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{{Infobox Chapter ACfK
 
{{Infobox Chapter ACfK
| pov = [[Theon Greyjoy|Theon]]
+
| pov = [[Theon Greyjoy]]
| place        = Aboard the ''[[Myraham]]'' on the [[Ironman's Bay]] - [[Pyke]]
+
| place        = Aboard the ''[[Myraham]]'', [[Lordsport]] and [[Pyke]]
 
| title = Theon I
 
| title = Theon I
 
| page = 121
 
| page = 121
Line 10: Line 10:
 
| arc next = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 24|Theon II]]
 
| arc next = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 24|Theon II]]
 
}}
 
}}
[[Theon Greyjoy]] arrives at [[Landsport]] and then [[Pyke]] with none of the fanfare he was expecting. When he finally meets with his father, [[Balon Greyjoy]], his father only derides him for his clothing, and after seeing the letter that Theon thought would eventually give him a crown, his father throws it in the fire. His father tells him that he will not ally with [[Robb Stark]] but instead carve out a kingdom on his own.
+
 
 +
After an absence of ten years, [[Theon Greyjoy]] arrives back home on the island [[Pyke (island)|Pyke]] aboard the ''[[Myraham]]''. He docks at [[Lordsport]] and is disappointed to discover that his father, Lord [[Balon Greyjoy]], has send only Theon’s uncle [[Aeron Greyjoy|Aeron]], a priest of the [[Drowned God]], to escort him to [[Pyke|Balon’s castle]]. At Pyke, Theon is greeted coldly by his father, after which he presents Balon with [[Robb Stark]]’s letter. Balon rejects the proposed alliance with Robb, instead insisting that he will [[Old Way|pay the iron price]] and carve out a kingdom of his own.
  
 
==Synopsis==
 
==Synopsis==
[[Theon Greyjoy|Theon]] insists that the southern merchant up from Oldtown [[Myraham]] approach the island towards [[Pyke]], much to the disgust of the captain. The last time he had seen Pyke was as when he was leaving on [[Robert Baratheon]]’s war gallery, taking him to be a ward of [[Eddard Stark]]. Behind the castle he can see the [[Red Comet]], which he considers his comet. He is feeling good, considering the paper that Robb Stark gave him as good as a crown. Pressing against him is the captain’s daughter. Theon is disgusted at the captain and crew not being willing or able to approach as close as Theon would wish or as close as a longship from the [[Iron Islands]]. Also the merchant ship took twice as long as a longship. Theon thinks how each Iron Islands captain was king aboard his ship, which is why the Iron Islands was named “the land of ten thousand kings.” Theon tells the captain to fetch him from the cabin when they make [[Lordsport]], and proceeds down to the captain’s cabin with his daughter; the captain had offered Theon the cabin, but the girl had come on her own (Theon thinks he can detect the captain’s outrage).
+
[[Theon Greyjoy]] is aboard the ''[[Myraham]]'', which is taking him to [[Balon Greyjoy|his father's]] [[Pyke|castle]] on [[Pyke (island)|Pyke]]. Although there is no safe anchorage, Theon insists the ''Myraham'' pass by the castle so he can watch his home rise just as it dwindled when he was taken away as a ward of [[Eddard Stark]] ten years before. Theon is unable to make out the banner above the [[Sea Tower]], but he knows it is the golden kraken of [[House Greyjoy]]. In the sky beyond the castle, the [[red comet]] is still visible. Theon decides it is his comet, sliding a hand to the letter from [[Robb Stark]] that he considers as good as a crown. The [[Daughter of the captain of the Myraham|captain's daughter]] asks Theon if the castle is as he remembers it and he confesses it looks smaller. He then gives the captain permission to make for port at [[Lordsport]] and takes the girl below deck, where he has her satisfy him orally. The girl asks to come ashore with him, to be his [[salt wife]], but Theon rebuffs her, explaining that the days of the [[Old Way]] are gone and that her place is on the ''Myraham'', despite her protests that her father will hit her for having slept with Theon.
  
Once in the cabin, Theon starts undressing her, and tells her about the hard life on the Iron Islands. She offers to come with him, be his [[Salt wife]], but he tells her that she will not come with him. Theon thinks how she is stupid, but he does not require his women to be smart. She ask for him to enter her again, but he demands that she take him in her mouth. Theon considers the [[Old Way]], when the [[ironmen]] lived by the axe and took what they wanted. That ended with the coming of [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Dragon]], who gave the [[Riverlands]] to the [[House Tully|Tullys]] and banished the ironmen back to the [[Iron Islands]]. Theon reminisces that [[Balon Greyjoy|his father]] had raised his banners [[Greyjoy Rebellion|in rebellion]] more to bring back the Old Way, than for the empty vanity of a crown. Theon vows to himself that he will never again go far from the sea. As the girl pleads for him to take her to be his salt wife, Theon tells her that his place is at Pyke and hers on the ship. She tells him that she cannot stay, and if she does, her father will punish her. Theon tells her that she is probably with child, and her father should be pleased since it would be an honor to raise a king’s bastard. He leaves her for the deck.  
+
In the harbor of Lordsport, Theon notices at least fifty or sixty longships including those of Houses [[House Goodbrother|Goodbrother]], [[House Wynch|Wynch]], and [[House Harlaw|Harlaw]]. Theon considers why his father has called the banners, wondering whether it is because of caution, or whether Lord Balon had anticipated as to why Theon was finally coming home after all these years. From aboard the ship, Theon discovers there is no honor guard to escort him to Pyke. As they make port the captain of the Myraham announces him, but the waiting merchants are unimpressed and do not recognize him. He orders a horse from an innkeeper, but their conversation is interrupted by a priest of the [[Drowned God]], who says he will escort his nephew to Balon's castle. Theon does not recognize the grim, bearded priest until he remembers his father writing that his uncle [[Aeron Greyjoy]] had gone down in a storm and turned holy after the near-death experience. Theon finds that Aeron's cold manners are totally unlike the amiable man he remembers from his youth. Abruptly, Aeron asks if Theon prays to the [[House Stark|Stark]] [[old gods|gods]] now, and Theon (who seldom prays at all) says no. Aeron commands him to kneel in the mud and drenches his head with seawater from a waterskin, reconsecrating him to the Drowned God.
  
From the deck he can see Lordsport filled with ships. The last time he had seen the port had been a smoking ruin. Now a new three storied inn replaced the inn half its side, but the sept had not been replaced. Among the 50-60 longships he can see the bannersof [[House Goodbrother]], [[House Wynch]], [[House Harlaw]]. He cannot see his uncle [[Euron Greyjoy]]’s [[Silence]], but does spy his father’s [[Great Kraken]]. It is obvious to Theon that the longships are hosting. He wonders if his father had anticipated his message. [[Robb Stark]] had sent ravens, and [[Jason Mallister]] had sent more birds when they had found no longship waiting for him. He wonders who will meet him at the quaryside, or, more likely he had sent his steward [[Sylas]] Sourmouth or Lord [[Sawane Botley]], or [[Dagmer]].
+
Aeron informs Theon that his [[Alannys Harlaw|mother]] now lives on [[Harlaw]] because of her health and his sister [[Asha Greyjoy|Asha]] has taken her ship, ''[[Black Wind]]'', to [[Great Wyk]] with messages from her father. Theon asks why his father has assembled his forces, but Aeron insists Balon commanded secrecy. When Theon protests, stating he has a right to know as Balon's heir, Aeron replies "''we shall see''" to that, stating that, although Balon has no other sons but Theon, he does have a daughter. When Theon furiously replies that he will not allow himself to be cheated out of his birthright by a woman, Aeron comments that Theon is a fool if he believes that Balon will ever hand over the [[Iron Islands]] to a Stark, making Theon realize that, although he was never truly accepted by the Starks, he is now neither truly accepted by his own family, either.
  
There seems to be no one to meet him, and none of the people seem to recognize him, which angers him. He ordersa horse from an innskeep. The innskeep demands to know where Theon is going, and Theon angrily replies Pyke. Then the innskeep tells him that he will send his boy to show him the way, which further angers Theon. They he hears his uncle [[Aeron Greyjoy|Aeron Damphair]]. He does not recognize him immediately but then remembers his father writing about Aeron going down in a storm, and when he washed up having turned holy. This sour priest of the [[Drowned God]] states he will take Theon to his father’s house. Theon asks his things, and the girl brings him his pack, and tells him she loves him; he replies that he must go.
+
They reach Pyke at sunset, from where Aeron departs immediately. Theon is brought to his chambers by [[Helya]], who informs him that Balon awaits him atop the Sea Tower. Theon dresses richly before leaving to meet his father. Balon is smaller, gaunter, and greyer than Theon remembers him. Balon asks what Theon is now, and Theon replies he is a man and Balon's heir. Balon only says they will see. Balon criticizes Theon's clothing and asks if the gold chain around his neck was bought with iron or gold. Theon, recalling that the [[Old Way]] stipulates a warrior may only wear jewelry taken from enemies he has slain, has to admit the chain was bought with [[currency|gold]]. Balon yanks the chain off Theon's neck, declaring that [[Asha Greyjoy|his daughter]] has taken an axe for a lover and that he will not have his son dress like a whore. Balon accuses Theon of having grown weak due to the green lands and decides the Starks have made Theon theirs, calling Theon [[Robb Stark]]'s envoy. Theon claims the letter of Robb he carries was based on Theon's own counsel, which amuses Balon. However, when Theon tells Balon that Robb looks upon him "as an older brother", Balon grows angry.
  
Theon asks Aeron why he did not receive a more formal greeting, and is told he is not to question the Lord Reaper of Pyke; Theon remembers how his uncle had always been jovial, but now he is chilly. Then his uncle asks if Theon prays to [[House Stark|Stark’s]] gods (wolf gods), and Theon states not. Aeron is pleased and demands that Theon kneal (which he does not like), and then drenches his hair with seawater from a waterskin, says;
+
Theon hands his father the letter, but it fails to impress Balon. In the letter, Robb offers Balon a crown in return for having the ironborn attacking the [[westerlands]], specifically [[Lannisport]] and [[Casterly Rock]]. Theon tells Balon the proposed plan is his own and asks for his reward Casterly Rock as his own seat. Balon scoffs at the notion of receiving such handsome reward for "a notion and a few lines of scribbling" and shows his dislike for the notion that Robb will give him a crown, as "what is given can be taken away". Balon burns the letter and backhands Theon when he protests. Balon declares that he will pay the iron price for his crown and take it by conquest as [[Urron Redhand]] did five thousand years before. However, Balon feels Casterly Rock to be too strongly defended and Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] to be too cunning by half. Theon asks what kingdom Balon means to carve out instead, but realizes he already knows [[north|the answer]].
{{Quote|Let Theon your servant be born again from the sea, as you were,” Aeron Greyjoy intoned. “Bless him with salt, bless him with stone, bless him with steel.}}
 
  
He then asks if Theon remembers the words and Theon says:
+
==Characters==
{{Quote|What is dead may never die.}}
+
{| class="wikitable" width="80%"
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| style="width:40%" |
 +
'''Appearing:'''
 +
*[[Aeron Greyjoy]]
 +
*[[Balon Greyjoy]]
 +
*[[Theon Greyjoy]]
 +
*[[Captain of the Myraham]]
 +
*[[Daughter of the captain of the Myraham]]
 +
*[[Helya]]
 +
| style="width:60%" |
 +
'''Mentioned:'''
 +
{{Columns|3|
 +
*[[Aegon I Targaryen]]
 +
*[[Alannys Harlaw]]
 +
*[[Asha Greyjoy]]
 +
*[[Bernarr II Justman]]
 +
*[[Brynden Tully]]
 +
*Lady [[Catelyn Stark]]
 +
*[[Dagmer Cleftjaw]]
 +
*[[Eddard Stark]]
 +
*[[Euron Greyjoy]]
 +
*[[Grey Wind]]
 +
*Lord [[Gorold Goodbrother]]
 +
*[[Harren Hoare]]
 +
*Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]
 +
*Lord [[Jason Mallister]]
 +
*[[Joffrey Baratheon]]
 +
*[[Jon Snow]]
 +
*Lord [[Jon Umber]]
 +
*[[Maron Greyjoy]]
 +
*Ser [[Patrek Mallister]]
 +
*Maester [[Qalen]]
 +
*[[Robb Stark]]
 +
*King [[Robert I Baratheon]]
 +
*[[Rodrik Greyjoy]]
 +
*Lord [[Sawane Botley]]
 +
*[[Sylas]]
 +
*Ser [[Stafford Lannister]]
 +
*Lord [[Tywin Lannister]]
 +
*King [[Urron Redhand]]
 +
*[[Victarion Greyjoy]]
 +
*Maester [[Wendamyr]]
 +
}}
 +
|}
  
Aeron continues:
+
==Places and terms mentioned==
{{Quote|What is dead may never die, but rises again, harder and stronger.}}
+
{| class="wikitable" width="80%"
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| style="width:20%;" |
 +
'''Places:'''
 +
*[[Arbor]]
 +
*[[Casterly Rock]]
 +
*[[Golden Tooth]]
 +
*[[Great Wyk]]
 +
*[[Harrenhal]]
 +
*[[Ibben]]
 +
*[[Iron Islands]]
 +
*[[Lannisport]]
 +
*[[Lordsport]]
 +
**Botley's castle
 +
*[[Myr]]
 +
*[[Old Wyk]]
 +
*[[Oldtown]]
 +
*[[Otter Gimpknee's inn]]
 +
*[[Pyke (island)]]
 +
*[[Pyke]]
 +
**Bloody Keep of Pyke
 +
**Great Keep of Pyke
 +
**Kitchen Keep of Pyke
 +
**Sea Tower of Pyke
 +
*[[Riverrun]]
 +
*[[Seagard]]
 +
**Booming Tower of Seaguard
 +
*[[Summer Isles]]
 +
*[[Tyrosh]]
 +
*[[Whispering Wood]]
 +
*[[Winterfell]]
 +
| style="width:20%;" |
 +
'''Houses:'''
 +
*[[House Drumm]]
 +
*[[House Greyjoy]]
 +
*[[House Harlaw]]
 +
*[[House Lannister]]
 +
*[[House Mallister]]
 +
*[[House Stark]]
 +
*[[House Stonehouse]]
 +
*[[House Wynch]]
 +
| style="width:20%;" |
 +
'''Ships:'''
 +
*''[[Black Wind]]''
 +
*''[[Great Kraken]]''
 +
*''[[Iron Fleet]]''
 +
*''[[Myraham]]''
 +
*Robert Baratheon's war galley<ref group="N">Possibly ''[[King Robert's Hammer]]'', the flagship of the royal fleet.</ref>
 +
*''[[Silence]]''
 +
| style="width:20%;" |
 +
'''Terms:'''
 +
*[[Bastard]]
 +
*[[Battle of the Whispering Wood]]
 +
*[[Direwolf]]
 +
*The [[Drowned God]]
 +
*Green lands
 +
*[[Greyjoy's Rebellion]]
 +
*[[Heraldry]]
 +
*[[Ironborn]]
 +
*[[Iron Throne]]
 +
*[[Melee]]
 +
*[[New gods]]
 +
*[[Ravens]]
 +
*[[Red comet]]
 +
*[[Riverlands|Rivermen]]
 +
*[[Sept]]
 +
*[[Smallfolk]]
 +
*[[Tourney]]
 +
*[[Old gods]] <small>("the wolf gods")</small>
 +
*The [[Old Way]]
 +
**"pay the iron price"
 +
**[[rock wife]]
 +
**[[salt wife]]
 +
*[[Ward]]
 +
| style="width:20%;" |
 +
'''Nicknames and titles:'''
 +
*[[Brynden Tully|Brynden Blackfish]]
 +
*the Cleftjaw
 +
*[[Damphair]]
 +
*[[Jon Umber|Greatjon Umber]]
 +
*King of Salt and Rock
 +
*[[King in the North]]
 +
*[[King of the Iron Islands]]
 +
*Kingslayer
 +
*[[Lord of Winterfell]]
 +
*[[Lord Reaper of Pyke]]
 +
*[[King of the Trident|River King]]
 +
*Robb the Boy
 +
*Son of the Sea Wind
 +
*the Greyjoy
 +
*Your Grace
 +
|}
  
Aeron then leads him to Pyke. Along the way Aeron replies to Theon question on if the islands have changed with the statement that the islands are as the gods made them. Theon then asks if his mother and sister [[Asha Greyjoy]] are at Pyke, and is told his mother is with her sister in [[Harlaw]] and his sister has taken [[Black Wind]] to [[Great Wyk]] with a message from his father. He then asks about Aeron becoming so serious and is told he was then young and vain, and now the Drowned God has shown him the way. Theon again asks about why his father plans are for the host he has called, and is told his father may tell him at Pyke. Angered, Theon tells Aeron that he is the heir, and Aeron replies that this will be seen, and even though his brothers are dead, his sister lives. Theon angrily insists that he will not be cheated. To this he hears that his father will not hand over the Iron Islands to a Stark.
+
==Notes==
 +
{{Notes}}
  
Theon remembers his life at [[Winterfell]]. Eddard had occasionally tried to be a father to him, but Theon could not forget that this was the man that brought destruction to Pyke. He felt somewhat towards Robb as a younger brother, [[Jon Snow]] was sullen and seemed to be jealous of his position, and relationship to Robb, and the other children were much younger. The whole castle knew of he was a hostage, and treated him as such, particularly [[Catelyn Tully|Catelyn]]. On this trip to the Iron Islands he was friendly with [[Patrek Mallister]], but his father Lord Jason Mallister noticed and did not approve his son being friendly with a Reaver; Lord Jason had killed Theon’s brother [[Rodrik Greyjoy]] when he stormed [[Seagard]]. He thinks of his father and his uncles as old men with their biases and feuds.
+
==External links==
 
 
Theon tells Aeron that Robb is now Lord of Winterfell, and that he has broken fealty with the [[Iron Throne]] and is told that this is old news; it was brought by the ravens. When Aeron states that each day is much like the last Threon quotes
 
{{Quote|They say the [[Red Comet]] is a herald of a new age. A messenger from the gods.}}
 
To this Aeron states it is a sign from the Drowned God, not their gods:
 
{{Quote|A burning brand it is, such as our people carried of old. It is the flame the Drowned God brought from the sea, and it proclaims a rising tide. It is time to hoist our sails and go forth into the world with fire and sword, as he did.}}
 
 
 
They reach Pyke at sunset. Theon can see that parts of the castle that had been destroyed when Robert and Eddard had captured it had been replaced. There is no one to meet him, and nobody seemed to even notice that the heir had returned, only the sableman for his horse and an old crone to show him to chambers. His uncle hastily departs, stating he has to deal with god’s business. When he asks why his father did not meet him, the crone, who names herself [[Helya]] and steward, states that his father is in the Sea Tower and see him after he had rested. Theon is told that the steward Sylas has been dead for 5 years, and Maester [[Qalen]] has been replaced by Maester [[Wendamyr]]. She leads him to his chambers in the [[Bloody Keep]], not to the Sea Tower as he expected. The chambers are in bad disrepair, and had obviously not been used in a long time.
 
 
 
Even Theon’s validity as heir to Pyke is put to the question by his uncle, who reminds Theon of his older sister [[Asha Greyjoy|Asha]]. Theon hated [[Eddard Stark|Eddard]], and had only gotten along with [[Robb Stark|Robb]], considering himself more a hostage than a ward during the ten years he spent at [[Winterfell]]. He is still confident in the letter he carried from Robb, which contained the plan Theon had devised himself. At Pyke, Theon is ushered into a long-disused room in the [[Pyke#Bloody Tower|Bloody Tower]], where a thousand years before the sons of the River King had been slaughtered. He asks for a basin of hot water and for the braziers to be lit in the other rooms to drive out the chill. She says she will and flees. It takes a long time for the basin to arrive and the water it tepid seawater. He cleans up and dresses in his finest cloths. Before he leaves, he warns the thralls that he expects clean rushes and a warm room when he returns.
 
 
 
The way to the Sea Tower includes a rope and wood bridge that swayed underfoot, and he is amazed that as a boy he would run across it. After a curt word with the guard at the door, he climbs to the solar where father waits. As they talk, there is a coldness in Balon towards Theon, who he accuses him of being an envoy. When Theon states he is Robb’s envoy, Balon notes that he pomised that he would outlive both Eddard and Robert, who broke his walls, but he still aches. He next accuses Theon of dressing like a woman with his velvets and silks, and then asks if the gold chain around his neck was bought (a warrior only wears the jewelry he takes off a corpse). When Theon blushes, his father pulls the chain off him, and tells him his sister has taken an axe for lover, and he will not have a son that dresses as a whore. He then follows saying the green lands have made him soft. Theon tries to tell his father that he will like what is in the letter he brings from Robb Stark, and that Robb heeds his council. Theon is about to state that Robb looks on him as an older brother, but his father stops him saying he will not hear him name a brother to the son of the man that killed Balon’s sons; the truth is that Eddard was responsible for neither death.
 
 
 
When Balon reads the letter he is unimpressed, saying Robb promises nothing only that Theon speaks for him. Balon throws the letter into the fire, exclaiming that he does not need to be given a crown, he can take one; pay the iron price. When Theon asks if his father has gone mad, he slaps him, telling him that he will not speak to him so, and he will take his crown as [[Urron Greyiron|Urron Redhand]] did 5000 years previous. He has called is host to take on lands that are ripe and undefended; [[Casterly Rock]] is too strong and [[Tywin Lannister]] is too cunning.
 
 
 
==References and Notes==
 
{{References|2}}
 
===See also===
 
 
* [http://slynt.blogspot.com/2011/06/re-read-theon-i-homecoming-queen.html Review of the chapter] in the course of a tenth reread.  
 
* [http://slynt.blogspot.com/2011/06/re-read-theon-i-homecoming-queen.html Review of the chapter] in the course of a tenth reread.  
*[http://blogoficeandfire.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_archive.html Humorous review and summary of the chapter] by Jason. 
+
*[http://blogoficeandfire.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_archive.html Humorous review and summary of the chapter] by Jason.  
 
*[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/02/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-clash-of-kings-part-6 Review and summary] by Leigh Butler.
 
*[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/02/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-clash-of-kings-part-6 Review and summary] by Leigh Butler.
  
Line 57: Line 176:
 
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Theon Greyjoy]]
 
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Theon Greyjoy]]
 
[[Category:Chapters which take place in Pyke]]
 
[[Category:Chapters which take place in Pyke]]
 
+
[[es:Choque de Reyes-Capítulo 11]]
 
[[fr:A Clash of Kings, Chapitre 12, Theon]]
 
[[fr:A Clash of Kings, Chapitre 12, Theon]]
 +
[[pt:A Fúria dos Reis - Capítulo 11]]

Revision as of 13:45, 19 February 2021

Theon I
A Clash of Kings chapter
AClashOfKings.jpg
POV Theon Greyjoy
Place Aboard the Myraham, Lordsport and Pyke
Page 121 UK HC (Other versions)
Chapter chronology (All)
Davos I  ← Theon I →  Daenerys I

Theon II

After an absence of ten years, Theon Greyjoy arrives back home on the island Pyke aboard the Myraham. He docks at Lordsport and is disappointed to discover that his father, Lord Balon Greyjoy, has send only Theon’s uncle Aeron, a priest of the Drowned God, to escort him to Balon’s castle. At Pyke, Theon is greeted coldly by his father, after which he presents Balon with Robb Stark’s letter. Balon rejects the proposed alliance with Robb, instead insisting that he will pay the iron price and carve out a kingdom of his own.

Synopsis

Theon Greyjoy is aboard the Myraham, which is taking him to his father's castle on Pyke. Although there is no safe anchorage, Theon insists the Myraham pass by the castle so he can watch his home rise just as it dwindled when he was taken away as a ward of Eddard Stark ten years before. Theon is unable to make out the banner above the Sea Tower, but he knows it is the golden kraken of House Greyjoy. In the sky beyond the castle, the red comet is still visible. Theon decides it is his comet, sliding a hand to the letter from Robb Stark that he considers as good as a crown. The captain's daughter asks Theon if the castle is as he remembers it and he confesses it looks smaller. He then gives the captain permission to make for port at Lordsport and takes the girl below deck, where he has her satisfy him orally. The girl asks to come ashore with him, to be his salt wife, but Theon rebuffs her, explaining that the days of the Old Way are gone and that her place is on the Myraham, despite her protests that her father will hit her for having slept with Theon.

In the harbor of Lordsport, Theon notices at least fifty or sixty longships including those of Houses Goodbrother, Wynch, and Harlaw. Theon considers why his father has called the banners, wondering whether it is because of caution, or whether Lord Balon had anticipated as to why Theon was finally coming home after all these years. From aboard the ship, Theon discovers there is no honor guard to escort him to Pyke. As they make port the captain of the Myraham announces him, but the waiting merchants are unimpressed and do not recognize him. He orders a horse from an innkeeper, but their conversation is interrupted by a priest of the Drowned God, who says he will escort his nephew to Balon's castle. Theon does not recognize the grim, bearded priest until he remembers his father writing that his uncle Aeron Greyjoy had gone down in a storm and turned holy after the near-death experience. Theon finds that Aeron's cold manners are totally unlike the amiable man he remembers from his youth. Abruptly, Aeron asks if Theon prays to the Stark gods now, and Theon (who seldom prays at all) says no. Aeron commands him to kneel in the mud and drenches his head with seawater from a waterskin, reconsecrating him to the Drowned God.

Aeron informs Theon that his mother now lives on Harlaw because of her health and his sister Asha has taken her ship, Black Wind, to Great Wyk with messages from her father. Theon asks why his father has assembled his forces, but Aeron insists Balon commanded secrecy. When Theon protests, stating he has a right to know as Balon's heir, Aeron replies "we shall see" to that, stating that, although Balon has no other sons but Theon, he does have a daughter. When Theon furiously replies that he will not allow himself to be cheated out of his birthright by a woman, Aeron comments that Theon is a fool if he believes that Balon will ever hand over the Iron Islands to a Stark, making Theon realize that, although he was never truly accepted by the Starks, he is now neither truly accepted by his own family, either.

They reach Pyke at sunset, from where Aeron departs immediately. Theon is brought to his chambers by Helya, who informs him that Balon awaits him atop the Sea Tower. Theon dresses richly before leaving to meet his father. Balon is smaller, gaunter, and greyer than Theon remembers him. Balon asks what Theon is now, and Theon replies he is a man and Balon's heir. Balon only says they will see. Balon criticizes Theon's clothing and asks if the gold chain around his neck was bought with iron or gold. Theon, recalling that the Old Way stipulates a warrior may only wear jewelry taken from enemies he has slain, has to admit the chain was bought with gold. Balon yanks the chain off Theon's neck, declaring that his daughter has taken an axe for a lover and that he will not have his son dress like a whore. Balon accuses Theon of having grown weak due to the green lands and decides the Starks have made Theon theirs, calling Theon Robb Stark's envoy. Theon claims the letter of Robb he carries was based on Theon's own counsel, which amuses Balon. However, when Theon tells Balon that Robb looks upon him "as an older brother", Balon grows angry.

Theon hands his father the letter, but it fails to impress Balon. In the letter, Robb offers Balon a crown in return for having the ironborn attacking the westerlands, specifically Lannisport and Casterly Rock. Theon tells Balon the proposed plan is his own and asks for his reward Casterly Rock as his own seat. Balon scoffs at the notion of receiving such handsome reward for "a notion and a few lines of scribbling" and shows his dislike for the notion that Robb will give him a crown, as "what is given can be taken away". Balon burns the letter and backhands Theon when he protests. Balon declares that he will pay the iron price for his crown and take it by conquest as Urron Redhand did five thousand years before. However, Balon feels Casterly Rock to be too strongly defended and Lord Tywin Lannister to be too cunning by half. Theon asks what kingdom Balon means to carve out instead, but realizes he already knows the answer.

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  1. Possibly King Robert's Hammer, the flagship of the royal fleet.

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