky thing she would put on to sleep in.

Then, her light steps took her to the door, and he was able to get a brief peek at it through the crack in the doorway.

‘Well, well.’

Was the woman wearing something particularly difficult to lace up, for sleep? Not that he cared to overthink it, but he answered, “Sure,” and pushed the door open a little more as he turned towards it to walk into the room.

Her nightgown really didn’t hide much at all with the way it clung to her, and the pale fabric. He didn’t hide his interest in that fact either, tracing the lines of her legs to the curve of her hips and waist, on up her chest, her neck, before his eyes came to rest on her face, “What seems to be the issue?” He asked her, cocky grin on his lips.

Theon would be livid. And jealous.

 

[aintnobaka]

When she decided to sit on top of the desk, Roose raised a brow, but he used the opportunity to take the chair and sit on it. He’d been on his feet most of the day, so sitting down wouldn’t hurt. “No, they do not. I simply thought you’d enjoy some conversation.” He was never good at conversation, so it was an obvious lie. But better than stating the truth.

“So why did Tywin only leave a small group of soldiers behind when he left Harrenhal?” Lord Bolton asked as he crossed his arms over his chest. “There was no way you could have won the fight against all of the northern army, so why did he risk leaving behind soldiers, especially someone of your status?” It was something Roose was genuinely curious about, but if they learnt why, it might be able to help them predict future moves of Tywin Lannister; they didn’t want an epic loss like Stannis Baratheon had felt at the Battle of Blackwater.

“He was putting a great risk to your life by leaving you behind, knowing that we would be coming.” That was why Tywin had left Harrenhal, after all. It was somewhat pleasing to know that the sheer force and strength of the northern army scared Lord Lannister.

--

Marinah was well aware that Maran eyed every inch of her body as she invited him into her quarters, and she couldn’t help but smirk; it was what she had wanted. She closed the door and smiled at him, giving a shrug of her shoulders.

“I didn’t want to sleep alone?” She knew he would know that wasn’t the truth. He had seen her return to the bedroom furious, a confused Theon following behind her. He should know exactly what she wanted and why she wanted it.

She didn’t want to spell it out for him.

“Do you think you can help me, then, Maran?” She asked as she sat down on the edge of her bed, idly playing with a lock of her blonde hair.

It wasn’t that she was particularly attracted to Maran – although he was somewhat good looking – but she was pissed at Theon Greyjoy, and sleeping with one of his men was a good way to vent that anger, in her opinion.

 

[Lucyfer]

Enjoy some conversation became obviously code for ‘I want you to tell me everything about Tywin Lannister’s plans for Harrenhal’. Roose didn’t even try to hide his intentions, asking bluntly, and Moira smiled over the stew. “Don’t worry, I intend to repay the debt to him for this wonderful opportunity to meet you lovely Northerners.”

Of course, Moira didn’t know why, not in full, but she was quite certain there was a reason. A paranoid part of her imagined that Tywin had figured out who she was and intended to see her dealt with, without it ever becoming known. Yet, that seemed too improbable. She might be hiding in plain sight, but she didn’t have enough interactions with Tywin. He wasn’t that smart.

She continued to eat the stew, “I mean, isn’t it obvious that Tywin Lannister predicted that I would be spared, so I could then be ransomed back home, and take back all the information I gathered while I was here back to him? He must know of Lord Stark’s honorable ways and how he wouldn’t kill a helpless woman,” the sarcasm never left her tone.

No, she didn’t know why Tywin chose this. She considered it wasn’t part of his master plan, but that wasn’t giving him enough credit. There was a reason. She just wasn’t told. Did he expect her spared? Did he expect her killed? Her bets would be on ‘live’.

She was still repaying the debt. With interest.

~***~

Maran found it hard to believe that he was being invited in, because she didn’t want to sleep alone. Was he about to look the gift horse in the mouth? Absolutely not. Theon never said he couldn’t watch her from within, if she invited him.

Or from below. Above. Whatever position Marinah preferred, really. He smiled easily at her invitation, “I think I can help you with that, yeah,” he agreed, “I don’t like sleeping dressed in so much, though,” he said.

She liked him.

Theon lost his chance and she liked him. He slipped easily out of his overtunic and everything else, except the pants. He’d wait for that, in case she did just want to tease him with sleep. He wouldn’t push it if she didn’t want more – Theon would be furious – but he definitely did hope this wouldn’t be some cruel tease on her part as he moved to sit on the bed besides her and wrap an arm around her waist, “Come on, my lady,” he said, hand sliding to her hip, “you can lay down with me, I’ll keep you nice and warm.”

And help her get nice and warm as well. Help her get quite refreshingly tired.

 

[aintnobaka]

“If Tywin Lannister knew you would be spared and ransomed back home, then he clearly he thinks you are no longer useful in his war attempt against the north.” Roose stated bluntly and hoped that it would sting enough for her to be willing to reveal some of Tywin’s plans. Although, there was always the possibility that she didn’t know any of his plans.

“Shame, really. You mustn’t be that bad at what you do if you’ve managed to earn the title of Admiral. Especially because you’re a woman.” As well as wanting to dig up any of Tywin’s secrets, he was curious to learn more about the woman in front of him. There were a lot of things about her that didn’t quite match up. He couldn’t ever recall Lady Farman giving birth to a third child, but then again, he didn’t care much for such details.

“They must really respect you on the Fair Isles,” Roose mused, “Either that or you were only given the title because of your noble birth.” Either could be likely, and he hated to admit that he was curious as to which one was the truth.

--

Marinah tugged her bottom lip back between her teeth as she watched him undress the top half of his body. “My, my, you are muscular, aren’t you?” She chuckled and shuffled closer to him as he sat beside her. She pressed her hands against his chest and pushed him back down onto the bed, where she then climbed on top of him.

“I have a different way we can warm up other than just laying there.” Marinah whispered and dipped her head down to connect her soft lips with his.

She kissed with plenty of experience; she knew exactly what to do. One hand slid up to his cheek to gently cup it, whilst the other remained on his chest to keep herself up.

 

[Lucyfer]

Moira managed not to laugh at Roose’s statement, partially because her mouth was full of stew at the time of it. She swallowed it down, and he continued on, but she didn’t quite forget it. He thought that when she was ransomed back home, she was done with the war? Oh, how foolish he was to think it would be that easy.

Still, she let him talk. Let him wonder aloud as to how she got her position. It was a matter of respect. When Lewys Farman lived as Lord Farman, she and Sebaston worked together on the fleets during the Greyjoy Rebellion.

Sebaston didn’t have a knack for it, in truth. She had been the one to earn the respect of the crew and keep them all together in chasing after the Greyjoys and putting an end to their stupid rebellion. “They respect me in many places, Lord Bolton. The sea has allowed me much travel – how do you think I knew that healer spoke Valyrian? She looked like a woman of Volantis,” in her poise, in her features. Everything about her.

“But if you think that when I return to my brother, I am done with this war, you are sorely mistaken. I will take my ships, and I will sail North,” it did not matter to her that she was telling him. She said not where she’d go. There were not enough forces in the North to hold it, anyway, they were all too busy chasing after Tywin.

There were enough port cities. “But, I’m sure that threat means nothing to you.” Because right now, that’s all it was. A threat. Until she got to her ships again and made it reality.

~***~

Maran let the compliment boost his ego, but the sailor was surprised when he was the one being laid down, and not vice-versa. He had planned to work on things once he had her down and in his arms, but it seemed she wanted to move much faster.

The sailor had no complaints, although it was unusual to be below and not to be taking charge of things. Still, he wasn’t about to overthink it as her lips met his, and her hand pressed down on his chest. He reached one hand up into her blonde hair to entwine his fingers in it, against the back of her head, while his other hand moved over the silky material that covered her.

He slid it along her side, back to the hip, and then back around over her behind. He could feel the supple flesh through the fabric and realized then that it was just this single layer of fabric between them.

He smiled into the kiss as he realized that, then bit her bottom lip and tilted his head up a bit, to break the gesture, “Well, someone’s more prepared than I thought,” his eyes were burning with all the warmth he’d enjoy sharing with her, as he lifted his head to take her lips once more in his own.

 

[aintnobaka]

The threat that she would take her ships north once returned to her brother caught Roose’s attention, and he raised a brow at her words. It could be an empty threat meant to rile him up and worry the northern army, or it could be true. If it was true, the whole of the army was in the Riverlands and only heading further south; there would be no one there to stop them.

Well, unless Theon Greyjoy managed to convince his worm of a father to donate ships to the cause. It was strange that they hadn’t heard back from him – he’d mention it to Robb later. If they could contact Theon, then it would be worth having the Ironborn fleet protect the port cities that the Farmans might attack.

“Hm, I’m sure you will.” He muttered as if dismissing her claim, when in fact he made sure to keep it in mind so he could raise the issue to the King in the North before he left for Riverrun. He didn’t want to worry the young wolf too much, especially with the failing health of his uncle, Hoster Tully, but he was leading the northern army, so he ought to know.

“I’m sure Tywin Lannister would be very pleased if you managed to sack some port cities in the north. It’s a shame you won’t, though.”

--

Marinah’s lips curled up into a smile against his as she felt his hand side over the back of her body. The attention from him had seemingly cheered her up immediately, as if she had forgotten completely about the argument with Theon. She hadn’t, but the attention from Maran definitely eased the wound she’d felt from his rejection.

As he bit onto her bottom lip and pulled away to mumble something, she chuckled softly. “It’s almost like I asked you in here with this in mind,” she whispered and immediately returned to kissing him as he caught her lips once again. She deepened the kiss this time and allowed his hand to completely roam her body.

Then she broke away from the kiss to sit up on his waist, and she took his hands and put them on her hips. “Why don’t you show me how the ironborn handle things, hm?”

 

[Lucyfer]

Roose actually seemed momentarily concerned with his raised brows, and it made her smile. No, she wasn’t bluffing at all. Once she got out of here, she knew where to take her ships. She’d look at some maps to get a better idea, too, not as familiar with the North as she’d like to be, but she had men who were.

They did trade up in White Harbor, after all. They took men to Eastwatch for the Wall. The Northern waters weren’t foreign.

“Oh, once I write that second letter, I will be,” Moira said, asked, “How far is the Dreadfort from the shore? I think I would love to pay your home a visit. You have a son, don’t you? Only one…,” the implication there. His son was all alone and hardly protected. He could write to him. Tell him to prepare.

It’d be interesting if the Bastard of the Dreadfort knew she was coming – well, if the Dreadfort was close enough. Raiding White Harbor would be good enough, in truth. She just wanted to see if she could dig under Roose’s skin a bit with the threat.

~***~

This girl was not messing around, and Maran could appreciate that. Too much foreplay wasn’t really his style, and as his hands took her hips, he grinned wickedly up at her, deciding he could get used to this. “Gladly.” And up went the white nightgown.


So passed Maran’s night, a very warm night indeed even after all the play settled. He was not made to leave, and he had no inclination of it, as lazy as a cat after the fun. He was resting well that morning so he did not hear the sound of boots, or the irritated sound of Captain Greyjoy.

He did hear the door slam open, that startled him awake to see Theon there, who wore a look of utter disgust and anger when his eyes fell upon the pair on the bed. “G’morning, Captain. Damn good job you assigned me to,” Maran said, grinning crookedly in the morning light.

Damn good job indeed. And he was going to lose it, he knew. Some other guard would end up assigned to watch her now, but it was still worth it.

 

[aintnobaka]

Roose’s confidence returned when she mentioned raiding his home. He could have laughed, actually, at her threat. If she thought she would survive even a moment at the Dreadfort when Ramsay was there, she had another thing coming. The one thing Roose couldn’t deny was that his bastard son was more sick and twisted than he was. Ramsay enjoyed hurting people to the point where Roose was sure that he got off on it.

“If you could sack my home, I would be very impressed. In fact, I would be so impressed, that I would give you it.” He said. There would be no way that she would ever win a battle against Ramsay. He was ruthless, and he would trick them with ways that even the Lord of the Dreadfort couldn’t imagine.

He was sure her threat of destroying his home was meant to get under his skin and infuriate him, but it did little to that effect.

--

Marinah was actually rather pleased that Maran decided to stay in bed with her when she told him that he didn’t have to leave. It gave her some warmth to curl up to throughout the night, the fur blankets not being enough to keep her nude body warm. So, come morning, her head rested beside his shoulder, with one leg still entwined with his.

Until the sudden slamming of the door jolted her away. She covered her chest with the blankets as she sat up, and she only chuckled at Maran’s comments. “Yes, he did a very good job of making me feel well guarded.” She grinned as she ran a hand through her tangled blonde hair.

Then she leaned over to press a firm kiss to Maran’s lips, winking as she pulled away. “Very well guarded.” She added.

 

[Lucyfer]

Moira wasn’t at all disturbed by how arrogant Roose was about keeping his home. If anything, it only made her want it all the more. Certainly, there’d be a good river in that she could follow. If there was water, she’d find a way to get her fleets down it and break apart the Dreadfort to take it.

“Do you promise that it’s mine?” Moira asked, “If I take it from you or your son, it’s mine? I’ve always wanted a castle of my own.”

One would think Fair Castle was enough, but how could it be? It was not Castamere. It was the home of the Farman’s, and in the end, though it was home – it was not hers. She’d have Castamere, one day…but until then, the Dreadfort could serve.

The Red Lion in the ancestral home of the Red Kings. It was far too fitting. Then she’d get Red Rain from House Drumm and be complete.

~***~

Theon was furious at the display put on before him, as the blonde covered herself for his eyes, but had clearly revealed herself before Maran. His lips twitched in the anger, but remained a frowned as he glared at the pair of them. Not that he could truly blame Maran – he wanted the same damn thing.

Good job to Maran.

But fuck Maran – and not in the pleasant way. More like with barbed wire wrapped around a wooden pole.

“Well. I see you won’t have any issues with my men staying in your room to make sure you’re well guarded then,” he snapped, revoking her rights to privacy in a word. “Breakfast will be ready shortly,” with that, he slammed the door shut behind him.

Maran laughed as his Captain left them, and then smiled up at Marinah, “I suppose you’re actually going to want to get up for breakfast, aren’t you?”

 

[aintnobaka]

There was no way she would ever be able to take the Dreadfort with Ramsay there. It would be impossible for whatever crew she had to invade and take his home and castle. The Dreadfort would stand and it would continue to belong to the Boltons long after she and her crew stupidly attempted to take it.

“If you can take it, you can have it.” If the Bolton men could not hold the Dreadfort from a pathetic, petty little attempt to seize it, then they did not deserve to hold it.

But he knew they would be able to. He knew his bastard son well enough to know that he would use the dirtiest of tactics against anyone who tried to best him. Ramsay was not good at sticking to the rules, and that would be the reason the Farmans would fail. Moira clearly knew nothing about his bastard son if she thought she had even the slightest of chances of taking his home from him.

--

Marinah joined in with Maran’s laughter as Theon left the bedroom, and she looked down at the man beside her. “Yes, I am. I’m quite hungry after last night’s exercise.” She grinned and got out of bed, not caring about being nude in front of Maran now. She made her way to the water basin at the side of the room to wash her face and waken herself up, splashing the cold water onto her skin.

She picked out a black dress and slipped into it, pleased for the front lacing this time, meaning she could do it up herself. Before she pulled on a cloak and slipped on her shoes, she ran her fingers through her waves to untangle them. Once she was ready, she turned to Maran with a smile on her lips.

“Are you going to escort me to the dining hall?” She asked with a soft chuckle. “I’m sure Lord Greyjoy would love to see us walk in together.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Moira smiled, “Thank you, Lord Bolton. I’ll treasure it always.” She was absolutely going to find a way. The words of the Farmans might be about fairness, but she was not fair. If it meant she had to take a loan from the Iron Bank to hire mercenaries to get the Dreadfort, she would. They had enough money – they would always have enough money. Unlike Tywin, they weren’t dependent on some rock in the ground.

Taxes were forever.

Eventually, Lord Bolton left her to rest. She did not sleep well on the bed, but she rarely did in new places. It was to her advantage that day. She heard the movement as the whole encampment seemed to wake up around her, and she heard the shouts of men as they ordered and organized. ‘Leaving?’ Some were…leaving.

This was the chaos Moira needed in order to escape, and she wanted no time putting her bodice back on from the night before. No, she went over to the charred floor, and found the places where it was weak. It didn’t take much at all to break it beneath her foot, and with a breath, she let herself fall to the lower level.

A tack room for horses. Which meant, of course, riding cloaks were strewn about in people’s hastes to depart for the night. She grabbed one, exited into the stable, and moved through the chaos of the camp unnoticed, and right out the back for the God’s Eye.

~***~

Maran didn’t rise when Marinah did, but enjoyed the sight of her going about her routine for a bit, until the flesh was covered. Then, he sighed and pulled himself up and out of the bed, to dress in the discarded clothes of last night. He pulled his own fingers through his hair, not that it was terribly knotted – short as it was.

“Well, the Capt’n did say I had to keep an eye on you now, didn’t I?” He smirked, once he was in his own clothes and Marinah turned to ask him that question. “I ought to make sure you get to the Hall and don’t go wandering off and getting yourself into trouble.”

He’d offer his arm to her then, and if she took it, he would indeed lead her out and to the Great Hall, where Theon would be waiting.

Again, he’d occupy the high table, but this time he didn’t seem to care if other Ironborn joined him up there or not. There was no need for privacy or special favors for his guest any longer, not after this.

 

[aintnobaka]

Roose woke early in the morning as Robb’s party was preparing to leave for Riverrun. He got up to go over arrangements with his men now that the army was being split up. He helped Lady Catelyn Stark up onto her horse, and watched half of the northern army leave. He heaved a sigh, then walked back into the courtyard of Harrenhal. There was no point in going back to sleep now. He had a castle to run.

He had breakfast for himself, then he poured a bowl of watery oats for their prisoner, and took them up to the room where Moira was being held. As usual, he didn’t knock when he opened the door. But the bowl did drop from his hands, and he scowled heavily.

“Did none of you incompetent guards hear anything?” Roose turned to the men posted outside the door, his brow lined with fury. Apparently, they hadn’t heard a thing, which he found hard to believe.

He stormed back into the courtyard and ordered that men immediately gather weapons and climb onto their horses. He wasn’t entirely sure where she would have gone, but he would place bets in one direction.

“To the Gods Eye!” He shouted to his men and rode out of the gates of Harrenhal, his gloved hands tightening around the horse’s reins. The hooves pounded on the grassy hills as they descended towards the northern shore of the Gods Eye.

--

Marinah linked her arm with Maran’s and she allowed him to lead her towards the Great Hall. When they arrived, her gaze landed immediately on Theon. She was very pleased about the reaction he was having to seeing her and Maran in bed together this morning. Either he didn’t want his guards bedding her, or he wanted her. She guessed that it was most likely the latter.

She let go of Maran’s arm so she could walk up to the high table and she took the seat beside Theon. “Good morning, Lord Greyjoy.” She said with a smile on her face, as if he hadn’t walked in on her in bed with his guard not even ten minutes ago. “I hope you slept well. I certainly did. A warm bed was definitely what I needed after such a long journey.” She hummed as she served herself breakfast.

“Do you know how long it took me to ride to Winterfell? I was on the road for weeks, and I didn’t sleep well through those weeks.” Marinah turned properly in her seat to look at him as she sipped on the goblet of water that was there for her. “I plan on writing to my father today, to let him know that I arrived safely.”

 

[Lucyfer]

There were not enough trees between Harrenhal and the God’s Eye. No good, dense forest, as Moira would have liked. Yet, she still made it to them, before she ever heard the hooves beating upon the ground. ‘Shit.’ The trees would stall them. They still had to find her amidst the mess. She was too far from the lake to consider just sprinting to it – she’d make too much noise.

‘Up, then.’

It was an advantage. Men didn’t often look up, though she doubted that would be the case now. She could still shield herself in the green. She was wearing nothing outlandishly colorful.

Moira located a tree that she could climb, and hastened up it, as high as she could safely go without branches snapping and falling. Then, she held still. Held her breath as often as she could, and tried to make no sound when they drew near. ‘They will tire before you.’ She considered herself a patient woman.

It was over multiple years that she waited to strike at Tywin, after all. She could be far more patient than Roose Bolton.

~***~

Theon could only find Marinah’s words irritating right then, and he did his best to tune them out, but his guards had stopped talking when she showed up, until Maran moved up to join them. Then they became to speak in more hushed tones, and the conversation was obvious. The innuendos were not subtle at all.

He did not pay attention to her complaints of the road. He only paid attention when she mentioned that she would write to her father. “Good,” perhaps the man would ask her to go home soon. “We have ravens enough. Maester Luwen tends to them still, and I’m sure any one of the guards can show you to the rookery when you would like.”

He waved it off dismissively, waving towards the guards, as he heard them start to argue over who would get to guard her next, and who might have the honors of showing her around Winterfell. Theon did not intend to feed her ego further by offering her more than the curt and necessary hospitalities.

Yes, his pride was wounded.

 

[aintnobaka]

Roose did not allow the trees to stop him. He did slow down as they reached the trees, but not because he couldn’t just ride through; he wanted to rake through the trees as they passed to see if she was lingering around.

He couldn’t let their prisoner run free. He refused to even think of what would happen if they did lose her. Well, not much, except she would return to Tywin and tell him that half of the northern army had left Harrenhal. He would have to kill the insolent guards stationed at her door if they didn’t find her.

He brought his horse to a stop between a few trees and he looked around, his eyes narrow. Then he looked up. He could have sworn that he saw movement within the tree, but there was enough foliage to keep whatever moved hidden. He motioned one of his men closer and took his bow and an arrow from him.

He fired the arrow up at the tree.

--

Despite her concentration on the pride-wounded man beside her, Marinah could hear snippets of the conversation of the other ironborn. She couldn’t help but chuckle to herself and she glanced over at them. They were foolish, really, if they thought she would bed every single man who was assigned to guard her or look after her.

She’d gone for Maran because her pride had been wounded, and laying with one of Theon’s men had been enough to fix it and hurt his in return. If she needed to do such a thing again, she’d probably return to Maran; he’d been rather good, after all.

“Maester Luwen? Yes, I remember him from my last visit.” Marinah mused with a smile on her face. “A good man, he is.” And he wouldn’t dare mention anything to Theon if two ravens were sent out with letters; one to her father, and another to Robb.

There was no doubt that Luwen would despise the presence of the ironborn in Winterfell.

 

[Lucyfer]

‘You have got to be kidding me.’

Moira remembered again why she stopped believing in the gods when Roose stopped near her, and looked her way. There was too much green, too much foliage, she knew…and yet he stopped. He grabbed a bow, and he aimed, and it didn’t take a second for Moira to know that arrow would hit her.

‘Just brace, just brace, just brace.’ Moira tried, telling herself she’d stay in the tree and not make a sound. She’d move and it wouldn’t be fatal, and Roose would only think it was the arrow passing through the foliage of the tree that made the movement.

Of course, that wasn’t how it worked. Moira did shift, and the arrow did connect with her arm…the arm that was bracing her. She didn’t cry out, hissed in the breath instead and clenched her jaw tight, but to no avail – her struggle to brace again, to get her balance back, was still far too noisy and she slipped off the branch.

Her legs hooked it, at least. She didn’t fall to the ground, but was upside down with her legs wrapped around the branch in a vice-like grip.

~***~

“Yes, a good maester,” Theon said. He’d say nothing about him being a good man or not – though he was. Too good a man, sometimes. He treated them all too kindly. It made it difficult for Theon, at times. He offered his advice. He tried to convince Theon to ‘do what was right’.

Bah.

“I am sure he will remember you,” he was a maester. He was meant to know things. He would remember her and know where to send the raven, if they had any ravens trained to go that way. Or at least get it to a post where it could then be sent by another, to the correct location.

“He’ll be sure the raven is well-chosen to get to your father, when you write it. Do you need ink or parchment brought to your quarters?” He did not know if she brought some, or not. It would not be hard to provide her with such, if it was needed. There was plenty.

‘And yet still nothing from Yara.’ Cold bitch. He was certain she had gotten the letter by now. Yet, still no response from her, no movement – not that he had enough men to have scouts to check for movement, but still. Nothing.

 

[aintnobaka]

At first, Roose thought that perhaps there was nothing in the tree, or it was just a bird he’d seen flitting through the foliage. He was prepared to move on when the leaves suddenly bustled and a figure dropped, hanging from the tree.

A smile spread onto his lips.

Caught.

“Ah, Admiral Farman. Just who we were looking for.” He said, as if his anger at the situation wasn’t making his blood boil. Oh, she would be punished for this. Not in a way that the King in the North would be pissed over. No, he knew there was a line drawn at what he would do. But Boltons were nothing if not creative in how they punished people.

He gestured for his men to get her down from the tree and he returned the bow to its owner. She would be foolish if she tried to run away again; horses were faster than humans, and the arrow in her arm would bleed, and it would continue to bleed unless it was patched up. Which they could do once they returned to Harrenhal.

“I hate to impose such limitations on you-“ He really did not hate doing such a thing, “But I’m afraid you aren’t allowed to take little saunters away from the castle. That defeats the point of being a prisoner.” He tried to play it off as if this hadn’t been a big deal for them, as if the risk of losing her hadn’t been that great. But it was. He didn’t want her to know that, though.

--

“I’m sure he’ll remember me. I asked him to give me some moon tea once.” Marinah said. It was a complete lie, but Theon didn’t need to know that. She just wanted to know how far she could push him with such things. She knew he wanted her, and she liked playing games, especially when the men were so easy to mess with.

She pushed some of the food around on her plate, not finding the breakfast choice very appetising, and she gave him a nod. “Yes, please, I will need writing equipment brought to my chambers.” If she had brought some with her, she could have easily wrote letter after letter without them noticing, but she hadn’t planned on the ironborn invading Winterfell when she left home.

Deciding that she didn’t want any more of what was on her plate, Marinah turned to face him. “What are you doing today, Lord Greyjoy? Are you busy?” She asked, her tone as chirpy as always.

 

[Lucyfer]

A thousand curses seemed to fly through her mind as Roose greeted her. There wouldn’t be any escaping now. Currently. There would be in the future, of course. She had to think of that, remind herself that she was supposed to be patient, as she actually did accept the help down. A wounded arm wasn’t much use, and tempting as it was to pull the arrow out, she did not.

Gods only knew what veins she might break. So, instead, she broke the shaft to keep it short. “I don’t really enjoy being a prisoner, Lord Bolton,” she told him, “though I am pleased to see you’ve developed a sense of humor since I left.”

He spoke of this as if she’d truly only gone out to take a walk. It was almost amusing. “I’m sure I’ll remember not to try again for a couple of days, at least.” If he kept her in the same room, she’d be out again soon enough.

The floor inspired ideas of escape. “Do I get a horse back, or do I have to walk?” Horses were faster. She didn’t really plan to keep pace if she had to walk, though. They could slow down.

~***~

It grated on Theon continually, but he clenched his jaw and endured it, finishing up his meal as she chattered on. Moontea from Luwen? Somehow, he doubted it, if only because Luwen didn’t seem the type to know it. It wasn’t as if the Starks were in favor of such a thing. He gave a curt nod as she spoke of needing writing equipment.

“Very well. I’ll be sure that some is sent to you.”

He started to rise, done with his meal, but he cast his steely hazel eyes to her when she asked what he was doing that day. In truth, he was not doing anything except waiting for Yara, and then he would figure out how to subdue the rest of the North from here. It was a maddening situation, honestly. There was just so little to do.

The fortifications were strong. Bran and Rickon were in place. Yet, he did not wish to sound as someone who had nothing to do…he was a Lord, he should be busy with something. “I’ve thought to go out hunting today,” he informed her, not certain if he would or wouldn’t.

They did need more food. “Not a lady’s activity,” he indicated to her. Not that she was a lady. Harlot, more like.

 

[aintnobaka]

Roose, of course, was no fool. He knew that they would have to find another room to keep her in. Preferably one without charred floorboards that broke easily. She wouldn’t be escaping again anytime soon. Or if she attempted to, she would be caught. He would order some of his best men to guard her, not fools who didn’t listen. They would be punished as well, for allowing her to flee. But not severely; the north needed the men.

“You’ll have a horse,” he said and beckoned the man helping her towards him. He leaned back and they helped her up onto his horse, setting her in front of him. “But you’ll be sharing mine. I’m not giving you your own horse when you could easily try to ride off. I’m not an idiot, even though you would probably like to think I am.”

He didn’t want to go over what she thought of him.

Once she was settled onto the horse, he gripped the reins once again and nudged the horse into a trot back towards the castle. There was no point in racing there now. They held the castle, and he had his prisoner back. There was no need to rush now.

--

Theon stood and Marinah frowned when he didn’t even offer the chance for her to join him hunting. Not that she was a particularly good hunter, but she may as well have something to do instead of sitting around, bored all day.

“Not a lady’s activity? Nonsense.” Lady Bailer scoffed as she stood up and brushed down her skirt to rub out the folds of it from when she’d been sat down. “I reckon I’d be good with a bow, and what could be a better way to spend the day, than shooting animals and trying to better you at it?” She grinned.

She knew how good of an archer Theon Greyjoy was; she’d seen him practice the last time she was in Winterfell, and she had to admit that his skill had impressed her. There was no way that she could beat him.

 

[Lucyfer]

Tempting as it would have been to ride off, Moira would not have done so right then. Not with her injury, nor the number of men Roose had with him. The Northerners were good at hunting, or so it was said. She was hardly pleased to be put on the same horse with Roose. Not that she would have cared for any of his men.

‘Probably better this way. Others might be handsy.’ And Roose seemed far too cold. It was amazing the man had a son, let alone a bastard. Must have been one hell of a woman to stoke his fires.

Pity she didn’t have a dagger to put in his throat. Could pull the arrow out – it would mean death anyway to kill him. ‘Bigger fish to fry.’ She reminded herself. ‘Or lions.’ Whichever.

At least he didn’t seem to be a poor horseman. “Taking a pleasant walk back to Harrenhal now? There isn’t much to see out here,” she commented on the pace, not that she minded terribly. A quicker pace would have been more uncomfortable with two in one saddle – but she was not certain she enjoyed this any better, the slow pace and having her back to him. Well, she shouldn’t enjoy it any better, and the discomfort of her mind was sufficiently distracting.

Though a body in pain took any comfort it could, and her arm was throbbing. She couldn’t press it. Her other hand just helplessly sought the horn of the saddle to have something to dig into, and make sure she had a grip on the saddle.

~***~

“You have letters to write, you should tend to those matters,” Theon reminded her, “That is more befitting a lady. Writing home to her father, to tell her of her woes,” he stated simply, smirked a bit at her then. “We could be out all night. Then you would not get those letters sent on.”

She couldn’t join him if she wanted to, was the implication. She had already told him how she would be spending her day. “Besides, you may have to ask maester Luwen for moon tea again.” He honestly had no idea how soon it could be effective.

Even so, “You already have a full day,” he suggested. “Unless writing a letter is not going to take you terribly long. Then I can get prepared and walk you to Luwen myself to see the letters delivered, then bring you along.”

It would be one good way to keep an eye on her, he realized then. Make sure she didn’t do anything to help Bran or Rickon. He still could not trust that she wouldn’t. Her loyalties were, apparently, to Robb Stark. “If you think you will be that quick, then perhaps you can come along.” Well, apparently he signed himself up for going hunting in an hour now.

It’d kill the boredom, anyway.

 

[aintnobaka]

“Perhaps there is not a lot to see out here, but I’m sure you could do with the fresh air.” Roose hummed and he looked out to all of his men, counting them to make sure they were all returning to Harrenhal. “After all, because of this little detour you’ve made, you’re not going to be seeing sunlight for some time.” He said, as if it was no big deal. But he would restrict her greatly.

A room with no windows, no charred floors for her to break through. She’d be lucky if she even had dinner tonight. She tried to break free, so she deserved to be punished. If Robb Stark didn’t understand that, then he was a damned fool.

Perhaps Roose would go easier on her. It was only her first break-out, after all. He anticipated many more attempts, and with each attempt, the punishments would only increase.

“You may as well get comfortable when we return to the castle, Admiral. You’re going to be in there for a while.” Well, perhaps not that long if her brother responded to the letter soon. But it would still be longer than anyone would like. It was longer than he liked. Roose didn’t enjoy having someone held captive, someone that he had to keep an eye on when he could be planning battle strategies instead; the latter was much more worth his time.

--

Marinah had hoped that Theon – or any other Ironborn, for that matter – wouldn’t be there when she delivered her letters to Luwen to be sent to her father. She didn’t want them seeing the second one she planned on sending to Robb. Oh well, if he was going to be there then she would have to opt for a different strategy. She would tell her father of the betrayal and inform him to contact the King in the North as soon as possible. She only hoped Theon wasn’t that paranoid and wouldn’t try to read it over her shoulder as she wrote it.

“Writing the letter won’t take me long at all, my lord.” She reached out to put her hand on his arm, hoping the contact would soften him a little. “You should go and prepare what we need for the hunt, and I’ll write the letter to my father. I’ll wait for you to escort me to Maester Luwen, and once the letter is sent, we can be on our way.”

“I’ll await the parchment and ink to be sent my way,” she said with a smile, then left the dining hall.

 

[Lucyfer]

‘That’s what you think.’ Of course, the Reyne woman didn’t say as much this time around, as Roose continued the trot back towards Harrenhal, continuing to speak as if this was all a minor inconvenience.

“Comfortable without sunlight and fresh air – yes, I’m sure I can manage that,” Moira rolled her eyes. She wouldn’t be comfortable at all until she was free, even with a plush featherbed. “I don’t suppose there will be any other additions I should be aware of to how you’re going to keep me comfortable at the castle?”

There had to be more, else Roose’s reputation was all in vain. Not something to look forward to. She wasn’t sure if he’d tell her, in his arrogance, or keep it a secret until it happened, to keep her unprepared.

“Oh, and what was going on this morning? There was quite a bit of ruckus and movement – made it rather easy to get out,” she noted. She hadn’t paid enough attention to truly find out what was going on, though it seemed like some of the camp was mobilizing to leave.

~***~

Theon wasn’t getting out of this, was he? Very well, he supposed he could bring her along on a hunt. It wouldn’t be that bad. He told himself that, anyway. He did like to hunt, and he was skilled with the bow. Or perhaps it was just the moment of contact that seemed to reassure him, before his mind twisted it to the exact opposite.

She was just using such things to get her way.

Or she was really a bit of a nympho. He really wasn’t sure which answer he preferred to that, and wouldn’t ask.

When she exited the dining room, he went on to find Maester Luwen. It did not take long – he was often in his chambers, rarely leaving, except to pay visits to the Stark boys. Theon knocked on the door roughly twice, before it was opened by the old man. “Parchment and ink,” he directed, keeping his voice firm.

Luwen did not question it, as he walked back into the room, only asked, “Is this to send another letter to your sister in Moat Cailin?”

“No,” he shook his head, “It’s for our guest, to send a letter to her father.”

Luwen nodded a few times, finding all that Theon needed easily and then offering it to him, “I think we still have a bird that flies to the Reach. I will go check the rookery to be sure,” he noted, and Theon left them with only a nod, to go to Marinah’s room and let her begin to write her letter.

A guard had followed, but this one hadn’t entered the room. Theon knocked on the door when the guard stepped aside from it.

 

[aintnobaka]

Roose wasn’t entirely sure what other conditions he would attach to her punishment. There were many things he could make her suffer through, although he wished his list wasn’t as limited as it was. “You’ll find out when we return. You should pray to the gods that whatever else happens, it’s merciful.”

Robb would never allow torture upon the woman, which he was disappointed at, but he supposed it would help with their ransom. Even still, he didn’t like the Farman woman thinking she could out-smart him. She couldn’t, and he would crush her every time that she tried to. Like today, when he found her hiding in the trees after running away.

He would start by assigning better guards to her door – men that he trusted – and he was sure the punishment would be enough to deter her. For now, at least. He knew the fire in her eyes meant she wouldn’t stop until she was free once again.

--

Marinah was thankful that the guard did not follow her into the room. He was no Maran. Despite his rough appearance, the man was relatively good looking. Quite good in bed as well. If Maran were to come back to guard her at some point, which she highly doubted, she wouldn’t mind allowing him into her bed once again. But he was not her goal.

Theon was her goal. If she could get onto his good side, then she would definitely be safe in Winterfell. It might give her more of a chance to help Bran and Rickon.

When she heard the knock on the door, she stood to open it, and she smiled when she saw the Greyjoy heir stood there. “Come in.” Marinah hummed as she opened the door wider. “Ah, you have the parchment and ink.” She took it from him when he gave it to her, and she sat down at the desk in her room to start writing.

Dear father…

She started, but waited for a few seconds, judging whether or not he was going to linger to see what she wrote.