Theon Greyjoy

Theon Greyjoy is a major character in Game of Thrones. He is played by Alfie Allen and debuts in the first episode of the series.

Theon is the son and heir of Lord Balon Greyjoy, the ruler of the Iron Islands. Some years ago, the Iron Islands rose in rebellion against the Iron Throne and were crushed in a war led by King Robert Baratheon and Lord Eddard Stark. The ironborn surrendered and Balon was allowed to remain overlord of the isles in return for his only surviving son Theon being given as a hostage and ward to Eddard Stark. Despite his status as a hostage at Winterfell, Theon has nevertheless been treated well by the Starks. He and Robb Stark are best friends. Theon is a skilled archer.

Season 1
Theon Greyjoy is present at the execution of Will, a deserter from the Wall, and hands Eddard his sword prior to the execution. On the way back to the castle the party find a stag dead in the road, partially dismembered. Looking for what killed it, they find a dead female direwolf, killed by a stag antler to the throat. The female died after giving birth, and five pups huddle by the corpse for warmth. Theon suggests killing the pups, but Jon Snow convinces his father that this is an omen as there are five pups and five Stark children, Eddard consents. Just as the party leaves, Jon finds a sixth pup, an albino, the runt of the litter. Theon ruefully points out that this one belongs to Jon. Later, Robb, Jon and Theon ponder the impending arrival of the royal party, notably the reputation of Queen Cersei Lannister as a great beauty and the reputation of Prince Joffrey Baratheon as being a 'right royal prick'.

After Bran Stark's injury and the royal party's departure, Theon learns from Catelyn Stark that she has found evidence implicating the Lannisters in Bran's 'accident' and the later attempted assassination. Theon and Robb suggest taking revenge through military action, but Maester Luwin counsels them to patience. Catelyn and Ser Rodrik Cassel depart for King's Landing, leaving Robb in command of the castle. Theon is present when Robb frostily receives Tyrion Lannister when the latter stops at the castle on his way back from the Wall. Afterwards Tyrion and Theon exchange insults about the defeat of Theon's father's rebellion and how Theon is Robb Stark's 'lapdog'. Theon does not come off well out of the exchange. Whilst boasting about his family's exploits and heritage, he is also put down by both Maester Luwin and even Theon's favourite prostitute, Ros.

Theon and Robb exchanges views over the matter of Jory Cassel's death and the growing Stark-Lannister animosity in King's Landing, during which Robb brusquely reminds Theon that he's not a Stark. When Bran is taken prisoner by wildlings in the forest near Winterfell, Theon saves him by shooting Stiv, the wildling leader, in the back. With the departure of Ros for King's Landing, Theon is left bored, so accosts the surviving wildling they take prisoner, the spearwife Osha, but is warned off by Maester Luwin.

When word comes of Lord Eddard's arrest, Robb summons the banners to war. Theon points out that it's good that Robb is afraid, as it shows he is not stupid. As the northern army marches south, Theon becomes Robb's right-hand man, advising him at strategy meetings and greeting Catelyn when the army meets her on the road. When a Lannister scout is captured, Theon obscures their maps and battle plans, to Greatjon Umber's amusement. Reaching the Twins, Theon shoots down several ravens leaving the castle bearing messages from Lord Walder Frey, allowing Catelyn to negotiate an alliance. Theon fights alongside Robb at the Battle of the Whispering Wood, where Jaime Lannister is taken prisoner. When Robb laments the loss of 2,000 of his men in the feint at the Battle of the Green Fork, Theon assures him that songs will be sung of their bravery. Robb responds that they will not hear them.

After news arrives of Eddard's execution, Robb Stark is proclaimed the King in the North by his lords bannermen. Theon swears his sword and fealty to Robb's service.

In the books
In the Song of Ice and Fire novels, Theon was a young boy when the rebellion was crushed and his two brothers were killed. He has been raised at Winterfell for the nine years since and has become close friends with Robb Stark. He is cordial to the rest of the family, but more distant. Theon is known for his arrogance, as he is the heir to House Greyjoy, one of the Great Houses of Westeros, despite not having seen home in a long time.