There was a familiar fire in Elaina's eyes when he broke the news to her. They were sitting in their private rooms, sharing a pitcher of sweet wine in the evening. She glared at him from across the circular table, taking a deep drink from her cup as she waited for Theon to explain himself. She'd been preparing for this battle for most of the day, having cleared her schedule in order to be uninterrupted. Maron and Caielle were both old enough to be out for most of the day with their own appointments, and Elaina had quickly sent Anette to the gardens and insisted Elasia mind her, leaving them alone in their quarters.

"I know it is not what you want, Elaina. As does Robb. But it was a King's request how could I refuse?" His fingers fidgeted on the edge of his cup, turning it over in his hands.

"Simply say no" Elaina scowled. "You know, I was speaking to Lord Lannister about Caielle just the day before. And before that Trystane Martell invited you to play cards with him, probably to discuss our child. But before doing any of that you go and swear her to a Stark"

"Your king is a Stark, Elaina." Theon answered.

"As was your foster father. And look where he is now!" Elaina laughed, pouring herself more wine from the pitcher. "I cannot, I simply cannot believe you would do this without discussing it with me, Theon."

"I only wanted the best for her. Rickon is not your first choice, but I think Caielle would be happy in Winterfell; if only for that wolf that follows him around" Theon scoffed. "You can't be angry with me forever, Elaina"

"I can and I will" Elaina slammed her goblet down on the table, sloshing the liquid over her hand and onto the wood. "You wanted a strategic marriage. One that would soothe our people and tie us to a strong, warden house. Instead you give her to a man whose family owes you life debts to please a king whose friendship you already have!"

"Friendship is not guaranteed, Elaina" Theon could see her hand trembling as her anger began to shift. "Robert Baratheon was a friend to Eddard Stark, and yet it didn't stop his son from taking the man's head"

"So you're suggesting that Edwin Stark will have your head, is that it?" Elaina stood up, knocking both the goblet and pitcher to the floor. Her voice shook with intensity."Or perhaps you're suggesting it will be Maron and Rodrik with Robb's?"

"Lord and Lady Greyjoy" A guard stepped into the room, an apologetic look on his face. It was Myriom, one of their own. He would have known better than to disturb them for anything less than an emergency. "Lord Lannister is here to see you. Shall I send him away?"

"No. Let him in." Elaina waved her hand. "And send for more wine. And someone to clean up this mess"

"My my, have I come at a bad time? I would be more than happy to allow you to finish your discussion" The guard stepped aside, allowing Tyrion Lannister to slip into the room. He wore a smirk on his face.

"It can be continued at another time, please. Grace us with your presence and allow us to offer you some wine" Elaina returned to her seat. There was still a spiteful burn behind her eyes but she'd subdued the worst of her temper.

"I will, thank you" Tyrion hoisted himself into a chair closest to the door. "I hear our dear king came to you with an offer, Lord Theon, might I call you Theon? Lord Greyjoy seems rather formal."

"Of course" Theon nodded, sinking into his own chair. "He has brought me an offer, yes"

"And have you accepted?" Tyrion waited patiently as a young serving girl entered, leaving a new bottle of wine on the table and proceeding to clean the spilled wine.

"I haven't" Theon watched Elaina carefully from the corner of his eye. She was nursing some wine, watching their companion over the rim of her cup. "But he'll want an answer soon"

"It's a good thing I've come then." Theon drank deeply from his wine before speaking. "I've come to ask of you as well. My son, Jamie, seems fond of your Caielle. He's asked me to propose she allow him to escort her to our dear Prince Edwin's wedding. Should that go over well, I would assume there be a further offer"

Elaina's eyes flickered to him. This is exactly what she wanted, and Tyrion knew it. He'd likely have heard the most of their spat earlier and knew from rumors what exactly Elaina wanted for their child. Jamie Lannister likely wouldn't have been her first choice, but he knew he was a better choice to his wife.

"I will speak to Caielle," Theon finally said. "It will be her final decision, to whom she attends with"

"Do you intend to allow your daughter to choose her own husband?" Tyrion raised an eyebrow, his wine was almost constantly at his lips now. "A brave move, Lord Greyjoy. We all know how fickle children can be."

"I will choose who she marries, of course" He said firmly, meeting Tyrion's eye. "But it will do no harm to allow her to attend our dear prince's wedding with whomever she pleases."

"I see" Tyrion set his goblet on the table, wiping his mouth with his hand. He ignored the distasteful look on Elaina's face, lowering himself from the chair and onto the floor. "I believe I'll take my leave then. I would appreciate you send word to me of your daughter's decision by tomorrow, the wedding is in two days after all"

"Of course, Lord Lannister" Elaina said, Theon nodded his agreement.

They both waited as Tyrion was escorted from the room by their guard. "Tellram" Theon called out as one of the guards turned to shut the doors. The man hesitated, stepping back into the room.

"Yes, Lord Greyjoy?" His voice wavered. This was not a man of theirs like his fellow, Myriom, was. Tellram was one lent to them by Robb for their trip, insisting they need guards that both knew them well and knew the castle well. None of the IronBorn knew King's Landing, and very few of Robb's guards could even recognize the Greyjoys, so as compromise there was one of his own and one of Robb's stationed with them and their children.

"Ensure Lord Lannister is far from these rooms, please. I do not wish to be disturbed any longer" Theon waved the man away.

"Yes, Lord Greyjoy" Tellram nodded, ducking back out of the room and locking the doors behind him. The lack of noise suggested that Tyrion had indeed left, perhaps finding more eavesdropping above him.

"Theon" Elaina turned on him. "You must consider this, for Ca-"

"I know, Elaina" Theon shot her a dark look. "I know what this means for Caielle. And I know that this means for you"

"For me? Think of our daughter, Theon. As a Lannister she would be safe in Casterly Rock, with everything she could ever want." The most of his wife's anger had gone, but he could hear the coals of her fury smoldering just behind her words.

"I am thinking of her, Elaina" Theon stood, turning his back to the table and walking to the adjacent window.

"Are you, Theon?" Elaina asked queitly.

"Or are you thinking of yourself"