Squid

Trudging along the ground, Theon ignored the crunching sound of snow between his boots as he kept his eyes and ears alert for any sign of movement in the forest around him. It was safe to say that he had escaped Ironrath, what else would one call it when he escaped with the most high-value prisoner they had?

Beside him, the heavy footsteps of the Greatjon carried on and Theon also made sure to keep his gaze on that man as well. He didn't think the man would turn on him, not least of all when they were both heading to Winterfell to free the Stark hostages.

But Theon wasn't so sure.

"So, tell ma squid, what exactly's in this for ye?" Greatjon asked, looking unbothered and as if he wasn't sneaking away from the Ironborn in the keep behind them. "Ye can't be trying to get back in the good graces of the King, are ye?"

"What's it you, Greatjon?" Theon snapped and his answer caused the giant man to chortle.

"Bah, yer a sad excuse for a man. Ye betrayed yer brother and now ye go crawling back 'cos ye know he's gonna come back and rip yer fucking head off." The man laughed louder this time.

"I'm not doing this to get back in the good graces of Robb."

The Greatjon looked entirely unconvinced. "Really? Yer nought more than a fucking idiot. Can't even admit that yer doing this whole thing to go crawling back to the King, especially considering the war in the south is all but won. And then he'll come north and crush every Ironborn here before going onto the Iron Islands and tearing it apart, all to get to ye. Yer dead meat and ye can't even admit it."

Theon grit his teeth in annoyance.

"If I'm a fucking idiot, then what does that make you? I'm the one that beat you and the bastard, remember?"

"Aye, I remember." Lord Umber just continued to smile. "Caught ma by surprise with that, surprised a cunt like ye could come up with a plan like that. Made ma wonder where ye learned it?"

Theon didn't answer.

"Ah come on lad, no need for secrets between us." The Greatjon slapped Theon's back almost knocking the Greyjoy to the ground. "Come on, ye can tell me, ain't like it's gonna change ought."

"From Robb." Theon eventually muttered. "I learned it from Robb."

"Oh."

Theon didn't answer for a few moments, a deep scowl on his face. "Robb always said that you're one of the best offensive military commanders, but you're shit when it comes to defending. I remember that the only tactic you came up with was attack. As for Jon, he never learned to lead." Theon mocked and the Greatjon smirked.

"Aye, the Kings right. I'm shite at defending. Though being recognised as one of the best offensive military commanders by the King does make ma chest fill with pride. And you're right about Lord Stark, he's inexperienced."

"Well, I ain't, I stood by Robb's side and watched him lead. I learned about how he strategized." The Greatjon nodded his head, understanding what Theon was saying. Watching the King work was an eye-opening experience, it was no stretch to say that he was one of the best military commanders of not only this century but possibly in the entirety of Westerosi history.

His name would be told throughout history, that much would be true.

And if Greatjon was anything, he was going to make sure it was told on the same level as awe as the Aeron Targaryen if not greater. Only then, would the rest of Westeros know how powerful the North was!

"So ye learned a few tricks here and there, so-fucking-what. I've done the same fucking thing. Why don't ye tell me how ye did it? That's what I'm interested in."

Theon was silent once more.

"Come on now, ye was never ashamed of bragging when we marched south when yous was still loyal. What's wrong now, ye lost yer fucking balls?" The Greatjon egged on.

"You wanna know what I fucking did, hmm?"

"Why'd ye think I'm asking, ye fucking squid?"

"You wanna know? Well, I did exactly what Robb did to Tywin. I used my main army as a decoy to draw your attention while I had few small rowing boats ferry men up the coast and sneak them into the Wolfswood. How about that for a fucking strategy? Sure, put you and the fucking bastard out of the fight didn't it? Wonder how your King will feel knowing that his bastard brother and the man he trusted to defend the North got beaten by a fucking traitor."

It was the Greatjon this time who was silent, looking at Theon with a murderous glare.

Only for that to quickly disappear as he burst out laughing.

"Bwahahahaha! I touched a fucking nerve!" And he laughed once more.

Feeling a flush rushing up his neck, Theon spun on his heel and started storming through the forest. The large strides of the Greatjon allowing the Lord of Last Hearth to easily keep pace with the smaller man.

"Yer real fucking piece of work, ye know that squid? But I admit, ye surprised me with that, didn't expect it from ye." The Greatjon admitted. "So, what's ye plan to get Lady Stark and Princes out of Winterfell?"

"You expect me to tell you? You'll kill me as soon as I tell you!" Theon exclaimed bewilderedly.

"Aye, yer right about that." And as Theon walked ahead, the smile on the Greatjons' face slipped away. 'And when ye done helping ma, I'll lob ye fuckin' head off anyway. Yer a dead squid whether we succeed or not.'