Facing the Old Lion

Facing the Old Lion

Theon POV

Robb has left to plunder the Westerlands, and I enjoyed my days in Golden Tooth. I was drinking the finest wine and eating the best dishes. Lord Blackwood, Lord Vance, Lord Piper, and the rest of the ex-captives stayed with me in the castle.

Edmure Tully was still gathering his host at Riverrun, and sending them back to their homes right now would only put them in danger. The letters were sent back to their homes so their families would know they were free and healthy.

"You should eat, my lady," I said to Lady Lefford, who sat opposite me. "When your father sees you all thin and starving, he might blame me."

"Go to the seven hells," Was her only answer.

"You think you are strong by using such words, but it only shows your fear. A strong woman would smile and thank me for letting her eat. A strong woman would eat and regain her strength to plot her revenge."

She ate after my speech. Still, she was silent and didn't say anything to me. I couldn't blame her. After all, I have taken her home. She had the right to hate me. Still, I ate and watched her. She was a beautiful woman and a capable one. The thought of marrying her and taking the castle as my own had crossed my mind several times.

"You, what's your name?" I called out to one of the guards.

"Jasper, my lord," He answered.

"Jasper, could you go and inform Thoros that I want him to bring me Ser Kevan Lannister?" I asked politely.

"As you wish, my lord," He left immediately.

Robb left the hostages in Golden Tooth. The castle was well-protected and well-supplied. There was no need to take the captives elsewhere. Among the prisoners was Ser Kevan Lannister, the brother of Tywin. I had no idea what to do with them.

To kill them would be too wasteful. But Lannisters had no hostages of their own to trade them for. Well, they could be used in the future, I guess. Ser Kevan had two sons. One could get the Casterly Rock, while the other would be kept as a hostage. Well, it wasn't for me to decide those things.

"Theon, I bring you Ser Kevan Lannister," Thoros came to me with the captive.

"Sit, ser Kevan, eat and drink," Ser Kevan listened to me. "There is no poison, don't worry."

"I don't. You could find another means to kill me if you wanted to," He replied.

"Good," I responded. "Eat at your heart's content. The food isn't mine, after all."

"Lady Lefford, are you in good health?" Ser Kevan greeted the lady.

"Yes, ser, how are you?"

"I have seen better days," Ser Kevan replied.

"How are your sons?" I asked. "Who was that stabbed me? Martyn?"

"Yes," Ser Kevan answered.

"A good stab he gave me. I still can barely use my right arm," I said.

"Would you be kind enough to tell me why you brought me here?"

"Your brother is marching there. He will try to pass the castle; I will try to stop him," I informed him. "I will use you and your sons to stop Tywin, so don't be surprised if you lose a hand or two. I want you to be corporate with me, or I might have to use your sons."

"I do as you ask, but if you touch my children, I will…."

"You what? Are you going to kill me? Are you going to make me regret it? Will you make me realize the meaning of the words Lannister always pays his debts?" I asked. "You will do nothing because you won't have a chance to do so."

That is not how I wanted to talk, but it irritated me how people think they can threaten me when I have all the power over them. At that thought, I realized I had become arrogant. Power was ever-changing. Now he was my hostage, yet the situation could change anytime.

"Lord Theon, can I ask you something?" Lady Lefford asked.

"Go on, don't be shy," I replied.

"The scar on your chest, I saw it when Maester looked after you. It looked healed, but you shouldn't have survived with that wound. Which is what Maester told me. How did you survive?"

"It is simple, my dear. I didn't, hahaha," I laughed at her perplexed expression. "You will hear stories sooner or later about me. It will be up to you to believe them."

She didn't look satisfied with my explanation. But even if I told the truth, she wouldn't believe it. Magic was gone for a long time in Westeros. Dead stayed dead. That is how the world worked. Still, ultimately, it is up to the gods to decide how the world works.

…

Today I got a message from Robb. It seems that the campaign in the Westerlands was going well. They crushed everyone who tried to stop them. Well, there weren't many who would be able to stop him in the Westerlands. It shouldn't take long before they arrive at the Reach.

I could only hope that the Reach agreed to ally themselves with Robb. That way, the war would be able to end. Stannis would have no choice but to agree with Robb's conditions if he wanted to win the Iron Throne. Lannisters would have no chance of turning this war in their favor.

"Lord Theon, Anguy requested a meeting with you," A guard came to my chamber and informed me.

"When did he need to request to meet me?" I asked but dismissed the question once the guard started to sweat nervously. "Tell him he can come in."

"As you command, my lord."

"Ser Theon," Not long after, Anguy came.

"Ser? When did you start to be so respectful? Maybe you are a faceless man," I replied and twisted his nose. "It seems your face is real. What did you want to speak with me?"

"Tywin and his host are getting close," Anguy told me.

"How long till they arrive?" I asked, letting out a sigh.

"Three days, maybe less if the roads a kind," He replied.

Three days, huh? I knew Tywin couldn't just let his kingdom fall to the North. His reputation was already dragged to the dirt by me, and letting his lands burn didn't help him, especially when I held one of his castles.

"Call for council," I said.

I dressed in my armor, which was gifted by Lady Whent. I had my sword strapped on my belt together with my Valyrian dagger. I walked out of my chambers to the Great Hall, where everyone was waiting. They looked at me as I sat in front of everyone.

"Reports reached me that Lord Tywin is nearing Golden Tooth," I told everyone.

"We still have enough supplies to defend the castle," Lord Blackwood told me. "We let the old lion into our lands, but I refuse to let him out. He has to pay for his actions."

Lord Vance and Lord Piper agreed wholeheartedly. Lord Darry nodded in silence. Half of the men were mine given by Robb. The others belonged to the Riverlands. Yet, both sides agreed with Lord Blackwood.

"If the old lion wants to run, he will have to leave his tail behind first," Lord Ryger banged the table, and men laughed.

"I am glad you all agree," I said. "I wouldn't want to lose the castle I fought for so hard. And most importantly, I don't want to give back the wine. So, drink it, boys, drink it all, and even if the old lion managed to take these walls from us, there would be nothing for him to celebrate."

Men pounded their tables with their cups full of wine. Laughter filled the Great Hall; they had defended against one host and could do it again against another. There was no fear, as they all realized that Lannisters weren't to be feared. I proved it more than once.

…

I stood on the walls of Golden Tooth, watching the grounds below. It's been three days since the news hit us that Tywin was nearing us. From the hill where Golden Tooth stood, I could see banners emerge from the horizon.

I don't believe that the proud lion will not try to siege the castle. After all, I was inside it. I was probably the most hated man he knew, and I hadn't even met him. I wonder how much I can make him hate me. Maybe he is intrigued by me after hearing what the Kingslayer had to say about our encounter.

"There they come," Said Jalabhar next to me. "I heard a lot about Tywin Lannister in King's Landing. I am curious how true these rumors are."

"Thoros," I called the drunken priest. "Bring Lady Lefford and Ser Kevan to me."

I wonder how much Tywin cares for his brother and his vassal's daughter and heir. I didn't dare to truly hurt the Kingslayer or kill him, as he was the only hostage I had, and I knew I would need him alive. Now I had three Lannisters and Lady Lefford, and I didn't need them as I knew Robb would get more hostages.

I watched silently as more than ten thousand men came into my view. I didn't know if Tywin knew about the goat path or not. If he did know, would he use it to bypass Golden Tooth, giving it up?

"Lord Theon," Lady Lefford greeted me once she got on the wall.

"Does your father love you, Lady Lefford?" I asked.

She didn't answer, but I could see through her eyes that he did. After all, she was his only child. In a world where blood means so much, I imagine fathers loved their only children. I was the only child in my previous life, yet I can't remember much of it now, only the feeling of loneliness and hate.

"Ser Kevan, how much does your brother care about you and your sons?"

He didn't answer either. I let it be. Right now, they probably had their doubts. No matter how they believed in their families, when your life is on the other's hand, you will have doubts about everything you believed. Or maybe they never even considered it.

"Theon Greyjoy," A rider yelled below the walls as he got close enough for me to hear him. "Lord Tywin Lannister wants to have a parley."

"I agree. Tell him he can bring five men with him, and I will meet him at the gates," I replied to the rider.

"Lord Tywin said he can't trust your word and wants to meet five hundred paces away from the gates."

"I wonder why he can't trust my words. Was it something I have done?" I asked the men near me, and laughter filled the walls. "Tell your lord I meet him three and a half hundred paces away from the gates."

The rider hearing my words, turned around and rode back to Tywin's host. I looked at the bottom of the hill where the Lannister men stood. There were from twelve to fifteen thousand of them. While I had only three hundred men, we didn't need more.

"You going to meet him?" Thoros asked.

"Anguy, Jalabhar, could you hit someone from three hundred paces?" I asked instead of replying to Thoros.

"No," Both replied.

"Our arrows might reach the distance, but hitting something would be hard," Jalabhar explained.

"Well, I will still be able to see the movement of the rest of Tywin's men," I said. "Thoros, Lord Blackwood, would you come with me?"

"Do you think it is wise?" Lord Blackwood asked.

"He might want to capture me, but I don't think he will break the parley. He is someone that cares about his reputation, unlike me."

"I don't see a reason for you to talk with him," Thoros said.

"There is. Stannis, by now, should be marching to King's Landing," I replied. "I want Tywin to stay and play with me."

"Stannis won't take the city so easily," Ser Kevan spoke. "The city is well guarded, and reinforcements were already sent there."

"You can hope, but Stannis has more men and a fleet," I replied. "The city will fall, even if it takes some time. And your dear brother will be stuck there, not knowing what happened."

It seems my words struck deep as Ser Kevan became silent. As we spoke, I saw six riders getting near the castle. Looking at Lord Blackwood and Thoros, I nodded at them, and they left to prepare our horses.

"Anguy, If Tywin tries something, drop Ser Kevan off the wall," I said. "The fall shouldn't kill him if he landed correctly, but it sure would cripple him."

Ser Kevan didn't show any fear at my words. I climbed down the walls and came to Thoros and Lord Blackwood with six guards. I mounted my horse and ordered the gates to open. We rode out of the castle and soon came across the Lannisters.

"It's been some time, Kingslayer," I greeted the younger man next to Tywin. "How are you doing? Are you done killing children and defenseless old men?"

"Do you want to taste my sword again?" Kingslayer replied.

"So, you aren't done killing boys?" I asked. "I had to wonder why people say you are one of the best swords in the world when all you do is threaten boys and girls."

"Theon Greyjoy," Tywin Lannister spoke. "Are done with your japes?"

"The biggest joke there is your House, Lord Tywin," I told him. "You came so strongly to the Riverlands, burning and pillaging them, and now you can't even leave. You got back your son but lost your brother and two nephews."

"Your little victories mean nothing," Tywin said.

"They mean more than your loses," I responded. "Go on, tell me your conditions so I can refuse them."

"It seems you won't listen to anything I have to offer," Tywin said.

"Why should I? What can you offer me? I already have a castle and all that is within it."

"I can offer you to marry my daughter Cercei," He said. "A seat in a small council, and much more. You only need to join me."

"Isn't your daughter a bit old? And won't your son be jealous if I took his lover?"

"Fight me," The Kingslayer said. "Let our swords speak, defeat me, and we leave."

"Why would I want you to leave? Come send your men to the walls of Golden Tooth, I have plenty of arrows for you, and Lady Lefford will keep me company."

"You dare," Another man spoke in anger. "Don't dare touch my daughter, you savage."

"Why not? She is beautiful," I said. "Maybe you will hear her moans my name if you come closer to the walls."

"I will take Golden Tooth, Theon Greyjoy," Tywin said coldly. "I will give you to the Mountain for him to do as he wishes."

"Then come and try," I told him. "If you take the castle from me, I will try and leave at least one Lannister alive, but I don't promise he will want to live any longer after I am done with him."

My words worked like a charm. I could see the Kingslayer and Lord Lefford grounding their teeth. Lord Tywin tried to hide it, but his eyes showed his cold fury. I swear I might become addicted to angering others. It is so fun to see them angered and restraining themselves.