Lady Catelyn Bolton

Closing her eyes and ignoring the urge to let the tears gathering in her eyes, Catelyn just lay there as her new 'husband' thrust away into her. He was not gentle, not loving like her sweet, beloved Ned. No, her new husband was rough, hurtful, and delighted in causing her as much pain as possible.

She had quickly learned that he delighted in drawing out sounds of pain from her and the moment she released one whimper or showed the slightest level of discomfort he'd be all the more eager to do the same again and again. Even now, as she stubbornly refused to show the disgust she felt being violates by this beast, the pain she felt as he forcibly took her and the horror as to what was happening, Catelyn Stark stubbornly refused to let even an ounce of weakness show.

If she did, she would be giving even more pleasure to the sick animal forcing himself on her and she would not do so.

As the monster, Ramsay grunted out, sheathing himself and releasing his seed into her womb. He pulled out panting with a triumphant smirk as he looked down upon her abused and violated form.

She was grateful that he didn't stay to taunt her, to mock her or anything of the sort. She was equally as grateful that he didn't decide to partake in his other forms of 'fun.' The numerous still open cuts on her back stung, the furs upon which she lay stained with small amounts of blood, but the pain was nothing like the pain she felt in her heart.

Her beloved Ned, Sansa, and Arya dead.

And her eldest son was fighting a war but now, with her capture she had gone and ruined his momentum. The North with her capture was becoming a more complicated and bloodier affair, the monster that forced himself on her every night delighted in telling her how Jon was unable to do anything but watch as the Ironborn continued to push inwards, and the rest of the Northern lords were being forced to bend the knee.

To be entirely honest, Catelyn didn't know fact from truth.

The monster liked to lie and trick her constantly, even when he told the truth she still doubted him.

But one thing she did know was true, was that her children, Bran and Rickon were safe. They having escaped with Hodor, Osha and the two children of Howland Reed, Jojen and Meera. It was a relief to her, so long as her children were not being held hostage everything would be okay.

But now she needed a find a way to elevate the burden she had become on her firstborn. With her capture, retaking the North would be impossible, especially if she allowed Ramsay to use her against him.

Catelyn would not become a burden for her family, nor would she be used against them.

She'd rather die first.

And with that firm thought Catelyn curled the stubs that had once been her fingers round tightly. The flash of pain she felt from the movement from the still healing stubs was ignored as Catelyn glared up at the ceiling of the room that had once belonged to her and Ned.

It may not be today or tomorrow.

But she would find a way to resolve this situation even if it meant killing herself. That way she could rid the burden of choosing between her and the North from Robb's shoulders.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

The news of Winterfell's capture at the hands of the Bolton was shocking. Theon hadn't been able to believe it and it was only when he snuck upon the seat of House Stark and saw the Bolton banners flying from the walls that he realised it was the truth.

Now here he sat in the newly conquered city of Ironrath deeply in thought.

Catelyn captured and now betrothed to Ramsay Snow.

Bran and Rickon held captive.

Theon honestly questioned how things has gotten to this point. 'Oh, that's right, you betrayed Robb.' He snarked, a deep frown on his place as he thought back on the events leading to this moment and if one asked if it had been worth it, his answer would be a simple, no.

No, it wasn't.

His sister, Asha seemed to find him a joke and his own father seemed entirely too disappointed in him to the point he didn't even give him command of any actual attack of worth. If he were to serve under his uncle Aeron, Theon could even partially understand and accept that, but he would still be outraged. Yet, to be put to be under the command of a man like Dagmer Cleftjaw as well?

That angered Theon even more.

Luckily, Aeron had gotten himself beaten in the Wolfswood and had slunk back to the Stony Shores with what few men had escaped after his battle with Jon there. Dagmer had gotten himself killed at the battle of Torrhen's Square.

Theon on the other hand had been able to rally what remained of some of the troops and led a successful ambush on Jon in the Wolfswood. He'd stood by Robb's side and learned a few things from the Young Wolf. He had used those tactics to bring a crushing defeat to the North and had been praised for it.

Theon even took a kick out of putting the bastard in his place.

But all of that was dampened when news of what happened in Winterfell reached his ears. The Starks for the most part had treated him better than most hostages would be kept, he was even treated better than most Wards.

Catelyn had of course being distant and distrusting of him, but her treatment of him was marginally better than the way she treated Jon. Ned had been of course being a little distant, but he was kind and understanding, firm but fair. Then there had Robb, despite being older than the boy, the two had grown close and Theon had long since considered them to be brothers.

'And look what I did.' He thought, almost disgusted with himself. 'I'm raping and pillaging his kingdom while he fights to avenge his fathers and sisters. Me, a brother he trusted and now his own mother and brothers are being held hostage in Winterfell, his own home.'

Bran and Rickon, that was another thing that worried Theon the most. He had never interacted much with Rickon, Catelyn keeping Theon away from him as much as possible, much like she had with Bran when he was younger. But Theon had grown closer with Bran when he started climbing the walls, had even covered for the young kid when Ned or Catelyn came looking for him when he wasn't supposed to be climbing.

Now and always.

Now and always.

Now and always.

The sound of his words recited in his end like a never-ending cycle and Theon clutched his head tightly. The memory of the day he set out and Robb asked him that question constantly repeating in his mind drove him mad.

Robb had trusted in him and he had betrayed him.

And at the start Theon had been convinced that it was all for family. That this was how things were meant to be, him with the blood of Salt and Iron while Robb the blood of a Wolf and Winter. They were too different and yet, despite being surrounded by his 'true' family he felt more alone.

Snorting humourlessly, Theon threw the goblet in his hand across the room angrily. "You're pathetic." He spat out, insulting himself as he watched the red wine spill out on the stone surface. "You betray your brother for a family that doesn't even want you. And now that things are difficult, you're wallowing like a pathetic child."

Standing up with narrowed eyes, Theon stared into the fire crackling.

"I am Ironborn, I pay the Iron Price. What is dead may never die." He muttered the words fiercely and then, stormed out of the room.

Through the winding corridors of Ironrath and down to the deep cells beneath the keep. Dismissing the two guards stood outside the cage, he looked into the darkness and onto the sight of a large figure caged to wall like an animal.

"What'd ye want ye traitorous cunt." Spat the man and Theon remained stone faced.

"I'm sure you've heard the news, Winterfell has been taken by the Bolton's, Catelyn married to the bastard, Ramsay Snow and the Stark Princes are being held captive." Theon said and there was a momentary pause from the man.

"Aye, a heard. Looks like yer not the only traitorous cunt out in the world. The King'll take their heads just like yers." The man snarled out.

"Perhaps, but I have no intention letting that happen."

"So why the fuck are ye here then?"

"Because I want your help."

There was a loud bark of laughter.

"Now why the fuck would a help ye, ye traitorous fuck?"

"Because I'm going to free Lady Catelyn and the Stark Princes. That's why."

And in response, all Theon received was silence.