Asha I

The grief settled as the dust in the northern sky. Asha Greyjoy was alone and content. She knew her brother was going to be executed by the southorn king in front of the northern lords. He kept his promise to punish the prisoners he captured in battle. The castle was cold and dull; it was so northern, as her ironborn self would never be welcome on any circumstance, unless she took it by the iron price, as her old self would do. She was given a room of her own, close to the royal quarters as she will always be watched. By the knights of Stannis Baratheon and no one will let her out of sight, unless their name was Justin Massey. The ironborn missed her champion and hoped he returned soon, but she spared no hope, as he had a task to do in the name of his king and will go, all the way across the Narrow Sea and accomplish his mission.

Separating from Prince Jacob was a must, she was a hostage and he was man to be wed. Asha shed a few tears; she liked him and would have married him, if he was ironborn, not a handsome greenlander and the son of the most brutal man in the seven kingdoms. She did herself no favours, approaching the prince when his father voiced his disapproval of their relationship, but it was not a case of them bedding each other. It was a common companionship between two lonely people in the north. Asha missed Theon, even though she hardly knew him, as he was taken away by the greenland wolf lord and she lost her brothers in her father's rebellion. At least, the southorn king allowed her brother a clean death by the sword, by the heart tree of the Old Gods for her sake. Asha must deal with seeing his head on the spikes of Winterfell's gates; it was a warning for southorns and northerners not to cross Stannis Baratheon and his bull-headed son, unless they wanted their heads on spikes for all kingdoms to look at.

The woman stared at her latest escort, Ser Sorrell Grimm, the King's Man and the green prince's former shield, she could tell by his bald head and tattered clothes. He was put on her, as the man wanted to prove himself worthy of redemption. Asha glimpsed the sneers the Grimm man gave her, as she was ironborn and he was from a place that fell victim to ironborn raids through the centuries. The man was not too bad, only when he was boring and no good to talk to. Sorrell was a failure of a knight and everyone knew it, even the king himself. By the look in his steeled eyes, he wanted to be by his prince's side again and longed for the chance. For all the talk the man had, he makes himself look a lovestruck pounce in a way that not respectable for any knight.

"Sorrell would rather remove my head from my shoulders, like the king did to Theon, but I have value, until the southorn king finds me a new husband, to marry off to one of his knights. Stannis Baratheon must be waiting for my champion to come back or marry me off to someone else. I will not get my southorn crown, as he said it to my face. Had I be looking for a crown, I would have used my young body on the greenland prince and married him in the Winterfell sept, even though I have no love for greenlander faith, but it is the faith of the green prince, even though his father would rather worship fire and he seemed to miss his red witch every day, and even the queen wife with the great beard on her and the scarred princess daughter."

Asha was amused in more ways than one. There were certain places, where she was not allowed to go, by the order of the king and her various escorts. As the king's prize, she was more valuable as a kept woman than the other women, the king imprisoned. She should be called the prince's prize, as he was the one who defeated her in single combat and took her to Deepwood Motte himself. She never liked the greenland prince to begin with, but the man changed something within her, and she changed him too. A Greyjoy and a Baratheon alone in the frozen north together, it was prime for killing, but they put those differences aside, and focused on a common enemy and his bastard. She was pleased to have avenged her brother and left the bastard with the axe stuck in his neck, but the prince and his red-haired cousin dragged the bodies back to Winterfell on horses and wagons, until they were put on spikes on the gates of Winterfell.

The idea of change was foreign to Asha, knowing she would never get along with any greenlander, especially the son of the man, who beheaded her last brother. The prince had finished speaking with his father and the fat merman lord, but the man seemed full of anger when the other two men were not looking. It was expected for the son of the king to be married, and she had to stomach the stupid green wedding, as the prize hostage of the king and a trophy bride for one of his knights, unless Ser Justin returned. Asha never met the prince's greenland bride, but she already disliked her on principle, she was stealing her southorn crown and the prince away from her. It was what Stannis Baratheon wanted, to separate the ironborn woman from his son and sever whatever their relationship was. She did not care, as she will only shed one tear for the man and will move on, even though she may be a widow herself.

"Your stare can burn any man, greenlander." Asha said, in a stiffened tone.

"Better to burn you with, my lady." Ser Sorrell replied.

"Why are you here?"

"I am your escort permanently, since the king was impressed with my duty-bound ways."

"Great, more time with a greenland southorn."

"I do not enjoy my time with you, either but we will make the most of things."

"When will Ser Justin return?"

"I am not privy to the king's secrets and plots, if you want to know, speak with Ser Richard or Ser Godry, men of the king's inner circle."

"They would rather dismiss me for being a woman."

"Ser Clayton died on the battlefield, there should be some relief for you."

"Do you grieve for your fellow knights?"

"No, since Ser Suggs was a queen's man, I do not care for him as he was poor in manners and should never have been knighted."

"You are only watching me to get back in the king's good graces again."

"I'm glad to see Prince Jacob returned safe, thanks to you."

"You must like serving him, even though the king hates you."

"Only because of where I am from and the house my family serves."

"Will you leave when the war is over?"

"I will do what I can to earn Prince Jacob's forgiveness and I hope to serve him, when he is married with children of his own."

"I will be some man's wife, only if my husband on Pyke is dead."

"How can be you be married to a man, who have not consented to?"

"My Nuncle thought it a good idea, to sign the marriage papers with my seal on it, it's how greenlanders used to do it."

"To remove you from the lordship of the Iron Islands, those men sat back and allowed a mad man to take your rights."

Asha lowered her shoulders, not wanting to talk with a greenland knight, about the loss of her throne to Euron and her humiliation at the hands of the ironborn. She was a woman in a culture that favoured violent men, and it was what her mad uncle was. Only a few champions claimed her their queen, but it was not enough to defeat Euron or even uncle Victarion in the Kingsmoot, Theon would have lost as he was more greenland than ironborn, and their people would have rejected him because of that reason alone. Asha was lonely, as a child who lost two brothers to the sword and one to the greenlanders, but it made her lord father more determined to train her as his heir and the only one he had left. She was given what most ironborn women did not have, as the opportunity to captain her own ship and command her own men to reeve and pillage as her ironborn ancestors have done for centuries on the greenlands.

All was gone, her broken and dead family, her crown gone and she was stuck in a drifty castle, with a gritting king who wants her burned, just for lusting over his son. It was her own reality, but she came to terms with it, long before she lost Deepwood Motte and resided herself to life as a hostage. Asha still had her strength, but showed it in front of the green prince, who dismissed her for her womanhood at first sight, as he learned to change his ignorant greenland views on women overtime. She enjoyed the little time she had with her prince, before he was called by his father or some northern lord, who wanted his attention or a retelling of how he and Asha killed Bolton's bastard and left an axe embedded in his shoulder to blee to death.

"You will cope better than others, the Whitehill girl shakes like a lily." Ser Sorrell commented dully, not caring for what happens to the king's other hostages.

"A northern girl, who worships the southorn faith. What did she expect?" Lady Asha replied.

"You met Bolton's widow, a vibrant spirit in such a dull castle, but being with child has not damped her joy at all."

"The fat one in pink silk, you will not catch me wearing such, even if the king puts me at swordpoint."

The bald knight chuckled, even though he was no ordinary green man, as he was no lord, just a fighter on the right side of the war. "You in silk will be the death of all mankind, kill us before the white walkers do."

"You calling me ugly. You are a failure and a man without honour."

"I will not have my honour and dignity questioned by ironborn filth; you will watch yourself before you will be on the chopping block, be fortunate you are a woman and spared from such a fate." Sorrell declared.

"Has the prince been to see you, since you were dismissed from his service?"

"Only twice, but he has much to do, his mother, the Queen and his sister, the Princess will arrive soon and there is a wedding to prepare for."

"I have never seen a greenland wedding, will it be fun."

"You will sit at the back, with me watching you and some maid dressing you for the occasion. Your normal chainmail and trousers will not do."

If Asha learned one thing about her stay in Winterfell, was Ser Sorrell Grimm was not as dull as people thought he was, unless you coaxed anything out of him. He reminded her slightly of her Nuncle Rodrik, as the reader must know what happened to her and Theon's death. As the Harlaws, were the second most powerful family on the Iron Islands, not even Nuncle Rodrik will have the coin to ransom her; she will be Stannis Baratheon's hostage, as long as he wanted to, even if he took that iron chair south. She will still be his hostage, but Asha Greyjoy will see the finer trappings of greenland royal court, even if she could be the first ironborn woman to step inside the cesspit of a capitol called King's Landing. The current greenland king and the Stannis's main enemy was a little boy, in the claws of the roses and lions. Asha could see herself, in a greenland lace dress, even though she will be paraded around as the king's prize for all the greenland lords and ladies to see, even though she has nothing, but her name as a means of value to the king.

"Will you put me in a silk dress yourself?" Asha said, in a haughty tone.

"No….a winter dress will suit, since winter is already here, unless the grey rats have declared it." Ser Sorrell replied.

"Grey rats?"

"It's what we greenlanders call Maesters by such a term, only those who dislike these men call them so."

"Why?"

"If a maester born from the south influences a northern lord to marry southwards, he will lose the influence of his fellow northmen."

"Might be the same for us ironborn."

The bald knight was not a bad escort, even though he was as dull as last night's supper bread roll. Asha never thought Sorrell could have a spark, but he was defensive when he talked about his prince, as if the man belonged to him, even though it was none of her concern. She looked outside of the window to see the snowstorm, as heavy as, it was on the road to the watchtower. The inside of the castle was warm, from the timber brought from the Umbers to keep the castle and the guest keeps warm. She will never leave this place, unless she wanted to sign her own death warrant, she wanted to live, even though it was not an ideal situation. She brought it upon her self, by her own misdeeds and must pay the consequences of her crimes, the crimes of her dead brother and the crimes of the ironborn. Asha had enough of being used as a pawn against her people, but her own people left her here in this cold and dull region to die without warmth from the sea she called home.

She would meet a potential husband, since her old reaver would be dead by now, due to his advanced age. Asha was not looking forward to such a wedding, but it was to keep her out of King Stannis's way and to keep her away from his son, while he wed the northern girl that was coming over. She will face the north girl, who dared to steal her long sought-after crown, as she would be forced to bed the prince and quicken with child. Sorrell Grimm was her guard and her escort at the same time, but was put on her service by the king, who was impressed with his diligence to keep her out of the way of the northern lords and the king himself. At least, Ser Justin will spill some of the king's secrets to her, but Sorrell had none since he was dismissed from the prince's service by force. Asha was sorry for the horses, as they were gated into their stables with the horses of the leftovers of Stannis's army that came with him from the south, as a crop of them died, including the disgusting raper knight Ser Clayton Suggs, who she was glad was gone and she would never have to shiver in the presence of a man, who should have never been a knight.

The Queen's Men were agitated, not being able to worship their red faith, in front of the northerners and on their lands, unless they wanted to be thrown out of Winterfell. Asha was comfortable with the King's Men, the ones who worshipped the greenlander faith the prince worshipped and the same faith he will marry under. She stayed out of the way, even though Ser Sorrell protected her from the worst of the men Stannis brought with him north, as it was his duty as her guard. The ironborn was itching to train with her axe, as she had nothing better to do than being watched like a hawk, by a reach man, who would rather remove her head or even allow the fanatical Queen's Men to burn her on a stake, like they did to the cannibals for eating each other.

"This place is drab, too boring and nothing to do. Better Sorrell takes me to the training yard, but the storm has put everyone here on lockdown. Sorrell is ordered to keep me away from the prince, or else Stannis will change his mind and kill me, instead of giving me mercy as he did. I hate it outside; nothing will please me more than to stare at the heads of Roose Bolton and his bastard. The bald knight on my left dictates where I go and who I talk to because, it was his duty to do so, but he is growing fond of me, even though he would rather I be dead. Ser Sorrell Grimm may not be my friend, but I can have him as an ally."

The ironborn shivered at the thought of cannibals, especially since she saw it for herself in the north. Living on salt and sea, made Asha naïve to how such monsters will never be seen in her homeland, but further north, as she was chained by the southorn king on the first half of the journey from Deepwood Motte. She could never go anywhere, without Ser Sorrell knowing or being with her, it was better to have someone at her side, than to be on her lonesome. A chill passed through the dank halls of Winterfell, even though Asha was used to the cold and not being northern, as the southorns in the king's armies had a harder time adjusting to the climate of the north and Winterfell. The storm has hindered them from moving further south, and liberating the rest of Stannis Baratheon's kingdoms from the rule of lions and roses, but it was going to take time for the snow to clear the roads and for the men to be prepared for another long journey to finish the war the southorn king started.

Asha's situation was terrible, being the last trueborn scion of her house, with Theon being dead and her brothers lost to the sword. She was the only one, who could carry on the Greyjoy name, with one of her uncles being mad and the other being a martial failure in all sense of the words. Had the Damphair not been her uncle, Asha would have killed the spineless coward for giving away her crown to a mad man and a godless man as he disrespected the sea the Drowned God occupied. He would never be welcome in the Drowned God's watery halls in the deep. Both her ironborn uncles left her to rot at the hands of Stannis Baratheon, why should she give them anything at all, as they already stole her birthright of her father's throne and lands from her. Being the wife of a greenlander knight will stick to her uncles, even though the reaver at Pyke would be dead by now and she would be free to be married to someone else, preferably chosen by the southorn king.

Across the halls, the ironborn caught sight of the red-haired Estermont boy in the sigil of the sea turtle with the green prince, with a beard on his face. Asha knew from Ser Justin, of Stannis's queen wife, whom had a facial hair as well, as it was passed down to the son. She ignored the sight of the prince, as did Ser Sorrell as he was ordered to stay away from the king's son because of his failure. The prince could have died, had Asha not intervened in his fight against Harald Karstark, as his head graced the gates of Winterfell, alongside Theon. It was unpleasant when the Karstark men would leer at her, when they were in the dungeons. Asha could roam the castle, as a highborn hostage and a woman, whilst the men were in the cells ready for King Stannis's iron justice to come for them.

The Estermont scattered away, seeing a pretty face from one of the serving maids brought over by the ruling northern ladies, leaving Prince Jacob to come face to face with her, even though Ser Sorrell made himself invisible, even though he was still around to make sure, she does not dare run from him. The prince's beard was slightly shaved off, as the hairless areas were exposed, and she never realised how handsome the greenlander ponce was beneath the great hair on his face. His eyes made him more intimidating, whenever someone looked at him. Prince Jacob was a man of eight and ten years and has seen war than most men in this castle and won every single battle he fought in the northern campaign. He was his father's steadfast loyalist and councillor over lords much older than himself, but he did his duty to his king, even though the thought of getting married made both the ironborn and the prince see each other eye to eye on the issue.

"Lady Asha, has Ser Sorrell given you grief." The prince said, in a casual tone.

"No, he has been good to me, though I prefer Ser Justin." Asha replied.

"He will return soon, as soon as he delivers the girl to the Wall and goes to Braavos to buy my father his sellswords."

"What are your opinions on that?"

"Sellswords are honourless thieves, who fight for the highest bidder, they might as well be assassins."

"Do you know your bride?"

"Only a little, but I will get to know her after the wedding, since the storm has us all trapped here."

"You have matured, greenlander." The ironborn said, in a sour tone.

"What's the matter, Greyjoy? What happened to sweet green prince?"

"Your sweetness has washed away, and I see you for the brute you are."

"It's who I am, and I am proud of it."

"Will your future wife like a brutish husband, such as yourself?"

"She will have no choice in the matter, unless her fat grandfather wants to forgo being linked to the legitimate royal family."

"All greenland speak, are you a man at all."

"Yes, I am, and I keep to my role, unlike you who wants to make trouble for herself. You are surrounded by people, who want you dead and only my father has kept you alive."

"I am thankful for your father's defence, since I saved your life and he owes me."

"He would never say it to your face, but he will honour a debt if needed."

"Not to an ironborn woman, he wants to keep away from his son."

The prince and Asha began to stroll through the halls, even though her grey knight was close behind and out of sight. The castle was all northern and all Stark, but it reminded her of Theon's decisions, which cost him everything. He could have escaped Winterfell and returned to Deepwood Motte with her, and then Theon would have stopped Euron from seizing the driftwood crown, but there was no use dwelling on the past. So much could have been changed had her dear brother listened to her in his moment of need. Prince Jacob's sweetness had gone away, as soon as he licked the blood of the bastard boys from his lips and smiled as he crushed the bastard of Bolton with the warhammer. A darker side only Asha saw of the king's son when they were in the snow together, but she was thankful that anger was not unleashed on her, as she endeared herself to him, even as a reluctant ally. There were many halls of the castle, as there were many levels, but Asha wrapped herself in the furs given to her by Sorrell to keep her warm and to have some resemblance of care for his charge.

"You look cross, what happened?" Asha asked, wanting to know what made the green prince so wroth.

"My father wants the wedding to happen immediately, when the bride and her family arrive, but I want to prolong it. I want my mother and sister here to see me walk down the altar of the gods, even though he wants me wedded and bedded sooner rather than later."

"It leaves us with more time, even though your father will not like it."

"Sod my father, I am a man now so I can do what I want and speak to whomever I want."

"Brave to refuse his order, but he loves you too much to refuse you."

"Love, my father would rather take the sword rather than say that word in public."

"So unloved, my green prince. No wonder why you became such a brutish man, like your uncle."

"Do not speak, of what you do not know, my lady."

"How is your father's onion knight, since he is not really dead?"

"He will return soon; I have not seen Davos in a long time, and I will be glad to see him again." The prince said, with such a reverence in his tone. His steeled eyes brightened, and a smile perched on his face, when he spoke of the onion knight his father so cherished, it seems this knight has an importance in the prince's life as well.

"Is your cousin your new friend now?"

"No…..I keep him at my side, as I have few loyalists of mine. My father approves of cousin Luthor more than Sorrell, as Luthor is kin and can be trusted."

"Poor knight, he must know."

"It's better not to tell him, he is saddled with much guilt because of what happened to me and I don't want him to feel more shame."

"You are too merciful for your own good."

"It's better to be merciful than to kill blindly, as it what makes rulers or unmake them."

"Will you unmake my uncles, if you face them?"

"My father and I will, we aim to cleanse the Seven Kingdoms clean and to start over, by getting rid of anyone who stands in our way."

"I would like to stand by your side and get my islands back."

"If you want to take that risk, standing against your remaining family for a greenlander, who will never take you to wife."

The halls were warmer on this side, as the furs kept her from freezing outside and inside. Asha never thought her green prince brave enough to fight her nuncles in battle, but his father defeated Nuncle Victarion in the rebellion and won the war for his royal brother. She listened when Victarion did not, when not underestimating Stannis Baratheon, even in his gaunt and thinned state, as it made him more frightening and more feral as a man and an irritated king, with three kingdoms under his belt. The prince looked like his father, when it came to his eyes and his hair colour, but he looked nothing like him as the rest of him as all his uncle,King Robert and a nose from his Florent mother. Asha only saw what the prince's cousin and father did, was the lighter side of the green prince when he is not so cold or worth with the foolish knights, who swore themselves to their king and his cause for the greenland throne.

The ironborn stomach stirred, whenever she was the prince's presence, but she dismissed it to hunger and it almost being supper. Asha was proud and will never admit that to the man at her side. He helped her kill Ramsay Snow, but he was not her friend or her lover, not in the way Tristifer Botley or Qarl the Maid were to her. She missed her former lovers, even though the Glovers were going to bring them over from Deepwood Motte to present them to the king, as tokens of thanks for getting rid of the Boltons and Freys. Winterfell was the base of Stannis Baratheon's operations, until the snow cleared, Asha would not think to spend the winter in a northern castle, surrounded by so many enemies and was a king's prize for the rest of her existence, unless the brittle southorn king granted her wish to join her forefathers at sea.