Different Paths to Destiny [Game of Thrones]

8: Glory And Gore

"I have a sister. Yara is my only sister."

"You don't know her!" I yelled at him. "I loved you! I still love you! You know me better than anyone, we were inseparable. What changed?"

"I was never good enough for you."

"What?" I asked. "What are you talking about?"

"You were always the Targaryen princess who was waiting for her throne. Now you have it. I was the only one who wasn't good enough for you. You fucked the rest of them and ignored the fact that I followed you around for years. You're just a whore who will do anything to wear a crown."

"My Gods, Theon! It was never like that with us! You never felt that way about me. You told me to drop the act, now it's your turn. Stop pretending like I wasn't the one person in this world who understood you. We were outsiders in this home, and we were there for each other. Stop pretending, Theon. This isn't a game, people are dying. You must stop."

"I can't," he said. His mask fell away. I could see that he was still the same scared little boy, he'd been when I tackled him in the courtyard so many years ago. He started to cry.

"Don't cry, I don't want to feel bad for you," I said, meaning to sound harsh. But it was no use, I felt for him already. "Why did we have to grow up?" I asked. He smiled, a sad broken smile.

"Things were so much better when we were kids. Amina, we could run. I know it'll be hard for you to forgive me, but you could try." He reached toward me. "I know you never wanted to marry Robb."

"Theon, I've gone through every option. There's no where I can go they won't find me. I couldn't even if I wanted to." I put my hands on my stomach. "Come back with me to camp, I'll make Robb forgive you. It'll be hard, things will never be the same between you, but in time maybe. I ask you as your Queen."

"I have no queen," he said. "Ask me as your brother."

"No, Theon-"

"If you want me to come with you, ask me."

"I can't do that. It's selfish for me to ask you to come back. Robb will have your head. It's safer you stay away. I can't ask you as your sister, because I know you'll say yes. Robb and I are brining a child into this war torn world, and I will not let it be corrupted by the Greyjoys. Leave Winterfell, go back to Pyke. Maybe one day we'll meet again." I shook my head. "If you stay here, I can't protect you."

"I'm never going to see you again, am I?" He asked. I knew in that moment he'd made his choice. He couldn't go back to Pyke empty handed.

"You're the one who said goodbye," I reminded him.

"I know."

"I will stay here tonight, unless you gave my room away to some whore. And then tomorrow you will let me and my knight leave without any trouble."

"You're leaving me in charge of Winterfell?" He asked skeptically.

"Make no mistake, Theon, people are coming for you. I should kill you myself, but I cannot. I can't hate my brother, no matter what he's done to me. You killed children. You killed the man that taught you to hold a sword." I shook my head. "You will die for what you've done. But I won't be there, I don't want any part in it, I don't even want to know how it happens. I'll never see you again and that's ok, I don't want to remember you like this anyway."

"You're writing me out of your life?" He asked.

"Don't pretend like you don't deserve it. I'll leave at dawn, if you're smart you won't be there to see me off." I turned and walked to the door.