#balon greyjoy

[jeyneofpoole]

modern theon gets electrocuted by his strawberry mango lollipop sizzle flavored vape on the clock at his minimum-wage fast food job and passes out and hits his head on a shelf of molding bread and barbrey (shift manager) wakes him up by burning him with the end of the cigarette she always has in the corner of her mouth and forces him to take orders even though he’s actively concussed and seizing and when it’s time for him to go home he wraps balon’s 30 year old truck around a tree because he’s seeing double and he calls asha for help she picks him up and drives him to the er and steals the bars of hospital soap while her brother’s brain is leaking out of his ears and balon writes him out of the will for the whole truck thing but by god does theon clock in for his shift the next day. roose (store manager) lets him sleep on the floor if he promises to not tell the police about the time ramsay locked him in the walk-in for three hours and jacked off on the other side.

#you know what this is #asoiaf #a song of ice and fire #valyrianscrolls #theon greyjoy #ramsay bolton #barbrey dustin #asha greyjoy #balon greyjoy #modern asoiaf

[eternalvoidseeker]

Asha my favourite son <3

#theon greyjoy #balon greyjoy #asha greyjoy #asoiaf #house greyjoy

[ghostlyturncloaks]

“It is as I feared. The green lands have made you soft, and the Starks have made you theirs.” “You’re wrong.”

in this scene, balon isn't ripping off any random item of 'effeminacy' or 'softness', he is ripping off a gold chain necklace, the asoiaf symbol for enslavement and captivity. a captivity balon victim-blames theon for having survived. balon would have ripped off theon's head to get rid of the chains. theon's head stayed and the chain broke. good job on surviving, theon! you will do a lot more of that, and you will not enjoy it.

#theon greyjoy #balon greyjoy #valyrianscrolls #asoiaf #chamlarts

[wexpyke]

i cannot get over the fact that balon hatecrimed theon for not wearing [checks acok] stolen jewellery and also for wearing clothes that were too nice and yet somehow almost every single interpretation of modern au theon involves him [checks tumblr] being a criminal and dressing like shit

#theon greyjoy #balon greyjoy #a song of ice and fire #.txt

[adarkandmagicalforest]

#robert baratheon #sandor clegane #the hound #renly baratheon #jon snow #cersei lannister #aegon ii targaryen #daemon targaryen #balon greyjoy #viserys targaryen #asoiaf #a song of ice and fire #game of thrones #got #house of the dragon #hotd

[lord-armitage]

Theon "why process trauma when you can commit war crimes" Greyjoy.

Asha "kink roleplay in a castle she stole with her femboy boyfriend" Greyjoy.

Balon "hates gayboys so much that he's now pro-woman" Greyjoy.

Euron "how to become a man-made horror beyond human comprehension" Greyjoy.

Victarion "I honour-killed my wife and now I'm sad about it" Greyjoy.

Aeron "why process trauma when you can become a religious fundamentalist" Greyjoy.

#the most ridiculous House #asoiaf #house greyjoy #theon greyjoy #asha greyjoy #balon greyjoy #euron greyjoy #victarion greyjoy #aeron greyjoy #a song of ice and fire

[vivacissimx]

Theon's choice not to visit Alannys was not a choice

Cannot believe it took this long for me to get around to this meta—also, feel free to read my whole spiel about Theon's father figures in Ned, Balon, and Roose here, because it does inform my view.

OK, Alannys Harlaw hours.

The conception of Theon's motivations in the situation where he does not go to see his mother when he returns to the Islands is a bit harsh on Theon. It ignores that Theon has not been avoiding Alannys all these years: he has been kept from her. Theon's access to her has always been controlled by the NedBalons in his life.

I want to get into the idea that this is not happenstance. That Theon's father figures control his access to his mother, which is not even a novel concept in ASOIAF. Jon Snow, who is Theon's foil, also has access to his mother restricted by—woah! Ned Stark as well!! (And both Jon and Theon are expected to be grateful for this too.)

Theon's homecoming to Pyke does not result in him rushing triumphant as the prodigal son into his loving mother's arms because in fact Alannys is not even on Pyke (though Theon thought she would be). Nope, it's Theon's suspicious, resentful, and yes "homophobic" uncle as well as father who Theon meets. From here it is just assumed that Theon has perfect access to Alannys, and that him not hopskipping over to Harlaw is purely his preference. (Are you catching on to the idea that I disagree with this, yet?)

Getting into Theon as a character & how he acts under suspicious/mistrustful eyes:

As a boy, he had lived in fear of Stark's stern face and great dark sword. His wife was, if anything, even more distant and suspicious. [ACOK, Theon I]

-

“What I am about to tell you must not leave this room,” she told them. “I want your oaths on that. If even part of what I suspect is true, Ned and my girls have ridden into deadly danger, and a word in the wrong ears could mean their lives.” “Lord Eddard is a second father to me,” said Theon Greyjoy. “I do so swear.” [AGOT, Catelyn III]

-

Ned turned back to his wife. “Once you are home, send word to Helman Tallhart and Galbart Glover under my seal. They are to raise a hundred bowmen each and fortify Moat Cailin. Two hundred determined archers can hold the Neck against an army. Instruct Lord Manderly that he is to strengthen and repair all his defenses at WhiteHarbor, and see that they are well manned. And from this day on, I want a careful watch kept over Theon Greyjoy. If there is war, we shall have sore need of his father’s fleet.” [AGOT, Eddard IV]

Theon knows he is not trusted in Winterfell. Catelyn including Theon in this circle of ooh secrets is mostly due to the fact that Robb physically brought him & also because she knows that Theon does not really even have the ability to betray her on this front. He definitely knows that. Ned does not have a paternal relationship with Theon & does not perceive himself as Theon's father any more than Theon believes he is Ned's son (in the manner that Robb or Bran or even Jon is), so why does Theon lie here?

HE IS OVERPERFORMING HIS COMMITMENT TO THE PATRIARCH FIGURE IN WHOSE HANDS HIS LIFE/FUTURE LIES.

Theon predicates his vow to Catelyn with an affirmation of his willingness to do service to Ned, and in fact that's what his access to her relies on. That's probably why he makes such a production of incessantly flirting with her too; because of how it implies he is in Ned and later Robb's good graces! Of course AGOT Theon is also just a flirt for the purposes of producing his masculinity in general. But does anyone really disagree? Moving on.

The door was grey wood studded with iron, and Theon found it barred from the inside. He hammered on it with a fist, and cursed when a splinter snagged the fabric of his glove. The wood was damp and moldy, the iron studs rusted. After a moment the door was opened from within by a guard in a black iron breastplate and pothelm. "You are the son?" "Out of my way, or you'll learn who I am." [ACOK, Theon I]

(Even the damn door is in on it LOL)

Theon knelt. He had a purpose here, and might need Aeron's help to achieve it. A crown was worth a little mud and horseshit on his breeches, he supposed.

-

He was playing the part of a dutiful young prince for the moment, while he waited for Lord Balon to reveal the fullness of his plans. [ACOK, Theon II]

-

"My father gave me the command here, Uncle." "And sent me to counsel you." And to watch me. Theon dare not push matters too far with his uncle. The command was his, yes, but his men had a faith in the Drowned God that they did not have in him, and they were terrified of Aeron Damphair. [ACOK, Theon III]

THEON IS PERFORMING FOR BALON. His father doesn't approve of him and Theon is playing the part. He is making every overture and concession to obedience, or piety, that is asked of him. Balon, Aeron, Asha, even Victarion make sure he knows when he's failing—whether it's with an express disapproval or just a knowing laugh. Theon notes all of this because due to how he was raised he's extremely perceptive of how those with power over him regard him.

And Balon does not criticize Theon for not visiting Alannys.

"Will I find my sister and my lady mother at Pyke?" "You will not. [ACOK, Theon I]

-

Harlaw is only a day’s sail, and surely Lady Greyjoy yearns for a last sight of her son.” “Would that I could. I am kept too busy here. My father relies on me, now that I am returned. Come peace, perhaps...” [ACOK, Theon II]

Theon visiting his mother is not reliant on his own self-motivation, but on whether or not Balon grants him access to her. This is not to say Balon expressly forbade it or that there would have been any direct consequences if Theon had gone over... but it's about goodwill, not permission! What else changes between Theon asking about Alannys when he returns to Pyke and when he explicitly tells Asha that he can't go see her because Balon, because war? Simple: he needs to prove himself to his father as loyal and strong first. To make it explicit, Ned & Robb allowed Theon access to Catelyn in the same manner that Balon refuses (or, at the least, disapproves of) Theon's access to Alannys. Theon is sensitive to this disapproval and does not push the matter.

The only person who pushes Theon to go to Alannys is Asha. Asha obviously has Balon's trust, though, and it could be said she takes it for granted. Asha's level of understanding of Theon is complex; she recognizes him but she doesn't know him. When she says this:

You are blood of my blood, Theon, whatever else you may be. For the sake of the mother who bore us both, return to Deepwood Motte with me. [ACOK, Theon V]

it's actually wild how much is packed in here. For the sake of the mother who bore us both: Theon doesn't yet have the right to Alannys or even know how she'd receive him, given his other receptions on Pyke. Return to Deepwood Motte: the castle Theon believes he should have been tasked with taking above Asha, a concrete proof of his father's mistrust in him, which amongst other reasons spurs on his taking on Winterfell to begin with.

Personally I think Theon as a symbol of Balon's failed rebellion does make him, in Balon's eyes, also a symbol of his failed marriage. Theon does not confirm Baelon's masculinity as a son should, as Asha does. He is a reminder of the ways in which Balon lacks.

I also believe that Theon ~misses his mother, FWIW. He thinks back to his childhood sleeping in the Sea Tower while on his way to Pyke which is a mommy-coded memory; he expects to sleep in his old chambers again when he returns to Pyke—both that and his expectation of seeing Alannys are swiftly disabused. He will not be slipping into his old roles, Theon learns through the reunion with Balon which is violent in more ways than one. It's interesting because Theon actually expects to have to prove himself to his father (which is why he comes armed with a plan for taking Casterly Rock) but he doesn't expect to be punished for having been held hostage all these years.

If we are indulging in symbolism, though:

Above the Sea Tower snapped his father's banner. The Myraham was too far off for Theon to see more than the cloth itself, but he knew the device it bore: the golden kraken of House Greyjoy, arms writhing and reaching against a black field. The banner streamed from an iron mast, shivering and twisting as the wind gusted, like a bird struggling to take flight. And here at least the direwolf of Stark did not fly above, casting its shadow down upon the Greyjoy kraken. [ACOK, Theon I]

The Sea Tower where Theon's childhood memories & hopes for return to his family lie is dominated by his father's banner. At least it's Balon Greyjoy and not Ned Stark, Theon tells himself. Yet the result is the paralleled, mirrored, as Balon and Ned often are with Theon: under Ned's control Theon can't see Alannys because he is Balon Greyjoy's son, while under Balon's control Theon is discouraged from seeing Alannys because he isn't son enough. Perhaps Theon does prioritize the goodwill of his patriarch because he views it as an essential ingredient to his survival and success... but he's also absolutely aware of the role the wife/mother/lady/queen plays in the whole arena too. As power, as leverage. It's pretty plain when you consider that he tells Barbrey she could claim leadership over the North if she so desired. He took such pleasure in being relatively intimate with Catelyn as well.

So, he knows. Yet they're still all held above his head like a little treat. Delicious.

#theon greyjoy #alannys harlaw #ned stark #balon greyjoy #asha greyjoy #aeron greyjoy #text #meta #asoiaf #valyrianscrolls #gender in asoiaf

[milliganopen]

asking balon greyjoy ‘gay son or thot daughter’ but asha is the gay son and theon is the thot daughter

#ive cracked the greyjoy gender fuckery code #theon greyjoy #asha greyjoy #balon greyjoy #asoiaf

[duchess-of-oldtown]

One thing that always gets me, is Quellon Greyjoy. You got this ✨tall✨ scary dude who could have been a big fucking threat but decides to be a reformer. He tries to fix the reputation of the Iron Islands and the Greyjoys. And he dies in the most Ironborn way, in battle at sea, probably thinking at least "I did something to be proud of and the Islands are on the way to a better relationship with Westeros". But then his kids are literally an eldritch horror, a dumb thot, a religious fanatic and one short king and they just undo all of his work in like five mins. You cannot convince me that Quellon was not looking up from the depths of the Drowned God's watery halls like

#I just love the idea of Quellon just screaming in the afterlife because of his kids #Tywin is there too just catatonic over Cersei and Jaime & #the fact that Tyrion is actually impressing him in his whole Essos hot girl summer #Quellon Greyjoy #Nine sons born to this man and all disappointments #house greyjoy #asoiaf meta #Asoiaf #valyrianscrolls #a song of ice and fire #balon greyjoy #theon greyjoy #Asha Greyjoy #euron greyjoy #aeron greyjoy #victarion greyjoy #the iron islands #GRRM #grr martin

[lislemons]

asoiaf characters as posts that remind me of them pt 3

#the et one came to me in a vision #asoiaf #hotd #podrick payne #tormund giantsbane #otto hightower #sansa stark #margaery tyrell #house greyjoy #balon greyjoy #theon greyjoy #yara greyjoy #asha greyjoy #robb stark #aegon ii targaryen #asoiaf silly posting #asoiaf textpost

[a-chaotic-dumbass]

drowned god please take away all of lady alannys harlaw's suffering and give it to balon greyjoy

#fuck that man frfr #balon greyjoy #house greyjoy #alannys harlaw #asoiaf #valyrianscrolls #a song of ice and fire #agot #acok

[jeyneofpoole]

some asoiaf characters would thrive if displaced into another environment. for example dany should be in a 2010’s horsegirl movie, sansa should be in a glee-esque teen love quadrangle where she’s at least three separate gay guy’s beards, and rickon should have access to mountain dew and cheetos and one of those ipads with the rubber handled cases and disgusting screen protectors. i do think however that if you took like. theon. out of asoiaf he’d fit right into the modern world but his ass would not be doing well. i know five theons and they’re all the most insufferable men to ever walk this earth. he has six separate instagram accounts for all facets of his personality and his tweets from 2012 where he calls greenlanders physiologically inferior to #ironbornmight get drudged up and he becomes unemployable. asha won’t let him bunk with her because qarl is convinced that he’ll steal their silverware and pawn it (he will.) this being said like he should have been born in this time he just wasn’t. like he was created to get roofied in shitty clubs and have complexes about wearing eyeliner as a guy and get called slurs by his dad for wearing crop tops unfortunately he was written into a storyline about being subject to five saw traps at once and also being nineteen and gay in george rr martins’ magnum opus fantasy series a song of ice and fire.

#i’m going to SLEEP!!!!!! #asoiaf #a song of ice and fire #valyrianscrolls #theon greyjoy #asha greyjoy #balon greyjoy #qarl the maid #daenerys targaryen #sansa stark #rickon stark #modern asoiaf

[qhorinhalfhand]

ok the “theon is so visibly gay he’s an easily clockable fruit and balon hates him bc he’s homophobic and hates QUEER FREAKS xD” jokes have gotten really old now i think. this is starting to remind me of the 2021 boypetwhore bit where the joke is just “x character experiences homophobic violence” and hmmmm we gotta think about that. i think it’s exploitative, offensive, not engaging with the text in any real capacity and i rly think it’s time to ask like. why is it funny for these characters to experience homophobia.

#i rly dgaf about what ppl headcanon theon’s sexuality or gender identity to be #i don’t really think about him like that #but hmmmmm i am sick of this joke #hit that NOTIFICATION BELL if you also want to stop seeing this #im making this post instead of filtering the theon tag btw #cause that’s my next resort #theon greyjoy #balon greyjoy #asoiaf #valyrianscrolls

[im-in-andromeda]

there is not a single member of the greyjoy family who is not absolutely delusional it’s the one trait they all share

#its their black hair and blue eyes gene #the baratheons could never #im sorry asha i love you i truly do but you’re involved in this too babe #asoiaf #house greyjoy #asha greyjoy #theon greyjoy #victarion greyjoy #euron greyjoy #aeron greyjoy #balon greyjoy

[jokey05]

Theon Greyjoy during all of ASOIAF:

#theon greyjoy #a game of thrones #a clash of kings #storm of swords #a dance with dragons #winds of winter #winterfell #robb stark #asha greyjoy #ramsay bolton #balon greyjoy #stannis baratheon #bran stark #rickon stark #jeyne poole #the red wedding

[starkslydia]

HOUSE GREYJOY is a noble house founded by the son of the Grey King during the Coming of the Andals. Their seat is Pyke, on the Iron Islands of Westeros. The Greyjoy heir is to be named Lord or Lady of the Iron Islands, Lord or Lady Reaper of Pyke and Son or Daughter of the Sea Wind, historically its heir also assumed the title of King or Queen of the Isles, as well as King or Queen of Salt and Rock. Their sigil is a golden kraken. The Greyjoy family words are “We Do Not Sow”. 

A short HISTORY of the NOBLE HOUSES of WESTEROS (4/11)

#house greyjoy #greyjoy #the iron islands #asoiaf #a song of ice and fire #got #game of thrones #hotd #house of the dragon #theon greyjoy #asha greyjoy #balon greyjoy #yara greyjoy #euron greyjoy #dalton greyjoy