Very interesting thoughts. I think Theon catching Bran and Rickon, locking them up in a tower and then finding sacrificial Bran-and-Rickon substitutes for display, would have depended on where, when and with whom Theon found the boys.
I honestly think, if during the height of his anger, after chasing them around for hours, and surrounded by his own men, Theon had found Bran and Rickon, he would have killed them. Yes, he'd feel very guilty about it later. But I think when faced with his own anger, and not wanting to look weak in front of the other iron born, he would have gone against his morals.
However, if he had happened upon the boys when calmer and alone, then yes, I think his morality would have saved Bran and Rickon, and like you suggested used the decoy heads.
As to the question of what would have happened if it hadn't all gone wrong for the Starks and Robb, again, that would depend on what Theon did with the boys.
If he had killed them in his anger and need to prove himself, then he'd be screwed and nothing he could say to Robb, Catelyn and the other Starks would have saved him.
However, if he did have Bran and Rickon locked up in a tower, and handed them over unharmed, I can see Theon claiming it was all a plot to protect Winterfell and the boys. If Theon knew the Greyjoy forces were beat, I could see him "switching sides" again and trying to save his own skin.
Despite the morality Theon showed with being against the boys he grew up with, I think he - like a lot of iron men - is very self-serving.
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timeasmymeasure
Re: Tyrell
Date: 2009-11-17 11:22 am (UTC)I honestly think, if during the height of his anger, after chasing them around for hours, and surrounded by his own men, Theon had found Bran and Rickon, he would have killed them. Yes, he'd feel very guilty about it later. But I think when faced with his own anger, and not wanting to look weak in front of the other iron born, he would have gone against his morals.
However, if he had happened upon the boys when calmer and alone, then yes, I think his morality would have saved Bran and Rickon, and like you suggested used the decoy heads.
As to the question of what would have happened if it hadn't all gone wrong for the Starks and Robb, again, that would depend on what Theon did with the boys.
If he had killed them in his anger and need to prove himself, then he'd be screwed and nothing he could say to Robb, Catelyn and the other Starks would have saved him.
However, if he did have Bran and Rickon locked up in a tower, and handed them over unharmed, I can see Theon claiming it was all a plot to protect Winterfell and the boys. If Theon knew the Greyjoy forces were beat, I could see him "switching sides" again and trying to save his own skin.
Despite the morality Theon showed with being against the boys he grew up with, I think he - like a lot of iron men - is very self-serving.