At least that is enough to bring a ghost of a smirk back to his face. He’s still a proud Greyjoy, and the burning of the Lannister fleet had been a fantastic beginning to a hopeful rebellion, before his brothers were killed and the Iron Fleet was smashed and Aeron was taken prisoner. He had only been a boy when it had happened, but he can recall it all well enough. In the end, Robert merely had more support. The islands couldn’t match the entirety of the North and Westerlands. Balon’s aspirations were way, way too high.
“Why shouldn’t I be in one piece?”
He comes across as more than a little defensive. As much as he hates the idea of his upbringing, he still can’t bring himself to hate the Starks. Would Lord Eddard have truly beheaded him if he had been given the chance? That question still haunts him, and the invisible noose that’s been around his neck for ten years still chafes, but he still can’t bring himself to feel any true malice toward the Starks.
“They wouldn’t have dared. After years of ignoring the Iron Islands, they didn’t suspect that the Iron Fleet might have been rebuilt, bigger than before. My father would have crushed them.”
Even he can’t make himself believe that lie, but it does help him feel a bit better. TFW dad doesn't love you. Do you know that feeling, Viserys?
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At least that is enough to bring a ghost of a smirk back to his face. He’s still a proud Greyjoy, and the burning of the Lannister fleet had been a fantastic beginning to a hopeful rebellion, before his brothers were killed and the Iron Fleet was smashed and Aeron was taken prisoner. He had only been a boy when it had happened, but he can recall it all well enough. In the end, Robert merely had more support. The islands couldn’t match the entirety of the North and Westerlands. Balon’s aspirations were way, way too high.
“Why shouldn’t I be in one piece?”
He comes across as more than a little defensive. As much as he hates the idea of his upbringing, he still can’t bring himself to hate the Starks. Would Lord Eddard have truly beheaded him if he had been given the chance? That question still haunts him, and the invisible noose that’s been around his neck for ten years still chafes, but he still can’t bring himself to feel any true malice toward the Starks.
“They wouldn’t have dared. After years of ignoring the Iron Islands, they didn’t suspect that the Iron Fleet might have been rebuilt, bigger than before. My father would have crushed them.”
Even he can’t make himself believe that lie, but it does help him feel a bit better. TFW dad doesn't love you. Do you know that feeling, Viserys?