CHAPTER 19 | A PROMISE

SELENE laid beside Theon Greyjoy in his tent that night. It was more so in the wee hours of the morning, but the two sat on a soft comforter on the ground, a blanket pulled over both their bodies. They made love for hours, and Selene thought that he was more aggressive tonight than usual.

Her fingers brushed across his chest as her breath came out heavily against his skin. She hummed in delight to be near him, as he held her to his side. "You had not requested to see me for a while," she mumbled. "I was both surprised and glad to hear from you tonight."

"I had to," Theon replied as he got up, much to Selene's despair. "I won't be back for a while."

Selene sat up, her hair a mess and filthy, but she still frowned. "Where will you go?"

"Back to the Iron Islands," he said, pulling on his breeches. He looked over at her for a moment. "You look upset."

"I ..." Selene looked at her hands, suddenly not knowing what to do. "I just wish I had known sooner." She looked like she was going to cry, and that was something she dared not to do in this moment – not in front of this young boy she loved.

Theon chuckled. "You'll be alright, Selene." He threw on his linen shirt. "It's not as if we're truly a pair. We call on each other when we have needs."

Selene then looked up, her eyes pricking with tears. Theon noticed this, and finally realized that Selene did, indeed, care for him deeply. He clutched her chin, his thumb caressing the spot. "Lady Selene," he soothed, "you'll be okay. Do not fret."

"I just ..." She was crying loudly, rubbing away the tears as quick as she could, but it wasn't working. Her lungs refused air, and she was caught breathing fast and hard. "I can't ... go with you?"

Theon's eyes went wide. All this time, he had never noticed how deep Selene's love for him ran, and he had been an oblivious fool to think that an older whore such as herself could care for him. He brought her into his arms. "You are my sister's handmaiden. You mustn't leave," he said. "I'll be back."

"When you return," Selene sobbed, clutching him tightly, "promise me you'll be faithful to me, until our love runs out."

Theon swallowed hard, knowing he couldn't. But he still responded with, "I promise."

•••

It had been years since a Greyjoy had left the Stark's company, but on the next morning, one did.

Freya Greyjoy was the only person awake in that camp. It was early in the morning, and her brother was readying with a group of soldiers to leave across the sea to their ancestral home. Theon attached a Greyjoy plate across his chest as his soldiers pulled themselves onto their horses. He walked towards his sister, who held a long cloak over her body.

"We've been together for far too long," she sighed, trying to hold back her tears. "And now you're going to leave me. What will I do without you?"

Theon shrugged. "Well, you can try not to tear Robb's head off." They both shared a laugh. "He respects you now, just know that. Even if he doesn't show it. And I know you feel the same."

Freya didn't answer, allowing her brother to wrap his arms around her. The siblings hugged each other tightly, and neither were ready to see the other leave after being wards at Winterfell for so long. She knew her brother would be back, but she couldn't help but feel wary of his meeting with their father. Freya knew Balon loved both of them, though sometimes his intentions weren't the brightest.

"I'll send father your best," Theon muffled against her cloak.

Freya leaned away. "I don't understand why I can't be the one to go treat with him. He might listen to me." He sighed for a moment. "I just wish could be there to see him, and Yara."

"Staying here is better. Father believes your his heir, but I'm his last son. He tends to listen to men more, oddly enough. And besides, you and Robb are good leaders together." Theon glanced off as Freya rolled her eyes. "Just don't tell him I said that."

Freya hugged her brother once more, patting his back a couple times as he swayed away from her. She wiped a pair of tears from her eyes as she watched him pull himself onto his horse. Theon looked over his shoulder, waving to his sister goodbye. She did the same, but in more of a sad manner.

And finally, after nine years, the Greyjoy siblings were separated.

•••

"Have we heard word from Balon Greyjoy as of yet?"

Lord Glover's words hung heavy in the air. Robb and the rest of the Northern lords sat in the King's tent, all awaiting an answer. Freya felt odd with not having her brother next to her. It had been only a few days, but she feared she'd never get used to it. Even Lady Catelyn was not here, for she was in the Stormlands, treating with Renly Baratheon. All the lords had their eyes on Freya then, and she opened her mouth to answer, but found no words.

"No," she finally said, "I have not received a raven from my brother, nor my father."

Robb bit on the edge of his nail. "I'm becoming worried."

"My father doesn't like to reside with other houses, especially because your house killed my brothers –" Freya suddenly stopped herself, knowing that she was rambling on with words she did not mean. She cleared her throat. "He says that we Greyjoys stand alone, or together. We are Ironborn and take what is ours. Although, he sometimes surprises me with his choice of allies. I love my father, but sometimes he does not know how to rule."

"I'd rather not have the Greyjoy Rebellion repeat itself," Lord Umber sighed. "What a shitty rebellion that was."

Another lord smacked down his hand. "Balon Greyjoy should feel lucky to ally himself with us!"

Freya pushed her chair out and stood. "Stop spewing shit about my house!"

The lords stared at her in shock, while Robb was smirking, a surprised reaction to both himself and Freya. She exhaled slowly before sitting down once again. "So," Robb began again, "what will we do if he does not accept?"

Freya wrung out her hands in worry. They suddenly felt sweaty as thoughts of the future ran in her mind. Her father had thousands upon thousands of ships, and he could never dare to get involved in another rebellion. Freya didn't know if he had the guts to, but granted if the stories of her younger sister's raids were true, then he had a strong Yara by his side in planning. Sometimes, this made Freya fear that he now loved her more than his other daughter.

"Let's wait until we receive a raven," Greatjon replied. "I doubt that Balon Greyjoy would plan a siege against us."