[Ned had told her that while he treated Theon as one of his own, there was always a barrier between them out of necessity. Even so, Claire's sure he was much more of a father in every regard in comparison to Balon. It must have made the disappointment of reuniting with him that much more painful.]
No, they aren't. You know that. [No doubt Ned might have delivered some justice to his boys while growing up, but nothing cruel. Nothing without cause. She doesn't need to say that, though. She has a feeling Theon is acutely aware of so many things like this. Admitting them to himself is another issue.] Fathers don't give their boys away and not know how long it's been. Fathers do not treat their remaining son like a dog. I pity him for not realizing that.
[She might never tell Theon, but the best thing his father did was hand him over to the Starks, regardless of how cruel it was to a young boy. Surely he grew up better, even if... well. She could only tell Percy that Theon was troubled. Maybe it wouldn't have been so bad if his homecoming was warmer.
She doesn't reach for him again, but she does step closer.]
... I can tell you that you are wanted now, Theon.
[It might not mean much coming from someone who isn't a Stark, isn't a Greyjoy, isn't even from Westeros, but it must make a difference to hear the words. Just as Max had oh-so-subtly implied. She could tell him she trusted Theon, but did Theon himself know it?]
no subject
No, they aren't. You know that. [No doubt Ned might have delivered some justice to his boys while growing up, but nothing cruel. Nothing without cause. She doesn't need to say that, though. She has a feeling Theon is acutely aware of so many things like this. Admitting them to himself is another issue.] Fathers don't give their boys away and not know how long it's been. Fathers do not treat their remaining son like a dog. I pity him for not realizing that.
[She might never tell Theon, but the best thing his father did was hand him over to the Starks, regardless of how cruel it was to a young boy. Surely he grew up better, even if... well. She could only tell Percy that Theon was troubled. Maybe it wouldn't have been so bad if his homecoming was warmer.
She doesn't reach for him again, but she does step closer.]
... I can tell you that you are wanted now, Theon.
[It might not mean much coming from someone who isn't a Stark, isn't a Greyjoy, isn't even from Westeros, but it must make a difference to hear the words. Just as Max had oh-so-subtly implied. She could tell him she trusted Theon, but did Theon himself know it?]