Ward

A ward is a member of a noble or knightly house who has been taken in by another noble family to be raised for a time. The practice varies, with it sometimes being undertaken voluntarily, for example, to help prospective heirs learn the customs of other regions of Sternlands as a part of their education. It can also happen involuntarily, with the "ward" actually being a hostage to force his or her family into good behavior or until a ransom is paid. Sometimes, as part of marriage alliances, one of the betrothed is taken as a ward so he or she can get to know his or her future spouse.
In cases of wards who are political hostages, because they are of noble blood and valuable in the peace agreement, they are not treated as mere prisoners to be thrown in a castle's dungeons. Such wards are treated with full courtly etiquette as noble guests, and quite often are treated as essentially foster children of their "captor". Such hostage-wards are given free run of the castle they are staying in, eat at the lord's table, and are essentially raised alongside the lord's own children. The only limit is that they are forbidden to leave the bounds of their host's lands and return to their original homes.
While wards fall under the Lord's Protection as a member of his household, their relationship is not technically seen as enjoying benefits of guest right, particularly for wards who are political hostages. Thus when the Stoneheart siblings, Theon and Elaine, or when Edmure Forebane and Bastion of Redfort were not accused of violating guest right when they betrayed their liege lords, the Fossoways in the Battle of Greenfield, and the Thranes and the Staffords, respectively, which would have been a far worse crime.