"I am not a Stark," Theon Greyjoy told himself. He never had been, even though he had lived in Winterfell for years.
Throughout his childhood, Theon had lived in the shadow of Eddard Stark's stern face and that terrifying greatsword. Stark's wife, Lady Catelyn, had been even more distant and suspicious.
As for Stark's children, the younger ones were too young. Only Robb Stark and Jon Snow were close to his age. The bastard was sullen, sensitive to every slight, and especially jealous of Theon's noble birth and the regard Robb had for him. Theon did have some affection for Robb himself, the sort one felt for a younger brother... Yet Theon felt deeply tormented. Anyone could see that he was a hostage. Most people treated him with wariness and indifference, feelings that extended even to the Iron Islands.
"The shadow of the Iron Islands' rebellion still hangs over everyone. Young people are a little more carefree, but the old are cold, remembering old grievances until death, forgetting no quarrel and allowing no possibility of forgiveness. My father and uncles are like that, as are the old men in the army. Most worrying of all is Storm. He is young, but he has been through too much." Although Theon had outwardly shown no displeasure when Gendry and the others stopped Robb from sending him to the Iron Islands, he was proud and sensitive at heart.
A new opportunity soon arrived. Since the Iron Islands had yet to send troops, Robb instead sent Theon with some northmen to Seaguard to assess the number of ships there. Without elders such as Catelyn and Brynden beside him, Robb had become bolder in his planning.
From Riverrun to Seaguard, Theon soon became friendly with Patrek Mallister, who held Seaguard. Patrek was a decent companion,