Floki of the Ironborn Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Given Balon's questionable frame of mind concerning his desire for independence, given his monstrous ambitions, and his ultimate disdain for his surviving son, did Theon's being a hostage to the Starks ever matter for Balon's plans? I imagine Balon would have struck the North anyway, though that begs two questions in turn. First, would the remaining forces in the North be more successful in driving the Ironborn out, given how Winterfell would never have been taken. And second, what would Robb have done with Theon in that situation? He clearly trusts and likes him, but would he execute him in revenge for Balon's attacks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee-Sensei Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Probably. Theon had been written off as a Stark and he had Asha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bright Blue Eyes Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Yes. He had written Theon off. And yes, the North would have curbstomped the Ironborn in about three months and set to invade the Iron Islands afterwards. After a fashion, more like starting a rebellion against Balon led by Theon. Who'd be less than pleased with his father. Same as the Ironborn suffering that curbstomping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jojen Weed Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Definitely, Balon never gave two shits about Theon the only reason he didn't attack before was because he was afraid of Robert and Ned, which is why Theon should have stayed with Robb to fight alongside him, the Starks were more of a family to him than Balon and Asha ever were. Like Tvshow/Theon said "my real father lost his head in King's Landing". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee-Sensei Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Yes. He had written Theon off. And yes, the North would have curbstomped the Ironborn in about three months and set to invade the Iron Islands afterwards. The NOrth pulling off a successful Invasion of the Iron Islands is very unlikey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight Of Winter Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Correct me if I'm wrong, but in Theon's ACOK chapter when he returns to Iron Islands, wasn't Balon already preparing for the attack? It certainly look like Theon's captivity didn't hinder him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shyndy Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Ah man that is a good point hadn't really even thought about it, you always want to think about this being a huge blunder of Robb's but Balon's attack probably comes with or without Theon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King17 Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Yes he would have he did not care for his son now check out the topic I created Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galaxian Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 There is no question about it, Balon would have attack even without Theon returning. On the other hand, would Robb have killed Theon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bright Blue Eyes Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 The NOrth pulling off a successful Invasion of the Iron Islands is very unlikey. That's why I put it in "". It's more about sending Theon to raise the Iron Islands against his unsuccessful father with just enough backing that he isn't immediately killed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winterfell is Burning Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 I don't think so. If Balon didn't even kill Euron, he wouldn't kill Theon. Specially considering he couldn't be sure he'd return a "Stark". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramsay Gimp Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 I'm more curious what Asha would do in this case Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramsay Gimp Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Correct me if I'm wrong, but in Theon's ACOK chapter when he returns to Iron Islands, wasn't Balon already preparing for the attack? It certainly look like Theon's captivity didn't hinder him. This doesn't prove anything though. It's smart to be prepared when the realm is falling into civil war. That way if an opportunity came (like Theon returning to Pyke) the Greyjoys could strike quickly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Reaper oOo Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Im more curious what Robb would have done with Theon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bright Blue Eyes Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 I don't think so. If Balon didn't even kill Euron, he wouldn't kill Theon. Specially considering he couldn't be sure he'd return a "Stark". Balon wouldn't kill him. He'd just sacrifice him. To Ironborn morals, that's a difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryanfury Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 This doesn't prove anything though. It's smart to be prepared when the realm is falling into civil war. That way if an opportunity came (like Theon returning to Pyke) the Greyjoys could strike quicklyAlways amuses me when people actually believe this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramsay Gimp Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Yes. He had written Theon off. And yes, the North would have curbstomped the Ironborn in about three months and set to invade the Iron Islands afterwards. After a fashion, more like starting a rebellion against Balon led by Theon. Who'd be less than pleased with his father. Same as the Ironborn suffering that curbstomping. We know that the Ironborn have conquered parts of the Northern coast and Bear Island before. This suggests to me that the war between Balon and Robb (who would be trapped fighting other enemies in the South, with a significant amount of the North's strength) would not be as one-sided as you claim. The North would eventually win out like they have in the past, but I don't see it being a "curbstomping." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramsay Gimp Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Always amuses me when people actually believe this Mock away, but we also know that Balon was aware that Theon was on his way home. How else would Aeron be waiting for him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramsay Gimp Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Im more curious what Robb would have done with Theon. And whether the Northern lords would call for his head Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bright Blue Eyes Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 We know that the Ironborn have conquered parts of the Northern coast and Bear Island before. This suggests to me that the war between Balon and Robb (who would be trapped fighting other enemies in the South, with a significant amount of the North's strength) would not be as one-sided as you claim. The North would eventually win out like they have in the past, but I don't see it being a "curbstomping." Yes, but that was a long time ago under very different circumstances. Bear Island would be damn vulnerable and probably lost for good, but Balon attacked the mainland instead. Ser Rodrik would curbstomp Asha's force first and then attack the Fever River, cutting off Victarion's retreat while Howland Reed would bleed him. Balon would loose most of the Iron Fleet and his stronger supporters, the perfect landing zone for Theon to come back and raise the Iron Islands against him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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